The Tarot of Hekate

One Hundred Card Tarot Deck

By Rev. Don Lewis

Dedication:

This work is dedicated to Rt. Rev. Virginia “Bitterwind” Smith, in gratitude for all of her
teaching, hard work, and inspiration over so many years. Lady Bitterwind's unique vision has
inspired me throughout my life, and many others as well. This work and many others could
never have come into being without her.
FOREWORD
The Tarot of Hekate was a project of my youth, which waited nearly twenty years before
seeing the light of day.

In my late teens and early twenties I did a tremendous amount of artwork for metaphysical
magazines, almost all black and white pen-and-ink work. In some cases these illustrated
specific articles, but that was rare. Mostly they were stand-alone drawings, usually published
with small captions.

I had studied Tarot –my mother had given me my first deck (the Hoi Polloi deck- when I was
nine years old) but Tarot was not one of my passions. However I was convinced by my altar-
sister Virginia Bitterwind Smith that the artwork I was doing for magazines was sufficiently
detailed and symbolic to be suitable for Tarot cards.

It was not easy to convince me of this, because making a Tarot deck was the farthest thing
from my mind –but Bitterwind is a determined woman and once she sets her mind to
something, it usually happens.

Of course I couldn’t design a Tarot deck without making a more serious study of it –so I
plunged into learning more about Tarot, and trying to reach my own, individual understanding
of it. Along the way I became fascinated with Tarot, and it did indeed become one of my
passions.

Although I had studied Tarot in a perfunctory way before, it was now through creating my own
deck that I truly learned to understand Tarot. I highly recommend creating your own deck as
the best way to learn about Tarot.

Influenced by Piers Anthony’s Tarot series, Bitterwind insisted that the deck must have one
hundred cards –numerologically nothing else made sense, she said. To accomplish this we
created a fifth suit and eight additional Major Arcana cards based in part upon Anthony’s
ideas.

Bitterwind also supplied the idea of making the Minor Arcana more easily readable by tying
them to clearly narrated stories, which illustrate each successive meaning. This has been
common enough ever since the publication of the Waite-Smith deck a century ago (when it
was a startling innovation) but it is rarely done to best effect, and is often missed or ignored
as a mnemonic aide.

In addition I wanted the different suits to be set in different times and places, and to reflect
different ethnicities. Consequently the images for the suit of Wands were inspired by
renaissance Italy: the suit of Swords by feudal Japan: the suit of cups by Captain Cook era
Polynesia: and the suit of Pentacles by ancient Egypt: the added suit of Lamps by classical
Maya civilization. The Major Arcana drew from all times and places at the mythic level.
Though today this is a rather common approach, at the time it was cutting edge.

Tying the card meanings to a coherent cosmological vision was also, and in my opinion still is,
cutting edge. Traditionally Tarot has been said to do this –to present a coherent vision of the
universe in visual form- but this is often rather forced. Here the cosmological meanings are
very clearly delineated.

One hundred drawings took a long time. You can see the improvement in my artwork from
one part of the deck to another. The Major Arcana came first, with many of the images
actually predating the decision to make a full deck.

I decided to name the deck after my Patron Goddess, Hekate, Whose name is sometimes
associated with “Hecatomb” or One Hundred. Later, when I was publishing the Wheel of
Hekate magazine, I decided to use the image of the Wheel of Hekate (an ancient Mandala
used to help induce trance) for the design on the back of the cards.

The cards are black and white because the methods of reproduction available to me at that
time did not allow for easy reproduction of color artwork. The drawings were done in black
magic marker on white typing paper, to allow for easiest xerography.

I hope to produce a color version at some point in the future.

In addition to metaphysical artwork I had also done a great deal of science-fiction themed
artwork for Gemini Press, owned by my friend Jackie Janoski. Jackie proved very interested
in the idea of publishing a Tarot deck. As the cards were completed I would make careful
copies of each, and send the originals off to Jackie. I later lost touch with Jackie without
anything ever having been done with the deck, and so far as I know the original artwork is
long lost. Luckily I had had the good sense to make copies. Even so, the copies would not
see the light of day for twenty years.

The artwork for the Tarot of Hekate first appeared in public as part of a clip art CD published
in 2005 AD, without attached meanings. This is the first time that the meanings of the Tarot of
Hekate cards have ever been published.

I think that you will find the Tarot of Hekate to be both interesting in itself and helpful in
reaching a clearer understanding of other Tarot decks. I have found that many of the insights I
had in making the Tarot of Hekate have helped give me a clearer insight to other decks, as
well as to symbolism and allegorical mythology in general.

Let us now examine the one hundred cards of the Tarot of Hekate, beginning with the Major
Arcana.
Major Arcana
The traditional Tarot has 22 Major Arcana cards, numbered 0 - 21. The Tarot of Hekate adds
eight additional cards: Magic, Soul, Mind, Heart, Body, Time, Past, and Future. This gives the
Tarot of Hekate a total of thirty Major Arcana, numbered 0 – 29.

These thirty Major Arcana cards are further divided into three Decans of ten cards each. The
First Decan deals with the creation of the universe. The Second Decan deals with the nature
of incarnation and life in the physical world. The Third Decan deals with the transcendence of
the physical world and the Enlightenment of the Soul.

0 The Fool
I The Magus
2 The High Priestess
3 Magic
4 The Empress
5 The Emperor
6 The Hierophant
7 The Lovers
8 The Chariot
9 Strength

10 Hermit
11 Soul
12 Mind
13 Heart
14 Body
15 Time
16 Past
17 Future
18 Fortune
19 Justice

20 The Hanged Man

21 Death
22 Temperance
23 The Veil
24 The Tower
25 The Stars
26 The Moon
27 The Sun
28 Enlightenment
29 The Universe
The Major Arcana

0 - The Fool

Meaning: The Fool represents unmanifest potential. The unmarked slate –that state where all
things are still possible, because nothing has been done yet. The Fool can go in any direction
because s/he is still at the very start of the journey, and has yet to select its direction. This is
the moment of decision where one can either trust oneself and the Universe, or give in to self-
doubt. It is said that the there are ultimately only two real powers in the Universe, Love and
Fear, and the Fool could be said to represent the moment of choice between them.

Cosmology: In Cosmology the Fool represents Primordial Deity: Deity before creation.
Before creation Deity existed in a state of chaos –the seeds of everything which would later
exist were within Deity, but without form or order. Not unlike the subconscious mind, or an
unfocused dream. Deity was neither feminine nor masculine, neither fully spirit nor matter, but
indeed was all of these things at once and none of them. Only at the moment of creation did
these things become separate and focused.

