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[upper right hand corner] A darker, masculine hand is holding a carved wooden Pentacle (a 5 pointed star contained in a circle). He wears a red stone bracelet.
This hand is holding the traditional Magician/Witches' tool for the Element of Earth. This association is further proved by the bracelet, made of stone, another symbol for this Element. What is interesting to note is that Earth is traditionally considered a feminine element, and the hand holding it here appears to be rather masculine. In Wiccan/Pagan circles, the Pentacle is used for a variety of things. Most commonly it is placed upon the alter to represent the Element of Earth and in some cases Spirit. Some use their Pentacles as a platter, when having Cakes & Wine (similar to the Christian communion; but does not have to be actually cake or wine), or to leave offerings to the Goddess and God. The Pentacle is a symbol of protection, and has become the equivalent to the Christian Cross as a symbol for some Pagan and Wiccan spiritualities.
[lower right hand corner] A light skinned and rather feminine hand is clasping a Chalice. The owner of the hand wears a white/silver/beige/cream coloured sea-shell bracelet. This Chalice has a base that is made of a darker silver tone. The top appears to be lighter, perhaps even the colours of the bracelet this woman is wearing.
The Chalice is the traditional Magician/Witches' tool for the Element of Water. Both the Chalice and the sea-shells are associated with the Element of Water. The Chalice, due to it's ability to contain liquids, and the sea-shells as they originate from waters. Here, the hand appears to be feminine; appropriately so, as the Element of Water is considered to be feminine as well. The Chalice is used in many Pagan/Wiccan circles to represent The Goddess and the Element of Water. It can be placed upon the alter as a tribute to either. During rituals, the Chalice can be used to hold Water for cleansings/purification rituals or to hold wine/juice for the Cakes & Wine blessing.
[lower left hand corner] Another dark toned hand is reaching-out holding a blade. This hand appears to be masculine, and wears a bracelet made out of green leaves. The blade appears to have a woven white handle.
The blade/dagger this man is holding is to represent the traditional Magician/Witches' tool for the Element of Air. Amongst Wiccan circles, the blade is traditionally black handled and referred to as an athame (sometimes pronounced "AH-THA-MAY"). The lore of the athame is that is never to be used to actually "cut" physical/tangible things. The purpose of an athame is to direct energy (sometimes used like a Wand), or to "cut" energy (when needed to "cut a door" to leave a circle). Amongst Tarot circles, this Element is usually associated with a Sword. Swords are not generally used in Wiccan circles, unless there is a large event/circle where there is plenty of room for the Sword to be handled properly without injury to self or others. Another blade is used in the Wiccan tradition; this blade is usually white handled and shaped like a scythe. It is called a Boline, and is used to physically cut things, especially in herbal works. While the handle of the blade depicted upon The Elements card is white, I believe it to represent a athame, as in many Wiccan & Pagan practices; there are few "hard & fast" rules. The leaves upon the bracelet are meant to symbolize Air, as they tend to "sway with the wind". Wind, of course, being an aspect of the Element of Air.
[upper left hand corner] A medium-toned and feminine hand is directing a Wand. The Wand is rather short and made of dark and knobby wood. Upon this arm, a circle of Fire is bursting forth, almost appearing as lava.
The Wand is the traditional Magician/Witches' tool for the Element of Fire. Wands are used in Pagan/Wiccan circles to collect/contain and direct energy. A lot of times the athame and Wand are inter-changeable, as they both work with energy. For some, the athame is used only to cast circles/cut doors while the Wand is reserved for any other energy workings. For others, sometimes the Wand is left out entirely, and candles or burning incense are used to represent the Element of Fire. Traditionally, the Wand is to be made by oneself and measures the length from the crook of the elbow to the tips of the fingers. This is no longer definitive, and today many variations can be found.
What is interesting is that the hand holding and wearing emblems of Fire appears to be rather feminine. Traditionally, Fire is masculine. In fact, Fire and Water are sometimes referred to as "The Primal Polarity": Fire/Water; Hot/Cold; Dry/Wet, etc.
The hands come from each of the corners, holding an item and directing it towards the center. The Fire upon the woman's wrist brings a warm glow to the blue/green backdrop.
