Tarot Enigma

Healing Wounds

2009-08-22T08:53:00.010+01:00

Before even reading about what might have provoked these two drawings by Da Vinci, I was drawn to a detail in the Ace of Earth. The picture appears to be of some kind of large cliff. It is sketched in black and white, but the detail I am focusing on appears to be a redish brown. I have no idea if this has any purpose in the drawing but my first feeling was that it was a boat. Looking at it this way, we might see the cliff as an obstacle since it stands in the boat's way, but to my understanding, all aces are an opportunity. Therefore, the cliff becomes a destination. I received notice that I am to start my new job on Monday. As much as this is exciting, it also scares me very much and I feel just like a small boat at the foot of a large cliff - there is a opportunity for potential and challenge, but it is overwhelming all the same.

The second card is the 3 of Water. This illustration shows how two opague bodies converge to form a piramid of light. In most decks, as here, the card suggests the coming together of different people to form something positive and rewarding. It is not a surprise then, that today I am going to a party - a place which might provide physical rewards. After a few difficulties in social circles, the card heralds a time of resolution and peace. I am aware that this does not have anything to do with the very recent problems I have had where I live, but it does make a lot of sense with regard to the healing of other relationships which have become strained of late. As today has unfolded, those wounds have already begun to heal a little through communication and effort, as I converge with different people.

Edited to add: On scanning the picture in for my blog, I just saw the ducks for the first time. The scale is quite different to how I had initially saw it, but all the same, that view brought about an interesting and fitting interpretation for the card.

The Poor Man's Posh and Becks

2009-08-21T23:20:00.009+01:00

Even though I don't want to dwell on the neighbours and their stupidity, I have to acknowledge my feelings around the cards, and in the King of Air, I do get a feel of the husband. It is not so much that he looks like the gentleman in the card (even though he does a little), but the connection is down to the non-emotive and dead-pan expression on the king's face. For the benefit of my parents, he and his wife had a little kiss at the top of their pathway this afternoon by their wheelie bin. I was glad to have missed this visual horror. Posh and Becks, they are not.

The Lord of Air is a study of Cesare Borgia, who Leonardo served in 1502. It is said that this ruthless man's motto was 'Caesar or nothing'. With little space for wavering, I can see why I intuitively link the card to my neighbour. The Lord of Air can be extremely arrogant, with a strong belief that he is right.

We had our visit from the police today and it went smoothly. The officers seemed confused as to why they were here and felt it was sad that my parents are wanting to move because of this. I don't think they really knew what to say, and there wasn't really much that they could do. But even though this one hurdle is over, there is still this underlying tension running through our days, as shown in the 9 of Air - a card which represents anxiety and fear. I am not scared of my neighbours but I do feel uncomfortable in this atmosphere and wonder which juvenile stunt the Lord of Air might try to pull next.

What is returning home?

2009-08-20T09:01:00.015+01:00

For today's draw, I pulled the 10 of Water and the Page of Fire.

The first card here has brought back memories from the beginning of this year. The illustration is part of Leonardo's study for the Virgin and St Anne, in which Christ is shown touching a lamb and therefore confirming his own destiny as the Lamb of God. At the beginning of this year, I saw the work Madonna and Child with St Anne and the Young St John (1507-08) in The National Portrait Gallery in London, while on a date with my Knight of Earth of past entries. When I drew the card this morning, my memories of standing and looking at the picture with him on that magical Winter's day engulfed me. When relationships go wrong, people either hide away from these good memories or only remember the lulls, but despite things not working out as the two of us had hoped at the time, that day was a special one and does link particularly well to the card in question. The 10 of Water is a card of warmth, the family, and emotional security. After a long time of being by myself, being held by the Knight of Earth on that day felt a little bit like coming home after a long journey or finally being accepted.

In Caitlan Matthew's book, of the 10 of Water she asks 'What is returning home?'. In answer to this, I drew the Page of Fire. The illustration is a study of St James the Elder for The Last Supper. This shows another person's influence on the family unit from the last card. With what has happened today, I find it hard to put a positive spin on this card right now. After hoping that the problem with the neighbours would eventually subside, I was shocked to find out that they have reported us to the police for harassment. Of course, this is completely untrue. My parents have always been good to them and we have only complained about the noise a handful of times in the past few years. Looking at this Page of Fire, I do see a little of the woman next door in the card. Her immaturity, mainly. Standing over some kind of city, the figure in the card reminds me a little of how our next door neighbour wants to influence the whole court where we live. She has been popping up and down all day, gossiping and quite probably trying to turn the other residents against my family. So after quite an emotional day, my parents have now organised for a house valuation next week and are wanting to move after 23 years of living here.

