Day Eight, Queen of Swords

 My Inference:

She reclines topless, suggesting a state of relaxation after exertion. The head in her left hand and unsheathed sword in her right hand are further evidence of a struggle she may have just overcome. I get an anti-patriarchal impression. Her fight is not necessarily a personal one. She is enthroned in the clouds, as a goddess. The backrest of her throne is angelic in appearance, perhaps even a living entity. The very spirits that inhabit the heavens are her servants. Her skirt matches the hue of the sky. This is her domain, which she defends. In her position on high, she surveys the world even while she rests.

This is the woman's struggle -- to command, but not without constantly battling. The feminine in all of us is our real strength, not the power and influence at which our masculine side clutches and claws.

At the risk of speaking on behalf of women, this is a reminder that your strength is beyond the material. Your nature is to compel. For the rest of us, this is an invitation to attune to the feminine, whatever that means. As a skeptic, I know I'm dangerously close to invoking a sort of yin/yang concept of spiritual balance, but I don't claim to draw any specific conclusions from this card, other than "celebrate whatever makes us individuals". 

Ziegler:

He mentions "cutting through old masks and roles", which is an elegant way of summing my clumsy reading. He also expands on my inference regarding the masculine fetishization of power and control:

 

"...reouncing the security offered by playing familiar roles means the voluntary giving-up of habitual defense mechanisms. By using the sword of penetrating insight you come to recognize that the masks you wear not only protect and camouflage, but also separate you from your Self and others."

Ziegler's point is further supported by the child's (not angel's) head behind her and the mask (not severed head of a patriarch) that she holds. The crystals supporting the child's head represent clarity. The mask is something we must all cut off so we can understand ourselves better. Ziegler describes how a counselor must help a subject drop their mask, so that trust can be established. We are trustworthy when we trust ourselves. 

Rider-Waite:

The Rider-Waite design is similar in depicting a queen on her throne, but her body language is more taut and authoritative. The theme of their queen is familiarity with sorrow. There is a conceptual relation here, in that in knowing oneself, one inevitably comes to terms with misery. Their reverse meanings include bigotry and malice, which surely are ways a sufferer might channel their negative emotions. 

Combined Reading:

Be honest with yourself. This includes being aware of your public face, and what lies behind it. You don't always like what you find there. Sometimes you might even see something you thought you despised in others. What do you do with the knowledge you discover? 

Day Seven: Five of Swords, "Defeat"

 

My Inference:

Not much about the title is represented in the image. The background is split between two rather pleasant pastel colors, decorated with angular scribbles. Are they suggestive of chaos? Is this the sort of defeat that isn't brought on by a calculating nemesis, but pure dumb luck? An inverted pentagram seems to be outlined by some amethyst-colored stones, and there are figures on the handles of the swords. One of the figures is a fish, another is maybe a snake; I could only guess at the others.

Since this card seems to tell no specific story, but rather warns of a sudden, unexpected failure, I take it as a warning to remain humble in times of peace and plenty, because you cannot always intuit the source of your next calamity.

Ziegler:

It turns out the "stones" I thought I saw in the pentagram are drops of blood. Has the color shifted during the printing process? The inverted state of the pentagram and the curvature of the swords signify unbalance and disharmony. The icons on the sword handles are a fish, snake, crown, ram's horn, and seashell, respectively indicating the past, a lack of renewal, lost awareness, lost momentum, and the need for protection. Ziegler goes on to define the message of this card as a need to acknowledge one's own irrational fear of defeat, then let it go. Not closely aligned with my reading, although there is a thematic link between awareness of one's vulnerability and paralysis due to fear of moving forward. 

Rider-Waite:

Interestingly, the Rider-Waite version shows a man who has vanquished others and presumably collected their swords. This is a much more deliberate defeat than the random failure I intuited and the fear of action that Ziegler defines. Divinatory meanings include dishonor, destruction, and other consequences of actions that have literally failed. 

Combined Reading:

The readings offered by Ziegler and Waite here are the least compatible I've encountered so far. They might still be reconciled by the Stoic principle that Man and the Universe will fail you -- and that's it, take from it what you will. The Universe (and mankind, who are themselves part of it) owes you nothing. The best you can do is be an ally to others as they cope with their own failures.

Day Six: Eight of Wands, "Swiftness"

 My Inference:

There is definitely something connoting swiftness in eight pointed lightning bolts (or is it four double-ended bolts?). They emanate in all directions, suggesting influence or power directed universally. The significance of the rainbow eludes me. Perhaps a parallel is drawn between the full visible spectrum and the whole of two-dimensional space being filled with electricity? Above the rainbow are symbols, presumably of astrological significance. Two views of an octahedron are partially obscured by the bolts, again highlighting the significance of the number eight. I read this as a call to action: "You could be good today, but instead you choose tomorrow" (Marcus Aurelius).

Ziegler:

The "square" (octahedron) is blockage, transformed into crystal, revealing the colors of the rainbow. Clarity and communication overcome hindrances. Identify disturbing influences by name, and they will fade. The rainbow is a symbol of wholeness; a process is nearing completion. Define where you stand, make it known to others without fear or hesitation.

