Well, I cheated a tiny bit - did all the icons for kicks before I ever considered joining (you can "thank"
shadowomega for that). But here we go - hope they're not too terrible:
Fandom: Wrestling
Subject: Shawn Michaels/Triple H
#Icons: 22
Credits: TripleHUnleashed, WWE.com, and Forever-Shawn.net for caps, as well as
princessshannon for her DVD-quality caps over at
hbk_daily.
Spoilers: So that would be Shawn and Hunter's storylines for Raw and PPVs for the past nine years?
Warnings: I've got my slash goggles locked and loaded for this one. You can bring yours along or leave them at home, your choice.
Teaser:
0. The Fool
Shawn "HBK" Michaels, at the beginning of D-Generation-X nine years ago.
The Fool adds the new and unfamiliar to a situation. The Fool also represents the complete faith that life is good and worthy of trust. Some might call him too innocent, but his innocence sustains him and brings him joy.
I. The Magician
Triple H - Hunter Hearst Helmsley - winning the Undisputed Championship at Wrestlemania 18.
The Magician is the archetype of the active, masculine principle - the ultimate achiever. He symbolizes the power to tap universal forces and use them for creative purposes. He believes in himself and is willing to put that belief on the line.
II. The High Priestess
Hunter and his wife Stephanie McMahon, backstage at a Raw taping.
The High Priestess is the mysterious unknown that women often represent, especially in cultures that focus on the tangible and known. She is the feminine principle that balances the masculine force of the Magician, and also represents intuition and creativity.
III. The Empress
Hunter and Shawn with the third member of DX who usually kept them somewhat in line - Chyna.
The Empress represents dual loves in a man's life - the love of the beloved, and the love and approval of parental figures. She often represents mothers, good and bad, or the demands of the real world.
IV. The Emperor
Hunter with Ric Flair, former partner with Evolution and longtime mentor.
The Emperor often represents learning with experts or knowledgeable teachers. In chaotic situations, the Emperor can indicate the need for organization, and can also stand for an individual father or archetypal Father in his role as guide, protector and provider.
V. The Heirophant
DX versus Vince McMahon - the ultimate in "let's stick it to The Man".
The Hierophant represents structured groups with rules and assigned roles. Such environments emphasize belief systems - facts, rules, procedures, and ritual, where members are rewarded for following conventions. This card also stands for institutions and their values.
VI. The Lovers
Shawn kissing Hunter in the ring for kicks during a DX promo.
The Lovers card often refers to a relationship that is based on deep love - the strongest force of all. The relationship may not be sexual, although it often is or could be. More generally, the Lovers can represent the attractive force that draws any two entities together in a relationship - whether people, ideas, events, movements or groups.
VII. The Chariot
A reunited Shawn and Hunter at Vengeance '02, telling Steph and Eric Bischoff to "suck it".
The Chariot represents the victories that are possible through willpower and self-mastery. This card also represents the positive aspects of the ego. A healthy ego is one that is strong and self-assured - it knows what it wants and how to get it.
VIII. Strength
Hunter thanking Shawn for sticking it out with a dislocated shoulder at Summerslam '06.
Strength is perseverance, courage, resolve and composure - qualities that help us endure when times are tough. In the past, a person with "inner strength" was commonly said to have character; he or she could be counted on in the darkest moments. Strength represents this energy of quiet determination.
IX. The Hermit
Hunter during rehab for his quad injury in early 2001.
The Hermit represents the desire to turn away from the getting and spending of society to focus on the inner world. He seeks answers within and knows that they will come only with quiet and solitude. In addition, the Hermit can represent seeking of all kinds, especially for deeper understanding or the truth of a situation.
X. Wheel of Fortune
Shawn confronting Mike Tyson at Wrestlemania 14, his final match before life-threatening back surgery.
The Wheel of Fortune represents unexpected encounters and twists of fate. It often suggests wheel-like actions - changes in direction, repeating cycles and rapid movement. It is the experiencing of chance events that appear to be accidents, although a higher power may be guiding those events.
XI. Justice
Kevin Nash playing referee between a feuding Shawn and Hunter in 2003.
Justice represents the understanding that life can be ultimately fair. Even though the vagaries of day-to-day life tend to make us doubt this fact, Justice reminds us that there is divine balance as well as cause and effect. Justice tries to absolutely impartial, but can be affected by outside factors.