Symbolism: The Fool is presented as a body of light, neither male nor female but having the
potential to be either, or both. S/he sits in the lotus position, as if in meditation, contemplating
the universe of options, and the ability to explore all of them. The Chakras, or energy centers,
are marked by lotuses –symbol of spiritual growth and enlightenment. This represents the fact
that the journey the Fool is about to embark upon is one of spiritual growth. The Fool holds
crossed wands tipped with masks. The masks are of two images commonly associated with
the Fool –the Jester and the Horned God of the forest. These represent both that the Fool is
beyond the bounds of ordinary being, and also the Polar Opposites through which the Fool
will express itself in incarnation: for while the Jester and the Horned God are the same energy
they represent it in very different ways, the Jester more tame, the Horned God more wild. This
pairing of complementary but opposing powers simultaneously propel the universe forward
and keep it steady: Yin and Yang. Finally, the Fool is shown above a Shen symbol. The Shen
symbol represents eternity and reminds us that while creation may go forward through the
interaction of Polar powers, Primordial Deity always remains at the very heart of existence, as
the Higher Self of all being.

Numerology: The Numeric value of the Fool is Zero or Zed, and traditionally it is thought of
as standing outside of the other Major Arcana cards. It is the first card of the Major Arcana,
but it is also thought of as the last card of the Major Arcana, signifying a return to source. Zero
of course represents a state of nothingness or blankness –an absence of numerical value.
Zero is utterly neutral, representing the mid-point between positive and negative. Zero can
also be thought of with the symbolism of the circle: considered the “perfect” shape, and
representing wholeness. In this sense the Fool might be considered to represent both
emptiness and wholeness –a perfect description of Primordial Deity.

Advice: In a reading the Fool tells you to trust yourself and have faith in your own judgment.
What you have chosen, or what you choose, is the correct choice and will be successful.
Believe in yourself, trust in Deity, and go forward. Even if success seems improbable, even if
everyone else derides you as a Fool, have faith in your own judgment and follow it. Leave
fear and doubt behind, and begin your journey by taking the first step. Trust yourself and
move forward with your desire, you will be successful.
I - The Magus

Meaning: The Magus represents action and the ability to create and to do. The Magus
represents one’s ability to work one’s will in the world –to bring about ones desires through
physical or magical means. The Magus represents the ability to Manifest –to shape the
physical world through sheer will, mind over matter. The term Magus means magician, and
the Magus uses the internal powers of the Soul to shape the external world into what he
wants it to be. We all do this unconsciously, all of the time. But the Magus uses his will
consciously to affect the world around him.

Cosmology: In Cosmology the Magus represents Yang –the God. The Magus is the first
creation from which all else descends. When Primordial Deity (The Fool) had existed in
formless chaos long enough to desire form and focus, S/He created the God/Magus,
separating the Yang and Yin elements of chaos into the worlds of matter and spirit. The
Magus is matter –which exploded from Primordial Deity in light and fire as the Big Bang at the
dawn of being, before ultimately cooling into all that exists in the physical world.

Symbolism: The Magus is presented as the Sun God, Lord of Creation –The Yang essence.
Around his head is a Solar Halo indicating his association with the sun, light, and fire. He
crouches on the edge of being, ready to spring into full manifestation. In his right hand he
holds the symbol of Mars, representing the masculine Yang essence: the cross of matter over
the orb of spirit. This represents the material world which has been created out of Primordial
Deity. In his left hand he holds the symbol of Venus, representing the feminine Yin essence:
the orb of spirit over the cross of matter. This represents the spiritual world which remains as
Goddess.

Numerology: The Numeric value of the Magus is One. This is the first card of the Major
Arcana, the first card of the Tarot deck as a whole. Associated with the Sun, the number One
represents individuality and the self. Unlike any other number, One is separate and self-
contained –all other numbers representing groups. One has a very strong self-image and
perceives itself quite clearly –though its perception of others can be a bit hazy. Number One
focuses upon itself and its own needs and desires. One represents the ego, and the will –both
aspects of the Magus.

Advice: In a reading the Magus means that the Querent has all of the ability necessary to
make their will manifest in the world. Their desire, whatever it is, is within their reach.
Whatever they desire to do they can, and unless counter-indicated by other aspects of the
reading, should do. Any tools or help needed to achieve their desire are present and available
to them. The Magus means that the Querent need only act to be successful –failure coming
only through inaction.
II - The High Priestess

Meaning: The High Priestess represents the spiritual and psychic aspects of a person –the
soul, the Higher Self, the ability to commune with Deity. The High Priestess also represents
the unconscious, the unseen, and the unrealized. Often our unconscious beliefs and
expectations do more to shape our lives than our conscious hopes and dreams –the
unconscious can in fact be in opposition to the conscious and can cause “crossed wires”
which trip us up when we try to create the life we think we want, not realizing we are
unconsciously working against it. In both cases –whether to commune with Spirit or to work
with our subconscious- we must turn inward and look within ourselves.

Cosmology: Cosmologically the High Priestess represents Feminine Aspect of Deity -the
Goddess. When Primordial Deity (The Fool) created the God (Magus), all of the physical,
material aspects of chaos when into the God. What was left was still Deity, but with a radically
changed awareness. These were all of the spiritual, emotional, magical aspects of chaos –the
Yin essence as the God is the Yang. This is Goddess. Primordial Deity is expressed through
both Goddess and God, Spirit and Matter. Just as God (Magus) is the active, fiery, physical
aspect, so Goddess (High Priestess) is the emotional, watery, spiritual aspect. Both aspects
are equal, but neither is complete without the other.

Symbolism: The High Priestess is shown as a beautiful woman in a flowing gown. In her
right hand she holds the Ankh, symbol of life. In her left hand she holds the Shen, symbol of
eternity. Upon her head she wears a mural crown –that is, a crown in the form of a city wall.
The mural crown represents strength and endurance, but also that her realm is a place apart
and separate –enclosed beyond the Veil. A wreath of leaves encircles the Mural crown, and
behind it is a crescent Moon. Above this is a pentagram –ancient symbol of magic and the
spirit world.

