ne{for Anthony David Stevens De ea em could see. As I shivered in the cold, you struck a flame from See carried me to level ground. You are my Brother, you are my Friend, you are much Loved and greatly Missed. Pees es ee ee ee who taught me that everything is possible if you rise to the challenge. With thanks to Nic for his patience, Alex for his support, and to Erik for choosing me to give a voice to his artwork. I's been totally awesome. Den reaDee Pa Cee eg ee pene teg ss cots es Graphic layout by Erik C. Dunne, Lo Scarabeo Caeser e) LoScarabeo Nee ee ee eee eee ey ea First Edition: April 2013, ee eee eee eee) eee ee Soe eee ee ee<=SKIM HUGGENS a ReaeUeecant a emia| 0) 7 TABLE OF eee Dias he) ) a >) ecconeel ee ey) rime tatty epee | Using the Tarot Muminali ...... 15 How to Lsearn Tarot ........ 23 NEN a - 29 Tye ee cal Court ards cea Y veered ; 7)Foreword Erik C. Dunne’s ‘Queen of Swords’ appeared on Face- book in the late Autumn of 2011. Within minutes the sin- ale elegant image had dozens of fans. I was beyond im- pressed! My own inner-artist took control and I simply had to know (1) Is this artist really this good? (2) Are there more of these amazing tarot images? Following the cyber bread crumb trail it didn’t take long to find Erik's ‘web presence. Viewing his portfolio left no doubt that pure talent and mastery had created these breath-taking, images, and Iwas witnessing the birth of a star Erik began his tarot journey over 25 years ago when he wandered into a small metaphysical shop, supposed ly by chance, but we know Tarot doesn’t work that way. Erik quickly became good friends with the owner who soon introduced him to, and encouraged him to pursue, a higher understanding of the art of Tarot. Studying and reading different tarot styles gave him a foundation in the mysteries and unveiled the inner light of Tarot. How- ever as an artist, Erik’s own vision of truth and illu tion were soon being superimposed over the traditional images. The inner artist whispers secrets that will even- tually have to be realized, as is usually the case of the artist who discovers Tarot...or when Tarot chooses the artist. Inevitably the passion and love of art and Tarot ‘merged as inspiration which seized him to begin what would become the Tarot Iluminati Although naming the deck eluded him at first, a mid dle ofthe night epiphany sat Erik bolt upright in bed ut-tering “Tarot Illuminati, with the full understanding that the name was not about secret societies, decoder rings or Dan Brown novels. ‘Illuminati’ is the Light of Wisdom shown in this Tarot, which Erik has accomplished with the grace and mastery of a truly inspired. vision. ‘As Erik neared completion ofthe deck, the author cho- sen to write the companion book suddenly became un- available. After experiencing a few moments of near panic, he posted his dilemma on Facebook. It came as no surprise, to me anyway, when offers to write the com= panion book began to pour in from a variety of talented ‘Tarot authors. One of the authors, Kim Huggens, with an impressive career and whose passion for Tarot and artis legendary in the Tarot community, was the perfect fit. This lovely lady donned her metaphorical armor, sad- dled her metaphysical charger, and took on the daunting, task of writing an entire companion book with a dead- line of weeks rather than months, The words that follow in this book come from Kim’s wellspring of talent and experience which Lam sure will enlighten and delight all who read them, To sum up, I have had the honor and privilege of watching this amazing Tarot grow into Being. It is my hope and wish to see Erik’s “Tarot Illuminati’ take its place in the upper echelon of Great Tarot Decks. With grace and gratitude, Pamela Steele Foreword °Introduction ‘The Tarot has been widely used for many things over the centuries, from games and flash cards, for- tune telling and future seeking, to horror movie scare- mongering and meditation, containing occult wis- dom and teaching sacred knowledge. One thing that it shares throughout the ages and no matter what use it is put to is a moment of realization or awakening, new knowledge gained or “Aha!” moments. Thus, us ing the Tarot is primarily an act of seeking illumina- tion or revelation, answers from both within the self and from outside the self. The Tarot Illuminati aims to reveal the intricate and beautiful layers of symbolism contained within traditional Tarot so that the reader can read, translate, and speak the language of Tarot. ‘Symbolism is found everywhere, and we learn to gov- em our lives by intepreting it, from the colour red that tells us to stop at a traffic light, to the thumbs-up ges- ture that informs us everything is okay. The Tarot im- ages are filled with such symbolism, but it can be easi- ly missed by intimidating pictures on the cards. In the ‘Tarot Illuminati every detail is meaningful, each scene a rich and sumptuous tapestry of colour, action, ex- pressions and nature. It floods the senses with the es- sence of each card so that the associated meanings or concepts are almost tangible. The style of artwork also invites you to interact with the cards as if they were friends or allies, enemies and strangers, family mem- bers and professional associates: these cards represent real-world, human emotions, problems, fears, hopes and actions, and we must therefore be able to relate Introxbtionto them on a personal level. Every card of the Tarot Il Juminati speaks to you, as if you had just walked into its world, and offers you its hand to draw you into its mysteries, so that not only might you read the cards, but you also might gain revelation of your self. Lsight and the Tarot Maminati Inessence, the Tarot Illuminati contains within it the light of illumination, realization and truth, made dy- namic and interactive through image and symbolism. Each card is like a stained glass window in a church, highlighting a meaningful tale and passing down age- ‘old wisdom by being lit up by the light of the sun. Light plays an important role in the card images of the Tarot Illuminati, It represents the Divine, God, the light of truth, attainable wisdom or awareness. In spiritual terms, light ~ particularly sunlight ~is a rep- resentation of our Divine origin as well as the final goal of our spiritual growth. Whether it is depicted in the form of the sun, the moon, stars, a lantern, re- flected light or a fire, you will find that the Tarot Illu- minati’s symbolism of light tells a story of revelation, illumination and the journey towards awareness and wisdom. ‘The Titk, Maminati? ‘The Tarot Illuminati is not related in any way to the order known as the Illuminati, neither its historical Ba- varian manifestation nor a modern idea of a clandes- Iniredctioo Btine organization that somehow controls the world. It only shares with the Illuminati the ideals of illumina- tion, and the origin of the name, from the Latin “illu- minatus’, meaning “enlightened” sets out the goal of the Tarot Illuminati. The title also conveys the aesthet- ics of the deck, filled as they are with light. 4 Introdictionaoe oo ! Dae DeaUsing the Tarot [aminati ‘There are many ways of using a Tarot deck, but the most common is the act of doing a Tarot reading. Many people wonder if there is a particular method for reading the cards, but the answer is that there are many, and they are all chosen by each reader based ‘on personal preference. In order to do a reading, only three stages are required: 1. Shuffle randomize the cards. 2. Lay out the cards in your chosen order /spread. 3. Interpret the card meanings. Anything else can be added around this simple pro- cess, including prayer, meditation, whether you turn over all the cards at once or one at a time, how many cards you use, what spread you use, and how you read the symbols in the images. There are many spreads ‘you can use, each one for a different purpose, or you ‘can just choose to lay a few cards down and interpret them together. However, here are some spreads you ‘might find useful 6 bing the Tet lanaThe Sup, Moon and Stars Spread Card 1: The Sun. The outward appearance or mani festation of the situation; how the world sees it; the ac tions that it causes. (Or: The Present) Card 2: The Moon. The inward manifestation of the situation; how it makes you feel; the effects it has on you as a person. (Or: The Past) Card 3: The Stars. The way you can make the situa- tion work for you. (Or: The Future) Using the Tarot llaminatThe Planetary Spread This is a classic yet simple and adaptable spread that is perfect for the Tarot Illuminati. Each planet can be seen as celestial bodies in the heavens, with the sun at the centre, each planet performing a cyclical dance around a shared source of light. Card 1: Saturn. Karmic return, endings and time. The issue approached from the perspective of the inevita- ble, big themes. (Or: What is ending in your life.) Force and aggression, ambition and ion. The issue approached from the perspec- tive of the ego and the self (Or: What is in conflict or imbalance in your life.) Card 3: Venus. Love and beauty, harmony and union. ‘The issue approached from the perspective of bring- ing about peace, harmony or inspiration, (Or: Your emotional world/relationship: Card 4: Mercury. The mind and intellect, word and. ‘wit. The issue approached from the perspective of rea~ son, (Or: Your intellectual world and thoughts.) Card 5: Jupiter. Growth, expansion, action and friend~ ship. The issue approached from the perspective of the social world. (Or: Your actions and outward be- ing, your goals.) Card 6: Moon. Receptivity and intuition, dreams and rhythms. The issue approached from the perspective of intuition. (Or: Your inner world.) Card 7: Sun. Centre and vitality, truth and purpose ‘The issue approached as a synthesis of all the other cards. (Or: The main focus of your life at this time.) 8 Using the Taro lena‘Uaing the Tarot lltayinat 9The Lsighting the Lantern Spread Card 1: What does this look like to me? What am I missing? Card 3: What is keeping me in the dark? Card 4: Where can I find the light? Card 5: What will be illuminated? Card 6: How will I move forward from here? 0 “sing the Tarot MinaThe Rising Say Spread A simple spread for when you want to see how something, such as a project, relationship or job, will progress. Card 1: Dawn. The beginnings, what inspires it and. how it starts, what itis like at the start Card 2: Midday. The half-way point, the pinnacle of it, what itis like in the middle. Card 3: Dusk. The endings, what it is like when you complete it or reach its fullest form. Card 4: Midnight. The aftermath, what you can learn from it, how it changes you. Using thy Tarot ltminat 2Plea he)How to Lsearn Tarot At first, learning Tarot might seem like a daunting task. In fact, whilst it is a lifelong study, it can also be fun, relaxing, and enlightening. Whilst reading books on the subject help, it is important that you practice doing readings as early as possible, even if it is only for yourself, Practice makes perfect! There are other ‘ways you can learn Tarot in a more practical and fun way, fitting into your daily life. Reeping a Journal A great way to lear Tarot in your own time and from your own perspective is to keep a Tarot journal. In this you can record all your readings, all your ly draws (see next), any thoughts you have, any cor- respondences of the cards, Tarot spreads you like, and more. Every Tarot reader’s journal is unique, but they all serve the same function: to help you develop your ‘own ideas of the cards. Some people like to use an or- nate blank book as their journal, others prefer to use a ring-binder they can insert pages into, and still others might keep their journal on their computer. The Daily Drow One of the best ways to learn something is to do it a little every day. With Tarot you can do this by using a Daily Draw. At the start of your day, or perhaps at the very end