Balance and Healing with Archetypes & Essential Oil

Balance and Healing with Archetypes & Essential Oil

Podcast available on Apple Podcast, iTunes and pretty much wherever you download your podcasts.

Published: August 12, 2018
Aloha! We have been on a bit of a summer sabbatical but we are back and excited to get this episode out to you! As ever we invite you to be part of making the podcast magic happen by joining our Patron team! Just visit tiny.cc/tarot for more information.

This episode features a conversation with Barb Kurkas Lee. Barb is a certified clinical aromatherapist and archetypal consultant. Her service is to partner with people to help them nurture and connect to their inner lives. Check out her very cool blog and info on her service at barbkl.com.

We discuss her work which combines archetypal discovery with essentail oils to help balance and heal. Our conversation ranges to various archetypes such as the Victim, the Mother, the Alchemist, Healer and more. Toward the end of the show Julienne and Barb celebrate practices which feed the soul and encourage listeners to discover and keep doing the things that feed their soul even if they seem silly – all the better!

More on Barb Kurkas Lee:
Barb creates specific essential oil blends to support people as they connect to their soul’s compass. By learning our soul’s contract in working the archetypes, we find inner sustenance and peace. The interior work for a person is a labor of love. Barb’s education as a masters prepared nurse, retired nurse midwife, experience in other areas of healthcare, and hospice bring a deep dimensional witnessing of a soul’s journey on earth. Her ability to assist people and groups in their own labor of love is one of her callings.
Visit her website: https://barbkl.com/
Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barbkl/

Connect with the Archetypal Tarot Podcast
https://twitter.com/TarotPodcast
https://www.facebook.com/ATpodcast
https://www.instagram.com/tarotpodcast/

Archetypal Astrology with Shawn Nygaard

Archetypal Astrology with Shawn Nygaard

Part 1 is a conversation Julienne had with Archetypal Astrologer Shawn Nygaard. Shawn is an astrologer based in Minneapolis. He is a Tutor for MISPA (Mercury Internet School for Psychological Astrology), and has presented at conferences and different astrology schools as well as at The Minnesota Jung Association. His writing has been published in The Mountain Astrologer. Shawn is also a graduate of the CMED Institute in Chicago, where he studied archetypes and symbolism with Caroline Myss.
Their wide ranging conversation reflects on The Star card of the Tarot as our lens for looking at 2018, some of the major astrological aspects just ending and those for the near future. And of course, movies, music and culture.
Topics discussed:
  • Moana
  • Black Panther
  • Super Heroes
  • Pricilla Queen of the Desert
You can find out more about Shawn at his website ImagineAstrology.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and look for the Giveaway post where you could win a recording of A Brief Introduction to Archetypal Astrology by Shawn Nygaard.
Part 2 of Julienne’s conversation with Archetypal Astrologer Shawn Nygaard.  Their conversation focuses on the archetypal symbolism and history the upcoming Saturn in Capricorn in 2020.

Find more info on Shawn on his website:  https://www.imagineastrology.com/

Saturn in Capricorn – echoes of the slave trade

“There is nothing more satisfying, more gratifying than true adulthood.” – Toni Morrison 

Subtopics include:

  • Thresholds
  • Capricorn
  • The Handmaids Tale
  • Black Panther
  • Ancient Babylonia

 

Filling the Swear Jar with Melissa of Little Fox Tarot

Filling the Swear Jar with Melissa of Little Fox Tarot

 

This episode features a high voltage conversation with Julienne and Melissa Cynova, owner of Little Fox Tarot. Melissa has been slinging tarot cards and teaching classes since 1989. Her first book, Kitchen Table Tarot was released this year, and her next book is underway. We are giving away 2 copies of Kitchen Table Tarot!  The next Patron to sign up at a $2 a month or higher level will get a copy of the book!  More info an to sign up visit Tiny.cc/tarot   Or find our entry posts on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram .

The conversation ranges from tarot in current events, pop culture and let me tell you we filled the swear jar in this episode. If you are sensitive to expletives this might not be the episode for you.

More about Melissa: She lives in St. Louis with her outstanding kids, her sweet husband, Joe, two cats, two dogs, and a tortoise named Phil. When she’s not slinging cards, she’s enjoying her tribe and probably watching a superhero movie while reading a book. She is on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Go ahead and schedule a reading – she already knows you want one. LittleFoxTarot.com

Topics include:

The Moon

Trump

Politics

The Fool

Hero’s journey

The Outsider

The World

The Heirophant

The Tower

6 of swords

Miss Cleo

MelissaCynovaPromoSM

Game of Swords with Root Lock Tarot

Game of Swords with Root Lock Tarot

Julienne talks with Weston, creator of Root Lock Tarot and Root Lock Radio Podcast – a course on Tarot.  They discuss the most difficult suit in the Tarot – the Swords. But it’s not all tough stuff, they geek out on Game of Thrones which is SO the suit of swords.  Topics range from pop culture to politics in this lively discussion of the symbols in the sword cards.  Weston has also generously offered to give away a 30 minute reading with him.  Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram from September 21st – October 15th, 2017 to find our entry posts. (If you are a Patron you are automatically entered into every giveaway!)

Help keep the Archetypal Tarot Podcast alive by becoming a Patron!  Just visit Tiny.cc.tarot to find out about all the nifty rewards for joining our Patron team.

 

Download this episode (right click and save)

Soul Story: A Provocative Conversation with Tim Freke

Soul Story: A Provocative Conversation with Tim Freke

This episode features T!M Freke is a pioneering philosopher & bestselling author of 35 books. In Tim’s latest book ‘Soul Story’ he offers a revolutionary approach to awakening for the 21st century and a visionary new understanding of the nature of reality.

Tim and Julienne discuss the ideas in Soul Story, evolution from the Fool to the World and how the Tarot works – like really HOW TAROT WORKS. More info on Tim on his website TimFreke.com

Enter to win an ebook copy of Tim’s book Soul Story on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @TarotPodcast Find entry posts and submit by August 18, 2017.

