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31
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: VI. The Lovers - Crono & Marle
« on: December 13, 2011, 05:53:55 pm »
My opinions:
- There's no real way to realistically put Raphael or a Raphael-like figure in the middle of Crono & Marle, so I wouldn't worry about that. Feel free to prove me wrong ;D
- Likewise, there's no need to go over the top with the whole Tree of Knowledge stuff. I would simply bear in mind that this card is connotative of Adam and Eve, and depict the two in some state of, I don't know, pastoral happiness, emphasizing the connection between the two. If you want to put in the symbolism, maybe an apple tree can be part of the scenery.
- There's no real way to realistically put Raphael or a Raphael-like figure in the middle of Crono & Marle, so I wouldn't worry about that. Feel free to prove me wrong ;D
- Likewise, there's no need to go over the top with the whole Tree of Knowledge stuff. I would simply bear in mind that this card is connotative of Adam and Eve, and depict the two in some state of, I don't know, pastoral happiness, emphasizing the connection between the two. If you want to put in the symbolism, maybe an apple tree can be part of the scenery.
32
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: III. The Empress - Queen Leene
« on: December 13, 2011, 04:31:29 am »
Pictures are not the best quality; apologies!
And because this is absurdly cute.
And because this is absurdly cute.
33
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: II. High Priestess - Schala
« on: December 13, 2011, 04:19:02 am »
MOAR HIGH PRIESTESS!
Not as fond of this one, but it seems like it may be inspiring! It certainly has the right color scheme:
My favorites from the link I have up there:
And only because I <3 the William Blake Tarot.
Not as fond of this one, but it seems like it may be inspiring! It certainly has the right color scheme:
My favorites from the link I have up there:
And only because I <3 the William Blake Tarot.
34
General Discussion / Re: Fuck Sexism
« on: December 13, 2011, 03:57:01 am »I understand that it's sexist to have female characters scantily-clad while their male counterparts have full armor. I get it, okay? That makes all of the sense.
But what if the female character just doesn't wear armor? I'm going to go from my own stories to try to make sense of this to myself.
This reminds me of a popular response to the Bechdel Test: "But there are good, non-sexist movies that fail! Feminist movies, even!"
And they have a point -- there are excellent depictions of women to be found in some movies that fail the Bechdel test, and lamentable ones to be found in some of those that pass. But that doesn't mean that the trend is not indicative of a larger problem. And as writers, I think our writing can only be better for generally avoiding such generally harmful trends, except where the story absolutely demands that you utilize them (and hopefully, in such cases, you will use them in a clever and self-aware fashion).
Personally, I find that when a writer actively attempts to invert tropes, it can have the pleasant effect of stronger, deeper characterization. Of course this technique frequently results in tokenism, but certain writers have quite the knack for it -- Joss Whedon (for all his faults), for instance.
Honestly, ethical issues aside (and they are not to be dismissed or their importance underestimated), I just find most female character tropes dead boring. That's motivation enough for me to steer clear of the damsels in distress. (Who in their right mind would consider Ophelia more interesting than Hamlet?) That isn't to say interesting things could be done with the archetype, but in this day and age I've seen so many characters of that ilk (most of them terrible) that I can't think of very many. That would be my main reservation-- that the tropes are just tired out, uninteresting, and obsolete-- though I agree with most of your post in theory, Katie.
35
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: General Tarot Discussion thread
« on: December 12, 2011, 05:23:53 pm »
Hey RushingWind, if you are still game to do the poetic summaries, I saved a spot for them in the threads I made. =D
36
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: III. The Empress - Queen Leene
« on: December 12, 2011, 05:16:40 pm »
Ahh, I forgot to put in the Chrono references. Knew I was missing something! Thanks!
(And I didn't realize that no one had *ever* done a full Queen Leene. That makes me think that one of the cooler aspects of this project will be art of the lesser-depicted characters.)
(And I didn't realize that no one had *ever* done a full Queen Leene. That makes me think that one of the cooler aspects of this project will be art of the lesser-depicted characters.)
