#kat rambles about tarot symbolism

[northcountry39]

QOTS Tarot Symbolism 3x08-3x11

Eyyy so I got way behind on these, and since I really want to wrap it up before the start of S4, here is a more general overview of the tarot card symbolism for the back end of S3 (eps 8-11). Will hopefully finish up the last two tomorrow - thanks for all your support for this series. It’s been fun!! 

Let’s get started with Episode 8 “El Carro” or “The Chariot.” Very fitting for an ep that is full of fast cars!

Episode 3x08 El Carro/The Chariot

This tarot card depicts a warrior riding a chariot and symbolizes victory, determination, and achieving your goals. The fact that he’s driving the chariot without reins shows that he’s achieving success through strength of will, and his standing position indicates that he’s all about action and moving forward.

If this card turns up in a reading, it can indicate that you will win an upcoming battle and that you will be able to overcome any setbacks through hard work, aggressive action, and courage. 

This episode we see Teresa making some moves and laying a lot of the groundwork for the defeat of Pecas and takeover of la Comision in the following ep. And there are certainly bumps in the road - losing some of their product, KG’s capture, Tonto’s death and Lil T’s injuries, to name a few. But their strategic move in making a deal with Mayo at the end of the ep is setting them up nicely – as Teresa says, “when the time is right, we’ll kill them all.” Victory is ahead! 

From a relationship standpoint, this card emphasizes the need to work through rough patches with good communication. We see Teresa having some honest conversations with James (both in the car and in the bathroom later) as well as with Pote to help clear the air after everything that went down in the previous ep (wine cellar etc).

Episode 3x09 El Diablo/The Devil

The Devil card shows, well…the Devil! This one is interesting. It can appear when you are on the verge of a big breakthrough or upward movement, which is certainly the case for Teresa in her takeover of Phoenix. She’s also making a “deal with the devil” (however briefly) in working with Mayo to eliminate Pecas. 

The Devil can represent entrapment, too, and Teresa and the gang pull off a clever ploy that ends with their enemies all dead otherwise “trapped” in jail. Plus my main man KG is sadly languishing in captivity, imprisoned by Cortez and his goons.

Teresa is also flirting with the “dark side” in her ruthless elimination of her competition - this card can symbolize a conscious choice to embark on a darker path with confidence and courage, and I think there are shades of that here (in particular executing Pecas + her phone call with Mayo at the end).

Pleasure, lust, and raw sexuality are also associated with the Devil, and the final moments of the ep do get pretty steamy... ;) 

On that note, in terms of relationships, the Devil encourages you to break free of any anxieties and inner fears that might be standing in the way of achieving your desires. And throughout the ep, we see James and Teresa coming back together (we’ll run Phoenix how we want, we’ll do it together) and building towards that epic moment where they tear off each other’s clothes and...yes. 

Episode 3x10 La Muerte/Death

A skeleton riding a white horse, but not as ominous as it looks! Death is about new beginnings, change, and transformation - it symbolizes closing the door on a certain phase of your life and embracing new possibilities. Letting go of the past can be challenging, but it’s to make way for a richer and more fulfilling experience in the present.

I think this is really the essence of Teresa’s hallucination experience. While in El Santo dreamland, she makes the choice to leave the familiarity and security of her memories and fantasy what-might-have-beens with Guero to embrace the life she actually has. To keep going despite all the pain and hardship and uncertainty. Quote Queenpin: “Your life is painful and ugly, but it’s yours.” 

When El Santo tells Teresa that the darkness that he saw in her before had is gone, I think it’s referring at least in part to that weight being lifted. Rebirth is also kind of El Santo’s schtick, which fits well with the death card - the old version of yourself has to die so the new one can emerge and thrive. The past is behind you, and the future is up for grabs! 

