Coffin & flowers
[size=4+]COFFIN[/size]
the coffin is actually not so harsh a looking card, given it's title. the sarcophagus is beautifully colored, and thus indicates an ending, but also perhaps an ending with the knowledge and hope of future success.
The Egyptians believed in life after death, and they often would mummify the dead body and put them in a sarcophagus that was colorfully decorated and supplied with things they felt the spirit of the body would need in the afterlife.
the head of the sarcophagus for instance is symbolic of the head of the deceased, so that the soul would find it easier to find the body in the afterlife.
The color just under the blue and gold striped head piece would indicate a large amount of jewelry to me, and the red and gold round piece in the middle another piece of jewelry--a medalian. All this could indicate the wealth of the deceased.
The blue piece in the middle is a scarab beetle, which is symbolic of good luck, and the wings to either side represent the goddess of the Egyptians that would protect the person.
Even the symbols down the middle of this sarcophagus would have meaning, but alas, my eyes are not THAT good to determine what those symbols are! however, to the sides of teh card and above the card, I can do so, I believe. However, first, like Empath does, I feel I need to supply the site where I got my above information from:
http://www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/dyn_documents/mummy.pdf
Some of the information I already knew, but alas, always best to give credit where due.
above the sarcophagus, we again see the wings of the Goddess Nut--offering protection and to the sides, I would believe that just under the number '8' is an image of wheat--so the spirit would not know hunger. then the eye, so the spirit could see outside the sarcophagus. The ankh (cross w/loop at the top) is symbolic of life and then the cobra at the bottom is also symbolic of protection. I think the round ball on its head is either symbolic of the earth or perhaps the sun/moon? not sure and it's not shown in the LWB, so....
at any rate, this card, like death in the tarot, does not necessarily bring with it, ill tidings. It is more of a transformation card, one that indicates one thing is done and over and the person is moving forward into a new light/position. It is over all a well wishing card, I think. However, as with the death card in tarot, I'm sure that when this card pops up, the client may not get that initial impression.
GENERAL MEANING
the general meaning therefore, would be for transformation. leaving something behind and moving forward with a new idea/thought, etc.
NUMEROLOGY/ASTROLOGY
the number 8 in the upper left corner would indicate the 8th day, 8 weeks, or 8 mos. or the month of August. The roman numeral in the right hand side is also depicting 8.
FINANCIAL
Financially, depending on the cards around this, it can be a good or not so good card. If this card was the first card in a spread, I'd say the client is in for an unexpected or is about to start anew in a project that they may not have any idea of where it will lead them. If it comes after a good card, it would enhance the good card to say it will prove very fortunate for them. After a bad card, it would indicate some troubles they will overcome.
If this came at the end of a spread, I'd say that whatever the cards prior to it may indicate, all in all will work out in the end.
CAREER
For career, perhaps someone who is well versed or has something to do with art or hieroglyphics or Egypt, or history. a college professor perhaps? Or perhaps a mortician, grave digger, cemetery caretaker.
LOVE
For love, hmmm...very difficult, really, Ithink. Perhaps a love in a sense of really spiritually connecting and a strong ever lasting love? I'll have to think on this one and come back later.
HEALTH While I think cards very, very rarely do indicate death, I do believe they can indicate health issues. So, if this were to show up in a health reading, it may indicate a bad health problem will be overcome.
SPIRITUALLY
Spiritually, someone who is a believer in the afterlife.
TIMINGthink I already stated--8 days, 8wks, 8 mos or the 8th month--August.
I also noticed in the LWB that this card CAN indicate disease or sorrow. But, I really see it more like the death card in the tarot, and for me, it would have to depend on the position of hte card, with the other cards around it, as well as the question the cards are answering.
If this card was coming after the snake card, perhaps I would see it then as something sad coming their way via another person--a bad act coming their way and would warn them to watch out for that snake. If it was beside the clouds with the dark side of the cloud, it may also indicate illness, but if by the white side, I'd see this as the silver lining in the clouds coming to be--and this would be fortunate. Over all, a change is indicated w/this card, one that wouldn't allow the client to return to the past - as they are moving forward into a new experience/life.
flowers later--