smw
I'm still chewing on this one.I do think that Tarot is expressing Archetypes that have a quasi objective reality, independent from esoteric sophistication. Otherwise, how come people who have never even heard of Tarot express so beautifully the Major Arcana derived from their dates of birth in their lives?
hmmm... maybe some archetypal expressions are more pure, such as the mother, eternal child, trickster, wise man, hermit etc. They are experienced or recognised in some form by everyone. We all have a mother, elders etc. So perhaps these while still having a subjective individual element (ie :suffocating destroying Kali mother or loving nurturer) have some objective universal reality. Also, nature is experienced by all, so the stars, moon and tides for example, may be recognised and related to as universal symbols too.
Then there seems to be a different layer with conscious modifications of archetypal symbols, sometimes over long periods of time and though are still expressions are less direct. In this bunch may fall symbols aligned with cultural habits/customs, fairy tales, myths, esoteric teachings and Astrology. I might wonder how much of the content of this group filters down through family stories, and society, through literature, etc,without people necessarily being aware, or of what the sources are.
So trying to relate this to your question, not getting far...perhaps the more pure or basic universal symbols can be recognised in the Tarot from inherent archetypal processes reflected in nature and people. I don't know much about Astrology, though it sounds like a mixture of basic symbol - stars linked to created or modified concepts of personality. Personality influenced and shaped by mother, father archetype.....the moon....
When it comes to specific decks like the Thoth though, there seems to be a interconnected system of meanings associated with given (universal) symbols and the main concept of Thelema created by Crowley. I don't think that means archetypal expressions of symbols can't have some objectivity in their own right, more that they are related to, or expressed within the 'whole' of that created system.
Yes, they are part of the universal unconscious collective. We can consider the BoT a guide to (or dictionary of) that symbolism. But it is not the only possible or legitimate one.
The BOT as being a guide or a shopping list of symbols?.. It seems more like a guide to the Thoth Tarot with symbolism to me.
Hope you enjoyed your weekend. If you wish to continue this conversation, I will be right here.
Thank you, I did some archetypes here on a bonfire night procession