Queen of Cups
Explanation
Queens and Cups are both somewhat turned inward. This might make whatever choice you're facing when this card falls, a deep one. Take your time, and don't let the issue overwhelm you or your emotions.
Meaning
Positive
Research who and what you are, what you want, but don't let the choice(s) you have to make take control of you. Be mindful of what your dreams at night offer in form of tips, and don't experiment with drugs during this time.
Neutral
You don't feel the need for many social contacts at the moment, because you feel you can work things out on your own. However, getting some advise here and there might be more useful than you think.
Negative
Don't make yourself too vulnerable by discussing too many of your inner thoughts with others.
6 of Pentacles
Explanation
The 6 of Pentacles signals that help has arrived or will arrive soon. The number 6 represents security and reward. In the Earth element attached to Pentacles, this means material rewards are likely coming your way.
Meaning
Positive
Now would be a good time to go out and seek some help for your project. Talk to people about your project.
Neutral
You'll notice that there are people and institutions that are willing to help you along your path toward your ideal. You've managed to convince others of the worthiness of your ideas and the help you can get from them is meaningful and solid.
Negative
Don't seek help if you can solve things on your own. It's not always wise to reveal your ideals and plans to others.
The Hanged Man
Explanation
Inclusion of The Hanged Man in the Tarot could mean that Tarot has it's origins in Scandinavian mythology.
In the Edda is described how Odin hung himself upside down from the Yggdrasil, the tree of transformation, for nine days and nights, to better understand the runes.
This card can therefore be seen as a link to rune laying, another yet somewhat more mysterious divination tool.
But these observations can not serve as proof for Scandinavian origins for the Tarot.
Place in the cycle
This card has the number 12 attached to it, the composed value of which is 3 (an output number).
The year has 12 months, and therefore this card can be seen having a reference to the passing of time.
The Hanged Man is the first (composed) 3 in the second major cycle.
First you learned that you're not a plaything of fate, that you can make your own choices. Then you've learned how to fend for yourself and face yourself. Now, at The Hanged Man, you can learn to let go. You no longer have to cling to old values. You've found strength in yourself and by letting go, you allow growth.
This is the reward of the first output number (3) of the second cycle. The numbers 10, 11 and 12 may be seen as the gateway to the underworld. From 13, here, this underworld is truely entered.
Meaning
Positive
Allow things to happen to you, don't resist them. Follow your feelings and discard practical objections for a while. You're on the eve of a major transformation in your life.
Neutral
When this card is drawn, you've reached a point of giving up your resistance to change. You allow fate to take over for a while, and things to happen to you. You've got enough self-confidence to realise you'll make the right choice for yourself in whatever circumstances.
Negative
Keep your feet on the ground and don't jump into any adventure right now.
9 of Swords
Explanation
The 9 of Swords represents relief from cropped-up grief. The number 9 is a number of reward and rest and accomplishment. In the element of Swords there is not a lot of time for rest, but without any rest you'd just burn yourself out.
Meaning
Positive
Even for men, it is sometimes allowed to cry. Crying can help you get rid of intense cropped up grief, and much improve your outlook on the world.
Neutral
When this card falls, it is time to deal with grief cropped up over possibly a long time. It's now time to get rid of both the grief and the blockages it's caused in you.
Negative
This is not the time for mourning, which you could have been doing for too long now. Try to face the world without negativity.
4 of Cups
Explanation
With the 4, the second cycle of this suit is commenced, where a choice between structure and feeling has to be made, where old securities have to be let go of to work towards a new future. But like Wands, Cups don't like structure much, they prefer to be free and dream rather than to make commitments and go for something.
Meaning
Positive
To let go of securities and pursue ideals is not an easy task. Give yourself the time you need to make this step. Don't fool yourself to believe you feel fine with those old securities, something inside you desires the new and unknown. But make sure those new ideals are actually worth pursuing, before doing anything drastic.
Neutral
Rationally, you can understand to achieve new heights, you'll have to let go of some of your old securities. But you will need time to make that step.
Negative
You've waited and doubted for long enough now. It's time to make a choice about the next step(s) in your life.
Ace of Pentacles
Explanation
With Wands, you surveyed the world for worthy goals and ideals.
With Cups, you decided on a specific (set of) ideals to pursue.
With Swords, you faced some initial problems on your road towards your chosen ideal(s).
Now in Pentacles, it's about the remainder of the work (with procedures worked out by Swords) that gets you to completion of your chosen ideal(s).
The element attached to Pentacles is Earth. And it's attributes are perseverance, taking pride in boring hard work, discipline, order.
Pentacles are often refered to as related to money. But that's a bit of a narrow view. It's about the hard work that completes the journey to an ideal and thus give your life fulfillment.
The Ace of Pentacles has the number 1 attached to it, which is always the number of a new beginning.
Meaning
Positive
You've figured out what to do, you sort of know how to do it, then now is the perfect time to start doing it. And don't give up easily.
Neutral
When this card falls, it might serve to point your attention to whatever is new and fresh in your life; a new job, study, love relation, business relation, project, etc. Look to the other cards in the reading to see what more can be said about it.
Negative
The plans you made for getting to your ideal might not be the optimal course for getting there after all. Stay flexible, something you encounter might be a shortcut for you.
The Hermit
Explanation
The Hermit shuts out the world and retreats into solitude to better understand some spiritual aspect of life. He opens to the cosmos and lets it's wisdom sink in. Hermits are often seen as wise old men who can guide a traveller along a journey.
Place in the cycle
The Hermit carries the number 9. This is the highest base number. After 9 the composed numbers emerge. Therefore the number 9 is the gateway to a higher order. It is also a place to rest before embarking on the next leg of the journey.
Meaning
Positive
Rest, but at the same time prepare for the next leg of your journey. Empty your mind of things past, and wait for inspiration to hit you. Wait for a sign, it'll be there in time.
Neutral
When the card of The Hermit is drawn, it means you can relax a bit and recall the leg of the journey that you have completed. Up to now everything has been guided by your own choices, now it is time to let the universe guide you along the next steps. The card signifies a waiting period.
Negative
Don't be too passive, now is not the time to rest.
Ace of Wands
Explanation
The ace of wands represents the beginning of an idea. The element fire and the number 1 give a powerful combination: enterprise and new beginnings apply to both. This is an energetic combination, which is why the card is generally considered a positive one. Spring is the season associated with this card.
Meaning
Positive
Try to focus on just one or two (new) things, it would be a shame to let all this new energy be divided over so many things not much progress is made with any of them.
Once you've decided, move ahead with full force, do what you like and don't worry about a thing.
Neutral
You're filled with new energy. Energy to undertake new endeavours in your life, sometimes maybe a bit too many at the same time even. Your attention could be flowing from one flower to the next, the next even more beautiful than the previous one.
Negative
One early flower doesn't mean it's full on Spring just yet. You are probably a bit premature by taking on new things and ideas right now, you have things to work out before you move on.
3 of Cups
Explanation
The 3 of Cups represents hope, faith and love. The 3 is a reward number and in this suit of Cups your feelings during that number will be that of joy and self-contentment.
Meaning
Positive
This card will test your abilities to enjoy hope, faith and love, in the widest. Let go of all doubts and enjoy the comfort of the innocence of a child who believes all will turn out for the best.
Neutral
You might be feeling a lot of optimism about the future, and this is not unjustified, even though parts of the world might believe differently.
Negative
You can go overboard with enthousiasm and optimism as well. If this card falls in a negative, upside-down way, try to be more realistic, so you don't get disappointed later.
