Tarotka Reading: Isam Jarenberg
Presented with commentary, on Nathan's "feel free to" suggestion to do so.
First House: Sense of Self
Knight of Cups—Emotional, Sensitive
So he sees himself as a sensitive guy then. O
kay. Just for posterity, let me put down the keywords for the Knight of Cups: Introspective, Refined, Sensitive, Charming, Warm, Emotionally Warm, Flirt, Good listener, Enjoys interacting with people, winning personality. One wonders if anyone
shares the Jarenberg's opinion of himself. In tarot, the Knight of Cups is associated with the elements of Fire and Water - in tarot jargon, that means it is both willful, energetic, and powerful, but is also sensitive and emotional. Not a bad self assessment. The Jarenburg is
clearly willful and powerful, but this shows he also sees himself as genuinely caring for his household. We know of his habit of eating with his retainers, for which he is looked down upon, and that habit may spring from this self-image.
Second House: Material Goods, Money, Possessions
Four of Wands/Four of Stars—Happiness, Celebration
This is the card of a happy and harmonious home life, a stong and stable settlement and something worth celebrating. A bit ironic, given that Jarenburg is the poorest of the great houses. I'd interpret this as Isam caring for material possessions because they can provide a stable and happy life for his household - he's not interested in wealth for the sake of wealth.
Third House: Siblings, Neighbors, Close Kin, Surroundings
Three of Swords—Sorrow, Pain, Suffering
That's a pretty clear sign, although what it refers to, I can't say. Something involving his family has caused him pain in the past. He might have been betrayed, disappointed, or let down, but it could also refer to some manner of loss among his family, or someone close enough to him to be considered family.
Fourth House: Father, Roots and Foundations, Emotional Needs
Three of Coins—Constructive Force, Cooperation
The Three of Coins is the card of diligence, growth, and cooperative enterprise. Not a lot of surprise here - the Jarenberg's house and family all form a cooperative enterprise together. Of course, "roots and foundations" might also apply to the mountain they're all sitting on. "You see, Renhalt. The Mountain will not fail us as long as we do not fail her," as Isam has said.
Fifth House: Self-Expression, in Romance and Creative Endeavors
Strength (Inverted)—Self-control, Power (inverted)
For all that the Jarenberg sees himself as a sensitive, caring guy, he doesn't express it very well. In fact, I'd go so far to say that expressing his caring emotions weakens him, somehow. This isn't a very open man. Perhaps he is too proud to show such "weakness". Or, perhaps this applies only to his romantic life, which is... not great, apparently. Inverted, the card of Strength means being worn out, stressed, or filled with discord. Does he not get along with his wife? (Does he even have a wife?) Or, since this applies to his self-expression, perhaps his way of trying to show affection backfires and explodes in his face constantly.
Sixth House: The Mundane Things of Life, Daily Routines, Drudergy, Work
Squire of Coins (Inverted)—Diligent, Earthy, Practical (inverted)
In tarot terms, the Squire of Coins is an Earth/Earth card - which translates to being Practical/Practical. Except this is inverted, so... not practical. Earth is usually associated with preserverence and diligence, inverted, its most notable trait is being
stubborn. It's also a card of insecurity and waste, since coins are associated with materialistic affairs. Most of Isam's daily affairs deal with the fact his house is flat broke, and that doesn't seem likely to change any time soon.
Seventh House: Commitment, as it Relates to Peers and Partners
Eight of Swords (Inverted)—Imprisonment, Restriction (inverted)
The Eight of Swords is a mental block - being kept imprisoned not by any outside force, but by the
fear of said outside force. Inverted, it means realizing that the bonds keeping you in place are purely mental, and breaking free of the restrictions. This, however, applies to commitments to peers and partners. Does this mean that Isam is no longer feeling obligated to uphold his end of the bargain, with someone? Or perhaps he has realized that a commitment he has made is no longer beneficial? Perhaps this applies to his screwed up romantic relationship up above? Or does the fact that it's an enslaved
Rashemani girl in the picture mean we should take this card at face value?
Eighth House: The Property of Others (To Which We Interpret to Mean the Rest of Hazlan)
Mistress of Cups (Inverted)—Caring, Nurturing (inverted)
Isam ain't gonna coddle the rest of Hazlan. Alright, the Mistress of Cups is a water/water card - in other words, Emotion/Emotion. Upright, she's an incredibly caring and idealistic woman. Inverted, she's a superficial status seeker that uses emotion to manipulate and get what she wants. (Now, I'm not saying she's a gold digger, but she ain't messing with no broke.) This is likely Isam's opinion on the rest of Hazlan: greedy, superficial, materialistic, obsessed with status, and overly manipulative. Or are we meant to take this to mean that Isam is superficial and covetous towards everyone else's stuff?
Ninth House: Philosophy, Spiritualism
Six of Coins (inverted)—Giving and receiving, Charity (inverted)
The Six of Coins is the card of charity, giving and receiving: today I help you, tomorrow you help me sort of thing. Inversed, there ain't no charity here. Anything given has strings attached. We know that the Western Houses tend to be very religious, so this likely isn't Isam's opinion of the Lawgiver church, so much as how his faith manifests itself in him. If he gives you something, you are
going to pay it back. This isn't a balanced relationship: Isam is firmly dominating when it comes to who receives what and how they must repay him for that. Of course, looking at some of the cards below, that means it also goes for him. If he owes you something, he feels obligated to pay it. He won't take charity, just as he won't give it.
Tenth House: Career and Ambition, Those of Superior Status
Mistress of Coins—Materialistic, Domestic
The Mistress of Coins is an Earth/Water card - pragmatic, but caring. Isam doesn't have much in the way of superiors, so this likely refers to his ambition. He wants to be able to provide, basically, and not just because it's pragmatic, but also because he legitimately cares for the people who serve him.
Eleventh House: Social Life, Friends, Clubs, Social Circles
Nine of Swords (Inverted)—Mental turmoil (Inverted)
Inverted, the Nine of Swords is something akin to "sunshine after a storm". Isam has a lot on his mind. Social business and friends help him release that tensions and give him hope for tomorrow. So who counts as his social life? Does this have anything to do with him dining with his retainers? Of course, that is Hazlik on the card, so maybe this is another card to take at face value - which is to say, his social group consists of people who would like to toss Hazlik off a boat. Nothing says it can't mean both, mind.
Twelfth House: The Subconscious
Ace of Stars (Inverted)—Energy, Action, a Spark
The Ace of Stars is basically the "root" of everything that comes after it - in the case of stars, its the root of all energy, power, and action. Inverted, well... it means that energy has been screwed up or failed in some fashion. Isam is dissatisfied and frustrated, beneath it all. Things aren't working out for him, and it's weighing on his mind.
Thirteenth House: Overarching Theme
Justice (Responsibility, Fairness)
There isn't a lot of interpretation needed here. Isam is
fair, in the old sense of the word. If you wrong him, he will pay you back for that. If you do right by him, he will pay you back for
that. If he does something for you, he expects that debt to be repaid. He takes responsibility for his actions and decisions, and expects you to take responsibility for yours.
"No, but evil is still being — Is having reason — Being reasonable! Mousie understands? Is always being reason. Is punishing world for not being... Like in head. Is always reason. World should be different, is reason."
So I am all the more glad for your help!
No, he doesn't usually go around with his shirt open, so don't get used to the look.
