by Marcus Katz
Divinatory meanings: The card signifies strength in opposition. If attacked, the person will meet an onslaught boldly; and his build shews that he may prove a formidable antagonist. With this main significance there are all its possible adjuncts—delay, suspension, adjournment.
Reversed: Obstacles, adversity, calamity.
In a reading this, speaks of being ready for any eventuality; this is a card that recommends having your defences up. It is the preparation that will make the difference in a successful outcome. If this card comes up in response to a question regarding a legal matter, it can recommend going ahead as it will be favourable, especially if you are well prepared.
70. Jack and the King from In Chimney Corners (1899), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. (Illustration courtesy of authors, private collection.)
Eight
The card represents motion through the immovable—a flight of wands through an open country; but they draw to the term of their course. That which they signify is at hand; it may be even on the threshold.
Divinatory meanings: Activity in undertakings, the path of such activity, swiftness, as that of an express messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end which promises assured felicity; generally, that which is on the move; also the arrows of love.
Reversed: Arrows of jealousy, internal dispute, stingings of conscience, quarrels; and domestic disputes for persons who are married.
Something has already been put in motion. At this stage in the game, there is no turning back; you must accept what has gone and bless it on its way or hope for the best possible outcome. If this card is in the Celtic Cross’s “future” position, it suggests a yet-to-transpire unavoidable occurrence that is the result of a past action. However, it is positive, for as Waite says, it “promises assured felicity.” Be assured that all’s well that will end well.
Seven
A young man on a craggy eminence brandishing a staff; six other staves are raised towards him from below.
Divinatory meanings: It is a card of valour, for, on the surface, six are attacking one, who has, however, the vantage position. On the intellectual plane, it signifies discussion, wordy strife; in business—negotiations, war of trade, barter, competition. It is further a card of success, for the combatant is on the top and his enemies may be unable to reach him.
Reversed: Perplexity, embarrassments, anxiety. It is also a caution against indecision.
The Secret of the Mismatched Shoes
One feature of this image is that the figure wears obviously mismatched footwear. It has been commented on with various explanations, although the obvious answer is (as ever) in Pamela’s theatrical background. The image would have been instantly recognisable to her and her friends—although it may well have passed Waite by, given his lack of involvement and interest in the minors. It would be similarly the case with the 9 of Cups, 9 of Pentacles, and other cards. The character in this card is Petruchio, from Shakespeare’s play, The Taming of the Shrew. He is the character who is trying to “tame” his wife-to-be, so he arrives very badly dressed for their wedding:
Why, Petruchio is coming in a new hat and an old jerkin, a pair of old breeches thrice turned, a pair of boots that have been candle cases, one buckled, another laced; an old rusty sword ta’en out of the town armory, with a broken hilt and chapeless; with two broken points … [Act III, scene II]
71. Oscar Asche as Petruchio. (Photograph courtesy of authors, private collection.)
We see immediately that Pamela has deliberately drawn one buckled boot and one laced shoe—and the loose lace is even completely clear. On our website supporting this book, you can see another photograph of Petruchio (played by Oscar Ashe) wearing one boot and one shoe as Pamela had drawn him.That the character is fighting off the odds is simply a scene that follows in the wedding, where Petruchio exclaims:
They shall go forward, Kate, at thy command.
Obey the bride, you that attend on her;
Go to the feast, revel and domineer,
Carouse full measure to her maidenhead;
Be mad and merry, or go hang yourselves.
But for my bonny Kate, she must with me.
Nay, look not big, nor stamp, nor stare, nor fret;
I will be master of what is mine own—
She is my goods, my chattels, she is my house,
My household stuff, my field, my barn,
My horse, my ox, my ass, my any thing,
And here she stands; touch her whoever dare;
I’ll bring mine action on the proudest he
That stops my way in Padua. Grumio,
Draw forth thy weapon; we are beset with thieves;
Rescue thy mistress, if thou be a man.
Fear not, sweet wench; they shall not touch thee, Kate;
I’ll buckler thee against a million.
—[Act III, scene II]
Yet again, we see Pamela’s design providing a richness of interpretation far beyond Waite’s words. The card here carries the ideas of a war of words, battling down someone’s position by belittling and even bullying them. All the complex ideas, scenarios, and character interactions of a full play by Shakespeare are carried by this one image.127
Six
A laurelled horseman bears one staff adorned with a laurel crown; footmen with staves are at his side.
Divinatory meanings: The card has been so designed that it can cover several significations; on the surface, it is a victor triumphing, but it is also great news, such as might be carried in state by the King’s courier; it is expectation crowned with its own desire, the crown of hope, and so forth.
Reversed: Apprehension, fear, as of a victorious enemy at the gate; treachery, disloyalty, as of gates being opened to the enemy; also indefinite delay.
In a reading, this could suggest a successful situation, but be ready for the unexpected.
