The Ouija Board

Muiris Doyle

It has been a while since Muiris has opened his doors like this. For the last few months, he has been communicating with the spirits for his own purposes, to get to the bottom of a mystery he seemingly couldn’t solve. The dead were more active of late,and he simply didn’t know why. Thus, his doors had remained firmly shut, and he busied himself  in searching for answers he hadn’t found.

But that couldn’t be the case forever. The dead may not be giving him answers, but they were loud, and demanded that the old man give them a voice. And so, he put the feelers out, and gathered the little crew that sat before him tonight. He’d gone to every length to prepare - the room cleansed, chalk circle on the floor (he would not risk breaking the circle again - he was still picking glass from the carpet). Finally, he was ready, and they were here.

Bill Barker

Bill is surprised to find himself here, in some ways. The last time he was involved in something like this, he had felt exposed and perplexed, but morbid curiosity drew him here tonight. He extinguishes his cigar, and takes a seat at the table.

Gilly de Leon

It had been some months past since he last foot in the room, though the dread never really went  away. Both seances have left him in vain, having received answers that not only failed to satisfy, but also served to raise more questions.

He casts a cursory glance around the room as he takes his seat, rather pleased to find familiar faces. Even the sight of Muiris is enough to elicit a small smile out of him. Still, he makes a vague promise to himself not to act as irrationally as with seances past, and he takes his seat quietly, resting his arms on the table with a feeling almost resembling an ease.

Eleanore Whittock

Eleanore hadn't expected she would ever attend anything such as this. But with the Dame, and the rather abrupt departure of her brother from London, it had felt as if she had nothing else left to turn to. She smiles politely at Muiris, but keeps her head down, not wanting to make eye contact with anybody she knows properly.

Cheria Fang

She is perhaps amused, to find herself here. Cheria does not think of herself as a mystic by any means, but her interest had been piqued nonetheless. She ignored whatever voice there was in the back of her head telling her to search for something. Answers perhaps. She didn't know. And she didn't care much either way.

Bill Barker

it is curious to see Ellie here. He wonders what has draw her through Muiris' doors - and if that spells trouble for him in the end.

Toshiro Hill

It is half curiosity, half cynicism that calls Toshiro back before Muiris. The tarot reading seemed to have settled under skin, burrowing in his thoughts. He didn't feel exposed, but the event kept his mind occupied until his feet led him here. Toshiro dips inside, silently settling in one of the last open seats.

Jacob Posner

He feels uncomfortable as he enters the room, blames it on the fact that this is the first time he's decided to participate, not because the idea of this thing terrifies him. Once upon a time, he would've laughed thinking about a seance like this but now, with what's been plaguing him, it isn't the case anymore. Jacob immediately takes a seat right next to Gilly, because if anything was going to make him feel better about this, it's his friend.

Muiris Doyle

“Welcome to my home,” his voice is tired, older perhaps than it used to be just months before, but still warm. “And thank you for coming here tonight. I thought, perhaps, we should cover some rules before we begin?”

Muiris nods, and continues. “It is important to remember that, like people, spirits may be good or bad. They may lie. They may mislead you. They may make promises they do not intend to keep, in order to entice you into making promises of your own. Or they may genuinely wish to help you. There is no telling which may be true.” He lets the warning hang for a moment before continuing. “The chalk circle offers protection, a closed circle the spirits cannot breach. However, we must do nothing to weaken it. Do not rise from your seat. Do not let the candle extinguish.” His eyes fall on Gilly, and he lets out a weak smile. “And no assaulting the medium.”

Gilly de Leon

The quip so very obviously directed at him elicits a slight chuckle. "Not unless it's called for," he mumbles under his breath.

Cheria Fang

Cheria cannot help the laugh that escapes her, her eyes moving to give Gilly a once over. Her grin is pleased as she makes eye contact with him, "Sounds delightful if you ask me."

Muiris Doyle

Muiris claps his hands, and the lamps lighting the room extinguish. The room is plunged into darkness. The single candle, standing proud in the centre of the table, flickers into light, the flame illuminating the faces of those in the seance circle, but little else.

But then, from nowhere, footsteps sound. A tall, shadowed figure steps forward from the darkness, its face concealed. It circles the table, slowly, footsteps echoing, until at last, coming to stop behind the seat of Bill Barker.

It begins to speak, and its voice is familiar. The accent is different - plummier, wealthier, without a hint of his cockney accent - but the tone is undeniably that of Bill Barker himself.

“Are you proud of what you’ve become?”

Bill Barker

Bill is normally the unflappable sort. He cannot remember the last time he has been taken aback. He prides himself on being prepared for everything - but it is clear from his face, suddenly ashen, eyes a little wider than usual, that he has certainly been caught off guard. He tugs at his collar, suddenly feeling constricted, but after a beat, he answers, tone carefully measured and casual.

“And why would I not be?”

Cheria Fang

She rolls her eyes.

Muiris Doyle

The voice that is like Bill’s laughs, cold and cruel. “I do not think I need to give you the answer to that.”

Eleanore Whittock

It is an interesting, though she's unsure of whether it's welcome, distraction to have the focus on Bill. It's strange, perhaps, to see him here at all - to see him outside of her own home. She watches him, because the focus is on him, and she seems to be allowed to, eyes concerned.

Bill Barker

Bill knows all too well what the voice means, but he says nothing. He cannot address it here, not with so many observing the interaction. He places his hands on the table, palms flat to prevent himself clenching his fists. He keeps his eyes on his fingernails, clears his throat, and asks his question.

“Have any of our investigations into the identity of The Ripper been correct?” the politician turns his head slightly, an attempt to catch a glimpse of its face, it is for nothing - the light seems to die in its orbit.

Cheria Fang

She does not pretend that she's not outright staring at Bill during the entire interaction. Of course, she ia allowed to in that moment without being judged. Perhaps she is too curious about a man she supposedly hates but his reaction intrigues her. He seems as if he wishes to hide something. She wants to know what that something is.

Gilly de Leon

For such a simple question, Bill's gesture is so strangely measured, and it arouses the professor's curiosity in no small way. He's almost regretful that Bill's line of questioning for his ghost turns to the cases. Only appropriate given the troubles in his constituency, he supposes, though Gilly doubts the sincerity nonetheless.

Toshiro Hill

He rubs his thumb along his bottom lip as he watces the interaction between the figure and Bill. He cannot recall the last time he witnessed Bill off-kilter, uncomposed. Perhaps it's never happened at all.

Stranger still: I do not think I need to give you the answer to that.

It would do him well, he thinks, to remember that.

Muiris Doyle

The figure leans in, looming over Bill. It is an imposing sight, seemingly stretching until the politician is dwarfed by its mass. “Are the victims of these crimes the only ones who deserve justice? Can you truly think of no others?” There’s a thread of mockery to its voice, and though there are similarities, it no longer sounds quite like Bill.

Bill Barker

The hands on the table ball into fists, and Bill, for a flicker of a moment, looks almost vulnerable. The feeling is all too familiar - the towering figure leaning above him, the voice devoid of any warmth. “Dad?” he whispers, soft and uncertain. But then, the cracks in the facade that is Bill Barker close, and he draws himself up, eyes blazing, jaw set. “Ghosts lie.” He repeats, more for the benefit of the observers in the room than anything else. “And this one has nothing of value to say. Let us move on, and hope the next one is of more use.” There’s a finality in his voice that indicates he is not to be argued with.

Eleanore Whittock

She looks to him, far more focused on the man than the words of the ghost. More than anything, she wants to take his hand, touch his arm, and being sat beside him, it's difficult to stop herself. Still, she fears that any public display of affection would be overstepping a line they are yet to cross, and so keeps her hands clasped on her lap, saying nothing to Bill.

Muiris Doyle

The figure laughs, but midway through, changes, becoming wilder, more unhinged. The figure moves, positioning itself behind Cheria. From the darkness, a greenish-hued spectral hand reaches out, and presses a hand to her cheek. It is cold as ice. ”At last,” it sighs, French-accented voice cracking, as though it hasn’t been used in years.

Cheria Fang

She takes pause, perhaps enjoying herself a bit too much at the unsettling interaction between Bill and...his ghost? If those were to be real in this room, so be it. She didn't think much of it, she would rather not think much of it at least. It's only when she feels the shift in tone, and that familiar feeling of someone watching her returns. Except, it doesn't hide away from her this time. Cheria chooses not to react, though her body freezes where she sits. She does not acknowledge the entity, she does not know if it is out of fear. She gulps, "What are you?"

Muiris Doyle

“They called me a monster.” It seems delighted with such a notion. “Le diable incarné. What name do you give me, Miss Fang, in your darkest of nightmares?”

Cheria Fang

"I do not give you any name. You are but a nuisance when I wish to find comfort." Her tone is firm, though she can feel her throat closing up on it's own. As if it were a built in reaction for her, as if she knew whenever it was around, she would no longer have control over her own breath. It was a privledge for her, to breathe. And only it would be allowed to gift it to her. "Perhaps I should ask instead, what do you call yourself?" She wonders if she could envision it better then, if she could understand who it really was.

Muiris Doyle

"I call myself an artist"

Gilly de Leon

An artist who calls themselves le diable incarné. Gilly almost wants to scoff.

Cheria Fang

She laughs, she can't help it. Perhaps it's the absurdity of the answer. But it also leaves her with even more questions in the end. "Oh, cheers then. Your work must be well known, perhaps I've seen it before?" She tilts her head, "Or is this all some terribly elaborate metaphor that I'm just supposed to interpret for myself?" She scoffs in disbelief. "What is it you intend to do with me? Because quite frankly, I am lost." She tries to ignore the feeling edging at her, but it was familiarity that graced it's tone. She did not know if it was coming from it, or from herself.

Muiris Doyle

“The same as the others,” it sighs, the recollection of memories evidently sparking joy. “You must remember what I did to them, do you not? How could anybody forget?”

Cheria Fang

Perhaps it was easier before, to remain ignorant. But there was absolutely no way she could deny herself now. Her face falters, for a moment. But it is not fear that fills her at it's words, instead it is an overwhelming sense of guilt. As if she already knew what she had done, as if she had been the one to make some grave mistake. "N-No. It can't be." She shakes her head, but she already knew. She tries to mask her emotions with a blank face, her next words, are cold. In french "And why have you chosen me? After all, I am not the only one who knew you that day."

Muiris Doyle

“I wanted you then,” the voice confesses, slipping easily into French too. The hand is placed on her neck, the fingers squeezing lightly, but without much pressure. It is toying with her, seemingly for its own amusement. “But it was not the time for us. It soon will be.”

The hand upon Cheria’s throat makes Muiris nervous. It is too direct a threat, and so, he intervenes. “That is enough.” His voice is commanding and authoritative. “Begone, spirit. Let the next come forward.”

Cheria Fang

She feels it, she knows that feeling all too well. She does not like the feeling that this encounter has confirmed something for her. Something she wishes to deny so vehemently. And yet, she has no other choice but to accept it. Relief fills her the moment it is gone, but her hands, grace her next delicately. As if she was trying to mimic it's touch, memorize it for herself. How could she ever forget?

Gilly de Leon

As Gilly watches his friend's expression become more stoic, he's almost regretful never having learned the language. If only he could understand, perhaps he could offer some show of support⁠—the best he can offer now is shooting her with a look of grave concern, eyebrows furrowing, as if to say, We have to talk about this soon.

Eleanore Whittock

Ellie barely knows the woman, but she feels herself leaning forward as the spirit materialises, looking quickly to Muiris, letting out a brief sigh of relief when he ends it.

Muiris Doyle

The hand melts away, and the shadowy figure dissipates, and the room is filled with smoke. Thick and black, but clearly a trick of the spirits, for it does not choke them as real smoke would, does not sting their eyes, and there is no heat that accompanies it.

From the smoke emerges faces - numerous and plenty, all people whose lives have been taken by Toshiro Hill. They appear, one by one, and, directly opposite him, the final face - that of his sister.

Toshiro Hill

He straightens in his chair as smoke fills the room, his heart beginning to race. It takes too many moments to register that the acrid taste he is too familiar with doesn't coat the back of his throat. There is no flame, no suffocation.

But his heartbeat still thunders in his ears as he finds one face after another. Recognition is swift when he has studied each to know their lives --- and to end them.

And then his sister emerges. Toshiro closes his eyes for a beat, then another. When he opens them, he keeps his gaze on his younger sister, imaging the other faces, the other people in the room, melt into the shadows.

"Who set fire to the Hill residence?" He wonders if she will even know the answer.

Muiris Doyle

When the answer is given, the mouths of all of the faces move in unison, but only one voice is heard - that of his sister. “There is no one man to blame. The fire was caused by hate and ignorance, by envy and fear. The flames were fanned by rumours and half-truths. There is no one person. And so you must punish them all.”

Bill Barker

Bill’s brows furrow at the comment. Interesting.

Gilly de Leon

The smoke arrives without the sensation of heat, scent, or burning. The lack of assault on his senses is unsettling, though not in the way he expects. Without it, there is nothing to distract their circle from the myriad of faces, attached to Toshiro in ways still unknown to him.

Gilly remains quiet, though by no means unperturbed. What is it with fire that takes so much of life away?

Toshiro Hill

Toshiro releases a slow breath, trying to ease the tension from his shoulders. Maybe he was too hopeful in asking for an answer that's escaped him for years. But what was shared instead leaves him unmoored.

Punish them all. But who counted in the all?

Taking another breath, he changes gears, asking in Japanese, "What is in your best interest now, sister?"

Muiris Doyle

“Justice,” it hisses, responding in Japanese too, and the eyes of his sister alight. With passion, with hatred, with a burning hunger. “The same as you, Toshiro. How many lives will be enough? What else can you do?”

Bill Barker

he sucks some air in between his teeth. It is too direct a comment - and he does not know how many at the table will take it seriously

Toshiro Hill

Then help me he almost wails, but the words remain trapped behind teeth as he turns his face away. It is not Muiris' rules that rings in his mind, but that of his father's warning of yōkai. He must be careful with his words, he must.

And yet --- this is his sister.

"Why should I trust anything you say?" There's no energy behind the words, forced monotony masking the desperation clawing up the back of his throat.  Because this isn't a question. Not really.

Muiris Doyle

Muiris gives a small nod of approval. It is gratifying to see that the words of the spirit are not being taken at face value - that the warning he issued is being heard. Ghosts lie.

The spirit seems less pleased. The brows of the faces furrow, and the words it offers in answer come in a chilling tone.

“What would you be if you didn’t?”

Toshiro Hill

Toshiro looks to his hands, running a finger over the faded scars. A breath, and then another. "There will be justice, sister," he says in Japanese, and he closes his hands to fists.

Leaning back in his seat, he looks at Muiris. "I have nothing more to ask."

Muiris Doyle

The smoke furls upwards, evaporating into the darkness and taking the faces with it. When gone, the single, shadowed figure remains. It turns, its head inclining towards Eleanore Whittock, and it begins to sing, a strange, slow lullaby.

“Oh, my friends don't you know How a long time ago There was a child Whose names I don't know?

And he sobbed, and he sighed And he bitterly cried ‘til at last he grew weary And lay down and died.”

Eleanore Whittock

Caught up in the previous conversation, most of it in a language she didn't speak a word of, her heart stills in her chest as a familiar tune begins. She leans forward, breath uneven, almost drawn in by the sound. "You sing to him." The words are quiet, an almost whisper, gaze not leaving the shadowed figure for a second. "You- your words- you're trying to scare me, but you sing to him. He isn't here." It's soft, what she's saying, said in a tone which begs for the spirit to understand. "Do you want to hurt him?"

Muiris Doyle

“No.” The dismissal comes after a short pause. “Not unless it is necessary to do so.”

Bill Barker

Bill shifts in his seat, and reaches out, placing his hand on Ellie’s and squeezing briefly before withdrawing it.

Eleanore Whittock

So focused on the words of the spirit, she barely feels Bill's hand. She certainly doesn't process it. Her chest feels tighter, and though she wants to ask about necessary, she can't bring herself to think of the circumstance for even a moment. She lets out a shallow breath and asks, instead, "And- me? Do you want to hurt me?"

Gilly de Leon

His hands ball themselves into fists, almost instinctively. When has it ever been necessary to hurt a child?

Muiris Doyle

“Sometimes.” There is no hesitation this time, and the word is spat with venom. The spirit, whoever it may be, it holds little love for Ellie.

Eleanore Whittock

It is, somehow, a relief to hear. A reason that she can make sense of. She nods, once, the tune of the lullaby still ringing in her ears. "What is it that I do?" Once more, it isn't defensive, nor accusatory. Despite everything, she's trying to keep her words steady, calm. "Why do you want to hurt me?"

Muiris Doyle

“You fail in your duty to the child.” The spirit admonishes. “You cannot keep him safe like I can. He does not belong with you.”

Eleanore Whittock

It is then, and only then, that Ellie's voice rises. There's a steel to it now, words coming from the back of her throat, eyes cold. One hand, where it rests on the table, twitches for a moment, like it wants to swipe at air. "He is my son. He belongs nowhere else but with me." A breath, sharp, but steady, "You can not have him." And then, almost mocking, she asks, "What do I need to do for you to see that, Freddie?"

Muiris Doyle

“Give the boy over to me.”

Bill Barker

“This is ridiculous,” Bill speaks sharply, locking eyes with the medium. “You cannot allow this to continue.”

Eleanore Whittock

"No." Her voice trembles on the word, the anger replaced by overwhelming fear, "He's mine. He's- he's ours." She sits back in her chair as she says it, though she moreso drops, repeating the word once more, "Ours."

Muiris Doyle

Muiris seems to agree that it is too much. Again, the words are spoken to banish the spirit from their presence. The figure is beside Gilly De Leon, now, and it reaches out to him, soft, gentle hands cupping his face. It is almost intimate - but awkward, oddly still and wrong.

Bill Barker

he can hear the tone of her voice, and he reaches out again. This time, he does not draw his hand away

Eleanore Whittock

She doesn't look away from where the spirit had sat, the melody playing once more in her mind. As Bill's hand touches hers, she looks up, looking on the verge of tears as she does so. She says nothing, but her gaze drops to their hands, almost in confusion.

Gilly de Leon

The figure's touch is a mockery of intimacy. He remembers the past seance, then, how Muiris has cautioned him of this spirit's deceit. "This isn't you, is it?" It isn't a question.

"If this isn't you, darling—" The nickname falls in his lips before Gilly can even register it. The nickname almost feels like an old scar buried under a patch of new wounds, aching to be touched again.

"Are you her husband? Her children?" It is only logical, if a little unnerving, to start with the people who have died with her. Did you know? "Is this why you've chosen to torment me?"

Bill Barker

Darling? Bill raises an eyebrow. So, the professor was sleeping with Rose Collins all along. It is the only logical conclusion, and the realisation brings a quiet chuckle from his lips. He should have known.

Muiris Doyle

“It is me.” The voice is firm in its confirmation, but tinged with something that jars with it - annoyance, perhaps? Frustration?

Eleanore Whittock

With him sat beside her, she hears Bill's chuckle, and her eyebrows furrow as she watches Gilly.

Gilly de Leon

His nostrils flare at this spirit's impudence. It's a ghost all too keen in to hide in the shadows, despite so many attempts at casting it to light. And so he veers away from probing at their identity, and focuses on their motivations instead.

"Why are you this angry at me? Help me understand," Gilly begins, his voice firm, unshakeable. He looks down at his hands for a second, evidently trying to collect his thoughts. Having pondered a little, he asks, “If I let you in, what do you expect? Revenge? Retribution?”

Muiris Doyle

“I am angry because you push me away,” the previous incongruous tone is gone, but so is the attempt at enticing Gilly in with gentle words. It’s speaking out of pure frustration now. “Do you think so little of me? Do you hate me so?"

Gilly de Leon

A sigh punctures the air. Gone is the fire in his earlier seances, his rage weathered down by frustration and real despair. Not when the Ripper has taken so much from him, and the death of the Dame is a case that remains ill-resolved.

"I'm tired," he says, simply. "What would it take for you to go away?"

Muiris Doyle

The hand is withdrawn sharply. Silence passes. “You cannot want that,” it hisses, in disbelief. “Tell me you do not want that.” It is a command, not a request.

Gilly de Leon

The ghost has lost its touch. Perhaps it has never been there all along. He has spent so long mourning that the memory has been lost. He misses, but does not remember. Whatever strength the ghost has had on him does not anymore intrigue, or surprise—one that did not haunt him in some tragic way, but only bother.

There is a long silence before he finally arrives at his question. Gilly fixes his gaze at the figure, looking at where their eyes should be. Then, a dare: "Can ghosts like you be killed?" 

Muiris Doyle

Another beat of silence. “No more than you already have.”

Bill Barker

There is no doubt in Bill’s mind now. Whatever happened to the Collins ws Gilly’s doing - the man is guilty as sin. Good for him.

Gilly de Leon

Gilly's face is grim, betraying little of the frustration building up in his chest. "I'm done with you," he says, with aching finality, his voice tinged with something rather like regret.

Muiris Doyle

The hand melts away, and the attentions of the shadowed figure are turned elsewhere. It takes its place beside Magdalena Clarke, and a hand comes forward once again, but this time, it is placed reassuringly on her shoulder, and as heavy and warm as the hand of the living. It is a gesture of comfort, and the room is seemingly filled with a more calming presence.

Bill Barker

Bill twitches, almost as though he wants to bat the hand away, but his face remains impassive, almost uninterested

Magdalena Clarke

She had remained silent up to this point, both to absorb all the revelations that unfolded and to prepare herself for the inevitable moment when the focus would turn to her. Yet when it finally did, she didn't feel steady, or confident, or sure of anything around her.

Her breath hitches audibly, and there's no room for her to scorn the unbidden open reaction, shocked as she was at the sudden onslaught of sensation. The hand is cold upon her shoulder. So cold its touch seems to sear its way down to her bones. It's tangible as well, and Magdalena can barely resist the urge to reach out and touch it. She straightens her back, attempts to preserve composure as much as possible, but she's visibly shaken. She isn't sure whether she's longing or dreading for the presence to speak.

Muiris Doyle

The voice that emerges this time is filled with the wisdom of the ages, and rich with affection. "I think you must have questions."

Magdalena Clarke

There are tears brimming in her eyes. Not only because, at last, she's speaking through the veil directly, but also because of the visceral recognition and familiarity she feels towards the presence. She looks down at her shaking hands, watching them for a tense moment while she holds her tears at bay and wonders about the presence. Could it be her father? Or was it a spirit unknown to her? What was their motive for revealing themselves and asking for her questions so readily?

"I do." She answers with a tremorous voice, leaning back in her seat slightly, dipping as closely into the spirit's space as she can. Her heartbeat begins to ease, her voice stilling as she says.  "I experienced a... negative response from the spirit realm recently," She glances at Bill despite herself, then forcefully wills her gaze to trail over the other people present at the seance, contemplating the way she's out to lay herself pliant and vulnerable before them. "Completely unprompted as far as I can tell. It was the first time something like that ever happened." Voice softening almost into a plea, she continues, "Why did the spirits overwhelm me that way? Are they angry with me?"

Bill Barker

Bill’s ear prick up. Was this what he had witnessed with her, when he had dragged her back to his office?

Muiris Doyle

“No, child.” it sighs softly. “They - we - are not angry with you. What you felt was not about you. Things are not as they seem. There has been a disturbance, and some of the dead do not know what to do with it.”

Toshiro Hill

Toshiro's brows furrow at the sight of Magda's eyes welling, corcern etching his features. He watches her glance at Bill, then over the rest of them, giving her a small nod as she reaches him.

Magdalena Clarke

An impulsive turn of her head nearly results in her setting eyes on the spirit, but she quells the motion at the last second. She's not sure if she'd be able to cope with laying eyes on them at last, only to be helplessly wrenched away by the boundary of silence that would inevitably wrench itself between her and the other side. Slowly, she turns back around, facing the table once again. Her shoulders sag with relief at the spirit's words, though her intrigue is quick to rear its head at the subtle inflection in the spirit's voice. Was that uncertainty? Hesitation? Doubt? She looks up and meets Toshiro's unexpected reassurance. She gives him a small smile of gratitude, then she addresses the spirit. "I'm glad that you're not angry with me." Another small smile. Somehow she knows the spirit will see it. "I've sensed that disturbance. Is it because of what's been happening in the city? Or... something that's yet to happen?" A pause then she adds. "Is there anyway I can help put you at ease?"

Muiris Doyle

“Clever girl.” The voice is proud, almost. “There is a veil between the worlds of the spiritual and the physical. And it has been torn asunder. I doubt there is anything that can be done by you alone to draw it closed once more.”

At this, Muiris leans forward across the table, clearly listening intently. The spirit confirms suspicions he has been holding. He will have to speak with Magdalena later - perhaps she is the key to the answers he seeks.

Magdalena Clarke

"But that's dangerous, isn't it?" She hurriedly asks, almost turning around again. She knows the spirit's running on borrowed time, so part of her isn't expecting an answer, yet she can't help but further the interaction with them. She's sought this moment her whole life. "I'm... " She sighs, an expression of frustration and regret alike. "I'm sorry that there isn't much that I can do. But I'll still try to help, as much as I can."

Muiris Doyle

It is on a lighter note that communication with Magdalena ends, but it does not last. An anguished scream fills the room, high pitched and painful to hear. The scream gives way to sobs. There is only one left who has not spoken to the dead - whatever entity is now with them, it is here for Jacob Posner.

Jacob Posner

He's spent the entire evening listening and with just that, his distress grew. When silence falls after Magdalena's last words, Jacob shifts uncomfortably in his chair, hands balled up in his lap. The sudden screams make him jump and if he didn't feel like there was something stuck in his throat, he would have screamed too, as loud, or even louder than that. His heartbeat picks up at the sound and in this moment he regrets coming here in the first place. But he's here...and maybe she's here too. "The way I've been lately, is that because of something I've done?"

Muiris Doyle

“Of course it is,” The spirit laughs bitterly. “You play your part well, Jacob Posner, but not well enough. Everyone will know what you have done soon. How many will stand by your side then?”

Gilly de Leon

The abrupt cries filling the room jolt him upright. Gilly's hand immediately reaches for Jacob's shoulder, hoping the touch would afford some comfort at this spirit's increasingly acerbic words, yet even he cannot deny his own intrigue. What has his oldest friend done?

Magdalena Clarke

For a dazed moment following the abrupt disappearance of the spirit she was communicating with, Magdalena wrestles with shock and disappointment. She still had another question to ask, and countless others if she had been allowed to voice them. But now they're left to wither within her like they have been her whole life. She didn't even get to say goodbye, or to know who the spirit was.

Her daze is shattered by the harrowing scream that suddenly pierces the air, and Magdalena's hands snare the edge of the table, eyes scouring the air for any tangible sign of the presence she senses. Then Jacob speaks, and recognizing his voice, she looks at him, brows slightly furrowed in confusion; an expression that only deepens at the spirit's words. She looks away, not wanting to put pressure on him, but she remains intently focused on the interaction from that point on.

Jacob Posner

The laugh sends shivers down Jacob's spine and the pain it causes him is greater than any weapon could ever give him. He's afraid of what the spirit might want to reveal next, liar or not—the threat is there. He wants to find comfort in the hand on his shoulder, he wants it to ground him but it can't. Jacob's too agitated, too paranoid to let it. "What—what have I done? Do I have blood on my hands?" He can barely get the question out, it's risky to say something like this in a room full of other people, people he has no idea if he can trust, but the need to ask is stronger than this.

Muiris Doyle

“You know that you do.Your hands are stained with red. That mark cannot be scrubbed away.”

Jacob Posner

"How do I fix this?" he asks, his voice cracking; he sounds desperate, drained of any and all energy and will to go on. He can't even look at anyone else anymore, his gaze is cast down, eye nearly closed and he's so close to tears, he can feel it. He slips into his mother tongue with ease, even though he doesn't have the chance to use it anymore; his family's gone and so is their language. But she'll understand, she'll hear him and she'll understand. "What do I do to make things right? he says in Polish and it feels like it's taken everything to do it.

Muiris Doyle

(in polish) The spirit sobs again. “You cannot. You cannot bring life back to the dead. You can only join them.”

The table begins to rattle then, violently, an unseen force causing the disruption. The flame suddenly roars, until the whole table is alight, though no heat can be felt from the flames. The figure disappears, and, without warning, Jacob’s chair begins to levitate from the ground, before sharply shooting across the room and hitting the wall, hard, the governor still seated in it.

Bill Barker

Bill swears, leaping to his feet, Muiris’ previous warning forgotten. He flings his arms out, one in front of Ellie and Magda on either side of him, shielding them from the flames.

Toshiro Hill

Toshiro's hand flies in front of his face; once again, there is no heat, and it's enough to quell the pounding in his ears. "What the fuck?" he shouts, pushing back from his chair to rush toward the governor

Jacob Posner

His head hits the wall first and for a moment, his vision goes blank—Jacob panics even more, which he didn't think possible. He can swear that for a second it felt like something pinned him to the wall, his feet hovering just a few inches above the floor, an almost transparent silhouette in front of him, and then just like that he drops to the floor, pain shooting through every single one of his limbs. Jacob grits his teeth and doesn't make a sound, blinking repeatedly to bring his vision back. "I'm fine," he mutters, though the words are barely audible. "I'm fine," he repeats, blindly gripping at the person the closest to him.

Eleanore Whittock

"What on Earth?" She watches the flames, and then Jacob, rushing over to him on instinct, "Goodness- are you alright?"

Magdalena Clarke

She gasps as she abandons her seat alongside everyone else, gaze swiveling from the flames to Jacob's body as it lay sprawled amidst splinters of wood. Her skin crawls, throat closing and head pulsing in a similar response to when she was overwhelmed in the street. She grips Bill's arm instinctively, leaning into his grip to try and gauge how Jacob is doing from where she stands. It's difficult with several people clamoring around him, though. "Is he alright? Can you see him?" She asks Bill, one second away from joining the others and checking on Jacob herself.

Muiris Doyle

“Enough,” Muiris stands to, holding his hands aloft, palms outstretched. “I banish all the spirits who have gathered here. Go, and leave us in peace.”

Slowly, the flames die. The lamps illuminate, and all is as it was. Muiris moves to where Jacob is, and offers him a hand. “Are you hurt?” he asks, softly.

Gilly de Leon

It's all too much, too soon, to process. The table engulfed in flames catches him by surprise, though no more than the chair next to him yanked away with a force so strong, enough to displace his hand from his friend's shoulder. "Jacob!" He yells, leaving his own seat with such frenzied rush that the chair falls to the floor, and immediately checks on his friend.

Bill Barker

Bill surveys the room. For a moment, he meets Magda’s eye, and his gaze lingers there for a moment. But he shakes his head, turns his back, and faces Ellie instead. “Will you let me walk you home, love?” he asks.

Magdalena Clarke

She stares at Bill, expression impassive with sour surprise that she adamantly refuses to acknowledge in the moment. She glances down and notes that her hand remains on his arm, so she lets it go with a shove, not sparing him a glance as she leaves his side and joins the others at Jacob's side. She bends down beside him, looking at Gilly and offering to help him carry Jacob out.

Toshiro Hill

The light from the flames exchanges for lights by the room's lamp, and Toshiro releases a sigh he didn't realize he was holding.

It reveals the number of people that have corraled around Jacob, and the shattered chair littering the floor. Despite the governor's insistence, slamming into a wall doesn't result in being fine. But there are worse injuries to face, and at first inspection, Jacob would recover. Physically, at least.

Toshiro takes a step back, offering space and another hand to help if needed. But as he casts his gaze around the room once more, eyes narrowing at Bill and then Muiris, he cannot help but wonder just what transpired here, and what would unravel once they all left the room.

"Let's walk home in pairs tonight, hm?"

Eleanore Whittock

Even stood next to Jacob, she's looking at Bill, and yet, her thoughts stray from nobody except her son. He's being looked after right now, rationally she knows that he's safe, but her heart won't settle until she's with him again.

Gilly de Leon

His eyes remain brimming with concern as Gilly reaches for Jacob, crouching down and grabbing his wrist and shoulder. He nods wordlessly in understanding at Magda, tilting his head and gesturing at Jacob's other side. An implicit invitation for her to mirror his actions so that they may carry him out.

His eyes remain brimming with concern as Gilly reaches for Jacob, crouching down and grabbing his wrist and shoulder.  He nods wordlessly in understanding at Magda, tilting his head and gesturing at Jacob's other side. An implication invitation for her to mirror his actions so that they may carry him out.

Face still grim, he spares a glance towards Cheria and mumbles an invitation to speak later. The night is early yet, and if the seance is anything to go by, there are many more horrors still to come. He's looking for answers now more than ever.

Jacob Posner

Carrington Bishop

The deep-purple of the stole looked almost black in the dim candlelight of the chamber beneath the church. Carrington looped the familiar, well-worn fabric around his neck, smoothing it so it hung without wrinkles or impediment over the embroidered white surplice that covered his clergy clothes.

Behind him, taking up the majority of the room, a circle had been carved into the stone floor. It had been here, beneath the church, for far longer than Carrington had been the overseer of this place. The circle's edges were worn smooth from the touch of countless hands over the years, but inside there were gouges - deep, violently rendered marks in the stone - that no human hands could possibly make.

In the very center of this circle sat a chair made of iron, secured to the floor with bolts - each as thick as a man's thumb - through the bottom of each leg. Heavy leather straps hung from the armrests where wrist and ankle would lie, and three larger straps were secured across the back.. All meant to safely restrain whoever was placed there, for their safety, and the safety of everyone present. Because while Carrington did not believe it was a demon that had possessed the person Lucian was bringing to him, the priest was taking no chances. So he had planned for every contingency, be it religious, secular, or pagan.

The room had been cleansed with white sage before Carrington had spoken a blessing over it, and again on the circle carved into the stone floor. Now he simply waited, praying for guidance, clarity, and strength for the task ahead.

When he finally heard the footfalls of someone approaching, he crossed himself once more and finished his prayers.

It was time.

Lucian Riviera

The thief strides with a hurried pace along the hallway towards the room in which Cora (and whatever has chosen to take up residence with her) is being held since their skirmish on London Bridge. He still bears the patchwork of bruises and cuts from the near-death experience, but the pain does not slow his step. If anything, it bolsters his resolve to see this through to its end.

Unlike a majority of the East End his concerns lie far from the terror that has left the East End sleeping in a fitful state of vigilance. The lucid paranoia that lingers in every glance at a passer-by on the street half-wondering if they know, or if someone they know will be the next to turn up. It is a different sort of fear that has settled in the Thief’s heart of late. The fear of what lies out of sight at their backs, sweeping through the filthy streets, caught fragmented in the glow of candles like moths, eyes blazing with fierce passions to claw their way back into an existence that is no longer theirs. Those things that have footsteps like whispers, whose very passing is a cold breath on the back of the neck.

The iron lock clicks, allowing him to step into the space beyond taking a moment to look at the unconscious figure kept bound within. “I’m sorry…” whether the apology is for what is about to occur, or everything that has come to pass in the lead up to this is unclear but the sadness steels into resolve as he walks forwards to grab Cora’s frail form and heft it over his shoulder.

It is not a long journey to the room in question, and as he walks in he notes the Priest’s form already at the head of the circle along with a few other figures present and ready to do whatever it is that is needed to right this grave wrong. Mindful not to disturb the sigils on the floor, he walks to the chair setting Cora down in the ancient iron frame and started the process of binding the respective straps in place. Arms, then legs and finishing with the buckles around her torso.

Kavi Fekim

There were few people that Kavi cared for and fewer yet that they would admit to caring for. Cora fell somewhere between the two groups. Though she certainly did not mean as much to them as she did to Lucian, she still held a special place in their heart. Her importance to them was only grown when taking into consideration Lucian's relationship with her. If there was something they could do to help her, they would find a way to do it. They found it a bit difficult to believe that she had been possessed by something, but Lucian seemed sure. And if there was one person other than themselves that Kavi trusted, it was Lucian.

Being asked to bring a focus item that was likely to have some kind of higher spiritual power and draw had been an easy ask, though deciding exactly which one took time. They had unlocked a trunk tucked away in the back of their closet at their home that housed their most rare and true items; items whose value was not worth the risk of keeping at the store. After consideration, they decided it best to leave out items with blatant religious ties. They didn't know what they were dealing with and they didn't want to risk giving the thing more power. Finally, they pulled out an old, tarnished sundial, one whose provenance documents (not falsified by himself, though copied to sell a lesser item) showed it had once been in place outside a temple of some kind in ancient Rome.

When they received the note, they headed off toward the church as quickly as they could. The stopped in the doorway for a moment upon seeing Cora strapped up in such a manner. Something about it sent a shiver down their spine, filling them with unease. Kavi walked to the edge of the circle and held out the sundial. "The item you requested. I think it should work. It has a compass on it as well. To help her...find her way," they admitted, showing the thought that had gone into its selection.

Carrington Bishop

When Lucian had entered, and Carrington saw the bound figure of Cora Edevane draped over his shoulder,  a small, genuine moment of surprise passed across the priest's face. It was only the expression that Lucian himself wore - a deep-seated sorrow that Carrington had never before seen  -  that kept his more terse comments from being spoken aloud.

Instead, he simply stayed where he was as Lucian readied her for what was to come. When the thief was finished, and had left the cirle, Carrington stepped towards him and spoke quietly. There was nothing but grim concern and sincerity in his tone as he asked, “Will you be able to withstand whatever happens here tonight? To her?” His eyes cut to Cora, bound and unconscious in the circle, and then back to the thief. “And not interfere? No matter what it says or does?” He had never taken Lucian for a weak-willed person, but even the strongest of souls had their breaking point.

After receiving Lucian's assurances, Carrington turned his attention to the newcomer, someone he didn't know personally, as they entered and - after a brief pause to take things in - presented their item. A sundial and compass. Exquisite and delicately made all at once. It was more than perfect for what was needed, and their reasoning showed the extreme care and thought that had gone into it's selection.

Carrington felt a bit tension leave his shoulders. He touched their arm in gratitude, and gestured towards the head of the circle, which was at Cora's back. "Will you stand in the North then? To guide her path?" It was still their choice, of course. But each one present would have a purpose and a place.

Lucian Riviera

The expression he wore was somber and something else that was hard to put into words, though it was replaced by a look of stony defiance as the final buckle was secured into place and he pushed up from the quarter kneeling position he'd been in moments prior. Turning to assess the circle in which he stood he noted the several other spots for other participants around the space.

Would they come? He could only hope.

Still, Carrington's question earned a flat look of simmering ire as though he even had to be asked for the answer to be known. "You don't need to question my commitment on this matter or my determination to see this through. I will do, and give whatever is necessary to set this to rights." His words and tone were terse, a tension rippling through his frame as he straightened, though a fraction of it eased when he saw another familiar figure step into the space. Of course Kavi was here. He'd never doubt their loyalty or aid with a matter as gravely important as this. "Thank you."

Kavi Fekim

Kavi had turned to the priest for a moment. They had never had need for a parish outside of tonight's events. Religion as a whole was something rather impractical to them, and certainly this one. Still, if this was the man who could get the job done, they would listen. They nodded at Carrington's instructions, though they did not heed them right away. Instead, they crossed over to Lucian, careful as possible to not disturb the detailed set up for the ritual. Though they had no use for religion, they did still have respect for it and of the occult and all things in between.

Lucian's anger would not help them any tonight and Kavi had the feeling they knew what really lay beneath the surface. Something more similar to what had Kavi's heart beating harder and throat tightening. They reached up and firmly cupped Lucian's jaw in both hands. "We will get her back Luce. We will," they spoke confidently, looking straight into his eyes. They wouldn't dare give voice to the fear that neither of them would ever quite be the same without her.

Lucian Riviera

Only a select few had seen the person that existed beneath the masks so often put up front by the thief. Kavi was one of those people, but even now Lucian tried his very best to steel himself. Hoping that it might stop the desperation he felt wrapping his heart from ringing out into the ether, to be heard and seen by whatever else might be present. Carrington had said as much himself, these things gorged themselves on the darker thoughts and emotions that existed in the world. None of them could afford to be dragged into those depths else what chance did they stand of succeeding?

Still, the pressure of Kavi's warm hands was a grounding tether onto which he forced himself to focus. Reaching up to grasp Kavi's wrists and pull their hands down after a moment. "I know we will." Failure wasn't an option he was willing to entertain and he squeezed Kavi's hands with a reassuring smile trying to force confidence he wasn't sure he had right now into the grim tightness of his features. "The others should arrive soon. Then we should hopefully be able to begin."

Carrington Bishop

He held Lucian’s gaze for a long moment, searching it for any hesitance, for any trace of a uncertainty, of a lie masked by fear and desperation. But the resolve in the thief’s eyes was no mask. So Carrington accepted it as truth, and nodded, his own expression holding the same resolute determination. He stepped away as the other man approached Lucian, to give them some privacy, and took a moment to study Cora’s still form. Her breathing was shallow and slow, barely warm enough to raise a cloud of mist in the coolness of the room. She was pale, thinner than she should be, and her clothes hung around her in filthy, mud and blood splattered rags. Carrington could see the edges of ragged wounds across her chest that looked like they’d never begun to heal. She looked half alive, which was being generous. When Lucian and the other man were finished talking, Carrington turned back, gesturing that Lucian should stand at the point of the circle that faced Cora. “Will you stand in the South?” he asked. “To cast light onto the path that will guide her home?” As for the others, two more were ideally needed, and if they were unable to make it, they would simply have to proceed regardless. And hope it was enough.

Zoya Fox

Zoya strides into the room just as Carrington asks Lucian to stand in the South, her discerning gaze taking in the horrific scene before her. An air of desperation hangs in the air, Cora’s appearance doing little to ease the mind. There’s not much she can say on the matter that surely hasn’t been said already, and instead gives nods of support and acknowledgement to Lucian and Kavi, her lips set in a determined, thin line. They all want her back, and the sooner, the better. “Shall I take the East then?” This, she directs towards the priest.

Polly Sheedy

Not far behind Zoya comes Polly, hurrying a little to keep up with the actress' longer stride. They have come together, and it is clear that Polly seeks solace in Zoya's shadow. They cast wide, worried eyes around the room, but remain silent, lips pressed together in a tight line on displeasure at the scene.

Kavi Fekim

Kavi leans their forehead against Lucian's for just the briefest moment before squeezing his hand tightly and heading to their position at the North of the circle. When two more figures join them, Kavi had mixed emotions. It only makes sense that Lucian would turn to those who had worked for him before. Kavi likes Zoya well enough at least. Besides, this is about Lucian and Cora. They push past their thoughts and turn to the priest. "Is there anything else we need before we begin? I feel comfortable speaking for all of us when I say we don't want to drag this out any longer than needed."

Lucian Riviera

Lucian pulled away the moment the echo of footsteps (signalling the imminent arrival of the others) reached his ears. Kavi took up their position and he busied himself with unpacking the item he'd acquired from Daphne's collection (left sealed in a box off to one side) until it had was required. Gingerly he pulled out what appeared to be an opaque palm-sized jar emblazoned with ornately interwoven sigils of a language few, if any, could read. He knew the story of what this was supposedly capable of but even he couldn't authenticate the veracity of the claims. Releasing the four latches that secured the lid in place he set it on a raised dais that stood just within reach of his southern circle before stepping into its confines. "I have everything I need..." he glanced at Cora before lifting his gaze towards Carrington. "Whenever you're ready."

Carrington Bishop

As more footsteps announced the arrival of two others, Carrington wouldn't lie and tell himself he wasn't relieved. Because the stronger the circle, the better chance that this would go well. "Yes, please," he nodded at the woman who arrived first., and gestured she should take the Eastern point of the circle. "To bring the air that gives the breath of life to all things."

The last person to arrive was one he recognized, and he nodded in greeting at Polly. "Will you stand in the West?" he asked them, holding a hand towards the final place around the circle. "For the water that renews and transforms."

He turned to the man whose name he did not yet know, and gave a small nod. "I won't waste precious time on extraneous details," he said, addressing all those present. “This circle creates a protective barrier between ourselves and what will be summoned, and it will also contain and concentrate the energy needed to complete the ritual. We cannot break the circle once we’ve started. That means do not cross the boundary at your feet, or step away from your position. No matter what it says or does. No matter what you see or hear, or think you do.”

He looked around, meeting the eyes of everyone in turn, his expression deathly serious.  “If the circle breaks before the ritual is complete... she could be lost forever. If that happens... " Carrington glanced at Lucian again, his expression relaying the terrible truth of what failure would mean. “... even death will hold no mercy for her.”

Once it was clear everyone understood, each person was given a candle and small box of matches. He explained what was to happen next, and how they were to answer once their corner was called. When that too was understood, Carrington nodded, and looked around one last time.

"Shall we begin?"

Polly Sheedy

they recognise Carrington, and though reluctant to move away from Zoya, they comply, taking a place in the gestured spot on the circle. They could barely keep up with what he was saying, apart from that they had to stay in that spot.

Zoya Fox

Before moving to her designated spot, she gives Polly's hand a squeeze. Taking the candle and the small box of matches, she says, "I'm ready."

Cora Edevane

In the chair, bound with leather straps and iron bolts, Cora still had not moved. Until something shivered beneath her skin.

Carrington Bishop

It was time.

“The circle has been cast and cannot, by any hand but mine, be unmade."

Carrington approached the edge of the circle and looked to the man who stood at Cora's back. He inclined his head in a formal greeting.

"I call upon the Guardians of the Watchtower of the North, Spirit of Earth and Guidance. Will you aid us in the protection of this circle?”

Kavi Fekin

Kavi found their place on the North point of the circle. When they took the candle from Carrington, they pulled a handkerchief from their pocket and wrapped it around the base of the candle before gripping it firmly in their names. It wasn't to protect from ash or wax as most would probably assume. No, this was a fine piece of linen with embroidered birds and the initials CE stitched into the corner. They could still remember the night that Cora had left it at their apartment, still remember how when morning light came, they chose to keep it as a memory of good night spent with she and Lucian, rather than return it to her. Their eyes caught on the flame of the candle for a moment until they were addressed. "I do," they said firmly, looking up into the circle, focusing on the sundial. "I bring...memories of a better time," they added as they ran their thumb along the soft material in their hand.

Carrington Bishop

Memory was a powerful weapon. Good memories, the kind that recalled the things, the people, worth fighting for, were more powerful still.  So Carrington nodded at Kavi, firm and resolute. "Then light your beacon, and raise your shield against the dark."

Rahat Zaman

They've been quiet the entire time, not exactly in their element when it comes to things like this, having only recently started considering the unnatural and unexplainable. They take instructions and stay in their place, watching silently, not daring to break from whatever directives they've been given. Had Lucian not come to them in earnest to talk about this, Rahat might not have been here in the first place, nor would they have known of the misfortune that's apparently Cora, someone they've only come to speak with more frequently since Polly's emancipation.

Beyond having some reason to be here, though, they don't quite know what they can add. Other than being lucky enough to have a few "benevolent spirits" on their side, they haven't any knowledge on things of this nature — only "basics" they've picked up from Magdalena, and even then, their discussions were rooted mainly in personal experiences and gut feelings. Whether or not said spirits can provide any tangible help, they aren't certain, either, but they're here nonetheless. Additionally, Polly and Zoya are too, and it seems wherever those two go, Rahat follows closely behind.

Carrington Bishop

He turned to the woman who had arrived first, and taken her place without hesitation. “I call upon the Guardians of the Watchtower of the East, Spirits of Air and Breath. Will you aid us in the protection of this circle?”

Zoya Fox

"Yes," says Zoya, striking a match and lighting the candle that was handed to her. She thinks of Cora's resilience, her unwavering loyalty to those she cares about. "I bring the determination to see things through."

Carrington Bishop

Zoya’s flame began to burn, and Carrington nodded once again. “Then light your beacon, and raise your shield against the dark.”

Determination was key. Without it, a difficult task would become harder still. And this task would not be forgiving if they faltered. But the Eastern flame, like the North, already burned strong and resolute. So he turned then to the man who had been first to arrive. Who had been the one bring Cora to him. To Lucian. “I call upon the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the South, Spirits of Flame and Light. Will you aid us in the protection of this circle?”

Lucian Riviera

Why? The question floated to the forefront of his mind as he listened to the others speak. Why had Carrington asked him to stand here? Where there was nowhere else to look but at what this entity had done to Cora? Serving as a reminder in his part in leading to this in the first place. Whereby his eagerness had overwhelmed any and all rational judgement when it came to the safety of those involved, justified (of course) in his mind as being for the greater good. For the greater well-being of the people of White Chapel. And for what? How many people would it take to bring this spectre to justice and what cost would need to be paid to see this put to bed for good? There were certain lengths and risks he was willing to take, but witnessing Cora's fire sputter on the brink of extinction was a step too far.

A long silence followed, before Lucian cleared his throat and straightened the match blazing into illumination and brought to the wick of the candle.  "I will," he spoke resolutely lifting his chin a fraction "bringing the chains of friendship forged over many a year to bind and cast out this darkness, to seal it in this vessel" he gestured at the glass container previously set forth "so that this spirit might be cast asunder to whence it came."

Carrington Bishop

Carrington had his reasons for asking Lucian to stand where he did. Not as punishment or penance. Because to face Cora was to bear witness to the full scope of what had and would happen to her. And while Carrington did not know much about the relationship between the Madame and the thief, Carrington trusted that Lucian - like the iron-forged tether of a friendship that spanned over half a lifetime - would not bend, or break, or recoil from whatever was to come.  He would be the ever-fixed mark, the light at the end of the path.

So Carrington nodded a third time. "Then light your beacon, and raise your shield against the dark."

Three flames now, three-fourths of the circle complete.

In the circle, for the first time since she'd been brought here, Cora stirred.

Carrington turned to the final point in the circle. To Polly Sheedy.

"I call upon the Guardians of the Watchtower of the West, Spirits of water and transformation. Will you aid us in the protection of this circle?”

Polly Sheedy

attentions turn to Polly, and for a moment, they do not know how to respond. They have watched, dark eyes wide and fearful, as Kavi, Zoya and Lucian take their turns to light a candle, and now the match box is passed to them, they freeze, a combination of nerves and anxieties swirling in the pit of their stomach.

