The Fool
freedom, faith, inexperience, innocence
Light
- Freeing yourself from limitation- Expressing joy and youthful vigor
- Being open-minded
- Taking a leap of faith
- Attuning yourself to your instincts
- Being eager or curious
- Exploring your potential
- Embracing innovation and change
Shadow
- Being gullible and naive- Taking unnecessary risks
- Failing to be serious when required
- Being silly or distracted
- Lacking experience
- Failing to honor well-established traditions and limits
- Behaving inappropriately
The Magician
capability, empowerment, activity
Light
- Taking appropriate action- Receiving guidance from a higher power
- Becoming a channel of divine will
- Expressing masculine energy in appropriate and constructive ways
- Being yourself in every way
Shadow
- Inflating your own ego- Abusing talents
- Manipulating or deceiving others
- Being too aggressive
- Using cheap illusions to dazzle others
- Refusing to invest the time and effort needed to master your craft
- Taking shortcuts
The High Priestess
intuition, reflection, purity, initiation
Light
- Listening to your feelings and intuitions- Exploring unconventional spirituality
- Keeping secrets
- Being receptive
- Reflecting instead of acting
- Observing others
- Preserving purity
Shadow
- Being aloof- Obsessing on secrets and conspiracies
- Rejecting guidance from spirit or intuition
- Revealing all
- Ignoring gut feelings
- Refusing to become involved, even when involvement is appropriate
The Empress
fertility, productivity, ripeness, nurturing
Light
- Nurturing yourself and others- Bearing fruit
- Celebrating your body
- Bearing (literal or figurative) children
- Reveling in luxury
- Mothering those around you in positive ways
- Enjoying your sexuality
- Getting things done
Shadow
- Overindulging- Being greedy
- Smothering someone with attention
- Debilitating someone by being overprotective
- Inhibiting productivity by obsessing on productivity
- Being overcome by addictive behavior
The Emperor
Light
- Exercising authority- Defining limits
- Directing the flow of work
- Communicating clear guidelines
- Being in control of yourself and others
- Tempering aggressive masculinity with wisdom and experience
Shadow
- Micromanaging- Crushing the creativity of others with a rigid, iron-fisted approach
- Insisting on getting your own way
- Assuming a dictatorial mindset
- Using overt force to achieve your goals and maintain order
The Hierophant
guidance, knowledge, revelation, belief
Light
- Teaching or guiding others- Searching for the truth
- Asking for guidance from a higher power
- Acknowledging the wisdom and experience of others
- Taking vows
- Engaging in heartfelt rituals
- Volunteering
Shadow
- Using experience as a means of manipulating or misguiding others- Being dogmatic
- Favoring tradition over what is expedient or necessary
- Going through the motions of empty rituals
- Concealing wisdom
- Restricting access to spiritual truths or the gods
The Lovers
love, passion, unity, choice
Light
- Being in love- Showing your love to others
- Expressing passion or romantic feelings
- Aligning yourself with groups or like-minded others
- Bringing people together
- Making well-informed decisions
Shadow
- Debilitating passion- Allowing an unhealthy desire for love to motivate destructive behavior
- Disrupting unity
- Working against the best interests of those who care about you
- Ill-informed decisions
The Chariot
advancement, victory, triumph, success
Light
- Breaking through barriers- Moving forward with confidence and authority
- Reaching the pinnacle of success
- Basking in the glory of achievement
- Guiding an effort to total victory
- Establishing yourself as a worthy leader
Shadow
- Resting on laurels- Riding roughshod over the feelings or expectations of others
- Focusing more on past successes than future opportunities
- Failing to rein in impulsive behavior
Strength
discipline, boldness, power, vitality
Light
- Imposing restrictions on yourself for your own benefit- Bringing your passions under the control of reason
- Resisting impulses that work against your best interests
- Taking bold action
Shadow
- Indulging weakness, even when you know it will damage your health and happiness- Languishing in addiction
- Allowing your instincts to tame and conquer you
- Failing to take a stand when necessary
The Hermit
solitude, experience, stillness, withdrawal
Light
- Becoming or seeking out a guru- Going on a retreat
- Recharging spiritual or creative batteries
- Lighting the way for those with less experience
- Stepping back to gain perspective
Shadow
- Being a loner- Fearing contact with others
- Becoming a know-it-all
- Inflating claims of expertise
- Hiding your skills and talents out of fear of unworthiness
Wheel of Fortune
cycles, karma, fate, luck
Light
- Allowing events to unfold- Seeing the larger pattern in everyday events
- Trusting your luck
- Watching for cycles
- Believing that "what goes around, comes around."