XII. The Hanged Man
Shawn, praying before a Raw taping in 2004.
The main lesson of the Hanged Man is that we "control" by letting go - we "win" by surrendering. The figure depicted on the card has made the ultimate surrender - to die on the cross of his own travails. He has sacrificed himself, but he emerges the victor. In readings, the Hanged Man reminds us that the best approach to a problem is not always the most obvious.
XIII. Death
Hunter raising Shawn's hand in victory after the first Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood '97.
In readings, Death often represents an important ending that will initiate great change. It signals the end of an era; a moment when a door is closing. Death also suggests getting down to basics - dying has a way of making you concentrate on what's important and reminding you to cut out the unnecessary. Death is inevitable, and sometimes there are events that are inescapable as well.
XIV. Temperance
A backstage shot of Hunter and Shawn, arguing during a promo for a Raw taping in 2005.
Temperance can represent a need for moderation or a need for balance. In conflict situations, Temperance suggests that compromise and cooperation are vital, and it is an opportunity to bring opposing parties together. In fact, to temper can mean to modify by adding a new component. By combining and recombining, we come up with the ideal mixture or solution.
XV. The Devil
Hunter and Shawn, defiant, but getting the hell out of England after screwing Davey Boy out of his IC title.
The Devil lets you know that you are caught in an unhealthy, unproductive situation. You may be obsessed by a person, idea, substance or pattern that you know is bad for you (or maybe you don't!). On the other hand, however, it can also be a warning to someone who is too restrained and/or dispassionate and never allows him or herself to be rash or wild or ambitious, which is yet another form of enslavement.
XVI. The Tower
Hunter about to deliver a sledgehammer shot to Shawn's back after their Unsanctioned Match at Summerslam '02.
The Tower represents a sudden, dramatic upheaval or reversal in fortune. Usually change is gradual, giving us time to adapt, but sometimes it is quick and explosive. To some, it symbolises failure, ruin and catastrophe. To others, it represents holding on to false ideas or pretenses; a new approach to thinking about the problem is needed. How you respond to the Tower's change makes all the difference in how uncomfortable the experience will be, but a fall from grace is still a fall.
XVII. The Star
June 12th, 2006 - the reuniting of D-Generation-X.
In readings, the Star is most welcome when grief and despair have overwhelmed us. In our darkest moments, we need to know that there is hope, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is important to remember that the Star is inspiring, but it is not a card of practical solutions or final answers. It lets you know that you are on the right track.
XVIII. The Moon
Staring each other down after Hunter walked out on his guest-referee match, and Shawn walked in.
The Moon often stands for fears and anxieties - the ones that come in the darkest part of the night - but it can also stand for illusions. It is easy to lose our way in the moonlight. Be careful not to let deceptions and false ideas lead you astray. Sometimes the Moon is a signal that you are lost and wandering aimlessly, signifying either a lack of courage or being overcome by anxieties.
XIV. The Sun
Shawn and Hunter's first on-camera hug in four years, during a July '02 Raw taping.
The Sun symbolizes vitality and splendor. The Sun is definitely not a meek and retiring card. It signifies having total confidence in yourself. You have unlimited energy and glow with health. You have a greatness about you and stand out brilliantly. This card represents accomplishment, contentment, achievement, success and honors, and can signify a new beginning.
XX. Judgement
Matching smug grins for a DX promo picture in 2006.
Judgement comes in two forms. The hurtful kind says, "What you did is wrong, and you are bad and worthless for having done it." This type of judgment separates and leaves no room for redemption. Other times, it can be an affirmation of a solid choice. In readings, Judgement can be a reminder that sometimes you must decide. This card also signifies final decisions made; a new life beginning; results, the end of doubts and the answers to questions.
XXI. The World
DX's trademark crotch-chops at Vengeance '06, their first match as a tag-team in nine years.
The World represents moments of complete happiness and all that goes into them. A major element of happiness is wholeness - the sense that everything is working together in harmony and balance. There is also accomplishment - knowing that we have goals and are moving toward them successfully. In readings, it is a very positive sign that you are in a position to realize your heart's desire. But the card also represents an ending to a cycle of life, a pause in life before the next big cycle beginning with the Fool.
Notes: Much love goes to
_head1st4halos_, who's ten times the graphics genius I am, for her support and fellow fangirling. Also, to the gang at
hbk_daily, who are ridiculously awesome and supportive.