Air Court Cards
THE STORYTELLERS OF AIR
The Arthurian Court:
Guinevere, Lancelot, Morgan le Fay, Arthur, Merlin
In Imaginosophy, all the court cards associated with Air are characters from the Arthurian Court (5th-6th Centuries stretching to the 12th). People familiar with Arthurian legend tend to know Merlin, Arthur, Morgan le Fay, Guinevere, and Lancelot. Their stories have been told in multiple ways over the centuries, but we tend to know that Merlin is a wizard, Arthur is a leader of men, Morgan le Fay is self-possessed and definite in her approach. Lancelot is a feared and yet well-loved knight, and Guinevere is the most desirable woman of the land. Depending on how they appear in our readings, these Storytellers will arise uniquely.
In Imaginosophy, these cards appear as the Storytellers of Air and arise as personifications of different levels of the element. Air is the most unseen of the elements and can be as serene as a summer breeze or as violent as a tornado. Traditionally, this is the realm of swords, weapons used for defense. These cards are associated with the mental realm, belief systems, thoughts, and fears. There are many ways to read court cards. Generally, they are seen as people in our life, personality traits, archetypes, or even approaches to life.
The Storytellers of Air are also related to birds or flying creatures such as dragons, which remind us that certain thoughts lead to freedom. The swords shown in the cards represent clarity of mind, reason, and intellect, and also challenges. Like the Air, thoughts and beliefs are unseen, and we can become entangled in the illusions of the mind. While the truth can set us free, thoughts can also deceive us. The Grail test in Air is to learn discernment through Self-Inquiry. We can ask ourselves questions to understand the truth as it is arising in the moment. These cards can be difficult, and their archetypes can pose challenges and demand answers.
The Heroine of Air (Page) is open and curious. The Hero (Knights) is more action oriented and can shift in unexpected ways. All Queens tend to be mature and, in this case, is clear about her beliefs and expectations. The King embodies the element and transmits it from his throne with a clear game plan. Imaginosophy adds the Mages, or those that transmit white magic.
In the Celtic Wheel of the Year, Air is associated with the direction of the east, the place of the rising sun. The Druid animal totem is the bird, especially the Raven with clear sight and increased intuition. There are many swords of truth and power, but the one best known in Arthurian myth is Excalibur, Caledfwich in Welsh, the magic sword of King Arthur given to him by the Lady of the Lake, to be returned to her at her death. Excalibur is a symbol of authority, responsibility of power and divine kingship. It is the mythmaking of a leader and is an indication of potential glory, hope and honor.
Heroine of Air - Guinevere
Keywords:
Purposeful – Curious – Clever – Energetic – Idealisti
shadow
Dilemmas – Mental conflicts – Inconsiderate
colors
gold/pink/blue
Meaning:
The Heroine of Air is traditionally the Page of Swords, the brilliant, idealistic, and talented youth with boundless energy. This Heroine appears in our lives as someone who inspires us. She is fascinated by life, curious about the world, and her smile can dazzle. When Guinevere appears in a reading, she represents a young single and independent person in your life (or a part of your inner character) with abundant energy. She is hard to define and can keep you guessing.
Guinevere has been popularized in film as a woman who is not true in love, sometimes as the shamed adulterous. Certainly, she is a desired maiden. There is an older version of the tale in which she is the sought after May Queen who must be won by those who wish to serve as king. In French Romance, Arthur was married to two Guineveres, one false and one true. In British legend there are three Guineveres, which points to the triple aspect of the May Queen. In the Welsh triads, Arthur had four wives all with the same name. Guinevere is actually a title for the woman who is a Lady of Sovereignty. Personified as a goddess of the land, Guinevere has the power through sexuality and marriage to bestow kingship upon a man.
Guinevere is an embodiment of the living landscape, a maiden of the spring. As a romantic card, Guinevere is bubbling feminine energy. She is the Flower Bride and won at your own peril. There is a warning that this Heroine can hurt another unintentionally, perhaps through harsh words or a different set of beliefs. She might or might not believe in defined gender roles.