Episode 3x11 Diez de Copas/Ten of Cups 

Oh boy. The Ten of Cups is the “happy family” card. It depicts a loving couple with their children, and it is all about joy, contentment, and being surrounded by loved ones. Which is how we open this ep - Teresa and her gang having a delightful family-style BBQ pool party with lots of laughs and tequila.

Sadly, this idyllic scene doesn’t last. When reversed, the Ten of Cups represents increased distance between you and your loved ones, poor communication, and breakup of familial or romantic relationships. By the end of the ep, James and Teresa have had a falling out over the mole situation, and we all know the sad way in which Teresa’s friendship with Kelly Anne ends. :(

This card can also mean you are deviating from your personal moral code. Ordering KA’s execution, for example, is not necessarily in keeping with Teresa’s earlier idealism of “a better way of doing business.” But doing what is necessary to survive AND staying true to your heart is certainly no simple matter. 

Thanks for reading! Last two eps coming soon. :) 

[northcountry39]

QOTS 3x05 Tarot Symbolism

Time for episode 3x05 tarot meta! Jeresa fans, hold on to your hats, because this one is chock full of symbolism. The title of this episode is "El Juicio" (or Justice), and this card represents being called to account for your actions, taking responsibility, and being judged, though the judgement is not without compassion and understanding. Sound familiar?

OK let's start with card itself - it depicts the figure of Justice sitting in her chair and holding the scales in her left hand and a double-edged sword in her right. The scales represent a balance between intuition and logic, and the sword represents impartiality. She is wearing a purple cloak, which symbolizes compassion, and the pillars behind her represent law, structure, and the search for truth.  Now for the meaning behind it. When in the reversed position, the card indicates that you have done something that isn't morally right, and you can choose to either hide the truth and hope it stays hidden OR you can own up to what you've done and take responsibility, whatever the consequences may be. I think it's really neat the way the card mirrors one of the big Jeresa moments of this episode, where James confesses to Teresa his actions and regrets and shame over what happened to the little girl in his botched operation for Devon. It's almost as though Teresa is playing the role of Justice in this scenario, with James giving himself up to her for judgement (and probably expecting to be found wanting).  But Justice does not see things in black and white ("there's no good or bad in this business"), and her judgements are tempered with empathy and grace, as are Teresa's. Teresa hears what James has to say and responds with compassion, telling him that he doesn't have to hide the truth from her. That they’re in this together. I think it’s a really cool parallel!   The reversed card can also indicate that you are suffering from self-loathing and inner doubts, which is certainly true for James, who is being eaten up by guilt and shame over what happened. Appearing in a reading in this context, the card would indicate that you need to find a way of forgiving yourself, and getting that acceptance and love from Teresa is certainly a step towards self-healing. In a love reading, Justice indicates that you and your partner are being honest with each other, and that these expressions of honesty can lead to the start of a loving relationship or a step towards a greater commitment in an existing relationship. This certainly reflects James and Teresa’s dynamic, as we all know what happened after their little heart-to-heart. <3 More generally, the Justice card can appear when you need to make and stand by a big decision that can have significant consequences. Teresa makes a number of big choices this ep, knowing full well that they could possibly result in her death or the destruction of everything she's worked for. When Devon asks Teresa if she's willing to sacrifice everything, including her life, for James, she answers yes, accepting the risks. Likewise, when she chooses to grab the guns and fight ("then we don't make it"), she's holding firm in her choice to stand with James, whatever the cost. Devon also comments later on how Teresa risked her whole business by giving up her supplier (via the El Santo emergency hotline) to protect the people she cares about. The number had been changed, but Teresa didn’t know that. Big choices with possibly devastating repercussions! Justice can also serve as a warning - if you have done something immoral, you need to change your ways before justice is brought down on you. Teresa, as Justice, brings "punishment" down on Devon for his actions against her and her team, threatening his mother and forcing him to retreat. (I'm also just loving this mental image of Teresa wielding a giant sword and smiting down her enemies) That's all for now - thanks for reading, and as always, let me know if you have any thoughts! :) 

