Ana Luisa explores Rainring card images - 1

94stranger

Ana Luisa explores Rainring Card images (1) sets 1-3

We are in the period which I suppose can be categorised as the birth pains of the Rainring cards. It is therefore of particular importance to this birthing process to have a blogger such as Ana Luisa acting as midwife in this process. Ana's great advantage is that she has her own access route to the Unconscious - she is not 'following' anything I say, indeed, she sometimes contradicts my views. Once a set of words and images gets into the public domain, the illustrators and myself lose all control, in the sense that what the words and images 'mean' is not limited to what our conscious intentions may have been. Ana's work therefore begins what I am sure will be an unending process of expanding beyond those original limits, as the Unconscious itself uses the cards to communicate to those who approach them. To those who are interested in this work, I recommend a visit to the 'others explore Rainring' section of the rainring-related index on my wordpress blog. Meanwhile: enjoy what's here! Everything not in italics is Ana Luisa, verbatim. 94stranger

Those cards are excellent!! Straightforward and very meaningful! One more on my wish list… Here’s what they “look like” to me. I may be way off so, it’s really just a VERY personal opinion. BTW, I read all the explanations and my opinions are based more on what the image says to me. Thank you for giving me the chance to go over them


SET 1

1 - Deflation
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Deflation/1.aspx
This card has a very strong sexual connotation to me. It could imply emasculation, domineering mother memories or even fighting( or rather being threatened by) homosexual urges. It can also report back to childhood traumatic events that were so strong then that they still make the man feel like a child, powerless. Over reliance on paternal/maternal security put to test (the one that comforts looks threatening).
2 - Control -
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Control/2.aspx
a person who wants to do things “right”, according to the book. His eyes are looking up , not at the book. He has the knowledge and the book open at a certain page may imply that he knows exactly what he has to do, where to look for the correct answers BUT his will is different. He will not surrender to temptation though. He’s fully dressed and the arches reinforce the idea of constraint. for some reason, this image reminds me of biblical passages…
3 - Withdrawal
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Withdrawal/3.aspx
- this is a powerful card. The man looks really resentful. As if the woman had done something terrible to him and now, he decided to stay away from her. He’s not going away for good. It’s an escape, to think things over, to give himself some time alone. Again, don’t know why but I feel a lot of paternal/maternal (pampering) relationship here. She could be the father or even his wife. It doesn’t really matter. But there was a relationship of dependence and trust, and, it has been taken to the limit. it could even show the adolescent trying to leave the nest.
4 - Torpor
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Torpor/4.aspx
- I loved having many elements in this card!! I see this card as one of choice. When things are tough, either circumstances are difficult (hot) or your body is not really up for it, you may take different attitudes. If I were reading, I would give advice on the image that caught my attention first. The men opted for waiting for things to cool off. The snake, although deprived of legs, managed to move a bit and find shelter. The fox is “getting out of there” (and doesn’t look like it’s coming back). And the camel was the “smart” one who kept provisions (water in his stomach) for worse days that would come.
5 - Obsession
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Obsession/5.aspx
- My favorite card! Yes, I’m weird I like it so much because it speaks volumes. To me, it does relate to psychological problems. The branches look like neurons and her gaze is not healthy at all. The butterfly implies fragility and the whole blue/dark atmosphere suggests closing up in her inner world. This card could go from simple phobias to sheer schizophrenia. her look may suggest feelings of “persecution”, as if she feels the world is out to get her. The only hope (color) is the butterfly. And the fact that she opened the gourd herself to let the butterfly free suggests she still has strength to fight whatever is eating her up.
6 - Submission
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Submission/6.aspx
- beautiful image and I could only add that the sacrifice of the scarecrow is for a bigger cause. You may ache now, but the plantation (harvest) will thank you for that. It reminded me of the Hanged Man in the tarot cards.
7 - Inhibition
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Inhibition/7.aspx
- just adding to what was said, they seem to feel embarrassed because they don’t feel they belong there. They are the only ones with “color” while the rest of the public is “black”. They may even be in love and feel that their happiness may not be accepted by the rest of the crowd. Their “true colors” may not be what the dark people expect. Just a note here, this card reminded me A LOT of some verses of James Taylor’s “Never Die Young”:

“You could see them on the street on a Saturday night
Every one used to run them down
They’re a little too sweet, they’re a little too tight
Not enough tough for this town

I guess it had to happen someday soon
Wasn’t nothing to hold them down
They would rise from among us like a big balloon
Take the sky, forsake the ground

Oh, yes, other hearts were broken
yes other dreams ran dry
But our golden ones sail on, sail on
to another land beneath another sky “

8 - Will denial
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Will_Denial/8.aspx
- there was a fight (husband and wife) and now, the husband is being taken away by a friend of the couple to talk things over. The woman has faith in this friend but looks really hurt by whatever the husband/boyfriend may have done. Counseling is advised.
9 - Ebb
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Ebb/9.aspx
- primal call. Mother earth is calling you. It may imply having been too far from nature (lady with the jewelry) and the turtle coming back through the thick wall. No barrier is strong to hold her back. I was a bit confused about the lady being put in a separate circle…

