Egipcios Kier Card 41 Dissension and the Ace of Cups

My goal is to write about each of the Egipcios Kier cards that Nelise Carbonare Vieira associates with the suit of Cups. I’m beginning with the card she links to the Ace of Cups: card 41, Dissension.

The title of card 41 seems at odds with the glowing abundance that I usually associate with the Ace of Cups. The central image, however, seems more positive than the title.

Here are my upright keywords for the Ace of Cups:

• Upright: Gift of emotions, compassion, creativity, joy, emotional renewal, overflowing feelings
• Reversed: Repressed emotions, distrusting your intuition

In the Marseilles Tarot tradition, all the Aces suggest Initiation. In Kabbalah, the number one corresponds to the highest sefirah on the Tree of Life, Keter (כתר), the Crown, where divine unity begins to emanate into creation. As the Sefer Yetzirah puts it, “Keter is the first emanation, representing the initial divine will and the beginning of creation.” (I wish I were familiar enough with even one school of Kabbalah to say a little more about this sefirah and its connection to the Tarot Aces.)

The central image on card 41 shows four individuals who may be praying, singing, or performing. While there’s a superficial resemblance to the Rider-Waite-Smith Five of Wands, these figures don’t seem to be in conflict; three are standing, one is kneeling, and all raise their arms expressively.

The cartouche contains these symbols:

• The lower section shows a jar or urn turned upside down
• The upper section includes a vulture, a glyph with eight branches, an inverted flame inside a green square, and the Hebrew letter Alef (א)
• On the title line are the symbol for Mercury, a double L, and the number 5 (which may refer to Tiferet or to Gevurah on the Tree of Life)

Kaplan writes that “internal strife was one of the primary causes of Egypt’s decline and eventual loss of independence.” That idea resonates with the Talmudic claim that Jerusalem was destroyed due to internal hatred. (Before that, it was infighting among the Hasmonean Dynasty, the Maccabees, that led to Roman occupation of the kingdom of Judea.) Kaplan adds that the three standing figures represent conflicting social groups: scribes, ordinary citizens, and royalty. The urn, he notes, is “an amulet of the heart,” which is a clear bridge to the overflowing heart depicted on the Ace of Cups in Robin Wood’s deck.

Kaplan’s meanings for card 41 are:

• Upright: unsatisfied desires, struggle, endeavors, violent strife, obstacles, dissension, failed negotiations
• Reversed: trickery, contradictions, complexity, involvement, caution against indecision

Nelise Carbonare Vieira offers a different perspective, emphasizing creative and emotional potential rather than discord. Her key phrase is: Opening space in society to reveal your gifts – Revealing your values. She follows with this quote from Iglesias Janeiro, an early 20th century Argentinian occultist: “The bows of the mighty have been broken; and those of the oppressed are filled with strength.”

Vieira sees this card as the beginning of the emotional and creative journey of the Cups, a moment when inner restlessness pushes us toward self-expression. To find our place in the world, we must step forward, express our talents, and reveal both our value and our values. We’re learning to craft roles that reflect our true selves, even as we struggle with the fear of stepping out of anonymity.

Many of us were discouraged from speaking freely in childhood, taught to suppress our feelings and ideas. We learned to hide our abilities to avoid rejection or criticism. But now, we’re beginning to recognize our gifts and feel ready to stop holding back. We want to trust our voices and be seen.

This card speaks to the courage it takes to confront self-doubt, to challenge a sense of inferiority, and to stop letting others’ disapproval define us. Though we may judge our own efforts harshly, we might be surprised, when we finally share them, to be met with appreciation and encouragement.

In focusing on Vieira’s interpretation, I have strayed from the card’s title, Dissension, and Kaplan’s keywords. However, I can discern a subtle alignment between Vieira's ideas and the title of the card. Inner restlessness is a kind of dissension, a clash between our hidden potential and the silence we’ve accepted. That tension can mark the beginning of transformation. It’s this discomfort that prompts us to create, to speak, to assert who we really are. Repressed emotions begin to rise. Dissension, in this case, may start within, but it doesn’t necessarily end in external conflict.

In conclusion, this card suggests a new beginning, as all Aces do, but a beginning not born of peace and harmony—as the Ace of Cups might suggest—but of friction. It is a call to break with submission and passivity, to challenge the roles we’ve accepted, and to step forward with our true gifts and convictions. Dissension, in this context, isn’t just conflict; it is the courage to disrupt the silence.

Perhaps this card suggests that healing begins with a rupture; the heart must break open before it can flow outward. To express what lives within us calls for courage, surrender, and faith. Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk taught, “The only whole heart is a broken one.” Dissension within may mark not chaos, but the stirring of the soul, a holy disturbance that creates space for revelation and for the emergence of our hidden gifts.

A Foundation I Didn’t Know I Was Building

I pulled two cards the other day, asking what I most needed to know right now. They seemed to contradict each other. The first was Desolation. The second, The Star.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of that pairing, but then I realized it perfectly mirrors the threshold I’m crossing.

Card 35, Desolation, may reflect my recognition that it was time to leave Israel. I had the chance to go a few years ago, but the thought of giving up on making a life there made me cry. I stayed. I struggled. I nearly didn’t make it through. After surviving a "dark night of the soul," I managed to pull myself together, but eventually, the signs became too clear to ignore. It was time to go.

Now I’ve been back in the United States for ten days. Despite the difficulties I anticipate lie ahead of me, I feel something stirring again, something I didn’t expect to find so soon: hope. That soft flame links directly to the second card I pulled, card 17, The Star. I sense that I’ve come back stronger, with a clearer view of the world. I’m more confident than I used to be. Less afraid of people. Less afraid of life.

Nelise Carbonare Vieira connects Desolation with the Two of Wands from the RWS deck, a noble figure who gazes beyond his current domain, holding the world in his hands as he contemplates the future. The structures I built, while still meaningful, can no longer support me or my dreams. I had to let go of one life before I could begin imagining another. Now I stand between uncertainty and possibility. Desolation, in this light, isn’t just about mourning what’s over; it’s about standing at the edge of what could be-- needing to plan, to dream, to move. That edge is exactly where I find myself now.

My keywords for The Star are hope, gratitude, clarity, grace, finding joy in the present, healing, inspiration, guiding others. It’s astonishing that hope is still part of my vocabulary, but it is.

Visually, the card Desolation shows a woman mourning. Her blue and white dress and bowed posture mirror the figure in card 67, Veneration. She covers her eyes with one hand while reaching forward with the other. Kaplan says she is mourning the death of her husband. In the upper part of the cartouche are the hieroglyph for “gate” and the Hebrew letter Peh (פ). Saturn, the planet of boundaries and discipline, marks the title field. Below is the Eye of Horus, symbol of protection, vision, and renewal.

The gate may symbolize a threshold between what was and what could be. The letter Peh, meaning “mouth,” suggests speaking one's truth after recognizing it through silence and sorrow. And Saturn, the planet of time, limits, and maturity, indicates growth through discipline and endurance.