When Guinevere appears in a reading, there is an interesting person who wants to relate to you in some way. Her feminine energy may inspire or terrify you. Guinevere may want you to face a dilemma directly, or a love proposal. It might be that it is time to consider breaking free of a role that limits you. Overall, the card is about truth and honesty and is ultimately considered positive and life affirming.
Symbolism/Image as Guide:
The card shows a young and curious maiden with a thirst for knowledge. There is a sense that she is someone who would enjoy passionate dialogue with others about an ideal future. This Heroines seems to possess clarity, new ideas, a fighting spirit, and a deep desire for communication. She stands in front of a fortress, her kingdom of Camelot. In some Arthurian tales the Round Table is Guinevere’s dowry which is passed upon marriage to Arthur and ultimately the kingdom of Camelot. Arising as Guinevere, this maiden appears to be energetic, interested, and ready for a brand-new world.
The artwork depicts Guinevere in her maiden years just before her marriage to Arthur. She is innocent, optimistic, and full of life. Her sword points upwards symbolizing her ability to bring power to a king and fertility to the land. The double headed dragon on the hilt suggests that she possesses a magical power than can protect the Earth. Wearing a pink dress, the color of unconditional love, she gazes into the eyes of the reader invoking questions about love and sexuality. Her headband with a rose quartz over her forehead (position of the third or intuitive eye), suggests that she is intuitive, and transmits feminine energy. Guinevere is naturally aligned with the goddess. Like the rose quartz, Guinevere broadcasts love, gentleness, and compassion. Because she radiates such a high energy, many men are drawn to her, which can be challenging. Astrologically she represents Venus in Libra, the one who wishes to be in balanced and loving relationship. Guinevere inspires love on many levels.
As a person: a beautiful person who inspires others; a challenging young woman who asks questions that are difficult to answer; an oracle or intuitive who sees the truth
Storyteller:
Guinevere’s name arises from the Welsh Gwynhwyfar, meaning the white enchantress, fey or phantom. In her oldest form she is a magical being, even a faery. In 13th century Welsh tales, there are three wives of King Arthur all named Guinevere. This leads us to believe that Guinevere is actually a title. Generally depicted as a childless maiden, in early tales she bears Mordred two sons. In the Welsh triads, biological sons of Arthur are also mentioned. Although Guinevere generally does not have a mother, she is consistently described as one of the beauties of Britain, often the descendent of Roman nobility and thus the perfect match for Arthur.
In the 12th Century the author Chrétien de Troyes created Guinevere as a damsel in distress who must be rescued by Lancelot, with whom she eventually has an adulterous affair. Her traits of honor, loyalty, trustworthiness, and virtue are put to the test. In other tales she is a trivial lady of the court. There are also many stories of her kidnappings, abductions, and rapes. However, in the most ancient tales she is a powerful goddess of the land. Ultimately, Guinevere is a wild card.
What stories do you tell about love and freedom?
Grail Question:
How does Guinevere appear in your life? How are you experiencing love?
What new ideas do you wish to share?
Hero of Air – Lancelot
Keywords:
Ambition – Success – Action – Light – Truth – Courage
Reversed
Poor Judgment – Unpredictability
colors
Red/Silver/Yellow
Meaning:
The Hero of Air is personified by the Arthurian knight Lancelot, a fearless warrior of the light, a lover of life, and a protector of the land. This card relates to career, especially when aligned with the appropriate relationships, and/or life purpose and mission. Lancelot is brave, ambitious, strong, and fearless. Because of his love of his best friend’s wife, he is also conflicted and has a period of madness in the forest until he recovers his wits and understanding of the world. Lancelot is innately honorable and virtuous. When he is sure about his mission, he is the greatest of all warriors, he certainly had what it takes to get the job done. He is an archetype who will fearlessly pursue his goals and generally gets what he desires. Lancelot will upset the status quo to accomplish his goals.
