Table of Contents

I. Introduction To The TAROT

- I.1 Introduction To Fortune Telling

- I.2 The History of the TAROT

- I.3 The TAROT Deck

II. Using The TAROT

- II.1 Cleansing The Deck

- Clearing

- Blessing & Empowering The Cards

- II.2 Closing The Deck

III. Reading The TAROT

- A Random Card Pick

- A Full Card Spread

- Meditation

- III.1 Interpreting the Meaning of the Cards

- Upright And Reversed

IV. The TAROT

- IV.1 The Major Arcana

- 0 - The Fool

- I - The Magician

- II - The High Priestess

- III - The Empress

- IV - The Emperor

- V - The Hierophant (or Pope)

- VI - The Lovers

- VII - The Chariot

- VIII - Strength

- IX - The Hermit

- X - The Wheel of Fortune

- XI - Justice

- XII - The Hanged Man

- XIII - Death

- XIV - Temperance

- XV - The Devil

- XVI - The Tower

- XVII - The Star

- XVIII - The Moon

- XIX - The Sun

- XX - Judgement

- XXI - The World

- IV.2 The Minor Arcana

- The Suit of Wands

- The Ace of Wands

- II of Wands

- III of Wands

- IV of Wands

- V of Wands

- VI of Wands

- VII of Wands

- VIII of Wands

- IX of Wands

- X of Wands

- Page of Wands

- Knight of Wands

- Queen of Wands

- King of Wands

- The Suit of Cups

- The Ace of Cups

- II of Cups

- III of Cups

- IV of Cups

- V of Cups

- VI of Cups

- VII of Cups

- VIII of Cups

- IX of Cups

- X of Cups

- Page of Cups

- Knight of Cups

- Queen of Cups

- King of Cups

- The Suit of Swords

- Ace of Swords

- II of Swords

- III of Swords

- IV of Swords

- V of Swords

- VI of Swords

- VII of Swords

- VIII of Swords

- IX of Swords

- X of Swords

- Page of Swords

- Knight of Swords

- Queen of Swords

- King of Swords

- The Suit of Pentacles

- The Ace of Pentacles

- II of Pentacles

- III of Pentacles

- IV of Pentacles

- V of Pentacles

- VI of Pentacles

- VII of Pentacles

- VIII of Pentacles

- IX of Pentacles

- X of Pentacles

- Page of Pentacles

- Knight of Pentacles

- Queen of Pentacles

- King of Pentacles

V. A Sample TAROT Spread

- V.1 The Three Card Spread

- The First Card (The Middle)

- The Second Card

- The Third Card

- V.2 The Celtic Cross Spread

- 1. The Querent:

- 2. The Immediate:

- 3. Distant Past/Background:

- 4. Immediate Past:

- 5. Higher Possibilities:

- 6. Immediate Future:

- 7. General Factors:

- 8. The Material:

- 9. Hopes and Fears:

- 10. The Judgement Card:

Bonus Audio Download

I. Introduction To The TAROT

I.1 Introduction To Fortune Telling

Fortune telling, or Divination is the art of foretelling information about your own or someone else's life, and is a practice that has been used throughout human history for thousands and thousands of years. It is known that the seers and sages of Ancient China, Ancient Greece and Meso-America all used divination practices to help questioners answer their problems.

In its more modern form fortune-telling has come to be traditionally associated with the image of the travelling gypsy who will read your fortune if you cross their palm with silver. This idea historically dates back to Antoine Court De Gebellin, an eighteenth century French Mystic who became convinced that the Gypsies were in fact descended from the Ancient Egyptians, and who continue to practice their lost wisdom arts to this very day. Whether this is true or not we cannot say, but we do know that the TAROT has long been associated with these mysterious travelling fortune tellers, and has been used mystically to help the open minded enquirer.

I.2 The History of the TAROT

The history of the TAROT is fraught with mystery and conjecture, alternately thought to originate in Ancient China (Because they were the first to develop paper and indeed, practised Cartomancy), Egypt, Spain, and Renaissance France. It is certainly referred to already being in use by the fifteenth centuries in the courts of Europe, and was indicated as evidence of witchcraft by the 16th centuries.

It has undergone many major revisions, it's structure and artwork changing radically until today we have a wealth of pictured card decks under many themes such as Fairy Decks, Witches Deck, Celtic Tarot Deck and many more. However the most famous and the 'standardised' pictures of the Major Arcana of the TAROT were assembled by two gentlemen who were members of a secretive occult society The Order of the Golden Dawn, and became known forever-more as the Ride-Waite Deck. Rider was a mystic and a visionary who helped E.H.Waite refine the ancient images and in so doing started a long tradition of a TAROT deck being 'inspired' and 'divined' by a mystic.

This connection of the TAROT with the secret societies, mystery schools and hidden wisdom groups has led to a wealth of material about the aspects and correspondences of the cards. Investigators have pointed to its numbering sequences and Numerology, it's relationship to the Ancient Jewish system the Kabballah, Psychology, Spirituality and Astrology, all of which adds to the depth of information that a teller can access.

I.3 The TAROT Deck

The TAROT cards themselves comprise of 78 cards in two 'Arcana's' (or mysteries), the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana many of us would recognise to this today, with the added addition of a Knight to the Royal trump cards. There are Four Suits just as in a normal card deck and each relates to the suits with which we are already familiar: the Pentacles (Spades), Wands (Clubs), Cups (Hearts) and Swords (Diamonds). The 22 Major Arcana cards are something very different, each is a picture card and has a number ranging from The Fool (0) to The World (22).The pictures are fey, mysterious, sometimes mystical with images of archetypal characters and events The Star, The Devil, The Pope, Strength, The Lovers etc.

As we get to know the Deck further you will begin to understand (and find your own) meanings for each card, suit and trump. A more detailed analysis of each card is continued in Chapter Three: The TAROT. For now we will move on to how we can prepare the deck for use.

II. Using The TAROT

II.1 Cleansing The Deck

Before you can use the deck you must cleanse it (this practise is sometimes called Clearing). This is done to clear negative energy from the deck and to connect your own energies to the cards. It is very important that you make your own connection to your TAROT deck as your psychic energy will imprint itself upon the deck and respond more positively to you (that is why practitioners often forbid others to even handle their cards). Clearing also encourages us to approach our cards in a relaxed and 'clean' head space, and is a prerequisite for any spiritual practice. There are many ways and no one 'right' way for you to Cleanse your TAROT cards. Below are some simple suggestions. These rituals should at least be performed when you first obtain your cards, and many practitioner's perform some sort of cleansing every time they use the cards. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, as they say.

Clearing

To do this, first, take a few deep breaths. Relax. Try to let go of the worries and psychic 'agitation' that many of us in the Western World suffer from constantly. You are about to seek wisdom, and this is a positive and noble pursuit.

Blessing & Empowering The Cards

There are many ways to 'charge' the cards, and some of the more usual methods include Prayers, Mantras, Singing, Smudging with Incense, Burying and un-burying the cards, using crystals and flowers. The point is to ask for the higher guidance of the Universe to fill the cards with Wisdom, Positivity and Light. A simple Blessing would be;

1. Clear your space, spend a few moments relaxing and breathing slowly.

2. Put your hands on the cards (you can hold them to your heart or simply shuffle them for a few moments while you invoke the universe for its blessing and support.

3. Repeat these words or a similar prayer that means something important to you. All that really matters is your intention and connection.

I consecrate this deck to bring guidance and enlightenment for myself and the higher good of all concerned.

I dedicate this deck to serve others with spiritual growth, for wisdom, understanding, and to bring peace to all those who seek it's wisdom.

4. Some people like to imagine white light (representing the positive, good growth of the Universe) filtering down, into themselves and the cards they are holding.

5. When you feel at ease and purposeful, begin your reading.

II.2 Closing The Deck

It is a good idea to 'close' the deck after you have used it. This is the psychic signal you give to yourself that you have now finished your reading. This allows the deck to remain 'clean' from any unwanted psychic imprints, allows you (the reader) to get on with your day, and encourages spiritual cleanliness and groundedness. To do this many fortune-tellers keep their cards in a wrap of silk or a specially made bag. This 'conceals' the deck and removes it from your active view. You may also like to take a moment to rub your hands together as if washing them or rubbing warmth back into them after a cold day. This wakes you 'back up' to the everyday world and removes you from the higher psychic vibrations that we expose ourselves to when using the cards. The most essential part of Closing is that you put the cards away and keep them somewhere safe.

III. Reading The TAROT

The TAROT itself is described as the 'Royal Road' to wisdom and can be used by individuals or groups to predict the future, 'map' the nature of a problem (and its solution), or as a mystical exercise to divine wisdom about oneself and one's path in this life. It encourages the teller to see different levels of meanings about our mundane situations and encourages us to think creatively – and with intuition. Quite often unsought answers will coincidentally present themselves in your life through using the TAROT, and represents a development of the tellers intuition.

Not many of us would describe ourselves as psychic – but that is exactly what the TAROT encourages us to be. Psychic in this manner means our ability to perceive deeply into a situation and determine the subtle influences that are affecting it. It is by this form of non-judgemental perception that allows us to see the future.

There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to use the TAROT, but there are some main ways for the Beginner to use the cards to develop their relationship with them. Please note that before you do this the Deck should have been Cleansed and Cleared (see above).

1. A Random Card Pick.

2. A Full Card Spread

3. Meditation.

A Random Card Pick

Shuffling all of the cards together until you feel satisfied and then, in a cool and relaxed frame of mind think of your Question. Once your question is formulated firmly you randomly select one card from the deck (place the deck with it's back 'upwards' so you cannot see their faces when you pick!). Look at the picture, the design, note the number and the suit. Reflect upon what this card means to you and your first impressions, and then read the descriptions for the card. It may be giving you a direct answer to your question, it may be providing you with further information or even – answering a question you hadn't asked. Think about what this card means and what that answer would mean.

A Full Card Spread

There are many different ways to present a full reading, with The Cross and the Three Card Spread being the most popular. Look to the end of this book to find out how to do a simple spread.

Meditation

With just the Major Arcana in front of you you select the first card (The Fool), and, relaxing and feeling at ease you try to imagine what the image in front of you represents, what it is telling you about your own life, what it is trying to tell you to avoid, to attract and to consolidate. You can do this mediation once a day and work through the Major Arcana in the course of a month, or, alternately you can randomly pick a Major Arcana and meditate upon its symbolism and message.

III.1 Interpreting the Meaning of the Cards

When you first start reading the cards you may find yourself confused about what the cards actually mean, what they mean together or even how they relate to you. There are some basic guidelines for reading the cards and developing your intuition.

Upright And Reversed

Depending upon how the cards fall they are considered Upright or Reversed – this means that the Card's 'top' is facing you (readable). Reversed means that the cards 'bottom' is at the top and the picture is upside down. A reversed card means that we read the negative meanings associated with the card. If over half of the cards are reversed, some practitioners choose to re-deal the whole spread, it is entirely up to you.

When there is confusion it is a sign that your intuition is starting to grow and work on the cards. First you must ask your inner self what the card means to you personally, what it's image and symbolism is trying to tell you – and then read the descriptions for the cards. This encourages the teller to build their own, inner psychic understandings of the deck and how the cards relate to each other. It also develops your intuition. Only your inner self has the final answer on the hidden workings of the TAROT.

