Welcome back to Everyday Tarot! Season 16 is devoted to queer deities, and today, we turn to Narcissus—the beautiful youth of myth whose reflection became both his revelation and undoing.
What we explore in this episode:
The myth of Narcissus
Narcissus as a queer and asexual archetype
Tarot cards resonant with Narcissus: The Page of Cups (Upright/Reversed), The Hanged Man, The Magician
The Myth of NarcissusIn the Greek tradition, Narcissus was the beautiful son of a river god and a nymph—desired by many but devoted to none. His mother was told he would live long—if he never knew himself, so was kept from mirrors and still waters.
When the nymph Echo fell in love with him, he rejected her advances; humiliated and grief-stricken, she faded until only her voice remained. As punishment, the goddess Aphrodite caused Narcissus to fall in love with his own reflection. Unable to embrace the image he adored, he wasted away by the poolside until his body dissolved into white and red blossoms—the first daffodils, also called narcissus.
Narcissus as a Queer DeityNarcissus’s story has long been flattened into a warning against vanity, but beneath that surface lies a complex myth about self-recognition, queerness, and consent. Rather than arrogance, his refusal to return Echo’s affection can be seen as a declaration of autonomy. Narcissus does not die from ego, but from being punished for self-awareness in a world that demanded conformity. Modern retellings through queer and asexual lenses reframe Narcissus as a symbol of self-sovereignty rather than self-obsession.
Narcissus & TarotNarcissus’s myth appears throughout tarot as a meditation on self-awareness, reflection, and liberation from imposed narratives. These cards remind us that introspection and self-knowledge are sacred:
Page of Cups (Upright)- Emotional curiosity, tenderness
Page of Cups (Reversed) - Escapism, self-illusion
The Hanged Man - Shifting perspective, surrender
The Magician - Creative manifestation
💭 Today's Tarot Pull:
From The Herbcrafter’s Tarot, I pulled the Four of Air (Lavender)
This card calls for retreat, calm, and the restoration of boundaries. Lavender’s energy clears tension, soothes the mind, and reminds us that rest is not withdrawal—it’s regeneration.
Reflective prompts on this card:
Where in my life am I being called to pause and truly see myself?
How can I practice self-regard without guilt or apology?
What boundaries protect my peace and help me bloom again?
Ways to Connect & Support
