Sketch: Three of Earth
Thought you might enjoy seeing where the 3 of Earth is headed. We see three women working together to make tinctures, teas, creams, salves and other healing concoctions. As I've mentioned before, 3's are about abundance, fertility, flow, manifestation. And we're literally working with the bounty of the earth here. In the RWS 3 of Pentacles, we see three people working to build a grand cathedral. Years ago I remember Z Budapest saying that the theme of the 3 of Pents is "building the house of the Goddess" — people working joyfully together to create something of lasting value for the community. In this case, the "house of the Goddess" is our own bodies, and the herbs nourish and sustain us.
I'm glad to honor three of my island sisters in this card — they posed for me last summer. We had a grand time at the photo shoot in my kitchen. Colleen directs the community land trust, Wanda runs a native plant recovery nursery, Michele is a wonderful craftswoman and student of massage. All three of them are activists and rabble rousers. I'm glad they're in my life.
The more you post of these... the more I just can't WAIT to have a deck of my very own :) Definitely the self-published deck I am most looking forward to.
Posted by: Teresa Michelsen | January 30, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Delicious! It may be a black and white drawing, but it feels color-filled already. What you say about the card has really opened it up even further for me. Many thanks.
Posted by: Roswila (a/k/a Patricia) | January 30, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Oh my goddess! I absolutely love it. I am the biggest Gaian Tarot geek ever, but I can't help it. I think this is now my favorite card.
Posted by: Inanna | January 30, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Gorgeous!! I love watching your deck come together. What a lovely image to use for this card.
Posted by: Katherine | January 30, 2007 at 09:04 PM
Even without the color - this image lept off the page and into my heart. Joanna - you have your finger on the pulse of a great longing.
The imagery you are creating is timeless and at the same time new and fresh and enticing.
I think this is shaping up to be the most anticipated Tarot deck ever!
Posted by: Julie in Virginia | January 31, 2007 at 01:30 PM
Thank you all -- I'm pretty pumped about this one myself. And I am deep into the color!
Posted by: Joanna | January 31, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Joanna, this card may turn out to be my favorite of them all, and there is such a sense of community and sisterhood radiating through it, a sense of Herself as a living vibrant presence in the world - it reminds me of Starhawk's words:
"We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free."
This card feels like home. . . .
Love and BB, and happy happy Imbolc!
Cate
Posted by: Cate (KerrdeLune) | January 31, 2007 at 06:03 PM
What a wonderful, reassuring scene. I can't wait to see the finished image.
Posted by: JLB | February 01, 2007 at 07:45 PM
Dang! Even your sketches are beautiful! :-)
What a sumptuous 3/Pents this will be! I love it.
Posted by: James Ricklef | February 02, 2007 at 02:13 PM
I love this picture. Sketches so often have an immediacy that hits the eye and heart so much quicker than elaborate finished versions, although I suspect in this case the final card will convey a great deal of warm and vital energy. Thank you for sharing! x
Posted by: Andy | February 07, 2007 at 01:21 AM
So much emotion and beauty in this card, Joanna. Thanks for sharing it. :o)
Posted by: Janet Boyer | February 12, 2007 at 08:40 PM
So when are you going to make this available as a print for purchase?
Hint hint! Nag! Nag!
Posted by: Julie in Virginia | March 04, 2007 at 03:28 PM
This week, Julie! I promise!
Posted by: Joanna | March 05, 2007 at 08:32 AM
Not only does this card reflect the traditional RWS version of the 3/Pents (Earth), but (of course) you have put your own stamp upon it. More than that, it really does look "earthy"! A beautiful finish to what began as a lovely sketch. :-)
James
Posted by: James Ricklef | March 07, 2007 at 05:59 PM
Oh, I truly love this card. You've really made the feeling of "the house of the Goddess". If only I could step into that card and be a part of it right now! Beautiful!
Posted by: Gina House | May 02, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Wow. Maiden, Mother and crone. This definately represents the Goddess in all her forms. This brings tears to my eyes as I have seen them all. I will buy this deck when it is available and cherish it always. This may be my favorite card. The work being done here is astonishing.
Blessed Be,
Karl
Posted by: Karl | July 20, 2007 at 12:20 PM
This is great! btw, did Z Budapest write something about the Tarot where you read the bit about "building the house of the Goddess" and if so, what was it?
Thanks.
Posted by: Zion Mystic | November 01, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Zion Mystic, I don't remember if it's written down or not in any of her books -- I heard her say that at a workshop back in the 80's and it stuck with me.
Posted by: Joanna | November 01, 2008 at 01:01 PM