IV. The TAROT

IV.1 The Major Arcana

The Major Arcana is the centre and the mystery at the heart of the TAROT deck, representing the major mysteries and the factors that affect an individual throughout their lifetime. There are twenty two of them are represent a secondary deck on top of the Minor Arcana.

The Major Arcana can also be considered a guidebook for personal development, and for many TAROT scholars depicts the souls journey from innocence to enlightenment. The Major Arcana can also be read as a list of psychological forces and archetypes at work on any given situation. When reading the Major Arcana we must remember that their meanings represent themes, stages, as much as they do eventsfor the practitioner.

0 - The Fool

Ruler: Air

Qualities: Innocence, Naivete, Foolhardiness, Purity, Beginnings

The Fool card is all about new beginnings, optimism, new ventures and innocence. It has the new innocence of a child and is characteristically unconventional. The qualities that the Fool represents are individualistic, and have a disregard for what others may think. In this sense it is a card about overturning the status quo and of starting on new projects. The card also reflects great uncertainty, and indicates that important choices have to be made, and that new beginnings and journeys are desirable. The Fool Arcana is essentially the beginning of the mystic journey implied by the Major Arcana of the TAROT, and in another sense is the final completion. It is the open-minded qualities that we need when we begin any endeavour, and also it represents the act of searching, starting and journeying. As a card of completion it can refer to a return to ones essential nature, our natural state where we are happy and at rest in our selves.

The Fool Reversed:

Naivety and ignorance are often associated with the reversed Fool, (as in the term 'fool-hardiness'). It advises against making quick judgements, rash decisions and against starting on new projects as they may prove to be unwise at this time. The Reversed Fool indicates that we may be exhibiting these unhelpful qualities or that we may be about to encounter someone who has these qualities, you are definitely advised not to take their advice!

I - The Magician

Ruler: Mercury

Qualities: Discernment, The Will, Logic, Balance, Skill, A Project

The Magician represents skill, acumen and sometimes magical power; above all it is the card of the Intellect and indicates that Reason, Logic and Rationality will win through a difficult circumstance. The number One associated with this card represents creation and the origin of things; it develops from the 'natural' zero of the Fool and uses its skills, dedication and willpower to create something truly spectacular. The Magician is about manifesting the Will through dedication and hard work. As a card entailing Skill, it describes the process of applying your skills, your mind, and your whole person to a task. The Magician Arcana means that we have a task ahead of us and that we must act to accomplish a goal. It is very much a beneficial card, and encourages us that we are more capable beings who can achieve anything if we work hard enough at it.

The Magician Reversed:

The Magician Reversed is an inauspicious card, representing a lack of insight and skill. It may represent that the person is in danger of making poor, UN-calculated decisions and that more forethought is required. The Magician Reversed is about a lack of preparation. The Reversed Magician, depending upon the cards that surround it in the spread could indicate that our project or dilemma ahead of us is unwise and we are ill suited to it, it advises us to take caution in our decisions and to not act rashly, and always to remember our integrity and what we want ourselves and our work to stand for.

II - The High Priestess

Ruler: The Moon

Qualities: Understanding, Intuition, Mysteries, Dreams, Psychism

The High Priestess characterises female wisdom understanding and intuition. She is the gatekeeper to the inner mysteries and is often associated with dreams, fortune telling and psychic ability. Her emblem is the Moon – the light that brings insight and is shielded in secrecy. The card can reflect a woman's influence upon a situation, and can indicate that trust in female intuition is desirable. Also the High Priestess represents the subconscious and psychology. The person must listen to their quiet inner voice and be open to spiritual guidance. The High Priestess is the first card of Initiation, and indicates to us that knowledge, wisdom and guidance first comes from inside and not outside ourselves. Our wisdom and understanding is sparked on an interior level as we may experience dreams or feelings calling us to a greater idea, we may experience frustration or deep yearnings.

The High Priestess Reversed:

The High Priestess Reversed symbolizes the opposite of 'inner' illumination – the world of hard facts and 'outward' knowledge. This represents that there may be an imbalance, too much reliance upon material facts, reason and intellect and not enough reliance upon gut feeling and intuition. It may represent that a persons’ intuition is wrong. In a spread with particular reference to a man or a woman it may mean that the person has poor relationship with the feminine within themselves, or do not take enough time nurturing their femininity. The Reversed High Priestess can also mean the repression of one's inner feelings for the world of exterior facts and obligations.

III - The Empress

Ruler: Venus

Qualities: Motherliness, Womanhood, Nature and Nurture, Bounteousness.

The Empress card is the embodiment of the Mother Goddess, and as such is associated with fertility, fecundity, charity and generosity. The Empress is the Divine Feminine and the Woman Crowned –  the confident and assured woman who is in touch with her own power and sovereignty. As a depiction of Earth and nature she represents fruitfulness, harmony and love. In a sense the Empress can mean a 'marriage' – a stable, continually giving situation. The Empress can sometimes indicate a birth, and above all reflects to maternity and motherliness.

The Empress Reversed:

With the Reversed Empress, there is indicated a disharmony in the home which could refer to relational problems with one's partner, family, children or friends. It can also mean a lack of creativity and a lack of charity is felt. The Reversed Empress Arcana reminds us of the need of family and charity in all of our endeavours, these could be qualities that we need personally or that we need to exhibit. On a deeper level the Reversed Empress reminds us that without charity, family and emotional well being, all of our other difficulties and endeavours will be marred, as the Empress is key to our emotional health and development as individuals.

IV - The Emperor

Ruler: Aries

Qualities: Mantle of Authority, Superiority, Manhood, Dominion

The Emperor card is associated with the number Four, of the four sided square and the stable cube. It is a card of facts, certainty and power. When positively arrayed with other beneficial cards around it in a spread it can mean wisdom and a happy leadership; an endeavour which is being commanded in the right way. The Emperor also represent force and decisive judgment, a 'taking the reigns'. It is a card of ambition and shouldering one's responsibilities. When the Emperor card is present with the Empress is a favourable light it reflects a beneficial and balanced union.

The Emperor Reversed:

The Emperor Reversed could indicate that the burden of responsibility is misplaced or is needed. The person it refers to might not be energetic and decisive, or is deemed to be immature. This card could represent a need to step out and take a more active leadership role. Alternately the Emperor reversed could mean that the burden of leadership is an unwise one, that the person isn't in control of themselves to make the right judgment.

V - The Hierophant (or Pope)

Ruler: Taurus

Qualities: Authority, Spiritual Wisdom, Religion

The Hierophant represents orthodox spiritual authority, as opposed to the inner spirituality represented by the High Priestess. It sometimes means organized religion, the Church and the establishment. This card is a about law and order, morality, good and bad. The person reflected by this card will be a seeker and ethically minded, who believes in a ordered society. As such it can represent a good reputation and social standing. In a favourable spread it could mean that the person would be a good councillor, negotiator, a spiritual arbiter or moral authority.

The Hierophant Reversed:

The Hierophant reversed represents a turning away from the establishment, order and the status quo. The person may be an iconoclast, a free thinker and a rebel. O n the other hand the Reversed Hierophant could mean the perils of society, of slander, gossip and a loss of reputation. It encapsulates a warning about first impressions and about putting too much weight in socially accepted views. The meanings inherent in the Reversed Hierophant depend upon the question dominating the spread, its themes and the surrounding cards. In all cases it is the opposite of organized spirituality; so is essentially iconoclastic, but could also refer to the media industries – the industry which tells us who we should be and how we should act but does not actually offer to us any spiritual advice.

VI - The Lovers

Ruler: Gemini

Qualities: Love, Sexuality, Lust, Opposites and Balance.

The Lovers' card depicts two people nude before each other, fearless and honest. The card is a promise and warning for couples and for any union of forces. It represents that there must always be a communication between ones' desires (whether physical, mental, or spiritual) and one's life (including partnership). It is a warning against temptation and infidelity (and not just sexual infidelity), and it promises all the prizes of unified forces when our subconscious desires are tamed and expressed appropriately. The card, most simply, also represents the possibility of finding Love and romance.

The Lovers Reversed:

When the Lover's are reversed it warns against all the dire threats to a relationship, infidelity, disharmony and strife. The Reversed Lover's means poor choices and listening to temptation. It could mean that the person is imbalanced in their subconscious and the conscious motives and desires, indicating repression or a lack of self-respect. The Reversed Lovers Arcana is all about understanding power relationships. The Six is generally thought of as a number of balanced Harmony, and so when Reversed and at risk of toppling it means that either one partner is threatening another, or that there is another force threatening our emotions – perhaps our rationality or our work life is overtaking ourselves as romantic, feeling beings.

VII - The Chariot

Ruler: Cancer

Qualities: Victory, Strength and Steadfastness, Movement and Travel

The Chariot represents victory through adversity, of skill and strength in winning through at the end. It is in essence a card of progression, and in that sense means movement and travel (reflected by the chariot). Travel and movement indicated in this card can sometimes mean that distance must be put between oneself and a situation, or even a journey must be made. However, the Chariot is essentially about optimistic, bounded movement from one goal to another, the Chariot is bounded on four sides like a box, and indicates that stability and steadfastness will see you through to a victorious result.

The Chariot Reversed:

When the Chariot is reversed is refers to an undeserved victory, the oppression of a bully and tyrants. The movement associated with the Reversed Chariot is broken and halted and is not stable – no journeys should be made, or are unwise. In essence the Chariot means a movement of force which is not progressive or beneficial. The person indicated could be arrogant, egotistical or selfish.

VIII - Strength

Ruler: Leo

Qualities: Strength, Force, Optimism, Joy, Physical Force

The Strength Major Arcana refers to its namesake and all that is implies, to strength and to force, to physical prowess and strength of feeling and spirit. In the card we can see a child (or sometimes a man) petting a lion. This reflects upon the fact that strength comes from within, and strength of spirit not only indicates physical power, but also inner reserves. The Strength card represents security and confidence, of 'knowing one's own strength' and worthiness. The Strength associated with this card is in its purest form, which speaks with gentle encouragement (in its security of knowing itself). This card also indicates vitality, health, and a speedy recovery for the ill. As the Strength Arcana is also an Eight, it is essentially an extension, or multiplication of the Four. In this sense this means that the qualities of ruler ship, confidence and self reliance inherent in the Emperor must have its component degree of force and power. It asks us to show ourselves as strong and confident beings, to be dynamic and to take pride in our achievements.

Strength Reversed:

The Reversed Strength indicates a frailty indicated in the action, event or person. The person may be too insecure and nervous, and spends too much time considering others' opinions rather than knowing their own strength. The Reversed Strength also refers to all the ways in which power and strength are abused and twisted, tyranny and crony-ism, as well as ill-health. With reference to the notions of power and self reliance the Reversed Strength Arcana could also mean that the person or situation lacks leadership or lacks the skills to be able to express themselves and bring their strengths to bear.

IX - The Hermit

Ruler: Virgo

Qualities: Wisdom, Seclusion, Knowledge, Age

The Hermit Arcana card depicts an old man walking alone, lit only by a lamp. This represents the need for introspection to walk one's own path, following one's own light. It may refer to a need in the person to take time out and think deeply about things, or the wisdom of relying upon one's own wisdom. The card also reflects on our need for determination, and calmness in our endeavours, and the need for spiritual guidance. The Nines of the TAROT reference introspection, memory and nostalgia, and sometimes the need for these qualities to be explored for our own personal development. The Hermit, like the High Priestess and the Hierophant is also a card of Initiation – but an interior self-initiation where we take time to gauge where we have been as individuals, all the effects of our actions and how best to move forward.

