“Passing Through Zero:” Transcending the Victim Archetype (A Tarot Spread)
AUTHOR’S NOTE: As an astrologer I’ve long been familiar with the “victim mentality” as revealed in the natal horoscope. (I once called it the “doormat syndrome” exemplified by the Virgo-Pisces axis: people who become accustomed to being walked on.) Now I see that it has been elevated to the status of an “archetype” and decided to approach it through the tarot.
I’ve created a three-tiered spread, with the bottom row showing the “dark side” of victimization; the top row the “bright side” of survival; and the middle row the “road to recovery” or the chance to “re-zero” one’s psychological outlook. The progression moves from recognition of the current state of affairs at the left to the full realization of forthcoming developments at the right. The farther to the left a favorable transition begins to emerge, the sooner the “righting of the ship” will occur (if that is in fact “in the cards”).
I’m using three decks with this spread: a “dark” deck to signify victimization; a “bright” (or at least brighter) deck to focus on survival; and a “hopeful” deck to track recovery. Right now I’m thinking of asking querents to go through the “dark” deck before I deal the cards and select five that best convey their present mental condition, which will “pre-load” the victim scenario. (I’m always looking for ways to actively engage my sitters in the reading.) However, while the bottom and top rows can be randomly pulled (in that order), the middle row will be populated by locating the numerical midpoint between the cards of each vertical pair using the table in the linked post at the end of this essay, and then finding the card associated with that number in the “hopeful” deck.
Here is an example reading that illustrates my premise. I’ve used my new Tarot del Toro as the “dark” deck, my Lord of the Rings Tarot for the “brighter” deck (both illustrated by woodcarver Tomas Hijo); and my cheerful Chrysalis Tarot for the “hopeful” deck. As my subject I’m examining the historical case of a person of my acquaintance who committed suicide a few years ago; we’ll see whether or not the cards relate how it might have been avoided if they had been consulted in advance.
The “Dark Side”
These cards detail the seeker’s “victim” status.
The 3 of Cups leading the “Debility” row indicates an emotionally unbalanced state (the “odd-number” effect). The image suggests a poisonous environment.
Death can only mean that a profound transition was “on his mind.”
The Valet (Page) of Cups implies emotional immaturity causing feelings of helplessness.
Temperance depicts a “struggle for equilibrium.” I’ve seen it described as “walking a fine line,” but in this case that might be better described as an unstable tightrope without a safety net. There is a need to do something to re-establish a sense of personal well-being.
The 9 of Wands conveys being “put-upon” at the final bell.
The “Bright Side”
These cards may show opportunities to improve well-being, but are not a guarantee.
The 3 of Wands at the head of the “Wellness” row is the optimistic counterpart of the 3 of Cups. It portrays “coming out of the shadows and into the light.”
Strength is a worthy adversary for Death, offering vigorous, life-affirming countermeasures.
The 9 of Coins (Rings) wraps the Valet of Cups in a stabilizing contentment.
The World gives Temperance something to strive for.
The 3 of Coins (Rings) describes achieving wholeness after staring down adversity in the 9 of Wands.
The Hopeful “Re-zeroing”
These cards describe ways to leverage the opportunities to one’s advantage (once again making no promises).
The 10 of Spirals (Wands) portrays the burden of self-abnegation that must be “off-loaded” at the 3 of Wands. His final separation from his girlfriend (and mother of his child) was a heavy load to bear, and he needed to lighten it.
Justice shows cultivating an attitude of worthiness in order to gain the benevolent intercession of Strength. It is the card of receiving one’s just desserts, and I like to say that the trick is to be “found worthy and not wanting when the verdict is handed down.”
The 10 of Scrolls (Swords) says “Enough is enough!” to the Valet of Cups, bringing its whining and waffling to an end.
The Star offers a spiritual “helping hand” to Temperance. However, having read his natal horoscope, I knew that he never really had both feet in this world (strong 12th-House emphasis), so the Star might in fact be “calling him home.”
The Queen of Cups displays wise motherly advice and encouragement. If the individual had heeded his mother’s repeated pleas to undergo psychotherapy (he was adamantly opposed to it), he might still be with us.
Originally published at http://parsifalswheeldivination.wordpress.com on January 9, 2025.