With shaking hands, Polly strikes a match on the side of the box. It sparks up, but they promptly drop it, and it extinguishes on the stone floor. Their face flames with shame and anger, suddenly feeling the pressure and importance of what is being done.

Across the circle, their eyes meet Zoya's. Zoya, who has been a pillar of strength and support for them over these last months. Zoya, who was able to play her part in all of this so effortlessly. The reminder of her presence is enough to give Polly the confidence to continue, and knowing Rahat is there too gives them comfort. They would not let anything happen. And so, they take a second match, and strike it, and light the flame.

"I will," their voice is strong and clear when they speak, to Polly's own surprise. "I bring... Truth. And courage." They do not elaborate on this further, looking expectantly back to the priest for further directions.

Carrington Bishop

Dropping the first match would not harm anything. It was the perseverance to try again that mattered.  So the priest nodded as Polly's flame was struck to life. If truth was an arrow, then courage was the bow into which it was nocked. Both could exist seperately, but together they were far more powerful.

"Then light your beacon, and raise your shield against the dark."

Carrington’s attention was then drawn to the quiet figure at the back of the room. He acknowledged Rahat with a nod, hoping to convey that their presence was as vitally important as the others, though no questions were asked of them. For they would be the Watcher, and act as a witness to all that happened here tonight. And if Rahat brought good spirits with them, all the better.

With the formalities finished, and Cora beginning to stir, Carrington turned to the task before him.

Four flames now burned brightly in the dim light of the chamber below the church. Beyond the circles of candlelight, the shadows darkened, and  seemed to creep ever closer. Curious, almost, of those that had gathered in the dark and the damp. Carrington paid them no mind.

“This entity is a liar,” Carrington said to the group as a final warning. “It will lie to try and confuse you. To frighten you. It cannot leave the circle, so it cannot physically harm you. So any attacks will be psychological, and powerful. So you must not listen. Remember that: do not listen.” A small book now open in his hands, Carrington moved around the perimeter of the circle, his eyes locked firmly on Cora’s form, and began to speak.

“In the name of the guardians and watchers of the four corners, and the eternal flame of the watchtowers over which they stand, I command you to reveal yourself.”

Cora’s form went deathly still.

Carrington turned a page and continued. “'Whatever thou be until thou art removed, until thou departest from the body of this woman, and return from whence thou came, thou shalt have no power.  Thou shalt not stretch forth thy hand nor thy influence towards her, thou shalt not wreak evil nor malice before her, nor follow behind her.’”

Cora remained unmoving.

“For thou art unwelcome in this body. Thou hath no right to it or any other.”

Carrington pulled a vial of clear liquid from his tunic and thumbed away the cork.

“Thou art formless and immaterial. Thou art not flesh and blood and bone-”

He made a motion with his hand, and the contents of the vial splattered across Cora’s form in thick, heavy droplets.

“I command you to reveal yourself,” Carrington repeated, voice hard and unyielding.

Stillness.

Carrington pressed forwards. “- you are naught but ash and shadow. You shall be purged from the body of this woman, and reclaimed by the body of the earth, scattered to the four corners by the air, swept to the deepest fathoms of the sea by water, and burned away by fire until not even your memory remains.”

Another quick movement of Carrington’s hand, and more liquid arched through the air towards Cora.

“Reveal yourself!”

The reaction was immediate and violent.

Cora’s form tensed, every muscle straining against the straps that held her in place, and a low, mournful sound rose up from her throat. That sound rose into a scream that echoed through the stone of the chamber, and left the candle flames shuddering in its wake.

Carrington pushed onwards.

He did not stop when Cora continued to scream, or when she appeared to become lucid and begged those around her for help, or when her struggling became so fierce that something in one wrist made a terrible snapping sound. He did not stop when old wounds began to ooze, or when blood flecked Cora’s lips and ran down her chin. He did not stop even when she began to choke on her own tongue.

Tricks, lies, deceit. All of it meant to sway his hand, his will, and that of the others gathered. It would not kill her, Carrington knew. It needed her.

But it could not have her. Not today.

So he did not stop. Not even when it spoke to him, tried and failed to force its dark influence into his mind, his thoughts. Carrington acknowledged nothing it said to him. And if it spoke to the others present, Carrington was unaware. He was focused on the end that was so close now. So close yet so dangerous still.

Something moved around his feet, and Carrington didn’t have to look down to know what it was. Rats, dozens of them, had begun to flee the nooks and crannies of the chamber, their frightened squeals a backdrop of white noise against the final, penultimate moments of the ritual.

And when it was done, when there was nothing left for the thing inside Cora to bind itself to, when it had no choice but to obey a power greater than its own, Cora’s body heaved violently. Thick, black ichor poured from her mouth. It ran down her chin, her chest, splattered the flagstones, hissing like water falling onto hot iron. The smell of sulfur and rot permeated the air as the foul liquid turned to black smoke, and the hiss of hot ichor turned to whispers... to words:

We are beyond time… beyond memory… all that was, all that is, all that shall be. We are infinite… and we shall all meet again…

But the words faded as the smoke began to drift towards the jar at Lucian’s feet. Faster and faster it drifted, swirling onwards and inwards until the vessel hummed with the force of the energy it had seemed to swallow so greedily. Swallowed, but only for a moment contained.

There was a rush of thunder without sound as the jar shattered violently, scattering its pieces across the chamber floor. What was left of the smoke was benign as water vapor, and disappeared into the ether, into the dark. And with its passing the heaviness in the air began to lift. In the circle, Cora stirred weakly, and when she finally opened her eyes again, there was no darkness. Only her own brilliant blue gaze. Frightened, confused, and filled with a soul-deep, battle-weary exhaustion that would linger for many days to come. But it was her own.

And in the end, that was all that mattered.

Moments later, Carrington said the final words to close the ritual. Flames were blown out, white sage set alight to cleanse the room and all those within, and Cora was carefully released and given into the care of her friends.

Carrington made sure to bless the space once everyone had departed, and to erase all traces of what had happened there. Afterwards, the room was sealed once more, the iron key safely in Carrington’s pocket as he made his way back to his office. To write an account of what had happened, to pray, and then to finally seek his own evening’s rest, such as it was.

It was a violent thing, exorcism. Violent and terrifying and viscerally disturbing in ways that even those that had witnessed it may never be able to explain.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE KING OF SWORDS, REVERSED

The King of Swords tarot card shows a king who sits on his throne while holding a double-edged sword that points upwards in his right hand. The King of Swords radiates intellectual power, clear thinking, truth, and authority. He understands that power holds great responsibility. The blue tunic that the king wears is a symbol of his spiritual understanding. The butterflies on the back of his throne are indicative of transformation.

The King of Swords appearing in a reading suggests that you should remain objective in your current situation - you must establish truth by sticking to the facts. The King of Swords and his intellectual power implies that you will need to use your intellect to make your point known and attain your goals. Besides your experience and education, you should be sharp and observant, to see deeply into problems that come your way.

Because he rules over the suit of swords, he has a special connection to rules, laws, and diplomacy, which are systems of logical thought applied and manifest on earth. The King of Swords meaning also shows that you need to be stern in your role while ensuring that you have clarity of mind at all times. When judging a situation, you need to consider all the possible consequences to make an appropriate judgment. You will need to leave your emotions out of the judgment so as to maintain rational thinking at all times. The King of Swords meaning suggests that you should take time to reason with others and be candid with the observations that you have made.

As far as your personal life goes, the King of Swords urges you to use your intellect and logic to manoeuvre the path that lies ahead. You will need to confront the issue at hand and make a sober decision. The King of Swords implies that you should be able to look at any situation and make a decision with complete impartiality. He can also be an indicator of the high ethical standards that the King of Swords demonstrates.

The King of Swords appears to be a stern man. In fact, for many he is the archetype of the societal structures that unconsciously direct us to assume our place. The King of Swords asks us to examine how we might be limiting ourselves based on our own assumptions. Are you unconsciously allowing old, fixed views to colour your perception of yourself or others? Do you feel like you are limited, or can’t get ahead because the deck is stacked against you? Do you look at others that are different from you with assumptions before you really get to know them? All of us are raised in a world of assumptions. People fear what they don’t understand. People also find it uncomfortable to question a conclusion they arrived at long ago. When the King of Swords appears, he places you in contact with your own assumptions. Every now and then we need to challenge our assumptions in order to grow. Sometimes the assumptions that need to be released are narratives that you are unconsciously accepting from external society about how far you can go, and how much you can achieve.

The King of Swords is not an evil king. His real interest is preserving the security of the System. He argues that the way things are is far better than changing his mind. Sometimes the King of Swords symbolizes a difficulty with changing your mind about something that seems settled. Although the King looks fixed, look closer. There are butterflies covering his throne. This represents that systems can be changed; assumptions can be transformed, and old divisions can be healed through understanding. The King of Swords can change his mind.

The King of Swords is a part of us. The part that needs to lose its rigidity. In order to change fixed attitudes, you must understand them. The King of Swords represents understanding things more acutely, so that you can make reasoned arguments and arrive conclusions that are evidence-based. The King of Swords is at his best when he applies critical thinking and logical arguments. Sometimes the King of Swords appears in the form of a loved one who challenges your own viewpoints and assumptions. You will never win a full on “battle” with the King of Swords. He’s heavily entrenched and armoured. He can be a fixed personality, or he may represent an institution or organization that is set in its ways. When the King of Swords appears win him over with clarity, evidence and reason. This King can change his mind, but only if it makes logical sense to do so.

The King of Swords in reversed shows tyrannical, abusive and manipulative habits. It may indicate the misuse of one’s mental power, drive, and authority. This is an illustration of persuasion and manipulation, so as to fulfil selfish desires. Another interpretation is that you may also be a loose cannon, especially where there are angry outbursts and impulses.

If the King of Swords appears reversed, he is offering you knowledge, to overcome something that is keeping you stuck. Many times, we remain entrenched in something that is not working because we lack more information about what is truly possible. The King of Swords reversed may be calling your attention to fixed attitudes or opinions that need questioning. The butterflies on his throne now appears at the base of the card. This signifies that you have begun the process of discarding outdated, self-limiting thinking. When this card appears reversed it indicates once fixed perspectives are shifting. New possibilities are opening. Allow yourself to be flexible enough to invite an evolution to your own perspective. 

Card Two : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation.

THE FOUR OF CUPS, REVERSED

The Four of Cups displays a young man sitting under a tree on a mountaintop, far from others. He seems to be in contemplation and meditation. In front of him are three cups laying on the grass while another cup is being offered to him by a hand in the air. These could represent his worldly acquisitions (money, reputation, and image). The man has crossed his hand and legs, and he is looking down at the three cups, unimpressed, such that he cannot see the cup being presented to him by the stretched arm.  An angelic hand is reaching out of a cloud and is offering him a divine gift. Not only is he not open to accepting (his arms are in a crossed, closed position), he is unable to see it.  The man in the card isn’t happy. If the golden cups represent “gifts,” he already has three in his possession, and there is another on the way. He is not open to receiving because he has “closed down.” Look at his posture, he is guarding his heart. Some major pain from the past must have happened to him. His whole present is focused on how to prevent that hurt from happening again. As a result, he has closed access to his heart and to his ability to receive. He is lost in projections that aren’t there. All he needs to do is look around him.

The Four of Cups represents our tendency to take for granted the things that we have, making it hard for us to see what treasures the universe presents us with. We tend to have the answers to our troubles right around us, but we tend to focus too much on what we do not have. The Four of Cups reminds us see all the good things being offered to you in the present. Thinking too far ahead or dwelling on things long past can rob you of now.  This current moment is also loaded with abundance, blessings and positive energy. Are you being open to receiving it? Right now, is the moment to start seeing your gifts and blessings. Are you focused and worried about the future? Are you shutting down with a numb heart because of the past and you fear being hurt again? Is something distracting you from seeing the multitudes of miracles and blessings present in your life?

The Four of Cups tend to appear when you are feeling discouraged and unmotivated. You may feel as if there is no solution or way forward in your situation. Life has become stagnant, and nothing seems to make you happy or passionate. You are feeling apathetic - regardless of what happens, whether the day is good or bad, none of it matters to you. The Four of Cups commands a self-evaluation of your attitude so that you can pull yourself out of this rut. The solution is likely right in front of you, the hand is offering you a way out, but you release yourself out of your mental stubbornness and deploy a new approach.

You must search your motives, instincts and thoughts so that you can find your passion again. The Four of Cups revolves around finding your true interests and working towards fulfilling them. Our lives are short, and sometimes monotonous, but we must create meaning for ourselves. Our individual callings are not just there for us to find, but to decide and to imagine.

The Four of Cups urges you to accept, receive and open yourself to the good things being offered to you at this moment. Open yourself to all the good that occurring. If you shift your focus to blessings, more will come.

While in the upright four of cups, you may be suffering from apathy and ignore the opportunities that the universe offers you, the reversed four of cups signals the desire to have a new start. The sudden awareness of the transient beauty of life may strike you now, while previously you may have been too deeply disconnected from yourself to see it. You are coming to the understanding that though life is not perfect, there is beauty in it, and joy comes from choosing to see this beauty. Embrace new ideas, new people and new places; because you never know where these adventures can take you. Many may miss these chances because they are too confined in their own beliefs and ambitions. If the Four of Cups appears reversed it may be asking you to snap out of the illusion that you are alone. If you've been doing everything by yourself, or habitually refusing help when it's offered (or not asking for it) you may find yourself shutting down emotionally. This is a trance of feeling completely cut off, and not understood or even cared about by the people around you. The truth is that you can feel connected anytime you choose. However, you must allow yourself to be more vulnerable.  It may be time to take down the wall you've built around you and allow others in again. Maybe it's time to invite a friend to dinner, throw a party, or accept a kindness when it's offered. The meaning of this card might be as simple as saying "thank you" when someone does or says something nice instead of saying "no I can manage," while keeping others at arm's length. Nature is based on laws of giving and receiving. If you only participate in one, imbalance will most assuredly occur. Today, don't let your fears keep you from connecting and participating.

Card Three : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE TWO OF SWORDS, REVERSED

The Two of Swords symbolizes the confusion we face when we are forced to make difficult choices. In the Two of Swords card, there is a seated woman that is blindfolded while holding a sword in each of her hands. In the background, there is a sea surrounded by crags and rocks that serve as obstacles for vessels and ships, stalling progress and action. The woman in the card being blindfolded is a representation of a situation which prevents her from seeing both the problem and the solution with clarity.

The swords that she is holding in each of her hands show that there are two choices that lead in different directions and are mutually exclusive to one another. It may also depict a stalemate, which means that the problem should be addressed with a logical and rational thinking. The Moon positioned on the right side of the card signifies may signify the role of illusions and deception in the difficulty that the woman has in making a choice

When we see the Two of Swords in a reading, we are encountering a stalemate. Two equal and opposing forces are joined in battle, and there seems to be no end in sight. This wasn’t what you had in mind when you chanced to walk down this path, and you find yourself caught in the middle. Without something, or someone to intervene, this may continue indefinitely. We find ourselves in a situation where we must make a choice, we can side with one part of the situation, or we can side with the other. Neither seems particularly appealing, which makes the decision even more difficult. But unless we move past this stalemate, there can be no more progress.

The Two of Swords symbolizes making peace with the feeling of being “in between.” In between life stages, in between jobs, in between relationships, in between projects, in between moving situations, in between friendships, in between career goals, in between big plans, etc. The card advises you to find your center in the midst of the transformations swirling around you.  What feels uneasy or unresolved in your life? Is this “in-between” situation making you anxious about the future? Can you be at peace with not having everything completely figured out right now?

The Two of Swords is often related with balance and partnership. It signifies the need to keep your relationships balanced. Regardless if it is in business, friendship or romantic relationship, you may find yourself struggling to maintain the current state of affairs, and may find yourself caught in the middle. In regards to your work, you may be currently stuck in limbo and are perhaps waiting on another party’s decision. Remain patient and avoid pressuring people in making their decision abruptly. The Two of Swords meaning may depict a warning to have caution. Like the woman in the card, you may be choosing to keep the blindfold on, hoping the problem will just go away. You should avoid evading any issues that you are facing, since it will not solve your problems.

The situation we see in the reversed Two of Swords is a stalemate of a legendary kind, one where two forces are battling each other. This battle can be representative of both something internal or external, and you are forced to be in between and be the decision maker. However, because neither party seems particularly pleasing to work with, you may find yourself confused, the pressure is too much, and you are unable to make a decision. When you do make the decision, it will be choosing between two bad outcomes. Do not worry, the more important thing here is to make a choice, from then on, we can deal with whatever consequences come.

When the Two of Swords appears reversed it is time to boldly step out of limbo. If an aspect of your life has been suspended for too long, then it’s time to get things moving again. The Two of Swords reversed usually appears after a period of incubation, a time spent making peace with yourself. It is a card of precarious balances, between the needs of the world and the needs of the self. Now that a truce has been made with your deepest, creative, self it is time to act. Commit your energy to completing projects, tasks, and goals. Step out of indecision and reveal your vision.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE FIVE OF WANDS, REVERSED

The Five of Wands depicts five men all holding their own wands and brandishing them up in the air. Like with most fives in the tarot, it is about some kind of disagreement that is facing the querent. This disagreement can either be taken to be as a sign of conflict between the men, or that all of them are simply enjoying the adrenaline rush of this conflict, and that the competition amongst them is of a good natured rivalry, not anger. The relaxed way in which they seem to be holding their wands gives a sense that this argument may be one of show rather than a fierce one.

From the image on the card, the symbolism in the Five of Wands suggests that there is form of conflict in one’s life. This may be an existing conflict or one that is brewing and may eventually blow up in one's face. It may also depict a problem in communication, for example in a situation where no one really wants to listen to the other - meaning that no agreement or understanding takes place. The five men may signify problems in a group of people who are not patient enough to listen to what anyone else is saying. They only want to be heard, and since none of the others will listen, they all argue at once. The teenagers on the card do not have the wisdom that age engenders. They do not see that each is an individual, with their own combination of unique skills. This is represented by their distinctive colored costumes and designs. Each figure in the card has condensed his whole concept of self-worth on a game of sticks. This is all or nothing thinking, and it is very damaging to self-esteem.

Much of this can be solved by taking the first step to try and initiate communication in such a way that you suggest that everyone airs out what they have to say, one at a time. By doing this, you will be able to address the problem, and everyone will be heard. Meaning they’ll all be satisfied. The Five of Wands can also mean that you are or will be facing competition in an area that you are not used to. This a situation where you will meet people with the same abilities as you who pose quite a challenge - leading to feelings of jealousy, greed, and envy. This tarot card encourages that you accept the competition as a way for you to improve yourself without feeling any malice towards them. This means that you should learn how to cope with them in a civil way.

The Five of Wands meaning could also be a personal struggle that you are dealing with on your own. This can be on a number of issues that affect you, hence you need to address them and find a solution for them. You will need to identify where the problems are and offer a solution that will handle the case.

The Five of Wands traditionally represents competition, ambition, and struggle. It symbolizes the inner tension we feel when we are caught up in our egos, constantly comparing our “status” in relation to others. This sort of “all or nothing” thinking sets up impossible standards that can never be attained. As kids grow into adulthood, they carry this toxic baggage, feeling there is something wrong with them. No wonder so many adults struggle with self-esteem.

The truth is we each have a unique combination of gifts. You might not be the best at each skill and talent you possess, however, there is no person on the planet with your unique combination of talents, skills, and abilities. You don’t have to win at everything to be worthy. You are special, unique and radiate a beauty that is all your own. 

The Five of Wands reversed meaning can be that your natural method of dealing with disagreements is avoiding any kind of conflict by getting away from that place as fast as you can. Sometimes this can be regarded as a good thing, but other times, it may lead to a number of issues that are brewing up within you, for which you will have to address soon. On the other hand, it can also mean that you have worked through your troubles and that you do not have any more issues to worry about.

When the Five of Wands appears reversed it alerts you to anyone who may be projecting negativity onto you because of their perception that somehow you are “better than them.” People with wounded egos often look at others who project self-confidence or kindness as threats. To be kind implies that somehow you aren’t enduring your own struggles. This isn’t always the case, but insecure people often assume it is so. When confronting people with low self-esteem it’s important that you don’t let your ego get triggered when they treat in you in a less-than-kind manner. Immature behavior like this says more about them then it does about you. Keep being excellent for yourself. You will attract those of like mind and will repel those that you don’t really want around anyway.

Don’t participate in ego struggles brought on by the comparison game. There is no need to struggle or prove something to others who are obviously wounded. It's time to keep your eyes on your own paper. Be at peace with wherever you are at. :

Card Two : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation.

THE KNIGHT OF SWORDS

The Knight of Swords card depicts a young man who is dressed in his armor and rides a strong white horse into the midst of a battle. The white color of his horse is a reference to the overall purity and intellectual energy which motivates this young rider. The sky behind him holds stormy clouds as well as trees which are tossed wildly around by the strong winds. The horse’s harness is decorated with images of birds and butterflies. The cape of the knight is also decorated with those same birds.

When we are thoroughly obsessed by a certain idea and strongly wish to manifest it, we are oftentimes so blinded by the actual desire for its fulfillment that we fail to note the difficulties which we may come across, or the actions and consequences that it could bring. The Knight of Swords is a very powerful figure that is full of life as well as energy. This needs to be balanced with a proper and actual realization of compassion and responsibility. Once the knight sets forth towards his goals, there is absolutely no stopping him. He doesn’t see - and he doesn’t care - about any upcoming challenges. He is filled with sheer ambition, strength and determination to succeed with his quest no matter what. However, this determination could also blind him to see the potential consequences of his actions on others as he makes his way to success. He may charge forth into a very dangerous territory without preparation or actual foresight, and this could lead him to great danger.

The Knight of Swords is an ambitious man. He is always striving to prove he is a successful adult. No matter how much he achieves, he can’t seem to be happy or rest. The only thing he knows how to do is push ahead. Once he has completed his objective, he doesn’t even know how to absorb it. He is already rushing ahead to the next task, driving himself mercilessly to win, hoping that someone will acknowledge his value through deeds. Are you rushing through life? Do you stop to savor successes you’ve already achieved, or do you rush ahead to the next task?  Do you feel guilty about resting when there’s so much to do? Do you cram your day with so much activity that you feel drained and depressed?

The Knight of Swords reminds us that this is no way to go through life. In fact, it is downright harmful to your health. In this card’s imagery, the horse represents our physical body. The horse is uneasy, anxious, tight, and trying to outrun his rider. The Knight brandishing the sword represents the “cruel master” within. That nasty voice that tells us to shut up and keep going, even when we feel we are going to drop. “She worked until the day she died,” is supposedly one of our highest honors. But is your tombstone really going to be inscribed with all the hours you heroically put into your job? Is that really an authentic encapsulation of what you amount to? You must take responsibility for your own health and wellness by actually scheduling relaxation. Working toward achievement is marvelous, but as with everything it needs balance. Slow down. You aren’t living a full life if you are constantly cracking the whip across your own back to achieve. Balance work with rest and your body will thank you.

Card Three : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE KNIGHT OF PENTACLES, REVERSED

Much like the other court cards of this suit, the Knight of Pentacles revolves around work, effort, and a general responsibility. The Knight of Pentacles sits on a dark horse in a field. Unlike the other knights, who are always off on one adventure or another, this knight decides to stay home, and instead, focus on tilling the fields. He prepares for the next harvest - it is on this land that he believes that he can do the most. In his hands, he has a single gold coin. He gazes into it, and in his eyes we see a careful consideration. Perhaps he is dreaming of what it could bring him. The other knights may think he’s a little boring, but this knight is more concerned about the long term future of his kingdom.  The Knight of Pentacles rides the fields dreaming of the future. He is utterly disappointed with the present. The fields he surveys are brown, and don’t seem to be growing anything. How many more years does he have to keep pacing the same fields before they grow? In order to become a King, this Knight needs to demonstrate he can make a field grow. The field will never grow until he learns to be at peace with himself and the lesson the present is teaching him. Patience and self-acceptance.

It is also interesting to note that of all the knights, the Knight of Pentacles is the only knight to be seated on a horse that is not moving forward. This indicates that events are at a standstill. Although the knight is eager to progress he has to learn something important that can only be found where he is now, in the present.

The Knight of Pentacles is about the daily tasks and the responsibility that one has to gain through a specific project. This knight has the patience to accomplish all his given duties and is considered by others reliable and committed to his work. To see this card is an indication that there is a need to be trustworthy and reliable.

You are fully committed to your assignments and you make sure that you complete your work efficiently. You are absolutely loyal and do the best you can in order to make sure the job will be properly completed. Though your sense of duty is admirable, beware that it does not turn into perfectionism - which can manifest itself in every aspect of your life. The Knight of Pentacles can also represent routine, or the kind of general hard work that you go through everyday. The meaning of the Knight of Pentacles also advises that you should continue to do exactly what he is doing. Sticking with the tried and true methods, he will accomplish everything he has set out to do. Sometimes, going with what has already done is not necessarily bad.

The Knight of Pentacles represents a need for patience and perspective when our current life does not measure up to our expectations. It is a card that teaches us how to use setbacks as opportunities for personal resilience. Only hindsight will reveal just why something we hoped for or expected didn’t quite pan out the way we thought it should. Life has a way of steering us to even better blessings than the ones we expected. Has something you expected not panned out the way you hoped? Do you feel bad about the present because you don’t “have” something that you think others do? Are you able to honestly see that the game isn’t over yet, and there are still marvellous things in store for you?

The Universe has a way of providing teachable moments. The lessons appear in the form of recurring “setbacks,” that repeat themselves over and over until you absorb what we need to change about your mindset. You need to ask, “What is this recurring situation teaching me?” “How can I use this as an opportunity for resilience?” Perhaps the recurring situations are teaching you patience and self-acceptance. Perhaps they are teaching you about boundaries, or not needing others to validate you. Perhaps you just need to learn to be at peace with who you are in the present, with all your perceived imperfections.

When the reversed Knight of Pentacles shows up in a reading, the traits that were once positive in the upright position are now taken to the extreme. You may feel stuck in your own routine, and bored of everything that surrounds you. You may desire a change of scenery in order to avoid this tiring repetition. The Knight of Pentacles reversed could also indicate that you have totally ignored many serious aspects of your life. Financial or personal issues are often be neglected in favour of work matters when this card appears reversed.

You may be a driven and ambitious person who struggles to carry the weight of your responsibilities - so much so that you sacrifice your social life. Perhaps you can try taking more risks, or spend more time with friends and loved ones. The Knight of Pentacles reversed is a strong indication that you need to change this way of living, lest you risk burnout and exhaustion.

When the Knight of Pentacles appears reversed he represents managing your expectations. This card often appears when we are bracing ourselves for something that we “assume” is going to be bad. This card asks you to turn your expectations on their head. How could the situation you are dreading turn into an unexpected blessing? By confronting this situation what do you have to gain? Sometimes this card indicates that you just need to be more practical,  and not buy into assumptions without current evidence to back it up. The field in the background of this card may look brown, but there is magic happening beneath the surface. Seeds that are germinating will manifest into autumn’s harvest. Although the Knight may be impatient, patience is the lesson that he will find himself repeating until he learns acceptance of universal timing. Now is not the time to retreat or give up. What happened before and what will possibly happen later is not where the decisions must be made. Decide to be powerful in the present. This moment is where you power truly resides.

Accept that not everything you want or desire is going to happen right away, and perhaps you need to make peace with the idea that it won’t manifest in quite the way you planned. Sometimes things we don’t get in life are actually blessings in disguise. At this time, don’t judge your progress by how it appears in the brown, sparse fields of winter. Even in winter new life is stirring. Progress may feel slowed but this is an illusion. With patience, and hindsight, you will see why this situation took the turns that it did. Getting frustrated will not help your situation. Focus on how you can productively improve your situation practically, without laying your sense of security on unsubstantiated hopes and fears. It is never a waste of time to work on yourself while giving other situations time to straighten out. If something externally isn’t working out it’s a sign to place your focus inward.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE, REVERSED

The Wheel of Fortune is one of the most highly symbolic cards in the deck, filled with signs that each have its own meaning. At the centre of the card, lies a giant wheel, covered in esoteric symbols. There are different creatures that surround the wheel; the angel, the eagle, the bull and the lion. They are related to four fixed signs in the zodiac - Leo, Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius. These four animals are also representatives for the four evangelists in Christian traditions, which is why they are all adorned with wings. The rim of the wheel represents the external world with all its chaotic unpredictability. The centre of the wheel represents your centre, the seat of your best self. If you can find you way home to your centre, then the random things that occur in the world outside of your control will not feel as disturbing.

The books that each of the creatures hold represents the Torah which communicates wisdom and self-understanding. The snake indicates the act of descending into material world. On the wheel itself rides a sphinx that sits at the top, and what appears to be either a devil, or Anubis himself arising at the bottom. These two Egyptian figures are representative of both the wisdom of the gods and kings (in the case of the sphinx) and the underworld (Anubis). They are rotating forever, in a cycle, and suggests that as one comes up, the other goes down.  If you wrap up your whole identity and self-worth with what everybody “out there" thinks at the rim of the wheel, then you will be doomed to emotionally rise and fall with each acceptance or rejection you receive. However, if you can reconnect with your centre (symbolized by the hub of the wheel), you can remain cantered, without taking the chaotic ups and downs of life personally. When you operate from your centre life no longer feels random, and you can control the direction of the wheel of your life.

Staying fixed at the edge of the wheel can get emotionally exhausting rather quickly. Good things can happen to awful people, and terrible things can happen to good people. Some people win the lottery without having done anything to deserve it. Others get hurt, through no fault of their own. In life, events rarely go “exactly” according to plan. These occurrences are outside of our control. However, we do have the ability to control how we respond to life. We each can choose to let our best-self handle the situation, or the part of ourselves where fear resides. The Wheel of Fortune appears when it’s time to take random things in stride. Good or bad. Fair or unfair. Don’t take random events in life personally. All you have control over is you and your chosen response.

When the wheel is reversed, it means that luck has not been on your side and misfortunes have been following you. When it’s associated with this card, you must understand that these are due to external influences that you cannot control. Like the wheel, our luck and our fate is always in motion, and sometimes we are on the bottom. Be assured that the wheel will turn again, and you will be okay again soon.

It illuminates repetitive cycles, patterns and recurring life-lessons. Just as a wheel that moves in reverse brings a vehicle backward, so too the Wheel of Fortune reversed can take you back to an old life-lesson that seems to be repeating itself over and over. Getting frustrated at the repeated lesson is fruitless. The lesson is recurring because it holds the key to moving forward. Once you accept the lesson, and do the work on self-improvement, the wheel will begin to move forward once again. Surrounding cards may illuminate what this life-lesson is rooted in. Human lives are governed by cycles. Sometimes you are up, and sometimes you are down. The key is not to link your whole identity with the place you find yourself on the wheel at this moment.

It can feel frustrating when you eagerly wish to move forward, only to find that seemingly keep moving backwards. However, success is hardly ever arrived at in a straight line. The journey toward success bends, and curves and spirals. Like a spiral it sometimes looping back over itself. Sometimes you will feel like you are back where you started, with no progress being made…. but this is an illusion. Wisdom is accumulated with each cycle. Each time you revisit a challenge you know it more intimately and are able to see dimensions that were not apparent before. What you shouldn’t do however, is cling to the illusion of control. Perhaps in this turn of the wheel, the lesson is to learn to let go and release. There are things that cannot be moved by human will and action alone. When we do not let go, it can bring only more suffering, for you may blame yourself for actions that could not have altered the situation. When we learn to accept, we also learn to forgive ourselves. We learn to move on, and move forward - and eventually, we learn that this feeling of acceptance can push the wheel again forward, and move it towards a new cycle.

Ask yourself what the Universe is teaching you through the cyclical patterns you are experiencing. Are you learning about your true worth? Perhaps you are remembering how to reclaim your courage. Often, revisiting the place you are stalled to reclaim the part of you that seemed lost, is just the remedy needed to begin progressing forward again.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE FOUR OF PENTACLES, REVERSED

This card depicts a man who is sitting on a stool, who is holding onto two pentacles in a very defensive and tight posture. It’s almost as if he is hoarding them out of fear of loss. One pentacle is balanced precariously on his head, while another one is tightly clutched between his own hands, and there are two of them which are securely placed underneath his feet. He is making sure that there is absolutely no one touching his coins. At the same time, he is also unable to move because he is holding the coins so tightly. In other words, he is restrained from acting because he is holding too tight to his possessions. To some, money does not always bring freedom. The four pentacles are the symbols for status, money, power, and achievement. These are not bad attributes to have so long as they are held by one that is already secure in himself. As tightly as the miser holds these attributes, they never seem to bring him an authentic sense of security. Look at his face. There is still suffering happening there. Internally he remains a scared neglected boy. Now, in turn he's neglected the needs of his inner-self. His four Pentacles have become barriers. The one on his head makes him forget his connection to Spirit. The one clutched to his heart blocks him from receiving love and feeling his feelings. The two Pentacles under his feet cut him off from being grounded in nature. His nature.

The Four of Pentacles card is capable of generating both negative and positive perceptions. On one hand, the card signifies that you have successfully managed to accomplish much of your goals. However, on the other hand, there is a significant chance that you will start valuing things only for their material worth. You have worked hard to get to the point where you are now, and it is absolutely natural for your to desire to make sure that you remain stable. But this also has a chance to turn you into an overly possessive or greedy person who wants to ensure that no one is capable of taking anything from you. You are protective of what you have managed to accumulate throughout time, and you desire to steadily increase your overall achievement. Be aware that without risk, there is no reward - if you spend too much of your time attempting to conserve, you may become a prisoner to your own material possessions. Wealth is a kind of energy as well, and we create what we express.

The Four of Pentacles represents material security and stability, which is very different from being secure in yourself. Although this a wonderful card financially speaking, it warns against being consumed by the pursuit of security solely through the acquisition of external things. The Four of Pentacles reminds you to balance both your expectations of worldly success, with the needs of your authentic self. Do you feel safe and secure? Are you erecting barriers between yourself and others because you fear sharing your authenticity? Do you feel that no matter how much you achieve or acquire; it still doesn't feel like it's enough?

Listen to the needs of your true nature. True security can only be found within.

On a purely financial level, the Four of Pentacles can symbolize good financial prospects and material security, with a caution to be conservative concerning money at this time. Save it.

When reversed, the Four of Pentacles veers sharply into the negative meanings of the card. Instead of being protective you become greedy, and you succumb to stinginess. You are haunted by certain fears of poverty which compels you to be nothing but materialistic. You are incredibly self-protective and defensive in terms of materialistic things, and you are not opening up to trust other people out of fear that they may be taking them away. On the other side, you might actually be spending too much money, and you need to start getting a proper hold of your actual financial resources. In any case, the card is capable of inducing both positive and negative associations, and you need to be very accountable and considerate if you get the Four of Pentacles in a reading.

The Four of Pentacles reversed appears when you are courageously releasing avoidance behaviours that keep you from connecting with your true feelings. This could include excessive eating, drinking, working, shopping, obsessively checking your phone or binge-watching television. The Four of Pentacles reversed symbolizes the removal of barriers, that prevent you from connecting with your feelings and with others.

The Four of Pentacles reversed card can also represent giving and sharing. You may need to be more generous with your time, resources or abilities to assist someone looking to you for help. The man on the card is suffering because he is not open to sharing. The Four of Pentacles reversed advises you to be generous with sharing your best qualities with others. This card could also indicate that you need to share your true feelings, instead of bottling them up. The walls are coming down and it is time for reconnecting, not only with your inner self, but with loved ones as well. Being open-hearted and vulnerable will lead to healing. Have the courage to reject anything artificial and feel your real feelings. The Four of Pentacles reversed represents transcending numbing distractions. Although it may feel like confronting your feelings will be uncomfortable this card shows that the prolonged avoidance of them is what leads to more suffering. 

Being open and honest will lead to a tremendous breakthrough.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

DEATH, REVERSED

Here, we see Death riding a beautiful white horse while holding up a black flag with a white pattern. It is portrayed as a living skeleton, the bones being the only part of the human body existing after death. He wears armour, which gives him his invincibility - signalling that no one can destroy Death. The white horse that he rides stands for purity, as Death purifies everyone. Beneath him, all classes of humans lie in the dirt - a king, and a pauper, meant to remind us that death does not differentiate.  Death's banner is a white rose on a black background. This is stark symbol of a truth that is "black and white." Light (the white flower) always emerges after darkness (the black background). Although his skeletal face looks scary, Death is not a monster. Nobody wants to see Death, even though he has the thankless job of kindly ending suffering.

Death is one of the most feared cards in a Tarot Deck, and it is very misunderstood. Many people avoid mentioning this card because it has that much power. Most times, people take the name of the card literally. However, the real meaning within the Death card is one of the most positive in the whole deck. The Death card signals that one major phase in your life is ending, and a new one is going to start. You just need to close one door, so the new one will open. The past needs to be placed behind you, so you can focus your energy on what is ahead of you.

Another meaning is that you are going to go through a major change, transition, or transformation. The old version of you needs to ‘die’ to allow the new you to be created. This can be a scary time for you because you may be unsure of what will happen in the future. Even if you are scared, you should welcome the change because you are opening the door to new life events. Death can also mean that you need to let go of any unhealthy attachments that you have in your life. This is an important part of life, so learning to keep moving forward is one of the lessons Death teaches us.

The Death reversal meaning is still about change, but that you have been resisting it. You could be worried about letting go of the past, or you could not be sure of the changes that you need to make to go forward. Resisting the change and holding onto the past can limit your future, which can cause you to feel like you are in limbo. You should take some time to assess the ways that you have been approaching changes in your life. You may find you have been halting the changes that you need due to fears of the unknown. While you can still be afraid, you should trust that you are taking the right steps and move forward. Life moves on, so fighting passing time is only going to leave you with regrets. Death does not have to be a card of regret, especially if you heed its warning.

When you approach difficult changes and life challenges with courage, then you have some control over your response to this situation. Facing fears gives you great power over them. You no longer find yourself running and hiding from reality. Death reversed brings you in touch with the very things you've been avoiding. This is where you will find the next steps toward your personal evolution.

Death reversed asks you to step out of shadow and back into the light. Confront and let go of all that which no longer serves you. What has been keeping you stuck and in a state of fear or immobility? This card is very healing for clearing out energy blockages. Death (upright or reversed) is always accompanied by Rebirth. As the sun sets here it is simultaneously rising elsewhere. Do not fear what is changing right now. Often the fear isn't of something, but rather the fear of stepping up, taking your power back and allowing yourself to grow past this lesson. "Old and familiar" can often seem comfortable even if it's killing you inside. Have courage because the transformation you are resisting will lead to a better you. Let your changes happen. Your sun will rise again.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE FIVE OF CUPS, REVERSED

There are certain Tarot cards whose imagery immediately conjure up negative emotions, and the Five of Cups carries such weight. This is a card which signifies loss as well as the painful challenges which stem from that particular loss. The card depicts a figure that is wearing a black cloak. The person hides his face in what seems to be despair. There are five cups on the ground, three of which have fallen while the other two remain standing. The person, however, seem to notice that there are two standing cups as is too busy mourning over those which are fallen. There is a powerful river which flows between him and a house or a castle in the distance, indicating that a torrent of emotions have separated him from home. The Five of Cups symbolizes the trance-like state of focusing only on the negative, even when all is not lost.  Behind the two standing cups is a bridge. This bridge symbolizes that the way over your obstacle will be made clear when you focus on what is working and what is positive in your life.

The Five of Cups symbolizes disappointment, and the feelings that come when things go differently as you expected. You are feeling unhappy that a certain situation hasn’t really turned out the way you have hoped it would. Instead of moving towards a more positive perspective, this card seems to say that you are dwelling in the past, inducing feelings of self-pity and regret. The water which is actually spilled from the cups shows that you might have missed an opportunity. It also shows that the problem is mostly emotional and not material or financial.

The meaning of the Five of Cups shows that you may have certain issues letting go of things which are in the past. What is more, it also shows that you are unwilling to learn from mistakes that you have already committed. The card is often going to reflect a person who is so caught up in his past that he is absolutely incapable of moving on. This means that he has a high chance of missing out on what new joys that the future can bring.

When the card is reversed, the Five of Cups shows a significant recovery from the regret as well as proper acceptance of your past. You are beginning to realize all of the implications of your actions, and you have finally come to appreciate the lessons which can be learned from that experience.

You may even start to recognize the overall value of the painful experience you had in the larger scheme of things. You are seeing that the suffering and grief that you endured gave you strength and imbued you with resilience. You are ready to pick up the two remaining cups which are still full and go on with your life in full force.

When the Five of Cups appears reversed it represents making the choice to view “setbacks” as hidden opportunities. In life there will be issues thrown your way which you didn't deserve or intend. When we don’t get what we want, we often view the situation as negative. The Five of Cups reversed symbolizes an opportunity to go even further than a challenge’s outward appearance. Always with this card, you must shift your perspective to the cups still standing in order to cross the bridge.  Choose to see how these challenges are directing you to a stronger, more empowered version of yourself. Open your eyes to the strength of character you may have forgotten you possessed. If you continually look at life in an aggrieved manner, your personal power will continue to elude you. Personal growth happens in the place where challenges occur.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE  FOUR OF WANDS, REVERSED

The Four of Wands depicts a couple which dances beneath the welcome wreath which is tied between four wands, which are crystal tipped. There is a canopy of flowers on the card which resembles the canopy that is particularly characteristic of the traditional Jewish ceremony. There seems to be a party that is going on, or some kind of welcome committee for the couple in question. You can see from the image that it represents a time which is sprinkled with feelings of fulfillment, satisfaction brought by the actual attainment of a goal.

The overall meaning of the Four of Wands is that it heralds celebration as well as a harmonious, happy and relaxed home environment. In terms of numerology, the number four symbolizes stability as well as particularly reliable foundations. These are associated with a period of happiness and balance.The symbolism within the Four of Wands poses that this is the perfect time for you to get together with close people such as friends and family. This could be with or without any special occasion. Oftentimes the card is known to reflect a period of holidays when you are together with your friends and family for an extended period of time.

Furthermore, if you have been working on a certain project, this card entails that you will be reaching a particularly important milestone. This is going to provide you with grounds for celebration which is also to be considered. You have managed to complete a proper and paramount phase of that project, and meaning you have every reason to be feeling proud and satisfied, which are amongst the general feelings induced and reflected by the Four of Wands card.

If the upright position of the card reflects balance, stability, and harmony, the reversal position of Four of Wands implies that there is a breakdown or complete lack of harmony in your family or in your home. It’s highly likely that there is a lot of tension between the members of your family or other loved ones. If you have completed something that is important to you, you are expecting to share it with those that are closest to you, and to come home to a welcome celebration, but instead, you find a lack of support. This may leave you feeling rather uncertain when it comes to your own relationships as well as the things that you can and cannot depend on.

When the Four of Wands appears reversed it indicates that something may be getting in the way to giving yourself over to joy. It also warns that “the thing” that is getting in the way may be your ego’s need for validation. Look at the dancing people on the card. They are fully joyful. They aren’t listening to their wounded egos telling them that they look “stupid” when they dance. Today, kick your addiction to perfectionism. No moment is “perfect.” There is always work to do, self-improvements to be made, and things to achieve. However, this does not mean that you must be miserable until you attain your goals.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE TWO OF PENTACLES

The Two of Pentacles card depicts a man who is dancing as he is juggling two large coins. The pentacles are surrounded by the infinity sign that denotes that the person can handle all the issues the come his way and he can manage his life with grace. In the background, you will notice that there are two ships that are riding the giant waves, and they reinforce the balancing act that the man has to face - he is in rough and choppy waters, but manages to stay afloat. The Two of Pentacles depicts the usual ups and downs that occur in one’s life. Despite all the chaos that surrounds him, the man lives a very carefree life as he dances, and handles all that comes to him with joy.  The juggler on the card survives the undulations of fortune because he remains flexible and adaptable.

The Two of Pentacles is a card about balance - the coins are displayed in a manner that is precarious, any small change in wind or weight can tip and send them falling. For those that may have more coins to go around, they can afford to be less careful, but at this moment things may be tight. Wealth too, is a kind of energy, and it is the kind whose goings in and goings out are easiest and most tangible to see.

There is a possibility that you are trying hard to keep the two aspects of your life in a perfect and delicate balance. The balancing act depicted in the card suggests that there are two major factors that you are deeply concerned about. It is time for you to step back to have a better perspective of the situation. While you may initially think it will save you time, multi-tasking may just worsen the situation. Cut down on your tasks and concentrate on these two factors that are troubling you. You’ve done a good job keeping things stable, for you seem to be able to adapt well to all the changes that ask you to continually re-balance.

When it comes to love, the Two of Pentacles is associated with your inability to provide the energy and time required to make your partner happy. With regards to finances, you should pay heed on the bottom line. You should have a clear picture on your financial state. Plan your finances accordingly, control your expenditures and increase your stream of income to create a solid foundation for your future. In terms of health, this card is asking you to find a balance between your own well-being and your responsibilities. It’s easy to make yourself the last priority when you have so many things happening around you.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE PAGE OF WANDS

A well-dressed young man is boldly holding a stick standing on a barren land. His shirt is made in a salamander like pattern which is a symbol of transformation from bad to good. This young man is a passionate advocator, who is constantly spreading spiritual and social advancement ideas that lift up his fellow man. The desert in the background behind him both is indicative of his element, fire, and also represents that he is living in a world that has not bared fruit yet. His ideas are therefore completely hypothetical. However, if he were to choose to use them, and undertake the journey of his suit, his purity of heart could lead him to find better fortunes. The Page of Wands symbolizes aspiration. Although he has not yet reached the heights of his older family members: The Knight, Queen, and King of Wands; he still possesses their same magnetic qualities within himself. The Page of Wands represents that you too embody the same strengths you admire in the people you look up to.

When we see the Page of Wands, we see a youth with enormous excitement and curiosity for the world. He knows what to do, he has the passion to succeed, but due to his inexperience and maybe a little fear of the unknown, his ideas remain abstract. He identifies new worlds to explore, new opportunities he could take advantage of quite easily, and he is even gifted with the “big picture” vision needed to succeed. Even with all of this, he still has the tendency to either remain dormant, or get easily distracted with one idea after the other. If he doesn’t learn to control this, it might be that he squanders the opportunities to advance himself. When you get the Page of Wands, it simply means something is within you, something that triggers you to make discoveries, indulge in investments or take the next advancement in life. You could be just about to take a move on a certain idea, but some conflicting messages keep coming to your mind, and you get discouraged.

This card resembles your inner battles which are preventing you from expressing your heroism to the world, to let the world know that you exist for a reason. If you are wise enough, this card is normally a trigger of courage. It should make you overcome the personal discouragements and move forward boldly to launch your ideas in the real world. Remove the fear, gather your resources and do something. Let the world know that you are there and you have no jokes about moving forward in the path that you choose. Conquer every obstacle, let your ideas shine and be known to the world because this card indicates a level of success that can only be achieved when courage is deployed.

Don’t try to “compare” yourself to the abilities, talents, and achievements of others. Instead, look at the force “behind” those talents, and you will see you are on this planet to strengthen those same attributes within yourself. Today acknowledge the qualities you admire most in your heroes and see that you share this magic in common. You are kindred souls.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE SEVEN OF WANDS

The Seven of Wands has an image of a man who is standing on a tall hill and being challenged by the opponents below. He seems to be defending this position and attacking in retaliation. It is interesting to note that the man is wearing not matching shoes. This is linked to the symbolism of being on uneven ground or not having a stable footing in life. Wearing two different shoes has made him a target by those who choose uniformity.  

The Seven of Wands has a similar in meaning to the Five of Wands; both cards indicate struggles after the initial fulfilment and satisfaction of an event. The Seven of Wands however is different as it is is about the struggle that you need to go through to maintain your position, rather than to attain it. This is about the difficulties we face to continue to have success. You should be ready for the competition to you defend your title, and to prove yourself. Others are going to desire the same results that you do, so you need to stay ahead of the them. There will be challenges to the success of your project or venture from an outside source. You must remain dedicated to your desires, and with a clear purpose and effort, you will overcome them.  The overall meaning of the Seven of Wands is to hold your ground, no matter what is challenging your position. You will need to defend this position and take a stand against those who are aiming to take your spot. There are setbacks during this time, but you need to keep fighting for your beliefs and confront those that may threaten or oppose you.

The Seven of Wands signifies standing up for your integrity. When you let your personal honor code inform your decisions, you will find yourself on the high road. Taking this road isn’t always the easiest path, but it is the one that will make you shine. The Seven of Wands encourages you to think as an individual and avoid devolving into “group think.” This could mean not engaging in gossip to appease a wounded ego. It could also mean not going along with something that violates you sense of right and wrong, just to gain the acceptance of others.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE NINE OF PENTACLES, REVERSED

The Nine of Pentacles depicts a woman in the middle of a vineyard. The woman wears what appears to be a long, luxurious dress adorned with sunflowers. She seems to be part of a wealthy house, for in the far background, we see a castle. A falcon is sitting peacefully and playfully on her left hand. The vines behind her are rich and filled with grapes and golden coins, signalling that she has been very successful in her ventures, which are yielding a great and plentiful harvest.

This Nine of Pentacles card indicates that the you have reached a stage in your life where you are confident, independent and self-sufficient. Through hard work, this person is now ready to enjoy money, leisure and material comfort.  The woman keeps the snail in her garden. This reminds her that in order to ensure that even more wealth flows, she needs to slow down, take care of her environment, and savour her current success.

The difficulties that were faced in the earlier journey of the pentacles appear to be over. The Nine of Pentacles conveys not only joy, but also the feeling of security and freedom that material wealth can bring. Looking back, you can now celebrate the difficulties, the struggles, and the hard work that lined your path. Her previous challenges gave her the wider perspective she needs to understand the spiritual value of her success. Knowing how difficult it was to get here, she intends to enjoy every single day that is given to her.

Like the other nines in the tarot, sometimes this card indicates that you have not yet reached completion in their journey. There is something that is missing here - the element of her community and relationships. The gifts of the suits are meant to be shared, and yet this woman is so far from home.

The Nine of Pentacles reversed can be indicative of suffering from financial issues. It can perhaps indicate a false display of security and stability. Take this as an opportunity for you to figure out what it is most important. The Nine of Pentacles reversed indicates a moment when one truly sees - perhaps for the first time, that we cannot depend completely on material wealth to bring happiness.