depending on when you have time, pick a card at random from the Tarot pack. Take 10 minutes, 24 How tolocary Tarotto look at it and brainstorm, type notes, or think about it, You can use some or all of the following points to examine it + Colours + The number of the card + Symbolic systems it is associated with (e.g. astrolo- a, Kabbalah, the four elements) + Environment * Characters and their actions + Time of day + How it makes you feel + Ifit reminds you of anybody you know + Ifit reminds you of a situation you have been in. + Ifit reminds you of a famous saying or phrase Don’t be afraid to research the card either, perhaps by using the internet or discussing it on online Tarot, forums, If you draw the card at the beginning of your day, keep it in mind as the day goes on and try to see how it appears in your life. At the end of the day, add this to your notes. If you draw it at the end of your day, think back throughout the day to see if the card was reflected in your life. If you're a very busy person and. find it difficult to keep a daily practise, then you can also do this once a week. Interpreting the Cards Reading the cards isn’t as difficult as it may seem. It is important to remember that every image and sym- How tolosary Tarotbol in each card is a handy signpost pointing to the card's meaning, There is traditional symbolism em- bedded in the images (which you will read about be- fore each section of the cards, and which is explored in-depth in the e-book, “The Tarot Illuminati Re- vealed”) but you will naturally also have an intuitive response to the symbols, We are all human, and there- fore share various ways of looking at symbols, so even your own intuitive response will give you meaning, Symbolism doesn’t have to be just occult, complex im- ages that relate to vast and cosmic principles; interact- ing with symbolism is a simple act of seeing an image any image whatsoever — and allowing it to remind ‘you or make you think of something else meaningful Most of us interact with symbolism in our daily lives without even realizing it, and it works on a subcon- scious level. Reading a Tarot card image is simply do- ing this in a conscious manner. Symbols not only give you important clues as to the traditional meaning of that card, but they also inspire your own ideas about that card based on a more personal response to them. Here are some of the stages you might go through. when reading a Tarot card: + Is ita Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, or Court Card? (The difference can be found in the introduction to each section.) + What does the title suggest to me? + What colours are predominant and what does this mean? + What does the card’s number symbolize?+ What are the characters doing in the card? + Where is the source of light in the card, and how is, it being used? + What type of environment is the card pictured in? + What animal companions are present? + How many people are there and how are they in- teracting? + What other symbols can I see? ‘There are more aspects that might present them- selves to you depending on the card, but don't be afraid to let the images give you clues to the card meanings, as well as reading about them in the book. How tolosarn TarotENS ae TET eeMajor Arcana Exmanations of the Leight ‘The 22 cards of the Major Arcana are the most rec- ognizable of the Tarot. They consist of the “big” con- cepts of life, such as love, death, change, the self, life journeys, intuition, authority and rebirth. They are the ‘greater themes of our lives, the big transformations wwe go through, as well as the spiritual truths that make up the universe. They can be seen as the soul's journey towards illumination. » Majar ArcanaAstrology in the Major Arcana ‘One of the main systems of symbolism embedded in the Major Arcana is astrology. You can see much of it hidden (or not so hidden!) in the image of the Tarot, Illuminati as helpful hints, and it is a useful exercise to do some brief research about what the astrological associations represent, e.g. Venus is a planet associat- ed with love, sensuality and femininity, and what this means for the card. + The Fool - Uranus * Justice - Libra + Magician Mercury + Hanged Man - Neptune + High Priestess -Moon + Death -Scorpio + Empress - Venus + Temperance - Sagittarius + Emperor Aries * Devil - Capricorn + Hierophant-Taurus + Tower-Mars * Lovers - Gemini * Star - Aquarius + Chariot - Cancer + Moon - Pisces + Strength - Leo + Sun - The Sun + Hermit - Virgo + Judgement - Pluto + Wheel - Jupiter + World -Satum, You can read more about how each of these astro- logical associations are found in the card images and. how they relate to the deeper card meanings in the e- book, “Tarot Illuminati Revealed” (see Appendix for a sneak peek at the extended High Priestess card.”) ‘Major Arcane 30. The Fool the Infinite Possibility of Chaos “Before the beginning was even a seed of idea inthe mind of Goa, it was my step that tod the virgin paths from the cen- tre ofthe sun. What did I desire? Nothing. And everything. I catalan slate waiting to be written upon, a cup waiting to be filled. Yet we cannot wait at our point of origin and hope that illumination will fnd us. We must take the frst step, and only then will the pat begin to unfold before us. I stand atthe centre of al possible paths inthe universe, yet even I must take one step. It that single step that pushes me headlong into Iie, mmerses me in the wonders and trial of the world and all ithas to offer, and I take it all gladly and joyfully, because all is experience and none of it may be discounted. Some will ell you to look before you leap but I say take the leap, do ot lim it yourself in fear and convention. Let me show you. Let me take your hand. We are here on the precipice ofthe journey, at the eige of reason and the edge of possibilty. Don't be afraid, only have joy i your heart, and laugh as you fel the cliff edge falling oy from you. Its done ad cant be undone. Wel- ‘come, fair oo, to the journey.” Themes & Concepts Potential; the chaos before actuality; new beginnings, innocence and naivety; childishness; taking the first steps ‘ona long journey; a journey of a thousand miles begins ‘with a single step; newness; the blank slate; innate joy in life; being a traveller through life; standing.on a precipice of change; removing fear so you can move forward; free- dom; the state before the journey begins. 32 Major FircansL The Alchemist the Instigation of Transformation “What is established above is also established below. The ma- feria and spiritual planes havea direct correlation, and they are reflections of ech other. Yow and Island like great tees between these too planes, pillars through zohich the corelations and re= {fletions might run: weare channels of doine energy transform ing and changing state tis within us thatthe irausmutation af lend into gold occurs. Thus we are the will and direction of change, we are both the instigators and the effets of it. But you ‘must learn the art and science of creating change. You must ap- ply your mind and know the resources that you have at your dis- posal and te direction you wish fo move tem in; you must also understand what itis to have intention. Come and apprentice to me, seker of gold, and I shall teach you the movements of the stars in the heavens and the order of the natural world; I shall show you how everything has a system and all systems ave One; ‘nd I shall give to you te serets of alchemy. The universe and every particle that crentes you is nota static object, but rather @ never-ending series of processes and transmutation, and you and I shall merely take our places amongst those ever-changing stars as heirs fo the grent mystery.” ‘Themes & Concepts Instigating big changes; having all the resources nec- essary; knowing how to manipulate and control a situ- ation; the spiritual and mundane world reflecting each other; channelling the divine; intention, energy, will and. resources focused to one goal; primal urge; initial plans and actions. 3 Major FrcsIL The High Priestess Silence Gestating Mystery “In times of old many have walked this pathray, seek- ing initiation into the Mystery. Some came with wondrous words and great works, others with force and fire, still oth- rs with desire and yearning. Their footsteps were not per- ‘mitted to pass, neither in nor out of the Temple of the Moon. Inscribed forever above the gateway and in the annals of history isthe formula for passing: Know Thyself. Silence is the only vehicle by which you may pass, and thereby drink {from the river of memory. Lam the gatekeeper ofthe mys- leries, the oracle within you that gestates inner wisdom in the darkest, most silent part of your self. Only wen you silence your self can you know the subtle web ofthe world and its underground rivers; only when you stop speaking ‘will your mind be truly open to knowledge. And zohen you Ihave found it, you wil see that itis only a process of remiem- bering. Here, drink this: itis the raters of the river called ‘memory. Do you hear it? Hush now.” ‘Themes & Concepts Silence to find answers; intuition; introspection; ability and vision; remem- receptivi great inner vision and wisdom; learning from your intuition; inaction as the best course of action. x0 Majer AreaIIL The Empress Vents Incarnate in Serstial Barth, “From impregnated silence and mystery form must come, and Ian the gatewny of creation. I have brought many things to birth: Lam the creatrix of every moment, engendering all possibilities with ative force towards manifestation. The earth ‘ue walk upon is my body as well as my child its bemuty and wonder are my works of art, my offering fo all my othe chile dren that they my also toll in beauty and wonder. For what islifewithout beauty? What sit without love? Tam the Queen af Love, and its my war ery and my hear’ shield. When you Tove unconditionally you open your heart to the pains ofthe ‘worl, but even these pains and sorrows are of my Love Cre- ation. gifted every being with vitality and sensuality so that it could engage wit if, al deep into is sumptuous folds and experince all. How can your hear eer be truly at risk when ‘you know that the source of pin is also the source of love? Nothing created wos done so without difficulty and suffering. The song of creativity and engendering is the cry ofa woman in labour, the cries of loves in their moment of nity, the ery of triumph atthe end. You are creator and co-rentor of very ‘moment and every step you take upon the earth.” ‘Themes & Concepts Creativity; actively creating something; working to bring something to fruition; raw material given form; love and sensuality; fertility; pregnancy; motherhood; nurture; unconditional love; creating beauty; vitality; ‘work and projects being like your children. 