Sign up to be a part of the Archetypal Tarot Patron Team!  tiny.cc/tarot

TimFrekeGiveaway2

 

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman

Cyndera and Julienne bring their provocative archetypal and tarotic insights into the new film Wonder Woman.  The archetypes in The Priestess, The Sun and the Chariot are at play in the film.   They also discuss how listeners can become a part of the Archetypal Tarot team by signing up to be a patron of the show.  https://patron.podbean.com/atpodcast

Subscribe in iTunes

 

Treatise on Wonder Woman by Cyndera Quakenbush

In an attempt to add a poster of Wonder Woman to my office, a new colleague of mine expressed her reservation to the addition of this image to the office environment, which, to her credit, did contain a speech bubble from Wonder Woman’s mouth saying “No Time for Naughty.”

She articulated: “I feel it’s important to celebrate real women, brave and courageous historical leaders who had an actual impact on the world.”

I felt as though wounded, as if a spear had gone straight through my heart, as if she was saying I
wasn’t real. Why on earth did I feel this way? Wonder Woman is not, in fact, flesh and blood, and I am certainly myself not Wonder Woman.

The poster did indeed stick out like a sore thumb on the wall, she did not match the drab green walls, the muted tones of the overhead file bins. Would my own personality clash as brilliantly as this to the work culture? Wonder Woman seemed protected in her plastic cover, the natural light causing her to emit an armor of reflected light. I was speechless, tears came to my eyes, I left early from my first official day, along with the poster.

Today, in Wonder Woman’s defense, these words have come me:

You speak of the courage of suffragettes, the immensity of emotion portrayed in Frida Kahlo’s artwork, but who would these women be without the forces that came alive within them. We speak of these forces in abstracted terms all the time – they are real and present even after each historical woman exhales her last breath – Courage, Leadership, Imagination, Vision. Fictional figures such as Wonder Woman, illustrate and actually embody these forces for us.

The gift of Fiction, the gift of art, that percolates through our culture in various guises – depicts for us these forces we hope to ourselves enact. We can celebrate the lives of historical women AND embrace the inspiration of of the figures of fiction – who try on possibilities, dreams and visions that our not-so-humble humanity has not yet dared.

Scientists look to science fiction for ideas of invention and innovation. Teachers and psychologists look to literature for an understanding of human behavior. Mathematicians have found formulas from their dreams (another source some may call “not real”)

“The Gods have not died, they have just gone underground.”

The forces within us are Real – Love, Hate, Courage, Passion, Intelligence. Allow us to celebrate and be educated by history and Imagination alike, for one teaches of the past the other of the future.

Since her creation, Wonder Woman has been resurrected many times, always reflecting the struggles of the age. Her tiara and dark tendrils rise again, along with a voice that is once again trying to be heard.

What do you believe in? What do you wish to stand for?
Do you act from Love or do you simply hide and take cover from fear?

Wonder Woman’s name is Diana Prince – Diana connects her to the name of the Roman Goddess of the Moon. Like the light of the Moon, her power is a reflected one and thus reminds us of REFLECTION – the power to look within yourself to see your own shadows and your own light. Prince – though she is a woman she also embodies the sacred masculine. She is in touch with her noble male capacities (the animus in psychology). And thus Diana Prince, Wonder Woman, is a marriage of opposites, the holding of a tension between differences, and thus a medicine for our deeply divided times.

Red, White and Blue are the colors of Wonder Woman’s classic costume. In one comic, she is actually dressed from a tattered American flag. Since WWII Wonder Woman has stood for what is noble about the United States, a symbol of liberty, justice and truth. She rises in the face of what is most ugly about our country, which has always been equipped with the teeth of greed, bigotry, narcissism and blindness.

Wonder Woman rises with only the weapons of truth, and her own strength to remind us of the hope we must not lose hold of. Hold tight to the Lassos of Truth! Feel the bondage of those bracelets encircling your wrists, reminding all deeds done by these hands to be for the liberation of self and others.

Feel the tiara, placed upon the crown of the head, framing the third eye of Insight, Intuition and crystallized concentration. Most of all, feel your heart, beating with life, beating with love for life bursting in each moment with your passion…

Sign up to be a part of the Archetypal Tarot Patron Team!  tiny.cc/tarot

The Devil Made Us Do It (Podcast)

The Devil Made Us Do It (Podcast)

A word of warning about this episode – we were drunk and we used quite a bit of foul language.   This is the first and probably only drunk edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast where we needlessly besmirch our reputation.  Why?   The Devil made us do it. Explicit language and ukulele music – you have been warned ;).

The Devil Made Us Do It – The Tipsy Tarot Podcast

Dionysus_CollierJulienne Givot and Cyndera Quackenbush raise a glass of wine (or four) and revel in Dionysus and all horned gods. Your favorite archetypal tarot podcast hosts unleash new wild and vulnerable aspects of themselves as they celebrate the Autumn season and spirit of Halloween with the Devil card. What results? An exploration of the need for ecstatic experience and letting loose to be yourself (complete with cuss words). A brief drunken history of Crete (the F*cking Minoans!) is reported as the creators of labyrinths and worshipers of the Minotaur. Also featured is a ukulele lost and found, stories about Raccoons and Outlander outfits.   Heck, there’s even some live music and marital arguments.

A midst the revelry there is some actual information and discussion of The Devil card of the tarot, mythology and meaning.

This is a podcast (foolish or funny?) to shake your tail at – and you’re just about to learn what that means.

 

Quickie Edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast! (Quickie Editions are 30 mins or less)

Subscribe in iTunes

Tell us what you thought of the show on Facebook or Twitter @TarotPodcast !

Too late for the podcast recording but we found an article on an Alcohol Tarot and a reference to drunken tarot in a book called The High Heeled Guide To Spiritual Living – we couldn’t help but like the title and add it to our reading list.