Other meanings of this card differ with context - you may instead find yourself at a period in life where you should be able to rest and relax after years of hard work, but you find yourself unable to unwind. In this case, rejuvenation is the ultimate advice of the Nine of Pentacles reversed. You need to take a few steps back and allow yourself to rest and regain your strength.

When the Nine of Pentacles appears reversed it calls your attention to anything that you are tolerating in your life that is beneath your personal standards of excellence. Often when you are immersed in a messy relationship, environment, or situation, you can slowly become numb to it. After a while you forget to even notice anything that is out of balance. This becomes the new normal.  Know that you deserve the best, and don’t feel you need to accept anything that undermines your sense of self-worth.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE THREE OF SWORDS, REVERSED

One of the most iconic images in the tarot, the Three of Swords displays a floating heart that is pierced by three swords. Above it, there are heavy clouds. There is also a heavy downpour in the background. The symbolism is pretty opaque, and the emotional effect that it has is immediate. The heart is the seat of warmth, affection and spirit, and the three swords indicate the power to harm, cause pain, and create suffering to what it pierces. This is an image of grief, loss and literally heartbreak. The clouds and rain depict the surrounding grimness of the situation. All these symbols point to the Three of Swords showing a low point in one’s life.

The Three of Swords depicts the message of rejection, betrayal, hurt and discouragement. In moments like these, we are well served by the mind. If you can think logically about it and prepare for the experience, the impact of this pain may be minimized. But remember too, that pain and grief are a normal part of life, because they make us appreciate what joy and happiness we have, as well as teaching us. It is through pain that we learn to be avoid mistakes that could lead us into danger and grief. It is therefore a necessity in the journey of life. The Three of Swords therefore is a depiction of suffering that is meant to make us stronger, more careful and more vigilant. Sometimes life gives us no choice - we are knocked down. But what determines one’s future is the choice of whether to remain knocked down, or rise again. Each little piece of suffering you encounter serves as a stepping stone to find a deeper meaning in this world.

This card comes at a time when you need to prepare yourself for this next stage in life. While the grief may be extremely hurtful, it enables you to forget your past and focus on your future knowing that you have control of what actions you take afterwards. Don’t dwell so much on what is troubling you but instead, focus on what is approaching, because you determine your fate. As you might imagine the Three of Swords symbolizes the wounded heart. Every human being experiences betrayals, cruelty, unkindness, and even abuse to varying degrees. These traumatic events feel like actual swords driven into the heart. Like any penetrating trauma, the shrapnel must be extracted for the injury to heal. Likewise, the swords pictured in the card here need to be drawn out and released from the heart so that it can heal. The only thing that can give you the power to release the sword from the wound is forgiveness. Are you unable to forgive individuals from the past who betrayed you? Do you still get angry and feel victimized? What emotions do you feel when you conjure the image of this person up? Hatred, revenge, rage, sadness?

The heart on the card is the victim of devastating injury. Three large swords symbolizing the wounds inflicted by three traumatic past events. The swords are weighting the heart down beneath grey clouds. Rain continuously pelts down on it. And yet look at the proportions… The floating heart is actually quite large when compared to the swords. This symbolizes that the heart is stronger and more resilient than any wound to it. It also symbolizes that the wounds can weight the floating heart down. This negative energy prevents it from rising above the clouds to bask in joyful sunlight.

The Three of Swords reminds us that even though “another” may have put the sword in your heart through a betrayal, we perpetually betray ourselves by not letting go and releasing the resentment. So, if the only thing that will unburden the heart is forgiveness, then why is there such resistance to doing that? Swords represent power. Righteous indignation is seductive, and feels very empowering. The heart may want to hold onto the swords because it feels that somehow it now possesses more power. Although it gives an immediate illusion of being the moral victor (we are not the bad one after all), it also leaves us feeling hollow and empty.  This sense of “power” is held onto for dear life, so that we aren’t caught off guard again. And yet, the heart remains heavy and isolated, and we miss the joy of the sunlight above the clouds. Practicing forgiveness allows for releasing the negative energy within, so that you are not carrying it with you everywhere. Each day you refuse to forgive, you actually decide to keep carrying all that toxic poison within you for another day. Forgiveness does not mean “condoning” the reprehensible behaviour of another. It does not mean you need to pretend nothing happened. Forgiveness is less about them, and more about you. The wound happened, but it’s not still happening today unless we hurt ourselves with it. This means that you also have to forgive yourself for holding on for so long. Forgiveness gives you the power to let the painful past go, allowing you to move on in your life unencumbered and free. Today work on forgiveness. It often doesn’t come overnight. Today you can draw the heavy swords out of your heart. Then it will rise like a phoenix above the rain, light and free.

The Three of Swords reversed indicates that have faced a recent loss, a break-up or a moment of grief. You may be still recovering from this, and your emotions have not completely calmed, making it difficult to move on. Although you may still be thinking of your past suffering, this card may be a signal that it's time to let go and look forwards towards life ahead of you, because there is much for you to enjoy.

Many don’t see this, and they end up being immersed in their own pain for too long, delaying their own recovery process. Don’t focus too much on what happened, renew your emotions and gather your courage. The reversed Three of Swords card is here to let you know that all difficult moments pass - they are not there to stay, and when we fall, we can also rise again.

When the Three of Swords appears reversed it calls your attention to any self-inflicted wounds that are being perpetuated through negative thinking. Holding onto negative expectations is a form of self-betrayal. The clouds that appeared in the sky are now on the base of the card. Clouds symbolize the element of air, and air represents your thoughts. The Three of Swords reversed reveals that what is makes you feel bad are thoughts that you may be holding onto. This includes thoughts projecting catastrophes into a future that hasn't even happened yet, or replaying the mental tape of a past trauma, and anticipating it will happen again. Your anxieties aren't harbingers of disasters to come. They are merely fears, and they rarely resemble the future that will actually come to pass.

When the Three of Swords reversed appears, it’s best to not borrow trouble. Negative projections into the future will cause you to miss out on being joyful in this moment. If you are anxious about what hasn't even happened yet, then you are harming yourself with your thinking. Catch yourself when you notice you are falling into this. Release harmful thoughts and know them for what they are: thoughts. Choose to focus your thinking on something that really interests you or brings you joy. Remember, the heart on this card is much larger, and stronger than any wound it's experienced. Your heart is stronger than your fears and wounds from the past. Love is always a viable answer when this card appears.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE SIX OF CUPS, REVERSED

The Six of Cups symbolize the joy of nostalgia, the comfort of home and childhood innocence. In the card itself, there are six cups filled with white flowers. Two children are depicted in the foreground, and one is passing a cup to another. This handing of the flowers from the boy to the girl shows the passing of traditions and happy reunions. The children seem to be in a castle of sorts, that we can imagine give them a sense of security and comfort. These children have more than just their basic needs met. They are free to be creative, laugh, and grow in safety and security. The flowers emerging from the cups symbolize that all is thriving happily. The children look at life with complete confidence and optimism, that the future will be just as happy as this moment.

The Six of Cups upright generally represents generosity, naïve happiness, and childhood. It can stand for you wanting to return to a happier time, whether it was when you were a child, teenager, or young adult. Many times, these memories are things of the past, which reflect the aspects of ourselves that have vanished. You may feel that remembering these times is the only way to feel happy. The Six of Cups appearing in a reading seems to indicate that while we may look upon the past with a happy eye, we must avoid living in it.

The Six of Cups can also mean that you are be returning to a familiar place. This could be your hometown, an old friend’s home, a school, or any place that holds a lot of meaning for you. You are seeking to reconnect with people from your past. Bringing back old memories reminds us of our childhood, a time when things were simpler.

Coming after the Five of Cups, this card can also suggest that you may have suffered a loss or disappointment of sorts, and you are making the journey home. You are looking to the past to find the answer to the crisis or challenge that you are facing now. You may be seeking the comfort and warmth of people that unconditionally love you, gathering strength to face the trials that are in front of you.

The Six of Cups reversed can mean that you are clinging to the past. You should explore your memories, but you should not allow yourself to remain there. While you may find it comforting to be in the security of home, you must also learn to forge your own path. The past should be used as a guide for the future. Learn to focus on the present, and truly be aware. Another reading of the Six of Cups reversed is that you may feel as though you are disconnected from your childhood self, and that child’s dreams, which may sometimes be unrealistic. Not reaching these goals can be painful, but sometimes reality carves a path for you that you must follow, and you shouldn’t blame yourself for your choices. Take the time to think about where you want to be now and how you can reach your goals, instead of just dreaming about them. Has the pursuit of “safety and security” taken over your life, causing you to forget your joy?  The important thing to remember is that each day is new. Old hurts are not guaranteed to transpire just as they did before, unless you are replaying them in your head and not letting go.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE PAGE OF WANDS, REVERSED

A well-dressed young man is boldly holding a stick standing on a barren land. His shirt is made in a salamander like pattern which is a symbol of transformation from bad to good. This young man is a passionate advocator, who is constantly spreading spiritual and social advancement ideas that lift up his fellow man. The desert in the background behind him both is indicative of his element, fire, and also represents that he is living in a world that has not bared fruit yet. His ideas are therefore completely hypothetical. However, if he were to choose to use them, and undertake the journey of his suit, his purity of heart could lead him to find better fortunes. The Page of Wands symbolizes aspiration. Although he has not yet reached the heights of his older family members: The Knight, Queen, and King of Wands; he still possesses their same magnetic qualities within himself. The Page of Wands represents that you too embody the same strengths you admire in the people you look up to.

When we see the Page of Wands, we see a youth with enormous excitement and curiosity for the world. He knows what to do, he has the passion to succeed, but due to his inexperience and maybe a little fear of the unknown, his ideas remain abstract. He identifies new worlds to explore, new opportunities he could take advantage of quite easily, and he is even gifted with the “big picture” vision needed to succeed. Even with all of this, he still has the tendency to either remain dormant, or get easily distracted with one idea after the other. If he doesn’t learn to control this, it might be that he squanders the opportunities to advance himself. When you get the Page of Wands, it simply means something is within you, something that triggers you to make discoveries, indulge in investments or take the next advancement in life. You could be just about to take a move on a certain idea, but some conflicting messages keep coming to your mind, and you get discouraged.

This card resembles your inner battles which are preventing you from expressing your heroism to the world, to let the world know that you exist for a reason. If you are wise enough, this card is normally a trigger of courage. It should make you overcome the personal discouragements and move forward boldly to launch your ideas in the real world. Remove the fear, gather your resources and do something. Let the world know that you are there and you have no jokes about moving forward in the path that you choose. Conquer every obstacle, let your ideas shine and be known to the world because this card indicates a level of success that can only be achieved when courage is deployed.

Don’t try to “compare” yourself to the abilities, talents, and achievements of others. Instead, look at the force “behind” those talents, and you will see you are on this planet to strengthen those same attributes within yourself. Today acknowledge the qualities you admire most in your heroes and see that you share this magic in common. You are kindred souls.

With the Page of Wands reversed, it tends to emphasize the more negative character traits of the upright version. He tends to show up when your mind is filled with one great idea after another, and are unable to progress beyond the beginning planning stages. Perhaps you have started a project or a hobby expecting that it would grow to great levels and instead you end up nowhere. As painful as it is, it is a good way of telling you that you should venture into other meaningful projects and avoid wasting time.

When the Page of Wands appears reversed, he signifies that you must be present and patient with your when cultivating your talents. The Page of Wands is crackling with creativity. He is a fiery character whose mind can often be found thirty steps ahead of his present location. When this Page appears reversed, he reminds you to slow down and enjoy being present with what you are learning. He might also indicate that you need to take a more methodical approach to achieving your goals. Don't let your mind race and wander without discipline. You have tremendous talent and creative energy available to you to manifest whatever you want in life, but it needs to be applied thoughtfully.

The Page of Wands Reversed also warns against the feeling of not quite “measuring up.” Beware of comparing yourself with the achievements and accomplishments of others. You are on your own track and have a lifetime of lessons specifically meant for you. Comparing yourself to the paths others have tread is useless and futile. Look to qualities of those that you admire to fuel your passion, not to undermine it.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE EIGHT OF SWORDS

On the Eight of Swords is a woman who is tied up and blindfolded. There are eight swords placed strategically around her in a way that restricts her movement as though she is in some kind of trap or jail. However, it seems as though whoever built the trap was a little lazy or hasty, leaving some open space where she could escape. But because of the blindfold preventing the woman from seeing, she has no way of finding her way out of this trap. The barren land around her might signify a lack of creativity of some sort, while the grey sky in the background can signify despair, since there she feels that there is no hope of her breaking free from the kind of situation that she is bound to. If only she could take the blindfold off, she would see that she could simply just walk out of this situation.

The general meaning in the Eight of Swords is that of a feeling of being trapped and victimized. You may feel powerless because, in your mind, you feel that changing the situation might be beyond you. This feeling of helplessness that you have, the feeling that you have no agency in your life, has played a major role in making your situation worse.

Surrendering one’s power to an unknown entity, whether it's fate, or God, the government or something else means that you are giving away your own personal responsibility to affect change. You have willingly relinquished the driver's seat in the journey of your own life, and it isn't going well for you. It is advisable for you to avoid making an important decision at this time since your judgment is likely clouded.

The good news is that because these traps are things that we create ourselves, we can also leave them if we put our minds to it. It is simply the matter of taking off the blindfold, and seeing beyond the limited perspective that we created for ourselves - to see the possibilities, and to recognize that you have your own internal power.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE EIGHT OF WANDS

The Eight of Wands is depicted as eight flying staves that appear as if they are suspended in the air. Some may look at them as wands that are blossoming that are traveling at a maximum speed. The background where they travel through is a clear sky which represents that there is likely nothing that will stand in the way of these making it to their destination. It shows a majestic landscape with a river that is streaming, the water breathing life to the image. A river that appears on the bottom of the card, symbolizing that you need to move with life's currents, and not fight against them. The small house on the hill signifies looking at things from a higher perspective. Take the rational view when confronting this issue. Make the logical choice. The wands also appear like they are about to land, which signals the end of a long journey.  The Eight of Wands represents movement, progress, and momentum. Events begin to move faster when this card appears. The Eight of Wands also rules information, and communication. Answers to questions become available. Once stuck issues becomes unstuck; whether about a personal goal, an awaited answer, or your state of mind.

The image depicted by the Eight of Wands means that the difficulties that were brought by the Seven of Wands are finally over. It signifies a strong level of energy which states that different aspects of your life will be trailblazing. Perhaps important news will be coming on your way, and you may experience a sudden, yet steady positive growth. The Eight of Wands meaning may also pertain to your work. There is a chance that the decision that you are waiting for will come your way soon. You need to be patient and just wait for it.

When it comes to love, the eight of wands meaning pertains to your readiness to be committed on a relationship; however, the card advises you not to force the other party to also be ready on the commitment. Your significant other will soon be ready - forcing things to happen may affect the result negatively. In terms of finances, it appears like this is not the best time to make hasty investment. Just like in your love aspect, we advise you to be patient. Save your money and wait for the perfect time to invest. All things that you fought for are building in momentum. Where you didn't see progress earlier, you'll soon discover that they paved the way for the coming wave of action.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE EIGHT OF PENTACLES, REVERSED

The Eight of Pentacles card depicts a young man who is etching a pentacle shape into the eight golden coins. The card symbolizes someone who is completely focused and absorbed in what they are doing. The town that is far in the background means that he successfully isolated himself from the distractions so that he can fully concentrate on his task. The Eight of Pentacles refers to that moments in your life when you are dedicated to completing a certain task. You are fully-immersed, and you are committed in delivering the best version of your work. The Eight of Pentacles represents giving one-hundred and ten percent to the tasks in front of you. This card reminds you to value the skills you are mastering, and to see how they improve the lives of others. “Giving your all” ensures that you can go out into the word with your head held high, confident in your abilities and your self worth.  A pathway connects his workshop to the little village in the distance. This symbolizes that his work connects him with others. To the townspeople he is not just "the Craftsman." He is also the master of eight apprentices, the beloved teacher at the monastery, and has gained the town's affection for his compassion and kindness. The craftsman is also very funny; bringing laughter to the villagers, with his dry wit and humor. The craftsman doesn't just do work for the village to "make money." Each day he uses work as a vehicle, to improve his community, connect with others, and better himself.

This card indicates a time that you have to work hard and focus entirely on your tasks. This is not necessarily a negative situation, but this means that you must really strive to be the best. The task that you need to accomplish can be personal or professional. No matter what type of task it is, do not be afraid to ask for help when things get overwhelming. The Eight of Pentacles refers to the efforts that you undertake. There is a possibility that there will be a lot of things that you need to address. Hard work is essential, but you still need to find a balance.

When it comes to work, those who are seeking employment should expect that the nature of their job will be demanding. The Eight of Pentacles also indicates that you need to be confident in yourself that you will be able to fulfill the job. For those who are currently employed, you will be responsible for carrying out more tasks and responsibilities. Never hesitate to ask the assistance of your co-workers. In terms of love, your work may possibly be affecting your relationship. Regardless of how demanding your job is, you need to make some time for your emotional connections with other people. On the matters of finances, The Eight of Pentacles may signify financial assistance that you have been hoping to receive. Be careful on how you are going to spend this money, remember that this is a fruit of your hard labor and not luck. When it comes to health, the Eight of Pentacles can mean that it is time for you to commit and work hard in order to improve your health - you must stay vigilant about exercise and diet.

When reversed, the Eight of Pentacles signifies something similar to the upright position, but the tasks may be even more demanding. This means that you need to execute swiftly and with great care if you want to be happy and successful with this outcome. If the Eight of Pentacles appears reversed, it reminds you of the important influence you have on the your environment through the work you do. It's easy to think of work solely as an obligation for making money. However, just like the pathway that connects the craftsman's workshop to the town on the card, your work has the potential to connect you with others in a meaningful way. It all depends on the energy you are infusing your work with. Are you bringing your best self to work? Are your daily tasks being approached with uplifting, positive energy? When work becomes a drudge that you feel resistant to, its importance can feel lost. This card could also indicate that it is time to choose an occupation that feels more fulfilling to you. Perhaps you need to recognize the value of the service you provide and seek out a better vehicle for expressing it.

This card may also indicate that you need more rest. The Eight of Pentacles is traditionally the "work card," so when it appears reversed it may be a reminder to take a break. If you give yourself some down-time today, you can later approach your tasks with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Try not to engage in “energy wasters,” like mentally stressing yourself out over things that haven't occurred yet, or rattling off your "to-do" list to yourself with exasperation. If you need a break, take one! You have to be the one to do it. It's hard to feel the love for what you do when you are stressed. Release any thoughts that aren't contributing to raising the energy and uplifting your mood.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE SIX OF WANDS

The Six of Wands tarot card depicts a man who is currently wearing a wreath of victory around his head. He is riding a horse through a crowd of cheering people. The horse is white, which is a well-known symbol of strength, purity as well as success. The crowd is there to show the public’s recognition for the achievements of the man riding the horse. The wand that the man is carrying also has a wreath which is tied to it in an attempt to further emphasize his success. The man is not afraid, or shy about all of this attention but rather proud with his accomplishments. To this, the crowd around him reacts with cheerfulness and enthusiasm.  He is elevated by his peers because of his gifts. His regal bearing shows that he is completely comfortable with his self-confidence. However, if you look closely behind the man riding the horse, there is another face in the crowd. This face holds an expression of jealousy and envy. It’s a sad fact that the people who shine brightest will often be the targets of others who are insecure with their own abilities. Sometimes this fear of being targeted causes talented people, with extraordinary gifts, to hide their gifts. And yet, it really isn’t about others. If you are following your passion, then it won’t matter at all what others think.  If you are afraid to be yourself because of a backlash from others, then you probably have some serious self-loving to get to! In the end, it’s not about what others think about you, but what you truly believe about yourself. The people that you actually want to attract will love when you are confident. The people who are repelled by your light will go away.

This particular card is all about public recognition, victory, and success. This card advises you not only to embrace your talents, but to display them unapologetically. Not only have you managed to properly succeed in achieving all of your goals, but you are also being publicly acknowledged for them and the results that you’ve managed to attain. You may have received an award or some sort of public acclaim. The card is indicative that you have managed to harness the strengths and talents that you have within you in an attempt to bring a particularly successful outcome in your life. You have managed to properly get through the confusion which is brought by the card before this one – the Five of Wands, and managed to properly minimize distractions, thus successfully focusing on your goals and achieving them. It’s also worth noting that there is a slight downside apart from the overall positivity that stems from the card. It can bring self-importance as well as egotistical behavior and arrogance. This could make you think that nobody is better than you.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE NINE OF WANDS, REVERSED

The Nine of Wands shows a weak-looking man holding on to a wand with 8 other upright wands standing behind them. The man looks injured, but he still seems ready to fight another battle, and desires strongly to win. He has a look of hope and determination about him that should help him go through that one last battle. It is a card that shows a mix of challenges, hope and triumph.

The Nine of Wands tarot card is one that symbolizes great hope even when one is faced by many problems that threaten to make them lose their balance. The Nine of Wands symbolizes one’s life, which has undergone too many trials but through their determination and will, they were able to overcome them. These won battles are symbolized by the eight upright wands; however, there are still more trials that the person may face. This can be one major trial or challenge that they are supposed to face for them to reach their goals or be successful in their quest. The card is a sign of hope and encouragement that you should face your trials with courage so that you may attain success.

The Nine of Wands illustrates that you win at the game of life each time you have courage and stand up for yourself. This can mean creating boundaries with others who want to take you down a peg. However this card also requires you to stand up to your inner saboteur. The Nine of Wands symbolizes that a personal victory is achieved each time you stand up for your dignity, worthiness, and self-respect.

The Nine of Wands symbolizes a life of someone who has undergone many trials, but through determination and will, they were able to overcome them.

The Nine of Wands may also mean that a person has been betrayed and has thus become mistrustful towards others. This may be because of something that has happened a number of times, and might on the first glance seem hopeless. But there is also hope and courage here, and the belief that this outlook is about to change. Someone or something may come into their life that will change their whole view of their past struggles. It encourages one to take that risky move because they may be surprised.

The Nine of Wands reversed shows a person who may not be a risk taker; they may not want to make a long-term move or commitment since they are afraid that they may not be able to come out of it. They are mistrustful and hence have created a boundary between themselves and others which is turning to be their own personal prison. You may be afraid that you do not have enough resources to face some upcoming challenges, which is why you may be open to running away or avoiding it.

However, this is a situation that needs to change since this could be your self-created restriction to prevent you from attaining the new heights you need to grow. It encourages you to be brave, but also be careful not to make careless or hasty decisions that may cost you in future.

The Nine of Wands may be an indication of a great personal fear or mentality that could affect you. Hence, it is important that you do something to deal with it before fear consumes you and prevents you from moving onward.

When the Nine of Wands appears reversed, it indicates that you may need to release a chip on your shoulder. The Nine of Wands always indicates hard fought victorious but when it appears reversed it can also indicate hard feelings as well. Feeling angry that your life is not easy is a self-limiting belief. If we stayed comfortable and conflict-free throughout our lives, we would never grow or improve. In fact, we would deteriorate mentally and physically pretty quick! This card calls your attention to any resentments you may feel, including those born out of a sense of the unfairness of life. Over identifying with life’s setbacks rather than with the aligning with the courage needed to overcome them can be psychically crippling.

At the heart of this card is a valuable lesson: Nobody gets a free pass in this life. Everyone has work to do on themselves. Everyone will experience, grief, pain, sadness and loss at some point. Everyone has their own struggles to overcome and that includes people with privileges you feel you don’t have. You may look at others and think they have it easier, but do you really know all their personal struggles and losses... or the ones they have yet to experience? This card asks you to stop comparing the challenges you’ve experienced in life with the perceived privileges of others. Be proud of your personal struggles and the personal victories you’ve achieved as a result. Honour your challenges as valuable teachers.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE SIX OF SWORDS, REVERSED

The image in the Six of Swords shows a woman and a child in a boat being rowed in the water to a land that is on the other side. We can gather from the images that the woman and the child are leaving something behind, as their backs are faced towards us. The woman’s head is covered with a cloak - perhaps she is fleeing something, and must go without others knowing her true identity. We can assume that because of this, she is undergoing great loss or sadness. The symbolism within the Six of Swords is that of loss or change, as well as moving towards a future that looks more promising than the one that we left behind. The six swords alongside the boat symbolize the strong power of the rational mind, compared to intuition and the heart.

The meaning of the Six of Swords is that you are experiencing a transition of some kind, but one that is not happy and filled with regret. This transition will most likely be the result of decisions you made in the past, and now they are forcing you to leave something behind in order to move forward. Despite your sadness, you need to remember that moving on is the ideal option for your future. Life is filled with moments when you are going to be forced into letting go of things that you have become attached to. This will be challenging. The Six of Swords shows the sadness that you may be feeling, but you have to remember that the pain will not last, so you should look instead to the future for strength.

In life, there will be times that the only way to fix a problem is to leave it and move to start anew. You may feel like this is the coward’s way out, but escape is the only approach that is left when you have tried all other methods. The important part is to plot your new course that will lead you to happiness. The Six of Swords in this case, is to plan using your logic, clarity, and objectivity about where you are now, where you have been and where you want to go. Intuition can help, but you need to think logically to ensure your success.

The Six of Swords can also signify an elevation to the next level in your professional life. The ferryman is guiding two refugees, a mother and her child, to a new life. The skies are grey, and the mood is somber. The mother’s first duty is to protect her child. The refugees are leaving behind the past for the promise of a brighter future. The waters behind them are rough, but the waters ahead are smooth. In order to reach the safe shores, they must leave behind past troubles. Although the boat is not very comfortable, it promises to lead them toward the promise of a happier life.

Change is happening in your life too, and this usually accompanied by temporary discomfort. You may be unsure of your footing, and simple challenges may seem magnified. A small inconvenience can seem like a momentous stress when navigating lifer’s transitions. However, know that the changes occurring in your life right now are truly for the better. Don’t fight to stay in the old lands, for the metaphorical boat is taking you to new shores. The Six of Swords heralds an exciting time of movement. This card can also herald a trip or a journey. Distance will aid you in acquiring perspective, and awareness of your new opportunities.

The Six of Swords reversed can indicate that you have been trying to move on and make the transitions you need. However, you may be experiencing challenges making these a reality. You may keep returning to the past, whether it's because there are issues that are not resolved, or you are questioning your decisions. Another Six of Swords reversal meaning is that you have been resisting the transitions that life is giving you. You may feel that you are being forced into making moves before you wanted to or you do not want to move at all. In this case, you should think about the benefits of the moves, instead of the drawbacks. Like Orpheus in the underworld, you must only look ahead and not backwards, for if you do look backwards, you risk falling apart.

If the Six of Swords appears reversed it directs your attention to what currently feels stuck. People get stuck when they habitually avoid the discomfort that naturally accompanies change. Don’t allow the discomfort of “growing pains” trick you into avoiding changes and taking risks toward your goals. Discomfort does not mean something is wrong, it means something is growing or changing. The choppy waters in front of the boat are rough...but the waters behind the boat are smooth. This indicates that you can always change the energy on the path in front of you, from rough to smooth by your willingness to leave your comfort zone.

Imagine that you are the ferryman in the card. On your journey you need to propel the boat forward by placing your oar into the river. Anticipate moments when the oar will periodically feel stuck in the mud. Your strength and determination can pull the oar free, allowing you to propel the boat forward again. Getting the boat moving again after being stuck is the tough part. However, once it gains momentum, the journey becomes easier.

The Six of Swords reversed urges you to pull your oar free. It may feel that things are stuck but this is an illusion. Stop fighting the waves and allow your best transformation. Sail over the temporary choppy waters. The promise of a safe harbour lies ahead. Anything in your life that feels stuck can become unstuck. However, you must accept the temporary discomfort of changing it.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE  HANGED MAN, REVERSED

In this card, it depicts a man who is suspended upside-down, and he is hanging by his foot from the living world tree. This tree is rooted deep down in the underworld, and it is known to support the heavens. It is believed that the hanging man is actually positioned there by his own free will. We believe this because of the serene expression which is on his face. His right foot is bound to the branches, but his left foot remains perfectly free. At the same time, he is holding his hands behind his back in a way which forms an inverted triangle. His wearing of red pants are a representation of the physical body and human’s passion, while the blue that he wears in his shirt are representative of calm emotions, a colour combination that is commonly seen in saints. His intellect is symbolized by the yellow colour of his shoes, hair and halo.  The Hanged Man is suspended from the branches of the Tree of Wisdom. He is seeking to improve himself. By hanging upside down, he is gaining a new perspective, and he looks at the world from a different vantage point. All the blood rushes to his head. All his energy is being pooled into his mind. He is temporarily sacrificing the use of his legs and arms. This represents sacrificing the desire to walk away. The Hanged Man is suspending his normal routines, to focus his energy. His face is calm. Although he is not "comfortable," he is not suffering. He knows that sacrificing his usual stance of keeping his feet firmly on the ground will free his mind to new solutions.

The hanged man understands that his position is a sacrifice that he needed to make in order to progress forward - whether as repentance for past wrongdoings, or a calculated step backward to recalculate his path onward. This time he spends here will not be wasted, he does this as part of his progression forward. His upside down state can also symbolize the feeling of those that walk a spiritual path, for they see the world differently. Where there are others that do not understand the need to sacrifice, you see it differently. This is a natural course of action for you as you walk the path alone.

The Hanged Man card reflects a particular need to suspend certain action. As a result, this might indicate a certain period of indecision. This means that certain actions or decisions which need to be properly implemented are likely to be postponed even if there is an urgency to act at this particular moment. In fact, it would be ultimately the best if you are capable of stalling certain actions in order to ensure that you have more time to reflect on making critical decisions, this will ultimately be the best.

This is a card which is mainly designated towards waiting and suspension. This suggests that this might be the thing that you need to do in order to achieve success or to wait for the proper opportunity. Keep in mind that taking action is not always the best solution and in certain cases refraining from doing so might bring you just as much, if not more benefits.

The reversal meaning of the Hanged Man card represents a very specific period of time during which you feel as if you are sacrificing a significant amount of time while getting nothing in return. You might have felt as if certain things are at a state of an absolute standstill without any particular resolution or movement. It’s as if you are putting your entire effort and attention into something but nothing turns out as it should.

When the Hanged Man appears reversed, he is again back on his feet! After spending considerable time suspended upside-down from the Tree of Wisdom, he is now ready to walk out into the world again, with valuable new insights. He has made tremendous sacrifices and has surrendered his ego's assumptions of how life should unfold. Instead he given himself over to the greater wisdom of the tree he spent so many years suspended from.

When this card appears reversed it is as if all that felt upside-down is turning right-side-up again. You may also feel more grounded and surer of your path. You have been suspended from your own metaphorical tree of wisdom, and now it is time to engage with life using the wisdom you’ve gained. All your sacrifices up until now have indeed been worth it. This is because you are perceiving your experiences within a wider context. Be proud of the things you have achieved and sacrificed for. When you look on the world with the wisdom you’ve earned through your many sacrifices, it no longer appears upside-down.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE TWO OF WANDS

The Two of Wands card features a man standing on top of a castle. In his right hand he holds a miniature globe. The man is looking down upon the vast terrain, in which an ocean lies on the left-hand side, whilst the land stretches over on the right-hand side. The man is wearing an orange tunic and a red hat, symbolizing his enthusiasm towards life itself and hunger for adventure respectively. The miniature globe in his hand represents potential for possible expansion of his reach to broader life experiences.

The Two of Wands is a more mature version of the ace of wands, meaning that that this tarot card is all about planning and moving forward – progression. You have already set out to achieve a particular task, which means you have turned an idea into a realistic plan. Such a plan will require fulfillment and therefore you have to progress to actually achieving what you set out for.

Discovery is another meaning. It means that you are stepping out of your cocoon and exploring new experiences and worlds. While the beginning might seem tough and difficult, the Two of Wands card encourages you to strive on and push forward.

The Two of Wands card also means that you are beginning to realize your objectives and long-term goals before you set out to achieve these objectives. In other words, you have strived to get to where you are and now, moving forward, you have your long-term goals in mind.

In summary, the Two of Wands meaning revolves around making decisions. In other words, you are either satisfied with your current knowledge, or you are moving forward and taking risks. It means, leaving our comfort zones and exploring new territory.

However, the Two of Wands warns that achievements and acquisitions will not be what finally “makes” you happy. Getting what you desire can feel good for a time, but if you gain the achievement, without authentic love for yourself, the achievement will soon feel hollow.

Top of the Cup

A Bear 

To see a bear in your teacup is connected to relationships around you.

A bear signifies that you have a negative person that is sucking your energies. The only way to escape this person is to try to show strength in positive thinking.

This person has been a slave of their own desires. Rather than acting the way they think best, they act by controlling other people.

Particularly, this person tries to get close to people that are friendly. This person feels drawn towards you, but sometimes find it difficult to express this socially.

It is time you to distance yourself from this person before you pick up any negative energies. Seeing a small bear means that you may feel helpless and you need to sometimes give into your desires. The greater the size of bear, the more emotions that will surround the drinker. Vice versa, the smaller the bear then the emotions will not effect the drinker significantly.

A bear indicates that there is danger of running into danger through stupidity, and most probably meeting with obstacles that will call upon the brute force.

If the bear was positioned near the top of your teacup then this indicates you will find a better way to use the negative energy that is around you. Reverse this negative energy by responding positively to whatever people are negative.

Middle of the Cup

A Necklace

As a symbol, it represents hope, affection, attraction, unity and cohesion. It symbolises interconnection and harmony among those who are surrounding you. A necklace in the middle of the teacup is an indication that you need to work hard to enable you to regain the love which you seem to be losing. Without it, you will stagnate in whatever you are struggling to achieve. You are almost there and that is why you have to put in extra effort to achieve soonest. Without unity, it will be impossible to achieve your goals; make sure that you try to come to terms with what is causing the disunity between you and your loved ones. Focus your mind towards the positive and see the unity or peace that you visualize in your mind come to life for real.

Bottom of the Cup

A Teapot

A teapot denotes testing of the subconscious through communication. So if you happen to see a teapot in your tea cup, it is high time that you share with others what you are holding in your subconscious as it might just be what they need in order to go through the hurdles of life

When placed at the bottom of the cup, you should not rely on the advice of others. It is important to involve friends in our day to day activities, but at the same time, we should learn to do things on our own so that, in the absence of our loved ones, we will still be stable in our lives.

Rim of the Cup

A House

As a symbol, it represents the perspective you have about yourself. When a house is seen in the teacup, it will depend on which part of the house is seen during the tea leaf reading. If the front of the house comes to the forefront in the tea cup, it represents the part of you which you portray to the world. If the back of the house is what is seen in the teacup, then your hidden part is what is being shown; side view of the house implies that you are showing yourself to people around you with a partial, inaccurate, or limited way.

At the rim of the teacup, it means that you are an open person and there is nothing you are hiding from those around you.

Conclusion

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE NINE OF WANDS

The Nine of Wands shows a weak-looking man holding on to a wand with 8 other upright wands standing behind them. The man looks injured, but he still seems ready to fight another battle, and desires strongly to win. He has a look of hope and determination about him that should help him go through that one last battle. It is a card that shows a mix of challenges, hope and triumph.

The Nine of Wands tarot card is one that symbolizes great hope even when one is faced by many problems that threaten to make them lose their balance. The Nine of Wands symbolizes one’s life, which has undergone too many trials but through their determination and will, they were able to overcome them. These won battles are symbolized by the eight upright wands; however, there are still more trials that the person may face. This can be one major trial or challenge that they are supposed to face for them to reach their goals or be successful in their quest. The card is a sign of hope and encouragement that you should face your trials with courage so that you may attain success.

The Nine of Wands illustrates that you win at the game of life each time you have courage and stand up for yourself. This can mean creating boundaries with others who want to take you down a peg. However this card also requires you to stand up to your inner saboteur. The Nine of Wands symbolizes that a personal victory is achieved each time you stand up for your dignity, worthiness, and self-respect.

The Nine of Wands symbolizes a life of someone who has undergone many trials, but through determination and will, they were able to overcome them.

The Nine of Wands may also mean that a person has been betrayed and has thus become mistrustful towards others. This may be because of something that has happened a number of times, and might on the first glance seem hopeless. But there is also hope and courage here, and the belief that this outlook is about to change. Someone or something may come into their life that will change their whole view of their past struggles. It encourages one to take that risky move because they may be surprised.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE KING OF CUPS, REVERSED

The King of Cups is a card in the tarot that shows generosity, control, and emotional balance. The card itself depicts a king seated on a throne, who has an amulet that is shaped like a fish. The fish in his necklace represents his creativity and spirit, which thrives on the calm waters that surround him. He is kind, affable, and forgiving. He has nothing left to prove to the world, which makes him unpretentious. This is because he is completely at peace with his own feelings. He has experienced both stormy seas, and still waters that run deep. Water and cups represents feelings in the tarot, and the King of Cups is perfectly at home in the realm of his emotions. We can see from the background that there is a steady balance between the conscious and unconscious. Behind the king, there is a fish jumping out of the ocean on the right side, and a ship on the left side, representative of the emotional and material worlds respectively. The King of Cups shows that you do not suppress your impulses, but have learned to deal with them in a balanced manner.

The King of Cups is one of the most influential cards in the suit of Cups. He represents creativity, emotion, and the unconscious. The card shows the ability to restrain one’s emotions and be fully in charge of your feelings and impulses. Therefore, the King of Cups represents a balance between the intellect and emotions. He indicates that there is a strong relationship between understanding and feeling.The King of Cups represents a balance between the intellect and emotions. He indicates that there is a strong relationship between understanding and feeling.

When you have balanced your emotions and are able to control them, it means that you have a deeper knowledge and awareness of yourself. When you are faced with challenges that would normally throw you off balance, the King of Cups is there to remind you that you should act as he does - do not fly out in a rage, or immediately throw yourself into despair. You first need to temper the state of your emotions, so that you can progress forward in reality. Learn to evaluate yourself so as to determine how you can create a stronger awareness of your own internal state.

There are instances when the King of Cups can symbolize an older male who is in your life. This is a mature man who is willing to take responsibility for his actions and has mastered his own self-understanding.The King of Cups tends to be political and diplomatic, and this makes it possible to for him to balance the needs of others, and enhance the harmony among all parties involved. The King of Cups shows that you are sensitive as a leader and you are careful with the way others respond to your emotional needs. The King of Cups implies that you should remain mature when dealing with negative energy.

The King of Cups reversed signals what happens when he is at his worst: volatility, emotional manipulation and moodiness. When the King of Cups falters, his usual ability to handle situations with compassion and wisdom are turned upside down. He is unable to balance the needs of all that seek his guidance, and while appearing kind to some, may be cold to others. His talent in navigating the emotions of others may be put to dubious uses, manipulating circumstances to fit his needs. The reversed King of Cups suggests that there is a character in your life that is depicted by this card, whether a part of you or someone else. While he is normally very in touch and controlled with his emotions, he has lately become manipulative and emotionally controlling. His actions will be used for vengeance and vindication, impulses that he normally has under control, and is eventually aimed at being some form of punishment.

When the King of Cups appears reversed he indicates that it is time to stay calm despite stormy seas. As you can see, the figure on the card is surrounded by waters making great waves. Water signifies feelings in the tarot, and reversed cups cards usually indicate an intensification of emotional experiences. The King of Cups is seated on a firm stone platform, unaffected by the swirling waves around him. This indicates that the King has the ability to remain centered when situations that elicit an emotional reaction arise. The King of Cups is associated with the astrological sign of Cancer, which is concerned with the house and the home. The best way to feel stable amid external emotional activity is to retreat to the home, and get your personal environment in order. Get your house in order. If you have a stable base of operations to re-centre, you can handle any number of waves headed your way.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

JUSTICE, REVERSED

The Justice tarot card is a symbol of truth, fairness, and law. As she sits in her chair, the scales in her left hand represent how intuition should balance logic. She symbolizes impartiality with the double-edged sword in her right hand. The clarity in thought which is required to dispense justice are symbolized by the square on the crown she wears. Behind her, there is a purple cloak and standing grey pillars. Beneath her red cloak, which is held together by a clasp, she shows the tip of a white shoe. This is a spiritual reminder that what she delivers are the outcomes of their actions. The Justice figure in the tarot is not blindfolded. She sees the situations confronting her clearly. The sword she wields represents that assertive action is needed to cut away the source of our imbalance. Imbalance often occurs when we aren’t being one-hundred percent honest with ourselves. Lady Justice restores balance and clarity through facts.

The decisions that you make now have long-term effects in all things, both for yourself and others. There will always come a time where you will be judged. The Justice tarot card appearing in a reading signals that a judgment will be made fairly and accordingly. The decisions that you have made in the past will be carefully weighed with fairness. Your feelings around this card may differ depending on your situation.

If you have been wronged, this card’s appearance may bring you relief. On the other hand, if your actions caused pain to others, this card serves as a warning. Her appearance represents a chance for you to change your actions now for a better future. When a tarot card reading shows the figure of justice, it is time to account for your actions.

Another meaning of the Justice card is truth. Truth must come to pass, and this cannot be found from the mouths and gossip of others. Instead, it’s based on facts. Learn the truth about others and yourself, speak and know the truth before passing a judgment. During a reading, when you see the Justice Tarot card, you need to be fair in all your deeds. By following the right procedure to learn the truth, you will understand what your tasks are. Another meaning of Justice Tarot card during a reading is to symbolize that attention is needed. It could be about your life, career or just an important decision that you need to make. If you have been unsure about something, it is time to get a solution once and for all.

Whenever Justice appears it is helpful to look at all the facts in an unbiased, neutral manner. To be neutral requires that you not let your emotions and expectations distort the facts. Wanting to believe something is true even when the facts prove otherwise will place you on a collision course with a rude awakening. If you look closely, Lady Justice has a square clasp at her neck and a square jewel in her crown. Squares are associated with honesty and strong foundations. In astrology squares aren’t considered easy aspects, but they are considered responsible for the development of character and strength. The squares decorating Lady Justice symbolize that truth may not always be easy to confront initially. However, if you choose to proceed with integrity and honesty, you will find yourself on a stable pathway toward happiness, harmony and success.

A reversed Justice tarot card could indicate various things. One Justice reversal meaning is to show you are living in denial. You are not willing to accept the consequences of your actions or others. You are running from your guilt. You must however, be aware that these are actions that are in the past. Your future depends on your actions today - and what you will do to tip the scales in balance again. How can you make up for your wrongs? Taking action gives you a chance to change and stop judging yourself. In legal matters, this could represent an unfair outcome of a case that you will not accept.

When Justice appears reversed, she symbolizes periods when your life feels lopsided. This sense of imbalance occurs when we are so focused on one part of our lives that we neglect other important aspects. Perhaps it’s time to step out of your routine to gain some clarity and perspective. Which area of your life is demanding too much of your energy? What part of yourself could invest in to remedy this?

Justice reversed can also appear in the guise of situations that seem unfair or unjust. You may be tempted to blame someone or something for a sense of imbalance but ultimately, you are the one who is responsible for restoring order in your life. Not everything in life is fair. Sometimes you must make the best of what you are presented with and proceed with excellence regardless. The situation may not seem fair, but a larger Universal order and balance is always at work behind the scenes. If the source of the injustice originates from another person, they’ll reap what they sow eventually. Sometimes a seemingly unfair situation will illuminate how you are being unfair to yourself. Are you tolerating something that violates your personal honour code? Upright or reversed, Lady Justice supports you in taking a clear-eyed look at the facts to restore your personal power.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE PAGE OF CUPS, REVERSED

The Page of Cups represents the unexpected inspiration that comes to us from the unconscious, perhaps in ways that we may not truly understand. In this card, a youth at the seashore wears a blue tunic adorned with floral prints, and holds a golden cup. She also wears a beret that looks quite bohemian, and a long flowing scarf. She is dressed in pink and blue. Pink is the color of love, harmony, kindness, and the heart. Blue is the color of communication, healing, creativity, and depth. She is surprised by a fish that pops out of the cup, as if to greet her from a fairy-tale. She can neither drink nor toast with the cup as the fish stares at her and seemingly tries to engage with her.

One of the most important meanings within the Page of Cups is that you should be open to new ideas, especially ones that stem from intuitive inspiration. The card seems to state that such inspiration should be embraced, despite it being something that you may not expect. It could lead you to adventure and open many doors. If it is a calling of a creative nature, for example, one to get into music or art, there’s an especially strong push from this card to go for it. The Page of Cups symbolizes the creative inner-child. This is the part of you that can still be amazed with wonder and curiosity at the world around you. Everybody has creative energy, and it is expressed differently by each individual. The Page of Cups invites you to play, be inspired, make something beautiful, bring more colour into your world, and create joyful memories with others.

When you are being faced by difficult situations, and you have stopped chasing your dreams, the Page of Cups seems to say that you that you should tackle the issue from a totally different perspective. It symbolizes persistence as this is the only way that you can make your dreams come true. Listen to your intuition, follow your calling, and believe everything is possible.

For those that are afraid to reveal their emotions, the Page of Cups could mean that it is time to release and show those emotions. The creative you and the emotional you should both be expressed, no matter how insignificant they may seem. In most cases, some people cannot express themselves as they want to protect their ego. The Page of Cups indicates that it is alright to have a new beginning - to welcome the real you.

One Page of Cups reversal meaning is that you are undergoing a block in your creativity. There are things or projects that you find interesting, but you seem to do them for other reasons than for the joy of it. You may be doing them for money, for fame, or something else. A reversed Page of Cups could indicate that you should remember the joy that your projects brought you in the first place to reclaim your imaginative spirit. If you’ve been feeling a lack of motivation to create, or to make your environment more enjoyable it’s time to change up the energy. When creativity is blocked, sometimes you just have to feel a bit more in life. Once your creativity becomes unleashed it will take on an energy and momentum all its own.

Another Page of Cups reversal meaning is that it can symbolize a troubled person. One who is afraid of reality whether it’s emotional, financial, illness or something else. They find these issues difficult to face, and look to escape. It could be an image of you or a loved one who is struggling with self-acceptance.

Creativity often flows when you are engaged with your feelings (good or bad). Make time to listen to heart, and let it have a say. Your feelings will hijack your whole project until they are felt and honestly heard. Also, take a break from being an overly-productive grown-up. Today, it’s time to let your inner child loose. Creativity needs to flow naturally like water. You can’t kick at the stream and expect it to change course. You must accept where you are and surrender to its flow.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE FOUR OF SWORDS, REVERSED

There is a quiet stillness that is present in the Four of Swords, a sense of calm peace that is contrasted so deeply with the pain in the Three of Swords. Here, in a church, there is a carving of a knight that lies upon a tomb with three swords hanging above him while the fourth one lies beneath him. These three swords are a reminder of the suffering that he has endured in the earlier card. The position of the fourth sword seems to be a signal that the fight has ended. A child and a woman are depicted by the stained glass place behind the statue, giving the scene a sense of warmth and welcoming after the retreat. The knight has his hands positioned as if he is praying. Hidden in the upper left-corner of the stained-glass window in the Four of Swords is the word: PAX (Latin for PEACE).

After the time of chaos, anger and pain depicted in the Three of Swords, the Four of Swords can signal that it is time to retreat. The Four of Swords is a moment of rest. Whether this is from a choice to withdraw, or whether it is from pure exhaustion, it is not clear. We are still tender from the wounds that were inflicted, and the battle weapons still hang above us as a grim reminder of what was lost. In order to continue and re-emerge in your daily life, you must take the time now to take a breather. There is always the faint fear that something more is bound to happen again and it is advisable that you take all chances to rest. You need to gain strength and clarity in a quiet environment away from your current circumstances. It is time to re-evaluate, organize and understand your priorities. This helps to rejuvenate one’s spirit, and you come out stronger than before.

Often the cause for suffering in our lives is attachment to things that need to be surrendered. Trying to control outcomes or hanging onto a path that no longer brings rewards are examples of this. Identify anything that is interfering with your inner peace. Is it a life path that you honestly aren’t happy with? Is it a fixed attachment to a specific outcome? Wouldn’t it be a relief to finally let the source of your suffering go and see what new wonders await you? We are often very good at rationalizing why we need to suffer, but there is no rationalization for it. You can choose inner-peace and let go of whatever you’ve outgrown that keeps preventing a sense of being at peace within yourself.

The Four of Swords indicates it is time to gather new strength and prepare to face a new challenge. You have faced crisis after crisis, and it is wearing you out. You can face a new challenge only after getting away from everything and embracing a new atmosphere. Take the time to nurture yourself to re-enter life. Within us glimmers hope, and it lies quietly, waiting to reveal itself after we are healed anew. The Four of Swords symbolizes our need for inner-peace. It encourages rest and recuperation. The appearance of the Four of Swords gently reminds you to call your attention to your body, and any areas where tension has been building up. You may need to give yourself some peace and quiet to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. You could also find that it’s time to let go of whatever is preventing a sense of peace and causing inner-suffering.

Although the Four of Swords card in a reading could mean it’s time for healing, a reversed card could mean restlessness. Your heart is willing to relax, but this is not what your mind wants. You feel that you have too much that is depending on you. Following this path is not advised, as it could have affects on your health. You can continue to fight, but sometimes that is ineffectual and you must have enough awareness of your own strength to decide when to back out. To rest, to retreat, is a means of self love sometimes, and though you may try to push ahead, that will only make it difficult for you in the long term.

Restless energy is not always bad. It can motivate you to accomplish goals and to get events moving again. It can also indicate excitement and motivation toward action. Restlessness becomes unhelpful when it turns into anxiety. The Four of Swords reversed may indicate that you may have to stop the flurry of rapid thoughts barraging your mind and remember to breathe.This card encourages you to reject frantic thinking. Take a break from problem solving. If you allow yourself some time to rejuvenate your mind, you will be able to return to the task at hand with clear perspective. Everything is falling into place. If there is still accumulated restless energy channel it into something constructive. Don’t ruminate. Let your restlessness fuel your willpower.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE TEN OF SWORDS

One of the most striking and ominous cards in the deck, the Ten of Swords shows a man lying flat on the ground with his face facing the dirt. He is covered with a red cloth from the chest down to his legs. Ten long swords are stabbed into his back, he may not have seen this end coming. There is a terrible stillness in the air: the sky above him is black and cloudy indicating the fear and negativity associated with death. The waters in front of him are still, with no ripples - adding to the eerie stillness and finality of this card. Looking into the horizon, in the east, the sun is rising, and the weather seems very calm despite the darkness. The Ten of Swords seems to intimate that this is the lowest point in one's life, and it cannot get worse than this. At least, even in this state, the sun is rising.

