Description & Symbolism
My inspiration for this card was the Rider-Waite deck and Aeclectic Forum Threads, too many to mention just one.
I have stayed with the traditional Rider-Waite colors, red and yellow, but have colored the Pentacle itself red, instead of yellow. Red symbolizes the base chakra and that which grounds and connects us to the Earth. Red also initiates action and has the energy of the planet Mars. Mars is active and has the ability to stay focused and the strength to endure. The hat or helmet seems more fitting in the 21st Century, it seems the more we progress, the more protection we seem to require.
The child himself appears to be dressed somewhat traditionally and conservatively, but on closer inspection one realizes that he is wearing odd socks, the integration of the intuitive and rational mind.
The vines are the connection between Spirit and Earth, Body and Soul.
The five words correspond to each point of the pentagram:
Wisdom - Spirit
Learning - Fire
Understanding - Water
Knowledge - Air
Patience - Earth
And what I love about this is that it is open to different interpretations, as a 'true' symbol should be.
I have always believed that the eyes are the windows of our souls and, to me, this is the essence of my card.
Card Meaning
The meaning itself can be read in the child's eyes.
Although appearing childlike and innocent, the Page possesses an innate wisdom and an inner knowledge which presents itself in a somewhat practical manner at times.
A cautious soul, who would think first, as opposed to taking risks or acting on impulse.
Can also be prone to stubbornness and an unwillingness to see others ideas, but is always willing to learn and to persist with life, even when it appears to be too difficult.
Artistic Media
This was inspired by a comment Major Tom made about using photos as Tarot cards, I never planned to 'take' the Page of Pentacles, but immediately Callum's face appeared in my mind and I knew what I was supposed to be doing. I spent about a year being Callum's 'best friend', child minding him from age 2 to 3. We were very close and both enjoyed the time immensely.
The subject, was chosen on this particular day as he was not in the mood and therefore created the 'look' I wanted for this shoot. Black and white 35mm photograph, 400 ASA film, the still then copied onto acetate. The photo was taken in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland in approx. 1998-9.
Hat, Vines and Pentacle hand drawn and colored by myself in felt-tip pen and colored pencils.
Words completed on the computer in Lucida Calligraphy.
Artist's Bio
The TemperanceAngel was born and bred in Australia to Scottish parents, and spent most of the 90's living in Scotland herself. Her first camera was a Kodak Brownie, at the age of 10. Photography has been a passion ever since and TemperanceAngel exhibited in Scotland and pursued an active and artistic career.
These days she is 32 and happily married (two years) to her teenage sweetheart, who she was reunited with after 10 or so years. They live happily in Australia, where TA is studying Naturopathy and working as a Tarot Consultant and Clairvoyant. Their plan is to open a Holistic Healing Centre in a year or two, which will combine principles of Body, Mind and Soul, practitioners (of all shapes, sizes and modalities), a shop (vitamins, incense, books and the likes), workshops, classes, community education, tarot (of course) and spirituality.
Go back to the project index, read the traditional card meaning, or get a free automated reading.
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