euripides
Now, here's a question that is hard to put the way I want.... I know a lot of people will probably advise reading with your instinct, and the feeling of the art, over the Waite meanings. I understand this view. But I want to think a bit about the intent of the writer, the intent of the artist - and possibly the instinctive feel of the artist, and the resulting card.
The RWS LWB says "A hoodwinked figure balances two swords upon her shoulders. Divinatory meanings: Conformity and the equipoise which it suggests, concord in a state of arms, affection, intimacy. Reversed: Imposture, falsehood, duplicity, disloyalty.
equipoise= balance, equilibrium.
To me, reading this note, suggests that in this card, this state has been reached. The card represents balance, peace. Though I don't feel that at all from the art. How can it mean affection and intimacy? I don't see that at all.
a thought: if the woman is holding the swords belonging to two combatants, they cannot fight (hence, concord in a state of arms) - but they are still crossed. The conflict still exists, just suspended.
The Spiral tarot shows a woman on a tightrope holding the swords. I wondered, how could this mean concord, given her precarious position? But then I thought, perhaps she is being like a tightrope walker, an acrobat with perfect control, a calm strong mind, moving forward despite the danger.
The meaing on tarot.com says that it represent conflicting ideas or visions that must be reconciled. Mixed signals. Frank discussion is needed.
The blindfold.... Waite says 'hoodwinked' which to us suggests being tricked, but while its true that this is the modern meaning, the original meaning of the word meant to have the eyes closed or covered by the hood (ie of your cape). So I suspect Waite's original vision might have been of a dramatically hooded figure, rather than blindfolded. ah... then again, I've seen another definition which gives it as an archaic term for blindfolding. Though it was being used as meaning 'to decieve' by 1610
and then there is this, from a page on freemasonry and numerology:
http://www.masoncode.com/The Jewels of Freemasonry.htm
The Entered Apprentice candidate is presented to the lodge, 'Slipshod and Hoodwinked', draped with a, 'Cable Tow', - in other words he is slippered, hooded and has a hangman's noose around his neck.
'Hoodwinked' has the significant value of 1080. This is the female, or lunar, component of the number of fusion (1080 + 666 = 1746) and ascribed to the Holy Ghost - in Greek 'To Pneuma Agion'.
Hmm... now did I actually manage to phrase a question? Probably not! Anyway, any thoughts, suggestions, ideas about this card ?
cheers
Euri
The RWS LWB says "A hoodwinked figure balances two swords upon her shoulders. Divinatory meanings: Conformity and the equipoise which it suggests, concord in a state of arms, affection, intimacy. Reversed: Imposture, falsehood, duplicity, disloyalty.
equipoise= balance, equilibrium.
To me, reading this note, suggests that in this card, this state has been reached. The card represents balance, peace. Though I don't feel that at all from the art. How can it mean affection and intimacy? I don't see that at all.
a thought: if the woman is holding the swords belonging to two combatants, they cannot fight (hence, concord in a state of arms) - but they are still crossed. The conflict still exists, just suspended.
The Spiral tarot shows a woman on a tightrope holding the swords. I wondered, how could this mean concord, given her precarious position? But then I thought, perhaps she is being like a tightrope walker, an acrobat with perfect control, a calm strong mind, moving forward despite the danger.
The meaing on tarot.com says that it represent conflicting ideas or visions that must be reconciled. Mixed signals. Frank discussion is needed.
The blindfold.... Waite says 'hoodwinked' which to us suggests being tricked, but while its true that this is the modern meaning, the original meaning of the word meant to have the eyes closed or covered by the hood (ie of your cape). So I suspect Waite's original vision might have been of a dramatically hooded figure, rather than blindfolded. ah... then again, I've seen another definition which gives it as an archaic term for blindfolding. Though it was being used as meaning 'to decieve' by 1610
and then there is this, from a page on freemasonry and numerology:
http://www.masoncode.com/The Jewels of Freemasonry.htm
The Entered Apprentice candidate is presented to the lodge, 'Slipshod and Hoodwinked', draped with a, 'Cable Tow', - in other words he is slippered, hooded and has a hangman's noose around his neck.
'Hoodwinked' has the significant value of 1080. This is the female, or lunar, component of the number of fusion (1080 + 666 = 1746) and ascribed to the Holy Ghost - in Greek 'To Pneuma Agion'.
Hmm... now did I actually manage to phrase a question? Probably not! Anyway, any thoughts, suggestions, ideas about this card ?
cheers
Euri
