on Apollo and the sun

Given my love of all things mythological, I find it interesting to consider the connection between The Sun card in tarot decks and the Greek god Apollo.  The Mythic Tarot (1986) depicts Apollo on the Sun card but this is not only a modern idea.  Giovanni Vacchetta’s 1893 tarot deck also depicts Apollo on this card.  In the Golden Dawn’s astrological associations this card is, not surprisingly, linked to the Sun.  In a divinatory sense The Sun is commonly seen as a happy and positive card and it is interesting to consider how the connection to Apollo can add to, and deepen, its meaning.  

 As well as being the sun god, Apollo was also the god of music.  Music is one way that we can express our creative spirit or the joy that is in our heart.  Music is often associated with happy occasions or celebrations, which fits well with the traditional divinatory meanings associated with this card.  When we express ourselves through music we often feel a sense of freedom associated with allowing our creative energy to flow forward.  This same feeling can be associated with the Sun card appearing in a reading.

Apollo was also the god of archery.  This adds another dimension to the card.  When we think of all that positive, free, creative energy actually being directed at a target we begin to get a sense of what is possible in life.  If we are able to both express our true self and find a destination for that energy, then surely great things can be achieved.

Those who read tarot may relate more to the moon card than the sun.  The moon connects to our intuition and psychic abilities and so can fit well with the role of tarot reader. However, the other area over which Apollo presided was prophecy.  Prophecy relates to the prediction or foretelling of future events.  Perhaps when the sun card comes up in a reading it also provides the opportunity to shed some light on how the current situation may pan out.  By examining current events, our creative ideas and the things that bring us joy, the sun allows us to get a clear vision of where that arrow of our spirit may be heading.  The sun has the potential to both clarify and amplify the situation at hand.  

  

If the sun came up next to The Moon for example, then we might be looking at a ‘full moon’, an amplification of the emotions associated with this card.  If it fell beside The Chariot, we could determine that the way ahead is bright and the movement is clearly towards the desired end.  Beside the five of pentacles The Sun may be the promise of better times ahead.  

Numerologically, the sun (19) can also be linked to the Hermit (9).  Where the Hermit looks within to find his inner light, the Sun is that inner light projected out into the world.  The joy we feel on drawing the sun card parallels the joy of sharing our own light with the world. 

So, how can Apollo as the god of the Sun give us clues for finding joy and happiness in our lives?  By expressing our inner light in creative ways (like with music), by combining intention and skill to reach a target (like with archery), and looking at our current situation and considering how our actions now will impact on our future (prophecy).  We can use Apollo and the Sun to remember that within us we have the potential to express our ideas in creative ways and obtain the sense of freedom that comes with that.  If we remain focused on our goals then we have the potential to achieve our ideals.  And always, if we examine our current situation, and take responsibility for our part in it, we can come to sound conclusions about how things are likely to turn out. If we don’t like the result we can make changes.  Ultimately though, the sun is our guiding light.  The reason it is so positive is because if we really engage in the areas of life that Apollo watches over, we are likely to find our joy.

The 'Sun' cards in this post, in order that they appear, are from the following decks:
Mythic, Tarot of the Master (Vacchetta), Classic (Soprafino), Hermetic, Jolanda (Swedish Witch), Thoth, Crystal, Haindl, Celestial, Nigel Jackson, Visconti (Cary Yale), 1001 Nights