Numerology: The number of the High Priestess is Two. Two is a number which is dedicated
to working with and helping others. Two experiences itself through its relationships and
interactions –which is not to say that Two does not stand on its own. Two has a rich inner life,
but most enjoys that inner life through sharing it. It is even so with Spirit. The awareness of
Goddess is no longer that of Primordial Deity (The Fool) but is reshaped by the creation of the
God (Magus). Goddess sees Herself differently than Primordial Deity because of Her reaction
to the creation of material existence and her desire to interact with it.

Advice: In a reading the High Priestess card means that the Querent should seek spiritual
guidance. The needed answers will come when sought in this manner, but the Querent must
look away from the physical situation –preoccupation with which may in fact be obscuring
their judgment- to see what is going on underneath. The needed answers or advice can only
be found within, so the Querent must look inward, whether through prayer to Deity or to
Higher Self, meditation, or psychic messages.
III - Magic

Meaning: The Magic card represents the transcendence of spirit over circumstance. Through
Magic, all things can be achieved: all things can be overcome. Magic differs from the Magus
card in that with the Magus the person may rely upon their own ability to advance, whereas
with Magic a helping hand from the Universe advances the Querent.

Cosmology: When Primordial Deity (The Fool) had created God/the material world (Magus)
from Itself, the remaining aspects of Primordial Deity becoming Goddess/the spiritual world
(High Priestess), these two powers –spirit and matter- existed separately and in opposition.
But Goddess desired reunion with God, and at length She achieved this through Magic: She
separated off parts of Herself which became Souls, and sent these into Matter. Thus Goddess
and God were re-united by the entrance of Soul into Body. This is the meaning of the Magic
card –the entry of Spirit into the physical whether in an existential sense as the Soul itself, or
in the moment as a miracle in ones life.

Symbolism: The symbolism of the Magic card is the color white. No image graces the card
because the meaning of the card is beyond image. Inscrutable and enigmatic, the plain white
image represents the unknowable mystery of magic. In color theory, white represents the
complete absence of all other colors –a void of sorts. This is the void which Magic
transformed into a living universe when Goddess and God united. Paradoxically in light
theory, white represents the equal presence of all colors at once -the equal potential to be
anything. These two meanings taken together -complete absence and complete presence-
well define the Magic card.

Numerology: The number of the Magic card is Three –the number of magic. If One
experiences being through itself, and Two experiences being through interaction with others,
Three experiences being through action. Three is the number of motion, of creativity, of luck.
Three is the number of expansion. Three is traditionally considered the number of the Divine,
and the number of greatest good fortune.

Advice: In a reading the Magic card means that Deity will take a direct hand in the situation to
help the Querent. No matter how unlikely the Querent’s desire, Deity will assist them towards
it. The Magic card foretells lucky circumstances, fortuitous “coincidences”, unexpected
opportunities and assistance. In other words, the Querent should have faith and advance
forward, even if the odds seem against them –because unexpected events will help move
them toward their goal.
IV - The Empress

Meaning: The Empress is the card of fertility, growth, and material prosperity. With the
Empress all things grow and multiply. This is a card of well-being, and success. The Empress
is also a card of happiness and contentment. The Empress represents the self-confidence
and generosity which comes from having everything you want and need. It is a card of fertility
in all its forms -fecundity, creativity, and fruitfulness of all sorts.

Cosmology: The Empress represents the Goddess as Earth Mother. The Maiden Goddess
(High Priestess) has united with the Young God (Magus) to form the ensouled universe –the
world as Soul–in-Matter. She is now the Mother Goddess –the spiritual source and
sustenance of physical life. No longer separate from Matter as the High Priestess was, the
Empress has become the Nous or Soul of Existence, giving life to matter. The Empress is the
spirit of the living universe and the Earth (and everything else which exists) is Her body.

Symbolism: The Empress is shown as the Universal Mother suckling Her child. The child is
the physical world, which takes its sustenance from the spiritual world. The Empress wears a
cloak of stars capped by a collar of fluffy clouds, in keeping with Her role as Queen of
Heaven. The jewel on her forehead bears the image of the trident, indicating Her forms as
Maiden (High Priestess), Mother (Empress), and Crone (Hierophant).

Numerology: The number of the Empress is Four –the number of material manifestation.
This is the first numerological division between the seventy-eight card Tarot and the hundred
card Tarot, for in the seventy-eight card Tarot the number of the Empress is Three. Here
however the number of the Empress is Four, and this indicates a difference in view, for Four is
the number of creation, manifestation, and stability –which we consider quite appropriate for
the Universal Mother. Four is the number of the Elements, and thus of physicality. Four is the
number of the directions, and thus of establishment and endurance. Four is the number which
brings spirit into material form. Four is the number of physical pattern and of physical being.
Four is also the number of learning –the reason for physical existence- and of effort –the
effect of physical existence.

Advice: When you draw the Empress in a reading, it indicates prosperity, success, and an
abundance of comforts, both emotional and material: an enviable position to be in. The
Empress indicates success and expansion, but also pleasure and contentment –the Querent
will not only be successful in a situation indicated by the Empress, but happy as well. The
Empress also indicates a somewhat protected position, not unlike a child in its mother’s arms.
The Empress can also indicate mental, financial, and if appropriate to the question, physical
fertility and definitely indicates the fruition of any situation it refers to.
V - Emperor

Meaning: The Emperor represents the cycles which govern the material world and each
persons life. The Emperor reminds us that all things follow a natural cycle of growth, fruition,
death, and rebirth. This is the cycle of Yin and Yang, Proodos and Epistrophe –for as soon as
a thing reaches the extreme of one, it must begin moving back toward the other, even as the
Earth moves from Summer to Winter and back to Summer, even as the Soul moves from Life
to Death and back to Life. The cycle can be small and subtle or large and dramatic, but it is
inherent in all things, for “All which is Below reflects that which is Above.”

Cosmology: If the Empress is Mother Nature, the Emperor is Father Time. The Emperor is
the God as Lord of the Dance of Life: of Space and Time, of the cycles of Life and Death, the
Wheel of the Year. It is thus that the Soul (Empress) experiences matter –through constant
rebirth, spiraling cycles of evolution and growth. In this sense the God is the Lord of the Gates
of Life and Death, the Goddess in her forms as Lady of Life (Empress) and Lady of Death (the
Hierophant) being his eternal lovers between whom he must alternate with the cycle. Thus
while Goddess is the essence of life, it is the God who carries life forward through the
operations these cosmic cycles.

