Good Omens || Reading the Cards || Tarot Analysis
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- Exploring and analyzing the Tarot cards and Tarot imagery in Good Omens Seasons 1 and 2.
00:00 - Why Tarot?
01:25 - What is Tarot?
02:52 - Cards of Creation
07:11 - Can you Read the Signs?
11:45 -The Three Card Spread
14:05 - The Tower, The Two of Cups, and The World
19:00 - Who is the Reader, Who is the Questioner?
20:53 - Random Thought
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When I think "floating disembodied head," I think of the Metatron in season one. And hey, look who they have to overcome next!
Exactly
You've made me turn Aziraphale's 'toot-toot' into a ringtone. I love it. 🙂
Ahaha, that's a great idea for a ringtone, I love it!
"most useless random thought"? I beg to differ: hearing Aziraphale's lil "beep beep" noise has made my month 😂 💛
From the Guardian Article: “The story of tarot is an inversion of how we imagine history. We assume we are more rational than our benighted ancestors, but in this case a card game once played purely for fun has been reinvented in modern times as a tool of fortune-telling and spiritual self-discovery.”
This is very true. And using it a storytelling device is such an interesting morph in the evolution of Tarot.
You always see things that I would never think of.
I think us the watchers are asking the questions and God is the reader. It fits when you think about the intro of season 1 when God speaks to us to explain. We as the watchers are also curious about Aziraphale and Crowley and Good Omens is also their love story.
Yes: Her being the "dealer" is akin to the reader. 😂One who smiles all the time and won't tell you the rules, lol. But yes: I read this as God telling us the story by having us watch it unfold, which makes Her the one with all the answers. Though interestingly enough, the client who comes to the reader with questions is also the one who ultimately answers the questions and gives context to what the cards might mean in their own life (after the reader explains what each card usually means). Perhaps we (and the characters) give context and ultimately chose our fates, as well as how we chose to look at, think and feel about what's happened. Perhaps our choices inform Her design, for although She is in charge of the cards, we are the ones who give context and meaning to our own lives. She can see what we will do, but we're the ones who chose to do it. She is simply telling the story and allowing us to see it from a different perspective.
I never realised that the skeleton from 1941 also appears in the present day - there's always something new to see!
Your random thought is the cutest :)
Hooray for Camapuri!
Yes. Many hurrays for Camapuri!
Great video! Love the way you go into all the symbolism. As an occasional reader of Tarot, I approve. One note on the symbols on the World card: in the Bible, both in the book of Ezekiel and the book of Revelations, references are made to "four living creatures" with four heads. Each creature has a human head, a lion's head, an ox's head, and an eagle's head. Sometimes cherubim have been depicted with those four heads, but there's some debate about whether other ranks of angels might share that appearance. These have also been used to symbolize the authors of the Four Gospels: Matthew(human), Mark(lion), Luke(ox), and John(eagle). I don't know if this means anything with respect to the show, but it was important enough in Tarot symbolism for both the Rider-Waite Tarot and Aleister Crowley's Tarot to use those symbols for their respective World cards.
Heh, I was about to point out the part about the Evangelists and their symbols! It was my first association, too.
We’re all just as out of control with deep dives on the show. We will watch and listen to whatever ever you come up with. You’re ver clever. ❤
Thank you so much. :)
I'm just going to mention it in case no one else as, but I'm pretty sure the flowers on Maggie's jacket are cherry blossom, sakura 🌸 , especially since the sparrows are holding cherries. The whole designs is also very similar to 1950' tattoo flash cards, which suits the rest of her styling in that outfit. Thank you for the lovely video, as both a lover of tarot and good omens I find the this fascinating!
Agreed on the sakura.
By the way, cherries and almonds have a thing in common - cyanide
Also, talking about hydrocyanic acid, the antidote to it is considered to be glucose (adds another layer of coffee syrup theory)
Aww, the cute beep-beep detail was such a good spot! Thank you for that little blessing
In case you don't know, the 4 symbols in the corners of "the world" tarot card also represent the authors of the 4 gospels : the lion for Mark, the eagle for John, the bull for Luke and the man for Matthew. Just a little bliblical trivia. ❤
As someone else stated, I have been looking so forward to this one! Another terrific analysis. I love all the nuance you spotted and pulled out for us. What a treat! Thank you so much for pulling all of this together.
[One very quiet and respectfully submitted note: I think a lot of readers consider the first numbered card to be The Fool, which actually feels quite at home with our heroes in the GO series. I just checked my Rider Tarot book, and see that the description comes at the very end of the Majors, which I find puzzling, but I can see how you suggested that the Magician was the first numbered card. I think a lot of readers suggest the journey begins with The Fool (and ends with The World).]
