Tarot has been a part of Barbara Moore's personal and professional lives for nearly twenty years. Right from the start, tarot intrigued her with its marvelous blending of mythology, psychology, art, history, mystery, and magic. She has studied under...
Burdens come in many forms: responsibilities, the expectations of others, necessities. They may be taken on voluntarily or thrust upon us. They may feel heavy all the time or sometimes have no weight whatsoever. Whether life-consuming or a minor inconvenience—whether constant, intermittent, or temporary—the main point about a burden is that it is something we wish we didn't have to do or carry. In and of itself, this card doesn't tell us whether we should lay down the burden, find a better way to carry it, or just keep carrying it. It simply shows that it exists.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The Universal Waite card shows a figure carrying a great unwieldy load while walking toward a goal. This load makes the journey harder but not impossible. The implication here is that the goals of getting to the house and carrying the wands can both be achieved. One can hardly resist asking, though, might there not be a better way to carry the wands?
Core meaning: Carrying a large burden or many burdens.
In the Legacy card, we see a figure with a cumbersome burden that is seriously impeding his progress. Unlike the Universal Waite card, this card seems to imply that a choice will have to be made.
In the Shadowscapes card, the burden seems heavier and more ominous than in the other cards. This tree being has the responsibility for so much. The world she carries on her back impedes the sunlight, symbolically sapping her energy. Her well-being is at stake.