[northcountry39]

QOTS 3x07 Tarot Symbolism

I'm so glad to finally be at this ep because the Queen of Swords (la Reina de Espadas) is one of my favourite Teresa tarot cards. Not only does the artwork feature a badass queen wielding a sword (lady knight AU, anyone?), the card represents intuition, wisdom, and a blending of compassion and intellect, which I think is very Teresa. On the card itself, the Queen of Swords sits on her throne, hand extended and sword pointing to the sky (all the Swords cards are associated with ideas, intellect, and communication). She's wearing a crown of butterflies, which represents transformation, and the backdrop of wind and clouds represent change and new ideas. At the heart of the Queen of Swords is the importance of making judgements and decisions without relying solely on emotions - using one’s head along with the heart. And that's a big theme of this episode. We've seen Teresa when she is in peak performance mode with her exceptional discernment and quick thinking, but this time we're seeing a different side of her.

We all know how smart and resourceful Teresa is. She's proven time and again that she has a knack for numbers and business sense, can think on her feet, and has a way of using her intuition and people skills to make connections. We've seen her fight her way to the top and gain a wealth of experience on her journey - all characteristic of the upright Queen of Swords. But in the wake of Guero's death, Teresa is exhibiting many of the behaviours associated with the reversed Queen of Swords card - allowing your emotions to negatively impact your decision-making and cloud your vision. We see her spiralling into deep grief and exhaustion, acting more recklessly or out of character. She flies a plane on no sleep, goes off to meet with Taza on her own, and allows a wedding reception to go forward at the winery knowing that Pecas is out for her head. All of these are risky moves, as James and the others point out, and her team is getting increasingly concerned. The card also indicates that you may be suppressing trauma or pain from previous experiences, which we know is true for Teresa. Guero's death alone is awful enough, but let's also remember that Teresa has a lot of other trauma in her past to pile on top of that - her parents murdered in front of her, Guero "dying" the first time, losing Brenda, and even seeing other people she loves suffer horribly in order to protect her (like Pote in 3x02). And of course all the other unpleasant things that have happened to her along the way.  A reversed Queen of Swords may also indicate that you are unable to forgive yourself for the past, or that you are starting to isolate yourself from your support base (which can put a strain on your relationships). We have that great quote from Queen!Teresa: “Pain can be powerful. It can be our strongest weapon, but you need to use it against your enemies, not yourself.” Teresa is certainly struggling with the guilt she feels over Guero’s death, and we see her pulling back from her team both emotionally and in terms of decision making.  If the Queen of Swords appears in a love reading, it can represent past pain that is stopping you from opening up and investing fully in a new relationship. I think it's completely understandable that Teresa needed to press pause or temporarily back off from her developing relationship with James in light of what happened, but we do see them communicating and coming back together over the backend of season 3 once Teresa has had some time. A bonus fun fact about the art on the card (thanks @fennethianell) - butterflies are very important in Mexican culture. When monarch butterflies arrive in the fall, they are thought to bring the spirits of the dead with them, and they serve as a reminder of dearly departed friends and family. Returning each year, the butterflies are representative of the cycle of life and death, rebirth and transformation. I think it's a neat addition to an episode that heavily focuses on the death of someone Teresa loved very much and also an important part of her life that is now drawing to a close. And on a final non-Teresa note, I wonder if it was Cortez’s plan to kill Kique all along, or if he did the deed in a fit of temper (in response to Kique’s taunts about Cortez being Camila’s puppet). Because that would certainly be an example of an emotional decision that’s going to lead to a world of pain later on... Gonna keep trucking on these and see how far I get!! Kudos x1000 as always to our brilliant showrunners and writers who craft such amazing work. :) 

[northcountry39]

QOTS 3x06 Tarot Symbolism

Next up for tarot symbolism is episode 3x06, titled Los Enamorados or "The Lovers!” This tarot card depicts a man and a woman being blessed by the angel Raphael, angel of the air, who represents communication, healing, balance and harmony - all of which are essential for a healthy relationship. The couple is standing in the Garden of Eden, complete with the serpent and the apple tree, which represents the "temptations of the flesh", and the volcano in the background symbolizes an "eruption” of passion (!!).  At the core of the Lovers are meaningful relationships, which can be romantic but can also refer to friendship and family. Openness, honesty, and communication are all tied to this card - the couple's nakedness symbolizes being at your most vulnerable and being honest with your feelings. 

