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Jason is a hero from Greek mythology, best known for leading the Argonauts in the quest for the Golden Fleece and being the object of the sorceress Medea's love. His father was Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcus.
Jason was born to Aeson, the lawful heir to the throne of Iolcus in Thessaly. Aeson was overthrown by his half-brother, Pelias, who killed all of Aeson's children. To protect the infant Jason, his parents sent him to be raised by the centaur Chiron, who ran a school for the children of gods and kings. They announced that Jason had died to protect him. Fearing for his position as king, Pelias consulted the Oracle, who warned him to beware of a man wearing only one sandal.
On his way back to his homeland after learning about his true heritage, Jason decided to return as a wealthy man. He stopped in a great city, worked, and accumulated wealth. However, on his way back to his birthplace, robbers stole all his possessions. Jason then encountered an old woman who asked for help crossing a river. As he entered the river, Jason lost one of his sandals. The old woman was actually the goddess Hera, testing his kindness. Impressed by his compassion, she granted him her favor and helped him throughout his journeys. Jason returned to the city in rags and missing a sandal, symbolizing the idea that one must earn their place by virtue, not wealth.
When Jason arrived in Iolcus, Pelias saw him and remembered the Oracle's warning about a man with one sandal, realizing that Jason was destined to take his throne. Jason demanded his rightful kingship, and Pelias agreed, on the condition that Jason undertake a seemingly impossible task: retrieving the Golden Fleece from Colchis.
The Golden Fleece was the wool of the legendary ram Chrysomallos, which had saved Phrixus and Helle from their father, who intended to sacrifice them. The ram, with golden fleece, could speak the language of men and fly. While escaping, Helle fell into the sea, but Phrixus arrived safely in Colchis, where he lived with the ram until the end of its life. When the ram grew old, it asked Phrixus to sacrifice it to Zeus, and Phrixus hung its golden fleece on an oak tree in a sacred grove of Ares, guarded by a dragon.
Jason assembled a group of heroes, both gods and mortals, and set sail on his ship, the Argo, built especially for the journey. The quest for the Golden Fleece was filled with many adventures, but the gods, especially Hera, aided him. Aeëtes, the king of Colchis, agreed to give Jason the Golden Fleece but imposed an impossible task: to yoke two fire-breathing bulls, plow a field, sow it with dragon's teeth, and fight the warriors that would sprout from them. Jason would have met his demise if not for the help of Aeëtes' daughter, Medea. She provided him with a salve to protect him from the bulls and advised him on how to make the warriors fight each other. After completing the task, Jason still had to overcome the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece. Medea assisted him once again, giving him a potion that put the dragon to sleep.
However, King Aeëtes refused to relinquish the Golden Fleece and set more tasks for Jason, given by the king's son. Realizing that these tasks were leading him further from his ultimate goal of reclaiming the throne, Jason, Medea, and the Argonauts fled Colchis. Aeëtes pursued them but turned back when he discovered that Medea had dismembered her younger brother, Apsyrtus, to delay the pursuit. Upon their return to Iolcus, Medea used her magic to rejuvenate Jason's dying father. She also tricked Pelias' daughters into killing their father by making them believe she could rejuvenate him as well. This horrific act caused the people of Iolcus to hate Medea. Jason ruled in Pelias' place until fear of Medea's magic led the people to exile them both to Corinth.
In Corinth, Jason abandoned Medea to marry Glauce, the daughter of King Creon. In revenge, Medea killed the king and his daughter in agony, and then murdered her two children by Jason with a knife before fleeing. Jason's end is uncertain; some say he reconciled with Medea and lived with her again, while others claim that the prow of his ship, the Argo, fell on him, killing him.
Two of Wands: To prepare Jason for his destiny as a king, though he is not yet aware of his royal heritage, he is sent to Chiron. Chiron, a centaur (half-human, half-horse), is a renowned teacher to the children of gods and kings, instructing them in the arts, medicine, combat, and philosophy. This Tarot card represents education and preparation, signaling that, like Jason, the querent must gain knowledge and skills before they can fulfill their destiny.
