Well, that is an interesting message for Valentine's Day from the Decameron Tarot. If we are listing the Court Cards in order of rank, then in this deck the Queens are higher than the Kings; however that does not take away from the outer and active energy of our male-manifesting monarchs.
My Inner Focus card is the King of Pentacles. The image on this card shows a King and a Queen having sex in a royal-looking room before a large fireplace containing the cold remnants of a fire. The King is wearing royal garb and a crown, but is naked from the waist down except for his shoes. The Queen, who is also dressed royally and wearing a crown, has her arms around the King, her dress up around her waist, and her legs wrapped around the King's waist. He has one arm outside of her dress around her waist and the other arm under her dress, gripping a buttock. Both the King and the Queen have their eyes closed and their lips parted, as if crying out with pleasure. In the foreground is a table. There is a document resting on the table; on top of the document is a small colorful chest containing silver and gold coins, some of which have spilled onto the table. The key phrases for this card are: power does not waste time with courtship, and each side benefits with little risk but one party could lack scruples.
My Outer Focus card is also a King, the King of Chalices. The image on this card shows a King and a Queen having sex on a rumpled four-poster bed in what appears to be a royal bedroom. The Queen is naked and is laying on her ermine-trimmed robe. She is resting on her elbows with her legs straight up in the air and spread, her arm is resting on her scepter. The King is wearing his crown and a multi-colored gemstone and gold necklace, and his pants are down below his hips. He is standing at the foot of the bed between the Queen's upraised legs, with his groin pressed against her, fiercely gripping one of her breasts. The Queen's leg blocks most of the King's face, but we can see that he is grinning. The Queen is facing the viewer with her eyes open and her mouth open wide as she cries out. Before the couple on a table by the foot of the bed is a golden Chalice decorated with a band of gemstones. Behind them is a tapestry or curtain covered with images of red roses. The key phrase for this card is: seduction through refined technique equals a satisfying relationship.
Such obvious differences between these two cards. While the King of Pentacles is strong enough to hold his Queen and have sex while standing free, not leaning against anything for support, we are left to wonder whether this is about sexual ecstasy or a joining with some other purpose. The fireplace, with an ornate mantle held up by massive pillar, contains only a small pile of cold ashes. It may be massive, with a heavy mantle held up by massive pillars, but it is cold. The document on the table is held down by the chest of coins, so that we can't see what is written on it. While both the King and Queen seem to be experiencing pleasure, I'm not certain that this sexual act, performed while standing up in a richly styled room, feels very passionate. It is not unusual for royals to marry for reasons other than love or passion, so I am not particularly disturbed by the image. I do understand the source, because today my heart is hurting (for reasons thatI won't get into here). Sometimes you go through the motions of love when your focus is elsewhere, for very good and legitimate reasons. Perhaps you do it because you believe in the validity of the union.
The Decameron King of Chalices has a smile on his face. He, too, is standing, but unlike the King of Pentacles, he is not solely responsible for supporting himself and his Queen. Because he does not need to worry about them both falling down and maybe getting hurt, he can concentrate fully on pleasing his Queen to the point that she appears to be shouting with pleasure. Her arm is resting on her scepter, holding it in place, but it is not her focus. Roses have lots of symbolism, both in the Tarot and generally. Being given a red rose means the giver is very satisfied with the relationship. Red roses are definitely connected to Valentine's Day and romantic love. Roses also symbolism confidentiality or secrecy; the origin of the phrase "sub rosa" comes from Ancient Rome. Roses hung from the ceiling above a banquet hall meant that everything said at the occasion, even if under the influence of wine, was to remain confidential. In Tarot imagery, the rose can symbolize purity, the blossoming of magick or energy, and its lovely fragrance can represent illumination. The unfolding wisdom and connection to spirit that happens with careful tending that is symbolized by the rose is found in several Tarot cards, such as The Magician. The rose can also be seen as protective, through its thorns, as is often depicted on the Strength card. Our couple seems to be surrounded but reminders of emotions and feelings, as the Chalice resting by the bedside also represents those things. Not a bad place to be, surrounded by love, on February 14th.
Two focuses, two versions of intimacy. Both apply.
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