Rosanne
I would like to propose that in early decks that were unnamed and unnumbered, the 3 cards that are take to be Cardinal Virtues (Justice/ Strength:Force/ Temperance) were actually a different concept altogether. I propose they were the second Hierarchy Horae - the Goddesses controlling orderly life. They maintained the stability of society.
Dike : Greek for Justice- moral Justice, not Divine Justice who was Themis
and can perhaps be seen in Judgement. Dike was placed on Earth to keep mankind Just.
Eunomia: Greek for good order/governance and discipline and meant in terms of Law and Legislation. Early depictions show her as the Goddess of good pasture and as female pouring water from one jug to another.
Eirene: Greek for Peace/ Roman word Pax. She was often shown in Greek depictions as having a cornucopia/ baby/Torch, but in Roman times in Italy was shown with a subdued lion. The symbol of Rome was a Lion- it is often forgotten, but not only as a wolf (Lupus) suckling Romulus and Remus.
Here is a typical image of Peace/Pax/Eirene
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pax_(mythology)
In the Minchiate these three cards are shown as a group 6/7/8 and Prudence is higher numbered in another group (17) with Charity/Faith etc.
In other decks like Tarocco Bolognese and Sicilano these three cards are grouped together 5/6/7/ and 7/8/9. In the Marseille they are Justice at 8, Strength at 11 and Temperance at 14. The Visconti is unumbered or named but as Cardinal Virtues there still only appears to be 3 out the 4 (Prudence is not there).
It seems odd to me that one cannot mistake these three cards, and if they were Virtues the Lynch pin of Wisdom/Prudence is missing. There are many threads about missing Prudence and the search for her. In the sermons that rank the cards from the Renaissance it seems that generally Temperance was at 6, Fortitude at 9 and Justice at 20. This seems in keeping with the mistaken view that Justice is Themis not Dike. I suggest that Judgement is iconically Themis = Divine Justice, and the card with scales and sword is Dike - one of the three Horae. Western tradition has 4 Virtues and would always be together- so if Tarot was showing them Prudence would be as clear as the other three.
Now why would Tarot show the Horae?
I think in the TdM the reason was the Political situation and the hundred year War- the conflict for the French Throne and the Peace that lasted for 26 years right at the time of Tarot's birth. The sequence of images that arose in Italy could depict the French situation admirably with a few changes- like the King driving the Chariot- would be one example. As in Italy the country was moving from Medieval to City states and dynastic conflict was that Church and King was feudal and not helping the common man at all. Commerce was the leader. Good government was imperative both in State and Church. Years later, I think this concept of the Horae was forgotten and the cards were named as they obviously appeared- and Prudence was never there in the first place. The cards seem to show what is called Pax Romana or Pax Augustus the search for Peace and stability for the people in a time a crazy royal and church power. Peace brings wealth to the people... and after all gives Joe Citizen time to play cards. :wink:
In the Mitelli deck (a Greek myth Deck) there is one card that is taken for Strength. The Goddess stands next to a broken pillar. A broken pillar is often seen in Cemeteries as a sign of mortality and that the occupant is now at Peace. A broken pillar is also a symbol of instability- Bring Peace to the table and you have stability.
So Strength/Force was once upon a time Peace- The Greek Eirene and the Roman Pax. One of the three Horae.
Have I convinced You?
~Rosanne
Dike : Greek for Justice- moral Justice, not Divine Justice who was Themis
and can perhaps be seen in Judgement. Dike was placed on Earth to keep mankind Just.
Eunomia: Greek for good order/governance and discipline and meant in terms of Law and Legislation. Early depictions show her as the Goddess of good pasture and as female pouring water from one jug to another.
Eirene: Greek for Peace/ Roman word Pax. She was often shown in Greek depictions as having a cornucopia/ baby/Torch, but in Roman times in Italy was shown with a subdued lion. The symbol of Rome was a Lion- it is often forgotten, but not only as a wolf (Lupus) suckling Romulus and Remus.
Here is a typical image of Peace/Pax/Eirene
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pax_(mythology)
In the Minchiate these three cards are shown as a group 6/7/8 and Prudence is higher numbered in another group (17) with Charity/Faith etc.
In other decks like Tarocco Bolognese and Sicilano these three cards are grouped together 5/6/7/ and 7/8/9. In the Marseille they are Justice at 8, Strength at 11 and Temperance at 14. The Visconti is unumbered or named but as Cardinal Virtues there still only appears to be 3 out the 4 (Prudence is not there).
It seems odd to me that one cannot mistake these three cards, and if they were Virtues the Lynch pin of Wisdom/Prudence is missing. There are many threads about missing Prudence and the search for her. In the sermons that rank the cards from the Renaissance it seems that generally Temperance was at 6, Fortitude at 9 and Justice at 20. This seems in keeping with the mistaken view that Justice is Themis not Dike. I suggest that Judgement is iconically Themis = Divine Justice, and the card with scales and sword is Dike - one of the three Horae. Western tradition has 4 Virtues and would always be together- so if Tarot was showing them Prudence would be as clear as the other three.
Now why would Tarot show the Horae?
I think in the TdM the reason was the Political situation and the hundred year War- the conflict for the French Throne and the Peace that lasted for 26 years right at the time of Tarot's birth. The sequence of images that arose in Italy could depict the French situation admirably with a few changes- like the King driving the Chariot- would be one example. As in Italy the country was moving from Medieval to City states and dynastic conflict was that Church and King was feudal and not helping the common man at all. Commerce was the leader. Good government was imperative both in State and Church. Years later, I think this concept of the Horae was forgotten and the cards were named as they obviously appeared- and Prudence was never there in the first place. The cards seem to show what is called Pax Romana or Pax Augustus the search for Peace and stability for the people in a time a crazy royal and church power. Peace brings wealth to the people... and after all gives Joe Citizen time to play cards. :wink:
In the Mitelli deck (a Greek myth Deck) there is one card that is taken for Strength. The Goddess stands next to a broken pillar. A broken pillar is often seen in Cemeteries as a sign of mortality and that the occupant is now at Peace. A broken pillar is also a symbol of instability- Bring Peace to the table and you have stability.
So Strength/Force was once upon a time Peace- The Greek Eirene and the Roman Pax. One of the three Horae.
Have I convinced You?
~Rosanne
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