Moongold
16-03-2004, 03:29
Going through the suits like this is helping me understand more about about the foundations of the Marseilles. I’ve had a sense that swords is the area where there is most difference between RWS style decks and the Marseilles.
Swords represent air (though I have never really understood why). Sandra Thomson in Pictures from the Heart comments that “…Swords equate with the process of sublimate, the process whereby instinctual content is spontaneously transformed into an image, often as a bird or other winged figure’. Irene Gad in Tarot and Individuation describes the sword in a particular image of le Bateleur as meaning.”The sword, with its cross shaped hilt, is a symbol of the union of the masculine and the feminine principles, the reconciliation of opposites, daring, enthusiasm, passion and transformation. It is the discriminating stance, analytic thinking, begetting logos, the capacity to cut asunder, to separate, a sunny, generative power.”
I’d really appreciate other comments on what the sword might represent in the Marseilles.
In the Fournier, the Swords Courts seem to have a young, fresh energy about them, with the possible exception of the Reyne, who has a frown on her face. The Roy looks quite swashbuckling, sitting on a throne with interesting symbolism. A large sword in one hand and the other quite casually resting on a kind of mace on his hip.
The Queen, as someone (Punch or Jewel_ry?) pointed out appears to be pregnant, and her left hand rests on her swelling tummy. In her right hand she holds a red sword. What is the symbolism of the red, and why is she frowning just at this moment?
The image of the Cavalier is quite energetic and reminds me of those knights in Arthurian times who used to joust. His sword is huge, perhaps two-thirds the length of the horse, and he wears a kind of armour.
The Valet is quite powerful figure, with that kingly hat again, a sword in the left hand, whilst his right hand rests on a red scabbard. For some reason, this does seem like a “younger”, more energized suit than the others, even more resonant of Camelot for me, although I’m sure that Camelot has little to do with the Marseilles.
The pips are very interesting, As with the Courts the predominant colour is blue, and I think this is unique to the Fournier. The Ace is highly energized, a hand holding a sword piercing a crown. A red flower adorns the end of the word and yods appear to be falling from the crown. I counted 24, which do not quite make sense in terms of any numerical significance. Maybe someone else can comment.
The rest of the pips show graceful curving representations of swords, with various configurations of flowers and colours in each image. The numbers are represented by the curving swords, beginning from two. Three is represented by the two curving swords plus an actual sword, and this pattern repeats itself throughout the suit, with swords appearing in V, VII, IX and X to indicate the actual number depicted.
The ‘symbolic swords are purple, except where they intersect and thence become royal blue. There are various other colours in these “swords” as well. I would like to know more about why and how these symbols were chosen for swords. Overnight I could not find any information.
The images are graceful, colorful and compelling. It will be interesting to see what interpretations will arise from them in readings.
Swords represent air (though I have never really understood why). Sandra Thomson in Pictures from the Heart comments that “…Swords equate with the process of sublimate, the process whereby instinctual content is spontaneously transformed into an image, often as a bird or other winged figure’. Irene Gad in Tarot and Individuation describes the sword in a particular image of le Bateleur as meaning.”The sword, with its cross shaped hilt, is a symbol of the union of the masculine and the feminine principles, the reconciliation of opposites, daring, enthusiasm, passion and transformation. It is the discriminating stance, analytic thinking, begetting logos, the capacity to cut asunder, to separate, a sunny, generative power.”
I’d really appreciate other comments on what the sword might represent in the Marseilles.
In the Fournier, the Swords Courts seem to have a young, fresh energy about them, with the possible exception of the Reyne, who has a frown on her face. The Roy looks quite swashbuckling, sitting on a throne with interesting symbolism. A large sword in one hand and the other quite casually resting on a kind of mace on his hip.
The Queen, as someone (Punch or Jewel_ry?) pointed out appears to be pregnant, and her left hand rests on her swelling tummy. In her right hand she holds a red sword. What is the symbolism of the red, and why is she frowning just at this moment?
The image of the Cavalier is quite energetic and reminds me of those knights in Arthurian times who used to joust. His sword is huge, perhaps two-thirds the length of the horse, and he wears a kind of armour.
The Valet is quite powerful figure, with that kingly hat again, a sword in the left hand, whilst his right hand rests on a red scabbard. For some reason, this does seem like a “younger”, more energized suit than the others, even more resonant of Camelot for me, although I’m sure that Camelot has little to do with the Marseilles.
The pips are very interesting, As with the Courts the predominant colour is blue, and I think this is unique to the Fournier. The Ace is highly energized, a hand holding a sword piercing a crown. A red flower adorns the end of the word and yods appear to be falling from the crown. I counted 24, which do not quite make sense in terms of any numerical significance. Maybe someone else can comment.
The rest of the pips show graceful curving representations of swords, with various configurations of flowers and colours in each image. The numbers are represented by the curving swords, beginning from two. Three is represented by the two curving swords plus an actual sword, and this pattern repeats itself throughout the suit, with swords appearing in V, VII, IX and X to indicate the actual number depicted.
The ‘symbolic swords are purple, except where they intersect and thence become royal blue. There are various other colours in these “swords” as well. I would like to know more about why and how these symbols were chosen for swords. Overnight I could not find any information.
The images are graceful, colorful and compelling. It will be interesting to see what interpretations will arise from them in readings.