the Disney Tarot project

a tarot deck for Disney lovers

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This land we behold, This beauty untold A man can be bold! It all can be sold!

“Mine, Mine, Mine,” Pocahontas

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Line art for the Four of Pentacles, “Mine, Mine, Mine,” Pocahontas.

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Card: Four of Pentacles

Song/Character(s): "Mine, Mine, Mine," Pocahontas

Keywords: Possessiveness, greed, control, stasis and stagnation. Focusing on the material but not the spiritual.

Our Interpretation Process: This was one of the first-decided-upon cards in our deck, and it was so apt that it never changed.  The Four of Pentacles is often called the “miser” card, and the most miserly character in Disney canon is pretty clearly Ratcliffe.

In addition to greediness, this card also indicates possessiveness and a desire to own and lay claim to the things or people around you.  Some control is beneficial, but this card is all about the ego imposing its will too much. This works well with both Ratcliffe’s part of the song and John Smith’s part because of his “a land I can claim, a land I can tame” colonial mindset.

Like all the Fours, this card represents stability, but in this case, it means stagnation and an inability to change.  Pocahontas is all about changing one’s worldview and seeing things from a new perspective, and its villain demonstrates the exact opposite.  Ratcliffe cannot see past his colonial greed and remains stuck in his mindset throughout the film.  This card reminds readers to go with the flow instead of clinging to the status quo.

Lastly, this card represents wealth—but it is material wealth, not spiritual wealth.  This dichotomy between material riches and spiritual abundance is central to the film.  Pocahontas represents one side of the conflict, encouraging John Smith to revel in the bounty of nature and to be open to the spirit world around him.  Just like the Four of Pentacles, Ratfcliffe represents the other side; a greedy, self-centered focus on material prosperity.   This card shares a message that might seem familiar to Pocahontas fans: True happiness does not come from physical wealth, but from connection and spiritual contentment.

Symbolism and Artwork: This one kind of designed itself, honestly. The R-W figure is crowned, with coins on his head, in his arms, and under his feet. He’s also wearing very Ratcliffe-y colors already.  We gave him the crown from his “good friend, King Jimmy,” and also added his British flag, just to really drive home the “imposing one’s will on others” aspect of the card.

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You're alone and you're scared But the banquet's all prepared No one's gloomy or complaining While the flatware's entertaining…

“Be Our Guest,” Beauty and the Beast

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Line art for the Three of Cups, “Be Our Guest,” Beauty and the Beast

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Card: Three of Cups

Song/Character(s): “Be Our Guest,” Beauty and the Beast

Keywords: Celebration, hospitality, camaraderie, community; respite from life’s troubles.

Our Interpretation Process: We chose "Be Our Guest" for the Three of Cups because of the hospitality, joy, and camaraderie that are celebrated in this song. The Three of Cups is an unambiguously festive card, and can represent weddings, birthdays, festivals, or any other kind of celebration. This aspect works well for many upbeat Disney numbers, but there's also a more complex connotation; the Three of Cups shows how celebrations can provide a meaningful respite from the troubles of life, in the same way that "Be Our Guest" gives Belle a chance to forget her troubles and enjoy the hospitality of the castle.

The Three of Cups also celebrates the power of the group. As a group, we have the ability to achieve difficult goals and overcome obstacles. We are always stronger together, when we harmoniously combine our many unique skills and talents--just as each servant has their own specialty that makes the party (and household in general) run successfully. (Cogsworth's unique specialty is Wet Blanket.) This card reminds us that the dark times will seem brighter, and the happier times will seem happier, if we are not alone.  The Three of Cups teaches us that our lives are abundant and blessed, even when they don't seem to be.

Symbolism and Artwork: The original Rider-Waite card shows three dancing women holding three goblets in the air. It turned out to be a pretty straight-forward translation, especially because there are many, many cups present in the actual song. The three figures became the trio of Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts, the golden goblets became crystal, and the harvest bounty depicted at the bottom of the original card became the feast.

Honorable Mentions: “Hakuna Matata, The Lion King; “Under the Sea,” The Little Mermaid; “A Guy Like You,” The Hunchback of Notre Dame

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I knew I’d never know that warm and loving glow Though I might wish with all my might. No face as hideous as my face Was ever meant for Heaven’s light.

“Heaven’s Light (Reprise), The Hunchback of Notre Dame

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Line art for the Three of Swords, “Heaven’s Light (Reprise),” The Hunchback of Notre Dame

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Card: Three of Swords

Song/Character(s): “Heaven’s Light (reprise),” The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Keywords: Rejection, sadness, heartbreak, betrayal, loneliness, and grief.

Our Interpretation Process: The visual similarity between the Three of Swords card and the Ace of Hearts that Quasimodo tears up was so striking that we immediately thought of the “Heaven’s Light” reprise.  It was one of the first cards we chose, and the meanings matched up so well that it stayed the same through all the different iterations of our tarot.

The Three of Swords represents a moment of heartbreak that turns your world upside-down. It indicates pain that is sudden, overwhelming, and unexpected. When Quasimodo realizes that Esmeralda doesn’t return his feelings, he experiences the same emotions portrayed by the Three of Swords: betrayal, separation, loneliness, heartbreak, and grief.  This card shows logic’s capacity to wound, which is exactly what Quasi experiences; the painful realization of truth.