Shadow
- Losing money gambling- Refusing to do your part to bring a plan to fruition
- Taking a fatalistic approach to life
- Fighting the natural course of events
Justice
balance, law, fairness, objectivity
Light
- Making an objective decision- Weighing an issue carefully before taking action
- Appropriately scaling your reaction to a situation
- Getting all the facts
- Considering evidence
- Deliberating
Shadow
- Delivering harsh criticism- Obsessing on rules and regulations
- Playing by the book even when it is destructive or counterproductive to do so
- Confusing snap decisions with timely action
- Playing favorites
The Hanged Man
sacrifice, perspective, enlightenment, reversals
Light
- Seeing growth opportunities in unpleasant events- Experiencing a dramatic change in personal perspective
- Making the best of an unforeseen change in your life or work
- Suspending disbelief
- Making sacrifices
Shadow
- Being untrue to yourself and your values- Refusing to make sacrifices when appropriate
- Refusing to adapt to new situations
- Blaming others
- Profiting at the expense of others
Death
ending, transition, passage, conclusion
Light
- Bringing an unpleasant phase of life to an end- Recognizing and celebrating the conclusion of something
- Putting bad habits to rest
- Becoming a new person
- Leaving one person, place, or thing for another
- Letting go
Shadow
- Obsessing on death and dying- Refusing to give up old habits or unhealthy relationships
- Insisting that everything and everyone should stay the same forever
- Failing to take good care of yourself
Temperance
synthesis, mediation, combination, harmony
Light
- Bringing opposites together- Moderating your actions or emotions
- Finding middle ground
- Reaching compromises
- Synthesizing solutions that please everyone involved
- Using the old to make something new
Shadow
- Going to extremes- Disrupting group efforts
- Ignoring healthy approaches to life
- Becoming an addict
- Practicing gluttony
- Tearing something or someone apart
- Breaking alliances
The Devil
shadow, materialism, bondage, delusion
Light
- Appreciating the luxuries that life has to offer- Being comfortable in your own skin
- Enjoying your sexuality
- Splurging on an expensive personal item
- Embracing the fact that everyone has a darker side
- Dealing with unhealthy impulses in healthy ways
Shadow
- Putting excessive emphasis on appearances- Always wanting more
- Valuing possessions more than people or relationships
- Allowing base instincts to govern your life
- Being selfish
- Attributing your own dark impulses to outside forces or other people
The Tower
demolition, upheaval, destruction, disaster
Light
- Breaking out of old, confining habits and mindsets- Clearing the way for new growth
- Dispelling the influence of an inflated ego
- Getting back to basics
- Stripping away harmful illusions
- Receiving sudden insight
Shadow
- Clinging to traditions that repress growth- Engaging in willful blindness
- Rejecting evidence that change is needed
- Ignoring guidance from a higher power
- Maliciously engaging in destructive behavior
The Star
hope, faith, longing, truth
Light
- Hoping for the best- Believing good things happen to good people
- Seeing events in the best possible light
- Adopting a generous spirit
- Seeking guidance from above
- Embracing possibility over probability
Shadow
- Denying unpleasant truths- Denying personal accountability and saying "Things just happen!"
- Ignoring signs and omens
- Preferring illusion to reality
- Spreading pessimism and stinginess of spirit
The Moon
mystery, fantasy, imagination, dreams
Light
- Enjoying healthy fantasies and daydreams- Using your imagination
- Practicing magic or celebrating the magic of everyday life
- Attuning yourself to the cycles of nature
- Embracing the unknown
Shadow
- Becoming unable to separate fantasy from reality- Suffering from delusions
- Losing your appreciation for the fantastic or magical
- Adopting a ruthlessly logical mindset
- Failing to appreciate life's mysteries
The Sun
joy, brilliance, validation, energy
Light
- Seeing things clearly- Experiencing intense joy
- Celebrating your own successes
- Knowing you're good at what you do
- Gaining recognition for your personal genius
Shadow
- Being dazzled by your own accomplishments- Becoming absorbed in your own self-image
- Feeling rushed and distracted
- Exerting yourself to the point of exhaustion
- Overstating your abilities or misrepresenting your achievements
Judgement
revival, renewal, evaluation, invitation
Light
- Receiving a wake-up call- Discovering a new purpose in life
- Becoming totally and completely yourself
- Receiving a well-deserved reward
- Passing an evaluation or examination
- Welcoming the start of a new phase of life
Shadow
- Being weighed in the balances and found wanting- Failing to measure up to a well-defined standard
- Being caught goofing off or misbehaving
- Failing to prepare for an examination you know is coming
- Rejecting an opportunity to reinvent yourself
The World
wholeness, integration, totality, completeness
Light
- Having it all- Knowing and loving yourself as completely as possible
- Seeing the interconnection of all things and people
- Enhancing your perspective
- Living life to its fullest
- Understanding the meaning of life
Shadow
