Celtic Wisdom Tarot
Text by Caitlin Matthews, art by Olivia Raynor
Destiny Books, 1999
ISBN 0-89281-720-8

The Book says: Sacrifice, serene submission to one’s life pattern, faith integrity of one’s actions, initiation, finding knowledge within, dedicated service to higher cause or calling, period of waiting or transition.
Reversed: Selfish inability to relinquish, unwilling or blind bondage to destiny, unappreciated or useless sacrifices, failure to commit, pride or ego cause delays.
Soul-Wisdom: The Dedicator of Lore makes a willing sacrifice to become one with the lore of his tribe, in order to be a transmitter of wisdom. This principle is one that many students, spiritual initiates, and heroes undergo today in order to be worthy lore-keepers. What duties arise from your beliefs?

TarotBroad’s Buzz: This card reminds me of the story of Branwen, sister of Bran the Blessed. Her mistreatment by her husband, the King of Ireland, led to her brothers coming to rescue her. In the course of the ensuing battle Branwen’s husband used the Cauldron of Rebirth given him by Bran. Any of his warriors that were killed were placed in the cauldron and reborn, although unable to speak. Finally Efnissien, Branwen’s brother, climbs into the cauldron and breaks it at the cost of his own life.

The Dedicator shows a gateway through which all of your perceptions and beliefs are altered and transformed. As a result of our sacrifice we are gifted with an otherworldly wisdom, with knowledge previously unanticipated. But the key is that this is a willing sacrifice, like Efnissien’s. We lose our innocence, our unawareness of the deeper mysteries of life. But what we gain is knowledge, wisdom and insight. The world will never look the same to us and we can mourn that loss as we celebrate what has been gained. As we move to the next level of awareness and experience, we are healed and made whole for the continuation of our journey.