SET 2

10- Inflation
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Inflation/10.aspx
- this card is sooooooooo sad… The couple seem to be cuddling after having sex. But neither seem to be experiencing love. the lady is pale, her hair is loose and the red rose, an accessory. The fire is not within her. the man is contemplating a strand of her hair. words that may come to his mind: frail, thin, split, small, very small. there’s no connection going on, that’s why it feels so dismal.
11 - Abandon
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Abandon/11.aspx
- here, the lady is much more connected to her partner. Her smile is honest and wide. she literally grabs him not to let him go. A very sexual card but with a twist. If I were reading it and the branch caught my attention more than the couple, I would say it’s the trial for making up a relationship that had ended (the branch is a bit dry but it’s struggling to make its way).
12 - Invasion
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Invasion/12.aspx
- past lives coming back to haunt you. Especially because all the men look similar and green relates to nature (your true nature that remains even though your image may change). It is a threatening card, in my opinion. The men have ropes (strings attached). the fox reminds the sleeping creature that he has to smarten up not to let them take over. this card could also suggest multiple personalities or even a schizophrenic tendencies.
13 - Hyper-activity
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/HyperActivity/13.aspx
- doing more than you should and can handle. the two guys are dressed as animals, and may seem powerful but underneath the costumes, they’re just plain men. the only “true’ ones are the bulls and the snake. the bulls are calling them to their senses, to be steady and solid, to shape up and stop fooling themselves and the snake are drawbacks that will also help to remind them of their fallibility.
14 - Possession
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Possession/14.aspx
- I would see this card as you define it. the only difference between this one and the green invasion is that this is a card of torment from outside forces and not of you against yourself.
15 - Domination
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Domination/15.aspx
- this card is a true dominatrix one. the great thing about it is that is is painted in a continuum. the impression I get is that the horse spills the water from his mouth “because” the lady is riding him and she needs this water to continue her ride. I hope I made myself clear here…. it’s a bit of a symbiotic relationship: domination and submission. neither is independent nor very happy in this relationship but they’re not aware of this as they would be in the first card (inflation).
16 - Exhibition
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Exhibition/16.aspx
- ditto to your definition. It would be up to the reader to figure out the reasons for this “need’ to show off: low self-esteem or very high !
17 - Spirit Denial
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Spirit_Denial/17.aspx
- self-inflicting pain, self- doubt. questioning of values as an individual and/or as a parent. It could also be a fight against vanity to give way to nobler feelings. A conscious effort. An inner questioning with a tinge of self-disapproval. I say it’s not so strong because she still seems to value her beauty, there’s a mirror and the child seems to be in second place here. The sitter could also see the child as the woman when young, implying a pattern of behaviour that has been wrong from the beginning.
18 - Flow
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Flow/18.aspx
- desperate attempt of a person to hang on to what he/she knows and trust in order to survive the circumstances. this card may show up during severe crisis of soul searching, or periods when tragedies seem to take all our foundations away. the necklace with the turtle (mother earth) seems to give hope that the nature of the sitter will be strong enough to withstand the blow and the winds of change.

There. I would like to go on giving my impressions on the cards but I feel a bit uneasy. Interpretation is such a subjective issue. It looks almost disrespectful! Anyway, if you like the extra input, I’d be happy to go on with the following set.

Thanks, Ana - your interpretations are sometimes quite startling, never boring, always highly individual.
Big question (for the cosmos): What is the relation between a card (of any system) and an interpretation of it?Possible ingredients in an interpretation:
1. the unconscious archetype(s) to which the card corresponds, and which are triggered in the viewer by the card
2. The subjectivity of the reader - i.e. the personal psychic ingredients - character and history - which they bring to the table.
3. The ‘meme’ of the times - how the prevailing state of the psyche affects and influences everyone.
4. The familiarity of the interpreter with the cards as a user of them.
This is my conclusion, Ana Luisa: first, anyone’s interpretation would, I expect, contain elements of all the first three ingredients; second, it has to be up to the individual reading a set of interpretations to make their own (subjective!) judgement on the extent to which your - or anyone else’s - interpretation is made up of your personal subjectivity and to what extent it hits the bull’s eye of universals. Actually using the cards would, for me, be an important part of that process of assessing the interpreters.