- Allowing greed and envy to prevent you from enjoying what you do possess- Failing to see the larger design in ordinary events
- Believing that everything that exists can be touched, counted, or measured
- Failing to see the divine reflected in those around you
Ace of Wands
desire, inspiration, vision, creation
Light
- Being inspired- Identifying an important goal
- Being given the opportunity to do whatever you want to do
- Giving or receiving direction
- Seeing a solution
- Creating something new
- Being aroused, sexually or creatively
Shadow
- Failing to take advantage of a great opportunity- Being ineffectual or lazy
- Making an inadequate effort
- Working toward a goal, but lacking the resources or initiative to achieve success
- Setting inappropriate goals
- Failing to take a stand
Two of Wands
conflict, decision, option, individuality
Light
- Having a choice- Offering or being offered an option
- Seeing the value of another person's approach
- Understanding there's more than one way to "skin a cat"
- Successfully doing more than one thing at a time
- Being empowered to make a choice
Shadow
- Misrepresenting your intentions- Doing one thing while desiring another
- Changing course mid-stream for no good reason
- Refusing to change your goal even when pursuing it no longer makes sense
- Disregarding the input of others
Three of Wands
implementation, action, exploration
Light
- Putting a plan into motion- Taking that critical first step
- Making good things happen
- Going beyond your limits
- Blazing new trails
- Hitting the ground running
- Seeing your plans come to fruition
Shadow
- Procrastinating- Knowing what to do, but refusing to do it
- Launching a project without a clear definition of who should do what
- Rejecting an opportunity to try something new
- Failing to finish what you start
Four of Wands
celebration, community, teamwork, structure
Light
- Sharing in a great celebration- Sharing in a communal sense of achievement and success
- Preparing for a party
- Working together toward a common goal
- Giving or winning awards
Shadow
- Keeping your nose to the grindstone- Recognizing good work by demanding more work
- Failing to share in a group celebration
- Allowing sour grapes to poison your moment in the sun
- Refusing to do your part
Five of Wands
confrontation, disruption, objection, strife
Light
- Calmly expressing a dissenting opinion- Allowing someone to use his or her own methods to get a job done
- Opening the floor for discussion or debate
- Comparing progress made so far to standards set earlier
Shadow
- Berating others for their ridiculous opinions- Picking fights
- Offering destructive criticism
- Baiting people with barbed remarks
- Disrupting progress with an endless stream of pointless objections
Six of Wands
victory, achievement, success, triumph
Light
- Outperforming your peers- Winning a competition
- Being recognized as a capable person
- Having your "moment in the spotlight"
- Being cheered on by the crowd
- Getting an award
- Earning the admiration of others
Shadow
- Being a bad winner- Allowing your achievements to inflate your ego
- Looking down on people who seem less capable
- Craving to be the center of attention
- Giving or receiving insincere praise
- Envying the achievements of others
Seven of Wands
bravery, resolve, determination
Light
- Refusing to be silenced through fear or intimidation- Continuing a fight against all odds
- Being fierce
- Defending yourself against physical and emotional attacks
- Refusing to put up with abuse
- Clinging to your values despite all pressure to abandon them
Shadow
- Having a chip on your shoulder- Taking unnecessary risks as a means of proving your fearlessness
- Looking for an opportunity to take offense
- Responding to constructive criticism with defensiveness
- Refusing to stand up for yourself and your beliefs
Eight of Wands
speed, swiftness, responsiveness, change
Light
- Taking swift action- Moving forward with a plan as quickly as possible
- Energizing yourself
- Adapting to sudden changes
- Taking setbacks in stride
- Embracing the idea that nothing stays the same forever
- Reacting quickly and appropriately to unforeseen problems
Shadow
- Giving in to panic- Running in circles and screaming
- Insisting things must always stay the same
- Stirring the pot just to see what will happen
- Rushing others
- Refusing to re-evaluate a schedule or program, even when it's clearly no longer appropriate
Nine of Wands
persistence, stamina, loyalty, toughness
Light
- Sticking with it for the duration- Fulfilling your promises and obligations
- Bearing up under incredible duress
- Dragging yourself across the finish line
- Picking yourself up by your own bootstraps
- Refusing to quit
- Going as far as you can go and being satisfied with your performance
Shadow
- Making yourself a martyr- Abandoning your post
- Giving up at the first sign of opposition
- Being prevented from fulfilling an obligation
- Failing to be dependable
- Refusing to let something go that needs to be released
- Beating a dead horse
Ten of Wands
fullness, resistance, burden, oppression
Light
- Holding your own in extreme circumstances- Helping others carry their burdens
- Coming to the aid of the oppressed
- Knowing and being honest about your own limits