Three of Wands: Jason embarks on a journey to reclaim his kingdom after the loyalists reveal his true parentage. Driven by his ego, which aligns with the Wands suit, he desires to return as a wealthy man, not as a simple, poor farmer. He stops in a large city, works, and becomes rich, acquiring fine clothes and a carriage. However, on his way, robbers steal his possessions, and he loses a sandal while helping the goddess Hera cross a river. Thus, Jason arrives to claim his kingdom, dressed in rags, but receives it nonetheless. This card represents recognition after completing one's studies, a project at work, or any other significant investment. It emphasizes the courage to stand up and demand the deserved acknowledgment, overcoming fear.
Four of Wands: Jason's uncle tries to delay the inevitable moment when he must return the kingdom to Jason, so he sends him on a heroic quest to prove his abilities and gain the people's acceptance. He tasks Jason with retrieving the Golden Fleece. Despite the risks, Jason, driven by a burning passion, succeeds in gathering princes, demigods, and a specially-built ship, and sets out on his journey. This card represents embarking on a journey, filled with challenges and growth. It emphasizes the significance of the journey itself—the experiences and lessons along the way—rather than just the final goal. Both Jason and the querent will return more mature, having grown through their adventures.
Five of Wands: The long journey that Jason and his companions undertake in search of the Golden Fleece is fraught with trials and seemingly impossible tasks. Jason reaches his goal, but only with the help of the goddess Hera and the love of Medea, the daughter of King Aeëtes, who falls for him and aids him in his quest. This card represents struggle and conflict, emphasizing that victory is not easily won. Like Jason, it's important to recognize that sometimes to succeed, you need to ask for help. The assistance received in this card is extraordinary, as Jason's aid comes from the very daughter of the king who seeks to thwart him. This card also teaches the essence of love—Medea is willing to sacrifice everything for her beloved, demonstrating that in love, all means are justified.
Six of Wands: Jason has completed the tasks and, as a victor, rides triumphantly to King Aeëtes to present the Golden Fleece. This card is a card of victory, symbolizing the successful completion of a challenge and the joy that comes with it. However, like any victory, while the battle is over and it's time to celebrate the success, it's crucial not to rest on one's laurels. Continuing to take action and make progress is essential, as failure can arise if momentum is lost.
Seven of Wands: King Aeëtes, never intending to give Jason the Golden Fleece, is surprised by Jason's success and declares that even his son will give Jason further tasks. Jason's ego revels in facing these new challenges, but he soon realizes that these tasks are distracting him from his true goal: returning to his homeland and claiming the throne. This card urges the querent to assess whether the challenge has become the focus instead of the actual goal. It calls for a shift in focus back to what truly matters, even if the distractions are tempting. Sometimes, these distractions serve as a way to avoid confronting the real issue.
Eight of Wands: Jason, Medea, and the crew flee with the Golden Fleece, returning to their ship and setting sail back to Jason's homeland, much to the displeasure of Medea's father. This card represents the peak of the Wands suit—action, swift movement, and decisive execution without hesitation or pause. It also reflects Medea's sacrifice for Jason, as she leaves her father's house and family, knowing she can never return. Often, this card signifies a woman's readiness to leave her childhood home to establish a new life and household of her own.
Nine of Wands: As the voyage neared its end and the ship approached Jason's city, a storm erupted, tossing the Argo toward the rocks and putting the lives of the crew and heroes in grave danger. Jason remained vigilant, called the crew to action, and managed to save many, including Medea and the Golden Fleece. This card emphasizes the importance of perseverance, especially as a task nears completion. It serves as a reminder to the querent to hold strong, even if another obstacle arises at the final stage of their journey.
Ten of Wands: Jason returned home as a victor and ruler of the kingdom, but the fire that drove him to succeed is the same fire that eventually consumed him. He didn’t know when to stop. Only after losing Medea and his children did he realize what he had sacrificed. This card, much like Jason’s life, warns against taking on too much. Instead of enjoying his reign, Jason began conquering more cities, taking on responsibilities he couldn’t handle, and ultimately lost everything. The card cautions the querent not to burden themselves with too many tasks or ambitions, as this could lead to collapse. The desire for more—more achievements, more challenges—can cause the querent to overlook the good already present in their life.
Orit Raphael, Tarot Reader for Personal Guidance, Insights, and Messages
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