Gorey-LikeDevilTarot devil

Artemis: The Moon, Transitions and the Indomitable Spirit (Podcast)

Artemis: The Moon, Transitions and the Indomitable Spirit (Podcast)

Quickie Edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast! (Quickie Editions are 30 mins or less)

Subscribe in iTunes

In the last podcast on The Moon we discussed being lost and the creative process in relation to the Artist archetype. In this podcast we delve into another aspect of this shadowy archetypal stage – the feminine archetype of deep knowing, agency and connection to nature. Artemis, also known as the Goddess of the Moon, the Hunt, Midwifery and Wilderness.

artemis1

The Moon card from Kris Waldherr’s Goddess Tarot

The Moon & Transitions

If you think about it, you are probably in some kind of transition in your life right now. It could be small and less noticeable or it could be a huge life transition which leaves you feeling lost and unsure of what will happen next. This ambiguous stage of life is often associated with The Moon card of the Tarot when things are not quite what they appear to be and when we often feel lost in the wilderness. Along comes an archetype that embodies this situation to guide you through. She is called Artemis and she is part of the pantheon of mythological Greek Gods and Goddesses replete with stories to nourish you during this time.

A Recognition of Feminine Aspects

Cyndera and Julienne discuss The Moon card of the Tarot in relation to Artemis who some interpret as a Three-in-One Goddess with different aspects embodying cycles of transition. The new moon seen as Artemis herself (also known as Diana in Roman mythology), the full moon seen in Selena and the waxing moon seen as the goddess Hecate. This triune goddess takes a page out of the archetypal Maiden/Mother/Crone iconography and presents the middle stage as not simply woman as Mother but as woman in full bloom with or without children. It’s a model we have had scarce references to in the past but one that is coming into fruition in the 21st century when a woman can be valued for herself with or without offspring.

JeanShinodaBolenTogether C & J talk about a recent workshop they attended with the venerable Jungian Psychiatrist and Author Jean Shinoda Bolen. Her new book, Artemis: The Indomitable Spirit in Everywoman delves deeply into the archetypal powers of this feminine character and how her energy is showing up in our lives and the greater culture.

 

 

 

The Indomitable Spirit at Any Stage

Feat_image_hunger-games-katnissThe indomitable spirit of Artemis can be seen more and more in films such as Hunger Games with it’s very Artemis inspired Katniss Everdeen, Merida the heroine of Pixar’s Brave as well as icons from years past Wonder Woman and the Six Million Dollar Woman. All of these characters contain aspects of Artemis and work with the adversities and the challenges of the Victim archetype in a way that not only empowers themselves but dedicates them to the protection of others.

 

SuitsThe Goddess Selene is seen as the woman in full, empowered with autonomy, generosity and the fulfillment of her choosing. We can see Selene in Minnie Driver’s character Skylar in Good Will Hunting, Gina Torres’s Jessica Pearson in the TV series Suits and Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope in the show Scandal and many others in film, television and literature.

 

helen-mirren_0Goddess Hecate the sage, fair witness and wisdom keeper who no longer gives a d@mn about what other people think, can been seen in Maude from the 1970’s cult classic Harold and Maude as well as in many roles played by both Helen Mirren and Judi Dench.

 

 

 

 

Do you have an example of one of these indomitable archetypes from film, television or books? Leave it in the comments.

Artemis book coverArtemis: The Indomitable Spirit in Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen is a groundbreaking new book that explores the archetype of the activist. Indomitable means untamed, unsubdued. It is the one-in-herself quality in girls and women who will not be victims, no matter what. To bring the Artemis archetype to life, Dr. Bolen delves deeply into the myth of Atalanta, the famous hunter and runner in ancient Greek mythology, a mortal woman who is identified with Artemis the Greek Goddess of the Hunt and Moon. Atalanta began life abandoned and left to die because she was born a girl. She faced the Calydon Boar and drew first blood; she was the runner who would demand to be beaten in a footrace by the man who could claim her as his bride. Atalanta exemplifies the indomitable spirit in competent, courageous girls and in the women they become. This is grit, the passion and persistence to go the distance, to survive, and to succeed.

Dr. Bolen paints a vivid picture of Artemis women in current media, including Princess Merida from the animated film Brave and Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. In all these examples and those of real-life women who grow into their Artemis spirit, she provides the means through which readers can navigate their own personal exploration to become their authentic selves. Bolen dedicates this book to women and girls who embody the archetype of Artemis, who discover her uncrushable spirit in themselves or others.

We highly recommend getting a copy of this book – it’s rich in detail, insight and empowering examples we can see in ourselves. If you are going through a transition, this book is a valuable resource.

The Artemis triune:

Artemis (Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen – Hunger Games)

Selena (Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson – Suits)

Hecate (Helen Mirren – as whatever the bloody hell she wants)

Artemis_triune

More Artemis characters:

 

The Nature and Nurture of Passion (podcast)

The Nature and Nurture of Passion (podcast)

Subscribe in iTunes

My co-host Cyndera and I are very excited to announce a new format for the Archetypal Tarot Podcast. We will be revisiting the Major Arcana but this time with special guests giving their insights on the themes and ideas presented by these ancient yet totally relevant archetypal stories.

We start the new year off on the topic of Passion, it’s nature and how we can actually nurture a sense of vitality and adventure in our lives.

bioOur guest for this edition is an author who has literally written the book on the nature and nurture of passion, Gregg Levoy.  Gregg is the author of the best selling Callings:  Finding and Following an Authentic Life and puts his keen sense for creative insight as well as a Storyteller’s magic into his new book Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion.

Where his first book Callings was about finding passion, Vital Signs picks up on the why’s and how’s of losing our sense of passion & vitality and how to regain a passionate life with creativity and abundance.  We love this new book and recommend you get a copy – it’s available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and many fine bookstores.  Visit Gregg’s site and check out all of the resources in “Wow!” images, books, music and films to help you connect to passion and excitement.  http://gregglevoy.com

Ultimately, passion is a life skill—a stance—that helps bring vitality to all our engagements: from work, family and school life, to creative, social and spiritual life. And it’s a survival mechanism—critical to health and well-being—because your attachment to life depends on your interest in it.
-Gregg Levoy

GreggLevoy_VitalSigns_CoverWe think you will really enjoy Julienne’s conversation with Gregg about passion, creativity, the call of the wild, the archetype of the Fool, Vampires, Zombies, Intuition and the practice of living our lives fully.