The Hermit Reversed:

The Hermit Reversed warns against hasty or rash decisions, or being too easily swayed by others and being 'amidst the throng' of public opinion. The Reversed Hermit can indicate isolationism through paranoia and suspicion rather than through wisdom, and warns of unfounded decisions. The Reversed Hermit has spent too long in the wilderness, and as such needs to come down off the mountains and seek their wisdom in the bustling world of practicalities. In another sense there could be a need for the querent to bring out of themselves their wisdom, and to share it with the world rather than keeping it to themselves.

X - The Wheel of Fortune

Ruler: Jupiter

Qualities: Hope, New Beginnings, Luck, Destiny.

The Wheel of Fortune symbolizes the forces of Chance and Destiny in all of their promise and confusion. If in a favourable thread it means a beneficial, unexpected help from the universe (often in the form of Synchronicity) and the need to be open to that unsought aid. It is a card of new beginnings and new ventures, movement, vision, and good fortune. The appearance of the Wheel of Fortune in a spread is usually a sign of good fortune and luck, or new adventures having very auspicious beginnings. Especially related to travel, the Wheel of Fortune could indicate the need to travel, to move or indeed to inject a spark of the random into one's life.

The Wheel of Fortune Reversed:

The Reversed Wheel represents all the negative factors associated with chance. It refers to bad luck, misfortune and misadventure. It can refer to unpleasant surprises, interruptions and delay to one's path. The Reversed Wheel of Fortune can also indicate that the 'randomness' has become too intense, is fragmentary and 'sketchy' – that stability and the ability to plan are definitely needed. For some it is like life has become a carousel of new events and that we need to ground ourselves and start laying some plans.

XI - Justice

Ruler: Libra

Qualities: Justice, Law and Order, Righteousness, Punishment, Balance.

The Justice card represents the law of karma, and the triumph of balance and righteousness in a person’s actions. It can imply that a fair decision is or needs to be made, or that adjudication is needed in this matter. It is a card which reflects the triumph over prejudice, villainy and bigotry. Depending upon its neighbouring spread it could indicate upcoming litigation, court proceedings, contracts and settlements need to be made. The Justice Card, like the mythological figure of Justice, is a blind figure – does not see the individual, but applies the cosmic law – in this sense it is the ultimate card of equality, and should be welcomed as the recognition of all of your good attributes.

Justice Reversed:

The Reversed Justice represents injustice and legal confusion, of Law and Order not going as planned, going awry, and being complicated. It can also mean injustice, prejudice and inequality. The Reversed Justice Arcana advises us to take heed and to step back from public life, that the law of the secular land is not in accordance with the Divine or the Spiritual Law, and that we should seek to work on ourselves in a quiet way rather than seek legal or external answers to our conflicts.

XII - The Hanged Man

Ruler: Neptune

Qualities: Martyrdom, Self Sacrifice, Flexibility of Mind, Restraints/Bondage.

The Hanged Man depicts a young man hanging upside down in a tree, and is a card representing self sacrifice and martyrdom. The card necessitates a flexibility of mind and an openness to let go of one's preconceived ideas, and sometimes to accept limitations. Its meanings speak of death and rebirth, of the rite of passage and transition. The Hanged Man is a transforming card and reflects that we may need to give something up is order to gain, or to wait and accept limitations before we can gain. The Hanged Man Arcana, although at first apparently a threatening card is in actual fact a card of deep significance to our personal growth. The Seven's of the TAROT are the number of conflict and of fortune, of events intersecting with our lives which are necessary for our growth. In this sense the Hanged Man indicates the need for the Ego to be able to let go of itself as we start to become more immersed with higher matters. In the process of the Major Arcana, from here on in the cards refer to cosmic qualities and thus reflects the final shedding of petty concerns for the individual.

The Hanged Man Reversed:

The Hanged Man Reversed indicates a lack of self sacrifice, of fear and perhaps of selfishness. The person is unable or unwilling to accept limitations and to give something up. It can refer to blackmail and jealousy, as the person cannot let go of the status quo and challenge themselves with the new.

XIII - Death

Ruler: Scorpio

Qualities: The Endings of Things, Completion, Rebirth, Clearing.

The Death card does not, (as opposed to popular literature) always indicate mortal finality, rather it is a card about 'general' finality, completion and transformation. It tells us that a certain project is at an end and has run its course – a natural progression. It can mean making sweeping changes (or that sudden changes are going to appear) and that we have to be prepared for them. The Death Arcana asks us to evaluate how we view finality and the endings of thing – are we the sort of person who holds on, is very attached or obsessive? Indeed, we may be a person who can let go easily – perhaps too easily and not seeing the hidden worth inherent in a situation. This Arcana asks us to move forward, to reap all of the lessons and the benefits of the past – to respect them – and to allow it to fade.

Death Reversed:

The Reversed Death is a card about resisting change, and stagnation. The person is unwilling to accept or make the changes that need to happen, or to usher in a new phase and level of their situation. It is a card that asks us to be prepared and to be brave to new opportunities.

XIV - Temperance

Ruler: Sagittarius

Qualities: Moderation, Compromise, Balance, Harmony, Tranquillity.

The Temperance Arcana usually depicts an Angel balancing two forces. It is the card of Harmony, Union and Circumspection. It may refer to the fact that more moderation is needed within a situation. It always refers to the benefits of mutual the best cooperation, coordination, mutual aid and reliance. Essentially the Temperance Arcana is about harmony, the balancing and negotiation of forces for the benefit of all concerned. A very beneficial card, the Temperance Arcana can indicate that you have an angel watching over you and are in a harmonious environment for your growth and development.

Temperance Reversed:

The Reversed Temperance warns us of over indulgence and one-sided thinking. It is a card of strife, whether domestic, professional, physical or spiritual. There is an imbalance present and disagreements follow. The threat implied in the Temperance Reversed Arcana is that our interior sense of balance and harmony has been overcome by some sort of vice, dominance or heated emotion. The Reversed Temperance asks us to remember the benefits of moderation and negotiation, and seek to harmonize differing forces.

XV - The Devil

Ruler: Capricorn

Qualities: Addictions, Temptations, Obsession, Fear.

The Devil card symbolizes a lack of control, and the urgent warning to regain control,. It is not about pure evil per Se, but rather about an imbalance due to unhealthy vices that need to be addressed. It can indicate addiction and pride, greed and lust. It is a card warning us that our behaviour is out of control and over the top, and that we need to start using moderation and compromise, and Higher spiritual self.

The Devil reversed:

The Reversed Devil can have two alternate readings: either that there is an end to the struggle and light will be present at the end of the tunnel. Or it can indicate a 'truly' twisted or evil factor.

XVI - The Tower

Ruler: Mars

Qualities: Destruction, Transformation, Shocks.

The Tower Arcana represents dramatic and perhaps violent upheaval in the endeavour or for the person. It is a card of 'bringing down' and destruction, of things been torn apart and swept away, ready for new endeavours. When this card appears it can reflect that we need to stop being engaged with the same routine, and that we should not put faith in our edifices of jobs, ideologies. In Eastern Mythology it is matched by Kali, the Destroyer who makes space for the new beginning to grow.

The Tower Reversed:

The Tower Reversed means that the current cycle of destruction and upheaval may be about to come to an end, or, depending upon the surrounding cards that the destruction is unfavourable and will have few positive outcomes – urging us to prepare to start again afresh.

XVII - The Star

Ruler: Aquarius

Qualities: Hope, Illumination, Guidance. Wisdom, Inspiration.

The Star represents a good omen and a guiding light. It means a renewing and a reviving. The card reflects upon our need for faith and to open to inspiration and guidance, and about having hope in dark places. As a card of fortune The Star is deemed beneficial and fortuitous, and speaks of safety and sanctity. One of the most mysterious cards of the TAROT, the Star is a sign, that even in our darkest times, there is always a shed of light and that there are always beneficial paths being offered to us in able to move forward. In a 'straight' reading which has little to do with our spiritual growth, the Star refers to good fortune and hope, and sometimes inspiration, sudden, strange encounters and dreams.

The Star Reversed:

The Reversed Star is an ill-aligned card depicting doubt, confusion and uncertainty over our endeavours. The person may be unwilling or unable to 'see the light' they have within themselves, or to accept the guidance and inspiration that is offered. Interestingly however, this card also favours good luck despite a person’s paranoia or jaded cynicism. In those respects it is still a beneficial card. The meaning of the Reversed Star Arcana really encourages us to continue to hold on and to have faith in the future, and only warns us that our dark night may continue for longer than expected – but that it will still end!

XVIII - The Moon

Ruler: Pisces

Qualities: Emotions, Illusions, Secrets and Illumination.

The Moon represents the secretive and the darkened mysteries that surround us, from the depths of our subconscious mind to our hidden emotions. It can refer to affairs, secrets and riddles, and depending upon the surrounding spread can either be a favourable darkness which gently preserves its mystery or an illusory belief or sight which needs to 'see the light of day'. The Moon also refers to the psyche, to our minds and also to psychic ability. It is a favourable card for any artists who work by translating what is hidden (the creative, the emotional) to what is seen. The Moon Arcana is all about the communication between our subconscious and our conscious mind – about our ability to translate emotions, feelings and repressions into the light of our life. This card asks us examine that relationship and to understand how it is working for us.

The Moon Reversed:

The Moon Reversed speaks of all the negative connotations of secrecy and being hidden. It could mean deception, illusion and subterfuge, as well as the problems of emotional and mental repression. The Reversed Moon calls for us to pay attention to what our inner heart is telling us, what inspirations and dreams are being given to us at any one time, and urges us to listen to their messages. If we are in an anguished state, then the Reversed moon asks us to apply reason, balance and care to ourselves, to better facilitate the communication between the unseen realms of our psyche and our everyday, conscious life.

XIX - The Sun

Ruler: The Sun

Qualities: Warmth, Joy, Strength, Health, Vitality, Family.

The Sun Arcana is a joyous card of beneficial health and blessing. It depicts the height of summer and all of the good things that flow there from, family, friends, communion, strength and love. The Sun refers to our vitality and prosperity, to material abundance and happiness, as well as our physical energy and vigour. It is a card signifying abundance and achievement in your endeavours. When you encounter the Sun Arcana in your spread, look to your strengths and especially your health – seek to enjoy your physical body and be thankful for it. As an answer to a question, the Sun could entail an imminent recovery.

The Sun Reversed:

The Reversed Sun entails the grandiosity of ego and pride, of arrogance and misplaced boasting. It warns us to be more circumspect and to be aware of ill health and avarice. The Reversed Sun Arcana warns us that we are in need of care, that we must slow down and look to what our material self needs, as well as our happiness.

XX - Judgement

Ruler: Pluto

Qualities: Justice, Final Reckoning s.

The Judgement Card represents the final decision upon a matter, unlike the Justice card where further litigation and debate may follow, Judgement is final, cosmic and karmic. It means an end to our labours and a rejoicing in our hard efforts. The card indicates that there might be an opportunity or lesson that you must not forget, and that this is important for your present situation and future growth. The Judgement Arcana is a card of awakening and moving on to the next stage, of accepting the judgement on things and readying ourselves with the next adventure.

The Judgement Reversed:

The Reversed Judgement indicates stagnation and an inability to move forward, to overcome guilt, shame or an obstinacy to cling on to the past

XXI - The World

Ruler: Saturn

Qualities: Goals, Command, Triumph and Culmination of Events.

