 |
The heart of the Matter
This first card
allows you to go beyond your question. It tells you what you are experiencing
in regard to the question. The vibrations surrounding the condition are revealed
in this first card. If a Court Card turns up here, it indicates that another person
is involved in your query.
7 of Wands
This suit is generally associated with spirituality and personal growth.
Key Words:
taking a stand, aggression, defiance
Some battles are worth fighting, others just cause trouble. If you are involved in a conflict, ask yourself if it's worth the struggle. Is it important? Does it have value? Will the outcome serve you or others? If so, be bold and aggressive. Defend your position. Refuse to yield! If not, then consider letting the conflict go. Be honest with yourself about this. You will be tempted to hold onto your position, especially if you have invested much time and energy into it. Don't let battle lines be drawn unless the war is worth fighting.
The Seven of Wands can also indicate strong convictions. In order to take a firm stand, you must believe in your position and yourself. You'll need integrity and strength of character to see you through. If your cause is just, use the energy of the Seven of Wands to make a difference.
| |
 |
This is what crosses you for good or bad.
Whatever this card represents can be determined in the light of the remaining
spread. Whether it is favorable or unfavorable depends upon the card itself and
your question. For example, if the question has to do with the success of a new
business enterprise, and the Ace of Wands turns up in this second placement, we
can assume that it crosses the first card favorably. However, it is always better
to scrutinize the entire spread carefully before offering an interpretation.
2 of Cups
This suit is usually associated with emotions and matters of the heart.
Key Words:
emotions - romance - attraction - lovers - union
The Two of Cups has a deeper meaning as well. Whenever two forces are drawn together, there is the potential for bonding. This card can stand for the union of any two entities - people, groups, ideas, or talents. In readings, the Two of Cups tells you to look for connections in your life, especially those that are one-on-one. Now is not the time to separate or stay apart. It is the time to join with another and work as a partnership. If you are in conflict, look for truce and the chance to forgive and be forgiven. If you are struggling with two choices or tendencies within yourself, seek to reconcile them.
Usually, the Two of Cups is welcome in a reading, but it can also sound a note of warning. The energy of Two can be very compelling. If you have ever stood next to two people in love, you know what I'm talking about. They create between themselves a world of their own that can feel exclusionary to outsiders. "Two's company; three's a crowd." Make sure that the tendency to pair off is not creating disharmony in your situation.
| |
 |
This is the basis of the situation.
This
card reveals the real origin of your question. The written query usually does
not indicate the whole situation, so you should pay special attention to this
card. If, for example, a woman asks whether a certain man will contact her, you
may find that the third card reveals a quarrel in your past or a long journey
of separation.
There could be many reasons for your question, and this card
will tend to reveal them to you if you are perceptive and intuitive. The third
card will help you considerably in your overall divination.
Queen of Pentacles
This suit usually represents financial matters, or anything in a material sense.
Key Words:
caring, secure, charitable, loyal, maternal
Type of Person:
Libra - generous, welcoming and nurturing, talented
In readings, the Queen of Pentacles asks you to think and feel as she does. For example: Are you feeling warm and caring toward others? Are you being sensible? Have you been true to your word? Do you feel generous? Can you be counted on when times are tough?
This Queen can also represent a man or woman who is like her, or an atmosphere of warmth, trust and security. In a reading, she tells you that her special energy has meaning for you at this time. Let yourself be inspired by this Queen in whatever form she appears in your life.
|
 |
This is behind you, or in the process of leaving.
From this card you can see the immediate background of psychic vibrations experienced
by you. Depending on your attitude, the condition indicated may still be with
you. If this condition is an undesirable one, a word of encouragement to you may
help to dispel the situation, for the fourth card indicates that it is in the
process of leaving or clearing up. If the card is favorable, the remaining cards
will indicate this
8 of Wands
This suit is generally associated with spirituality and personal growth.
Key Words:
acceleration, movement, news, progress
In readings, the Eight of Wands is often a sign that now is the time to declare yourself. All the elements are ready and will work for you as long as you don't hesitate. The iron is hot - so strike! If events are in motion, they will proceed rapidly. You may feel caught in a whirlwind, but soon the dust will settle, and you see how your plans have fared.
The Eight of Wands also stands for the arrival of news or information. You may see or hear something important. The news could show up in a disguised form, so stay alert. Pay attention to everything that comes your way for a while.