The lower part of the cartouche shows the Eye of Horus, symbol of protection, vision, and renewal.

The Star includes some of the same symbols: the gate, Peh, and Saturn. But the feeling is entirely different. The woman in this image is naked, kneeling on calm waters. Her black wig echoes the mourning figure in Desolation, but her posture is more open; she is vulnerable, yet grounded. (For me, water is grounding. Even sitting beside a quiet swimming pool can calm my emotions and clear my thoughts. Life began in water; being near it returns us to our source.) She pours water from two small vessels into the pool beneath her. Behind her, the waters are rough; before her, they are still.

In 17 The Star, the gate hieroglyph does not suggest grief, but possibility. Peh is the beginning of authentic speech. And Saturn is not just a burden, but a guide, marking the slow, steady path of hope earned through experience.

An eight-pointed star glows above, perhaps Sirius, whose heliacal rising signaled the flooding of the Nile and the renewal of life. In the lower cartouche, a diamond half-yellow and half-black evokes harmony, wholeness, and the balance of opposites, like Yin and Yang or the Star of David.

The attitudes of both women suggest ritual and devotion. But one mourns what has passed, while the other opens herself to what may come.

In Kaplan’s brief descriptions, the contrast sharpens:

• Desolation: ruin, pain, sadness, mental anguish, disappointment, sorrow.
• The Star: hope, faith, inspiration, insight, bright prospects, fulfillment, and the balance of hope with effort.

Together, these two cards seem to say: one way of life is ending, and a gate is opening to the unfolding of something new.

Being back in the U.S., I find myself in a familiar environment where I speak the language, understand the social cues, and don’t have to constantly fight to belong. That competence alone has given me a quiet confidence I haven’t felt in many years.

I once thought that leaving Israel would make me want to become more observant again, that, like many Jews in the diaspora, I would feel the need to cling more tightly to ritual and practice in order to stay connected. But that hasn’t happened. Perhaps it’s because something in me has changed. I no longer feel that need because I’ve already absorbed an Israeli sense of what it means to be Jewish, something lived, something internal, something not measured by observance alone. It’s as though I’ve carried the Land with me, and now I’m learning how to stand on that foundation in a new way.

I hadn’t realized I was building a foundation during those difficult years, but somehow, I was. And now it remains steady beneath my feet. I left the Land, but I didn’t leave behind what I learned there.

I don’t need to return to strict observance to feel connected. My Jewishness is a deeper part of me now, the people, the rhythm, the struggle to stay human in a harsh world. And something else, too: faith.

Not always religious, but real. 

Since October 7, I’ve seen secular Israelis carry themselves and each other with quiet spiritual courage, a trust in life, in God, in community, and in the meaning of what they endure. That kind of faith has left its mark on me.

It’s what gives shape to my voice now. Like the Hebrew letter Peh, I’m learning to speak again, not just with words, but with the way I live, by returning to myself.

This isn’t exile. It’s integration.

Egipcios Kier * 53 Hostility

Card 53 of the Egipcios Kier tarot depicts a scene of combat and imminent bloodshed. The warriors do not look Egyptian. Are they both enemies of Egypt, now locked in battle against each other?

The upper panel of the cartouche contains three symbols: the Hebrew letter Mem (מ), a letter from the angelic alphabet resembling the letter H, composed of three lines and four circles, and the hieroglyph of an owl. The owl was often seen as a symbol of evil and sickness in ancient Egypt, specifically representing "decapitation." Decapitated owls have been found at archaeological sites and are believed to indicate that decapitating owls was a form of sympathetic magic to ward off illness. 

The lower panel displays an arm holding a hook, which Stuart Kaplan states was the hieroglyph meaning "to show strength." This symbol may refer to the display of strength shown in the central panel of the cartouche.

The central image portrays two warriors with exotic headdresses that do not appear Egyptian. One warrior, kneeling, is about to be beheaded by the other. Both warriors hold shields and wear kilts. The standing figure, armed only with a sword and wearing a horned skull cap and sandals appears the likely victor. The left arm of the standing warrior is significantly longer than his right, perhaps symbolizing an unanticipated advantage. The kneeling warrior, barefoot, holds a spear in his right hand and wears a sheathed sword on his chest. His feathered headdress, held by the victor's elongated left arm, suggests his imminent defeat. The image suggests a moment of potential reversal, during which the kneeling warrior may turn the tables on his opponent.

Kaplan notes that much of the Egyptian army consisted of mercenaries from other countries. He identifies the victor as a Sherden and the defeated warrior as a Peleset. The Sherden were enemies of Egypt in the 13th century BCE, who had attempted to invade from the north. The Peleset or Philistines, allies of Egypt, settled eastern coastal towns in the 12th century BCE under Egyptian auspices, founding the five cities of the Plishtim, mentioned in the Bible. This historical context underscores themes of conflict and conquest within the card.

The title field of the card contains the astrological symbol for Saturn, the Latin letter X, and the Arabic numeral 8. Saturn symbolizes responsibility and restriction. The X shape resembles a shield or a target. The number 8 signifies victory and overcoming obstacles; the eighth sefirah on the Tree of Life, Glory, is linked to self-control and prayer.

Kaplan suggests the upright card may indicate bravery, skill, youthful strength, heroism, opposition, and mastery in warfare. Reversed, it can suggest incapacity, imprudence, disputes over women, impulsive mistakes, conceit, simplicity, and disunion.

Nelise Carbonare Vieira identifies this card as the Knight of Swords, summarizing its meaning with phrases like stimulus, strength, challenges, bold projects, courageous attitude, and persuasive action.

Pamela Colman Smith's depiction of the Knight of Swords shows an armored knight (intellect) on a fearful horse (feelings), charging against a storm with his sword held high. This knight is an idealist, eager to fulfill his mission and save others. He is a figure of dependability.

The Knight of Swords is the conventional view of a knight, focused and idealistic, flinging himself into battle in loyal service. Reversed, that card suggests impulsiveness and reckless behavior, good intentions resulting in chaos and destruction, and rushing in where angels fear to tread, reminding us that haste makes waste. It might also represent someone who likes to fight, who creates chaos and turns lives upside down.

In conclusion, card 53, Hostility, suggests the need to accept responsibility and confront challenges with determination and strength, or it may serve as a warning against dangerous adversaries and impulsive actions. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of fighting for one's ideals, even in the face of potential loss.

Egipcios Kier * 60 Evolution

The central image of card 60, Evolution, is of a priest standing before a wrapped and masked mummy. The symbolism in this card speaks of transformation, transition, and the journey of the soul.

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, so the deceased will be able to state his name before the afterlife judges.

The mummy wears a bearded mask and a carved wig. A compressed mass of perfumed wax and a lotus flower sit atop his head and he has been placed upright on a low green platform. The mummy's right arm is awkwardly stretched around his left hip, suggesting the possibility of a violent death and the improper reassembly of the body before mummification, raising several questions. What impact will that have on the soul's journey in the afterlife? Did the priests intend to impede the deceased's afterlife journey?