8 Major ArcaneIV. The Emperor Aries Seated in his Power “The frst time a would-be warrior holds a sword, he believes porver fo be inherently resident in the weapon itself. Many of those who use tools fo create something in their lives think that the power and ability lis in te tool itself. Buc then the would be warrior learns to wield the sword, he learns that the power ies in him, and therefore all the responsibility for Hat power lies in him and his actions. The throne upon ohich a ruler sts is given the honour of being the seat of his power, yet no order, no lacs, lor power comes from that tone: it comes from the ruler seat= ed upon it, Many would-be warriors seek traning in the skills ofthe sword and axe; [first tach them the art of self-control and discipline, because how can you act with responsibility and the whole weight of your power if you do not understand wht itis to give order to something? I am the man of oar that can teach {you to own your power, teach you fo actin this word with preci- sion, courage, force and ambition. Lam the armoured Sun-King tho des not fight or sek conflict. Conflict demonstrates power imbalance and the desire for power. Power is never to bea goa, bout a resource within you that you can access if you understand order and responsibility.” ‘Themes & Concepts Power and how you use it; esponsibility; being in a po- sition of power and leadership; authority; somebody in a higher position than others; structure and order; laws to abide by; a strong masculine figure; activity and primal force; solving confit through power; courage; ambition; giving order. » ‘Mae ArcaneV. The Hierophant the Institution of the Sacred “Millennia have passed and the lives of many men and ‘women have come and gone. In their place they left history, ‘ad in that history they left a treasure-house of wisdom, ex- perience, knowledge and teachings. Itis from this collective storehouse of past wisdom and knowledge that tradition arises, and the most effective means by which these tradi- tions might be taught and accessed: organizations, institu- tions, Such things were originally intended as a safe and stable environment for the passing on of tradition and the ‘wisdom contained therein. When you step into my church, ‘wisdom-seeker, you step into the ric tradition upon which it is built; when you seek knowledge from me, you also take _your rightful place inthe long line of all those other knowl- edge-hungry acolytes and neophytes. Iam the messenger of that great and noble wisdom that millions seek, and which is ofered to them every moment by those who have taken on the mantle of Hierophant, revealr ofthe sacred. I can show you the mysteries, and hand you the keys to the doors of owoledge, but you must know that the receiving of tradi- tional wisdom from a teacher isa necessary step to any true path of knowing.” Themes & Concepts Organizations and institutions; spiritual authority; memory; traditional teachings; convention; revelation, of the sacted; knowledge and book-learning; a teach- er; priesthood; history and learning from the past; learning from the experience of others. 2 Maire Arcana.VI. The Lsovers Yearning for ReUnion “Every man and every woman is a star: we, and the uni- verse, are all made from the same stuff. When we are creat- ced, te contain a spark of the Divine, a star within our bod ies that is a direct reflection of every other star contained within every other person and being upon the earth. We join in groups to create patterns in the sky. We move about in the heavens and have orbits, and some of us collide and others unite in beautiful constellations. But we are all star- children, siblings under the same canopy of heaven, and we all seek reunion with our origin. The stars within us speak fo their source, and we yearn to return to it. The journey is long, but we find in another person a star that és closest 0 that which toe yearn for, and we see in them the source of light, and they see it in us. We join with them, in yearn- ing and desire and passion, and through them we are com- pleted. This is love: the joining of two stars contained in the bodies of human beings, expressed inthe bridging of the gap between them. Yet do not curse the gap, Lover, do not be- moan the space that you must traverse to achieve reunion, {for itis only by virtue ofthis gap that you might feel yearn- ing and love at all.” ‘Themes & Concepts Love; seeking union with another person or with the earning; being two parts of the same whole; finding your “other hal”; passion; separation leading to yearning; recognizing Divine origin; a strong con- nection between people; opposites uniting, “4 Mayor FincaVIL The Chariot the Soul Extended in Action “The soul is a chariot, drawn by horses and driven by a charioteer. Those that know the nature of the soul knoto that it is not a still, silent creature but rather a whirling force offre, extending outwards in action, carried forth into the world by intention, the body, speech and reason. The soul is lke the questing hero, searching the wide world for chal- lenge, questions and answers. Lam your soul, brave quester, am the force of your soul, your faculty of reason and con- trol. AI of these things must be yoked to the urges of the soul s0 that victory can be attained. There is a long path stretching before you and without these allies to pull you onwards you would fail. You will not give up, because you cannot: the quest is there, and though you close your eyes and turn away the chariot of your soul will still be drawn forwards, but the reigns will be held t00 loosely in your hands and the momentum of your unruly steeds will drag ‘you, in ignorance, fo catastrophe. Dare to take the reigns of your soul, have the courage and strength of arm to exert your control and will upon your self, and ride forth into the ‘world, assured of victory.” ‘Themes & Concepts Gaining momentum and speed; swift, assured vic- tory; facing a situation head-on; progress; movement of all kinds; exerting control; prolonged burst of ac- tivity; intention carried forward as action; controlling the lower self the quest and journey; moving towards a clear goal 46 Majpe TicaVIIL Strength the Maiden and the Beast “There isa tale that tells of a heroic knight who rescued a beautiful maiden tohom he loved from the clutches ofa ter- rifying beast by slaying it. He triumphed over the animal, ‘and therefore overcame his libido and passion, the arvimal- istic nature contained within his love and himself. But this knight did both himself and his love a great disservice. The tale is falsely glorified. To slay the beast within, to tame it and to cage it, is to destroy a part of your self. Strength is notin the sword and the arm, but in patience and kindness it comes from within. Neither the sharpest sword nor the strongest arm can give you courage if you do not already possess if. Know this: Ido not fear the beast that lies against ‘my body, nor do I fear its power or size. [have tamed him, but not destroyed his strength, for to do so would be to de- stroy my own. He is me and am him. Suck a great beast ‘was never meant to be slain, but understood and embraced, {for you must remember that it zs not so long ago that we ‘also were animals." ‘Themes & Concepts ‘The animal self; acknowledging and welcoming the libido and passions; a symbiotic relationship between ‘two people that are vastly different; inner strength; strength in kindness; itis better to kill wasps with honey than with vinegar; the beast within; a connec- tion with animals. “s Majer ArcaneIX. The Hermit the Seed of Lsight in the Darkness “T have travelled « long woay to be here, in darkness, in the womb ofthe worl, the great cosmic display of life, death and rebirth, Above us, stars die and are born, planets move, and the face ofthe universe changes forever. Beneath us, the earth shifts, laoa flows, the worms consume decaying matter and seeds spring forth. This is the primal dance, yet to mortals it isa mystery to be sought after, delved into, ikea man shining light into a dark cavern. Lam the wayshower of this mystery, the guide along the roads you must walk if you wish for reve- lation. Ihave walked these paths myself, many aeons ago, and the light I shine so that you may see is merely my own wis- dom. It isa small light, flickering and weak, yet in the depths of darkness into which we are going it might as well be the light cof the sun. You ask whey I amt so alone ~ this is the way it must be. I must brave the darkness of eternity so that others might see the light. Lam the one upon whom all eyes rest when al else {fails and Lam the one who wil lead you out ofthe wilderness ‘and the desert, to the Promised Land. This light I carry is my burden and my blessing [offer it with open hands to all for it is the seed that will redeem the world.” ‘Themes & Concepts ‘An imparter of wisdom; a hermit or somebody who enjoys solitude; wisdom in loneliness; being alone; light in the darkness; guidance from within; the wisdom of another showing you the way; a helping hand; age and experience; shining your inner light for others to see; a spiritual truth that acts as a navigation point. » Maj ArcaneX. The Wheel the Riddle of Constant Change “Thave a riddle for you. If you answer correctly you may pass, for you will truly understand the nature of the uni: verse, and the precious wisdom of the Tarot. There are four creatures of mighty power: one bears water, one soars the Itvights, one has the strength ofthe earth an the other the presence of majesty. What can be found betioeen them?” ‘Themes & Concepts Riddles and gambling; ups and downs; emotional rollercoaster; uncertainty; change; recurring themes; cycles; what goes around comes around; being in the centre of change; feeling dizzy with change; questions; fate vs. freewill; concerns about destiny and life path. 5 Majpe Trea.XI. Justice the Scaks of Cosmic Balance “For every action there isa reaction. For every cause there is an effect. I stand at the very centre of all consequences, the still yet dynamic process by which the balance ofthe universe is maintained. Lam the fulcrum, the tiptoe stand at the centre. Some say Lam blind, but Ise all I donot judge, nor do I give ‘ue fo one thing over another. [simply calculate, for the uni- ‘verse is one great calculation. Know the formu, and you will see how one thing gives way to another, the creation of some- thing will alaays require displacement of another, andthe sub- tle balance of your world depends upon nature, red in tooth and laze, playing its role as swift creator, presercer and destroyer. Tin my cosmic scales you may find a reflection of your own jus- fice, and in that you must also know that al of your deeds have «consequence anda price you tip the sles one way or a other with ecery moment of your being. But do not let the talk of morality and lawo confowd you. To pass through the veil that I guard you must frst understand that you, to, stand at the fulcrum of the cosmic balancing act and that you area part ofthe web of cause and effect, action and renction, ted to every Tiving being upon the earth. This web cannot be broken, and, owing this, you might yet find your heart weighs in the bal ance ofa feather in my scales, and passthrough the vei.” ‘Themes & Concepts Balance; adjustment; consequence and effects; weigh- ing things up; being at the fulcrum of a balancing act; equilibrium; maintaining the centre; justice; morality and law; order. Br Major AirconXIL. The Hanged Man the Dark Night of the Soul “They called me traitor, but in turn betrayed me, and i is not my reward fo find my soul at liberty among the stars of heaven; I must let every part of me fall aoay, leaving only that which remains to peer, naked, into the darkness of the abyss beneath me. Into the dark night of my soul I descend, into the absence of love and light. But what is it that re~ mains? Only that wohich can be suspended between the past and the future, the heavens and the earth, This és the path of the winding stair descending, the footsteps down, down, ddowon. This is the path of sacrifice, ac few will walk it will- ingly. This is the necessity of surrender, of letting go and giving up — not because all is lost or hope is gone, but for the very reason of hope. When you can surrender yourself entirely, you will know what itis to be part of plan, a tiny piece inthe greater good, and to be connected to your high- er self Do not struggle, do not protest, but find serenity and peace in your surrender. There is aleoays a higher pur- pose toall things, even your pain and the darkness in which ‘your soul roalks. All it takes is for you to turn the world on its head and see it from a different angle. Do not struggle.” Themes & Concepts Surrender; letting go and giving in; sacrifice; tun- ing inwards; seeing things from a different angle; a pause in activity or plateau; serenity; suffering for a reason; seeing the bigger picture; giving into your higher self; the dark night of the soul; descent into the ‘underworld; staring into the abyss. % Majpr ArcaneXIIL Death the Supset