A warm thanks to those who aided us in deciphering the previous “Wheel” puzzle. Using the information contained therein, we have managed to decipher the true intent of the “Thunder’s Consort” card as played during the American Spiritualist period. We have also completed some additional research on the Thunder’s Consort which may prove interesting:
Thunder’s Consort is perhaps the most naturalistic and pagan of the masks. Her symbolism ties back to ancient, primordial forces of nature and the wrath of storms. Human history and mythology is filled with the deification of storms, thunder, and lightning. However, in comparing the relative nature of these deities, certain themes emerge.
Storm and thunder gods are often deified as masculine, destructive forces. Thunder’s Consort stands in compliment and contrast to this trend, being at once a being of anger, wrath, and lightning, but also standing apart from it, as a companion, and perhaps mollifying force. She is often pictured and described as having one arm outstretched, beckoning to another, whether it be to the viewer or another mask. Her role therefore seems to be at once Peacemaker and Arbiter, wrathful, yet serene.
This leads us to conclude that she harkens back to the ancient past of human history when matriarchy was more common and primordial forces more highly revered. As a Crownbearer we think that she would signify modern society taking steps towards a more archaic state; she beckons mankind to return to a simpler time, when men still feared and respected Mother Nature. Ironically, many people would likely see this reversion as progress.