Symbolism: The Emperor is shown as Lord of Midwinter –stout with the bounty of the past
harvest, and holding a cornucopia symbolizing abundance. He is crowned with holly as Lord
of Midwinter, and bears the antlers of the Horned God Cernunnos. A solar disk above his
head indicates his solar association –for he is the Old God just as the Magus was the Young
God. In one hand he holds a torc –a horseshoe-like necklace which symbolizes spiritual
initiation. The Emperor is seated on a marble throne beneath which is a relief showing the
Tree of life as a stylized phallus, to either side of which are a bull and a stag –both totems of
the God. Just as the Fool had twin emblems which might be described as civilized (the Jester)
and wild (the Horned God), so too the bull might be thought of as civilized (being a
domesticated animal) and the stag as wild.

Numerology: The number of the Emperor is Five. Five is the number of the Pentagram, the
ancient symbol which represents the four elements –Air, Fire, Water, and Earth- plus the fifth
element which empowers them all, Spirit. Thus Five represents incarnation of Spirit through
Matter, as well as ascension of Spirit over Matter through consciousness. For Five is the
number of mind, of awareness, of reason. Five is the number that discovers, that invents, that
gathers knowledge and applies it to change its environment. Finally Five is a number of
motion, of constant movement. Altogether Five is the number of surmounting and making use
of physical cycles and condition –of making tools from what one finds, to better ones world.

Advice: The Emperor reminds you that whatever situation you are in, it must in its time
change. If you are in a bad situation, take heart for things will improve. If you are in a good
situation, lay something back for future times. This is a card of looking to the future and
preparing for change. The Emperor says to be prudent and plan for the changes which are
bound to come, so that you can take best advantage of the natural cycles of things.
VI - Hierophant

Meaning: The Hierophant is the Teacher, and represents learning –especially in the sense of
“life lessons”. “Hierophant” was the title of the Initiating Priest in the Eleusinian Mysteries,
which revolved around the mystery of life after death, and the knowledge that the soul is
eternal. As Teacher the Hierophant represents learning about oneself, about ones situations,
about Deity. The Hierophant gives insight and Higher Knowledge. However teaching is a two-
edged sword. What is learned enriches the learner, but the process can be difficult. Life
lessons can be liberating and transformative –but they can also be painful if we fight them.
Thus the Teacher is both benefactor and task master, and can sometimes be harsh. No
wonder then that this is one of the cards with the widest varieties of interpretation in traditional
decks –everything from Divine guidance to being crushed by external authority.

Cosmology: Cosmologically the Hierophant is the Crone –Goddess of Death and the
Spiritworld, and all the knowledge and magic which lies beyond this life. When Goddess (High
Priestess) sought to reunite with the God (Magus) she sought the advice of the Crone –in this
sense her own higher self, the part of Primordial Deity underlying both Goddess and God.
The Crone told the Goddess that “To Rise You Must Fall”. That is to say, you cannot run
without walking, you cannot know without learning, you cannot achieve without working. In
this case the Goddess (High Priestess) could not achieve her goal of reunion with God
(Magus) except by entering into the physical world herself (Magic), by creating the many
Souls and sending them into bodies. This is the secret of the Hierophant –everything worth
doing comes with a price of some kind, even if it is only the doing of it. That is why the Crone
is the most feared aspect of Deity.

Symbolism: The Hierophant is shown as the Goddess Isis, and is so identified by the
Hieroglyphs near her head which read Aset Ur or “Great Isis”. She could also be interpreted
as a Queen or Priestess in the guise of Isis for a religious ceremony. The Hierophant wears
the Nekhebet Crown, and elaborate headdress in the shape of a vulture worn only by
Egyptian Queens. Surmounting this are the disk and horns, a symbol of the Goddess Hat-Hor
also worn by Queens and by Isis when synchretically identified with Hat-Hor. The Hierophant
wears an ornate kalisiris gown, and a broad usekh collar as well as many bracelets and
anklets. She sits upon a throne decorated with carvings of lotuses, and uses a footrest, which
indicates her exalted status. In one hand she holds the Ankh, symbol of life. Before her is an
offering table piled high and surrounded by rich offerings of food and drink. Whether she is
receiving these offerings or making them is an open question.

Numerology: The number of the Hierophant is Six. As Five is a number of movement, so Six
is a number of stability and of peace. Six is a number of seclusion, just as a part of Primordial
Deity remains secluded and intact at the heart of Yin (Goddess) and Yang (God), impervious
to the changes which have occurred since creation. Six is also the number of the home in
whose seclusion people rest and rejuvenate, and of the Temple in whose seclusion communal
worship is offered. In short Six is the number of a sacred space set apart from the world at
large. Co-incidentally this is also the meaning of the Egyptian word “Aset” (Isis), a sacred
enclosed space –notably in the sense of the Womb of Creation.

Advice: When the Hierophant comes up in a reading it tells you that you have something to
learn from the situation being asked about –a “life lesson” if you would. The situation offers
you a better understanding of yourself and/or others. But like all life lessons, this one can be
either easy or hard depending upon how you handle it. When we resist life’s lessons they can
be extremely hard and painful –indeed, however hard is necessary to break through our
resistance. Therefore if you draw the Hierophant you must make it a point to be open to the
lesson Spirit has to teach you through the situation at hand, and try not to resist it. Indeed, it is
well to pray and ask Spirit to teach the lesson as gently as possible, while yourself being as
receptive to the lesson as you can. In this way the Hierophant will be better able to teach the
lesson without trauma, for the lesson itself cannot be avoided.
VII - Lovers

Meaning: The Lovers represents a choice between equally attractive alternatives. One is
beckoned in two directions at once, and must make an active choice of which possibility to
pursue. Neither choice is necessarily the “right” choice, nor is one necessarily better than the
other –they simply lead in opposite directions. It is like having come to a fork in the road –
either direction goes somewhere, it simply a question of which place you wish to go to. This
therefore is the card of choice. Everything in our lives is the result of choice –even when the
choice we have made is not to choose. All manifestation –all being- begins with choice, then
takes its form. When our choice is clear, our lives manifest in a straight-forward way: when
our choices are not clear, our lives manifest in messy and muddled ways. Therefore the
Lovers ask us to be conscious in our choosing.