Though this card is almost unambiguously negative, it carries another message: that we can choose to view our pain as an opportunity for growth and learning. When pain becomes a moment of growth, it can become less hurtful. This is why the Disney version of HOND will always carry a better lesson than the original book, or even the musical; rather than pining over Esmeralda until his death, Quasimodo chooses to honor her choice and move on, pursuing his own happiness and self-actualization. The Three of Swords tells us: You will feel like throwing yourself into her grave, but… don’t.

Symbolism and Artwork: This card has very simple imagery, and is one of the few in the deck that doesn’t depict figures. Three swords pierce the heart, showing reason’s painful triumph over emotion. Most of the images stayed essentially the same, though we did design the swords to match Phoebus’ sword (ouch).

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I've delivered us to where we are, I have journeyed farther, I am everything I've learned and more...

“I Am Moana,” Moana

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Line art for the Three of Wands, “I Am Moana,” Moana

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Card: Three of Wands

Song/Character(s): “I am Moana,” Moana

Keywords: Leadership, exploration, growth, success, partnership; spreading one’s wings, looking to the future, seeing the big picture.

Our Interpretation Process: Moana came out quite a while after we began this project, so for a long time the Three of Wands was “Son of Man” from Tarzan. “Son of Man” featured similar themes of gaining mastery, exploring, and self-determination, but it never really clicked. Moana showed up in 2016 and immediately worked its way into both the Minor and Major Arcana because of its epic hero’s journey and archetypal imagery. Within the current Disney canon, “I am Moana” is our favorite example of a character standing upon the foundation of their past successes and looking forward into an uncertain future.

The Three of Wands shows a figure whose past efforts have paid off, and who must now look to the future. He is in a safe, solid position on the cliff, looking down on a fleet of his own ships, ready to face the next challenge. The Three of Wands indicates an initial success which empowers us to spread our wings and explore the unknown. Moana doesn’t have the same resources, but her efforts have paid off in a different way: she now has the strength and practical skills to persevere, to continue her journey, and to eventually lead others.

Moana initially seems to be in a very different place at the start of “I am Moana”—she has hit rock bottom, feels hopeless, and doesn’t know where to turn. This relates to another theme of the Three of Wands, which is partnership. This card encourages us to look for the support (the sturdy wands) around us, just as Moana is guided by her grandmother’s spirit.

When Moana emerges from the sea, victorious, with the Heart of Te Fiti clutched in her hand, she finds herself alone. This is the third aspect of the Three of Wands—that we must take part of the journey by ourselves. This is our challenge, and when it is overcome, no one can take that accomplishment from us. This card reminds us have self-respect, to learn from mistakes, and to take what we have gained and offer it to the world. Moana perfectly fits this card, exemplifying the virtues of foresight, leadership, and perspective.

Symbolism and Artwork:  Once we settled on Moana, the imagery translated naturally. The ocean stayed ocean and the boats stayed boats. The wands became the oar and mast, and the high vantage point of the cliff became the vantage Moana gains when she climbs the rigging.

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Just whistle while you work, And cheerfully together We can tidy up the place...

“Whistle While You Work,” Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

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Line art for the Three of Pentacles, “Whistle While You Work,” Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

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Card: Three of Pentacles

Song/Character(s): “Whistle While You Work,” Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Keywords: Teamwork, competence, planning, hard work, dedication, cooperation.

Our Interpretation Process: The Three of Pentacles is all about working together as a team to achieve a common goal. This is a pretty common theme in the Disney canon, but “Whistle While You Work” felt like one of the best examples of coming together to accomplish a task that could not be completed alone. With a cheerful tune, Snow White rallies the woodland creatures to overcome the monumental task of tidying the cottage.

This card also suggests that one has achieved competency in their field, and that their hard work will be rewarded. In “Whistle While You Work,” Snow White really demonstrates her mastery of housekeeping and her ability to teach and inspire others. This cared also reminds us that hard work is its own reward, an important idea that really resonated with Snow White’s humility, work ethic, and unwaveringly cheerful demeanor.

Like a sculptor seeing the untapped potential in a block of stone, the Three of Pentacles represents being able to see opportunities where no one else can. And nothing says “untapped potential” like the dwarves’ adorable-yet-disgusting house! Snow White is the first one to get it ship-shape, shine it up, and realize its potential; her story encourages you to remember that if you work hard, do your best, and cooperate with others, you will find fulfillment!

Symbolism and Artwork: The original Three of Pentacles depicts three figures working together on a stone archway. One is clearly the sculptor, while the others peruse the plans and organize the endeavor. Snow White is an excellent house keeper, but she is also a master delegator! She is the one with the plan, and the animals echo the other figures who help execute it. We also tried to capture the essence of the vaulted archway with the triangular roof and rounded doorway of the dwarves’ house.

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So this is love, So this is what makes life divine. I'm all aglow, and now I know The key to all heaven is mine...

“So This is Love,” Cinderella

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Line art for the Two of Cups, “So This is Love,” Cinderella