10 of Pentacles

Corwim

Sorry if this has been asked or commented.

Has anyone noticed that the coins in the ten of pents aren't really part of the picture. In most cards the surroundings interact with the suit, but in the XP they just float detached from the scene.

Not sure if this has come up but I found it interesting.
 

Zephyros

Very good question.

This card is one of the oddest in the deck. In most of the cards the occult symbols are sublimated. Notable examples of where they aren't are this card, which shows the coins arranged in the form of the Tree of Life; and the Two of Cups, which shows a very obvious alchemical symbol. Indeed, these two cards are among the most important in the deck, both showing universal laws.

I guess here Waite just said "to hell with secrecy" because of the cards' importance. The Two of Cups especially is so blatant as to be almost shocking; it's the closest thing to occult porn I can think of. })
 

Ruby Jewel

Hi Closrapexa

I'm now very curious about your interpretation of the 2 of cups and 10 of pentacles, if you wouldn't mind expounding on these two cards. What sort of alchemical meanings did Waite decide to divulge?

Thanks.
 

Corwim

When I got my first RWS deck and saw the 10 of pents for the first time I did think of the tree of life but couldn't find the shape just because some coins are shifted upwards. But after it was mentioned I found it.
 

Eremita90

I guess here Waite just said "to hell with secrecy" because of the cards' importance. The Two of Cups especially is so blatant as to be almost shocking; it's the closest thing to occult porn I can think of. })

I often think about the same thing, you know. After all, how many people where there in the pre-pre-pre-internet era, who would have discovered the occult meaning of the cards, unless they already knew it? I've come to believe that these cards such as the 10 of pentacles were put there somewhat strategically to say different things to different people: the everyday fortune-teller would have found it easy to scry randomly in the cards, while more "learned" students of the occult would have been able to partially see through the image to get to the core of it. The cards that are so obviously related to occultism might have been designed by Waite so as to put the right people on the right track. Like, to tell them "Psst... Hey, look closer at the other cards as well"
 

GGTarot

I didn't notice that the pentacles show the tree of life. But the way I saw it is look at where the pentacles are in the picture. One is near the animals, another near the old man, one near the children, one near the foundation of their home, etc.

I believe it shows putting your money into your home, family, and possessions.
 

MandMaud

I didn't notice that the pentacles show the tree of life. But the way I saw it is look at where the pentacles are in the picture. One is near the animals, another near the old man, one near the children, one near the foundation of their home, etc.

I believe it shows putting your money into your home, family, and possessions.

I hadn't thought of it like that - thanks! This card is one I find difficult. Well, not difficult to read, but I always have a feeling there's something else that it's telling me which I'm not picking up on. Must keep musing on it.
 

GGTarot

I hadn't thought of it like that - thanks! This card is one I find difficult. Well, not difficult to read, but I always have a feeling there's something else that it's telling me which I'm not picking up on. Must keep musing on it.

I think all cards have some secret symbolism or hidden meaning. It's good to think about.