Lancelot is linked to ideas of animal and spiritual love, and the struggles our hearts have when reconciling what can feel like opposites. He reminds us that even if we are seen as successful by the external world, we may still face battles within our own hearts and minds. In this way Lancelot is a guide toward inner realization.
The Hero of Air is driven to succeed at all costs. This Hero of Air works with the wind at his back and can shift suddenly and without warning, riding off in an unexpected direction. The card may suggest a change in a relationship, a career, or the need to face a hidden truth. When Lancelot appears in your life, expect big changes to occur. This hero is brave, ambitious, intelligent, and single-minded. He can be loyal to a fault, but maybe not in the way you expect.
If you have chosen the Hero of Air, ask what needs to be accomplished and who is standing at your side ready to go fearlessly into battle with you. With the Hero of Air at your side, you can accomplish almost anything.
Symbolism/Image as a Guide:
A handsome dark-haired knight stares at the reader. His gaze is direct and fearless. His sword faces skyward toward the divine, and slices through the radiant sun suggesting an ancestral relationship with the gods of light. His sword is held in his left hand, which suggests that he is committed to serving the feminine. Lancelot stands in front of a tower, which might be either Camelot or his own fortress, the Joyous Gard. His well-polished armor suggests an ancient Celtic lineage linked to the Irish/Welsh Lugh/Lleu. His sword might be a version of Lugh’s Fragarach, a sword that evokes truthful answers. His astrological sign is Aquarius, a fixed Air sign. The symbol of Aquarius is the water-bearer or cup bearer, which links him to the cup of the gods and the Quest for the Grail. Aquarians are humanists and are concerned with the collective good, which poetically connects Lancelot to the Knights of the Round Table.
As a person: an energetic, attractive, lusty person of action; someone who gets the job done; an inspiring lover or warrior; a person dedicated to their mission.
Storyteller:
Along with Geoffrey of Monmouth, the 12th Century French poet Chretien de Troyes is thought of as the father of Arthurian Romance. Marie de Champagne, the daughter of the French and British Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1294), was a well-known patron of the arts and encouraged literature that involved courtly love. It was Chretien de Troyes who introduced the concept of Guinevere’s affair with Lancelot, as well as the Quest for the Holy Grail, and the name of Camelot as Arthur’s court. These were the most popular Arthurian tales, until the stories were collected and standardized by Thomas Malary in 1469. The most familiar story of Lancelot du Lac arises out of Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur. There is some evidence to support that the roots of the stories can be found in the teachings of the Cathars, or it may be that Chretien de Troyes invented the medieval rules of courtly love. Either way, noble women of the age loved the tales. Eleanor of Aquitaine was also involved in the development in the literature of courtly love, which helped to redefine the roles of women. Eleanor, a who had a deep love of literature and a strong independent spirit, refused to be defined by men. Chretien de Troyes presented strong women who could be prominent protagonists, even when veiled by an appearance of submission.
Chretien de Troyes’ Lancelot (1170 AD) is his best-known work, although it may have been completed by a clerk Godefroi de Leigni. In the beginning of the story, Guinevere has been abducted by Meleagant, an evil lord. Lancelot pursues them but must ride in a cart and is mocked but eventually arrives at the tower when the queen is held captive. After a series of challenges, Lancelot kills Meleagant and is rewarded by the queen’s courtly love (an embrace or kiss).
Early Lancelot may arise out of Irish or Welsh legend, for he is connected with the Welsh Lloch (meaning lake) or Llewych (meaning light). In the story of the Spoils of Annwn, the god of light appears in Welsh mythology as Lleu Llaw Gyffes (or skillful hand). In Irish mythology, the sun god Lugh’s hand is lightning, which can be used as a weapon. There is a parallel in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s story in which Arthur must battle Lucius/Lugh when Mordred attempts to take over by kidnapping Guinevere. Lancelot saves her but takes her to his castle in Gaul (France). Arthur pursues the pair, then returns to Camlann for his final battle. Otherwise, Lancelot does not appear in the Welsh stories, at least not in the form of Arthur’s greatest knight. Chretien de Troyes was known for collecting oral and written stories, and then retelling them. He knew the tale of Ancel and may have used the name to create “L-ancel-ot,” thus associating him with Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne. The character of Lancelot may also have been based on a Breton knight.
