fluffy
Hi, I just thought I would get us started with this card.
These are just some ramblings on my first impression of Asita - the Seer. I will probably become clearer the more we study him. I hope!
As has been noted in other threads, he appears to be very different looking than any other figure in the deck. Almost western looking. I read it mentioned in another thread that he looks remarkably like one of the saints in Robert Places' Saints deck, although not owning this I can't say if I find this to be the case or not. Why does he look different? What is the significance of this? I have been thinking and have come to the conclusion that he is this way to set him apart from others. It makes him "unique", "special", how would he have appeared to them at the time, like someone foreign and exotic who had come from far lands with exciting stories to tell. He would have been someone to listen to with awe.
His hair is almost a grey colour - to show his age? many people associate age with wisdom this would concur with what Place defines this card as "wisdom". I also read on a web site that when he gave Siddhartha's father details of his prophecy he began to cry. When asked why he said that it was because although he knew Siddhartha was going to choose the rightpath, he was not going to be there to listen to his teachings. Again suggesting that he was very old.
The clouds I believe LittleBuddha has mentioned on the daily draw thread as showing a sadness or anxiety to Asita, which I think is a very good interpretation. However, I have had a further thought on this. The only other card that shows more clouds than this is the "Descent from Tusita Heaven" (the fool in standard decks). Perhaps this could mean that Asita is closer to heaven and that this is where he gets his insights from, he is near to his last incarnation and has been given the gift of foresight....
His clothing is red, which I have read is related in Buddhism to wisdom which again fits with the card, but what is that he is sat on?
I have more thoughts on this card and relating it to the Magician of traditional decks, of it's numbering and what this might mean in Buddhism, but for now I will let someone else take over hopefully. I feel I have more questions than answers with all these cards!
Love Fluffy
x
Edited to add picture
These are just some ramblings on my first impression of Asita - the Seer. I will probably become clearer the more we study him. I hope!
As has been noted in other threads, he appears to be very different looking than any other figure in the deck. Almost western looking. I read it mentioned in another thread that he looks remarkably like one of the saints in Robert Places' Saints deck, although not owning this I can't say if I find this to be the case or not. Why does he look different? What is the significance of this? I have been thinking and have come to the conclusion that he is this way to set him apart from others. It makes him "unique", "special", how would he have appeared to them at the time, like someone foreign and exotic who had come from far lands with exciting stories to tell. He would have been someone to listen to with awe.
His hair is almost a grey colour - to show his age? many people associate age with wisdom this would concur with what Place defines this card as "wisdom". I also read on a web site that when he gave Siddhartha's father details of his prophecy he began to cry. When asked why he said that it was because although he knew Siddhartha was going to choose the rightpath, he was not going to be there to listen to his teachings. Again suggesting that he was very old.
The clouds I believe LittleBuddha has mentioned on the daily draw thread as showing a sadness or anxiety to Asita, which I think is a very good interpretation. However, I have had a further thought on this. The only other card that shows more clouds than this is the "Descent from Tusita Heaven" (the fool in standard decks). Perhaps this could mean that Asita is closer to heaven and that this is where he gets his insights from, he is near to his last incarnation and has been given the gift of foresight....
His clothing is red, which I have read is related in Buddhism to wisdom which again fits with the card, but what is that he is sat on?
I have more thoughts on this card and relating it to the Magician of traditional decks, of it's numbering and what this might mean in Buddhism, but for now I will let someone else take over hopefully. I feel I have more questions than answers with all these cards!
Love Fluffy
x
Edited to add picture
