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.
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