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 brain-stem, 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 upright in the boat, and a veiled woman seated with a child, all 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, indicates 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.

Egipcios Kier * 18 The Moon

The Major Arcana cards of the Egipcios Kier deck closely resemble those of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) and Marseille decks. The central image of Card 18, The Moon, includes two canines and two man-made structures. A stingless water scorpion dominates the lower section of the cartouche, while the moon itself is in the upper section is accompanied by occult symbols.

The two canines howling at the moon in this card are not the traditional dog and wolf of the RWS and Marseille decks, but rather a black jackal, symbolizing Anubis, the guide of the dead, and a domestic dog. The structures depicted are pyramids, appropriate to the Egyptian setting. The traditional crayfish emerging from the water has been replaced by a water scorpion framed by a downward-pointing triangle, symbolizing the element of water.

Symbolism and Associations

Pyramids:
There are many theories about the role of pyramids in ancient Egypt. One suggests they were a bridge or stairway to the heavens, aligning neatly with the card's meaning of guidance and transition.

Water Scorpion:
The water scorpion is an aquatic insect with a breathing tube rather than a stinger, associated with Selket's epithet "she who allows the throat to breathe." Selket, the patron goddess of healers and protector of the dead, guards the canopic jar containing the intestines of the deceased. She is also associated with the first morning rays of sunlight and the crowning head of an infant during birth, connecting her to themes of new beginnings and protection.

Occult symbols:
The upper third of the cartouche displays four symbols on a blue background: a serpent hieroglyph (representing an umbilical cord, royalty, or evil forces), a sigil resembling a fish hook, a letter from the Alphabet of the Magi, and a crescent moon with its horns pointing downward. The letter from the Alphabet of the Magi, both curved and jagged fascinates me, but Stuart Kaplan's LWB does not elaborate on its meaning.

Astrological and Esoteric Symbols:
The card’s title includes the symbol for Scorpio, the Hebrew letter Tzadi (צ), meaning fishhook, and the symbol for Uranus. In Western astrology, Uranus is associated with freedom and vision, while in Indian astrology, it is linked to eccentricity, originality, and sudden change.

Lack of Traditional Moon Imagery

The card lacks the traditional atmosphere of the moon or its magical light. The gold background of the central portion of the cartouche is the only indication of the moon's ambiance. Unlike other decks, it does not depict the phases of the moon or its cyclical nature, which evokes the cycles of time and the fluctuating energies within us.

Missing Reference to the Egyptian Moon God

It is curious that this deck does not include a reference to Thoth, the Egyptian moon god once credited with the creation of the Tarot. Papus, in 1892, claimed that Tarot preserved the wisdom of the Egyptian god Thoth, and Aleister Crowley named the book that accompanied his and Lady Frieda Harris's tarot deck "The Book of Thoth."

Kaplan's Interpretations

Stuart Kaplan provides various meanings for the upright card which align with older interpretations: twilight, obscurity, trickery, disillusionment, danger, error, caution, warning, bad influence, ulterior motives, craftiness, disgrace, slander, superficiality, unknown enemies, the meeting of many divergent influences, or mystery. He suggests these meanings for the reversed card: a minor deception recognized before damage is done, trifling mistakes, gain without payment, or exploitation.

Traditional and Modern Interpretations

Traditionally, The Moon indicates self-deception, subconscious influences, mood swings, mental health problems, doubt, confusion, or being enchanted or tricked. Historically, the card symbolized hidden danger, illusion, enemies, terror, or occult forces. Papus described it as indicating "the material body and its passions," reflecting the belief that we are spirits fallen into a lesser, grosser realm.

With the rise of neo-Paganism, the moon came to symbolize more positive ideas about our bodies and wildness, as well as the concept of a feminine divine. Before that, the moon was considered a lesser celestial body for merely reflecting the sun's light.

I see the moon, a fractured piece of the earth, as our sister, whose magical illumination lovingly guides us. Over the years, I've noticed the clear path moonlight creates, while darkness softens the harsh edges of daylight reality. The Moon card suggests guidance on a spiritual journey, prompting intuition and instincts to help navigate life. Trust your feelings and approach each situation gently the influence of the moon. Like the tides it controls, the moon's energy can guide you if you pay attention.

Perhaps the image also suggests spiritual evolution, with the crayfish rising from the water toward a path that leads to the mountains of enlightenment.

Kabbalistic and Mythological Connections

Greek thought divided the mind into solar and lunar aspects, and Kabbalah associates Kuf ק (The Moon) and Reish ר (The Sun) with the back and front of the head, respectively. The brainstem, shared with creatures like the crayfish and water scorpion, symbolizes primal fears and instinctive responses. The light of the moon can calm our primal fears allowing us to find higher guidance.

The jackal and the dog look up to the moon, which in the Marseilles deck is shown shedding soothing moondrops (in the RWS, they are Yods, the fist letter of God's name.) In Kabbalah, the lunar realm Yesod connects the earthly and the divine. Dion Fortune called it "the Treasure House of Images, the sphere of Maya, Illusion."

Wicca, neo-Paganism, and feminist "thealogy" view the moon as a goddess, though some cultures, like the Japanese and Canaanite, had moon gods. And significantly, the Egyptian moon god, Thoth, was also the god of writing, science, wisdom, and magic; his connection to the moon emphasizes that intellect and lunar consciousness are intertwined.

Vieira's Interpretations

Nelise Carbonare Vieira calls this card Twilight and offers key phrases summarizing her interpretation:

- Awareness of one's own roles
- Rescue of gifts
- Search for a better way of expressing oneself
- Subtle memory of past lives
- Rescue of aspects of the Self that were repressed

Vieira posits that the theme of this card is the search for one's true identity. This introspective journey may make you feel vulnerable, but it will help you distinguish inherent qualities from external expectations, enabling you to live authentically.

Conclusion

The Moon card in the Egipcios Kier Tarot is one of aspiration, whether it involves escaping the physical body or understanding the world intuitively. Guided by the moon's light, this card invites you to trust your instincts, navigate gently, and explore the depths of your subconscious. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and spiritual evolution, allowing the moon's energy to illuminate your path.

Egipcios Kier - Nelise Carbonare Vieira's Interpretations

Although I am still learning the meanings and symbolism of the Egipcios Kier Tarot Deck, I enjoy doing large, ten-card readings for myself with the deck. Usually, I rely on my intuition and creativity-- this time, however, I decided to rely on the meanings set forth on NCV's website. Since the website is in Portuguese, I had to use Google to translate her text.

My Situation: 3 The Empress
Themes: Internal reorganization, expansion of relationships, planning, and strategic creation.

You are currently in a phase of mental and strategic reorganization, using your skills and knowledge to weave new relationships and opportunities. This period is more about planning and reflecting rather than immediate action. You have a strong ability to communicate and express your ideas, which will help you expand your influence in society. Your creativity is high, and it’s important to balance this with rationality and diplomacy.

