Russian Tarot of St.Petersburg: 6 of Swords

[Little Baron]

Visually, this is one of the cards that I like the most in this deck. The colours are sumptuous and in this case, take up more of the oval space than the black background, which causes some of the other cards to have the cold feeling we have spoken about previously.

The picture shows two figures on a boat. The man is steering and the woman is the passenger. They move through very rocky water, but we cannot see whether calmer seas are ahead, which leads me to believe this is a card of the moment. In the distance is a city. Because of the angle in which the boat is sailing, I cannot tell whether the boat is moving towards it or past it. Have they just left it?
The woman's head is bowed and her face can not be seen. I feel that she is the subject of this card. It is her 'journey' that is of importance here - more so than the man.

The accompanying book has little to say about the meaning of this card - Giles speaks about the differences of the Waite card - the absense of the child, the fact that the man is seated and 'seen' rather than viewed from behind, standing. She says 'as a result of these differences, the Russian Tarot of St Petersburg card gives the impression that they are not fleeing, but are perhaps engaged on a private voyage'. Interesting, since the keyword she uses for the card is 'escape'.

Maybe this woman's journey is not a lone one and the man is accompanying her as a friend or lover. Maybe the child can not be seen because it is inside her.

I see the 'six' as a harmonious and feminine number. It is not active like the masculine 'five' and 'seven' - it is passive. Is this card suggesting that we slip away and avoid the drama of a situation? Is it suggesting a point where confrontation (active, masculine) is not necessary - to walk away from an argument or conflict of mind or opinion? Maybe the woman is seeking help through this journey; passing through the rocky seas like some kind of therapy or means to recovery; seeking advice privately; spending time away from a difficult situation with a friend. It may be a time of moving away from society and others for reflection (thinking and formulating new ideas) - that would tie in with the choices offered by The Lovers (trump 6).

Hmmm ... a little confused about this one. Look forward to other's views.

LB

[HearthCricket]

The Six of Swords: A lovely ornate, but small boat is represented in rather choppy water. This boat was hired in haste. A man steers the boat with confidence-he has skill in sailing and has been in this position before. But the woman, sitting away from us, with head bent down, is downcast. He bears her away on a journey to start a new life elsewhere, but the outcome is unknown. The city they pass is not the one they have left, nor the one they will go to. It is walled and keeping them out. This card expresses a quick escape, perhaps after someone has found shame in the woman, but hope prevails, as the man's confidence is shown in his face. There is shame and sorrow, but not despair. She is lowering her head in humility, but not bursting into tears. With a strong wind and fully open sail there is yet hope to start anew, and leave the tempestuous waves behind. Interesting note-you cannot see the man's right hand. He can be resting it, or he could be holding her hand in encouragement. Does he know her, or is he simply in charge of bringing her to her destination? While this card often represents a woman and child, we see no child, at all. Either she is with child, and that is her shame, or she has another burden. She has been cast out, but because of her own actions and she is accepts this.

[Little Baron]

I think it is interesting that like me, you felt that the city was one that they had not come from and was not one that they are going to. That could be connected with the 'shame' idea; that they are not accepted by many and need to be in a place with a calmer, more optimistic and liberal environment.

Thanks
LB

[HearthCricket]

I also feel like this was a fairly rapid decision and that it will not be a far journey. The boat is small, instead of a large ship, and there are no bundles in the boat. Therefore an "escape" sort of mood about it.