I should have mentioned that, but some also don't consider 0 a number (or in some decks The fool is not numbered). There are a lot of variations in ways to read these cards for sure)
I don't think the storytellers intended it (though he seems phenomenally well versed in everything, Mr. Gaiman doesn't appear to have a lot of knowledge about the Tarot), but the Fool's (or Idiots' ?) journey to the World card fits so neatly with the series. I hope that someday we get to hear from the folks behind the decisions to embed all the Tarot imagery into the intro and throughout the series. Until then, we have your excellent take on it all, and I am grateful for that!
Not taro related, but magic shop related: after Azi spots the bullet catch, the salesman says “No no no, that’s not for you. What about this?” And pulls out a box with a bird on the top (a nightingale?) which Azi promptly rejects. More foreshadowing for when he rejects nightingales/the relationship with Crowley later? The same bird box can be seen in the present day magic shop too. Just another little thing that made me smile. So much detail!
There’s also a snake statue in the magic shop that we see quite a bit in past and present. It’s in a shot with Crowley.
Thanks for your insightful coverage!! It really adds a lot to my enjoyment of the show to notice these little details and themes you bring up. ❤
Also, when the clerk lifts the octagonal lid of the nightingale box it creates a “STOP” sign when Aziraphale selects the gun.
Love this discussion, but the "beep beep" is the best thing ever!
The "completion of a difficult task" is a wonderful meaning for the World card from season 1. How very fitting.
I might have been mentioned already, but as to the symbols, they look like the symbols for the four evangelists to me: an Angel for Saint Matthew, the Lion for Saint Mark, the Ox for Saint Luke and the Eagle for Saint John.
As GO seems to be doing a reframing of Christian tradition and faith, this connotation seems to be fitting, too.
Thanks for sharing this so educational video with us!
I just finished the book and when you mentioned fractals all I thought about was how at the end of the book Newt and Anathema, Madame Tracy and Shadwell, and Crowley and Aziraphale were together at the end. All the characters you would think would be enemies dropped the animosity they'd inherited after working together and in the show Beelzebub and Gabriel have as well. I suspect Crowley and Aziraphale will as well in the next season to continue the pattern.
I think the 4 of wands are also represented in the 1941 scene in the bookshop after the bullet catch trick. On the table between them are 4 lit candles ❤
This is so fascinating. I know literally nothing about tarot except what you just taught me, but I was fascinated by the earth card with the creatures in the corners (lion, ox/calf, man, eagle) because these are the four faces if the creatures in the Bible, Ezekiel 1:10, which is later referenced by John in Revelation as the beasts (KJV) at Rev. 4:6-11, where God is praised for all creation. In Edyth Armstrong Hoyt’s “Studies in the Apocalypse of John of Patmos, A non-interpretive and literary approach” (1944), p.42 contemplates the meaning of the lion as representing All Power, calf as All Intelligence, man as All Mind, flying eagle as All Action. So to me, this represents God’s continuous activity and influence on earth. Recall the park bench at the end of season 1, one or the other of ineffable duo (sorry! I can’t recall which right now) asking if God planned it all. The other says “I wouldn’t put it past Her.” Often in Good Omens, I think of a scene from Outlander, when Jamie asks what he thinks God’s laugh sounds like and says he thinks it must be a “wee” thing indeed. I feel like that especially with the singing of the nightingale in Berkley Square, even though it can’t be heard over traffic. Just my thoughts… on the point of tessellation, personally, I think it’s the mark of extremely talented and thoughtful writing/art, a la Shakespeare. But maybe that’s just me. I can’t imagine such subtlety only to fan-service. Thanks as always for your thoughtful and informative work! I always look forward to it, and enjoy it!
Hi, just wanted to say that the four animals are also associated with each of the Evangelist... don't know if that's what you ware already referring to. Sorry I'm not great at English
Yay! New video! I know what ill be doing for the next 22 minutes 😊
Haha, nicely done there! :)
Wow. I know nothing about tarot cards, but now I can’t unsee all these things. Particularly the three swords and aziraphale in the magic shop. That was definitely a strategic choice.
Don’t know anything about Tarots, but find it very interesting what you found out. And I had to laugh about your charming little sentence “… bringing these two lovable ineffable idiots together“ - wonderful!
Now I’m imagining God, fed up with these two and the insanely long slow burn they are causing themselves , carefully and deliberately placing all these things directly in the paths of Azariphale and Crowley. The tarot symbols, the fractals, the paralleling people and objects. All in an effort to make them see, to help them move themselves and their relationship forward... and both of them consistently remaining oblivious to it all. She would face palm so hard!!
🤣
Four heads in the World Card: Leo, Taurus, Aquarius and Scorpio. We're seeing Aquarius in that top left corner of the card. Aquarius is an air sign which is tied to something of a liberation but it also represents the allowance of constant change. Aquarius is also a house full of ideals (freed' of their sides :x). Aquarians are known to go against the grain as well, and to be very intuitive to their relationships with their own beliefs and morals which is usually against what the shared collective beliefs are....hmmm...sounding a little like one Thin Dark Duke ;)
Another note: It keeps with the balanced symbol of 4: four elements, four corners of the earth, four minor suits.
Ah, thanks Akari, great detaisl!
