This is the concluding part of the articles in this series. And as is fitting with the theme of conclusion, I shall be looking at the pair of cards from the Major Arcana that talk about beginnings and endings – the most important aspects of any cycle.

So, lets go ahead and look at the third pair of cards that depicts cycles – The Fool and The World.

Cycles are an important part of our lives – not only do they help us understand the different patterns in which the energies in our life flow, but they also help us see how we can create, change and participate in our lives in a fuller, more positive manner.

Cycles are both good and bad, and we’ve all gone through them at one point of time or the other. However, when we see certain scenarios repeating in our lives, we need to stop and think. Repeating cycles are not just a symptom of Karmic Cycles, but they are also telling us that we have not learnt the lesson we were meant to learn the first time ‘round.

However, when cycles begin and end are also very interesting times – and often the way we begin and end the cycles can lead us on forward to better and more positive cycles as well.

Beginnings…

Beginnings, as they say, are interesting times. And yes, sometimes, this crazy time can tell us many things about what may lie ahead.

Then there are some of us who adopt a devil-may-care attitude and just go for it. And it is in such a manner that our Divine Fool has begun his journey.

I have often pondered upon why the first card of the deck was depicted in such a fashion. Why should the beginning of this journey be in this way? Why should one just go for it without knowing what is ahead? Why, especially when all these concepts and ideas are just the opposite of what has been taught to us since childhood – research, find out more about it and then do something that you want to?

And then it struck me! In order to begin a journey of adventure and discovery, it is extremely important to have just this attitude. If one were to adopt the ‘play safe’ attitude, then it wouldn’t be an adventure now, would it?

And yes, The Fool does begin his journey – his cycle of self-discovery – right here, from this card.

If you look closely, you will see a cave right behind him. It is with just that symbol that we know that this is not his first adventure, and probably not his last either. He’s been on some other adventures before this one. The cave is the most ancient symbol of the womb, and self-discovery. Some may interpret it to say that The Fool has just been born (or re-born), or he has emerged from another adventure to begin a new one.

Also, he carries a bag with him. Many have interpreted that bag in different ways – and since we don’t see what the bag contains, one can interpret it in several ways. One can say that he is carrying his talents and tools, or he is carrying baggage from his past adventures, or even karmic baggage.

Either way, this card, while on the surface might depict a happy-go-lucky person who is going to take the leap and follow his dreams, on a deeper level shows someone who though wise and experienced, has consciously chosen to let go of rational thinking processes and follow his intuition to leap forth into yet another adventure.

Such is the beginning of this cycle – and this very interesting journey into the Tarot cards.

Endings…

The next card we are going to look at is The World. Again, this being the last card of the Major Arcana, we can say that this depicts endings of cycles – or maybe I should say, an ideal way that a cycle ought to end.

We again see the four angels (now only their heads are depicted) at the four corners of the card – these four angels represent the elements of Air, Water, Fire and Earth. And right in the center of the card, we see the World Dancer. This is way The Fool has transformed – he has become the World Dancer – and is fully at home among the elements. The laurel wreath depicts her glory and success – she has emerged victorious from the adventure that The Fool embarked upon. She has not only completed the cycle that she had started in The Fool card, but she has also moved out of the bounds of that cycle! She has become free of that cycle!

She has found a way to move out of the constraints of the cycles and circles – whether they be life’s circles or karmic cycles. The World Dancer has learnt her lessons (probably all of ’em) – which is why, she is often also referred to as someone who is ‘Enlightened’ or ‘Evolved’. To me, it means that she has ‘seen the light’ and has ‘evolved out’ of the cycles that most people remain mired in.

Endings of cycles aren’t often as painless – or freedom giving. Because they often signify the start of a new cycle of lessons coming your way. But the World Dancer has moved past all these cycles and has become one with the Universe. This is why she is dancing among the clouds – free and smiling and happy!

Cycles of Life

Life is full of cycles – which, naturally, move in a circular fashion. Events, situations, and scenarios – all the different occurrences in our lives happen in this fashion. And just to confuse us a bit more, these cycles are often overlapping and interlocking with each other.

I see all of these cycles as lessons to be learnt. When we don’t learn the lesson the first time ‘round, the cycle is bound to repeat itself. However, when we do learn the lesson, we move out of that cycle, and shift into another one that overlaps or interlocks with it.

The lessons never stop. The learning never ends. And as we learn and move through these cycles in life, we become wiser and stronger and (in my experience) a bit more forgiving than before.

Cycles and Tarot

The different cycles and their depictions in the Tarot cards help us understand and figure out what kind of cycle we are in and what lesson we are supposed to learn. After that, it is our responsibility to look within our self and be truthful and honest (often a harsh experience), and deal with what lesson we are supposed to learn.

The cards can help provide amazingly accurate and painfully truthful guidance for those who seek it.

So, if you are searching for a way into an adventure within your self, or seeking guidance for your lessons through the different cycles of life, just reach out for your Tarot card deck and ask the cards!

Your Turn…

Have you experienced the guidance from the cards during the toughest cycles of your life? Did any particular card from that reading stand out and make a strong impression on you? What lesson did you gain from that card? Lets talk about it in the comments section below.