The World Arcana is the 'Crown' of the Major Arcana, it represents the success and achievement of the endeavour, or rejoice and acclaim. It is also a card symbolising a new and greater beginning – an urge that finally you are ready for the next stage of an even better plan (or quite literally, to go out and see the World). When you encounter the World in a TAROT spread you should open yourself to new experiences and endeavours, think about expanding your horizons and changing your direction. The World Arcana can be taken as a sign that you have achieved what you have set out to do, and that you have the opportunity to look up and look around you at what is on offer!

The World Reversed:

The Reversed World tells us to not give up because we are close to our goal, it speaks of delays and frustrations in achieving our dream, and of challenges that we must overcome. The Reversed World Arcana is an annoying answer to ones question, and can often imply impatience over achieving our goals. However, as essentially a beneficial card the Reversed World Arcana also contains within itself the hidden promise that our success is near at hand, but that it will be delayed. It asks us to exhibit patience and careful forethought, to push on over that last hill and to keep up the good work!

IV.2 The Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana comprises of 56 split into four suits, Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. Each has 14 cards (10 suit cards and 4 Royal cards). As the Major Arcana represents forces and themes the Minor Arcana represents the more everyday sorts of problems and subtle nuances within a situation.

The Suit of Wands

Element: Fire.

Rulers: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius

The Suit of Wands is concerned with all things creative, with drive, passion, vigour and energy. It concerns itself with Activity and Thought, and is associated with Springtime. A person designated by the wands might mean a person of fair complexion or character.

The Ace of Wands

The Ace symbolises the essence of Fire, Origination and Creativity. It might mean a new venture or undertaking. It quite literally means enthusiasm and new beginnings, and so could easily describe a new job, a birth, or a new course of study. Essentially an optimistic card, the Ace of Wands announces to us what is to come, and encourages us to bring our passion and insights to bear in bringing about our desires.

Reversed

The Reversed Ace of Wands indicates a false start, a false hope and a venture upset by machinations and conflict. The Reversed Ace is implied in all plans that have gone awry, and could describe as myriad things as: a treachery, confusions, over complications or the presence of selfishness and weak wills. Quite often the Reversed Ace of Wands indicates a sudden down turn in our luck – a holiday or trip that we have been looking forward to, is suddenly cancelled for unforeseen reasons. The Reversed Ace of Wands warns us to guard against these things in our endeavours, especially when we have recently started a new project, and warns us to prepare for their imminent arrival.

II of Wands

The two of Wands represents the union of the original creativity with further forces, be they a business partner or hard work. The Two of Wands represents the original spark of the Ace has been joined by another force and thus becomes a line, a spoke which can drive the wheels of your endeavour. Two is also the beginning of diversification in number, duality and makes mathematical progression possible. In this sense the Two also represents clarity and specialization for your project, endeavour or dreams. Quite often the Two can easily represent another person, perhaps someone mature who can help you with your ideas and bring them into focus. The Two of Wands can also represent a person taking control over their own ideas and dreams, defining their territory and bringing them into the light by action. It is essentially an optimistic card, and assures us that our dreams and endeavours would be well served by applying our effort – No ill can come of it!

Reversed:

The Reversed Two represents blind ambition, greed and success achieved through bullying or illegal means. The Two essentially means that the relationship between the original Ace, the spark of creative inspiration, and the second force has gone awry and is imbalanced. Your project may be ruled by negative emotions, clouding your acumen and vision, or your endeavour may indeed be subject to a bullying or domineering person who cannot see the original benefits of your ideas.

III of Wands

The Three of Wands represents foresight and clarity of vision; it means that your success is achievable and that you have a good goal ahead of you. The binary forces of the Two of Wands has now been joined by the Third – the symbol of unification and harmony, inspiring you to expand your project to new horizons and to move forward with your ideas. In essence the Three of Wands is also a time of completion of immediate goals, and perhaps at this stage your original idea has met its first goals.

Reversed:

The Three Reversed indicates a lack of vision in the person’s goals, or a creative block which is stopping them from moving forward. The Three of Wands could indicate tension and conflict in your business partnerships – or those who are involved in your creative endeavours – essentially a represents a lack of communication amongst your ideas and could indicate a lack of trust or disharmony in a creative group. The querent must look at their ideas and study carefully where the problems lie, and decide upon the best ways to limit those impacts. The Three of Wands is a good indication for us to examine our methods of communications, and look to how we can bring about a clearer, honest dialogue.

IV of Wands

The Four of Wands is the stabilisation of your vision and energy; it is a time for relaxation, success and enjoyment of what you have achieved. As the number four is a symbol of stability, it represents the ability to build upon what you have achieved, and that you have necessarily already achieved a lasting foundation for your projects. Now is the time to relax and celebrate, and is a time for optimism in your tasks. The Four of Wands is actually one of the most hopeful and fortunate cards in the entire TAROT deck (save The Star) and you can take time to pat yourself on the back when this card arrives in your spread! With reference to the future, the Four of Cards also indicates a good time to consider how you will be moving your projects, endeavours and work forward, using all of the positive lessons that you have already learned.

Reversed:

The Reversed Four indicates an unstable completion: a lack of commitment, shaky underpinnings or an unorthodox happiness/success. The Reversed Four of Cards, in its lightest sense could merely indicate an impatient pause before a completion of a project, or otherwise it could indicate that there is still work to do on your ideas to make them stable – but – take heart, for the Four of Wands also indicates that you have come this far and that your ideas are sound, but that they need more work to make them secure.

V of Wands

The Five represents the first discord of Competition for the creative project – it states that there are many factors or people working towards a common goal, but negotiation is needed. It also asks you to stay true to your vision. The Five of Wands is traditionally depicted by five figures who are about to take part in a match of strength, all armed with staves. In this sense the Five should be understood: as the necessary fact of challenge to your goal, indicating creative tensions, struggle and fighting for your dreams. Rather than viewed as a negative card, the Five of Wands is actually a necessary card: it means defining your territory, respecting your vision (and your opponents), and striving to be defend your venture. When this card appears it means that rivalries and conflicts cannot be avoided if we want our aims to come true, but that these may merely be the struggles of operating in the marketplace, or working out a domestic situation, or negotiating with ones creative partners. The card also brings the promise that all struggles can be overcome with hard work, courage and diligence. Remember what your vision is!

Reversed:

The Reversed Five is the sign that the Competition is coming to an end, and perhaps we may relax – but we must stay on our guard against trickery. The Reversed Card appears like a relief after a hard fight, and we should take it to mean that our struggles have paused or that the fight is almost over. Depending upon the cards which surround it in a spread however, the Reversed Five of Wands could also indicate that someone you are in tension with will use underhanded means in their struggles.

VI of Wands

The Six of Wands indicates success, especially public recognition of that success. The sixes are all numbers of harmony and success, and represent a period of unity of one’s inner ideas and the outer, material world, in this vein the Six of Wands is much like the Four of Wands, and when coupled in a spread with the Four and or the Ace or Wands then it truly means that we are about to receive some fantastic news regarding our project, business venture, work or creative endeavour. This could come in the form of a sudden promotion, public approval or recognition of our work, and the subsequent celebration. The Six of Wands indicates a time of celebration and general rejoicing.

Reversed:

The Reversed Six indicates that we may unexpectedly be about to receive bad news at the very hour of achievement, or that trickery is near. The celebration and the victory of the project is delayed, and that, although close to our success there is something hampering our efforts. The Reversed Six of Wands may also represent a crippling fear of outcome, and proves that we are unwilling to take the final step to bring our project to life.

VII of Wands

The Seven of Wands symbolises Challenge. Like the Five the Seven indicates we must struggle for our success – but that negotiation is at an end and that we have to draw a line for what we accept and what we will not. All of the Sevens are about the process of testing, of becoming who we are and protecting our endeavours: in this sense the Seven of Wands also indicates a challenge to your success, where, unlike the Five of Wands it is not sprung from creative tensions but through direct challenges to your sense of self. It indicates a test of your nerve and willpower. However the Seven is still regarded as a favourable card, for it contains within it the guarantee that you have all the skills that you need, and indeed you are the only one who really knows your project, your desires and your aims.

Reversed:

The Reversed Seven signals that the Challenge will be coming to an end and that we must not give up or lose the upper ground through fear or indecision. The Reversed Seven of Wands also indicates that we lose the conflict and the test through retreat or hesitancy, and describes a fear of conflict or an unsurety in our own sense of strength and power. The Seven of Cards asks us to have the courage of our convictions and to stand up for ourselves.

VIII of Wands

The Eight of Wands signals structure and facilitation of our success – it indicates swift changes and rapid advancements of a structural kind to our project. As the Eights are essentially a development of the themes implied in the Fours, the Eight of Wands refers to the fact that our structure: the foundations of our project have increased exponentially, and are allowing a great amount of energy to them flow and develop. As the Wands are all about the creative energies, this card could indicate an intensely creative time of ideas and communication, and is a very beneficial card when it appears in your spread. In one sense it could mean – strap in and enjoy the acceleration!

Reversed:

The Reversed Eight indicates that silly decisions will be made, and that unstructured actions will lead to disastrous effects. The Eight of Wands could also mean that we are at a standstill, a halt and a slowdown in our creative ventures, a frustrating time when we need to pause for thought and forge on – whether we feel creative or not!.

IX of Wands

The Nine of Wands represents the nigh-completion of a struggle, in the aftermath of a battle the person is weary but must make one last push to achieve their goal. The Nine of Wands is all about taking strength from your own council and having the confidence to stand your own ground. It indicates self knowledge, and using that self knowledge in the final challenges to your creative endeavour. The Nine of Wands is a card of assurance – it insists that we have all the skills and abilities that we need to achieve our aims, and that the experience that we have gained so far has put us in good stead for the future. Essentially the card warns us to be prepared, and to have courage that we are good at what we do!

Reversed:

Tiredness and fatigue prevail, and an unwillingness or a lack of vision to see that the end is so close. The Reversed Nine of Wands could indicate that a holiday or a break would be a good choice, as the fatigue and hesitancy associated with your dreams is beginning to get on top of you. The Nines could show itself in defensiveness or paranoia, and could also indicate an early 'burn out' from being excessively involved in your creative work.

X of Wands

The Ten of Wands signals the whole and the aftermath of the creative endeavour, it indicates that a time of relaxation is needed and that one must set aside things which are weighing us down. The Ten of Wands indicates the entirety of the project at hand, all of the good and the bad, and it asks us to look at our position in relation to the question in its environment, with reference to the beginnings, the developments and our own motivations. As a card of completion the Ten of Wands also asks us to celebrate, relax and enjoy the fruits of our labours – it also becomes a card of warning against working too hard and not stopping to smell the roses!

Reversed:

The Reversed Ten speaks of selfishness and bias in the use of the persons goal, of a good project gone awry through bad management. The Reversed Ten of Wands indicates that there is trouble in paradise, our happiness might be at risk through threats from another force – perhaps an idea or a person is trying to control our creativity. Depending upon the cards around it, the Reversed Ten of Cards can also speak of treachery or of a poisonous influence, it warns us to take care and guard our health and happiness, and most of all our ideas from malign forces.

Page of Wands

The Page of Wands represents in particular a person who is a messenger or whom brings new tidings. The Page of wands can indicate telephone calls and recent communications to the querent, there will be new advice and new information to consider – but the communication itself will be beneficial and of use to the questioner.