It's interesting that the hands all emerge from the corners of the card, as opposed to top-right-bottom-left; as many Pagan/Wiccan circles associate one of the cardinal directions with each of the Elements. Perhaps this is done purposely; as depending on location, the directional associations usually change. Ex. Northern Hemisphere people usually associate North to Earth, East to Air, South to Fire, and West to Water; while those in the Southern Hemisphere would switch the associated directions for Earth and Fire. -This system is based off of the Equator, where it is hottest. There are many different associations depending on tradition.
What is to be noted about The Elements card is that there is both a human balance of gender (seemingly two sets of feminine and masculine hands) and a balanced symbolic representation of gender. To me, I would have preferred to see both Water and Earth as feminine hands, and Fire and Air as masculine; as that is what I was taught and am most comfortable with. -I wonder if this is done intentionally; as the gender roles of the Courts in Tarot is changing; I'm wondering if Moore is making a comment on the traditional feminine and masculine Elemental associations as well...
The LWB reads "a skillful use of resources, focused will, insightful understanding of a situation. [reversed] Playing a trick, a con, a manipulation of the truth."
Like the RWS Traditional card of The Magician, The Elements card has similar meaning and symbolism. Instead of having the four Elements place upon a table with a wo/man standing behind it, we see several people actually utilizing the tools. What is interesting is how they all come back to the center, representing balance, peace and harmony. Where the traditional Magician stands with the Wand upraised and his other arm pointing downwards (representing the Hermetic Axiom: "As Above, So Below"), we have Fire and Earth directed down and Water and Air directed above.
In an upright position, the reader could interpret this as bringing passion/creativity (Fire) and practical concerns (Earth) onto themselves; while directing their thoughts/prayers (Air) and emotions (Water) up towards the Divine. Perhaps indicating that the querant needs to focus on themselves and what is important to them over the needs of others.
In a reversed position, the reader could interpret the situation as needing to bring more emotion (Water) and thought (Air) into their everyday lives and focus more on themselves and their relations with others; while their financial concerns (Earth) and projects (Fire) should be left on "the back burner" as those situations are being "looked over" by the Divine.
This is just my 2 cents! Add yours! =]
This hand is holding the traditional Magician/Witches' tool for the Element of Earth. This association is further proved by the bracelet, made of stone, another symbol for this Element. What is interesting to note is that Earth is traditionally considered a feminine element, and the hand holding it here appears to be rather masculine. In Wiccan/Pagan circles, the Pentacle is used for a variety of things. Most commonly it is placed upon the alter to represent the Element of Earth and in some cases Spirit. Some use their Pentacles as a platter, when having Cakes & Wine (similar to the Christian communion; but does not have to be actually cake or wine), or to leave offerings to the Goddess and God. The Pentacle is a symbol of protection, and has become the equivalent to the Christian Cross as a symbol for some Pagan and Wiccan spiritualities.
[lower right hand corner] A light skinned and rather feminine hand is clasping a Chalice. The owner of the hand wears a white/silver/beige/cream coloured sea-shell bracelet. This Chalice has a base that is made of a darker silver tone. The top appears to be lighter, perhaps even the colours of the bracelet this woman is wearing.
The Chalice is the traditional Magician/Witches' tool for the Element of Water. Both the Chalice and the sea-shells are associated with the Element of Water. The Chalice, due to it's ability to contain liquids, and the sea-shells as they originate from waters. Here, the hand appears to be feminine; appropriately so, as the Element of Water is considered to be feminine as well. The Chalice is used in many Pagan/Wiccan circles to represent The Goddess and the Element of Water. It can be placed upon the alter as a tribute to either. During rituals, the Chalice can be used to hold Water for cleansings/purification rituals or to hold wine/juice for the Cakes & Wine blessing.
[lower left hand corner] Another dark toned hand is reaching-out holding a blade. This hand appears to be masculine, and wears a bracelet made out of green leaves. The blade appears to have a woven white handle.