Thanks for this Sendarya. I've been looking forward to this one, and you didn't disappoint!
Just remembered the church scene where Crowley comments on the large basin of holy water, looking very much like a large cup. Ace of cups represents new beginnings, usually in terms of love, empathy, compassion, and/or happiness. a new relationship or a deeper connection to an existing one, bringing joy, harmony and contentment. Often it is seen as the card of unconditional love. Certainly seems to indicate there is more to the 1941 story.
If reversed, it means loss of self esteem, optimism and faith in the abundance that the universe offers. Makes me wonder if I've missed a reversed single cup somewhere, or if we will see one in season 3 as all 3 of those will be seriously challenged for Aziraphale, and likely Crowley as well.
I think that the canister of holy water azi gives him and the bucket of holy water spilling on the demon who enters his apartment could be another ace of cups and a reversed ace.
@@Totallyneutral Absolutely. The thermos is another instance of the growing trust between the two, coupled with the "maybe, someday, we could have..." something more comment from Aziraphale . The dumped bucket emphasizes that Crowley's luck has run out and the demons have come for him, and then he thinks he's lost Aziraphale too.
Just had a thought about The Metatron coercing Aziraphale to take the cup of coffee. Is it a sign that he is offering not only a new beginning, but a new opportunity at happiness and a new relationship with Heaven? Is it an indication that this will be a positive, fulfilling opportunity for Aziraphale? Or is it, as most of us believe, a manipulation tactic, pretending to offer those things? I'm not sure what Major Arcana The Metatron represents, but it could be significant to determine how to interpret the Ace of Cup(s) of coffee.
I dont know if anybody has mentioned this yet but I was just doing my tarot spread and had a lil Jimmy neutron brain wave. The Magician card does hold something for both Az and Crowley, obviously cos Aziraphale practices magic, but the magician on the card wears a belt of a snake eating his own tail which is part of Crowleys costume.
Yes, what a cool detail on that card. Well spotted!
10:10 i didn’t even think about that scene that in depth i just thought that jim was kinda dumb💀, im glad i subscribed for all the deep dives cause a lot of things in this show seem to just fly over my head
Sorry if this is too late and obvious, but I've been thinking about the swords in the magic shop. The one pointing down through their handshake and the ones that appear to be coming out of Aziraphale's back. I wonder if the swords metaphorically represent -- and/or just foreshadowing -- the Metatron. The Metatron has now successfully "severed" their relationship, their partnership. And maybe the swords in Aziraphale's back will foreshadow the Metatron, again metaphorically, "stabbing Aziraphale in the back", that is, double-crossing him once the Metatron gets Azi to heaven. Maybe you're saying the same thing but in terms of the Tarot imagery. Another awesome video. Thanks!
21:10 omg i never noticed that THANK YOU
Hello
I know that this is too long, sorry...
Today I was re-watching the episode 4 of the second season, then I watched in the magic shop scene, where Azi asks Crowley to be the one to shoot in the bullet catch trick, you can see the FOUR SWORD, ACE OF SWORDS means truth, in the other side THREE SWORDS on AZI's back, we cry 😭 for Azi's suffering and extreme pain.
If we add this and get for AZI in his reading FOUR OF SWORDS meaning that he has to wait he is in a "truce".
This is what you (Sendarya) saw and what you made an excellent video.
Now, and this is what I Saw TODAY, if you notice, after that part of the scene when Crowley gives his ok to Azi , he GOES to the counter and Crowley STAYS BEHIND, you CAN SEE there is other set of THREE SWORDS that are POINTING TOWARDS CROWLEY, and also there wue can also see the sword that is alone, ACE OF SWORDS here also adds up to FOUR SWORDS in the Reading for CROWLEY, is the same as the Reading for Azi
What does this mean? that they both have to wait they have no options.
We know that they are allies, they are a couple, they are a team of two, they are an ineffable marriage.❤
What does all this mean to me?
With the THREE the pain of Crowley and Azi and all the emotions we have seen that we all already know and for which we are still crying.
The Truth with the ACE of Swords.
The waiting and their temporary separation they have to go through the FOUR of Swords, more tears.😢😢😢
These swords are a mirror, which is shown to us from episode 4, by Neil God bless you, you are extraordinary, in episode 6 the last 15 min.
Now why so much blah blah blah?
If I add all of the swords I get SEVEN of SWORDS IN TOTAL, and I Know that for the SEVEN OF SWORDS One of its meanings is to PLAN THE ATTACK, it is to GET AHEAD OF THE ENEMY.
The enemy is The Metatron, who is shown to AZI, exactly as he is, badder than Lucifer which is part of the pain, disappointment, the betrayal of heaven, the destruction of everything sacred to him. Now he really has only one side: with Crowley.
In my opinion, I personally think The Metatron is the one who really wants to destroy the earth, and finish all.
According to the meaning of the card, 7 OF SWORDS what will our heroes do in season 3?:
Let the enemy relax, get careless, make him feel like he won, Azi will be the one to make Metatron feel and think that everything is perfectly fine?