Passion is an unstable element and will naturally degrade over time but some very simple, yet powerful practices have the ability to heat things up again.  Not only is passion something we start to miss over time but it’s important to our overall health.  As Gregg says in our discussion “Our attachment to life depends to a great degree to our interest in it.”.  Without interest, everything fades, including our health.  It’s no wonder Zombies and Vampires have been of such an interest in the last few years – we fear the life being sucked out of us by routine and a lack of creativity.

You can listen to the entire podcast below or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes and never miss an episode.  We have a very exciting line up of authors, teachers and creators lined up for future episodes.

Right-click and save this podcast to your device.

Gregg’s List of 5 Things You Can Do To Beef Up The Passion & Quality of Your Life:

1)  Pay attention to what is trying to emerge in your life.
2)  Remember that you have a ‘use by’ date.
3)  Come up with a bucket list. (Check out this from Artist Candy Chang:  Before I Die)
4)  Always give yourself something to look forward to.
5) Look for where you’re restless – ask yourself: What wants to move? And where does it want to go?
Julienne’s addition:
6) Turn something upside down. (The Trickster archetype can be very useful in this.)

Want to email us about the Archetypal Tarot Podcast? We’d love that! ATPodcast@archetypist.com

Related articles & podcasts: 

Harvesting From This Year’s Season

The Tower & Lightning Liberation

The Archetypal Tarot Podcast is a production of Both/And Media.

I Feel It All by Feist – An anthem for a full & passionate life.

Story Through Stone

Story Through Stone

Subscribe in iTunes

Story_Through_Stone_Butterfly Story_Through_Stone_Sun Story_Through_Stone_Wizard

In this special update of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast Julienne and Cyndera discuss their most recent archetypal adventures. Cyndera discusses her newly minted deck of reflection cards based on some amazing billion year old stones discovered by her Father, Jim Quakenbush in Death Valley, California over 30 years ago.  Her rich and unique inheritance has been to use the stones to create Story Through Stone which, along with her reflection cards, also provides workshops to school age children and adults alike.  Julienne and Cyndera discuss how interactions with the images of the ancient Tarot, from dreams, and from nature allow for a creative exploration of individual life themes.

Gumroad_Cover_Final

Julienne is excited to announce a project about archetypes and film that she produced with her archetypal consulting Mentor, Jim Curtan.  A newly released  audio course and workbook on Fate, Destiny & the Hero’s Journey as seen in Pixar’s 2007 animated film Ratatouille.  This self-guided audio course takes you on an archetypal adventure of an Artist and the choices that transform a life of dreary fate to one of heroic destiny.  Julienne’s blog post on it expands further and you can purchase the course and save $5.00 by using the offer code  podcast  (good until May 31st)

The Star – Finding True North

The Star – Finding True North

Listen Now or Subscribe in iTunes

The Star card from the Raider-Waite deck.

The Star card from the Raider-Waite deck.

Archetypal Tarot celebrates its 20th podcast! With some much needed respite after the tumult of the falling tower, Julienne Givot and Cyndera Quackenbush cozy up in some Dutch slippers and delve into the nourishing waters of the 17th card of the Major Arcana- The Star.

Picture the Fool (our Hero in this journey) laying on the grass in a field after the sudden liberation of the last stage. She is coming to and is not yet able to articulate what just happened to her. The symbols of the scene represented in the Star feature a naked woman who is both vulnerable and in harmony with the elements as she tends to what needs to be done.

Stripped of clothing (ego identity) and back down to the earthy basics, the beautiful maiden featured in this card helps us to replenish after a shock and (re)discover the true “guiding star” that will help us along on our journey.  We see the importance of humility to be open to true guidance.

Another potent symbol of this stage is water.  Water is often seen as a symbol of emotions and the unconscious which in this stage flows freely and the woman can been seen as a conduit for letting the waters flow back to their source as well as nourishing the ground.  The stars in the sky twinkle above clear and undeniably present, the Fool wonders how she never noticed they were there all along.

Stars have been the symbol of aspiration and guidance since ancient times from the three wisemen following stars to the mythic stories of Mithras.  Stars symbolize hope and to look up with an understanding that even we are connected to the stars.

This is a time after the storm where there is clarity. A recollection that grace need only be received and that the first stage of regeneration/rebirth is to be open to follow our true desire – what we are really on the journey for.  It’s interesting to note that the word desire itself comes from the old French “of the stars”.

Julienne discusses how the symbolism of the film Beasts of the Southern Wild relates to our taroic hero’s journey so far and Cyndera references the aspect of the Star in relation to Maidentrip, a documentary about a young Dutch girl who completed a solo around the world voyage on a sailboat.

“When it all goes quiet behind my eyes, I see everything that made me flying around in invisible pieces.  When I look too hard, it all goes away but when it all goes quiet, I see they are right here. I see that I am a little piece of a big, big universe, and that makes it right."

“When it all goes quiet behind my eyes, I see everything that made me flying around in invisible pieces. When I look too hard, it all goes away but when it all goes quiet, I see they are right here. I see that I am a little piece of a big, big universe, and that makes it right.” -Hushpuppy, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Popular associations of the Star:
  • Calmness —– Free-flowing love —– Trust
  • Tranquility —– Peace of mind —– Pure essence
  • Hope – Serenity —– Inspiration —– Generosity
  • Optimism —– Joy —– Faith —– Regeneration
  • Good will —– Optimism —– Harmony —– Renewal of forces

Helpful questions for this stage:

• What do I allow to guide me?

• What is the role of nurturing myself and others – is there an imbalance?

• How do I live the connection to nature?

• What can I do to allow more tranquility into my day?

• Am I allowing peace and relaxation to flow through my life?

• How do I acknowledge and take peace from knowing I am a little piece of a big universe?

