I find this card very clear and very clever - but I emphatically do not agree totally with the blurb that goes with it. I don't think all politicians and priests are hypocritical and venal and cunning. It is very true that the religious leaders of the middle ages kept control of the masses by withholding education to keep control, and of course far earlier than that (third century was it?) the political and religious leaders chose the books of the bible that we would be entitled to read and believe, again to keep control, and it worked wonderfully for hundreds of years, until worldwide communication connected us. And I agree that many politicians are corrupt and in it for the money. But not all, and not all priests either ,and I find the generalisation unworthy.
However, I do believe it to be very true that we constantly wear masks in front of others, and in front of ourselves, and hide our true natures - also to ourselves at times.
I have drawn this card for myself before - and was quite shocked at it. But I used it to look deep inside to see what face I was wearing, whether I was trying to fool others (or myself), and it was a very useful, if painful, exercise. It is very true indeed - 'whatever you might achieve in this way will just turn to dust in your hands'.
I find it interesting that the cloudy, forked-tongue snake covers up the heart area, and also the throat (communication). The rattling tail-end shows danger.
Comparison to the traditional RWS is difficult. That card is the thief (perhaps) stealing away with the swords. The theme of the card could be an act of bravery which leads to a change of consciousness - here perhaps the comparison could be the fact of looking at ourselves honestly to see the masks we wear and peel them away to find the truth. That could certainly lead to a change of consciousness.