Thirteen
I was surprised to realize that this study has barely touched on the queens. There's a thread on the Queen/Pents here: http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=93634
But we're missing the rest. I'd like to discuss the queens. In most tarot decks, the Queens are the "Water" of court cards, the heart of the kingdom, as it were, it's spiritual side. Also, IMHO, it's pragmatic side. They don't, like the King, give the St. Crispin's day speech that motivates everyone into action, but, rather, like a good mom, they makes sure that all those bows and arrows were made so that once those archers are inspired they can do their job. They are the power behind the throne as it were.
So, what about our BG queens?
Queen Pent has her own thread, which we can all check out for some interesting detailed info on that picture she's looking at so warily. What I'll say about her that interests me is how very tasteful she is. She shows, as a good Queen/Pent should how to put that money to use. How to display to others that you have it in a way that isn't vulgar. Which is a very important point, I think, as other cards in the BG Pentacles suit are all about gaudiness, or ownership of one particular item, or issues with money (5/Pents, 6/Pents and 10/Pents in particular. Not having it is as much an issue in those cards as having it). Queen/Pents in this deck shows that love for money which we would call "just right." It doesn't obsess, go overboard, or hoard.
YET, as in the thread on this card, there is that picture she keeps eyeing, the penitent Mary Magdalene. I know the main question is whether she's prostituted herself for the money, but I actually have another thought on this: Jesus preaches about giving up all ones worldly goods in order to walk with god. Perhaps the message of this card is that simple--that she can't find her way out of this dark, BG deck because unlike Mary M. there, she isn't willing to give up earthly comforts and pleasures.
She can't, like Mary in the picture, leave her comfortable home, wear rags instead of pretty clothes, and, yes, even scourge herself (feel pain rather than pleasure) in order to connect with the divine. Queens are the "spiritual" side of things, and this card says that the spirit of the "pents" is in "things" (having them/not having them). Our Queen here is the only one of the Court Pents who seems to be worried about the fact that having it all may not be having it all. What if heaven can't be reached without renouncing it "all"?
But we're missing the rest. I'd like to discuss the queens. In most tarot decks, the Queens are the "Water" of court cards, the heart of the kingdom, as it were, it's spiritual side. Also, IMHO, it's pragmatic side. They don't, like the King, give the St. Crispin's day speech that motivates everyone into action, but, rather, like a good mom, they makes sure that all those bows and arrows were made so that once those archers are inspired they can do their job. They are the power behind the throne as it were.
So, what about our BG queens?
Queen Pent has her own thread, which we can all check out for some interesting detailed info on that picture she's looking at so warily. What I'll say about her that interests me is how very tasteful she is. She shows, as a good Queen/Pent should how to put that money to use. How to display to others that you have it in a way that isn't vulgar. Which is a very important point, I think, as other cards in the BG Pentacles suit are all about gaudiness, or ownership of one particular item, or issues with money (5/Pents, 6/Pents and 10/Pents in particular. Not having it is as much an issue in those cards as having it). Queen/Pents in this deck shows that love for money which we would call "just right." It doesn't obsess, go overboard, or hoard.
YET, as in the thread on this card, there is that picture she keeps eyeing, the penitent Mary Magdalene. I know the main question is whether she's prostituted herself for the money, but I actually have another thought on this: Jesus preaches about giving up all ones worldly goods in order to walk with god. Perhaps the message of this card is that simple--that she can't find her way out of this dark, BG deck because unlike Mary M. there, she isn't willing to give up earthly comforts and pleasures.
She can't, like Mary in the picture, leave her comfortable home, wear rags instead of pretty clothes, and, yes, even scourge herself (feel pain rather than pleasure) in order to connect with the divine. Queens are the "spiritual" side of things, and this card says that the spirit of the "pents" is in "things" (having them/not having them). Our Queen here is the only one of the Court Pents who seems to be worried about the fact that having it all may not be having it all. What if heaven can't be reached without renouncing it "all"?