The Minor Arcana

Many of our inventions can be credited to ani­mals. Our inspired need to fly like birds led to the invention of the airplane. The scientific uses of echolocation were inspired by dol­phins' ability to emit vibrations from their foreheads as a means of locating food. Our plastic swimming fins mimic aquatic creatures for enhanced swimming; the efficiency of ant colonies helped us to envision urban infrastructures. How can thinking about animals help you to address needs of day-to-day life and thus help you to improve the quality of your life?

Animals can be your teachers and guides. If you study animals' mannerisms in real-time situations, you can learn how to identify great parallels between the way that they live and feel and the way that you live and feel. Animals engage in tasks that are akin to human behaviors. For example, the instinct of a mother can be identified in both humans and animals. In my backyard, a mother duck laid a clutch of eggs underneath our hedge. We would take periodic peeks to see how the eggs were progressing. The mother duck was pleasant and receptive to our food donations, but as soon as her ducklings were born, there was no approaching her nest without loud, hostile quacks. She was very protective and loving of her offspring, as demonstrated by her defensive reflexes. As they grew, she took them to the lake's edge out back and taught her ducklings how to jump in and swim. They seemed to yearn for her guidance but after a while they developed more independent spirits and tended to stray during moments of shoreline explo­ration. Regardless, whenever someone approached her ducklings, the mother duck would immediately assume an air of defense and rush to their sides. This display of motherly instincts is not isolated to the animal world. We, too, share the instinctual drives that keep us focused on keeping our children safe.

By studying animals, you can acquaint yourself with the her­itage of all living things. Animals are intelligent and they have the ability to help us see aspects of our own lives that we sometimes allow to wither. Their various attributes can reflect different com­ponents of your own being. When you observe a vulture nibbling on a carcass, instead of thinking about how vulgar the scavenger is, you can learn to see how resilient and opportunistic that animal is. The vultures are a significant part of our environmental balance. They keep the environment clean by helping to rid the land of decay.

Another example of how to redirect your thinking is to see the marvelous ways in which a mockingbird engages in song. One day I watched this amazing creature reciting an entire repertoire of musical delights. It seemed to sing a different tune with every res­onating breath. By contemplating the diversity of the bird's song, you can recognize how truly complex and varied small animals can be. Such wonders can initiate inspirational thinking and enable us to be more flexible and aware of our surroundings.

The minor arcana will be examined using the four elements: pentacles for earth, cups for water, wands for fire, and swords for air. Appropriate animals for each suit will help to connect you with a particular element. Generally speaking, animals like reptiles, lizards, and insects qualify as symbols of fire/wands and represent intuition. Avian creatures are associated with air/swords and repre­sent the thinking function. Earth mammals represent earth or pen­tacles and are associated with sensation and materialism. Aquatic creatures symbolize water/cups and exemplify emotional qualities and feelings. Each corresponding element reflects a different part of our psyches. How can you use these four elements to help develop different functions of thinking and feeling? How can the animal image help you to connect more deeply with various facets of your being?

The minor arcana portion of the deck refers to the everyday occurrences and in a sense is less profound than the universal laws brought to light by the major arcana. The images serve a more personal purpose. They relate to daily situations, influences, and other aspects of your fife. The minor arcana is somewhat analogous to the personal unconscious, while the major arcana is representa­tive of the collective unconscious.

The images of the minor arcana (besides the court cards) focus on the animals themselves. The animals inspire contemplative thought. It is my hope that you will go beyond the obvious and reach deeper into the image to see the otherworldliness that the animal realm can provide for you. I also show the animals as living, breathing, and creative, soulful creatures. This is not a display of sterile zoological paintings; rather, the animals are portrayed in a manner that invites creative imaginings and connectivity to assist in temporarily dissolving the separations between the human world and the animal one. I want the viewer to merge with the animal energies and see the beauty of both the inner and outer creature. By tuning into animals and seeing them as helpers in your daily life, you can learn to become more balanced and con­nected with your inner energies. It is important to maintain a sense of equilibrium and animals are reminders that sometimes we need to adjust our priorities in order to feel better about what we can and cannot accomplish during the course of the day.

COURT CARDS

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