Livia
I am so excited about this. After the recent discussions over the meaning of the characters under the Knave of Pentacles, and the temperance cards, and the previous discussion on the symbols on the steps under the magician I thought I would email Vargo and ask him. I just recieved his reply, and thought everyone would like to read it, and that he would not mind me posting it, so here it goes.....
" Thank you for your compliments and interest in the Gothic Tarot. I have read the forum posts and find your observations fascinating and quite astute. Your group has unveiled several of the intentionally subliminal elements that were imbedded into the designs of each image, and I am honored by your quest to fully understand the symbolism of each card.
In regard to your questions about the symbols on certain cards:
The inscription on the pedestal below the Knave of Pentacles is written in the alphabet of the Magi and reads "GOLEM."
The inscription on the staircase of the Magician has a much more elaborate history and meaning. The original painting upon which this design was based was entitled "Seventh Son" and depicted the central magus figure(the father) presiding over a mystical ceremony to indoctrinate and endow the seventh son of a seventh son with six gifts. A male child was suspended in the flame and six hooded figures(the elder sons), each presenting a gift, flanked the sides of the staircase. The six gifts were: a scale, a book, a crown, a sword, a chalice and a crystal ball. The inscriptions in the stairs beneath their feet tell what each symbolic gift represents. I have included 2 attached files that show the original artwork in detail. The symmetrical symbols are actually stylized letters of the English alphabet, vertically mirrored in order to disguise them. To crack the code, just read the right half of each symbol. The top step says "seventh son." I will leave the rest for the group to decipher. Though the symbols are virtually unintelligible at the size the tarot cards were printed, I left the original inscriptions in the steps because I felt they were very appropriate for the Magician.
The symbols in the mystic circle on Temperance have no actual meaning. They were based on the Theban alphabet and the alphabet of the Magi, however they were designed purely as an artistic element to lend an air of mystery and mysticism.
Again, I am flattered by the amount of time and research that the discussion group has dedicated to my deck. I offer my sincere best regards to each of you.
Darkest wishes,
Joseph Vargo"
" Thank you for your compliments and interest in the Gothic Tarot. I have read the forum posts and find your observations fascinating and quite astute. Your group has unveiled several of the intentionally subliminal elements that were imbedded into the designs of each image, and I am honored by your quest to fully understand the symbolism of each card.
In regard to your questions about the symbols on certain cards:
The inscription on the pedestal below the Knave of Pentacles is written in the alphabet of the Magi and reads "GOLEM."
The inscription on the staircase of the Magician has a much more elaborate history and meaning. The original painting upon which this design was based was entitled "Seventh Son" and depicted the central magus figure(the father) presiding over a mystical ceremony to indoctrinate and endow the seventh son of a seventh son with six gifts. A male child was suspended in the flame and six hooded figures(the elder sons), each presenting a gift, flanked the sides of the staircase. The six gifts were: a scale, a book, a crown, a sword, a chalice and a crystal ball. The inscriptions in the stairs beneath their feet tell what each symbolic gift represents. I have included 2 attached files that show the original artwork in detail. The symmetrical symbols are actually stylized letters of the English alphabet, vertically mirrored in order to disguise them. To crack the code, just read the right half of each symbol. The top step says "seventh son." I will leave the rest for the group to decipher. Though the symbols are virtually unintelligible at the size the tarot cards were printed, I left the original inscriptions in the steps because I felt they were very appropriate for the Magician.
The symbols in the mystic circle on Temperance have no actual meaning. They were based on the Theban alphabet and the alphabet of the Magi, however they were designed purely as an artistic element to lend an air of mystery and mysticism.
Again, I am flattered by the amount of time and research that the discussion group has dedicated to my deck. I offer my sincere best regards to each of you.
Darkest wishes,
Joseph Vargo"