Sophie-David
Wow, I just read the brief story of Dindrane in A Keeper of Words: what an incredible, self-sacrificing but powerful woman! A story to give one goosebumps for sure. She is described as the sister to Percivale, and hence, in the context of the cards, perhaps a feminine counterpart to the Fool.
Her own Fool's Journey certainly accomplishes much, for she is the energy and wisdom behind the succesful quest for the Holy Grail. In effect, the three successful knights, Galahad, Percivale, and Bors, are her agents. It is by her determination and power that the ships which carry forth the ultimate, most holy and transfiguring adventure of the Grail are brought forth. Dindrane is the interpreter of the symbols of the quest; in her skill and dedication her very hair holds together the scabbard of the Sword of Strange Hangings. Her final act is to give her blood to heal a sick woman, and in doing so she dies.
Like the Knight of Spears, Dindrane stares forward with intensity, power and determination. Her face is firm but her eyes have the softness of compassion. Her hair is grey, perhaps prematurely, for her features appear quite young and dynamic. She gathers her cloak in one hand and steadies herself with a rope in the other. Her grasp appears sure but not strained.
Dindrane's tunic is a riot of colour, arranged in heraldic but feminine patterns, projecting her passion. The hem of her dress echoes these patterns, reflecting her internal integration. She wears the royal colour of gold; her cloak and dress are not ostentacious but reasonably practical for a woman of her rank.
Three animals appear to be drawn to her emanations of spiritual power. Above her a seagull floats on the wind, its wings outstretched, evocative of the descending spirit. Behind her another gull has just landed on the rail of the ship: the spirit is with her. At her feet an grey and white cat seems to emerge from her cloak. Perhaps a ship's cat, and symbolic of adapability, mystery, grace, feminine wisdom and poise.
The ship itself sports fine ropes which almost seem to be made of gold, and the sails are a royal purple. The energy of the sea and sky are not antagonist to her, but move according to her will, carrying forth her purpose. This Queen, the ship and the seascape are together carried forward by potent spiritual power, about to encounter the land of the Grail. Her three knights are not visible, for there energy is inconsequential in this context.
Her own Fool's Journey certainly accomplishes much, for she is the energy and wisdom behind the succesful quest for the Holy Grail. In effect, the three successful knights, Galahad, Percivale, and Bors, are her agents. It is by her determination and power that the ships which carry forth the ultimate, most holy and transfiguring adventure of the Grail are brought forth. Dindrane is the interpreter of the symbols of the quest; in her skill and dedication her very hair holds together the scabbard of the Sword of Strange Hangings. Her final act is to give her blood to heal a sick woman, and in doing so she dies.
Like the Knight of Spears, Dindrane stares forward with intensity, power and determination. Her face is firm but her eyes have the softness of compassion. Her hair is grey, perhaps prematurely, for her features appear quite young and dynamic. She gathers her cloak in one hand and steadies herself with a rope in the other. Her grasp appears sure but not strained.
Dindrane's tunic is a riot of colour, arranged in heraldic but feminine patterns, projecting her passion. The hem of her dress echoes these patterns, reflecting her internal integration. She wears the royal colour of gold; her cloak and dress are not ostentacious but reasonably practical for a woman of her rank.
Three animals appear to be drawn to her emanations of spiritual power. Above her a seagull floats on the wind, its wings outstretched, evocative of the descending spirit. Behind her another gull has just landed on the rail of the ship: the spirit is with her. At her feet an grey and white cat seems to emerge from her cloak. Perhaps a ship's cat, and symbolic of adapability, mystery, grace, feminine wisdom and poise.
The ship itself sports fine ropes which almost seem to be made of gold, and the sails are a royal purple. The energy of the sea and sky are not antagonist to her, but move according to her will, carrying forth her purpose. This Queen, the ship and the seascape are together carried forward by potent spiritual power, about to encounter the land of the Grail. Her three knights are not visible, for there energy is inconsequential in this context.