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.
Ace of Cups
Explanation
The Ace of Cups represents openness to your ideals. From all the ideas that you evaluated during the walk with Wands, you now have found the one you find valuable to invest your time and energy in.
The number 1, associated with this Ace card, is the number of a fresh start with yet more new impulses coming your way. It might be compared to The Fool, the first card of the major arcana.
Meaning
Positive
Enjoy this time and be open to all pleasantness coming your way. Trust that the ideal you've chosen is the right one for you.
Neutral
The last steps with Wands got a little constricting for you perhaps, but most of that burden has fallen off you now. And you're now appreciating the world around you more, it seems, also to others. This appreciation might make you attract even more pleasantness.
Negative
It's probably wise not to be too optimistic. If this card is next to a Swords card, it's time to be more careful and critical. If this card is next to a Coins card, it means you should be more practical and not get stuck in just thinking about your dreams and ideals.
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.
3 of Swords
Explanation
The 3 of Swords is about assertiveness.
Sometimes you just shouldn't ignore those others that do you harm (conciously or not). Sometimes you should face them and force them to respect you.
Meaning
Positive
Now is definately the time to get more assertive with someone who's probably testing you for a while now. Some people just won't quit until you tell them to, so you'd better tell them quite early.
Neutral
You've cropped up your feelings for too long, and you feel like telling someone who's been testing you the full truth today. Probably not a bad idea to show them you've had enough.
Negative
Don't be too vigorous in your complaints to others right now. Either the time is not right, or you're planning to bark up the wrong tree.
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.
9 of Pentacles
Explanation
The 9 of Pentacles represents earned rest. The element Earth, attached to the Pentacles suit, appreciates the rest that completion of hard work brings. This is a good time for games and relaxation.
Meaning
Positive
By all means take some well earned rest, so you get refreshed for the next leg of your journey.
Neutral
You're wonderfully content with the work you've done so far. Now it's time for some well earned relaxation. This card could point to a holiday or vacation abroad, or bring the idea of taking such leisure to the forefront.
Negative
Even though you might feel a bit tired, now is not the time to rest. The situation likely requires that you keep on working. Take enough short breaks though, to avoid exhaustion and to stay on the right course in your project.
7 of Cups
Explanation
The 7 of Cups is about making a choice between different ideals. But Cups, with the water element, don't like making definitive choices that much, making this 7 in this suit a bit of a hard choice.
Meaning
Positive
Listen only to yourself as you make the choice of what ideal to pursue. You might even want to ignore the advice of those around you for this choice, as it is you who has to do the work to get there.
Neutral
You've overcome many illusions so far already. But you might be tempted to believe in one of those illusions again. Try to believe in something that's attainable this time.
Negative
When this card falls in an upside down way, you are probably too stuck in evaluating things. At least fulfill your existing commitments.
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.
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.
Queen of Swords
Explanation
The Queen of Swords makes you aware of what you can do with alertness, objectivity, diplomacy, and your own intelligence. She will teach you how to approach your goals while also guarding yourself against dangers.
Meaning
Positive
Try to fully understand the other party or parties before telling your own story. This will give you an advantage in negotiations.
Neutral
This is a time of passing through dangerous territory, with constant course adjustments to stay out of danger. You'll need to stay diplomatic to avoid making too many enemies, but you should not let yourself be fooled by the plenty of people who seek to gain at your expense. Communication is your weapon.
Negative
You're trying to think about too many vectors at the same time. Your gut and feelings can provide you with help.
