Justice
Explanation
Justice is an important concept in nearly every culture and religion. It is part of the four midieval values, the other three are: strength, temperance and carefulness. Only carefulness is missing from the major arcana, nobody really knows why.
Place in the cycle
This card carries the number 11. In the Rider-Waite deck, Strength and Justice have swapped places because Waite saw links with the astrological signs Leo and Libra.
Consisting of two 1's, it has both the characteristics of 1 and 2. A number full of opposites therefore. The number 11 is the first assignment number in the new cycle.
Meaning
Positive
Waiting for another can be very frustrating. See what you can do on your own. Make your own analysis, subject yourself to your own objective judgement. Then the judgement of the other(s) won't a surprise to you anymore.
Neutral
When the Justice card is drawn, you will feel a major change heading your way, which brings some apprehension or excitement on your part along with it. An outside entity could have to pass judgement on you, which will leave you feeling somewhat powerless.
Negative
Don't wait for the judgement of others. You'll be able to continue on your own.
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 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.
Queen of Wands
Explanation
Queens are the custodians in the game of Tarot, they are kind of introvert. They process the experiences of the Pages and Knights to come to a much better understanding of the Element associated with the suit that they are part of, paving the way for you to fulfill the role of King later.
The Queen of Wands is drawn when you (have to) become more aware of the properties of the Wands suit; vitality, optimism and enthousiasm.
Meaning
Positive
Realize what your positive attributes are, and try to enjoy yourself a bit.
Neutral
You've got plenty to offer to those around you, and it's not wrong to be somewhat aware of that.
Negative
You think too positive about yourself at the moment. It's not wise to get stuck feeling great about yourself without making any progress at all.
8 of Swords
Explanation
The 8 of Swords is about slowly regaining strength and energy. The 8 is an assignment number, and in the element of Swords it's a bit harder than usual.
Meaning
Positive
A little rest can help here, you're working through (old) emotions that prop up while you try to adapt to new ways of working (with your surroundings).
Try to balance the need for rest with the need for making progress.
Neutral
You're done with those things that are not good for you, but while your mind understands it, your feelings lag behind a bit. You keep drifting back to old viewpoints, and it will take at least a little time to let go of these.
Negative
It's not needed to look at everything with pessimism. Push yourself to let go of the old and embrace the new.
King of Pentacles
Explanation
The King of Pentacles uses his Earthly attributes to rule. He goes about his work like an old style business man; he avoids unnecessary risks, aims for real results, and acts from confidence.
Meaning
Positive
Keep doing what you're doing. Trust yourself and the support of your loved ones.
Neutral
You're working without exhausting yourself, with support from your loved ones, and working on right-sized tasks that bring you closer to your ideal.
And you're even likely to have (a lot of) fun while you work too.
Negative
You could be too careful to avoid risks at the moment. Taking risks often brings a chance for receiving rewards, provided that you don't blindly gamble.
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.
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.
8 of Pentacles
Explanation
The 8 of Pentacles is about keeping up the hard work you're doing, and trying to be happy about doing that work at the same time. While the 3 of Pentacles is about completing a masterpiece, the 8 of Pentacles is about doing the apprentice work that makes you a master of your trade.
Meaning
Positive
Even though everyone gets tempted to just abandon their sometimes boring hard work in search of adventure, now is not the time for you to seek adventure. You'll reap rewards you might not even realize from this hard work, when it's done.
Neutral
The work you're doing at the moment has become boring to you, as a lot of work often becomes to anyone. You may feel an urge to let your project slide and focus on something new. Consider what you'll gain if you'd complete the boring work, though, before abandoning it or letting what you've accomplished so far degrade by a period of stagnation.
Negative
Don't turn your work or project into a prison. A brief period of laziness might serve to bring your attention to new opportunities, related to your project or not.
