III The Empress
Interpretation
Sargent’s Madame X looks resolutely over her right shoulder, brandishing a sword in her left hand, poised to protect more than strike. She is both delicate and a force to be reckoned with, anchored in the physical world by strong limbs of stone. The feminine planet Venus is suspended behind her and a feathered ally rests atop the silhouette of the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
The Empress embodies both warrior and mother, ever-defending those she loves and the principles she stands upon. Awakened, aware, and confident, she has forsaken all ignorance and walks the road set before her with eyes wide open. She represents fertile ground as well as a cup that runneth over. Love and justice are one and the same to her and she extends both to all who cross her path.
This card signifies abundance and the importance of connecting to divine feminine energy. The coexistence of beauty and strength is a wonder to behold and The Empress wears them both well. Take a moment to embrace the beauty within and ground your energy in nature. Develop the practice of mothering — whether it be yourself, children, a friend who needs care, or a garden that needs tending. Be mindful of the sword you wield in defense of others as it is an important tool, but may hinder connection with the outside world and your inner-self if never put down.
Background
There are several works of art represented in this piece. The central female figure is Madame X—Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau—was born in New Orleans, of part Creole descent. Her father died in the Confederate army and her mother moved to Paris where Virginie became a Parisian socialite. Sargent wasn't commissioned to paint her, he asked her if he could paint her so there's that. She sparked desire.
She is rooted to the ground by the Hellenistic Winged Victory of Samothrace (many of my figures transition between 2 and 3 dimensions, simultaneity and transition are a central theme in this deck.
On her bare shoulder (vulnerability) she has an ally or as I just learned a Gamayun. A silent bird whispering prophecies in her ear, keep her informed of what's really going on, guiding her subconscious.
In her left hand, at rest, is a massive viking sword that was discovered sitting in a rock field in the mountains of Norway whole and untouched after over 1000 years. She doesn't struggle with the sword or threaten with the sword you simply know that it is there, always at the ready.
This assemblage is built in front of the silhouette of the planet Venus (thank you NASA) and it all floats upon a background detail taken from a JMW Turner seascape. Turner's seascapes perfectly capture that transitional space between land, sea, and sky where you're never quite sure which you're looking at. Turner's paintings were abstract before abstract painting was a thing.