Dancing with the Devil and the Addict

Dancing with the Devil and the Addict

The Devil card of the Marseilles

The Devil card of the Marseilles

Listen Now  or  Subscribe in iTunes

As we enter the last row of our Tarot Journey (and a new year for the Archetypal Tarot Podcast), we are met with the formidable character of The Devil, the fifteenth card of the Major Arcana. Our hero, well on the path to rebirth, must first meet his own shadow and face addictions and attachments.

Julienne Givot and Cyndera Quackenbush also discuss the Pan-like characteristics of the Devil, who invites human beings to recognize their animal natures that  rebel when they are suppressed. As always, this podcast adds to your growing movie list with some subtle and interesting studies of the Devil archetype in film.

Archetypes related to the Devil card: Provocateur, Addict, Scapegoat, Addict/Mystic, Perfectionist

Key Words:

  • Materialism —– Ignorance —– Stagnation —– Self-bondage
  • Lust —– Egoism —– Obsession —– Anxiety —– Anger
  • Hedonism —– Passion —– Instincts
  • Sexuality —— Temptation —– Doubt —– Vice
  • Futility —– Physical attraction —– Pessimism —– Insight

Film References for The Devil Card:

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005) and Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (1971)  There are many references to the archetype of the Devil, Provocateur and Addict in these films.  Each member of the group (both children and adults) is obsessed with getting something, food (Augustus Gloop), attention (Veruca Salt), being right (Mike Teevee) or even something as innocent as wanting a better life for their family (Charlie).   Everyone is tempted and everyone gives in to the temptation, Charlie though is true to the angel of his better nature at the end of the film.

Election (1999)  Reeese Whitherspoon & Matthew Broderick.

The Housewives tarot Devil card

The Housewives tarot Devil card

The Addict archetype:
Every one of us is touched by the Addict archetype. Besides the usual suspects–drugs, alcohol, food, and sex–one can be addicted to work, sports, television, exercise, computer games, spiritual practice, negative attitudes, and the kinds of thrills that bring on adrenaline rushes.

In its positive aspect, this archetype helps you recognize when an outside substance or influence has more authority over your will power than does your inner spirit.

Confronting addiction and breaking the hold that a pattern or substance has on you can impart great strength to your psyche. Discovering the empowerment that comes with perseverance has a life-long impact,  “I know now that if I can quit _______, I can do anything.”

From a symbolic perspective, the shadow aspect of the Addict represents a struggle with will power and the absence of self-control. The shadow Addict compromises your integrity and honesty. The shame associated with addiction.

 Film References for the Addict archetype:

Natalie Portman – Black Swan (2010)

Ben Stiller – Permanent Midnight (1998)

Ed Harris in Pollock (2000)

Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married (2008)

Robert Downey Jr. in Less Than Zero (1987)

Nicholas Cage and Elizabeth Shue in Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Leo DiCaprio – The Basketball Diaries (1995)

Religion/Myth: Tantalus he was invited to share the food of the gods but abused the honor and was punished by being “tantalized” for all eternity by food and drink he could not reach).

 

 

Temperance – The Angel of Our Better Nature

Temperance – The Angel of Our Better Nature

Subscribe in iTunes  or Listen Now

“What we strive for in perfection is not what turns us into the lit angel we desire.” ~David Whyte

Julienne’s rendition of the Temperance card

With a little rest after the Death card the Archetypal Tarot Podcast explores the beginning of the rebirth cycle with Temperance – the fourteenth card of the Major Arcana.  Julienne Givot and Cyndera Quackenbush discuss the Angel archetype and the healing and recovery that can take place internally and even below conscious awareness.  At the end of our second row, the Realm of Equilibrium, we have a resolution to the ongoing theme of opposites. Here, two elements are alchemized to create “the third thing” that mediates and transforms opposing realities. Listen to the podcast for more on this next step of the journey.

References

Cyndera mentions A Blue Fire by James Hillman specifically chapter 3.

Julienne mentions this related article: Original Fairy Godmother

“I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
~Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address

Angel & Fairy Godmother/Godfather Archetypes in Films & Television:
-Angels In America – The Play / TV Mini Series (2003)
-Aunt March played by (Mary Wickes) in Little Women (1994)
-It’s A Wonderful Life  – Film (1946)
-Danny Glover, Kevin Kline in Grand Canyon (1991)
-Rosalind Russell as Mame Dennis  in Auntie Mame (1958)
-Audrey Tatou in Amelie (2001)
-Dustin Hoffmann in Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)
-Robert DeNiro as Captain Shakespeare in Stardust (2007)

Shadow:
-Marlon Brando in The Godfather trilogy
-Glenn Close in Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

Television:
-Touched by an Angel
-What Not To Wear
Fairy Tales:
-Glinda in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Winter of Listening
By David Whyte

No one but me by the fire,
my hands burning
red in the palms while

Rider-Waite Temperance Card

the night wind carries
everything away outside.

All this petty worry
while the great cloak
of the sky grows dark
and intense
round every living thing.

What is precious
inside us does not
care to be known
by the mind
in ways that diminish
its presence.

What we strive for
in perfection
is not what turns us
into the lit angel
we desire,

what disturbs
and then nourishes
has everything
we need.

What we hate
in ourselves
is what we cannot know
in ourselves but
what is true to the pattern
does not need
to be explained.

Inside everyone
is a great shout of joy
waiting to be born.

Even with the summer
so far off
I feel it grown in me
now and ready
to arrive in the world.

All those years
listening to those
who had
nothing to say.

All those years
forgetting
how everything
has its own voice
to make
itself heard.

All those years
forgetting
how easily
you can belong
to everything
simply by listening.

And the slow
difficulty
of remembering
how everything
is born from
an opposite
and miraculous
otherness.

Silence and winter
has led me to that
otherness.

So let this winter
of listening
be enough
for the new life
I must call my own.

AT Podcast is Now on Stitcher!

AT Podcast is Now on Stitcher!

