05-30-2016, 11:18 AM
I agree with the interpretation of the prostitute as a hedonistic inclination, though I think it is more than just hedonism. Rather, the prostitute represents anything that we see as an object to be used and discarded, whether for the sake of momentary pleasure or future gain.
Thus, the idea that this is a distinction between immediate gratification and delayed gratification misses the point entirely. The point is that you don't follow the maiden for the purpose of gratification of any kind. Instead, you follow the maiden out of devotion to her, out of admiration, adoration, tenderness, and awe.
It's easy to turn a blind eye to the meaning of this card, because we don't want to admit to ourselves just how frequently we perceive ourselves and others as an object to be used and discarded. After all, our society creates and ungodly amount of trash.
But it's important to remember that we all use ourselves and others for our own gratification. And, in fact, if both parties are consenting, then there is no harm in doing it. As Jade as been suggesting, consentual hedonism is actually healthy, as long as you are aware that you're eventually going to move on from it.
The male figure is blindfolded because he doesn't realize that his refusal to choose between the two ideologies (treating self and other as object, versus treating self and other with reverence and devotion) is frustrating him. There is no reason for us to attempt to choose until we are frustrated. Thus, the more quickly we give ourselves over to victimless desires, the more quickly we will find ourselves frustrated with our hedonism, and the more quickly we will be presented with the choice to transform.
Thus, the idea that this is a distinction between immediate gratification and delayed gratification misses the point entirely. The point is that you don't follow the maiden for the purpose of gratification of any kind. Instead, you follow the maiden out of devotion to her, out of admiration, adoration, tenderness, and awe.
It's easy to turn a blind eye to the meaning of this card, because we don't want to admit to ourselves just how frequently we perceive ourselves and others as an object to be used and discarded. After all, our society creates and ungodly amount of trash.
But it's important to remember that we all use ourselves and others for our own gratification. And, in fact, if both parties are consenting, then there is no harm in doing it. As Jade as been suggesting, consentual hedonism is actually healthy, as long as you are aware that you're eventually going to move on from it.
The male figure is blindfolded because he doesn't realize that his refusal to choose between the two ideologies (treating self and other as object, versus treating self and other with reverence and devotion) is frustrating him. There is no reason for us to attempt to choose until we are frustrated. Thus, the more quickly we give ourselves over to victimless desires, the more quickly we will find ourselves frustrated with our hedonism, and the more quickly we will be presented with the choice to transform.
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