Taoist Posted June 13, 2023 Posted June 13, 2023 I only see one post in this forum that refers to the song "Stairway to Heaven". Has anyone else here given much thought to the lyrics and how they may be related to the Tarot? I see it as a journey through the Major Arcana - generally in order, from The Fool to The World.
Taoist Posted June 14, 2023 Author Posted June 14, 2023 It starts off with very clear parallels, as I see it... The Fool There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold And she’s buying a stairway to heaven The Magician When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed With a word she can get what she came for It's a tarot journey... and their commentary on it, I think. ...
Taoist Posted June 14, 2023 Author Posted June 14, 2023 The High Priestess There's a sign on the wall But she wants to be sure 'Cause you know, sometimes words have two meanings Spiritual teachings gives an esoteric meaning to common words like "light", "above", "see", etc. The Empress In a tree by the brook There's a songbird who sings Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven Words can not convey the true reality of life/existence - we have to experience it.
Grandma Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 Very cool - keep going, please? I love it when themes and narratives and lyrics seem like interpretations of Tarot. Perhaps they are derived from Tarot, perhaps they and Tarot are all expressions of universal truth. What do you think?
Taoist Posted June 15, 2023 Author Posted June 15, 2023 12 hours ago, Grandma said: Very cool - keep going, please? I love it when themes and narratives and lyrics seem like interpretations of Tarot. Perhaps they are derived from Tarot, perhaps they and Tarot are all expressions of universal truth. What do you think? The album with that song has The Hermit pictured on the inner gatefold sleeve. Many people who have speculated on the song's meaning see a link to Tarot, but they differ in their understanding of the details of the meaning of specific lyrics.
Taoist Posted June 15, 2023 Author Posted June 15, 2023 Assuming that the lyrics continue in card sequence, they didn't much like The Emperor card... There's a feeling I get When I look to the west And my spirit is crying for leaving The Hierophant In my thoughts I have seen Rings of smoke through the trees And the voices of those who stand looking
Taoist Posted June 15, 2023 Author Posted June 15, 2023 I'm taking the chance to experiment with what I can post here...
Xavier Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 I joined a few days ago and I already love this forum, it's full of so many interesting topics and great people! I had never thought so far about the topic of this thread but in fact I've always noticed in my experience that everything is really connected, it seems to me that everything existing in this world is the expression of the same thing at the origin. Whether it can be called universal truth or anything else, for me there is always a tangible correspondence, if you pay attention you can make divinations with anything and even without using cards or anything else but only by carefully observing the surrounding environment or knowing how to listen to the own sensations. This has happened to me in the past and on several occasions but I like tarot and oracle decks too much and therefore I cannot give them up, the images speak directly to our Consciousness. I started reading tarot as a teen, after having dreamed of the cards of two major arcana one night when I still didn't even know what tarot was and then by chance I had seen a book with those same drawings in the bookstore. There have been some long periods of my life in which I abandoned the use of cards but then I always return to them, today I think that for us who read cards it is the most appropriate way to express an important part of ourselves. In fact, beyond the attraction we instinctively feel towards certain decks and not others, there is always that pleasure of divination, for many other things there isn't at all and I think it depends on the manifestation of that true part of us that often remains hidden...
Xavier Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 Intrigued by this song, I tried searching the entire lyrics online to see other tarot card pairings and found the one by Led Zeppelin. I think it is right, I'll spend some time in the next few days to make my thoughts. Thanks for this beautiful inspiration!
fire cat pickles Posted June 15, 2023 Posted June 15, 2023 (edited) I'm not convinced that the lyrics follow the Majors sequentially... Perhaps we should post the lyrics and edit it with suggestions? ZoSo (Les Zeppelin IV) is my favorite album!!! This is a fantastic idea 💡 Edited June 15, 2023 by fire cat pickles
Taoist Posted June 16, 2023 Author Posted June 16, 2023 For what it's worth, I will finish my proposed breakdown of the song into the Major card sequence. I know other people can and will see it differently... Lovers And it's whispered that soon If we all call the tune Chariot Then the piper will lead us to reason Strength And a new day will dawn For those who stand long Hermit And the forests will echo with laughter Wheel of Fortune If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now Justice/The Hanged Man It's just a spring clean for the May Queen Death Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run Temperance/Devil And there's still time to change the road you're on The Tower Your head is humming and it won't go In case you don't know The Star The piper's calling you to join him Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow? And did you know Your stairway lies on the whispering wind? The Moon And as we wind on down the road Our shadows taller than our soul The Sun There walks a lady we all know Who shines white light and wants to show Judgement How everything still turns to gold And if you listen very hard The tune will come to you at last The World When all are one and one is all, yeah To be a rock and not to roll
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