Malory called Lancelot the best knight in the world who was raised by the magical Lady of the Lake, who spirited him away when he was only a baby and raised him. Thus, the name Lancelot du Lac. Lancelot’s fortress was called the Joyous Gard. In Malory’s version of the tale, when Lancelot was eighteen Lady of the Lake presented him to King Arthur’s court. Although he later endures a period of insanity because of his unrequited love of Guinevere, Lancelot was generally true to the queen and acted as her greatest ally, savior, and protector. In Malory’s version of the tale, he spurns the Elaine Maid of Astolat and she dies of grief. The story of Elaine, Galahad and Lancelot has been retold for modern day audiences in Heroines of Avalon & Other Tales, with a more benevolent outcome, rescuing Elaine (also a Lady of the Lake) from centuries of suffering, judgement, and unrequited love.
In the Old French Prose Lancelot cycle, Lancelot’s great-grandfather was named Galahad, who was reputedly the younger son of Joseph of Arimathea. This family was from Wales, and Lancelot’s baptismal name was Galahad. This creates an unbroken ancestral line connecting Joseph of Arimathea (the uncle of Jesus), to Galahad, King of Wales, to Lancelot, to Ban de Benoyc, to the protagonist Lancelot, to his son with Elaine – Galahad the Grail champion. In the Vulgate Merlin, King Ban had a son who was baptized Galahad with the surname of Lancelot. In the tales Lancelot loses his spiritual purity because of his desire for Galahad, and thus fails as a Grail knight. But his son Galahad, who remains a virgin, becomes Camelot’s Grail champion.
Removing the sentiments of the clergy, we discover Lancelot’s ancestral roots lead to the Celtic deity Lugh. One of the Tuatha de Danann, Lugh was a warrior hero. He was linked to justice, nobility, and (rather like Hermes) was considered both a savior and trickster. He was ferocious in battle and had the skillful hands of the craftsperson. Lugh’s ancestral home is considered to the Tara in County Meath and Moytura in County Sligo. He is celebrated each year on August 1 at the holy day of Lughnasa. His sword given to him by his foster-father Manannán was called Fragarach or the Answerer. When the sword was pointed at his opponents, they were forced to speak the truth. Like the Norse deity Freyr, Lugh also had a very fast boat called the Sguaba Tuinne, or the Wind-sweeper. His other treasures included magical horses who could run across land and sea. His most famous son was the hero Cuchulain of the Ulster sagas. Julius Caesar identified Lugus as the Roman god Mercury. Lugh’s gift was that of uniting Ireland, and he is always related to the sun or the light.
Grail Question:
What actions must be taken? What truth must you face?
Where is the wind directing you?
Queen of Air - Morgan le Fay
Keywords:
Seer – Independent – Intelligent – Perceptive – Visionary
Reversed
Harsh – Malicious – Cruel
colors
forest green/emerald/spring green
Meaning:
The Queen of Air is perceptive and impossible to fool. She is a truthteller, and her words can cut. She is independent, intelligent, and knowledgeable. She can also be a perfectionist, or a critic, for she holds the sword of harsh truths. In Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, Morgan le Fay takes Excalibur and gives it to her lover Accolon to kill Arthur, but instead he meets his own death. Furious Morgan steals the scabbard (enchanted by the Lady of the Lake to protect the king) then throws it into the lake making Arthur vulnerable. Arising here as the enchanting Morgan le Fay (Morgana), we look into her eyes and ask if she is a mortal threat or a benevolent healer. There may be an even more ancient truth, and sometimes stories reveal themselves in layers.