This is something highly dangerous for him and especially for Crowley.
Will Crowley enter the enemy's camp (heaven)?
Will he go back to heaven to look for something?
What is going to happen to Nina and Maggie?
Will Crowley look for allies?
Adam, and his group of friends?
Anathema Device, and her husband Newton Pulsifer?
Gabriel and Belzevu? Shax? to Muriel? to Seraquiel?
What strategy will he come up with?
Will there appear again the pages lost of the New Prophecies of Agnes Nutter?
According to My point of view about tarot decks, in the image of the deck the consultant is always the figure that is closest to the reader of the cards.
In this case, I see that Crowley is the one in front as the figure, He is the one who steals the swords.
He is now in the reading of the cards the protagonist of this story.
Is he just going to steal the swords or destroy or look for allies to defend earth from the enemy?
Is this seen by God all this and helping the ineffable couple do Her ineffable plan?
Is God watching this whole story unfold?
Is She really training / testing the protagonists (all of them) to win the battle?
(Because I think she is doing exactly that)
We'll see... Maybe this could be just a wish of mine?
Sorry for my English,🤭 it's not my country language
Thank you very much for all these analyses ! They always help me to understand the whole relationship between Crowley and Aziraphale :)
As an interesting foot note according to Rachel Pollack's Wikipedia page she was consulted by Neil Gaiman on the matter of tarot for his writing. She is well known in the tarot community, and it was my good fortune to take a class with her in 2001. It's a small world.
Fascinating! I will look into her (I see she recently passed, that's very sad), and include this fact in part 2, whenever I get there. Thank you for sharing!
Aziraphale certainly enjoys hoarding of books. I worry that Muriel, now in charge of the book shop, will perform the duties of a book shop, and reverse the hoarding. That is, she'll sell all the books. Aziraphale made the mistake of revealing to the neighbors how valuable his book collection is when he gave away those rare titles in Season 2.
Incidentally, recall the scene when Crowley is carrying a stack of books and just chucks it off screen?
Great work, Dr. McCoy.
😅
Would honestly tune into a whole series of Tarot analysis from you. I love Tarot but trying to learn it in-depth has never 'stuck.' Halfway through this video and I'm obsessed, lovelovelove. Thank you for all you do
Thank you so much for these videos, I love your deep dives and how you analyze the show. In regards to "The World" Tarot card, I don't know tarot cards but I know a little bit about Medieval iconography. The beings in each corner represent each of the Gospel writers; The Man represents Matthew, who had the most accessible "human" Gospel, the Eagle represents John whose Gospel is the most metaphorical ethereal book, the Ox represents Luke who being has a grounded evidence based approach to his Gospel (he came to the faith after Jesus ascended, and felt he needed to do his research before committing to the faith), and the Lion represents Mark. There is also a line in Revelations 4:7, when John is taken to Heaven and encounters four creatures; a lion, a calf, a man, and a flying eagle. Although knowing Neil Gaiman and the excellent production team of Good Omens, I'm sure there are layers upon layers of meaning here. Thanks again for putting these video essays together, they are always fascinating to watch.
Interesting! There is quite a lot of religious background to Tarot (specifically Christian), so that makes sense. Thanks for sharing those facts!
That is interesting about the line in Revelation about the four animals! I have read that they represent all animals, because the lion is king of wild beasts, the cow represents domesticated animals, the eagle is king of the birds and God made man steward over all animals in Genesis - so these four together represent all animals. This could refer to the Noah's Ark story, when almost all the animals are destroyed even if the species is saved. The (known) world is destroyed in a flood, making it effectively an apocalypse. And yet, humanity recovers and goes on to thrive. Perhaps this is a foreshadowing of an impending apocalypse which will be catastrophic but not wipe out the world completely?? I dunno, I feel I've taken one idea and run way too far with it lol
Oops, I see quite a few people have already talked about this!
The four symbols on the World card: eagle, lion, calf and man, are generally held to be symbolic of the four Evangelists in the New Testament.
Yay! I always look forward to your videos!!
Wonderful, as always
Fantastic! Repeating everyone else here, but I've been looking forward to this one for ages, I've even been quizzing my keen tarot reading mother as she has this specific deck (amongst many others). Will you be doing a second part to this? There's an eight of wands on the counter, so many five pointed stars in the correct colour to assume pentacles for this deck, I'm fascinated!
Yes, I do plan to do a part two. There was simply too much to fit into a single video! How interesting that your mother knows about tarot. And thank you!
Amazing video! I'm so glad you waited to release this for an extra week, because, you're right...so much to process.
Great video! Thank you for making them!!! I'm going to need to watch it again! ☺️🙂
For real, I love your videos so much! They are so well thought out and so detailed and nuanced and SO interesting and thought provoking! Thank you for all you do!
I love this video. I have had an interest in tarot cards since I was a teenager and have a deck or two. And will be getting another one soon (Yes the GO set!).