Cosmology: Cosmologically the Lovers indicates the choice which faces each person:
Involution Vs Evolution. The path of Involution carries us further into the material by focusing
on external and worldly pursuits: the path of Evolution carries us into the spiritual by focusing
on internal and mystical pursuits. The first path is the way of the God (Yang) and the second
path is the way of the Goddess (Yin). Paradoxically each path ultimately leads to the other, for
when either force has gone as far as it can, it perforce doubles back and becomes the other.
For the path of Involution though worldly and physical ultimately leads to internal ponderings
of the experiences one has had: while Evolution though internal and spiritual ultimately leads
to universal concerns and awareness of the Oneness of all things. This of course is the final
mystery of the Lovers: the realization that ultimately spirit and matter/Yin and Yang/Goddess
and God, are merely opposite sides of each other, and Both are really One (Primordial Deity –
The Fool) –all choices ultimately lead us back to the Unity of existence, by however circuitous
a road our Soul may need.

Symbolism: The Soul goes constantly between Involution and Evolution, Spirit and Matter.
This expresses itself in many ways, but especially in the cycle of Death and Rebirth. In the act
of making love to the Goddess of Life, the Sun King (representing the Soul) is surprised by
the Goddess of Death. Even so Death comes for the Soul in the very midst of the love of life.
It should be noted that while the Sun King’s face expresses surprise, even alarm, both
Goddesses are quite serene. The Lady of Death comes for the Sun King as calmly and
politely as if she were cutting in on a dancing partner. Only the Soul, caught in the middle, is
shocked. Here the God (Magus/Emperor) experiences the cycles of reincarnation through an
eternal tryst with life and death. Life and death are richly dressed and jeweled, while the Sun
King is naked, except for a Solar Crown. This image could also be expressed as the passage
of the Earth between Summer to Winter, or any cycle of inward-turning Involution and
outward-turning Evolution.

Numerology: The number of the lovers is Seven. Seven is the union of Three and Four, in
this case representing Spirit (Goddess) and Matter (God) so here again we have a theme of
Spirit-in-Matter. Seven represents the movement of Spirit in ones life, whether consciously
perceived or not. All things originate from Spirit and Spirit is constantly expressed in every life
–and when we are conscious of this we can work with Spirit to create the life we want. The
aspect of conscious awareness of the Union of Spirit (Goddess) and Matter (God) is what
makes Seven such a universally sacred number. The difference between conscious
awareness of Spirit in our life and being unaware of Spirit is the difference between Evolution
and Involution. The Evolved Soul works consciously with Spirit, the Involved Soul sees only
the limited issues temporally before it –a part of existence equally valuable and necessary to
resolve such issues.

Advice: In a reading the Lovers indicate the importance of conscious choice and of being
clear in what one wants to happen in the situation being asked about. Often the person may
be having difficulty in choosing what they want, or may be unclear on how they actually feel
about the situation. Self-examination may help them to clarify their feelings and desires, and
then make a clear choice. In any event, the Lovers indicate that a choice is necessary, and no
progress can come to the situation until a choice has been made.
VIII - Chariot

Meaning: The meaning of the Chariot is forward movement. The Chariot represents success,
power, advancement. Historically the chariot, whose use predates the actual riding of horses,
was humankind’s first means of rapid transportation. Moreover the introduction of the chariot
revolutionized warfare and gave those who possessed them an incredible edge in battle.
Consequently the Chariot represents overcoming enemies or obstacles as well as progress in
any endeavor.

Cosmology: If the Lovers represent a choice between two polarities, the Chariot represents
the first alternative from which the Lover must choose. This is the path of external action and
worldly reward. It is the Yang path, the path of the God, which plunges into the physical world
and carves out a niche there. The Chariot represents worldly action and accomplishment,
ambition and achievement among and affecting other people. Indeed, this is the path of
learning from others. It is a social path that leads the Soul out of itself and into external
interaction and the pleasures and rewards which are the fruit of that interaction. Of course the
external path is also one of conflict which can lead to defeat as well as victory –but this too is
a way of learning from others.

Symbolism: The Chariot is shown as an armored Knight, fighting with a dragon. Unlike many
Chariot cards there is no vehicle shown, for the Knight moves forward under his own power.
The Knight is heavily armored in what can only be parade armor, so extravagant that it might
be as much a hindrance as an aid. Upon his chest is the Gorgons head, symbol of the Crone
Goddess and of Primordial Deity, representing the power that comes to each of us through
our connection to Deity. It is to be noted that the pose more resembles a dance or a tableau
than an actual fight, and that the dragon isn’t really putting up much resistance. This is
because the dragon represents the universe. The universe wants us to be happy and takes its
apparent form from our beliefs, expectations and desires. For the Knight the universe has
taken the form of challenges to be overcome. But these challenges fight back only as hard as
his own Higher Self wants them to. Mythologically the Knight may be presumed to be the
Greek hero Perseus who, having slain the Gorgon and taken her head, then rescued the
maiden Andromeda from a dragon.

Numerology: The number of the Chariot is Eight. Ruled by Mars Eight is the number of
ambition, passion and determination. Eight is a number of action, and is capable of extreme
focus and drive. What Eight wants it invariably pursues, and often obtains. Eight has a go-for-
broke, never-turn-aside attitude which can lead to great success or great failure, but never
mediocrity.

Advice: The Chariot represents moving forward. When this card comes up in a reading it
means that the Querent should definitely take action in the situation, and can expect to be
met with success. The Querent should take action with confidence, even in the face of
opposition or apparent obstacles –as these shall be overcome. This is a card of success and
advancement.
IX - Strength

Meaning: The Strength card represents inner strength, as opposed to outer strength –a point
that is usually made in the artwork associated with the card. Strength represents the spiritual
depth and resiliency that allows people to deal with difficult situations and rise above them.
This is the strength that is built through self knowledge and self discipline, as opposed to
muscles and sinew. Unlike the Chariot which represents outer strength in motion, the Strength
card is an essentially passive, introspective strength –the rocks that the water crashes against
as opposed to the water itself.

Cosmology: Cosmologically Strength represents the Lover’s second alternative, which is the
path of spirituality and internal growth. If the Chariot is the external achievement among other
people, Strength is the path of internal achievement which can be shared only with the self.
This is the introspective path of meditation, self examination and transformation, and
ultimately conscious mastery of magic and the arts of manifestation. If the Chariot brings
movement and accomplishment in the physical world, Strength brings inner development and
internal growth. It is the Yin path, the path of the Goddess, which delves into inner truths and
consequences, and whose reward is in the heart and soul rather than in the world.

