In my book, A Year In The Wildwood, I have a list of over 50 secret paths between cards in The Wildwood Tarot. What is a secret path? You can read about them HERE.
Today I thought I would look at the symbol of the flaming heart which is found in two cards of the Wildwood Tarot: Two of Vessels – Attraction and Three of Arrows – Jealousy.
In the Two of Vessels the flaming heart hangs in the sky between the horse- and stag-headed figures who stand palm to palm with one hand as the other pours out water into two vessels. In the Three of Arrows, the burning heart is a bloodied wooden target hanging from a tree, pierced by three arrows.
What is a flaming heart about? The first thing that comes to my mind is the Sacred Heart which symbolises Divine Love, rather than love between two people.
A burning heart also has an alchemical feel to it and indeed ‘attraction’ is a complex chemistry that often cannot be explained.
Let’s compare and contrast the two cards:
- The TWO is green and verdant, the THREE is dry and barren.
- The former has water falling the latter has blood falling.
- The former catches liquid in cups, the latter falls onto the ground.
- There are two figures in the first card, no figures in the second.
- The heart in the TWO is aflame, in the THREE only partly.
- The first heart is 3D, the second is flat.
- The first is undamaged, the second is wounded and bleeding.
- Vessels are of the emotions, Arrows are of the mind.
What else would you add to this list?
What might the secret path be between these cards? Attraction comes before Jealousy (TWO moves to THREE) and emotions become influenced by the wild thoughts of the mind. Jealousy is a barren, destructive force that destroys the jealous person. St Augustine said: ‘He that is jealous is not in love.’
But lest we think that Jealousy is to be avoided at all costs – it might provide the spur to galvanise a person to work towards achievements in their own lives instead of envying what is in other people’s. The blood that falls on the ground can be, after all, a great fertiliser for growth.
What do YOU think of the secret path between these two cards?
One scenario if these cards appeared together in a reading is when people (friends, colleagues, loved ones etc) develop and mature at different rates. Best friends can be on the same page for years, but can go through huge shifts as time goes by. The friendship may well survive and grow, but at the time it might bring pain and confusion.
I love that insight, Margo. It makes so much sense, thank you!
I looked for a long time at these two cards, then did this-
2+3=5
Then lined them up as : 5 The Ancestor. Make the leap start a new cycle. 5 of Vessels the intoxication of attraction 5 of Arrows Frustration. The enemy of any pursuit ( attraction and jealousy)
5 of Stones Endurance it takes inner strength and courage to protect yourself and survive life’s challenges and finally 5 of bows Empowerment by facing and defeating our greatest fears, we empower ourselves and grow resilient. To me they are answering Attraction and jealousy, adding to the first two cards, just my odd thinking maybe?
Not odd thinking at all – I like your style! Imaginative, but also a process that is easily repeatable. Good work!