If you have pulled this card in your reading, a person may appear to challenge your self-image. You may feel misunderstood, attacked, or maligned. Try to keep your sword in the scabbard and preserve the peace. It is intelligent to use the practice of inquiry to discover the truth of who you are, but you can only work on inner realization when you feel safe. If someone angers you, it is because there is still work to do. Ask yourself why the criticism of another has any impact on you. It may also be appropriate to set boundaries until you are clear about the way in which you wish to proceed. Once your vision is clear, step into action.
Symbolism/Image as a Guide:
A woman in green raises a sword aloft and toward the fortress of Camelot. Is she protecting or threatening the kingdom with Caliburn, a sword forged in Avalon? A murder of thirteen crows fly above her. In Celtic myth, Morgana is said to be one of nine sisters who rule Avalon, the Otherwordly isle where it is always summer, no one becomes sick or ever dies. It is here that Morgana takes the wounded Arthur. She appears in Nimue: Freeing Merlin as Morgana, but her more popular name is Morgan le Fay.
Green is the color of the awakened heart and of compassion. Yet complexities must often be encountered in the heart as well. The emerald on Morgan le Fay’s forehead reminds us of the esoteric Christian story that reports that Lucifer was exiled from heaven, and during his downfall an emerald came loose and fell from his crown to Earth. He was the first fallen angel, rebel, and exile from paradise. In ancient Egypt emeralds were placed (as they are in this artwork) on the throats of the dead to protect them on their long journey through the Underworld. What is the magic of emeralds that help guide souls to their proper place? Morgana’s rings suggest a connection to the Emerald Tablets of Hermes Trismegistus which contain the secrets of alchemy. Clearly Morgana is magical and has the power to wield the element of Air. She is a spellcaster and shapeshifter. Her astrological symbol is Gemini (May 21-June 20), the sign that rules the passage of spring into summer. Gemini is governed by Mercury, the planet of communication. Like Mercury, it seems there is no place that is barred to Morgan le Fay. In the image, everything around her is green, and it seems likely that Morgan has an enchanted and fearless twin who can move between worlds. It may be that her twin is a goddess?
As a person: A truthteller, critic, rebel, healer, or seer; a fearless communicator. A person who may seem like an enemy but actually challenges you to become your most empowered self. Someone who has been intentionally slandered or maligned.
Storyteller:
Morgan le Fay is a powerful half-fairy enchantress with blood from the Otherworld. In the Vita Merlini she is one of nine Ladies of the Lake who rules the Isle of Apples. She’s also a shapeshifter. A wonderful healer, and a fearful foe, she is King Arthur’s magical half-sister, the one who accompanied him to Avalon at his death. Over time she evolves in Arthurian storytelling into Arthur’s enemy. In the Vulgate cycle she gains her magical powers from Merlin. Is she an evil witch or a force for good, or perhaps both? Morgan certainly challenges us to look at the two dualistic sides of our nature and overcome them. The poet Taliesin wrote about Morgen as one of nine sisters who surpassed the others in beauty and power, who also had a skill of a healer. She was described as an oracle and druid. In Celtic lore she is connected to the Irish land of women, Tír na mBan, also the Welsh land of the dead Annwfn, and Ynys Afallach, the isle of apples.
Looking back in time to her earliest tales, we can draw a link between Morgan le Fay and the dethroned Welsh goddess Modron, which means mother. Modron was the mother of Mabon, the god of youth. The term le Fey means of the fairies, and that was a way of reducing the ancient deities. Medieval Christian writers vilified Modron so that people would stop worshipping the goddess, as well as many other deities. The Great Mother Goddess of Wales over time became one of the most infamous characters in Arthurian legend. Just as the Greco-Roman god Pan was turned into the devil, Modron become derailed. While she first appears as an Otherworldy healer with divine gifts, over time Morgan devolves into an evil enchantress. The Mother Goddess was intentionally dethroned, and so was Morgan. Part of this abasement was to accuse Morgan of incest. A woman accused of having a lustful nature might have been acceptable or even approved of by the Celts, but not by the early church. Modron and Morgan must sink through the lake (a portal to the feminine) and await the time of their return. Morgan’s realm became known as the Valley of Lost Lovers, where she imprisoned Lancelot for a period of time. One wonderful thing about Morgana is that she never gives up her commitment to magic and healing.