Lady Lisa

2009-08-19T15:33:00.008+01:00

The Mona (short for Madonna and meaning 'my lady') Lisa is one of Leonardo Da Vinci's most talked about works. But more is spoken about what it conceals than reveals, which is most probably why both Lo Scarebeo and Caitin Matthews chose her as the subject for their High Priestess cards. The Enigma deck simply calls her it's Enigma, a word which goes hand in hand with mystery and intrigue.

In recent years, there has been much commentary on the Mona Lisa's gender, which gives extra credence to her being placed at this point in the tarot. The original High Priestess of early decks was thought to actually be Pope Joan. So as to be elected Pope, this woman had cunningly disguised her gender, only to be finally exposed through an unexpected pregnancy and then burnt to death. The story of Pope Joan and the curiosity around whether the Mona Lisa is in fact male, add to the hidden depths concealed in the interpretation of this card.

When I think of this card, I think of a locked box. It is ornate and our greatest desire is to see what is hidden inside. Within it, imagine the greatest secrets. Yet the box remains locked. Should we need some information, how do we locate the key?

While frantically looking for solutions and answers, many of us forget that the key has been on our person all of the time. Either on a chain round our neck or in our back pocket, the key is our intuition - something which is not based on fact, but on our gut reactions and unconscious feelings. When this card is in a reading, this is something we need to trust. The Mona Lisa has a slight smile. She knows all of the answers but she is not about to tells us. We need to find them out by ourself.

Sometimes, we need to rely on our own personal navigation system. Do we get a feeling that we shouldn't trust this man we are about to do a deal with? Do we feel more comfortable to take the longer walk home, rather than pass a gang of youths on our usual shortcut? Despite a run of bad luck, do you feel that things are on the way up, regardless of bad facts and figures? It's all about how we feel. This week has not been that wonderful but I am resting on the intuitive backbone of the Da Vinci deck's Enigma card today. Even though I don't fancy moving from this spot, deep down I know that it will do me good to get away to the beach with my friend tonight. Even though things are going badly with certain people in my life, I know that things will settle eventually, once rattled cages and the heat of the moment have subsided.

Bring it On

2009-08-19T12:52:00.010+01:00

I pulled some cards last night before bed, and was surprised by just how on the nose this deck is. It has a funny way of showing meaning through a side door. The interpretations follow tradition, but are worked through Da Vinci's drawings first. They require a little effort to comprehend, which is always more satisfying in the long run.

The 2 of Fire is subtitled 'The Emblem of a Compass fixed to a Star'. The card advises that we must place trust in our destined path, by fostering the gifts which have been given to us. Should paths become unclear or winds try to push us off course, the 2 of Fire reminds us to follow the direction of the compass's needle.

This is an interesting version of the card. Edward Arthur Waite's version shows a man looking into the horizon. But like yesterday's 2 of Earth, we have movement in this one. I can imagine the compass's needle shaking back and forth until it hits it's target. We have something to aim for in this card, so I drew another to see what I must be heading towards.

Like the Strength card, the 7 of Fire is about overcoming obstacles. Specific to the Da Vinci deck, both also use studies of Herakles as their subject. In this card, we see him from the front. He is strong and powerful and is holding out his arms, almost provoking the viewer. He could very well be saying 'Bring it on!'.

In Caitlin Matthew's book, she makes a few interesting observations. She says 'The path to destiny is not walked on without rivalries, problems and confrontations. Success sometimes comes at the price of loss of stamina or the alienation of supporters who disagree or are jealous'. This makes much sense to me this week, as I lose the co-operation of our neighbours and have been underhandedly picked at by a long-term friend. But this card, like it's traditional predecessors, reminds us that in all of these situations, we have the advantage. Look at Herakles. Look at his posture. We are not about to see him fleeing from situations and hiding away under the stairs. He is assertive and fights his corner. Matthews goes on to say "It is not possible to keep the advantage forever without becoming aggressive. Act decisively, even if it means making a few enemies".

In this sense, I think that the word 'aggressive' suggests being forceful and using our initiative, rather than being physically threatening. It encourages me to say 'I am not taking any more of this' and stand my ground. I am guessing that the opposition in both cases are probably weaker than I am, so even though I have been troubled by it all in these past days, it is confidence-building to remember that like Herakles, I do have the advantage.

Movers and Shakers

2009-08-18T22:28:00.006+01:00

I havn't written here in just under a year, but in feeling a bit down today, wanted to work with a deck which would give me a metaphorical big hug and the Da Vinci Enigma seemed to fit that bill. When you use a deck for a prolonged amount of time, it is more than just a set of pictures. As daft as it might sound, it can become like a friend .

