Exploring Tarot: The Robin Wood Tarot

I really like the Robin Wood Tarot. Named for its creator, the cards vibrate with energy and I love the interaction between the people on the cards as well as their interaction with the reader. I don’t use it as much as I should so I’m happy to do a reading with this deck today. Cups and Wands are represented with Cups dominating suggesting our emotional presence is the focus of the reading. Nine is the overall numerology so we’re also dealing with a completion of some kind.

A family of four sits together framed by a rainbow spilling into ten golden cups surrounded by clouds. Birds appear in the sky as the rays of the sun burst forth from darkened clouds suggesting higher self energies in play. The 10 of Cups represents happiness, joy, and contentment but with a sense of more in the offing. Each chalice has a jewel on a silver band around its upper edge representing Elemental energies in balance.

Lost in a daydream, clouds emerge from the woman’s head like golden hair with her thoughts visible on the surface. The 7 of Cups traditionally represents delusion and that which is temporary, but I view it as choice and options for future endeavors. I’ve never viewed the seven as difficult or problematic although it certainly seems that way in tarot. This card typically is thought to represent illusion or delusional thinking, but without one’s imagination, how do we progress in life? Although it could represent a focus on everything we don’t need in life, we’re here to enjoy ourselves, and dreaming about wonderful things in our future should be acceptable.

I love the Aces in any deck. Irrespective of the type, traditional or nontraditional, they radiate the essence of the suit they represent. In the case of the Ace of Wands, Wands represents Elemental Fire with the Ace depicting passion, male virility, legacy, and creative thought. A brilliant yellow wand with a crystal at its tip rises between two large sunflowers suggesting a phallic symbol, the Ace of Wands explodes with vibrant energy in all directions, signifying courage and the creative force.

This reading has a nice progression to it. We have a young family that seems to be on the right track, establishing their lives together. But the numerology of that card tells us that we’re not finished yet, that there is more to come. The 7 of Cups shows us that through imagination, we can pursue new dreams followed by the Fiery influence of the Ace of Wands giving us the impetus to make our dreams a reality. Passion moves through each card, the passion of the family unit, strong and loving followed by the passion found in exploring new ideas and experiences, resulting in igniting the creative spark within.

This is a popular deck amongst those who like alternative tarot decks and I think I’m going to start using this deck more. The cards that have the individual facing the reader evoke an emotional response from me. Their faces capture the mood of each card and offer a more intense experience for the tarot reader in a way other decks seem to miss.

Blessings!