The Magical Journeys of Zero and Aces:
A Saunter through the Major Arcana
These brief peeks into Zero’s journeys are inspired by the magic, wonder and vastly open interpretations of the Tarot. They have nothing definitive about them and are intended for you to enjoy. Just that. ~ Terra
“People ought to saunter in the mountains – not ‘hike!’ Do you know the origin of that word saunter? It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the middle ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going they would reply, ‘A la sainte terre’, ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers.
Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”
― John Muir
0 – THE FOOL
“Where do you think you’re going Zero?”
“Out for a walk, Ma. I’ll be back before dark.”
“Zero, don’t lie to me. You’ve got a bag over your shoulder and I know what that means. You want to go out and find an “adventure,” right?
“What if I do? That’s not so bad. And I could still be home by dinner.” The words came out part kid whine and part young man’s earnest plea. He knew how much his mother worried about him. Since he was already the age for Apprenticeship, he understood her fears. But he didn’t share them. All his friends were training with a Master Craftsman or studying the ways of their parents. Zero knew every person must contribute to the village. His thoughts were interrupted by the inevitable recrimination:
“No one is going to carry your water, Zero. If you don’t settle down and choose a craft, you will be left to work in the fields with the children.”
“Mom, please, not again.”
A field hand is not the life your father and I want for you. We’ve only ever wanted what’s best for you.”
Zero sighed. He knew she was right. He felt the truth of her words and knew they came from her love for him and her pain. Above all, he knew she’d won. Again. He knew he would stay — for today anyway.
He put his satchel outside, came back and hugged his mother. “Tomorrow dad and I will talk to the mason about my apprenticeship.”
He’d stay, but it wouldn’t change his feelings. Not his yearning for the open road, the mountains, new places, not for the adventures the world still held in secret. Just thinking about it his body tingled, as if his bones couldn’t wait another second. Maybe I’m just a fool he pondered for the umpteenth time, and another sigh escaped his lips.
At the sound, Zero’s mother looked over and smiled, but a sadness in her eyes belied it. For a second he thought she might have regretted his decision to stay.
He worked late to complete his chores. Exhausted from the extra efforts, he dropped quickly into a deep yet busy sleep. His mind was working hard to help him face the morning apprenticeship meeting. He woke again and again, each time with a fragment of a dream he couldn’t catch.
Just before dawn Aces woke him. The dog must have heard something, because he normally slept through till daylight. Zero opened an eye and watched Aces sniffing and whining impatiently at the door. Still mostly asleep, Zero opened the door following his dog outside. Aces pulled at Zero’s satchel, took it in his mouth, and sat. Waiting.
Zero smiled at his clever pal and at the hills that lay beyond the steep ravine. He could make out only undulating outlines in the pre-dawn light. But the seduction was so intense it was only when Aces, tail wagging, leapt up and licked his hand that he noticed he had the satchel over his shoulder and his feet along the path.
***Card from the Forest of Enchantment Tarot by Lunaea Weatherstone