The blade/dagger this man is holding is to represent the traditional Magician/Witches' tool for the Element of Air. Amongst Wiccan circles, the blade is traditionally black handled and referred to as an athame (sometimes pronounced "AH-THA-MAY"). The lore of the athame is that is never to be used to actually "cut" physical/tangible things. The purpose of an athame is to direct energy (sometimes used like a Wand), or to "cut" energy (when needed to "cut a door" to leave a circle). Amongst Tarot circles, this Element is usually associated with a Sword. Swords are not generally used in Wiccan circles, unless there is a large event/circle where there is plenty of room for the Sword to be handled properly without injury to self or others. Another blade is used in the Wiccan tradition; this blade is usually white handled and shaped like a scythe. It is called a Boline, and is used to physically cut things, especially in herbal works. While the handle of the blade depicted upon The Elements card is white, I believe it to represent a athame, as in many Wiccan & Pagan practices; there are few "hard & fast" rules. The leaves upon the bracelet are meant to symbolize Air, as they tend to "sway with the wind". Wind, of course, being an aspect of the Element of Air.
[upper left hand corner] A medium-toned and feminine hand is directing a Wand. The Wand is rather short and made of dark and knobby wood. Upon this arm, a circle of Fire is bursting forth, almost appearing as lava.
The Wand is the traditional Magician/Witches' tool for the Element of Fire. Wands are used in Pagan/Wiccan circles to collect/contain and direct energy. A lot of times the athame and Wand are inter-changeable, as they both work with energy. For some, the athame is used only to cast circles/cut doors while the Wand is reserved for any other energy workings. For others, sometimes the Wand is left out entirely, and candles or burning incense are used to represent the Element of Fire. Traditionally, the Wand is to be made by oneself and measures the length from the crook of the elbow to the tips of the fingers. This is no longer definitive, and today many variations can be found.
What is interesting is that the hand holding and wearing emblems of Fire appears to be rather feminine. Traditionally, Fire is masculine. In fact, Fire and Water are sometimes referred to as "The Primal Polarity": Fire/Water; Hot/Cold; Dry/Wet, etc.
The hands come from each of the corners, holding an item and directing it towards the center. The Fire upon the woman's wrist brings a warm glow to the blue/green backdrop.
It's interesting that the hands all emerge from the corners of the card, as opposed to top-right-bottom-left; as many Pagan/Wiccan circles associate one of the cardinal directions with each of the Elements. Perhaps this is done purposely; as depending on location, the directional associations usually change. Ex. Northern Hemisphere people usually associate North to Earth, East to Air, South to Fire, and West to Water; while those in the Southern Hemisphere would switch the associated directions for Earth and Fire. -This system is based off of the Equator, where it is hottest. There are many different associations depending on tradition.
What is to be noted about The Elements card is that there is both a human balance of gender (seemingly two sets of feminine and masculine hands) and a balanced symbolic representation of gender. To me, I would have preferred to see both Water and Earth as feminine hands, and Fire and Air as masculine; as that is what I was taught and am most comfortable with. -I wonder if this is done intentionally; as the gender roles of the Courts in Tarot is changing; I'm wondering if Moore is making a comment on the traditional feminine and masculine Elemental associations as well...
The LWB reads "a skillful use of resources, focused will, insightful understanding of a situation. [reversed] Playing a trick, a con, a manipulation of the truth."
Like the RWS Traditional card of The Magician, The Elements card has similar meaning and symbolism. Instead of having the four Elements place upon a table with a wo/man standing behind it, we see several people actually utilizing the tools. What is interesting is how they all come back to the center, representing balance, peace and harmony. Where the traditional Magician stands with the Wand upraised and his other arm pointing downwards (representing the Hermetic Axiom: "As Above, So Below"), we have Fire and Earth directed down and Water and Air directed above.
In an upright position, the reader could interpret this as bringing passion/creativity (Fire) and practical concerns (Earth) onto themselves; while directing their thoughts/prayers (Air) and emotions (Water) up towards the Divine. Perhaps indicating that the querant needs to focus on themselves and what is important to them over the needs of others.
In a reversed position, the reader could interpret the situation as needing to bring more emotion (Water) and thought (Air) into their everyday lives and focus more on themselves and their relations with others; while their financial concerns (Earth) and projects (Fire) should be left on "the back burner" as those situations are being "looked over" by the Divine.
This is just my 2 cents! Add yours! =]