Roads of Metamorphosis “When the the river runs red asthe sunset with the blood of the hero, andthe Reening ofthe grieving mother wails across the land I shall ride triumphant. Then [will open my mysteries to you like the wings of te maven or te butterfly frm the chrysa- lis, Know ths, and do not far: everything dies, and nothing is destroyed. You stepped into this world under pain of death and _you are already dying. The hour of your death s unknown, but it is certain, and nobody is promised tomorrow. Sometimes I come as an enemy, sometimes as an opposing warrior, sometimes as a {friend and most often as a stranger. But do not fear: you've died 1 thousand times already. Your constituent parts rotted audy long ago tallow new parts to grow; your concept of selfhas died ‘and been reborn asa phoenix frm the ashes countless times; you have bid farewell to who you were before and what you knew, and taken to walking the sunset roads that lead across the world to dawn. With every step you are like the corm of the fields, ready {for my scythe; with every breath you are teaching your lungs the death rattle, Whitin lif, you are in death, Tsay ita third and final time: do not fear. Remember, you must die, anid the small deaths of your life are preparation for that final mighfall then the shades of this word fal from your eyes and you fake my hand 1 reaches for you, joining me onthe sunset roads.” ‘Themes & Concepts ‘Transition and transformation; metamorphosis; death in many forms; letting go of the old self; cutting away that which is no longer needed; slow decay; taking on new forms or ways of life; ushering in change. s Majpe ArcaneXIV. Temperance the Angel on the Middke Way “There is fire, and there is water. There is man and wom ‘an, earth and sky, life and death, being and not being... and I stand betzocen them all. Many see them as black and white, ‘opposites between which there stands a barrier that neither side may cross. But there is only me. Lam the mediator that stands on the Middle Way, the path to unity through tem- pering and moderation. Everything is in flux, and when you realize this you can adapt everything, mix it and min- _gle it, throw it all into a boiling cauldron and create some- thing from that miliew that is greater that the sum of its parts. Lam beyond wnity: Lam that which comes from it Yet Lam also the process by which it is created. Walk my path, with your feet both wet and dry from the river that will nev- er be the same when you return to it, and you shall know the mysteries of alchemy. You shall be given the knowing ‘of being two things — all things — at once. Let your life be ‘a work of Art, a creative process of fluidity and adaptation, never the strict rules of excess orie way or the other. Let your self be the cauldron in which the mixture brews, and let your Self be the Philosopher's Stone created therein.” ‘Themes & Concepts Temperance and moderation; avoiding excess; vir- tue instead of vice; finding a middle way, mingling many different approaches; eclecticism; flux; media- tion; creating something greater than the sum of its parts; unity of opposing forces to create something.os Fe ie SI aeXV. The Devil the Chains that Bind “When you desire nothing, nothing is what you will get when you desire the world, you will bring yourself great re- own and riches. You must thrust yourself into life with- out fear and without holding back. Reseroation is for the tweak, and they shall only be given tastes of the iveakest fruits. Bury yourself deep in the bosom of decadence and ‘your rewards shal be glorious. Climb fo the top and glori- {fu your self, and your achievements will be seen throughout the land. Lam the desire for greatness and for worldly suc- cess, the decadence of material luxury and the excess and extreme of anything. When you consume, I am there fuel- ling the fires within you: when you rut Lam there to, urg- ing you on. But fear not the chains that you find around the neck — you area slave, but only to your own desires and ambitions. Let lust govern your loins and ambition govern your heart. What is sin to one is virtue to another.” Themes & Concepts Excess; temptation; lust and desire; contracts and bonds between people; inner demons; decadence; vice; being a slave to something; addiction; the dark cst parts of the self; ambition that hurts others; glori- fying the ego; lust for life. 0 Majer Arcane,XVI. The Tower the Destraction of the Self af the Badge of the Abyss “You worked so hard to build so high, to construct great walls and create beautiful things. You attached yourself to them, considering them to be extensions of your self your per- sonality, your ego. That toas your mistake: in the end every- thing must be destroyed. Ifyou build false towers and unstable {foundations your buildings will crumble fo dust. Everything _you ever strived for, everything you showed to the world as you must be destroyed: only whem all sense of your ego ancl at- tachment has been cut acony ca you receive illumination. For years you have looked out at the world from tiny windows, protected behind the mask of bricks and mortar; for t00 long you have known your “self. All knowledge up until now is {false; the more you cling toi, the harder it willbe to let go and ‘move on. Its ime for illumination and, since you have made it 0 hard for revelation to come to you, you must now face the lightning strike, It wil destroy everything you have surround- ed yourself with fo get to you, and when it does, you shal al. [Nothing can be lft over from this, no mercy given. You wil be liberated from that tower, and as you fall you shall be able once ‘again to see the stars that you have missed for so long.” Themes & Concepts Sudden destruction and devastation; catastrophe; destruction of the ego or sense of self; painful awak- ening and realization; a bolt out of the blue; remov- al of constructs in your life; fall from grace; falsely built parts of your life torn down; hubris; revelation through extreme pain.XVIL The Star the Guiding Isight of Renewal “There will always be times of darkness, yet there will never be a time when light is truly absent. Weary traveller, offer you the chance to quench your thirst and soothe your fire-burned body in the deepest pools ofthe world; upon the surface they reflect the starlight above, and beneath they house the well of healing and rejuvenation. I was there in the beginning when the Creator fixed the stars within every ‘being an sent them dozon to earth in trails of fire. You are meteor-born, shooting stars streaking brilliant, golden fire ‘cross the heavens and leaving your marks upon the world, ‘and some of you are lucky enough to hurve your soul's im- mortality reflected by the constellations at night and the tales of men. Yet it is so easy to let your light grow dim- ‘mer, foo ensy to cause the lights of others to do the same; ‘and when we se the light fading in the world itis I that de- scends, following the patts you blazed all those aeons ago, to usher in a new dewn of moakening to soothe the wound- ced world, Will you be the one wit welcomes me, star-born ‘ome? Will you be the one who proclaims the age of peace and harmony?” ‘Themes & Concepts Healing; renewal and rejuvenation; peace and har- mony; the New Age; interest in alternative therapy and spirituality; fame and fortune; a guiding light; soothing after suffering; finding the way; hope; noth- ing is impossible; great luck; light in the darkness. ©XVIIL The Moon the Silver Road of Shadow & Tides “Now you must return through the valley of the Moon, treading the winding, shadowy path of illusion upon which everything will shift and flow. There are tides throughout the universe, and you are not only part of them but you also have then deep within, and itis by my light that you love and hate, fear and fee! joy, fall in love and out again. Yet my light has no power ofits own, borrowing light from the Su, and I transmit this truth to you so that you might not be blinded. But the light never reaches you complete, there is bound to be distortion. Do not fear, for even in the shadows there isa resemblance to truth: they owe their ex- istence fo the light. Yet do not tarry: the wolves are baying {for blood and soon the hounds will follow. But the thing to ‘rly far is neither wild beast nor alles turned enemy: fear only fear itself, rising up from your own subconscious, a stravge, primal creature made only of survival instinct, eft cover from when the world woas nothing but thrashing teth, ripping claws and interminable darkness. Walkthrough the valley of the Moon and fear not the shadows, know only that this silver road is a promise and preparation for what is fo come.” ‘Themes & Concepts Illusion; uncertainty; secrecy and mystery; lunacy and madness; half-truths; hidden truths; hints; sus- ions; flux; women’s mysteries; the subconscious; fearing the shadows; reflection of truth; filtering the truth; Chinese whispers. 6 Majpe ArcaneXIX. The Sun the Leight of Trath “Let the darkness flee and the shadows melt away, let life spring forth where my rays of light land. Tam the centre of all life, and the source of it... and Lam also the destination ‘As once you came forth from me, little spark, so you desired aoareness of me and unity with me, and now you are no longer a spark but a bright, blazing flame, wondrous fo be- hold, riding triumphant and bearing the banner of my light. You are the child of my golden dawn, the little sure upon the earth, but you have always been thus: you just lacked the moareness of it. You have walked through many shadows, seen many kinds of truth been offered many sorts of llumi= nation, but itis only I that can grant you true enlighten ‘ment. Never let your gaze turn from me, follow truth and illumination with every step henceforth, and take my hard, Sun Child, as we herald the light of truth to the world Wateis us rise!” Themes & Concepts ‘Truth; illumination and revelation; awareness and awakening; optimism and enthusiasm; joy and hap- piness; true bliss; celebration; chasing away ignorance and falsehood; a time of good fortune and prosperity; a return to a happier time; realization; rising above. p Majpr Area,XX. Judgement the Gall to Awakening “From your birth to your death you are caged in worldly trappings, weighted down by the world. You are lead, ugly metal for everyday use, touched only briefly by the light But you may, having glimpsed the light in the shadows of your tomb, crawl towards it, and put your self through the ‘alchemical process that transmutes lead into gold. You are rock-born, coming from the dust of the earth, but you need not return to dust at the end of your days if you but strive towards the light. One day you will hear my cal of awake ening and resurrection, cast off your chains and let go of fear, moving from darkness into light. You will stretch your ‘arms to the heavens and cry out that you are free, and the tears that fall down your cheeks wil tak fear with them. In the beginning the the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep; and the angel hov- ered over the face ofthe rates and said, Let there be light! And there was Light. This is only the beginning, not the end.” Themes & Concepts Hearing a call to a purpose; rebirth; the phoenix ris- ing from its ashes; freeing yourself of what holds you back; leaving behind the past; the dawn of a new era in your life; understanding a spiritual calling; awak- ening; freedom from suffering, Mair Arcane,XXL The World the Cycles of Completion and Beginning “The great road is long, and you have walked its winding dirt forever and a day, All of life's trials and tribulations are lessons and opportunities that allow you to grow and become 4 fully aware participant in the dance of lif. You knot, now, Idoking back, how much can be learned from them? And you cam see also how much you have changed. Change is inevitable, ‘and you can never go back the way you came, never