Tarot — Julie Hill

TAROT

The Symbolism of Birds

Each year, Austin composer Dave Madden hosts the 11:59 Songwriting Group: four prompts are provided, two weeks to complete each. Though nearly every participant is an actual songwriter, I contribute illustrations as a participant, and marketing materials for the songwriters’ showcase at the end.

In 2023, the prompts were all numbers; 1, 12, 7 and 13. Matching those numbers to the traditional tarot, I explored how the symbolism we find in the tarot could pair with the behavior, appearance, and symbolism we attribute to birds. I then went on to complete the major arcana.

Illustration

01

Barn Owl

The barn owl is often associated with finding deeper meaning, or looking below the surface of things to find hidden knowledge.

Similarly, the Magician in traditional tarot can be an indicator that you need to use your natural abilities to succeed in your endeavors.

12

Northern Shrike

Shrikes are gnarly little songbirds who like to skewer their prey on thorns to come back to later. They are also known as ‘butcher birds.’

The iconography of The Hanged Man in the Tarot depicts a man hanging upside-down by one ankle, suggesting sacrifice or being suspended in time.

07

Yellow-Billed Oxpecker

These sub-Saharan birds like to hang out on the backs of zebras and wildebeests, both hitching a ride and eating ticks off the animal’s hide.

The Chariot card usually depicts a prince being carted around in his chariot by horses or sphynxes.

13

Common Raven

Crows, ravens and rooks are associated with death in many Western cultures, though they can also be symbols of intellect and introspection.

The death card in tarot typically signals an end of some kind is coming, which can result in an increase of perception and self-awareness.

Head over to Dave’s site to learn more about the 11:59 Songwriting Group

The 2023 11:59 Songwriter’s Showcase promo poster: A bird of many songs, the Northern Mockingbird