If you are interested in what happened inbetween the last entry and now, I can tell you that life is not much different to how it was. Even though I have found a job, I am still waiting to hear about when I start, and this news is dragging on somewhat. If you are wondering what happened with the Knight of Earth from last years posts, well a good relationship was born, but has been dead for some months now. Reading back over those last entries was a little sad this evening, as we didn't part under the best of circumstances.

In the 5 of Air, we have one of Da Vinci's drawings of a fight. It mirrors a dipute which has just occured between my family and our neighbours. We believe that their two boys are too noisy, but they think we are irrational and have called us child-haters. This could not be further from the truth (even though I have grown to dislike their spoilt and badly behaved brats). They are no longer talking to us.

The 2 of Earth shows movement. The image displays the back-and-forth motion of a rod and wheel. My first thought around this pendulum-like image was of change and how our relationship with these people is no longer the same as it was. But in looking at one of Leonardo's quotes, I received extra food for thought. He says 'Nothing capable of movement is more powerful .. than it's mover'. I have let this situation and other confontrontations drag me down today, and this card tells me I must not let my emotions be shaken up by it. Looking at these ignorant people as the mover, I have allowed both them and this spat to affect me for the worse.

I am 'this' strong!

2008-12-17T09:12:00.006Z

This is a wonderful version of the 10 of Earth. The traditional version stands for stability, and often finds itself connected with family and wealth. Here, in the Enigma, such stability is geared to foundations. As the illustration on the card shows, the building is only as stable as the foundations it stands upon. It might provoke us to think about our own family, history and what we can draw on today.

After a horrible bout of flu, I am feeling better this evening. So much so, that my parents suggested taking me to London tomorrow. I really want to get some supplies from The Kabbalah Centre and could do with a change of scenery. I am a little tired of either sitting here or being in bed. With little money, it is their support which will get me where I want to go. As with many things in my past, I am only as strong as the two people who have held me up - my mum and dad.

It's all about Intention

2008-12-16T09:47:00.004Z

This afternoon, I received a call from my tutor at The Kabbalah Centre. He asked me some questions, regarding my potential within life. How much of my skills am I really using? Am I truly being all that I can be? And if I do have the spark of the [over all] creator within me, am I using it as he would? After thinking about it for a minute, I realised that I was not.

The Magician is about making things happen. It is a card of touching the divine and manifesting that energy in our world and life. We all have so much potential. Am I the best artist, friend, son or lover that I could be? Today, this card reminds me to stretch my desire and reach further. I think that I needed both The Magician and my kabbalah tutor to help me recognise that all I want is not as far away as I had imagined. It's all about intention.

An Emotional Adventure

2008-12-15T09:49:00.010Z

The Ace of Water simply displays it's element. In another reader's blog, she likened the object floating in the illustration to a door, being carried along by waves. As the water pours through this possible doorway in Da Vinci's drawing, the door is spun about amongst and on top of it.

Water symbolises emotions. If we think of ourselves as that door (or object) in Da Vinci's illustration, being pulled along by the current, it is not too difficult to see a comparison with the emotional situations we find ourselves in during life - both good and bad. For example, a good couple of years ago, I received this card on a day when a friend committed suicide. I had drawn it in the morning, unaware of what it might mean, but by the end of the day, was overcome by emotion, due to what had happened.

At the other end of the scale, the card can represent those giddy heights of new love, or simply, a feeling of emotional joy. My internet friend and I have spoken even more since my last entry here and he has been sending me messages to my phone regularly - saying goodnight before sleep, and sending me a good morning on his way to work. In this sense, the Ace of Water defines that rush of emotion which can make you smile and feel warm inside.

Ace's denote new beginnings. Here, we have some kind of fresh and abundant emotional adventure. It would be nice to think that something will materialise in the world of love from this card, but for now, it simply describes those new, but welcome, feelings of being appreciated and cared about by another human being. Whether things come of this or not, the card foretells the start of a new emotional relationship - be that friendship, or something more.

The Resistance to Share

2008-12-13T11:24:00.008Z

When I look at this card, it reminds me of people in a pub, all sitting at different tables. One collection are engrosed in a big discussion. On the left of the room, another listens intently to his friend, as he leans upon his walking stick. And at the top, someone pays at the bar, while at the bottom is a lone drinker. Another man could be playing darts at the top right.

This card shows further sketches for Da Vinci's The Last Supper. It shows the disciples sharing friendship, while Judas plots to betray Jesus for his own financial gain. This knowledge echoes the greed associated with traditional interpretations of the card. It is often considered to be the card of the miser.

This card, in some traditional decks, shows variations of a person hoarding coins. But in my mind, the card does not always have to concern the hoarding of money. It might be the resistance to share time, love or a partner. In terms of the latter, we need to let others breath. Relationships do not work when we wrap them up for ourselves alone and stifle them.