The Ten of Swords indicate a major disaster of some sort. It shows that a certain force of extreme magnitude has come to hit you in your life - one that you may have not foreseen. There is a sense of betrayal that is indicated here, for the character is stabbed in the back. This seems to be a reminder that despite how much we try, we cannot control everything - there are things that are beyond our ability to change. Here, this situation is unavoidable.

The tale of the suit of swords is a powerful metaphor, one that ends in tragedy. The swords are a symbol of the intellect, of intelligence and logic, and yet we find the final culmination of this suit a complete and total defeat of the spirit. We must realize that the swords are a weapon that can have immense potential for destruction or for good. The story as it unfolds from the ace to the ten is one where an untrained individual uses this weapon for faulty reasons - makes many mistakes, and then spends an entire lifetime attempting to run away from the power that he misused.

This person believes the swords are external to him when they are part of him, and when they inevitably return, he once again suffers. His pain is not the pain of his circumstances usually, but the pain of fear, of anxiety, of not being able to be a master of his surroundings. After the hopelessness of the nine of swords, what could have happened? Were you overwhelmed by the pressure? Or did you take the final sword upon yourself and admit defeat?

The Ten of Swords depicts that situation where your mentality is ‘poor me’, you feel like there is nothing you can do. Pause and remember that as with the death card, the end of something means a new beginning. Let go of what you have lost, and focus on the new path forward because that is where your life is meant to go. A good example is a break-up with your partner - though it could be intensely painful, it could also be the beginning of a new sense of independence.

The man on the card is face down. All the swords are in his back. Whatever "got him" was chasing him from behind. He was running away. The swords in his back symbolize his irrational fears. They finally caught up with him. But look closer. In his last moment he finally learned to surrender. This is symbolized by his right hand opening to Spirit. What fears are you constantly trying to keep ahead of? Is your day filled with thoughts of terrible things that might happen? Do you try to just "keep busy" so you don't have to face the source of your unease?

Ignoring fear is the same as running from it. It's still there. Often the thing we fear is a distraction from going deeper and listening to our inner spirit. Spirit does not want suffering for you. But the only way to be free from needless suffering is to surrender. You aren't surrendering to fear, you are surrendering the fear. Surrender to feeling the fear and then letting it go.

The Ten of Swords asks that you turn around, and face the fears coming from behind. Tell the fear, "I'm not running from you today." Fear thrives when you ruminate. Switch mental gears. Reach out to a trusted loved one. Speak your fear aloud. Sometimes speaking the fear to someone who supports you is the first step to truly letting it go. Take your fears out of the shadows and into the light.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE PAGE OF PENTACLES, REVERSED

The Page of Pentacles card depicts a youth standing all by himself in a wide field surrounded by flowers. In the background, you will also notice several lush trees and a furrowed field. The young man seems to be walking in a slow manner and appears unaware of his surroundings, for his attention is completely captured by the coin he is holding, and all that it represents: ambition, security, wealth, nature, and sensuality. The Page of Pentacles symbolizes a person who is grounded, loyal and diligent.

The Page holds up his Pentacle with reverence. It is a symbol of his passion for learning, perfecting, and understanding. He lives in a fertile valley in the shade of trees and mountains. Although he is a child of the "Earth element," he always seems to have his head in the clouds. The tall trees and the towering mountains lie far beneath where his dreams take him. His red hat symbolizes the passion he has for the fresh goals he is just getting started with. He is not just a dreamer but also a "doer." His green tunic represents that abundance will always result when there is a self-motivation for improvement.

When we meet the Page of Pentacles, we see immediately that he is one that is ambitious and focused. He is protected, nourished, provided for by the suit whose name he bears. Guided by it, he is deeply tied to the earth, nature, and all of its gifts. He cherishes the body, for it too is something which is a manifestation of his element. His diligence, ambition and loyalty drives his to quickly make plans for the future - for it is there where his focus lies.

When you meet him, he may be the bearer of news connected to all earthly and material matters. When you hear his message, be inspired as he is - lay down the foundations to follow your ambitions.

Generally, the Page of pentacles refers to the kind of energy that you need to complete all that is needed for your work. It may point to the determination, focus and the ability to stick with a particular task no matter how boring it may seem. In terms of work, the Page of Pentacles may signify that there are a lot of tasks you are responsible for, but your time to complete them is much too limited. This is not the time to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Assistance will be there for you, you just have to ask for it.

The Page of Pentacles represents the passion you feel for what really interests you. This can be a goal, a talent, a creative pursuit, or a career that you love. To get better at anything, you have to work at it. When your interests become "work," it can be easy to forget why you used to love it. The job to do (and the anxiety to do it well), can soon take the place of the passion. The process of getting better at anything is strewn with mistakes. Errors are your best teachers. If you don't remind yourself what you love about the work you do, your morale can quickly sink. If you throw in comparing yourself to others, who you think do it "better," and you've got a perfect recipe for anxiety, apathy or avoidance. In order to reclaim your passion, get back to the basics. It's time to remind yourself what initially made you passionate about this pursuit in the first place! In relation to finances, the Page of Pentacles can refer to the reward for your hard work. For those who are investing their hard–earned money, this is not the perfect time for you to take the risk. Invest your money in a safe and traditional way - the diligence will pay you back. If you are currently experiencing a health issue, this problem may be the result of the continuous neglect. 

When the Page of Pentacles card appears reversed, it may point to your lack of focus. There is a possibility that you are being distracted with lots of things. Try to borrow the talents of this page and focus your mind before moving on the next thing.

It may also indicate that you need to give yourself a break to refresh your mind. With regards to work, the Page of Pentacles reversed may signify that you are currently feeling overwhelmed due to the heavy demands in your workplace. Remember that it is always better to ask for assistance and complete the work rather than to try to finish it all by yourself and end up failing to do so. In terms of love, you are probably in a solid and steady romantic relationship, but perhaps someone else has caught your interest lately. When it comes to your finances, the Page of Pentacles reversed may refer to that urge to play and gamble. Be sure to stay responsible and be in control of your actions. In terms of health, do your best to stay away from dangerous activities.

When the Page of Pentacles appears reversed, he asks if you are losing your passion for what used to interest you. If you feel blasé about your goals it's time, to remember why you love the work you do. This is a pivotal moment where the direction of your energy needs to change. The Page of Pentacles reversed can symbolize feeling burnt-out with a skill, subject or routine. Check in with yourself and ascertain if excitement for your passions feels blocked. This card can often appear for people who turn hobbies or interests into their careers. If the purposeful work is not injected with gratitude, joy and excitement, it can soon feel like a daily grind.

Often, the Page of Pentacles reversed represents re-learning a life lesson that we thought we completed. This may be a time where you are circling back over your life and reinforcing the fundamentals of who you are. This will ensure growth and opportunities that will emerge after you embody who you are becoming.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE PAGE OF SWORDS

The Page of Swords card is representative of a person in one’s life who shows an abundance of energy. With wind-blown trees, turbulent clouds and the their tossed hair, a youth stands proudly on a rocky precipice. This energetic youth has a sword in her hands. Her expression is one of determination, and perhaps a little bit of defiance - she seems ready to pounce at the slightest word.

Look closely at the Page of Swords’ position in the picture. She is guarding herself. The sword is raised to swing at any incomer. It is difficult to hug this Page. You just can’t seem to get close. She is in total defensive position. Even the biting winds of his words warn you to keep distant. The cold winds upset the birds above, and lash at the trees. All this defensiveness is a mask for hurt. A feeling of vulnerability that others will discover the Page of Swords doesn’t feel one hundred percent confident about what she is doing.

Bright and alert, the Page of Swords is someone who never seems to run out of ideas. She is curious, always asking questions, and gifted with a sharp tongue and quick wit to match. Her aptitude for language also makes her an incredible communicator, and with her love of ideas, you may find her always engaged in some passionate debate. She seems to thrive on almost a kind of nervous energy, as if there was too much inside her to say, the wheels in her head always turning. As a news bearer, she may bring news that is represented by her suit - particularly, gossip, legal matters, agreements. Alternatively, you may find yourself required to use her energy - be alert, keep your eyes open and stay sharp and vigilant.

This card may indicate that you are very eager to execute an idea that you have been having or a project that you cooked up just recently. You are quite passionate about it, and you cannot wait to share the progress with others. Compared to your passionate heart, time seems to be standing still. It is time to be talkative. When a Page of Swords appears in a reading, it signifies communication and sharing of ideas. Whether it is someone else’s ideas or yours, it is time to open up and talk about them as long as it is a constructive.

The Page of Swords represents unnecessary defensiveness. These defenses guard a wounded area of the heart that needs healing. She often pretends that she is fine, and that it’s everyone else who has the issue.  If the Page of Swords could lower his unneeded defenses, he would experience a huge breakthrough. His openness would get him past the blockages he keeps experiencing. He would then ascend to the next level. The Page of Swords is often misunderstood and has been described as dishonest. However, this really isn’t a fair assessment. She is not a “liar,” because she has no awareness of his dishonesty. She is unable to assess himself accurately. The Page of Swords is not a bad person. She is in denial about some difficult feelings. She also has more maturing to do.

The Page of Swords represents the part of us that resists having vulnerabilities seen. She shows up in ourselves when we lash out in defense of our pride. She also appears in the form of other individuals in our day to day interactions that have no self-awareness. When the Page of Swords comes in the form of another person, she will often trigger your own inner “Page of Swords” reaction. This is why she can be so irritating when she appears in the behaviors of people at work, or family members you are struggling with.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE THREE OF WANDS, REVERSED

The Three of Wands depicts a man who is standing on the edge of a cliff, looking over the ocean and the mountains. From the cliff edge, he sees everything that is ahead of him. The Wands are planted into the ground and surround the man as he grasps one in his hand. He seems to look forward and reflect on both the commitment that he has for his plans, as well as the method of execution in order to bring them to reality. The man on the card is considering his future. He's richly dressed, an important person in his small corner of the world. Yet he feels unfulfilled. The man is not looking at you, he's thinking about life. His life.At first glance it appears he is overlooking a vast desert. A sandy wasteland with little promise. But as always with the tarot, look closer... You will see that these are not barren sands, but the orange glowing waters of sunrise or sunset. Ships are crossing to and from their ports of safety. Sunrise and sunset are the magical times of "in-between." Transformations always happens at these times (see the Two of Swords). The man's heart is yearning to embark, to leave his small island home. Somehow, it has unconsciously always been his dream. He wasn't sure what he was missing, but now he knows. He took the time to stop, think, and get clear about what he really wants out of life. Now that he is clear on his objective, he can open himself to the wonders of the world. 

The meaning of the Three of Wands hints that you are planning or going to plan for the future with more conviction. This could mean that everything around your plans is going smoothly, as you have taken the time to plan your future, and are taking steps to turn plans into action. It hints that you are perhaps creating a stable foundation for yourself. The symbolism within the Three of Wands is that opportunities that can take place to widen your horizons in many areas. It also is a warning to keep your mind open as better opportunities could open up to you. As you take steps towards achieving what you set out to do, you are also becoming more aware of opportunities that are coming your way, and this could be take you out of your comfort zone. This pushes you to sometimes embrace change, and to start thinking in the long-term.

The Three of Wands can show that you are in control and have a strong position, just like the character that overlooks and stands strong. The Three of Wands is one of the main cards of foresight and vision.

The last Three of Wands meaning is that of travel in search of what you are seeking. There is a sense of leaving home, a voyage that must be undertaken. Great things do not happen to those that simply wait for them, you must expand. For most readings, this shows that you may travel to a new land over the water and that you may find an opportunity during your travels.

The reversed Three of Wands indicates that you may have been embarking on personal journeys or developments, but you have not received the achievements that you were hoping for. This could be due to delays or road blocks. Despite all this, the card reminds you that all of your work has not been for nothing, but rather that it has helped you with your personal strength and fortitude. The Three of Wands reversed can also mean you need to take some time to plan your future. This is especially true if you have not started on your long term goals or have become overwhelmed by the tasks that you face now, or will have to face soon. You are only reacting and not acting with thought and deliberation. However, the most common Three of Wands reversed meaning is a nudge to include planning for future changes, and to watch for better options in case that they show up. The figure on the Three of Wands knows this and always keeps his eyes open for how the future could change, and it is a worthy lesson to learn.

When the Three of Wands appears reversed, it asks where the majority of your mental energy is being directed... on a future that has not happened yet, or the present? Planning for the future is vital for achieving long term success in this life. However, thoughts about the future should not completely override experiencing joy in the moment. The Three of Wands reversed asks you to look at this moment as a snapshot of where you are on your path. If a photographer were to take a metaphorical picture of your life right now what would that picture look like? Can you see it as an image of beauty? It is time to be present with your life and see it as it truly is before proceeding. What do you love about your life currently? What do you wish would change? Accept your life and the lessons you currently find yourself learning. Breathe in the truth of your life at this moment, and bless it with loving acceptance from your heart center.

The Three of Wands reversed advises you to stop yearning for the future to bring you the peace and joy you are seeking. It is right here, right now, and its light envelops you in the place you are sitting. When you begin to accept yourself and send love toward the life you are living, strange, magical and miraculous things will start to begin. Doorways begin to open. Prosperity flows. You begin to see the light in others and in your experiences.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE KNIGHT OF WANDS, REVERSED

The Knight of Wands is seen on his horse that is reared up and ready for action. Judging from the knight’s clothes and armor, as well as his horse, he is prepared for what’s ahead. He is wearing a yellow patterned shirt on top of his metal armor. He is also wearing an armor helmet with red plume sticking out of it. He seems to be ready for battle, except he is holding a large wand instead of a sword. His horse is orange in color and has a mane that looks like flames. When you look at the Knight of Wands' face, you’ll see the determination of wanting to be successful in his endeavor. Fire is a dominate factor in the Knight of Wands' symbolism. The decorative tassels hanging from his arms and back, as well as the horse’s mane, are all in the color of flame. He is also wearing a yellow shirt printed with the fiery salamander symbol.

The Knight of Wands' symbolism is straightforward. When it appears, it means a great time to get away and travel. The person should feel charged up and full of life. One is also ready to get things done. He is adventurous and can find fun things to do no matter where he is. There is never a dull moment when the Knight of Wands is around. When the Knight of Wands shows up in a reading it seems to suggest that the seeker wants to complete important tasks. One wants to impress others with one’s knowledge and skill. The card also shows up when the person is planning to move to another place of residence. If you are starting a creative project, then you should do so with lots of energy and enthusiasm. However, you should balance it with realistic and well-rounded views. You should also have a plan that takes into account the consequences of your actions.

Getting the Knight of Wands in a reading can also mean that there is an event that you don’t expect to happen soon. If it is accompanied by the Eight of Wands, then you should expect a lot of changes in your life. More often than not, the Knight of Wands indicates a hasty change of job, residence, or anything in your life.

When you get a reversed Knight of Wands, it indicates frustrations and delays. You may feel angry and that you are not getting anywhere. A reversed Knight of Wands can translate to a loss of power. You may be trying to compensate for something that you don’t have total control over - this might lead to pessimism and loss of self-esteem.

When the Knight of Wands appears reversed, he asks you what you have learned from all your exploration over the past year. Up until now, you have probably been seeking answers, and looking in unlikely places. When the Knight of Wands appears reversed, he is asking you how you can channel this disparate information into productive ways to improve your life. When this card appears reversed it warns against allowing your energy to remain scattered.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE PAGE OF CUPS, REVERSED

The Page of Cups represents the unexpected inspiration that comes to us from the unconscious, perhaps in ways that we may not truly understand. In this card, a youth at the seashore wears a blue tunic adorned with floral prints, and holds a golden cup. She also wears a beret that looks quite bohemian, and a long flowing scarf. She is dressed in pink and blue. Pink is the color of love, harmony, kindness, and the heart. Blue is the color of communication, healing, creativity, and depth. She is surprised by a fish that pops out of the cup, as if to greet her from a fairy-tale. She can neither drink nor toast with the cup as the fish stares at her and seemingly tries to engage with her.

One of the most important meanings within the Page of Cups is that you should be open to new ideas, especially ones that stem from intuitive inspiration. The card seems to state that such inspiration should be embraced, despite it being something that you may not expect. It could lead you to adventure and open many doors. If it is a calling of a creative nature, for example, one to get into music or art, there's an especially strong push from this card to go for it. The Page of Cups symbolizes the creative inner-child. This is the part of you that can still be amazed with wonder and curiosity at the world around you. Everybody has creative energy, and it is expressed differently by each individual. The Page of Cups invites you to play, be inspired, make something beautiful, bring more colour into your world, and create joyful memories with others.

When you are being faced by difficult situations, and you have stopped chasing your dreams, the Page of Cups seems to say that you that you should tackle the issue from a totally different perspective. It symbolizes persistence as this is the only way that you can make your dreams come true. Listen to your intuition, follow your calling, and believe everything is possible.

For those that are afraid to reveal their emotions, the Page of Cups could mean that it is time to release and show those emotions. The creative you and the emotional you should both be expressed, no matter how insignificant they may seem. In most cases, some people cannot express themselves as they want to protect their ego. The Page of Cups indicates that it is alright to have a new beginning - to welcome the real you.

One Page of Cups reversal meaning is that you are undergoing a block in your creativity. There are things or projects that you find interesting, but you seem to do them for other reasons than for the joy of it. You may be doing them for money, for fame, or something else. A reversed Page of Cups could indicate that you should remember the joy that your projects brought you in the first place to reclaim your imaginative spirit. If you've been feeling a lack of motivation to create, or to make your environment more enjoyable it's time to change up the energy. When creativity is blocked, sometimes you just have to feel a bit more in life. Once your creativity becomes unleashed it will take on an energy and momentum all its own.

Another Page of Cups reversal meaning is that it can symbolize a troubled person. One who is afraid of reality whether it’s emotional, financial, illness or something else. They find these issues difficult to face, and look to escape. It could be an image of you or a loved one who is struggling with self-acceptance.

Creativity often flows when you are engaged with your feelings (good or bad). Make time to listen to heart, and let it have a say. Your feelings will hijack your whole project until they are felt and honestly heard. Also, take a break from being an overly-productive grown-up. Today, it's time to let your inner child loose. Creativity needs to flow naturally like water. You can’t kick at the stream and expect it to change course. You must accept where you are and surrender to its flow.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

JUSTICE, REVERSED

The Justice tarot card is a symbol of truth, fairness, and law. As she sits in her chair, the scales in her left hand represent how intuition should balance logic. She symbolizes impartiality with the double-edged sword in her right hand. The clarity in thought which is required to dispense justice are symbolized by the square on the crown she wears. Behind her, there is a purple cloak and standing grey pillars. Beneath her red cloak, which is held together by a clasp, she shows the tip of a white shoe. This is a spiritual reminder that what she delivers are the outcomes of their actions. The Justice figure in the tarot is not blindfolded. She sees the situations confronting her clearly. The sword she wields represents that assertive action is needed to cut away the source of our imbalance. Imbalance often occurs when we aren’t being one-hundred percent honest with ourselves. Lady Justice restores balance and clarity through facts.

The decisions that you make now have long-term effects in all things, both for yourself and others. There will always come a time where you will be judged. The Justice tarot card appearing in a reading signals that a judgment will be made fairly and accordingly. The decisions that you have made in the past will be carefully weighed with fairness. Your feelings around this card may differ depending on your situation.

If you have been wronged, this card's appearance may bring you relief. On the other hand, if your actions caused pain to others, this card serves as a warning. Her appearance represents a chance for you to change your actions now for a better future. When a tarot card reading shows the figure of justice, it is time to account for your actions.

Another meaning of the Justice card is truth. Truth must come to pass, and this cannot be found from the mouths and gossip of others. Instead, it's based on facts. Learn the truth about others and yourself, speak and know the truth before passing a judgment. During a reading, when you see the Justice Tarot card, you need to be fair in all your deeds. By following the right procedure to learn the truth, you will understand what your tasks are. Another meaning of Justice Tarot card during a reading is to symbolize that attention is needed. It could be about your life, career or just an important decision that you need to make. If you have been unsure about something, it is time to get a solution once and for all.

Whenever Justice appears it is helpful to look at all the facts in an unbiased, neutral manner. To be neutral requires that you not let your emotions and expectations distort the facts. Wanting to believe something is true even when the facts prove otherwise will place you on a collision course with a rude awakening. If you look closely, Lady Justice has a square clasp at her neck and a square jewel in her crown. Squares are associated with honesty and strong foundations. In astrology squares aren’t considered easy aspects, but they are considered responsible for the development of character and strength. The squares decorating Lady Justice symbolize that truth may not always be easy to confront initially. However, if you choose to proceed with integrity and honesty, you will find yourself on a stable pathway toward happiness, harmony and success.

A reversed Justice tarot card could indicate various things. One Justice reversal meaning is to show you are living in denial. You are not willing to accept the consequences of your actions or others. You are running from your guilt. You must however, be aware that these are actions that are in the past. Your future depends on your actions today - and what you will do to tip the scales in balance again. How can you make up for your wrongs? Taking action gives you a chance to change and stop judging yourself. In legal matters, this could represent an unfair outcome of a case that you will not accept.

When Justice appears reversed, she symbolizes periods when your life feels lopsided. This sense of imbalance occurs when we are so focused on one part of our lives that we neglect other important aspects. Perhaps it’s time to step out of your routine to gain some clarity and perspective. Which area of your life is demanding too much of your energy? What part of yourself could invest in to remedy this?

Justice reversed can also appear in the guise of situations that seem unfair or unjust. You may be tempted to blame someone or something for a sense of imbalance but ultimately, you are the one who is responsible for restoring order in your life. Not everything in life is fair. Sometimes you must make the best of what you are presented with and proceed with excellence regardless. The situation may not seem fair, but a larger Universal order and balance is always at work behind the scenes. If the source of the injustice originates from another person, they’ll reap what they sow eventually. Sometimes a seemingly unfair situation will illuminate how you are being unfair to yourself. Are you tolerating something that violates your personal honour code? Upright or reversed, Lady Justice supports you in taking a clear-eyed look at the facts to restore your personal power.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE CHARIOT, REVERSED

The Chariot tarot card depicts a figure sitting inside a vehicle that is being driven by two black and white sphinxes. The whole card has a bit of a celestial influence; the figure sits underneath a blue canopy adorned by white stars. On his shoulders, he carries the sign of the crescent moon, representing the spiritual influence under which he is guided. On his head sits a crown, meaning that he is enlightened, and that his will is pure. Emblazoned on his chest is a square, denoting the element of earth, of the material world, which grounds him and his actions. In the background of the card there is a large castle surrounded by stable walls.  This represents leaving the safety of the home to go out into the world. A large moat surrounds the castle and has also been crossed.  This represents bypassing emotional decision making which usually favours comfort over self-improvement. The Chariot is covered by a veil imprinted with stars. Stars are eternal and ancient. They symbolize that the charioteer is seeing “the big picture.” His Higher Self is directing his path.

The sphinxes are coloured in black and white, a symbol of opposing forces that the charioteer must learn to control. Here they are calm, but they frequently get into scuffles as they seem to want to move in different directions. His task is to guide these sphinxes towards a destination, one that is marked by the cosmic forces that he represents. The sphinx is a creature of mystery and represents the unknown. The man in the chariot is taking a risk and letting the mysterious sphinxes lead him. He doesn’t know what lies ahead, but he has taken the risk anyway.

The Chariot tarot card is all about overcoming challenges and gaining victory through maintaining control of your surroundings. This perfect control and confidence allows the charioteer to emerge victorious in any situation. The use of strength and willpower are critical in ensuring that you overcome the obstacles that lie in your path. The Chariot's message comes to make you stronger as you strive to achieve your goals. The key message that he brings to you is that you must maintain focus, confidence, and determination through a process that will be full of winding turns and detours. If you have a plan or a project that you seem not to be sure about, the Chariot shows that you should pursue the plan with a structured and ordered approach. Your boldness will ensure that you achieve all that you should in this goal.

In the Chariot's quest for his goal, he may display some behaviour that he has never seen within himself before - competition and a desire to succeed has perhaps brought out a more aggressive part of his personality. Aggression is a natural part of human nature, and the Chariot reminds you that it can also be used to help you take charge of your situation, but also must be reined in so that it does not hinder your way forward. The Chariot symbolizes courage in the face of uncertainty. It represents taking risks and stepping toward what you really want out of life, even when there are no guarantees. The Chariot illustrates that victory does not come from the attainment of a goal, but instead occurs at the exact moment you choose courage instead of fear. The charioteer is still advancing toward his goal, and yet he is already crowned and sceptered. He has already won. He made the decision to have courage direct his path instead of a need for comfort, assurance, and security.

The reversed Chariot's appearance in a reading can help you become aware of both your aggression, and your lack of willpower. It may either be saying that you are lacking in focus, motivation or direction, or that you are being warped by your obsession with your goals. In the former case, let the Chariot be a reminder that you can emerge victorious as long as you can gather the courage to do so. In the latter, your impulses may be another factor that you must rein in. To see the Chariot in reverse may suggest that you need to come to terms with the fact that you cannot always be in control.

The Chariot reversal meaning can also be an indication of lack of control and direction over your life. You are at the mercy of the opposing forces and the obstacles, and cannot seem to muster the strength to take over. You are taking everything lying down, and life is dragging in any direction that it pleases. It should serve as a wakeup call and reminder that you will need to tighten some loose ends and take charge of your destiny.

If the Chariot appears reversed, it means that fear of making the wrong decision can rob you of feeling like your life and destiny are in your control. This card will often accompany a feeling that life is pulling you in two opposite directions. Fear of committing to a choice can lead to a sense of being stuck. Avoidance of taking responsibility and making a choice will only make things feel more "out of control." The Chariot driver reminds you that you are in the driver's seat of your life. You get to choose whether to respond assertively or re-actively to the situation confronting you. Once you make the choice you have been avoiding, you can reclaim your self-confidence and self-esteem.

The only wrong decision for you at this time is making no decision at all. Be bold and proactive. Take charge. Even when this card is reversed it reminds you that you still embody the powerful the qualities of the brave charioteer. The Great Mystery symbolized by the sphinxes will lead you to safety every time. You can still be victorious, but only if you have a horse in the race. There is no need to fear mistakes. Even if you possibly make mistakes along the way, they will prove to be your best teachers. Success comes from action, not avoidance. 

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE KNIGHT OF PENTACLES, REVERSED

Much like the other court cards of this suit, the Knight of Pentacles revolves around work, effort, and a general responsibility. The Knight of Pentacles sits on a dark horse in a field. Unlike the other knights, who are always off on one adventure or another, this knight decides to stay home, and instead, focus on tilling the fields. He prepares for the next harvest - it is on this land that he believes that he can do the most. In his hands, he has a single gold coin. He gazes into it, and in his eyes we see a careful consideration. Perhaps he is dreaming of what it could bring him. The other knights may think he's a little boring, but this knight is more concerned about the long term future of his kingdom.  The Knight of Pentacles rides the fields dreaming of the future. He is utterly disappointed with the present. The fields he surveys are brown, and don't seem to be growing anything. How many more years does he have to keep pacing the same fields before they grow? In order to become a King, this Knight needs to demonstrate he can make a field grow. The field will never grow until he learns to be at peace with himself and the lesson the present is teaching him. Patience and self-acceptance.

It is also interesting to note that of all the knights, the Knight of Pentacles is the only knight to be seated on a horse that is not moving forward. This indicates that events are at a standstill. Although the knight is eager to progress he has to learn something important that can only be found where he is now, in the present.

The Knight of Pentacles is about the daily tasks and the responsibility that one has to gain through a specific project. This knight has the patience to accomplish all his given duties and is considered by others reliable and committed to his work. To see this card is an indication that there is a need to be trustworthy and reliable.

You are fully committed to your assignments and you make sure that you complete your work efficiently. You are absolutely loyal and do the best you can in order to make sure the job will be properly completed. Though your sense of duty is admirable, beware that it does not turn into perfectionism - which can manifest itself in every aspect of your life. The Knight of Pentacles can also represent routine, or the kind of general hard work that you go through everyday. The meaning of the Knight of Pentacles also advises that you should continue to do exactly what he is doing. Sticking with the tried and true methods, he will accomplish everything he has set out to do. Sometimes, going with what has already done is not necessarily bad.

The Knight of Pentacles represents a need for patience and perspective when our current life does not measure up to our expectations. It is a card that teaches us how to use setbacks as opportunities for personal resilience. Only hindsight will reveal just why something we hoped for or expected didn’t quite pan out the way we thought it should. Life has a way of steering us to even better blessings than the ones we expected. Has something you expected not panned out the way you hoped? Do you feel bad about the present because you don't "have" something that you think others do? Are you able to honestly see that the game isn't over yet, and there are still marvellous things in store for you?

The Universe has a way of providing teachable moments. The lessons appear in the form of recurring "setbacks," that repeat themselves over and over until you absorb what we need to change about your mindset. You need to ask, "What is this recurring situation teaching me?" "How can I use this as an opportunity for resilience?" Perhaps the recurring situations are teaching you patience and self-acceptance. Perhaps they are teaching you about boundaries, or not needing others to validate you. Perhaps you just need to learn to be at peace with who you are in the present, with all your perceived imperfections.

When the reversed Knight of Pentacles shows up in a reading, the traits that were once positive in the upright position are now taken to the extreme. You may feel stuck in your own routine, and bored of everything that surrounds you. You may desire a change of scenery in order to avoid this tiring repetition. The Knight of Pentacles reversed could also indicate that you have totally ignored many serious aspects of your life. Financial or personal issues are often be neglected in favour of work matters when this card appears reversed.

You may be a driven and ambitious person who struggles to carry the weight of your responsibilities - so much so that you sacrifice your social life. Perhaps you can try taking more risks, or spend more time with friends and loved ones. The Knight of Pentacles reversed is a strong indication that you need to change this way of living, lest you risk burnout and exhaustion.

When the Knight of Pentacles appears reversed he represents managing your expectations. This card often appears when we are bracing ourselves for something that we "assume" is going to be bad. This card asks you to turn your expectations on their head. How could the situation you are dreading turn into an unexpected blessing? By confronting this situation what do you have to gain? Sometimes this card indicates that you just need to be more practical,  and not buy into assumptions without current evidence to back it up. The field in the background of this card may look brown, but there is magic happening beneath the surface. Seeds that are germinating will manifest into autumn's harvest. Although the Knight may be impatient, patience is the lesson that he will find himself repeating until he learns acceptance of universal timing. Now is not the time to retreat or give up. What happened before and what will possibly happen later is not where the decisions must be made. Decide to be powerful in the present. This moment is where you power truly resides.

Accept that not everything you want or desire is going to happen right away, and perhaps you need to make peace with the idea that it won't manifest in quite the way you planned. Sometimes things we don't get in life are actually blessings in disguise. At this time, don't judge your progress by how it appears in the brown, sparse fields of winter. Even in winter new life is stirring. Progress may feel slowed but this is an illusion. With patience, and hindsight, you will see why this situation took the turns that it did. Getting frustrated will not help your situation. Focus on how you can productively improve your situation practically, without laying your sense of security on unsubstantiated hopes and fears. It is never a waste of time to work on yourself while giving other situations time to straighten out. If something externally isn’t working out it’s a sign to place your focus inward.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE MAGICIAN, REVERSED

The Magician is one tarot card that is filled with symbolism. The central figure depicts someone with one hand pointed to the sky, while the other hand points to the ground, as if to say "as above, so below". This is a rather complicated phrase, but its summarization is that earth reflects heaven, the outer world reflects within. It can also be interpreted here that the magician symbolizes the ability to act as a go-between between the world above and the contemporary, human world. 

On his table, the magician also wields all the suits of the tarot. This symbolizes the four elements being connected by this magician - the four elements being earth, water, air, and fire. The infinity sign on his head indicates the infinite possibilities of creation with the will.  The Magician has the power to move the objects on the altar any way he chooses. This symbolizes your ability to affect your external environment by choosing to focus your thoughts and intentions. The Magician’s white wand is raised high, channelling his best self. When you are channelling your best self, you can also manifest marvellous things, as if by magic.

The best self is the part of you that feels limitless. When your mind is attuned to your best self you will notice that you feel energized, motivated and confident. You feel fearless and believe in your own talents and abilities. Unfortunately, we live in a society that borages us with images of how we really don't measure up. This affects our unconscious mind, which will run on autopilot until it is challenged.  To reconnect with you best-self, remember a time in your life when you felt powerful and limitless. Remember when you felt at your best. Recall when you stood up and did the difficult thing to do. Hold that powerful and joyful feeling. That person in your memory is still you. No matter what’s transpired, this is your true essence. Remember yourself and look at your situation through that person’s eyes.

The Magician is the representation of pure willpower. With the power of the elements and the suits, he takes the potential innate in the fool and moulds it into being with the power of desire. He is the connecting force between heaven and earth, for he understands the meaning behind the words "as above so below" - that mind and world are only reflections of one another. Remember that you are powerful, create your inner world, and the outer will follow.

When you get the Magician in your reading, it might mean that it's time to tap into your full potential without hesitation. It might be in your new job, new business venture, a new love or something else. It shows that the time to take action is now and any signs of holding back would mean missing the opportunity of becoming the best version of yourself. Certain choices will have to be made and these can bring great changes to come. Harness some of the Magician's power to make the world that you desire most.

Each of us is a magician, and our predominant thoughts are the magic spells that produce the life we are experiencing. All the situations you see in front of you can be changed, but first you must change where your mind is fixated. The Magician is in complete control of his environment. He represents the power of your mind's focus, which creates the reality you are living in.

When you obtain the Magician reversed, it might mean its time for you to implement some changes. While right side up, the Magician represents true power, the reversed Magician is a master of illusion. The magic that he performs is one of deception and trickery. You may be lured in by the showmanship of his arts, but behind that there may be an intention to manipulate for selfish gain. Getting this card might mean that there is someone who pretends to have your best interests at hand when the opposite is true. Consider whether this reversed the magician is in your circle, or perhaps might also represent your current state of emotions. It may mean you may become obsessed with power and that might lead to wrong, reckless decisions that will lead to your eventual downfall.

If the Magician appears reversed, he calls your attention to thoughts that feel out of control. The reality that you see in front of you can be changed, but you have to take ownership of your thoughts and beliefs about yourself. The Magician (upright or reversed) is a messenger from your higher self. The message is that you can change what you are experiencing by altering how you think about your current circumstances, and your power over them. Are the hidden beliefs uplifting and empowering, or fearful and self-sabotaging? Remember, your thoughts are like magic spells. They create your life experiences.

The Magician reversed encourages you to clean out your mental attic. It’s time to throw away the clutter that appears in the form of negative, self-limiting thoughts that make you feel powerless and small. You are so much more powerful than you think! If you want proof, just look back at all the challenges you have overcome without giving up. Make sure that your thoughts are supporting a positive, empowered, and self-confident mindset.

To throw out negative thoughts, stop yourself when you are having them. Think the thought. Does it make you feel tight, anxious, worthless or afraid? Shift your thoughts to something beautiful about yourself, or your life. Acknowledge a hard-fought achievement you’ve made. Have a few thoughts handy that always make you smile. When the Magician appears reversed, he calls you to reassert power over some aspect of your life that feels out of control.

You are the Magician of your life. Be mindful of what spells you are casting.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE KING OF WANDS

The King of Wands depicts a man who has in his hands a blossoming wand, which is set to represent creativity and life’s passion. His throne, as well as his cape, are decorated with the salamander and the lion, which are symbols of fire and strength. The salamander that is biting his tail represents the infinity as well as the overall drive to move through all obstacles. The robe is bright and orange resembling a flame, while the crown is shaped like a tongue of fire. He teaches you to trust in yourself. You haven’t let everything fall apart up until this point, so why panic and assume that suddenly you’ll drop the ball now. The King reminds you, that if you don’t trust in your own competency and abilities, you are betraying the very part of yourself that helped you survive.  He earned the respect of his men by winning battles and saving his kingdom on more than one occasion.

The King of Wands represents pure energy. Unlike the other wands cards in the deck however, this particular one is not focused on pure creativity. Instead, this king is actually way more likely to take an idea and to decisively implement it himself. The King of Wands is a natural born leader of people, and he is also extremely capable. Once the king sets for himself a certain aim or a goal, he is going to conveniently stick to it in order to ensure that it becomes a reality. The King of Wands looks forward to all sorts of different challenges - whether great or small, for he gets a natural adrenaline rush associated with the solving of problems. The negative aspect of the card is associated with a feeling of arrogance. He can even be rather aggressive in the actual pursuit of his goals, regardless of whether he’s actually conscious or not of it. He wouldn’t show restraint, nor even the humbleness to know when his assistance isn’t actually required.

When reversed, the card depicts a personality which is prone to taking rash, impulsive and hasty decisions. This person could be pushy, overbearing as well as dominating at times. Even though he might rarely do this with a sense of malice or with an intention to make someone feel submissive, this is without a doubt a part of his character that one can be frustrated at. In reversal, the card represents the worst spectrum of the qualities of the fire – selfishness and ruthlessness. He can be manipulative as long as you are serving his purpose.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE TEN OF PENTACLES

In the Ten of Pentacles card, there is an old man seated in an archway leading into a great estate. It seems he is the head of the family, for he is surrounded by younger loved ones. He wears a robe that is decorated with moon crescents and grapevines - indicating the joining of spirit and matter. He has his family and dogs with him, the love he has for his family the greatest legacy he will leave. There is a happy couple in front of him, presumably his children and a playful child behind this couple, his grandchild. The child playfully reaches out to pet the dog.

The Ten of Pentacles deals with permanence and satisfaction. The card shows that everything you have put your efforts into for a long time will pay off in the future. It suggests that everything will work out well in the end - for you have always kept the long term picture in view, choosing to take no shortcuts. It represents investment in the things that really last. It is also a card of family and tradition. When the Ten of Pentacles appears it asks you if you are working toward leaving the world a better place than you found it. This can include caring for the future generations, cultivating a talent that impacts the world, or being a representative of what is best in humanity.   Your legacy is sure to stand for quite a long time to come. This is a relief, for the path to get here has been filled with setbacks and challenges, making this point of the journey even sweeter. Your legacy is sure to stand for quite a long time to come.

In the card, the aged man is able to sit back and relax while watching the lives of his children and grandchildren. The satisfaction he derives from his achievement is interwoven in his children’s happiness. The meaning of the Ten of Pentacles also relates to the happiness that you experience because you have planted many seeds of happiness and shared in the lives of others, particularly family members and relatives. It points to the importance of these people in your life.

The Ten of Pentacles symbolism is rooted in both financial success and stability. It shows affluence and lack of financial struggle. It also implores you to make decisions that will not only have positive results in the present but also in the long term. The decisions that you make should produce positive results that last for generations to come, trickling down to your offspring as well. 

Make great memories with your family. It is important to work hard and plan for the future, but it is even more important to stop, reach out, and connect with your loved ones. Love is your greatest legacy. This card also asks you to look at your progress toward your larger goals. The things you are building that will remain long after you have gone. The Ten of Pentacles assures you that what you are investing your energy in now will have positive results, well into the future. Your life is becoming more and more secure. There is no need to fear the future when the Ten of Pentacles appears. Keep an eye on the long game, and be patient. Now is an ideal time to establish strong foundations.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE HIEROPHANT, REVERSED

The card depicts a religious figure that sits in a formal environment, namely a church. He is wearing three elaborate vestments which are designated to represent the three different worlds. His right hand is properly raised in an act of benediction, a sign of blessing. In his other hand, he carries a triple cross, which is associated traditionally with the pope. Each of the horizontal bars in the cross are thought to represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Beneath him, two acolytes are seated, representing the transfer of sacred knowledge within institutions. Through these acolytes, the card also comes to represent following the path to knowledge and education. He is the masculine counterpart of The High Priestess.

To see the Hierophant in a reading is to embrace the conventional, for it suggests that you have a certain desire to actually follow a process which has been well established. It also suggests that you want to stay within certain conventional bounds of what could be considered an orthodox approach. So, instead of being innovative, you will be adapting to certain beliefs and systems which are already put in place and are existing. The Hierophant card suggests that it’s better for you to follow social structures which are established and have their own traditions

You might be involved in certain ceremonies, rituals or other religious trappings, for instance. This particular card is most commonly representative of institutions as well as their core values. This is a sign that shows that you need to conform to the already existing set of rules and situations which are fixed already.

The keys at the Hierophant’s feet represent the need to unlock the sacred place within. Reaching out to the Sacred part of you can aid you with releasing burdens that feel bigger than you. Find a quiet moment. Unload your fears, tears, and assumptions of hopelessness to the Divine. When your prayers are true, they are heard. We may not get what we expect, but we will get a solution. What has been feeling so heavy, so unsolvable, and so hopeless? You’re being heard right now. It’s okay to ask for what you need.

When you see the Hierophant in reverse, it may mean that you are feeling particularly restricted and even constrained from too many structures and rules. As a result, you have lost quite a lot of control as well as flexibility in your life. You have a particularly strong will and desire to go ahead and regain control as well as to break free from the shackles of convention. You are tempted to try unorthodox approaches or to function in a way which defies social ties and norms. The Hierophant reversal meaning is mostly about questioning certain traditions and making sure that whatever it is that you do is the right thing for you in this certain moment.

When the Hierophant appears reversed, he warns against inflexibility. Many people turn away from cultivating their spirituality because of the inflexible examples of dogma in religions and religious leaders. When the Hierophant appears reversed, he asks if there are beliefs in your own life that are keeping you in a state of rigidity. Where might you need to bend more? Are your assumptions calcifying a once open mind? Is there an inflexible person that is irritating you right now, reflecting a part of yourself that is also intransigent? Try to approach your current situation with open-mindedness. Sometimes the Hierophant reversed represents an inflexible situation that you must find your way around. When two inflexible and immovable objects are about to collide it often leads to suffering. Be the “bigger person” by embracing the part within you that can transcend being “in-the-right.” Allow yourself to ask for help when needed. The Hierophant is the messenger of the Great Mystery. Perhaps all that is need is more time for meditation and reflection. Take a time-out from controlling behaviours. Allow all answers to reveal themselves to you on your path. Look on this situation with the same magnanimity as your better angels would.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE MOON

When we encounter the Moon, we see a path that leads off into the distance. On either side of the path stand a wolf and a dog, representing our animalistic nature - one is civilized, and the other wild and feral. There is a crawfish that is crawling out of the pond from which the path stems from. In the distance, we can see two towers flanking the central path, once again alluding to the doubles visible in this card. Everything in this card seems to echo the other, as if to allude to two possibilities. When we walk down the path, we walk the fine line between conscious and unconscious, between the tamed side of civilization of the dog, and the forces of nature represented by the wolf. The towers on the opposing ends represent the forces of good and evil, and their similarity in appearance can allude to the difficulties that we face in distinguishing between them.

On one hand, the Moon card can symbolize your imagination is taking the best of you. In the dark of the night, you are taking a path that you are unsure of, for there could be danger lurking in its depths. You are the crawfish embarking on the path in the card. The moon’s light can bring you clarity and understanding and you should allow your intuition to guide you through this darkness. You need to be aware of the situations that are causing fear and anxiety in your mind, whether it is now or in the future. It alerts you not to allow inner disturbances and self-deception to take the best of you. These deep memories and fears must be let go, and the negative energies must be released and turned into something constructive. Another reading of the Moon card is the existence of illusion. Some hidden truth must be discovered, for what you are seeing now may just be a trick of the light. You must search for the hidden forces that must be unraveled.

The Moon symbolizes your instincts and unconscious emotions. These undercurrents can alter your perception of the world around you. If you harbor habitually negative emotions, you will look at the world and will zero in on negativity. Likewise, if you are brimming over with positive energy, you will see a world brimming with joy. The Moon reminds you to check in with your unconscious emotions, moods and feelings. These emotions are coloring your perception of the “good” or “bad” things you are seeing in front of you.

The Moon beams brightly in the sky pulling on the instincts of the animals on the card, in very mysterious ways. A wolf appears in the image, howling at the moon. The wolf represents the primitive, instinctual side of your nature. A domesticated dog also appears alongside the wolf. The dog represents your “civilized self.” He is howling at the moon just as loud as the wolf. This represents that no matter how “rational” and intelligent you may like to think you are, you will still be pulled by mysterious and irrational forces. The Moon is a force of nature, which tugs on your deepest instincts and emotions. A lobster is drawn out of the deep waters, pulled from it lair by the power of the moon. Lobsters have hard shells to protect them from the world around them. However, there is no armor that can contend with the moon’s power. This symbolizes that no matter how much you try to wear hardened armor over your own vulnerabilities, you will still be influenced by your habitual, sensitive nature. Nature “feels” the moon, because the moon tugs on the earth’s gravity as it orbits. The moon’s great weight pulls on the oceans, lakes, and rivers as it circles, creating the tides. The moon pulls on our instincts.

When this card appears, it is a time to listen to your instincts and let them guide your path. Tune into your intuitive hunches. Trust yourself when something doesn’t “feel right.” Reconnect with your deeper, wiser, magical self. Like the lobster emerging from the depths on the card, let the deeper wisdom you possess emerge from your depths, bringing valuable insights to your conscious mind. When the Moon appears, it reminds you to trust your deepest feelings, hunches, and instincts. With time and practice your intuition will grow sharper and will guide you through any challenge. Many people would like to think the rational mind is the only fool proof way to experience reality. However, it is undeniable that we are creatures of nature and instinct. Sometimes people don’t act rationally. Sometimes there is no logical explanation for why something occurs. Sometimes “signs” do present themselves on our path. Sometimes we need to tune into the undercurrents that are shaping the realities we experience. You possess great depth, and now it is time to allow it to emerge.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

STRENGTH, REVERSED

In this tarot card, you will see a woman who calmly holds the jaws of a fully grown lion. Despite the fact that the lion looks menacing and strong, the woman seems to have dominion over it. What is captivating is how gracefully she controls the lion. She is calm and collected, which is representative for being in control and disciplined especially in times of great adversities.The fact that she is also holding the jaws of a lion also shows that she has courage. Her control of the lion without being too rough shows love and compassion. The blue background over the mountains shows stability and the kind of calmness that comes with being stable. The lion is a symbol of courage, passion and desire which are very much part of the human feelings that are necessary for survival. But if these feelings are not put in check can lead to our eventual destruction.

When you get the Strength card in an upright manner during your tarot reading, then it shows that you have inner strength and fortitude during moments of danger and distress. It shows that you have the ability to remain calm and strong even when your life is going through immense struggle. It also shows that you are a compassionate person and you always have time for other people even if it’s at your own expense. Getting the strength card means that you are a very patient individual who is likely to accomplish anything that they put their mind to. Your resilience will greatly aid you, and your fearlessness means that you should have no issues speaking your mind. This card also indicates this kind of compassion will always be rewarded with stability in your life either presently on in the near future.

The Strength card is a symbol of inner fortitude, which helps us prevail in the face of life’s challenges. Strength is something that needs to be reinforced every day. Just as muscles need to be continuously used to maintain their power, so too does inner strength need to be exercised. Every time you act in your own best interest despite your fears and inner weaknesses, you are developing strength. Strength is a choice. You can either buckle to what keeps you stuck and afraid, or you can choose your excellence.

The woman on this card does not sport bulging muscles, but she is the epitome of inner strength and confidence. The lion on the card represents her “animal” impulses, such as fear, anger, belligerence, and other out of control behaviors. She confronts her lion by gently closing its mouth, thereby not allowing it to consume her. The infinity symbol above her head shows she is eternally confronting the lion. Her strength is part of her now. It has been habitually reinforced, by confronting and overcoming weakness every day. Strength is not manifested by large displays of power, but by gentle, compassionate, self directed corrections. Its also important not to make self corrections because of how “guilty” you feel. These inwardly directed corrections should come from a place of self love and compassion, or they won’t work. Later, the lion will rebel and revert, if it has guilt to latch on to.You are definitely more powerful than you may give yourself credit for.

Human beings get stuck in ruts, and sometimes it feels that we can’t change something because we’ve been acting that way so long that it is just part of who we are. Every day you have the power to rise up and be excellent. You have the choice to direct your own life or leave it to the shadows. Being strong in the face of your inner beast can feel difficult at first, but with continued positive action the lion is always tamed.

An upside down Strength card can mean that you are (or about to) experience an intense anger or fear in your life. You seem to be lacking the inner strength that this card normally represents, meaning you might be experiencing fear, and a lack of conviction and confidence in your own abilities. This can mean that you have forgotten all about your passions and the kind of joy, happiness, and fulfilment that came with doing what you love. A reversed strength card in a reading might also mean that one is experiencing depression because of a number of reasons and because of that, it is draining all of the happiness from their lives. One might end up being withdrawn from society because of the unhappiness or depression since they may feel people are the reason why they are so sad. It can also be a sign of jealousy, especially when everyone seems to be happy or excelling in every aspect of life while you are stagnating. This card indicates that you must learn to gain confidence in order to re-harness your inner strength.

When the Strength card appears reversed it usually comes at a time when you are starting to doubt or forget your abilities. Strength Reversed can also indicate that you are being too hard on yourself in the quest for self-improvement. The woman on the card is making gentle self-corrections. She isn’t beating the lion up. Today, be kinder to yourself when taming the unruly parts of your experience. It is important that you aren’t just courageous, but that you are also respecting who you are and what you bring.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE TWO OF SWORDS

The Two of Swords symbolizes the confusion we face when we are forced to make difficult choices. In the Two of Swords card, there is a seated woman that is blindfolded while holding a sword in each of her hands. In the background, there is a sea surrounded by crags and rocks that serve as obstacles for vessels and ships, stalling progress and action. The woman in the card being blindfolded is a representation of a situation which prevents her from seeing both the problem and the solution with clarity.

