Re: 10 Pent
slinky_jo said:
I really like the 10 of pentacles - and have been wondering what's that large dark portion on the LEFT meant to be (next to the old man) - is it a painting or a window? - and does it have a secret meaning?? It seems to have a hill or tower on it. It this tower a warning - as in "don't feel too comfortable, things can change???"
Yes - the left side of this card is very intriguing. Above the old man's head, on the arch itself are two banners:
-Balanced scales (representing Justice/Libra?).
-A castle or church (a heavenly abode?).
Then there is
-A window frame? in checkerboard (reference to Masonry?),
-Framing a view of another world that doesn't match the dimensions of the main scene - similar to that famous metaphysical print where a man is bending over to look into the clockwork world behind this one.
-Containing a tower similar to the one on the cliff top on the 8 of Swords - the heights of aspiration, a spiritual home? The Grail Castle?
-The old man is the Fisher King? Ulysses returning home?
-The markings in the sky above the tower are like a cherub with wings (there are three dots that could represent a face) - divine grace?
All this on theTree of Life feminine pillar of severity containing Binah, Geburah, and Hod.
It certainly looks like a coded message from A. E. Waite. What else could these things represent? It may be Waite's "signature" card - his spiritual "abode" and "entrance" to the mystical "archives". Abode, entrance, and archives are words from his commentary on the card.
T