Abrac
Good points.
One thing that's always puzzled me, and still does to a certain extent, is Waite's comment that the card is called Temperance "fantastically." Lately I've been thinking he might've said this to show he meant Temperance in a metaphysical sense; in a way that goes beyond the typical understanding of the word. This makes sense in light of the rest of his comment, ". . . because, when the rule of it obtains in our consciousness, it tempers, combines and harmonizes the psychic and material natures." which is a comment on how "Temperance" works on an esoteric level.
In Part 1 of the PKT where Waite comments on each of the trumps, he says of Temperance: "The first thing which seems clear on the surface is that the entire symbol has no especial connection with Temperance, and the fact that this designation [Temperance] has always obtained for the card offers a very obvious instance of a meaning behind meaning, which is the title in chief to consideration in respect of the Tarot as a whole." He's saying the symbolism suggests a meaning behind that which is implied by the title. Thus the title "Temperance" on his card is meant in a metaphysical, or "fantastic" sense, and not a mundane one.
This could all just be intellectual gymnastics though. Waite's uses "fantastic" in different ways depending on context. It can be anything over and above the merely mundane to delusion, so it hard to say for sure what he meant.
One thing that's always puzzled me, and still does to a certain extent, is Waite's comment that the card is called Temperance "fantastically." Lately I've been thinking he might've said this to show he meant Temperance in a metaphysical sense; in a way that goes beyond the typical understanding of the word. This makes sense in light of the rest of his comment, ". . . because, when the rule of it obtains in our consciousness, it tempers, combines and harmonizes the psychic and material natures." which is a comment on how "Temperance" works on an esoteric level.
In Part 1 of the PKT where Waite comments on each of the trumps, he says of Temperance: "The first thing which seems clear on the surface is that the entire symbol has no especial connection with Temperance, and the fact that this designation [Temperance] has always obtained for the card offers a very obvious instance of a meaning behind meaning, which is the title in chief to consideration in respect of the Tarot as a whole." He's saying the symbolism suggests a meaning behind that which is implied by the title. Thus the title "Temperance" on his card is meant in a metaphysical, or "fantastic" sense, and not a mundane one.
This could all just be intellectual gymnastics though. Waite's uses "fantastic" in different ways depending on context. It can be anything over and above the merely mundane to delusion, so it hard to say for sure what he meant.