This is the card of victory—success is assured. If we consider the 8 of Wands as the objectives that were put in motion, then the 6 of Wands is the successful outcome. The energy that was put in has paid off.
The use of the “silent knight” image from 1903 shows that Pamela saw this card, based on the Golden Dawn title of “Victory,” as one of a quiet victory, perhaps a noble triumph. As Waite commented on the idea of it being a “king’s courier,” we also get the practical meaning of this card as someone who is transmitting a secret between two parties. This bears the reversed connotation of an enemy at the gates, as Waite remarks. If you share a friend request on a social media site, it may be that your secrets are also at risk when this card is present in your readings.
Many of Shakespeare’s history plays begin with the victor, the hero returning home to reap the benefits he has earned in war. In Pamela’s depiction of the 6 of Wands, she has created one of these images. The horse is very significant in this, in that it is known that the crafty little look on its face puts a smile on our face because we know that it is going do something unexpected at any moment. With her experience of the stage and acting world, Pamela would have been aware of the saying in the acting fraternity: “Never work with animals or children.” We see this very same scene, even down to the distracted horse, in a little sketch that Pamela made on a letter to her cousin, Mary B. Reed, while in Jamaica. The image came from the play Herne the Hunter, and in this same letter she spoke of the play, and particularly the procession at the start. The sketch also has one of the characters holding a sign up that spells out “REX,” Latin for “king.” Therefore, we suggest that the image of the 6 of Wands could be replaced by Pamela’s original sketch of Herne the Hunter on his steed accompanied by other wild huntsmen and even the souls of unfortunates who have met him on his hunts.
72. The Silent Knight by Pamela Colman Smith, 1903. (Illustration courtesy of Koretaka Eguchi, private collection.)
Five
A posse of youths, who are brandishing staves, as if in sport or
strife. It is mimic warfare, and hereto correspond the Divinatory Meanings.
Divinatory meanings: Imitation, as, for example, sham fight, but also the strenuous competition and struggle of the search after riches and fortune. In this sense it connects with the battle of life. Hence some attributions say that it is a card of gold, gain, opulence.
Reversed: Litigation, disputes, trickery, contradiction.
This is Pamela and the gang erecting trellises at Smallhythe. We have a photograph of the gang doing this, and the end result. The card can also be seen as work in progress, or it may also signify finding as much joy in the task as the end result; this is true camaraderie at play.
This is a card of going through the motions of activity but not actually getting anything done. The characters on the card are young and full of show, but all is not as it seems. Waite says it is “mimic warfare” and “imitation.” In a reading, it would say to not be impressed by what appears to be happening; it could merely be for show.
Four
From the four great staves planted in the foreground there is a great garland suspended; two female figures uplift nosegays; at their side is a bridge over a moat, leading to an old manorial house.
Divinatory Meanings: They are for once almost on the surface—country life, haven of refuge, a species of domestic harvest-home, repose, concord, harmony, prosperity, peace, and the perfected work of these.
Reversed: The meaning remains unaltered; it is prosperity, increase, felicity, beauty, embellishment.
This card is an idealised depiction of life at Smallhythe and Winchelsea; the Margate Bridge is in the background as we see in the 5 of Cups. This is the approach to the sisterhood as the 5 of Cups represents the departure. It signifies sisterhood, a home away from home, a sanctuary of like minds, and celebration of all good things. This shows the successful results of a job well done.
This is a card that speaks of coming home to where you belong. The importance of taking time out away from the stresses and strains of your workaday life. The work has been done for now; it is time to rest as Waite says “harvest home.” Let the festivities commence!
73. Ellen Terry’s Cottage, c. 1909.(Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, used under license.)
Three
A calm, stately personage, with his back turned, looking from a cliff’s edge at ships passing over the sea. Three staves are planted in the ground, and he leans slightly on one of them.
Divinatory meanings: He symbolizes established strength, enterprise, effort, trade, commerce, discovery; those are his ships, bearing his merchandise, which are sailing over the sea. The card also signifies able co-operation in business, as if the successful merchant prince were looking from his side towards yours with a view to help you.
Reversed: The end of troubles, suspension or cessation of adversity, toil and disappointment.
In this scene, we see the shipbuilder of the five ports (Winchelsea and the surrounding area) seeing off his creations. His work is done, but the journey has only just begun. He is a cog in commerce. The livelihood of many depends on the safe passage of these ships. In a reading, this means industriousness creating security for the future. However, it is still early days and care has to be taken to ensure nothing goes wrong. Kings commissioned the shipbuilders of Winchelsea to build ships; a lot of pressure would be on them to satisfy the exacting demands put upon them. In a real-life reading, this could represent being under pressure to perform well and come up with a good result at the end, lest you incur a superior’s wrath.