Emerging in this era of the restored feminine, Morgen (Morgan the Wise) surfaces as a healing goddess who shares her gifts with worthy heroes. But why is she seen as so sinister? Her reputation was intentionally blacked in the religious Vulgate or Lancelot-Grail cycle composed by Cistercian monks who turned Morgen into a jealous and malicious queen who despises Guinevere. The most dangerous temptation for a Cistercian monk was considered sexual desire. They left their wives behind and rejected all things feminine. In this misogynistic society, women were considered inferior. The Knights Templars also considered the kiss or touch of a woman to be dangerous. A powerful woman like Morgan was considered a pagan goddess. Almost overnight, the benevolent healer became a wicked and malicious witch. In Le Morte D’Arthur, it is Arthur’s other half-sister Morgause who has an incestuous union with her brother to beget Mordred, the downfall of Arthur. Morgana’s name had been conveniently blended with Morgause such as in the 1981 film Excalibur.
Legends have power, and as these archetypal figures, deities and goddesses find their voices once again, we may discover they contain deep mysteries. Although her story has been told hundreds of ways, we are left asking who is Morgan le Fay? Is she a heroine, villain, fairy, mermaid, human, queen, or demon? Her name was cruelly and irreparably maligned by the Cistercians. Then again, this slander has made her one of the most intriguing characters in Arthurian legends and because of that she has survived through the centuries. It is likely that she is actually most aligned with Modron, also known as Don, Mother of the Gods. She continues to live on within each of us as the mother of benevolence, the generous bringer of life.
Grail Question:
What do you need to realize? What healing powers do you possess? What falsehood or perceptions do you need to overcome?
King of Air – King Arthur
Keywords:
Authority – Diplomacy – Unity – Truth – Reason – Leadership
Reversed
Inner truth – External discord – Confrontation
Colors
white/gold/emerald
Meaning:
The King of Air is reasonable, rational, and intuitive and possesses the qualities needed for true leadership. He represents the rational mind and the power of the intellect. He embodies here as King Arthur, a hero with many faces. Principled with high standards, King Arthur may appear as a father, teacher or authority figure who is intelligent, just, and has deep values. The King of Air knows that his power lies in his ability to communicate and unify his people. One of Arthur’s greatest skills as he matured was diplomacy, but he was always surrounded by warring factions and personal betrayal. King Arthur stands in the face of defeat and succeeds.
When you pull King of Air in a reading, you have the power to achieve success. The card indicates that you will make progress if you stick with the facts and aim for fellowship/unity consciousness.
Symbolism/Image as Guide:
King Arthur stands within the walls of Camelot. Behind him Y Ddraig Goch, the red dragon of Wales flies free. There is a golden dragon on his royal blue cloak. It was Geoffrey of Monmouth who linked the dragon to Arthurian legends, especially to his father Arthur Pendragon. The king gazes off to the left, or perhaps into the future. He looks preoccupied with courtly duties. Arthur emits a golden glow. His hair is golden too, matching his crown which is richly inlayed with gemstones. Arthur is the picture of strength, courage, and natural leadership. His sword is raised skywards, indicating his willingness to serve the divine. He holds Clarent, his sword of peace instead of Excalibur the sword he used to defend Camelot. The sword is in his left hand, suggesting that his aim is to serve and impregnate the goddess of the fertile land. The sword tip points between two mountains that emerge from the landscape like two young breasts. The blue sapphires on the on the hilt, base of his blade, his tunic and the center of his crown represent his connection with wealth and abundance. The astrological symbol of Libra is depicted beneath the sword, suggesting that he is an effective, fair, and just ruler of his kingdom.
As a person: Authority figure, father, teacher, or intelligent/scholarly man; a born leader; a keeper of the peace.
