The tarot (/ˈtæroʊ/, first known as trionfi and later as tarocchi or tarock) is a 600-year-old tradition pack of playing cards, used from the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play games such as Italian tarocchini, French tarot and Austrian Königrufen, many of which are still played today. In the late 18th century, some tarot decks began to be used for divination via tarot card reading and cartomancy leading to custom decks developed for such occult purposes.
In today's mind, tarot is indelibly associated with divination, fortune telling, or cartomancy. Tarot was not invented as a mystical or magical tool of divination. The association of the tarot with cartomantic practice is coincident with its uptake by Freemasons as a fountain of eternal, divine wisdom. Tarot evolves alongside art and culture and today, tarot decks have also increasingly become more personal, and occasionally political, while reflecting a greater diversity. I have previously seen some Venetian Art Tarot decks and I am forever so drawn into the mysterious world and endless possibilities of Tarot, so I thought I might do a card or two using my photographs...
Justice is a Major Arcana Tarot card, numbered either VIII or XI, depending on the deck.
This portrait is actually a street portrait done using natural lighting only, on a busy street in Venice during Carnevale 2020, with the masked costumer standing at the entrance of a dark tunnel. A grunge overlay is then added during post processing to give it a more dramatic effect. Gotta have that 18th Century Venetian feel to it. The Bling-Bling stuff around the crown is added to give the photo that extra little kick because many of my Venetian model friends love all these Bling-Bling crystals kinda stuff...
This is certainly one of my favourite Venetian portraits of all time and it looks fabulous when printed on fine art photographic paper...
The Justice card in Tarot is about reason, truth, and, of course justice. This is the card about cold, objective balance. It's also about moderation in all things, as well as the realities of karma. If you're not keeping the scales balanced, there could be some fallout. The basic symbols of this card include a judge-like figure, sometimes blindfolded, either sitting or standing, with scales in his left hand and an upraised sword in the other hand.
The Justice card in a Tarot love reading is a portent of true, honest love. If you're single, it could mean that someone with a background in the law is coming into your life. If you're in a relationship, the Justice card will shine a light on the actions of you and your partner. Are you both acting in a fair and just manner?
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