This is pretty symbolic of James and Teresa in the previous ep - they are finally able to be open with one other, and James really bares his soul about his guilt and anguish over what he's done. And then of course the subsequent "eruption of passion" lol. But the card speaks of something that transcends mere lust to a deeper spiritual connection, and we know that there are some strong feelings at play here. Another key component of the Lovers card is choice: choices about who you want to be, about your relationships with others, what your values are. It can mean you are facing some sort of moral dilemma - do you stay true to your beliefs and take the high road or choose more selfishly? For example, James chooses to put Teresa's happiness above his own, welcoming Guero into the fold after he reappears on the scene, offering him a place in their business, and putting his own feelings to the side (not to mention physically saving the guy and carrying him to the car as they are escaping). Because he believes this is what Teresa wants and will make her happy.   Contrast this to Guero, who selfishly tries to refuse help from James because of his own jealous feelings (which would endanger not only his own life but Teresa's as well). When the Lovers appear in a reading, it can indicate a crossroads in life, the possibility of different futures based on choices, and we certainly see a number of those moments referenced here. Guero's return brings us back to the choice that set this whole storyline in motion - he leaves Teresa the house and the book rather than taking any actual measures to secure her safety in the event that something were to happen to him. Had he chosen differently, we’d probably looking at a very different show!   Teresa finds herself at a crossroads after Guero's death. Is she going to let others in and open her heart again, or is she going to sink into grief and despair to the point of self-destruction? Had Guero lived, there would have been another interesting crossroads in her life - would she have gone back to Guero or pursued her burgeoning relationship with James? Or neither? Different futures we never got to see!   The card can also indicate inner conflict and self-recrimination, which we see in the fallout from this episode with Teresa blaming and punishing herself for Guero's death and spiraling into depression and reckless behaviour.  In the reversed position, the Lovers can indicate a strained relationship or two people who have grown apart. Sometimes the situation is salvageable, and sometimes the best thing to do is to move on. We've seen over the course of the series that Teresa has outgrown her relationship with Guero in many ways - she's not the same girl he met on the streets of Culiacan, and she's a powerhouse in her own right now. We can see shades of this when the two of them are talking about everything that Teresa has accomplished since they last saw each other - her business in Malta, learning cryptocurrency, the winery, her flying lessons…  We also see strain in the relationships between Camila and Isabela - Isabela tries and fails to kill Teresa, and Camila tells her the wedding with Kique is off until she can learn to make better decisions. Then there's the flashback to Camila and Epifanio fighting over Camila's wish to run her business and Epifanio wanting her by his side during the election. Their desires are taking them in two very different directions, ones that are not easily reconciled.   Anything to add? Let me know! :) Episode 7, coming soon...

[northcountry39]

Final QOTS S3 Tarot Thoughts: Ouroboros/El Mundo

Here we are on the cusp of Season 4, so here are a few final thoughts on the tarot symbolism of Season 3! 

Season 3 is quite the wild ride for Teresa, and in the final moments of 3x13, we the Queen presenting her with a tarot card - El Mundo/The World (pictured above). This is hugely symbolic of Teresa's journey. The World represents achievement, completion of your goals, and a phase of your life coming to a close. All of the pain and suffering, the trials and tribulations experienced along the way have made you stronger, wiser, and ready to embark on new adventures.