- Recognizing when you are not well-suited for a particular task
Shadow
- Taking on more work than you know you can handle- Refusing to say \"No\" when you're already overloaded
- Making a habit of working overtime
- Shielding others from facing the consequences of their own poor judgment
- Over-extending yourself on a regular basis
Page of Wands
enthusiasm, eagerness, validation, affirmation
Light
- Leaping at a new opportunity- Being a cheerleader or ardent advocate for your cause
- Being a True Believer
- Taking first steps toward independence
- Trusting in your own abilities
- Asking for feedback
Shadow
- Basing your entire self-image on what others think- Seizing every new idea that comes your way without question
- Habitually discounting input or feedback from others
- Being so eager to "do it yourself" that you hinder your own progress
Knight of Wands
boldness, passion, persuasion, advocacy
Light
- Charging ahead- Making rapid progress
- Refusing limits
- Dazzling those around you with your wit and charm
- Convincing others of your right to leadership
- Convincing others to follow you
- Being a catalyst for change
Shadow
- Blundering forward with inadequate skill or information- Running roughshod over the feelings of others
- Using sex appeal to manipulate others
- Forcing your leadership or ideology on others
- Beginning many projects without finishing any
Queen of Wands
attention, attraction, unification, collaboration
Light
- Paying close attention- Helping others focus on the issue at hand
- Getting everyone to work together
- Identifying common ground
- Bringing people together, despite their differences
- Using reverse psychology
Shadow
- Being distracted, or using your charms or skills to distract others from the goal- Calling attention to yourself with negative or unhealthy behaviors
- Disrupting group activities as a means of feeding your own ego
King of Wands
creativity, ingenuity, achievement, direction
Light
- Putting old things together in new and exciting ways- Coming up with unexpected solutions
- Using your experience to solve puzzles and problems
- Doing what you set out to do
- Directing the efforts of others
Shadow
- Using your creativity to get out of honest work- Investing great energy in avoiding responsibility
- Boasting about achievements without putting your expertise to practical use
- Lording it over others
Ace of Cups
intuition, spirituality, affection, motivation
Light
- Trusting your feelings- Opening yourself to spirit
- Accepting and returning affection
- Getting in touch with what motivates you
- Taking advantage of an opportunity to express love to others
- Listening to the still, small voice
Shadow
- Hiding your feelings- Spurning an opportunity to love or be loved
- Numbing yourself to spiritual yearnings
- Rejecting the counsel of your heart
- Becoming a puppet of your own emotions
- Indulging in hysteria or obsession
Two of Cups
union, attraction, combination, affection
Light
- Being drawn to someone- Longing for someone or something
- Acting on your desires
- Discovering a feeling is mutual
- Doing what makes you feel good
- Healing broken ties
- Merging
Shadow
- Burning bridges- Becoming caught up in unhealthy codependency
- Shutting out anyone but your chosen few
- Obsessing on someone who does not return your affections
- Despairing over finding "The One"
- Deceiving yourself about your true orientation
Three of Cups
celebration, expression, community, friendliness
Light
- Celebrating your feelings or connections with others- Expressing joy through song, dance, or physical affection
- Working together with others who share your feelings
- Performing acts of service as a way of saying, "I love you"
- Embracing unconventional romantic arrangements
Shadow
- Mistaking giddiness for true affection- Being dominated by manic emotions
- Expecting everyone to always feel the same way you do
- Demanding unreasonable support from friends or family
- Partying to a dangerous or unhealthy extent
Four of Cups
boredom, ingratitude, lethargy
Light
- Maintaining your emotional stability- Refusing to give in to overwhelming emotions
- Appreciating what you have and refusing to take it for granted
- Seeing the value of long-term commitments
Shadow
- Being bored- Daydreaming at the expense of your work
- Refusing to be engaged by opportunity
- Taking people and relationships for granted
- Ignoring romantic or spiritual opportunities
- Spurning inspiration
- Feeling everything should stay "just like it is"
Five of Cups
loss, despair, regret, uncertainty
Light
- Acknowledging loss and moving on- Focusing on how the glass remains "half-full"
- Finding the silver lining in a dark cloud
- Recognizing that loss is a natural part of life
- Embracing healthy grief
- Learning lessons from harsh consequences
Shadow
- Wallowing in unhealthy grief or self-pity- Refusing to move on and let go
- Clinging to the past
- Obsessing on past lives and past loves
- Failing to live in the present
- Beating yourself up over past mistakes
- Allowing fear of failure to limit your efforts
Six of Cups
sharing, sacrifice, cooperation, fairness
Light
- Donating your time and talents to others- Taking satisfaction in knowing how your efforts will aid others
- Creating a "win-win" scenario
- Giving even when you know repayment is not possible
