Pagan Otherworlds...why a Swan on the 9 of swords?

Amsonia

The pips in the Pagan Otherwords are a Marseilles style (I was told, but I'm not familiar with that style deck), but I don't understand why they chose to use a swan on the nine of swords. Any insights on this? You can see it on this page if you scroll down a bit.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1244376122/pagan-tarot-by-uusi/posts/1565145

I'm trying to link it to despair or overthinking or fear...but that image throws me off. It just looks peaceful and that doesn't jive with the 9 of swords to me.
 

illyria

The swan in the card is chained around the neck, so it visualizes the feeling of confinement and impotence that is traditionally suggested by the Nine of Swords.
 

decan

In this deck, the first keyword for this card is "Transformation" (with "Responsability" and "Haunted"), and it seems that the swan evokes the transformation process from the duckling to the swan.
this card refers to the 9 of Swords in the RWS, but stresses a more positive approach (?)

Nevertheless the chain (bonds) is a symbol we are used to see in relation to 8 of Swords instead of the 9.
As well I am wondering if the artists had in mind the Swan in Druid Animal Oracle there, because it is depicted like that in this oracle, with a golden chain around her/his neck.
https://fr.pinterest.com/pin/430234570626039906/
 

Beanfeasa

This cars makes me think of the Children of Lir, the kids were bound to 3 lakes for 300 yrs each until st Patrick broke the spell. It's an Irish folk tale.
Check out the review of the deck on the queens sword, the artist answered this exact question. I can't put the link sorry.
 

EmpyreanKnight

Beanfeasa said:
This cars makes me think of the Children of Lir, the kids were bound to 3 lakes for 300 yrs each until st Patrick broke the spell. It's an Irish folk tale.
Check out the review of the deck on the queens sword, the artist answered this exact question. I can't put the link sorry.
Click to expand...

You must be referring to this post:

http://www.thequeenssword.com/pagan-otherworlds-tarot-review/

And oh, it does have a beautiful explanation about the swan right there:

Artist Interview said:
We wanted to continue that conversation (..) at a time when our history and discourse with this planet and each other has never been more essential. It sounds grandiose, but this dialogue and search felt like a natural extension of ourselves – one that each of us is made for – and that the universe wants to hear.

Interestingly enough, the 9 of Swords is where this powerful connection originates. It is a card that deals with the subconscious and dreams. This is the card that floats down the ladders of our DNA ,searching for our most essential selves. It unmasks us there and jolts us out of our old way of seeing. It is the card of transformation and it has a sense of destiny about it. We have no control over the moment of its arrival and when it appears we will be changed like the duckling that grows into a swan. But this transformation comes at a price that each of us must contend with. That little gold chain attached to the swan’s neck that falls down into the water disappearing under the buoyant’s gliding form is the reminder that though we are born with this magical gift of transformation it does not release us from our past. There is a great responsibility to remember where you came from to learn what your future can be.
Click to expand...
 

decan

The last paragraph that you quoted EmpyreanKnight (the one from the artist interview) corresponds to what is written in the book for this card. With the 3 keywords there aren't more explanation.
 

FinoAllaFine

Swans can be extremely aggressive when approached. For me that card takes on a meaning of some kind of higher warning of danger, perhaps which is being manifested in a way which is less than obvious. Ignore the warning and approach the beautiful animal at your peril!

The querent may have to take time to look for less-than-obvious signs around them.
 

Metafizzypop

I wonder if it has anything to do with the myth of the Swan Song. According to legend, the swan, just before it dies, sings one final and beautiful song. I guess it's supposed to be an expression of its sadness. It's not actually true, though. Swans don't sing before they die. But it made for a nice legend.

So I guess swans got the reputation for enjoying expressing their unhappiness and sense of hopelessness. The 9 of Swords has a similar All Is Lost attitude. The card can come up for people who worry a lot. People who have a sense of hopelessness about their lives.

Just a thought.
 
Star as external influences The sun reversed