Thoughts re. the Victoria Regina
Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 01 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.
| Namaste |
01 Apr 2005 |
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I know that many people have mentioned being put off by the transformation of the Swords into guns in this deck, or the use of Mason jars as cups.
Having just started with this deck, I confess that find this transformation quite appropriate to the context of Victorian England.
British colonialism being at its zenith during this era, I find the guns to be an interesting choice. Rifles were used as one of the weapons of choice. The Bow Street Runners of London were among the first professional police departments in the world. The bounties they were paid for each conviction, with their subsequent inducements to corruption, meant that many hated them. Their choice of weapon? The hand-gun, which they wielded to some effect.
As for the Mason jars, they remind me of the warmth of the metaphorical hearth. Preserve making may be quaint, but few would fail to associate it with motherhood and home.
I find the transformation of Wands into pens absolutely delightful. The written (or spoken) word without verve and passion is meaningless, so the pen to transmit the particular energy of the wands is a masterful idea. I am also reminded of the important and quite revolutionary treatises that were written at the time, Mary Wolstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Women, and the plethora of other controversial writings that appeared in light of the extent to which industrialisation depressed living standards in England, and the ways in which the poor were treated. Not to speak, of course, of the genius of such writers as Dickens, Blake, Wilde, Hardy, Eliot, etc. Let us not forget, also, the strides that were made because of this industrialization and accompanying technology in the field of communication, especially the communication of ideas and theories.
It is natural that this self-same industrialization and technology should have lead to the equation of "time means money". The clocks as Pentacles might also be a metaphor for the oppressive order and restrictive moral principles that Queen Victoria tried to impose upon her people. Industrialization was supposed to bring progress, and it did, of course, but it also dehumanized and became a locus of control in which materialism prevailed.
I thought to be bothered by the lack of colour, but not at all.
I must add, that the VR Chariot is among the three Chariots that I like the best in any deck.
Do let me know what you think. :D
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| Imagemaker |
01 Apr 2005 |
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I haven't had my VR deck out for ages, but I loved using it. Seeing the different suit symbols absolutely re-energized my reading then--as a writer, I totally love the pens as a symbol for action.
And the guns make the "weapon" idea of swords (potential for true damage, to ourselves and others, in our words or thoughts) cards into a high impact reminder.
For me these different interpretations of the cards are what causes my intuitive antennae to wake up to new possibilities.
Must go find my deck right now!
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| Namaste |
01 Apr 2005 |
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I haven't had my VR deck out for ages, but I loved using it. Seeing the different suit symbols absolutely re-energized my reading then--as a writer, I totally love the pens as a symbol for action.
And the guns make the "weapon" idea of swords (potential for true damage, to ourselves and others, in our words or thoughts) cards into a high impact reminder.
For me these different interpretations of the cards are what causes my intuitive antennae to wake up to new possibilities.
Must go find my deck right now!
Yours insights are most welcome, Imagemaker. :D
The idea of words and thoughts being as damaging as the "hardware" is very interesting. The firing of a gun, metaphorical or otherwise, can be considered synonymous with revelatory experiences such as minor or major epiphanies.
The pens were one of the reasons I decided to try and find this deck that is now becoming quite rare. I love literature, especially British 19th Century authors, so I think that is the reason these cards appeal to me. I tried reading with it yesterday re. my aspirations as a writer, but I believe I need a more objective reader. :laugh:
I'm glad you went looking for your deck again, and hope that we may exchange further insights into what is fast becoming a fascinating deck for me.
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| Requiella |
01 Apr 2005 |
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Namaste--I like your take on the VR deck!
To me, the rifles seemed pretty straightforward as a modern adaptation of the sword, and I had much the same thoughts about the Mason jars as you. However, your take on the pens and clocks is something that had not even occurred to me...very insightful! Thinking about it, I can see what you mean. Time is money, and it seems that idea really started to become a central part of our culture during Victorian times (with industrialization).
Thanks for giving me a new appreciation for this deck.
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| Namaste |
01 Apr 2005 |
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Namaste--I like your take on the VR deck!
To me, the rifles seemed pretty straightforward as a modern adaptation of the sword, and I had much the same thoughts about the Mason jars as you. However, your take on the pens and clocks is something that had not even occurred to me...very insightful! Thinking about it, I can see what you mean. Time is money, and it seems that idea really started to become a central part of our culture during Victorian times (with industrialization).
Thanks for giving me a new appreciation for this deck.
You're very welcome, Requiella. I look forward to your insights into this deck, also. :)
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The Thoughts re. the Victoria Regina thread was originally posted on 01 Apr 2005 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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