The Hierophant
Explanation
The Hierophant is another name for The Highpriest.
Where The Emperor is the chief of worldly power, The Hierophant is the head of spiritual matters.
Place in the cycle
The Hierophant carries the number 5. This is the number connected to humans. 5 senses, 5 limbs (including the head), 5 fingers on a hand, 5 toes on a foot.
Research (via known and unknown senses) is part of the number 5, with enthousiasm and in freedom.
Meaning
Positive
Use your mind, analyze the situation. Look at what you'll need to solve the situation and what your weaknesses in this task are.
Then seek help from a specialist and follow their advice. In the end, it's you who has to make the steps.
Neutral
When the card of The Hierophant is drawn, then there is something you want to achieve or solve. You'll be able to do this, because it's not the first problem in your path.
Negative
Go it alone, don't seek help. You can make it on your own. Don't bother others with your problems.
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.
Queen of Pentacles
Explanation
The Queen in the suit of Pentacles becomes aware of her Earthly attributes; she's reliable and sober, able to give good advice.
When this card falls, it serves to make you more aware of what comfort relations with other people can bring.
Meaning
Positive
Now is not the time to be a hermit and avoid other people. Instead, seek out the company of those that appreciate or love you. If you feel like it, discuss your project or work or ideal with them, just to get a different perspective on things. Or just spend some time in silence with them, so your auras can replenish eachother.
Neutral
You might discover that you actually like the comfort of being with others in a safe environment, more than you previously thought.
Negative
You're too attached to the securities and good feelings that your loved ones provide you with. Those securities can hold you down too sometimes, and the tarot as a whole advises to avoid stagnation.
The Chariot
Explanation
The Chariot is pulled through the city with the conqueror on it to signal a big win to a large audience.
Place in the cycle
This card has the number 7 attached to it, the "lucky number" in Western Culture. It was and is seen as a magical and holy number. But it also encourages growth.
During the prevous card, The Lovers, all the wisdom of the first cards in the deck has been processed and a choice was made for personal growth. Now it's time to do something with all this baggage, to actually travel the road. A lot has been done so far, wisdoms have been accumulated and integrated into one's personality.
Meaning
Positive
The time to let others tell you what to do is over, you're ready to grow on your own. But remember; you'll have to work for growth, it won't just be given to you.
Neutral
You've probably gone through a time when you were growing toward something that (subconciously or not) scared you (a bit). Now you're ready to really grow toward the new, toward the exciting, and you're telling nearly everyone with enthousiasm and some naivety perhaps.
However, you run the risk of getting stuck in showboasting. You may claim all sorts of things, and then when push comes to shove you may neglect to make the necessary steps.
Negative
Now is not the time to be reckless. Look at things objectively and don't rush into adventure.
Page of Pentacles
Explanation
Pages explore and gather information about the road ahead, with an almost naive attitude. The Page of Pentacles is sometimes described as a bridge builder; Pentacles is the suit where the actual work is done, and the Page here enables those that follow to quickly cross difficult terrain.
Meaning
Positive
Don't do anything reckless right now, you need to consider carefully what each likely outcome of each of your potential choices is. Consider the other forces at play in your field carefully as well.
Neutral
Either things have been fairly chaotic for you lately, or you're facing one of your more murky choices, when this card falls. If things have been chaotic, this card will bring some rest and clarity. If you're facing a difficult choice, it'll help you take the time to carefully consider your options.
Negative
You could want security and clarity _too_ much, you know. Sometimes a bit of chaos and unclarity can be fun and exciting, while allowing you to find options you haven't considered yet.
If this card falls upside down (or, in a "negative" way), don't crave clarity and securities; embrace adventure instead.
4 of Wands
Explanation
This card is about fostering cooperation to realize your ideas.
The number and element of this card (4=structure, element=fire) are in sync because fire can use the stability of structure, and structure can use the liveliness of fire. Here the structure of 4 doesn't cause stagnation.
Meaning
Positive
Listen to the advice of others, you don't have to invent everything on your own. Try to maximize their advice.
Neutral
You're talking with others about your ideas. Others will help you and stimulate your ideas, which increases your self-confidence.
By talking with others about your ideas you'll be pointed towards new possibilities.
Negative
Do it alone, you can do it on your own. You never know who's going to steal your idea if you tell others.
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.
Knight of Swords
Explanation
The Knight of Swords lacks the naivety of the Knight of Wands, he has analyzed the terrain ahead and weighed his options there. He knows what his own nature can throw into the mix, but does not let himself be held idle by that. The activities ahead will likely include the solving of conflicts and problems on your road to your ideal.
Meaning
Positive
Don't avoid any confrontation right now. Face it head on and let yourself be heard.
Neutral
There will be some problems and possibly some confrontations on the next leg of your journey. You're advised to fight for your rights, but with constant attention to where the stream of events is heading. Stay relaxed enough to deal effectively with unexpected events.
Negative
Don't be too aggressive, or you'll scare away those that can help you. You don't always need violence to solve problems or conflicts.
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.
