Thanks Mary & Dave for the heads-up!
Victorian Romantic Deck
Emotions
1’s
-The Magician’s left hand is on his open book under the light.
He looks Confident
-The young prince’s right hand on a birdcage as a servant approaches, extending a crown to him in the Wheel of Fortune.
Astonished by the servant’s appearance.
-In The Sun, a woman holds flowers in both hand as she is led on horse back by a cherub.
She seems trusting of where she’s headed.
-Ace of Wands has two figures, but only one hold high a fiery torch.
Justified
-Ace of Cups, a male figure dives deep to meet the female figure. His right hand extends down, while her left, up.
Relieved at having reached his better half, finally.
-Ace of Swords, a fairy holds a flower over a sword while sitting on a cliff.
This fairy looks meditative to me.
-Ace of Pentacles, a female floats in mid-air, her hands extended holding a single pent in the left hand.
Acceptance
Note: My 4 of Wands looks very much in sync with all the aces, because it’s (4 of Wands) got a new energy feel to it, so it fits right in. With the above majors (Magician, Wheel, and Sun) this 4 seems to provide a rhythm and rest period to the unfolding of events.
2’s
-The High Priestess…the smoke that does not cloud her but veers to her left.
It’s like she can see right into me, so I say…incisive.
-Justice’s scales, seems to be in balance as a man fall off a cliff. Feels objective.
-Judgement’s illuminated couple who know the Truth. I get a reverent feeling from this version.
-2 of Cup’s failure of eye (eyes the window to the Soul) contact on her part. Cautious.
-2 of Sword’s submission to a greater knowledge or being. A student of the Truth?
This figure seems hesitant.
-2 of Pentacles is good at practice to garner a fine reception from their audience. Focused.
-2 of Wands is expecting something/someone, her fine clothes (dressed to the 9’s) and jewelry. All for a great reception. Expectant.
Note:With the minor 2’s, the 4 of Wands acts like an alarm clock-wake up!
With the above majors…an affirmation that one is on the right track.
3’s
-The Empress expression of tenderness and love for her cherubs.Soothing
-The Hanged Man’s hand on his forehead. How creative can he be to set himself free?
At a quandry
-The World has a toss up, how will she land in this celebration? Mindful
-3 of Wand’s quiet observation, becoming one with nature, and blending in with the scenery.Reticient
-3 of Cup’s ladies…one holds something in their hands…paints, writes, and plays a musical instrument.Ease
-3 of Swords has sorrow, her hand to her face, crying.Hoplessness
-3 of Pentacles has smiles from children as a man whittles a piece of wood.Attentive
Note: The 4 of Wands could pose a distraction to the minor 3’s while added busy-ness and entertainment with majors.
4’s
-The Emperor’s weary look on his face. He keeps to protocol, but has other concerns on his mind. He defines “establishment” even though it appears he would rather be some place else.Contemplative
-Death, a man hold’s a skull in his left hand, he grimaces to the sight of it.Chaotic
-4 of Cups a dandy surrounded by a bevy of beauties. He has a glazed look in his eyes.Indifferent
-4 of Swords deep slumber. His golden garb is still on him as he sleeps. Unconscious
-4 of Pentacles, again, a stagnation and glazed look. Is anybody home? The hands engaged in the tedious…holding a string of pearls in one hand and a fan in another. Alienation
-4 of Wands has all girl band. The hand holding the stick to batter the drum. There is structure in this motley crew, enough to make something out of nothing.Bold
Note: Here is where the 4 of Wands should be at “home”, but it doesn’t feel that welcomed or appreciated. It would be like playing to an indifferent crowd and bombing. What’s that saying- “I know you’re there, I can hear you breathing”,lol. This is one of the first times this Wands card just doesn’t fit in, but I don’t think they (4 of Wands) gives a hoot.
