2 of Pentacles (RWS)

[Joan Marie]

Fun or not so fun?

I guess it would depend a bit on my mood, but sometimes the guy here looks like he's having fun and sometimes it looks a bit forced. Kind of like when you have to do a Team Building exercise at work, is it fun or is it forced fun? Or family gatherings are like this sometimes, where the answer to every half-hearted inquiry about your well-being from a gossipy elderly Aunt is answered with a resounding "Great!".

Yes, everything is just GREAT!.

This is an infinite dance, a dance of inauthenticity, where we expertly juggle topics in an endless loop while in the background the waves roil and crest and toss ships about like the gods are playing dice with them.

This card is a performance given to save face or distract from something, maybe something embarrassing.

Waite describes the infinity symbol here as "an endless cord like the number 8 reversed." (reversed?)
The infinity symbol also appears on the Strength card (number 8!).

Could he be making a reference to it here implying that this chubby red guy is the opposite of strength, lacking character and conviction, unsure of himself and who he is?

He goes on to say that although the image of the 2 of Pentacles portrays a kind of gaiety and fun, it is also about obstacles, agitation, trouble and embroilment.

The other card with the infinity symbol is the Magician. And isn't the magician a bit about sleight of hand, I think more so in the Tarot de Marseille, but in the RWS too? Like maybe this guy on the 2 of Pents is trying to distract us with his juggling from the tempestuous seas in the background.

What are your thoughts? Are there any symbols or connection here that make sense to you?

[Nemia]

I always look at the picture AND think of the esoteric correspondences of a card.

With a 2 we're in Chochmah, intelligence, insight, a very high sephira that is associated with the whole zodiac (I don't include the modern planets in the kabbalistic correspondences). That's where the lemniskate may have come from, the infinity symbol.

The down to Earth energy of the Pentacles turns the symbol of infinity into a tool that can be used, as opposed to the trumps who present it as concept - unlimited power and control of the Magician, unlimited potential for courage and and kindness in Temperance.

The cardinal energy is very strong in the number Two, it's the cardinal card of the cardinal sign. And we're in Earth - Capricorn, stubborn, strong, easily underestimated. This guy will be able to juggle longer than anyone expected. He doesn't know the meaning of the word "give up".

Jupiter rules this decan, and there is a little inner tension between the self confidence and serenity of Jupiter, the strong-willed climber Capricorn, and the sublime insight of Chochmah. It's simply difficult to get it all under one umbrella. Willpower will solve the problem.

I think the fun comes in where it's possible to do the impossible. Besides, it might be an inspired contribution of Pamela Smith who added her genius for little narrative scenes to the esoteric bare bones.

ETA: this is one of the RWS cards with a definite theatrical feeling. The background looks like a painted backdrop - the horizontal line at the bottom shows where the stage floor starts. I see this guy like an actor in a pantomime or charade - he lets us guess what he tells us. It's a learning card.

[Joan Marie]

The down to Earth energy of the Pentacles turns the symbol of infinity into a tool that can be used, as opposed to the trumps who present it as concept - unlimited power and control of the Magician, unlimited potential for courage and and kindness in Temperance.

I like this interpretation a lot. I understand it as taking the lofty concepts and putting them to practical use in life. Not easy to do.

The cardinal energy is very strong in the number Two, it's the cardinal card of the cardinal sign. And we're in Earth - Capricorn, stubborn, strong, easily underestimated. This guy will be able to juggle longer than anyone expected. He doesn't know the meaning of the word "give up".

I always thought this character had a "sturdier" look than most of the others in this deck. The others are all quite slim, even gaunt. I had always seen him as kind of chubby but that's just my modern eyes. He's probably the picture of health and stamina.

Jupiter rules this decan, and there is a little inner tension between the self confidence and serenity of Jupiter, the strong-willed climber Capricorn, and the sublime insight of Chochmah. It's simply difficult to get it all under one umbrella. Willpower will solve the problem.

Just lovely.

I think the fun comes in where it's possible to do the impossible. Besides, it might be an inspired contribution of Pamela Smith who added her genius for little narrative scenes to the esoteric bare bones.

ETA: this is one of the RWS cards with a definite theatrical feeling. The background looks like a painted backdrop - the horizontal line at the bottom shows where the stage floor starts. I see this guy like an actor in a pantomime or charade - he lets us guess what he tells us. It's a learning card.

That background confused me but I think you are right, it's like stagecraft, cardboard waves shifted back and forth to look like they are moving. It reminds me of this old Nick Cave video where they are in a rowboat in waves made of billowing plastic.




Stagecraft is all about making the impossible possible. And doing it with whatever budget you are given to work with. Yes, I think that it's important to remember that theatre influence in the design of these cards.

[Nemia]

Not all RWS cards have this horizontal line indicating a backdrop but when they do, I usually take it into account when reading the card.

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What will they find when the backdrop is raised? They're showing their happiness on stage - but is it real? What goes on behind stage?

For me, this theater feeling is a good metaphor for the character of the RWS deck. It hides the nuts and bolts of esoteric knowledge, with skill and charm and good reason.

[TheLoracular]

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I guess it would depend a bit on my mood, but sometimes the guy here looks like he's having fun and sometimes it looks a bit forced.

I have that experience too; sometimes the juggler seems to be engaged and enjoying the challenge. Other times, he's struggling or outright bored. I suspect this relates to both my mood and the person/situation I'm reading for.

Life is full of challenges and we're supposed to appreciate and embrace that. Easier said than done. The Two of Pentacles, for me, is a card about skillfully keeping your assets while navigating through change. Don't be a panicky hamster on a wheel, try to bring joy into your game of life. You've got this. Everything is going to be okay. But nothing is ever going to be perfect. Harmony often, but perfection never.

I think the way the figure has his back to the seas and the endangered ships talks about sometimes we just need to focus on our personal challenge and trust that "As Below, So Above" by taking care of our personal microcosm, synchronicity will see to the macrocosm. If we do our part, the universe will do its part too. That's one of my personal take away messages from this card.