Never Before Used: Rabbit Tarot

For my birthday last year, Robert bought me as part of his "cute rabbit stuff" gift a set of rabbit tarot cards.  Adorable and perfect, right?  I had admired them but not used them until my birthday this year.  I totally played the "it's my birthday!" card (ahem) to get Robert to consent to having his fortune read on the rabbit tarot cards.

Through sheer dumb luck amazing mystical power, Robert generated one of the best and most appropriate arrangements of 10 tarot cards that I've ever seen.

I was fully prepared to bring my narrative-building skillz to bear on an ambiguous, nonsensical, negative, etc., set of cards to develop a reasonably upbeat and coherent message.  But perhaps the gods were feeling generous because they knew I am out of practice reading tarot cards because his cards were just logical and awesome.

Here are his cards (click to enlarge):
 

 Go ahead and squee for a while at the overwhelming cuteness on display.  I'll wait.

You can't see the first one in this photo so here it is:

There are 6 major arcana, 2 face cards, and 2 numbered cards in his layout.  (The deck contains 22 major arcana, 16 face cards, and 40 numbered cards.)  This high number of major arcana is considered evidence of a "strong" reading.  (Bonus question:  What is the probability of getting 6 or more major arcana when drawing 10 cards from this deck?  Do we get a probability less than .05 and reject the null hypothesis?)

I interpreted the cards using my classic tarot book, but I will include here, in blue, the text from the materials supplied by the creator of the cards. (I am looking at her notes now for the first time.)  I will also comment on how it differs from my more traditional reading if the difference is significant.

Card 1: Present Condition - Strength

Strength is a subtle and powerful rabbit. Courageous, determined and mindful, Strength indicates physical strength, fortitude, and conquest over adversity. It can indicate accomplishment or attainment after difficulty. Strength takes charge of a situation or responsibility for actions. 

Traditional reading -- similar.

This is a great card to represent one's current condition. (I thought the drawing had a bit of a, "I've got the fox, now what the hell do I do with him?" feel that is not entirely inappropriate to the situation.)

Card 2: Immediate Influence - 8 of Pentacles (Daisies)

There can be feelings of disappointment. The Eight of Daisies often points to a misunderstanding, and a need for more information.

Traditional reading -- "Apprenticeship. Craftsmanship. Fast to learn. Candor. Frankness. Modesty. Handiwork. Personal effort."

This card is widely interpreted as the card of apprenticeship, so I don't understand the rabbit tarot reading. I interpret the effort, candor, and learning aspects as key here.

Card 3: Goal or Destiny - The Fool

This foolish rabbit is impulsive and unrestrained. This card often signifies irrational people or actions that are not thought out. It sometimes heralds a new and sometimes risky venture, a flight of fancy, or an act of carelessness. Though possibly a lot of fun, the Fool is not to be taken too seriously, and signifies impulsive joy, excitement or play without thought to consequences.

Traditional reading -- similar, though greater emphasis on adventure and enthusiasm (IMO)

A "strength" type person might very readily wish for a life with a bit more fun and excitement and turning down the conscientiousness meter.  I know I certainly value Robert's silliness.

Card 4: Distant Past Foundation - The Hierophant

The Hierophant is a mysterious and wise rabbit. His advice can be inspired, yet oftentimes hard to hear or understand. This card can also indicate actions with far reaching consequences, small steps towards bigger efforts that may not be obvious.

Traditional reading -- "Ritualism. Ceremonies. Mercy. Humilities. Kindness. Goodness. Forgiveness. Inspiration. Alliance. Compassion. Servitude. Inactivity. Lack of conviction. Timidity. Overt reserve. Captivity to one's own ideas. A person to whom one has recourse. Conformity. A religious or spiritual leader. At times this person is inept in adapting to new cirumstances and changing conditions. Tendency to cling to former ideas and principles even if outdated. A person with a deep sense of historical importance and a sincere appreciation for past heritage."

Robert and I both glommed onto the latter part of that traditional description.  Robert was like, "So in the distant past, I had an appreciation for the distant past. True."  But I also like the sense of the rabbit tarot that the distant past was building a foundation for the future without him realizing it.

Card 5: Recent Past Events - 6 of Cups (Tulips)

The Six of Tulips is a card of memories and nostalgia. There may be feelings of regret due to paths not taken. The Six of Tulips sometimes refers to childhood events or a turning point in the past.

