Description
An anonymous hand proffers six bright coins, the closest one glinting
in the light. The background is of luxuriously patterned fabric. The
photographic version of the card is trimmed with expensive lace.
Symbolism
The coins most obviously symbolize money or material gain, but they
can also represent other physical benefits, such as materials. The
coin or pentacle also implies work, skills or talents.
It should also be remembered that money is fundamentally a means of
exchange, a symbolic transfer of goods or services, storing the value
until it can be retrieved. On a larger level it drives the economies
of the world, with the loan of money keeping developing countries in
serfdom to the world banks.
The image of the hand can represent the power of God - the action of
the divine will, the presence of God in human affairs.The hand more
simply implies a 'helping hand', reaching out to offer help or
support, in this suit particularly in terms of career or coping with
work.
Card Meaning
This card is based on the RWS Six of Coins, with its core meanings of
charity, and financial gain or resolution of debt.
The orientation of the card could suggest either the hand of a donor
reaching out towards the querent, or inverted, that of the querent
offering to another. Generosity has its own rewards, and sometimes
what costs you little may be a great gain to others.
These bright coins bring a smile and a welcome easing of the purse-
strings, and the luxurious background and lace suggests wealth. The
prettiness of the coins disguises their true worth: these are old
and valueless coins - common, and worth little as either currency or
collection. This gift is no great loss to its giver.
The disembodied hand suggests anonymous charity, but there is the
unanswered question of who gives, and why. The coins might be what is
needed to pay a debt, but are they really free? Are there any strings
attached? Gratitude is not always the most comfortable of emotions,
implying an obligation towards one's donor.
Beware the bright and shiny lure of an easy solution, for it may have
a higher cost than you anticipate.
Artistic Media
This version was created in photoshop using a combination
of a photograph of my hand with old coins, and scans of lace and
fabric. The Magic Wand tool was used to select and cut the hand from
the background (after first painting it evenly white) then the edges
painted over and blurred to remove the 'cut out' look. The lace was
scanned with black paper behind it to match the dark background of
the card, then transparent layers of 'paint' added to soften the
look. Gold lettering looked less stark than white. The 'dodge' tool
was used to brighten the coins. The dodge tool and gold paint were
added to suggest the effect of light from the coins on the fingers,
with a lens flare effect adding sparkle.
Artist's Bio
Euripides has been studying Tarot for only two years, but more than
twenty years of fascination with religious imagery, mythology, poetry
and symbolism made the discovery of the Tarot feel like a kind of
'coming home'.
Originally trained as a printmaker, Euri is now an arttist and
writer. Usually working in pencil, charcoal and mixed media, this
small image was an interesting opportunity to explore computer-based
photocollage.
Go back to the project index, read the traditional card meaning, or get a free automated reading with this deck.
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