The Archetypal Tarot Podcast

Death: Dwelling in the Darkness Before Rebirth

“We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” ~Joseph Campbell

Who knew that Death could be so funny? But here it is, card number 13 in the Major Arcana. Join Julienne and Cyndera as they look at the archetype of Death from a symbolic and psychological point of view with a dash of added humor. Learn why this inevitable stage for the Hero isn't the end but an important element to the rest of the journey.

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The Death card liberates all that has reached its end, and cuts away stagnation so that life can continue. Beyond the literal interpretation of this card, there is a rich array of deaths that visit in our daily lives: the end of jobs, relationships and also the visitations of depressions and other forms of "falling apart." What advantages are there to dismemberment and disintegration? How do Zombies and Batman play a role at exploring this the ultimate mystery of life - it's end. Or is it the end? You'll just have to get the podcast and find out.

PS: Listen to all the way to the end and you'll find the first ever archetypal tarot gag reel.

Click for complete show notes

Hang Time and the Martyr

What happened!?! Our hero is hanging upside down! In the thirteenth edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast Julienne Givot and Cyndera Quackenbush help to dispel the superstition that often surrounds cards such as The Hanged Man, card number twelve in the Major Arcana.

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After an exploration of the Hanged Man's symbolic imagery and the martyr archetype, this podcast illuminates an invitation to test the inner strength gained in the previous card and make valuable sacrifices during this period of "hang time" (yes, a sports reference made its way into the podcast). Also join the discussion of movies featuring the martyr archetype - you may just find a new perspective, or your world turned upside down! Episode notes can be found here on Julienne's site  Archetypist.com

Strength: More Than Muscle

The Archetypal Podcast returns from its Summer Sabbatical with its Twelfth Edition starring the eleventh Tarot card, Strength. After a turn on the Wheel of Fortune our Hero/Fool is taken in a new direction and learns from the Lion and Maiden depicted in this card. 

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Inner strength is called for with the knowledge that it's made up of patience, self-control, and the awareness of one's instincts and drives. Archetypal Consultant Julienne Givot gives us the breakdown of the empowered and disempowered archetype of the Damsel and reflections on Beauty and the Beast story as it relates to this stage of the journey. Tarot Consultant Cyndera Quackenbush regales us with a retelling of an ancient Korean myth about a woman's lesson in true courage. See Julienne's blog post for more information and the text to the Korean folktale from the recording.

The Wheel of Fortune: You Can‘t Plan This Stuff!

You can't plan this stuff! In card number 10 the Archetypal Podcast is met with the Wheel of Fortune - a fortuitous card that marks a new stage of awareness in the Fool's journey. After evaluating new moral issues presented by Justice, and time to reflect with the Hermit, the Fool/Hero is ready to chance life more consciously with The Wheel of Fortune. Though she thinks she may have control, the Wheel (often a favorable card when appearing in Tarot readings) quickly shows her that much of life is an inexorable force operating out of our control.

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Taking their own risks with this card, Julienne and Cyndera discuss an archetype addressing the fortune seekers of the world - The Gambler. Also the voice of the Victim emerged in the podcast, whispering woes from the bottom of the Wheel and warning against buying furniture in "Suckland".  From lessons learned in both life's wins as well as losses, the message of this card is to let go and spin where the wheel takes you. As always, there is a lively discussion of film, psychological inquiry and insight.

The Hermit: Integration and Reflection

The Tenth edition of the Archetypal Podcast takes us to meet The Hermit, a figure waiting off the beaten track with the wisdom that only remote regions can give. Card number 9 allows our hero traveling through the Major Arcana to either meet or become this humbled figure full of in-sight, as represented by his seeking lantern. A re-evaluation of his journey is required after a run-in with the objectivity of Justice, before he can once again chance the Wheel of Fortune (Card number 10).

 

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Consideration of this card allows us all a moment to reflect without being sucked into eternal isolation - the shadow side of the Hermit. Fresh from a (hot) visit from her hometown of Joshua Tree, California, Cyndera shares fresh inspiration after encountering an old friend who embodies the Hermit archetype.  Julienne takes us on a tour of the hermitic nature of the American literary Renaissance along with some insights on the Hermit from film and popular culture.

For expanded references on the Hermit archetype check out Julienne's latest blog post.

Justice: Judge, Mediator, and Finding Balance

The Ninth edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast attempts to do justice to the Justice card,  which is number 8 of the Major Arcana.

