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The Sun
Professor of Solar Magic
On sunny days, the professor of solar magic holds his
classes outside. Inside, his classroom is always brightly lit.
Key Symbols
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The professor of solar magic is one of the brightest
young stars of Mandrake Academy, and he embodies all of the solar power
of his ruling planet. He’s youthful, energetic, and strong. His skin
glows with good health, and his hair has been lightened by the sun.
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He’s seated on a window seat, where he can bask in the
sun.
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He’s holding a solar disc, a gold-plated
representation of the wheel of the year.
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The wheel has eight spokes, one for each solar
holiday.
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Four sunflowers, one for each season of the year, grow
outside his classroom window. Sunflowers normally turn to face the sun’s
light, but in this case, they’ve turned to face the professor.
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The professor’s familiar creature, a white horse, also
stands outside. According to myth and legend, the sun god Apollo used
white horses to pull his chariot across the sky.
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The professor’s window seat is carved with the
astrological glyph for the sun. The glyph is styled to look like the
luminary at the center of the solar system.
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The Hebrew letter
Resh is carved next to the
sun glyph. Resh means “head” or “face.” It’s interesting to note that
the Hebrew letter assigned to the moon card refers to the back of the
head; the sun and the moon are natural counterparts.
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The Sun is masculine and active, as opposed to the
feminine and receptive aspects of the Moon. The Sun radiates the energy
and heat that the Moon reflects. While Apollo was the god of the sun,
his sister Diana was goddess of the moon.
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The sun symbolizes the light of the world — and in
myth and religion alike, the sun symbolizes gods who die and are reborn.
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In astrology, the sun takes center stage as the symbol
of the ego and the self. In tarot, the Sun card symbolizes those same
astrological principles, like consciousness and self-awareness.
Practical Magic
Mandrake Academy observes the following Sabbats, the solar
holidays that occur eight times a year as the earth reaches pivotal points
on its journey around the sun. The four cross-quarter days are Greater
Sabbats; they coincide with Celtic fire festivals. The four solstices and
the equinoxes mark the Lesser Sabbats.
To track the solar festivals — as well as the lunar
holidays — buy yourself a specialized astrological calendar. Most will not
only highlight the signs of the sun and the moon, but they’ll also indicate
prime times for scheduling appointments and magical work.
The Sabbats
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Sabbat
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Approximate Date
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Sun
Sign and Degree
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Significance
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Samhain/All Hallow’s
Eve/Halloween
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October 31
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Sun at 15°
Scorpio
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The Celtic new year,
when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest
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Yule/Winter Solstice
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December 21
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Sun at 0°
Capricorn
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The longest night of
the year
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Imbolc/Candlemas/Brigid’s Day
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February 2
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Sun at 15°
Aquarius
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Groundhog’s Day
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Ostara/
Eostar/Spring Equinox
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March 20
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Sun at 0°
Aries
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The spring equinox,
when night and day are of equal length
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Beltane/May Day
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May 1
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Sun at 15°
Taurus
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A spring fertility
festival
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Litha/Summer
Solstice
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June 21
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Sun at 0°
Cancer
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The longest day of
the year
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Lammas/Lughnasad
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August 1
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Sun at 15°
Leo
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The harvest festival
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Mabon/Fall Equinox
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September 22
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Sun at 0°
Libra
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The fall equinox,
when night and day are of equal length
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The Sun’s Tarot Spread
The sun is the marker of annual events like birthdays
and anniversaries, which links it with a sense of holiday and festivity.
This layout is a good predictive spread to use on any holiday. Lay the cards
in a circle, and start reading from wherever you happen to be positioned on
the Wheel of the Year.
Return to the Study Guide
Index
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