I - THE MAGICIAN

Literature: Jataka Tales

Artist: Mughdha Sarangi

Mughdha is an interior designer by profession. Painting is one of her hobbies. The art works of tarot really fascinates her which her husband is also into and he inspired her to be a part of this creative project..

Description:

The Jâtaka Tales (Sanskrit , and Pali) refer to a voluminous body of folklore-like literature concerning the previous births (jâti) of the Buddha. The word most specifically refers to a text division of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism, included in the Khuddaka Nikaya of the Sutta Pitaka. Jataka also refers to the traditional commentary on this book.


In this card:- A story about a rat and a monk has been potrayed. The poor rat was being chased to death by a cat while the monk was busy meditating. The monk took pity on the rat and transformed him into a cat. Now this transformed cat was chased by a nasty dog. The monk again transformed the erthwile rat into a feracious dog. This transformed dog somehow managed to get into trouble again and was now being chased by a Tiger. The monk still patient with the rat converted it to a mighty tiger. Once the rat managed to ward of the tiger that was chasing it, became quite hungry with all the being chased at ordeal. Looking at its transformed state and its growling stomach he looked at the meditating monk. The Tiger approached at the monk with a drooling mouth thinking of the monk being an easy prey for him. The monk looked at the approaching tiger in disgust and cursed him and transformed the rat into a "RAT" again.

What this card depicts is the magical "transformation". Also the 4 transformations can be related to the 4 elements and the 4 suits of tarot, Tiger for the raw energy of Fire (Wands), Cat for the intuition and psychism of Water (Cups), Dog for loyalty and practicality of Earth (Pentacle) and Rat for the restlessness and cunning of Air (Swords). The 'Magician' in this card talks of the transformation powers within us that help us take control of our lives.


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