Remember: ALWAYS LOOK AT YOUR CARD. Your attention will be drawn to certain aspects or details, which suddenly seem to have some relevance. These seemingly minor details hold the key to using your intuition to best assist the Seeker or Querant. 

Aquarius

Here we see a colorfully dressed person, standing on the edge of the cliff. The dog is at his heels, (companion or foe?), and the Fool is wallowing in the warmth of the sun. He feels no pain, fear or confusion, for in his bag, the Fool carries all the gifts and tools needed to embark on his journey, be it literal or figurative. The Fool knows that he has these tools, yet does not know how or when he is going to use them. He heads on his journey, without a plan, yet with excitement and enthusiasm. The people he leaves behind may think he is rather stupid to act so impulsively, yet he doesn't worry about what the people are thinking for he knows that no harm can come to him. He knows he can take risks, follow his feelings and his own inner wisdom.

When you draw this card in a reading, it can indicate travel and change, and generally acting without planning, being impulsive. What must be remembered is that the fool has the excitement of a child and has no fear. Although there are no good or bad cards in tarot, I do feel that the presence of the Fool in any reading is a highly optimistic and favorable card.

Virgo

On the table, in front of the Magician are the cup, pentacle, sword and wand. Should you ask the Magician to arrange these items in such a way as to perform a specific task, he will... simply because the Magician has so much determination and the right skills to do the job. The Magician combines thought with action. He has focused will and he knows how to apply his skills. He has energy and creativity. As Rachel Pollock states in her book "78 Degrees of Wisdom", all too many people simply react to life's situations, instead of acting on their own will and desire. There is, after all, a huge difference between reaction and action. When the Magician card appears in your reading, it can show that you may have safe participation, that you too have the right skills, energy, creativity, will and determination to be successful. The emphasis is on action, as opposed to passivity. The Magician card may also indicate something or someone new about to enter the Querant's life which will be of importance.

Cancer

The High Priestess... the ultimate in following intuition. The High Priestess is "independence" personified. She has complete trust in herself, listens to her inner wisdom and knows her own mind. As opposed to the Magician, who is action, the High Priestess is passiveness. She sits on her throne and watches all that goes on around her, without joining in. She has had mysteries unveiled, and understands the deeper things in life that other people simply cannot grasp... the changing of the moon, the rise and fall of the tides, the cycle of life. Although she is wise, she is also the young child inside your heart who, when the time is right, knows what the correct answer is. The High Priestess, between the two pillars has found the balance between mind and heart. Should this card appear in a reading it could indicate the state of mind that the Querant should, or will, follow. For a man it could indicate a woman he feels deeply for, for a woman (according to Waite) it could represent herself). Generally, the High Priestess invokes feelings of independence and intuition. Independence could also imply an inability to commit to someone or something. The Querant could also be receiving guidance from a wise woman, and could also have some secrets revealed.

Libra

The Empress is far more earthy than the High Priestess. While the latter is more intellectual, the Empress is passionate and warm. The Venus sign indicates a love of material things in life, so the Empress will work long and hard to receive the fruits of her labor. It may not always take as quickly as one would like, but the Empress understands this, plants the seeds, lovingly waters and nurtures them throughout the cold winter months, knowing that in the spring they will blossom and grow. The Empress is about manifestation, patience, nurturing something until it is time to come to fruition. Whilst the High Priestess follows intuition, the Empress follows emotion. She is loving and giving. This card often indicates maternal urges, marriage, commitment and good friends. Not only does it indicate a good home, but also the hard work which goes into producing that home. It can also appear when the Querant needs to combine wisdom with love, and make sure that they are receiving as much love as they are giving. Generally, when this card appears it also shows the Querant that there is stability, security, protection and domestic comfort. It is a card of happiness, financial abundance, good fortune, pleasure and creativity. 

