shedding light on the lives of influential Australian women
Renowned anthropologist, Barbara Myerhoff, observed that everyone has a story and that these stories “told to oneself and others can transform the world.” A personal story can provide an opening to understand not only one person’s life, but larger truths about the human experience.
Examining How Real Life Stories and Tarot Intersect
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains images, voices and names of deceased persons.
This project acknowledges the Matilda effect and its relevance for women in all walks of life. Christina Macpherson’s story is just one example of a woman whose contribution to the iconic Australian ballad, Waltzing Matilda, was relegated to the shadows, leaving Banjo Patterson to bask in all the associated glory.
This project is also for those people who have not bought into the idea that Tarot is only used by fortune tellers who offer readings in small tents set up at esoteric events. Not only does every Tarot card have its own story to tell, but each card tells a story about each of us. Tarot contains 78 Muses or mentors depending on your need. The pictures depicted on the cards are totally open to one’s personal interpretation and rarely do two people see the same thing.
Despite what purists might have you believe, no matter what “meaning” experts or books may ascribe to a particular card, no one definition is correct for everyone or every situation. Tarot cards may help to explain a situation, describe a person and offer perspectives about the innovative ways in which others have triumphed after facing, for example, Tower moments.
The Matilda effect is a bias against acknowledging the achievements of women scientists whose work is attributed to their male colleagues. This phenomenon was first described by suffragist and abolitionist Matilda Joslyn Gage in her essay, “Woman as Inventor”.
A significator Tarot card has been consciously chosen to represent an individual woman and the real life situations they have faced in Australia. The idea is that one not only learns more about prominent Australian women, who have contributed to Australian culture, but our understanding of Tarot is deepened.
The cards chosen for these women seemed appropriate in one moment in time. The choices are subjective and open for debate. The point is that the reader may well differ, dispute the connection being made and, not only offer meaningful alternatives, but suggest that other cards better represent a woman’s dominant personae.
Original Listing
Major Arcana
Matchmaker matchmaker make me a match. Help me match Australian women’s stories with each Tarot card.
The Fool – Germaine Greer
The Magician – Cath Jamison
High Priestess – Barangaroo
The Empress – Catherine Helen Spence
The Emperor – Elizabeth Macarthur
The Hierophant – Sister Mary McKillop
Lovers – Kath Walker
The Chariot –
Strength – Robyn Davidson
The Hermit –
The Wheel of Fortune – The Eulo Queen
Justice –
The Hanged Man – Charmaine Clift
Death – Jenny Briscoe Hough
Temperance – Marie E Kirk
The Devil –
The Tower – Rosemary Batty
The Star – Fay Catherine Howe
The Moon – Joan Lindsay
The Sun –
Judgement – Annie Lock
The World
Minor Arcana Suits
Cups
associated with the emotional realm. Connection, love, dreams and wishes. Happiness as well as sorrow and vulnerability.
Ace of Cups –
Two of Cups –
Three of Cups – Sunday Reid
Four of Cups – Ash Barty
Five of Cups – Marjorie Woodrow
Six of Cups – Shirley Purdie
Seven of Cups – Seven Australian Philanthropists
Eight of Cups – Libby Gore (Elle McFeast)
Nine of Cups – Dame Nellie Melba
Ten of Cups – Miles Franklin
The Page of Cups
The Knight of Cups
The Queen of Cups
King of Cups –
Swords
associated with the mental realm. Rationality, logic, communication. Useful thoughts as well as anxieties and fears.
Ace of Swords – Catherine Hay Thomson
Two of Swords – .
Three of Swords – Grace Tame
Four of Swords – Leigh Sales
Five of Swords _
Six of Swords _
Seven of Swords – Christina Macpherson
Eight of Swords – Lindy Chamberlain
Nine of Swords – Carolyn Hunt
Ten of Swords – Catherine Folbigg
Page of Swords _
Knight of Swords _
Queen of Swords – Mary Gauldron
King of Swords –
Pentacles
associated with the material realm. Physicality, the body, work, environment. Abundance as well as scarcity and greed.
Ace of Pentacles –
Two of Pentacles –
Three of Pentacles
Four of Pentacles – Wealth Accumlation – Gina Rineheart
Five of Pentacles – Margaret Clement Lady of the Swamp
Six of Pentacles – Ruby Hunter
Seven of Pentacles – Mary Penfold
Eight of Pentacles – Martha Clendinning
Nine of Pentacles – Melissa Caddick
Ten of Pentacles – Mary Reiby
The Page of Pentacles – Emily Kame Kngwarreye
The Knight of Pentacles
Queen of Pentacles – Margaret Fulton
King of Pentacles –
Wands
associated with gusto and life force. Excitement, exploration, creative pursuits. Passion as well as grandiosity and impulsiveness
Ace of Wands – Tilly Aston
Two of Wands
Three of Wands
Four of Wands – Cheryl Salisbury
Five of Wands – Tarenorerer
Six of Wands – Annette Kellerman
Seven of Wands – Lowitja O’Donoghue
Eight of Wands
Nine of Wands
Ten of Wands – Charlotte Allingham
Page of Wands – Heather Blakey
Knight of Wands
Queen of Wands – Margaret Throsby
King of Wands – Margaret Olley
Wild Mother Calling 