The Moon
Symbolic Attributes
- Element:Pisces
- Arcana:Major Arcana
- Suit:Trump
- Archetype:The Holy Feminine/The Crone
- Numerology:18 = 1 + 8 = 9 (fullness, readiness, ripeness)
- Hebrew Alphabet:Koph/Back of the Head/100
Keywords
Description
The distinction between this card and some of the conventional types is that the moon is increasing on what is called the side of mercy, to the right of the observer. It has sixteen chief and sixteen secondary rays. The card represents life of the imagination apart from life of the spirit. The path between the towers is the issue into the unknown. The dog and wolf are the fears of the natural mind in the presence of that place of exit, when there is only reflected light to guide it. The last reference is a key to another form of symbolism. The intellectual light is a reflection and beyond it is the unknown mystery which it cannot shew forth. It illuminates our animal nature, types of which are represented below--the dog, the wolf and that which comes up out of the deeps, the nameless and hideous tendency which is lower than the savage beast. It strives to attain manifestation, symbolized by crawling from the abyss of water to the land, but as a rule it sinks back whence it came. The face of the mind directs a calm gaze upon the unrest below; the dew of thought falls; the message is: Peace, be still; and it may be that there shall come a calm upon the animal nature, while the abyss beneath shall cease from giving up a form.
Light Meaning
- Enjoying healthy fantasies and daydreams
- Using your imagination
- Practicing magic or celebrating the magic of everyday life
- Attuning yourself to the cycles of nature
- Embracing the unknown
Shadow Meaning
- Becoming unable to separate fantasy from reality
- Suffering from delusions
- Losing your appreciation for the fantastic or magical
- Adopting a ruthlessly logical mindset
- Failing to appreciate life's mysteries
Questions to Ask Yourself
- •How can I face my fears and move forward?
- •What helpers can serve me as guides through my personal darkness?
- •How can I deal with the unknown in healthy ways?
Personal Meaning
Open yourself to mystery. Explore your dreams and visions for truth that will help you live to the fullest and find answers you seek. Welcome enchantment and imagination into your life to break up dreariness and monotony. Embrace the shadows for in them you will find great treasure.
You have been exploring your dreams and visions for truth that would help you live to the fullest and find answers you seek. You found great treasure in the shadows.
Open yourself to mystery. Explore your dreams and visions for truth that will help you live to the fullest and find answers you seek. Welcome enchantment and imagination into your life to break up dreariness and monotony. Embrace the shadows for in them you will find great treasure.
Personal Reversed Meaning
Do not allow fear and anxiety to overtake you. Avoid false ideas that will have you wandering aimlessly through life. Recognize when your fear is based on deception and illusion. Face your fears, explore your dreams and instincts and move on.
You allowed fear and anxiety to overtake you. You have been deceived by false ideasthat had you wandering aimlessly through life. Your fears were based on deception and illusion.
You have allowed fear and anxiety to overtake you. You might be deceived by false ideas or might be lost and wandering aimlessly through life. Recognize your bewilderment, and realize that your fear is based on deception and illusion. It is time to step into the healing light of the full moon. Face your fears, explore your dreams and instincts and move on.
Fortune Telling
- •Watch for problems at the end of the month
- •Someone you know needs to howl at the moon more often
- •Someone is about to change his or her mind about an important decision
Mythical / Spiritual Context
Kali, the dark-skinned divine mother associated with time, the eternal night, and the female principle. Hecate, goddess of night and darkness, who, like Anubis, assists others in their travels to the underworld.