A Deep Dive Into A Postcard Tarot Card

When I sat down to write this post, I had nothing, and everything in mind for a topic. I was paralyzed by too many choices. Perhaps you know the feeling. For guidance on the matter, I turned to my Postcard Tarot. As is my custom, I cut the deck and pulled the third card down from the cut. When I saw the photo I thought, I know! I’ll play Let’s Find The Psychic Messages.

First, I’ll share what the card portrays (without showing it to you so you can imagine it as you will). Then I'll dissect the symbolism in it to extract its psychic insights. Now let’s see...

​The card was given to me by an artist, a client of mine. It features a naked woman photographed from the waist up. Now as an exercise, think of this woman as you, regardless of your gender association. You can see her as anyone else you want later.

Her body is spray painted in swirls of vertical color that remind me of the northern lights—all fire and ice. A giant carp swims down her body, its tail fin tickles her neck, its mouth is wrapped around her navel. The woman holds her arms up in a pose of triumph. There are three words at the bottom of the card: Perseverance Accomplishes Goals.

When looking for psychic meaning, I start by taking in the general scene as well as any implied action. There are two artists in this picture actually. There is the one behind the scenes who painted the woman, and the subject herself. Each of them is given creative freedom.

I ask myself, What came before this scene? Well, for one thing, the artist needed the woman's permission. Imagine someone came up to you and asked if you would submit to taking off all your clothes so he could spray paint art all over you. Would you do it? It seems like a courageous act to me. Well, you might say, if I knew and trusted him I would. Ah ha! So there’s a trusting relationship here. That’s good information.

Now let’s get out of the reality of the actual production and use our imaginations as it relates to the playacting. Why does the woman have to persevere so, to set and accomplish goals? She's had to overcome some difficulties. Perhaps she's been marked by events that won’t easily let themselves be forgotten. Maybe they shouldn’t be forgotten. But rather reframed in a different light. Northern lights are somewhat of an elusive mystery no? They appear at certain times of year, generally, depending on nature, forces beyond us. The Aurora Borealis is not necessarily reliable, but fairly so. People flock north just to marvel at the beauty and wonder of it.

So we have a direction here. We’re north (or looking that way).

But going back to 'overcoming past difficulties', and being able to forget them or not, let’s not overlook that she isn’t tattooed. That would be permanent. All she has on is body paint. She can wash it off. That’s good information to a psychic.

And what about the nakedness? That, to me, is honesty and vulnerability. Is she hiding anything? Well nothing you can’t see through.

What do we imagine might follow? The triumphant pose says it all. She passes the test, she wins the competition.

What of the Carp? Carps are eaten in certain parts of the world but they aren’t like halibut or tuna. They’re pretty, to be looked at. Usually, you see them gently swimming below you while strolling over a wooden bridge in a city park. They’re commonly ornamental pond fish. However, they’re known in the wild for their strength and durability. They’re native to Europe and Asia and considered a pest in the rest of the world. Hmm…Good information.

I could go on, but I’ll sign off here with one last insight. Remember the carp was swimming down the woman’s torso with its mouth around her naval? May you celebrate the strength and courage you find within yourself as you learn to take deep dives down into your core—your spiritual chakra—where virtues like patience reside. May you exercise the capacities of bravery, trust, creativity, determination, vulnerability, and acceptance.

Amen!