XV - The Devil

The Devil

A pale woman is chained, hands and feet together, and left on top of a huge horned skull. The horns are a sign of masculine virility, yet they adorn a dead skull. She, too, is crowned with horns as well as jewels. Both she and the skull are surrounded by flames, representing passion. She is, it appears, enslaved by her passions. She doesn’t act afraid or even interested in getting away. Her expression looks almost amused. It is easy to assume that she is here of her own free will. However, as time passes and the flames grow and perhaps other uncomfortable situations develop, she may find she no longer has a choice, that she cannot get out of the situation without help. A pentagram represents the four elements under the domination of the Spirit. However, the pentagram on the skull is inverted, signifying the dominance of the physical world over the spiritual one.

The Devil card is rarely a pleasant one. It suggests bondage or addiction to a dangerous practice, substance, situation, pr person. Less extreme and less dangerous, it can represent over-indulgences of any sort – eating, drinking, sexual activity, staying up late, etc. These may be unhealthy and the appearance of this card in a reading may remind you to adopt more moderate practices. Being held captive by your passions might feel like fun for a short time, but such imbalance is never a good long-term plan.

If reversed, this card can indicate a close call with resisting a temptation or eliminating certain pleasures from your life for fear of becoming addicted. Also, this can represent a recent release from a dangerous or destructive situation.

Use your intuition:

What is the raven doing here?

Could she, or would she, ask the raven to bring help?

What is the significance of the Moon in this image?

XIV - Temperance

Temperance

The Moon shines down on a serene scene as a woman sits peacefully in the midst of some rapids. Although the water rushes around and under her, she is unaffected by it. She holds two chalices, pouring water from one to the other. Despite the churning chaos around her, she pours perfectly calmly, nothing disturbing her. This is the simple and elegant message of Temperance: to remain perfectly balanced and centered, no matter what the circumstances. This card is about balance. It does not mean equal amounts of everything all the time. It means remaining perfectly balanced, no matter what else is going on, which means Temperance is always in motion to adjust to changing environments and situations. Sometimes she needs to pour a little more out of one chalice, sometimes the other – it all depends on what is going on around her.

This card suggests that you watch your balance. Take the time to make sure your reactions, decisions, and words are appropriate for for the situation at hand. You are advised to practice moderation and patience. This is no time for extreme behaviour or melodramatic gestures.

If reversed, this card implies someone whose behaviour is out of control and very clearly immoderate. It can, although rarely, suggest that an extreme stance is called for.

Use your intuition:

What is the white flower to the left and what does it signify?

What happens when one of the cups is emptied of all the liquid?

This scene is set at night. How would the card’s meaning change if it were daytime?

XIII - Death

Death

A figure cloaked in black, holding a scythe, whom we can only assume is Death, sits on a pile of skulls. A white rose, symbolizing new life, grows from the base of the skull pile. A young girl sits nearby, next to a tree stump, mourning her loss. Death and the girl are together on a small island, indicating that the great loss of Death can make one feel alone. However, while the island is surrounded by water, there is other land within view, reminding us that the sorrow of death does end and we will return to our everyday lives again. Although not as bright as usual, the sun is rising in the distance, barely shining through the clouds. Above the island, a ghost of a woman floats upward. Her arms are out-stretched and her head is thrown back as if in relief and joy, as if she were released, at last, from something painful.

This card can, but rarely does, refer to physical death, which is some comfort. Death, though, whether physical or metaphorical, is not an easy experience. This card implies the end of something, perhaps a job, a relationship, a situation, an organization. The actual ending will likely be hard, but once it’s over the cycle continues and something new will come. On the other hand, it may be a welcome closure, such as an ending of a bad relationship, quitting an unhappy job, or selling a house to get a new one. On a spiritual level, this can mean a symbolic death where you eliminate old beliefs that no longer work for you and were perhaps holding you back. Death is usually hard, but it must happen before transformation or resurrection occurs.

If reversed, this card can imply resisting death and perhaps even stalling it. Letting something drag n beyond its natural life span leads to stagnation.

Use your intuition:

What is the story of the woman and the little girl? Are they mother and daughter, the same person, or is there some other relationship?

