baba-prague
I would support both views - and what interests me such a lot is how much our personal experience impacts on how we read an image.
I think also that one thing worth saying is that Alex and I very much associate the images with the places where we found them. This figure is from the Strahov library, a place that I see as strange (it has a very strong collection of early herbals for example) but also as very spiritual. So this runs through and through the card - for us. Of course, if the image stands on its own - as it must for 95% of users of the deck - then it may well read (and, like I say, in a very valid way) differently. I think Moongold has made me more aware of this - and it's good to think more about it. Thank-you for that.
It may make you smile if I say that recently the deck has begun to be discovered by local Czechs (really for almost a year it has sold mainly to expats and visitors I think). Now THEY may have another whole different set of associations. So far, all we've heard is that the symbols are "right" and that the Hermit is particularly appropriate to Prague. But that's just one small group of readers. I am sure that later there will be other feedback, both good and bad. One person I know found it funny - but she liked it fortunately - that we used small statues from the front of a government office for the Two of Cups - there are just a whole heap of different impressions when you live among these symbols.
SO - please don't hold back in saying what you really think of the cards. That's what the group is for after all. ALL opinions and impressions of the cards help to build understanding.
I think also that one thing worth saying is that Alex and I very much associate the images with the places where we found them. This figure is from the Strahov library, a place that I see as strange (it has a very strong collection of early herbals for example) but also as very spiritual. So this runs through and through the card - for us. Of course, if the image stands on its own - as it must for 95% of users of the deck - then it may well read (and, like I say, in a very valid way) differently. I think Moongold has made me more aware of this - and it's good to think more about it. Thank-you for that.
It may make you smile if I say that recently the deck has begun to be discovered by local Czechs (really for almost a year it has sold mainly to expats and visitors I think). Now THEY may have another whole different set of associations. So far, all we've heard is that the symbols are "right" and that the Hermit is particularly appropriate to Prague. But that's just one small group of readers. I am sure that later there will be other feedback, both good and bad. One person I know found it funny - but she liked it fortunately - that we used small statues from the front of a government office for the Two of Cups - there are just a whole heap of different impressions when you live among these symbols.
SO - please don't hold back in saying what you really think of the cards. That's what the group is for after all. ALL opinions and impressions of the cards help to build understanding.