The Carousel as a Symbol of Life’s Cycles
Growing up, I was always fascinated by carousels—the way they spun in a repetitive yet mesmerizing rhythm, but also the rideable figures on the carousels. They’re playful, nostalgic, and joyful, yet inherently tied to the idea of return and pause. Much like the Tarot’s Wheel of Fortune, carousels embody life’s ups and downs. They remind us that nothing is static. We rise, we fall, and we circle back to moments of pause.
When I was creating this piece, I was in a moment of “pause” myself. Life felt stagnant after a deep loss—a love that seemed infinite but came to an unexpected stop. Yet, like the boy in the poem, I found solace in knowing that endings often pave the way for beginnings. The carousel stops, yes, but only for a time.
The Wheel of Fortune in the Arcana
The Tarot’s Wheel of Fortune card has always held a certain allure for me. In historical decks, it is often depicted with figures climbing, descending, and holding on for dear life. The card tells us that life is not linear; we are subject to forces beyond our control. Medieval artists painted it as a literal wheel of fate, a stark reminder that fortune is as fleeting as misfortune.
For The Carousel Stops, the Wheel of Fortune provided a framework for understanding the stillness in between. When the wheel stops turning—be it by destiny or design—there’s a moment to reflect, to prepare for what’s next. This mirrored my own emotional journey: the heartbreak felt like the wheel breaking down, but I knew that waiting in stillness was not defeat—it was transformation.
Artistic and Poetic Inspirations
Beyond Tarot, the works of Hans Christian Andersen and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry deeply influenced this piece. In The Little Prince, Saint-Exupéry writes about the importance of taming and being tamed—of finding connection, losing it, and still carrying its essence with you. That idea resonated with my experience of love, especially when it’s unreciprocated or fleeting.
Andersen’s tales, especially "The Snow Queen", explore the idea of a journey through stagnation and coldness to find renewal and warmth. Much like Andersen’s characters who endure hardship only to find a greater truth, "The Carousel Stop" echoes that patience: the boy in the poem waits not out of naivety but because he understands that life’s rhythm will always bring love back in some form.
Personal Reflections: The Carousel in My Life
The carousel in this piece is also a metaphor for my creative process. There are times when inspiration flows endlessly, spinning and twirling with joy. And then there are times when the ride stops, and I’m left in silence, questioning if it will ever move again.
This stillness isn’t unique to creativity; it’s a universal human experience. We all face moments when life feels like it’s standing still, when a relationship ends, or when we’re unsure of what’s next. For me, these pauses often came after deeply emotional experiences with certain people—those who shaped my understanding of infatuation, loss, and hope. Their presence in my life was like riding the carousel: vibrant, exhilarating, and sometimes dizzying. And when the ride stopped, I found myself staring into the stillness, holding onto the belief that life would spin forward again.
The Poem as a Testament to Hope
Stillness Between Moments captures this sentiment perfectly. Writing it felt like an act of catharsis, a way to process the silence left by those fleeting connections. Each line holds a duality: the pain of stillness and the promise of movement.
- "For moments, stillness calls his name": This is the moment when the wheel halts, and there’s nothing left to do but wait. It’s a call to patience, to trust the rhythm of life.
- "But the boy knows, it’s not goodbye": Here, I think about all the times I’ve had to let go of something—or someone—but found solace in the belief that their impact remains.
- "In silence, he waits with open eyes": This line speaks directly to my own journey. The waiting isn’t passive; it’s a time of growth, of keeping one’s heart open for what’s to come.
Why "The Carousel Stops" Matters
For me, this work isn’t just about a metaphorical ride or Tarot symbolism—it’s about capturing the human experience of waiting, of enduring life’s still moments with hope. It’s about honoring those who’ve touched my life, even if their presence was temporary, and embracing the lessons they left behind.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or like your wheel has stopped turning, The Carousel Stop is for you. It’s a reminder that stillness isn’t emptiness. It’s the space where we gather strength, where we dream, and where we prepare for the ride to begin again.
So, as I reflect on this work, I hope it serves as an invitation to embrace your own moments of stillness, to honor the pauses, and to trust that the wheel will always turn again—bringing love, joy, and life full circle.
