The Emperor
Explanation
Like The Empress, this card indicates power. But instead of spiritual power, this card indicates materialistic, worldly power. The Emperor is sometimes compared to Mars, God of war and courage.
Place in the cycle
The Emperor has the number 4 attached to it. This is the number of order and structure, the number of matter; with 4 things can be built and organized.
There are 4 seasons, 4 elements, 4 wind directions. The number gives stability and orginanisation and discipline and a steady strength to get done what needs to get done.
The number 1 brings the idea, the number 4 takes it on. This also means that with this number 4 things can be decided one way or another.
While the previous card, The Empress, indicates a time to relax and enjoy, with this card it is time to get things underway and for the work to commence.
Meaning
Positive
Of all the things that are heading your way you must pick just a few or even just one to focus on. Get your goals into focus and stick to your goals. Be careful not to get distracted.
Neutral
This card falls in a time when you're busy and facing challenges. This means there is a lot to do and a large need to organise and structure your activities.
You feel strong and full of energy, you have willpower and selfdiscipline and an ability to close yourself to distractions.
Negative
Don't be too rigid, you can't achieve your goals with just strength, often wisdom and knowledge are needed as well.
Knight of Cups
Explanation
The Knight of Cups is explores his own feelings, and the outside world might not even notice.
Meaning
Positive
Try to recognize your own true feelings, and try to come to some conclusion on where to move next. You may have to change a few things here and there.
Neutral
You're working with your own feelings about where to head next, about what makes you truely happy. Take your time for this choice.
Negative
Now is not the right time to express your feelings to others around you, you make yourself too vulnerable that way.
2 of Pentacles
Explanation
The 2 of Pentacles is an assignment number card, and the assignment here is to maintain a happy and relaxed attitude during a wait for results of what you started.
Meaning
Positive
You might be able to do some preliminary work while you wait. Try to relax a bit as well.
Neutral
You've started something that now practically requires you to wait a bit for results to come in. This gives you the chance to relax, and to do some final polishing as well.
Negative
You don't actually have to wait for results right now, you can proceed with your efforts, perhaps from a different angle.
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.
10 of Cups
Explanation
The 10 of Cups is the link to the Swords suit. It is time to leave your own emotions behind and face the world and the tasks ahead.
Meaning
Positive
It is time to pursue your chosen ideal. You've mapped out most of the road ahead of you, now it's time to start walking.
Neutral
You've found hapiness when you've found your ideal to pursue. You know what you have to do to give your life substance, now is the time to get really started.
Negative
The ideal you've chosen might not be the right one for you after all. Take a little extra time to think about your goals one more time.
King of Cups
Explanation
The King of Cups uses his intuition to achieve his ideals. Since Cups are turned inward, and Kings turned to the outside world, this card might be a difficult one, or it could be a powerful one.
Meaning
Positive
Trust your instincts and intuition, let your ideals show a bit, and don't let the scepticism of others keep you from achieving your ideals.
Neutral
You're convinced that feelings and what your heart tells you are more important than rationality and cold intellect. You radiate idealism to others, and some of them might follow you because of that.
Negative
Don't lose sight of reality, you might be too idealistic at the moment. Try to be practical.
The Empress
Explanation
The Empress expresses wordly power, but not without female influences like a sense of spirituality.
Of the four wisdoms that The Magician represents she represents the wisdom of the body and of feelings. She is compared to the love and harvest Godesses.
Place in the cycle
The Empress carries the number 3. This is the number of birth, of plenty, of harvest, of summer, of the first results. The number 3 stands for joy and fun, for creativity and fantasy, for warmth and humor.
The number 3 is a magical number; 1 is a dot, 2 a line but 3 the first number that generates space. The triangle and pyramid have positive and magical qualities. Add the numer 1 (male) to the number 2 (female) and you get 3 : the child. In many old cultures the number 3 was a holy number, generating balance and harmony.
Meaning
Positive
Enjoy your good feelings and make the best of them. Recharge yourself with new energy, do fun things or be pampered by others. You've earned it.
Neutral
When the card of The Empress is drawn, it means you're in tune with yourself, you have a balance between heart and mind, you're content with yourself and feel fine by yourself.
The card indicates a happy period in your life, with strength for what lies ahead.
Because you're content with yourself, you radiate that contentness to others who may pick up on it and find you attractive because of it. The card could even indicate a pregnancy.
Negative
Be careful not to get lazy or to enjoy this time passively. The good influences of the card may pass by without you capitalizing on them.
6 of Swords
Explanation
The 6 of Swords is a reward number after the hard assignment in 5 of Swords, it brings you to a safe place to rest a bit.
Meaning
Positive
Now is a good time to take some rest. Your work will be of higher quality if you take short breaks regularly.
Neutral
If you take some rest now, you can re-evaluate your course on the way to realizing your ideal.
Negative
Now is not the best time to rest. Your competitors could be right behind you, and if you slack off now you could undo the progress over your competitors that you gained earlier.
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.
Knight of Wands
Explanation
The Knights often show a flurry of activity. They go out and make things happen. The cautious behavior of Pages is not shown by Knights, but they don't burden the weight of responsibilities that Kings have.
The Knight of Wands likes action and progress, but isn't too concerned with the usefulness of his actions or the ramifications to those around him.
Meaning
Positive
Have a good long look at whatever is coming your way when this card falls. It's probably worth your attention and activity.
Neutral
You might be feeling a lot of youthful energy in yourself as this card falls. You radiate this to others who might be infected by your enthousiasm. Just try to stay realistic.
Negative
When this card falls upside-down, you might be a bit too impulsive and careless at the moment. Try to take a moments rest to evaluate where exactly you're going.