Reversed:

Reversed, the card indicates someone who is immature and easily fooled by mixed messages. Whilst they may have good intentions, the Reversed Page of wands could indicate a lack of experience and perhaps a susceptibility to child-like emotions; petulance, jealousy, frustration rather than a balanced view. Take all news and communications with a pinch of salt.

Knight of Wands

The Knight of Wands represents a driven and engaging person who is determined to get their goals realised. They are forward, active, and vigorous. The Knight of Wands could indicate a person who is an asset to your endeavours, who represents the dynamic qualities that you can utilise and that you need to realise your dreams. However, there must be an element of care taken when encountering the cars, as although the Knight of Wands is a very engaging and interesting force, the danger is that the dreams and schemes and adventurers have a short lived basis and may dissipate easily.

Reversed:

The Reversed Knight symbolises delays, frustration and impotent energy. Alternately it could indicate someone whose temperament is too strong and too forceful for those nearby. The Reversed Knight could indicate that you are losing control of your endeavour, and that there is an undercurrent of strife that needs to be addressed. The Reversed Knight asks us to evaluate what we are really about and what we want to realistically achieve.

Queen of Wands

The Queen of Wands can indicate a fiery, quick person who is quick to anger and to forgive. There is a fierce charity and goodwill implied here. The Queen of Wands indicates success and prosperity, and an extension of that success to include others in the fruits of one’s labours. It is a card that also indicates common sense and speed, that problems can be resolved quickly and that you are assured of success.

Reversed:

The Reversed Queen can be cruel, bitter and jealous. It symbolises the opposite of natural and quick passion, but rather contrived and conflicted scorn. The Reversed Queen of Wands is over bearing and domineering, and indicates that we need to take care to not fall prey to selfish or spiteful actions.

King of Wands

The King of Wands represents pure ambition, confidence and power: it usually refers to a successful and forceful business person. The King of Wands indicates a person, idea or time that is of essential profitability to your endeavour, and as a person encountered will be of great success to your ideas. The King is someone who is charming, engaging and wise, and this card may reflect the qualities that you need in order for your dreams to come true. Take advantage of the good counsels offered around you, and reassert your confidence – it will pay off dividends!

Reversed:

The Reversed King is impulsive, selfish, pushy and arrogant. All of these traits may be present in the situation, and the card warns us of having too deep a connection or expecting too much from these characters. The Reversed King of Wands represents a domineering attitude or personality, to such an extent that your original creative ideas (represented by the Ace of Wands) is in danger. There 8is an element of ruthlessness involved in this card, a ruthlessness that must be avoided and a ruthlessness that we may have to exhibit to fight off outside influences.

The Suit of Cups

Element: Water

Ruler: Aquarius, Pisces, Cancer

The Suit of Cups is concerned with emotion and feeling. Often the Suit concerns itself with romance and the persons romantic life, the suit is symbolised by Autumn, the West, and the state of your inner self.

The Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups represents Home, Sanctuary, Family and all that implies. It refers to contentment and relaxation and a nourishing atmosphere. The Ace of Cups is often depicted as a brimming or an overflowing cup that is being offered to you – this indicates that we must consider all of the joyous, creative, spiritual and emotional things that want or that we have budding within us. As well as the new beginnings associated with this card – we may be about to enter a new relationship, a new artistic period, a new process in our emotions – the Ace of Cups offers us all the positive possibilities related to our emotional life. It is a card asking us a question, what do we feel, and what do we want. At this time the Ace of Cups allows us our enjoyment and happiness.

Reversed:

The Reversed Cup indicates perhaps time to curb one's emotions, for fear that there is an emptiness in one's emotions, barrenness, emptiness and dissatisfaction. The Reversed Ace of Cups means that there is a problem in the flow of our emotional life, we may be unwilling to hear what our heart is trying to tell us, there may be blockages or problems that is stopping us tasting the fruits of what is available to us. The Reversed Cup indicates that balance is needed for over powering emotions, and warns us against self-limiting hesitancy.

II of Cups

The Two of Cups means an emotional Union and Harmony of opposites, and could easily indicate a romantic involvement or marriage. The Two of Cups represents the original good things being offered by the Ace is being joined by a second force and, essentially there is a time of Harmony between these two forces. Internal wants and desires, spiritual impulses or our sense of happiness is met and meets the Other, and in this manner this card reflects a time of deep co-operation and communication. The Two of Cups could indicate a person that we are about to meet or that our feelings actually have a home and support in the world, if we know where to look!

Reversed:

There is an imbalance in a partnership, two feelings are conflicting or being over-ruled. The Reversed Two of Cups indicates that this binary relationship is at odds, or is imbalanced. There may be a hesitancy to express ones feelings or a feat of the Other or of having ones feelings accepted by the world. The Reversed Two of Cups asks us to consider what is really important to us, and how we should express these emotions so that they are heard in the world.

III of Cups

The Three of Cups symbolises success and enjoyment. A time to celebrate and be joyous, to join in and take part. The Three of Cups indicates that our emotional pursuits gives birth to the new – sometimes quite literally! - but more commonly that a new venture or a new happiness has been discovered. It is a time to relax and enjoy yourself, and to revel with others. The Three of Cups, of all the cards in the TAROT can truly be a magical time indicated for the querent.

Reversed:

The Reversed Three threatens overindulgence and misplaced enjoyment – it could indicate a threat to ones enjoyment or typically a complicated situation. The Reversed Three of Cups could show us that there is something – another force or a person  who is getting in the way of our happiness, is spoiling things or simply brings with it an energy which is too much for our arrangements to handle.

IV of Cups

The Four of cups indicates the stabilisation of ones feelings, a turning inward to examine what one really wants or needs. It sometimes indicates boredom or a lack of fulfilment, and really indicates that more introspection and understanding is required to create 'the spark'. The Fours are numbers of structure and organisation, and as such can be at odds with the emotional, shifting qualities of the suit of Cups. It represents the influx of reason and ideas into our emotional life; either expressing a time when we need to plan and consider our emotions in a broader way, or perhaps even a time when other concerns threaten our happiness; jobs, money, security etc.

Reversed:

The Reversed Four alternately indicates that the period of searching may be ending and that a new found interest is about to be found, it may also indicate that fruitless searching and boredom is getting the enquirer nowhere. Alternately, depending upon the cards that are surrounding it, the Reversed Four of Cups could show us that reason and structure is needed in our emotional life and our enjoyments. Our over indulgence or too-powerful emotions are causing us harm, and we must employ strategy to when we can express our ourselves and to what extent.

V of Cups

The Five of Cups signifies emotional problems, instability and conflict on the interior level. This could mean mental fatigue and 'burn out' or of one's home and relationship being unrewarding. In one sense the Five of Cups can be seen as a negative card as the Fives indicate conflict and imbalances – perhaps our romantic endeavours have an element of discord within them, or the realms of our happiness are clouded by pessimism or loss. The Five of Cups represents that time when our emotional life is threatened, and that threat is always one of loss and of non-acceptance of our own feelings. It asks us to let go of what has gone, and to take courage and faith in our feelings – for they are essentially true.

Reversed:

The Reversed Five symbolises an end to a period of waiting, and a return of promise. That we must be open to take risks again and that our unhappiness will pass away if we step out of our worries and reach for it. The Reversed Five of Cups is actually a very hopeful card, and asks us to have the courage of our convictions and that good things are really just around the corner. When coupled with The Star then it means that truly marvellous things are coming our way.

VI of Cups

The Six of Cups represents a balance of one's emotional background (past relationships, memories) and their present emotional life. It is characterised by 'remembering' and 'reminiscing'. It could mean new acquaintances and friendships that seem to complete an emotional cycle that you have been going through, or contact with lost loved ones. As a card of completion, the Six especially symbolises a harmonising of your emotional life, and the need to experience your emotions in a new and childlike way again. Old and tired emotional routines meet their answer and you are liberated and granted the freedom to be joyful.

Reversed:

Reversed, the Six of Cups represents a naiveté and unfounded childishness. It could mean an unhappy childhood, or elements from your past are affecting your present decisions and need to be addressed. Essentially the Reversed Six indicates that your emotional fulfilment is marred, and this could be by 'issues' or by habits and reactions that are unnecessary at this time. It is a good time to reflect what issues you have been holding and how best to let them go.

VII of Cups

The Seven of Cups tells us about the advantages and dangers of our wishes. It is quite literally a wish card that asks us to examine our desires and our fantasies and determine which are useful, real and applicable. In this sense the Seven is also a card about letting go of unrealistic expectations and dreams, but also of finding the right balance between imagination and practise. As a card of promise, the Seven of Cups indicates that we must have the courage to dream up new things, and that we also must be able to see clearly which dreams are just that – fantasies, and which are applicable in our real life. The Seven of Cups indicates a good time to choose a direction to follow and to employ discernment.

Reversed:

The Reversed seven has a duality of meanings, it could mean the person is lost in the fantastical and unrealistic, or is unable to make a definite decision about what they want. Depending upon the flavour of the spread it could also mean that a definite decision (away from fantasy) has been reached and a direction has been chosen. As with all the reversed cards, the Reversed Seven too is a card of warnings, and tells us that we need to take our head out of the clouds and get on with the business ahead of making ourselves happy. If it surrounded by profitable and beneficial cards the Reversed Seven could be a sign to be getting on with it!

VIII of Cups

The Eight of Cups is the over-extension of emotion – to the point of exhaustion. It signifies that we must let go and have a new direction to travel in, and that we must be aware of our emotional gifts and return to a sense of naturalness and purity. The Eights of any suit are also an extension and a magnification of the number Fours, and in this suit means that we have turned inward too much and that our habitual thoughts, worries and attitudes have now reached the point of disuse. We must have the courage to let go of emotions and emotional ties which are no longer useful and to move on with our life. The Eight of Cups in this way is always a card about emotional safety and attachment issues.

Reversed:

The Reversed Eight means unbalanced emotions which are chaotic and are in turmoil. Unexpected events could have taken the ground out from underneath your feet and it is hard to see the correct direction to go. The Reversed Eight of Cups could indicate jealousy, or confusion in ones emotional life. Our emotional progress has slowed and perhaps even is halted: the Reversed Eight highlights that we must be careful to stay true to our emotions and to not give in to distractions and negative impulses.

IX of Cups

The Nine of Cup indicates good health and success is coming toward you. You are almost at the completion of your goal and you are about to experience a period of stability and abundance, a time for celebration – but not too much as determined effort and gentle awareness will be required to see you through to your goal. Generally a very auspicious card, this is a time to count your blessings and to reflect on the good things in your life and the good qualities you have as a person. Especially when seen with questions of direction or uncertainty, the Nine of Cups encourages us that we have been on the right course and that we have the inner strengths necessary to make it through to our goal. The card indicates enjoyment, good friendship and celebration with others.

Reversed:

The Reversed Nine translates as disappointment and ill-fortune. You may be frustrated that your hard-won dreams are not coming true, and minor difficulties are getting in the way. A sudden run of bad luck sets you off balance, but can ultimately be compensated for. Depending upon the cards which surround it, the Reversed Nine of Cups could also indicate over indulgence of our appetites and warns us against them all. The negative qualities associated with this card, if allowed to continue unchecked will present itself as fatigue, burn out, or even addiction.

