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Copyright by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

All rights reserved. The illustrations, cover design
and contents are protected by copyright. No part of
this booklet may be reproduced in any form without
permission in writing from the publisher, except by
a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in
connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, or newspaper, or website.
Images courtesy of Bridgeman Art Library.
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Made in China

U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

179 Ludlow Street, Stamford, CT 06902 USA
203-353-8400 Order Desk 800-544-2637
FAX 203-353-8431 www.usgamesinc.com

INTRODUCTION
It is the mark of a good action that, in retrospect, it appears inevitable.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Such it was for me in creating The Art of Life
Tarot Deck.
For many years I was a casual tarot card
reader, intrigued with periodically laying them
out, not really knowing or caring about their history, nor memorizing their individual meanings.
It was an occasional, entertaining hobby.
Then, in 2005, my husband was diagnosed
with Alzheimers disease. I found myself turning
to the cards more often, searching for some external source of meaning and seeking comfort. It
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was a time in my life when I felt lost and, often

times, helpless. I looked to the tarot to gain insight and perspective. I was less focused on what
was happening to him, which I knew I couldnt
change, as to what was happening to me. I was
seeking answers to deep, psychological issues;
attempting to make sense of the senseless. In
times of stress, some people look to religion for
reassurance, some rely on therapists for clarity,
while others may resort to substance abuse for
an escape. I sought empowerment through tarot.
One night something curiously wonderful happened. I awoke from a vivid dream of a
particular tarot card, something that had never
occurred to me before. The card was the Knight
of Wands. My initial reaction was to ask myself,
Why? What did it mean? I had this overwhelming intuition that it was a message. I remember
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getting out of bed and checking the meanings for

that particular card. In the Rider-Waite deck the
image of the Knight is a horse rearing up, rather
like the Lone Rangers horse Silver. This was
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especially significant to me because my father

had directed this program when I was a child.
Now, even more intrigued, I read further to find
that the suit of Wands related to my astrological
sign, Leo, and that the Knight represented looking to inner convictions to take action.
After much contemplation, I felt certain
that my unconscious was presenting me with not
just an idea, but that it was guiding me to take
action. There was something I needed, and felt
compelled, to do; it was a feeling, a certainty of
purpose, unlike any other I had experienced in
my life. I knew I would design my own tarot deck.
Being convinced of the Why, I then turned
to the How. Admittedly, I was not a tarot expert. But I knew that I wanted the format to be
different from the others I had worked with in
the pastmore personal and direct, without
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the interruption of looking elsewhere for card

interpretations. I wanted the meanings to be
displayed on each individual card and for them
to be presented in such a way as to engage the
reader in an internal dialogue.
I realized that by drawing inspiration from
my background in art history and my lifelong passion for quotations, I could capture the essence
of the meanings behind each card while simultaneously encouraging the reader to interpret its
personal meaning.
My goal was to provide others with a means
to help them help themselves. I wanted to create
an interactive tool for people to access when
they were feeling uncertain or lost and searching for direction or answers. It is my belief that
the individual only grows by gaining greater selfawareness. Each of us holds the answers we are
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seeking; we merely need to ask ourselves the

right questions and trust ourselves enough to
listen to our inner voice when it responds.
Most importantly, I created The Art of Life
because I wanted to empower the reader. I
wanted each card, no matter what the implied
context or meaning, to give the reader a sense
of strength, possibility and optimism. I wanted
the journey of the tarot to take the reader back
to him or herself; to encourage contemplation,
and for the reader to discover that the answers
to life questions lie within.