- Being motivated to do a good deed
Shadow
- Linking your sense of self-worth to the appraisals of others- Striving to appear more needy than you really are
- Taking undeserved or unmerited charity
- Bragging about your charitable efforts
- Profiteering in times of distress
- Refusing to share a burden
Seven of Cups
imagination, dreams, illusions, goals
Light
- Motivating yourself with images of future success- Using visualization to encourage progress
- Taking an imaginative or creative approach to problem solving
- Making dreams come true
- Gleaning insight from personal visions
Shadow
- Obsessing on imaginary fears or uncertain consequences- Giving in to emotional or political terrorism
- Spending more time dreaming than working
- Failing to envision the possible repercussions of your choices
- Being controlled by fear
Eight of Cups
longing, quest, departure, withdrawal
Light
- Wanting something better- Blazing your own trail
- Realizing there must be more to life
- Leaving an unhealthy situation behind
- Starting your own business
- Going on a retreat
- Seeking the "still, small voice"
Shadow
- Being implacable- Finding fault
- Nitpicking
- Refusing to settle down
- Running away from problems or confrontations
- Harping on past mistakes and disappointments
- Saying "It's my way or the highway!"
Nine of Cups
satisfaction, sensuality, luxury, pleasure
Light
- Being delighted with your own achievements- Recognizing your own talents and abilities
- Reveling in the good things life has to offer
- Indulging yourself
- Relaxing and unwinding
- Having everything you need in order to feel complete
-
Shadow
- Being smug- Satisfying yourself at the expense of others
- Being selfish
- Over-indulging
- Avoiding work that needs to be done
- Claiming achievements or skills you do not possess
- Never being satisfied, no matter how much you have
Ten of Cups
joy, fulfillment, emotion, giddiness
Light
- Having more than you ever dreamed- Being deeply thankful for all you've been given
- Recognizing the Hand of God in the gifts the Universe brings your way
- Experiencing transcendent joy
- Achieving domestic bliss
-
-
Shadow
- Comparing your achievements or relationships to unrealistic fantasy standards- Experiencing emotions so intense they blunt your ability to cope with reality
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Envying the achievements and happiness of others
Page of Cups
enthusiasm, impression, romanticism, superficiality
Light
- Showing your emotions freely- Throwing yourself into romance
- Nursing a secret crush
- Indulging in romantic fantasy
- Starting a new relationship
- Recalling your first love
- Converting to a new religion
Shadow
- Mistaking a crush for true love- Reading romantic intention into innocent action
- Frantically trying to impress others
- Indulging in overly-sweet sentimentality
- Pretending to more romantic or spiritual experience than you possess
Knight of Cups
fervor, zeal, moodiness, illumination
Light
- Being deeply committed to a cause- Giving in to strong emotions, from excitement to depression
- Acting on intuition alone
- Solving problems intuitively
- Believing in and basing decisions on ideals instead of realities
- Bringing intuition or passion to the table
Shadow
- Becoming a fanatic- Rejecting information that suggests your intuitions are misguided
- Allowing your emotions to control you
- Giving in to jealousy, confrontation, and peer pressure
- Hiding or ignoring intuitive insights
Queen of Cups
spirituality, compassion, empathy, instinct
Light
- Allowing yourself to be moved by the plight of others- Feeling strong emotions
- Possessing unusual sympathy or empathy
- Trusting your feelings to guide you
- Calling on psychic abilities
- Achieving unity with Spirit
Shadow
- Becoming so caught up in matters of Spirit, you become detached from the world- Allowing empathy to disable you instead of inspire action
- Using psychic abilities to wield covert influence
- Wallowing in emotionalism, sentiment, or self-pity
King of Cups
wisdom, diplomacy, restraint, composure
Light
- Keeping a stiff upper lip- Being brave and clear in the face of adverse circumstances
- Sharing experience as a way of comforting others
- Making fair and empathetic decisions
- Honoring the spirit, not just the letter, of the law
Shadow
- Allowing yourself to become rigid and unemotional- Making unfair decisions based on a hidden agenda
- Making decisions without regard for their emotional impact on others
- Abusing spiritual authority
- Using emotional or spiritual leverage to exercise unhealthy control over others
Ace of Swords
logic, objectivity, intellect, choice
Light
- Making objective decisions- Applying logic
- Reasoning your way out of a difficult situation
- Solving puzzles
- Thinking things through
- Emphasizing the facts
- Seeking clarity
Shadow
- Applying ruthless or twisted logic- Gloating over your own superior intellect
- Using quick thinking to deceive or confuse others
- Confusing snap judgments with quick thinking
- Making decisions without thinking through consequences
Two of Swords
denial, debate, impasse, truce
Light
- Refusing to make a decision without getting the facts- Exploring both sides of an argument
- Arguing passionately for what you believe in
- Weighing the issues
