Seven of Cups

The Seven of Coins represents change and freedom. Adaptability. The strange, alien plant I chose for it is a Protea, named for the Greek god of change and portent, Proteus. The big, star-shaped flowers with their comb-like filaments are pollinated by field mice among other things. It’s native to Australia and localized in South Africa, where it represents hope and change. The cups on this card are calabash gourd water dippers, which were traditionally used by the Sotho, one of the native peoples of that region.

(From Botanica, my series of paintings for an upcoming tarot deck featuring magical herbs and plants)

6x8x.5″, acrylic and ink on wood