Aries

A strong man with energy and direction who will protect and defend his home, his possessions and the people around him. He is powerful and a good leader. He is the epitome of authority and ambition. The Emperor makes plans and strategies, and like the Magician, he acts on those plans. Often the Emperor can represent a father, husband, boss or other person in authority over the Querant's life. He can represent strong ambitions, working towards those plans with an air of solidity and strength. The Emperor can however, misuse his power, and become arrogant. When this card appears in a reading, the Querant should identify whose ambition it represents, whose authority? It could very well indicate that the Questioner will be in control of the situation at hand, yet it could also indicate another person who could work with or against them. In a previous reading, in the past influences position it appeared. This indicated that the Querant had been making plans, and had been defending herself and her loved ones, that she had felt secure and stable, yet it also indicated a man in her past who had much power over her plans, and much control over her life (which could be good or bad). The Emperor can also indicate that the Querant will one day have a responsible position in the work place, have his own business, be married one day, or be a father.

Taurus 

That little voice in your head that makes you feel bad for telling a white lie... the feelings you get when you receive a speeding fine, the way people shake their heads when hearing news about something morally shocking , these things belong to the Heirophant. The pope-like man initiating two children into the realm of society, wherein they will learn the difference between society's accepted definition of wrong and right. The Heirophant can indicate living up to other people's standards, or living up to your own standards by getting rid of the things in your life, the feelings, and situations which you feel, or have been taught, are no longer beneficial to you. The Heirophant can show strong feelings, commitment and care. It can represent your family and the values, which you have learnt from them. Following tradition and doing the right thing (according to society). The Heirophant can also indicate life's challenges that require us to put trust in our faith; also it indicates help or advice from a wise person, or even being the advisor/teacher. There is a strong feeling of dedication and devotion attached to the Heirophant. It takes these qualities to get married, to teach someone or to study.

Gemini

Traditionally a card with two meanings... true love, and choice. The Lovers indicates that a relationship which has just started, or a relationship which is on its way, will prove to be an extremely special one. A relationship which is both equal and special. Otherwise, it can mean that the Querant has, or will have to make a choice between two elements, or people. On another level, the appearance of the Lovers card shows that ideally, one should be able to combine two separate elements of the self, in order to become whole. Perhaps the intellectual part of the self with the creative, the day to day humdrum, of life with the excitement of being spontaneous. However, much to the enjoyment of many Querant's, it tends to lean toward physical union, sexual attraction, enticement and temptation. The Querant will become, or has become, very attracted to another person, and this attraction shall definitely lead to a relationship which will be meaningful, beneficial and expansive

Cancer

A card of self-control and discipline. The Charioteer has overcome his fears, and puts energy into moving forward. He is ready for challenge, excitement and competition, yet he has self-control and discipline, so much so that the charioteer pulls the two opposite sphinxes to ride in one direction. He has found a goal, and works vigorously towards it, his intentions are pure, and his will is focused. Often, when the Chariot appears in a reading, there are many changes on the horizon for the Querant. Travel is likely and new friends. Also, the Chariot shows that should the Querant not have any plans to travel, then the energy will be used in the home. Home renovations, change of home. Furthermore, the Querant can expect an unexpected change of some sort. Some Tarot readers believe that this card indicates that in seven weeks or seven months, it will be a good time to travel or take a trip

The Strength card symbolizes just that... Strength. Yet not the muscular bound, "I can beat ten men with my bare hands" kind of strength, but more the soft strength of love. It is card of self-confidence and determination, courage and bravery. It is strength through love and gentleness. The lady in the card does not force open the lion's mouth by means of aggression, and she does not stand over him with a whip and demand that he must obey her, she simply uses the courage which she has found through her own self confidence and almost kindly opens the lion's jaws. Another meaning of the card is that the Querant has, or will, "tame the beast within". That the Querant has reached a place of understanding with herself, and can know and control those things within her that most people will not acknowledge. She has a lust for life, and a lust for the physical things in life too. Her strength comes from combining the action of the Magician, with the passion of the Empress. It has also been stated that when this card appears, the Querant will be influenced by a woman who is well disposed to her/him. The card indicates personal power... that can often be mis-used.