X of Cups

The Ten of Cups is the completion of the emotional journey in this suit, it above all represents a happy, content and successful family life: one that is enriching and sustaining. You should take to rejoice and take stock of your success, and increase in confidence over your achievements and long journey. The Tens of any suit represent the whole of the situation, the environment of the question. In this way the ten of Cups shows that our emotional enjoyment is being extended out into  the rest of our life, from our work, our friendships, even perhaps our finances are associated to our happiness. This is a good time to remember just how well respected and well loved we really are.

Reversed:

The Reversed Ten is the unsettled family life, and the disturbed completion. It indicates that there may be strife and quarrels in the home, or that there are small factors which are upsetting your relationships. For some it indicates that there may be births or adolescent issues about to emerge as these represent a 'new flavour' to the completed family life. The Reversed Ten of Cups can be a difficult card, but really, in essence reflects that our larger situation – our home life, society, work or finances are in conflict with our emotions and disharmony is the result. Try to order what you want and what brings you happiness, and consider how best to negotiate for it.

Page of Cups

The Page of Cups is a youthful and gentle figure, often relating to a person or the enquirer themselves. This person may have an emotional, creative, charitable and artistic nature which is incredibly genuine and well-meaning, but may perhaps be naïve. It perhaps pertains to imminent births, or new ventures started for emotional reasons. The Page of cups also represents the new, prospects and communications of an emotional kind. We may be about to receive news or word from a friend, ally, family member or loved one.

Reversed:

The Reversed Page of Cups symbolises emotional naiveté and childishness. On the other hand it might mean deception and a path taken 'away from true' – the opposite of the genuine and good-hearted nature of this card. The Reversed Page might bring with it information which comes from a petty source, or is seen through jealous eyes. Beware of one’s emotions getting the better of us, and of giving in to scorn, jealousy or vindictiveness.

Knight of Cups

The Knight of Cups is generally thought to represent a person who is active, vigorous and dynamic – and whom is totally ruled by their heads rather than their heart. This person may have volatile or impulsive emotions, but is always good natured, friendly and helpful towards the querent. This card warns of the danger of being ruled by your emotions, and also the wonder of following your dreams. The Knight of Cups could also indicate a process of dynamic emotional growth, in which new ideas and adventures are presented to us, we should take time to enjoy them and the new experiences, but not to revel in them as they can often not have a lasting foundation.

Reversed:

The Reversed Knight is someone in whom their emotions are out of control and there may entail some emotional harm to the querent. There is the possibility of deceit and treachery. If the Reversed Knight of Cups signifies an event or process rather than a person then there is the high likelihood of disappointment as dreams and fancies do not fully materialise as happiness.

Queen of Cups

The Queen of the Cups Suit is an adorable, giving and loving woman, and usually refers to a person or characteristics that the enquirer has contact with (has within themselves). The Queen symbolises art and crafts, romance and good humour, charity, tenderness, steadfastness and loyalty. Encountering the Queen of Cups could indicate that your own maternal or protective qualities are called for, that this role is needed for those around you (or even for parts of yourself). Take time to take care and nurture yourself and those around you.

Reversed:

The Reversed Queen of this Suit is difficult and distant, a figure whose own emotional problems has become emotional barbs which may hurt the enquirer. It could reflect a poor relationship with one's own mother or mothering impulses, or it could indicate that emotional stability and grounded-ness is essential before the person begins to act out of spite and scorn. The Reversed Queen of Cups could indicate that one's emotions are running away with one's head, and that these emotions have a greedy quality to them – to which the answer again is implicit in its upright position (the need for emotional nurture and charity).

King of Cups

The King of Cups is usually a friendly, powerful man who is generous and tender, astute and creative – but you may not understand him all that often! This card is well-disposed towards the enquirer and is generous, but their own emotional motivations are inscrutable and hard to read: it may represent the need to be confident about ones dreams, and not to explain them in too much detail. Within the King of Cups process ones emotions are balanced with practicality and applicability, and although an open-hearted tenderness is not as indicated as it is in the Queen of this suit, the King of Cups could represent some very useful and practical solutions to your emotional problems!

Reversed:

The Reversed King of Cups is likely to be double-dealing, a con-artist, a false friend. Someone who is charming and powerful, but who will not serve your emotions well. It could indicate that double-handed and conflicting emotions are at war, and the deeper, more spiritual concerns are not being met. In this way the Reversed King is a false tyrant, or a series of thoughts and attitudes which turn the true purpose of your emotions around. Beware of double thinking and cynicism, and try to stay true to the honesty of your beliefs.

The Suit of Swords

Element: Air

Rulers: Aquarius, Libra, Gemini

The Suit of Swords is all about action, decision, struggle and strife. It is a suit of dynamism, adventure and conflict – and symbolises harnessing your Will (Wands) with your Emotions (Cups) and doing something about it. It encapsulates the way you approach matters and the tensions and difficulties that you may have to 'struggle' against.

Ace of Swords

With the Ace of Swords, the progenitor of this Suit, we see totally new thoughts, ideas and ideologies emerging. The Suit of Swords is all about thought and mental acumen, and the Aces of any suit present to the querent two things: the initial, essential force implied within the suit and also all of the possibilities of the suit presented as a myriad of options. In this case it means that when we see the Ace of Swords it offers us new directions, new thoughts, new adventures, ideologies and energy. It infers a sea-change of thought, or a dramatically new system of thought is developing, or a new idea, venture and direction to head in. The Ace of Swords also indicates decisive and dynamic force – this could manifest itself as having found a new direction to go, and the conviction and strength to make it happen.

Reversed:

The Reversed Ace means that the force, direction and drive has become overbearing, pushy and bullish – and needs to be tempered and curbed. The root outpouring of these ideas, the strength of the Suit, has a problem at its very inception: either this dynamism is directed in the wrong manner or it is expressing itself in the wrong way.

II of Swords

The Two of Swords indicates a contest of opposites, often ending in a stalemate. This could predicate difficult decisions need to be made, and one must be open to negotiation. The Twos of any suit are the strength and the initial outpouring of the Ace joined by a second position, either in balance or contest. In relation to this suit, the Two of Swords therefore indicates that there is an argument, and that decisions are inevitable. It implies negotiations, standing strong for what you believe and your ability to navigate difficult water. The implied message is that you must have open eyes and not avoid a situation.

Reversed:

The Reversed Two of Swords indicates an unhelpful resolution to a hitherto difficult problem. This could indicate a betrayal or a treachery, an answer to a dilemma which is not a profitable one. In turn, the Two of Swords reveals that the decisions reached are based on shaky grounds, profit no-one and indeed, that the wrong course of action has been taken.

III of Swords

The Three of Swords is the card of pain, inner turmoil and the choosing of necessary evils. In indicates that a painful decision must be made, and that decision will have both good and bad consequences. The Threes of all of the TAROT suits indicates that the binary position (sometimes opposition) of the Two has been met and joined by a Third force; in many cases this can mean a mutual agreement, but in regard to the realm of strife this could indicate deep indecision and confusion over which of the different paths to follow.

Reversed:

The Reversed Three refers to a person who is unwilling to make a painful decision, in indecisive or who cannot see a way through a difficult situation. They may not want to let go of a situation and may be afraid. The Reversed Three of Swords indicates that a loss, a hurt or a pain is indeed past, but that we are unable to let go of the pain, the worries and the traumas associated with it. The Three of Swords asks us to have courage to move forward and to lay old ghosts to rest.

IV of Swords

The Four of Swords represents the lull after the storm, isolation and retirement from the strenuous activity and challenges that have been plaguing you. It is a brief pause to regroup and re-gather your thoughts. The numbered Four of the TAROT represents stability and the beginnings of structure in the development from the Ace; in this case it means that, even amidst conflicting difficulties we have now achieved a short space where we can pause, rest and recuperate. Our conflicting ideas or troubles are held in check and in balance for a brief moment – and in this structure we can find solace enough to move forward with our development.

Reversed:

The Reversed four indicates an enforced isolation, confinement and 'turning-away'. It could mean a period of illness or a period in which your decisions will be restricted and hampered. The Reversed Four of Swords is essentially the same meanings as the Upright Four, but the reasons and the display of this pause and unhealthy. It could entail a financial restriction which is limiting our life chances, or an unhealthy social environment which is curtailing our growth.

V of Swords

The Five of Swords is the application of Victory and conquest upon the suit. It is the success of ambition in your desires and plans, and the theme of 'winner takes the spoils'. You must think carefully on how you relate to failure and success when you see this card. The Five's of any suit are generally related to an optimistic time in ones life, however with reference to the suit of contest, the Swords, this manifests itself as a resolution to a situation: for good or ill! If you have been forceful and dedicated to your endeavour and your goals success is indicated, if you have been uncertain than it could even indicate failure for your project. The salient fact to take away from viewing this card is to understand the process of success and defeat – what it means to you, and how even these positions are transitory and essentially beginning stages to further growth.

Reversed:

The Reversed Five means an unhelpful conflict, a negative conquest. There could be trouble coming back to haunt you or problems which will not go away, or vindictiveness with which you must overcome. Alternately the Reversed Five of Swords may indicate, depending upon the cards surrounding it, that you have achieved your victory and that all of your initial conflicts are over.

VI of Swords

The Six of Swords refers to a gradual change in our approaches to things. It refers to that period of self-reflection after a difficult struggle, and the re-evaluation that follows. The Six's indicate a time of Harmony in the TAROT deck, and with reference to the Suit of Swords (of conflict) then this Harmony is presented as a time of rest and relaxation. A new approach is offered to the querent which will put all of your previous conflicts into a new light. Implying re-evaluation, re-drafting and introspection; the Six of Cards is also a hopeful card that speaks about new perspectives.

Reversed:

The Reversed Six indicates that there is literally 'no pause for thought' – that our difficulties will not let up or leave us alone, and that we need to be very careful and cautious about our decisions and the best way to tackle our problems. The Reversed Six of Cards also indicates interruptions, delays, and unhelpful interventions to our life, one difficult problem can lead after another, planned events are upset or postponed, immediate complications arise.

VII of Swords

The Seven of Swords is a card that advices us to caution and to avoid temptation and rash decisions. Deception, misdirection and betrayal are implied, or of things suddenly progressing in ways which are unwise. The Seven of Swords is essentially about the 'wrong' course of action, either being taken by the querent, being acted against the querent, or having had some bearing on the question. This could mean that the person is running away from something, that they are trying to hide from responsibilities or a duty when really they must face their obligations.

Reversed:

The Reversed Seven is, quite uncharacteristically for the Reversed cards, a card of good fortune. Sudden council and aid is often, objects and feelings are returned to the person and unexpected headway is made in an area we had thought has stalled. The Reversed Seven speaks to us of reversed betrayals, reversed subterfuge: truths are suddenly told, lies are revealed (with benefit to the querent), and things which had been working against you now suddenly collapse and leave your way clear. Opponents might suddenly fall from grace, or deceptive and unhelpful trains of thought are suddenly revealed for what they are.

VIII of Swords

The Eight of Swords indicates confinement and restriction – there are barriers and boundaries surrounding you that are not of your choice. You are hemmed in and perhaps feel powerless. This is a period which indicates frustration, but could perhaps be necessary for future growth and 'time out' to develop your stratagem. The Eights of the TAROT are always an extension and a multiplication of the Fours of their suit: in this sense the Eight of Swords is about confinement, or apparent confinement. The usual picture associated with this suit is of a woman blindfolded, surrounded by swords – she cannot see the possibility of escape, but is in fact surrounded by options to free herself, by using the swords to cut her bonds. The Eight of Swords is therefore about feeling trapped, especially trapped by one’s own thoughts and fears, and the necessity to reach out and to take the help offered.