The 4 of wands card looks to me like a Jewish wedding. Jews marry under a canopy called a chuppah.
I also saw The Fool in the Magic Shop in 1941. One of the Nazi zombies is playing the fool to the side while they are negotiating the bullet catch trick with the shopkeeper. That zombie misses the opportunity to catch Azi and Crowley in the shop because he put on a ring similar to the one Furfur gave him.
Ahah! Well spotted with The Fool! This video definitely needs a part 2.
Excelent!!!! I'm going to watch it again, it's too much information. I love it!!! thank you!! ❤❤❤
Has anyone else made a connection to whenever Crowley is addressing God, he looks up? Just like tavia (from fiddler on the roof) would look to a corner of the camera whenever he also addressed god?
I absolutely had this thought when he was hanging on his chair
The four symbols “ox, lion, eagle, human face/angel” at the corner of one of the Tarot cards in display are the signs of the four evangelists or the so called Tetramorph or just cherubim. They also represent the four elements. Has this anything to do with our story? I strongly believe nothing is random in this series. Neil Gaiman is way too much of a *astard and a perfectionist. Maggie is a puppet and her voice is the voice of someone else playing around, that is my believe.
I will add this to my list to investigate further in Tarot part 2! Thank you.
I have been looking forward to this one!
excellent and informative as always ❤
Perfect video for drinking coffee on my day off❤️
Yeeees! I've been waiting for this one ❤ thank you!!!
You did amazing, I'm so hyped about this one. I'm gonna watch it a thousand times!
I hope you enjoy it all thousand time! 😅
the infinity symbol is also on newton pulsifer's belt
Interesting! I hadn't noticed. Well spotted!
That was fantastic! I work with the tarot and really enjoyed your analysis. The layers of GO continue to blow my mind. ❤
Beep beep, killer cute!
what i really like about your analysis videos (yours are the only ones i watch now) is that it's really educational. this was the taro information content i didn't ask but was so captivatingly intrigued. besides the theories behind your videos, i really appreciate the research that foes behind your videos, cuz not enough content makers do the same!
I appreciate that!
Thank you for this video! I love doing tarot readings once in awhile and I have been thinking about the tarot symbolism in the show ever since you mentioned it. I also accidentally found out that I am getting the Good Omens tarot deck for Christmas. Excited to work with it! Apparently it has different suits than a standard deck, so that should be interesting.
Hi! This is a genral comment fornyour channel. I love all the analysis videos you do, watching your content is about the only time I can think about this shiw and feel calm and settled, haha. I only finished the series a week and a half ago, and I am so impressed by the enthusiasm, creativity, and kindness in the entire fandom. It's given me more fangirl energy than I've had in a while.
Anyway, thanks for your videos! I look forward to more.
Thanks for the lovely compliment, and welcome to the fandom!
Thanks for this! Such interesting ideas about the tarot. Please season 3 c’mon lol.
You blow my mind every single time 🤯
Let's go I been waiting for new good omens video
Even if Neil didn't contribute to the card designs, I think looking at the official deck would be interesting.
I just absolutely LOVE everything about tarot and Good Omens, so this video was a gift to me, I gonna think about all this all the time 🤍
The four images in the corners of the World card are also the symbols of the four gospels in the New testament (angel for Matthew, lion for Mark, ox for Luke and eagle for John). Not sure what the connection could be here, but worth noticing I think.
Love the video and thank you for continuing to feed us with this amazing content!!
I joined the dischord but unfortunately won't be able to join in on the holiday fun(will be at wokr T^T), please enjoy on my behalf!!!!
I'm so sorry you can't join in. The movies will be going on all evening. Maybe you can hop in and watch Last Train to Christmas with us after work?
We always have more events in the works, so hopefully one will jive better with your schedule!
Also, thank you, and my pleasure :)
I just remembered another meaning of a white rose - it's the symbol of the Lutheran protestant church. It looks very similar to the White Rose of York, except with a red heart featuring a black cross in the middle, all on a blue field, surrounded with a golden ring, symbolising love (the heart), faith (the cross), angels and the Holy Spirit (the white colour of the rose), Heaven (the blue field) and eternity (the golden ring around it). I don't know if this is in any way important, but the similarity to the flowers on Maggie's jacket is striking, down to the blue background, save for the center of the flowers, leaving us with blue for Heaven, white petals for angels (and the Holy spirit), and the yellow centre instead of the golden ring for eternity/infinity. Might be a little on the nose, or even just coincidence, though.
With all the symbolism surrounding Maggie, I've been thinking that maybe, she might not only be an agent of change, but maybe the "reincarnation" of Jesus? After all, iirc, Neil has mentioned that out of the new characters, he was most excited about fans meeting Maggie. She's neat, but pointing her out like that strikes me as her being more important than she seems at first glance...
Also, what is her name short for? Margaret would be the more common choice, but it might also be Magdalene/Magdalena, making another interesting connection there.
