The Wildwood Tarot deck offers a profound re-interpretation of traditional archetypes, grounding them in the rhythms of nature and the cycle of the Wheel of the Year. Within this deck, the card known as "The Guardian" corresponds to the traditional Tarot card The Devil. However, rather than representing pure malevolence or external evil, The Guardian stands as a sentinel at the gate of deep, often hidden, aspects of the human psyche. Located at the Samhain point on the Wheel of the Year—marking November 1st—this card is deeply associated with the element Earth, Water, and the crescent moon. It invites the querent to confront the "gate of the dead," not necessarily in a literal sense, but as a metaphor for entering a cave of ancient memories and subconscious fears.
The imagery of The Guardian is stark and evocative: a white skeleton of a bear standing vigil at the entrance of a dark cave. The cave interior is described as having a pristine, unknown path, flanked by craggy, sharp stalactites, with the end of the aisle shrouded in impenetrable darkness. This visual representation serves as a powerful metaphor for the journey into the self. The bear acts as a vigilant soul, challenging anyone who seeks to enter without understanding the deep nature of what lies within. To proceed, one must face the fear hidden within.
The Archetypal Significance of The Guardian
In the Wildwood Tarot system, The Guardian represents the primitive role of the "devil" prototype. This archetype has historically been utilized for political, ideological, and religious purposes, often leading to the vilification of complex, natural spiritual paths. However, the true function of The Guardian is to describe protection, the opening of the mind, and the vital relationship between humans and the wild, abundant nature.
The card draws energy from inhumane and senseless sources, absorbing fear and panic with a malice-filled joy. It raises unreasonable fears that can leave an individual bewildered and timid. Yet, within this bitter and chaotic situation, wisdom, courage, and strength remain accessible. The Guardian challenges the querent to recognize that the fear it evokes is often a reflection of the darkness within oneself. The "scammer" or "Angel of Darkness" mentioned in the keywords is not an external entity to be vanquished, but an internal shadow to be understood. The card is associated with various mythological figures—Herne the Hunter, Pan (the god of the wild), Oberon, and the Lord of Hell—each representing different facets of untamed nature and the subconscious.
The Challenge of the Unknown
The guideline associated with The Guardian suggests that a significant challenge has arrived in the querent's life. This situation may appear complicated, serving as a profound metaphor requiring a change in how one copes with the world. Alternatively, it may demand an adjustment to the inner world to face external physical challenges. Whether the challenge originates from the labyrinth of the human mind or the external environment, the card urges the querent to see it in its essence: an opportunity.
The journey from the known to the unknown is fraught with the fear of the dark. The Guardian highlights that there are no supernatural or evil forces in the terrifying universe that are not born of human imagination. The fear is self-generated. Therefore, the solution lies in self-mastery. As the source material states, "What we need to do is learn how to control our darkest fears with a wise head, deal with unexplained fury with a wise head." This process of facing the darkness inevitably strips away what the individual deems absolutely necessary, yet it yields the reward of deeper self-knowledge.
Integrating the Shadow Self
The core message of The Guardian is the integration of the shadow self. When The Guardian is found to be scary, it is likely because the querent is afraid of their own reflection. The darkness within must be acknowledged and controlled. This is not a process of suppression, but of acceptance. By facing deepest instincts and desires, and accepting the truth of the darkest corners of the soul, an optimal defense is achieved. Once this understanding is reached, The Guardian ceases to be a figure of fear and becomes a protector.
The Wildwood Tarot does not shield the querent from negative emotions; rather, it encourages the recognition and working through of all aspects of the self. The deck includes cards such as the Two of Arrows (Injustice), Three of Arrows (Jealousy), Five of Arrows (Frustration), and Seven of Vessels (Mourning). These cards reflect the reality of the human experience. The Guardian stands as the gateway to understanding these emotions, suggesting that survival instincts are designed to fight and rescue, but they must be tempered by reason.
The Wildwood Tarot System and Context
To fully appreciate The Guardian, it is helpful to understand the broader context of the Wildwood Tarot deck. The deck renames the Major Arcana to align with nature and the Wheel of the Year. For instance, The Fool becomes The Wanderer, The Magician becomes The Shaman, and The Empress becomes The Green Woman. The Guardian is the renamed 15th card, corresponding to The Devil in traditional systems.