The swords that she is holding in each of her hands show that there are two choices that lead in different directions and are mutually exclusive to one another. It may also depict a stalemate, which means that the problem should be addressed with a logical and rational thinking. The Moon positioned on the right side of the card signifies may signify the role of illusions and deception in the difficulty that the woman has in making a choice.

When we see the Two of Swords in a reading, we are encountering a stalemate. Two equal and opposing forces are joined in battle, and there seems to be no end in sight. This wasn’t what you had in mind when you chanced to walk down this path, and you find yourself caught in the middle. Without something, or someone to intervene, this may continue indefinitely. We find ourselves in a situation where we must make a choice, we can side with one part of the situation, or we can side with the other. Neither seems particularly appealing, which makes the decision even more difficult. But unless we move past this stalemate, there can be no more progress.

The Two of Swords is often related with balance and partnership. It signifies the need to keep your relationships balanced. Regardless if it is in business, friendship or romantic relationship, you may find yourself struggling to maintain the current state of affairs, and may find yourself caught in the middle.  In regards to your work, you may be currently stuck in limbo and are perhaps waiting on another party’s decision. Remain patient and avoid pressuring people in making their decision abruptly.

The Two of Swords meaning may depict a warning to have caution. Like the woman in the card, you may be choosing to keep the blindfold on, hoping the problem will just go away. You should avoid evading any issues that you are facing, since it will not solve your problems.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE ACE OF WANDS

Wands are associated with fire energy, and the Ace of Wands is the core representation of fire within the deck. The card shows a hand that is sticking out of a cloud while holding the wand. When we look at this card, we can see that the hand is reaching out to offer the wand, which is still growing. Some of the leaves from the wand have sprouted, which is meant to represent spiritual and material balance and progress. In the distance is a castle that symbolizes opportunities available in the future. An old ruined castle sits aloft a hill in the distance. This symbolizes that old barriers of outdated thinking are now crumbling. Former creative blocks are being transcended. New ideas will carry you over previously impenetrable walls.

Wands symbolize creativity, and the Ace of Wands is the boldest among the cards in the suit. It is not the kind of creativity that you learn from school or as a hobby. It is bravely finding your own voice, it creates a place where you can develop your own vision. In other words, it is associated with willpower, and creativity in the cosmic sense. When you draw the Ace of Wands, it is an indicator that you should take the chance and pursue an idea that you have in mind. Take the first steps to start the creative project. The Ace of Wands calls out to you to follow your instincts.

The Ace of Wands can also perhaps mean that you are waiting for a sign to start a project. To draw this card pushes you to act now, instead of brooding over research and more planning. Take small steps today, and then continue to grow your ideas over time. Action is what helps you grow, and build momentum. Don't remain in the abstract. 

Another Ace of Wands meaning is the occurrence of a breakthrough moment in your life. It is a time when you are motivated and inspired about a passion project or idea. You are excited about the opportunities that are opening up for you in the near future. It heralds brilliant new thinking that has the potential to grow into solid reality. Like the many branches sprouting from the wand, you are experiencing an exciting period of mental growth. You are branching out into new realms of possibilities. The Ace of Wands motivates freshly inspired concepts, that can carry you over old obstacles.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE KING OF CUPS, REVERSED

The King of Cups is a card in the tarot that shows generosity, control, and emotional balance. The card itself depicts a king seated on a throne, who has an amulet that is shaped like a fish. The fish in his necklace represents his creativity and spirit, which thrives on the calm waters that surround him. He is kind, affable, and forgiving. He has nothing left to prove to the world, which makes him unpretentious. This is because he is completely at peace with his own feelings. He has experienced both stormy seas, and still waters that run deep. Water and cups represents feelings in the tarot, and the King of Cups is perfectly at home in the realm of his emotions. We can see from the background that there is a steady balance between the conscious and unconscious. Behind the king, there is a fish jumping out of the ocean on the right side, and a ship on the left side, representative of the emotional and material worlds respectively. The King of Cups shows that you do not suppress your impulses, but have learned to deal with them in a balanced manner.

The King of Cups is one of the most influential cards in the suit of Cups. He represents creativity, emotion, and the unconscious. The card shows the ability to restrain one’s emotions and be fully in charge of your feelings and impulses. Therefore, the King of Cups represents a balance between the intellect and emotions. He indicates that there is a strong relationship between understanding and feeling.The King of Cups represents a balance between the intellect and emotions. He indicates that there is a strong relationship between understanding and feeling.

When you have balanced your emotions and are able to control them, it means that you have a deeper knowledge and awareness of yourself. When you are faced with challenges that would normally throw you off balance, the King of Cups is there to remind you that you should act as he does - do not fly out in a rage, or immediately throw yourself into despair. You first need to temper the state of your emotions, so that you can progress forward in reality. Learn to evaluate yourself so as to determine how you can create a stronger awareness of your own internal state.

There are instances when the King of Cups can symbolize an older male who is in your life. This is a mature man who is willing to take responsibility for his actions and has mastered his own self-understanding.The King of Cups tends to be political and diplomatic, and this makes it possible to for him to balance the needs of others, and enhance the harmony among all parties involved. The King of Cups shows that you are sensitive as a leader and you are careful with the way others respond to your emotional needs. The King of Cups implies that you should remain mature when dealing with negative energy.

The King of Cups reversed signals what happens when he is at his worst: volatility, emotional manipulation and moodiness. When the King of Cups falters, his usual ability to handle situations with compassion and wisdom are turned upside down. He is unable to balance the needs of all that seek his guidance, and while appearing kind to some, may be cold to others. His talent in navigating the emotions of others may be put to dubious uses, manipulating circumstances to fit his needs. The reversed King of Cups suggests that there is a character in your life that is depicted by this card, whether a part of you or someone else. While he is normally very in touch and controlled with his emotions, he has lately become manipulative and emotionally controlling. His actions will be used for vengeance and vindication, impulses that he normally has under control, and is eventually aimed at being some form of punishment.

When the King of Cups appears reversed he indicates that it is time to stay calm despite stormy seas. As you can see, the figure on the card is surrounded by waters making great waves. Water signifies feelings in the tarot, and reversed cups cards usually indicate an intensification of emotional experiences. The King of Cups is seated on a firm stone platform, unaffected by the swirling waves around him. This indicates that the King has the ability to remain centered when situations that elicit an emotional reaction arise. The King of Cups is associated with the astrological sign of Cancer, which is concerned with the house and the home. The best way to feel stable amid external emotional activity is to retreat to the home, and get your personal environment in order. Get your house in order. If you have a stable base of operations to re-center, you can handle any number of waves headed your way.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE EIGHT OF CUPS

In the Eight of Cups, we are confronted with the moment of transition. We see a cloaked figure taking off to a barren land leaving behind eight golden cups. He is tired of what those cups that he has spent so much time collecting, and is now setting out to seeking a higher purpose. It may be a result of a boredom or unhappiness that comes with realizing that whatever they have been looking for in life isn’t as pleasurable or as satisfying as they once assumed it would be.The person undertaking this journey might also signify be seeking excitement in the unknown. The mountainous barren lands that he sets off to can also be symbols of facing new challenges. Their stark emptiness seem to indicate that they are waiting for one to come and shape the. The journey that is taken can be done in the guise of trying out new things that have the potential to help one grow both mentally as well as spiritually. It also shows the willingness to detach oneself from others so that one can work on self-improvement, self-understanding and growth.  The man on the card is reminiscent of the Hermit. He is taking a journey alone, staff in hand, returning from the realm of water and shadows. He is walking toward the sea, representing his deep unconscious feelings.

The Eight of Cups signifies time for change or transition, by means of walking away from something. Just like a caterpillar has to die before transforming into a beautiful butterfly, we all need to transform ourselves in our lives from time to time. This is the case especially after being tired of living what was the day to day, and embarking on a journey that will help one have a deeper understanding about life in general.Getting the upright side of this card shows that you are dissatisfied with your life and need to experience a higher purpose in life. You may have been exploring your options, flitting about from one choice to another, tasting the wine in each cup, as a means to sort out what it is that you really want with your life. You are now experiencing a feeling of exhaustion - and are coming to a realization that you must step away from what is familiar. It is a choice, and a recognition that true happiness will not be found in what you have already created.

More often than not, getting the Eight of Cups shows that one is tired of the worldly things and is about to embark on a much more spiritual journey. And if that’s the case, then be happy, because change happens when we most need it. The Eight of Cups represents taking the journey within, to the realm of your authentic feelings. Periodically you must go deep within yourself, to hear your Spirit, and reclaim strengths and abilities you forgot you possessed. Although the journey inward is of great value, it rarely feels easy to begin embarking on it. It is often accompanied by a period of depression, feeling crazy, or the sense that you've hit a patch of “bad luck." The Eight of Cups reminds you that you've probably made a similar journey before, just prior to a deeper revelation about yourself. 

The moon is eclipsing the sun in the picture.  Thoughts about what he should do, or be, to gain the acceptance of others in his daily life (the sun), are now being eclipse by his instinctual self (the moon). At long last he has the courage to go within and reconnect with his real feelings. His authentic feelings are now his best friends, giving him depth and wisdom to persevere. The moon has been associated with the instinctual since the dawn of humanity. It elusively pulls at our awareness, and yet it is easy to dismiss and ignore (just like our instincts). Like a neglected child, unheard emotions will "act up," if they are habitually ignored. This journey can only happen alone, and in the dark places. The darkness is where the potential for healing happens. The Eight of Cups appears to remind you to let your instincts guide your path. The Eight of Cups is an image of deep healing. If you listen to your instincts and they will give you the power to overcome previous blockages. You can then return to the land of the sun with profound insight; less burdened and free.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE FOUR OF WANDS, REVERSED 

The Four of Wands depicts a couple which dances beneath the welcome wreath which is tied between four wands, which are crystal tipped. There is a canopy of flowers on the card which resembles the canopy that is particularly characteristic of the traditional Jewish ceremony. There seems to be a party that is going on, or some kind of welcome committee for the couple in question. You can see from the image that it represents a time which is sprinkled with feelings of fulfillment, satisfaction brought by the actual attainment of a goal.

The overall meaning of the Four of Wands is that it heralds celebration as well as a harmonious, happy and relaxed home environment. In terms of numerology, the number four symbolizes stability as well as particularly reliable foundations. These are associated with a period of happiness and balance.The symbolism within the Four of Wands poses that this is the perfect time for you to get together with close people such as friends and family. This could be with or without any special occasion. Oftentimes the card is known to reflect a period of holidays when you are together with your friends and family for an extended period of time. 

Furthermore, if you have been working on a certain project, this card entails that you will be reaching a particularly important milestone. This is going to provide you with grounds for celebration which is also to be considered. You have managed to complete a proper and paramount phase of that project, and meaning you have every reason to be feeling proud and satisfied, which are amongst the general feelings induced and reflected by the Four of Wands card. 

 If the upright position of the card reflects balance, stability, and harmony, the reversal position of Four of Wands implies that there is a breakdown or complete lack of harmony in your family or in your home. It’s highly likely that there is a lot of tension between the members of your family or other loved ones. If you have completed something that is important to you, you are expecting to share it with those that are closest to you, and to come home to a welcome celebration, but instead, you find a lack of support. This may leave you feeling rather uncertain when it comes to your own relationships as well as the things that you can and cannot depend on.

When the Four of Wands appears reversed it indicates that something may be getting in the way to giving yourself over to joy. It also warns that "the thing" that is getting in the way may be your ego's need for validation. Look at the dancing people on the card. They are fully joyful. They aren't listening to their wounded egos telling them that they look "stupid" when they dance. Today, kick your addiction to perfectionism. No moment is "perfect." There is always work to do, self-improvements to be made, and things to achieve. However, this does not mean that you must be miserable until you attain your goals. 

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE SIX OF SWORDS

The image in the Six of Swords shows a woman and a child in a boat being rowed in the water to a land that is on the other side. We can gather from the images that the woman and the child are leaving something behind, as their backs are faced towards us. The woman’s head is covered with a cloak - perhaps she is fleeing something, and must go without others knowing her true identity. We can assume that because of this, she is undergoing great loss or sadness. The symbolism within the Six of Swords is that of loss or change, as well as moving towards a future that looks more promising than the one that we left behind. The six swords alongside the boat symbolize the strong power of the rational mind, compared to intuition and the heart.

The meaning of the Six of Swords is that you are experiencing a transition of some kind, but one that is not happy and filled with regret. This transition will most likely be the result of decisions you made in the past, and now they are forcing you to leave something behind in order to move forward. Despite your sadness, you need to remember that moving on is the ideal option for your future. Life is filled with moments when you are going to be forced into letting go of things that you have become attached to. This will be challenging. The Six of Swords shows the sadness that you may be feeling, but you have to remember that the pain will not last, so you should look instead to the future for strength.

In life, there will be times that the only way to fix a problem is to leave it and move to start anew. You may feel like this is the coward’s way out, but escape is the only approach that is left when you have tried all other methods. The important part is to plot your new course that will lead you to happiness. The Six of Swords in this case, is to plan using your logic, clarity, and objectivity about where you are now, where you have been and where you want to go. Intuition can help, but you need to think logically to ensure your success.

The Six of Swords can also signify an elevation to the next level in your professional life. The ferryman is guiding two refugees, a mother and her child, to a new life. The skies are grey, and the mood is somber. The mother’s first duty is to protect her child. The refugees are leaving behind the past for the promise of a brighter future. The waters behind them are rough, but the waters ahead are smooth. In order to reach the safe shores, they must leave behind past troubles. Although the boat is not very comfortable, it promises to lead them toward the promise of a happier life.

Change is happening in your life too, and this usually accompanied by temporary discomfort. You may be unsure of your footing, and simple challenges may seem magnified. A small inconvenience can seem like a momentous stress when navigating lifer’s transitions. However, know that the changes occurring in your life right now are truly for the better. Don’t fight to stay in the old lands, for the metaphorical boat is taking you to new shores. The Six of Swords heralds an exciting time of movement. This card can also herald a trip or a journey. Distance will aid you in acquiring perspective, and awareness of your new opportunities.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE EMPEROR, REVERSED

In the Emperor tarot card, a stoic ruler figure can be seen on his throne, which is adorned with the heads of four rams, representing his astrological sign - Aries. In one hand, he carries a scepter, representing his reign and his right to rule, and in the other an orb, a symbol of the kingdom that he watches over. The long beard of the emperor represents his vast experience; over time he has learned much about what it takes to rule, to establish power, authority and complete order for the benefit of his people. Behind him, the barren mountains shows his determination, his ambition for greater heights and his leadership capability. Contrast this with his complement, the Empress, whose flowing fields are filled with nurturing kindness. The Emperor instead rules with grit, strength and force. It’s all about control when it comes to the Emperor, for this card means authority, regulation, organization and a fatherliness.  The Emperor wears armor under his robes. This symbolizes that he ready for action at any time, to stand up and protect his realm. His beard symbolizes thoughtful maturity. The Emperor is never "aggressive," just to prove his masculinity. He takes action only when his world needs to be stabilized and protected.

The Emperor represents a strategic thinker who sets out plans that he must see through. He is a symbol of the masculine principle - the paternal figure in life that gives structure, creates rules and systems, and imparts knowledge. Where the Empress's desire for their kingdom is to create happiness, the emperor desires to foster honor and discipline. He guides with a firm hand, following the calling of the crown above all else. Though he is a ruler, he understands that to reign is also to serve - thus he acts rationally and according to what is for the greater good of the kingdom. To see him in a reading presents a chance to grow in terms of the goals that you have set for yourself. It presents a successful future as long as you pursue your goals similar to the fashion that the Emperor does, methodically, and strategically. When you see him in a reading, a possible interpretation is that you could be put in charge of something important. It could be a position at work or in any kind of organization or institution that desperately needs order and a clear decisive mind. You may be called to act in the place of the Emperor, using his wisdom to bring clarity to the project. The Emperor is an archetype for establishing firm foundations. He also teaches you that "feeling secure" can only exist when you act assertively and protect your boundaries. If you don't speak up for yourself, you are wearing a sign that tells others that they can take control of your life and its direction.

The Emperor reversed is a sign of abused authoritative power. In your social life, it can manifest in the overreach of power from a father figure or a possessive partner. In career readings, it could be coming from a superior. It presents a man who wants to take control of your actions and makes you feel powerless.  It could also be that you are playing the part of a weak ruler, hatching a plan to avoid the tasks that come with having responsibility. Perhaps you aspire for a career that is more flexible than one that is governed by strict rules. Lack of self-control and inability to handle situations can be represented by the Emperor on a personal level. When he is reversed, the structures, rules and systems that he creates are no longer working. His desire to inspire higher principles in his kingdom have turned to ruthlessness, tyranny and rigidity. He seeks to dominate, forgetting his call from the crown to do what is best for his people, fearing only for his loss of control and thus creating suffering.

If the Emperor appears reversed, he may be asking you to identify what feels unstable in your realm at this time. Often this instability results from procrastination on pressing matters that require confrontation. Confrontation can seem like an uncomfortable concept. It brings to mind a messy conflict, or a period of discomfort. In truth, avoiding and procrastinating lead to a perpetual sense of inner conflict and anxiety that is much more difficult to exist with. Confronting issues or projects that have been avoided will revitalize you and restore your sense of order, control, and self-confidence. Take responsibility for all that is under your charge. It's time to lead, not follow. The Emperor's role is to defend, promote, and protect all that he cares for.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

STRENGTH

In this tarot card, you will see a woman who calmly holds the jaws of a fully grown lion. Despite the fact that the lion looks menacing and strong, the woman seems to have dominion over it. What is captivating is how gracefully she controls the lion. She is calm and collected, which is representative for being in control and disciplined especially in times of great adversities.The fact that she is also holding the jaws of a lion also shows that she has courage. Her control of the lion without being too rough shows love and compassion. The blue background over the mountains shows stability and the kind of calmness that comes with being stable. The lion is a symbol of courage, passion and desire which are very much part of the human feelings that are necessary for survival. But if these feelings are not put in check can lead to our eventual destruction. 

 When you get the Strength card in an upright manner during your tarot reading, then it shows that you have inner strength and fortitude during moments of danger and distress. It shows that you have the ability to remain calm and strong even when your life is going through immense struggle. It also shows that you are a compassionate person and you always have time for other people even if it's at your own expense. Getting the strength card means that you are a very patient individual who is likely to accomplish anything that they put their mind to. Your resilience will greatly aid you, and your fearlessness means that you should have no issues speaking your mind. This card also indicates this kind of compassion will always be rewarded with stability in your life either presently on in the near future.

The Strength card is a symbol of inner fortitude, which helps us prevail in the face of life's challenges. Strength is something that needs to be reinforced every day. Just as muscles need to be continuously used to maintain their power, so too does inner strength need to be exercised. Every time you act in your own best interest despite your fears and inner weaknesses, you are developing strength. Strength is a choice. You can either buckle to what keeps you stuck and afraid, or you can choose your excellence.

The woman on this card does not sport bulging muscles, but she is the epitome of inner strength and confidence. The lion on the card represents her "animal" impulses, such as fear, anger, belligerence, and other out of control behaviors. She confronts her lion by gently closing its mouth, thereby not allowing it to consume her. The infinity symbol above her head shows she is eternally confronting the lion. Her strength is part of her now. It has been habitually reinforced, by confronting and overcoming weakness every day. Strength is not manifested by large displays of power, but by gentle, compassionate, self directed corrections. Its also important not to make self corrections because of how "guilty" you feel. These inwardly directed corrections should come from a place of self love and compassion, or they won't work. Later, the lion will rebel and revert, if it has guilt to latch on to.You are definitely more powerful than you may give yourself credit for.

 Human beings get stuck in ruts, and sometimes it feels that we can't change something because we've been acting that way so long that it is just part of who we are. Every day you have the power to rise up and be excellent. You have the choice to direct your own life or leave it to the shadows. Being strong in the face of your inner beast can feel difficult at first, but with continued positive action the lion is always tamed.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE ACE OF SWORDS, REVERSED 

The Ace of Swords shows a hand emerging from the clouds wielding a double-edged sword. This double edged sword carries a golden crown while being encircled by a wreath. The wreath has for a long time been associated with victory, success and great achievement. The crown is used as the symbol for both royalty and the power to rule that comes with royalty.  Behind the foreground, the sword stands floating over a varied setting - which holds both mountains and sea, which are used as symbols of the vast reach and distant lands that the swords can be used to conquer, as well as ambition.

An olive branch dangles from the left side of the crown. This shows that your life will actually feel more “at peace,” when you take action. This seems counterintuitive to our fears which tell us to avoid things that might create a conflict. However, inner turmoil comes from the avoidance of confrontation, not from taking responsibility. A palm branch graces the right side of the crown. Palm trees are primordial, tough, and hearty. They can endure desert-like heat, and torrential hurricanes. This symbolizes that your personal strength makes you a lot tougher than you think. You can endure much more than you may be giving yourself credit for.

As with all the aces, the Ace of Swords indicates that one is about to experience a moment of breakthrough. With its sharp blade and representing the power of the intellect, this sword has the ability to cut through deception and find truth. In layman’s terms, this card represents that moment in which one can see the world from a new point of view, as a place that is filled with nothing but new possibilities. It is, therefore, the best time to work on your goals - as the aces all give green lights, and are signals of waiting opportunities and new beginnings. It might also be a good time for you to seek justice and the truth in all matters since your conscience is clear, and your thoughts are swift. If you rise to the occasion, your sharpness and clarity in thought will be rewarded.

The Ace of Swords symbolizes reclaiming your personal power by taking charge of your life. Like all Aces, it symbolizes a new beginning is at hand. Your personal strength is like a sword, waiting to be drawn from a scabbard. When you grasp your power and wield it, you are capable of transforming your energy, from victim to victor. The Ace of Swords cuts through trance-like states of mind. It flashes with dazzling light, awakening you to embody your majesty. Do you feel your personal power has been depleted somehow? Are you avoiding something that you know will make things better if you just get the ball rolling? Are you overwhelmed by anxiety, causing you to to feel uncomfortable with confronting a particular area of your life?

When we look at the swords closely, and see its double-edge, we are also reminded that this sword may be either used for noble deeds or to deal destruction. It all depends on the wielder, and is a warning too that excessive power holds the danger to corrupt. If you stick with principles, the sword will serve you well.

Getting a reversed Ace of Swords might mean that one’s thoughts are confused, unsure and very chaotic. This isn’t a good time for one to make any decisions since they don’t have any clarity on what you should be doing, meaning that the chances of failure can be pretty high. At this time, it would be better to prepare yourself and take small steps - work methodically as you slowly move towards achieving your goals. This would be a good time to lay back and rationally think your way through each stage rather than acting on impulse, since everything appears in a blur and is not very clear at that moment. It might also be a good time to seek advice since things may not be as they seem.

When the Ace of Swords appears reversed it represents defending positive new ways of thinking that are still in their infancy. When the blade of a sword is depicted upright, it symbolizes that it is “at the ready.” When a sword is upraised it is ready to fight or to act. An upraised sword can respond to any anticipated action. When a sword is depicted with its blade lowered (as in this case) it symbolizes that the sword is in a state of peace, rest, and that it is guarding something.

When the Ace of Swords appears reversed it can mean that you need to stay vigilant and protect something that is just getting its start. This could be new habits, a new mind-frame, a new perspective or a new creative project. Aces always represent new beginnings, and the Ace of Swords reversed can represent that you need to take special care of something fragile, that is still in its beginning phase. This card could also mean that you need to protect yourself during a sensitive time of change. For these positive new developments to take root, you must protect them until they are strong enough to stand on their own. The Ace of Swords reversed can also symbolize the need to protect yourself from the negative thoughts, comments and actions of others.

The Ace of Swords (upright or reversed) indicates the necessity to change your perspective from feeling powerless to powerful. You can indeed triumph, but first you must rediscover confidence in yourself and your abilities. Like the palm branch you are far more resilient than you think. Have courage and protect the empowered person you are becoming.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE MOON, REVERSED

When we encounter the Moon, we see a path that leads off into the distance. On either side of the path stand a wolf and a dog, representing our animalistic nature - one is civilized, and the other wild and feral. There is a crawfish that is crawling out of the pond from which the path stems from. In the distance, we can see two towers flanking the central path, once again alluding to the doubles visible in this card. Everything in this card seems to echo the other, as if to allude to two possibilities. When we walk down the path, we walk the fine line between conscious and unconscious, between the tamed side of civilization of the dog, and the forces of nature represented by the wolf. The towers on the opposing ends represent the forces of good and evil, and their similarity in appearance can allude to the difficulties that we face in distinguishing between them.

On one hand, the Moon card can symbolize your imagination is taking the best of you. In the dark of the night, you are taking a path that you are unsure of, for there could be danger lurking in its depths. You are the crawfish embarking on the path in the card. The moon’s light can bring you clarity and understanding and you should allow your intuition to guide you through this darkness. You need to be aware of the situations that are causing fear and anxiety in your mind, whether it is now or in the future. It alerts you not to allow inner disturbances and self-deception to take the best of you. These deep memories and fears must be let go, and the negative energies must be released and turned into something constructive. Another reading of the Moon card is the existence of illusion. Some hidden truth must be discovered, for what you are seeing now may just be a trick of the light. You must search for the hidden forces that must be unravelled.

The Moon symbolizes your instincts and unconscious emotions. These undercurrents can alter your perception of the world around you. If you harbour habitually negative emotions, you will look at the world and will zero in on negativity. Likewise, if you are brimming over with positive energy, you will see a world brimming with joy. The Moon reminds you to check in with your unconscious emotions, moods and feelings. These emotions are colouring your perception of the “good” or “bad” things you are seeing in front of you.

The Moon beams brightly in the sky pulling on the instincts of the animals on the card, in very mysterious ways. A wolf appears in the image, howling at the moon. The wolf represents the primitive, instinctual side of your nature. A domesticated dog also appears alongside the wolf. The dog represents your “civilized self.” He is howling at the moon just as loud as the wolf. This represents that no matter how “rational” and intelligent you may like to think you are, you will still be pulled by mysterious and irrational forces. The Moon is a force of nature, which tugs on your deepest instincts and emotions. A lobster is drawn out of the deep waters, pulled from it lair by the power of the moon. Lobsters have hard shells to protect them from the world around them. However, there is no armour that can contend with the moon’s power. This symbolizes that no matter how much you try to wear hardened armour over your own vulnerabilities, you will still be influenced by your habitual, sensitive nature. Nature “feels” the moon, because the moon tugs on the earth’s gravity as it orbits. The moon’s great weight pulls on the oceans, lakes, and rivers as it circles, creating the tides. The moon pulls on our instincts.

When this card appears, it is a time to listen to your instincts and let them guide your path. Tune into your intuitive hunches. Trust yourself when something doesn’t “feel right.” Reconnect with your deeper, wiser, magical self. Like the lobster emerging from the depths on the card, let the deeper wisdom you possess emerge from your depths, bringing valuable insights to your conscious mind. When the Moon appears, it reminds you to trust your deepest feelings, hunches, and instincts. With time and practice your intuition will grow sharper and will guide you through any challenge. Many people would like to think the rational mind is the only fool proof way to experience reality. However, it is undeniable that we are creatures of nature and instinct. Sometimes people don’t act rationally. Sometimes there is no logical explanation for why something occurs. Sometimes “signs” do present themselves on our path. Sometimes we need to tune into the undercurrents that are shaping the realities we experience. You possess great depth, and now it is time to allow it to emerge.

A Moon reversal in a reading can sometimes indicate that the darker and more negative aspects of the moon are present in your life. It could represent confusion and unhappiness - you want to make progress, but you are not sure what is the right thing to do. You must deal with your anxiety and fears by overcoming them, for they are like shadows in the dark. It is time to believe in yourself and move forward. The moon reversal meaning indicates that you are in an intuitive period or you have recently battled confusion, anxiety, and self-deception. It could be that you are misinterpreting how you have been feeling, or that you are starting to improve on this. Another reversed moon meaning is that the forces of the night that are bringing you confusion are starting to dissipate. You have started managing your fears and anxiety. Whatever negative energies you have been facing are slowly fading away. It presents a liberating experience as you discover the positive side of things.

When the Moon appears reversed, it indicates that you may have been neglecting your deeper instincts. More recently, you may have had to conform to the demands of the external world to survive. This is necessary to function in the world, but not at the expense of your deeper feelings and instincts. The Moon reversed calls you back to your instinctual self. It’s time to ask yourself how you really feel. It’s time to reconnect with the natural world, with magic. with the changing seasons, and with your deeper wisdom. The Moon reversed can signify illusions created from unresolved feelings. If you have felt unlucky, or if you are imagining terrible things or feel psychically lost the Moon reversed is asking you to look deeper into yourself and to feel something that is trying to emerge. If you keep encountering the same cycle or problem in the external world, the reason could be rooted with something that you need to resolve within. The other cards that appear around the reversed Moon card can give you a glimpse into what those unresolved feelings are about. When the Moon appears reversed it also can indicate a time when mysterious forces are working through the undercurrents of your life. Be open to magic and listen to your deepest hunches. This could be a time where doorways begin to open, and creative potential that was beneath the surface suddenly emerges. Most importantly, trust the voice of your intuition. You unconsciously know more than you think you do. Your instincts will guide you toward the right action every time, but only if you are attuned to them.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE TOWER

The Tower card depicts a high spire nestled on top of the mountain. A lightning bolt strikes the tower which sets it ablaze. Flames are bursting in the windows and people are jumping out of the windows as an act of desperation. They perhaps signal the same figures we see chained in the Devil card. They want to escape the turmoil and destruction within. The Tower is a symbol for ambition that is constructed on faulty premises. The destruction of the tower must happen in order to clear out the old ways and welcome something new. Its revelations can come in a flash of truth or inspiration.

The people falling from the Tower were prisoners of their own making. They built walls around themselves that grew taller and taller. These walls separated them from feeling reality. The Tower gained in size and made them numb. Being numb kept them “safe,” from being hurt by the past and the present. In the Tower they could pretend there was no loss, change or death happening outside. The lightning on the card represents the inevitable crisis the Universe always sends, to cause those in denial to wake up and to heal what needs healing. Are there unresolved hurts from the past that you need to heal, surrender and clear? What would you rather not deal with right now?  Is there a fear that if you open yourself to feeling it will hurt too much and won’t stop? Despite the destructive imagery, the Tower is one of the most healing cards in the tarot. The Tower snaps us out of pretending we are not hurting. It is a cathartic card, where old pains are finally felt, and released for healing. In that way, the old pains no longer keep us a prisoner, escaping reality. When you reflect on your life, and remember the moments that made you strongest, they are often the hard times. Avoiding challenges doesn’t make us strong, dealing with them does. Denial of truth is unsustainable. The breakdown moment is surprisingly a blessing. Once reality is accepted, it can then be healed.

The Tower represents change in the most radical and momentous sense. It is for this reason that the card itself visually looks so unnerving. But it doesn’t necessarily have to be truly frightening or ominous. Because at the heart of this card, its message is foundational, groundbreaking change. The kind of event that the Tower card marks does not have to be something terrible, like a disaster or a great loss.  Change itself is a normal part of life that one has to embrace. But it can sometimes strike fear, for it means that we must abandon the truths that we have known prior to this event. The old ways are no longer useful, and you must find another set of beliefs, values and processes to take their place. Be positive, it is time for you to replace the old foundations of the past with something that is more genuine and will serve you better in what is to come.

In terms of work, there is an inevitable argument bound to happen. You need to be in control and keep your temper in check. Avoid saying something that may hurt other people. When it comes to your love life, your romantic relationship may be nearing its end. Take this as a warning - if you really value your relationship, then it is time for you to take damage control or open a communication to clear misunderstandings. In your finances, the tower meaning refers to the need to be assured on your transactions.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE THREE OF PENTACLES

The Three of Pentacles displays a young apprentice who works in a cathedral. In front of him, there are two others, a priest and a nobleman of some sort, that are holding plans of the cathedral on a piece of parchment. We can tell from the way the apprentice has raised his head that he is discussing his progress on building the cathedral. The two others are keenly listening to him in order to more clearly understand what is needed of them and how they can provide guidance. Despite the apprentice being less experienced, the two others listen to him because they know his ideas and his experience are fundamental in the successful completion of the whole building. The Three of Pentacles therefore represents the coming together of different kinds of knowledge in order to build something together.

The threes in the tarot represent the successful completion of a goal - it takes the sources of energy in the ace and the twos and adds a foundational factor, and usually involves a group of some sort. In this scenario, the upright three of pentacles meaning is that there is a successful achievement of all the requirements to pursue your business, deal, venture or any other kind of endeavor. Successful projects usually require different kinds of expertise, and at this moment, the Three of Pentacles means that all the skills required are coming together. In short, you are enjoying enjoying working together as part of a team, and also in the initial success of this bigger project. The Three of Pentacles exemplifies work that is worthwhile and meaningful. In order to excel at it, you must be patient with the learning process. This means being open to making mistakes, and not giving up when setbacks happen.

Although the Three of Pentacles symbolizes "perfecting" a skill, it does not require us "to be perfect." Quite the opposite, this card asks you to look at the big picture. Look how far you've already come. Look ahead to what can can still achieve. This can only happen if you are open to learning. No matter how good you are, you can always get better.

The three pentacles reveals a successful beginning towards achieving your goals, it is a sign of encouragement that you should press on with the same effort without giving up. You may struggle to accomplish your goals as an individual, but the Three of Pentacles also teaches people not ignore the talents of the others that surround you. You need the collaboration of others, with diverse viewpoints, experiences and expertise to accomplish something more than you could have ever dreamed of.

The learning process is never a straight "B-line" toward a goal. It is a winding path, of hills and valleys. Sometimes the path loops around and makes us feel as if we are going backwards and learning nothing at all. This is an illusion. Like a spiral, the path winds around and back, and yet always upward. Sometimes success isn't achieved right away. Its as if the Universe wants us to learn something important about where we are right now, without rushing on to the next thing.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE EMPRESS REVERSED

The Empress depicts a woman sitting on a throne. From the abundant nature that surrounds her, we can assume that this woman represents the Earth Mother archetype, a goddess of fertility. Her world is ruled by Venus which means that there is complete love, harmony, fertility and luxury by the grace of this goddess. She looks kindly at you as you approach her throne. She wears the sparkling Crown of Twelve Stars, signifying her status as the eternal “Queen of Heaven.” The crown symbolizes her ability to see “the big picture,” or the eternal context of every situation. She sees the time before, the beginning, the middle, the end and the great beyond. Seeing situations in the context of the eternal is a great remedy for fear. It reminds us of just how small they are. The Empress reminds us we have so much more purpose in our existence than our fears would have us believe. The Crown of Twelve Stars reminds us of the months of the year, the signs of the zodiac, and represents all things growing at their appropriate time. She is dressed in a pomegranate-patterned robe that represents fertility, and she is seated on cushions embroidered with a Venus sign. She is surrounded by an enchanting green forest with a river streaming through it. The Empress brings abundance and blessings in the readings of those she meets.  Her field of wheat signifies her ability to feed and nourish her children. She reminds us that there is more than enough for everybody. The Empress embodies comfort, love, and understanding. She is the nurturing face of Mother Nature, who gently guides you back to your authentic nature. She patiently waits with open arms, to unburden you of troubles, and wipe away all tears.

The Empress shows us how deeply we are embedded to our femininity. Femininity could be associated with fertility, expression, creativity and nurturing among many other aspects. It therefore calls you to connect with beauty and bring happiness to your life. Understand yourself and get in touch with your sensuality so that you can attract life circumstances to bring happiness and joy. She is a signal that be kind to yourself, to take care of yourself.

She lovingly holds out this truth, even when you are unable to feel it, see it or believe it. The Empress archetype has gone by many names throughout human history. She’s appeared in every land and in every culture since the dawn of time. There have been many attempts throughout history to repress her, discredit her, or forget her completely. However, after every “Dark-Age” in human history she always re-emerges with a gentle smile. The Empress appears today to tell you that there is something important in your life that needs to feel loved, nurtured, and protected to thrive. She advises you that self-love will be your strongest shield moving forward.  Are you feeling safe, reassured, and abundant right now? What part of your life needs nurturing, love, and protection currently? Are you able to access the fearless place within you where love resides?

The Empress is also a strong indication of pregnancy and motherhood. You can look for other cards to confirm if this is truly pregnancy, or rather just an indication of a motherly, nurturing and caring attitude. The Empress card could also mean the birth of a new idea, business or project on your life. Owing to the good fortune that surrounds this card, you can be sure that such situations and projects would end successfully in your life. Discover and bring forth those ideas that have been clinging to you and make sure that you devote yourself towards accomplishing them. This card is a sign that they are going to be successful, and well taken care of. The Empress, as the archetype of the mother earth, also encourages you to spend time interacting with nature, the mother of all of us.

The Empress reversed indicates that you have lost too much of your own willpower and strength because you have started placing too much effort and concern to other people’s affairs. While the Empress’s nature is of showering her loved ones with attention and care, this can sometimes go overboard. You might be neglecting your own needs, or even smothering the ones you love with your well-intentioned actions. In a role reversal, perhaps a reversed Empress is finding her way into your life; it could also mean that you are relying on others to take care of you, and make decisions for you. You need to work towards removing this influence on your life, and build confidence in your own actions. Always try as much as you can to ensure that you solve matters on your own.

If the Empress appears reversed, she gently asks you to consider which area of your life is feeling neglected. The Empress represents love and nurturing, so if there is an area that feels abandoned, it is time to make it a priority. Ask yourself, “What have I been neglecting within myself?” Your instincts will probably be shouting the answer. The Empress is a comforting card, upright or reversed. When reversed, she asks you to shower a neglected part of your life with your love, care and attention. When she appears reversed, she could be providing insight into your current situation through the lens of your own experience with your mother. As an adult you get to choose which parental traits you wish to exemplify, and which are not working for this situation. The Empress reversed might also appear when there is a fear that there will not be enough of something. This could be love, money, understanding or safety. Upright or reversed, the Empress assuages your fears and reminds you that you exist in a Universe of plenty. There are a plethora of good experiences still waiting for you out there, no matter what past issue is being healed. The Empress reminds you that love will protect and shield you. So often, just giving yourself a little more love is all that is needed to make a huge breakthrough. Therefore, the Empress carries the shield in the shape of a heart, emblazoned with the symbol of Venus. This symbol represents opening your heart and allowing love to be the solution. The shield also symbolizes protecting your heart by viewing your current situation with unconditional love. When reversed, abundance may seem a little more elusive, but it is still there. When looking for answers this card reassures you that the solution to insecurities will not be found out in the world, or from another person. The Empress will open the pathway forward when you nurture the part of yourself that’s been neglected.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE SIX OF SWORDS

The image in the Six of Swords shows a woman and a child in a boat being rowed in the water to a land that is on the other side. We can gather from the images that the woman and the child are leaving something behind, as their backs are faced towards us. The woman's head is covered with a cloak - perhaps she is fleeing something, and must go without others knowing her true identity. We can assume that because of this, she is undergoing great loss or sadness. The symbolism within the Six of Swords is that of loss or change, as well as moving towards a future that looks more promising than the one that we left behind. The six swords alongside the boat symbolize the strong power of the rational mind, compared to intuition and the heart.

The meaning of the Six of Swords is that you are experiencing a transition of some kind, but one that is not happy and filled with regret. This transition will most likely be the result of decisions you made in the past, and now they are forcing you to leave something behind in order to move forward. Despite your sadness, you need to remember that moving on is the ideal option for your future. Life is filled with moments when you are going to be forced into letting go of things that you have become attached to. This will be challenging. The Six of Swords shows the sadness that you may be feeling, but you have to remember that the pain will not last, so you should look instead to the future for strength.

In life, there will be times that the only way to fix a problem is to leave it and move to start anew. You may feel like this is the coward’s way out, but escape is the only approach that is left when you have tried all other methods. The important part is to plot your new course that will lead you to happiness. The Six of Swords in this case, is to plan using your logic, clarity, and objectivity about where you are now, where you have been and where you want to go. Intuition can help, but you need to think logically to ensure your success.

The Six of Swords can also signify an elevation to the next level in your professional life. The ferryman is guiding two refugees, a mother and her child, to a new life. The skies are grey, and the mood is somber. The mother’s first duty is to protect her child. The refugees are leaving behind the past for the promise of a brighter future. The waters behind them are rough, but the waters ahead are smooth. In order to reach the safe shores, they must leave behind past troubles. Although the boat is not very comfortable, it promises to lead them toward the promise of a happier life.

Change is happening in your life too, and this usually accompanied by temporary discomfort. You may be unsure of your footing, and simple challenges may seem magnified. A small inconvenience can seem like a momentous stress when navigating lifer’s transitions. However, know that the changes occurring in your life right now are truly for the better. Don’t fight to stay in the old lands, for the metaphorical boat is taking you to new shores. The Six of Swords heralds an exciting time of movement. This card can also herald a trip or a journey. Distance will aid you in acquiring perspective, and awareness of your new opportunities.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE KNIGHT OF SWORDS, REVERSED

The Knight of Swords card depicts a young man who is dressed in his armor and rides a strong white horse into the midst of a battle. The white color of his horse is a reference to the overall purity and intellectual energy which motivates this young rider. The sky behind him holds stormy clouds as well as trees which are tossed wildly around by the strong winds. The horse’s harness is also decorated with images of birds and butterflies. The cape of the knight is also decorated with those same birds.

When we are thoroughly obsessed by a certain idea and strongly wish to manifest it, we are oftentimes so blinded by the actual desire for its fulfillment that we fail to note the difficulties which we may come across, or the actions and consequences that it could bring. The Knight of Swords is a very powerful figure that is full of life as well as energy. This needs to be balanced with a proper and actual realization of compassion and responsibility. Once the knight sets forth towards his goals, there is absolutely no stopping him. He doesn’t see - and he doesn’t care - about any upcoming challenges. He is filled with sheer ambition, strength and determination to succeed with his quest no matter what. However, this determination could also blind him to see the potential consequences of his actions on others as he makes his way to success. He may charge forth into a very dangerous territory without preparation or actual foresight, and this could lead him to great danger.

The Knight of Swords is an ambitious man. He is always striving to prove he is successful. No matter how much he achieves, he can't seem to be happy or rest. The only thing he knows how to do is push ahead. Once he has completed his objective, he doesn't even know how to absorb it. He is already rushing ahead to the next task, driving himself mercilessly to win, hoping that someone will acknowledge his value through deeds. The Knight of Swords reminds us that this is no way to go through life. In fact, it is downright harmful to your health. In this card's imagery, the horse represents our physical body. The horse is uneasy, anxious, tight, and trying to outrun his rider. The Knight brandishing the sword represents the "cruel master" within. 

The reversed Knight of Swords suggests incredible impatience, impulsiveness alongside his bursting with energy. This Knight of Swords has a lot of energy but lacks any kind of direction, and this oftentimes results in them making rather rash decisions as well as pulling down other people with them. Their thoughts are oftentimes scattered throughout without any actual organization or logic. They are most likely disorganized and unprepared for the things that they actually want to achieve. The Knight of Swords reversal meaning indicates that you still have a lot of miles to walk in order to get the valuable life experience that you need in order to overcome adversities along the way. This is something to consider.

When the Knight of Swords appears reversed, he calls your attention to how you are managing increasing external demands in your life. The horse on the card is a symbol for your physical body while the knight is the taskmaster within. The Knight of Swords reversed usually appears as a warning to slow down and replenish yourself. Stress is a fact of life. However, just because there is stress does not mean that you should be cruel to yourself while confronting it. The main critique of the Knight of Swords is that he is so focused on accomplishing his goal that he forgets to be present. When reversed, this can indicate that he is also unknowingly hurting himself in the process. 

The Knight of Swords reversed can also represent obsessive thinking. If you are noticing that you are exhibiting “tunnel-vision” at this time you may need to consciously choose to place your thoughts on something else for a while. Restore your personal balance and look around you. 

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

JUDGEMENT

This card depicts what one would imagine the last judgment would be, in the various forms that takes in many mythologies. The image in the Judgement card shows women, men, and children who are rising from the grave to respond to Gabriel’s trumpet call. Their outstretched arms symbolize that they are ready to be judged by the universe. They are about to meet their creator, their actions weighed, and find out where they will spend the remainder of eternity: in heaven or in hell. The massive tidal wave in the background signify that judgement is unavoidable, and that this judgement will be final.

Judgement is ruled by Pluto, who is the underworld’s ruler. There are echoes of this card in Death, for they both remind us that everything comes to an end and that a new beginning is coming. The traditional Judgement meaning focuses on the moment when we reflect and evaluate ourselves and our actions. It is through self-reflection that we can have a clearer and objective understanding about where we are now, and what we need to do in order to grow as humans. The Judgement card appearing in a reading signifies that you are coming close to this significant point in your life where you must start to evaluate yourself.

To see this card can also indicate that you are in a period of awakening, brought on by the act of self-reflection. You now have a clearer idea of what you need to change and how you need to be true yourself and your needs. This can mean making small changes to your daily life or making huge changes that not only affect you but the people close to you. The Judgement card reminds us that we all will be faced with choices that will have an astounding effect for your entire life. The card brings to mind moments where actions you have taken have changed the course of your path for good. There may have been a moment where there is no looking back. The consequences of those actions eventually will catch up to you, and this card seems to indicate that this is the time. You may have to let go of the past, so you can move forward with your plans to have a new life.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE DEVIL

This card shows the Devil represented in his most well-known satyr form, otherwise known as Baphomet. Along with being half goat and half man, the devil has bat wings and an inverted pentagram on his forehead. He is standing on a pedestal, to which are chained a nude man and woman, as if to show that he has dominion over them.  They are a “corrupted” version of the innocent and pure image of the man and woman that appear on the Lovers card.

Both the man and the woman have horns, as if to show that the more time they spend with the Devil, the less human they become. The chains make it appear as though the devil has taken them captive. The man has a flame on his tail while a woman has a bowl of grapes on her tail, which symbolizes their addiction to power and finer things in life, respectively. Looking closely, both the man and the woman don’t look happy.  Their individual power has been taken from them, leaving them exposed and ashamed in their nakedness. The chains they wear are quite loose. In fact they could step out of them at any time. This shows that despite the fearful size of the Devil, one can be free of him whenever they choose. When the Devil appears, this symbol calls your attention to the self limiting thoughts and behaviours that are keeping you imprisoned. You can be free at any time, but you must stop “rationalizing” these behaviours away and confront them honestly. The Devil highlights any untruths you may be telling yourself, which are keeping you from being the best version of yourself. You are more powerful than your inner shadow.

Nobody likes to confront the Devil. He represents our inner shadow self…. our Inner-Saboteur. This is the insidious voice within that tells us that we aren’t worthy, that we can’t be successful, that we are stuck with our lot. Often this voice pipes up, just before we are about to make a huge breakthrough. This voice comes as a final test, to see if we what we really believe about ourselves. The Devil is known by many names but by far the most fitting is the Prince of Lies. The biggest lie the Devil tells is that he is more powerful than we are.

Getting the devil card in your reading shows that you have feelings of entrapment, emptiness and lack of fulfilment in your life. You might be aware that this kind of lifestyle is leading you down the rabbit hole, but you have that feeling of not having any form of control over your actions or urges. In situations such as these, you may feel as though you are a slave, unable to control your impulses or willpower to direct yourself towards something other than the satisfaction of these desires.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE NINE OF CUPS

In this card, a middle-aged man is sitting on a wooden bench while his arms are crossed, and his face are showing quite a level of contentment. He is dressed elegantly and has the look of the true satisfaction. The head-dress on his head is red, and is a depiction of his active mind. At his background, you will notice there are nine golden cups, structured and arranged in an orderly manner. The Nine of Cups symbolizes a representation of fulfillment and success, both spiritually and materially. The man shows that expression of success after achieving his innermost desire.

After a long journey, the Nine of Cups symbolizes the finding of self-satisfaction. The emotional journey of the cups is starting to come to a close after the volatile ups and downs you faced in the earlier numbers of this suit. You have struggled to find purpose and joy after loss, you have tasted the different things that life offers, and you have left comfort in order to find greater heights. Here, you have found them, and you are indulging yourself as you celebrate this new stage of your life.

When we look at the Nine of Cups, it can initially seem like one of the most pleasant cards that may appear during a reading. This is also referred as the wish card, which means that the things that you desire for, or your most perfect dream is bound to happen. The Nine of Cups is normally associated with extreme happiness and satisfaction.

With regards to your work, there is a good change that something wonderful will happen in your workplace. It is time for you to push on your stalled project or if you have a something that you desire greatly, there is a possibility that you will finally achieve it. It also holds a positive meaning when it comes to love. Your romantic relationship with someone is destined to reach a new level. In case you are still single, this is the time to socialize with new people. In terms of finances, the Nine of Cups is also a positive messenger. It can mean that the financial state that you are hoping for will soon be achieved. In your health, the test that you have to undergo will lead to positive result. The good energy that you are receiving at the moment should be used to improve your health habits.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE NINE OF PENTACLES

The Nine of Pentacles depicts a woman in the middle of a vineyard. The woman wears what appears to be a long, luxurious dress adorned with sunflowers. She seems to be part of a wealthy house, for in the far background, we see a castle. A falcon is sitting peacefully and playfully on her left hand. The vines behind her are rich and filled with grapes and golden coins, signaling that she has been very successful in her ventures, which are yielding a great and plentiful harvest.

This Nine of Pentacles card indicates that the querent has reached a stage in their lives where they are confident, independent and self-sufficient. Through hard work, this person is now ready to enjoy money, leisure and material comfort. The difficulties that were faced in the earlier journey of the pentacles appear to be over. The Nine of Pentacles conveys not only joy, but also the feeling of security and freedom that material wealth can bring. Looking back, the querent can now celebrate the difficulties, the struggles, and the hard work that lined her path. Her previous challenges gave her the wider perspective she needs to understand the spiritual value of her success. Knowing how difficult it was to get here, she intends to enjoy every single day that is given to her.

Like the other nines in the tarot, sometimes this card indicates that the querent has not yet reached completion in their journey. There is something that is missing here - the element of her community and relationships. The gifts of the suits are meant to be shared, and yet this woman is so far from home. The Nine of Pentacles can also be about a specific time period of this person’s life. This time is about restraint. Diplomacy and grace will lead to the desired outcome.