But even if that's not the case, until proven otherwise, it is a very entertaining headcanon :D
Thank you for bringing up so many of the Tarot symbolisms in the show. In the spirit of Tarot as an art with multiple interpretations (which is why the Reader is important), I'd like to share some additional meanings of three cards: 3 of Swords, Ace of Swords, and the World.
3 of Swords can mean a separation from loved ones due to setting out an independent, new diection. Because the path is unclear, it may be distressing. That seems to echo through Seasons 1 and 2.
Ace of Swords is a card of triumph, indicating both force and victory. And the symbolism of the Sword piercing the Crown is important. It can suggest a Royal Sacrifice, said to play out in Britain on a cycle of 7 years. (See the novel Lammas Night by Katherine Kurz). And of course the Christian Royal sacrifice is the Crucifixion. Who is the Crown in each season?
Finally the World is the ultimate success card. It means the achievement of transformative success on all planes, from base through earthly to heavenly, resonating across all karmic cycles (infinity). The central figure is sometimes androgynous or a hermaphrodite or the World Tree. I think it's this infinitely resinating level that's at stake in Good Omens.
These alternate interpretations are complementary to the standard meanings. Which meaning rises to the top depends on not only the Question asked but also where we are in the cycle of transformation (Royal Sacrifice?).
There is a lot to think about here!
Oh…my child had a “jump scare” at 3:06. LOL
I wonder if it might be the inverted Ace of Swords representing severity and the three of swords "This card depicts a fundamentally sorrowful experience- tarot readers suggest this may be in the form of a lost relationship, an accidental death, or some other form of not just depression or malaise but deeply emotional sorrow."
It could very well be. It fits well!
Thanks a lot for your hard work and fantastic analysis as always.
I find your analysis astonishing for reasons beyond good omens. Thanks to your analysis i was today years old when i realised that what we call in Spain "spanish cards" (in Spanish, baraja española) which we use for our silly little traditional card games are actually variations of tarot cards 😮😂
We call pentacles "oros" (gold)
cups (copas)
Swords (espadas)
And wands (bastos - btw nobody knows what a basto actually is 😂)
How did we end up using tarot for our card games? I dunno but every Spanish person has those cards at home 🤷🏼♀️😂
Well, Tarot was originally a card game in Europe, so that actually makes sense! There are many versions of it, but that's a very interesting fact, thank you for sharing!
There's an Italian game called Scopa that uses a deck that's basically the Minor Arcana (the version with pips instead of pictures) without the court cards. It's similar to Steal the Old Man's Bundle but played in teams with a different scoring system.
I think classically speaking the four faces on the World card represent the four Evangelists (the writers if the 4 Gospels): Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But I see how they could be interpreted in the context of the show also! As to why they are on the World card, I think maybe it's the aspect of all 4 of them telling different versions of the same story, united in the same goal but from 4 perspectives.
“As mercurial as Crowley’s hair”-words I never thought I needed in my life
Not sure if it has anything to do at all with the themes or it is one more layer to add but the four figures ar the corners of the world card are the four evangelists: John = eagle, Matthew = the man, Luke = the bull and Mark = the lion
Love your videos so much! Keep on going ❤
Thank you for the tip! A lot of people have, unsurprisingly considering the size of this particular topic, brought a number of things like this to my attention. This will require a part 2!!
That's brilliant 👏
Cherubim are described as having the face of an eagle, a lion,, an ox and a man. So those probably represent the same person. Probably Aziraphale.
18:15 I think the four heads on the corners of the cards represents a Cherubim.
You always find interesting ways to interpret things and it's lots of fun to watch your videos for sure, I think we are reading way too much into these props though lol
Very possibly so! We'll find out in a couple of years. Or not. It's fun, in the meantime. :)
Absolutely, these videos are extremely entertaining, thank you, keep them coming :) @@Sendarya
I think subscribing to you is the best thing I ever done. Its ineffable event❤
That's so nice of you to say, thank you!
Do you think you ever might do an analysis of Aziraphale's sigil in the bookshop? What the symbols mean, maybe similarities between his and other angel's sigils?
Which sigil do you mean? If you mean his ring, as all angels seem to have different rings, then I have already done that, and you can watch it here czcams.com/video/k4cfiQ8_Ta4/video.html
Or do you mean the summoning circle or some other specific emblem found only in the bookshop?
18:00 the lion, the bull, the eagle and the man are actual the symbols of the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It's called the tetramorph!
Thank you so much for this! These tarot references add an enormous aspect to the subject matter of the whole story. One thing I found myself thinking about was Crowley's six shots of espresso in a big cup. Obviously the ace of cups is huge (we never see Azi joining him with 2 cups in current time), and it fits with The Nightingale and the Rose, Crowley and the Rose, the Dusty Book with the Wicked Bible ("I know what you're thinking, but the beauty is it never works."), etc. But are the shots also cups? Looking at the 6 of cups, and, combined, 7 of cups, it all fits Crowley. Even Nina calls him "Mr Six shots in a big cup".