I am reminded of this today, in many ways. As much as I need to watch my finances, I can't allow them to come between myself and good friends. I have been invited out tonight for a friend's birthday. She is a good mate and I should be there, regardless of how little pennies I have in the bank. I am also going to gift her The Da Vinci Enigma deck for her birthday.

Similarly, after more conversations with my internet friend, the Knight of Earth, I need to remember that even though we are mutually excited about this new friendship, our enthusiasm must not be allowed to over-crowd one another.

Laying Plans

2008-12-13T01:33:00.005Z

Although I have not been drawing regularly with the Enigma of late, I have been pulling cards generally. And the Knight of Earth has presented himself once this week already. I took the card to describe a man who has recently re-entered my life. This knight suggests that the guy is reliable and dependable.

For today's draw, the card represents grounding. As we talked for over an hour once again this evening, amongst the occasional flirt, we spoke about things we would like to do, forming a virtual 'to-do' list in one another's minds- sampling his amazing bolognese was one such entry, as was his opinion that I need to visit Vienna. As much as they may appear as throw-away comments, he said that maybe we could start by meeting up when he gets back from Austria in the new year. The Knight of Earth is a part of laying these plans.

Different Needs

2008-11-19T22:06:00.005Z

The two horses in this card look to one another. Though similar, they face different directions and have different needs. This can sometimes cause conflict, so an appreciation of each other and each other's requirements might be appropriate when the 2 of Air arises.

I have not seen one of my oldest and dearest friends for many, many months. She lives in East London with her family now and for both of us, getting together is difficult - whether money or time is the restriction. I had left her a few messages over the last few months, but had not heard anything back. I was wondering if our friendship might be fading, but today, I received a message, suggesting that I go up and stay with her for a couple of days.

The 2 of Air reminds me of how busy she is and how even though we have always been alike, our lifestyles are very different now. I respect her choices and understand that we can not see each other as often as we once did, but will gladly scrape some pennies together so that I can spend a few days with her, her husband, and children before Christmas.

Keep Real

2008-11-17T10:24:00.008Z

The 7 of Water is not usually a card associated with worry, but today, that is what it brings to mind.

I am a born worrier. In my mind, I can turn the slightest headache into a deadly disease or can over-think the smallest comment until it becomes far more important than it deserves. Today, my usual health problem has flared up again, and even though I have tried my best not to, I have worried about it.

The illustration in this card is a study for a dog. When inverted, the picture can trick the viewer by apparently becoming a bat. As Leonardo pointed out, 'Have we not seen pictures so closely resembling the real thing that their illusion tricks both man and beast?'.

Sometimes, I can be fooled by what I think I see and hear. A card like this reminds me to try and keep real. Every twinge is not fatal. The 7 of Water asks me to try and keep my thoughts and feelings in perspective today.

Feeling our way

2008-11-16T09:52:00.009Z

When I look at or begin working with a new deck, this is one of the cards I keep an eye out for, in the hope that she is represented in a way I can relate to. In recent times, I have seen her as a card which can sometimes identify my mother in a reading, so her warmth and ability to provide and comfort are often qualities I look for.

Out of the four ladies of the Enigma, this one is the most fleshed out. Where the Lady of Water sits amongst a dreamy haze, this young woman feels her way out of the paper. She is about the real world. She cares for the community around her, and as well as signifying my own mother, she also highlights a more practical and paternal side of myself.

Today has been about family, since I have spent all day with my parents - a trip to Rye in the morning, and then an evening in front of the television (something I don't often do). What the card brings to the surface is an ability to share with one another and make sure each family member is comfortable and happy. As the day closes, I would say it was a successful one for all three of us.

Are you ready to Jump?

2008-11-14T10:17:00.009Z

Ludovico Sforza was famed as the patron for Leonardo Da Vinci, and this card, showing a warrior on horseback overcoming his enemy, was intended for his monument.

The Knight of Air dashes into his opposition. In readings, I believe that we need to asertain whether he represents great strength and courage, or possibly highlights the naivity or insensitivity of rushing into something or at someone at high speed. As much as the knight appears very brave, his eagerness could destroy an already established foundation or hurt another's feelings.

I have been known to rush in like this knight; for me, it is often as a reaction, and since the suit of Air stands for thought and communication, this might be jumping to conclusions or down someone else's throat, before I know the whole story. This card reminds me to think of how I react to things - to jump in courageously when support or defence is needed, but to find patience and step back when it is not.

It's not all about me!

2008-11-13T09:22:00.010Z

In the Da Vinci Enigma, the Lord of Fire was originally born as the apostle, St Bartholomew. The image is a study for The Last Supper (1495-1498). The face shows the man's concern, on hearing that someone has betrayed Christ.