The Minor Arcana also undergoes a significant transformation. The suits are renamed: * Vessels (replacing Cups) * Stones (replacing Pentacles) * Bows (replacing Wands) * Arrows (replacing Swords)
The court cards retain their traditional titles (King, Queen, Knight, Page) but represent animal totems rather than people. This shift requires the reader to adjust their focus, considering their place in and connection to the Ancient Wild Wood. While the meanings can be aligned with the Rider-Waite system, the Wildwood Tarot is not a clone; it asks the user to readjust their focus.
The accompanying guidebook, a 160-page A5 volume, offers comprehensive insights. Mark Ryan, one of the creators, advises: "Read the book, meditate with the cards, then put the book away and do your own thing." This philosophy encourages intuitive work alongside study. Ryan further notes that "the forest is both a metaphor for life and for the unknown and sometimes shadowy aspects of it," providing a wonderful entry point for the deck's energy.
Practical Application of The Guardian's Wisdom
For individuals seeking balance and success, The Guardian offers actionable insights. It suggests that obstacles are often internal. When facing a difficult situation in business, relationships, or personal growth, the card prompts an inquiry into whether the true barrier is fear or a lack of self-understanding.
Keywords and Extensions: * The Scammer * The Angel of Darkness * Herne the Hunter * The mysterious man of the Holy Oaktree * Lord of Hell * Oberon * The Guard in the doorstep * Pan – The god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature of mountain wilds
When The Guardian appears, it is a call to be alert. It asks the querent to identify what has been left "rotting and smudging the soul." By facing this with courage and honesty, one becomes stronger and more persistent. The card teaches that the darkness is a source of strength if understood, rather than a source of terror if ignored.
The Metaphor of the Cave
The imagery of the cave is central to understanding The Guardian. The cave represents the subconscious mind—vast, dark, and containing ancient memories. The stalactites are the sharp, perhaps painful, truths or memories that guard the inner sanctum. The darkness at the end of the aisle represents the unknown future or the deepest core of the self. The Guardian (the bear) stands at the threshold. It does not block the path entirely; it challenges the traveler. It asks, "Are you ready? Do you understand what you are seeking?"
This aligns with the concept of holistic energy balancing. In Vastu Shastra, energy flows are optimized by removing blockages. In Tarot, The Guardian represents the blockage that, when moved through, allows for a flow of wisdom and strength. The "physiological expressed" mentioned in the source material suggests that this internal work manifests in the physical reality. By controlling the "darkest fears," the individual gains control over their physical circumstances.
The Shift from Fear to Defense
The ultimate transformation offered by The Guardian is the shift from fear to defense. The source material explicitly states, "Once the truth is accepted as well as the darkest corners of the soul are understood, we will have an optimal defense." This defense is not a wall, but a deep understanding of one's own nature. It is the ability to navigate the "wild, abundant nature" of life without being overwhelmed by it.
The card warns that the fear of misguided thoughts can hang on for a long time. It absorbs panic and malice. However, the "wisdom, courage, and strength" of the human spirit are designed to fight and rescue. The process is to control the darkest fears with reason. This aligns with the holistic approach of balancing energies—using the rational mind (reason) to harmonize the emotional and instinctual energies (fear and fury).
The Wildwood Tarot and Holistic Living
The Wildwood Tarot deck, as a whole, supports a holistic lifestyle. It connects the querent to the seasons and the natural world. It acknowledges that life includes "Injustice," "Jealousy," "Frustration," and "Insecurity." It does not promise a life of constant positivity but offers tools to work through the full spectrum of experience.
The Guardian is the card that allows access to the full spectrum. By removing the fear of the dark, the querent can access the "pristine and unknown path" inside the cave. This path leads to growth, success, and a deeper connection to the "Ancient Wild Wood"—a metaphor for the primal, authentic self.
For homeowners and business owners, this translates to understanding that external success is often tied to internal alignment. If a business is struggling, The Guardian might suggest the owner needs to face a fear of risk or a shadow aspect of their leadership style. In relationships, it suggests facing the "unexplained fury" or the "darkest corners" of the soul to achieve harmony.
Conclusion
The Guardian in the Wildwood Tarot is a powerful, transformative card. It stands at the gate of Samhain, inviting the querent to enter the cave of the self. It challenges the fear of the unknown and the darkness within. By embracing the primitive, protective role of this archetype, one can turn fear into an optimal defense. The journey through the darkness, guided by the vigilant bear, leads to the integration of the shadow self and the discovery of inner strength. The Wildwood Tarot, with its nature-based renaming and focus on the Wheel of the Year, provides a unique framework for this journey, encouraging both study and intuition to navigate the wild aspects of life.