Symbolism: Strength is shown as the Goddess Athena, wearing her magical Aegis and
armed with spear and shield. Unlike many Strength cards which show a Maiden wrestling with
outside forces, Strength here is shown alone and victorious, having overcome all previous
challenges and having the power to overcome all future challenges. There is no external
opponent because the challenges she overcomes are internal conflicts within the self, not
external fights. Upon the Aegis is the Gorgon’s head, symbol of the Crone –and of primordial
Deity- representing the power which comes from within. On her shield is the Owl, totem
animal of Athena and symbol of wisdom –for the strength which overcomes internal conflict is
closely allied to wisdom. In Greek mythology Athena is the guide of Heroes who leads them
on to discover hidden depths of strength and courage and to become greater than their
everyday selves.

Numerology: The number of the Strength card is Nine. Nine is the number which represents
the fullest expansion of being before returning to source and beginning anew. Nine is thus a
number of mastery and completion. Nine is also “Three times Three”, thus an ultimate number
of magic –Three representing magic, here amplified by itself. Nine is a compassionate and
introspective number, more concerned with interior than exterior workings. Having
encompassed the fullness of being, Nine seeks to understand the nature of being, and thus
looks within. Nine understands that everything has a place, and is generally tolerant and easy
going in nature.

Advice: Strength, as its name suggests, indicates the ability to withstand any challenge.
When the Strength card comes up in a reading, the Querent may face challenges or
obstacles, but should rely upon their own strength to withstand these. This is not a card which
indicates a good time to move forward with a situation, but rather a time to stay still, rely upon
ones strengths, and adopt a defensive mode.
X - Hermit

Meaning: The Hermit represents the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and inner growth. The
Hermit is the unquenchable thirst for life and expansion which powers existence. The Hermit
seeks the answers to all questions, the mastery of all arts, the enjoyment of all experiences.
Rejecting all imposed boundaries and limitations, the Hermit seeks not only to know all things
but to be one with all things –nothing less can answer the insatiable hunger within.

Cosmology: If the Lovers represent a choice between the Chariot and Strength, the Hermit
represents the traveler on the path –either path for both are paths of learning which frequently
cross and overlap. Indeed, everyone must ultimately travel both paths fully to be complete.
The Hermit is the student –the Soul- who learns from its journeys the lessons it needs to grow
and evolve. Eventually the Soul will encompass all knowledge through its travels in its many
lifetimes, when it will transcend these paths altogether.

Symbolism: The Hermit is shown in the guise of the Goddess Quan Yin, Lady of Mercy.
Unlike many Hermit cards which show the seeker as an ascetic, we show the Hermit as one
enriched by her learning and empowered by it. She is richly robed and jeweled in a manner
that befits one who can access the powers of the Soul. In her hands the Hermit holds a ball of
light –energy called and shaped at her command. Around her are the symbols of the four suits
and also the four elements, representing her desire for and eventual mastery of all
knowledge. Such knowledge can only be gained experientially, and so the Hermit is shown in
motion, her draperies aflutter in the breeze of her own movement.
Numerology: The number of the Hermit is Ten. Ten is the number of new beginnings and
new cycles. Having completed the first cycle (1 – 9) and returned to “1” (10 = 1 + 0 = 1) a new
cycle begins (10 – 19). Our first nine cards speak of cosmic origins and cycles, which set the
stage for the Souls journey. Now we see the journeyer, the Soul itself. In the next series cards
the parameters of the journey shall unfold. As the Soul is a microcosm of Deity, it is in a sense
a new beginning of Deity’s own journey. In this it shows that the journey is never truly
completed, it only begins again in new circumstances –cycles within cycles. When one
reaches a moment of perfection, new conditions must perforce occur for stagnation is a thing
Deity views with abhorrence.

Advice: The Hermit advises self-reliance. The Querent has all the knowledge and ability
needed to handle the situation at hand, and does not need outside help or advice –indeed,
the Querent is better off without outside help or advice since their own understanding of the
situation and how to deal with it is superior to any outside view. Others may not know as
much, understand as deeply, or may even misunderstand the situation. Consequently the
Querent should rely upon their own unique perspective, and trust it.
XI - Soul

Meaning: The meaning of the Soul card is that Spirit has created a physical situation for its
own purposes. Whatever the situation in question, it has not come about randomly or
casually, but has been specifically set in our path by Spirit. More specifically the situation has
been brought about by our own Soul, for purposes of its own learning and growth.
Consequently the situation must not be viewed solely in terms of its physical characteristics,
but in terms of what it offers the Soul –which is the key to its true nature.

Cosmology: The Soul is the higher self whose influence is always present in the life,
regardless of whether it is understood or not. The needs and purposes of the Soul guide the
life in many ways, creating the Lessons we encounter –though how we react to these and
whether we in fact learn the needed lessons is a function of the lower or conscious self. The
Soul, pre-existing the life, creates the spiritual contract which sets the parameters of the life,
and when the life has ended carries forward the persona and experiences as part of itself.
The journey of life therefore cannot be considered without first considering the needs of the
Soul from which the life originates.

Symbolism: The Soul steps forward in the guise of the baby Sun God, guided in his first
steps by the Mother Goddess. The Goddess is robed in the world, and cloaked in stars, her
crown the crescent Moon –shown on its side to indicate that it represents all phases of the
Moon. This represents both the Soul’s origin in Deity, and the similarity between the Soul’s
birth from Deity and the Universe’s creation from Deity –both constitute an intentional isolation
of an aspect of Deity, an involution of a portion of the Divine Spirit, for the purpose of
exploring physicality. The birth of each individual life from the Soul is similar in character.

Numerology: The Number of the Soul is Eleven. Eleven reduces to Two (1 + 1 = 2) but
because it is a double or Master Number, it is not normally reduced as such. The Number
Eleven is the Master Number of the Psychic. Eleven connects to others on a spiritual level,
often unconsciously, and reacts to their ideas and desires. Because of this Eleven is also a
Number of communication, and of dealing with and influencing the public. Eleven has a
natural ability to work with and to sway others, based upon its spiritual rapport with them.