The Lord (or King) of Fire is a symbol I have always had a little trouble with. As much as many describe him as warm and a loving father, he is also credited as a born leader and is on a continual search for adventure; taking risks and weighing up new opportunities. This guy is always on the go, keeping an eye out for the next trend or creative possibility, and as much as this can be something to admire, as a ruler, I think it can make him rather overbearing to some. I am aware that I am not the first person to link this court card to the entertainer, Madonna.

Madonna, in her youth, was a fire-ball. She might have been likened to the Knight of Fire, as someone who embraced specific youth trends, key celebrity links and useful acquaintance for the benefit of her career, but who would drop them just as quickly, when that energy or service was no longer needed. As much as this may seem inconsiderate to those she picked up and inevitably dropped, it made her an exciting figure for the public, and an artistic chameleon in her industry.

But all knight's have to grow up one day. Or possibly, in Madonna's case, they do not (or will not). With age, she still tries to pump and dump the next available trend, but I think that those who grew up watching this woman's every 'next-move' are now becoming a little bored with the same old routine. This is where the Lord of Fire's constant climb to success has become an egotistical display of self-importance. As a ruler, his confidence and reputation as an entrepreneur, when ill-dignified, can appear arrogant and domineering.

This card reminds me to draw on courage and consider where it might be useful in my life. However, with relevance to the negative sides of the Lord of Fire, I think it also leans heavily on ego. The overbearing side of this man's character reminds me that in certain situations, I need to remember that it is not all about me.

St Sebastian

2008-11-12T20:22:00.014Z

According to legend, St Sebastian was made a captain of the Praetorian guard, but to those who appointed him, he kept the fact that he was a Christian a secret and went on to convert other soldiers to his faith, undercover. When the emperor finally found out, he ordered for Sebastian to be tied to a post and slain with arrows. This left the young man for dead, but did not kill him completely. On going to recover his body, a widow found that he was still alive and nursed him back to health. Soon after, Sebastian intercepted the emperor, denounced him for his treatment of Christians, and on the emperors orders, was beaten to death.

The Enigma Tarot presents a sketch of St Sebastian's most famous visual moment; the point where he is shot at with arrows. It represents the 3 of Air and concentrates on trials and pain. We understand from this card that sorrow is a result of loss.

The most intriguing part of Leonardo's sketch for me is the two faces. Behind the main one is another less obvious head, peering from behind. Despite looking through my books and doing an internet search, I can not find out the reasoning for this. I have included a detail of the two faces to the left of my daily card. To the right of the 3 of Air is the 8 of Swords from the Lo Scarebeo Da Vinci Tarot. That version of the card looks at the act of St Sebastian's capture as a feeling of being trapped and unable to move forward.

This card traditionally speaks of a broken and pieced heart, so it is not a surprise that the creators of the Enigma have used St Sebastian as the pin-cushion for their deck. Many readers associate the card with emotional heartbreak and relationship troubles, but in being a card from the suit of air, this pain is often of the mind as well as the heart. After losing a friend a few months ago, as my heart may begin to mend, my mind still makes no sense of her passing and contains my sorrow as a wound.

One of the things which lights the sombre mood of this card is the events of St Sebastian's story. Even though the emperor ordered for him to be killed, we know that Sebastian managed to dodge this first attempt. Similarly, despite the extreme pain of losing someone, we know that those arrows driven into us will not kill us completely. Regardless of not knowing why there are two heads in this illustration, I would like to think that the second represents the dying Sebastian and that the first might show his being nurtured back to health. This turns what could be an unnecessarily bleak card into one which is more balanced and focused on the future.

A Ride upon Death

2008-11-12T10:09:00.014Z

For the second time, the 5 of Earth turns up in a daily draw. Subtitled 'Need', the card looks at those things we do not have, might have lost or are likely to lose. The illustration shows a drawing of Envy riding a skeleton which has been taken straight from Da Vinci's sketchbooks. The skeleton suggests poverty and need. Envy resembles desire. I think that the card represents how poor a person is when their needs are no more than envious or jealous yearnings.

I ask myself the same question that I asked myself last Friday - "How is need shaping my destiny?". At this time of work-related difficulty, my destiny is very much shaped by what I do not have, since it is difficult to move forward with things that inevitably are going to cost money. There are new relationships I would like to give a kick start, friends I would like to meet up with and places I would like to go. My present financial situation and the 5 of Earth keep me here at home and hold many of these options from my reach.

I would not say I am a jealous person, but I guess that I am a little envious of those who are making a successful living at the things I am skilled to do. Generally, what scares me is that as time moves forward, many of these people will climb higher and higher, while I am still on the bottom rungs of the ladder, being left behind. My fear, wrapped up in this card, is that I will never find success and will eventually have to succumb to the kind of job or way of life which I spent all of those years studying to try and avoid.

