0. The Fool- The Fool stands on teh black and white checkered floor; representing the light and darkness in each of our lives. Above his head are four aces from each of the four elements, symbolizing new beginnings. In one hand he holds a dice for the element of chance; in the other, a jester's head, for the humor which we all need to make it through. On the floor is a harp, with which Orpheus made his descent into the Underworld.
1. The Magician- He stands on a stage, in the guise of one giving a performance. Around him we see the elemental weapons of the earth, air, fire, and water, representing matter, space, energy, and time. Over his head we see teh symbol of infinity. He levitates above ground level, showing that as a Magician, he is a master over these elements, not subject to them. He is the master of communication.
2. The High Priestess- The High Priestess stands between the two pillars of secret knowledge and initiation. She is the guardian of things hidden and intuitive. Above her, the symbol of the Moon. In her hand, she holds the Torah, so written in the magical alphabet of Runes. Above, on teh one side, the Earth; while on the upper right the symbol of the Yin and Yang, showing that the universe is in a constant state of change. Before her we see a great cauldron, reminding us of her association with witchcraft. From one of her hands a rainbow descends into the melting pot, symbolic of the seven levels of initiation which we each must eventually undergo.
3. The Empress- Seated on a throne, she bears in her arms a newly-born Dragon, which has just cracked its way out of the egg. She is Queen over all forms of creativity, on the physical as well as other levels. In this image she is shown in somewhat warlike visage, as if ready to fly to the defense of her brood.
4. The Emperor- The Emperor also sits on a throne, emphasizing his superiority over all other Dragons, bar his compatriot the Empress. In one hand he holds the Martian symbol of the orb with arrow, showing his association with the dynamic powers of action. His color is red, for blood, for fire, for the basic elements of energy. He is master over all realms of doing.
5. The Hierophant- Above him an archway, for he stands at the entrance to his own Temple. Beyond this, the symbol showing the link between that which exists above, and that which is found below, a symbol reminding us that from "the stars the Dragons came, and to the stars they shall return." On his head he wears the headdress showing his spiritual supremacy in Dragonland. In one hand, a puppet, symbolizing the web of manipulative power through which so much of his power is held in reserve. In his other hand, an artifact showing the link between the celestial and terrestrial globes. To his left, a six-pointed star, to show the supremacy of the 12 Tribes of the Dragons over all other life-forms. To one side, a ladder, hinting that step by step we grow to new levels of awareness.
6. The Lovers- Two Dragons, interlaced, with their tails entwined, gaze at each other in a moment of union. Above them shines the yin-yang symbol, indicating that al love is in a state of constant evolution.
7. The Chariot- A beautiful and rare Golden Dragon is drawn across the landscape by two other Dragons. From the way in which the two attendant Dragons are looking intently at the ground, it is as though they are looking for something, or someone. We cannot be fully sure in what element we find ourselves here, whether water or air. At the base we see a crab, lurking behind some rocks.
8. Strength- A Lion and a Dragon play in the sky together, showing that real strength is exhibited through co-operation, and not through in-fighting. Between them we see a Caduceus, showing that as a man stands upright, he appears to be balanced without effort, yet the interplay between muscle and tendon is continuous to maintain him in that position. The Caduceus, which is a symbol of all living processes, also shows us serpent entwined with serpent, with perfect symmetry between them. Thus are all opposites to be balanced, for in balance we achieve a true unity.
9. The Hermit- A solitary Dragon stands on the top of a hill, holding out the light from his lamp so that other travelers may receive light from his example. His is the way of withdrawal from the world, of solitude, of meditation. Above him, two downward rays of light, suggestive of both compasses (measurement, exactitude) and the pyramids, draw down cosmic energies from the constellation Draconis. In the background, we see the outline of a human settlement, indicative that this Dragon is no longer part of his family, clan, or tribe.
10. The Wheel of Fortune- The Great Dragon Oroborous lies coiled around a glyph of the zodiac. His tail is in his mouth, showing us that the creative force of the universe is self-sustaining. On the great wheel we see the signs of the zodiac, indicating the evolutionary process of which each of us is partaking. On the ground, we see a huge compass, hinting at the magnetic and other cosmic lines of force running through the earth, 'Dragon' of 'ley-lines.'
11. Justice- A powerful horned Dragon stands in the Temple of Justice, staring out at you, as if making an important decision which will affect your entire destiny. In front of him stands a balance; on one side rests a feather, symbolizing truth; while on the other the Sun, which represents solar consciousness. The scales of Justice rest on the World.
12. The Hanging Dragon- A Dragon hangs upside-down from the Tree of Life, suspended in what seems to be a state of sleep. At the base of the Tree lie the bones of those mortals who have come close to tasting the fruits of this Tree, but have not succeeded. To one side lies the shield of an ancient human king, Arthur, propped against the side almost as if it were a prize relic.
13. Death- A skeletal Dragon stands in a Netherworld of Shade and Mist, with a scythe in one hand, reminding us that each of our lives hangs on a slender thread. Behind it stand the rollright stones of some ancient circle. To one side we see an hourglass, suggesting we must all make the most of our lives, for time is running out. To the other side, we see an egg, symbol of rebirth, and a reminder that all life must go on in one form or another.
14. Temperance- A young Dragon looks into a pool of water, absorbed deeply with its own reflection. Above the Dragon, we see the hands of the Temperance Angel pouring water from one vessel to another. On one of the Angel's arm we see the symbol of Fire. On the other arm, we see the symbol of Water. Together, the symbols represent the interconnectedness of the elements.
15. The Devil- A Great Red Dragon sweeps up the mess of two human skeletons, using his pitchfork as a brush. From the surrounding scenery it seems as though a battle has taken place between two armies. To one side we see a spider's web, suggestive of intrigue and lies. On the other, we see a chain, suggesting limitations which we create for ourselves and others.
16. The Tower- A tower, encircled by a Red Dragon, is crumbling, while all around a huge tempest is happening. Wind, lightning, and waves encircle the man-made structure.
17. The Star- A Blue Water Dragon rests by the side of a waterfall, from which it is filling a pot. Distracted by a falling star, the pot slips in its hand, spilling the water into the stream.
18. The Moon- Between the twin pillars of initiation, a regal Dragon of interplanetary flight rests beside the flowing stream which leads down from the waterfall. It looks back at the Moon, from where it has made its Journey. Tired, it clears space on the ground so that it can rest and sleep, and, in sleep, begin to dream.
19. The Sun- The Sun, in the form of a lion's head surmounted by the zodiac through which it passes, rests on the body of a Red Fire Dragon. In turn, the Fire Dragon rests upon the disk of yin-yang, symbol of eternal change. To one side, we see the outline of Stonehenge, an ancient monument built by humans as a cosmic calendar. On the lion's forehead we see the Runic symbol Siegel, which means literally "the Sun."
20. Judgment- A three-headed Dragon bursts forth from a tunnel in the ground, armed with a hammer. It moves to one side, where we see an anvil.
21. The World- A huge Dragon lies coiled around the World. Around it we see the four fixed signs of the zodiac, one for each of the four elements respectively.