Marius + Avery [Herbal Tarot]
Left: MARIUS – Four of Swords [Mullein, Verbascum tapsuse]
From the Herbal Tarot: Expectorant. Demulcent. Anti-inflammatory. Anti-spasmodic. Used for all upper respiratory complaints. Relieves mucus congestion. Topically relieves pain. Mild calmative. Healing from the wounds of battle. Rest before the final onslaught.
Key words: rest, restoration, contemplation, meditation, calm
Pat’s Summary: Marius has returned home—or at least to Vivienne’s place, basically licking his wounds—not only has he lost Beatrice, he’s had to accept help from places he didn’t think he’d ever need help with. He’s no closer to finding her killer, so he’s that point where he’s just over it. He’s not angry with Avery but he’s certainly not particularly apologetic either—but he’s calmed down significantly. I’ve been pulling a lot of fours lately, so it tends to lean towards these characters being the more ‘stable’, more ‘consistent’ than others.
Right: AVERY– The Devil [Lobella, Lobelia inflata]
From the Herbal Tarot: Lobelia is an antispasmodic, a stimulant, an expectorant and a nauseant. It is used for asthma, lung problems, relieving spasms, nervous tension and cramps, and to induce vomiting. Playfulness. Frivolity. Make believe. Getting loose. Lightening up.
Key words: excess, materialism, playfulness, temptation, seduction, manipulation, addiction, lust
Pat’s Summary: From a previous reading I did for you, the Devil is about temptation—yes, you have choices, but that doesn’t mean those choices don’t have hidden consequences to them. However, the Devil also refers to addiction, obsession, or manipulation. Is there something about Marius that Avery is particularly hyperfocused on? Or is there something he would need to convince or manipulate Marius to do? Most likely he may just be wary of Marius and it’s hard for him to take him seriously. Since this is the only card from the Major Arcana that’s been pulled, Avery’s the one who’s going to be the catalyst for change or conflict of their relationship.
Top: PAST – Queen of Swords [Lady’s Slipper, Cypripedium pubescense]
From the Herbal Tarot: Nervine. Tonic for hysteria, pain, all nervous inflictions and premenstrual syndrome. A serious woman, over thirty-five, who is unswervingly faithful to her goals—quite often at all costs. On the more positive side, she is eminently capable of upholding executive positions.
Key words: complexity, perceptive, clear mindedness, honest, knowledgeable, opinionated
Pat’s summary: So this card really just highlights what their relationship is about: both of them mostly bring their thoughts and opinions to the table and perhaps connecting through their mutual agreements. For the two of them, it’s about the honest truth and hard facts. Marius has no reason to lie to Avery, and Avery has no reason to lie to Marius.
Center: PRESENT + DYNAMIC – Five of Swords [Mistletoe, Viscum albume]
From the Herbal Tarot: Nervine. Antispasmdic. Regulates blood pressure. Treats cancer. Calms the nervous system. Realization of defeat. Need to regain composure and inner peace after the fray. Realization that there are no winners in war.
Key words: defeat, loss, battle, conflict, win at all costs, ambition, sneakiness
Pat’s Summary: They’re both kind of stuck in a garbage situation. For Marius, he’s back where he started—or definitely worse off; he’s at the mercy of his siblings’ generosity. Not to say they’re always fighting (though perhaps they are), but it’s getting to the point where the fight has gone a little too long. Perhaps this fighting has led to some bitterness. Perhaps one of them has gone a step too far—not necessarily something unforgiveable, but enough to put some pause in conversation it’s mentioned.
Bottom: FUTURE – Six of Swords, [Vervain,Verbena Officinaliis]
From the Herbal Tarot: Alterative. Hepatic. Bitter. Antispasmodic. Used for nervousness and irritability caused by congested liver and gallbladder, and for premenstrual tension.
Key words: transition, leaving behind, moving on, healing, travel
Pat’s summary: They’re going back to France. Like, this is the card that has to do with travel over water. Aside from this very straightforward interpretation, it’s probably the only thing they can probably agree on, or the only way to really recover from the stress of conflict.
So, a few other observations about this reading: they don’t have any reversed cards—not to mean that there’s anything explicitly bad about their relationship, but just that it’s very clear to them what’s involved in this relationship. Four out of five of the cards are from the suit of swords (the element of air, involved with logic, ideas, and intellect) so their disagreements are based on certain core fundamental beliefs rather than a true dislike of the other person. Their relationship is almost formal, in a way—if there’s a possible ‘meeting of the minds’ for the two of them to perhaps finally be on the same page, I think that’s the most they may be able to manage in the meantime.
