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Whimsical
Tarot - Empress
Illustrated by Mary Hanson-Roberts
Written by Dorothy Morrison
US Games |
The Empress is the Old Woman who Lived in the Shoe
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,
she had so many children she didn't know what to do;
she gave them some broth without any bread,
she whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.
(I
have seen more recent, "Politically Correct" versions saying she
"kissed" them all soundly...as in many fairy tales, prettied up for
modern sensibilities)
The Old Woman sits on the stoop of her shoe, feeding a baby from a
cup. 2 children play nearby; 3 more peek out the windows. A cauldron
over a fire is partially visible to the right. The old woman is
matronly, with hair in a pompadour and an apron. I have a hard time
seeing that the children are hers, the youngest ones anyway; it seems
more likely that they are grandchildren, or perhaps she's just
prematurely aged by so much childbearing!!
This Old Woman, far from looking like she doesn't know what to do,
seems to have everything under control. A pie is cooling on the
windowsill, she's minding the cauldron, everyone looks pretty happy.
She's capable and competent as well as fecund.
One thing
that's always struck me about this rhyme...where's DAD??? Are these
all immaculate conceptions?? (OK, in this deck, the Emperor is Father
Christmas, so maybe he's busy. I'm guessing all the births in this
family occur at the same time of the year.)
Anyway, although The Old Woman in the Shoe works for me fairly well
intellectually, there is something missing for me in this card on a
gut level; perhaps it is the awareness of sexuality usually present in
an Empress. This Empress is as sensual as your mother. (OK, MY mother,
anyhow).
From the LWB (Not having the BWB)...
"Pregnancy, abundance, or prosperity; one who nurtures those around
her"
Blessings,
Janet
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