The Scarf Witch

Embedded in this post contains a core belief that I currently hold that our world - everything - even those things that we perceive as actual physical reality - is ultimately a symbol of something bigger and that our bodies/minds have not developed the language to describe it or even to imagine it. 
Where the strength of the "reality" is measured only in our agreed perception, including adherence to currently understood laws of physics. 

So consider this the final warning that I will be hitting both the blasphemous and  woo-woo buttons on this one.

One of the first things that people suggest when feeling pulled to "work with a deity" is to research them and their history.  It is in this way that you start to understand their archetype and what they stand for and what their energy represents, especially to you.
When I was researching Freya, and starting to "get to know" her, I personally found that lapis lazuli connected to her for me, even though lapis is not usually one of the crystals that will come up as "associated" with her.  I do believe that the more popular associations will create a stronger and innately stable connection.  However, there are times when my own personal connection to something feels stable enough for me to hone in on the traits that I am aligning with.
 
When I started upon a path of deity/spirit work - I first noticed on animal spirits that I tended to access them-almost as symbols - like they would come in to tell me something - I wasn't feeling a particular long term connection to any of them.    And I think it is true - symbols and archetypes will come in and out as you need them, providing you are open to the lessons they are there to teach you.   When I realized this and started delving into deity, they started coming in very quick as well.  However, it is more common to see instructions on how to work with deity, where it is outlined to research them, set-up alters, make offerings, meditate with them, actively communicate with them.  What is this but a devotion to the traits they represent?  This was clear to me the first time I really felt I had actively reached out to Kuan Yin for help, and as an offering of gratitude, I dedicated the next day to actively choose compassion and kindness.   
 
As I'm finding which deities/spirits are resonating with me, I started to find a common theme of magic, death, transformation, love, and power across multiple pantheons.  I'm currently starting to see that each of these pantheons themselves have a particular "elemental" meaning to me, which is helping me to home in the specific energies I am channeling and working through.    I'm finding that adhering to more traditional rituals and correspondences to each of the deities is helpful for stripping out ego from the equation, but I am finding that the more I'm learning about each of these deities, the more I'm able to really tap into their guidance/my inner voice - at an angle that provides insights that inspire growth and transformation.   That may happen to be my experience because so many of the energies around me currently have themes of death and transformation.  

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In retrospect - there were a few things that made me hesitate leaning into modern fictional characters as archetypes before.  It seemed really silly and almost not real.  There is a reverence that comes from ancient deities - they seem "more powerful".  I also realize, too, that I didn't know where to start before.  But now, since I've been working with more known deities and doing "step 1" which is to read about them and their mythologies, then seeing how their correspondences and symbols all tie back to their mythology, it becomes much more simple to understand how to basically make a grimoire page for any given character.   Also, deity work is not meant to be worship, but there is a level of respect, and I believe that this really just goes back to stepping into the energies they represent with a humility and willingness to learn and understand how their energies can help you push you out of your comfort zone and into a more full and balanced human.
 
And, you know, use the tools available to you.  I had a sense of Professor X and the King of Cups connection after seeing it so clearly in this card - but I started overthinking - like, his main thing is telepathy, and that seems more "air" - but Professor X has a much more gentle energy than that of the swords in tarot.   So, I used ChatGPT to get me started.  Why not?  I'll tell you in the past why not - I would have said that it is cheating.  But why make things harder than they need to be?  I've spent too much of my life thinking that suffering is required for authenticity.
 
I'll put the ChatGPT results below.  My initial realizations are that it really does resonate with the King of Cups.    Professor X went into the minds of the X-men, but when he did so, he connected with them - he helped them to see and recognize the powers they have within themselves.  He, himself is a representation of how the physical does not need to be a barrier in making a difference in other people's lives.  He wanted people to have choice.  He always honored choice.  He understood that everyone has their own path to follow.  He would protect himself and his own, but he was not the one to start the fight, and he embodied compassion and forgiveness.  He did not rule with the sword.   

I was always fascinated with the King of Cups - the masculine energy of the King with the soft, fluid, emotional energy of the cups.  Seeing this archetype through the lens of Professor X is certainly ripe to find new understandings, so down that rabbit hole I go.  Curiously seeking out a new way to align with strength in empathy using the structure and reverence associated to deity work.

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Here was my prompt:

list 10 things that the meanings of the king of cups has with the x-men character professor X

The King of Cups in Tarot and the X-Men character Professor X (Charles Xavier) share several symbolic and thematic connections, despite being from different realms of fiction. Here are 10 things that the meanings of the King of Cups can have in relation to Professor X:

• 1. Emotional Mastery: The King of Cups represents emotional balance and mastery, which is a trait shared by Professor X. He is known for his ability to maintain composure and control his emotions, even in challenging situations.
• 2. Empathy and Compassion: Both the King of Cups and Professor X are associated with empathy and compassion. Professor X’s mutant power allows him to read and understand the emotions and thoughts of others, and he uses this ability to help and support mutants and humans alike.
• 3. Wisdom and Guidance: The King of Cups embodies wisdom and guidance, much like Professor X, who serves as a mentor and teacher to young mutants at his school, the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning.
• 4. Leadership: Both the King of Cups and Professor X are natural leaders. The King of Cups leads with emotional intelligence and empathy, while Professor X leads the X-Men, a team of powerful mutants, with a focus on unity and understanding.
• 5. Healing Abilities: The King of Cups can symbolize the ability to provide emotional support and healing. Professor X often plays a role in helping mutants come to terms with their powers and traumas, providing a sense of healing and belonging.
• 6. Psychic Abilities: While the King of Cups is associated with emotional sensitivity, Professor X possesses psychic abilities that allow him to delve deep into the minds and emotions of others. This psychic connection is a powerful symbol of the King of Cups’ intuitive understanding.
• 7. Calm Under Pressure: The King of Cups’ emotional stability mirrors Professor X’s ability to remain calm and collected even in dire situations. This quality enables both to make rational decisions in high-stress scenarios.
• 8. Diplomacy and Mediation: Both the King of Cups and Professor X have a knack for diplomacy and mediation. They seek peaceful resolutions and strive to bridge gaps between different individuals and groups.
• 9. Family and Community: The King of Cups often represents a sense of family and community, and Professor X’s X-Men are like a family to him. He fosters a sense of belonging and unity among mutants in his care.
• 10. Psychic Protection: The King of Cups can symbolize the need for emotional boundaries and psychic protection, just as Professor X uses his psychic abilities to shield himself and others from mental intrusion and harm.

These connections highlight the depth and complexity of both the King of Cups card in Tarot and the character of Professor X in the X-Men universe. They both embody qualities of emotional intelligence, empathy, and leadership, making them powerful symbols of understanding and control over emotions and psychic abilities.

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1. Author(s): Jason Gruhl, Jonathan Saiz, Andi Todaro Title: The Fountain Tarot: Illustrated Deck and Guidebook Publication Year: 2015 Publisher: Roost Books ↩︎