Heroic Tarot Tuesday: Storm

Greetings, dear reader!  This post is the second in a series about my process regarding my X-Men Tarot.  Many folks have asked me how a regular playing card deck which features X-Men artwork is able to give someone a reading comparable to conventional tarot.  Thus, this series was born!  Today we take a look at all of the cards featuring Storm and compare and contrast my comic-based interpretations and how they relate to their traditional definitions.  Last week we looked at Jean Grey (who is all of the nines in the deck).  I recommend you check out my “All Hands On Deck” post which gives information about all of the decks that I use, including a concise description of the X-Men Tarot deck.

One of the interesting aspects of the X-Men cards that I use is that every character gets to be represented four times.  For example, Cyclops is all of the Kings, Wolverine is all of the Jacks, Professor X is all of the Aces, etcetera.  Storm is represented on the face of all of the Queens, which if we consider that Queens symbolize maturity, competence and devotion, makes a lot of sense.  Who better than the former tribal “goddess” and current co-regent of Wakanda to bring the wisdom of these concepts?  Another role that Queens play is that of counselor.  Reflecting back on all of the X-Men who have bent our weather goddess’ ear over the years (Wolverine, Professor X, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Kitty Pryde, etcetera) for sage advice, this aspect also perfectly aligns Storm as Queen (Ororo also become Queen in name as well as role when she married the Black Panther, although that title is up for some debate in recent comic storylines).

Note:  I will be referring to each card by their traditional tarot names, although I will provide the equivalent playing card terms under each image.

Storm as the Queen of Diamonds/Pentacles/Disks/Coins/Worlds

Traditionally, the Queen of Pentacles is a generous, yet practical woman.  She is a nurturer, giving unconditional love to all who need it.  She is supportive, sensible and trustworthy.  She keeps track of details, has an eye for organization and is capable of unifying separate factions.  She can inspire us to care for the earth and all its inhabitants.  These are also attributes of a certain weather-controlling wind-rider.  When Professor X recruited Storm for his team of X-Men, Ororo was providing for her tribe in Kenya.  Worshiped as goddess due to her powers, she was beneficent and charitable to her people.  This Queen is Storm at her most earthy aspect, a resourceful confidant in touch with her environment.  The image on this card was drawn by Greg Capullo.

Storm as the Queen of Spades/Swords

The Queen of Swords is an intellectual powerhouse.  She knows a myriad of subjects and can lecture and instruct on many levels.  Honest and almost painfully acute in her words, she gets her ideas across as a grand communicator.  She is bold, independent and direct.  She is also known as an impartial judge, one who is fair in all of her dealings.  She teaches us to empower our mind, find clarity and personal liberation.  This is the airy aspect of Storm, gliding on air currents as she surveys all below her.  This is the side of that gives speeches, lectures and insight.  This is Storm as Justice, clever, candid and experienced.  This facet of her personality is the reason she continues to find herself in leadership positions, even as circumstances shift her away from them.  Storm as the Queen of Swords is committed to ethical equality.  This artwork is by Whilce Portacio.

Storm as the Queen of Hearts/Cups

Intuition is a key component of the Queen of Cups, and Storm is no stranger to following her feelings.  Emotionally present, this Queen comforts all in her domain.  She is devoted, faithful and imaginative.  Generous and good-natured, she can inspire others with a simple touch.  Storm’s abilities of weather control give her a feeling of oneness with the world.  She is tapped into the natural cycle of the earth, sensing the emotional undercurrents of a situation.  She is intuition incarnate, and yet she must guard against her own insecurities.  This watery aspect of Storm is evidenced every time she uses her powers (especially in times when the weather is being controlled artificially or unnaturally), and was on display in her role as Kitty Pryde’s maternal caregiver.  The Queen of cups Storm inspires us to connect more deeply with our own emotional reservoirs and trust our intuition.  Above artwork by Tom Raney.

Storm as the Queen of Clubs/Wands/Rods

Storm has demonstrated time and time again, that her true superpower lies in within her indomitable will.  Whether the Shadow King, Loki, or Doctor Doom is attempting to possess her mind, body or spirit, Ororo has shown that her fiery passion and intensity cannot be contained.  The Queen of Wands is such a woman.  She is magnetic, beautiful and commanding, eating her fears as fuel.  She leads a vibrant life of self-confidence and optimism.  She is a creative visionary, inspiring us to self-actualization.  Artwork on this card is by Lee Weeks.

Depending on the layout and what other cards are present, oftentimes the energy of the High Priestess is apparent when Storm appears in a reading.  Just as Jean Grey embodies energies of the Empress, I see Storm’s ability to trust her intuition, honor her connection with the Divine, and see the potential in hidden things as very much aligned with this Major Arcana archetype.

Thanks for reading about my X-Men Tarot process!  Next week we will look at Professor X and all of the Aces in this deck.

I am available every week at Swankety Swank on Fridays from 4-7pm, Saturdays 12-5pm, Sundays 1-5pm  (walk ins welcome) and other times that vary from week to week (by appointment only).  I am accomplished in individual and couple’s readings, and enjoy bringing my brand of Tarot Magick to events and parties.  You can also purchase an art card gift certificate for your loved ones and I also give readings over the phone.  Let your inner superhero shine!