return to the point of origin, though you may still be inspired by it and ‘you may yet find your fect being set on a new path, a new or- igin, with a new destination. There is akoays more out there ‘waiting for you, traveller, and you will never be too weary for the treading. Now you are a rythm dancer in the joy of life, knowing wohat itis to move with the beat of your self and the universe, knowing the reflection between the ww, and embody- ing all to be found between them. Now you and I both stand at ‘the infinitesimally small point between ending and beginning and here you are at the centre ofthe world, the product of all, _your experiences and the synthesis ofall your learning. Dance with me now, in this moment, with no pastor future, just the now, just your birthright being danced out in the beat of your world: it is awareness, and itis illumination.” ‘Themes & Concepts Completion; endings giving way to new beginnings; cycles; the journey is never over; synthesis; experience as teacher; everything isa lesson; opportunity; learning the rhythms of your life; celebrating life; full awareness and knowledge; having everything you need, i Majer FireaneDea Mlaminoting the Mundane Y D ]Minor Arcana Mlaminating the Mundane ‘Traditionally the Minor Arcana relate to the every- day world of sense experience and our daily lives. If the Major Arcana are the bigger concepts, then the Mi- nor Arcana can be seen as the detail, and these two parts of the Tarot are always interacting with each other, like one big family. There are also a number of symbolic systems that have helped create the mean- 1g8 of these cards, namely numerology and the four elements. The Four Blements in the Suits Each of the four suits are associated with one of the four elements of Earth (Pentacles), Air (Swords), Fire (Wands) and Water (Cups.) You can see these ele- ‘mental associations clearly in the card images, as each suit will have a tendency towards the colours of its element, or the scenes will be set in an environment which suits that element. In the Tarot Iuminati, we also see that each suit i also set in its own cultural en- vironment which best evokes the elemental ideas of that suit All of these cultures are based on real-world, cultures, but in many cases are mixed with alittle bit of the fantasy that drives the Tarot. Pentacles: an Oriental-inspired culture with an em- phasis on fortune, prosperity, family and duty. The ‘costumes in this suit are elaborate and rich. Minor Pinca,‘Swords: culture based on the Blizabethan era of Eng land, with cold, sweeping mountainsides, craggy beach- es and cloudy skies. The costumes are typical ofthis era, Wands: a Persian-inspired culture, set in hot des- certs, with views across vast oceans of discovery and the sun blazing down from above. Cups: a fantasy culture filled with beautiful beings that seem otherworldly, set in an environment of wa- terfalls, glittering oceans, fountains, lakes and rivers, The elemental associations of the suits elaborate ‘upon this further. Pentacles, Earth: Earth concerns itself with the bed- rock and foundations of our everyday life, the mun- dane world, and our bodies. It asks us to think about our daily survival, money, fortune, family, home, en- vironment, health and work or career. Swords, Air: Airis the element of our breath, and therefore the element of communication and particu- larly the spoken word. Wands, Fire: Fire is the element of desire, drive, pas- sion, ambition, creativity, sexuality and the ego. Cups, Water: Water is the element of our emotions and feelings, as well as everything that connects us to others. It is concerned with our romantic relation- ships as well as our social ones. Minor Arcana 7”Namerology and the Minor Arcana ‘The suits of the Minor Arcana are numbered from 1 to 10, and thus they share associations with numerol- ogy. Every Two of the Minors, for instance, shares an essence based on numerological associations of that number. This means that if, for instance, more than one 5 appears in a reading, the energies of that num- ber are stronger and pertain to the overall interpreta- tion. One: Beginnings, instigation, focus, pure origin. ‘Two: Duality, balance, opposition, relationship. ‘Three: Manifestation, creativity, community. Four: Foundation, establishment, strength, structure, order. Five: Conflict, imbalance, struggle, aggression. Six: Harmony, redressing balance, light, synthesi Seven: Flux, uncertainty, flow, illusion. Eight: Double strength, boundaries, trapping, stagna- tion. ‘Nine: Completion, achievement, awareness. ‘Ten: Endings, return, renewal, fullness, overkill. In the Tarot the energies of each suit begin at their most pure and focused in the Aces, and then flow downwards through to the Tens, at which point they have gathered so much momentum or manifest va~ riety. Two of the suits, the feminine ones (Pentacles, and Cups) can “catch” all of this energy as it flows down the suit, since the Cup receives and contains fluid and the Pentacle catches and holds food; howev- 0 Minor Arcanaer, the masculine suits (Swords and Wands) do not re- ceive energy well, they impale or bludgeon it, and this can be seen in the difference between the suit endings. In the Cups and Pentacles the endings are joyous, yet, in the Wands and Swords they are filled with strug- gle and pain. Of course, these numbers also pertain to the Ma- jor Arcana. After the Wheel of Fortune (10) you can add the two digits of a Major together (e.g, 1+ 1 = 2) to find the numerological association; this shows that the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana work together as one big family. Minor Aircano 8" Ace of Wands the Thrust and Lotst of Loife “From the depths of the primal light 1 came, wohirl- ing in tongues of fire and ter- rible visions. With the full- est force of life explode into ‘your dreams and inspire all the urges that course in your blood: the urge to thrust your- self into the world, bold and bright and golden; the urge to set-your mark upon history with great deeds and reputation; the urge to rollup all your energy into a ball with another and shout the culmination ‘of your pleasure to the stars. Lam the lust and desire in life that drives you ever onwards to greatness, challenges, plea- sure and pain. 1am will at its purest and most focused, the strength of your will and energy and desire all directed to one purpose... Lam magic, and I am unstoppable.” ‘Themes & Concepts Inspiration; the divine spark; the most primal of en- ergies and expressions; passion; drive and ambition; the will directed towards a goal; pure intent; sexual desire; the thrust of life; excitement; raising of passion and energy; beginnings of a project or business; stir- rings of desire. & Mine Arcana,2 of Wands the Gor ror Figs of ihe Werk!” “Bring me a horizon of splendid colour, @ shore of un- noun sand, strange treasures of far aay Kingdoms and the mysteries ofthe mind of man. Tcommand a vast and brilliant empire, and can see my domin- ion from the grandest tower in the land, The strong will must bbe expansive in nature, It must always seek more: not throught greed or lack, not through a need for ownership or ego, but because the willis a fire that must be fed and fuelled, lest it be extinguished. Its fuel is discovery, success, stimulation and strength. When fed, desir creates further desire, and when fu- elled, will ereatesa stronger will. It began with a spark, an idea, 4 passion that burst int life, seeking release into the world. 1 ‘am that release. And when the line reaches its end, it must con- quer new ground, extend further, push its will and desire deep- er into the waiting universe.” Themes & Concepts Expansion; pushing your will into the universe; the logical extension of an idea; exploration and desire to see more; conquering new ground; pushing beyond your limits; strength of will; command and control; stimula- tion of will towards a goal; a goal of discovery. Minge- Arcana 33 of Wands the Ships Coming In “Thad a dream and a vie sion of a great empire of rwealts and pocoer at my dis- posal, of my inspiration see- ing new horizons and foreign shores. I took every opportu- nity, changed my perspective and took the long view. Many people will tell you to live in the moment and not get ‘head of yourself, but when you have the passion behind you and your plans are taking off, how can you only think of today? But if you think on a grander seal, consider the possiblities and potential of your vision, energy, passion dan talents, you will fnd that you could begin to change the world and make a name for yourself.” ‘Themes & Concepts Opportunities coming in; taking the long view; making plans forthe future; staying a few steps ahead; waiting for your ships to come in after an investment or risk; self-employment paying off; having a greater vision; thinking big; being a leader for others in busi- %4 of Wands the Thanksgivi of Thanh apd thee “When you have plant- ed your seeds in spring and worked the land in summer, tending and weeding, letting the warmth of the sun mur- ture your labours, in the au fon you may harvest and enjoy the fruits of your work. It isa joy to seta strong foun- dation beneath your desire ‘and see it grow in strength ‘and beauty it isthe most bemuteous thing so set your will to the four corners ofthe knowon world and se it returned a thousandfold, Yet when you have built a grand empire from the results of your labours you must give thanks and make merry, and fil the walls of that empire with passion and love. Thanksgiving marks the acknowledgement of comple- tion and result. Without it, nothing is truly complete.” Themes & Concepts ‘Thanksgiving: the harvest being brought in; com- pletion of a project or goal; the foundations of your life; a happy hearth and home; the security of your life; will and desire being grounded in reality; results, and manifestation of dreams; sharing success with your community. Minor Aineana 55 of Wands the ‘Rest of Contest “Contentment is an ene my that dulls the mind and blunts the sword. Peace is the enemy of progress. Without something to fight against ‘we become complacent, tak- ing everything for granted, The reality is that we live in @ harsh world that exacts a harsh price and demands only the best from us — or at least it should. Conflict and con- test tests us and forces us to excel above ourselves and oth- ers. When we put our bodies through the rigours of martial practice, exercise, discipline, we not only know our strength bout also develop it. When we stretch our wills and energy beyond our expectations, they grow just like the muscles of the arm. Iti said that to lie in interesting times isa curse and a burden but it is only a blessing. May you be given the opportunity to test yourself. May you have the chance to prove yourself: May you live in interesting times.” ‘Themes & Concepts Opposition to ideas; conflict in career or work; friendly fighting; contest and competition; testing and training; overcoming difficulties to better your self; overcoming others; conflict leading to an oppor- tunity to grow or prove yourself.6 of Wands the Heroic Return of the Sun King From the fierce contest of wills and the competition of strength, fresh from the battle- {field and arrayed in the light of thousand suns, ride forth into my kingdom in triumphal pro- cession. [have overcome the f= est warriors and the most cur- ning magicians fortis positon, and it i noxo mine by Divine birth and right. I came from my amother's womb already a hero, bursting with light and blessing, ‘and I tested my strength and desir through many hardships and years. Only the best may rule, only the wisest and mast power 4, power given by virtue of proof. lam King for the virtues that make me King: my wil isthe strongest, my achiecements the greatest, my ambition the most high swear to protect my peo- ple, rise up against the enemy then the horn of bale sounds, sive them a woe