Whenever I draw this card I think of the song 'he's got the whole world in his hands...'. Second response irritation that it's a man owning the globe. Then again wands are traditionally thought of as masculine energy - sigh. If I was feeling political today I might write about climate change but having news binged for a week I'm a bit politicked out. The figure faces the opposite direction to the figure in the RWS who holds the free wand in left hand. This reminds me that the left has often been associated with evil. Our English word sinister derives from Old French 'sinistre' meaning left.
Dexter is the opposite of sinister from Latin 'on the right'. Synonym of dexterity, adroit (skillful) comes from the French 'a droit' meaning according to the right'. These popular associations right/good left/evil were promoted by the church and the monarchy.
Here the wand on the left is secured with a bolt symbolising a safer choice or opportunity. (I hadn't noticed there is also a bolted wand in the original RWS). The wand on the right is a riskier venture. So back to pondering politics again. This being a wands card passion and courage are foregrounded. When this combines wth the cool logic of the swords, the compassion of the cups and a pentacles concern for all living things the outcome could be tremendous.
bolt and boots...
Politics. At least we aren't in Quatar. in my mind looking right is the future, looking left is the past. That bolt facinated me so have a google images look about and I don't see any other decks have done that. And in the original RWS and many others the foot of that wand is covered. I would certainly see that point as rooted in the past, or we can't change what is done. Interestigly many of the cards figures are facing left. Gotta love the cards, always something to root about mentally
ReplyDeleteYes those directions make sense. I do see a wand bolted to the wall in the RWS. I'll post above.
ReplyDeleteNow I've noticed for the first time that the guys boots lace up at the back...As I'm writing a paper on visual representations of political leaders (including dress) makes me wonder what else I've missed...
Maybe it can also relate to how our left side is often seen as our feminine mor intuitive side because it correlates to our right hemisphere. This could explain why left was considered evil. Just thinking...????
ReplyDeleteHe is holding on to what he intuitively knows as the best option...
Yes I think women have historically been associated with the left and this reflected in the cards where there is a woman and a man two of cups, lovers, devil.
DeleteI agree this card speaks of decisions made with intuition not traditional logic
I have never thought of this before but I wonder if the World had just been confirmed as spherical and that is why this Knight or whomever is holding a globe? It opened more opportunities for everyone when they knew they wouldn't fall off the edge.
DeleteYes I was thinking that after I'd posted. It seems like he's trying to orientate himself gazing intently at the globe to see how it matches up with the land and sea around him.
DeleteThat bolt makes me think of 'the old guard' and a bunch of rich, old, white men sitting around making decisions for people whose lives they know nothing about. Must be watching too much political stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteOh good interpretation. The bolt symbolising the tight grip on the world that demographic have.
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