The Moon
Explanation
The Moon has been looked in all ways during our history. It has been both revered and dispised.
Where the sun ruled the day, the moon ruled the night. Those who knew the lunar cycles knew when they needed to seed and when they needed to harvest.
Place in the cycle
The Moon carries the number 18, composed that is 9. This composed number is the number of completion, of achievement.
The Hermit, also a 9, closed off the upperworld. The Moon closes the underworld.
You've faced a lot in the underworld, your own fears not least of them. Now it is time to crawl back up to securities and comfort, but there's work to be done before you're there.
Meaning
Positive
If you want to achieve a high goal, you'll need to walk the middle ground between the swamps. You'll need to articulate to others where you want to go, and in telling them about your desires expose yourself somewhat.
Neutral
You're busy with your feelings at the moment, re-finding your ideals and vocalizing your feelings despite that making your vulnerable. This is not the time to get stuck in the sea of your feelings, it is time to go onto shore and find the golden middle path toward hapiness.
Negative
Don't look at your ideals and desires too much. Stick to practical goals.
2 of Wands
Explanation
The 2 of Wands represents the research and digestion of a new idea. The number of this card and it's element are somewhat in conflict; while the 2 is focussed inwards, the Wand's element fire is outgoing. Fire wants to steam ahead while the blackbox 2 asks for patience.
Meaning
Positive
You'll need to be patient, postpone your activities related to new things in your life just a bit.
Try to focus your attention on what's useful to do right now.
Neutral
You are confronted with a waiting period, and you probably don't like it. You'd like to embark on new endeavours, but somehow circumstances force you to wait.
Negative
Waits are not required here. Even if it seems something is stopping you, try now to get around the block and proceed with your new idea.
Page of Wands
Explanation
Pages are exploratory in nature. They look at new ideas, or at old ideas from a different perspective. They don't actually decide much.
The Page of Wands is about exploring new ideas, about making some preliminary plans. It brings something new.
Meaning
Positive
Take your time to evaluate all the new ideas coming your way. One of them might be worth pursuing.
Neutral
Everything before this was perhaps a little boring, but with this card you might detect a new enthousiasm in yourself that will help you decide what to do next. This is the card to break an impasse with.
Negative
You might be a bit too careless, wandering from idea to idea. It's time to pick one of those ideas and pursue it.
2 of Cups
Explanation
This the first assignment number of the Cups suit. Unlike Wands, with the Fire element, Cups, with the water element, has a lot more patience. Water is by nature more introspective, and this second card in the Cups suit is indeed about exploring yourself. The outcome is uncertain as always, but it usually results in better acceptance of yourself.
Meaning
Positive
Now is the time to take some rest and relaxation, not the time to go on wild adventures.
Neutral
You're going through a process of self-healing, and are perhaps almost unaware of that. You may feel a little tired, or confused, or wary, but along the way you will get more lenient with yourself, and give your soul the rest it needs.
Negative
You might be pressing for reconciliation with yourself a bit too hard. The middle road is not always the right one, and confrontations (with yourself or with others) should not always be avoided.
5 of Pentacles
Explanation
The 5 of Pentacles is an assignment-number card, and is about letting go of your securities. Pentacles element Earth (also) represents material posessions, so this card is about letting go of (some of) your worldly assets.
Meaning
Positive
Don't look back, and don't get depressed over what you've lost. Things may seem a little barren right now, but help is on the way.
Neutral
Despite losing something, you gained something as well; freedom from ties.
Negative
You're too afraid of losing your securities and thus setting yourself free.
5 of Cups
Explanation
The 5 of Cups is about overcoming sadness and disappointment. You've let go of your old securities to embrace the new and exciting, now something has gone awry and you feel bad about that. But don't forget to notice those things that did go right.
Meaning
Positive
Dare to make the balance, of exactly what went wrong, and what is still standing. Take comfort in what remains right, and try to fix what went wrong in due time.
Neutral
Despite your immediate desires getting no satisfaction, you still have assets that can help you along the way to your dreams. Try not to get stuck with bad feelings, and don't dwell on the bad in your life. Try to face it.
Negative
Don't fear failure too much. You might in fact not even fail at all.
The Devil
Explanation
The Devil has since ancient history been the adversary of God, the opposite of God.
The Devil has many faces and is always waiting to make new victims.
In a psychological sense, every human has his/her positive sides, and his/her negative sides. Only by being aware of your negative sides can you overcome them.
Place in the cycle
The number this card carries is 15, composed that is 6. The resemblances to the first '6' card (The Lovers) are remarkable; in both cards security is a central theme.
With The Lovers, you made the choice against old securities yourself, with The Devil you will lose them due to outside influences.
The Devil is a very important card in the cycle. An enormous amount of work has to be performed at The Devil. Facing your fears will be a large part of that work.
The Devil kind of forces you to face your future.
Meaning
Positive
Don't avoid change. Seek some security outside yourself, away from your inner troubles.
Neutral
The Devil announces a bad time in your life, which also allows you to experience new heights later. After this bottom at The Devil you can only go up. You're busy changing, and in that process you now encounter your own fears. And you might not even recognize this!
Negative
This is not the time to face your own fears. Other issues in your life had better take priority.
King of Swords
Explanation
The King of Swords rules with diplomacy and a strong sense of responsibility, not just for himself but also for those around him, yet he is not afraid to make heavy decisions that compel him to eliminate dangers and dangerous opponents with some force.
Meaning
Positive
You happen to have the best solution for the problems facing your group. Go ahead, take the leadership on this course change and lead with convincing logic coupled to the emotions that most people in your group have right now.
Neutral
Not everyone is going to be happy with the leadership's chosen direction, even if the leadership has acted from the best of intentions for everyone. But that'll change when the rewards arrive.
Negative
You're not the right guy or girl to lead at this time, sorry. If you have to lead, consult the wise and just.
Page of Swords
Explanation
The Page of Swords is probably more than the other Pages an explorer at heart. The element of the Swords suit is Air, and Air is the best place to explore from after all ;-)
Just don't forget to analyse what you explore.
Meaning
Positive
Take your time to decide, and only decide after you have properly considered all the angles.
Neutral
You're in a situation where you have to decide about something, possibly about whether to embark on a journey with people who want something from you.
It is probably wise not to jump in the deep end without considering what you're jumping in to. It won't hurt to stand on the edge and feel the temperature of the water either.
Negative
Not everyone is motivated to hurt you or exploit you. You might do well by being a little more trusting with individuals who you think might be worthy of that trust. You can probably trust your instincts.
The Lovers
Explanation
Some attribute love and romance to the card of The Lovers. Others see it as finding and living with both female and male aspects of yourself.
Place in the cycle
This card carries the number 6. It is the number of protection, of stability and security. It comes after the assignment number 5, it is the reward after hard work.
The Magician announced four wisdoms. In the cards that followed, they came into view one by one. The traveler of Tarot has accumulated the baggage with which to travel. This card signifies a choice between staying with the old and familiar, or (the way of Tarot:) going to new experiences and lessons.
Meaning
Positive
Open yourself to growth towards independence.
Neutral
When the card of The Lovers is drawn, then you're ready to realize that you've gained security in yourself. You've developed a basic self confidence that enables you to look objectively to your surroundings. But you're ready to grow beyond your current realm of comfort. Your need for self reliance is increasing. This card is a process card, which means that it's effect might last for months.
Negative
Don't linger, don't get stuck in your own habits. Spring into action.