We’re pretty pleased to announce that The Archetypal Tarot Podcast is not available on Stitcher Radio. If you haven’t heard of Stitcher from their sponsorship of many great radio shows like “This American Life” or “RadioLab” let me tell you that it is pretty darn cool and a must for those of us who love talk radio and podcasts.  Oh and it’s a free app which you can download from your iPhone/iPad or Android app store.

You can even scroll all the way down to the footer  of this page to listen to the most recent episode.

Click this image to hear the latest episode.

 

 

Hang Time and the Martyr

Hang Time and the Martyr

Listen Now! or Subscribe in iTunes

What happened!?! Our hero is hanging upside down! In the thirteenth edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast Julienne Givot and Cyndera Quackenbush help to dispel the superstition that often surrounds cards such as The Hanged Man, card number twelve in the Major Arcana. After an exploration of the Hanged Man’s symbolic imagery and the martyr archetype, this podcast illuminates an invitation to test the inner strength gained in the previous card and make valuable sacrifices during this period of “hang time” (yes, a sports reference made its way into the podcast). Also join the discussion of movies featuring the martyr archetype – you may just find a new perspective, or your world turned upside down!

Cyndera also references this animation of a talk by Alan Watts done by the creators of South Park.

Julienne’s rendition of The Hanged Man
(watercolor on paper)

Julienne’s article goes deeper into the myth and motivation of the Martyr Archetype.

Key Words:

  • Sacrifice – Letting go – Surrendering – Passivity
  • Suspension – Acceptance – Renunciation – Patience
  • New point of view – Contemplation – Inner harmony
  • Conformism – Non-action – Waiting – Giving up

Film References:
For the Hanged Man – pay attention to the course that Paul Giamatti’s character takes in  The Lady In The Water (2006) as he is pulled out of his self-induced isolation to become a Hero and what he needs to sacrifice to do so.

The Martyr in Film:
Meryl Streep in Silkwood
Ben Kingsley in Gandhi
Sean Penn in Milk

The Martyr in Books:
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde

Like what you heard on the podcast?  Share us on Facebook (handy button below) or give us a review on iTunes.

Rider Waite Hanged Man card

Wheel of Fortune – Taking Risks and The Gambler

Wheel of Fortune – Taking Risks and The Gambler

Listen Now! or Subscribe in iTunes

You can’t plan this stuff! In card number 10, the Archetypal Podcast is met with the Wheel of Fortune – a fortuitous card that marks a new stage of awareness in the Fool’s journey. After evaluating new moral issues presented by Justice, and time to reflect with the Hermit, the Fool/Hero is ready to chance life more consciously with The Wheel of Fortune. Though she thinks she may have control, the Wheel (often a favorable card when appearing in Tarot readings) quickly shows her that much of life is an inexorable force operating out of our control. Taking their own risks with this card, Julienne and Cyndera discuss an archetype addressing the fortune seekers of the world – The Gambler. Also the voice of the Victim emerged in the podcast, whispering woes from the bottom of the Wheel and warning against buying furniture in “Suckland”. From lessons learned in both life’s wins as well as losses, the message of this card is to let go and spin where the wheel takes you. As always, there is a lively discussion of film, psychological inquiry and insight.

Examples of the Gambler/Wheel of Fortune Archetype in film:

Catch Me If You Can (2002) Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks

Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Twelve (2004) and Thirteen (2007)

Key Words:

• Turning point —– Opportunities —– Possibilities

• Destiny —– Fate —– Superior Forces —– Movement

• Development —– Activity —– Surprises —– Expansion

• Sudden Events —– Speed —– New Developments —– Life Cycles

• Interpretation —– Sudden Change —– Dissension —– Approachability

Like what you heard on the podcast? Share us on Facebook (handy button below) or give us a review on iTunes.

The Hermit – Integration and Introspection

The Hermit – Integration and Introspection

Listen Now! or Subscribe in iTunes

The Tenth edition of the Archetypal Podcast takes us to meet The Hermit, a figure waiting off the beaten track with the wisdom that only remote regions can give. Card number 9 allows our hero traveling through the Major Arcana to either meet or become this humbled figure full of in-sight, as represented by his seeking lantern. A re-evaluation of his journey is required after a run-in with the objectivity of Justice, before he can once again chance the Wheel of Fortune (Card number 10). Consideration of this card allows us all a moment to reflect without being sucked into eternal isolation – the shadow side of the Hermit. Fresh from a (hot) visit from her hometown of Joshua Tree, California, Cyndera shares fresh inspiration after encountering an old friend who embodies the Hermit archetype. Julienne takes us on a tour of the hermitic nature of the American literary Renaissance along with some insights on the Hermit from film and popular culture.

Light Aspect: Integration, Introspection
Shadow Aspect: Isolation

Examples of the Hermit:

Henry David Thoreau (esp his book Walden) there is a great podcast about Thoreau from the public radio program ‘To The Best of Our Knowledge’.

Buddhist teacher, Pema Chodron, author and Catholic mystic Thomas Merton, poet Emily Dickinson, naturalist John Muir Also of interest is the Hermitary website filled with even more insight on the Hermit archetype.

I also found it amusingly appropriate that Led Zeppelin used the image of the Hermit for their single ‘Stairway To Heaven’ which carries lyrics capturing the ideas of the Hermit’s quest.

In film:

Robert Duvall in Get Low (2009)

Emile Hirsh in Into the Wild (2007)

Bill Murray in Lost in Translation (2003)

Forest Whittaker in Ghost Dog (1999) (Combination of Hermit and Warrior)

Key Words:

• Introspection —– Silence —– Guidance —– Reflection

• Solitude —– Looking inward —– Reclusion —– Being quiet

• Inner search —– Deep understanding —– Isolation

• Distance —– Retreat —– Philosophical attitude

Like what you heard on the podcast? Share us on Facebook (handy button below) or give us a review on iTunes.

AT Podcast is Now on Stitcher!

