Undomesticated Tarot: Bringing Back the Wild to a Domesticated World

Summary

E. Katherine Kottaras introduces her journey into the world of Tarot, focusing on the Fool card, and draws parallels between the innocence of kittens and the wisdom of beginners, emphasizing the importance of play, discovery, and rest in personal growth.

Abstract

E. Katherine Kottaras, an educator with a background in English, Kinesiology, and Integrative Wellness, is embarking on a project to delve deeply into the lessons of the Tarot deck. Her exploration begins with the Major Arcana card, The Fool 0, which she likens to the curiosity and spontaneity of a kitten. Kottaras views the card as an invitation to embrace a beginner's mindset, open to endless possibilities and learning through experiences, including moments of rest. She encourages readers to find joy in the journey of self-discovery, akin to the playful and instinctual nature of kittens, while also acknowledging the need for recovery and growth. Her work is a personal endeavor to internalize the wisdom of the Tarot, but she also shares her insights to resonate with a broader audience, advocating for mindfulness, bodily self-determination, and health equity.

Opinions

Kottaras believes in the value of intuitive knowledge from centuries past and its relevance to modern life.
She suggests that there is a profound wisdom in approaching life with the openness and curiosity of a beginner.
Kottaras emphasizes the importance of balancing adventure and excitement with necessary periods of rest and recovery.
She sees the process of learning and growth as a playful and instinctual journey, much like a kitten's

The Major Arcana: The Fool 0 🐈‍⬛

digital collage by me

I’ve been wanting to take the time to learn Tarot for a long while. I pull my cards regularly, but I have a hard time remembering the meanings.

I am embarking on this new project so that I can dive in deep, internalize, and personalize the lessons of the deck. I’m especially curious about how the poetry of centuries-old intuitive knowledge fits in with our strange and oddly stressful modern lives. I write the “you” as reminders to myself, but of course, if they resonate with you, the reader, then I am honored to share the message.

The Major Arcana: The Fool 0 🐈‍⬛

like an innocent kitten new to the world, this card invites spontaneity and openness to possibility since there is deep wisdom in the mind of a beginner.

kittens know nothing of what it means to be called “the fool.” they face the whole domesticated world as a ground for play and discovery. and as the kittens leap and pounce, following the wilds of their natural instinct, they may stumble, but it is in the tumble and the recovery that lessons are learned.

kittens also need to remember to rest often, as exploring the brand new world can be exhausting sometimes.

be not afraid to leap, and also take care of your wild kitten energy. allow time for both the wonderful excitement of adventure and for the necessary recovery so that you can grow stronger.

find a tree.

nap on a limb with a friend.

Collage and words by me — First in a series — Taking it seriously, but also trying to lean into play, a bit like a kitten — 🐈‍⬛

E. Katherine Kottaras holds an M.A. in English and an M.S. in Kinesiology with a focus on Integrative Wellness, and she is a contemplative writer and holistic teacher, having worked at the middle, high school, and community college levels for over two decades. She is a yoga teacher, personal trainer, and health coach while also living with invisible illnesses and neurodivergence, and as such, she is passionate about mindfulness, bodily self-determination, and health equity. As the queer daughter of an immigrant, Katherine believes that holistic and inclusive approaches to expression, healing, and growth should be accessible to all.

Check out Katherine’s new series, Yoga with Eleonora on YouTube, which helps kids of all ages calm their minds and bodies so they can respond to and communicate their feelings in healthy ways.