Archetypes in Tarot – The Persona

many masks

By

Madhavi Ghare

Archetypes in Tarot – The Persona

Archetypes in Tarot

Archetypes in Tarot – The Self Archetypes in Tarot – The Shadow
This is part 3 of 8 of the Blog Post Series: Archetypes in Tarot

Comments

16 responses to “Archetypes in Tarot – The Persona”

  1. greenfields15 Avatar
    greenfields15

    But what about the Chariot ?

    1. Madhavi Ghare Avatar
      Madhavi Ghare

      The Persona is about the mask / face one puts on to face the world. Archetypally-speaking, The Chariot card represents the stage of Integration where the various archetypes merge and integrate into a whole.

      1. greenfields15 Avatar
        greenfields15

        Thank you Madhavi, … but what ‘exactly’ does the Chariot have to contribute to this integration? What ‘qualities’, ideologies, or thoughts even does it proffer forth for inspection and integration?

        1. greenfields15 Avatar
          greenfields15

          Even if the Chariot is deemed simply a ‘moving force’ to propel this integration…do you not think it likely that it still has something worthwhile in knowledge to contribute as well? As most things do in life.

          1. Madhavi Ghare Avatar
            Madhavi Ghare

            As I said in the previous comment, the chariot shows what happens as the integration happens. When the various facets (the self, the persona, the shadow, anima / animus) integrate into a whole, the picture is of a balanced individual who is in touch with his / her own powers, and also aware of his / her real self and can be more true to the way he / she portrays himself / herself in the world. Naturally, that will lead to their success not only in that outer world, but also in their inner world.
            I think that the ‘contribution’ that the Chariot card does is that it shows us what the picture will be like once this integration happens – a sort of ‘what to expect’ image. Knowing that this will be the outcome may inspire us.
            What do you think?

        2. Madhavi Ghare Avatar
          Madhavi Ghare

          The Chariot doesn’t contribute – it shows how the integration manifests. The qualities of the Charioteer (based on the symbols on the card which allude to these abilities) are what the integration brings about.

          1. greenfields15 Avatar
            greenfields15

            Yes, I see…The Chariot embodies the totality of the process and the image of its result in the individual. I would venture farther…that the contribution so to speak would be a totality of balance, integration, and self-control of all the integration lessons and shifts which has brought the individual to this point. But also a spiritual stability and wisdom gained and felt within and without the being. The calm that precedes ‘know thyself’ has emerged as the Self is now ‘known’. The inner battle has now been conquered. Thus The Chariot as the victorious Conquerer.

            I think you have quite a keen insight and should continue pursuing your trains of thought on these matters. I enjoy reading your Blog. Thank you.

          2. Madhavi Ghare Avatar
            Madhavi Ghare

            Wow! You’ve summarized it really well… You certainly have a way with words! 🙂 Thank You.

          3. greenfields15 Avatar
            greenfields15

            There is always the ‘process’ which is important, but there is also the ‘human aspect’ as well. The latter was what I was referring toward – being the subject of The Chariot’s contribution.

          4. Madhavi Ghare Avatar
            Madhavi Ghare

            You have an interesting insight as well… I can see now – The Chariot not only represents the ‘end result’ but he also represents the ‘path to take’ … In that, I think, The Chariot truly does represent the basic quality of ‘Movement’.
            Thank you for sharing your thoughts… You’ve certainly got me pondering… 🙂

          5. greenfields15 Avatar
            greenfields15

            Thank you…lol…it sometimes takes a while 🙂

  2. sandy Avatar
    sandy

    so she is looking into the deeper hidden emotional side which needs a careful attention 🙂 thanks

  3. sandy Avatar
    sandy

    yes it does.. but why is queen of cups so seriously staring into a creepy fifa world cup on the left (feminine passive) side?

    1. Madhavi Ghare Avatar
      Madhavi Ghare

      It’s not a fifa cup – it is a closed cup (not open like the other cups in this deck) and those are angels on the cup (look closely).
      The closed cup signifies emotions and feelings that haven’t been revealed to the world. They could be so precious or spiritual that angels protect it. And as you said, it is the feminine passive side. That’s why she hasn’t revealed them yet.
      All this is open to intuitive interpretation – which is kinda the point – during a reading. How would you interpret the image now that you know this?

  4. sandy Avatar
    sandy

    so the cards like 5,7,8 of cups where the face is not visible is looking for a new persona? in some cards the character is facing fully left or fully right.. sometimes partially left or partially right.. does this direction have a significance?

    1. Madhavi Ghare Avatar
      Madhavi Ghare

      That’s quite an interesting way to interpret it… Nice!
      The directions do take on significance – in the book ‘Tarot as a Way of Life’ author Karen Hamaker-Zondag talks about this. The right side is the Yang or the male side, while the left side is the Yin or the female side. The male aspect is considered to be outward and aggressive, whereas the female aspect is said to be inward and passive.
      Hope this helps…

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