Advice: The Soul card tells us that the situation in question has an important spiritual lesson
for us, one required by our higher self. Because of this the physical conditions or outcome of
the situation, while perhaps of great emotional importance to the Querent, are not as
important as what is learned from the situation. Such lessons cannot be avoided, although
they can be ameliorated. The Querent must make an honest effort to be open to the lesson
offered, and seriously examine their thoughts and feelings about it. Through self-examination
we may find that our thoughts and feelings about the situation are either inaccurate, outdated,
or in conflict with each other. This card indicates a need for a clearer understanding, and if
that understanding can be had, the lesson becomes much easier.
XII - Mind

Meaning: The Mind is the means by which we understand the world. The Mind allows us to
question, to learn, to extrapolate. Without the Mind to order our experiences, it would be
impossible to learn from them. In this sense it is to be understood that we are not speaking of
the physical organ of the brain, but of the Mind in the sense of the Mental Plane. Thus the
service of the Mind in organizing experience and perceptions is performed in a spiritual as
well as a physical sense, benefiting the Soul as well as the individual life.

Cosmology: Cosmologically the Mind is the meeting place between the higher (spiritual) and
lower (physical) selves. The Mind is the means by which we comprehend our physical
existence, and the tool we use to understand it. We use the Mind interpret the senses, and to
expand upon them through abstract thought. We also use the Mind to explore and
comprehend the spiritual, and to expand our understanding of all things in all ways. From our
physical perspective we are acutely aware of the importance of the Mind to the lower self, but
it is no less important to the higher self, being the means by which physical experience is
organized and digested by the Soul. The Mind might be said to be a door which, when fully
developed, opens in all directions.

Symbolism: The Mind is shown as a peacock bearing many eyes in its tail. This represents
the egocentric nature of the world of perception and involution –the narrowing down of the
cosmic nature of the Soul to the much smaller view of the individual life and its concerns. The
eyes represent the idea that the mind (in the sense of the Mental Plane) is essentially an
information gathering and processing tool. The Soul, regally dressed and bearing the symbol
of eternity in her coiffure, holds the chain of the Mind, as the perceptions of each all-too-
temporal life go to the enrichment of the Soul, which is eternal.

Numerology: The Number of the Mind is Twelve, which reduces to Three (1 + 2 = 3). Twelve
is the number of months in a year, the number of both the western and the eastern Zodiac: it
is the number of the Olympian Gods and of the Christian apostles. Twelve is often interpreted
as a number of completeness. More specifically Twelve is the solid, physical structure of Four
given motion by the magic of Three. It represents structure in motion –evolution, growth,
expansion. Twelve is a number of moving forward in a solid, grounded way.

Advice: The Mind card indicates that the Querent does not know everything they need to
know about the situation in question, and should make an effort to gather more information.
The means of learning more will be there, but the effort will have to be made. This could be
through questioning people involved in the situation, or through other kinds of researching. In
any event the information that the Querent currently possesses is not enough to make an
informed decision or take appropriate action, and a closer and more detailed look must be
taken.
XIII - Heart

Meaning: The Heart card refers to those things which draw you strongly, regardless of your
mental opinion. Urges which motivate you, regardless of reasoning or judgment. These urges
can be good or bad (though in many cases the judgment is highly subjective). It may be the
purchase which is beyond your budget, the sundae that blows your diet, the lover who is all
wrong for you. On the other hand it may also be the urge to take a chance on something new
despite uncertainty, the willingness to risk loss for possible gain, the desire for adventure. In
short, it is a good bit of what makes being alive fun.

Cosmology: By Heart in this case we mean the sensual and emotional world –the world of
motivations and attachments which are not mental or spiritual but physical and instinctual.
These are the unconscious drives, the inherent nature. These can be changed, but only over
time and with effort. For example, it is human nature to take what we need or want –but we
have learned over time to respect ideas of “yours” and “mine”. Still, even after millennia the
urge to simply take remains strong in some. The same is true for sex –even people who
choose a celibate lifestyle must still deal with the physical sexual drive, which can be
controlled but cannot simply be shut off by the mind at will. These things are simply conditions
of life which must be dealt because they are beyond our power to eliminate, regardless of our
mental affectations. We cannot simply choose not to eat for example –we can follow ever so
strict a diet, but if we simply stop eating, we die.
Symbolism: The Soul is shown here as the God, enjoying the company of the Goddess It will
be remembered that the God spends half the year with the Goddess of Life, and half with the
Goddess of Death, even as the Earth spends half the year in summer and half in winter. Here
the Goddess is in her form of La Reine Pedaque, the Birdfoot Queen –indicating that she is
the Goddess of Death. From the earliest times birds have been associated with the Goddess
of Death, who is often shown with avian elements. And many people have regarded birds as
messengers from the spiritworld, able to cross back and forth between the worlds at will. The
God is drawn to the Goddess of Death and her realm of spirits even as he fears her power to
end his life –only when in her embrace does he realize that the Goddess of death is the same
Goddess as the Goddess of life, only in another aspect, and that in the spirit realm life does
not in fact end, but rather goes on to new adventures. Thus that which he has feared
becomes in fact his benefactor.

Numerology: The Number of the Heart is 13, which reduces to Four (1 + 3 = 4). Many people
have a superstitious fear of the Number Thirteen. Others regard it as sacred. Similarly, some
people fear their desires while others honor them. Reduced to Four, Thirteen is a number of
learning from situations. Thirteen is the number that lets us balance the desire for the sundae
against the circumference of our hips. The number that lets us balance our pleasure in
outside attention against our desire to maintain an existing relationship. The number that tells
us to pay the rent before we buy a new TV. It is a number of self knowledge and self control –
as well as the innate desires which defy control. Thus it is the edge we walk between what we
are and what we want to be, what we are born and what we make of ourselves: Of being
versus becoming, and the difference between these two. This is ultimately the great challenge
of life.

Advice: The Heart card says that the Querent is very strongly drawn to the situation in
question, or an aspect thereof, and that this pull can perhaps be controlled but not ignored.
The draw is visceral rather than mental, and may cause the Querent mixed feelings about the
situation. The Querent may fear the strength of their desire, and that fear is based in the idea
of loss of control. The Heart card indicates obsession –which can be either an obsessive
desire, or the obsessive repression of desire. However the Heart cannot be controlled, and
the desire in question cannot simply be turned off.
XIV - Body

Meaning: What is done in the situation in question will have effects in unforeseen quarters.
Unknown or unexpected connections exist here which may brought into play by the Querents
actions or inactions. Previously unknown allies or enemies may be brought into the situation
unintentionally.

