My Inner Focus card for today is XXI The World. The image on this card shows a mature man and woman kneeling on a sturdy desk having sex. They are both naked from the waist down; he is sitting back on his heels with his knees together and she is in front of him, leaning forward just a bit with her knees outside of his. The man has one arm around the woman's waist, holding her back against him, and the other hand is around her shoulder and grasping her breast. The woman has one hand reaching back, firmly grasping the man's hip; the other arm is relaxed on her thigh and that hand is holding a mirror. They are both in a dark room, lit by one lamp hanging from the ceiling. Behind them is another desk that is covered by books and papers. Above and in front of them and hanging from the ceiling is what appears to be a gyroscope. The key phrases for this card are: spirit and body unite and intelligence and knowledge assert themselves, and don't look afar for what is right in front of you.
My Outer Focus card is the Knave of Chalices. The image on this card shows a man wearing nothing but shoes and a hat, sitting on a chair with a naked woman spread across his lap on her belly, with a sheet between them protecting his legs. Her knees are bent, the hand nearest to his torso appears to be in his groin (however the sheet prevents us from knowing this for sure) and her other arm is bracing herself. Her head is turned toward us, her eyes are open and her lips are parted. The look on her face is uncertain. He has a smile on his face and his gaze is on her buttocks. One hand is hovering right above her buttocks, which appear somewhat rosy as if he had been spanking her. His other hand is holding a golden Chalice above his head and he is pouring what appears to be red wine onto the middle of her back. Behind them is a table on which we see another golden Chalice. Above the table is a single lamp lighting the dark room. The key phrases for this card are: while both set out to enjoy pleasure with no holds barred and the woman is trusting, the man wastes energy.
The meaning of XXI The World is pretty obvious. Knowledge for knowledge's sake alone can be a waste of time and effort. Knowledge that is a tool for obtaining fulfillment is way more valuable. Connections are important as well, and all of these things can bring balance and happiness. We don't need to examine how we appear to the world because we are comfortable with who we are, both the inner Self and the outer Self.
In the Decameron Tarot, the rank of Page is called Knave. I see the Knave as being similar to the Jack of the playing card deck, representing a young Prince that has some authority for which he is not yet mature enough to wield. He is a student who is still learning how to use his rank and authority not just for the good of himself, but for the good of all. Part of that learning process sometimes includes being a selfish brat who misuses his power for his own pleasure. Our Knave of Chalices seems to embody this last concept. He has a woman who is open to having fun, but he is so caught up in his own process that he is not seeing that she is uneasy. Trust is important, particularly in relationships that include some kind of emotional connection, and perhaps our Knave will learn a painful lesson.
Today I need to learn from the Knave and not lose sight of the pleasure that others have a right to experience. I should facilitate a balanced presentation rather than only focusing on my own needs. I am at a place in life where I can relax and let others take the lead when those others are people that I trust.
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