Storyteller:
According to scholar John Matthews, there are at least three Arthurs: a 2nd century Roman solider who lived and fought around Hadrian’s Wall in Cumbria; a 5th century warrior who lived in Wales, Cornwall, or Brittany; or an entirely mythical character who inspires hope especially during dark times. The Arthur that concerns us in Imaginosophy is mythical Arthur from the Bardic traditions. He leaves the battlefield and becomes Arthur of the Quests appearing in tales up until the 14th century. That is a long reign for any king.
Cauldrons, cups, chalices, and grails appear throughout Welsh mythology with properties ranging from endless nourishment, to healing, to restoring the dead. The poet Taliesin reports that Arthur goes on an adventure in search of the Cauldron of Annwfyn (pronounced ah-NOO-vin), a cup known to inspire spiritual gnosis, or direct knowing. Annwfyn or Annwn (pronounced ah-noon), is known as a parallel world inhabited by magical beings. Arthur and his men venture there in search of a magical cauldron. As the centuries unfold, the Faery Cauldron co-mingles with the vessel of Christ, and emerges as the Holy Grail.
Arthur is protected by his magical guardians Merlin and the Lady of the Lake who prepare him to lead Britain. He is armed with a series of swords, originally Caliburnus made on the isle of Avalon and later Excalibur. The Round Table was a magical object around which men sat in equality in a ring of truth creating a fellowship. At the end of his life, Arthur is taken back to Avalon by one of the nine Ladies of the Lake.
His relationship with Morgen originates as the bond between a healing priestess and warrior who live partly in an Otherworld but devolves over time into the tale of the evil-half sister who is Arthur’s nemesis. The three queens Arthur marries are all called Guinevere or Gwenhwyfar, suggesting not only the triple goddess, but also that her name is a title linked to the Flower Bride. Christianized versions of the tale predictably blame her weakness as a woman to the downfall of Camelot. The older myths focus on the struggle he has of guarding the Flower Bride against constant rivals.
In the 13th century, the medieval Arthurian writer Robert de Baron connected the Grail or Cauldron to the Cup of Christ used at the Last Supper. At this point Arthurian literature shifts away from the courtly love and magic of the earlier stories, toward the spiritual dimension. Robert de Baron spun a tale of the vessel given into the keeping of Joseph of Arimathea, who becomes the father of the Grail family. According to this version of the tale, the risen Christ has explained the mystery of the sacraments to Joseph, who is instructed by an angel to go to the Vale of Avalon with the Grail and to await instruction. These stories link to the tales of the Rich Fisher and the Fisher King.
In brief, mythic King Arthur is a British hero and the king of Camelot. Son of Uther Pendragon and Igraine, he was trained by Merlin. He later became king when he extracted a magical sword from a stone. Lady of the Lake gave Arthur a magical sword by the name of Excalibur, which protected him in battle. He gathered his knights at the Round Table and married the beautiful Guinevere, who in later tales betrayed him with Lancelot. Arthur is a strong warrior king who drives opposing forces from his land. He stole the Cauldron of Plenty from the Otherworld. Although Arthur was mortally wounded, he was taken by Morgan le Fay to Avalon where he awaits his return. In a series of fantasy novels by T.H. White, Arthur is called the once and future king, who is taught by Merlin that his role is that of a peacekeeper and that he must try to prevent people from going to war.
Arthur has evolved with us over time from a 2nd century Roman solider, to a magical adventurer, to a man who understands fellowship and peace. Arthur is the archetypal title given to the leader in each generation who can unite and lead. Who is Arthur now?
Pre-Celtic Legend:
The spiral of Willow leaves draws the Dove counterclockwise against the natural direction of the Sun, Moon and Stars. It can suggest an encounter with the underworld, or with death. In Christianity, the Dove represents the Holy Spirit. (Luke 3:22) The Holy Spirit can move through a visionary such as Dindraine, who sacrificed her life for that of another.