Influencing My Situation: 72 Purification (Four of Pentacles)
Themes: Enlightenment, clarity, and security through understanding.

This is a time of personal clarity and revelation. Your ideals are becoming clear, and you feel in tune with the universe, which helps you understand others better. This clarity allows you to focus your energy on the right paths and make decisions that align with your goals. You'll experience a sense of security as you eliminate doubts and confirm your direction.

Basis or Cause of My Situation: 61 Solitude (Seven of Swords)
Themes: Reflection, introspection, and deep awareness.

You've been isolating yourself from external interference to better understand your values and goals. This is a period of deep introspection, during which you can discern your own challenges separate from others'. It's a time to focus on your own issues and strengths, away from the expectations of others.

A Potential Situation, If I Work Toward It: 37 Art and Science (King of Cups)
Themes: New ways of being, social renewal, and incorporation of gifts.

You are defining a new way of being and opening paths to play new roles in society. This transition phase involves reassessing and expanding your relationships and social environment. It's a time to focus on activities and relationships that truly involve you, allowing you to explore your potential fully.

My Recent Past: 1 The Magician
Themes: New beginnings, structure, creation, and self-expression.

You have recently entered a cycle in which you are defining the foundations for your development. This period involves a lot of self-discovery and reorganization, using your inherent gifts and knowledge to pursue your goals. You are poised to take action, equipped with the necessary tools to create a solid foundation for your future.

My Near Future: 52 Premeditation (Queen of Swords)
Themes: Strategic planning and self-awareness.

You are becoming aware of your capabilities and limits. You are strategically planning the best ways to use your knowledge and resources to achieve your goals. This card emphasizes the importance of thoughtful action and clear planning, ensuring you are prepared for success.

Myself: 8 Justice
Themes: Reevaluation and redirection, rescue of ideals and abilities, resumption of self-love.

You are focusing on discovering and using your gifts to fulfill your mission. You are taking stock and engaging in self-reflection. It's time to recognize your right to pursue your own will and prioritize your personal goals. You have spent considerable effort on others' problems and achievements, but now it's essential to focus on yourself. Acknowledge your capabilities and use them to promote your own ideals.

My Environment: 70 Cooperation (Two of Pentacles)
Themes: Full harmony with environment and in tune with one's being.

This card signifies a period of perfect alignment with your core, allowing external connections to flow seamlessly and support your goals. This time is marked by mutual cooperation and a heightened sense of responsibility towards community action. You are encountering people and situations that align with your goals, offering support, opportunities, and harmonious relationships.

My Hopes or Fears 51 Advice (King of Swords)
Themes: Defining a new role and establishing guidelines to promote greater personal fulfillment.

Defining new objectives and directions and focusing on using your skills to achieve fulfillment. A period of integration and satisfaction through the use of your abilities. The beginning of a significant new phase.

The Outcome: 23 The Laborer (King of Wands)
Themes: Construction, birth, creation, work, sowing, redefining daily life.

Summary: This is a period of establishing new foundations and structures. You will be organizing and setting concrete objectives for long-term stability. Opportunities will emerge to lay down roots and build a stable foundation. This card often indicates significant life changes that bring material or emotional stability.

Index of Egipcios Kier posts

I have been analyzing cards from the Egipcios Kier Tarot Deck, relying on the imagery of the cards, Stuart Kaplan's LWB, traditional tarot meanings, and Nelise Carbonare Vieira's website, Tarot Door. So far, I have reviewed less than a quarter of the deck, but here is an index of all the cards; it contains links to posts I've completed.

1 The Magician
2 The Priestess
3 The Empress
4 The Emperor
5 The High Priest
6 The Lovers
7 The Chariot

8 Justice
9 The Hermit
10 Wheel of Fortune
11 Strength
12 Hanged Man
13 Immortality (Death)
14 Temperance

15 Passion (Devil)
16 Obelisk (The Tower)
17 The Star
18 The Moon
19 The Sun
20 Resurrection (Judgment)
21 Transformation (The World)

22 The Fool

23 The Laborer (King of Wands)
24 The Weaver (Queen of Wands)
25 The Navigator (Knight of Wands)
26 The Prodigy (Page of Wands)

27 The Unexpected (Ten of Wands)
28 Uncertainty (Nine of Wands)
29 Domesticity (Eight! of Wands)
30 Exchange (Seven of Wands)
31 Impediment (Six of Wands)
32 Magnificence (Five of Wands)
33 Alliance (Four of Wands)
34 Innovation (Three of Wands)
35 Desolation (Two of Wands)
36 Initiation (Ace! of Wands)

37 Art and Science (King of Cups)
38 Duplicity (Queen of Cups)
39 Testimony (Knight of Cups)
40 Premonition (Page of Cups)

41 Dissension (Ten! of Cups)
42 Preeminence (Nine of Cups)
43 Delusion (Eight! of Cups)
44 Expressiveness (Seven! of Cups)
45 Regeneration (Six! of Cups)
46 Patrimony (Five of Cups)
47 Conjecture (Four of Cups)
48 Consummation (Three of Cups)
49 Versatility (Two of Cups)
50 Attraction (Ace of Cups)

51 Advice (King of Swords)
52 Premeditation (Queen of Swords)
53 Hostility (Knight of Swords)
54 Examination (Page of Swords)

55 Contrition (Ten of Swords)
56 Pilgrimage (Nine of Swords)
57 Rivalry (Eight of Swords)
58 Meditation (Seven of Swords)
59 Revolution (Six of Swords)
60 Evolution (Five! of Swords)
61 Solitude (Four of Swords)
62 Proscription (Three! of Swords)
63 Communion (Two! of Swords)
64 Vehemence (Ace of Swords)

65 Apprenticeship (King of Pentacles)
66 Perplexity (Queen of Pentacles)
67 Veneration (Knight of Pentacles)
68 Speculation (Page of Pentacles)

69 The Unforseen (Ten! of Pentacles)
70 Cooperation (Nine of Pentacles)
71 Avarice (Eight! of Pentacles)
72 Purification (Seven of Pentacles)
73 Love and Desire (Six of Pentacles)
74 Offering (Five! of Pentacles)
75 Generosity (Four of Pentacles)
76 The Provider (Three of Pentacles)
77 Confusion (Two of Pentacles)
78 Rebirth (Ace of Pentacles)

Egipcios Kier Tarot * 29 Domesticity

Domesticity means an appreciation for family and home life, while the verb "domesticate" refers to taming an animal, either as a pet or for farm work. At the center of this card, a wild animal depicted on a solar gold background is being gently guided by a young boy. The boy places one hand on the animal's head and another on its antler, symbolizing a connection with and dependence on wild nature for a good home.

The upper third of the cartouche features a purple background with several symbolic elements: the Hebrew letter khaf (כ), meaning 'hand,' a hieroglyph resembling a knife, a letter from the "celestial alphabet," and a circle enclosing a scarab beetle, an Ancient Egyptian symbol of rebirth.