Celebrate Good Times, c'mon!

2008-11-11T20:00:00.004Z

This morning, I looked out of my window on waking. There was a distinct hangover from last night's storm lingering in the air. The tree across the road from my house, outside of the church, has lost most of it's leaves and stands half-naked like a semi-bald man. The sky was a grey wash with just a very slight tint of blue in it, and the cars and buses passed my garden in rush-hour, one after another, like my many days of unemployment. For those moments, I wondered what celebration there was to find in my day.

The Four of Fire is a card of jubilation. There is a feeling of relaxed leisure and pleasure in this card, and for a while, I couldn't quite work out it's message for today. On seeing the card turn up, I was expecting something worth celebrating to come along. And this got me into thinking about which parts of my day were worth celebrating, and which were not.

Usually, we expect something along the lines of a birth, marriage or new job when a card like the 4 of Fire hits a spread, which is neither unlikely or a naive consideration, but on a day to day level, a card like this highlights more subtle celebrations and times of joy. This morning, I met my good friend for breakfast. We meet weekly, and our time together is one big belly-laugh. She is great company, and even though we are both thirty-somethings, we behave like two twelve-year olds when we get together.
In the afternoon, I ran into a relatively new friend and stopped to chat. Then, by surprise, I met another mate and we went for coffee. This evening, another close friend is popping round and I am helping her with her work.

Thinking about these friends and the time spent with them, I realised that these were good examples of the feelings expressed by Da Vinci's dancers. I have some very good mates and this card reminded me that the fact is deserving of celebration.

St Philip

2008-11-10T15:24:00.021Z

One of Leonardo Da Vinci's most well known paintings is The Last Supper (1495-1498). From what I can detect, it is the only one of his murals which has stood the test of time and has survived (residing in the Santa Marie delle Grazie in Milan). St Philip was one of Jesus's twelve apostles, and the illustrations above show both studies for his part in the painting, a fraction of the end result and a modern tarot-based version by artist, Iassen Ghiuselev. Phillip is shown clutching his breast in shock, in response to Jesus's statement 'One of you shall betray me'.

I chose the corresponding card from the Enigma because it reminded me of the task I am undertaking within this blog. The Page of Earth is often recognised as the student of the tarot, and amongst other things, the card represents a steady progress through daily application, which is what I am endeavouring to achieve. It is a card of rolling up our sleeves and building things up gradually. One of the reasons I am enjoying this work with the two Da Vinci decks is down to the satisfaction of being able to delve deeper into the imagery. Many tarot readers do not want to do this, and I find that sacrificing those extra levels is often the reason why tarot decks such as these two do not work for or are not popular with the majority. I am enjoying them for all of the reasons that others do not - they require effort and time. In many cases, things do not always come together straight away, but when they do, it is very rewarding. As an example, it was only some time after I started writing and reading about St Philip that I recognised him in the Lo Scarebeo deck, complete with new haircut and away from his famous dinner companion. Had it not been for my reading up on The Last Supper in a book by Daniel Arasse, I might have not connected his famous hand-gestures of sorrow and disbelief with the character in the 9 of Swords. In that deck, the card urges us to speak frankly and honestly in the same way as Philip.

The Page of Earth gathers and uses information and experience. Unlike his brothers (the other pages of the tarot), he does not rush in, but patiently learns new skills, researches and is deeply studious. It is his example I hope to follow, as I steadily continue with my study of the two Da Vinci tarots and the artist's work.

A Moment on the Lips

2008-11-10T09:26:00.016Z

"If you choose pleasure, know that he has one behind him who will deal you tribulation and repentance" - Leonardo Da Vinci.

For my daily draw, I have pulled Pain & Pleasure. In traditional tarot set-up, this card might concern some people, since it is usually entitled The Devil - a card of being chained to the desires in life which tempt us to stray from the middle path. But here, the archetype appears more realistic. Rather than an external force or winged-beastie with horns and the hind legs of a goat, we pause to consider the fact that this menacing seductress is indeed part of the make-up of all of us. It is just one side of our whole.

In Leonardo's sketch we are presented with conjoined twins. One twin represents pain. The other represents pleasure. In Pain's hand is held a whip. In Pleasure's right hand, he holds a reed. After a little snoop about the internet, I discovered that the reed is used in Tuscany to support beds. It apparently symbolises the fact even though many vain dreams are received in sleep, much time is wasted there. In Da Vinci's illustration, the symbol is deemed useless and without strength - therefore, the opposite of the pain-inflicting scourge in the other twin's hand.