Grail Question:
What unifies people? What is true leadership? What does success mean to you?
Mage of Air - Merlin
Keywords:
Thoughts – Spells – Manifestation – White magic – Clairvoyance – Light wizardry
Veils:
Black magic – Insanity – Non-magical person – Stuck
COLORS:
Yellow/Violet/Gold
Idea:
Kind words can produce the most magical spells
Meaning:
Merlin reminds us how we become magical wizards. It can begin with a breath of wind, which caresses us and encourages us to get up and fly. As we learn to activate our astral or light body, we can indeed lift out of the density of the physical realm. Merlin appears here as a helping spirit. The Mage of Air is a master designer who can create out of thin air. Merlin has the mastery of inner vision or clairvoyance. He led Arthur to the sword in the stone, revealing the boy’s life purpose and mission. In the same way, the Mage of Air invites you to create a worthy life. What you think, what you say, and how you act, creates the life you live into. Sometimes we need to spend time alone, even as a hermit, to understand our thoughts and what we are guided to offer the world. Look at the dragons who circle the Sun and know there is a portal opening for you. The Great Mystery is calling.
Divination:
The Mystic of Air card suggests that a magical friend, philosopher, or poet is inspiring your life. It might be time to take a Quest and engage in mythological, psychological, or alchemical studies. Your soul is calling you to expand your consciousness so that you can also be an inspiration for your community. You may be called to the Oracular traditions, or the study of magic, or herbal medicine. Go ahead and speak to the trees. The world is alive and awaiting your awakening. Give yourself permission to be magical.
Veils:
Times of madness. Tests of character that seem dark or insane. Feeling trapped or disempowered. All of these challenges are designed to turn you into a light wizard, but you must pass the tests which generally surround letting go of power, fame, and fortune, and choosing to work with the Light instead.
Symbolism/Image as Guide:
The Mage of Air, Merlin, stands in front of Stonehenge, which according to myth, he moved with his magical thoughts to England. Two dragons (a red and white) circle the Sun, a life affirming Being. Merlin holds the sword Clarent, the sword of peace which he gave to boy Arthur. Veils of smoke rise from a flame that comes from his palm upward toward the Sun. The dragons circle as if listening to Merlin’s thoughts. He smiles, enjoying the Wisdom Field and the magic that is in the Air around him. The sky is yellow as though kissed by the rising Sun. The dragons fly between yellow and violet, indicating their mysterious ability to fly between time and dimension. An emerald is inlayed into hilt of a sword, suggesting the green of compassion and his link to the realms of faery. Merlin wears the alchemical symbol for Air on his cape. The three air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, each of which are linked to a stage of spiritual growth.
As a Person, Ally, Guide:
An inspiring educator or storyteller; a wise magical friend who understands us and helps us overcome our challenges. Someone who knows how to manifest in the physical world. A light wizard.
Story:
Merlin’s gifts were recognized when he was only a boy. He had a vision in which he saw the greatest king, then using his enchantments, turned Uther Pendragon into the semblance of Count Gorlois of Cornwall so that Pendragon could have his way with the lovely and devoted Igraine. The child born from the union was Arthur, and Merlin trained him to be the wise ruler of the land. Merlin is the mystical power behind the kingdom of Camelot. Mystical Merlin flew stones from Ireland and built Stonehenge. (Read: Nimue: Freeing Merlin)
Imaginal Journey:
Either in your Light Body or outside, turn and face the Sun. Activate your astral or light body and travel through the Sun which acts as a portal. See the two dragons circling around you sunwise. Feel the warmth of the healing worlds. Walking to a healing stone, see a sword with an emerald in its hilt and know this is your magical sword of peace. Three wrens circle you three times as we sleep, and then you are invited to pull the sword from the stone. Sense what happens as the music of enchantment begins to awaken within you. When you are ready, return to this world and re-enter your body with more light and clarity.
Grail Questions:
What is it that you are called to create?
What thoughts get in the way of your ability to manifest?
Have you given yourself permission to be magical?