- Encouraging the open exchange of ideas
- Discussing political or religious issues without getting "hot under the collar"
Shadow
- Rejecting evidence that conflicts with dearly-held beliefs- Arguing with others just for the sake of doing so
- Nit-picking
- Putting off a decision because you're afraid to face the consequences
- Preventing others from getting the information they need to make good decisions
Three of Swords
variance, difference, dissatisfaction, rejection
Light
- Being brave enough to see things as they really are- Exercising your critical eye
- Being your own best critic
- Acknowledging that things don't always turn out as planned
- Moving past heartbreak to embrace a painful truth
Shadow
- Wallowing in despair- Allowing yourself to be completely crushed by the thoughts, words, or deeds of another
- Judging yourself too harshly
- Holding yourself to an unrealistic standard of excellence
- Wearing your heart on your sleeve while carrying a chip on your shoulder
Four of Swords
meditation, perspective, mindset
Light
- Thinking over your plans before putting them into action- Pausing to meditate or clear your mind
- Taking time to understand someone or something before criticizing it
- Resting
- Occupying your thoughts with a healthy distraction
Shadow
- Failing to think things through- Mistaking procrastination for thoughtfulness
- Adopting a point of view and refusing to reconsider your conclusions, even when presented with refuting evidence
- Allowing chaos and whimsy to dominate your thoughts
Five of Swords
selfishness, hostility, irrationality, preservation
Light
- Acting in your own best interest- Choosing to stand up for yourself
- Not backing down from disagreement and discord
- Taking a stand
- Refusing to go along with an unethical plan
- Knowing when to bend the rules
Shadow
- Taking advantage of others- Intimidating others
- Acting in an unethical manner
- Picking fights
- Ignoring rules you've agreed to abide by
- Looking out for yourself while allowing harm to come to others
- Gloating over victory
Six of Swords
adaptation, adjustments, science, travel
Light
- Making the best of a bad situation- Recovering from defeat
- Resetting expectations
- Making allowances for unexpected circumstances
- Helping others who find themselves in dire circumstances
- Changing the way you see the world
- Broadening your perspective through study or travel
Shadow
- Refusing to accept that things have changed- Playing the victim
- Rejecting the idea that your actions have consequences
- Applying scientific criteria to matters of faith, or confusing faith with science
- Believing the whole world should be like your small corner of it
Seven of Swords
dishonesty, presumption, sneakiness, assumptions
Light
- Refusing to do something dishonest, even when there's no chance of ever being caught- Handling a difficult situation with finesse
- Pointing out assumptions
- Acting ethically in public and in private
- Living a life that is beyond reproach
Shadow
- Stealing or lying- Doing whatever you can get away with, simply because you can
- Looking for a way around consequences
- Justifying wicked behavior by focusing on the wickedness of others
- Failing to examine your own motives and prejudices
Eight of Swords
restriction, limitation, confinement, helplessness
Light
- Honoring limits- Respecting the rules
- Recognizing you cannot always be in control
- Identifying obstacles to further progress
- Refusing to think about unhealthy or unethical options
- Asking for assistance
Shadow
- Feeling trapped- Being lost in a maze of rules and regulations
- Giving in to despair
- Playing the victim
- Being rendered helpless
- Having very few options
- Failing to look for a way out
Nine of Swords
remorse, worry, distraught
Light
- Refusing to worry about what you cannot control- Rejecting anxiety
- Judging your own performance with kindness and gentleness
- Using meditation to quiet a troubled mind
- Confronting nightmares and fears
- Drawing a conclusion and putting an issue out of your mind
-
Shadow
- Torturing yourself with regrets- Second-guessing your every move
- Beating yourself up for your mistakes
- Depression
- Obsessing on errors and overlooked details
- Refusing to handle stress in healthy ways
- Debating irreversible decisions
Ten of Swords
obsession, conclusion, stamina, exhaustion
Light
- Seeing the signs that you've reached your limits- Paying attention to what your body is trying to tell you
- Giving in to the need for rest and renewal
- Acknowledging that you've hit bottom
- Committing to a turnaround
- Knowing the worst is over
-
Shadow
- Accepting defeat prematurely- Driving yourself to total exhaustion, especially mentally
- Experiencing a mental breakdown
- Obsessing on a problem to the breaking point
- Giving up
- Refusing to move from thought to action
- Deeply unhealthy thoughts
Page of Swords
student, apprentice, scholarship, information
Light
- Pursuing a course of study- Asking good questions
- Investing time in study and practice
- Doing research
- Starting an investigation
- Outlining what you need to know
- Finding a mentor or teacher
Shadow
- Pretending to knowledge or sophistication you do not possess- Cheating on a test
- Feigning interest as a way of gaining favor
- Considering only the evidence that supports conclusions you've already drawn