The image design bears a similarity to the scene in Pamela’s illustration for The Merchant of Venice, where the quote “Hath a dog money?” gives a spin on Waite’s view that this is a card of “business co-operation.” The scene Pamela is drawing upon is where Antonio goes to Shylock for money, having already insulted him. It perhaps tells us that Pamela saw in this card a case for looking properly after one’s business relationships as well as the money.
This is the card of enterprise and success that comes from making the most of opportunities. It can speak of working together for the good of many, rather than for just the one—my success is yours and vice versa. In a reading, it could signify help coming your way in the form of investment.
74. The Merchant of Venice, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. (Illustration courtesy of authors, private collection.)
Two
A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and shore; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring. Note the rose and lily cross on the left side.
Divinatory meanings: Between the alternative readings there is no marriage possible; on the one hand, riches, fortune, magnificence; on the other, physical suffering, disease, chagrin, sadness, mortification. The design gives one suggestion; here is a lord overlooking his dominion and alternately contemplating a globe; it looks like the malady, the mortification, the sadness of Alexander amidst the grandeur of this world’s wealth.
Reversed: Surprise, wonder, enchantment, emotion, trouble, fear.
This scene is reminiscent of the painting Comes He Not by the pre-Raphaelite painter Edward Burne-Jones, as we have seen earlier in the The Flower Book. The work of Burne-Jones greatly influenced Pamela, so if we apply what we can see in this painting, the result is a picture of expectation, waiting for the return of a loved one. In Pamela’s depiction of the 2 of Wands, the waiting figure is male and in his palm he hold the world, as if to say“For your safe return I would give the whole world, for without you I am nothing.” In a reading, this card could suggest putting your personal affairs into perspective, thinking about what is really important in life. At the end of our lives, it is very unlikely that we’ll regret not making more money; more likely we will regret a lost love or opportunity not taken.
This card speaks of the danger of materialism; the accomplishments of ambition and the gaining of status does not always bring contentment. Waite speaks of this when he compares the figure on the battlement to Alexander the Great. He says, “It looks like the malady, the mortification, the sadness of Alexander amidst the grandeur of this world’s wealth” (PKT, 194). The character depicted on the 2 of Wands is confusing worth with wealth; in his ambition, he mistakenly believes that his value in the world will be measured purely by his physical rewards.
Ace
A hand issuing from a cloud grasps a stout wand or club.
Divinatory meanings: Creation, invention, enterprise, the powers which result in these; principle, beginning, source; birth, family, origin, and in a sense the virility which is behind them; the starting point of enterprises; according to another account, money, fortune, inheritance.
Reversed: Fall, decadence, ruin, perdition, to perish; also a certain clouded joy.
Through Pamela this would be her hand, the creative hand grasping and bringing to life her creation, her art, the creation of a tarot deck that would go on and on. It is the legacy she would leave behind. If this card comes up in a reading, it is urging the need to stir up your energy and create something that will stand the test of time. The keyword here is “create.” In a relationship query (perhaps a question of commitment), this card in a future position would be very favourable, as something good and long-lasting is going to come out of the relationship.
–The Suit of Cups–
If we look closely at the cups Pamela painted, we see they are a very specific design, almost dumbbell in shape, with large stems. They are not ornate but appear less functional as cups and closer to the ritual version she would have experienced in the Golden Dawn. However, there is a closer model in her Catholic experience: the ciborium, the large covered cup that stores the host during the Eucharist. We see a more ornate version of a ciborium on the Queen of Cups, and this explains why Waite says of her that her activity “feeds her dream”; the vision is the host realised by her
activity.
Furthermore, whilst Pamela has drawn on the Catholic image, Waite has superimposed on this via his text a more Holy Grail-based notion, particularly the cup as the source of vision. We see this mentioned several times in his text, resulting in the cups carrying both layers of symbolism. On the Grail, Waite writes that it is “in the root a reliquary legend. This legend was taken over and connected with rumours of a secret doctrine concerning the Eucharist and the priesthood, being part of a tradition handed down within the Church, but unconsciously to the Church at large.”128 To Waite, the cup is the symbol of the Beatific Vision, the immediate knowledge of God. He states that the “rose is also a chalice, and its mystery is that of the chalice of salvation.”129 It is to this aim he dedicated his life and the inner working of his secret order, the F. R. C.
King
He holds a short sceptre in his left hand and a great cup in his right; his throne is set upon the sea; on one side a ship is riding and on the other a dolphin is leaping. Implicit is the Sign of the Cup naturally referring to water, which appears in all the court cards.
Divinatory meanings: Fair man, man of business, law, or divinity; responsible, disposed to oblige the Querent; also equity, art and science, including those who profess science, law and art; creative intelligence.
Reversed: Dishonest, double-dealing man; roguery, exaction, injustice, vice, scandal, pillage, considerable loss.
Person: An advocate, champion of wronged.
Part of self: One’s integrity.
Energy: Fairness.
75. An Alternate King of Cups from A Book of Friendly Giants, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, 1914. (Illustration courtesy of authors, private collection.)