and allow thelght ofa thousands suns to shine a brightly upon them as it does upon me." ‘Themes & Concepts ‘Triumph and victory; achievement; being the best; outshining others; gaining the admiration of others; be- ing lauded for your efforts; becoming a leader; showing by example; being a hero; being placed upon a pedestal; hero worship.7 of Wands the Heart of the rior “may not have much, but what I do have I will defend, In the face of betrayal I have Fonowr; in the face of weak- ness I have courage; in the face of offence I am the de- Fence, in the face of my ene- ‘mies Lam an unholy creature “of war, When L fight it is only in response to those that seek fo harm what Lam sworn to protect; and when in battle Lam bloodthirsty and incessant, ‘my war cry shattering the ears of those that hear it. What do L fight for? Everything. What do Lfight with? Everything. Fellow fighter: Task you to stand beside me and fightin the greatest battle of history ~ the battle to live courageously ‘and never cower from protecting that wich you hold dear What will your war ery be, warrior?” Themes & Concepts ‘A hard fight; battling against oppression and bul- lying; standing up for what you believe in; support- ing the underdog; giving everything to overcoming, an obstacle; defence; facing opposition that seems i surmountable; courage and valour; to live for a cause BS Minge Arcana8 of Wands the Heights of FAmbi tion “There is. nothing better in this world that fo let your dreams and ambitions fly free. There is nothing more per- fect than being released from doubt and conflict, strife and dificulties, to rush forwards with the gathered momentum of your will and bring your success ever closer. Oh, to be afree spirit, to breathe the free air, to blaze trails in unchartered territory! Yet be warned, ardent traveller: once you start this bold path, you must not falter and you must not pause. Iti all or nothing: no half: ‘measures. Set your sights on the highest goals..aim for the stars, and who knows where you might find yourself.” Themes & Concepts Highest aims and goals; setting your sights high; swiftness in progress; astounding achivement; mo- ‘mentum being gained; freedom of thought and desire; giving all your energy to a large number of projects; trying to keep up with your own success. Minge Arcane 899 of Wand: the Strength of the Will “A true warrior fights even with the graves of injuries, yet Ine Knows how to choose his bat- Hes carefully. You con fel the ache of a wound, know your weakness, and acknowiedge the strength of your enemies, and this is your most depend able strength. The real battle does not take place in the gaps betoeen blades, but in the will «rnd mind of the warrior. When your willis strong and you wit, tuatching the tide of bate, awaiting the opportune moment for all your conserved energy to be released towards your goa, then you area true warrior. From: here you may act as the tide ofbat- te flows, and no mavement nor blow shal be wasted. Yet be pre= pared forthe pa of the burn as you wai, as you maintain your defence, as your muscles protest for want ofeither stiles or ac- tion, and know that this pain you fel now serves to remind you ofthe most vital of all things: you are stl ave. ‘Themes & Concepts The wounded warrior; perseverance; strength of will; never giving up; fighting despite loss or injury; fighting a losing battle; conserving your energy for the opportune ‘moment; being given no respite or let up; being inthe eye ofthe storm; out ofthe frying pan and into the fire. 9 Minor Arce10 of Wands the Burden of Choice “Nothing worth doing in life tons ever easy, Unlike the oxen at the plough and the horse be- neath the saddle, though, we choose the burdens woe carry, ‘and mary of our burdens are those we will gladly strain our aching muscles and take those extra steps fo carry. Lofer you «chance to be great through the hhomest sweat of your brow and back, I am the testing and the stretching, Lam going fo se just how far you cam be pushed be- fore you break. Lam going to see how much weight you can carry. Lam there when you think you cannot take another step oF your shoulders will break from the stain, because I know you ca al- nays take another step. You are stronger than you ever believed, and I wil force you to see this through gritted teth and burst- ing lungs. And in the end, woken you can finally place dowon your chosen burden, you wil turn to me and through parched, cracked lips ask, “More weit...” Themes & Concepts Burdens and responsibilities; heavy baggage; oppres- sion; being relied upon by others; carrying too much on your shoulders; feeling weighed down and unable to cope ‘with the pressure; the challenge of pushing past your lim- its; no pain, no gain; voluntarily taking on burdens. Minor Arcana 1Ace of Swords the Breath of Isife “In the beginning was the sword, and the thought, and the idea. Ab the start of all things ‘there was the first sharp intake af breath and the following ery of the newborn cid. From the clouds of unknowing 1 pierce fhrough fo the light, and thrust A truth into life, for Lam not a sword wielded in war but a sword wielded in peace. Yet even in peace I may cut fo te quick, and many are the casualties: for no idea, proposition or state- ‘ment may go unchecked and untested, all weakness and imper- {fection revealed, careful critique embarked upon. Upon my blade al oaths ae made, with my knifs edge I distribute justice, with ‘my motion and my stillness Lam the maker of kings. Spek the truth ard 1am with you; conceive the frst whisper ofan iden and am there. Lam the triumphs of wisdom for wisdom’s sake, the true lover of wisdom, the philosopher, and I penetrate tothe core ofall things so that I may dare o know.” ‘Themes & Concepts ‘Truthas the highest cause; philosophy; pure thought and conception; ideas and abstract thinking; critique from all sides; clear-cut answers; illuminating the answers through logic; justice and oaths being swom and kept; the power of ‘words; initial ideas; intellectual inspiration, 92 Minor Arcana2 of Swords the Pulrum of the Mind “Come to find me on the shores of the world and all the in-between places of lif. ‘Meet me at the crossroads of every possibility, and at the turning point of every tide Find me between paradoxes ‘and at the birth of paradox, {for Lam that whici occurs in between change, the state be- trocen changed states. When ‘your mind conceives of the idea, I am the intake of breath ‘and the pause before you speak it; when you entertain a choice, Lam the moment of stillness before the decision.” Themes & Concepts Pause during decision-making; being at the cross- roads; fear of a decision; change being imminent; the balance between two options; being in two minds; choice presented; change is the only constant; weigh- ing up your options; paradox; stillness during, chang- ing states. Minor Arcana.3 of Swords the Existential Sor rowing “AL the daconing of man- kind, there ons suffering. The ‘moment if began, so dd pain Even the universe cried out in the throes of birth to bring the earth, sur and moon into ex- istence. This is the nature of things: to hurt and be hur There are those that would keep the truth ofthe world from you, Keep your eyes from seeing the reality of humankind’ existence; these are your enemies. They would halt your understanding and keep you as an int, blind and ignorant. They would lt you believe you are immortal and invulnerable, making you forget that humanity itself, even more 0 you, are but brief shadows passing over the fae of the earth, and the earth is but a brief shadow passing through the wa ters of the universe. You are as nothing. But know i, truly, and the nothingness will not matter. This is te sorrow that teaches harshly, the sorrow that mothers in its pan, the sorrow that re= ‘eal the truth.” hemes & Concepts Sorrow; existential suffering; anguish atthe suffering in the world; seeing the pain of others; realization of pain in life; grief and suffering offering healing and redemption; harsh truths; truth that hurts; the aching heart 4 Minor Arcane4 of Swords the Oracle of the Fer tk Mind = “Oh, my weary, worn truthe-seeker, don't you tire of your mind wandering like ‘an ascetic, weeping and feel- ing the pains of realization? The mind can only entertain 0 much thought and activi- ty before it begins to fray, and no truly good thought was ever born from a mind that did not pause. Quieten your ‘mind, philosopher, and be still, In that chamber of stillness let your mind lay down in the fertile fields of rest. There it will take root and its seeds incubate and germinate in the rich earth. So sleep, rest, be still. In the mind of your sleep I shall bring you visions and grent words to fertilize your ‘mind. Let your thoughts seek peace and resolition, and you will become the temple of the Oracle of the Mind, in which stillness and the quieting of thought and speech brings to birth truth and wisdom.” Themes & Concepts Stillness and peace in the mind; rest and recuper- ation; pause and taking a break; seeking answers in meditation and sleep; setting aside worry; quiet and. solitude for thought; retreat into the self for healing; resolution of thoughts; ideas coming from stillness. Minor Pinca 55 of Swords AM Any Cost “I came into this world with no special adoantage save for the brains in my head. Vd be a fool not to use my mind to its highest and keenest abilities! And when you nced to get ahead, what is there standing in the way of a clever man like me except his own vague concept of ‘hon our’? Yl tll you this for fre honour will see you rot inthe ‘gutter and starce in the streets; honour will see you pass {from this world in mediocrity, and mediocrity is one ofthe ‘greatest sins of theme all. have no qualms about attaining victory, at any cost. Some might calls dishonour, cheating or betrayal, but I cal it cleverness. If my opponent shows weakness, 1am not fo blame. Only a coward would not use it to his adoantage. In this world we need every tiny adoan- {age we can get ~ itis do or be done, Kil or be Killed. Iam not killed, and Lam not done.” Themes & Concepts Take what you can; taking advantage and using an advantage; seeking victory at any cost; exploiting another's weakness; gloating; necessary dishonour; needing to get ahead; do or be done 6 Miner Arcana6 of Swords the Bscape of the Mind “Your mind can carry you to the farthest reaches of the world and beyond. With your thoughs you cam solve the deepest mysteries and behold the finest beauty. They are the silver thread showing you where you have been, and the labyrinth through which you wander, searching for the cen- tre, Le yourself get last in this labyrinth, never fear the journey nor the destination. For Lam there with you; T have atoays been here and will be until the end of your days. Lam the ferryman, the ability of your mind to guide itself through the trowbled waters of uncertainty. 