Jupiter’s Child: A “Tarotscape”

AUTHOR’S NOTE: While writing my recent essay about the Lover and the Chariot I had occasion to look up the words to Steppenwolf’s 1969 rock song Jupiter’s Child, and confirmed my recollection that its mythic tone is perfect for my approach to linking tarot cards with song lyrics. I decided to use the Anna K Tarot due to its portrayal of the Chariot as “a fiery wizard” who “travels all around the sun,” and its positive spin on female self-determination (at least until it runs into male tyranny as suggested here). As before, I went mainly by the images with little regard for the card titles or traditional meanings; where they clicked they fell right into place. This isn’t perfect but it’s not far off in its visual psychodrama. (I have a feeling John Kay isn’t a fan of the metaphorical “Jupiter’s child,” whom he ultimately sees as a victim. Although a Canadian born in Germany, at that time he had his finger firmly on the pulse of American sociopolitical culture.)

The one who reads the stars told me
Why you’re not like everyone
Your father is a fiery wizard
(Who) travels all around the sun

Nobody ever knew where you came from
Orphan girl, you grew up wild
Your father left you on the way home
Yes, girl, you’re a Jupiter’s child

Wish I knew the way back
Back to where you came
Gladly I would leave here
Take another name
I can tell by you, it must be true*
It’s up on Jupiter’s face
They don’t embrace our own disgrace
Somebody, help me off this place

(* I cheated a bit here since the 6 of Wands is “Jupiter in Leo.”)

(You) never really quite belonged
Like a pearl among the swine
You tried to live the way we do
Hoping you would learn in time
But, mankind, with all it’s virtue
Will soon make you lose your smile
On this earth, with all it’s madness
Heaven help a Jupiter’s child

Wish I knew the way back
Back to where you came
Gladly I would leave here
Take another name
I can tell by you, it must be true
It’s up on Jupiter’s face
They don’t embrace our own disgrace
Somebody, get me off this place

Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on October 26, 2023.