The lower third, the cartouche has a pink background with black cross-hatching. It contains a wide jar with two handles and a lid, which Kaplan describes as symbolizing the heart. He writes that, in Ancient Egypt, prayers were often written on scarab-shaped burial amulets to ensure the deceased would not be separated from his or her heart in the afterlife.

The title field of the card includes the astrological symbol for the moon, the Latin letter 'B,' and the Arabic numeral 2.

While the image of the boy and the animal appears serene, the presence of the knife hints at sacrifice. However, Stuart Kaplan notes that gazelles, sacred to the gods Thoth and Osiris, were never hunted. Gazelles fleeing the banks of the Nile foreshadowed the annual inundation, a natural force that brought renewal.

Kaplan lists the following divinatory meanings for the upright card: humble devotion, contentment in home, amulet (the scarab), aspiration to transcend a mundane situation, modest ambition, care for animals and livestock, surprising results from a project that one had almost abandoned. Kaplan's interpretation for the reversed card is: neglect of seemingly trivial concerns results in breakdown on all levels.

The card suggests that the boy pays attention to natural forces that affect his life, honors living things, and adapts to new situations. He navigates his world smoothly and with quiet confidence. He also recognizes the importance of caring more for his community and environment than for himself.

Nelise Carbonare Vieira associates this card with the Three of Wands, depicting a merchant watching his trading ships set out on a journey, symbolizing enterprise and new goals. The most familiar versions of this card show a person facing the elements outside the home in order to preserve the home. Reversed, the Three of Wands may indicate lack of foresight and neglect of home and community.

This card invites us to be gentle without weakness, to serve without self-importance, and to meet reality with patient devotion.

Egipcios Kier - 71 Avarice

Avarice, meaning "extreme greed for wealth or material gain," is the title of card 71 in the Egipcios Kier Tarot Deck. The central image depicts a wide-eyed man against a golden backdrop, wearing a valuable necklace. He is engrossed in writing on a tablet, possibly tallying the contents of a warehouse. Nearby, six food jars with large ladles (or tall lids) stand by a table, while six plates or coins rest on a shelf. Stuart Kaplan interprets these as symbols of wealth and sustenance, prompting speculation on whether the man is calculating his ability to provide for his family or scheming to claim another's riches.

A jar decorated with handles shaped like the uraeus serpent fills the lower blue third of the cartouche. The serpent represented royalty, while the jar may allude to canopic jars, traditionally used in Ancient Egypt to hold and preserve internal organs after death. This imagery invites contemplation on mortality and the true essence of life: spiritual growth over material wealth.

In the upper orange third of the cartouche are four symbols: the Hebrew letter tet (ט), resembling a pot with a handle; an elongated oval shape with an opening; a magical letter resembling a lid; and either a waning crescent moon or an eclipse of the moon. If the moon is depicted in eclipse, Kaplan sees it as a reference to the myth of Seth tearing out Horus's eye.

The title field includes an alchemical symbol, sometimes used to symbolize Katzafiel (קצפיאל), the angel of Saturn and of wrath, along with the Spanish letter Ñ, which always appears with the numeral 8 in this deck (as do the letters G and X). The symbol of wrath could signify the potential ruin resulting from acts inspired by greed.

Kaplan lists the card's meanings, from the inability to share and greed in its upright position to setbacks and obstacles when reversed. These interpretations serve as reminders to remain mindful of our actions and their repercussions on ourselves and others.

Nelise Carbonare's association of this card with the Three of Pentacles offers a striking contrast. While the RWS image emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and finding joy in fulfilling one's responsibilities, the EK image underscores the dangers of prioritizing wealth over virtue. While material wealth has its place, the pursuit of it should not overshadow the pursuit of spiritual growth, creativity, and emotional fulfillment. The card's message is to reassess our priorities and align them with our deepest values. Rather than fixating solely on accumulating wealth for oneself, the card encourages us to cultivate spiritual richness and inner peace that can be shared with others.

While it is simply an image of reviewing one's assets, the card serves as a reminder of the perils of excessive greed and the importance of seeking balance, contentment, and spiritual fulfillment. It urges us to remember our mortality and reassess our priorities so we can strive for a deeper sense of meaning beyond material pursuits. A materialistic outlook leaves you vulnerable to the vicissitudes of fortune.

Egipcios Kier * 36 Initiation

The benevolent figure in card 36, Initiation,is Taweret, the Great One. She has the body of a hippopotamus, the paws of a lion, and the tail of a crocodile-- each of these animals is strong and fierce, but ancient Egyptians were most impressed with the female hippo’s protectiveness toward her young. Taweret was a popular goddess among ordinary people of ancient Egypt, who saw her as overseeing childbirth, the inundation of the Nile, and rebirth after death.

In this image, Taweret accompanies a confident initiate, probably a woman pregnant for the first time. The initiate holds the ankh, symbolizing life, while Taweret grasps the tayet, the girdle of Isis, possibly a fabric version of the ankh. Initiation in Taweret's mysteries may have signified accepting the responsibility for birthing and nurturing new life.

Symbols within the cartouche include the eighteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, tzaddi, meaning hunter, alongside a letter of a celestial alphabet, and a snake hieroglyph symbolizing feminine energy and birth because of its resemblance to an umbilical cord.

The lower part of the cartouche features a circle enclosing the hieroglyph for rope and a seated figure that appears to be a teacher, suggesting instruction before initiation.

The card's title field incorporates the symbol for Mars, the letter H, and the numeral 9. Mars, suggesting war, contrasts with the card's feminine theme, but perhaps highlights Taweret's fiercer qualities. Nine may signify courage or strength. (This numeral appears six times in this deck, always accompanied by the letters H, O, or Y.)

The teacher hieroglyph, the initiate's garment, and Taweret herself are depicted in a startling pink, contrasted against a vibrant yellow background. This color scheme represent feminine powers standing out in bright masculine sunshine. (Egypt's sun god, Ra, was male.)

Stuart Kaplan describes the object Taweret holds as a protective amulet made of plaited papyrus. He interprets the upright card as representing childbirth, feminine power, progress, and artistic inspiration, with reversed meanings indicating sterility and financial challenges.

Nelise Carbonare Vieira associates this card with the Ten of Wands. Traditionally, the Ten of Wands presents themes of responsibility, overwork, and losing sight of one's goal; this could be linked to the idea of a pregnant woman overwhelmed by the approaching responsibilities of child-rearing. Vieira, on the other hand, writes that Card 36 refers to breaking down old structures, stability and security for the start of a new construction, and liberation from dependency.

Envision yourself as the small human figure, supported by Taweret’s physical presence and wise teachings. Confidently step toward your destiny, embracing both responsibility and empowerment as you continue on this new journey.

Egipcios Kier - 51 Advice

Each Egipcios Kier card features a cartouche divided into three sections, representing various triplicities such as the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. This card is colored pink at the top, gold in the center, and blue at the bottom.

