by A. T. Mann

Animals, Insects and Planets
Many of the symbols of Tarot are animals, insects or plants.

The snake is a symbol of time and infinity when forming two tangential circles. When a snake bites its own tail it symbolizes the eternal return, the cyclic nature of the world and beginning and end. The hooded cobra is a holy Egyptian symbol of power over time; it is also an Indian symbol of time as the river of life, and as a naga, the cobra which spread its hood over Buddha during his enlightenment.

The caduceus is a wand intertwined by two snakes, which signified the union of the left and right sides of the brain, of soul and spirit, and is the classic sign of the medical profession.

Corn is symbolic of fertility and plenty, as well as of the ritual fertilization, death and renewal of the Grain Goddess.

Roses are associated with love and lovers, and as mystic symbols of the heart.

The sunflower moves with the Sun and is solar and masculine.

The dog is loyal instinct, faithfulness, stewardship, and is often associated with the underworld as a guardian.

The eagle is justice, temporal power, majesty and strength. Hawks are solar and represent transformation, being related to the Egyptian solar god Osiris. Eagle or hawk wings astride a solar disk are emblems of the Sun god and the spiritual principle.

The phoenix is often confused with the eagle, but it has a mythic meaning of rebirth -- for upon being destroyed by fire, it is reborn instantly from the ashes.

The crane is a symbol of justice and wisdom, and is the image of Thoth Hermes.

Bees and butterflies are symbolic of the soul, rebirth and the eternal life.
Crabs, lobsters or crayfish are symbolic of the emergence of humanity from the unconscious sea, and of the fertilizing potential of water.

Natural forces were worshipped from earliest times and remain potent symbols.

Mountains signify the quest, resolution, meditation, being "above it all" and symbolic of higher realms of the Self.

Lightening is inspiration, direct communication from the gods, intuition and divine intercession.

The cornfield is fertility and the manifest principle of love.

Barren landscapes are devoid of love and affection, and are often considered Saturnine and cold.

Trees are symbolic of the process of evolution and integration according to the manner of their branching. In ancient times trees were regarded as sacred spirits and worshipped. The dying tree is negative life.

*This material is excerpted from the book, The Mandala Astrological Tarot by A.T. Mann.