Sacred Contracts and the Arcanas

A term first coined by Caroline Myss, Sacred Contracts are the pre-incarnation agreements we make with the individuals who weave in and out of our earthly lives--including the archetypal roles adopted to fulfill these contracts. For example, Damsel often teams up with a Knight or Rescuer, while a Child may look for a Mother/Father.

The books Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls, both by Dr. Michael Newton, catalogues dozens of "between life" case studies generated from hypnotherapy regressions. Courageous Souls by Robert Schwartz describes the participation of souls in the designing of intricate plot lines that will eventually play out in our earth-bound existence.

These theories are extraordinary in that humans are no longer portrayed as puppets tossed to and fro by the whims of the gods--and neither are they objects of divine punishment or reward. If true, this would also mean that there is no such thing as a "victim", for to be a victim means something happens to you without your consent.

And, if we do indeed agree to certain challenges for our soul's growth--or, as some have speculated, as the Divine experiencing itself as "other" through myriad faces and expressions--then we would have a hand in orchestrating the situations that happen in our life.

Of course, we may not desire those experiences on a conscious, rational level--but if we do indeed cross through Lethes (the River of Forgetfulness) upon incarnation, we may not remember our contracts except through hypnosis, dreams,  mystical experiences or conscious spiritual/psychological excavation.

With the Tarot, we've often been told that the Major Arcana represents Fate or Destiny--the "choice of the gods", as Robert Wang put it. The Majors supposedly signfy situations "out of our hands"...as if the cards are comin' honey, and all you can do is hang on, play them the best you can and hope for the best.

The Minor Arcana is relegated to mere "everyday" status--the "choices of men", to once again use Wang's terminology. The Majors are things fated to happen, while the Minors are how we play them out. Supposedly, we have "choices" with the latter...but not the former.

But can we know this for sure? (Obviously, we can't really know anything of this sort empirically--but researches like Dr. Newton do a darn good job of amassing case histories that make the idea plausible.)

So this post is essentially asking what you believe in terms of the differences (if any) between the Majors and Minors in both your world view and in your Tarot reading experience.  Do you believe in an external Deity calling the shots? Or do you swing to the other end, believing we entirely create our own reality right here, right now, apart from any pre-earthly plan?

Or do you subscribe to the idea that we do make sacred contracts--and these contracts can even be re-negotiated after incarnation? (Newton's books, as well as Schwartz's, suggests that we can amend the terms of our agreements while on Earth--even to the point of bypassing major life challenges.)

How does your world view inform the way you interpret Tarot? What if your clients have a world view vastly different from yours? How do you bridge the gap, especially if how you view the Major Arcana versus the Minor Arcana butts up against their world view in some way?

Perhaps you give the Minor Arcana equal weight in a reading--and see little difference between the Majors and Minors, believing they all work on multiple levels...and describe varying degree of influence.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on these topics!

-- Janet Boyer

Comments

[mirit]

Thank you I really enjoy the questions you asked. In particular the diffent view the minor archana gives us vs the major archana.

Thanks.
Peace

oh and by the way I believe we are in a co-creative world meaning we have predetermination ie sacred contracts and we can change them it depends upon how conscious we are

[Janet]

Hi Mirit,

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!

By the way, since Mirit's a rather unusual name--are you, by any chance, Mirit Eder--who does Archetypes through Yoga? (I was on a Newsletter years ago that sent monthly postures and how they relate to archetypes!)

Janet

[lisa]

I have always believed in randomness. But through studying and using Tarot for the past six years, I find myself encountering patterns in readings for myself that have me convinced that there may indeed be some underlying plan.

And the cards that seem to indicate that are always Majors. This is a relatively new (and exciting) idea for me, and I plan to explore it further. I must look up the books you mentioned. Thanks for that!

[Judith B]

It is exciting to "meet" another tarot reader who knows about Michael Newton's books! :-) My philosophy follows the idea of us creating plans before we come into this life, yet we have free will about whether we follow those plans. I see the Major Arcana as the larger scope of what is happening in our lives, and the Minor as the more immediate, everyday stuff. Generally I approach tarot as a way of looking at choices or trends in my or a client's life; a way of exploring options. I tell people that upfront; occasionaly it has meant I don't get clients, but most people are okay with that.

[Janet]

Very cool, Lisa! Would you care to share an pattern examples? (I'm utterly fascinated by human patterns, especially archetypal themes.)

The books I mentioned are *fantastic*. If you get Journey of Souls and like it, then you'll definitely like Destiny of Souls. Courageous Souls has a similar theme, except the information about past lives/between lives is culled through mediums. On my site, I have reviews of both Journey of Souls and Courageous Souls if you'd like more information on the topic. :o)

Hi Judith!

Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls quite literally changed my life, as well as my husband's. Talk about a paradigm shift! It's impossible to see the world (and our lives) the same way. And, of course, it also influences my style of Tarot reading.

My approach sounds like yours. I specifically say on my site "I'm not a fortuneteller" for this very reason. Sometimes, despite what I say on my site, someone will order a reading as if it's the solution to their life in pill form. When I get those kinds of orders, I refund their money immediately.

Janet

[Cynthia Tedesco]

hi janet,

as usual, your insights are right on target & valuable! you know Myss has 'Sacred Contracts of Our Founding Fathers' out on CD. can we use tarot to assist us in finding ways to move our country along as our Founding Fathers would have us do? my younger son is very politically involved and a Constitutionalist etc. I help way in the background & would love spreads that give insight into how to help our beloved country in its present crisis. Every person has this responsibility no matter POV.
Keep up the great work!
cynthia

[Janet]

Thanks Cynthia!

What a coincidence: I *just* posted a review of The Sacred Contract of America to my site yesterday!

http://janetboyer.com/Sacred_Contract_of_America.html

I'll be thinking about spreads in terms of Caroline's new series--and how we can best help our country in our own unique way. :o)

Many blessings to you!

Janet