Teresa started off the season pretty much alone (throwback to La Ermitana) with a fledgling operation, and look how far she's come! She's confident and in control, jetting off to exciting new places with a solid crew to back her up, and the world is her oyster. She's accomplished what she set out to do - establishing a business and a name for herself, becoming powerful enough so that no one can hurt her - and learned a lot of important lessons in the process. (Plus The World can indicate literal travel, so it's fun that the final moments are on a plane.)

I love that the show included the Ouroboros on the card. Also isn’t that an awesome word? This is a mythical snake that symbolizes the cyclical nature of the universe (creation out of destruction, life out of death), as it devours its own tail in a wheel of perpetual renewal. In this case, our ouroboros is in a lemniscate or infinity symbol.

The Tarot itself is an ouroboros of sorts - each card represents a point in a greater cycle or journey, but together they create a whole. The World and The Fool are the cards that sit at each "end" of the circle, with The Fool representing new beginnings, opportunities, and potential. There were no episodes titled “The Fool” in Season 3, but I think it’s still an important card for QOTS. 

Because once those beginnings represented by The Fool have reached their full potential, we arrive at The World (completion, success). And once you have achieved that spot on the wheel, you will once again be back where you started (The Fool) as you enter your next phase.

I LOVE this as a visual for each leg of Teresa’s journey as she recreates herself. And I think we'll see The Fool reflected in her new forays into NOLA - lots to explore and learn as she expands, and no doubt plenty of setbacks and growing pains. But I'm sure we'll also see her rise again on the Wheel of Fortune to once more reach The World (perhaps as Queen!Teresa). 

Can’t wait to see what lies ahead. Thanks for joining me on my tarot adventures!! xo 

[northcountry39]

QOTS 3x04 Tarot Symbolism

Time for some more tarot meta! Episode 3x04 of Queen of the South is titled "La Fuerza", or "Strength”, and in the context of the matching tarot card, we're talking about inner strength and perseverance in overcoming obstacles (rather than physical strength and banging heads together lol). Lots to dig into this ep, and this time I've split it up by character, since we have multiple threads going on that explore this theme.  

Let's start with the card itself - the Strength card features a woman petting a lion, in control of herself and her environment. She has tamed or gentled the lion rather than subduing it by brute force (representing solving problems through inner fortitude and strength of character). The infinity sign floating overhead symbolizes infinite potential and a wealth of possibilities. Strength speaks to demonstrating patience and composure in overcoming the obstacles in your path as well as a steady commitment to realizing your goals. Now on to what's going on with our favourite trio:  James:

This actually ties in quite well with the recent discussion about James and the subversion of male tropes (pssst Noelle!) The Strength card represents someone who quietly influences and persuades rather than trying to dominate and control others. This person may be easily underestimated and overlooked, but it can be to their advantage to be "invisible" as they orchestrate things from the shadows. James has been the one setting up their base of operations, organizing the meet-up with La Comision, and organizing everything behind the scenes to make sure Teresa has every chance of success. And as we've seen, and as @mymostimaginaryfriend so eloquently described in her post (which tumblr is not letting me link to, but go check it out!), James is often dismissed by other men who embody the more aggressive "alpha male" persona -  in this ep notably by Pecas, who shuts him down in a totally condescending way when James tries to speak at the table as an equal party in their discussion. But James doesn't flip the table or start a fist fight. He knows his value and plays it cool, not letting ego or wounded pride disrupt the proceedings.   It's a nice contrast to another tarot card, the Chariot, which can symbolizes an outer manifestation of strength and maybe the more traditional "masculine" representation of power. Teresa:

In a business context, this card is all about courage, persistence and determination. Teresa has decided to stay and pursue her plans in Phoenix, and she doesn't let fear (of Mayo or of La Comision) stop her. She carefully takes stock of the situation and the risks, and listens to advice from James, who knows the territory and players better than she does. In the meeting with La Comision, she remains calm and collected (despite all the stress!), and her "mail order cocaine" business plan is clever and minimizes the need for brute force or violence. If she continues on this path, the sky is the limit (as represented by the infinity symbol on the card).  The card also represents a positive relationship between the person in charge and those that work for/with them - you have their support because you've earned it and because you create a positive work dynamic (not because you threaten or otherwise subdue them). James and Pote follow Teresa because they want to, not because they have to.     Pote:

Poor Pote. He represents the card in its "reversed" or more negative context. When reversed, Strength symbolizes self-doubt, weakness and insecurity, especially in the context of a recent setback. Pote has lost the full function of his hand, which causes him to bungle their mission with Mayo. He tells Teresa that being a soldier is all he's ever known, and it's clear that his self-worth hinges on his ability to fulfill this role. If this card appeared in his reading, it would tell him to reconnect with his inner power and resilience, and we do see him in the next ep using one of those squishy physio balls to get back into form.  + Camila:

Camila's also having a bad time this ep. Her weakness and insecurity stem from Teresa, who "took everything" from her. Camila is haunted by the "Death" tarot card she received in the previous ep and has a nightmare about Teresa, which she sees as an omen of her doom. Obligatory love reading mention: apparently this card indicates that now is a great time to find love, as your confidence and inner strength are shining through! :) This one is more of a stretch, but I guess you could argue that Teresa's journey to becoming this stronger and more confident version of herself is allowing her to shake off her past and potentially find happiness with someone who appreciates and loves her for who she has become. And we all know what happens next ep! Thanks everyone for reading! As always, would love to hear any thoughts you might have.

[northcountry39]

QOTS 3x03 Tarot Symbolism

I'm back with episode 3x03, titled "La Reina de Oros" or the Queen of Pentacles. This card represents financial security and prosperity, which is definitely a big theme in this ep, and it is also the most nurturing card in the deck, which ties into Teresa's mission to rescue the girls. Let's take a look! 

In the tarot, the Queen of Pentacles sits on a throne surrounded by flowering plants and gardens, which represent abundance and the potential for growth. In her hand, she is holding the Pentacle, which represents everything related to the material plane (money, wealth, possessions). What is a pentacle? It's a disc-shaped talisman inscribed with a five-cornered star often associated with magical evocation. There's a rabbit at the bottom of the card, who can either indicate that the universe is in alignment or serve as a warning to exercise caution while pursuing success.

Breaking it down in more detail, the Queen of Pentacles represents a level of prosperity and security brought about by hard work and a natural aptitude for business. The Queen is a self-made woman, astute and self-sufficient. Teresa has certainly been building up her little empire, making deals, developing plans, and looks well on her way to a bright future through shrewd decisions and profitable partnerships. From the get-go, she has demonstrated a keen business sense, and she's also had the chance to observe and learn from people like Camila and James.

When reversed, the card can represent misplaced priorities that may prove damaging to your future prospects. While I wouldn't say Teresa's priorities are misplaced, she is certainly placing her personal values (saving the girls) ahead of financial gain, which ends with her fleeing Malta, losing what she built there, and burning her reputation ("you're running out of continents.")

Looking at another facet of the card, the Queen of Pentacles is also seen as a nurturing mother figure who will guide you through difficult situations and who prioritizes being of service to others. You could argue that Teresa represents that to the girls she rescues, putting their well-being ahead of her own and helping them escape from a dangerous situation. She had everything to gain from looking the other way, but her moral code and her own experiences ("I know what it's like to be a slave") would not allow for it.

I think King George also embodies aspects of this facet in this ep - giving advice and support (and over the top firearms!), making sure Teresa has all the info and is ok with the consequences of her decision, and standing behind Teresa even when it seems like there is a high likelihood of failure/death/destruction.