This card also signifies endings. Sooner or later all activities run their course. The eight wands on this card not only symbolise putting events into motion, but also bringing them to a close. They appear to be ending their flight by coming down to earth. If you see the Eight of Wands in a reading, it may be time to conclude whatever you have been doing. Celebrate the past, but prepare to move on to something new.
| |
 |
This is what crowns you and could come into being.
The fifth card relates to situations not yet materialized and so is extremely
helpful in advising you. With this card you can see a possible and often probable
course of future events.
Justice
Major Arcana - Heart of the Deck
Each of these suits represents some universal aspect of human experience.
On Card 11 we see the familiar figure of Justice. She has the scales of equality and impartial judgement in one hand, and the sword of decision in the other. In the tarot, Justice represents the understanding that life is ultimately fair and just. Even though the vagaries of day-to-day life tend to make us doubt this fact, Justice reminds us that there is divine balance. Notice the similarity between the Emperor and Justice. Both cards stand for universal order; the Emperor in its underlying structure, Justice, in the action of karma - cause and effect.
There is a serious feel to Card 11 - the tone of the courtroom. This card refers to legal matters of all kinds, but is not restricted to them. The courts are where judgements are made and decisions rendered. Our legal system is the official arena in which we explore the principles of Justice - fairness, impartiality and the quest for truth.
In readings, Justice often appears when you are concerned with doing what is right or making sure you receive your due. This card can also appear when you are feeling the impact of a past mistake or good deed. The cause you set in motion at one time is now returning to you as an effect.
Sometimes Justice is a signal to do what needs to be done. A time comes when responsibilities must be accepted, and accounts settled. The past will continue to haunt you if you do not recognise your mistakes and make amends for them. You will need to weigh matters carefully and perhaps make important decisions about your future course.
| |
 |
This is before you.
In the process of interpreting
this card, you should consider the tenth and final card also. These two cards
have a positive relationship and are connected in the final interpretation: one
leads to the other, and both deal with a future situation that is taking shape
as a result of past and present circumstances.
8 of Pentacles
This suit usually represents financial matters, or anything in a material sense.
Key Words:
detail, work, diligence, focus, effort, productive
The Eight of Pentacles represents moments when you must give 110%. Just buckle down and do it. Fortunately, this kind of work is invigorating and leads to superb results. The labour of the Eight of Pentacles is deeply satisfying and .
The Eight of Pentacles can also symbolise the impulse to learn - to broaden horizons (to use an old-fashioned term). Sometimes we need to develop new skills. We do research, dig out facts or search for expertise. The man on the Eight of Pentacles seeks external knowledge - the how and why of the material world.
This card can also show the need for meticulous attention. People who are painstaking are often dismissed as nit-pickers, but their extra effort ensures everything is as it should be. It's a matter of caring - taking the time to check the little details. Now is not the time to be slipshod or casual. Look for errors, and tie up loose ends. The key to success is an extraordinary effort. Whatever your task, the Eight of Pentacles tells you to give it your all in every way.
|
 |
This represents your own negative feelings.
I have known students to be very confused about this card. What happens if a positive,
promising card turns up in this position? It simply means that you have a negative
attitude towards this situation and cannot appreciate or accept the beneficial
circumstances indicated.
It can be of great assistance to you when reading
this card; it can offer guidance and often relieve you of your anxieties regarding
the situation, so that you can come to accept whatever benefits are in store.
Also, together with the third card, this seventh card can help you to see deeply
into the true emotions surrounding your original question.
10 of Cups
This suit is usually associated with emotions and matters of the heart.
Key Words:
family - peace - contentment - joy
First, there is joy. Joy goes beyond happiness, contentment, enjoyment. It is the feeling that comes when we know at the deepest level that we are one with all that is, and it is good.
Peace is another aspect of the Ten of Cups - the serenity that comes when all elements are in harmony. There is inner peace and outer peace which are reflections of each other. When you are in harmony with yourself, you experience harmony in your environment. When you see the Ten of Cups, know that an end to hostility is possible. If there is fighting around you, it may cease. If you are at war with yourself, you may find peace.
In readings, this card often signals a time of abundant blessings. It tells you that you can reach for the fulfilment you deserve, and it will come to you. Look for ways to realise joy and create peace. You may find the key to happiness in your family. Your family is the group of people you are attached to emotionally - for better or worse! If there is trouble in your family right now, work to restore harmony. The time is right for greater closeness.
| |
 |
This represents the feelings of others around you.