Tarot Card Meanings

In the same way that art can be experienced
differently by each individual and with each
viewing, so too are the tarot cards open to
personal interpretation. Though there are traditional meanings associated with each tarot
card, this guide is intended to help you bring
your own emotional perspectives into focus.
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The Major Arcana

Major Arcana deals with universal life stages and
major events.
FOOL
Adventure, spontaneity, initiative
MAGICIAN
Will, determination, creative power
HIGH PRIESTESS
Intuition, wisdom, knowledge
EMPRESS
Passion, nurturing, abundance
HIEROPHANT
Conventions, tradition, rules
LOVERS
Love, beauty, choice
CHARIOT
Victory, self-confidence, achievement
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STRENGTH
Courage, fortitude, resilience
HERMIT
Solitude, reflection, withdrawal
WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Change, destiny, success
JUSTICE
Truth, fairness, equity
HANGED MAN
Surrender, sacrifice, new outlook
DEATH
Ending, change, mortality
TEMPERANCE
Balance, harmony, moderation
DEVIL
Ignorance, wrongdoing, submission
TOWER
Upheaval, adversity, ruin

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STAR
Promise, optimism, faith
MOON
Dreams, illusions, subconscious
SUN
Joy, clarity, enlightenment
JUDGMENT
Reward, karma, transformation
WORLD
Self-actualization, fulfillment, wholeness

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The Minor Arcana

Minor Arcana cards relate to the details of everyday situations and temporary influences. The
meanings can be derived by combining the characteristics of the Suit (A) with the characteristics
of the Number (B) or Court (C) card.
A + B or C = MEANING
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SUITS
Wands..........Enterprise, development, creativity
Cups.............Emotions, relationships, love
Swords.........Mental and spiritual activity, strife
Pentacles....Money, work, prosperity
NUMBERS
Ace ..............Beginnings, potential
Two..............Balance, combination
Three...........Activity, development
Four.............Structure, stability
Five..............Struggle, change
Six ...............Harmony, activity
Seven...........Challenge, hidden
Eight.............Movement, energy
Nine.............Fulfillment, completion
Ten...............Transition, abundance
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COURT CARDS
King.............Leader, innovator
Queen..........Supporter, nurturer
Knight..........Explorer, doer
Page.............Beginner, learner

THE SUIT OF CUPS

Cups are associated with emotions and feelings.
King of Cups Appreciation for the arts,
nature, compassion, respect, strength
Queen of Cups Devotion, nurturing,
intuitive, emotional
Knight of Cups Romantic, sensitive,
idealistic
Page of Cups Instinct, feelings, passion
Ten of Cups Contentment, happiness,
friends and family
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Nine of Cups Harmony, exuberance, fulfilled

wishes
Eight of Cups Change, loss, leaving
something behind
Seven of Cups Illusions, clouded judgment,
fantasy
Six of Cups Memories, looking to the past,
sentimentality
Five of Cups Loss, sadness, regrets
Four of Cups Adaptation, renewal, change
Three of Cups Exuberance, fulfillment,
celebration
Two of Cups Friendship, beneficial
partnership, sharing, understanding
Ace of Cups Beginnings, openness,
attraction, insight

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THE SUIT OF PENTACLES

Pentacles relate to the material world, and
represent work and wealth.
King of Pentacles Responsible and solid.
Strength of character, prosperous
Queen of Pentacles Sensuous, grounded,
dependable
Knight of Pentacles Perseverance, hard
work and focus
Page (or Princess) of Pentacles
Inquisitive, enthusiastic student of life
Ten of Pentacles Security, affluence,
domestic harmony
Nine of Pentacles Self-sufficiency,
financial independence, accomplishment,
sound judgment
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Eight of Pentacles Craftsmanship,

productivity, expertise, recognition
Seven of Pentacles Harvest,
accomplishments, rewards
Six of Pentacles Generosity, charity
Five of PentaclesSpiritual or financial
impoverishment, despondency
Four of Pentacles Legacy, inheritance,
personal values
Three of Pentacles Expertise, ability,
recognition
Two of Pentacles Harmony, achievement,
balance
Ace of Pentacles Prosperity, contentment,
felicity

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THE SUIT OF SWORDS

Swords represent matters of the mind, especially
ideas.
King of Swords High morals, authority,
determination, logical
Queen of Swords Experience with sorrow
and adversity. Perceptive, intelligent.
Knight of Swords Impulsive, action
oriented, courageous
Page (or Princess) of Swords Ideas,
student, seeker of knowledge
Ten of Swords Courage to overcome
problems, strength through adversity
Nine of Swords Anxiety, despair,
self-sabotage
Eight of Swords Inner conflict and turmoil.
Facing down fear. New strategies needed.
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Seven of Swords Confusion, mistrust.

