There were so many amazing highlights, some of which I’ve mentioned below about our time together at Adelheid’s beautiful home, but today I want to share about the stunning, divinely feminine Tarot Garden in Tuscany.I was lucky enough to first visit there in April, so I put it forward as a day outing option when we were together in October. We had a truly inspirational day, stopping at two ancient churches, a local cafe for rich coffee and homemade coconut ice-cream, a picnic on the beach and a swim and then onto Niki de Saint Phalle’s Tarot Garden with sculptures of the 22 Major Arcana.
As our small feminine power group climbed the hill, we were greeted by huge sculptures of mosaic glass, ceramics and mirrors glistening in the afternoon sun. The first is The High Priestess and mischievous Magician with huge steps of water cascading down to the Wheel of Fortune fountain. On top of the hill The Empress watches over us and the Hierophant and bird-like giant Sun sparkle in the sunlight. Behind is Strength – a damsel leading an emerald green dragon as she conquers her inner demons.
To me the fact that Niki lived and designed in The Empress is what makes it so special. Filled with thousands of tiny mirrors, it is simply breathtaking. Outside you can climb steps to the roof terrace to admire the garden – there’s built in seats which are surprisingly cool in the sun – we have fun lounging and posing on them! The mirrors reflect the whole garden and from each different viewpoint you can see a bit more of the garden but never the whole – it’s a garden of delights and secrets.
Death, the card of renewal, is portrayed with more than a little humour as a regal golden woman rides a horse in a vibrant red corset! Dead animals lie at her feet including a dog with its legs in the air! The Hermit, traditionally a male figure, has two guises in the Garden – The Hermit and The Oracle – the female version covered in snakes. Both, set apart from the other sculptures are designed for you to walk into and absorb the energy of listening to your heart – The Hermit a silver cocoon while The Oracle is a delicious orange one. We crouch down together and enjoy the sheer fun of them!
Niki died in 2002, aged 71, and her picture joins those of her friends and husband on the altar of the black Madonna in Temperance – a dome chapel of mirrors reflecting the cosmos. As you duck to enter its womb-like space, your senses are assaulted by the vibrancy of the tiny mirrors and ceramic hearts and flowers. Standing on top of Temperance is an Angel which, like all of Niki’s feminine sculptures, is a full-figured woman, proud and magnificent in her splendour.
The last card of the Major Arcana is The World and this sculpture dominates her own space, away from the others and unlike many of them, completely visible – a huge blue glistening goddess standing on top of a golden World supported by a vibrant snake. As the World slowly turns, from this vantage point, we can admire her in all her grace.<
The garden is a place to bask in beauty and complete sensory experience, while finding a quiet spot to meditate on the vibrant colours, watch a fountain or sit in an amazingly comfortable snake chair. With the senses tantalised almost to the point of overload, there’s calmness, a centre point of stillness. This, to me, is the true beauty of the Tarot Garden, it shows you all its splendor but it’s up to you to find its heart by listening to your own.
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great, Sam, thank you!!!
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