- Rejecting the wise counsel of experienced teachers
Knight of Swords
bluntness, intelligence, incisiveness, investigation
Light
- Speaking your mind- Making your opinions known
- Offering constructive criticism
- Sharing your knowledge
- Making insightful observations
- Giving clear direction to others
- Uncovering the truth
Shadow
- Stating your opinions as fact- Starting arguments
- Tossing reason out the window
- Speaking without taking the feelings of others into account
- Distorting evidence
Queen of Swords
grace, skill, wit, charm
Light
- Exercising tact or using diplomacy- Defusing a tense situation
- Knowing what to say and how to say it
- Bringing out the best in everyone
- Having a way with words
- Possessing a knack for music, math, art, or science
Shadow
- Knowing exactly what to say to destroy another person- Withholding critical information
- Employing sarcasm
- Using a barbed tongue to upset others
- Being disrespectful
- Failing to use the talent you've been given
King of Swords
genius, expertise, decision, verdict
Light
- Expressing yourself with firmness and authority- Rendering a final decision
- Consulting an expert
- Calling in advisors and consultants
- Coming to a final conclusion
- Reaching a beneficial agreement based on sound information
Shadow
- Insisting on having the last word- Flaunting your intellectual capability
- Waffling on an important decision
- Constantly changing your mind
- Refusing to make choices that are in your own best interest
- Wishing in vain you could take back what's been said
- Talking "over the heads" of others
Ace of Pentacles
health, wealth, practicality, receiving
Light
- Outlining a plan for achieving prosperity- Becoming aware of opportunities to improve income or health
- Realizing you have everything you need
- Appreciating everything the Universe has given you
- Receiving the perfect gift at the perfect time
Shadow
- Indulging in relentless consumerism- Wanting more, no matter how much you have
- Obsessing on your account balance
- Suffering from hypochondria
- Consuming blessings without expressing gratitude
- Taking what you want without concern for the needs of others
Two of Pentacles
evaluation, decision, diagnosis
Light
- Comparing options- Determining the value of one option over another
- Juggling resources to make ends meet
- Making difficult choices based on what's best for your body or your bankbook
- Looking at the bottom line
- Asking for a second opinion on issues
Shadow
- Engaging in endless comparison- Putting off a decision for fear of finding a slightly better value later on
- Getting something without regard for value
- Breaking your budget with unnecessary expenses
- Engaging in behavior with no regard for how your body or bankbook will be impacted
Three of Pentacles
expression, production, work, contribution
Light
- Finishing a project- Setting and meeting standards
- Performing according to specifications
- Making something others value
- Creating something new
- Doing your part in a group project
- Delivering exactly what others have asked for
Shadow
- Pandering to the tastes of others- Failing to deliver what you've promised
- Not delivering your best work unless closely supervised
- Ignoring or breaking agreements with those who have invested in you
- Refusing to do your part
- Failing to abide by a clearly-outlined agreement with yourself or others
Four of Pentacles
protection, conservation, preservation, safety
Light
- Saving for a rainy day- Fasting as part of a spiritual practice
- Dieting in an effort to improve your body
- Abstaining from sex as a way of honoring a spiritual tradition or personal promise
- Being financially conservative
- Providence
Shadow
- Being stingy- Refusing to spend money that needs to be spent
- Taking care of your own needs exclusively, without regard for the needs of others
- Spending a dollar to save a penny
- Failing to be a good manager of the blessings you've been given
Five of Pentacles
poverty, destitution, need, crisis
Light
- Recognizing your needs and taking action to fulfill them- Doing as much as you can do with what little you have
- Admitting you need help
- Embracing the aid that comes your way
- Focusing on what you have versus what you don't
- Looking for the light at the end of the tunnel
Shadow
- Exaggerating your financial or physical needs- Adopting a poverty mentality
- Refusing to support yourself
- Refusing offers of support
- Playing the martyr
- Turning down opportunities to improve your health or finances
- Wallowing in misery
Six of Pentacles
charity, fairness, cooperation, sharing
Light
- Giving time, money, or effort to a charity- Taking part in a group effort
- Making sure everyone is treated equally
- Working together toward a common goal
- Redistributing wealth, time, or attention
- Sharing credit for your success
Shadow
- Offering help as a means of gaining control over someone- Using charitable acts to draw attention to yourself
- Dividing work or resources unfairly
- Failing to do your part in a group effort
- Ignoring obligations and commitments
Seven of Pentacles
assessment, evaluation, reflection, pondering
Light
- Measuring progress toward your goal- Looking at results with an eye toward improving performance
- Asking, "How happy am I?"