37
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: Cups Suit: Page of Cups - Janus
« on: December 11, 2011, 04:43:06 pm »
I'm quite fine with someone drawing Magus in a crinoline, though it wouldn't really fit the card XD
38
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: Cups Suit: Page of Cups - Janus
« on: December 11, 2011, 04:19:00 pm »
As a side note, the Pages are sometimes called the Princesses. So don't be too confused if you see cards for the Princess of Cups -- that's just a liberty that people have traditionally taken with the Page cards.
39
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Cups Suit: Page of Cups - Janus
« on: December 11, 2011, 04:16:41 pm »
Summary: *Reserved*
Symbolism: "A fair, pleasing, somewhat effeminate page, of studious and intent aspect, contemplates a fish rising from a cup to look at him. It is the pictures of the mind taking form."
(from tarotjourney.net, quoting Rider himself)
Keywords: Emotion, Intuition, Intimacy, Love, Vulnerability, Gentleness, Kindness, Sensitivity to Art
Reversed: Selfishness, little desire to create, a poor imagination, Jealous, Melancholy, Moody, Emotional
(From learntarot.com, tarotjourney.com & themysticeye.com)
Description: "As a Message: Usually the Page of Cups signifies a message of family matters or a matter of the heart. It might be an artistic message, a story or poem, or a message confessing deep feelings.
As Time and Environment: This is a time of fresh emotions, feeling them purely and wondering at them. Romance is at the stage of puppy love and crushes.
As a Child or "Child-like" Person: This is the daydreamer, head in the clouds, rarely paying attention. Which makes it difficult to get them to focus on homework or chores.
The Page of Cups has got a great imagination, an artistic bent, and a love of story-telling which is both wonderful, but problematic, as they may let their imaginations run away with them. They will believe that there are elves in the garden and monsters under the bed. Adult-wise, they may not be taken serious as they're viewed as too "airy-fairy."
Very kind and sweet, they'll bring you fresh picked flower, make you a card, write you a song; they'll try to rescue sick birds or abandoned kittens, and take very seriously the death of a goldfish. When sad, they're the saddest kid you ever saw. When happy, they're positively blissful."
(From Aeclectic Tarot)
Fool's Journey: The Page cards are messengers of their suit, often depicted as young men, children, or princesses. The Cups suit is the suit of emotion, imagination, creative sensitivity, and depth.
40
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: General Tarot Discussion thread
« on: December 11, 2011, 03:47:06 pm »
Also, we'll see what happens, but I'm hoping to knock out quite a few threads in the next few days. Anyone should feel free to chime in with their own sources, or make new threads themselves.
Apologies again to tushantin for accidentally ignoring his explicit instructions XD
Apologies again to tushantin for accidentally ignoring his explicit instructions XD
41
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: General Tarot Discussion thread
« on: December 11, 2011, 03:45:46 pm »
I also like what you're doing with it! The clothing looks very Zealian, & in general Janus very much looks the part of the Page of Cups. =D He looks mournful and wistful.
42
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / Re: III. The Empress - Queen Leene
« on: December 11, 2011, 03:44:05 pm »
Personal opinions:
- This is another easy one. Leene is already quite a bit like Venus, so all you really have to do is play up her Queen-ness. In the game she is less a Queen than a wife and inspiration, so I would personally do something to emphasize her authority: placing her on a throne, giving her the Empress' rod, etc. But her gentility and beauty match the card very well.
- Fitting the Guardia symbol in here would be really nice!
- The fertility imagery (wheat, etc.) strikes me as a little hard to plausibly incorporate. Maybe as a part of royal drapery?
Again, I'll post up some of my favorite depictions, and you can find other examples of the Empress card here.
- This is another easy one. Leene is already quite a bit like Venus, so all you really have to do is play up her Queen-ness. In the game she is less a Queen than a wife and inspiration, so I would personally do something to emphasize her authority: placing her on a throne, giving her the Empress' rod, etc. But her gentility and beauty match the card very well.
- Fitting the Guardia symbol in here would be really nice!
