19 - The Sun

(through the shadows it can be seen)

All life on this earth needs the Sun. Plants use the light to produce oxygen for us to breath through photosynthesis, the warmth of the giant star heats our planet from freezing in the cold of space, and of course...it's nature's "light bulb" for us to see.

In tarot...the Sun means energy to it's max ! An illumination that bathes the world in light, transforming the darkness into understandable images. It is also know as the Universal "time piece" for it is by the Sun's movement we can measure our short existence here on Mother Earth. 

Have you ever tried to look directly at the Sun? We all at some point have... to no avail since viewing it for but a moment will cause pain...and even blindness (so don't do it, kids ! LOL). But we do get to see some of it's glory through the lens of clouds, pollution, and the shadows in this life.

It is here we appreciate the Sun's beauty the most for the shadowy images the Sun's light casts on our world. No one takes snapshots of the Sun just in the sky, but behind scenery like mountains, oceans, or other life in the forefront of the Sun. What does this teach us from a tarot point of view? Let's look at the cards basic meaning.

• Experiencing joy
• Freedom in the light of truth to be the naked you
• Success
• Triumph
• Good health
• And on...and on...and on (really this card is everything good in life)

But the same light that illuminates us and our surroundings can BURN AND DESTROY if not respected and harnessed correctly. A single tiny beam through a magnifying glass can set forth a fire to a forest if used improperly. Too much sunlight can turn a thriving lush field of green into a dry, brown dust bowl. The heat we need is not always the heat we want.

So how do we deal with the Sun? Let's be as the 'Sundial' is...

...we filter the light so bright into a form we can understand...a shadow. That shadow helps us understand what time of day it is...and has for thousands of years ! With it time becomes a reality... measurable...helpful...a tool. Let's look again at our dream tarot card for the Sun...

By viewing the Sun through the branches of the trees, we have shielded most of the harmful rays from hurting us and  have allowed us to view it's beauty and power.

We need to shadow the Sun to make use of it. Having the Sun come up in a reading means the energy is there, the possibilities endless....but what are you gonna do about it?....You harness that power as the sundial...use what life gives you to the maximum of your ability and time here on Earth...even if it seems a bit raw and elementary.

Too many people wait around crying for "help from above"...a sign of blessing in their life to better their circumstances.

"If only I was given a chance I could do something with my life"

Look around you...stop looking directly at the "Sun" and start looking toward the Sun's "shadow".

• Do you need a job? Think about what you CAN do and who's hiring for that position. It might not be your first choice, but it's still a job that will put food on the table for now
• Are you lonely for a lover? Quit hanging around waiting and get yourself noticed (dating sites, bars, friends recommendations, meet-up groups, etc). Take charge of your destiny instead of waiting for the Prince to carry you away, or Damsel in distress to be rescued.
• Money....do you even remember what it looks like? Not all happiness is rooted in money (although it helps, it is not the end goal). What would money do for you? Can you achieve a form of that happiness another way if it's not possible to be wealthy? Family and friends close to you....good health and physical wellness...shelter and safety...these can all be found other ways besides "buying" them. Look around through your life for these forms and try and strengthen them even a little more than before and watch how better you feel. Moving from a rat-infested apartment into a clean, safer one feels like night and day for most people!

No one wants to be burned by the Sun...we only want it's benefits.

We only want it's 'shadows' or it's results for use.

-Eric MLT