Pain and pleasure are conjoined in many areas of life. Pleasure can sometimes come with a price - be that in smoking, drinking, over-eating, over-spending or in lust. I have paid the price of momentary pleasure through the pain of guilt, shame or worry in the past. There is always two sides to this coin. When I was at art school, I remember one of my tutors speaking the words 'a moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips' as she eyed up a tempting piece of chocolate cake. What is the price of our temptations?

I am not a very moderate person. I have always done things to excess, and quite often, I have suffered the consequences. What I like about making 'pain and pleasure' part of the same whole, is that it tackles the too-ing and fro-ing of our minds amongst the decision-making process - working out what the cost (or damage) might be from that 'moment on the lips'. At this present time, I am not well off financially, but like many of us, am seduced by a night out, a new book or some kind of pleasurable situation. Even though I will receive momentary gratification from pursuing these things, I need to weigh up their worth. Will the occasional cigarette eventually claim addiction? Will a few drinks turn into yet another ugly all-night session? Will buying that new coat (which I don't really need) mean I will be financially short when something I really require comes up a few weeks later? How will I feel emotionally, after the physical enjoyment of a one-night-stand? What pain will follow on from our indulging in or sacrificing certain pleasures?

Extra Note: Out of interest in what the twin's other hands are holding, I went on a search through the web. 'Pleasure' holds coins in his other hand, where as 'Pain' drops caltrops (a device of iron spikes, used to impede the progress of horses and troops).

Herakles

2008-11-09T21:33:00.011Z

Herakles, of Greek myth, is known for his strength. Physically strong as a baby, tales talk of his many successful battles and conquests. One of the more famous stories tells of his slaughtering the lion of Nemea. This was just one of the twelve seemingly impossible tasks he was asked to try and complete by King Eurystheus. In the myth, he is said to have knocked the animal unconscious with his club, before throttling it. He then skinned the beast and continued to wear it's skin around his shoulders. King Eurystheus was apparently so frightened of the strong youth that he hid himself in a large pot whenever Herakles appeared in the future.

It makes sense for the Enigma Tarot to use Leonardo Da Vinci's sketch of Herakles and the Lion for it's Strength card, since most modern interpretations of the card picture a lion who is being overcome in some way. Many modern interpretations are not as brutal as the death of the animal in the Greek myth, but historically, the earlier depictions (such as in the Visconti Sforza) are quite close to the version from the Enigma. The hero is shown raising a baton to the lion, and if you look closely at the muscled young man in the Enigma Tarot sketch, you can just make out the fine lines of his weapon.

Even though we consider the tale of Herakles to be one of great heroism, hopefully, this is not the way in which we fight out battles today. In tarot, the image has been watered down over the centuries and now we see a lion who is tamed - often by a beautiful young woman. Personally, the card has always encouraged me to face my fears. Even though Herakles had faith in his strength and ability to kill the lion, the card often arises when I am required to do something which simply scares me. It reminds me that strength is not all about muscle, and in my life, I have managed to release myself from a few potentially dangerous situations via quick thinking and the gift of the gab. Not all battles are won with brute force. In this card, Strength is about confidence. It is about facing up to opposition, however many teeth that opposition might have.

From what I can tell, the sketch of Herakles in the Da Vinci Enigma is just one in a series of many studies. The first illustration in the line above is of a male nude, possibly from the same series. It appears that this is the original sketch which inspired the copy in the Lo Scarebeo Da Vinci Tarot (as shown in the third example). As with many other cards in that particular deck, the updated version has been amended to fit in with the structure of the tarot. The most noticeable addition is a sword placed between the man's hands, which was not part of the original sketch. The creators of the deck added the weapon to make him the Knave of Swords.

From what I have read, even though he was sometimes described as a loyal and emotional man, Herakles was not known for his intellect. It is said that on times when his physical strength did not suffice, he might occasionally fall back on wit, but generally, he is considered as having lower intelligence than other great heroes of Greek myth. So it seemed strange to me that he is used as the foundation of an illustration for a member of the swords court. It is my guess that the choice was made aesthetically, rather than being based on the origin of the sketch and Herakle's heroic story.

The Emotionless Stampede

2008-11-09T08:05:00.013Z

"How can one describe these awful, abominable evils, against which man has no defense? Deluges devastate high mountains with their awesome foaming waves, they destroy the strongest sea-walls and embankments, they tear up deeply-rooted trees and their voracious waters, laden with the mud of plowed fields, carry off the fruits of the hard work of the miserable tillers of the soil, leaving valleys bare and naked with the misery they leave in their wake" - Leonardo Da Vinci, Codex Atlanticus

The Deluge card is one of my favourite amongst the Davinci Enigma. At first, it appears a very delicate image, but on closer inspection, unless it is in my imagination, I can see trees bent and people being thrown from their horses in natural disaster. The wind and rain pummels the scene and clears away all which is not needed, like a forest fire. This was just one of Da Vinci's representations of the devastating effects of raging water.