In a love reading, the card represents home and family, either that you have it now or that you will in the future. The following episode (3x04) is full of cute little domestic moments between James and Teresa, and you can see them settling into the patterns of living together (ex. the scene where she shows up in her lil PJs to talk to James while he's lifting weights). Teresa is also building a sense of home/family in a non-romantic sense - establishing a home base at James' compound, bringing more allies into the fold (Kelly-Ann, Charger and Tonto), and deciding to stay and fight and put down roots instead of continuing to bounce around. James also expresses his intention to stick around to Pote (in their hilarious chat at the bank), and helps Teresa make connections with the local power players.

The Queen popping up in a love reading can also indicate that your love interest has feelings for you (but we knew that already! :P)

As always, thanks for listening, and I'd love to hear your comments/thoughts. :)

[northcountry39]

QOTS 3x02 Tarot Symbolism

Welcome to part two of my QOTS Season 3 tarot card meta! (part one HERE) This time I’m looking at episode 3.02, which is titled “El Colgado” or “The Hanged Man.” There are lots of different facets to interpret here, so let’s dive in!

Briefly, the card depicts a man hanging upside down from a tree branch by his right ankle. This was a method of punishment for traitors in Italy at the time of the tarot’s origin, but this Hanged Man is alert, alive, and there by his own free will. He understands that his suspended position is a sacrifice he needs to make in order to move forward.

As such, one of the main themes of the card is surrendering control to move forward, letting go of the past, and being vulnerable and open. This flows nicely from last episode’s Hermit theme, where Teresa is struggling with isolation, delegating, and trusting others to carry out her business. The key to finding happiness is to practice “non-attachment”, which doesn’t refer to a lack of love or compassion but rather to overcoming the desire for something, like standing apart from the rest of the world. 

When James appears on the scene, she is initially angry and mistrustful (and understandably so), but by the end of the episode she’s decided to “let him in.” This act of acceptance, whatever the caveats (“it’s not a partnership”), shows that Teresa is willing to put aside their past disagreements and move forward, allowing herself to be vulnerable by bringing him inside (both the business and her life, generally).

Related to this theme, the Hanged Man can also symbolize a dilemma or period of indecision, and that could certainly represent Teresa’s struggles with whether or not to trust James. This episode focuses heavily on their relationship (past, present and future): Teresa locks him in the trunk, but he busts himself out and saves her by jumping through a window (!!). She’s still not convinced, citing past betrayals, but lets him tag along as they flee the safehouse. Then they get captured, and she tells him how she wants to trust him but barely knows him. And yet despite all this ongoing angst, she still tries to protect him, and by the end of the episode she finally agrees to let him stick around.  Quite the rollercoaster.

In a love reading, the Hanged Man can indicate that someone is uncertain about what they want or how they are feeling about the other person. Teresa definitely has to struggle with her complicated feelings for James – all the baggage of their past interactions, his perceived betrayals, the trust and affection (and attraction) they shared, what he’s really doing in Malta, etc. 

In another sense, the card also relates to martyrdom, self-sacrifice, and putting others before yourself. Pote embodies this aspect of the Hanged Man by refusing to give Teresa up despite being horribly tortured. James also throws himself through a window to save Teresa and refuses to leave her when they’re captured. Likewise, Teresa tries to give herself up so James can go free. Lots of self-sacrifice going around!

The Hanged Man does not outright symbolize death, but it can symbolize change and upheaval in the future - the old “dies” to give way to the new. The card can indicate that there are difficult times ahead, which there certainly are for Teresa and the gang in the next episode (showdown at the bank, rescuing the girls), and that a sacrifice will have to be made to move forward (losing her business in Malta to stay true to what she believes is right). Going forward, the Hanged Man would tell her that she should be open to new perspectives and to let go of the need to control everything.

Thanks for listening, and I would love to hear your thoughts if you have anything to add. :) Thanks to @mymostimaginaryfriend for your input. Again, I’m not a tarot expert or anything, just enjoying the research!