The Maiden
Keyword: Renewal
The Maiden is tall and slim, but with a very sensuous body. She has that curious slimness and sexuality that is seen in temple dancers, yet she is not obviously overtly erotic. She wears a white translucent robe, revealing yet concealing her body; she combines sexuality and virginity. Her hair is black, very rich and shining. She has a beautiful face which radiates calm peaceful power and repose. Her hands are in the classic ritual 'virgin' position, which is lightly placed over her mons, with the left hand resting upon the right. This is a position of repose and not of tension or exclusion of sensuality.
In the dark blue background we see a faint sheela-na-gig, which overshadows The Maiden or stands behind her. It is a very faint figure, blue on blue, barely visible, but it seems as if the translucent maiden has appeared out of the vagina.
The Maiden and The Raptor are a balanced pair. She embodies the virgin within, while he embodies the aroused fire. They are not sexual stereotypes, but the potential feminine and masculine within us all, within each man and woman. Men have The Maiden within, and women have The Raptor within, just as men may be The Raptor and women The Maiden ('raptor' means bird of prey, but there is an additional connection to the words 'rapt' and 'rapture' as in ecstasy).
The Maiden is the still and pure potential that is ever renewed out of the Mother Deep. Her keyword is renewal. Like the virgin goddesses of the ancient world, she can be sexual or non-sexual at will, and her virginity is the spirit of renewal rather than a mere physical condition. The primal Mother within The Maiden, from whom she comes, is shown by the sheela-na-gig behind her. This old image is found in Celtic regions, carved upon stones and on early churches. It is an ancient representation of the Mother of All, with her open vagina from which all comes forth and into which all enters and returns.
In a personal reading this card means renewal through simplicity. It may also imply looking within and clarifying and purifying one's self. It applies as much to men as to women, though the power of The Maiden will manifest differently according to physical gender and sexual energy or potential.
On a deeper level The maiden implies stilling and guarding of life energies in the quest for transformation. She teaches how to harbour and transform the sexual and creative powers and direct them inwardly. She also mediates the protective and enlightening powers of goddesses such as Athena, Artemis, Bride and other 'virgin' deities who empower and guide humanity.
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