1 fam your thougiits as they take you on a passage through in- quiry and reconciliation. Your mind will never stop seeking. You must learn fo love te labyrinth, aed know whe to escape it. Know when to move on and let your mind transition, and know iohat you can bring with you on your next quest.” ‘Themes & Concepts ‘Transition; the mind exploring; the process of learn- ing and discovery; testing hypotheses; the journey for its own sake; escape; getting lost in learning; moving, through uncertainty; endless seeking; learning some- thing new will allow you to move on.7 of Swords the Canning of the Shadows ‘A thief Imay be, but crim- inal Iam noi. Didn't you now that humankind has a Ly debt of life owed to the man that stole fre from the gods? And that once upon a time @ spider toas tricked into powr- ing wisdom all over theearth? ‘And what of the sou! that de- scended to the underworld and tricked her way through the gates of hell with sweet oat and honey enkes and too gold coins? Or the cunning of serpent in te tree that gave us the fruit of knowledge? You would be wise to avoid st black and white thinking, honourable one: deception is not hhoxo it frst appears. Are there not circumstances in awhich you would do the same? What roould be your price? Everybody has their price. * Themes & Concepts Stealth and deception; manipulation and politics; discarding honour in necessity; thievery and betray al; acting, in the shadows; being dishonest; exposing dishonesty in others; cunning and guile; using tricks to get answers, os Mine Fane8 of Swords the Prison of t Mind “In the darkest rec es of your mind there is al- xoays a glimmer of something that is begging to be set free, there is alvoays a part of your thoughts or an idea that i re stricted and oppressed. How it got there you might not know, but then again you right... Yet the result re- ‘mains the same: you must break open the prison of your mind and release al that is within. You cannot hoard idens. The mind must always be free and at liberty. When you cage it and embed it so firm ly inone way of being, you silence its true voice, like a bird of paradise kept ina cage, its song dying with a longing to be free. But hear already the threat of the tide coming in there is no time. Go, run.” Themes & Concepts Being trapped or feeling trapped; being oppressed and held back; thoughts and words that are caging your being unable to act as you wish; stagnation of the mind; old thought patterns; being the damsel in dis- tress; being in need of rescue; feeling powerless. Minor Arcana 09 of Swords the Things That Go Bump in the Night 1 had another nightmare again... IVS the same one every night, te one sohere I'm falling, fling, falling... into a pt of blackness and cold. I think I'm never going fo reach the bottom, like I might just al forever with nobody to hear my screams, but ten Tit the earth and I'm dead. 'm dead and my body is already rotting and I know that ‘my skulls split open and all my thougts are pouring out. And then I can ear them, soreaming in my head, ther voices ave the voices of everything I've done wrong and the people I've Inurt. I toake up sweating and frightened, pulling the covers up to my chin and sobbing, but ihre is nobody fo consort me. In the morning, cohen Iam sleep-deprived and restes, I consider telling ole ofthe recurring phantasms tha plague me... but never do, because I hink, maybe, I deserve the anguish, maybe 1m guilty afer al. Themes & Concepts Nightmares and night terrors; fear and. being afraid; worry and anxiety; sleep deprivation and problems; men- talillness, feelings of guilt; worrying too much about some- thing; making a mountain out of a molehill; health being adversely affected by anxiety. 100) Minse- Arcana10 of Swords the Death of God “In the end, even the stron- gest of men twill find them seloes torn by the reoages of the mind. Even you, warrior of truth, who have come tothe furthest reaches of the earth in your quest, must be taken apart. But look, before your eyes close upon the old world for thefnal time: here és your heart, beating, and here, your Ings breathing. Over there your limbs and stil further your torso. And what isi be- ‘toeen, inthe spaces? What can you see? Let your eyes close, fall nto the truest death, allow your self to be destroyed in ‘the abyss, and then rise anew with the dawning of te sun on the golden horizon... what can you see now? That which Kills us, that which rips us apart and tears into us, separat- ing us out, makes us far stronger, even through the pain And so, truth seoker, are you ready to die?” Themes & Concepts Destruction; the death of the old self; self-analysis and critique which is necessary but painful; taking something apart to assess it; removing old thought patterns; rutin; devastation; the dark night of the soul leading to rebirth; the ravages of the mind. Minor Twa m1Ace of Cups The Soul Receivi Taser et “From the limitless light of the heavens I open myself completely to receive the light of the Divine. I am the vessel {for the soul and the soul itself, ‘and I am the continual flow that allows the cup ofthe soul to be always full and altoays emptying simultaneously, fam the cup that runmeth over with joy and bliss, as the Di- vine light fills me completely; yet you cannot fill a cup that is already full and so Iam in a constant state of receptivity ‘and emptiness. Themes & Concepts Being open to love; receiving the light of the Divine; being filled with love and joy; you cannot fill a cup that is already full; receptivity to allow for fullness; letting go and surrendering to joy; bliss and ecstasy; the touch of the Divine, peace being channelled into the world; being so full of love that you cannot con- tain it; compassion for the world. Mince Arcana3 of Cups chy in Abundance “There is naught but hap- piness in the world, and ex- istence is pure joy! There is mo reason for satiness or dis- appointment, pettiness or de- spair, because life isa testa- ‘ment to bliss. Where there is sorrow or failure, joy is not absent ~ you must simply perceive differently to find her. Make every day a oli day, every act one of celebra- tion, every word a song of triumph, and you will jon us in the dance ofthe Graces. But do not do it alone: your jubila- tion serves a higher purpose when itis shared with others. Join them to revel in the past create a festionl ofthe present, ‘an welcome the future and all is potential with gaiety. Be inthe moment, be the joy you wish fo se in the word, and know the rch abundance of your lif.” ‘Themes & Concepts Happiness shared with others; friendship groups; socializing and social events; expressing joy in the ev- eryday world; a feeling of grace and blessing; celebra- tion and reasons to party; everything fun that life has to offer; being in the moment and enjoying life.4 of Cups the Closed Doors of the Heart “The human heart is filled with immense depth; it has the capacity to love and seek joy, laugh and celebrate, hate ‘and seek anger. It thrives on strong emotions, and itis such emotions that define our Toes When we lose the opportunity or ability to feel those things, the heart begins to stagnate, and when it does soit closes all doors to any further possibilty of love or joy. It does so to stop {further hurt from entering in ~ may it thinks it cannot sur- ‘ive one more blow like this, And from there there is noth- ing, Here, every failure, every moment of rejection, every death af your dreams, or vision, every ending of love, can be divelt ‘upon and recreated over and over again. There you find your- self drawn into the depth of what you don’t have, and you do not se the joy of ife around you or the golden opportunity that és banging a the closed doors of your heart.” Themes & Concepts Past hurts leading to denial; despondency and dis- appointment; missing opportunities due to dwelling on sadness or the past; being closed to love; emotional stagnation; feelings of boredom; feeling like you have been dealt a bad hand. MigoFircane 155 of Cups the River of ars “When your heart is open to another you become vul- nerable. When you open your life to another you expose your weakest spot. Sooner or later, you will lose them; ev- erything we love eventual- ly turns to dust and we are left behind to mourn for our loss. I knew this, I knew it well, and yet I still let mye self love, still immersed 1 self inthe joys of if with another. The high, the ub tion, the excitement! They all seem like cruel comparisons allowing my pain to be al the greater now. Lam distraught still with love, yet also with anguish. How cant the world be 50 cruel as this? Nothing lass forever, not even the pain, and in time even the sorrow will pass as a shadow into my past, and I shall love again. But now I grieve. Now I mourn my loss: to everything there isa season, anda time to every purpose under heaven.” ‘Themes & Concepts Grief at loss; mourning an ending; despair; loss of a loved one; emotional hurt; knowing that grief serves a purpose; respecting the grief and loss of another; sad- ness being temporary. 1 Minge Arcane6 of Cups the Pleasure of Sn Child te “Do you recall how it felt to be young? Can you remember the endless summer days you spent in freedom and happi- ness, with mo cares or wor- ries pressing you? What did it fel like, to get lost in the ‘moment, to be able fo create wonders and amazing visions from nothing? Back then, a day seemed like a lifetime, and the future stretched before you like a wide and invit- ing land filled with promise. Our occupation toes play, our currency was imagination, and we knew instinctively what tas most important for « happy, long life: simple joy. Ah, hhow frail must the heart be for it to let the happenings of life wear down that awareness! If we were to let our child selves see us now, rontch us for a day, what would they say? And what could we learn from them?” ‘Themes & Convepts Youthful joy; simple pleasures in life; pure happi- ness; the inner child; returning to a simpler way of living; generosity of spirit; kindness and gentleness; emotional harmony; you're only as old as you feel; i rnocence and inexperience, Minsr Arcana a7 of Cups the Power of the Imagination “Come closer, dreamer. Come closer so that I might whisper to you of the jays of the universe within you Come closer that you might taste the fruits I offer you. Here, gaze deeply into the cup before you: what do you see? What imaginings are awhile ing therein the depths, wait- “= ing to be given form and life? Are you granted visions of all that will be, or visions of all that can be? The distinction is important. Knoto this, dream-weaver: everything begins in the imagination, and nothing can become without the min first conceiving oft Day-dream your inspiration, and bring your visions into your waking sight. Ave they hallucinations now? And can you really tell the diference between what is real and that is not? Are you sure? No. You can never be sure.” ‘Themes & Concepts The imagination and what it can create; daydreams; illusion and seduction; difficulty distinguishing be- tween illusion and reality; hallucination; uncertainty; smoke and mirrors; options to choose from; not all is, as it appears. 