The Old Woman symbolizes the hidden power of the subconscious mind, a quiet force that can guide us to higher wisdom—if we’re willing to listen. Though she appears passive, her stillness is a form of strength. She represents a stage of life when we withdraw from the noise of the world and allow the inner voice to speak.
The mirror behind her reflects the light of our true self. Her presence urges us to trust our intuition and embrace our spiritual potential. Society often discourages this rest and reflection, favoring logic and action, but without connecting to the subconscious, we can never truly know ourselves.
She is the deepest source of insight—one that cannot be defined by logic. Attempts to explain her wisdom often distort or limit it. As a symbol of deeper understanding, this card may evoke beauty or fear. It reminds us that there is more within than we allow ourselves to see.
The Old Woman also suggests that your life is in balance. You’re in a phase of harmony, confidence, courage, and transformation. She hints that something hidden is about to be revealed.
Her ultimate lesson: “Change is stability.” She teaches us to accept life’s flow—variation, growth, decline, fluctuation—as the rhythm of existence. Whether her influence brings blessing or hardship depends on how we receive her—with dignity or resistance.
Reading Gypsy Tarot with the Gypsy Language, Sanskrit
The Old Woman is known as 'atini-gaNita' (this word is known as Cigany, Zigeuner, Gitano) evokes the profound and intricate nature of Phoenician mathematics, a system known for its complex calculations and intellectual depth. This form of mathematics is not merely about numbers; it is an art that intertwines logic, philosophy, and spirituality, reflecting the vastness of the cosmic order and the pursuit of knowledge.
In the spiritual tapestry, the Old Woman is 'Arya' signifies exalted wisdom. It is a term used to describe those who have embarked on the path to enlightenment, embodying virtues and insights that transcend ordinary existence. The Old Woman, referred to as Arya, is a symbolic guide in this journey, representing the inner voice that leads one towards enlightenment and the unity of opposites into a singular, harmonious entity.
The Old Woman is number four and it holds a significant place in various traditions and contexts, symbolising stability and a foundation upon which the complexities of the universe are built. In the realm of the mystical, it represents the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—each a cornerstone of natural balance and harmony. The concept of caturaGga, derived from Sanskrit, embodies this quartet, its roots in 'cATu' denoting the number four and 'raGgA' suggesting a spectrum or a guide. This ancient term is intimately connected to the game of chess, which itself is a microcosm of strategic paths in one's intellectual prowess. Caturanga, the precursor to modern chess, was an ancient Phoenician strategy game that mirrored the universe playing out in human life. The concept of caturaGga was embedded into the Bible as the The four horsemen of the apocalypse in the Book of Revelation.
The term "Apocalypse" is often associated with cataclysmic events, but its etymology reveals a different story. It derives from the Greek word 'apokalypsis', meaning 'revelation' or 'an uncovering'. The Greek roots 'apo-', meaning 'away from', and 'kalyptein', meaning 'to cover', combine to form a concept of revealing something that was hidden. The Greek word originates from Sanskrit, from the word apo-chadati and apocchad and it means to uncover, the lifting of the veil, uncuvering the secret Truth. This original meaning aligns more with a disclosure or revelation than an end-of-world scenario. It is closer to such a revelation as "I was blind but now I see". The word gained its association with catastrophic events through its use in religious texts, particularly the Christian New Testament's Book of Revelation, which details prophetic visions of the end times. However, the essence of the word speaks to the unveiling of knowledge or truth, a far cry from the doomsday connotations it has acquired over time.
