Rider-Waite
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. The Rose and Cross and Lily should be noticed on the left side.
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.
Additional Meanings: A young lady may expect trivial disappointments.
Reversed
Surprise, wonder, enchantment, emotion, trouble, fear.
Etteilla
Le Deux de Baton
Chagrin, Sadness, Melancholy, Affliction, Displeasure, Distress, Grief, Mortification, Ill Humor, Quarrel, Disease, Gloomy Ideas. Harshness, Anger, Vexation.
Reversed
Surprise, Enchantment, Shock, Trouble, Unforeseen Event, Unexpected Occurrence, Fright, Emotion, Fear, Dread, Terror. Dismay, Astonishment, Domination, Ravishing, Alarms. Wonder, Phenomenon, Miracle.
Thierens
TRADITION
Melancholy, sadness, surprise, astonishment, consternation, terror, fear, enchantment, trouble, but also on the other hand riches, fortune and magnificence.
THEORY
Air on the Second house, that of Taurus, which explains at once the latter significances ascribed to the card by some authors; the other category of definitions derives from the earthy nature of the Second house, which, put into the tone of the airy element, may cause something of the oppression, which the heaviness of this fixed and earthy house exercises on the mind. It is the impression of heaviness, of a load on the back, which easily may attain the more concise form of a fear, a gloom, a feeling of being downcast, impotent, weak and not able to resist circumstances. So it may signify the pressure of material conditions, the responsibility imparted by riches, but also projects or conceptions of an economical nature and the idea of capital and capitalising. Further the combination of the principles of air with the house of Taurus must give music, and we may be sure that this card always has some significance in that way and in the sphere of art intellectually and in general. This is a very important significance.
CONCLUSION
Music, art, artistic ability in general; capital, riches, heavy responsibility, pressure, obsession, melancholy, fear, weakness, impossibility or material power (on one side and on the other), gloom, dullness, ‘spleen,’ impotence, subjection to material circumstances; attitude of ‘wait and see’; the future is for those that can (afford to) wait. Country life.
Paul Foster-Case
The coiled serpent in the triangle symbolizes Wisdom, the idea associated with 2 in Hebrew occultism. Crossed wands symbolizes balanced force.
Time period
1st decanate of Aries, March 21st to 30th inclusive, ruled by Mars.
Well-dignified
This key means force, enterprise, boldness, resolution, originality, some combativeness.
Ill-dignified
It shows fierceness, shamelessness, ambition, restlessness, turbulence, obstinacy, revenge. A card of enthusiasm, but strong self-interest.
Keyword
Dominion.
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