Willow's House -- Corresponds to the fifth house and Leo, astrologically speaking. Willow is the heart of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. As the show evolves, so does Willow. Her identity shifts in several ways--from computer geek to Wiccan, from straight to gay--but her essence--that of a smart, loving, and supportive friend, remains. Still, don't underestimate her importance. As she says to Buffy, "I'm not your sidekick."
What important area of my identity will become clear to me this year? In which areas will I grow and shine?
Knight of Swords / Empress
First, just looking at these, I see the Knight standing guard in front of the Empress.... if you want to get to her, you have to go through him. The Knight seems to be calm, with the sword slung over his shoulder - ready to be used if needed, but the Knight is standing in an 'at ease' posture.
The Empress card in this deck is odd to me... she certainly has a 'royal' appearance, but she's dressed in layers and layers of clothing and the surrounding landscape seems really barren.... rocky cliffs in which there is a waterfall, but no signs of life. She carries a large wooden sceptre and shield with a Venus symbol on it, but I can't say that she seems to be in much need of protection, given how heavily encased she is in clothing and protective cliffs all around her.
Her headdress makes me wonder if she can even hear anything through all that fabric covering her ears.
Now, astrologically, the Knight of Swords is me (Gemini), though I usually prefer the Queen of Swords. And I can't help (again) seeing this Empress as my mother... especially here with this deck, with the Empress so heavily sheltered and swathed that she seems to be very alone...a spark of life in a barren environment, not talking, possibly not able to understand what she hears, with little to see that makes much sense.
So.. in terms of the question, and an aspect of my own identity that will become clear this year as I grow into it, I think it is that - that I am growing into the role of my mother's protector and, like this Knight, getting comfortable with the role - not floundering, nor feeling as if every moment is a battle, but ready when it's necessary to protect this woman, my mother, from dangers she is too isolated to see clearly, and too encumbered to protect herself against.