The Ten of Air shows a man being hung. It is Bernardo di Bandino. Bandino was hung out for all to see, for his part in assassinating Giuliano de'Medici. In the Da Vinci Enigma, the card holds the sub-title 'Punishment'.

When I look at these two images together, they kind of reaffirm some of what I was thinking the other day. The wind and rain pour from the first card and into the other. If real, they would most definitely wipe away Bandino and bring an end to his punishment. How long can anyone beat themself up or hang out their failings for all to see? As much as Deluge might seem harsh in it's emotionless stampede, it takes out all which is no longer necessary. After my 'woe is me' post the other day, I need to relinquish this new-found martyrdom I have adopted as a response to not receiving all I want from life, and move forward. A new phase is upon me.

Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

2008-11-08T15:15:00.017Z

The first illustration in this line is a sketch from 1512. It shows a man of raggedy attire, holding out one hand for assistance, and holding a large baton with the other to stabilise himself. The third illustration is from the Lo Scarebeo Da Vinci Tarot. It uses a modern representation of the sketch (by Iassen Ghiuselev) for it's 5 of Pentacles. That particular card is associated with financial hardship and economical difficulties, of which this man's worn and scruffy appearance fits.

The actual illustration is of a prisoner. In both of the first two illustrations (the second being The Fool card from the Da Vinci Enigma Tarot), the man's legs are restrained and his arms are cuffed together. In the Lo Scarebeo version, the leg restraints have been removed and the cuff on his right arm has become a bracelet. The sketch was originally a costume design for some kind of courtly entertainment. At first, I found it hard to relate him to this free spirit I had encountered in other decks, since he can barely move one foot infront of another. But in reading on a bit further, in the Da Vinci Enigma, Caitlin Matthews advises us that the constraints on the man's arms and legs are linked only to his ignorance. Despite these fetters, the spirit and imagination of the tarot Fool is said to fly, regardless of this physical lack of freedom. In that sense, I can understand how the picture reflects those initial moments of excitement and inspiration brought about by the card. Even if we are trapped in a 9-5 job or unable to leave a room full of our screaming kids, the essence of The Fool needn't always be hindered by physical trappings. Primarily, he is the urge to try something new or take a risk.

Searching a little further into this image adds weight to the card. On first glance, our prisoner does cut a strong resemblance to the older Fools of tarot's history and I wonder if that is one reason why he has been chosen. Many of these fools also carry a baton, but in recent times, it is held over their shoulders as some kind of magic wand or to carry their knapsack. Often, a dog nips at their heels and warns them that risk might provoke possible danger. There is no dog within the Enigma, but in my mind, I like to think that the restraints to the prisoner's legs work in just the same way.

The Need to Give

2008-11-07T12:40:00.002Z

I find it interesting that I drew these two cards this morning. Mainly because they contrast, but also, because they offer some kind of solution. I have found that one of the best things to do when we are in need, is to give. When we are thinking of only ourself, it is an opportunity to turn those thoughts around and think of someone else.

Last night, I went to bed feeling tearful. I had argued with both of my parents. I felt disappointed about a course I had been on, irritated by my lack of work opportunities, stunted by my need for cash and once again, was in pain from an on-going physical problem. Woe is me. I woke up today feeling pretty much the same, so was almost relieved that the Need card turned up for me this morning. In my mind, I was desperately in need of something and the tarot had recognised this.

I wonder if sometimes we only get as much as we actually need in any given period of time. The Giving card works both ways. It gives and receives. How much more do I or the man on the 5 of Earth card actually need? I have all basic comforts, plus much more. If I consider what other people do not possess, then I actually realise how much I really do have. And for this short time that we are all alive, do we really own any more than the moment we are actually in? I have been well-off and I have been skint, but I have never actually been in great need. And in this moment, I am pretty fortunate.

Everyone understands poverty to some degree, how ever much they own in that moment. Those who are in poverty or ill-health dream of crawling out of it. Those who are healthy and wealthy constantly dodge and hide, through fear that they will one day have their fortune taken away from them. For all of these people, need is the ugly monster they fear will either never leave them or will one day come knocking at their door.

What do I actually need and how is that need shaping my destiny? These are very good questions, because I feel that my needs are actually making me bitter and blocking my ability to create, share love and be happy. The accompanying book to the Da Vinci Enigma asks the question 'What can you give?'. I think I have a lot to give, but my preoccupation of wanting something in return, it seems, has become my current enemy.