SET 3
19 - Clarity
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Clarity/19.aspx
- This card got me stuck. The animal is to me the focus of it but it’s thin and looks weak. Purple is a spiritual colour to me and it seems that because the tiger is stationary and “fenced” by the plants it has been forced to give it a break and review his life/actions. It clearly looks as something that has been forced upon the animal … Besides, the tiger is “blue”.
20 - Passion
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Passion/20.aspx
- This card, on the other hand is quite clear but can have two meanings. It is all about the pillow The first one may show a woman who is in love and wants to muffle it and keep it secret from others, hence the pillow. The other one may suggest a friendship that unexpectedly turned into a passionate relationship (probably a homosexual one).
21- Relation
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Relation/21.aspx
- Volunteer work, the needy getting together to fight circumstances. There’s a clear indication of hidden oppression in this card by the attire they wear and the way their bodies are positioned suggest being a bit defensive (hands in pocket, muscular arms, child holding on to woman)
22- Action
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Action/22.aspx
- This is an amazing card. I love it! However, it really looks as if it would imply hatred. The lady is trying to survive and using her strength to do it but it doesn’t show any positive feel or a “let’s do it” atmosphere to her actions. It almost feels like she could be cursing God for having given her this heavy burden to carry. A survivor but an unhappy one. Reminded me a lot of Muslim ladies: there’s the barren land, the attire and the fact that she cannot change her situation but just make do with it.
23- Soul
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Soul/23.aspx
- A baby is about to be conceived. The shapes are potential souls trying to get a chance for rebirth. Well, I believe in reincarnation, that’s why…
24- Radiance
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Radiance/24.aspx
- Extremely energetic card. It brings renewal optimism and health. I would see it as an excellent card for all subjects related to succeeding in something. It is a “yes!” card. I got better, I got the job I wanted, the baby is ok now, etc…
25- Interchange
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Interchange/25.aspx
- ditto to the meaning printed. It could relate to friends but also a small family (mother/father/son). I was interested in the fact that you used 3s all over it. And three is definitely the number for interconnection. The fact that they’re musicians suggests excellent communication particularly referring to feelings and emotions that are shared freely.
26- Joy
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Joy/26.aspx
- A card of seduction. The woman is clearly more powerful and playing the game, calling the shots. He is dancing to his tune so it’s a two-sided relationship but the fact that she is playing the castanets and he’s playing the fiddle reinforces this more delicate X stronger appeals. Besides (and I blush now) the castanets look a bit suggestive too…
27- Tides
http://www.rainringcards.com/Cards/Tides/27.aspx
This is a VERY positive card. The man is braving the elements but he has all the chances to master them and come out unharmed. The water stands for emotions so he may be facing a highly turbulent period in his life but his clothes show that he can keep inner peace (blue close to the skin) and that he will continue showing optimism to others (yellow raincoat). He is very confident and is facing the wind so this moment of turmoil may clearly be a consequence of a major change in his life. Doesn't necessarily mean in the emotional realm but something big that will rock his boat a bit. To see the nature of this change, one would have to look at surrounding cards.

Hi Ana Luisa,
… Again, thanks for the new interpretations - as ever, many surprises. I think this is an important exercise for us at Rainring - it seems you have an ability to disregard what each image is ’supposed’ to portray, and get straight to the heart of what it says to you. And you are not afraid to express what you feel, even if the implication may be that the illustrator has not done her/his work very well! …
You are right about the different vibe of set 3. The atmosphere of the first two sets revolves around psychological imbalance. The third is intended to portray balance or harmony. So, for example, Radiance is the balancer for Domination and Submission [all three are yellow], and so on. I’d like to post these three sets of your commentaries now on Aeclectic, also on my main blog on Wordpress, if you agree. I will add in a little of our correspondence, but the only change I want to make is just spelling corrections.However, there is one addition I would like. I feel that it would be both helpful and fair to readers of your work, and to people interested in Rainring, if you would write a little about your personality; it might be your astrological sign, for example, something of your likes and dislikes - whatever you are willing to share, and which would shed some light on the personal element which you bring to these interpretations. It does not need to be more than 100 words or less - I don’t want to make it heavy for you! And if you don’t feel like it, that’s OK too.
On the same subject, I hope you will forgive me for having taken a card to indicate your psyche profile - like a signature card - I make it a strict rule not to ’spy’ on people in this way, but the circumstances are a bit special - it’s for you as much as for me, and perhaps for your readers, if you want it included. The card is Desire, and I used an umpire, so the full reading is Desire, self aspect…
It’s great working with you, Ana Luisa. Is it O.K. for me to post your collected work so far, including a profile if you write one, and without if you don’t?
warm regards,


Dear Peter,
Yes, yes, yes and a little less. Yes, you can post my ideas freely. Not that I find them any special but if you think you can put them to good use, go ahead! Yes, you can correct my spelling; you can even rephrase the sentences. I am still struggling with this language although I love it to bits. Yes, I would be willing to give you an idea of who I am, again nothing extraordinary but I would need some time for that . A little less praise, please I still can’t handle flattering with composure LOL . It has been wonderful going through the images of the deck but I’m no expert and given my tight schedule and personality, I believe I will NEVER be able to provide a “scholarly” interpretation.
I do have a family! We’re 5 living (or rather, surviving) under the same Brazilian roof. Me, my two boys, my husband and my mom. There’s also Sasha, our 16-year-old mutt who is the oldest member of the clan. I’m a Libra, Moon in Cancer but I believe my love for images doesn’t come from my sign. Do I feel important!
Hi Ana Luisa,
I am the proverbial impatient Taurus, so I decided to post your work now, without waiting for anything more.