Reversed:

The Reversed Eight refers to emancipation and freedom from previous limitations. It indicates that you have had time to think about previous problems and have found a way out of them. The Reversed Eight reveals that the previous cage of our fears and worries have been revealed for the insubstantial things that they are, and that we are free. It heralds a new level of self knowledge and acceptance, and a period of calm and relaxation after confinement.

IX of Swords

The Nine of Swords speaks to us of worries and anguish. There may be many complicated problems and nightmares which are affecting you, and you are finding it difficult to see a way through. The Nine is literally about weighing-up and being presented with many decisions at once. The Nine of Swords, with its connotations of anguish and worry links with the themes of nostalgia and memory inherent in the Nines – which means that we may be sorrowful or worried about a loved one, a past event or another person. The Nine's also indicates nightmares and disturbances, and asks us to pause and to take stock over what is really facing us and how we can act decisively and helpfully in a situation.

Reversed:

In the Reverse the Nine has led to possible ill-health, active avoidance, indecision, paranoia or worry. These are the 'nightmares' contained within this card. However the good news is that the card also suggest that there is always a way through. The Reversed Nine, depending upon the cards which are surrounding it, could indicate that there is malice or active machinations against us, but that we are aware of them, and therein lies the hidden hope associated with this card: that we know of our predicaments, we can see them and that we have the facilities to deal with them.

X of Swords

The Ten of Swords is symbolised by the idea of final struggles. The path has been arduous and now, finally, the last problem is being placed. The card indicates that necessarily there will be a whole new change of direction and a new beginning. The Tens of the TAROT reflect the entirety of the situation, the environment of the question or dilemma. In this sense one's difficulties may be far reaching, but you have finally grasped their full implication and, in essence, your troubles have already done the very worst that they can do. The Ten is a 'secretly hopeful' card: for it reveals that we have won through our difficulties and now can see them for all that they are: there is the indication of new beginnings, new horizons and sea-changes away from our present conflicts.

Reversed:

The Reversed Ten suggests that our problems have become larger than life and all encompassing. Illusions may have taken over from reality. In essence the Reversed Ten of Swords is  all about the fear of ruin, and the melodrama or hysteria associated with an unhealthy fear of failure. Whereas the good elements of the Upright Ten of Swords is that we have seen the very worst of what we have to face, with the Reversed Ten of Swords we still believe that the worst is yet to come. The Reversed Ten is asking us to pause, take stock and to develop our common sense to our situation.

Page of Swords

The Page of Swords is often a person that is represented by new ideas, idealistic dreams, eloquence and intelligence. This person may well be able to help the questioner. The Page of Swords could also refer to new ideas coming to us in the form of communication – we may suddenly be offered a new plan or proposal, advice and counsel. The qualities of the Page is that of the quick witted – it heralds new approaches a lively dialogue over which direction to go, but however is not based (as yet) in practicality, and refers to possibilities rather than actualities.

Reversed:

The Reversed Page is impetuous and untutored, has many ideas but has not the courage or the experience to put them into action. The Reversed Page could refer to communications, letters, proposals and offers which are full of interesting ideas but have no substance, or are needlessly taking up your time as there is little preparation for action.

Knight of Swords

The Knight of swords exemplifies courage, bravery and skill. They are sharp and quick witted and strong, and these qualities are referenced in the use of this card. Essentially a 'heroic' card the Knight of Swords could refer to a person or to a phase in our life where we are martial, outgoing and active in the defence and the attack of our ideas. The Knight of Swords is about being dynamic and forceful, but also we must be careful of being too quick, too strong or even harsh in our decisions.

Reversed:

The Reversed Knight might have become a bully, be sly or use their strength for ill purpose. It means that we have to be more independent and use our decisive strength purely on our own problems rather than anyone else’s. The Reversed Knight can also refer to a person or a situation which appears strong and attractive, but is in actual fact a promise without delivery. The strength and the skill of the Reversed Knight of Swords could be hyperbole, or could be directed in the wrong way, for example the strength used could be sudden and rash, without adequate thought for the consequences.

Queen of Swords

The Queen of Swords is a meticulous, determined, brave but cool Woman. The card symbolises excellence in thought over emotion, and especially excellence in dealing with difficult, multiple decisions. The Queen of Swords could refer to a person, or a suite of possibilities that are presented to the querent. Generally associated with the creative, the Queen of Swords is someone who takes pride in her creative work, who knows its value and knows how to use it to her ability. The Queen of Swords asks you to assess your endeavours and know their worth.

Reversed:

The Reversed Queen may represent lethargy, a period of slowness, or being ruled more by your heart than by your head. The Reversed Queen of Swords is about your decisions being misused and abused by contradictory forces; decisions taken by you or by those around you may appear to be based on rationality but are in fact based on the meaner emotions, and as such we should be wary of them. We should also be aware of our emotions clouding our sight, or, alternately, of our cool calculations not being based on any sort of empathy, and thus being cold and calculation.

King of Swords

The King of Swords is powerful and fearsomely intelligent, and reflects those people who are currently in your life. They are able to judge and reason their way through any situation and you may need their aid. However you must be careful of their rationality cutting a little 'too sharp' or too shrewdly. The King of Swords speaks to us of detachment and of being able to see the whole of a situation rather than being too focused on the immediate. The Kingly qualities – those of ruler ship and ownership remind us that we have all the powers necessary to complete our quest, and that we must step back sometimes in order to see the right step to take. The King of Swords could indicate a person who has these abilities and who can help us achieve them.

Reversed:

The Reversed King represents the misuse of intelligence. It symbolises the cutting intelligence which is either used for unhelpful purposes or which does not really achieve much through over analysis. The Reversed King can be a cruel master, one who is unconnected to their emotions and in whom there is no empathy present, or alternately the Reversed King of Swords could be the archetype of the Ruined King – the ditherer, the ineffective and the blatherer who does not help us get nearer to our goals, only confuses us.

The Suit of Pentacles

Element: Earth.

Rulers: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.

The Suit of Pentacles is all about the material and the structured world – our exterior life of belongings, possessions, finances, home and work, environment and practicality. The Pentacles are the most 'grounded' of all the cards and within them denote a certain sense of practicality and applicability. They are associated with Autumn.

The Ace of Pentacles

The Ace of Pentacles is the origin and the start of a new endeavour, and could indicate the time to revitalise a project or to put it into action. New energy should be flowing towards getting something done. The Card also indicates a time of abundance and wealth, and the promise of these things. The Aces in all of the suits of the TAROT are the original outpouring of the qualities of the suit, and often present us with a myriad of options and choices. In this case, the Ace of Pentacles offers us new employment, new places to live and work, perhaps a move, new directions to travel in, and many new tasks and endeavours we could undertake. It is indicating a time with which we must consider all of the things which we can do with a joyous air and explore our options with optimism.

Reversed:

The Reversed Ace of Pentacles tells us about greed and taking what isn't earned, about financial gain over little action and being overly concerned materialistic things rather than getting things done in the right way. Essentially, the Reversed Ace of Pentacles indicates that there is a problem at the root of this outpouring of energy: the new endeavours presented to us could be unwise or motivated for the wrong reasons – we should be careful of what we undertake, and of the options presented to us. Alternately it could indicate that the options for work and success are limited and being halted in some way due to some complication which is not allowing us to see what is really there on offer.

II of Pentacles

The Two of Pentacles represents the Union and the conflict of marrying your initial ideas to the rest of your life. It warns us to not spend too hastily, or too abandon projects through fear of result, and not to neglect the other parts of our lives because of one project. The two is about harmonising our material projects with the rest of our environment. The Two's of the TAROT marry the initial force and the options of the Ace of their suits with a second position: in this case it refers to the process through which our endeavours come into practical reality. You have an idea and a way of making it happen. It is essentially a happy and an optimistic card.

Reversed:

The Reversed Two indicates that you are struggling to organise your time and to find time for all of your commitments. It indicates that decisions must be made, and perhaps a relaxing and a letting go of certain things must happen. The binary positioning of the Reversed Two of Pentacles indicates that there is conflicts in bringing your work to fruition or to practicality. Small, frustrating difficulties are getting in the way and we may experience confusion over which is the best path to take.

III of Pentacles

The Three of Pentacles is the initial manifestation of your creative venture, business, or even a new building! Finally your dreams, ideas and planning have been completed and you have brought the initial project into being through your own hard work. It is a time for rejoicing and for congratulating your confidence! The qualities of the Threes of any suit in the TAROT is the joining of the balance – relationship of the Wce and the Two with a third perspective. With reference to the suit of Pentacles (the suit of Work) this means that your ideas and your skills have bled out into the real world. You may have just accomplished your first business venture, first season of work or brought an idea from its inspiration right through to presentation. The Three of Pentacles is a happy card and indicates that we should be proud of our hard work.

Reversed:

The Reversed Three of this Suit indicates problems in bringing your venture to fruition, either through poor communication, leadership or teamwork. Greater time must be given to properly address your business, creative venture, idea, and to iron out any little difficulties. Inherent in the Reversed Three of Pentacles there are problems between your skills, your ideas and their application in real life. There may be minor setbacks and confusions which are stopping you from presenting your product or dream in actuality. Again it is implied that we must pause, perhaps even take a step backwards and consider how best to bring our project forward.

IV of Pentacles

The Four always represents stability, and in a Suit of material and organisational things sometimes this can lead to over conservatism. However, we must reflect that the card promises economic success and financial stability: that this side of your life is balanced and is performing as it should. We should take heart when we encounter the Four of Pentacles in a spread about our work or money, as it means that we have achieved balance and stability in our material concerns: essentially the foundations have been laid and that we can congratulate ourselves on this accomplishment -[ we have all the processes set up in order to be a success!

Reversed:

The Reversed Four indicates that greed and stinginess has become the order of the day, that over conservatism has had a negative impact upon the other areas of your life, and that the stable structure is stifling our new ideas, charity and energy. The Reversed Four of Pentacles is essentially organisation multiplied by organisation: our work and our endeavours may have become a meaningless round of bureaucracy or that there many petty complications getting in the ay of us actually achieving our work.

V of Pentacles

The Five of Pentacles indicates financial strain and loss, as many competing factors become chaotic in their demand for your time and attention. The structure and organisation is fraying at the edges and you are being affected on the material level: this might include loss or damage to projects, business ventures or finances. The Five of Pentacles can indicate that our thoughts and worries are getting in the way of our work: that we are over attached to money or that we are worried about our success and failure too much, to the extent that is harming our work output – the message hidden within this card is that we must examine our attitudes towards success and failure, what we want and how we would feel if we really achieved it.

Reversed:

The Reversed Five of Pentacles tells us of anxiety through financial and employment stresses, a long period of worrying and re-examination. However the period also contains the message that this period (and the difficulties inherent in the Five of this Suit) will be coming to an end and that we may breathe easier soon. The Reversed Five of Pentacles can, depending upon the cards around it refer to a sigh of relief as we are released from the worries associated with the upright of this card.

VI of Pentacles

The Six of Pentacles indicates charity and gift – giving, in essence it symbolises the harmony of the material world and the higher, divine world. The card indicates solvency and security in financial affairs, and a fortunate turn of events. If the person is not represented by their charity, then they may alternately be in the position to receive an unexpected gift. The Six of Pentacles is often depicted by a rich merchant giving their labour to the supplicants at their feet – in this way the Six of Pentacles describes flow – money in and money out, the relationship between earning and spending, owning and giving. As the Sixes of the Suits are always have an element of the Divine, and the spiritual meanings of their suit; the Six of Pentacles reveals the real meaning of work and material wealth: that is is earned only in order to be used righteously.

