Meaning of the Hold in Cupid’s Oracle of Love

Card no. 38

In love, there are no worse situations than those governed by the action of a hold. Indeed, when one of the 2 partners tends to abuse their power and their authority over the other and goes as far as frightening them, there is then very little chance that this relationship can end serenely. Quite the contrary, it is often the start of an infernal spiral, where cynicism and cruelty take precedence over the romantic feelings of the beginning. Beginning of a relationship where, of course, the real intentions of the future tyrant were well and truly masked and where their true personality revealed itself little by little in daily life.

Thus, little by little the trap is set, like the spider weaving its web, and when the victim truly realises the somewhat disturbed state of mind of their tormentor, it is often too late to get out of the tight spot, because the latter has already taken control of their life. A dreadful situation which, after mental control, can turn into physical violence… But it also happens, in less serious cases, that some couples take pleasure in this little game of cat and mouse, where each one tries to submit the other to their own wishes, so as to be better able to control them. Some use force and authority, others, cunning and patience.

This little unhealthy game, between 2 people supposed to have strong feelings for one another can only stir up strong electric tensions, but some revel in it, that is how it is. To depict the hold that one person exerts over another, nothing better than the drawing on this card showing us a cat, whose eyes are rolled back, scrutinising a frightened little mouse, looking for a way to avoid its filthy claws. All of it on red tiling, the colour of hell and of the sufferings inflicted there. This card is linked to the number 38, which gives us the figure 2 after reduction, and which embodies all duality between 2 people.

Keywords: Power – Submission – Tensions – Abuse – Spiral – Cruelty