Black Cat Deck: Jaguar or Joker #1

The Black Cat Deck will have two Jokers, each showing a black cat with a jaguar.  This theme gives the deck a bit of geographic context, since I live at the northern edge of the jaguar’s present range.  The idea came from this photo that I took of Beluga when he still lived at the shelter: 

Beluga Imitating a Black Jaguar

 Jokers, of course, are “wild cards” that can be used in several ways or left out of the deck altogether.  The Black Cat Jokers, called Jaguars, have ties to the Tarot – the first card represents the Fool, and the second will represent the World.  The first card shows Beluga walking with a black jaguar.  Their poses are mirror images of each other, showing their close relationship.  The two cats are shadows, protectors, and soul guardians of each other.  Most of the time, they walk in different worlds, so each can be the other’s spirit guide in a strange place.  But they meet and become one in the Underworld.

Jaguar Card #1

The other items are adapted from protective household objects in the Santeria tradition.  They represent the three Guerreros or Warriors:  Ochossi (usually represented by a bow and arrow, but here shown by three claws – African lion, jaguar, and mountain lion); Ogoun (usually a machete, here a jaguar head whose tongue forms the blade of a dagger); Eleggua (also called Esu or Legba, usually a clay head with cowrie shell features).  Osun, the watchman who accompanies the Warriors, is usually represented by a cup fringed with bells and topped with a rooster.  Here he is indicated by a Pre-Columbian style Mexican bell topped with a tiny jaguar.  As tradition demands, Osun occupies a high place (at the top of the card) so he can see what’s going on.  Eleggua, guardian of doorways and crossroads, is placed appropriately at the bottom center of the card, with the other two warriors beside him.  So the two feline adventurers have powerful allies:  Ogoun’s strength and endurance, Ochossi’s focus and tracking skills, Eleggua’s opportunistic Trickster intelligence and adaptability, and Osun’s silent watchfulness.

For those who don’t like the symbols described above, or want something extra, the objects can also correspond with the suit symbols in the deck.