The Nine of Pentacles represents wealth and security. It also symbolizes savoring your success. She is training her pet falcon. Falcons are famous for their focus and their speed. The woman has placed a hood over the falcon. This symbolizes that she has learned how to train her own focus. She knows that what she places her attention on, she receives. The falcon is not racing ahead for a hunt, or frantically looking for his next prey. He is instead enjoying the affection of his mistress. He is also listening carefully to her encouraging words.

Far down in the left hand corner of the image is a snail. Snails take their time to reach their destination. Snails are very sensitive to their environments. This reminds her that in order to ensure that even more wealth flows, she needs to slow down, take care of her environment, and savor her current success. The wealthy woman makes sure that her garden is only filled with imagery that conjures up a sense of abundance. This keeps her little companions healthy, and ensures wealth is continuously attracted to her.

Slow down and create an environment that will encourage feelings of success. Wealth will follow.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE TWO OF CUPS

This card shows an image of a man and a woman that are exchanging their cups in a ceremony. There is the symbol of Hermes’ caduceus in between which is often related to negotiation, trade, cosmic energy, protection, proper conduct, and duality. The Two of Cups refers to something quite positive, for it is one of the most auspicious cards in the tarot for relationships, whether romantic, business or otherwise. It suggests a new partnership is in the works, and it will be created with balance, respect, and honor. They are separated by the staff of Hermes, the Greek messenger god of communication. Topping the staff of Hermes is a giant lion’s head with wings. This represents that each person in the relationship will have their own sense of pride. They are very different, and yet it is important that each feels their differences are honored, not disparaged. The lion head can quickly override the relationship if the ego is damaged by either party. A wounded ego can severely damage a once loving partnership. The only way to ensure harmony, is for both parties to communicate (the staff of Hermes) in a manner that makes each feel equally important and valuable, leaving their personal dignity intact.

To see the Two of Cups is an indication of a partnership that is built on the union of forces, a strong connection and a balanced and equal partnership. The exchange of cups suggest that each party's emotions are intertwined with the other's, and each participant's feelings have profound affects on the other. A strong pair is indicated here, the joy of two becoming one. When it comes to work, you may notice that the people around you will start to appreciate you more. There is a mutual respect here, meaning you will also be more comfortable in your workplace. If you are looking for new job opportunities, this card may be a good sign. In terms of love, the card represents commitment, a balanced relationship, and love. But this does not simply mean that you will no longer need to nurture your love to make it last. The card only signifies that true love and affection is present. In your finances, the Two of Cups is associated with fairness and balance. This means that you are currently financially capable and you have the right amount of money to deal with your obligations. In relation with your health, people who are currently facing some health issues need to look for a practitioner that they will be comfortable working with and whom they can trust. In spirituality, it is a call for you to be more endearing and loving towards the others. You are receiving positive energy from the universe, and you need to share that energy.

The Two of Cups asks you to see the other person’s point of view, and to communicate in a manner that gives everyone the ability to walk away with their dignity affirmed. This goes for personal relationships, business partnerships, friendships, and family members. The message of the card is that none of us gets to where we are all by ourselves. We need cooperation to survive in this world.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE EMPRESS, REVERSED

The Empress depicts a woman sitting on a throne. From the abundant nature that surrounds her, we can assume that this woman represents the Earth Mother archetype, a goddess of fertility. Her world is ruled by Venus which means that there is complete love, harmony, fertility and luxury by the grace of this goddess. She looks kindly at you as you approach her throne. She wears the sparkling Crown of Twelve Stars, signifying her status as the eternal "Queen of Heaven." The crown symbolizes her ability to see "the big picture," or the eternal context of every situation. She sees the time before, the beginning, the middle, the end and the great beyond. Seeing situations in the context of the eternal is a great remedy for fear. It reminds us of just how small they are. The Empress reminds us we have so much more purpose in our existence than our fears would have us believe. The Crown of Twelve Stars reminds us of the months of the year, the signs of the zodiac, and represents all things growing at their appropriate time. She is dressed in a pomegranate-patterned robe that represents fertility, and she is seated on cushions embroidered with a Venus sign. She is surrounded by an enchanting green forest with a river streaming through it. The Empress brings abundance and blessings in the readings of those she meets.  Her field of wheat signifies her ability to feed and nourish her children. She reminds us that there is more than enough for everybody. The Empress embodies comfort, love, and understanding. She is the nurturing face of Mother Nature, who gently guides you back to your authentic nature. She patiently waits with open arms, to unburden you of troubles, and wipe away all tears.

The Empress shows us how deeply we are embedded to our femininity. Femininity could be associated with fertility, expression, creativity and nurturing among many other aspects. It therefore calls you to connect with beauty and bring happiness to your life. Understand yourself and get in touch with your sensuality so that you can attract life circumstances to bring happiness and joy. She is a signal that be kind to yourself, to take care of yourself.

She lovingly holds out this truth, even when you are unable to feel it, see it or believe it. The Empress archetype has gone by many names throughout human history. She's appeared in every land and in every culture since the dawn of time. There have been many attempts throughout history to repress her, discredit her, or forget her completely. However, after every "Dark-Age" in human history she always re-emerges with a gentle smile. The Empress appears today to tell you that there is something important in your life that needs to feel loved, nurtured, and protected to thrive. She advises you that self-love will be your strongest shield moving forward.  Are you feeling safe, reassured, and abundant right now? What part of your life needs nurturing, love, and protection currently? Are you able to access the fearless place within you where love resides?

The Empress is also a strong indication of pregnancy and motherhood. You can look for other cards to confirm if this is truly pregnancy, or rather just an indication of a motherly, nurturing and caring attitude. The Empress card could also mean the birth of a new idea, business or project on your life. Owing to the good fortune that surrounds this card, you can be sure that such situations and projects would end successfully in your life. Discover and bring forth those ideas that have been clinging to you and make sure that you devote yourself towards accomplishing them. This card is a sign that they are going to be successful, and well taken care of. The Empress, as the archetype of the mother earth, also encourages you to spend time interacting with nature, the mother of all of us. 

The Empress reversed indicates that you have lost too much of your own willpower and strength because you have started placing too much effort and concern to other people’s affairs. While the Empress's nature is of showering her loved ones with attention and care, this can sometimes go overboard. You might be neglecting your own needs, or even smothering the ones you love with your well-intentioned actions. In a role reversal, perhaps a reversed Empress is finding her way into your life; it could also mean that you are relying on others to take care of you, and make decisions for you. You need to work towards removing this influence on your life, and build confidence in your own actions. Always try as much as you can to ensure that you solve matters on your own. 

If the Empress appears reversed, she gently asks you to consider which area of your life is feeling neglected. The Empress represents love and nurturing, so if there is an area that feels abandoned, it is time to make it a priority. Ask yourself, “What have I been neglecting within myself?” Your instincts will probably be shouting the answer. The Empress is a comforting card, upright or reversed. When reversed, she asks you to shower a neglected part of your life with your love, care and attention. When she appears reversed, she could be providing insight into your current situation through the lens of your own experience with your mother. As an adult you get to choose which parental traits you wish to exemplify, and which are not working for this situation. The Empress reversed might also appear when there is a fear that there will not be enough of something. This could be love, money, understanding or safety. Upright or reversed, the Empress assuages your fears and reminds you that you exist in a Universe of plenty. There are a plethora of good experiences still waiting for you out there, no matter what past issue is being healed. The Empress reminds you that love will protect and shield you. So often, just giving yourself a little more love is all that is needed to make a huge breakthrough. Therefore, the Empress carries the shield in the shape of a heart, emblazoned with the symbol of Venus. This symbol represents opening your heart and allowing love to be the solution. The shield also symbolizes protecting your heart by viewing your current situation with unconditional love. When reversed, abundance may seem a little more elusive, but it is still there. When looking for answers this card reassures you that the solution to insecurities will not be found out in the world, or from another person. The Empress will open the pathway forward when you nurture the part of yourself that’s been neglected. 

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE HIEROPHANT

The card depicts a religious figure that sits in a formal environment, namely a church. He is wearing three elaborate vestments which are designated to represent the three different worlds. His right hand is properly raised in an act of benediction, a sign of blessing. In his other hand, he carries a triple cross, which is associated traditionally with the pope. Each of the horizontal bars in the cross are thought to represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Beneath him, two acolytes are seated, representing the transfer of sacred knowledge within institutions. Through these acolytes, the card also comes to represent following the path to knowledge and education. He is the masculine counterpart of The High Priestess.

To see the Hierophant in a reading is to embrace the conventional, for it suggests that you have a certain desire to actually follow a process which has been well established. It also suggests that you want to stay within certain conventional bounds of what could be considered an orthodox approach. So, instead of being innovative, you will be adapting to certain beliefs and systems which are already put in place and are existing. The Hierophant card suggests that it’s better for you to follow social structures which are established and have their own traditions

You might be involved in certain ceremonies, rituals or other religious trappings, for instance. This particular card is most commonly representative of institutions as well as their core values. This is a sign that shows that you need to conform to the already existing set of rules and situations which are fixed already. 

The keys at the Hierophant’s feet represent the need to unlock the sacred place within. Reaching out to the Sacred part of you can aid you with releasing burdens that feel bigger than you. Find a quiet moment. Unload your fears, tears, and assumptions of hopelessness to the Divine. When your prayers are true, they are heard. We may not get what we expect, but we will get a solution. What has been feeling so heavy, so unsolvable, and so hopeless? You’re being heard right now. It’s okay to ask for what you need. 

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE MOON, REVERSED

When we encounter the Moon, we see a path that leads off into the distance. On either side of the path stand a wolf and a dog, representing our animalistic nature - one is civilized, and the other wild and feral. There is a crawfish that is crawling out of the pond from which the path stems from. In the distance, we can see two towers flanking the central path, once again alluding to the doubles visible in this card. Everything in this card seems to echo the other, as if to allude to two possibilities. When we walk down the path, we walk the fine line between conscious and unconscious, between the tamed side of civilization of the dog, and the forces of nature represented by the wolf. The towers on the opposing ends represent the forces of good and evil, and their similarity in appearance can allude to the difficulties that we face in distinguishing between them.

On one hand, the Moon card can symbolize your imagination is taking the best of you. In the dark of the night, you are taking a path that you are unsure of, for there could be danger lurking in its depths. You are the crawfish embarking on the path in the card. The moon’s light can bring you clarity and understanding and you should allow your intuition to guide you through this darkness. You need to be aware of the situations that are causing fear and anxiety in your mind, whether it is now or in the future. It alerts you not to allow inner disturbances and self-deception to take the best of you. These deep memories and fears must be let go, and the negative energies must be released and turned into something constructive. Another reading of the Moon card is the existence of illusion. Some hidden truth must be discovered, for what you are seeing now may just be a trick of the light. You must search for the hidden forces that must be unravelled.

The Moon symbolizes your instincts and unconscious emotions. These undercurrents can alter your perception of the world around you. If you harbour habitually negative emotions, you will look at the world and will zero in on negativity. Likewise, if you are brimming over with positive energy, you will see a world brimming with joy. The Moon reminds you to check in with your unconscious emotions, moods and feelings. These emotions are colouring your perception of the “good” or “bad” things you are seeing in front of you.

The Moon beams brightly in the sky pulling on the instincts of the animals on the card, in very mysterious ways. A wolf appears in the image, howling at the moon. The wolf represents the primitive, instinctual side of your nature. A domesticated dog also appears alongside the wolf. The dog represents your “civilized self.” He is howling at the moon just as loud as the wolf. This represents that no matter how “rational” and intelligent you may like to think you are, you will still be pulled by mysterious and irrational forces. The Moon is a force of nature, which tugs on your deepest instincts and emotions. A lobster is drawn out of the deep waters, pulled from it lair by the power of the moon. Lobsters have hard shells to protect them from the world around them. However, there is no armour that can contend with the moon’s power. This symbolizes that no matter how much you try to wear hardened armour over your own vulnerabilities, you will still be influenced by your habitual, sensitive nature. Nature “feels” the moon, because the moon tugs on the earth’s gravity as it orbits. The moon’s great weight pulls on the oceans, lakes, and rivers as it circles, creating the tides. The moon pulls on our instincts.

When this card appears, it is a time to listen to your instincts and let them guide your path. Tune into your intuitive hunches. Trust yourself when something doesn’t “feel right.” Reconnect with your deeper, wiser, magical self. Like the lobster emerging from the depths on the card, let the deeper wisdom you possess emerge from your depths, bringing valuable insights to your conscious mind. When the Moon appears, it reminds you to trust your deepest feelings, hunches, and instincts. With time and practice your intuition will grow sharper and will guide you through any challenge. Many people would like to think the rational mind is the only fool proof way to experience reality. However, it is undeniable that we are creatures of nature and instinct. Sometimes people don’t act rationally. Sometimes there is no logical explanation for why something occurs. Sometimes “signs” do present themselves on our path. Sometimes we need to tune into the undercurrents that are shaping the realities we experience. You possess great depth, and now it is time to allow it to emerge.

A Moon reversal in a reading can sometimes indicate that the darker and more negative aspects of the moon are present in your life. It could represent confusion and unhappiness - you want to make progress, but you are not sure what is the right thing to do. You must deal with your anxiety and fears by overcoming them, for they are like shadows in the dark. It is time to believe in yourself and move forward. The moon reversal meaning indicates that you are in an intuitive period or you have recently battled confusion, anxiety, and self-deception. It could be that you are misinterpreting how you have been feeling, or that you are starting to improve on this. Another reversed moon meaning is that the forces of the night that are bringing you confusion are starting to dissipate. You have started managing your fears and anxiety. Whatever negative energies you have been facing are slowly fading away. It presents a liberating experience as you discover the positive side of things. 

When the Moon appears reversed, it indicates that you may have been neglecting your deeper instincts. More recently, you may have had to conform to the demands of the external world to survive. This is necessary to function in the world, but not at the expense of your deeper feelings and instincts. The Moon reversed calls you back to your instinctual self. It's time to ask yourself how you really feel. It's time to reconnect with the natural world, with magic. with the changing seasons, and with your deeper wisdom. The Moon reversed can signify illusions created from unresolved feelings. If you have felt unlucky, or if you are imagining terrible things or feel psychically lost the Moon reversed is asking you to look deeper into yourself and to feel something that is trying to emerge. If you keep encountering the same cycle or problem in the external world, the reason could be rooted with something that you need to resolve within. The other cards that appear around the reversed Moon card can give you a glimpse into what those unresolved feelings are about. When the Moon appears reversed it also can indicate a time when mysterious forces are working through the undercurrents of your life. Be open to magic and listen to your deepest hunches. This could be a time where doorways begin to open, and creative potential that was beneath the surface suddenly emerges. Most importantly, trust the voice of your intuition. You unconsciously know more than you think you do. Your instincts will guide you toward the right action every time, but only if you are attuned to them.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE KNIGHT OF CUPS, REVERSED

The Knight of Cups is a card which depicts a young knight who is gloriously riding a white horse while holding a cup. He is the deck’s messenger of love. Unlike the Knight of Wands or the Knight of Swords, this particular one isn’t charging along with his horse. He is instead moving slowly forward which provides the entire setting an overall impression of peace and calmness. The horse is known to represent one’s drive, energy, and power. The horse’s colour is white, which is a well-known symbol of spirituality, light, and purity. He wears the wings of Hermes, the messenger god on his helm and his feet. Fish decorate his tunic. This symbolizes his ability to communicate clearly about deep unconscious feelings that can be hard to put into words. His main message is that communication about feelings heals isolation and confusion. The more difficult the subject, the more healing to be gained from talking about it. However, you must be brave enough to open your heart to others.

The truth is that the Knight of Cups is the most feminine amongst all the Knight cards in the tarot. It’s important to note though, that this doesn’t even slightly suggest that he is any less of a worthy knight. It implies that he is in proper touch with his emotions and his intuition, and that he uses them for his own well-being and during his romantic quests. He is usually quite attractive and charming to others, regardless of their gender. This Knight can communicate his deepest feelings without fear or embarrassment. Everywhere he rides, love begins to flow. He represents all forms of love: romantic, passionate, platonic, and familial. He can reintroduce a lonely person into a world of friends and can bring renewed passion to an intimacy-barren relationship. This is because he does not let fear, embarrassment, or shame, keep him from opening his heart. He reminds those who believe they are alone, that they are connected, valuable, loved, and accepted. The Knight of Cups appears when it’s time to be emotionally courageous.

You might wonder why you would need to be brave to express love. Even people who have been together for years can find it difficult to express affection and intimacy. This is especially true if the heart has been wounded by a deep betrayal or loss in the past. The Knight appears to tell us that retreating further from others will never heal the heart. The heart mends when it is brave and open, allowing new experiences to take the place of past hurts. When faced with an actual decision, the Knight of Cups is going to listen to his heart, regardless of whether this is actually a logical choice or not. He can also manifest as an event or a person in your life, or a part of your own self. He appears as a messenger – and with him, he carries an invitation or an arrival of something or someone which is going to have a certain emotional benefit for you. As a knight, he is also charged with taking the gifts of his suit, and bringing it outward into the world. He therefore can also represent the undertaking of some project with significant emotional or creative value for you.

The Knight of Cups is eternally optimistic that the future will be brighter than times before. He knows that the heart is not as fragile as it pretends to be. It can heal amazingly but must be open to do so. Bring some passion and excitement back into your life.  Have confidence in your worth and stop being self-conscious. You worthy of love. You don’t need to be in an intimate relationship to begin healing your heart. The first step is to be brave enough to open it. 

Reversed, the Knight of Cups means that you allow your emotions to control your life a lot more than you should. You might be overly jealous, emotional or moody. In fact, this could get up to the point of actual incapacity to take action, which is most definitely to be avoided. Jumping to conclusions too fast is characteristic of a reversed Knight of Cups, and making judgements without having the necessary information is very common.

The card indicates a situation which could be considered appealing at first but quickly turns out to be something very different. With such high expectations, everyone will walk away quite disappointed. If the Knight of Cups appears reversed, he indicates that difficult feelings swimming around in your heart can be released once they have been put into words. It is an ideal time to communicate about whatever you have been avoiding. Instead of retreating more, the Knight dares you to be more open, and share what you are experiencing with people you trust. Emotions like fear, shame, anxiety and anger can begin to feel resolved the moment they are spoken. However, they must be articulated from a position of honesty and love. Once difficult feelings are articulated, they can be surrendered. Releasing emotional baggage causes the heart to immediately lighten up, making room for feelings like joy, excitement and love. Don't fear honesty and openness. The Knight of Cups advises you to stop carrying heavy feelings around. Release any burdensome emotions or anxieties that are weighing you down by talking about them openly.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE SIX OF CUPS

The Six of Cups symbolize the joy of nostalgia, the comfort of home and childhood innocence. In the card itself, there are six cups filled with white flowers. Two children are depicted in the foreground, and one is passing a cup to another. This handing of the flowers from the boy to the girl shows the passing of traditions and happy reunions. The children seem to be in a castle of sorts, that we can imagine give them a sense of security and comfort. These children have more than just their basic needs met. They are free to be creative, laugh, and grow in safety and security. The flowers emerging from the cups symbolize that all is thriving happily. The children look at life with complete confidence and optimism, that the future will be just as happy as this moment.

The Six of Cups upright generally represents generosity, naïve happiness, and childhood. It can stand for you wanting to return to a happier time, whether it was when you were a child, teenager, or young adult. Many times, these memories are things of the past, which reflect the aspects of ourselves that have vanished. You may feel that remembering these times is the only way to feel happy. The Six of Cups appearing in a reading seems to indicate that while we may look upon the past with a happy eye, we must avoid living in it.

The Six of Cups can also mean that you are be returning to a familiar place. This could be your hometown, an old friend’s home, a school, or any place that holds a lot of meaning for you. You are seeking to reconnect with people from your past. Bringing back old memories reminds us of our childhood, a time when things were simpler.

Coming after the Five of Cups, this card can also suggest that you may have suffered a loss or disappointment of sorts, and you are making the journey home. You are looking to the past to find the answer to the crisis or challenge that you are facing now. You may be seeking the comfort and warmth of people that unconditionally love you, gathering strength to face the trials that are in front of you.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE THREE OF SWORDS 

One of the most iconic images in the tarot, the Three of Swords displays a floating heart that is pierced by three swords. Above it, there are heavy clouds. There is also a heavy downpour in the background. The symbolism is pretty opaque, and the emotional effect that it has is immediate. The heart is the seat of warmth, affection and spirit, and the three swords indicate the power to harm, cause pain, and create suffering to what it pierces. This is an image of grief, loss and literally heartbreak. The clouds and rain depict the surrounding grimness of the situation. All these symbols point to the Three of Swords showing a low point in one's life.

The Three of Swords depicts the message of rejection, betrayal, hurt and discouragement. In moments like these, we are well served by the mind. If you can think logically about it and prepare for the experience, the impact of this pain may be minimized. But remember too, that pain and grief are a normal part of life, because they make us appreciate what joy and happiness we have, as well as teaching us. It is through pain that we learn to be avoid mistakes that could lead us into danger and grief. It is therefore a necessity in the journey of life. The Three of Swords therefore is a depiction of suffering that is meant to make us stronger, more careful and more vigilant. Sometimes life gives us no choice - we are knocked down. But what determines one's future is the choice of whether to remain knocked down, or rise again. Each little piece of suffering you encounter serves as a stepping stone to find a deeper meaning in this world. 

This card comes at a time when you need to prepare yourself for this next stage in life. While the grief may be extremely hurtful, it enables you to forget your past and focus on your future knowing that you have control of what actions you take afterwards. Don’t dwell so much on what is troubling you but instead, focus on what is approaching, because you determine your fate. As you might imagine the Three of Swords symbolizes the wounded heart. Every human being experiences betrayals, cruelty, unkindness, and even abuse to varying degrees. These traumatic events feel like actual swords driven into the heart. Like any penetrating trauma, the shrapnel must be extracted for the injury to heal. Likewise, the swords pictured in the card here need to be drawn out and released from the heart so that it can heal. The only thing that can give you the power to release the sword from the wound is forgiveness. Are you unable to forgive individuals from the past who betrayed you? Do you still get angry and feel victimized? What emotions do you feel when you conjure the image of this person up? Hatred, revenge, rage, sadness? 

The heart on the card is the victim of devastating injury. Three large swords symbolizing the wounds inflicted by three traumatic past events. The swords are weighting the heart down beneath grey clouds. Rain continuously pelts down on it. And yet look at the proportions... The floating heart is actually quite large when compared to the swords. This symbolizes that the heart is stronger and more resilient than any wound to it. It also symbolizes that the wounds can weight the floating heart down. This negative energy prevents it from rising above the clouds to bask in joyful sunlight.

The Three of Swords reminds us that even though “another” may have put the sword in your heart through a betrayal, we perpetually betray ourselves by not letting go and releasing the resentment. So, if the only thing that will unburden the heart is forgiveness, then why is there such resistance to doing that? Swords represent power. Righteous indignation is seductive, and feels very empowering. The heart may want to hold onto the swords because it feels that somehow it now possesses more power. Although it gives an immediate illusion of being the moral victor (we are not the bad one after all), it also leaves us feeling hollow and empty.  This sense of "power" is held onto for dear life, so that we aren't caught off guard again. And yet, the heart remains heavy and isolated, and we miss the joy of the sunlight above the clouds. Practicing forgiveness allows for releasing the negative energy within, so that you are not carrying it with you everywhere. Each day you refuse to forgive, you actually decide to keep carrying all that toxic poison within you for another day. Forgiveness does not mean "condoning" the reprehensible behaviour of another. It does not mean you need to pretend nothing happened. Forgiveness is less about them, and more about you. The wound happened, but it's not still happening today unless we hurt ourselves with it. This means that you also have to forgive yourself for holding on for so long. Forgiveness gives you the power to let the painful past go, allowing you to move on in your life unencumbered and free. Today work on forgiveness. It often doesn't come overnight. Today you can draw the heavy swords out of your heart. Then it will rise like a phoenix above the rain, light and free.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE ACE OF SWORDS, REVERSED

The Ace of Swords shows a hand emerging from the clouds wielding a double-edged sword. This double edged sword carries a golden crown while being encircled by a wreath. The wreath has for a long time been associated with victory, success and great achievement. The crown is used as the symbol for both royalty and the power to rule that comes with royalty.  Behind the foreground, the sword stands floating over a varied setting - which holds both mountains and sea, which are used as symbols of the vast reach and distant lands that the swords can be used to conquer, as well as ambition.

An olive branch dangles from the left side of the crown. This shows that your life will actually feel more “at peace,” when you take action. This seems counterintuitive to our fears which tell us to avoid things that might create a conflict. However, inner turmoil comes from the avoidance of confrontation, not from taking responsibility. A palm branch graces the right side of the crown. Palm trees are primordial, tough, and hearty. They can endure desert-like heat, and torrential hurricanes. This symbolizes that your personal strength makes you a lot tougher than you think. You can endure much more than you may be giving yourself credit for.

As with all the aces, the Ace of Swords indicates that one is about to experience a moment of breakthrough. With its sharp blade and representing the power of the intellect, this sword has the ability to cut through deception and find truth. In layman’s terms, this card represents that moment in which one can see the world from a new point of view, as a place that is filled with nothing but new possibilities. It is, therefore, the best time to work on your goals - as the aces all give green lights, and are signals of waiting opportunities and new beginnings. It might also be a good time for you to seek justice and the truth in all matters since your conscience is clear, and your thoughts are swift. If you rise to the occasion, your sharpness and clarity in thought will be rewarded.

The Ace of Swords symbolizes reclaiming your personal power by taking charge of your life. Like all Aces, it symbolizes a new beginning is at hand. Your personal strength is like a sword, waiting to be drawn from a scabbard. When you grasp your power and wield it, you are capable of transforming your energy, from victim to victor. The Ace of Swords cuts through trance-like states of mind. It flashes with dazzling light, awakening you to embody your majesty. Do you feel your personal power has been depleted somehow? Are you avoiding something that you know will make things better if you just get the ball rolling? Are you overwhelmed by anxiety, causing you to to feel uncomfortable with confronting a particular area of your life?

When we look at the swords closely, and see its double-edge, we are also reminded that this sword may be either used for noble deeds or to deal destruction. It all depends on the wielder, and is a warning too that excessive power holds the danger to corrupt. If you stick with principles, the sword will serve you well. 

Getting a reversed Ace of Swords might mean that one's thoughts are confused, unsure and very chaotic. This isn’t a good time for one to make any decisions since they don’t have any clarity on what you should be doing, meaning that the chances of failure can be pretty high. At this time, it would be better to prepare yourself and take small steps - work methodically as you slowly move towards achieving your goals. This would be a good time to lay back and rationally think your way through each stage rather than acting on impulse, since everything appears in a blur and is not very clear at that moment. It might also be a good time to seek advice since things may not be as they seem.

When the Ace of Swords appears reversed it represents defending positive new ways of thinking that are still in their infancy. When the blade of a sword is depicted upright, it symbolizes that it is “at the ready.” When a sword is upraised it is ready to fight or to act. An upraised sword can respond to any anticipated action. When a sword is depicted with its blade lowered (as in this case) it symbolizes that the sword is in a state of peace, rest, and that it is guarding something.

When the Ace of Swords appears reversed it can mean that you need to stay vigilant and protect something that is just getting its start. This could be new habits, a new mind-frame, a new perspective or a new creative project. Aces always represent new beginnings, and the Ace of Swords reversed can represent that you need to take special care of something fragile, that is still in its beginning phase. This card could also mean that you need to protect yourself during a sensitive time of change. For these positive new developments to take root, you must protect them until they are strong enough to stand on their own. The Ace of Swords reversed can also symbolize the need to protect yourself from the negative thoughts, comments and actions of others.

The Ace of Swords (upright or reversed) indicates the necessity to change your perspective from feeling powerless to powerful. You can indeed triumph, but first you must rediscover confidence in yourself and your abilities. Like the palm branch you are far more resilient than you think. Have courage and protect the empowered person you are becoming.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE QUEEN OF WANDS, REVERSED 

The Queen of Wand shows a queen sitting proudly on a throne, a clear symbol of strength and fire. She is holding a sunflower in her left hand, and the image of the sunflowers are also carved on the throne - meaning happiness, satisfaction, and fertility. In her right hand, she is holding her wand which is starting to blossom, and symbolizes life. In her positive aspects, the Queen of Wands can be associated with fidelity, sustenance, and warmth. Her hidden side is hinted at with the placement of the black cat at her feet, which is traditionally a symbol of witchcraft and occultism, but can also point at her deep intuition. 

In general, the Queen of wands in a reading meaning may depict a person of extreme focus and fiery passion. She is courageous and individualistic, though at times she may appear self-centred. In terms of work, the Queen of wands signifies that you are planning to accomplish a significant amount of achievement in just a small amount of time. In the event that you are looking for a job, the appearance of this card may mean that a woman will play a major role in your career move. Generally speaking, in terms of your career, things are looking pretty good. The Queen of Wands in questions of love also sends a positive energy. For people who are searching for love, there is a possibility that you will find it soon.

The Queen of Wands is the archetype of what we all want to be. Strong, self confident, charismatic, and self assured in her worth. Wands in the tarot symbolize growth. This shows us that the Queen of Wands was not always so self confident. She had to overcome a fear of what others would think of her if she were to truly be herself. This is a hard lesson in courage. Rejection from others hurts.

When it comes to your finances, there is a chance that you are being carried away on spending a significant amount of money. We advise you to keep your expenses in check, or you will regret it in the end. In terms of health and spirituality, the Queen of Wands meaning may pertain to a spiritual hunger, a quest, or a search for meaning. Regardless of its position (upright or reversed) the Queen of Wands symbolizes fertility, and all the feelings, emotions, and aspects that it brings. It may mean that there is someone who needs your help right now. In terms of work, there is a probability that you will encounter obstacles that will hamper your progress. Do not mind these obstacles and continue doing your job as you see fit. To see this card may also be a reminder to adhere to your rational side - to balance your sometimes chaotic energy with clear though, and you will be more successful.

Are you truly confident in who you are? Do you really feel your worth? Do you try to hide what gives you joy just to avoid the embarrassment you might feel if someone were to ridicule you? A lot of us like to think we don't care what others think, but are we being honest? The Queen of Wands tells you to stop fearing what people will say or think about you today.  The Lions on the Queen's throne symbolize courage. It is time to be unapologetically authentic. The Queen of Wands is also accompanied by a sunflower. These flowers also appear on the Sun card (the best card in the deck). Sunflowers always face the Sun. They open their petals in the direction of of the Sun's radiant light and represent our need to turn toward the light within ourselves. By being your authentic self, you will emit your own light that others will notice immediately.

The Queen of Wands had to learn to be comfortable with herself. By fully loving and accepting herself, she becomes open to the possibility of being loved by others for her true self. She actually takes the risk to smile and reach out to others before they greet her. She shows her subjects that she can see their light clearly, because she went through the process of discovering her own. The Queen of Wands never brags about her accomplishments, she lets her life's results speak for themselves. What you see is what you get. She also know that the truest path toward suffering is to compare herself to others. She shines brightly without caring if she looks stupid or if some of her relatives in the pentacles suite think she's impractical or even crazy.

Most people adore the Queen of Wands. Some people are a little threatened by her. There are even few people with wounded egos that hate her for her best qualities. Living in darkness so long, the Queen's sunny charm shines a light on wounds to their ego that they were in denial about, comfortably hidden in the shadow. The Queen of Wands doesn't worry about any of that, she just keeps sharing her authentic self with grace with poise. She remembers how difficult the journey was to get to her throne and to own her majesty. What are you struggling to like about yourself? Think how powerful your sense of self would be if you smiled without judgment at that part and still loved yourself. Can you see the light within your heart? Can you accept yourself and your entire journey, both the hills and the valleys?

When the Queen of Wands appears reversed she usually accompanies a lack of self-confidence. When the reversed, the Queen of Wands can highlight insecurities we harbour because of how others may have treated us in the past. The Queen of Wands is the guardian of where your courage can be found. The way forward at this time is to boldly be you, and to share your light without the reactions of others in mind. This card also represents a need to be more assertive. Speak up if you are feeling run over or not heard. Search your heart and find where your courage resides. The Queen of Wands is the Guardian of your Courage. She will help you find where you left it. Reclaim your courage and be confident in your gifts.

The Queen of Wands Reversed can indicate a need to come out of hiding. Take a risk, and allow others to see your light. The Queen of Wands Reversed represents discarding any barriers you’ve built that don’t allow others to see the real you. Like the black cat on the card you might not always be liked by everyone. 

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE KNIGHT OF PENTACLES

Much like the other court cards of this suit, the Knight of Pentacles revolves around work, effort, and a general responsibility. The Knight of Pentacles sits on a dark horse in a field. Unlike the other knights, who are always off on one adventure or another, this knight decides to stay home, and instead, focus on tilling the fields. He prepares for the next harvest - it is on this land that he believes that he can do the most. In his hands, he has a single gold coin. He gazes into it, and in his eyes we see a careful consideration. Perhaps he is dreaming of what it could bring him. The other knights may think he's a little boring, but this knight is more concerned about the long term future of his kingdom.

The Knight of Pentacles is about the daily tasks and the responsibility that one has to gain through a specific project. This knight has the patience to accomplish all his given duties and is considered by others reliable and committed to his work. To see this card is an indication that there is a need to be trustworthy and reliable. This knight has the patience to accomplish all his given duties and is considered by others reliable and committed to his work.

You are fully committed to your assignments and you make sure that you complete your work efficiently. You are absolutely loyal and do the best you can in order to make sure the job will be properly completed. Though your sense of duty is admirable, beware that it does not turn into perfectionism - which can manifest itself in every aspect of your life. The Knight of Pentacles can also represent routine, or the kind of general hard work that you go through everyday. The meaning of the Knight of Pentacles also advises that you should continue to do exactly what he is doing. Sticking with the tried and true methods, he will accomplish everything he has set out to do. Sometimes, going with what has already done is not necessarily bad.

The Knight of Pentacles represents a need for patience and perspective when our current life does not measure up to our expectations. It is a card that teaches us how to use setbacks as opportunities for personal resilience. Only hindsight will reveal just why something we hoped for or expected didn’t quite pan out the way we thought it should. Life has a way of steering us to even better blessings than the ones we expected. Has something you expected not panned out the way you hoped? Do you feel bad about the present because you don't "have" something that you think others do? Are you able to honestly see that the game isn't over yet, and there are still marvellous things in store for you?

The Knight of Pentacles rides the fields dreaming of the future. He is utterly disappointed with the present. The fields he surveys are brown, and don't seem to be growing anything. How many more years does he have to keep pacing the same fields before they grow? The field will never grow until he learns to be at peace with himself and the lesson the present is teaching him:  Patience and self-acceptance. Perhaps they are teaching you about boundaries, or not needing others to validate you. Perhaps you just need to learn to be at peace with who you are in the present, with all your perceived imperfections.

Look at situations that seem like setbacks, and instead see their value as lessons to help you grow. Ask the situation "Why do you keep happening, what are you teaching me?” It's okay to feel disappointment for a little bit, but then you need to see its value as a teacher. Look back at how past disappointments actually made you stronger, and led you to even better blessings than what you thought you wanted.

Be patient and resilient.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE THREE OF PENTACLES, REVERSED

The Three of Pentacles displays a young apprentice who works in a cathedral. In front of him, there are two others, a priest and a nobleman of some sort, that are holding plans of the cathedral on a piece of parchment. We can tell from the way the apprentice has raised his head that he is discussing his progress on building the cathedral. The two others are keenly listening to him in order to more clearly understand what is needed of them and how they can provide guidance. Despite the apprentice being less experienced, the two others listen to him because they know his ideas and his experience are fundamental in the successful completion of the whole building. The Three of Pentacles therefore represents the coming together of different kinds of knowledge in order to build something together. 

The threes in the tarot represent the successful completion of a goal - it takes the sources of energy in the ace and the twos and adds a foundational factor, and usually involves a group of some sort. In this scenario, the upright three of pentacles meaning is that there is a successful achievement of all the requirements to pursue your business, deal, venture or any other kind of endeavour. Successful projects usually require different kinds of expertise, and at this moment, the Three of Pentacles means that all the skills required are coming together. In short, you are enjoying enjoying working together as part of a team, and also in the initial success of this bigger project. Successful projects usually require different kinds of expertise, and at this moment, the Three of Pentacles means that all the skills required are coming together. The three pentacles reveals a successful beginning towards achieving your goals, it is a sign of encouragement that you should press on with the same effort without giving up. You may struggle to accomplish your goals as an individual, but the Three of Pentacles also teaches people not ignore the talents of the others that surround you. You need the collaboration of others, with diverse viewpoints, experiences and expertise to accomplish something more than you could have ever dreamed of.  In order to excel, you must be patient with the learning process. This means being open to making mistakes, and not giving up when setbacks happen. What skills are you currently learning? Are you expecting yourself to be perfect? Do you constantly compare your skills to that of others and feel that your abilities aren't good enough?

The Three of Pentacles reversal meaning indicates that there is lack of team work; it shows that people are working against each other and undermining the project along the way. There seems to be too much competition between them - each person is trying to display superiority. This result to scarcity of resources - too many people are viewing their project partners as competitors. When you are in such a team, it is good to ensure that you try as much as possible to inspire camaraderie. With this constant bickering, it is hard for the projects in the reversed Three of Pentacles to come into completion. You may find that people are not listening to others, and everyone is working for themselves. This difference in motives and ambitions yields complications. If you can be the first to reach out and give everyone a chance to be heard and considered, perhaps this project has a chance to move forward. 

When the Three of Pentacles appears reversed, it asks you to identify what life lesson you seem to be repeating. Repetition will highlight one of the big lessons you're here to work on while you are on this planet. Instead of getting frustrated, or just wanting to get the lesson over with, you must absorb what the present lesson is teaching you. Perhaps you are struggling with learning to finally accept yourself and where you’re at. Perhaps you are learning patience. Maybe the frustration surrounding the skill, craft or job you are perfecting is mirroring the self-improvement going on within. Accepting yourself without having achieved perfection is a tough lesson for many. Remember, the process of perfecting yourself never results in being perfect. If you are making an effort to improve yourself every day, that is enough to feel proud of. We are all here to learn. Everybody is engaged in at least one learning process or another. Learning keeps us mentally engaged with life and enables us to evolve and grow. Learning involves setbacks, mistakes, disappointments, surprises, successes, and failures. The Three of Pentacles reversed can illuminate the hard lessons, where the greatest evolution for your soul is occurring. Never give up. Choose to view your life lessons with compassion. You may not always see it - but you are getting better, wiser and stronger every day. 

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE TOWER, REVERSED

The Tower card depicts a high spire nestled on top of the mountain. A lightning bolt strikes the tower which sets it ablaze. Flames are bursting in the windows and people are jumping out of the windows as an act of desperation. They perhaps signal the same figures we see chained in the Devil card earlier. They want to escape the turmoil and destruction within. The Tower is a symbol for ambition that is constructed on faulty premises. The destruction of the tower must happen in order to clear out the old ways and welcome something new. Its revelations can come in a flash of truth or inspiration.

The people falling from the Tower were prisoners of their own making. They built walls around themselves that grew taller and taller. These walls separated them from feeling reality. The Tower gained in size and made them numb. Being numb kept them "safe," from being hurt by the past and the present. In the Tower they could pretend there was no loss, change or death happening outside. The lightning on the card represents the inevitable crisis the Universe always sends, to cause those in denial to wake up and to heal what needs healing. Are there unresolved hurts from the past that you need to heal, surrender and clear? What would you rather not deal with right now?  Is there a fear that if you open yourself to feeling it will hurt too much and won't stop? Despite the destructive imagery, the Tower is one of the most healing cards in the tarot. The Tower snaps us out of pretending we are not hurting. It is a cathartic card, where old pains are finally felt, and released for healing. In that way, the old pains no longer keep us a prisoner, escaping reality. When you reflect on your life, and remember the moments that made you strongest, they are often the hard times. Avoiding challenges doesn't make us strong, dealing with them does. Denial of truth is unsustainable. The breakdown moment is surprisingly a blessing. Once reality is accepted, it can then be healed. 

The Tower represents change in the most radical and momentous sense. It is for this reason that the card itself visually looks so unnerving. But it doesn't necessarily have to be truly frightening or ominous. Because at the heart of this card, its message is foundational, groundbreaking change. The kind of event that the Tower card marks does not have to be something terrible, like a disaster or a great loss.  Change itself is a normal part of life that one has to embrace. But it can sometimes strike fear, for it means that we must abandon the truths that we have known prior to this event. The old ways are no longer useful, and you must find another set of beliefs, values and processes to take their place. Be positive, it is time for you to replace the old foundations of the past with something that is more genuine and will serve you better in what is to come.

In terms of work, there is an inevitable argument bound to happen. You need to be in control and keep your temper in check. Avoid saying something that may hurt other people. When it comes to your love life, your romantic relationship may be nearing its end. Take this as a warning - if you really value your relationship, then it is time for you to take damage control or open a communication to clear misunderstandings. In your finances, the tower meaning refers to the need to be assured on your transactions.

When you get the Tower card reversed, you can feel some crisis looming along the horizon, and you are struggling as much as you can to try and avoid its manifestation. What you have not realized is that these breakdowns can be beneficial in breaking down your reliance on something that is false. The tower is built on faulty foundations, and it must fall. Though the destruction will be painful, the humbleness resulting from it can bring us peace.

What you relied on will no longer be there for you. Do not take this as a drastic and depressing change, it is time for you to become more self-reliant. 

If the Tower appears reversed you may have just undergone a period where everything felt shaky, uncertain and full of volatile changes. Although the Tower indicates a transformative period that can be deeply healing, it always accompanies feelings of instability. Old, outdated structures in your life are being swept away. This clearing is making room for positive new beginnings in your life. Although you may feel not very sure about where your path is heading, the Tower reversed indicates that there’s “nowhere to go but up.” This card position often feels like a hurricane just ran through your life, and now you are charged with the duty to clean it all up. The thing you must keep in mind is that the storm is over. It is time to move forward and not be fixated on what has just changed. There will be time enough in the future to emotionally process your recent transformation. For now, you must stay clear and focused on what your priority is at this time. Upright or reversed, the Tower advises you to allow what you don't need to crumble away. The changes you are experiencing will only feel traumatic if you resist them. The sun is peeking through the clouds again, and hindsight will reveal the necessity of the storm’s passing.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE STAR

The Star card shows a woman kneeling at the edge of a small pond. She is holding two containers of water. One container pours the water out to the dry land, as if to to nourish it and ensure its fertility. The lush green land around her seems to say that it is working. One foot is inside the water which shows the spiritual abilities and inner strength of the woman. The other foot on the ground shows her practical abilities and strengths. Behind her, there is a large central star surrounded by seven small stars which represent the chakras. There is bird standing at a tree branch which represents the holy ibis of thought. The Star’s astrological correspondent is Aquarius.

The woman on the Star card has drawn the healing waters from the pool of the Universal collective. She is pouring some of these waters on the parched earth beside her, symbolizing a replenishment of her world, and the neglected parts of herself. What feels dry and parched in your consciousness? What needs replenishment and watering? The woman is taking some of the water for herself. She knows she is worthy, and it is wise to do so. By taking the gifts of the Universe to replenish herself, she will be able to share more of herself for the collective good. The woman is also pouring some of the water back into the universal pool. She is giving something back to the collective, to improve and enrich it. If she keeps returning some of the water to the pool, she will ensure it never dries up and will be able to draw future blessings from it when needed.

The Star brings hope, renewed power, and strength to carry on with life. It shows how abundantly blessed you are by the universe as evidenced by the various things around you. It may not be directly evident at the moment, for this card follows the trauma of the Tower card. Remember that you hold within you all that you need for your fulfillment - the only thing that you need is courage. For this, you have all reasons to rejoice. To see this card is a message to have faith, for the universe will bless you and bring forth all that you need.

To receive the Star in your reading means that you have gone and passed through a terrible life challenge. You have managed to go through this without losing your hope. While you suffered, you perhaps were not aware of your own strength, but you are now perhaps recognizing that the loss helped you discover your own resilience and inner power. It is only now that you can really appreciate all that you have.

Each of us possesses a light. This light is always sparkling within us. However, sometimes it is so buried beneath burdens, and layers of ego and fear, that it is hard to feel or see. Some people forget this light exists altogether, until they see a laughing baby, or are moved by a pivotal (sometimes traumatic) life event. The Star card reminds us that our inner light exists. When we draw from its eternal waters, we can bounce back from death and defeat, transcending all challenges. Knowing this, we come to understand there is really nothing to fear. If you continue to pass on blessings to others, you will always be blessed.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE MOON 

When we encounter the Moon, we see a path that leads off into the distance. On either side of the path stand a wolf and a dog, representing our animalistic nature - one is civilized, and the other wild and feral. There is a crawfish that is crawling out of the pond from which the path stems from. In the distance, we can see two towers flanking the central path, once again alluding to the doubles visible in this card. Everything in this card seems to echo the other, as if to allude to two possibilities. When we walk down the path, we walk the fine line between conscious and unconscious, between the tamed side of civilization of the dog, and the forces of nature represented by the wolf. The towers on the opposing ends represent the forces of good and evil, and their similarity in appearance can allude to the difficulties that we face in distinguishing between them.

On one hand, the Moon card can symbolize your imagination is taking the best of you. In the dark of the night, you are taking a path that you are unsure of, for there could be danger lurking in its depths. You are the crawfish embarking on the path in the card. The moon's light can bring you clarity and understanding and you should allow your intuition to guide you through this darkness. You need to be aware of the situations that are causing fear and anxiety in your mind, whether it is now or in the future. It alerts you not to allow inner disturbances and self-deception to take the best of you. These deep memories and fears must be let go, and the negative energies must be released and turned into something constructive. Another reading of the Moon card is the existence of illusion. Some hidden truth must be discovered, for what you are seeing now may just be a trick of the light. You must search for the hidden forces that must be unraveled. 

The Moon symbolizes your instincts and unconscious emotions. These undercurrents can alter your perception of the world around you. If you harbor habitually negative emotions, you will look at the world and will zero in on negativity. Likewise, if you are brimming over with positive energy, you will see a world brimming with joy. The Moon reminds you to check in with your unconscious emotions, moods and feelings. These emotions are coloring your perception of the “good” or “bad” things you are seeing in front of you.

The Moon beams brightly in the sky pulling on the instincts of the animals on the card, in very mysterious ways. A wolf appears in the image, howling at the moon. The wolf represents the primitive, instinctual side of your nature. A domesticated dog also appears alongside the wolf. The dog represents your "civilized self." He is howling at the moon just as loud as the wolf. This represents that no matter how "rational" and intelligent you may like to think you are, you will still be pulled by mysterious and irrational forces. The Moon is a force of nature, which tugs on your deepest instincts and emotions. A lobster is drawn out of the deep waters, pulled from it lair by the power of the moon. Lobsters have hard shells to protect them from the world around them. However, there is no armor that can contend with the moon's power. This symbolizes that no matter how much you try to wear hardened armor over your own vulnerabilities, you will still be influenced by your habitual, sensitive nature. Nature "feels" the moon, because the moon tugs on the earth's gravity as it orbits. The moon's great weight pulls on the oceans, lakes, and rivers as it circles, creating the tides. The moon pulls on our instincts. 

When this card appears, it is a time to listen to your instincts and let them guide your path. Tune into your intuitive hunches. Trust yourself when something doesn't "feel right." Reconnect with your deeper, wiser, magical self. Like the lobster emerging from the depths on the card, let the deeper wisdom you possess emerge from your depths, bringing valuable insights to your conscious mind.When the Moon appears, it reminds you to trust your deepest feelings, hunches, and instincts. With time and practice your intuition will grow sharper and will guide you through any challenge. Many people would like to think the rational mind is the only foolproof way to experience reality. However, it is undeniable that we are creatures of nature and instinct. Sometimes people don't act rationally. Sometimes there is no logical explanation for why something occurs. Sometimes "signs" do present themselves on our path. Sometimes we need to tune into the undercurrents that are shaping the realities we experience. You possess great depth, and now it is time to allow it to emerge.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE WORLD

The World card in the tarot deck has a dancing figure at the center. The dancing figure on the card has one leg crossed over the other and holds a wand in either hand. She symbolizes balance and evolution in movement. The fulfillment and unity that she represents is not one that is static, but ever-changing, dynamic and eternal. The green wreath of flowers that surrounds the central figure is a symbol of success, while the red ribbons that wrap around it are reminiscent of infinity. There are four figures on each corner of the card - and they are the same ones that are in the Wheel of Fortune. The four figures represent Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius and Taurus - representative of the four corners of the universe, the four elements, and the four evangelicals. Together, they symbolize the harmony between all of their energies.

The woman depicted on the World card has faced all the wonders and perils of the previous twenty-one cards. This image depicts her graduation. To mark this rite of passage she has been given not just one white magical wand, but two. The two wands symbolize total empowerment, perspective, and mastery. The right hand symbolizes assertive, outwardly directed energy. This was the hand the Magician uses to hold his white wand. The left-hand symbolizes receptive energy, directed inward. The wands symbolize that the woman has mastered both the active and passive parts of her psyche, the left and the right brain. She can give and she can receive.The woman on the World card is a powerful Sorceress and knows it. She is not afraid of her future because she sees herself in the context of the Universal. She is past fear of death for she has faced it, along with her shadows to be born anew. She is aligned with her spirit's authentic purpose. She knows who she is.

To encounter the World in your cards is to encounter a great unity and wholeness. It symbolizes the moment when the inner and the outer worlds - self and other - become a single entity. In some traditions, this state is described as enlightenment, or nirvana. There is a recognition that the individual self is profoundly linked with all other things, and that we all dance and sway along the flow of life to one rhythm. Not only do you hear this rhythm, but you participate in it - following the dips and the rises, the joys and the sorrows. To encounter the World in your cards is to encounter a great unity and wholeness. It reflects that you have completed a major milestone in your life and you have built the resilience to withstand challenges. The World may indicate completion of a long-term project, study or any other major event in your life. It may also mean the birth of a child, marriage, graduation or any other thing that you have accomplished.