Virgo

An old man shines a lantern (containing a star) into the darkness. There comes a time in everyone's life when they have a need to withdraw, not necessarily physically, but more into an internal search for truth and direction. The Hermit represents that mood of withdrawal. Of thinking about things in the past, and reaching a point of forgiveness and understanding, in order to move forward. Often, when a person has gone through this period of introspection, they will become a good teacher and guide for other people, because only those who have undergone the same experience of letting go of the past, have the ability to lead others along the same path. The Hermit, after keeping this safe distance whilst contemplating, emerges as a person whom other people look up to. Often when this card appears in a reading, it indicates that a guide is available for the Querant, and that they should keep their eyes open in order to see this person who is willing to help and assist them. Also, the Hermit can represent "old people" in the Querant's life. The Hermit is also associated with powerful dreams.

Scorpio

Whenever I see the Wheel of Fortune, I automatically think of the steering wheel in a car. As the driver, we have to place our hands on the wheel, and steer the car into the direction we want to travel. If we turn too fast, we will probably crash, if we turn too slowly, we will also obviously drive into something we are not supposed to, and if we don't turn the wheel at all, we're not going to get very far. The Wheel of Fortune is about taking our life into our hands and making it go in the direction we want it to go, to be able to steer around the corners, to know when to stop, and when to go. It shows that good luck is available to the Querant, yet he must steer his life in the direction of the good luck. He must break old habits and be pro-active in finding and using this good fortune. It also shows that life is not one straight road, that there are bends to be encountered, the brick in the road, the obstacles jumping out which make us slam on our brakes, yet we must realize that beyond those difficulties there are smoother times, and paradoxically, beyond the smoother times there are more hazards to be encountered. Just like roads, life is not a straight, easy line, but a maze of good and bad fortune to be used, and learnt from, in order to reach our destiny. The appearance of the Wheel of Fortune shows that the Querant must make the best out of all situations, turning the negatives into the positives, and then the good luck should follow. It also shows that there are those surprises beyond our control, which we have to deal with. Generally, it indicates a favorable change of circumstances: good luck (especially with money matters) and movement, such as moving house or changing jobs.

 "G"

Justice. Seated on her throne, balanced scales in one hand, and a double -edged sword in the other. Generally Justice shows that Justice will be served. The "law of retribution" will be affected. Those who have done right will receive their due, and since the scales are balanced, those who have done wrong, will receive what is due to them too. The Justice card is about honesty, fairness and corrective actions. It is about having sound judgement and the ability to make decisions. It can indicate that the Querant will, in some way, be put to the test and will have to make a decision. That things must be balanced or evened out, even if it is not to the Querant's benefit. What happens is meant to happen, you get what you deserve, good or bad, for no one can escape the equilibrium which must be balanced. Often when this card appears in a reading, there are contracts and legal documents to be signed by the Querant. This could involve promotions at work, traffic fines, or legal battles. In fact any situation which balances out decisions and actions from the past or present, for life is based on what we have done, are doing, or will do. Actions and incidents are not independent, for everything has its repercussion. If we work hard at a situation, we will reap the benefits, and obviously if we have failed to work hard, in any situation, then the scales will be balanced too. Generally, Justice represents this fairness and balancing, and that the Querant will be able to take a balanced view of circumstances, to hear both sides of the story, to consider the pro's and the cons, and to reset that which is unbalanced. Again... from the Querant's point of view, of from an outside point of view, Justice will be served.

Pisces

Although upside-down, the Hanged Man is smiling. Imagine what goes through his mind. He obviously understands why he is upside-down, and knows that things will be alright when he is eventually freed (or when he eventually chooses to release his foot from the rope tying him to the tree). He is not worried. He can see things from a different point of view, and he can see things that other people don't notice from their normal upright position. The Hanged Man is a card of many meanings. Independence... doing things in such a way that other people don't understand. It also means sacrifice, giving up the lesser for the greater, be it time, money or energy. Delays are often inherent when the Hanged Man card appears, knowing what you want to do, where you want to go, but having to look at things in a different way before you can proceed. There is devotion to a cause, but first the time must be taken to pause and consider things... think them over. This "thinking things over" enables you to follow your own instincts, trust your own inner self, and be at peace, despite the setbacks or delays involved. Of course, being like the Hanged Man may make the Querant feel sorry for himself, but he will reach a place of understanding. Although the Hanged Man indicates inactivity, going with the flow for the time being, it also indicates that you will break patterns and habits and view options and solutions differently.

