The Skeleton Key
The Skeleton Key is a diagram that may be utilized to further illustrate concepts of Pirate Therapy, the Pirate archetype, and Pirate Psychology. When used with the Cards of the Pirate Tarot of the Mystic Bootye, which are represented in this diagram by their corresponding Roman numerals (Card O=The FOOL, and I through XXII), it provides a map for unlocking the meaning of Life (and death) in all pirate tales. The Skeleton Key provides a map to the goal which is called the Treasure of the Mystic Bootye.
The Skeleton Key [Back to the Pirate Tarot Mandala]
The basic unit of understanding in psychology is a story. The Skeleton Key provides a structure, and, the Cards of the Pirate Tarot OTMB provide content.
Here is a Pirate version of the Hero's Journey, which is one of the oldest, and most fascinating life adventure stories ever told,
This story relates the tale of the life & death adventures of the soul. The Self is represented by Card 0 (The FOOL), the eternal traveler.
Starting with Card I and continuing "down" to Card X, in a process called the Descent, the individual drops into Life in a culture of Pirates. We trace its development from genesis as an emanation of Spirit (Inner/Above) through a series of progressive embodiment in the material world of everyday life (Outer/Below). Each one of Cards in the Descent represents an archetypal experience that affects the personality of the individual. The Descent winds-up in Card X The WHEEL OF FORTUNE, where the individual is incarnated in the mundane, Below.
As the story continues, the soul, being fully incarnated after the Descent, once again seeks to reconnect with Spirit. This is indicated by Cards XII - XXI, in a path called the Ascent. The soul, rising through these experiences is illustrated by the themes presented in those Cards. This completes the cycle of life and the adventure is fulfilled. In the center of the cross-bones of the Seleton Key is Card XI (JUSTICE), which is encountered in both the Descent and Ascent (11:11). This represents the Crossroads of Life, where everything comes together: the ever present here and now.
By examining the Cards individually, and in relationship to others, it sheds light on this archetypal story and gives the reader a greater understanding of the meaning of Life, and Death, as well as a sense of values and clues for obtaining the Treasure of the Mystic Bootye.
The basic unit of understanding in psychology is a story. The Skeleton Key provides a structure, and, the Cards of the Pirate Tarot OTMB provide content.
Here is a Pirate version of the Hero's Journey, which is one of the oldest, and most fascinating life adventure stories ever told,
This story relates the tale of the life & death adventures of the soul. The Self is represented by Card 0 (The FOOL), the eternal traveler.
Starting with Card I and continuing "down" to Card X, in a process called the Descent, the individual drops into Life in a culture of Pirates. We trace its development from genesis as an emanation of Spirit (Inner/Above) through a series of progressive embodiment in the material world of everyday life (Outer/Below). Each one of Cards in the Descent represents an archetypal experience that affects the personality of the individual. The Descent winds-up in Card X The WHEEL OF FORTUNE, where the individual is incarnated in the mundane, Below.
As the story continues, the soul, being fully incarnated after the Descent, once again seeks to reconnect with Spirit. This is indicated by Cards XII - XXI, in a path called the Ascent. The soul, rising through these experiences is illustrated by the themes presented in those Cards. This completes the cycle of life and the adventure is fulfilled. In the center of the cross-bones of the Seleton Key is Card XI (JUSTICE), which is encountered in both the Descent and Ascent (11:11). This represents the Crossroads of Life, where everything comes together: the ever present here and now.
By examining the Cards individually, and in relationship to others, it sheds light on this archetypal story and gives the reader a greater understanding of the meaning of Life, and Death, as well as a sense of values and clues for obtaining the Treasure of the Mystic Bootye.
For more on how this Pirate Therapy relates to you, the Pirate archetype, Pirate Psychology, and pirate's effect on the individual and culture see:The Pirate Tarot Mandala and the book,
PIRATE: Quest for the Mystic Bootye. |