If you have asked a question involving another person, this card will help you
to see the other person's point of view. However, if the question relates only
to your activities, the eighth card provides insight into how other people feel
regarding you and this situation.
The Chariot
Major Arcana - Heart of the Deck
Each of these suits represents some universal aspect of human experience.
Picture Julius Caesar riding his chariot triumphantly into Rome. He has defeated his enemies and conquered vast, new lands. This is the spirit of the Chariot. Card 7 represents the victories that are possible through willpower and self-mastery. A military image is appropriate for the Chariot because this card stands for the strengths associated with combat - discipline, grit, determination and assertiveness.
The Chariot represents the positive aspects of the ego. A healthy ego is one that is strong and self-assured. It knows what it wants and how to get it. We can get annoyed at someone whose ego is too healthy, but we often turn to that person to lead us through difficult moments. We know he or she won't be wishy-washy.
In readings, the Chariot often appears when hard control is or could be in evidence. At its best, hard control is not brutal, but firm and direct. It is backed up by a strong will and great confidence. The Chariot can mean self-control or control of the environment. This card also represents victory. There are many types of wins; the Chariot's is of the win-lose type. Your success comes from beating the competition to become number one. Such moments are glorious in the right circumstances.
| |
 |
This represents your own positive feelings.
Often a person thinks one thing, but through fear or inhibition says another.
The ninth card will help you determine how you really feel about the matter in
question. If you are apprehensive, it can guide you toward the solution to your
dilemma through the wisdom of the Tarot
3 of Swords
This suit generally represents anything forceful -- arguments, going after something, etc.
Key Words:
betrayal - heartbroken - disbelieving - abandonment - rejection
You open the door to find your partner in the arms of someone else. You overhear your best friend laughing at you behind your back. You find out your business partner has been cheating you for years. All of a sudden your world is turned upside-down. You're , and finally .
The image on the 3 of Swords clearly describes this sudden pain. You literally feel as if someone has taken a sharp object and jabbed it through your heart. Even something as minor as a snippy remark can feel this way. Notice how this contains just a heart and three swords. When your heart is breaking, you feel as if that is all you are - an open wound.
In readings, the Three of Swords often represents the nasty little curve balls that life can throw sometimes. Betrayal, abandonment, rejection, separation, a reversal of fortune. These hurts are painful because they hit you when you least expect them. If you have drawn this card, you may know what it refers to, but if not, the Three of Swords is a valuable warning. It is likely there is something amiss in your life that you are unaware of or unwilling to acknowledge. Curve balls hit us when we're looking the other way. Examine your situation carefully. Talk to the people in your life. Don't take anything for granted. Listen to your inner voice; it will help you locate the problem.
It is also possible that you are contemplating hurting someone else. With this card I think it is important to remember that each of us is capable of cruelty. We're all human, and we all make mistakes, sometimes serious ones. In the end, all we can do is trust in the goodness of life and try to live up to that ideal. When you slip, forgive yourself, and try to forgive others in turn, but, even better, head off trouble before it arrives.
|
| | |
 |
The outcome.
The tenth and final card indicates
the outcome of the situation. Its interpretation depends upon the people and circumstances
involved in your question and upon the nine preceding cards. All the other cards
lead up to this card and must be read accordingly. You must first arrive at a
conclusion, based on the totality of these factors and your own intuition, then
you must decide what action to take, based on your thorough understanding of the
spread in relation to your question.
9 of Cups
This suit is usually associated with emotions and matters of the heart.
Key Words:
indulgence - self-satisfaction - pleasure - the wish card
At the personal level, the Nine of Cups indicates contentment with the way things are. Notice how the man is seated confidently with his arms folded and a smile on his face. He has everything he wants and couldn't be happier about it. "See all my cups!" he seems to say. "Aren't they great?"
Sometimes it's wonderful to sit back and revel in the knowledge that all's right with the world. But a word of caution. You may be tempted to indulge yourself at the cost of someone else (like our mischievous cat!). This may feel great at the time, but sooner or later the feathers around your mouth will be discovered, and regret will set in. Pursuit of pleasure without regard to consequences is never satisfying in the long run.
In many tarot traditions, the Nine of Cups is known as the Wish Card. It shows your wish will come true. A wonderful prospect, but remember your fairy tale lessons. You must be sure you know what you really want and accept the responsibilities that go with your wish. If that is the case, then enjoy your good fortune!
| |
| | | |