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.

Egipcios Kier * 4 The Emperor

The Emperor card in the Egipcios Kier Tarot signifies authority, leadership, and the creation of the structure that brings order to life. It is a symbol of responsibility, urging us to contribute meaningfully to the world. This card is not only about external power but also about the inner discipline required to govern oneself effectively.

The central image of The Emperor card is a pharaoh seated upon a black cubic throne. The black cube is a symbol of Thoth, the Egyptian god of writing, wisdom, and order. His cube-shaped amulet may be a predecessor of tefillin, which are called totafot in the Bible, a word possibly derived from the Egyptian name Thoth.

The throne is engraved with the image of Bastet, the cat goddess, daughter of the sun god Ra, who vanquished the evil serpent Apep. The image of Bastet evokes protection, strength, and the triumph of good over evil.

The pharaoh wears the crown of Lower Egypt, adorned with the symbols of the cobra and the vulture, representing sovereignty and divine authority. In the pharaoh's left hand, he grasps an unseen object, while his right hand holds a short crook, a symbol of leadership and guidance. This imagery suggests the balance between unseen inner strength and visible leadership.

The upper portion of the cartouche features two mysterious symbols and a hieroglyph representing a hand. The hand signifies the work and effort required to achieve a meaningful life. Authority and power are the result of responsibility and action.

The lower portion of the card contains a smaller cartouche enclosing a staff, symbol of divine power and the pharaoh's authority, above a hieroglyph meaning stability and power. These two symbols suggest strength and steadfastness.

The title line includes several symbols: the astrological symbol for Uranus, the zodiac symbol for Aquarius, the Hebrew letter Dalet (ד) meaning 'door,' the card's title, and the Arabic numeral 4. These elements collectively suggest the opening of new paths, innovation, and the establishment of order and structure.

In traditional tarot, The Emperor represents external authority, structure, experience, and leadership. He embodies the archetype of a father figure who creates laws, stabilizes society, and protects a culture and a people. As a leader, he not only defends borders and leads warriors but also helps individuals work together for the common good.

As an internal archetype, The Emperor symbolizes taking charge of one's life, learning from life experiences, and establishing personal boundaries. This card encourages self-respect and self-discipline, essential qualities for personal growth and leadership. Reversed, it may indicate a reluctance to continue to grow and develop.

In decks such as the Rider-Waite-Smith, The Emperor is portrayed as a figure who has mastered solitude and gained self-respect through his experiences. The card signifies structure, order, and the enforcement of rules and boundaries.

Stuart Kaplan, in the little white book, describes this card as representing traits like confidence, stability, worldly power, leadership, and strength. In reversal, he associated it with immaturity, indecision, or failure to control emotions.

Nelise Carbonare Vieira offers additional insights with key work such as "autonomy, independence, conquest of a position that allows the performance of gifts, and power over oneself." I feel that the most crucial of these is discerning one's talents and skills and using them effectively.

The Emperor card in the Egipcios Kier Tarot Deck bridges internal mastery with external leadership. He reminds us that true authority comes from clarity, discipline, and meaningful action. His presence urges us to establish order in our lives and then extend that order outward to benefit others.

Egipcios Kier * 62 Proscription

Card 62, Proscription, from the Egipcios Kier Tarot presents symbols of punishment, protection, strength, empowerment, and control. The central figure wears the double crown of a unified Ancient Egypt, suggesting both divine and earthly power. The flail in his right hand suggests authority and punishment. And the ankh, a symbol of life, suggests the pharaoh's dual role of preserving life and law. His elaborate clothing indicate royalty and priesthood.

The staff in the lower portion of the cartouche evokes a shepherd's role in guiding and protecting his flock, or in this case, his nation. The staff also implies control.

In the upper portion of the cartouche, the Hebrew letter Tav (ת) indicates a tally-mark or truth, suggesting order and divine law. The hieroglyph resembling a flame or raindrop suggests divine intervention, while the celestial letter that looks like a Tree of Life (with only eight sefirot) lying on its side suggests a disruption in the natural order.

In the card's title field, the astrological symbol for Saturn reminds us of restriction, discipline, and authority. The Latin letter G suggests order, while the Arabic numeral eight suggests structure or infinity. These symbols suggest the enduring need for law and occasionally for punishment.

Stuart Kaplan writes that the pharaoh was a supreme lawgiver but he was also above the law. There were no rights for individuals; "the order of the pharaoh's land was considered a reflection of Truth itself." His rule was intended to protect and maintain society. Kaplan emphasizes the negative aspects of power. Prescription may be an expression of tyranny and a rigid hierarchy that stifles individual freedoms.

He writes that the reversed meanings of the card indicate a shift to true justice and greater freedom for individuals within an ordered society. I also see the image in a positive light: a ruler protecting his people from wrongdoers within society or from the depredations of enemies outside it. The card may indicate that the reader is facing punishment for his or her misdeeds.

  Nelise Carbonare Vieira associates this card with the Eight of Swords, meaning a state of imprisonment, often self-imposed, and internal conflict, in which individuals can feel powerless and trapped by society's expectations. The reversed card may offer the hope of gaining clearer vision and empowerment, moving beyond self-imposed limitations. She provides these keywords for 62 Proscription: liberation, end of karmic task, and obstacles overcome. Like the Eight of Swords, this card suggests that we can liberate ourselves from the opinions and expectations of others, eliminating those obstacles to our own personal growth.

While a strong ruler can unify and protect a society, Card 62 reminds us of the often harsh nature of authority and control. The symbols suggest a ruler who is both a protector and a punisher. This card indicates that a powerful ruler can protect his people from enemies, but it also warns of the dangers of absolute power and its corrupting influence. The missing sephirot in the Tree of Life suggest a lack of wholeness, justice without fairness.

Egipcios Kier 45 * Regeneration

The life you built has collapsed. Your foundation lies in ruins. You stand amid the wreckage of past certainties, wondering how to recreate what was lost. Regeneration is the answer—the slow and steady work of building something new, of planting hope where now there is only grief.

The Egipcios Kier tarot card 45 Regeneration embodies this process. It speaks of resilience, of the sacred act of rising after devastation.

In the central panel, representing the everyday world, a man wearing the Blue Crown of Egypt's New Kingdom pulls a rope to raise a small djed pillar, a symbol of stability and resurrection. The Blue Crown, worn by pharaohs in battle and ceremony, emphasized their divine role—suggesting that rebuilding is not just necessary, but sacred. The pillar’s small size reminds us that renewal begins with small steps, whether restoring a temple, a city, or yourself.

Ancient Egyptians enacted this renewal in the Raising of the Djed ceremony, in which the pharaoh and priests lifted a wooden djed column before the sowing season. The djed, associated with Osiris, symbolized the god’s resurrection at the hands of Isis, after his betrayal and murder by Seth. The festival, filled with singing and dancing, was an invocation for life’s return—just as Noah, after the Flood, built an altar to God, while his wife Naamah planted the seeds of a new world.

