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.
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.
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.
Death
Explanation
This is about psychological death (or: transformation), not physical death as we have to face in life.
Place in the cycle
Death carries the number 13, which is considered the unlucky number not now but throughout history as well.
It's composed number is 4, the number of structure and order.
Meaning
Positive
Get rid of the old (habits) and get ready to welcome in the new. Don't look back too often, which may make you second guess your decisision.
Neutral
You're in a period of your life where you've decided to radically clean up your act. Actually you've made the decision at The Hanged Man, the previous card in the deck, and now at Death you're ready to fill in the blanks of that change. The cleaning up concerns things that you know have to change. You get rid of things that no longer matter and will become blockages when you continue with them. But the new is not here yet, so while you cut old habits out of your life you may end up waiting for the input of the new. This may cause feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability.
Death is a card that does not fall frequently, it is a bit of a special card. When it does fall, you should spend time to understand it's meaning for you then and there. First of all to take away the negative appearance of the card, second because the card signifies an important time in the life of the asker.
The card may indicate relational problems. Getting rid of the old may mean abandoning someone you once loved.
There is the chance that you may want to kick out the old (habits) too soon, just to get clarity. Or you may end up in limbo, having eliminated the old but also not welcoming of whatever new is heading your way.
Negative
Don't make any (drastic) changes yet, give things time instead.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
