I finished the 4 of Fire last week. Here she is. She's not quite an Old Mermaid, but was partially inspired by the Old Mermaids who live in the New Desert. Sister Kim Mermaid says that the woman in the card reminds her of Grand Mother Yemaya Mermaid, and I have to admit she's right. I just love it when the cards have something to teach me after I've finished them. When I set the finished card down next to the Rider/Waite/Smith 4 of Wands, I realized that the spines of the saguaro cactus echo the upright wands in the RWS card. Not my conscious plan, but oh, so lovely to see the resonance.
My sister DragonSong posed for me for this card (although I changed her face). After she saw the artwork, she wrote: "The face has that expression of aaaah, there it is, the sweet spot, the kundalini rising, the power is flowing, the blocks are gone.... chin lifted, nostrils flared, inhalation-inspiration. A powerful, self-contained woman. I'm lookin' good!!!"
The meaning of the card, for me? A self-empowering ritual, a self-blessing, a rite of passage. The power and energy of your own personal passion contained within a sacred circle marked by the four directions. Blessed be.
Gorgeous.
Posted by: Hecatedemetersdatter | March 31, 2007 at 02:28 PM
I love it.
Posted by: heather | March 31, 2007 at 04:33 PM
Very inspiring and moving. I find myself inhaling along with her.
Posted by: Patricia (a/k/a Roswila) | March 31, 2007 at 08:47 PM
Full moon, four directions circle, barefoot, energy rising from the earth, rich possibilities unfolding.
I love it!
Posted by: Julie in Virginia | April 01, 2007 at 06:40 AM
oooooo I love the card .... and the expression on her face is priceless!!!
I can almost hear drumbeats!
Mama Kelly
Posted by: mama kelly | April 01, 2007 at 05:17 PM
I love this card. She reminds me of women I know.
Posted by: Michelle | April 02, 2007 at 08:35 PM
You're cooking with **fire**, sister!
Posted by: Lunaea | April 05, 2007 at 03:46 PM