Traditional reading -- similar.

Robert was like, "So in the recent past, I have been thinking about the past.  OK."

Card 6: Future Influence - The Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune is the rabbit of change. Fate, destiny, kismet and luck are all tied into the pivotal points of the wheel, and pulling this card indicates a turning point, literally. There may be a coming together of people or an event that precipitates change.

Traditional reading -- similar.

Robert was like, "So my future will be affected by fate, and things will happen in the future."

I loved turning over the next four cards (the previous ones were shown one by one) and quickly seeing, Ooooh, these are all good ones!

Card 7: The Questioner - King of Pentacles (Daisies)

The King of Daisies is an experienced leader or respected man. He is moral but not very social or

easy to understand. The King of Daisies is often in a position of some authority or in command of some wealth, but not extravagant or showy. He can be somewhat cold and logical, but capable of generosity in the right circumstances. He is also hard to deceive and impatient at times with emotional matters.

Traditional reading -- similar but with details I liked a lot for Robert: "An experienced and successful leader. A person of character and intelligence. Business acumen. Mathematical ability. Loyal friend. Reliable in marriage. Successful businessman. Wise investments. Affinity to acquire money and valuable possessions."

This along with Strength makes two really, um, strong cards to represent Robert.  Even the more negative aspects of the rabbit tarot reading are apt: not very social, can be (or seem) cold and logical.

Card 8: Environmental Factors (both influence of questioner on others and others on questioner) - Judgment

The Judgment rabbit is a wake up call. The blast of the horn symbolizes awakening, and

can also be a call to action. It can indicate an important opportunity or decision and also announce a coming event of some significance.

Traditional reading -- "Atonement. Judgment. The need to repent and forgive. The moment to account for the manner in which we have used our opportunities. The possibility that present conduct toward other people is unfair and unkind. Rejuvenation. Rebirth. Improvement. Development. Promotion. The desire for immortality. The possibility exists that someone is taking unfair advantage of you and will be sorry in the future. Legal judgment in one's favor. The outcome of a lawsuit or personal conflict. One should carefully consider present actions as they affect other persons. Success will come easier if you are honest with yourself."

Robert was like, "So for my influence on other people, I should consider my influence on other people.  And think about how others are influencing me."

Card 9: Inner Emotions (and inner hopes) - King of Wands (Sticks)

The King of Sticks is an honest and thoughtful man. He is fair in his dealings and careful in handling

money, friendships and practical matters. He is open to different matters of opinion, and enjoys a debate about politics and religion. Emotionally he may not be passionate, but does feel things deeply even if he doesn’t always express them.

Traditional reading -- "This card denotes an honest and conscientious person. Mature. Wise. Devoted. Friendly. Sympathetic. Educated. A gentleman. Generally married. Fatherly."

Even Robert's secret inner self is a totally stand-up dude.  Robert was like, "So I secretly want to be honest."

Several cards have alluded to Robert's generosity and sympathy along with reservedness and not-social-ness, and this rings true to me.  Hence people often can't really tell if Robert likes them or not, but animals are all, "Oh, he's so nice!  He really likes me!  This is one of the best humans in the world!"  (And, well, Robert might argue that he just likes animals more than he does people, and I wouldn't disagree.)

Card 10: Final Result - The Lovers

The Lovers are a close pair of rabbits. This card speaks to the heart, love, relationships and the significant other. The Lovers are often an indication of happiness and closeness, physical beauty, emotional fulfillment and passion.

Traditional reading -- similar.

What's better than a bunny?  Two bunnies together!  This is an outcome card to warm a mate's heart.

I mean, look at this card!

Looking at this card and the Strength card, it appears that Robert is the white rabbit and I'm the fox/Dutch rabbit (which he thought was about right).

I thought it funny and appropriate that the literal reading of several of these cards -- the distant past, the past, the future, environmental influences -- fit their positions so perfectly and in some cases, axiomatically: "The future will be influenced by future outcomes!"  If I had handed Robert the tarot deck and the book of card descriptions, these would have been the cards he would have picked to represent those positions because they just make such straightforward sense.

What a fun and gratifyingly upbeat reading for the rabbit tarot's debut!