Tarot Comparison

NOTE: This article is not intended in any way, shape, or form, to insult, critique, nor lend any favoritism to the art of Tarot Card reading. No attacks are being made on the art, practice, or theory of Tarot: I only look at the card as a piece of art. I only compare the possible meanings to the character of Snape. I don't want any Tarot readers emailing me angry letters because I defaced their art. Nor do I want any emails from anyone who finds my consideration of Tarot as offensive and sinful.

Now, with that said, look at this picture:

Without knowing anything about Tarot, or what the cards mean, I was IMMEDIATELY reminded of Snape when I first saw this picture. Just the visual picture struck me as very potent and striking.

Tarot cards are seen as a means of divination, for they can reveal character analysis, glimpses of the future, solutions to immediate dilemmas, as well as a tool for mediation. They have been in use since at least the Egyptian times, as tools of the elite. Our own modern day playing cards stem from the Tarot: 52 cards divided among four suits labeled from the Ace and including the Jack (called the Page in Tarot), Queen and King.

But, on to the card. The card above is from the 1910 illustrations of Pamela Colman Smith. Each aspect of a card has very symbolic connotation based on the the store of universal symbols and myths, philosophies, religions, and magic beliefs of the human race. The card above is the Five of Cups. Five is the number of Mercury, ruler of intelligence; 5 is also the number of Man or humanity. The cups usually denote love and happiness, referring to water, a symbol of the subconscious mind, the instincts, and the emotions of love and pleasure, the good life, fertility, and beauty. It is the suit of the priest.

The following detailed information about the Five of Cups is from A Complete Guide to the Tarot by Eden Gray:

"FIVE OF CUPS

Wrapped in the black cloak of despair, the figure contemplates the three spilled cups as the wine of pleasure sinks into the ground. Two more cups behind him remain to be taken, but he ignores them. In the distance a bridge leads to a small castle. The river is the stream of the subconscious.

Divinatory Meaning: Disappointment. Sorrow in those things from which pleasure was expected. Disillusionments in love. Marriage broken up. loss of friendship. Vain regret; loss, but with something left over.

Reversed: Return of enjoyment. New alliances formed. Return of an old friend or loved one. Hopeful expectations."

I find several possibilities in this interpretation. Many things we know (a sorrowful life, for example) are plain in the card's symbolic images.

However, this is more potent as a sample of possibilities. Because we have only five books out of seven, there are fan's individual interpretations of his character. For example, I have seen in fanfictions (mainly) how Snape is characterized as a man who is behind his pleasures, as what would be symbolized in the picture. Also, those who theorize an unrequited love, broken marriage (I for one personally believe Snape was\is married), this card suggests the possibility.

It is amazing to me that one image can bring forth such relevant (yet still unfounded) possibilities. I am not suggesting Rowling took this card as inspiration, but because the Tarot is based on universal symbols, it could be suggesting that Snape can be a conglomerate of symbols -- perhaps the archetypical man who has suffered and has no hope. Still, to see this image among a collection of ancient images elevates Snape as a viable and truthful representation of an aspect of humanity.

There are other interpretations of the card, which are equally stunning. I like them all.

Any comments, thoughts, or if you want to send your condemning email anyway, I'll take them at [email protected].