Introduction
In her book about the Haindl Tarot Rachel Pollack states:

"Hermann Haindl created these pictures. Following his guidance i have interpreted them. Both of us hope and expect that each person who enters their world will find a fresh meaning."

This is one of the few cards in my beloved Haindl deck I'm not happy with. The picture shows a nude woman standing on the crescent floating on endless water. I think, Haindl got the idea from Botticelli´s famous Venus rising from the sea, but I don't agree that this picture and Botticelli´s Venus is the best solution for the Empress.

Description
The Empress is holding a scepter in her left hand while a huge snake is wrapping itself round her right arm. In the background on the horizon there is an open door with a bright light shining through. Above her head a symbolic triangle with an "eye" that is radiating light too. The colors of the water, the sky and the background are in grayish blue greens, very similar colors to the card of the High Priestess. The water topic and the moon are connecting the Empress very closely to the High Priestess. Too closely in my opinion.

Response
As I feel it the Empress is the "synthesis" of the first cards, the manifestation of the potential of the Magician and High Priestess. The task of the Empress is this, to bring the power down to earth, to celebrate creativity in nature, in sensuality, in childbirth, in joy, in beauty. I cannot find this expression in Haindl´s card. Besides that the body of the woman indicates sensuality by being naked and "round" and the snake in her hand indicates power and sexuality, the expression in her face tells a different story. She almost looks scared, at least overwhelmed, perhaps by her power, perhaps by the task she feels.

If I should be an Empress and the painter would place me onto a crescent into the ocean I would feel scared too! She needs earth, she needs solid ground under her feet to do her job. But seriously: in my opinion Haindl´s painting of the Empress is not expressing the core of the card as far as I understand it.

Mia

Miradji@aol.com