3- The Ship
okay, well after posting my thoughts on both cards, I went back to read LZs and see you only did the clover. Perhaps you are still going to do the ship as well and just didn't get the time yet? your PM to me does state two cards each week--so I'll be patient and hope I didn't jump the gun!
You did just fine!
I had only done the Clover and had to study the Ship but got caught up with unexpected things...
But I'm now ready to copy/paste my study on the Ship so here we go!
3- The Ship
Interpretation of symbolisms:
Right upper corner, this time we have 9 as it is written as a Roman numeral, I believe it must be to make a difference with just a number and to emphasize its symbolism. So far the artist has placed on this corner the planetary symbol of Mercury with the Rider, possibly the one of Mars (unless it would be for the sign of the Sagittarius) on the Clover. If this is a pattern, then this has to be related to either planet or astrology signs and in that case, I’ll say this is one of the astrological houses, thus the 9th House. And it does make sense as the 9th house is following the theme of The Ship. The 9th house is related to far away travels, higher ideals, can be physical or spiritual, etc…
This ship is accompanied by a whale: The whale speaks of a spiritual journey, embracing the unknown, relates to unconscious mind, deep spiritual connection, deeper awareness, calm…Therefore, this Ship is not just about an actual physical trip, it can be about a spiritual journey. The weather is clement, the whale adds to the sense of calmness. Also the whale as come up to get back oxygen thus to breathe deeply, it swims in among the waves so it tells me to keep my peace even when things don’t go very smooth in my life journey.
The Cross on the sail: This speaks of ascension, spiritual navigation (for deeper knowledge, to re-center ourselves) – cyclical navigation: the 4 seasons of life as we travel through them, spiritual connection, rising (vertical arm of the cross) and setting of consciousness (horizontal arm of the cross), transition, balance.
Flags: red: life, actions, energy, enthusiasm – blue: peace, healing, inspiration – green: growth, youth, adventure – white lines on the sails: cleansing, enlightenment, purity, peace. Thus, the flags give us clues about which direction are we going, what is the purpose of this journey.
The winds are favorable and blowing nicely on the sails, so no matter what this is a positive card and the right winds are blowing.
General meaning:
This picture gives a sense of peace, of adventure, tells us that we are “on our way”, that we are sailing to new horizons. We might discover something, meet new people, modify our present course of action, our current life. It speaks of changes, of going further, relocating. It speaks also of freedom, of dreams, and goals, imaginations. People coming into our life or leaving it. Foreign contacts. Can speak of our life journey in general, of a spiritual journey, or a typical trip, other cards of course will really determine the nature of that journey. Can also speak of vacations, of contact with distant relationship, people living far away from us, something, or someone coming to us or leaving us.
Also that life is not just a “calm sea” as the sea is very calm by the horizon but is wavy in the foreground of the picture where the whale swims. Our journeys will be made of diverse cycles, calm or tumultuous we must keep sailing towards our destination, our goal. This card has some of the same themes as the Rider. For the Rider also there was a hint that on his journey he would encounter many different things but that he remained peaceful through it all.
Now, personally I will interpret the direction toward which the ship is sailing when combining with other cards. That is probably not doing it “by the book” but this is my way…and I believe that if I set up that symbolism, the oracle will respond to it and the right cards will fall on the left and right of the Ship to convey the right message (just like for the Rider). Thus, I would interpret a card on the left of the Ship as the direction to which one goes, and on the right as something one leaves.
Health:
Going away for a treatment, time to take a break go in vacation and resource ourselves, need for a change of course of action, need to go away from cities and go out where the air is pure, need to free our minds, water therapy, remedies or diet related to the ocean.
Financial:
Moving further ahead, making investment in new areas, money transaction with other countries, money coming to us from a distant source, using money for travel purposes.
Love:
Changes in our love life, leaving a present relationship or vice versa, moving ahead in a relationship, meeting someone on a trip, having a relationship with someone living far away from us, moving away from loved ones, or toward them (if they live far away and the ship point to the right card), keeping distance in a relationship or time for a couple to take a break and favor their intimacy with a “second honeymoon”, going on a cruise with a mate.
Career:
Having a traveling job, a career involving travel like pilots, flight attendants, working on a boat, The Navy, travelling agent, doing business with people that are not close by, internet sales, business travel, leaving an actual job for something different.
Spiritually:
Sailing to new horizon, going further, spiritual awareness, exploring new level of spirituality, changing the course of our spiritual life and/or beliefs, choosing to get out of the "religious box", turning to foreign, different spirituality, going on a retreat...
Timing:
The ship gives an idea of longer timing. Moreover, a ship like the one on the card took about 1 month to travel cross Atlantic and a steam boat like the France, Queen Mary, etc…took about 5 days. So, I would interpret that things will take some time.
Now, it is time for me to read what you discovered