In the underworld panel, an ear of grain appears, recalling the ancient Egyptian vision of the afterlife as a Field of Reeds, a perfected mirror of the earthly realm. The Israelites’ crossing of the Sea of Reeds may carry a related meaning—leaving behind slavery to step onto dry land where none existed before. Osiris, like Joseph, was connected to grain; both figures represent cycles of loss and restoration. Some scholars suggest that the djed pillar may have originated from bound sheaves of wheat, reinforcing its association with resurrection and the harvest.

In the heavenly realm, the Hebrew letter He (ה) appears, a common abbreviation of God’s name, reminding us that renewal is a divine process. A hieroglyph resembling an ocean wave, a magical letter formed of three lines and three circles, and another djed pillar reinforce the card’s themes of stability, resilience, and transformation.

The title field includes the astrological symbol for Mars, the Latin letter O, the number 9, and the card’s title: Regeneration. Mars, the god of war, was also linked to agriculture, blending destruction with the necessity of renewal. The connection echoes Qohelet (Ecclesiastes):

A time to tear down and a time to build. A time to weep and a time to laugh.

This card urges us to rebuild after trauma, rediscover lost abilities and dreams, find motivation and strength, and cultivate the conditions where new opportunities can flourish.

Nelise Carbonare Vieira connects 45 Regeneration to the traditional Five of Cups, which also offers a lesson in resilience. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, a cloaked figure mourns three spilled cups while two remain upright behind them—a quiet reminder that loss is not the end. A bridge in the background spans the river of life, leading to a distant castle, a symbol of possibility beyond grief.

Pamela Colman Smith’s image resonates with Isis mourning Osiris before searching for his body and restoring him to life. It also aligns with Jewish tradition; Tisha B’Av, the day of mourning for the destruction of the Temple, is also the day the Messiah will be born. Even in the deepest sorrow, renewal stirs beneath the surface.

As my teacher, Rabbi Alan Berg, once said: "We break a glass at a wedding in memory of the destruction of the Temple. If, in our moment of greatest joy, we can remember our greatest sorrow, then in moments of sorrow, we’ll be able to remember our greatest joy."

Kaplan provides the following interpretations:

Upright: creation, beginning, invention, fortune, enterprise, inheritance, birth of a child, the start of a meaningful experience or adventure.
Reversed: false start, cloudy outlook, unrealized goal, decadence, vexation, or cancellation of plans.

Regeneration is a card of resilience. It reminds us that ruin is never final.

What was lost can be rebuilt.
What was broken can be restored.
What was forgotten can be remembered.

Egipcios Kier * 24 Unraveling the Threads of The Weaver

The Egypcios Kier Tarot is a deck designed and illustrated by an Argentinian occultist and published in Buenos Aires. The deck is accompanied by an English commentary written by tarot scholar Stuart Kaplan.

As I continued my study of this captivating deck, I discovered a tapestry of themes woven into card 24 – The Weaver. As I’ve noted in earlier posts, each card shows a cartouche divided into three sections, each containing various symbols and images. It occurs to me that the upper section of the cartouche may relate to the “upper worlds” or to spiritual matters, the lower section to the “Underworld” or unconscious impulses, and the middle section to our daily lives here in this world.

In the top third of this cartouche we find three symbols:

The magical letter: A curious symbol resembling an ‘M’ lying on its side with circles on its ‘feet’ remains a mystery to me. Lacking an understanding of this symbol, I considered my understanding of the letter M. Its sound is within every word for ‘mother’ throughout the world because it is the first sound a baby makes when learning to speak. The Egyptians drew a vertical wavy line to depict this sound and to represent the primordial waters of creation; this symbol changed only slight over the millennia and between cultures and became ‘M’ in the Latin alphabet.

The snail hieroglyph: Today, the word ‘snail’ evokes the idea of slowness, as in the term ‘snail mail,’ or the poetic ‘lock upon the garden gate’ of psychedelic folk music.

Exaggerated in the hieroglyph are the snail’s antennae, the longer ones hold its eyes, a shorter set contains its olfactory organs. The size of the antenna here suggest a reaching out of oneself for wider awareness of the surrounding world and a quest for understanding.

Only its delicate shell protects the snail. This suggests we should be more aware that the protections we construct around ourselves are more fragile than we imagine.

The snail shares a connection with royalty. Ancient Mediterranean peoples obtained a purple dye from the Tyrian sea snail and only royalty could afford to wear fabric colored that exquisite hue.

The conversive ‘Vav’: The Hebrew letter Vav resembles the hooked lights used in the Sorcery of Hekate to draw our aspirations to us. According to the teachings of Chabad Lubavitch, the name of the letter means ‘hook,’ an object that holds two things together.

As a prefix, Vav is a conjunction. Adding a Vav to the beginning of any word creates the meaning ‘and’ or ‘but,’ connecting or separating words and phrases. In biblical usage, it can convert a verb from the past to the future tense, or from the future to the past tense, linking the two times into a single moment, hence the saying, “There is no earlier or later in the Torah.”

The Vav illuminates the power of language and communication. It symbolizes our ability to bridge the gap between ourselves and higher realms, to shape this world through our thoughts, speech, and actions.

Another image appears in a smaller cartouche that overlays both the top and middle of the card:

Nurturing mother: A seated woman crowned with sun and moon nurses an adult-looking infant pharaoh who is wearing the double crown of upper and lower Egypt. The tableau may represent the goddess Isis and her child Horus. The image encapsulates the patient process of nurturing a child from infancy onward. Just as a snail’s shell offers limited protection, so does the maternal presence safeguard a child, blending strength and vulnerability.

The fact that this small cartouche is present in both the top or "upper world" section of the card and the "middle world" section suggests that maternal nurturing is both a divine and very human act.

The bottom third of the cartouche reveals another trio of enigmatic symbols:

Cryptic fence: A curious symbol consisting of green crosshatching reminds me of a garden fence, but I have been unable to determine what it signified in ancient Egyptian culture.

The cobra: A rearing cobra wraps itself around a lotus stem. This single serpent spiraling around a staff or pole is the emblem of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. It was a common healing symbol in the ancient Mediterranean region and was even mentioned twice in the Hebrew Bible, where is referred to as Nahash or Nehushtan. (In contrast, today’s more commonly seen image of two snakes entwining around a staff was actually the symbol of Hermes, the god of merchants and a psychopomp who guided the dead to the underworld.)

The lotus flowers: Two more lotuses, atop long stems, appear on either side of the cobra. Lotuses grow from the muddy beds of streams and ponds, their flowers blossoming on the surface of the water; their stems are not usually visible to us. Lotus flowers appear in the art of earliest Egypt and continued to be depicted frequently throughout the culture’s history. Like the snake, lotuses represent healing but also spiritual rebirth. The lotus was valued for its use in perfumes and its scent believed to revive the spirit. In Egyptian mythology, the lotus flower was the first thing to emerge from the watery primordial chaos, and when it opened, the sun was born from it. The myth reflects natural observations of the flower: at sunrise, the lotus blossom emerges from the water and opens; at fall of night, it closes and submerges below the surface of the water.