5’s
-The Hierophant has a rabbi and his young pupils, his right hand holding his glasses. I see this card as I see the Empress card, very caring/loving
-Temperance sails along, alone, on a boat. Her hand extended over earth’s sea.tender and protective
-5 of Pentacles has a cross made out of straw, that sits delicately on mother’s lap. She holds tight to her boy in a warm embrace. They huddle together.Cause forcompassion
-5 of Sword’s little people with a big plan.Interested
-5 of Cups has a lady admiring flowers that she came upon as she walked along her path. Aware
-5 of Wands has looks of fear, a possible threat as one man dares another (shirt ripped open). Rebellious
Note: The 4 of Wands is accepted here with the majors, and protected(Temperance). With the minor 5’s, it also becomes a fluid part of the story and adds support here.
6’s
-The Lovers coming together in marriage. Faith & innocence
-The Lovers (2 Lover cards in VR)in the mermaid and fisherman, one coming to the assistance of the other. Passion & wonder
-The Devil is a portrait of a woman wearing bat wings and making an offering of flowers and jewelry. There is a bag of gold in the background. Glee
-6 of Pents a lady offers payment to a little flower girl who holds a single flower to her. Receptive
-6 of Swords shows 4 ladies coming towards the shore, to, what I guess, is their home. Dawn is breaking. Weary
-6 of Cups shows simply two little girls on an outside balcony. It is winter. One looks above to the heavens, the other to the street below.Curiosity
-6 of Wands a regiment of soldiers are moving forward, leaving a town.Proud
Note: Pay attention!!! That’s what the 4 of Wands seems to be saying to the minor 6’s…look above(cups), look behind(swords), look to the side(wands), look ahead(pents). With the majors(Lovers, both cards, and Devil), it is a party atmosphere, and I do sense a wedding among them.
7’s
-The Chariot 4 women in a chariot pulled by purple demon-like creatures float high in the sky. High enough to be side by side with the moon.Urgency
-The Tower has 2 men, barely alive after a shipwreck. They both hang to what was the ship’s mast in a raging sea.Oblivious
-7 of Pentacles has a flower girl picking her bunches in the forest, from a bush. Focused
-7 of Swords shows a soldier leaving a location. He is loaded down with a chest, a bag, his sword, gun, and gun powder. He gives a single look back, taking in the scenery. Sensible
-7 of Cups A man fishes at the edge of a pond. He looks like a fool with a pointy hat and shoes. He has been fishing for a while and has accumulated a number of different items all from this one fishing hole. Foolish
-7 of Wands a man is taken by surprise as he faces 5 spears blocking his path. Fear-fight or flight
both the Chariot and the 4 of Wands seems to be giving aid to the Tower, coming to their rescue. For the minor 7’s, the 4 of Wands feels like a ticking clock(again) and that time is almost up, so finish up.
8’s
-Strength a lady surrounded by lions. She gently has her arms outstretched to them.Patience
-The Star a naked lady, thigh high in water takes both her hands to her heart. Her eyes remain closed as she stands still under a starry night. Wholeness
-8 of Pentacles a young man intently paints a picture on a vase. He appears to be fully engaged in what he is doing. Joy
-8 of Swords It is a foggy night, a ship is anchored to a dock, there is a full moon. Before this ship is a woman who sits with hands tied. Her look is not of desperation, rather, longing. She is young and beautiful. Naïve
-8 of Cups a woman walks in a courtyard, her dog behind her. She has a handkerchief to her face. Seems like she’s crying. Sorrow
-8 of Wands a race is on between a naked man and an antelope. It is all down hill on this rocky and rugged terrain. Who will win? Excitement/consumed
Note: lost in memory is what I get when the 4 of Wands is thrown in with the minor 8’s…everything seems to be mental. even with the 8 of wands which is consumed(obsessed) with reaching "the end", instead of focusing on what simply is. There is a feeling of opposites in the combo with the majors. A general sense of calm despite the clamour of the 4 of Wands. Strength persists in bringing it(calm)to her lions while The Star takes pleasure in being enveloped in it(calm).