Justice, The Judge and Mediator

Listen Now! or Subscribe in iTunes

The Ninth edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast attempts to do justice to the Justice card, which is number 8 of the Major Arcana.
After setting out on a newly realized journey on the Chariot, our hero quickly faces some form of judgement. Justice, pictured as a stern-looking woman is reminiscent of the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, who assists our hero to view his challenges with a rational, dispassionate perspective. Holding both sword and scales, Justice cuts through to truth and weighs the balance of our ways. Listen in as Julienne recounts the myth of Solomon and also explores the shadow side of Justice. The archetype of the Avenger is briefly explored as Cyndera poses a question to our podcast audience: Do the ends justify the means if the oppressed triumph over their oppressors by using methods that mirror their oppressors’ ways?

We are asked to leave the subjectivity of the Hero for the wisdom and objectivity of the Judge and Mediator archetypes.

Listen in on a conversation with Tarot consultant Cyndera Quakenbush and Archetypal Consultant, Julienne Givot, as they discuss the symbolic and real world qualities of these archetypal characters.

Recommended reading:

Jung and Tarot: And Archetypal Journey by Sallie Nichols

Examples of the Judge in Film/TV/Drama:

Empowered/Light Aspect

  • Gene Hackman in Mississippi Burning ( 1988)
  • Gregory Peck in To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
  • Anthony Hopkins in Amistad (1997)
  • Meryl Streep in Iron Lady (2011)
  • Hugo Weaving in The Lord of the Rings (2001)
  • The character of Oberon in Midsummer Nights Dream

Un-empowered/Shadow aspect:

  • Raymond Massey in East of Eden (1955)
  • Lena Headey as Cersiei in Game of Thrones (HBO 2011/12)
  • Tsai Chin in Joy Luck Club – both shadow and light (1993)

Like what you heard on the podcast? Share us on Facebook (handy button below) or give us a review on iTunes.

The Hero and The Warrior

The Hero and The Warrior

Listen Now! or Subscribe in iTunes

The Chariot: Hero, Warrior, and the Crossing of the First Threshold

The Eighth edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast explores the movement and meaning encompassed by the Chariot, card number 7 of the Major Arcana. For the first time, we see our hero of the deck breaking beyond the boundary of the Emperor’s domain. In the last stage, the Lovers, he was faced with a choice and is now thrust down a particular path, reminiscent of the “crossing of the first threshold” of Joseph Campbell‘s stages of the hero’s journey. Will all the wisdom of the figureheads from the previous stages help our hero in the real world? Julienne Givot connects in the ancient story of Arjuna as he faces the fears of battle under the guidance of Krishna. Cyndera Quackenbush illustrates the shadowy consequences of the heroic impulse by recounting the myth of Phaeton. The Chariot card allows us to find our own courage in the face of bold undertakings while keeping an eye on the dangers of hubris.
Listen in on a conversation with  Cyndera Quakenbush and Julienne Givot, as they discuss the symbolic and real world qualities of these archetypal characters.

Recommended reading:

Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes: Harnessing Our Power to Change the World by Deepak and Gotham Chopra

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette

Examples of the Hero in Film/TV:

Empowered/Light Aspect

  • Keanu Reeves as Neo in The Matrix (1999)
  • Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars (1977)
  • Emma Thompson as Vivian Bearing in Wit (2001, TV)
  • Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939)
  • Ed Asner as Carl Fredrickson in UP (2009)

Shadow aspect:

  • Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker (Hero/Warrior both shadow and light) (2010)
  • James Franco as The 2nd Green Goblin in Spiderman 3 (2007)

Examples of the Warrior in Film/TV:

Empowered/Light Aspect

  • Harrison Ford in Star Wars (1977)
  • Jake Gylenhall as Anthony Swofford in Jarhead (2005)
  • Sarah Michelle Geller in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997, TV)
  • Shirley MacLaine in Terms of Endearment (battling cancer) (1983)
  • Zoe Saldana as Nyteri in Avatar (2009)
  • Katee Sackoff as Starbuck in Battlestar Gallactica (both shadow and light aspects, 2004, TV)

Shadow Aspect:

  • Vin Diesel in the The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
  • Stephan Lang as Colonel Quaritch in Avatar (2009)

Like what you heard on the podcast? Share us on Facebook (handy button below) or give us a review on iTunes.

The Lovers – Balance and Companionship

The Lovers – Balance and Companionship

Listen Now! or Subscribe in iTunes

The Seventh edition of the Archetypal Tarot podcast reveals our heroic Fool at his/her first genuine choice point represented by card number six, The Lovers. The Lovers brings into focus this important first choice and reminds us that love, balance and companionship are called for. This stage has us examine the archetypes of the Lover as well as the Companion. A reminder to access both our masculine ‘doing-ness’ and feminine receptivity.

Listen in on a conversation with Tarot Dream Stone consultant Cyndera Quakenbush and Archetypal Consultant, Julienne Givot, as they discuss the symbolic and real world qualities of these archetypal characters.

Further exploration of the archetype of the Lover: Seizing The Power of The Lover Archetype

Recommended reading:
We: Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love by Robert A. Johnson
The Eden Project: In Search of he Magical Other by James Hollis
Cyndera recommends: The Lovers Path Tarot set by Kris Waldherr

Archetypes of The Lovers card:
Companion
Lover

The Lovers from the Dreaming Way Tarot

Examples of the Companion in Film/TV:

  • Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in Thelma and Louise (1991)
  • Ben Affleck in Good Will Hunting (1997)
  • Russell and Dug in the Pixar film UP ( 2009)

Examples of Both Light and Shadow:

  • TV Show “Entourage”
  • The Hangover
  • Bridesmaids (2011)

Shadow or disempowered aspect:

  • Eve Arden & Mare Winningham Mildred Pierce (1945 and 2011)
  • Winona Ryder in Heathers (1988)
  • The Social Network (2011)

Examples of the Lover in Film/TV:

  • Dead Poet’s Society especially Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Charles (1989)
  • Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge (2001)
  • Charlie Cox in Stardust (2007)
  • Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in Casablanca (1942)
  • Salma Hayek in Frida (2002)
  • Cary Elwes in Princess Bride (1987)
  • Nicholas Cage in Moonstruck (1987)

Shadow or disempowered aspect:

  • Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction (1987)
  • Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky (2001)
  • Lupe Ontiveros as Yolanda Saldivar in the film Selena (1997)
  • Sandra Bullock in All About Steve (2009)

Like what you heard on the podcast? Share us on Facebook (handy button below) or give us a review on iTunes.