(And we see pentacles everywhere, on the walls in the magic shop and on the front of Mrs Sandwich's establishment. It really does seem to be fractal layers all the way down. Incredible video, full of insight, enhancing our perceptions. Thank you so much!
Another thought...we see Azi listening to Shistokovich, pointing and moving his finger like a conductor's baton, carrying and using a pen, and "whittering on" about an imaginary pen for 250 years. That all seems like ace of wands energy.
18:54 this gave me mad goosebumps
I came to say three things, but someone already mentioned Pamela Coleman Smith in another comment, so on to bit #2.
There have already been several comments regarding the symbols in the four corners of The World card, but I was quite surprised to see that nobody has mentioned the angelic correspondences (I don't mean the 4-headed cherubim which has been mentioned already). Along with the elemental and zodiac meanings, each head represents one of the Archangels: the eagle is Gabriel, the lion is Michael, the bull is Uriel, and the human is Raphael.
Lastly, I wanted to draw your attention to something you missed on The Magician card. The pose he stands in is very deliberate and quite important. Most people will notice that he has his right hand raised. What people often missed is that his left hand isn't simply dangling at his side, it's pointing downward. This is to illustrate the maxim "As above, so below". I think this is an important detail for a couple reasons: you talked in one of your videos about how Aziraphale is always on the right and Crowley is always on the left (except when they're in the Bentley), and the Magician's right hand is reaching up ("as above"), and his left hand is pointing down ("so below"); and, whenever they do miracles, they have to pull magical energy from their respective "home office", so Aziraphale reaches up to pull power from Heaven and Crowley reaches down to pull power from Hell.
OMG, I just noticed something else: the Magician's belt is an ouroboros!
Wow, thank you! Soooo many more details to include in a future video. Well spotted about the belt!!
This was another wonderful segment. 😍You got me since the very first video so I was wondering if there's a chance I could tempt you into making a piece on America's references all through season two? 😈
I do plan to address one of the American references next week. I've not made a list of all of them. It's an interesting idea, thank you!
@@Sendarya That's awesome 😍 Can't wait for your take on the subject. If there's any way I can help, I'll be more than happy to 😊
I know this is off topic, but the opening credits theme is VERY similar to Shostakovich's Suite for Jazz Orchestra No.2 Op. 50b, Waltz. It came up on my MiL's pandpra, and WAIT is this good omens? Give it a listen and see what you think!
For the eagle, lion, ox, and human head on the World tarot card: a cherubim has these 4 heads. Maybe it represents Aziraphale before he was demoted?
I think Crowley and Aziraphale are the questioners. The meanings of the cards affect their lives. Also, Crowley says "I only ever ask questions" while papers circle around, similarly to how the cards circle in the opening scene of S1. Which would make God the reader. They are playing an ineffable game after all. They "deal the cards" as it were
Haven't finished watching, but I'm going to insert two things here, so I may have an additional comment later. I don't use this particular deck (I have my reasons), but I do read tarot, and 1. Interpretation of Death: transformation. A change from one form or way of thinking to another. In one deck, I've actually seen the Death card replaced with a Phoenix card, which I find an interesting concept I like very much, because it takes that ambiguity out of the interpretation. And 2. The Magician is NOT the first card in the Major Arcana. The Fool is (represented by "0"). Now, I don't know if Rider Waite disregards the Fool (like I said, I have my reasons for not liking that deck), but in every deck I've ever worked with, there's always a Fool card. *shrugs* Just a little info. :)
2:45 Why are the Ineffable Hands dealing the cards wearing what looks like black with cuffs that seem to be scorched?
About the IV of swords and the shop scene: I know we had always connected the swords to Aziraphale (for obvious reasons), but looking to the tarot card upside down it makes me wonder if that scene speaks more about Crowley. He have a similar posture as the figure in it and the 3 swords are at his front. Also the meaning of the card, I think, quite fits: "you feel you have no choice". Crowley wasn't really convinced about the tric with the gun, but he felt like he couldn't, and shouldn't, say no to the angel, wanting to be worth of the trust he was showing towards Crowley. What do you think?
That's a really interesting interpretation! Crowley is in the position like the card, more than Aziraphale is. And you are right, he probably didn't feel he had much choice.
I would be pretty surprised if none of this was planned due how much connection the Tarot Cars have a connection with everything.
I don't know if it's significant at all but throughout the series Bentley changed it's design, I think. In the s1, for example, when Crowley drives off epically the parking fine and a policeman registering it, the sides of the Bentley seemed to be teal. Then, later on, maybe in 1940's or some other time the doors were gray. All in all, in the end we get the iconic full black car. If it's not a sudden illusion caused by light and reflection could it be detail for futher investigation?
I am always happy to add things to my list to investigate. I think this one has already been answered by Neil if I'm not mistaken. At least concerning lighting and upholstery
I'm not sure that someone has said they didn't get the same car for season 2 as they used in season 1. And I know that in the book of Bentley is supposed to be a 1920, but they had to use a different model because the season 1 car had to be able to attach a bike rack.