 

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After setting out on a newly realized journey on the Chariot, our hero quickly faces some form of judgement. Justice, pictured as a stern-looking woman is reminiscent of the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, who assists our hero to view his challenges with a rational, dispassionate perspective. Holding both sword and scales, Justice cuts through to truth and weighs the balance of our ways.

 

Listen in as Julienne recounts the myth of Solomon and also explores the shadow side of Justice. The archetype of the Avenger is briefly explored as Cyndera poses a question to our podcast audience:  Do the ends justify the means if the oppressed triumph over their oppressors by using methods that mirror their oppressors' ways?

 

This stage of the journey urges us to first observe if there are unbalances and to make adjustments, do whatever is necessary to bring things back into balance: physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually.

We are asked to leave the subjectivity of the Hero for the wisdom and objectivity of the Judge and Mediator archetypes.

To read more about these archetypes in film plus recommended reading visit Julienne's blog post.

Listen in on a conversation with Tarot Dream Stone consultant Cyndera Quakenbush and Archetypal Consultant, Julienne Givot, as they discuss the symbolic and real world qualities of these archetypal characters.

 

And, of course, don't miss this edition's look at this archetype's presence in movies old and new.

 

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The Chariot: Hero, Warrior, and the Crossing of the First Threshold

The Eighth edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast explores the movement and meaning encompassed by the Chariot, card number 7 of the Major Arcana.

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For the first time, we see our hero of the deck breaking beyond the boundary of the Emperor's domain.  In the last stage, the Lovers, he was faced with a choice and is now thrust down a particular path, reminiscent of the "crossing of the first threshold" of Joseph Campbell's stages of the hero's journey.  Will all the wisdom of the figureheads from the previous stages help our hero in the real world?  Julienne Givot connects in the ancient story of Arjuna as he faces the fears of battle under the guidance of Krishna.  Cyndera Quackenbush illustrates the shadowy consequences of the heroic impulse by recounting the myth of Phaeton.  The Chariot card allows us to find our own courage in the face of bold undertakings while keeping an eye on the dangers of hubris. To read more about these archetypes in film plus recommended reading visit Julienne's blog post.

Listen in on a conversation with Tarot Dream Stone consultant Cyndera Quakenbush and Archetypal Consultant, Julienne Givot, as they discuss the symbolic and real world qualities of these archetypal characters.

The Lovers: Companion, Choice and Balance

The Seventh edition of the Archetypal Tarot podcast reveals our heroic Fool at his/her first genuine choice point represented by card number six, The Lovers.   The Lovers brings into focus this important first choice and reminds us that love, balance and companionship are called for.  

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This stage has us examine the archetypes of the Lover as well as the Companion.  A reminder to access both our masculine 'doing-ness' and feminine receptivity. Further exploration of the archetype of the Lover is found in this article on Julienne's site:  Seizing The Power of The Lover Archetype An expanded list of these archetypes in film and television can be found here. Recommended reading:  We: Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love by Robert A. Johnson The Eden Project: In Search of he Magical Other by James Hollis Cyndera recommends:  The Lovers Path Tarot set by Kris Waldherr

Listen in on a conversation with Tarot Dream Stone consultant Cyndera Quakenbush and Archetypal Consultant, Julienne Givot, as they discuss the symbolic and real world qualities of these archetypal characters.

Special Edition: Interview with Cyndera Quackenbush

Welcome to a Special Edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast.   We've had many requests from people wanting to know more about who we are and what we do so we've created this 2 part series on just that.  I sat down with my co-host Cyndera Quakenbush for an informal interview to share more about her background and unique approach to the tarot and beyond.  Look for part 2 of the series coming soon! Visit Cyndera's website www.TarotDreamStone.com for more information and fabulous images of the stones discussed in the show. Cheers, Julienne

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The Hierophant: Wise Man, Priest, Guide, Guru

The Sixth edition of the Archetypal Tarot Podcast explores the meaning of the Hierophant card of the Tarot as a stage of a journey where one examines the traditions, organizations and structures of one's life as well as how and who to seek higher guidance from.  The Hierophant, also called the Pope card in traditional Tarot decks also symbolizes the archetypes of the Priest, Guide, Guru, Shaman,Wise Man and Messiah.  Truly a symbol of higher wisdom, this card is a symbol of seeking greater or spiritual knowledge. In a comical twist of irony, this is the first podcast of the series to garner an 'explicit' rating due to Cyndera quoting a line from the movie "Magnolia".

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Listen in on a conversation with Tarot Dream Stone consultant Cyndera Quakenbush and Archetypal Consultant, Julienne Givot, as they discuss the symbolic and real world qualities of these archetypal characters.