In the cards this week: Breathe

And let things be for a bit

We’ve seen both of these cards recently in different pairings, but today they’ve shown up together. Not a bad pair, all things considered.

The relentless press of modern life urges us to push, push, push forward all the time, to MAKE THINGS MOVE. But the Two of Labryses suggests that holding still for a bit will allow a situation to resolve more quickly and efficiently than actively trying to change it would. And the Sun asks us to slow down, BREATHE, and enjoy the good feelings for a little while.

These days, making space for holding still is practically a revolutionary act.

I’m reminded of the saying that you should meditate every day for twenty minutes, unless you don’t have time, in which case you should meditate for an hour.

Yes, I realize that most of us have responsibilities that don’t allow a lot of leisure anymore. But taking every little moment of peace and calm that we can cobble together is vital. And yes, revolutionary, in its own way.

I’d like to share with you a bit about the design process for these two cards.

I struggled for a while with the design for the Two of Labryses, not because I couldn’t figure out how to paint it - but because Minoan labryses were not weapons. They were ritual objects with deep symbolic meaning.

In the end, I went with the design you see above anyway, even though I knew people would be tempted to interpret the labryses as weapons. Because this was the best way to portray the meaning of the card, the “stalemate factor.” The labryses don’t have to be weapons for the image to make sense with the meaning. They can be ritual objects that symbolize ideologies or points of view.

And those hands holding them… the two skin colors don’t mean they’re European and PoC hands. The Minoans had an interesting way of portraying skin color: deep red for men and unnatural paper-white for women. This color set had sacred meaning. And I used it to represent the fact that the suit of Labryses (the Air suit) has a combination of masculine and feminine energy.

The Sun card is a different story. It’s inspired by this gorgeous gold pendant from a grave in the Minoan cemetery at Chrysolakos near Phaistos:

Although the textured disk that the bees are clinging to is probably meant to be a piece of honeycomb, I used artistic license to interpret it as the Sun for the card art.

The mountain is based on the way the Minoans depicted rocky landscapes, including mountain peaks (the island of Crete has a gorgeous mountain range running right down the middle of it). Here’s an example, a drawing of a seal impression from Knossos:

I really enjoyed examining Minoan art in depth as I designed these cards. I became intimate with the ancient art in a way that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. It was quite an experience.

I wish you a week in which you have time to breathe.

This week’s cards:

Two of Labryses: You're stuck in an uncomfortable situation, wishing you could find a way out. It feels like a stalemate in a fight. Just hang in there. Don't try to change anything or walk away. The situation will resolve itself soon, and then you can move on to other things.

The Sun: Here comes the Sun! Things are finally making sense, and that feels really good. Believe in yourself, and don't try to talk yourself out of enjoying this feeling. It's meant to be appreciated. Allow yourself to take a figurative breath (and maybe a real one, too) and let your light shine in the world.

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About Laura Perry

I'm an author, artist, and creator who works magic with words, paint, ink, music, textiles, and herbs. I'm also the founder and Temple Mom of Ariadne's Tribe, a worldwide inclusive Minoan spiritual tradition. My spiritual practice includes spirit work and herbalism through the lens of lifelong animism. I write Pagan / polytheist non-fiction and fiction across several different subjects and genres. I'm currently working on an illustrated book of modern Minoan myths and a Minoan entry in the Moon Books Pantheons series (publication date available soon!). I’m also an avid gardener and living history demonstrator.