- Coming up with ideas for improving your health or prosperity
- Deciding it's time for a change
- Expressing an honest opinion
Shadow
- Becoming distracted by melancholy thoughts- Beating yourself up over lost opportunities
- Judging your own work harshly
- Holding others to inappropriate standards
- Refusing to take part in a project, then whining about the quality of the outcome
- Longing for "the good old days"
Eight of Pentacles
effort, skill, diligence
Light
- Doing your best- Bringing enthusiasm and zeal to your work
- Making an effort to be the best you can be
- Finding the work that is right for you
- Taking care of the small details
- Becoming a finely skilled craftsperson
- Building something with your hands
Shadow
- Working yourself to death- Doing a half-hearted or sloppy job
- Continuing in a job you hate
- Producing work with shoddy craftsmanship
- Rushing through your work
- Rejecting opportunities to learn more about your craft
Nine of Pentacles
training, discipline, confidence
Light
- Investing time in learning or teaching a difficult task- Restraining yourself from physical or financial extremes
- Making sacrifices as a way of achieving larger goals
- Breaking a complex task down into simple steps
- Wanting what you have
- Knowing the difference between needs and wants
Shadow
- Being assigned to a task without being trained to perform it- Pursuing a position for which you are not qualified
- Disregarding requirements
- Refusing to dedicate adequate time or attention when learning about something or someone new
- Always craving more
Ten of Pentacles
wealth, abundance, acquisition, greed
Light
- Celebrating your physical and financial blessings- Realizing how lucky or how blessed you are
- Being satisfied with your physical and financial achievements
- Taking best advantage of "times of plenty"
- Enjoying a feast
- Showering friends or family with gifts
Shadow
- Spending all of your money on extravagant gifts and possessions- Trying too hard to impress others with your wealth or physique
- Giving an inappropriate gift as a means of currying favor
- Obsessing on matters of weight, health, or finance
- Always asking, "What's in it for me?"
Page of Pentacles
practicality, prosperity, growth, learning
Light
- Learning the value of a dollar- Taking the first steps toward getting out of debt
- Crafting a saving plan
- Obtaining new skills
- Discovering your sexuality
- Learning by doing
Shadow
- Trying to appear healthier or wealthier than you really are- Spending money carelessly
- Living strictly for today, with no thought of tomorrow
- Possessing immature attitudes toward sex and sexuality
- Using wealth or beauty as an excuse for not having to learn and grow
Knight of Pentacles
caution, focus, realism, invention
Light
- Spending money wisely- Paying close attention to physical or financial details
- Managing resources properly
- Preferring facts to "good feelings"
- Finding creative ways to "make do" with resources on hand
- Completing a new invention
Shadow
- Throwing caution to the four winds- Spending without regard for consequence
- Obsessing on tiny physical or financial details
- Escaping stress by unhealthy habits
- Perpetually chasing after some new bauble
- Copying another's work and claiming it as your own
Queen of Pentacles
luxury, comfort, generosity, prosperity
Light
- Appreciating any of the better things in life- Reveling in healthy sexuality
- Treating yourself
- Splurging on the occasional "nice to have" item
- Rewarding someone with compensation above and beyond expectations
- Having it all
Shadow
- Indulging in gluttony or greediness- Becoming insatiable
- Blunting the impact of treats by indulging in them too often
- Providing physical comfort without providing for emotional needs
- Allowing a feeling of entitlement to distort your gratitude for what you're given
King of Pentacles
stability, dependability, confidence, intervention
Light
- Becoming debt-free- Having more than enough to get by
- Making contributions to a savings plan
- Taking a new job with an eye toward advancing your career
- Being sexually confident
- Taking on the role of enforcer when called upon to do so
Shadow
- Becoming so conservative you resist all change on principle alone- Ignoring innovations in the name of preserving tradition
- Being smug or cocky
- Becoming ruthlessly dedicated to profit or pleasure
- Being selfish
- Bossing others around, especially when you're not empowered to do so