The World card shows that you have a desire to give back to the community in various ways. You have a commitment to make the world a better place because you understand that everything is connected. The World represents the successful completion of a life-cycle. This card encourages you to finish what you’ve started. The old is being completed, and loose ends are now being tied up. When the World appears, you are crossing an important threshold. The World symbolizes that you aren’t just completing a chapter of your life, but an entire volume. This card also rules important rites of passage. Magical new possibilities are opening to you now. Take a deep breath, summon your courage and boldly cross the finish line. What are you working on finishing? What world have you been creating for yourself? Are you aware of new opportunities currently opening to you? 

 The World reminds you that you can create miraculous changes in your life when you remember yourself. Only by honoring your whole journey, with all its losses, successes, and disappointments, will you be able to accept wholeness. The woman on the card can send her energy out into the world to affect change, just like the Magician. They both hold magical, white wands in their right hand. However, this Sorceress has also done her inner-work. The wand in the left-hand symbolizes her mastery of the unseen, darker pathways on her journey. Acceptance of her entire path opens her to receiving. Not just the joyful, successful times, but the hard times as well. If you are here, you still have new purpose, and new work to do. The World encourages you to finish whatever process you are completing. Completion can be frightening. It requires you to commit yourself to unknowable new experiences. When the World appears, allow yourself to feel excited about this rite of passage. Be proud of your accomplishments and your total journey. There is powerful magic in remembering that you are infinite and limitless.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE KNIGHT OF SWORDS 

The Knight of Swords card depicts a young man who is dressed in his armor and rides a strong white horse into the midst of a battle. The white color of his horse is a reference to the overall purity and intellectual energy which motivates this young rider. The sky behind him holds stormy clouds as well as trees which are tossed wildly around by the strong winds. The horse’s harness is decorated with images of birds and butterflies. The cape of the knight is also decorated with those same birds.

When we are thoroughly obsessed by a certain idea and strongly wish to manifest it, we are oftentimes so blinded by the actual desire for its fulfillment that we fail to note the difficulties which we may come across, or the actions and consequences that it could bring. The Knight of Swords is a very powerful figure that is full of life as well as energy. This needs to be balanced with a proper and actual realization of compassion and responsibility. Once the knight sets forth towards his goals, there is absolutely no stopping him. He doesn’t see - and he doesn’t care - about any upcoming challenges. He is filled with sheer ambition, strength and determination to succeed with his quest no matter what. However, this determination could also blind him to see the potential consequences of his actions on others as he makes his way to success. He may charge forth into a very dangerous territory without preparation or actual foresight, and this could lead him to great danger.

The Knight of Swords is an ambitious man. He is always striving to prove he is a successful adult. No matter how much he achieves, he can't seem to be happy or rest. The only thing he knows how to do is push ahead. Once he has completed his objective, he doesn't even know how to absorb it. He is already rushing ahead to the next task, driving himself mercilessly to win, hoping that someone will acknowledge his value through deeds. Are you rushing through life? Do you stop to savor successes you've already achieved, or do you rush ahead to the next task?  Do you feel guilty about resting when there's so much to do? Do you cram your day with so much activity that you feel drained and depressed?

The Knight of Swords reminds us that this is no way to go through life. In fact, it is downright harmful to your health. In this card's imagery, the horse represents our physical body. The horse is uneasy, anxious, tight, and trying to outrun his rider. The Knight brandishing the sword represents the "cruel master" within. That nasty voice that tells us to shut up and keep going, even when we feel we are going to drop. "She worked until the day she died," is supposedly one of our highest honors. But is your tombstone really going to be inscribed with all the hours you heroically put into your job? Is that really an authentic encapsulation of what you amount to? You must take responsibility for your own health and wellness by actually scheduling relaxation. Working toward achievement is marvelous, but as with everything it needs balance. Slow down. You aren't living a full life if you are constantly cracking the whip across your own back to achieve. Balance work with rest and your body will thank you.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE PAGE OF SWORDS

The Page of Swords card is representative of a person in one’s life who shows an abundance of energy. With wind-blown trees, turbulent clouds and the their tossed hair, a youth stands proudly on a rocky precipice. This energetic youth has a sword in her hands. Her expression is one of determination, and perhaps a little bit of defiance - she seems ready to pounce at the slightest word. 

Look closely at the Page of Swords’ position in the picture. She is guarding herself. The sword is raised to swing at any incomer. It is difficult to hug this Page. You just can’t seem to get close. She is in total defensive position. Even the biting winds of his words warn you to keep distant. The cold winds upset the birds above, and lash at the trees. All this defensiveness is a mask for hurt. A feeling of vulnerability that others will discover the Page of Swords doesn’t feel one hundred percent confident about what she is doing.

Bright and alert, the Page of Swords is someone who never seems to run out of ideas. She is curious, always asking questions, and gifted with a sharp tongue and quick wit to match. Her aptitude for language also makes her an incredible communicator, and with her love of ideas, you may find her always engaged in some passionate debate. She seems to thrive on almost a kind of nervous energy, as if there was too much inside her to say, the wheels in her head always turning. As a news bearer, she may bring news that is represented by her suit - particularly, gossip, legal matters, agreements. Alternatively, you may find yourself required to use her energy - be alert, keep your eyes open and stay sharp and vigilant.

This card may indicate that you are very eager to execute an idea that you have been having or a project that you cooked up just recently. You are quite passionate about it, and you cannot wait to share the progress with others. Compared to your passionate heart, time seems to be standing still. It is time to be talkative. When a Page of Swords appears in a reading, it signifies communication and sharing of ideas. Whether it is someone else’s ideas or yours, it is time to open up and talk about them as long as it is a constructive.

The Page of Swords represents unnecessary defensiveness. These defenses guard a wounded area of the heart that needs healing. She often pretends that she is fine, and that it’s everyone else who has the issue.  If the Page of Swords could lower his unneeded defenses, he would experience a huge breakthrough. His openness would get him past the blockages he keeps experiencing. He would then ascend to the next level. The Page of Swords is often misunderstood and has been described as dishonest. However, this really isn’t a fair assessment. She is not a “liar,” because she has no awareness of his dishonesty. She is unable to assess himself accurately. The Page of Swords is not a bad person. She is in denial about some difficult feelings. She also has more maturing to do.

The Page of Swords represents the part of us that resists having vulnerabilities seen. She shows up in ourselves when we lash out in defense of our pride. She also appears in the form of other individuals in our day to day interactions that have no self-awareness. When the Page of Swords comes in the form of another person, she will often trigger your own inner “Page of Swords” reaction. This is why she can be so irritating when she appears in the behaviors of people at work, or family members you are struggling with.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE FOUR OF SWORDS, REVERSED

There is a quiet stillness that is present in the Four of Swords, a sense of calm peace that is contrasted so deeply with the pain in the Three of Swords. Here, in a church, there is a carving of a knight that lies upon a tomb with three swords hanging above him while the fourth one lies beneath him. These three swords are a reminder of the suffering that he has endured in the earlier card. The position of the fourth sword seems to be a signal that the fight has ended. A child and a woman are depicted by the stained glass place behind the statue, giving the scene a sense of warmth and welcoming after the retreat. The knight has his hands positioned as if he is praying. Hidden in the upper left-corner of the stained-glass window in the Four of Swords is the word: PAX (Latin for PEACE).

After the time of chaos, anger and pain depicted in the Three of Swords, the Four of Swords can signal that it is time to retreat. The Four of Swords is a moment of rest. Whether this is from a choice to withdraw, or whether it is from pure exhaustion, it is not clear. We are still tender from the wounds that were inflicted, and the battle weapons still hang above us as a grim reminder of what was lost. In order to continue and re-emerge in your daily life, you must take the time now to take a breather. There is always the faint fear that something more is bound to happen again and it is advisable that you take all chances to rest. You need to gain strength and clarity in a quiet environment away from your current circumstances. It is time to re-evaluate, organize and understand your priorities. This helps to rejuvenate one’s spirit, and you come out stronger than before. 

Often the cause for suffering in our lives is attachment to things that need to be surrendered. Trying to control outcomes or hanging onto a path that no longer brings rewards are examples of this. Identify anything that is interfering with your inner peace. Is it a life path that you honestly aren't happy with? Is it a fixed attachment to a specific outcome? Wouldn't it be a relief to finally let the source of your suffering go and see what new wonders await you? We are often very good at rationalizing why we need to suffer, but there is no rationalization for it. You can choose inner-peace and let go of whatever you've outgrown that keeps preventing a sense of being at peace within yourself.

The Four of Swords indicates it is time to gather new strength and prepare to face a new challenge. You have faced crisis after crisis, and it is wearing you out. You can face a new challenge only after getting away from everything and embracing a new atmosphere. Take the time to nurture yourself to re-enter life. Within us glimmers hope, and it lies quietly, waiting to reveal itself after we are healed anew. The Four of Swords symbolizes our need for inner-peace. It encourages rest and recuperation. The appearance of the Four of Swords gently reminds you to call your attention to your body, and any areas where tension has been building up. You may need to give yourself some peace and quiet to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. You could also find that it's time to let go of whatever is preventing a sense of peace and causing inner-suffering.

Although the Four of Swords card in a reading could mean it’s time for healing, a reversed card could mean restlessness. Your heart is willing to relax, but this is not what your mind wants. You feel that you have too much that is depending on you. Following this path is not advised, as it could have affects on your health. You can continue to fight, but sometimes that is ineffectual and you must have enough awareness of your own strength to decide when to back out. To rest, to retreat, is a means of self love sometimes, and though you may try to push ahead, that will only make it difficult for you in the long term. 

Restless energy is not always bad. It can motivate you to accomplish goals and to get events moving again. It can also indicate excitement and motivation toward action. Restlessness becomes unhelpful when it turns into anxiety. The Four of Swords reversed may indicate that you may have to stop the flurry of rapid thoughts barraging your mind and remember to breathe.This card encourages you to reject frantic thinking. Take a break from problem solving. If you allow yourself some time to rejuvenate your mind, you will be able to return to the task at hand with clear perspective. Everything is falling into place. If there is still accumulated restless energy channel it into something constructive. Don’t ruminate. Let your restlessness fuel your willpower. 

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE PAGE OF WANDS 

A well-dressed young man is boldly holding a stick standing on a barren land. His shirt is made in a salamander like pattern which is a symbol of transformation from bad to good. This young man is a passionate advocator, who is constantly spreading spiritual and social advancement ideas that lift up his fellow man. The desert in the background behind him both is indicative of his element, fire, and also represents that he is living in a world that has not bared fruit yet. His ideas are therefore completely hypothetical. However, if he were to choose to use them, and undertake the journey of his suit, his purity of heart could lead him to find better fortunes. The Page of Wands symbolizes aspiration. Although he has not yet reached the heights of his older family members: The Knight, Queen, and King of Wands; he still possesses their same magnetic qualities within himself. The Page of Wands represents that you too embody the same strengths you admire in the people you look up to.

When we see the Page of Wands, we see a youth with enormous excitement and curiosity for the world. He knows what to do, he has the passion to succeed, but due to his inexperience and maybe a little fear of the unknown, his ideas remain abstract. He identifies new worlds to explore, new opportunities he could take advantage of quite easily, and he is even gifted with the "big picture" vision needed to succeed. Even with all of this, he still has the tendency to either remain dormant, or get easily distracted with one idea after the other. If he doesn't learn to control this, it might be that he squanders the opportunities to advance himself. When you get the Page of Wands, it simply means something is within you, something that triggers you to make discoveries, indulge in investments or take the next advancement in life. You could be just about to take a move on a certain idea, but some conflicting messages keep coming to your mind, and you get discouraged. 

This card resembles your inner battles which are preventing you from expressing your heroism to the world, to let the world know that you exist for a reason. If you are wise enough, this card is normally a trigger of courage. It should make you overcome the personal discouragements and move forward boldly to launch your ideas in the real world. Remove the fear, gather your resources and do something. Let the world know that you are there and you have no jokes about moving forward in the path that you choose. Conquer every obstacle, let your ideas shine and be known to the world because this card indicates a level of success that can only be achieved when courage is deployed.

Don't try to "compare" yourself to the abilities, talents, and achievements of others. Instead, look at the force "behind" those talents, and you will see you are on this planet to strengthen those same attributes within yourself. Today acknowledge the qualities you admire most in your heroes and see that you share this magic in common. You are kindred souls.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE KING OF PENTACLES 

The King of Pentacles refers to a man of high ambition, materialistic satisfaction, and worldly success. The King of Pentacles is sitting on a throne that is adorned with vines and bull carvings, and the robe that he is wearing is embroidered with many images of grapevines. He looks sophisticated and regal. He is also surrounded by different types of plants, vines, and flowers which depicts this king’s attainment of materialistic success. He holds a scepter in his right hand and the coin with a pentacles engraved on it in his left hand. The castle can be seen behind him, which is a symbol of his determination and effort.  The Bulls on his throne are a symbol for the astrological sign of Taurus. They represent stubborn tenacity and a commitment to reaching your goals.  The King of Pentacles is looked upon by others as lucky. However, his success stems from knowing that "luck occurs when preparation meets opportunity."

When we meet the King of Pentacles, we feel immediately his regal and generous presence. He is a provider and a protector, for under his care is a flourishing and abundant kingdom where its citizens are prosperous and encouraged to grow. He is naturally responsible and reliable, and through the wisdom granted to him by his suit, he has grown all that he has acquired from practically nothing. To see him in the cards is to envision success - one that was won by earnest work. He is a provider and a protector, for under his care is a flourishing and abundant kingdom where its citizens are prosperous and encouraged to grow. Generally, this card reminds us to stay in control of our energy and our resources in pursuit of a larger goal. 

When it comes to work, the King of Pentacles may refer to a more established man who will pay a significant role in your career. This man can be wise and rational, but he may also be careless when passing judgment. He can be your biggest supporter, but be prepared to receive unsolicited and harsh criticism. In love, this can indicate that the person that you’ve been waiting for can come along and will love you for who you are. With regards to finances, the King of Pentacles is one of the best cards to receive. This may mean that your financial situation is stable as a result of your wise investments and hard work. In case you are taking a gamble, be sure to initiate a calculated action. 

The King understands that to truly get success from life’s pursuits, you must enjoy them. You must appreciate your responsibilities, taking them up with gratitude and a long view of the security they will provide. All the King’s labors are undertaken with love for what he is doing. To achieve the success of the King of Pentacles you will need several things. First, you need patience. Not every day is sunny. Be reminded that the rainy days contribute life-giving water. Anything that is worth anything requires time to develop. This includes your goals, skills, and gifts. Secondly, you need to prepare for the future. Lastly, you need to approach what you are doing with love. Infuse your responsibilities with a willing and grateful heart. This will bring much better results than if your tasks are approached with resentment, fear, or worry. The King of Pentacles signifies health, wealth, stability, success, and joy. 

Be content.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE TWO OF PENTACLES, REVERSED

The Two of Pentacles card depicts a man who is dancing as he is juggling two large coins. The pentacles are surrounded by the infinity sign that denotes that the person can handle all the issues the come his way and he can manage his life with grace. In the background, you will notice that there are two ships that are riding the giant waves, and they reinforce the balancing act that the man has to face - he is in rough and choppy waters, but manages to stay afloat. The Two of Pentacles depicts the usual ups and downs that occur in one’s life. Despite all the chaos that surrounds him, the man lives a very carefree life as he dances, and handles all that comes to him with joy.  The juggler on the card survives the undulations of fortune because he remains flexible and adaptable.

The Two of Pentacles is a card about balance - the coins are displayed in a manner that is precarious, any small change in wind or weight can tip and send them falling. For those that may have more coins to go around, they can afford to be less careful, but at this moment things may be tight. Wealth too, is a kind of energy, and it is the kind whose goings in and goings out are easiest and most tangible to see.

There is a possibility that you are trying hard to keep the two aspects of your life in a perfect and delicate balance. The balancing act depicted in the card suggests that there are two major factors that you are deeply concerned about. It is time for you to step back to have a better perspective of the situation. While you may initially think it will save you time, multi-tasking may just worsen the situation. Cut down on your tasks and concentrate on these two factors that are troubling you. You’ve done a good job keeping things stable, for you seem to be able to adapt well to all the changes that ask you to continually re-balance.

When it comes to love, the Two of Pentacles is associated with your inability to provide the energy and time required to make your partner happy. With regards to finances, you should pay heed on the bottom line. You should have a clear picture on your financial state. Plan your finances accordingly, control your expenditures and increase your stream of income to create a solid foundation for your future. In terms of health, this card is asking you to find a balance between your own well-being and your responsibilities. It’s easy to make yourself the last priority when you have so many things happening around you.  

 When the Two of Pentacles is in reversed position, it can mean that you are trying to juggle much too many things in your life. You need to take at least a short break to eliminate the stress. In case you are feeling that you can’t handle everything, you need to consider your own well-being and provide yourself with a time to breathe. In your work, the Two of Pentacles reversal can be a positive omen. Avoid committing to a lot of things since it will overwhelm you. In your finances, you need to learn how to live in your capacity. The Two of Pentacles reversal meaning reminds you to be aware of your income and expenditures since overspending can become a large issue, especially when you are being pulled in many directions. Pay attention to the details instead of glossing over life with broad strokes. Sometimes this card appears to indicate that something that you have been avoiding or neglecting needs more care. Two of Pentacles reversed can highlight work that needs to be re-done. If you focus on refining the details, you wont regret it. Try to anticipate issues that could arise with projects and deadlines and get ahead of the curve. The best way to handle this unpredictability is with flexibility and good humor. Remember not to fight through the waves, but to sail over them. Sometimes, the Two of Pentacles reversed heralds seemingly disappointing situations that end up being blessings in the long run. Be flexible.

Top of the Cup

A Carriage

Your course in life will be greatly helped by the services rendered to you by friends. Your path will be rendered smooth and your progress assured by their kindly intervention and help. If the carriage has two horses pulling it this suggests that you can make a success of any career.

A carriage indicates that is a general rule you will work better in partnership than working alone. In a symbolic sense the carriage is associated with travel. If the carriage has a rider then this can suggest that there is possibilities of a new relationship.

The carriage in the position at the top of the cup. This indicates that the journey will take place. Somebody could get incredibly hurt at your absence. They may find things very hard because they feel that they've never lived up to your high standards.

Middle of the Cup

A Boat

A boat on it's own indicates that you’ll make a voyage of discovery which will be of a material benefit to you.

A ship indicates that you will be taking a journey into the unknown. Cloudy, capsized or at the bottom of the cup, it’s an omen of lurking dangers, untrustworthy people or crooked situations. This symbol has a flexed meaning and may either denote a removal or journey away from home or some sustenance and comfort in a time of trouble. If on an even keel, it denotes success and prosperity, but if listing it denotes a time of trouble ahead against which precautions must be taken.

Adapt yourself to the challenges it brings. Be flexible in your attitude towards life.

The boat is in the middle of the cup. You should discover for yourself the things that a good holiday can bring. Bottom of the Cup

Wings

Any symbol that actually carries wings is a positive psychic message. It indicates that times have been difficult for you in the past, and life is about to change and move on for the better. Wings in this sense are positive in nature.

To see wings suggests that you are going to be free from any conflicts and constraints going forward. You will be protected by somebody.  In conclusion, a wing symbol is positive in nature it indicates protection from the spirits above. We all have difficulties in life. No matter what the difficulty is you can overcome anything.

To see wings in the bottom of the teacup is an extremely positive omen. It indicates that you are being protected in life and guided by spirit. This is a very positive omen to get.

Rim of the Cup

Butterfly 

The butterfly is a positive omen. If it appears in your teacup this indicates somebody is threatened by you because of your good fortune. 

The symbol indicates that somebody feels attraction towards you, and there is a danger of immaturity. This symbol further advises that you must tell somebody about your inner feelings. It also suggests that you have much gain from being with a person romantically and that a love affair is likely to be light-hearted and will provide you with the fun and excitement that you're after. A butterfly signifies the transformation into someone more relaxed and carefree. It sometimes warns of a fickle and faithless lover. It is important to meditate on this symbol to try to understand who is likely to give you attention in the future.

Since the butterfly is a spiritual force this can sometimes be associated with somebody developing psychic abilities. This symbol is to encourage you to channel your psychic ability in a positive way.

If the Butterfly is positioned near the rim of the teacup then you are sheltering yourself from other people and civilisation. If you see dots around the butterfly, then you're searching for basic protection from others. If the butterfly is of a larger size compared to the other symbols found in the teacup, then you have a habit of retreating from complex matters and falling out with people around you. It shows how you can sometimes overreact to negative people or surroundings. This butterfly also symbolises the importance of spiritual enlightenment. There is a feeling that you can conquer anything in life, if you have the right passion. The larger butterfly is essentially a spiritual force aiming to push you into a more positive direction. You may need to find willpower from within.

Conclusion

Having faced recent trails, you have been cutting yourself off from others. 

A journey is recommended to rejuvenate.  In order to be more lighthearted, you must first gain some distance between yourself and your troubles. 

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE FOOL

The Fool depicts a youth walking joyfully into the world. He is taking his first steps, and he is exuberant, joyful, excited. He carries nothing with him except a small sack, caring nothing for the possible dangers that lie in his path. Indeed, he is soon to encounter the first of these possible dangers, for if he takes just a step more, he he topple over the cliff that he is reaching. But this doesn't seem to concern him - we are unsure whether he is just naive or simply unaware. His head is occupied with the thrilling possibilities of the day. Could he be in danger of going over the edge of the cliff? Possibly, but maybe that would be fun... he never actually died before. The Fool doesn't seem to be paying any attention to the possibility of future calamities. His head is occupied with the thrilling possibilities of the day. Could he be in danger of going over the edge of the cliff? Possibly... but maybe that would be fun.... he never actually died before.  The dog at his heels barks at him in warning, and if he does not become more aware of his surroundings soon, he may never see all the adventures that he dreams of encountering. He is the wayward hero of the Tarot, the embodiment of the young hero just getting started on his quest.

The Fool card is numbered 0, which is considered to be a number of infinite potential. Consider him a blank slate, for The Fool has yet to develop a clear personality. This means that he is not attached to any "identity" that he must prove to others. He's not the "King of this," or the "Knight of that." He's just "a fool," simple, unencumbered by worry, and completely free to go where he chooses. He is the symbol of innocence - his journey to come will shape his character yet. He never despairs if he doesn't look "competent." That's just another box he would hate to be suffocated in. He's not afraid if people laugh at him. He laughs at himself. This humor gives him an inexhaustible resilience. Somehow, he always manages to get back up again unscathed. The Universe has a soft spot for fools and blesses them with luck.

To see the The Fool generally means a beginning of a new journey, one where you will be filled with optimism and freedom from the usual constraints in life. When we meet him, he approaches each day as an adventure, in an almost childish way. He believes that anything can happen in life and there are many opportunities that are lying out there, in the world, waiting to be explored and developed. He leads a simple life, having no worries, and does not seem troubled by the fact that he cannot tell what he will encounter ahead. To meet him in a reading can also be seen as a call to the risk-taking part of your own character. He inspires courage, for he understands that every day is a chance to open up new areas in your life, and with that comes a mixture of anticipation, wonder, awe and curiosity. The Fool is there to show that you can never really tell what lies ahead, and you can only greet it with joy. 

The Fool knows that people who buy into maintaining an image limit themselves to a self-imposed box to suffocate in. That's not living. The Fool is open and curious, journeying wherever he dares. The Fool can never be boxed in, kept, or defined by others. He represents the wild and rebellious part of your nature. He goes his own path. The sun is shining, and his spirits are soaring.

The Fool gleefully whispers his words of wisdom to you: "Let go and cast off your fears of trying, of dying, and of looking stupid. They're cheating you out of a full life."

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE HIGH PRIESTESS 

You've most likely encountered the High Priestess before, but in other forms - she can be seen in the archetypes of Persephone, Artemis, Isis and many more. When you encounter her, you will see her sitting on a cubic stone between the two pillars at Solomon’s Temple, Jachin, and Boaz. Jachin (right) is generally referred to as the Pillar of Establishment and Boaz (left) is the Pillar of Strength. The pillars also depict the duality of nature; masculine and feminine, good and evil, negative and positive.The High Priestess's location between the two suggests that it is her responsibility to serve as a mediator between the depths of the reality. She is the third pillar - the path between. She believes that both pillars are equal and there is knowledge to be learned in both worlds. You will also notice that she wears the crown of Isis which can mean that she is a believer of magic. The high priestess wearing of the solar cross denotes that she is connected to the season of the earth and the earth itself. The crescent moon at her feet is seen also in many depictions of the Virgin Mary, and means that she has a complete grasp over her emotion. She sits before a veil decorated with pomegranates, the fruit of the Underworld. This symbolizes her answers are found beyond the anxious fears of death and change.

The High Priestess is the mistress of what lies beyond the veil. She is the keeper of your deepest wisdom. She challenges you to look past the thin shroud of your rationality and experience the deep sea of your inner knowing.  She is crowned with the moon in its three phases: waxing, full, and waning. The High Priestess sees the big picture, and knows the beginning, the middle, and the end.

The meaning of the High Priestess is related with inner knowledge. Her appearance in a reading can signify that it is time for you to listen to your intuition rather than prioritizing your intellect and conscious mind. When the High Priestess shows up it can depict an archetype known as the divine feminine - the mysterious female that understands and holds the answers to the deep unknowns; religion, self, nature. She represents someone that is intuitive, and beginning to open to her or his spirituality. If you've ever trusted your "gut instincts," then you were trusting her. You know far more than you think you know. To access your instincts and inner wisdom, you need to push aside the veil of endlessly chattering. Meditation, prayer and new spiritual work is indicated. The High Priestess guards the realm of your deeper feelings. When you access the deepest core of your being, you will often find you already know the answer. You just might be too distracted (or too afraid) to trust it.

The card itself shows a night-time scene, meaning that the world in which she protects and guards is one that may at first seem frightening, but has the potential to lead us into the growth of the self. When she appears in a reading, she is calling to you to listen to her message, and follow her into your own depths. There is searching within yourself to be done for the answers that you seek. The answers to the questions you have are within, not without. The High Priestess appears today to guide you back to your instincts, instead of throwing your hands in the air and yelling "I don't know what to do!" The Priestess knows this is just a superficial exclamation of fears on the surface. She asks you to summon the courage, to pull back the veil blocking your vision, and access your deepest self for the answer. The answer is right there, beyond the veil of fears, and you already know what to do. To know the difference between your fears and your instincts, check in with your body. Fears will make you feel "tight," and anxious. Instincts on the other hand, make you feel sharp, clear, and empowered to act. Your instincts can be found in the place beyond the tightness, deeper within your core, deeper within your spirit. Your inner wisdom is an instinct that will guide you, like an infallible compass, whenever you feel lost.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE KING OF CUPS, REVERSED 

The King of Cups is a card in the tarot that shows generosity, control, and emotional balance. The card itself depicts a king seated on a throne, who has an amulet that is shaped like a fish. The fish in his necklace represents his creativity and spirit, which thrives on the calm waters that surround him. He is kind, affable, and forgiving. He has nothing left to prove to the world, which makes him unpretentious. This is because he is completely at peace with his own feelings. He has experienced both stormy seas, and still waters that run deep. Water and cups represents feelings in the tarot, and the King of Cups is perfectly at home in the realm of his emotions. We can see from the background that there is a steady balance between the conscious and unconscious. Behind the king, there is a fish jumping out of the ocean on the right side, and a ship on the left side, representative of the emotional and material worlds respectively. The King of Cups shows that you do not suppress your impulses, but have learned to deal with them in a balanced manner.

The King of Cups is one of the most influential cards in the suit of Cups. He represents creativity, emotion, and the unconscious. The card shows the ability to restrain one's emotions and be fully in charge of your feelings and impulses. Therefore, the King of Cups represents a balance between the intellect and emotions. He indicates that there is a strong relationship between understanding and feeling.The King of Cups represents a balance between the intellect and emotions. He indicates that there is a strong relationship between understanding and feeling. When you have balanced your emotions and are able to control them, it means that you have a deeper knowledge and awareness of yourself. When you are faced with challenges that would normally throw you off balance, the King of Cups is there to remind you that you should act as he does - do not fly out in a rage, or immediately throw yourself into despair. You first need to temper the state of your emotions, so that you can progress forward in reality. Learn to evaluate yourself so as to determine how you can create a stronger awareness of your own internal state.

There are instances when the King of Cups can symbolize an older male who is in your life. This is a mature man who is willing to take responsibility for his actions and has mastered his own self-understanding.The King of Cups tends to be political and diplomatic, and this makes it possible to for him to balance the needs of others, and enhance the harmony among all parties involved. The King of Cups shows that you are sensitive as a leader and you are careful with the way others respond to your emotional needs. The King of Cups implies that you should remain mature when dealing with negative energy. 

The King of Cups reversed signals what happens when he is at his worst: volatility, emotional manipulation and moodiness. When the King of Cups falters, his usual ability to handle situations with compassion and wisdom are turned upside down. He is unable to balance the needs of all that seek his guidance, and while appearing kind to some, may be cold to others. His talent in navigating the emotions of others may be put to dubious uses, manipulating circumstances to fit his needs. The reversed King of Cups suggests that there is a character in your life that is depicted by this card, whether a part of you or someone else. While he is normally very in touch and controlled with his emotions, he has lately become manipulative and emotionally controlling. His actions will be used for vengeance and vindication, impulses that he normally has under control, and is eventually aimed at being some form of punishment. 

When the King of Cups appears reversed he indicates that it is time to stay calm despite stormy seas. As you can see, the figure on the card is surrounded by waters making great waves. Water signifies feelings in the tarot, and reversed cups cards usually indicate an intensification of emotional experiences. The King of Cups is seated on a firm stone platform, unaffected by the swirling waves around him. This indicates that the King has the ability to remain centered when situations that elicit an emotional reaction arise. The King of Cups is associated with the astrological sign of Cancer, which is concerned with the house and the home. The best way to feel stable amid external emotional activity is to retreat to the home, and get your personal environment in order. Get your house in order. If you have a stable base of operations to re-center, you can handle any number of waves headed your way.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE SIX OF CUPS, REVERSED 

The Six of Cups symbolize the joy of nostalgia, the comfort of home and childhood innocence. In the card itself, there are six cups filled with white flowers. Two children are depicted in the foreground, and one is passing a cup to another. This handing of the flowers from the boy to the girl shows the passing of traditions and happy reunions. The children seem to be in a castle of sorts, that we can imagine give them a sense of security and comfort. These children have more than just their basic needs met. They are free to be creative, laugh, and grow in safety and security. The flowers emerging from the cups symbolize that all is thriving happily. The children look at life with complete confidence and optimism, that the future will be just as happy as this moment.

The Six of Cups upright generally represents generosity, naïve happiness, and childhood. It can stand for you wanting to return to a happier time, whether it was when you were a child, teenager, or young adult. Many times, these memories are things of the past, which reflect the aspects of ourselves that have vanished. You may feel that remembering these times is the only way to feel happy. The Six of Cups appearing in a reading seems to indicate that while we may look upon the past with a happy eye, we must avoid living in it. 

The Six of Cups can also mean that you are be returning to a familiar place. This could be your hometown, an old friend’s home, a school, or any place that holds a lot of meaning for you. You are seeking to reconnect with people from your past. Bringing back old memories reminds us of our childhood, a time when things were simpler. 

Coming after the Five of Cups, this card can also suggest that you may have suffered a loss or disappointment of sorts, and you are making the journey home. You are looking to the past to find the answer to the crisis or challenge that you are facing now. You may be seeking the comfort and warmth of people that unconditionally love you, gathering strength to face the trials that are in front of you.

The Six of Cups reversed can mean that you are clinging to the past. You should explore your memories, but you should not allow yourself to remain there. While you may find it comforting to be in the security of home, you must also learn to forge your own path. The past should be used as a guide for the future. Learn to focus on the present, and truly be aware. Another reading of the Six of Cups reversed is that you may feel as though you are disconnected from your childhood self, and that child's dreams, which may sometimes be unrealistic. Not reaching these goals can be painful, but sometimes reality carves a path for you that you must follow, and you shouldn't blame yourself for your choices. Take the time to think about where you want to be now and how you can reach your goals, instead of just dreaming about them. Has the pursuit of "safety and security" taken over your life, causing you to forget your joy?  The important thing to remember is that each day is new. Old hurts are not guaranteed to transpire just as they did before, unless you are replaying them in your head and not letting go.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE PAGE OF SWORDS

The Page of Swords card is representative of a person in one's life who shows an abundance of energy. With wind-blown trees, turbulent clouds and the their tossed hair, a youth stands proudly on a rocky precipice. This energetic youth has a sword in her hands. Her expression is one of determination, and perhaps a little bit of defiance - she seems ready to pounce at the slightest word. 

Look closely at the Page of Swords’ position in the picture. She is guarding herself. The sword is raised to swing at any incomer. It is difficult to hug this Page. You just can’t seem to get close. She is in total defensive position. Even the biting winds of his words warn you to keep distant. The cold winds upset the birds above, and lash at the trees. All this defensiveness is a mask for hurt. A feeling of vulnerability that others will discover the Page of Swords doesn’t feel one hundred percent confident about what she is doing.

Bright and alert, the Page of Swords is someone who never seems to run out of ideas. She is curious, always asking questions, and gifted with a sharp tongue and quick wit to match. Her aptitude for language also makes her an incredible communicator, and with her love of ideas, you may find her always engaged in some passionate debate. She seems to thrive on almost a kind of nervous energy, as if there was too much inside her to say, the wheels in her head always turning. As a news bearer, she may bring news that is represented by her suit - particularly, gossip, legal matters, agreements. Alternatively, you may find yourself required to use her energy - be alert, keep your eyes open and stay sharp and vigilant.

This card may indicate that you are very eager to execute an idea that you have been having or a project that you cooked up just recently. You are quite passionate about it, and you cannot wait to share the progress with others. Compared to your passionate heart, time seems to be standing still. It is time to be talkative. When a Page of Swords appears in a reading, it signifies communication and sharing of ideas. Whether it is someone else’s ideas or yours, it is time to open up and talk about them as long as it is a constructive.

The Page of Swords represents unnecessary defensiveness. These defenses guard a wounded area of the heart that needs healing. She often pretends that she is fine, and that it’s everyone else who has the issue.  If the Page of Swords could lower his unneeded defenses, he would experience a huge breakthrough. His openness would get him past the blockages he keeps experiencing. He would then ascend to the next level. The Page of Swords is often misunderstood and has been described as dishonest. However, this really isn’t a fair assessment. She is not a “liar,” because she has no awareness of his dishonesty. She is unable to assess himself accurately. The Page of Swords is not a bad person. She is in denial about some difficult feelings. She also has more maturing to do. The Page of Swords represents the part of us that resists having vulnerabilities seen. She shows up in ourselves when we lash out in defense of our pride. She also appears in the form of other individuals in our day to day interactions that have no self-awareness. When the Page of Swords comes in the form of another person, she will often trigger your own inner “Page of Swords” reaction. This is why she can be so irritating when she appears in the behaviors of people at work, or family members you are struggling with.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE TWO OF SWORDS, REVERSED 

The Two of Swords symbolizes the confusion we face when we are forced to make difficult choices. In the Two of Swords card, there is a seated woman that is blindfolded while holding a sword in each of her hands. In the background, there is a sea surrounded by crags and rocks that serve as obstacles for vessels and ships, stalling progress and action. The woman in the card being blindfolded is a representation of a situation which prevents her from seeing both the problem and the solution with clarity.

The swords that she is holding in each of her hands show that there are two choices that lead in different directions and are mutually exclusive to one another. It may also depict a stalemate, which means that the problem should be addressed with a logical and rational thinking. The Moon positioned on the right side of the card signifies may signify the role of illusions and deception in the difficulty that the woman has in making a choice

When we see the Two of Swords in a reading, we are encountering a stalemate. Two equal and opposing forces are joined in battle, and there seems to be no end in sight. This wasn't what you had in mind when you chanced to walk down this path, and you find yourself caught in the middle. Without something, or someone to intervene, this may continue indefinitely. We find ourselves in a situation where we must make a choice, we can side with one part of the situation, or we can side with the other. Neither seems particularly appealing, which makes the decision even more difficult. But unless we move past this stalemate, there can be no more progress.

The Two of Swords symbolizes making peace with the feeling of being “in between.” In between life stages, in between jobs, in between relationships, in between projects, in between moving situations, in between friendships, in between career goals, in between big plans, etc. The card advises you to find your center in the midst of the transformations swirling around you.  What feels uneasy or unresolved in your life? Is this "in-between" situation making you anxious about the future? Can you be at peace with not having everything completely figured out right now?

The Two of Swords is often related with balance and partnership. It signifies the need to keep your relationships balanced. Regardless if it is in business, friendship or romantic relationship, you may find yourself struggling to maintain the current state of affairs, and may find yourself caught in the middle. In regards to your work, you may be currently stuck in limbo and are perhaps waiting on another party's decision. Remain patient and avoid pressuring people in making their decision abruptly. The Two of Swords meaning may depict a warning to have caution. Like the woman in the card, you may be choosing to keep the blindfold on, hoping the problem will just go away. You should avoid evading any issues that you are facing, since it will not solve your problems. 

The situation we see in the reversed Two of Swords is a stalemate of a legendary kind, one where two forces are battling each other. This battle can be representative of both something internal or external, and you are forced to be in between and be the decision maker. However, because neither party seems particularly pleasing to work with, you may find yourself confused, the pressure is too much, and you are unable to make a decision. When you do make the decision, it will be choosing between two bad outcomes. Do not worry, the more important thing here is to make a choice, from then on, we can deal with whatever consequences come.

When the Two of Swords appears reversed it is time to boldly step out of limbo. If an aspect of your life has been suspended for too long, then it's time to get things moving again. The Two of Swords reversed usually appears after a period of incubation, a time spent making peace with yourself. It is a card of precarious balances, between the needs of the world and the needs of the self. Now that a truce has been made with your deepest, creative, self it is time to act. Commit your energy to completing projects, tasks, and goals. Step out of indecision and reveal your vision.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE KING OF WANDS, REVERSED 

The King of Wands depicts a man who has in his hands a blossoming wand, which is set to represent creativity and life's passion. His throne, as well as his cape, are decorated with the salamander and the lion, which are symbols of fire and strength. The salamander that is biting his tail represents the infinity as well as the overall drive to move through all obstacles. The robe is bright and orange resembling a flame, while the crown is shaped like a tongue of fire. He teaches you to trust in yourself. You haven’t let everything fall apart up until this point, so why panic and assume that suddenly you’ll drop the ball now. The King reminds you, that if you don’t trust in your own competency and abilities, you are betraying the very part of yourself that helped you survive.  He earned the respect of his men by winning battles and saving his kingdom on more than one occasion.

The King of Wands represents pure energy. Unlike the other wands cards in the deck however, this particular one is not focused on pure creativity. Instead, this king is actually way more likely to take an idea and to decisively implement it himself. The King of Wands is a natural born leader of people, and he is also extremely capable. Once the king sets for himself a certain aim or a goal, he is going to conveniently stick to it in order to ensure that it becomes a reality. The King of Wands looks forward to all sorts of different challenges - whether great or small, for he gets a natural adrenaline rush associated with the solving of problems. The negative aspect of the card is associated with a feeling of arrogance. He can even be rather aggressive in the actual pursuit of his goals, regardless of whether he’s actually conscious or not of it. He wouldn’t show restraint, nor even the humbleness to know when his assistance isn’t actually required.

When reversed, the card depicts a personality which is prone to taking rash, impulsive and hasty decisions. This person could be pushy, overbearing as well as dominating at times. Even though he might rarely do this with a sense of malice or with an intention to make someone feel submissive, this is without a doubt a part of his character that one can be frustrated at. In reversal, the card represents the worst spectrum of the qualities of the fire – selfishness and ruthlessness. He can be manipulative as long as you are serving his purpose. 

When the King of Wands appears reversed, he arrives at a time when you may be starting to doubt your competency, gifts and abilities. This usually occurs when your focus is directed outwardly and the links to your authentic, inner-self feel diminished. Sometimes this card is just a reminder to stop comparing yourself to the achievements of others.  New opportunities are arriving that require you to tap into your deepest strength. This can be scary. Fear of new experiences can lead to doubt in your ability to succeed. If you are beginning to doubt your talents, abilities, or strengths remind yourself of your total journey up until this point. Remember all the times you pushed past former barriers and succeeded. Reach deep within for that implacable belief in yourself. Reacquaint yourself with the strongest version of yourself that you can remember from the past. That person is still you, no matter how far your experiences have taken you away from that time and place in your life. The King of Wands reversed asks you to truly remember who you are. The truth is you do have the ability to succeed in whatever situation is presenting itself. Be open to personal growth and transformation now. Do not let your fears undermine your sense of self-confidence. The King of Wands is a tough character, upright or reversed. He is a survivor that always finds a way to succeed. In truth, he is a symbol for the same qualities which reside within you. Bolster your self-confidence by remembering the version of you that is competent, strong, and empowered to act. The King of Wands encourages you to be more assertive and less passive.

Don’t forget you are competent.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE FOUR OF WANDS, REVERSED

The Four of Wands depicts a couple which dances beneath the welcome wreath which is tied between four wands, which are crystal tipped. There is a canopy of flowers on the card which is particularly characteristic of the traditional Jewish ceremony. There seems to be a party that is going on, or some kind of welcome committee for the couple in question. You can see from the image that it represents a time which is sprinkled with feelings of fulfillment, satisfaction brought by the actual attainment of a goal.  The Four of Wands is all about connecting with others for no other reason than to have laughter, humor, and fun.

The overall meaning of the Four of Wands is that it heralds celebration as well as a harmonious, happy and relaxed home environment. In terms of numerology, the number four symbolizes stability as well as particularly reliable foundations. These are associated with a period of happiness and balance.The symbolism within the Four of Wands poses that this is the perfect time for you to get together with close people such as friends and family. This could be with or without any special occasion. Oftentimes the card is known to reflect a period of holidays when you are together with your friends and family for an extended period of time. It might also be suggesting for you to invite your closest friends for a great and intimate dinner and share a laugh or two.

Oftentimes the card is known to reflect a period of holidays when you are together with your friends and family for an extended period of time. Furthermore, if you have been working on a certain project, this card entails that you will be reaching a particularly important milestone. This is going to provide you with grounds for celebration which is also to be considered. You have managed to complete a proper and paramount phase of that project, and meaning you have every reason to be feeling proud and satisfied, which are amongst the general feelings induced and reflected by the Four of Wands card. 

If the upright position of the card reflects balance, stability, and harmony, the reversal position of Four of Wands implies that there is a breakdown or complete lack of harmony in your family or in your home. It’s highly likely that there is a lot of tension between the members of your family or other loved ones. If you have completed something that is important to you, you are expecting to share it with those that are closest to you, and to come home to a welcome celebration, but instead, you find a lack of support. This may leave you feeling rather uncertain when it comes to your own relationships as well as the things that you can and cannot depend on.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE ACE OF WANDS

Wands are associated with fire energy, and the Ace of Wands is the core representation of fire within the deck. The card shows a hand that is sticking out of a cloud while holding the wand. When we look at this card, we can see that the hand is reaching out to offer the wand, which is still growing. Some of the leaves from the wand have sprouted, which is meant to represent spiritual and material balance and progress. In the distance is a castle that symbolizes opportunities available in the future. This wand gives you the opportunity make all your dreams come true. If you were to fully grasp this wand you would be flooded with bright ideas which would bring solutions to old problems.

Wands symbolize creativity, and the Ace of Wands is the boldest among the cards in the suit. It is not the kind of creativity that you learn from school or as a hobby. It is bravely finding your own voice, it creates a place where you can develop your own vision. In other words, it is associated with willpower, and creativity in the cosmic sense. When you draw the Ace of Wands, it is an indicator that you should just go for it. Take the chance and pursue an idea that you have in mind. Take the first steps to start the creative project. The Ace of Wands calls out to you to follow your instincts. If you think that the project that you've been dreaming of is a good idea, and then just go ahead and do it. The Ace of Wands can also perhaps mean that you are waiting for a sign to start a project. To draw this card pushes you to act now, instead of brooding over research and more planning. Take small steps today, and then continue to grow your ideas over time. Action is what helps you grow, and build momentum. Don't remain in the abstract.

Another Ace of Wands meaning is the occurrence of a breakthrough moment in your life. It is a time when you are motivated and inspired about a passion project or idea. You are excited about the opportunities that are opening up for you in the near future. It heralds brilliant new thinking that has the potential to grow into solid reality. Like the many branches sprouting from the wand, you are experiencing an exciting period of mental growth. You are branching out into new realms of possibilities. The Ace of Wands motivates freshly inspired concepts, that can carry you over old obstacles.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE TEN OF PENTACLES 

In the Ten of Pentacles card, there is an old man seated in an archway leading into a great estate. It seems he is the head of the family, for he is surrounded by younger loved ones. He wears a robe that is decorated with moon crescents and grapevines - indicating the joining of spirit and matter. He has his family and dogs with him, the love he has for his family the greatest legacy he will leave. There is a happy couple in front of him, presumably his children and a playful child behind this couple, his grandchild. The child playfully reaches out to pet the dog.

The Ten of Pentacles deals with permanence and satisfaction. The card shows that everything you have put your efforts into for a long time will pay off in the future. It suggests that everything will work out well in the end - for you have always kept the long term picture in view, choosing to take no shortcuts. It represents investment in the things that really last. It is also a card of family and tradition. When the Ten of Pentacles appears it asks you if you are working toward leaving the world a better place than you found it. This can include caring for the future generations, cultivating a talent that impacts the world, or being a representative of what is best in humanity.   Your legacy is sure to stand for quite a long time to come. This is a relief, for the path to get here has been filled with setbacks and challenges, making this point of the journey even sweeter. Your legacy is sure to stand for quite a long time to come.

In the card, the aged man is able to sit back and relax while watching the lives of his children and grandchildren. The satisfaction he derives from his achievement is interwoven in his children’s happiness. The meaning of the Ten of Pentacles also relates to the happiness that you experience because you have planted many seeds of happiness and shared in the lives of others, particularly family members and relatives. It points to the importance of these people in your life. 

The Ten of Pentacles symbolism is rooted in both financial success and stability. It shows affluence and lack of financial struggle. It also implores you to make decisions that will not only have positive results in the present but also in the long term. The decisions that you make should produce positive results that last for generations to come, trickling down to your offspring as well.  

Make great memories with your family. It is important to work hard and plan for the future, but it is even more important to stop, reach out, and connect with your loved ones. Love is your greatest legacy. This card also asks you to look at your progress toward your larger goals. The things you are building that will remain long after you have gone. The Ten of Pentacles assures you that what you are investing your energy in now will have positive results, well into the future. Your life is becoming more and more secure. There is no need to fear the future when the Ten of Pentacles appears. Keep an eye on the long game, and be patient. Now is an ideal time to establish strong foundations.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE DEVIL, REVERSED

This card shows the Devil represented in his most well-known satyr form, otherwise known as Baphomet. Along with being half goat and half man, the devil has bat wings and an inverted pentagram on his forehead. He is standing on a pedestal, to which are chained a nude man and woman, as if to show that he has dominion over them.

Both the man and the woman have horns, as if to show that the more time they spend with the Devil, the less human they become. The chains make it appear as though the devil has taken them captive. The man has a flame on his tail while a woman has a bowl of grapes on her tail, which symbolizes their addiction to power and finer things in life, respectively. Looking closely, both the man and the woman don’t look happy.  Their individual power has been taken from them, leaving them exposed and ashamed in their nakedness.  They are a "corrupted" version of the innocent and pure image of the man and woman that appear on the Lovers card. Look closer at the figures chained to the Devil's throne. The chains they wear are quite loose. In fact, they could step out of them at any time. This shows that despite the fearful size of the Devil, one can be free of him whenever they choose. When the Devil appears, this symbol calls your attention to the self-limiting thoughts and behaviors that are keeping you imprisoned. You can be free at any time, but you must stop "rationalizing" these behaviors away and confront them honestly. The Devil highlights any untruths you may be telling yourself, which are keeping you from being the best version of yourself. You are more powerful than your inner shadow.

The Devil can be a jarring image to confront. This is because he represents our shadow self, the inner-saboteur. This is the insidious voice within that tells us that we aren't worthy, that we can't be successful, that we are stuck with our lot. Often this voice pipes up, just before we are about to make a huge breakthrough. This voice comes as a final test, to see if we what we really believe about ourselves. The Devil is known by many names but by far the most fitting is the Prince of Lies. The biggest lie the Devil tells is that he is more powerful than we are.

Getting the devil card in your reading shows that you have feelings of entrapment, emptiness and lack of fulfilment in your life. In situations such as these, you may feel as though you are a slave, unable to control your impulses or willpower to direct yourself towards something other than the satisfaction of these desires.

The upside down meaning of the Devil card can be the moment when an individual becomes self-aware and breaks all of the chains that come with addiction and poor habits. It might be because they are tired of running in circles and are in need of change. But one thing is usually clear – breaking off these chains, especially those of addiction is never easy. So, one has to be prepared to make the necessary changes that might initially seem painful to make the adjustments that will pay off in the end by being able to find your true self again. Self-assessment is called for in this case and the individual needs to take some time and list all of the things that they need to get rid of. And once that has been done, and then it would be time for them to embark on the difficult journey of self-improvement. The best way to defeat shadows is to embody love. Be loving to yourself and to others. Don't get hooked into defending yourself in the face of someone else's shadow. Lovingly help someone else. Be of service. If you are feeling fear, help someone else feel braver. Challenge the lie that you are stuck. Send light and love to those people you can't quite seem to forgive. "Unhook" yourself from the Devil's chains. By embodying your better angels, the Devil will lose all power.

When the Devil appears reversed it appears that the loose chains on the upside-down figures will easily fall away from gravity alone. Old habits that once kept you stuck are no longer the insurmountable challenges they once were.   You are letting go of these outdated, self-limiting thoughts. You are finding that you outgrew them, and they no longer hold you in bondage.