9’s
-The Hermit an old man sits on a rock overlooking the sea. In his left hand, an hourglass, and in his right, a sickle. His only clothing is a deep burgundy robe. Contemplative
-The Moon a woman sits alone in the moonlight, combing her long, luxurious hair. She is a certain distance away from her home, but still within sight. Distracted
-9 of Pentacles a woman of some social stature stands in front of her property. One hand on her hip, and the other holding a basket of freshly picked flowers. Confident
-9 of Swords a woman sleepwalks on top of a roof, she is lit by moonlight. Her hands are clasped, like in prayer, with a single gold thread encircling her left wrist. Unconscious
-9 of Cups a man in a pub, looks fishy-eyed down the bottom of a flask of some drink. Satiated
-9 of Wands the doorway of a home stands agape. Flashes of fire within. Whatever occupants there are, they are dead or unconscious, still within the house. Outside this doorway stands a Roman soldier. He wearily stands guard with spear. Fear
Note: The 4 of Wands challenges the Moon to concentrate, while the Hermit is indifferent to the noise. With the minors, the 4 of Wands doesn’t allow them to get comfortable, or disrupts current positions.
10’s and the Fool
-The Fool has a girl balancing herself on a pedestal, she performs for a crowd. Weary
-10 of Pentacles a man in casual, but neat attire sits and sells his produce. A couple stands under the arch of a bridge. In the distance a clock tower stands, and a village is visible. Confident
-10 of Swords death nears in the guise of a wave in the sea. Her watery form lies next to a man nearing death. She gives comfort in her embrace.Relief/release/surrender
-10 of Cups a family reunion as it’s youngest member gets, perhaps, christened. Joy
-10 of Wands wood is gathered and carried in a makeshift basket strapped onto a woman’s back. In her arms she carries a baby in a cradle. There is another woman in the distance carrying an armful of sticks. Burdened
Note: I can see the Fool and the 4 of Wands as being co-workers. They seem to have the same energy, even though the Fool’s is waning at present. All the minor 10’s give the 4 of Wands consistency in that they all show endings and beginnings. The 4 of Wands stays the same throughout.
Courts
Page of Pentacles
A young man sits on a chair (throne?) the lining of his cloak covers it complete. The time is marked, although I can’t make it out. He sits quietly, hands gripped together. A door remains closed under where the clock sits. Pensive
Page of Swords
An older boy stands in the open field, in front of a castle, perhaps his home. He holds a sword still in its sheath. He listens and waits. Observant
Page of Cups
A young maiden plays the organ as a page waits to be addressed. Seems He/she has a message contained in a closed silver cup for the young girl.
Impatience
Page of Wands
Front and center, a tiny figure of a boy sings with a choir backing him up. The remnants of broken reeds around his feet, and a laurel of flowers on his head. Bold
Knight of Pentacles In a dark forest, a knight has his hand kissed by a damsel. His fighting spear/pole chopped off. A dying dragon in the distance. Serious
Knight of Swords As if in mid-air, atop his horse, this knight struggles to hold on to an unconscious angel. Simultaneously, he looks to do battle with whatever force that has harmed this angel. Anxious
Knight of Cups is surrounded by fairies who adore this fellow. He basks in their attention. Focused
Knight of Wands a couple gather in a beautiful garden. Their eyes meet, no words spoken. Acceptance
Queen of Pentacles has a woman sitting and holding a huge platter. She is fully dressed in evening attire. She sits in front of a stately home.
Confident
Queen of Swords this queen stands with sword in hands, surrounded by mountains. Her dress is plain, but appropriate to the terrain. Secure
Queen of Cups sits on her throne gazing away from a sleeping cherub to the heavens. Distracted
Queen of Wands another lady in her garden, there is pride in her posture as if someone were ready to snap her picture. She holds a red mask in her right hand. Poised
King of Pentacles dressed in full royal garb, crown and all, this old king has seen better days. He rides his horse with a servant who walks on foot. They are walking beside a lake, a castle in the distance. Tired
King of Swords balances his stance between his sword and a rock. Where he stands is a darken place that no longer is. An edifice, which once was rich in splendor, now stands in ruins. The sun beats down in the distance, but he cannot see. Sad
King of Cups is in the company of servants. He is confident and calls forth at someone to come to him. He sits at a golden table with a few morsels to start. Welcoming
King of Wands is enjoying a musical performance. He is in the company of his court. Appreciatiative
Note: the only connections that I made with 4 of Wands and the courts are that they are either performing for them(kings), or actually, become them after they split up(queens), or add direction & insight to the Pages, and lightness to the situations with the knights.