contrascarpe
Well since I have been frightenly busy, I took the lazy way out and have cut and pasted my synopsis of the Nine of Chalices, which I had written as an example in the other thread, along with some of my impressions:
"Like all chalices in the deck, it is a winter scene. In the foreground to the right appears to be an older couple, each brandishing two chalices and smiling at each other. To their left is an angel who is smiling dreamily to her right, maybe looking off-card, maybe looking athe the golden pot at the base of her feet. She is dressed in a blue robe with a blue wreath upon her head, and wearing a bright sun ornament on her chest. She seems to be pointing to the scene behind her, or perhaps at the couple mentioned above. Behind her slightly to her left are three people, two are people of undetermined wealth and one is Jesus. They each hold a chalice except for Jesus who holds two. Directly behind the angel stands a man in the cold river, holding a fan and apparently shouting at the sky. Further behind him are two more people with their backs to us, both dressed in blue and wearing tan, wide-brimmed hats. They are both also holding objects skyward - the one on the left is holding a hat identical to the one she/he is wearing, the other is holding a stick with a green snake intertwined. They are both walking on a snow-covered path. Finally, amongst the low level mountains in the back sits a castle on a rocky ridge."
OK, we all know that the Nine of Chalices is the "wish card". There is nothing not to like in this rendition, and perhaps it too is grounded in the notion that all wishes will be granted. However, there is much more going on than that.
It is winter, a time to hibernate and rest and recharge for the upcoming Spring when we can begin to plant and anticipate the growth of a new year. However, nobody seems to want to hibernate! There is a party going on here - and even Jesus came!
The Angel is there to remind us that not everything is in our power to control, but fate does not bring with it just bad tidings, but good as well. The older couple seem content and happy with each other. They toast many years of happiness and being together. A typical 9/Cups usually means to me that the wish granted is often temporary (compared to the more stable power of the 10/Cups), but in this card the couple indicates that happiness is lasting.
OK, what is Jesus doing here? Maybe a reminder that one's religious faith does not have to be somber and restricting. This ties in well with the history provided in the LWB of how the art of this time was a reaction to the growth of Protestantism in Europe and evolving of art to show less serious religious themes.
Now, what is that man doing in the water? Doesn't he know its cold (he can't be a member of the the Polar Bear Club - he is fully clothed, not in a bathing suit). And why is he holding a fan? Does the water indicate the accepted meaning of subconscious thought? If so, both feet are firmly planted in the water. Maybe it is a warning that not aspects of one wishes will be granted.
Finally, the two identically dressed people in the back seem to be walking away from us. Can anyone into symbolism (or is it symbology) shed some light on the snake curled around the stick? It shows up in other cards as well.
The Bruegel Tarot leaves me with as many questions as it does answers. Anyone have any ideas on how to interpret this card?
Here is the proverb taken from the LWB - Triumph of good. The sun shines in spite of evil. Hmm, does that little snake represent evil? Do the two figures with no face walking away indicate evil defeated?
See, more questions than answers. Looking forward to the views of others
Dan
"Like all chalices in the deck, it is a winter scene. In the foreground to the right appears to be an older couple, each brandishing two chalices and smiling at each other. To their left is an angel who is smiling dreamily to her right, maybe looking off-card, maybe looking athe the golden pot at the base of her feet. She is dressed in a blue robe with a blue wreath upon her head, and wearing a bright sun ornament on her chest. She seems to be pointing to the scene behind her, or perhaps at the couple mentioned above. Behind her slightly to her left are three people, two are people of undetermined wealth and one is Jesus. They each hold a chalice except for Jesus who holds two. Directly behind the angel stands a man in the cold river, holding a fan and apparently shouting at the sky. Further behind him are two more people with their backs to us, both dressed in blue and wearing tan, wide-brimmed hats. They are both also holding objects skyward - the one on the left is holding a hat identical to the one she/he is wearing, the other is holding a stick with a green snake intertwined. They are both walking on a snow-covered path. Finally, amongst the low level mountains in the back sits a castle on a rocky ridge."
OK, we all know that the Nine of Chalices is the "wish card". There is nothing not to like in this rendition, and perhaps it too is grounded in the notion that all wishes will be granted. However, there is much more going on than that.
It is winter, a time to hibernate and rest and recharge for the upcoming Spring when we can begin to plant and anticipate the growth of a new year. However, nobody seems to want to hibernate! There is a party going on here - and even Jesus came!
The Angel is there to remind us that not everything is in our power to control, but fate does not bring with it just bad tidings, but good as well. The older couple seem content and happy with each other. They toast many years of happiness and being together. A typical 9/Cups usually means to me that the wish granted is often temporary (compared to the more stable power of the 10/Cups), but in this card the couple indicates that happiness is lasting.
OK, what is Jesus doing here? Maybe a reminder that one's religious faith does not have to be somber and restricting. This ties in well with the history provided in the LWB of how the art of this time was a reaction to the growth of Protestantism in Europe and evolving of art to show less serious religious themes.
Now, what is that man doing in the water? Doesn't he know its cold (he can't be a member of the the Polar Bear Club - he is fully clothed, not in a bathing suit). And why is he holding a fan? Does the water indicate the accepted meaning of subconscious thought? If so, both feet are firmly planted in the water. Maybe it is a warning that not aspects of one wishes will be granted.
Finally, the two identically dressed people in the back seem to be walking away from us. Can anyone into symbolism (or is it symbology) shed some light on the snake curled around the stick? It shows up in other cards as well.
The Bruegel Tarot leaves me with as many questions as it does answers. Anyone have any ideas on how to interpret this card?
Here is the proverb taken from the LWB - Triumph of good. The sun shines in spite of evil. Hmm, does that little snake represent evil? Do the two figures with no face walking away indicate evil defeated?
See, more questions than answers. Looking forward to the views of others
Dan