Your shadow’s power is fading. It is time to challenge any remaining unconscious attitudes of fear, anger or sadness that you have been carrying with you. Bring it all into the sunlight. Each day you work on your best self you become less stuck than the day before. It's time to remember your strengths, talents, and abilities. These are who you truly are. You are not the awful things the shadows lurking within wants you to think. Be kinder to yourself. Let the chains of negative thinking slip off and fall away. Know that when these chains emerge that they are born from fear of shadows from the past. Step back into the radiant light of your limitless spirit. You are your present, not your past. You are so much more than what the shadow wants you to believe. The light within you is stronger than the darkness, and it’s time to affirm it.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE STAR

The Star card shows a woman kneeling at the edge of a small pond. She is holding two containers of water. One container pours the water out to the dry land, as if to to nourish it and ensure its fertility. The lush green land around her seems to say that it is working. One foot is inside the water which shows the spiritual abilities and inner strength of the woman. The other foot on the ground shows her practical abilities and strengths. Behind her, there is a large central star surrounded by seven small stars which represent the chakras. There is bird standing at a tree branch which represents the holy ibis of thought. The Star’s astrological correspondent is Aquarius.

The woman on the Star card has drawn the healing waters from the pool of the Universal collective. She is pouring some of these waters on the parched earth beside her, symbolizing a replenishment of her world, and the neglected parts of herself. What feels dry and parched in your consciousness? What needs replenishment and watering? The woman is taking some of the water for herself. She knows she is worthy, and it is wise to do so. By taking the gifts of the Universe to replenish herself, she will be able to share more of herself for the collective good. The woman is also pouring some of the water back into the universal pool. She is giving something back to the collective, to improve and enrich it. If she keeps returning some of the water to the pool, she will ensure it never dries up and will be able to draw future blessings from it when needed.

The Star brings hope, renewed power, and strength to carry on with life. It shows how abundantly blessed you are by the universe as evidenced by the various things around you. It may not be directly evident at the moment, for this card follows the trauma of the Tower card. Remember that you hold within you all that you need for your fulfillment - the only thing that you need is courage. For this, you have all reasons to rejoice. To see this card is a message to have faith, for the universe will bless you and bring forth all that you need.

To receive the Star in your reading means that you have gone and passed through a terrible life challenge. You have managed to go through this without losing your hope. While you suffered, you perhaps were not aware of your own strength, but you are now perhaps recognizing that the loss helped you discover your own resilience and inner power. It is only now that you can really appreciate all that you have.

Each of us possesses a light. This light is always sparkling within us. However, sometimes it is so buried beneath burdens, and layers of ego and fear, that it is hard to feel or see. Some people forget this light exists altogether, until they see a laughing baby, or are moved by a pivotal (sometimes traumatic) life event. The Star card reminds us that our inner light exists. When we draw from its eternal waters, we can bounce back from death and defeat, transcending all challenges. Knowing this, we come to understand there is really nothing to fear. If you continue to pass on blessings to others, you will always be blessed.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE ACE OF CUPS, REVERSED

In the Ace of Cups card, there is a hand emanating from the clouds holding out a cup, as if in a offer you a drink. This cup is overflowing with sparkling water which symbolizes pure and pristine emotion. If you take this offer, drinking from this cup will surely bring you nothing short of emotional as well as spiritual fulfillment. The "W" on the cup could symbolize the cardinal direction West. The West is the realm of the element of water. It is also the direction the sun sets in. This reminds you that every sorrowful ending, is always followed by a joyful new beginning.

The cup has five streams of water overflowing from the brim. These five streams represent the power of intuition and show the importance of listening to your inner voice. In order to obtain the kind of emotional or spiritual fulfillment that is depicted in the Ace of Cups, the querent will need to follow this inner voice, and remain true to it, regardless of the situation. This will require emotional discipline, but the rewards that this can bring are hinted at within the card itself: overflowing joy and happiness.

The Ace of Cups represents love, renewal, and rebirth. This card reminds you that love surrounds you from all directions. Love is everywhere, and yet sometimes it's so tricky to perceive. All aces in the tarot symbolize new beginnings. In this case, the Ace of Cups is appearing to encourage you to renew your love for yourself and your experiences. If you find yourself unhappy with the current conditions you are experiencing, it could be because you forgot to let love be the answer. It's time to open yourself to love. You absolutely deserve it. Love, peace and joy is your natural state. It's in your core and at your center. You can return to this center, especially during sorrows and difficulties. Love is the voice within that gives you the reassurance that, "Everything will be fine, because you are forever, not this particular situation." Try addressing your current problems by releasing it to love. Transcend your tightness and resistance. Watch how easily tension resolves when you smile at your challenges and love yourself enough to know that you will prevail through transcendence. 

Getting the Ace of Cups upright shows that it's time to let loose of whatever emotional baggage you have and start living your life to the fullest. Like with all the other aces, there is a new beginning that is indicated here - a chance to start fresh. It might come in the form of opening yourself up to the possibilities of new relationships, romantic or otherwise, that have the ability to make you emotionally fulfilled.

The release indicated by this card may either be spiritual or emotional, depending on what you are going through. The Ace of Cups may come to a reading after a long period of being lonely or enduring something that deeply hurt you emotionally, and it's appearance may be there to herald the turning over a new leaf.

It is important for one to open themselves to more opportunities for friendships, love and spiritual learnings. There is a chance now to put your past behind you, for you are being offered the gifts of the cups. It is up to you whether you take the cup and drink to the fullest. Turn to love as the solution, and watch miracles begin to happen. 

When the Ace of Cups is overturned, the image here is clearest - the waters pour out of the cup, it becomes empty, the gift of its waters are being wasted. Seeing the Ace of Cups upside down during your reading means you have been enduring emotional instability or pain for some time. There is a loss that is indicated here, and perhaps something that has meant much to you is no longer giving you the joy that it once had.

Since the cups also govern creativity, you may also be experiencing a creative block of sorts, and where the waters of inspiration once flowed, they have now dried up. In all these cases you must examine who or what is in control of the cup - which party allowed it to overturn? What can you do to place it right side up again? If the Ace of Cups appears reversed it reminds you that pouring your energy into what brings you joy, is never wasted energy. You would think that a cup turned upside-down would lead to emptiness, but this image turned on its head is actually refilling the pond. The cup pours its waters toward the dove, a universal symbol for Spirit. Your energy (symbolized by the water) that is spent on the pursuits of your Spirit (the dove) replenishes you (the pond) and is never wasted.

When reversed, the "W" on the card becomes an “M”. Most languages across the globe start their word for "mother" with the letter "M." The Mother is the ultimate archetype of nurturing. If you feel depleted and need to feel a burst of renewed energy, then it is time to nurture your Spirit. When the Ace of Cups reversed symbolizes a relationship it indicates that you must replenish yourself before you can give to another.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE  KING OF SWORDS

The King of Swords tarot card shows a king who sits on his throne while holding a double-edged sword that points upwards in his right hand. The King of Swords radiates intellectual power, clear thinking, truth, and authority. He understands that power holds great responsibility. The blue tunic that the king wears is a symbol of his spiritual understanding. The butterflies on the back of his throne are indicative of transformation.

The King of Swords appearing in a reading suggests that you should remain objective in your current situation - you must establish truth by sticking to the facts. The King of Swords and his intellectual power implies that you will need to use your intellect to make your point known and attain your goals. Besides your experience and education, you should be sharp and observant, to see deeply into problems that come your way.

Because he rules over the suit of swords, he has a special connection to rules, laws, and diplomacy, which are systems of logical thought applied and manifest on earth. The King of Swords meaning also shows that you need to be stern in your role while ensuring that you have clarity of mind at all times. When judging a situation, you need to consider all the possible consequences to make an appropriate judgment. You will need to leave your emotions out of the judgment so as to maintain rational thinking at all times. The King of Swords meaning suggests that you should take time to reason with others and be candid with the observations that you have made.

As far as your personal life goes, the King of Swords urges you to use your intellect and logic to maneuver the path that lies ahead. You will need to confront the issue at hand and make a sober decision. The King of Swords implies that you should be able to look at any situation and make a decision with complete impartiality. He can also be an indicator of the high ethical standards that the King of Swords demonstrates.

The King of Swords appears to be a stern man. In fact, for many he is the archetype of the societal structures that unconsciously direct us to assume our place. The King of Swords asks us to examine how we might be limiting ourselves based on our own assumptions.Are you unconsciously allowing old, fixed views to color your perception of yourself or others? Do you feel like you are limited, or can't get ahead because the deck is stacked against you? Do you look at others that are different from you with assumptions before you really get to know them?All of us are raised in a world of assumptions. People fear what they don't understand. People also find it uncomfortable to question a conclusion they arrived at long ago. When the King of Swords appears, he places you in contact with your own assumptions. Every now and then we need to challenge our assumptions in order to grow. Sometimes the assumptions that need to be released are narratives that you are unconsciously accepting from external society about how far you can go, and how much you can achieve.

The King of Swords is not an evil king. His real interest is preserving the security of the System. He argues that the way things are is far better than changing his mind. Sometimes the King of Swords symbolizes a difficulty with changing your mind about something that seems settled. Although the King looks fixed, look closer. There are butterflies covering his throne. This represents that systems can be changed; assumptions can be transformed, and old divisions can be healed through understanding. The King of Swords can change his mind.

The King of Swords is a part of us. The part that needs to lose its rigidity. In order to change fixed attitudes, you must understand them. The King of Swords represents understanding things more acutely, so that you can make reasoned arguments and arrive conclusions that are evidence-based. The King of Swords is at his best when he applies critical thinking and logical arguments. Sometimes the King of Swords appears in the form of a loved one who challenges your own viewpoints and assumptions. You will never win a full on “battle” with the King of Swords. He’s heavily entrenched and armored. He can be a fixed personality, or he may represent an institution or organization that is set in its ways. When the King of Swords appears win him over with clarity, evidence and reason. This King can change his mind, but only if it makes logical sense to do so.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE QUEEN OF SWORDS, REVERSED

The Queen of Swords wears a stern look as she sits high on the throne - looking off into the distance. A queen of the air element that the swords represents, her place in the clouds shows that no one can trick or fool her. The sword in her right hand is pointed towards the sky, whereas the left hand is extended like it is offering something. The Queen of Swords gives us the gift of judgment for everyday decisions and having the flexibility to take in knowledge from others.

The Queen of Swords is an archetype of an older, wiser feminine intellect. She could be thought of as the most masculine of the all the queens, and may come off as quite stern and emotionless. This card represents the importance of making judgments without relying on emotion alone. The Queen of Swords beckons you to look at all the facts before making a decision. This queen does have compassion, which is why she has her hand reaching outwards in offering, but she wants to connect to people using an understanding that is intellectual.

The Queen of Swords is not a docile or submissive. She is too powerful to be minimized by mindless societal roles and conventions. She uses her sword to cut through the hypocrisy of others' assumptions concerning how she should act, and what she should be. She knows that if she bows down to the demands of what others want her to be, she is selling herself short. She places strong boundaries because this is how people and organizations become healthy and grow. She is a master of transforming the energy from victimhood to being victorious (look at her butterfly crown). She commands respect because she respects herself first. Women who embody the energy of the Queen of Swords are sometimes ostracized, despised, and ridiculed. Whether you are male or female, the Queen of Swords appears to reacquaint you with your personal authority, strength, and power. You may also need to be more self-disciplined or create some much-needed boundaries. Don’t worry about being “liked” as much as being honest with yourself. Speak up and solve present issues and problems. You are strong and capable. Do not apologize for your strength, power, or authentic self.

The Queen of Swords symbolizes bringing order to chaos through clarity and boundaries. She is also an archetype that does not apologize for her right to have a place at the table. The Queen of Swords stands up to bullies and societal pressures. She questions the legitimacy of structures and rules that do not make logical sense. She keeps an eagle eye on maintaining her strength, integrity, and personal authority.Are you uncomfortable with setting up boundaries with others because you might look "mean?" Is it difficult for you to stand up to the pressures of what others think you should be or do?

This card also means that you will need to become independent with your judgments. You must rely on the unbiased intelligence, which has you researching alternative viewpoints and thinking carefully on your decision. Compassion and empathy in these cases can distract you from your task, so you need you are trying to keep a strong objective view while avoiding getting emotions involved.

The Queen of Swords can also be about the way that we speak with others. This queen has the ability to tell people the way it is. This allows her to get her point across, so there is no confusion about what is being said. Above all, truth is important to her, so she feels no need to soften her comments, thoughts, or opinions. She also expects the same frankness from other people, so this means that you need to be clear with everything that is being said, even if it may hurt.

The Queen of Swords reversed meaning is that you may be thinking too much with your heart, and you are becoming too emotionally involved with your current situation. You have to start thinking more objectively, because your emotions could lead you astray. Take the time to look at the situation using various facts and use your head to create a clearer picture of what is really going on. Only then, can you decide what your next move should be. When reversed, the Queen of Swords can also be quite bitter, cold-hearted, or resentful. You may have started to isolate yourself for a number of reasons, but the outside world could be taking this in the wrong way. You may have some explaining to do, especially if your relationships end up being stressed by your desire for solitude. 

When the Queen of Swords appears reversed, she warns that you need to be careful about not becoming isolated too much from others. There is a remote quality to the Queen of Swords reversed. She would rather do everything by herself. Boundaries and self-respect are important, but equally important is allowing for vulnerability and connection. The Queen of Swords reversed sees herself as a loner. Like the Page of Swords, she keeps herself isolated with a sharp tongue and her appearance warns against speaking harshly or without tact. Even the most powerful people do not ascend to great heights all by themselves. The Queen of Swords reversed reminds us that we need other people. Success is much easier when collaboration is happening. Use your voice to speak up for yourself, but with respectfulness. Also use your words to open more to life around you. It’s time to reconnect again. Be mindful of the dignity of every human being. Use your powerful words to encourage others, create healthy boundaries, and to bring clarity to miscommunications. Show your fearlessness with an open heart.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE FIVE OF SWORDS, REVERSED

The Five of Swords card depicts a young man who has a look of contempt on his face. He is looking at the enemies that he has managed to conquer. There are five swords that he possesses – which he has taken from the other combatants who are in the card. The two other figures are walking away from him in a slow manner with a sense of loss and sadness. Above them, the sky is tumultuous and cloudy, which indicates that not everything is well, despite the fact that the battle is already over.

This card indicates that you are engaging in a conflict of some nature. It can also suggest a disagreement with others, which leads to hostility and tension. Despite the fact that you think you’ve won, you might still lose in the big picture, because you have annoyed or hurt those that you have argued with, and as a result, you are on the road to isolating yourself. Perhaps, at the moment, you believed that it was more important to be right rather than appreciate and understand where the other side was coming from.

Right now, it's important to attempt to pick up the pieces. You still have the chance to act while the conflict is still fresh. You may feel as if everyone and everything is against you. You might also lose some friends along the way. This is why you will need to make a significant decision about your point of view. What is more important to you? Mutual progress, or winning? This might require you to stand up to a conflict within yourself.

The card represents ambition in a way which is rather negative. Too much ambition without actual regard to the consequences or the people that you affect is never something good. Misplaced ambition such as the one depicted by this card can leave you as a dejected loser or a callous winner. This card instead asks us to be more considerate of those that we surround ourselves with, to let go of ego.

The Five of Swords warns not to take on more than you can handle. Its message is that of pacing yourself. Less gets accomplished (not more), when you are spread too thin. The Five of Swords encourages you to get organized in your thinking and break the task down into smaller pieces that can be accomplished over time. This will aid you in replenishing self-esteem and personal power.  The Five of Swords also warns you not to take on too much of other people’s issues. You may have to let others do their own work, without your coming to the rescue. Maintain healthy boundaries.

The Five of Swords reversal meaning shows you that all you want is for that particular period to be over so that you can forget and forgive. Because you are beginning to understand that winning is not everything, you will be capable of focusing your energy on something a lot more constructive and positive.Another interpretation of this card in reverse is that the conflict you are experiencing is actually going to become more upsetting as you realize that there can only be losers. These are terms that you need to come to grips with. When the Five of Swords appears reversed it can mean heavy expectation placed on the self to succeed. This card also appears when you have been pushing hard for something over and over, only to feel like you are hitting a wall. Events may feel overwhelming so you must pace the tasks in front of you, to avoid a burn out. Learn from the mistake of the discouraged squires in the background of the card. They tried to collect all the swords at once and were quickly overwhelmed by the weight. Patience and consistency will help you win, don't get flustered or overwhelmed. The Five of Swords reversed can also represent times where your energy feels scattered and unfocused. Perhaps you’ve been getting burnt out lately. What can you do to restore a sense of calm and clarity? What could you give yourself at this time to feel better?The Five of Swords reversed asks you to take control of your stress level by taking control of your time. Be patient with yourself and stop cracking the whip over your own back. If your thoughts are muddled, then there may be emotions that need to be heard right now. The task before you will not prove to be as overwhelming as the other big trials you’ve faced in life.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE TWO OF SWORDS

The Two of Swords symbolizes the confusion we face when we are forced to make difficult choices. In the Two of Swords card, there is a seated woman that is blindfolded while holding a sword in each of her hands. In the background, there is a sea surrounded by crags and rocks that serve as obstacles for vessels and ships, stalling progress and action. The woman in the card being blindfolded is a representation of a situation which prevents her from seeing both the problem and the solution with clarity.

The swords that she is holding in each of her hands show that there are two choices that lead in different directions and are mutually exclusive to one another. It may also depict a stalemate, which means that the problem should be addressed with a logical and rational thinking. The Moon positioned on the right side of the card signifies may signify the role of illusions and deception in the difficulty that the woman has in making a choice.

When we see the Two of Swords in a reading, we are encountering a stalemate. Two equal and opposing forces are joined in battle, and there seems to be no end in sight. This wasn't what you had in mind when you chanced to walk down this path, and you find yourself caught in the middle. Without something, or someone to intervene, this may continue indefinitely. We find ourselves in a situation where we must make a choice, we can side with one part of the situation, or we can side with the other. Neither seems particularly appealing, which makes the decision even more difficult. But unless we move past this stalemate, there can be no more progress.

The Two of Swords is often related with balance and partnership. It signifies the need to keep your relationships balanced. Regardless if it is in business, friendship or romantic relationship, you may find yourself struggling to maintain the current state of affairs, and may find yourself caught in the middle.  In regards to your work, you may be currently stuck in limbo and are perhaps waiting on another party's decision. Remain patient and avoid pressuring people in making their decision abruptly.

The Two of Swords meaning may depict a warning to have caution. Like the woman in the card, you may be choosing to keep the blindfold on, hoping the problem will just go away. You should avoid evading any issues that you are facing, since it will not solve your problems.

The Two of Swords symbolizes making peace with the feeling of being “in between.”  The card advises you to find your center in the midst of the transformations swirling around you. What feels uneasy or unresolved in your life? Is this "in-between" situation making you anxious about the future? The Two of Swords asks you to make peace with the area of your life that is still in between. It's just like the dusk leading to night, followed by dawn. This is the area where your best self is being awakened. The lessons in this experience are making you wiser, stronger, and more in tune with your center. Your best potential is being made manifest.You are exactly where you need to be, and everything is transitioning perfectly.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE TEN OF WANDS

A man is shown carrying a heavy burden of wood, in the form of ten bundled wands, approaching a town . This image on the ten of wands indicates a person who has already struggled in life and has succeeded, and he is now carrying the harvests to his final destination. Although he is not near the destination, it shows that he has finished the hardest part of life struggle and he just needs a place to relax and revel in his success. At first glance this card might elicit feelings of stress and exhaustion. But if you look closer, you see why the man is struggling. His huge house looms in the background. It's size suggests that he doesn't live alone, but has a large family living there, depending on him. Without him everything would fall. There would be no house, no money, no food, no loving and safe environment for his children to grow in. His service is his greatest expression of love. Although his present moment feels tough, he is ensuring a greater future for everyone. This is the dream of every family; to leave the next generation with more stable than the one before.

This card shows that you have already completed the circle of struggle. After spending too many resources and lots of energy looking for success, you have finally overcome the obstacles. The sweat off your brow was worth it - your efforts have finally been rewarded. You may find yourself living in a world of abundance where poverty and suffering have no chance to intervene.Although it sounds marvelous and satisfying, the card depicts a lot of responsibilities on your side. You are now the sole problem solver in your circle of family and friends which could even propel you into another world of challenges. At this point, you are also flooded with responsibilities to maintain your success. The businesses that you have started are flourishing and keeping you on your toes. The main problem is that these issues could overwhelm you if you lose control, which requires you to make sure that you know how to prioritize and solve the relevant ones

The Ten of Wands represents being of service to others for the success of the whole. This includes the whole family, whole organization, or whole community. The Ten of Wands reminds you that it is never a waste of time to put forward your best efforts, especially if is improving the lives of others. Although your burdens may feel heavy at times, take heart. The efforts you are exerting now will ensure a brighter future. At times do you feel like the man on the card, struggling and straining with the tasks on your shoulders? Do you express your love to others by your actions, more than words? Are your efforts being pooled in a direction that with benefit not only you, but others?

.Although it sounds marvelous and satisfying, the card depicts a lot of responsibilities on your side. In the real world, this card expresses how people try to burden themselves with responsibilities after they attain initial success. More challenges keep coming, you may find yourself looking after you parents, starting a family and at the same time look to others, which may make you feel as though you not yet successful. It becomes a burden because at some point you find out nothing is enough to accomplish all these duties. The general lesson of the card is that people should be moderate, prioritize and understand that they cannot solve everything, some things must be let go, given to others, the burden shared.

Some burdens in life can feel hard to carry. Unexpected events happen. Things just get dropped in your path. Someone you love might need help. This is just part of life. There is nobility in serving the whole, but only if everyone in the whole is also doing their part. Serving shouldn't be confused with codependency. The one's you are helping need to be able to demonstrate they are also helping themselves. Even people you care about need to demonstrate that (if they are able) they are willing to carry their own bundle of sticks.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE SIX OF WANDS REVERSED

The Six of Wands tarot card depicts a man who is currently wearing a wreath of victory around his head. He is riding a horse through a crowd of cheering people. The horse is white, which is a well-known symbol of strength, purity as well as success. The crowd is there to show the public’s recognition for the achievements of the man riding the horse. The wand that the man is carrying also has a wreath which is tied to it in an attempt to further emphasize his success. The man is not afraid, or shy about all of this attention but rather proud with his accomplishments. To this, the crowd around him reacts with cheerfulness and enthusiasm.  He is elevated by his peers because of his gifts. His regal bearing shows that he is completely comfortable with his self-confidence. However, if you look closely behind the man riding the horse, there is another face in the crowd. This face holds an expression of jealousy and envy. It's a sad fact that the people who shine brightest will often be the targets of others who are insecure with their own abilities. Sometimes this fear of being targeted causes talented people, with extraordinary gifts, to hide their gifts. And yet, it really isn't about others. If you are following your passion, then it won't matter at all what others think.  If you are afraid to be yourself because of a backlash from others, then you probably have some serious self-loving to get to! In the end, it's not about what others think about you, but what you truly believe about yourself. The people that you actually want to attract will love when you are confident. The people who are repelled by your light will go away. 

This particular card is all about public recognition, victory, and success. This card advises you not only to embrace your talents, but to display them unapologetically. Not only have you managed to properly succeed in achieving all of your goals, but you are also being publicly acknowledged for them and the results that you’ve managed to attain. You may have received an award or some sort of public acclaim. The card is indicative that you have managed to harness the strengths and talents that you have within you in an attempt to bring a particularly successful outcome in your life. You have managed to properly get through the confusion which is brought by the card before this one – the Five of Wands, and managed to properly minimize distractions, thus successfully focusing on your goals and achieving them. It’s also worth noting that there is a slight downside apart from the overall positivity that stems from the card. It can bring self-importance as well as egotistical behavior and arrogance. This could make you think that nobody is better than you.

When the card is reversed, this suggests that you might find yourself doubting all of your abilities as well as your overall potential to achieve any kind of success. You might be feeling particularly negative about your entire self as if you have failed others as well as yourself. This is a symbol that means that you lack the confidence and drive that you need to achieve. You need the overall support as well as recognition of third parties in order to pick you up, to emotionally provide you with some much-needed strength. Identify any erosion to your self-confidence that you might be experiencing. Like the reversed picture, don't let the opinions of others (the crowd on top) take precedence over the belief you have in your own gifts and abilities (the wreathed wand at the bottom). What others think or say about you does not matter as much as what you think and believe about yourself.

It can be encouraging to receive the validation of others, but never place yourself in a position of dependency on it. An authentic feeling of validation can only come from within. Anything else is a fleeting imitation. Love yourself, your spirit, your unique beauty, your talents, and your abilities without the need for validation. It doesn’t matter what others think about your talents as long as you are happy with what you are creating. Keep your eyes on your own paper and create the life you want. The only validation you truly need is your own.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

THE TWO OF WANDS

The Two of Wands card features a man standing on top of a castle. In his right hand he holds a miniature globe. The man is looking down upon the vast terrain, in which an ocean lies on the left-hand side, whilst the land stretches over on the right-hand side. The man is wearing an orange tunic and a red hat, symbolizing his enthusiasm towards life itself and hunger for adventure respectively. The miniature globe in his hand represents potential for possible expansion of his reach to broader life experiences.

The Two of Wands is a more mature version of the ace of wands, meaning that that this tarot card is all about planning and moving forward – progression. You have already set out to achieve a particular task, which means you have turned an idea into a realistic plan. Such a plan will require fulfillment and therefore you have to progress to actually achieving what you set out for.

Discovery is another meaning. It means that you are stepping out of your cocoon and exploring new experiences and worlds. While the beginning might seem tough and difficult, the Two of Wands card encourages you to strive on and push forward.

The Two of Wands card also means that you are beginning to realize your objectives and long-term goals before you set out to achieve these objectives. In other words, you have strived to get to where you are and now, moving forward, you have your long-term goals in mind.

In summary, the Two of Wands meaning revolves around making decisions. In other words, you are either satisfied with your current knowledge, or you are moving forward and taking risks. It means, leaving our comfort zones and exploring new territory. 

However, the Two of Wands warns that achievements and acquisitions will not be what finally "makes" you happy. Getting what you desire can feel good for a time, but if you gain the achievement, without authentic love for yourself, the achievement will soon feel hollow.

Card One : The Present

This card represents what is currently happening in your life, and reflects your state of mind and perceptions.

THE HIEROPHANT

The card depicts a religious figure that sits in a formal environment, namely a church. He is wearing three elaborate vestments which are designated to represent the three different worlds. His right hand is properly raised in an act of benediction, a sign of blessing. In his other hand, he carries a triple cross, which is associated traditionally with the pope. Each of the horizontal bars in the cross are thought to represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Beneath him, two acolytes are seated, representing the transfer of sacred knowledge within institutions. Through these acolytes, the card also comes to represent following the path to knowledge and education. He is the masculine counterpart of The High Priestess.

To see the Hierophant in a reading is to embrace the conventional, for it suggests that you have a certain desire to actually follow a process which has been well established. It also suggests that you want to stay within certain conventional bounds of what could be considered an orthodox approach. So, instead of being innovative, you will be adapting to certain beliefs and systems which are already put in place and are existing. The Hierophant card suggests that it’s better for you to follow social structures which are established and have their own traditions

You might be involved in certain ceremonies, rituals or other religious trappings, for instance. This particular card is most commonly representative of institutions as well as their core values. This is a sign that shows that you need to conform to the already existing set of rules and situations which are fixed already.

Card Two : The Challenge

This card represents the immediate challenge or problem you are facing. This is the one thing that, if resolved, would make life a lot easier. Even if you draw a ‘positive’ card, it will still represent a challenge.

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE, REVERSED

The Wheel of Fortune is one of the most highly symbolic cards in the deck, filled with signs that each have its own meaning. At the centre of the card, lies a giant wheel, covered in esoteric symbols. There are different creatures that surround the wheel; the angel, the eagle, the bull and the lion. They are related to four fixed signs in the zodiac - Leo, Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius. These four animals are also representatives for the four evangelists in Christian traditions, which is why they are all adorned with wings. The rim of the wheel represents the external world with all its chaotic unpredictability. The centre of the wheel represents your centre, the seat of your best self. If you can find you way home to your centre, then the random things that occur in the world outside of your control will not feel as disturbing.

The books that each of the creatures hold represents the Torah which communicates wisdom and self-understanding. The snake indicates the act of descending into material world. On the wheel itself rides a sphinx that sits at the top, and what appears to be either a devil, or Anubis himself arising at the bottom. These two Egyptian figures are representative of both the wisdom of the gods and kings (in the case of the sphinx) and the underworld (Anubis). They are rotating forever, in a cycle, and suggests that as one comes up, the other goes down.  If you wrap up your whole identity and self-worth with what everybody “out there" thinks at the rim of the wheel, then you will be doomed to emotionally rise and fall with each acceptance or rejection you receive. However, if you can reconnect with your centre (symbolized by the hub of the wheel), you can remain cantered, without taking the chaotic ups and downs of life personally. When you operate from your centre life no longer feels random, and you can control the direction of the wheel of your life.

Staying fixed at the edge of the wheel can get emotionally exhausting rather quickly. Good things can happen to awful people, and terrible things can happen to good people. Some people win the lottery without having done anything to deserve it. Others get hurt, through no fault of their own. In life, events rarely go “exactly” according to plan. These occurrences are outside of our control. However, we do have the ability to control how we respond to life. We each can choose to let our best-self handle the situation, or the part of ourselves where fear resides. The Wheel of Fortune appears when it’s time to take random things in stride. Good or bad. Fair or unfair. Don’t take random events in life personally. All you have control over is you and your chosen response.

When the wheel is reversed, it means that luck has not been on your side and misfortunes have been following you. When it's associated with this card, you must understand that these are due to external influences that you cannot control. Like the wheel, our luck and our fate is always in motion, and sometimes we are on the bottom. Be assured that the wheel will turn again, and you will be okay again soon.

It illuminates repetitive cycles, patterns and recurring life-lessons. Just as a wheel that moves in reverse brings a vehicle backward, so too the Wheel of Fortune reversed can take you back to an old life-lesson that seems to be repeating itself over and over. Getting frustrated at the repeated lesson is fruitless. The lesson is recurring because it holds the key to moving forward. Once you accept the lesson, and do the work on self-improvement, the wheel will begin to move forward once again. Surrounding cards may illuminate what this life-lesson is rooted in. Human lives are governed by cycles. Sometimes you are up, and sometimes you are down. The key is not to link your whole identity with the place you find yourself on the wheel at this moment.

It can feel frustrating when you eagerly wish to move forward, only to find that seemingly keep moving backwards. However, success is hardly ever arrived at in a straight line. The journey toward success bends, and curves and spirals. Like a spiral it sometimes looping back over itself. Sometimes you will feel like you are back where you started, with no progress being made.... but this is an illusion. Wisdom is accumulated with each cycle. Each time you revisit a challenge you know it more intimately and are able to see dimensions that were not apparent before. What you shouldn't do however, is cling to the illusion of control. Perhaps in this turn of the wheel, the lesson is to learn to let go and release. There are things that cannot be moved by human will and action alone. When we do not let go, it can bring only more suffering, for you may blame yourself for actions that could not have altered the situation. When we learn to accept, we also learn to forgive ourselves. We learn to move on, and move forward - and eventually, we learn that this feeling of acceptance can push the wheel again forward, and move it towards a new cycle.

Ask yourself what the Universe is teaching you through the cyclical patterns you are experiencing. Are you learning about your true worth? Perhaps you are remembering how to reclaim your courage. Often, revisiting the place you are stalled to reclaim the part of you that seemed lost, is just the remedy needed to begin progressing forward again.

Card Three : The Past

This card represents the events that have brought you to the present situation and may provide some indication of how the challenge came about.

THE DEVIL

This card shows the Devil represented in his most well-known satyr form, otherwise known as Baphomet. Along with being half goat and half man, the devil has bat wings and an inverted pentagram on his forehead. He is standing on a pedestal, to which are chained a nude man and woman, as if to show that he has dominion over them.  They are a "corrupted" version of the innocent and pure image of the man and woman that appear on the Lovers card.

Both the man and the woman have horns, as if to show that the more time they spend with the Devil, the less human they become. The chains make it appear as though the devil has taken them captive. The man has a flame on his tail while a woman has a bowl of grapes on her tail, which symbolizes their addiction to power and finer things in life, respectively. Looking closely, both the man and the woman don’t look happy.  Their individual power has been taken from them, leaving them exposed and ashamed in their nakedness. The chains they wear are quite loose. In fact they could step out of them at any time. This shows that despite the fearful size of the Devil, one can be free of him whenever they choose. When the Devil appears, this symbol calls your attention to the self limiting thoughts and behaviours that are keeping you imprisoned. You can be free at any time, but you must stop "rationalizing" these behaviours away and confront them honestly. The Devil highlights any untruths you may be telling yourself, which are keeping you from being the best version of yourself. You are more powerful than your inner shadow.

Nobody likes to confront the Devil. He represents our inner shadow self.... our Inner-Saboteur. This is the insidious voice within that tells us that we aren't worthy, that we can't be successful, that we are stuck with our lot. Often this voice pipes up, just before we are about to make a huge breakthrough. This voice comes as a final test, to see if we what we really believe about ourselves. The Devil is known by many names but by far the most fitting is the Prince of Lies. The biggest lie the Devil tells is that he is more powerful than we are.

How does your shadow manifest in your life? Do you struggle with self-esteem? Do you feel trapped in a situation that feels beyond your control?

Getting the devil card in your reading shows that you have feelings of entrapment, emptiness and lack of fulfilment in your life. You might be aware that this kind of lifestyle is leading you down the rabbit hole, but you have that feeling of not having any form of control over your actions or urges. In situations such as these, you may feel as though you are a slave, unable to control your impulses or willpower to direct yourself towards something other than the satisfaction of these desires.

The best way to defeat shadows is to embody love. Be loving to yourself and to others. Don't get hooked into defending yourself in the face of someone else's shadow. Lovingly help someone today. If you are feeling fear, help someone else feel braver. Challenge the lie that you are stuck. Send light and love to those people you can't quite seem to forgive. "Unhook" yourself from the Devil's chains.

By embodying your better angels, the Devil will lose all power.

Card Four : The Future

This card represents what is likely to occur in the coming weeks or months. This is not the final outcome, simply the next step on the journey.

THE STAR

The Star card shows a woman kneeling at the edge of a small pond. She is holding two containers of water. One container pours the water out to the dry land, as if to to nourish it and ensure its fertility. The lush green land around her seems to say that it is working. One foot is inside the water which shows the spiritual abilities and inner strength of the woman. The other foot on the ground shows her practical abilities and strengths. Behind her, there is a large central star surrounded by seven small stars which represent the chakras. There is bird standing at a tree branch which represents the holy ibis of thought. The Star's astrological correspondent is Aquarius.

The woman on the Star card has drawn the healing waters from the pool of the Universal collective. She is pouring some of these waters on the parched earth beside her, symbolizing a replenishment of her world, and the neglected parts of herself. What feels dry and parched in your consciousness? What needs replenishment and watering? The woman is taking some of the water for herself. She knows she is worthy, and it is wise to do so. By taking the gifts of the Universe to replenish herself, she will be able to share more of herself for the collective good. The woman is also pouring some of the water back into the universal pool. She is giving something back to the collective, to improve and enrich it. If she keeps returning some of the water to the pool, she will ensure it never dries up and will be able to draw future blessings from it when needed.

The Star brings hope, renewed power, and strength to carry on with life. It shows how abundantly blessed you are by the universe as evidenced by the various things around you. It may not be directly evident at the moment, for this card follows the trauma of the Tower card. Remember that you hold within you all that you need for your fulfillment - the only thing that you need is courage. For this, you have all reasons to rejoice. To see this card is a message to have faith, for the universe will bless you and bring forth all that you need.

To receive the Star in your reading means that you have gone and passed through a terrible life challenge. You have managed to go through this without losing your hope. While you suffered, you perhaps were not aware of your own strength, but you are now perhaps recognizing that the loss helped you discover your own resilience and inner power. It is only now that you can really appreciate all that you have.

Each of us possesses a light. This light is always sparkling within us. However, sometimes it is so buried beneath burdens, and layers of ego and fear, that it is hard to feel or see. Some people forget this light exists altogether, until they see a laughing baby, or are moved by a pivotal (sometimes traumatic) life event. The Star card reminds us that our inner light exists. When we draw from its eternal waters, we can bounce back from death and defeat, transcending all challenges. Knowing this, we come to understand there is really nothing to fear. If you continue to pass on blessings to others, you will always be blessed.

Card Five : Above

This card represents your current goals, aspirations, or a situation that is on their mind. It is what you are currently working or striving towards.

THE KNIGHT OF CUPS

The Knight of Cups is a card which depicts a young knight who is gloriously riding a white horse while holding a cup. He is the decks messenger of love. Unlike the Knight of Wands or the Knight of Swords, this particular one isn’t charging along with his horse. He is instead moving slowly forward which provides the entire setting an overall impression of peace and calmness. The horse is known to represent one's drive, energy, and power. The horse's colour is white, which is a well-known symbol of spirituality, light, and purity. He wears the wings of Hermes, the messenger god on his helm and his feet. Fish decorate his tunic. This symbolizes his ability to communicate clearly about deep unconscious feelings that can be hard to put into words. His main message is that communication about feelings heals isolation and confusion. The more difficult the subject, the more healing to be gained from talking about it. However, you must be brave enough to open your heart to others.

The truth is that the Knight of Cups is the most feminine amongst all the Knight cards in the tarot. It's important to note though, that this doesn’t even slightly suggest that he is any less of a worthy knight. It implies that he is in proper touch with his emotions and his intuition, and that he uses them for his own well-being and during his romantic quests. He is usually quite attractive and charming to others, regardless of their gender. This Knight can communicate his deepest feelings without fear or embarrassment. Everywhere he rides, love begins to flow. He represents all forms of love: romantic, passionate, platonic, and familial. He can reintroduce a lonely person into a world of friends and can bring renewed passion to an intimacy-barren relationship. This is because he does not let fear, embarrassment, or shame, keep him from opening his heart. He reminds those who believe they are alone, that they are connected, valuable, loved, and accepted. The Knight of Cups appears when it’s time to be emotionally courageous.

You might wonder why you would need to be brave to express love. Even people who have been together for years can find it difficult to express affection and intimacy. This is especially true if the heart has been wounded by a deep betrayal or loss in the past. The Knight appears to tell us that retreating further from others will never heal the heart. The heart mends when it is brave and open, allowing new experiences to take the place of past hurts

When faced with an actual decision, the Knight of Cups is going to listen to his heart, regardless of whether this is actually a logical choice or not. He can also manifest as an event or a person in your life, or a part of your own self. He appears as a messenger – and with him, he carries an invitation or an arrival of something or someone which is going to have a certain emotional benefit for you. As a knight, he is also charged with taking the gifts of his suit, and bringing it outward into the world. He therefore can also represent the undertaking of some project with significant emotional or creative value for you.

The Knight of Cups is eternally optimistic that the future will be brighter than times before. He knows that the heart is not as fragile as it pretends to be. It can heal amazingly but must be open to do so. Bring some passion and excitement back into your life.  Have confidence in your worth and stop being self-conscious. You worthy of love. You don’t need to be in an intimate relationship to begin healing your heart. The first step is to be brave enough to open it.

Card Six : Below

This card reflects your subconscious and delves much deeper into the core foundation of the situation. It symbolises the underlying feelings and trends associated with the situation and can indicate what is truly driving you. This card is deeply connected to your inner being. A reversed card here indicates something that is unknown to you.

THE TEN OF CUPS, REVERSED

On the Ten of Cups, there is a couple holding each other while facing a beautiful house and a green garden. Beside them, there are two children playing joyously. The couple is seen holding each other in a loving and romantic embrace, while the children are freely playing. The couple seems to be in a stable relationship, while also blessed with the abundance of a comfortable home and beautiful children. The green land signifies fertility, and the river shows how freely the feelings of the couple are flowing, meaning that their relationship is quite peaceful. Above in the sky, there are ten cups, shaped in an arc, which are meant to symbolize blessings from heaven. The rainbow behind them shows the end of hard times and sorrows, and a new happy life where each and every one of the family will enjoy. The Ten of Cups card depicts ‘having it all’.

From its joyful depiction, we can assume that the Ten of Cups embody happiness, joy, contentment and emotional satisfaction in your family, relationship or companion. It represents an idyllic state of comfort, harmony, peace and love which makes you feel like you are in paradise. This is where all your dreams, wants, needs and wishes have been fulfilled, and you feel a complete sense of satisfaction. Take a moment and breathe, look around you and be thankful for all your blessings. This card signifies something that so many of us are searching for. After learning how to love oneself, the Nine of Cups matured into the Ten of Cups, which at its core about how true happiness stems from forging authentic bonds and connections with others. This card is most associated with a sense of 'happily ever after' - of family, of lasting harmony and peace.

This is an indication of harmonious family, for the card shows you that you are living in the perfect peace. No more adjustments or shifting is needed, you are in the right, just relax and enjoy your moment. In a love reading, this card shows that it is romantic, real and genuine - and has a strong potential for something long term. It deserves all your effort to make it come true.

When the Ten of Cups is reversed, the strong bonds that one forges with family and community are broken, or twisted. The Ten of Cups is truly the most 'happily ever after' card, but somehow this idealized image of domestic peace and comfort is broken, or was unrealistic all along. Instead of connections, you may find distance. Instead of coming together, you may be pulling apart. Your hopes for happy times and special moments seem to not meet your expectations. You should learn to treat each other well, love each other and care for each other. This is the best way to ensure that you retain your harmonious living.

The Ten of Cups represents gratitude for the magic that's weaving through your life, right at this very moment. You can't see this magic if you are on autopilot, mad, stressed, or anxious. You can only perceive it if you choose to stop feeding tension, step out of your routines, and open your eyes to the miracles at play. When you open yourself to this magic, great things begin to happen in your life. This shimmering magic is darting about everywhere, but you may have to adjust your perspective to see it. When the Ten of Cups appears it’s time to open your heart to those you love most. Give them a hug and tell them how important they are. Acknowledge the love that is all around you and do something to increase it.

Card Seven : Advice

The advice card takes into account all that is happening within your life and presents a recommendation for what approach can be taken to address the current challenges.

THE ACE OF SWORDS

The Ace of Swords shows a hand emerging from the clouds wielding a double-edged sword. This double edged sword carries a golden crown while being encircled by a wreath. The wreath has for a long time been associated with victory, success and great achievement. The crown is used as the symbol for both royalty and the power to rule that comes with royalty.  Behind the foreground, the sword stands floating over a varied setting - which holds both mountains and sea, which are used as symbols of the vast reach and distant lands that the swords can be used to conquer, as well as ambition.

An olive branch dangles from the left side of the crown. This shows that your life will actually feel more "at peace," when you take action. This seems counterintuitive to our fears which tell us to avoid things that might create a conflict. However, inner turmoil comes from the avoidance of confrontation, not from taking responsibility.

A palm branch graces the right side of the crown. Palm trees are primordial, tough, and hearty. They can endure desert-like heat, and torrential hurricanes. This symbolizes that your personal strength makes you a lot tougher than you think. You can endure much more than you may be giving yourself credit for.

As with all the aces, the Ace of Swords indicates that one is about to experience a moment of breakthrough. With its sharp blade and representing the power of the intellect, this sword has the ability to cut through deception and find truth. In layman's terms, this card represents that moment in which one can see the world from a new point of view, as a place that is filled with nothing but new possibilities. It is, therefore, the best time to work on your goals - as the aces all give green lights, and are signals of waiting opportunities and new beginnings. It might also be a good time for you to seek justice and the truth in all matters since your conscience is clear, and your thoughts are swift. If you rise to the occasion, your sharpness and clarity in thought will be rewarded.

The Ace of Swords symbolizes reclaiming your personal power by taking charge of your life. Like all Aces, it symbolizes a new beginning is at hand. Your personal strength is like a sword, waiting to be drawn from a scabbard. When you grasp your power and wield it, you are capable of transforming your energy, from victim to victor. The Ace of Swords cuts through trance-like states of mind. It flashes with dazzling light, awakening you to embody your majesty. Do you feel your personal power has been depleted somehow? Are you avoiding something that you know will make things better if you just get the ball rolling? Are you overwhelmed by anxiety, causing you to to feel uncomfortable with confronting a particular area of your life?

When we look at the swords closely, and see its double-edge, we are also reminded that this sword may be either used for noble deeds or to deal destruction. It all depends on the wielder, and is a warning too that excessive power holds the danger to corrupt. If you stick with principles, the sword will serve you well.

Card Eight : External Influences

This card highlights the people, energies or events which will affect the situation at hand and are beyond your control.

THE NINE OF WANDS

The Nine of Wands shows a weak-looking man holding on to a wand with 8 other upright wands standing behind them. The man looks injured, but he still seems ready to fight another battle, and desires strongly to win. He has a look of hope and determination about him that should help him go through that one last battle. It is a card that shows a mix of challenges, hope and triumph.

The Nine of Wands tarot card is one that symbolizes great hope even when one is faced by many problems that threaten to make them lose their balance. The Nine of Wands symbolizes one's life, which has undergone too many trials but through their determination and will, they were able to overcome them. These won battles are symbolized by the eight upright wands; however, there are still more trials that the person may face. This can be one major trial or challenge that they are supposed to face for them to reach their goals or be successful in their quest. The card is a sign of hope and encouragement that you should face your trials with courage so that you may attain success.

The Nine of Wands illustrates that you win at the game of life each time you have courage and stand up for yourself. This can mean creating boundaries with others who want to take you down a peg. However this card also requires you to stand up to your inner saboteur. The Nine of Wands symbolizes that a personal victory is achieved each time you stand up for your dignity, worthiness, and self-respect.

The Nine of Wands symbolizes a life of someone who has undergone many trials, but through determination and will, they were able to overcome them.

The Nine of Wands may also mean that a person has been betrayed and has thus become mistrustful towards others. This may be because of something that has happened a number of times, and might on the first glance seem hopeless. But there is also hope and courage here, and the belief that this outlook is about to change. Someone or something may come into their life that will change their whole view of their past struggles. It encourages one to take that risky move because they may be surprised.

Card Nine : Hopes And Fears

Hopes and fears are closely intertwined, therefore that which we hope for may also be that which we fear.

THE NINE OF PENTACLES REVERSED

The Nine of Pentacles depicts a woman in the middle of a vineyard. The woman wears what appears to be a long, luxurious dress adorned with sunflowers. She seems to be part of a wealthy house, for in the far background, we see a castle. A falcon is sitting peacefully and playfully on her left hand. The vines behind her are rich and filled with grapes and golden coins, signalling that she has been very successful in her ventures, which are yielding a great and plentiful harvest.

This Nine of Pentacles card indicates that the you have reached a stage in your life where you are confident, independent and self-sufficient. Through hard work, this person is now ready to enjoy money, leisure and material comfort.  The woman keeps the snail in her garden. This reminds her that in order to ensure that even more wealth flows, she needs to slow down, take care of her environment, and savour her current success.

The difficulties that were faced in the earlier journey of the pentacles appear to be over. The Nine of Pentacles conveys not only joy, but also the feeling of security and freedom that material wealth can bring. Looking back, you can now celebrate the difficulties, the struggles, and the hard work that lined your path. Her previous challenges gave her the wider perspective she needs to understand the spiritual value of her success. Knowing how difficult it was to get here, she intends to enjoy every single day that is given to her.

Like the other nines in the tarot, sometimes this card indicates that you have not yet reached completion in their journey. There is something that is missing here - the element of her community and relationships. The gifts of the suits are meant to be shared, and yet this woman is so far from home.

The Nine of Pentacles reversed can be indicative of suffering from financial issues. It can perhaps indicate a false display of security and stability. Take this as an opportunity for you to figure out what it is most important. The Nine of Pentacles reversed indicates a moment when one truly sees - perhaps for the first time, that we cannot depend completely on material wealth to bring happiness.

Other meanings of this card differ with context - you may instead find yourself at a period in life where you should be able to rest and relax after years of hard work, but you find yourself unable to unwind. In this case, rejuvenation is the ultimate advice of the Nine of Pentacles reversed. You need to take a few steps back and allow yourself to rest and regain your strength.

When the Nine of Pentacles appears reversed it calls your attention to anything that you are tolerating in your life that is beneath your personal standards of excellence. Often when you are immersed in a messy relationship, environment, or situation, you can slowly become numb to it. After a while you forget to even notice anything that is out of balance. This becomes the new normal.  Know that you deserve the best, and don’t feel you need to accept anything that undermines your sense of self-worth.

Card Ten : Outcome

This card is representative of where the current situation is headed and how the issue at hand will be resolved. It assumes the outcome based on continuing your current course of action. Of course, if the outcome card is not a desirable outcome, you may make the necessary changes to their situation.

TWO OF PENTACLES

The Two of Pentacles card depicts a man who is dancing as he is juggling two large coins. The pentacles are surrounded by the infinity sign that denotes that the person can handle all the issues the come his way and he can manage his life with grace. In the background, you will notice that there are two ships that are riding the giant waves, and they reinforce the balancing act that the man has to face - he is in rough and choppy waters, but manages to stay afloat. The Two of Pentacles depicts the usual ups and downs that occur in one’s life. Despite all the chaos that surrounds him, the man lives a very carefree life as he dances, and handles all that comes to him with joy.  The juggler on the card survives the undulations of fortune because he remains flexible and adaptable.

The Two of Pentacles is a card about balance - the coins are displayed in a manner that is precarious, any small change in wind or weight can tip and send them falling. For those that may have more coins to go around, they can afford to be less careful, but at this moment things may be tight. Wealth too, is a kind of energy, and it is the kind whose goings in and goings out are easiest and most tangible to see.

There is a possibility that you are trying hard to keep the two aspects of your life in a perfect and delicate balance. The balancing act depicted in the card suggests that there are two major factors that you are deeply concerned about. It is time for you to step back to have a better perspective of the situation. While you may initially think it will save you time, multi-tasking may just worsen the situation. Cut down on your tasks and concentrate on these two factors that are troubling you. You've done a good job keeping things stable, for you seem to be able to adapt well to all the changes that ask you to continually re-balance.

When it comes to love, the Two of Pentacles is associated with your inability to provide the energy and time required to make your partner happy. With regards to finances, you should pay heed on the bottom line. You should have a clear picture on your financial state. Plan your finances accordingly, control your expenditures and increase your stream of income to create a solid foundation for your future. In terms of health, this card is asking you to find a balance between your own well-being and your responsibilities. It's easy to make yourself the last priority when you have so many things happening around you.