The priest, barefoot in this sacred space, wears the skin of a blue leopard over his garment. The blue leopard, born from the tears of Hathor, symbolizes the blessings brought by the Nile's inundation. In his right hand, the priest holds an object identified by Kaplan as an unguent vase, while his left hand is raised towards the mummy in benediction and to perform the "opening of the mouth" ritual.
The mummy wears a bearded mask and a carved wig, with a compressed mass of perfumed wax and a lotus flower atop its head. The mummy's right arm is awkwardly stretched around the left hip, suggesting the possibility of a violent death and the improper reassembly of the body before mummification, raising questions about what impact that will have on the soul's journey in the afterlife. The mummy stands on a low green platform before the priest.
In the upper portion of the cartouche, the winged spirit of the deceased man (his ba) ascends, holding in its claws the "knot of eternity," the tyet representing eternal life. Also present are the Hebrew letter Reish (ר), symbolizing the back of the head or brainstem, the hieroglyph for an open mouth, and an angelic letter composed of two lines and three circles to form a 'V' shape.
In the lower portion of the card, a cartouche contains symbols resembling the planet Jupiter and its rings, a fish, and a gallows. Kaplan translates these hieroglyphs to mean "the body as it is corruptible."
The title field of the card include the symbol for Venus, the Latin letter E, and the Arabic numeral six. The number six means harmony and caring for loved ones. (The Hebrew letter Reish above indicates the number 200.)
Stuart Kaplan provides insights into the process and beliefs surrounding mummification. The "opening of the mouth" ceremony, crucial for allowing the deceased to breathe in the afterlife and speak his name before judgment, suggests a departure from the past and an opening to new experiences. Upright, the card signifies departure, advancement into the unknown, alteration, evolution, and change of residence. Reversed, it indicates discord, interruption, and unexpected change.
Nelise Carbonare Vieira connects card 60 with the traditional Six of Swords. The RWS depiction of this card shows a boat with a standing man punting it, six swords, and a veiled woman seated with a child, moving from troubled waters to calmer shores. This imagery represents a rite of passage, escaping danger, or a secret journey. Reversed, it suggests a difficult journey, speaking up, and disrupting longstanding situations. It advises traveling light and not looking back. The six swords may symbolize the six working days of the week and the journey to a Sabbath of rest and harmony.
The traditional meaning of the Six of Swords aligns well with the imagery of card 60, Evolution. It represents a time of actual or metaphorical travel, transition, and new objectives. The soul leaves the body and journeys to a different realm, signifying a shift in perspective and a new phase of life.
Card 60, Evolution, embodies the essence of transformation and transition. While highlighting the afterlife journey of the soul from the physical to the spiritual realm, it also emphasizes the importance of embracing change in this life, encouraging the reader to leave the past behind and be open to new experiences and perspectives.
Outstanding explanation. At long last a logical explanation for the seemingly distorted position of the mummy’s arm. Thank you and am giving the article a second reading to further understand the meaning of this important card.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Please let me know what conclusions your draw from the card!
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