Overcoming inner turmoil.
Six of Swords Healing, leaving troubles
behind
Five of Swords Rising above defeat,
misfortune
Four of Swords Retreat, replenishment,
convalescence
Three of Swords Heartache, healing,
recovery
Two of Swords Ambivalence, careful
decision-making , caution
Ace of Swords Opportunity for change, selfreliance

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THE SUIT OF WANDS

Wands are associated with enterprise, growth
and development.
King of Wands Authority, enthusiasm,
leadership, passion
Queen of Wands Affability, growth,
motivation
Knight of Wands Action and change
Page (or Princess) of Wands Enthusiasm,
ambition
Ten of Wands Responsibilities, burdens
Nine of Wands Perseverance, confidence
Eight of Wands Progress, promise,
movement
Seven of Wands Courage, cleverness,
overcoming obstacles
Six of Wands Success, enthusiasm
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Five of Wands Competition, Resolution,

goal setting
Four of Wands Harmony, fulfillment, growth
Three of Wands Fruition, accomplishment,
effort
Two of Wands Enterprise, pursuit, creative
venture
Ace of Wands Ambition, initiative,
motivation

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Using the Cards

The Art of Life Tarot cards may be enjoyed individually, as a source of daily inspiration. Simply
choose a card and place it in the pop-up frame.
Alternatively, the cards may be selected and laid
out in a spread when seeking further clarity on
specific issues.
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The five-card Creativity Spread is useful for

examining emotional elements in ongoing life
events, particularly for creative endeavors.
CARD INSPIRATION
What inspires you to do the best work possible?
CARD INFLUENCES
Who or what has influenced you in your decisions and your endeavors?
CARD CHALLENGES
What current challenges do you face in your life?
CARD PROCESS
Where are you in the current process? What do
you need to do to reach your goals?
CARD FINAL OUTCOME
What are the results of your creative endeavors
or current projects?

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CREATIVITY SPREAD LAYOUT

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 SAMPLE READING

CARD INSPIRATION
Queen of Swords: Experience with sorrow
and adversity, perceptive, intelligent
Quote: Be content with what you have; rejoice
in the way things are. When you realize there is
nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
Interpretation: Find inspiration in your own
strength and others who have overcome similar
problems.
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CARD CHALLENGE
Seven of Wands: Courage, cleverness, overcoming obstacles
Quote: Life is not a matter of holding good
cards, but of playing a poor hand well.
Interpretation: Make the most of what you
have. If life gives you lemons

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CARD INFLUENCES
The Sun: Joy, clarity, enlightenment
Quote: "Precisely the least, the softest, lightest,
a lizards rustling, a breath, a moments glance
it is little that makes the best happiness.
Interpretation: With the Sun ruling, your
capacity for happiness is a personal choice, not
related to external circumstances.
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CARD PROCESS
King of Cups: Appreciation for the arts,
nature, compassion, respect, strength
Quote: It is a good thing to be rich and to be
strong, but it is a better thing to be loved.
Interpretation: Focus more on the doing and
less on the rewards of your work.

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CARD OUTCOME/FINAL PRODUCT

King of Wands: Authority, enthusiasm, leadership, passion
Quote: Self-confidence is the first requisite to
great undertakings.
Interpretation: Creative endeavors (like the
creation of this deck) can help empower others
with self-confidence.
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About Charlene Livingstone

Charlene was born in
Detroit, Michigan into a
theatrical familyboth
parents were actors.
She studied design and
architecture and graduated from the University of Michigan. For 25
years she taught Visual Arts and English to gifted
students in Toronto, Ontario. She has also published several articles on life and relationships
for the Toronto Star, and Globe and Mail. Charlene currently lives in Toronto where she is still
very much involved with the arts. She is a Gallery
Guide, giving tours and talks, at the Art Gallery
of Ontario.
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For our complete line of tarot decks, books,

meditation cards, oracle sets, and other
inspirational products please visit our website:
www.usgamesinc.com

U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.

179 Ludlow Street
Stamford, CT 06902 USA
203-353-8400 Order Desk 800-544-2637
FAX 203-353-8431