Scorpio

The Death card never refers to the physical death of the Querant. It may refer to the end of a way of thinking, even a way of living, but never to the end of life itself. The Death card is about the Querant's feelings about death, about psychologically letting go in order to move forward. Although the Death card signifies definite and permanent endings, partings without happiness, loss of friends and the end of help, it also says that the loss is a blessing in disguise. When there is an ending to a way of life, as in the way of a relationship, behavior patterns - the way of looking at life, it opens up the Querant's life for new ways, which are an improvement on the past. Change cannot be avoided, and along with that change, that ending, comes the promise of "resurrection and deliverance". The Querant will bring back into use those things that have not been used. He will bring back skills, creativity and feelings that have lain dormant. Furthermore, and even greater, is that the Querant will be rescued from what ails him, physically or mentally, internally or externally, and will be set free. This change cannot be avoided, and must be faced. Although the Death card signifies conclusion, it also signifies new opportunities, and is therefore also named Re-birth.

Sagittarius

After the completion of the Death card, comes the adaptability and control of the Temperance card. Traditionally known as the "healing card", Temperance indicates a happy outcome and enthusiasm. With one foot on the earth and one foot in the water, the androgynous figure has found the balance between the physical and the emotional. He is able to combine elements, mix and match, like an alchemist to produce the perfect blend. He uses intellect as well as emotion. Temperance indicates taking control of a situation while being moderate and adaptable. The appearance of the Temperance card shows that the Querant need not force things, for they will happen of their own accord... perhaps not at the speed that the Querant would prefer, but the Querant should just be patient as he will achieve what he desires. Due to the figure's ability to combine different and seemingly opposing elements, Temperance can also indicate a good partner, or good management.

Capricorn

A formidable card, it represents all things connected with bondage. Bondage to people, bondage to material things, bondage to emotions and unfulfilled desires. Lust, greed and temptation. All things that cause an inability to grow, create and develop. In the Devil card, there is a powerful message of a struggle between good and bad. However, temptation can be an exciting thing! And, as humans, we will be in situations that are both dangerous and forbidden. When the Devil card appears, it can indeed indicate that a person is being controlled by obsessive behavior and greed, and that a person (not necessarily the Querant, for it could be he who is doing the controlling) is being controlled by someone of a selfish nature. However, we have the right to choose, and therefore the right to break away from these destructive behavior patterns and people. The Devil card can show acknowledgment of this bondage and the desire to break free. The Devil card can also indicate, as it has done in a previous reading for a work colleague, something exciting and forbidden such as (as petty as it seems) smoking cigarettes on the sly. Sexual experiments and temptations. Alcohol and drug abuse. Depression. But, in Tarot, the Devil also shows us that we must have a sense of humor and see these things for what they are... and that we have the capacity to be in control. That we may feel trapped and depressed, yet we are actually free to move away from this entrapment. It is also suggested that should the Querant have a sense of humor, and take whatever opportunities he can, even to the point of acting impulsively, he will be successful in his endeavors.

Aries

Often viewed as an incredibly negative card, the Tower is about sudden changes, break down of belief systems, pressure building up to such an extent that it will inevitably cause an explosion which will shatter and erupt the Querant right down to the very core of his soul... However, it doesn't have to be that bad. Definitely there will be a great turn about in the Querant and his surroundings. Chances are that emotionally he is keeping everything inside of himself, not expressing his feelings and views, and of course, this will result in outbursts and tantrums. But it is these outbursts which bring about the feeling of "having everything out in the open". It is necessary to have this clarity in order to have wholeness and healing. The Tower can indicate anger, arguments, quarrels, accidents and loss of money. However, along with these attributes, the Tower also brings good opportunities to rebuild that which was out-dated and out-worn. Although one door may be closed, another door is definitely open. Although the Tower may seem drastic, it does bring about enlightenment, illumination and new opportunities. Also, I recall that the Tower could be an indication of embarking on a health program, de-toxing the system, getting rid of the rubbish, dieting and exercising.

