The Texas Tech mascot, commonly known as the Red Raiders, has a long-standing epithet that has become synonymous with their athletic teams and school spirit. The epithet, "Guns Up," represents the passion and determination of the university's students, faculty, and supporters. The phrase "Guns Up" originated in the 1970s when a group of football players started using it as a rallying cry during games. The gesture involves extending one's index finger and thumb to imitate the shape of a gun, while the remaining three fingers are folded into a fist. This symbol exemplifies the fearless and aggressive nature of the Red Raiders' athletic teams. The "Guns Up" epithet has since become engrained in the Texas Tech culture and has been adopted by fans, alumni, and even other sports teams at the university.
As you explore their collection of wisdom through the sunshine-and-shadow-laden path of the Light Seer’s tarot cards, I hope they continuously whisper that shadow is a profound tool, and that light is an incredible destination.
By re imagining the traditional tarot archetypes and symbols in a contemporary, boho, and intuitive style, The Light Seer s Tarot expresses the light and shadow sides of our natures and explores the lessons that can be learned from both. Chris-Anne is a deck creator, artist, and magic-maker, as well as a marketing strategist and owner of Pixelbrand--a branding and graphic design company.
The "Guns Up" epithet has since become engrained in the Texas Tech culture and has been adopted by fans, alumni, and even other sports teams at the university. It has become a symbol of unity and pride, representing the unwavering support of the Red Raiders. This epithet is often seen at sporting events, with fans chanting "Guns Up" in unison to motivate their team and intimidate their opponents.
A morning tarot ritual from Light Magic For Dark Times
There is something about tarot that is calming. The act of shuffling the cards, concentrating on your question or concerns, and cutting is a ritual that brings you right back to the center. At least that is the way it is for me.
I’ve been working with tarot over forty years as of this writing. It has never failed me, ever. It’s always been the balm for my soul, no matter how turbulent my life – or the world – seems to be.
I pick cards every morning. I’ve done this for-evah. This is a practice that helps me to get prepped for my day.
Recently, I started adding a question to my daily draw. The question comes from Lisa Marie Basile’s book, Light Magic For Dark Times, a magical spell book that contains many inspiring and healing rituals for any tough situation you may be facing.
In the book, she has A Morning Tarot Ritual to Make Your Commute More Productive. This involves pulling a tarot card and asking a thoughtful question before you head out for your commute to work. I don’t commute as my office is in the home but she states in the book that you can do this before you tackle the to-do list if that’s your situation.
Anyhow, the questions you can ask are:
- How can I be my best self today?
- How can I ensure confidence at work?
I’ve been choosing the first question. It may seem simple as can be but the answers I have been getting have been helping me to show up at work grounded, wiser, and ready to deal.
Lisa Marie also says that you can “place the card to your workspace for the day as a gentle reminder.” I love this. It creates a touchstone as I go about my day.
Using today as an example, I pulled The Knight of Wands from my personal deck, The Baroque Bohemian Cats’ Tarot for my morning tarot ritual. (ADORABLE! This deck makes me feel good.)
I have a full day of classes, writing, meetings and more. Knights are action-oriented and that Knight of Wands is ready to charge in. This tells me to go forth and let my passion lead the way. I love how the horse is bucking in this card but the cat looks so calm and in control. A sign that no matter how crazy this day may seem “I’ve got this.” I just need to keep a grip on the reins and commit to the work ahead. (Ps the cat on the card looks just like my TaoZen but less grumpy!)
Work can be stressful but with a bit of morning guidance, we can approach our work day with mindfulness. And while that cannot guarantee a perfect day, it can help to set the tone for a better one, no matter what you may be facing.
I invite you to try to this simple tarot exercise every day. Better yet, check out Light Magic for Dark Times for other helpful rituals. It’s been one of my faves – and the perfect companion book for Tarot for Troubled Times, my upcoming book with the magical Shaheen Miro. Happy shuffling!
PS other books you might like:
Image from my personal collection
This 78-card tarot deck and guidebook is a healing tool and guide to explore both the light and shadow sides of our nature. By re imagining the traditional tarot archetypes and symbols in a contemporary, boho, and intuitive style, The Light Seer's Tarot expresses the light and shadow sides of our natures and explores the lessons that can be learned from both.
It has become a powerful and iconic representation of the Texas Tech spirit. In addition to its use in athletics, "Guns Up" has become a symbol of school pride and a way for students and alumni to connect with each other. The phrase is often used as a greeting or farewell among the Texas Tech community, further emphasizing its significance. Overall, the "Guns Up" epithet is a key aspect of the Texas Tech mascot and represents the passion, unity, and perseverance of the Red Raiders. It embodies the school's spirit and serves as a powerful symbol that unites the Texas Tech community in their support for their athletic teams and their love for their university..
Reviews for "The Impact of Texas Tech's Mascot Epithet on Student Life"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with the Texas Tech mascot epithet. As a lifelong fan of the team, I expected the university to come up with something much more creative and representative of our school spirit. The chosen mascot was dull and lacked any real character. It felt like a missed opportunity to showcase our unique identity.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the effort put into designing the Texas Tech mascot epithet, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed by the final result. It simply didn't stand out among other university mascots and failed to capture the essence of our school. The lack of creativity was evident, and it left me questioning the decision-making process behind this choice.
3. David - 2/5 stars - I have always been proud to be a Texas Tech alumnus, but the new mascot epithet has left me feeling disheartened. The design lacks imagination and originality, resembling generic mascots seen at countless other institutions. It does not reflect our vibrant campus culture nor does it ignite any sense of pride. I hope the university reevaluates their decision and comes up with a more compelling mascot that truly represents Texas Tech.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - The Texas Tech mascot epithet is a major letdown. It lacks the wow factor that one expects from a university mascot. The design is uninspiring, unremarkable, and forgettable. It's hard to imagine anyone feeling excited or motivated by this mascot. Texas Tech deserves better representation, and I hope they reconsider their choice.