Bob liked the image of the Empress—in my deck a woman with
a bemused smile holding her child while surrounded by animals, fruit, and angels
—but he thought it was idealized, and he saw her as ineffectual. Our whole
session worked around this one card as we unpacked what it might mean for Bob to
just love his child.

 

At the end of the hour, Bob realized that he felt parenting
always had to be productive and that he had to be vigilant, strong, and keep her
safe—hence the controlling, organized aspect of his approach. He didn’t know how
to embody his Divine mother archetype. I suggested he find a way to be creative
with his little girl. Bob was a great guitar player, so I encouraged him to make
up songs for the baby. I also gave him homework—to find or remember images
related to the Empress that pleased him. Who had been the nurturer in his young
life? When had he been included with warmth and love in a group? How could
someone show strength through love or softness?

 

To his credit, Bob tried everything I asked, and he was
able to begin to relax around his baby girl. His parenting style began to show
more spontaneity and creativity, and he loved making up lullabies for his
daughter—and his wife and baby loved it, too!

 

Connect In Your Own Way

 

Our culture has distorted images of the Divine Feminine
(and the Divine Masculine), but the archetypes exist to be rediscovered and
embodied in our own unique ways. As these two cases demonstrate, meditating with
the images is helpful. Working with a spiritual advisor also can help you access
these archetypes in the Tarot cards
as a way that works for you.

Author's Bio: 

Jackie Williams has worked for as a manager overlooking the talent department for a prominent new age communications company. Later as the internet developed, she diversified her recruitment specialty to server global clients for a internet based spiritual network.
She attained her Master of Arts in Anthropology from Northern Arizona University and her BA from Hunter College.