Marcus Katz speculates in his Secrets of the Rider-Waite-Smith that at the time of painting the card, the artist had the opportunity to watch a lunar eclipse, and that this is what she's depicting here. I don't know. It's possible.
I see something else here - a river passing, ford, how do you call it in English? The man is walking from smooth area towards more difficult terrain, and he crossed a river in order to do so. I see waterfalls in the background, which means the man is walking against the flow of the water.
It's a person that turned their back to pleasure, easy life, the flow of their emotions. A bit like Hercules, they decide to climb upwards, towards hardship, loneliness and challenges.
The decision to do so is new and fresh - that's my association when I see the red boots and cloak. The person didn't put much distance between the tempting cups of joy and pleasure and him/herself. We'll have to see how long the determination lasts. It's a long climb, and a long journey into the unknown. A card of courage born from deep dissatisfaction.
Astrologically, we have here Saturn ruling Pisces. Pisces would go with the water's flow, but Saturn forces them to seek a more difficult path. Saturn is darkness, pressure, a strong will, and melancholy.
All this sits really weirdly with Hod, the sephira of the cards numbered Eight. I guess that's why neither Thoth nor RWS give even a little nod to Hod
Logical Hod, ruled by Mercury, would solve the problems weighing on this person's heart in a much more verbal, active manner. But Saturn hovers too strongly here, there's no room for Mercury.
That's how I see this card. Getting his feet a bit wet wouldn't deter this person from his/her decision.