The heart of the cartouche displays a powerful image:

The Loom: A bare-breasted woman, an unexceptional sight in ancient Egypt, is working a loom anchored to the wall. She crouches on the floor as she methodically guides the shuttle with her left hand and holds the frame of the loom with her right hand. She is creating a tapestry of green thread that resembles the crosshatching in the ‘fence’ symbol below. Her task is slow and repetitive, requiring patience and persistence, but allowing some creative expression. The loom is a universal tool and symbol, and the tapestry made with it is a metaphor for the interwoven nature of existence. As the Weaver manipulates warp and weft she is mirroring the divine act of creating the universe, and the threads of the loom suggest the Thread of Fate.

This evocative image weaves together the mundane with the divine just as the act of weaving suggests creation and nurturing. The small cartouche that impinges on the central image repeats the idea of holiness and nurturing.

Weaving is a solitary task. However, the growing and processing of wool and flax required the participation and labor of many members of society in complex relationships with each other. The fabrics created by the weaver would also benefit other people and society in general.

The card’s title includes another triad of symbols:

The Venus Symbol: Venus is known for evoking emotions, especially love. This symbol is prominent in other tarot decks, especially on The Empress card, which often shows a pregnant woman. In this card, working the loom is comparable to maternal care. Physical birthing was, for the most part, biologically inevitable, but striving for a more conscious and active role in transforming the world, the Weaver mirrors the goddess’s creativity.

The ‘U’: The twenty-first letter of the English alphabet suggests uracil, a key component of DNA, which forms the tapestry of existence. On the periodic table of elements ‘U’ is the symbol for uranium. Its esoteric value is connected to inspiration, optimism, and creative self-expression.

Numeral 6: The Pythagorean meaning of this number is harmony. It is the numerical value of the Hebrew letter Vav which appears at the top of the cartouche. Both letter and numeral link divine insight with successful earthly endeavors.

Kaplan unravels history:

Egyptian weavers, who, it was believed, had been taught their skills by the goddess Isis in the distant past, produced an array of items, from sails to clothing, and bandages to shrouds. Their textiles were made solely of flax, because, according to Kaplan, the use of leather and wool were forbidden in their culture. Egyptian linen was renowned and desired, because it was dyed vibrant colors and often embroidered with exotic designs. (Today, Egyptian cotton is famous, but cotton was not available to the ancient Egyptians.)

Both upright and reversed meanings reveal layers of meaning:

According to Kaplan, the upright meanings encompass many ideas: From traditionally feminine work to patient craft, the Weaver embodies diligent effort to create an object of beauty and usefulness. The card indicates the ability to weave different aspects of life together meaningfully as well as the nurturing protectiveness of motherhood.

Kaplan provides us with these reversed meanings: Mediocrity caused by impatience, disarray, and neglect.

Other possibilities for interpreting the card: The card brings to mind the beauty of virtue and strength as expressed in a passage from the Book of Proverbs. The Woman of Valor “seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands…” The text continues:

She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

This card shows a weaver who may embody many of those qualities. However, this tarot card can also be interpreted in more traditional ways.

Nelise Carbonare Vieira, a Brazilian blogger who has written extensively about the Egipcios Kier Tarot, associates this card with the Queen of Wands, which to me is the card of Hestia, goddess of the hearth, and a sybol of female strength. Vieira suggests The Weaver indicates the “certainty of being able to provide for one's needs.” (Pamela Colman Smith added a domestic cat her card, implying psychic awareness. In ancient Egypt, domestic cats were considered women's pets and were often portrayed inhabiting homes; however, it would seem wise to keep those playful, curious animals away from the threads of a loom.)

The Thread of Fate:

The central image of the weaver brings to mind the Greek Moirai, the three Fates, who control the threads of individual destiny. Klothó, with her long braid, holds a spindle and distaff, gathering material to spin the thread. Láḥesis, her bare foot showing as her gown pools on the floor around her, carefully studies the quality of the thread and measures it for purpose. Átropos, wearing the rich extravagant clothes the three have created, cuts the thread.

The theme of female figures in control of destiny is found in many European cultures, perhaps originating in the remotest Indo-European past. Romans, for example, believed that the three Parcae recorded the thread of life for every being, even the greatest of gods. The Norse feared the three death-bringing Norns, whose name means ‘to twine’ and who drew water from a sacred well to nourish the World Tree, thus shaping human destiny. The Wyrds of Anglo-Saxon mythology also dwelt by a well under a world tree and, like the Greek Fates, they spun, measured, and cut the thread of fate. Seven goddesses who wove the thread of destiny inhabit Celtic mythology. Many similar female beings are preserved in eastern European folktales and there are some scattered references to fate goddesses in Indian literature, too.

A Call to Divine Craft:

The Weaver speaks of magic within the mundane, the transformation of fibers into fabrics, and even the preservation of ancient traditions in modern times. The loom bridges past and present, inviting us to engage in acts of creation that connect us to history's threads.

Every tapestry tells a story. I have a tallis, a prayer shawl, that was hand-woven for me by Laine Schipper, a woman who attended my synagogue and whose husband, Joel, would wrap them both in his tallis (which had originally served as their chuppah, marriage canopy) during the closing song of the service each Shabbat.

In conclusion:

I am mesmerized and baffled by the blending of related but disparate elements in this card. The threads in this card are too many and too intricate to discuss in a single blog post.

Each time the card appears in a reading, a different theme may come to the fore. Many of the following themes can be derived from this rich imagery:

- the creative powers of sound and speech
- the primordial waters of creation
- the beauty of tenacity, dignity, and courage
- patience and persistence in creative expression
- reaching outside ourselves for awareness
- maternal nurturing
- protection and fragility
- relationship between earth and heaven, the mundane and the divine, a mother and child
- healing and medicine
- spiritual rebirth
- the interconnectedness of life
- the value of relationships
- the Thread of Fate

When The Weaver appears in a reading, it may suggest that the querent is in a period of creating or shaping his or her destiny, and should be encouraged to be patient and persistant. The appearance of this card might indicate a need to nurture an idea, project, or relationship, recognizing the delicate balance between strength and vulnerability. The card may also be a reminder of the interconnectedness of a person's actions and the broader tapestry of life, urging that person to consider how daily tasks and creative endeavors contribute to his or her spiritual and material world. Moreover, The Weaver can highlight the power of communication and the significance of nurturing one's inner and outer worlds, suggesting that the querent weave together different aspects of his or her life to find harmony and purpose.

Today, the card has spoken to me of a connection to the celestial realm while doing my daily tasks in this world, and the privilege women can exercise of birthing and nursing children. I recall my disappointment when I realized I’d never have children, but I rejoice now in my writing endeavors. The card reminds me of the fragility of life and relationships and encourages me to treasure them.