The Archetype and The Tarot: Eros and Nine of Pentacles
Through Eros and the Nine of Pentacles, this week we’re being called to pause before reaping the rewards and instead savor the anticipation of what’s to come. Can we allow ourselves to be filled with the longing and passion of Eros, letting it ripple through us before rushing into action?
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Eros Archetype
On occasion, I like to change things up and use Kim Krans’ archetype deck for these posts. After last week’s journey with the Trickster (holy heck, did it have some big things in store for me!), I wanted a reprieve from the more traditional archetypes. And so, using Krans’ deck, the card I drew for this week was Eros.
Sigh. It feels like just the reprieve I was craving.
As I understand it, Eros was originally the name of one of the primordial Gods in the Greek tradition, and then, as Aphrodite’s son, became the God of love, sex, and desire.
As an archetype, though, I think Eros is best summed up in the word longing, and not only in a sexual way. It is the force of reunion (and unity) and integration.
I love this quote in Kim Krans’ guidebook:
“Eros reconnects us with the primal longing to merge with another human being, nature, music, art, plants, food, or anything that we perceive we are separate from.”
Have you ever seen a kitten (or other super cute being) and felt that quaking, vibrating welling up of a compulsion to squeeze it? To me, that’s the force of Eros too.
Eros is the embodiment of the drive toward connection. While often associated with romantic love and sex, Eros moves beyond mere physical attraction; it is the force that draws us into communion with others, sparking creativity and a yearning for unity. Eros represents the merging of soul with soul and comes alive in moments of ecstatic joy, creation, and deep emotional connection, reminding us that life, at its core, is about experiencing profound union.
On the light side, Eros awakens the heart and invites us to feel deeply, to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the present moment. This version of Eros is not limited to physical love but extends to a love of life itself, a passion for art, nature, and the world around us. Eros in the light teaches us the value of vulnerability, allowing us to open ourselves to deep relationships and creative expression. Through Eros, we learn that love is transformative, bringing us closer to our truest selves and to others in ways that nourish and uplift. The light side of Eros helps us experience the richness of life, from the tender moments shared with loved ones to the thrill of pursuing our passions and pleasures.
The shadow of Eros, however, can lead to obsession, possessiveness, and a distorted view of love. This shadow version seeks to control and dominate, turning passion into compulsion. The shadow Eros may confuse love with need, leading to unhealthy attachments or even manipulation to maintain connection. When Eros falls into shadow, love becomes a means of self-fulfillment rather than a mutual exchange, and this can lead to a cycle of dissatisfaction, jealousy, and emotional imbalance. The shadow side of Eros may also manifest as a repression of desire and a turning away from pleasure. Mostly commonly, though, Eros in the shadow shows up as a fear of being alone.
When Eros comes up in a reading, I believe we’re being asked to examine how we relate with the concept of appetite. Are we okay with our appetites? Through our appetites, are we seeking authentic intimacy, or are we trying only to fill a void?
Some other questions to consider this week:
In what areas of your life can you invite more passion and pleasure?
Are you seeking connection from a place of wholeness, or are you looking for others to complete you?
How can you balance vulnerability with healthy boundaries in your relationships?
How do you feel about the idea that fulfillment is the death of longing?
Are you as clear about what turns you on as what turns you off?
Nine of Pentacles
Here we see a figure clothed in a golden, flowing robe and surrounded by nine pentacles. Their right hand rests on one of the pentacles while a masked falcon is perched on their left hand. Behind them is a lush vineyard with bunches of grapes ready to be picked. The sky is the same golden hue as the figure’s robe.
There is one word that comes to mind when I see this card: ripeness.
The person in this card has already put in the work and now everything has come to luxurious fruition. The falcon is tamed, the pentacles are stacked, and the grapes ready to harvest.
When we get this card, I think we’re being given the message that now is a time to gather, to luxuriate in our accomplishments. This is a time of harmonic tension; when our relationships with our surroundings and other beings are in balance, resulting in a fruitful and lovely resonance. Can we take a moment to celebrate all this magnificence?
How does this pair work together?
The vision I get here is of the Spirit of Eros flowing through the figure in the Nine of Pentacles. Filled with this Spirit, they stand still, completely present in the moment. A work crew arrives with their tools, eager to harvest all that has come to fruition.
“Let’s gather the grapes to make the wine. Let’s collect the pentacles to spend them,” they say.
But the figure remains unmoved and responds, “No. Let us bask in the longing.”
I believe this is our call for the week: Rather than rushing to reap the rewards (even if they are ripe for the taking), can we allow ourselves to linger in the sweet anticipation of fulfillment? Can we create space for Eros to fill us, allowing that passion and desire to build before we move into action?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s explore how this pair might speak to your life in the comments, or feel free to send me a message directly.
I really want to feel into this energy this week Jenna. I feel exactly like that, ready to go, but feel like I need to hang on. I don't always do patience very well. I get this image of everything being presented to me, but being too tired to lift my arms to receive it! It looks as though I'll be spending some time adjusting to what has just passed. Thank you, it feels very timely xx
“How do you feel about the idea that fulfillment is the death of longing?” Ohhhh I’m gonna need to sit with that.