Lemniscate / infinity symbol
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Oct 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| gloria |
29 Oct 2003 |
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The lemniscate is the symbol for infinity.
I understand the word infinity to mean – time or space that has no end.
Also – a point so far away that it cannot be reached.
There are three cards in RW deck that show the lemniscate.
Magician Strength and two/Discs.
I’d like to hear your views on how you relate this symbol and its meanings to these cards.
Gloria.
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| jmd |
29 Oct 2003 |
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Ravenswing once began a thread very much related to this question, titled eternity. Another thread which discusses this theme is isthmus nekoi's infinity symbols.
As to the meaning of the cards in relation to the lemniscate, it can show that the Divine or the Spiritual hovers in the very act being represented, without necessarily conscious awareness by the character in question.
With the two of Coins, it may likewise show that the Spiritual operates deep within the material bounds of manifestation.
Again, as per the other threads linked, this is a possible interpretation, for the lemniscate was only hinted at in earlier decks, in either the form of the hats worn by the Bateleur and the Person on the Strength card, and open-ribboned upon the two of Coins.
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| Eberhard |
29 Oct 2003 |
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The sign [infinity] to signify infinite number was introduced by John Wallis in 1655 in his "De sectionibus conicus" in this manner: "Esto enim [infinity] nota numeri infiniti."
from: Earliest Uses of Symbols of Calculus
Regarding this I can't believe that the infinity symbol as part of the then "state of the art" maths was already used in the TdM.
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| jmd |
29 Oct 2003 |
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Quite so, Eberhard. But with some qualifications, for, according to my past rading in the history of Mathematics - and I would have to dig up notes years old - the symbol was also used on Roman Abaci, for either the thousand or ten thousand column (I do not recall).
It was taken, therefore, to already refer to 'very large numbers' prior to the twelfth century.
The point about the Marseilles deck not quite having lemniscates is of course correct. Hence my note that this is possible interpretation.
And thanks for the link, by the way, which I'll peruse when I have a little more time and am focussing on mathematical symbols (which I do regularly too :)).
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| Dark_angel |
29 Oct 2003 |
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The Magician and Strength both have powers beyond those which can easily be explained away; the Magician's intellect, and Strength's almost holy calmness as she tames a fierce beast with a pat of her hand. The Two of Pentacles could have it to symbolise that this is a period in which you have to be careful about your finances (juggling the coins), as numbers are obviously very important to mathematics! It could also suggest that the financial skills you gain in this period are for life, not just for now.
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| gloria |
29 Oct 2003 |
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Many thanks for the link JMD - most helpful.
Thanks Dark_angel.
G.
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| Star Spirit |
29 Oct 2003 |
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I was wondering the same thing about the infinity symbols just yesterday. I've always had a fascination with the symbol itself and often use it in drawings.
Originally posted by Dark_angel
The Magician and Strength both have powers beyond those which can easily be explained away; the Magician's intellect, and Strength's almost holy calmness as she tames a fierce beast with a pat of her hand. The Two of Pentacles could have it to symbolise that this is a period in which you have to be careful about your finances (juggling the coins), as numbers are obviously very important to mathematics! It could also suggest that the financial skills you gain in this period are for life, not just for now.
I like this interpretation. I think in a way, all three cards signify things that could impact the rest of our lives, thus the reason for the infinity symbol. Strength is something that can help you through everything; it can be difficult to acquire, but if you do, you can overcome anything. The Magician can give you the tools to make your dreams come true, and although he is often a trickster, by looking carefully into every situation you can acquire the skills to suspect when something isn't quite right, which can be very valuable in life. The Two of Pentacles teaches us to take care of ourselves, our health and our finances, our plans and our projects, and gives us the means to juggle our problems. Either way, all of these cards offer us life skills that can change the way we deal with worldly problems and impact the rest of our lives--whether we learn the lesson of the cards or not.
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| gloria |
30 Oct 2003 |
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I like this interpretation. I think in a way, all three cards signify things that could impact the rest of our lives, thus the reason for the infinity symbol.
So what would be your thoughts if these same three cards came up in a reading together but reversed.
Another thing I noticed they were in past and future/outcome positions.
Magician rev past
2/Discs rev future
Strength rev outcome.
This is why I asked about the infinity symbol, it has to have a bearing on this reading.
Gloria.
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| Star Spirit |
31 Oct 2003 |
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Hard to say. I'll have to think about that one ;)
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| Dark_angel |
31 Oct 2003 |
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My instinct looking at this draw is that "this too shall pass". It may seem like a permanent thing, affecting your past, present and near future, but it is ultimately transient, as the opposite of infinity is finity (is that a word? basically, that this is something of finite duration, even if you can't see the end).
The reversal of these cards could signify a period of confusion and inability to act. The Magician's intellectual connection has temporarily been lost, and he has to rely on other attributes, like his charisma and instinct, as he finds his tricks going wrong. The woman in Strength loses her courage to tame the lion - even though she could still do it, she is too scared to, and so appears weakened due to her lack of confidence. The reversal of the two of pentacles suggests a loss of control over finances - kind of like my own situation as a student... we watch our bank balance as it freefalls further into debt. But all of this is temporary, things will recover.
xxx
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| gloria |
31 Oct 2003 |
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Thanks Dead Star, I asked for another opinion, really to open my mind up to alternate possibilities.
It’s easy for the mind to get boxed or hemmed in with formatted interpretations.
A word here, a sentence there, can trigger the imagination to wander in other directions. Especially in regards to the RW symbols.
Until now, I hadn’t given much thought to the Lemniscate and its meaning.
So, another exciting discovery for me.
Cheers, Gloria.
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| gloria |
31 Oct 2003 |
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Have only just seen your post, thank you for views here, most interesting.
G.
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The Lemniscate / infinity symbol thread was originally posted on 29 Oct 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.
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