Aquarius 

"S"

The serenity and healing of the Star is a sigh of relief in any reading. It holds such qualities as hope, renewal, insight and understanding, that when the Querant draws the Star, the reader simply knows that everything is going to work out fine. That the Querant will eventually find the "right path". Imagine for a moment, that feeling when you are ill. You don't feel able to eat or drink anything, and you feel like you are never going to get better, and then a few hours later you suddenly crave a slice of toast. You reach out your hand and feel your brow, and your temperature is normal... your skin has returned from the white pale face of this morning, to its normal healthy glow. Although weak, you take the toast, and it tastes like the best thing you've ever eaten... that is the feeling of the Star. That hope and renewal. The Star also indicates that the Querant's wishes are to be fulfilled, however, they may not be fulfilled in the way the Querant expects, but the result will be wonderful nonetheless. It indicates that the Querant will soon find the road to greater achievement and accomplishment, and that they will have the energy, intelligence and insight required. Also, unexpected help from a person in an authoritative position can be expected and even gifts. The Star is definitely a card of good luck. My introduction to the Star was in an early reading, many years ago by a renowned psychic. On discussing my family, I drew the Star card... the Tarot reader looked at me at told me that my Mother is my star. My hope, my faith, the person who watches over me and makes everything okay.

Pisces

 When the world is asleep, the moon casts strange shadows, fear quickens the heart, dogs howl, the soft ticks of the alarm clock sound like footsteps, and familiar things appear scary and frightening. Yet the morning does come, and things appear quite normal again. The Moon is about emotions and imaginations running rife, which can cause exaggeration and self-deceit. During this period of confusion and puzzlement the cards advise that the Querant remain authentic to himself in order to see with clarity. That he must not try to be "some one else" in order to fit in, that he must remain true to himself. The crab rising from the water shows that things are not what they seem and that the Querant must look beneath the surface to see the truth. Also, the Moon indicates that a facet of life needs further experience, training and emotional self-discipline. To return to the analogy of the nighttime image, should you spend more time alone in the dark, you would understand that the old wooden door is creaking because of a draft, and not because of a nighttime monster. The moon indicates dreams and daydreams, imagination and emotion.

"O"

 In the morning, the sun rises to warm all living creatures. The scary shadows of the night are dispelled and things are seen clearly and brightly. The Sun is about clarity and illumination. Indeed it is a happy card, the child rides on the bare back of the horse, he has no need to hold on to the horse for he is control. This is a card of success, joy, energy, vitality, confidence and excitement. The Sun card carries feelings of pride and accomplishment, where nothing is hidden. Also, the appearance of the Sun indicates good teamwork and partnership, being motivated and inspired and inspiring others to be successful too. It can indicate that a longed for child will be born, and that there will be good news concerning offspring. This card has a strong connection with children. Perhaps there are children on the mind of the Querant, or he could simply be spending time in the great outdoors with them.

Scorpio

The Judgment card is about wisdom from experience. Having gone through many challenging phases, the Querant is now able to make the decision to move forward. The decision will be one that the Querant can not go back on. Having reached a greater understanding within himself, he will close the door on one past area of his life, and move forwards, and there can be no attempts at re-hashing the past. The Querant will forgive what needs to be forgiven, close the door and in looking back, he must merely see that part of his life as a stepping stone to the future. He will determine his destiny, re-establish contact with reality, reach out toward the next set of goals and opportunities. The Querant will rise to a more meaningful existence, and embark on a project, based on a decision (or a re-union) which will affect the rest of his life. The appearance of the Judgment card can indicate the realization of parenthood and giving birth to new forms. It can also indicate career success. I have seen this card indicate remembrance of the dead, and resurfacing of emotions and desires, which were not previously resolved. The Judgment card's appearance in a spread speeds up the outcome of the other cards.

Capricorn

The World Card represents great wholeness, having completed the cycle of life. Having undergone many trials and tribulations and reaching a point where you have reached Nirvana. Found your spirit, your soul.

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