The Archetype of the Father and King

The Archetype of the Father and King

The Fifth edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast explores the meaning behind the Emperor card of the Tarot as a stage of a journey where one is asked to create structure and practical plans for your project or dream so that it can be fortified before going on to the next stage of the journey. The Emperor symbolizes the archetype of the Father as well as the King. Listen in as Julienne and Cyndera discuss these important patterns to our growth and flourishing.

Listen Now! or Subscribe in iTunes

Listen in on a conversation with Tarot Dream Stone consultant Cyndera Quakenbush and Archetypal Consultant, Julienne Givot, as they discuss the symbolic and real world qualities of these archetypal characters.

Books mentioned in the podcast:
We: Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love by Robert A. Johnson
He: Understanding Masculine Psychology by Robert A. Johnson
She: Understanding Feminine Psychology by Robert A. Johnson

Below is an expanded list of these two archetypes in popular culture.

Examples of the Father Archetype’s light aspects in Film and Television:

  • Gregory Peck in ”To Kill a Mockingbird'”(1962)
  • Frances McDormand in “Almost Famous” (2000)
  • Bill Cosby in “The Cosby Show”
  • Will Smith in “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006)
  • Paddy Constantine in “In America” – (2002) directed by Jim Sheridan
  • Sean Connery in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989) both shadow and light
  • “Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles” (2005) directed by Zhang Yimou
  • Alan Arkin in “Edward Scissorhands” (1990)
  • Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica” (2005)

Examples of the Father Archetype’s shadow aspects in Film and Television:

  • Jon Hamm in “Mad Men” (AMC)
  • John Lithgow in “Dexter” (Showtime) and “Footloose” (1984)
  • Kevin Spacey in “American Beauty” (1999)
  • James Gandolfini in “The Sopranos” (HBO)

Examples of some of the shadow and light characteristics of the Father archetype but also an example of the cultures misunderstanding of this archetype:

  • John Cryer in “Two and Half Men” (CBS)
  • Homer Simpson in “The Simpsons” (FOX)
  • Ed O’Neill in “Married with Children” (ABC)

Examples of the King Archetype’s light aspects in Film and Television:

  • Edward James Olmos in Battlestar Gallactica (SciFi Channel) (both aspects)
  • Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech” (2010)
  • William Moseley as Peter in the Narnia Chronicle series
  • Keisha Castle Hughes and Rawiri Paratene in Whalerider (2002)
  • Sean Connery in “The Man Who Would be King, First Knight, Time Bandits (both aspects)
  • Good King Wenceslas (myth / song)

Examples of the Father Archetype’s shadow aspects in Film and Television:

  • Marlon Brando in The Godfather (king/father)
  • Christopher Walken in “The King of New York” (1990)
  • James Gandolfini in “The Sopranos (HBO)
  • Darth Vader in Star Wars
  • John Noble as Lord Denethor in the “Lord of The Rings: Return of the King” (2003)

Like what you heard on the podcast? Share us on Facebook (handy button below) or give us a review on iTunes.

Storyfied: The Storyteller Archetype

Storyfied: The Storyteller Archetype

This is a true story about one woman, the Storyteller archetype and it’s power for both good and tragic.   I came across it on a podcast recording from The Moth which is a not-for-profit storytelling organization.

photo by Eddi

When Nancy Finton was in her early 20’s she had a job as a bartender in New York City.  She tells of riding the subway home late at night and walking along  dark  streets making up stories about how she would defeat any attacker who came her way. Sometimes she would walk with such belief in her own goodness that she imagined that no one would dare hurt her.  She relates how these stories would make her feel safe and how they had seemingly worked as she had so far never been assaulted.

A few years later, she was living in Norway and was attacked when walking home from a bar late at night.  She escaped the would-be rapist by talking to him, telling him that this was not what he wanted, not really, and asking him about himself.  In trying to get his story from him, she disarmed him (figuratively) and got home safely.

A week later she heard a news report that a woman had been raped in the same place where she had been attacked.  She had not reported her incident because she told herself (another story) that since she had not seen his face it was useless to report it.  The truth was that she was embarrassed that she had taken such a risk walking home alone so late and she feared that the police would mock her.  She was also feeling good about herself that her power to tell stories had again kept her safe.  She admitted that what she had been telling herself had blinded her to the fact that it was not just her story.  The story included others – including the girl who had been raped and who she could have possibly spared by stepping out of her story and taking the opportunity to report it.

There are several layers here that illuminate just how powerful the Storyteller archetype can be:

  • She used the Storyteller archetype to feel confident  and then when threatened, to distract her attacker.
  • The Storyteller also kept her inside her own story and blinded her to the greater context of what happened.

In an act to relay how she herself got ‘storyfied’ (got caught up in her own story) the author chooses to share it via a medium that attracts other Storytellers.  I have no way of knowing her real intentions, but it strikes me that her ability to communicate the whole story – including the crappy bits about her actions – has a curative power for her. Could it be catharsis?  A cautionary tale?  Maybe both. Either way it’s a powerful and real example of the Storyteller in action.
References
Films: Rod Taylor as Sean O’Casey in Young Cassidy; Laurence Harvey and Karl Boehm in The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm; Judy Davis as George Sand in Impromptu; Barbara Bel Geddes in I Remember Mama.
Fiction:Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad; Beloved by Toni Morrison; A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce.
Religion/Myth: Homer (combined history and mythology in the action adventures of the Odyssey and the Iliad); Blaise (Welsh storyteller who in Arthurian legend became Merlin’s scribe); Thamyris (Thracian minstrel who won so many contests that he challenged the Muses themselves, and in return for his presumption was struck blind).
Fairy Tales: Arabian Nights (Tales of Sheherezade)