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.
7 of Wands
Explanation
With the 7 of Wands, the striving cycle starts. It is about having the determination to complete your ideas, despite the fact that that might cause you some discomfort.
Meaning
Positive
Don't be scared of discouraged by anything. You're nearly there, make the last few steps you need to completion of your project or task.
Neutral
Things have been going well up until now. You've made some progress. But just as things get interesting and near completion, you want to let go of the whole thing and perhaps focus on something else. That way you won't reap the rewards.
Negative
You might not be as near to completion of your project or task as you have guestimated. See if there's anything you can do to speed up the process without sacrificing quality.
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.
9 of Wands
Explanation
The 9 represents rest after work, which is another thing (like 8) that the element Fire associated with Wands is not very comfortable with. Fire likes to keep going. This rest will probably be spent thinking about what to do next along the course to completion.
Meaning
Positive
It's not wrong to keep thinking ahead, but you could really use some real rest as well. You've earned it.
Neutral
You've completed a chapter in which you faced yourself. Your success has given you confidence, and now would be good time to get a little rest, but you're probably too impatient to truely do nothing.
Negative
There might be things on your horizon that you did not face before. Now is not the time to be arrogant or careless.
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.
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.
10 of Wands
Explanation
The 10 in the small arcana, any of the Wands, Cups, Swords or Coins cards, is the number that connects to the Ace of the next element.
The 10 of Wands is therefore the transition from the element Fire (associated with Wands) to the element Water, associated with Cups. As you might imagine, this not the easiest of transitions.
Meaning
Positive
Although it would be nice to focus on just 1 thing, now is not yet the time for it. You need to keep track of multiple responsibilities at this time.
Neutral
On the one hand all these tasks before you feel like a prison, but on the other hand you don't feel like letting go just yet. You might be looking for what you want to do most.
Negative
You're trying to do too many tasks at the same time, don't dump all of them, but reduce the number you have at hand, yes. Think carefully about which ones are best performed first, and then do those first.
King of Wands
Explanation
The Kings are the rulers. With the experiences of Queens, who integrated the experiences of Pages and Knights, they act.
The King of Wands uses the properties of Wands (vitality, optimism, enthousiasm) to go out with confidence. He is seen as a leader with charisma.
Meaning
Positive
Use the positivity that this card radiates. This would be an excellent time for a job interview or to apply for any other position where others determine your suitability.
Neutral
You function well at the moment, now might be the time to take on more responsibilities, to apply to a higher rung on the ladder of success.
Negative
You might be too arrogant to some at the moment. Modesty gets you further.
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.