Reversed:

The Six Reversed usually means deception, treachery and theft. It is the opposite of giving and of the 'higher' aspects of the Six – it could be a reckless over expenditure of money or rash financial decisions. The Reversed Six of Pentacles means that there is not that flow of material wealth and endeavour- materials and money are being hoarded, or are being lost without recompense. The Six of Pentacles asks us to examine the higher meanings of wealth and abundance, and how we can best use our resources.

VII of Pentacles

The Seven of Pentacles represents the period of rest after hard labour: it is a time to take stock of your achievements and of where they are going, but not to be dismayed if they are taking a long time. The traditional representation of the Seven of Pentacles is of a youth gazing at seven orbs in a contemplative manner; in this sense, depending upon the cards which surround it the Seven could indicate confusion and indecision, or of the value of properly assessing one's efforts. The Seven of Pentacles is about taking time to gauge our success, our activities and endeavours in their proper context – but not to be caught too much in hesitation.

Reversed:

The Reversed Seven tells us that there is something not right with the level of effort that we are exerting and the results that we are obtaining. We may need to re-examine and consolidate very carefully our approach and pay more than the usual attention to detail. The Reversed Seven could indicate that we are spending too much time in the management of our endeavours and not in their practicality, and thus are not reaping the benefits of our hard work. It is a time to be careful and astute, and allow those decisions to inspire us to action.

VIII of Pentacles

The Eight of Pentacles translates its symbol to us as a studentship, a study, an apprenticeship and a skill. It means an intense period of focus in one discipline, and the expertise and the acclaim that we achieve from that result. The Eight's of the TAROT are essentially further developments of the themes inherent in the Fours of the suit – in this case the once we have achieved stability of our endeavours, there is now a time of increased concentration and deeper, advanced study signified by the notion of apprenticeship. The Eight of Pentacles asks us to work harder, to specialise and to delve deeper into our work, and to sometimes accept limitations in order for greater results.

Reversed:

The Reversed Eight of Pentacles is the upright meaning taken too far and to the extreme... The period of study has become all-consuming, both in terms of time, finances and skill. We may have spent too long in one routine or in one situation and need to branch out (diversify) to fully make use of our natural skills. In the Reversed Eight of Pentacles the structured process of the Eight has become too constrictive and has over taken the original purpose of the work. There may be an over – obsessive attention to detail, or financial worries without respect for artistic integrity.

IX of Pentacles

The Nine's are a number of almost-completion, and of personal development. In this sense the Nine of Pentacles suggests that we have achieved security and comfort, and now we need to take time to pay attention to ourselves and what is in our best interest. It quite literally indicates the final stage of achievement: that of self-reliability. Consider what this means and what it would look like for you to be self-reliant. The Nines of the TAROT always present to their suit the themes of family, memory, nostalgia and in this sense we may be being asked to assess how our work is affecting us as a person. Is our work making us happy or is there a worry of being trapped by it? When we encounter this card in a spread, depending upon the cards which are surrounding it we must start to ask ourselves how our work, our finances and our situation is affecting us as people, as family members and as social beings.

Reversed:

The Reversed Nine indicates that there is an unmerited completion to your financial endeavours: the rewards may be ungrounded or achieved without merit, or upon shaky foundations. Alternately, the Reversed Nine of Pentacles can also mean that the reward; the completion of your efforts have been delayed and waylaid. Small setbacks and complications have got in the way and are stopping us being able to bring our project to its fruition.

X of Pentacles

The Ten of Pentacles is the grounding of the Suit of Pentacles, it 'Crowns' the suit and brings the natural progression of the suit into a relationship with all the other cards: that of family, vigour and emotional health. It indicates that you (or will soon) achieve financial security, and now is the time to turn to new projects, your health and your family. The Tens of the Suits of the TAROT indicate the broader picture of the inner meaning of the Suit, of its situation, environment and its place in the the world in general. In this way the Ten of Pentacles means that we are now approaching new beginnings and new applications of our work: we should start considering our family and the impact of our work on the greater world, how best to incorporate the best of our skills with our life as a whole.

Reversed:

The Reversed Ten of Pentacles indicates a failure in financial terms, or a lack of material resources. The Reversed Ten indicates that there is trouble in the larger scheme of our work – that it is having a negative impact on the rest of our lives, our family and loved ones or on our society in general. In one way this could happen is that money has become our prime concern and that it has become an unhealthy obsession, damaging our health as social animals, or as spiritual beings.

Page of Pentacles

The Page of Pentacles usually indicates a person (there enquirer or someone they will meet) who is idealistic, hard working and practical. These qualities of having a dream and an eager practical desire to accomplish. It is a beneficial and optimistic card about new ventures and adventure. The Pages of the TAROT are also characterised as messengers, and so could reference a person who will bring you good news about work (perhaps a job offer), or could mean a communication, missive, mail or contact with reference to your endeavours. The implied warning in the Pages of the TAROT is that these cards are inexperienced, they have opportunities and offers, but they do not have the practical knowledge necessary to apply them. It is helpful to take their advice, but use your common sense in how best to apply it.

Reversed:

The Reversed Page could be a person or a set of qualities which are materially not useful to the enquirer. They may spend too long dreaming and not enough time bringing their dreams to reality, or lack the other qualities of friendliness and skill to be able to bring them about. The Reversed Page could in turn mean news and communications which have twisted or negative motivations: their content might be 'true' in the broadest sense, but their application is used for petty or emotional concerns.

Knight of Pentacles

The qualities expressed by the Knight of Pentacles are diligence, hard work, stoicism and patience. As a person they are incredibly motivated and able to achieve their goals, although may suffer from on over emphasis on financial security. The Knights of the suit of Pentacles are people of incredible practical worth and dynamism, but may have a poor sense of commitment and a lack of the ability to be able to carry through their actions. It could be a inspirer of ideas as opposed to a someone who can develop those ideas into reality.

Reversed:

The Reversed Knight indicates someone who is stuck in the same repetitive motions and routine, be a job or a habit which is not inspiring them or using all of their skills. It may represent coldness and emotional distance to the detriment of feelings. The Reversed Knight of Pentacles bring with it a warning that they promises may not match up with the reality, that whilst on the surface the person appears competent in actual fact they have been unable to deliver on the targets suggested.

Queen of Pentacles

The Queen of Pentacles is pragmatic and abundant, able to confidently utilise her skills. The inner meaning of the Queen of Pentacles is Security and Prosperity working together in harmony. One of the implicit meanings of the Queen of Pentacles is that of charity and a reference to the greater environment of work. The Queen of Pentacles is worthy and generous, and encourages the benefits of one’s work to extend to one’s family, friends and society at large.

Reversed:

The Reversed Queen is either a person or an inclination to become overtly immersed in their work, and highly sensitive to it. The more feminine attributes of charity, abundance and generosity in this card is diminished and the person may be overly sensitive or critical of their work life, and needs to be protected from criticism. The Reversed Queen tells us that we need to relax and expand our horizons away from the material.

King of Pentacles

The King of Pentacles is successful, powerful and confident, either as a person or as a set of qualities reflected in the reading. Typically slow to anger, methodical and steady, the King is precision and patience in practice in the material world. The King of Pentacles is truly the worldly King – it could indicate a promotion is imminent, or that you must assess your role as a boss and as a leader in the workplace. If the King of Pentacles is referencing another person that that person will be able to help the querent see the overall picture of their work, and how best to apply their business, wealth and endeavours.

Reversed:

The Reversed King is material and financial power but through unfounded means: they may be a person or an attribute which is slow witted or bad at decision making. Alternately the negative qualities could present themselves as miserliness and over-work. In the Reversed King of Pentacles we see that the application of one’s work has problems: there is poor project leadership or ones aims are not being clearly expressed, enough to make your project, work or endeavour a success.

V. Sample TAROT Spreads

V.1 The Three Card Spread

There are many different ways to lay a spread of cards for the TAROT. The most popular and the Three Card Spread, the Five Card, The Celtic Cross and The Tree of Life. Here is a brief introduction to perhaps the simplest and the easiest way to get started.

1. Cleanse and Clear Your TAROT Deck as previously described.

2. In a Calm frame of mind, formulate your Question. Take a few moments to do this, and really fashion it into an open sentence which encourages answers and discussion. While you are doing this, shuffle the deck idly in your hands. Your mind will subconsciously select, shuffle and pick the cards and tell your hands where to cut, when to deal, and what cards to omit.

3. Lay First one card on the Table, turn it over and begin your Reading.

4. After you have consulted on the First, Lay the Second 'behind' or to the left of your first Card. Consult and divine it's meaning.

5. Lay the Third card 'ahead' or to the Right of the very First on the Table, turn it over, consult and divine its meaning.

6. Look at all of your cards as a whole and try to determine if anything links them, meditate for a few moments on the collected answer before closing.

7. Close the Deck. Reshuffle and place the cards back into the TAROT and put the cards away.

The First Card (The Middle)

Represents yourself, your present predicament, your immediate environment to the problem/question. It may indicate what you are bringing to the problem, what attitudes and skills you have or immediate problems or solutions are right in front of you.

The Second Card

The Second card represents what has led up to this situation. It may talk of past difficulties or past actions which has led you to where you are now, it may also refer to what you have 'as a reserve' or things which you thought were not relevant to the situation.

The Third Card

Represents the Future. It indicates possible outcomes from the Past leading into the Present, and where they might be heading. It presents us which options that need to be considered, and possible answers that we may need to be careful of, avoid, or draw into out present situation.

V.2 The Celtic Cross Spread

The Celtic Cross is one of the most favoured and well known of all the TAROT spreads, and can provide an amazing amount of detail upon the question asked. When performing this spread we must remember to Cleanse and Clear the Deck first, and relax and formulate a question as described above whilst shuffling the cards. Finally place all the cards down in their respective order below before turning them over.

1. The Querent:

This card represents the questioner and their present situation. It could contain information about themselves as a person or the present difficulties they face.

2. The Immediate:

This card indicates what is 'covering' or in the way of the person. It is a simple description of their obstacles.

3. Distant Past/Background:

Represents the forces that have led the person to whom they are, and moulded their attitudes in general.

4. Immediate Past:

The specific factors and situations that have led to this problem arising, or have influenced it.

5. Higher Possibilities:

This card indicates the best possible outcome for the situation, and the 'higher' opportunities that can be accessed through this situation.

6. Immediate Future:

Leads us to look at the probably future event that will follow from our interaction with what is covering us.

7. General Factors:

This card indicates the feelings, motivations and general forces at play between the person in Card 1 and the situation. It could underline or highlight some the ideas in Cards 3 and 4.

8. The Material:

External factors at play between the person in Card 1 and Card 2. These could be your environment, your time, other people, events that will 'intrude' or be a factor to consider.

9. Hopes and Fears:

Indicating some of the subconscious forces at work, and presenting us with some factors to consider about what we want, need and require.

10. The Judgement Card:

This will sum up the final outcome of this situation – and could refer to a final event or a final twist in the saga. Alternately, depending upon the spread it may sum up the entire situation for the enquirer.

Bonus Audio Download

Here are a few relaxing audios that you may find useful when you are tuning into the cards.

http://www.tarotdownloads.com/beginner.zip