I wanted to take a minute and explain the four faces on The World card: the bull, the lion, the eagle, and the human face. These are representations of the four royal stars of Persia housed in their respective zodiacal signs. They are referred to in the book of Revelations as the four beasts. They are also often referred to as guardians of the earth or the heavens. The lion represents Regulus, the heart of the Lion in Leo. The eagle represents Antares, the eye of the Scorpion in Scorpio. This is the only sign that has three octaves to it and is called the Scorpio, Eagle, Dove. The Bull represents Aldeberon in Taurus, the bull. Finally, the image of the human represents Fomalhaut in Aquarius, the water bearer.
Interesting! this is the 4th different explanation of these faces on the world card I've seen in the comments today. I will try and cover all the different representations in part 2!
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the the the uh the um the magician it has the belt with the snake eating its tail just uhm yeah that's i noticed that so yeah!
I don't know if anyone wrote it but when God speaks to Job they only ask questions nothing else Job doesn't know what to do with it because God doesn't answer they question so they're the questioner and we're (including us as viewers and the characters on Earth) the readers
Excellent point! God never answers, only asks.
@@Sendarya Thank you! Love your videos ❤ I've also been thinking about this and basically we as the readers are showing to God different cards with each scene, reading the fortune of the world that's why they're the narrator in the first season cause they're telling us about their fortune for the world ( that's been set for millennia) but they also show us how ineffable fortunes are and how reading can change depending on the reader and that's why when Crowley and Azi get the fortune (of the end of the world) they read it by their own terms and emotions and change how we read the end of the world putting it on pause by influencing Adam at the end (mind you I haven't read the book yet but I definitely want to)
I’m starting to think that Rafe needs to step up his game. 😅
Thoth is pronounced Toe-th. The 1st H is silent.
I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts together because all of my thinking feels very contradictory.
For instance - deciding on the significance and impact of the cards in the opening of the first season - especially if season 2 and 3 weren't planned at the time. How can they be Clues to the plot of the Whole Story? On the one hand it seems like since this is the story, ANY tarot cards could be interpreted to have significance through the lense of this story. Yet that said, The World, and the 2 of cups feel really intentional as does the knight of Cups and the Ace of Swords. And the Four of Wands seems to refer to the cottage in the south downs Neil has been teasing this whole time - so maybe it's not out of the realm of possibility that all the cards shown in the opening are significant.
It seems like it would be cruel to put breadcrumbs to keep us guessing at the plot of season 3, when as far as I know we still don't have confirmation of season 3 though we're all counting on it. But every Clue does feel so intentional, I'm inclined to believe it's meaning upon meaning upon meaning all the way down, just based on how well these characters are known to their Creator. Whatever incarnation - unplanned twists and turns their story might take in the realization of the story - the hints still ring true because the messages we've received so far because many of the clues refer to who they are - and the things that have to happen - like Aziraphale's upcoming challenges with heaven and his angel identity vs. Crowley who has already constructed an identity for himself.
That's another point I find contradictory. I see how the fractals represent the repeating patterns of their relationship, but I also find it difficult if their pattern seems destined to keep repeating - does that mean they won't have their happy ending? All the important parts of their relationship indicate changes, including Aziraphale slowly chipping away at his angel identity. And now a new chapter, where they reveal their feelings for each other are romantic.
We've also seen the beginning of their relationship - when they first met indicating a time outside of the pattern when they didn't know each other - but then they meet AGAIN on the wall of Eden indicating the pattern can just keep repeating, as you say in a different scope or size.
I think There might be more to the Chariot than just The Bentley because there's a Chariot on Aziraphale's desk in the bookshop and I remember after season 1 discussion of the details in the set dressing of the bookshop, the symbolism of the chariot representing Aziraphale and the throne or chair in Crowley's flat representing him (and possibly his rank or station in heaven when he was an angel).
I love that you say that everything reflects them because they are everything to each other. LIke another creator who pointed out unlike Beelzebub and Gabriel - they are not each other's heaven or hell - they are each other's world. I think after this one - and Nightingales and Trust Me though I've learned to watch these videos after work because I start to get too emotional.
I also think that God is the card reader and the questioner. Doing a reading for Herself about Her questions and interpreting the cards as She Will because that's what the meaning of tarot cards ultimately is -right? the Reader's own interpretation. I think a big part of the point of season 3 will be free will. That angels and demons aren't bound to prescribed ways of behavior, just as Crowley and Aziraphale finding safety and comfort and love for each other - against all odds, isn't part of a Great Plan. Just like no one would have predicted or prescribed that what was once an obedient Principality who believed in the Great Plan will start to take big risks to thwart it, which is what I think is going to happen. But then I'm back at the beginning asking myself if the plan is ineffable, and you can't know it, why are we looking for Clues and making predictions? It's all a bit dizzying and I think I need to lay down.