We've mentioned before about how much care we took to make sure that we designed The Chronicles of Destiny as a balanced deck, and as such we came across the concept of opposites quite often. If we had a card to represent male then we obviously had to have a card to represent female, if we had a pair of cards to represent a heterosexual relationship we should include another pair for a same sex relationship. The Marxist Law of Opposites states that everything "contains two mutually incompatible and exclusive but nevertheless equally essential and indispensable parts or aspects," more simply, you cannot have light without darkness. The theme of polarity underlies most spiritual philosophy, as we seek to reconcile and integrate duality with the unity of opposites.
So let’s have a look at our pairs:
So let’s have a look at our pairs:
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Here we have our two pairs of male and female, and within these four cards heterosexual and same sex relationships can be represented.
In these two cards we have maturity and youth, however it's not just the age of the person that is represented, but also their approach to a situation. The Elder stands for those with more life experience who provide wise counsel and are perhaps more wary, whereas Innocence reminds us of to embrace life with a sense of joy and wonder.
As well as the seasonal quartet in our supporting cast, we also have these two lovely ladies to act as timing cards. Time Flies represents a fast moving time frame and Calendar a far slower one. The interpretation also depends on the placement of the card.
Both Distant Shores and Pegasus signify journeys, the difference is the expanse travelled.
There's a light up ahead! But is it a warning sign from The Lighthouse or a foretoken of good fortune in the Shooting Star?
We initially struggled to think of an image that signified financial loss. An empty vault? An purse with a gaping hole? In the end it was Shakespeare that inspired us (well, he had to factor somewhere in a literary oracle)! In The Merchant of Venice, Antonio is unable to repay the debt to Shylock because his ships are wrecked in the English Channel, thereby reducing his income.
This pairing is interesting because, although we were aware of their polar meanings, we'd never noticed how similar the images were until we put them side by side. One shows a time of difficulty, stress and sometimes strained relationships, the other shows good health, vitality and the healing of a rift in a relationship - but they both portray the influence of water.
"You are safe from the Baroness here; her forest ensnares unsuspecting souls, but mine is enchanted to protect them." The Dreamcatcher illustrates the differences between herself and The Baroness, one wishes to cause The Seeker harm and the other provides safety.
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These two pairs are the most obvious counterparts, and they tie in with each other. Sorrow can be felt with Downfall, when our plans have failed, and we feel Bliss in our successes.
Again, notice the similarity between the images. Interlude shows The Seeker drawing needed energy from their sword as they rest and take some time out, and in Resolve we see The Seeker infusing energy into their sword, preparing for action!
Not only do they represent opposite times of the year, these two seasonal cards also diverge in their secondary interpretations. Lady Summer represents celebration, a hive of activity and cheerfulness, and Lady Winter brings a dormant period, withdrawal and possibly a feeling of isolation.
Just as we mention that the best card to follow The Songbird is The Gatekeeper you'll find that, with some of these pairings, one is the "problem" and the other is the "cure".
Have you ever had a contrasting pair appear in your readings, or have you noticed any others?
Just as we mention that the best card to follow The Songbird is The Gatekeeper you'll find that, with some of these pairings, one is the "problem" and the other is the "cure".
Have you ever had a contrasting pair appear in your readings, or have you noticed any others?
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