The main image on the "Offering" card depicts a kneeling figure with her hands on the floor as she raises her head. She is barefoot, wearing a long robe, and her wig is bound with a ureaus serpent. Next to her is a platform on which rests an enthroned human figure. Kaplan identifies him as the Theban god, Amen, one of ancient Egypt's eight primordial deities. He wears an unusual crown, has a pharaonic beard, holds a royal staff and an ankh with a unique tail, and is seated on a cubical throne. The title of the card suggests that she has made her offering to this god in his temple.
There are three symbols in the upper portion of the card. The magical letter may represent the power of communication, emphasizing the importance of intention in offerings. The hieroglyph of a lion symbolizes strength, courage, and royalty. Cats, both large and small, were sacred in ancient Egypt and often associated with divine protection. The Hebrew letter Lamed (ל) represents teaching and learning, akin to a shepherd's staff guiding the flock. The Lamed here signifies the need for guidance and the pursuit of knowledge.
In the bottom of the card is a seated mummy, wrapped in gold, with his bearded head facing backwards. The mummy represents the preservation of the soul and the eternal journey. The backward-facing head, like an owl, might represent reflection and insight, seeing beyond the present and learning lessons from the past.
The title field of the card includes the symbol for the moon, the Latin letter Q, and the Arabic numeral 2. These additional symbols may emphasize themes of natural cycles, hidden knowledge, and duality.
The kneeling figure's motivations for giving an offering could be multifaceted. She may be expressing gratitude for blessings received or seeking favors such as health, wealth, or success. Alternatively, she may be making her offering out of a desire for spiritual connection, personal growth, or self-improvement. She may desire to align herself with the divine, gain wisdom, or fulfill a commitment to herself.
Stuart Kaplan suggests that the card "Offering" might signify dedication and devotion, a commitment to a higher purpose or ideal, seeking one's best self. It may signify gratitude and reciprocity, showing appreciation for blessings received, fostering a reciprocal relationship with the divine or community. It may signify a request for assistance and support or receiving help from powerful or influential figures and fostering a supportive environment.
Reversed, it may warn of insincerity, flattery, or manipulation. It may indicate an unfavorable shift in power dynamics, leading to imbalance and confusion. It may suggest bribery, deception, and the potential for corruption or dishonest intentions in dealings.
Nelise Carbonare Vieira associates EK card 74 with traditional tarot's Six of Pentacles. In that card, a merchant stands between two kneeling beggars. He holds a set of scales in one hand and pours coins into the outstretched hands of one of the beggars. One beggar is waiting, and we wonder what reward or help he will receive. City walls and a tree-filled park can be seen in the background.
This card reminds us that we can attract what we need into our lives. Keywords for the upright card are prosperity, generosity, and a helping hand. For the reversed card, the keywords are an imbalance of power and resources. Consider who the true recipient is. Could it be the merchant, contributing to the society that he is a part of and dependent upon?
This card is about balance and generosity. It is important to give and receive in harmony. The card reflects the need to maintain balance while being generous and the importance of gratitude when receiving. The scales are reminiscent of the Justice card and its connection to karma. The card also reminds us that we are part of a community that supports us and which we, in turn, should support. The act of giving strengthens societal bonds.
The "Offering" card in the Egipcios Kier Tarot emphasizes dedication to higher ideals, gratitude, and the pursuit of spiritual growth. The kneeling figure symbolizes a deep commitment to these themes. The upper symbols represent strength, guidance, and the pursuit of knowledge, while the seated mummy signifies wisdom and self-preservation. In readings, this card suggests turning to higher powers for help, maintaining balance in reciprocity, and warns against insincerity and manipulation. It mirrors the broader themes of the Six of Pentacles, inviting us to cultivate a harmonious and supportive environment.
Card Imagery and Symbolism
In the central portion of the Advice card, one man kneels before another. The kneeling man, bare-chested and wearing a long belted skirt, lifts his hands in a gesture of reverence. The standing figure, dressed elaborately in a green over-robe that folds into an apron, a yellow underskirt, and a scarf bearing insignia, holds a scroll with an unusually long left arm while referring to the text on the scroll with a pointer in his right hand. Both men are barefoot; one wears a wig, and the other is bald. According to Kaplan in the deck's accompanying pamphlet, the standing figure is Imhotep, advisor to King Zoser, designer of the first pyramid, a sage, and a physician. The title of the card, Advice, suggests the kneeling man seeks guidance from the scribe.
Other Symbolic Elements
Upper Portion: Contains the Hebrew letter kaf (כ), an angelic letter with a curved line ending in two circles, and a hieroglyph resembling a shallow bowl with a handle (perhaps an offering bowl), identified by Kaplan as a knife. Additionally, there is a cartouche containing three hieroglyphs: a crowned figure with a feather and serpent, a half-circle suggesting a rising sun, and a feather. The Hebrew letter kaf and hieroglyphs reinforce the supplicant's desire to accomplish good works and seek the truth.
Lower Portion: Features another cartouche with the silhouette of a jackal, symbolizing the god Anubis.
Title Field: Includes the symbol for Venus, the Latin letter U, and the Arabic number 6.
Interpretations
Kaplan assigns the following meanings to the upright card: a person in the medical field, sagacity, wisdom applied to practical ends, ideas manifested in words, healing through relaxation, end of pain, recovery from illness. For the reversed card, he suggests: lingering illness, impracticality, unwanted advice, imprudent counsel, insomnia.
The title and imagery lead me to think that the supplicant is seeking personal guidance, asking to understand who he is, what goals he can reasonably strive for, and what role he can play in society. Anubis, an underworld god, reminds him that life is finite, and he wishes to spend his remaining time usefully and meaningfully. He seeks the regenerative powers of Anubis to restore significance to his life. The Hebrew letter kaf, meaning "hand," suggests that his hands can do good work in the world. The three-hieroglyph cartouche shows him crowned, facing a new sunrise, and pursuing truth. He has turned to someone who has explored the boundaries of knowledge to find out the rules, his options, and his potential.
Comparison with RWS King of Swords
The RWS King of Swords is clear-headed wise judge and seeing the card, we feel as if we are approaching King Solomon, holding his sword at an angle tilted toward mercy, with a compassionate and understanding heart, rather than interpreting the law literally. He is a truth-seeker and rational thinker.
Meanings for the RWS King of Swords include: a fair judge, clarity of thought, creation of appropriate boundaries, a good communicator, and determination. Reversed, it can mean: stubbornness, tyranny, or bullying.
Summary
The Advice card in the Egipcios Kier Tarot may represent the act of seeking guidance or the presence of someone who can offer helpful and wise counsel. This card encourages us to look for mentors or advisors who can help us understand our path and potential. By embracing wisdom and clarity, one can navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and direction.
