21/01/2004
The Hierophant from the
World Spirit is an Aztec priest. He wears a leopard skin and a crown of feathers. The finger of his right hand is pointing up, as if he’s saying: “People, look at me! Here I am, and I have all the answers!” I guess it could also show his connection with higher forces or him pointing people to the fact that those forces exist, but it looks more as if he’s feeling superior... With his left hand he holds a large torch, so on a subconscious level, he must want to inspire others, “light their fire”, you know? To be in the position he is in, he has to be an ‘enlightened spirit’... He’s kneeling before a marble staircase that leads to a dark veil hanging between two pillars, but that doesn’t mean that he looks humble – on the contrary! He looks extremely confident and sure of himself... Two people kneel before him on their hands and feet, making themselves look even smaller in contrast to the Hierophant. It’s a man and a woman, reflecting thus the duality of the universe. The man’s jewels are red and gold, while the woman’s jewels are yellow and green. The Hierophant’s jewels unite those colours. He is thus a mediator, suspended between duality... He must have an immense knowledge if people respect and obey him like this. Yet I still get the feeling that the Hierophant is taking advantage of his position...
(Here’s a link.)
22/01/2004
Le Pape from
le Tarot de Marseille (Hadar) is a card I love! Le Pape looks so kind and wise, exactly what he
should look like! He doesn’t look strict or rigid, as so many tarotists picture him today (Robin Wood rings a bell?)...
Le Pape carries a tiara – he
is the Pope after all -, but here, it doesn’t end in pure light or escapes the card, like the one from la Papesse did. This is an indicator that the two express their belief in different ways... This is also the first card in le Tarot de Marseille where more than one person appears: two small men are pictured at the bottom of the card, looking up at the great Pape and putting out their hand towards him. One of the small men has a sun hat with him, as if he – in search of meaning and understanding – travelled a long way to see and hear le Pape... Le Pape is someone who is placed in high esteem, someone who people turn to when they seek answers. Like the columns surrounding them, le Pape connects earth to heaven and heaven to earth. He is the link, the bridge, the mediator between the people and the divine... Le Pape wears two gloves with the Maltese cross on them. To me, the cross looks like the four elements coming together in one central point... With his left hand, he gently holds a triple staff. It is a representative of the Holy Trinity, and could also show a union of body, mind and soul. With his right hand, he blesses the two people who came to see him... Le Pape wears a long red cape, showing the passion and love he has for his faith. Underneath that cape, he wears blue, colour of the divine, of emotions and feelings. I found it very interesting that la Papesse is the opposite of this: blue over red. Yet they both have green sleeves... It’s especially interesting in comparison to the Empress and Emperor, who do the exact same.
(You can see Le Pape here!)
Le Pape is a
councillor, someone who you can turn to when you need advice. He is the representative of
religion – just like la Papesse is the representative of spirituality – and gives
guidance. Le Pape is the ultimate
teacher (in the Middle Ages, the clergy were amongst the most educated, right?) and is respected for his
wisdom and
knowledge. He teaches
respect for tradition and institutions.
23/01/2004
The Pope from the
Secret Tarots is dressed in a vibrant red cape. It shows the dedication and love he has for his religion and the inspiring life force that is so precious to him... The tiara from le Tarot de Marseille has been turned into a mitre. The mitre has its origin in the symbol of a fish head and dates back even to Babylonian times. It reminds me then of the
ichthus, the ancient symbol of Christianity. This mitre has been transformed, though, so it reminds me not to forget the roots of Christianity, not to forget the original message of Christ. (All that just from a mitre! Wow!) On first sight, the Pope looks a bit rigid—all the lines of his cape look so straight. Yet there his left arm appears, gently and elegantly holding a golden crosier. It is an important sign of his status, and the curved top also reminds me of a shepherd’s crook, and thus the care and guidance the people trust him with. At around the place of his heart hangs a golden cross, showing the faith that he values so greatly... His face looks serious and somewhat wooden, as if it is a mask. From behind the possible mask seems to be flowing long red hair. I get the feeling that, though at first sight the Pope may seem rigid and strict, underneath that initial conformity is a vulnerable and kind person... He stands before a throne that is placed before a large stained-glass window. On both sides of the Pope stand long, stone pillars. They look really old, and have sculptures at their base: to his right side a lion – in Christianity, a symbol of the power and force of God – and to his left a face with flowing hair – a soft, feminine image. The Pope stands between them, does that show that he acknowledges both sides and is a mediator between the two?
(A link.)
24/01/2004
The Pope from the
Tarot of Dürer is looking rather thoughtful while he’s sitting on a throne. Like the Popess, he wears a golden tiara. It shows his power over the three realms: heaven, earth and hell. The Pope looks pretty old and has a rather long beard. He is a wise and knowledgeable man, who has grown from his past experiences. His richly decorated robes are red – colour of power and passion – and white – colour of purity and illumination. The red is a bit worn off, though, which shows his mild and controlled character. The Pope seems to be looking at a little bag he’s holding with his right hand. I hope it doesn’t contain money from aristocrats buying their way into heaven. I’d hate to think this Pope is corrupt...! With his left hand, he holds a golden triple staff, again showing his dominion over heaven, earth and hell. Three candles burn behind him, showing his illuminated and enlightened spirit. The three candles also echo the three-layered tiara and the triple staff, and show the Holy Trinity... With his two feet on the base of his throne, he – as the representative of institutions and tradition – shows reliability and stability... A dog lies between his legs, faithfully looking up at the Pope. Now, dogs are loyal and noble spirits. They are ‘a man’s best friend’ and are protective guardians. The dog also reminds me of the dog normally seen in the Fool-card – and as such a calm voice of reason – or of the dog on the Moon-card – and thus a symbol of domestication. The dog shows the qualities of the Pope: a calm and reasonable man, loyal to his faith and the defender of morality, tradition and family values... The Latin saying on the card reads: “Virtus difficilis inventu est”, “It’s difficult to invent virtue” or as the LWB suggests: “Wisdom is not easily improvised”. It shows that true wisdom and virtue come with the years; it is not something that you can learn in a few days...
(Link!)
24/01/2004
I would link this card to the wise
Nestor, one of the Greeks in the Trojan War. He was an old man, who already had a long life full of experience behind him. He was respected by all for his wise words of advice and had a wide influence in most decisions taken during the Trojan War. He calmed people down with his sensible and eloquent words, bringing them to reason.
Another possible Hierophant would be the Greek centaur
Ch(e)iron. He was thoughtful, educated and wise, and as a respected teacher tutored several of the greatest Greek heroes, such as Achilles, Herakles and Jason. They even say that Asclepius, god of medicine and healing, learnt the art from Cheiron.
Spoonbender