- The fertility imagery (wheat, etc.) strikes me as a little hard to plausibly incorporate. Maybe as a part of royal drapery?
Again, I'll post up some of my favorite depictions, and you can find other examples of the Empress card here.
43
Chrono Series Tarot Card Project / III. Empress - Queen Leene
« on: December 11, 2011, 03:37:28 pm »
Summary: *Reserved*
Symbolism: "A gown decorated with pomegranates, a crown of stars, a rod, a heart-shaped shield with the symbol for Venus, a field of ripe wheat."
Pomegranates are a symbol of Persephone, who was, after all, Kore the goddess of spring in addition to the Queen of the Dead. The Crown of Stars is another symbol of Venus, who has a celestial aspect as Aphrodite Urania, queen of the heavens. The field of ripe wheat is a symbol of fertility and relates to the goddess Demeter, and the rod is a symbol of authority.
(from Aeclectic Tarot & Syna)
Keywords: Mothering, Abundances, the Senses, Beauty, Nature, Action, Development, Accomplishment, Mother-Sister-Wife, Evolution
Reversed: Vacillation, Inaction, Lack of Concentration, Indecision, Lack of Warmth, Infertility, Anxiety
(From learntarot.com & themysticeye.com)
Description: "The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea time and space to decide on a form, the Empress is either the womb or nursery where it grows till it reaches a certain level of maturity.
This is why the Empress' symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things and gardens, as wells as sex and love. Venus is the goddess of artists, and helps them painstakingly develop their pieces from clay to statue, from first brushstroke to masterpiece.
Even so, however, the Empress has more in common with Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus, as the wheat in the background and the pomegranates on her dress imply. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, the great, fertile mother goddess. Yet at the same time, she can, in anger, withhold as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her."
In general, the Empress is an impetus for development & creativity, a symbol of growth.
(From Aeclectic Tarot)
Fool's Journey: "Having decided what he will create with his tools, the Fool strides forward, impatient to make his future a full-grown reality. This is when he comes upon the Empress. Her hair gold as wheat, wearing a crown of stars, and a white gown dotted with pomegranates. She rests back on her throne surrounded by an abundance of grain and a lush garden. It is possible that she is pregnant.*
Kneeling, the Fool relates to her his story. And she, in turn, smiles a motherly smile and gently gives him this advice: "Like newly planted grain or a newborn babe, a new life, a new relationship, a new creation is fragile. It requires patience and nurturing. It needs love and attention. Only this will bring it to fruition." Understanding at last that his creations will take time to develop, the Fool thanks the Empress and continues on his way."
(from Aeclectic Tarot)
44
General Discussion / Re: Quote Digest
« on: December 11, 2011, 02:11:35 pm »Quote
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
I normally shy away from the sentiments that you might see on motivational posters, but I like this one quite a bit: it reminds me that everyone is a universe, everyone's trials are (in one way or another) momentous to themselves, and that people are defensive about their lives because their lives are all they have. It's not always very much.
I believe there are times when you should not be kind, but as a rule, people deserve our charity. Life is confusing, tumultuous, and often very difficult. We should try to help each other fight the battles boldly.
45
General Discussion / Re: Stuff you LOVE, baby
« on: December 11, 2011, 02:03:42 pm »
I agree with Saj. Sexuality is a murky thing, but if you're looking you can certainly find signs of it pre-pubescence.
And anyway, I do know that some people who had even more explicitly sexual feelings as children -- there are plenty of stories of kids fooling around with each other and that sort of thing. It can't really help matters if you just ignore that children have a sexuality.
(Katie, I'll get back to your post in a minute. I misread your first statement, and for that I apologize. But I do have a few more points to make.)
And anyway, I do know that some people who had even more explicitly sexual feelings as children -- there are plenty of stories of kids fooling around with each other and that sort of thing. It can't really help matters if you just ignore that children have a sexuality.
(Katie, I'll get back to your post in a minute. I misread your first statement, and for that I apologize. But I do have a few more points to make.)