Is Death hanging around the girl, or has the girl sought out Death?

XII - The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man

Two ravens watch as a woman hangs upside down, suspended between two living trees. Turbulent waters rush below her, but she appears perfectly at ease, almost as if she were meditating, and not suffering. This woman is hanging here voluntarily. It is easy to imagine that before assuming this position, she practiced fasting and other forms of physical denial in order to seek a spiritual experience. Her efforts are successful, as can be seen by the glowing radiance around her head. Hanging tranquilly between Earth and Sky, in a place between worlds, she is experiencing things that she will never forget and that will change her life. In this state, her day-to-day hopes, desires, and goals no longer seem important; her only focus is on spiritual enlightenment.

This card can represent, very simply, sacrifice. You may be asked to give up something for the sake of someone or something else. This card can also indicate the need for a change in thinking or a new point of view. Or it can be a more spiritual activity, one where you give up something of yourself to gain spiritual wisdom. It can also mean, almost literally, a time of suspension, a time where you should do nothing at all.

If reversed, this card suggests that you are being asked to make a sacrifice that is too big and potentially harmful to you. It also implies feeling confused – as though your world has been turned upside-down – thereby making you immobile, unable to take any action.

Use your intuition:

Why is the woman dressed as she is? What do the black gloves imply?

What exactly are the ravens doing there?

There are grapes growing on the left tree. What does that symbolize?

XI - Justice

Justice

At the base of stone stairs, between two pillars, Justice stands, holding a gleaming sword, it’s point resting on the ground. In her other hand, she holds a set of scales before her. The sword with its point on the ground indicates that justice grounds her decisions with proper discrimination and consciousness. The pillars represent the conscious and subconscious, meaning that our actions and our intentions are considered as Justice makes her decisions. The scales weigh our decisions and the outcome used to determine our future. This is the role of Justice, also known as Karma, for she is universal justice. Her judgement and her application of justice maintain the fairness and justness of the universe. Our choices and our actions have consequences, and Justice determines exactly what those will be.

This card represents the importance of your choices. Whatever decision you make now will have significant consequences in your future, so choose carefully. Rely on logic and reason to make the decision, rather than emotion. If you are experiencing good fortune, this card can be letting you know that your past actions made the good fortune possible. It could represent a legal situation that will be resolved in your favour. This card can also be a reminder to balance yo0ur physical concerns with spiritual growth.

If reversed, this card suggests that you are experiencing less that good fortune because of your decisions in the past or that you are in the process of making an unjust decision or one based on emotion rather than logic. It can also point to a legal situation not in your favour.

Use your intuition:

What does the swirling pool of water at Justice’ feet symbolize?

Where do the stairs behind her head lead?

If our actions, decisions, and choices go in one side of the scale, what goes in the other?

X - The Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune

A cold-faced stone Sphinx stands guard over a wheel with mysterious symbols on it, including astrological glyphs indicating the role of the stars or fate in the affairs of humans. The bleak image is softened somewhat by the presence of three women. We would be mistaken, though, to seek comfort from them, for they are the three Fates: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who spin, measure, and snip the threads of our lives. In the center of the wheel is the Sun and the Moon in all it’s phases, representing the cyclical nature of life and, indeed, our fate. What we have here is a sign of change beyond our control or even our ability to anticipate.

This card represents an unexpected change in your plans, a conflict of interests, or an idea ready to materialize. Whatever happens will be beyond your control. This card advises you to get ready for something new. Do not be rigid with your plans at this time, but prepare to go with the flow. It is likely that the temporary chaos will bring good fortune in the long run. Events will unfold in such a way that it will be impossible to miss the hand of Fate in your affairs. Be ready to make the most of it.

If reversed, this card can suggest a temporary setback or even a complete reversal of fortunes in a direction that you did not desire. It can also warn against the uselessness of flailing in the face of circumstances you cannot change.

Use your intuition:

The Sphinx stares directly ahead; is it looking at you or elsewhere? Why?

None of the Fates look at the reader. Why not?

The Fate in the red cloak, Atropos, the cutter of the threads, is facing directly away from the reader through a stone portal. What does that symbolize?