Rider-Waite:

Very compatible with Ziegler. Themes include swiftness, completion, and communication, particularly with loved ones (I would add "partners" in any sense). Reversed meanings deal with consequences of failure to communicate, like marital disputes.

Combined Reading:

One of the most important pieces of advice I have ever encountered is represented here: The root of conflict is failure to adequately communicate. Let this be a reminder to always be clear in declaring your intentions and setting expectations. I feel we can do better than "swiftness" as a one-word summary, but it is true that the longer you wait to clarify your intentions, the greater a problem you potentially unleash later on. 

Day Five: Ace of Wands

My Inference:

Flames dance vigorously at the end of a wand, which itself is orange-hot. Behind, electricity crackles. This is a card of energy and potential, an urge to stay healthy and active, so you can tackle daily responsibilities without reserve.

Ziegler:

The energy that rises after all blocks have been removed. "After all obstacles are out of the way, renewal in all areas and levels of life take place." Do what you are most attracted to. Find the framework in which to realize your dreams.

Rider-Waite:

Creation, invention, and enterprise "...and the virility which is behind them."

Combined Reading:

Be at your best when taking on tasks. Avoid nicotine, alcohol, and foods that weigh you down. Get enough rest. You can do more when you are feeling your best. This is true physically, as you are more alert and energetic in your actions, and mentally, as you are better equipped to make decisions and plans. 

Day Four: Ace of Swords

My Inference:

The Sun shines through a break in the clouds. A crown encircling a sword emanates rays. I suppose the sword could mean action, perhaps conflict. In this context, action brings triumph.

Ziegler:

On the handle is engraved the Greek word for clarity. "That which is created in clarity will carry this quality visibly and pass it on." Ziegler asks, what supports or hinders your clarity?

Rider-Waite:

Triumph of force. Actions speak louder than words. Press an advantage to complete a goal.

Combined Reading:

Ziegler instructs us to trust our clear perceptions, whereas Waite prophecies success through sheer action. Combined, I read from this card an urging to convert fresh ideas, those clearest in our heads, into actions that bring us closer to our prioritized objectives.

Day Three: Three of Cups, "Abundance"

My Inference:

I imagine I'm looking at lotus flowers, pouring something representative of bounty over pomegranates. Lots of fertility and prosperity implications. Because I'm not reading this as prophetic, my initial reaction is that either I should focus my efforts on obtaining fiscal security, or I should "count my blessings."

Ziegler:

It seems my instincts were on the right track. These are lotuses and pomegranates. The material flowing from the lotuses is "love of the highest order...available to be shared with only a small circle of people." Ziegler describes relationships with those closest to us as "rare gifts," and continues, "Care for them with respect and gratitude." So the abundance this card represents is that of love.

Rider-Waite:

Waite's reading is more related to the material, but the image in his deck still implies a sisterly bond. His reading includes the keywords "victory," "fulfillment," "solace," and "healing." 

Combined Reading:

I take this card as a hint to share my blessings, material or otherwise, with those who mean the most to me. Make the next discretionary expense a gift, or a family trip. Share my talents with others. When I am strong, support someone who does not feel strong. If you love someone, show it in a way that is meaningful and personal.

With this message and others I have read in Ziegler's work, I find it interesting that an egomaniac like Crowley would so often inject themes of love and generosity into his deck.

Day Two: Nine of Disks, "Gain"

My Inference: 

As with many minor arcana cards, the imagery in this one consists mostly of archaic symbols. Because I lack a deep understanding of astrology, alchemy, and Qaballah, I'll have to defer to the Ziegler guide. I do recognize the vague outline of the Tree of Life, with the upper and lower three Sephiroth marked by disks. Three disks in the center lack icons, but I imagine their colors are significant.

Ziegler:

"The three disks in the center symbolize the unification of love (pink), wisdom (blue), and creativity (green). The central binding force is love, whose color is visible through the other two." The heads are those of the artist Frieda Harris, Crowley, and Israel Regardie (a prominent occultist and contemporary of Crowley). Skipping past an extensive analysis of the placement of the heads, Ziegler arrives at the central message of the card: "Gain comes from giving willingly and lovingly...giving yourself to the universe; giving yourself fully to life. The cosmic law of wealth is hereby fulfilled: The more I give the more I receive."

There is some implication of the New Age concept of "Give and you shall receive" in Ziegler's reading. Naturally, a skeptic does not accept the position that our universe rewards (or punishes) actions. As I posted earlier, a phenomenon must either be demonstrated as occurring, or its possibility must be theoretically explainable. "Karma," as it is commonly called (however inaccurately), satisfies neither criterion. However, if we shift the focus of our interpretation from "giving" to "getting," we arrive at a reading that is compatible with a rationalist mindset: Realize your chosen purpose, collaborate, remember that as effort increases, so do rewards.

Rider-Waite:

A.E. Waite's less complex reading of the Nine of Pentacles basically amounts to taking inventory of one's accomplishments.

Combined Reading:

Material gain is not always an individual pursuit. Work with others to your mutual benefit. Meditate on the concepts of dedication, effort, and collaboration.