108 Mine Ancor8 of Cups Vision Quest i te West “Do you hear it? It is the call to walk the unknown pathways, tread the roads that only open before you when you step into the oth- er world, to walk through the Gatezoay of the Moon. I am ona love walk, a spirit walk, 1 walk to my self I seek wis- dom on stranger shores and the oases of deserts. L embrace the wasteland, the no-man’s land, because it can offer me the wisciom I seek within myself, for I oo am barren, Some say Labandoned my life, leaving behind all the world’s best things. They don't understand, and they won't until they {00 hear the song of the vision quest calling them, pulling at their loneliness, as if their selfs out there in the wasteland and urging them to go out into the wilderness to find it.I ‘am not walking away. Lam walking towards.” Themes & Concepts Searching for spiritual truth; leaving something be- hind; letting go of the past and moving on; abandon- ‘ment; questing for an inner truth; seeking the spiritual realm; the wandering stranger; feeling that something is missing; pilgrimage. Mine Arcane 109)9 of Cups the Blessings of Satis faction “Welcome! Let me pour you a cup of my finest ale ~ it is brewed to perfection and full of flavour, and once you've tasted it you'll fel the joy bubbling up inside you. Ah, how marvellous life is! How fortunate we are to have met, for now we can share life's finest things. together. They say that the man that eats alone, dies alone, and food and drink is made all the sweeter by good company. Don't you agree? We are often {old fo count our blessings and look how many there are. What more could we want, friend? Well, perhaps just a lit tHe more, but that does not mean that our current position is not the best we can be in. There is always more, more being offered, more being wanted, more to be taken, but the trick is not to have what you want but to want what you have. That is true contentment.” Themes & Concepts Satisfaction; having all the best that life can offer; being content; emotional satiety; wishes fulfilled; sharing good fortune with others; laughter and merri- ment; indulgence; counting your blessings; being sur- rounded by friends; good luck w Minor Arcana10 of Cups the Happily Ber Aten “Once upon a time, there ons «boy. He wes the youngest of three sons. He undertook mary tasks amd adventures om aquest for understanding and love, and fhe went out into the world to find himself, Lot tha the real reason for any quest, any aden ture? To understand truly isnot to know the world out there, but to kro the world i here, with- in yourself. And so, the young- est of thre sons, after many experiences, found a reflection of his (quest for understanding in another: a girl, the youngest of three daughters, who sought peace, happiness and fulfilment. In each other they found love. Together they made the world brighter, the sorrous gentler, and the nights woarmer. Eventually, they were ‘married, an in time they became parents to teins, a boy and a gir, who one day would grow up to fel the same desire to look ‘ut fo the world for happiness Ths isthe wy of our world: that true bliss can only be found in the love one has for oneself and others, Beauty shared and beauty created.” Themes & Concepts ‘The happy ending; true joy and bliss; emotional con- nection with others; contentment and peace; inner under- standing; spiritual awareness; depth of emotional wisdom; happy marriage and relationship; perfection in life. Minor Finca wice of Pentacles the Seed in 1 Sees in the “Lam the material and the ways in which it is processed: Tam in you and all around you, Lari the means by which you perceive me. You need ime because I am your means of survival, but you love me because with me you culti- ‘ate beauty. You will find me in raw material, in the first seeds planted in the earth, in the furrows behind the plough, and in the knitting togeth- er ofthe child in the womb. You will display me in pride, as jewels upon your breast, coins in your hand, elaborate ar- chitecture, and as all of life's finest comforts. But never for- get, when you have attained all your worldly desires and you sit upon thrones of gold and precious metals, hat even the greatest things in life had the humblest of beginnings: a spark of almost-nothing, waiting in the seed in the garden.” ‘Themes & Concepts ‘The spiritual reflected in the everyday; humble be- sginnings for great plans; seeds being planted for the future; the beginning of investments and projects; re- sources at your disposal; the material world; the body and its health; raw materials as yet unprocessed, ir} Miner Arcana2 of Pentacles Learning the Dance of Change “When the weight of the world is frst gifted fo you, you will discover that the earth be- neath you iS not solid. What you thought was rock i ine stead shifing shingle. What _you thougist cos fertile enth is ‘quicksand. Let yourself fall into the lie of certainty, believing _yoursef capable of holding onto everything forever, and you will soon discover your failure. The tree hat bends in the wind does not break. In invite you, student ofthe world, to join me in the dance of change. Iti a simple te-step, and it nothing more thao a gentle shift of weight, a tilting ofthe hands, Sometimes it feels lke being borme upon the waves — up and dow, over the rolling sea and when you find yourselfon dry land once more, ‘upon immovable rock, your legs wil protest and wish they were once again back upon the shifting, changing tworld-ocean, ding the dance of change. ‘Themes & Concepts ‘Change isthe only certainty; leaning to adapt toa situ- ation; being flexible; juggling responsibilities; leaming that ‘you cannot hold onto things forever; becoming a student of life; changing perspective; embracing a new lifestyle; knowing the daily ups and downs of life. Minor "cana 13,3 of Pentacles the Work of the Masten “My friend, let me tell you this: never tell a crafsman what todo. I is his field of ex- pertise, kis speciality, his pas- sion made manifest. You will not be able to tell him how to work, yet you may add your passion fo his: then more than ‘one master unites towards a single goal their collective re= sults will be astounding. Imag- ine the painter, the architect and the builder working together, and what they wil build as a result oftheir collaboration. Now, imagine this: that the paint- er is your spirit, the architect is your mind, and the build- er is your body. What can you not do or create when these three crafismen work together within you? The true Work of the Master, therefor, is not to know everything about a given subject or skil, but to invest every part of you into it ~ mind, body and spirit ~ that you might also become perfected.” ‘Themes & Concepts A skill or talent achieving great results; the completed ‘work; crafts and hobbies; investing every part of yourself in a project; being a master craftsman; showcasing work to others; hard work applied; seli-direction at work; rigid structure enabling creativity.4 of Pentacles the Ownership of pe Owe ship “What better feeling is there in the world than be- ing able fo count your bless- ings? To know what you have because you can see it, hold, it, taste it, smell it... Not be- cause you want to use it or spend i, or even enjoy it for what it can bring you, but be~ cause you reant to enjay it be- cause it's yours. And nobody else's. You hold the porver and it's nat just any power but your power. It is nol for giving away, and it is most certain ly not for doing just anything with. Look fo your resources, look to what you have built, and it shall be your shield and ‘armour against all who would see you fall. You and I are the same in this: we know that only through our strength and defences will we survive. Oron your power, fellow cas- tHe-builder, and you shall truly bea ruler of your world.” Themes & Concepts Possessions and ownership; resources and how you use them; strength in defence; power and how you gain it and hold onto it; how you save or spend mon- ey; greed; acquisition; the things you have built with ‘your resources. Minge Arcane 45,5 of Pentacles the Outcast “Fave you ever known hnun- ‘ger, thirst, what it is to sleep ‘ouside in the col? Do you wn- derstand how it doesn’t just break you physically, but also emotionally and spiritually? 1 now it like the cod feeling that slicks fo your limbs and settles deep into your gut when you hear another refusal of help, an- other light inthe darkness flick- ering out. What can I tell you? That things will get better? To look on the bright side? Tell that to the homeless man begging inthe street next time you pass him ‘and he asks you for a few coins. Tell it to the mother and child Kicked out oftheir home with nowhere to go, when the sun starts fo set and the chill ar to wrap around them. Teli to those that your community has failed, and tll if to those that you have pushed out into the cold. No man is an island. Remember that, ‘when you ae in a position to help, and pray that you never have 10 remember it when you are the one asking fori Themes & Concepts Being out in the cold; refusal of aid; asking for help and not receiving it; being isolated by a community; spir- itual isolation; poverty; you cannot guarantee a fortune; loss of money or resources; lack and want; the necessity of survival a6 Minse Arcana6 of Peptacks SSG TSBERELD the Success of the Philanthropist “There is @ careful bal- ance in the world of men that must be held by those who Know hore. It nota balance of equality, for no man is cre- ated equally, nor does he live equally, but rather a balance of giving where it is needed, receiving when it is given, ‘and allowing one's resources and skills to flow where they fare most needed. Money is created through exchange, and is a means to an end. It is exchanged for means fo endewo- ours and adventures. I hear you are a seeker of such ven- tures, and that you wis to seek aid for your future plans. Do not be ashamed inthe asking: such great things are rare- ly funded by one person alone. It is my privilege to offer you, through my philanthropy, a means fo an end. Ask and you shall receive.” Themes & Concepts Flow of resources; exchange of skill, ime or energy for resources; asking for aid and receiving it; human- itarian causes; compassion acted upon through aid; charity work; ask and you shall receive; rewards; phi- lanthropy; using resources to benefit others; harmony in daily life. Mince Arcana 77 of Pentacles the Waiting Game “What can be more won- dlerful than finding your- self immersed in the dil- gent tending of your crops and plants, paying attention to ail their needs and stages af growth, and watching as they sprout from seed to bud to flower to fruit? Are we not privileged if we can see wit- ness the growth of our Ives from star to finsh, every sep ofthe way? Pay close attention then, because the real beau fy isin the detail. The results may be long time in coming fut how sweet they are then! Do not spend your precious time bemoaning the lck of immediate result: be certain in the virtue and quality of your labour, be patient and tread carefully. More hast, less speed, frend, Tt nota race to the finish line.” Themes & Concepts Patience; slow progress; watching things grow; de- layed results; paying attention to detail; diligence and hard work; more haste means less speed; awaiting an end result; tending to your daily life; waiting. ns Minor Arcane,8 of Pentacks in the Belly of Blacksmiths Fege “When you undergo the rigours of obtaining the height af your skil, you not only per- {fect your trade or your craft, but also your self. The finest craftsman hones the strength of is arm, the steadiness of his mind, the skills of his hands, ‘and in doing so hones the focus of his spirit. When I heat met- alin my forge, and hammer it while it is red hot, then cool it and heat it again over and over until Thace in my hands the shining example of my best work, 1 do the same to my soul. I put myself willingly into the bel- ly ofthe forge, and let myself be heated and cooled, hammered ot and shaped in the fire. 1am a work in progress, white hot ‘metal in my own hands fo be melded, Though my muscles will screw in protest and the seat pour doron my back, Iwill not cense from my work, for it isthe road to perfection and the tri- al of re that shapes the world.” Themes & Concepts Practice makes perfect learning froma master; appren- ticeship, learning a skill or talent; application and dedi- cation; hard work; the hard grind of a job; training and honing skills; improvement; hard work leading to great- cer work; shaping the situation through tireless work. Minor Arcana. 19)oe 9 of Pentacles + the Fallyess of Independence in Gain ‘There should be no sur- prise in seeing things come to fruition. Why wonder at the natural ripening of the fruit on the vine when that is all it Knows how to do? When you hhave set in motion all the re- quirements for a particu- lar goal and taken every step necessary to certain results, the gain of those results is as- sured. Thus, when you become the paragon of your path, filled with the joy and height of your talent or skill, wen ‘you stand out amongst the crow for your efforts and abil ties, do not hide your accomplishments acoay from the world nor give them aioay out of guilt, Enjoy then. Revel in them Let them be your rots grounding you as well as the wind beneath your wings of further, soaring ambition.” Themes & Concepts The self-made man/woman; self-employment and independent business; being entirely in the moment; enjoying the fruits of your labours; fullness; ripening; guaranteed success; gain in resources; confidence in your own work without the need to rely upon others. 0 Mine Arcana