In card 69, The Unforeseen, we encounter complex and layered imagery. The upper section features a branch-like letter composed of two lines and two circles, a circular hieroglyph, and the Hebrew letter Zayin (ז). The lower section shows a scorpion encased in amber. The title line includes the symbol for Venus, the Roman letter M, and the number six, which alludes to the concept of harmony.
At the heart of the card is the Ancient Egyptian goddess Nut, arched over a solitary man. Nut's pale complexion contrasts with the dark nighttime hue she is usually portrayed with, and her sky blue hair cascades along her arms. Five identical symbols are inked on her body, each resembling the sun and two serpents-- or the female reproductive system. Nut, whose name means "sky," was a goddess of the skies and motherhood. She also wielded influence in the afterlife and was able to transport the deceased to her starry realms.
Nut's image is bright, suggesting that the man beneath her is alive, not lost in the underworld. He wears only a necklace and a short wraparound skirt. His right hand covers his eyes, while his left stretches forth, as if seeking something as he steps forward uncertainly. The imagery evokes some medieval art in which Christian artists depicted the figures of Ecclesia as clear-sighted and Synagoga as blindfolded. To me, the blindfolded figure is reminiscent of a quest for divine truth or spiritual vision, as in the figure of blindfolded Justice. In Jewish tradition, covering the eyes during the recitation of the Sh'ma signifies complete focus and invites the divine presence. The worshipper strives to comprehend that God’s strength and God's mercy are one. If the worshiper recites the Sh'ma with appropriate attentiveness, the Shekhinah, or divine presence, will rest upon the worshiper’s countenance, so before the worshiper recites, she respectfully covers her eyes.
Perhaps the man in our card covers his eyes in his quest for divine truth. Alternatively, he could be engaged in skrying, seeking visions of the future. Some practitioners of skrying choose to cover their eyes or work in darkness to heighten their spiritual sight.
The Talmud describes blind individuals as "full of light," emphasizing the importance of spiritual vision over physical sight. This card encourages us to cultivate such vision and seek deeper insights through practices like skrying.
In Stuart Kaplan’s study of the card image he emphasizes that body of Nut is portrayed with a pink hue to indicate dawn. This may suggest a time of enlightenment and rebirth. Kaplan notes that the solitary man seems oblivious to the scorpion lurking nearby; by blindly navigating through a self-imposed physical darkness, he risks disturbing the unseen scorpion. Perhaps he trusts Nut’s sheltering presence or believes that he is under the auspices of Selkhet, the scorpion goddess. His faith is reminiscent of The Fool card in traditional tarot imagery.
Kaplan explains explains that the circular hieroglyph at the top symbolizes a sieve. Perhaps it is a metaphor for discernment and gaining clarity. In our lives, it is crucial to cultivate the ability to distinguish what has true significance from what is trivial or superficial. The man pictured covers his eyes to filter out distractions that may obscure clear understanding. In my own practice, I invoke Hyékati Vrímo to identify illusions that hinder me and to perceive the deeper reality that lies beneath appearances.
This aligns with the card's title, The Unforeseen, reminding us to uncover hidden truths, move beyond superficial observations, and engage in patient reflection and introspection.
Kaplan assigns the following meanings to The Unforeseen: distraction, lack of perception, unexpected events, sudden illness, attacks from unforeseen sources, hidden dangers, and a refusal to confront unpleasant realities. Reversed meanings include wariness, insight, vigilance, spying, alertness, and prevention.
The card also suggests that our perceptions can be misguided, and what appears as misfortune may turn into a blessing. The Hebrew letter, Zayin, originally associated with the Egyptian hieroglyph for "manacles," later came to mean "sword." Who could have foreseen an instrument of bondage becoming a weapon?
The presence of the sieve urges us to sift through our observations and reflections to unveil hidden wisdom and navigate the unknown with increased awareness. We are never truly safe, but we always have the opportunity to grow.
Brazilian tarot writer, Nelise Carbonare Vieira, associates this card with the Rider-Waite-Smith's Ace of Pentacles, which is reminiscent of a seed and seems to echo the symbols on Nut's body in The Unforeseen. The RWS Ace of Pentacles represents the potential and gifts of the material world and indicates opportunities, the possibility of wealth, and potential abundance. Reversed it may indicate ingratitude, lack of planning, and poor harvest.
While the RWS Ace is protected in a garden, the figure in The Unforeseen is sheltered only by the sky, emphasizing the uncertainty of life and the importance of proceeding with faith and gratitude for the material world's gifts.
Card 69, The Unforeseen, presents a tapestry of symbols and meanings that can guide us through life's complexities and uncertainties. Nut, the goddess of the sky and motherhood, suggests protection and the potential for enlightenment, while the solitary man’s covered eyes evoke a quest for deeper spiritual truth and vision. The presence of the scorpion highlights hidden dangers that always lurk in our path, yet also reminds us of the importance of faith and trust in the divine. The hieroglyph of the sieve encourages us to filter out distractions, seeking clarity and understanding. Kaplan's interpretations emphasize both the perils of distraction and the rewards of vigilance. The card’s connection to the Ace of Pentacles adds themes of potential, abundance, and the gifts of the material world. The Unforeseen challenges us to navigate the mystery of existence with awareness, resilience, and gratitude, recognizing that true insight often lies beyond what is immediately apparent.
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