Guardian of Fire

Not exactly the Queen of Wands, is he?  ;-)  I do love exploring the less-obvious aspects of the court card archetypes.

As I wrote in my New Moon entry, this Guardian is a fire tender.  He's the one that keeps an eye on the bonfire at festivals, making sure it neither gets too high nor gets so low that it goes out.  His energy matches that of the fire — quiet, smoking, sparking or blazing.  He's often in the background of the circle, but the drumming and dancing can't happen without him.  He’s an integral part of the community.  He "guards" the qualities of creativity, personal power and passion.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[Ellen-Mary]

He is wonderful! Your version makes more sense to me than the traditional Queen of Wands. I so look forward to your finished deck.

BTW thank you for turning me on to Gaia Consort. I know you don't know that you did that but you did. :) They are wonderful! I bought two of their CD's and have listened to nothing else for the past week. I'm sending everyone I know to their website.

[Cynthia]

I love this too. I admit I've always had problems with wands being fire and swords being air. I love that this is just simply, fire. I love the diversity of people and ideas your cards represent and I can hardly wait to buy this deck.

[Angelica]

Great Card!! This man looks like a man who could be scary, yet is really a sweetheart -- but not a pushover ... he knows his purpose and his value -- he's responsible -- a man of honour.
He also looks a bit like a genie ready to say "your wish is my command."

I love the bobcat in the background!!

Blessings, Angelica

[Sylvan]

I think one of my favorite things about this deck is that you portray people of all races, shapes, sizes, and walks of life, as well as Nature (both how humans interact with Her, and Nature on her own). You would never see a card like this in most decks. It's wonderful.

[glasbeth]

Joanna, this is one of the best tarot cards I've ever seen! Beautiful! I agree with what the others have said.

blessings,
Beth

[Inanna]

Another one to take my breath away. Is it just my tired eyes, or does he look blurred at the edges, a bit ghostly, transluscent?

He looks like a protector. Reliable, gentle, trustworthy. Beautiful.

[joanna]

Ellen-Mary, Cynthia, Angelica, Dianne, Glasbeth, Inanna -- thanks for your comments. I knew that not everyone would like this one, so I really appreciate hearing that a lot of folks do. The fellow who posed for me really does tend the fire at one of our Northwest summer Pagan festivals, and I think his own personality comes through in the comments you've made. Inanna, my intention was for him to look clothed in shadows, as people really do look around a bonfire at night. But you're the second person that says he looks a bit translucent. So be it. It wasn't intentional but it's perfect.

Ellen-Mary, so glad you are enjoying Gaia Consort! I know they have a new album out. Blessed be.

[Nancy Green]

wow! i just found your site via hecate. i love this card. i live in a city, in a multiracial neighborhood. it is so cool to see a person on the tarot card who i could see on my own street.
makes me want to see the rest of the deck-- great artwork.

[Filhote de Lua]

When I look this card, I see my father. I see the same expression in her face, the same movement close to the fire, in the last 25 years, since I was a baby. He teach me how care the fire, and how start a fire, and tell me about "salamandras", and give our beer and wine and salt to the fire. Whit this expression in face, and the same movement, I see he turn ashes in a new bonfire.

Well, thanks for this card, because it's my father card. and sorry for any mistake (my english are very bad)

[joanna]

Thank you, Nancy. So glad Hecate sent you this way and so glad you like the card. Filhote, your words are very touching. I want to know more about the salamandras and offering beer and wine and salt to the fire. How wonderful that it's your father. Thank you.