Sophie
I couldn't find a thread on the Empress in the Minchiate Etruria. I'm going through all the cards one day at a time (more or less).
Numbered II, which is in most traditional decks the place of the Papess, here is one powerful and domineering woman, who fully deserves her title! She holds a sceptre and a large blue globe with bronze (or leather?) hoop. She faces left, the same way as The Emperor - so she is seen fully in profile. There is no eagle - but instead she has her hand on the head of an animal that looks like a griffon - or maybe a poorly drawn dog . She is sitting on a ceremonial-looking stool or ottoman. Her crown is plain and she wears a dark red/rose drape. Not an imperial colour, unless it is discoloured - but a regal one. She is bare-footed, with straps or ribbons around her feet. She also wears an unusual garment for a woman - at least on show! - a pair of what looks like leggings or long johns. Very fashionable
It is a strange card, because her expression reminds me very much of the Papess, lost in thought - or perhaps gazing at something intently. She looks intelligent, but as though she would take her time to decide.
The association of II and Empress is a new one to me, as I said. The duality of the two, which I often associate with gestation, would an Empress who is waiting, who has not yet given birth - yet this lady looks as those she has borne half a dozen children. So I have to revise my mental associations. She comes just before the Emperor - presumably his consort. The II probably means that she is below him - but also, it makes me think of the power behind the throne - the one who takes the true decisions, though the full glory of them goes to III-The Emperor.
Or she could be an Empress in opposition.
Scratching my head for more. I'm not sure how I would interpret her in a reading...
Numbered II, which is in most traditional decks the place of the Papess, here is one powerful and domineering woman, who fully deserves her title! She holds a sceptre and a large blue globe with bronze (or leather?) hoop. She faces left, the same way as The Emperor - so she is seen fully in profile. There is no eagle - but instead she has her hand on the head of an animal that looks like a griffon - or maybe a poorly drawn dog . She is sitting on a ceremonial-looking stool or ottoman. Her crown is plain and she wears a dark red/rose drape. Not an imperial colour, unless it is discoloured - but a regal one. She is bare-footed, with straps or ribbons around her feet. She also wears an unusual garment for a woman - at least on show! - a pair of what looks like leggings or long johns. Very fashionable
It is a strange card, because her expression reminds me very much of the Papess, lost in thought - or perhaps gazing at something intently. She looks intelligent, but as though she would take her time to decide.
The association of II and Empress is a new one to me, as I said. The duality of the two, which I often associate with gestation, would an Empress who is waiting, who has not yet given birth - yet this lady looks as those she has borne half a dozen children. So I have to revise my mental associations. She comes just before the Emperor - presumably his consort. The II probably means that she is below him - but also, it makes me think of the power behind the throne - the one who takes the true decisions, though the full glory of them goes to III-The Emperor.
Or she could be an Empress in opposition.
Scratching my head for more. I'm not sure how I would interpret her in a reading...