Cosmology: Of the Seven Planes of Existence, the highest four (Divine, Monadic, Soul, and
Astral) are represented by the Soul card: just as we often lump them altogether under the
term “Soul” or “Higher Self” in ordinary speech. The Mental Plane is represented by the Mind
card, and the Emotional Plane by the Heart card. This leaves the Physical Plane to be
represented by the Body card. Clearly our most direct experience of the Physical Plane is
through our body, but the card represents much more than just our individual body, for all
things are linked in existence. Clearly all the cells and organs of our body, though they have a
separate existence within the structure, are still part of the single integrated whole. The parts
of this integrated whole of the body can survive outside of it, under natural circumstances.
Oberon Zell’s much quoted Gaia hypothesis tells us that the Earth is the living body of Deity,
and all things on it, though they have their own specific existence, are also part of the larger
and integrated whole, which has a consciousness of its own. The parts of this integrated
whole of the Earth cannot survive outside of the Earth under natural circumstances. What is
true for our own body, and for the Earth, must also be true for the Universe as a whole –
though galaxies and stars and planets may have a separate existence of their own, they must
also be part of a larger and integrated whole. All of these things are the body of Deity, through
which Deity is incarnate in the world of matter. They constitute, as the old saying goes,
“worlds within worlds”. What this ultimately means is that everything is connected physically
as well as spiritually, and that an action in one place can have unexpected results in another
because of these connections –the famous “Butterfly Effect” the metaphor whereby the
flapping of a butterflies wings in one hemisphere creates a hurricane in another.

Symbolism: The image of the Body card is of Gaia, the living Earth, here representing the
living Universe –or as some would have it, “Multiverse”. In keeping with the ancient Hermetic
maxim “As Above, So Below” the living Universe, the living Earth, our own living body, and the
smallest particles of being all reflect each other and move to the same universal Plan. Thus
the smiling face of the living Earth represents both Mother and Child both individually and as
a pattern wound through all existence.

Numerology: The Number of the body is Fourteen which reduces to Five (1 + 4 = 5).
Fourteen is Seven times Two, which is spirituality in partnership, and reducing to Five
indicates motion and communication. Thus we see reflected the partnership of spirit and
matter in motion = a perfect description of the body.

Advice: The Querents actions or inactions (which can be determined through other cards)
can produce unexpected results in the situation at question. Unforeseen consequences,
unknown friends or enemies may become involved. Because of this the Querent should act
with care, and avoid if possible taking any action that they might be embarrassed by or unable
to justify later. Attempts at secrecy will be unsuccessful.
XV - Time

Meaning: The present circumstances are transitory in nature, and cannot be looked upon as
a long term situation. Whatever is done here, while it may be highly effective or beneficial in
the moment, will not be of lasting importance. This situation is like writing on the sand at a
beach –it will be wiped away by the next wave. Consequently the immediate affects of the
situation are what must be considered, rather than any hoped-for long term consequences, as
these will not materialize.

Cosmology: It is said that time eats its own children. What this means is that all things
change –nothing in the physical world is immutable –not even the apparently ageless seas
which sometimes dry out, or the seemingly eternal mountains which are worn down by the
millennia. Consequently it is foolish to measure ones life solely by a posterity which is by
definition uncertain. It is always wise to look to the future of course, but not to the exclusion of
the present –for the future can always take an unexpected turn rendering even the most
carefully laid plans meaningless. Indeed, metaphysics teaches that time itself is an illusion -an
arrangement of the Soul for ordering its experiences in understandable ways- and that the
only true reality is the NOW.

Symbolism: At the center of the card is the famous image of Coatlique, the Aztec Mother
Goddess whose name means “Serpent Skirt”. Coatlique is portrayed as the mother of the
Moon and stars and of the Aztec Patron God Huitzilopochtli, or sometimes Quetzalcoatl.
According to myth the Goddess was a Temple Priestess who became pregnant after picking
up a sacred object –variously a Jadeite amulet or a talisman of Quetzal feathers. The result
was the virgin birth of Huitzilopochtli or Quetzalcoatl, depending upon the version. In either
event the new child –born fully grown- destroyed all of its elder siblings who were transformed
into the aforementioned celestial bodies. Thus the old was transformed by the new. This
image shows the Goddess with her skirt of serpents, and a serpent head as well –either one
serpent shown in double-profile, or two serpents representing the androgynous nature of the
creator Deity. About her throat are a skull, human hearts and severed hands, referring to the
Aztec’s notorious practice of human sacrifice –which they believed gave life to the universe.
Behind the Goddess is the famous Aztec calendar stone, representing the Aztec calendar and
its cyclical idea of time.

Numerology: The Number of Time is Fifteen, which reduces to Six (1 + 5 = 6). Interestingly
enough Fifteen is the number of the Mesopotamian Goddess Ishtar, and reduces to Six,
number of the Greco-Roman Goddess Venus, which suggests a deeply sensual sub-current
to the idea of Time. Certain ancient Greek philosophers held that Passion (Eros) was the
origin of all things, and certainly Tantric devotees, Wiccans, and many others who work with
energy would agree that the energy of the universe has a decidedly sexual aspect. If we view
Time as the Now Moment, with past and future being tools to regulate the perceptions of its
effects, rather as an immutable linear progression, then the passions (strongly held emotions
and beliefs) which shape that Now ultimately create both past and future as well as shaping
the present. Most often these passions are unconscious, but the adept can harness them to
transcend the illusion of linear Time, reshaping it according to will.

Advice: Though the Querent can expect to be successful in the short term, the achievement
of their desire in the situation at question will be of short duration, and will not last. Any such
success will be transitory in nature, and new circumstances will shortly come into play.
Consequently the Querent must focus upon the situation as being a temporary configuration
of circumstances soon to change rather than a situation offering long term benefits or deficits.
XVI - Past

Meaning: The Past card indicates that the past has a hold on the situation at question, and is
limiting it in some way. This could be in the form of patterns or habits with their origin in the
past, or inaccurate or negative expectations or belief systems based upon past traumas.
These must be overcome in order have success in the situation. Whether these past
influences are affecting the Querent or another person or aspect of the situation can be
established by other cards.

Cosmology: The future is in many ways the product of the past. Our experiences, and the
circumstances which shape our lives, connect in an inexorable chain leading us to the
present. This chain of events would seem to be immutable. But is it? If Time is illusory in
nature –simply a device which the Soul uses to organize its experiences- then the past can be
as variable as the future. This approach to Time –the idea that a variable past and future
radiate from the Now Moment if only the adept can transcend the limitation of the concept of
“Time” –allows a very different view of things “past”. Healing of past situations, even changing
of past situations become possible to the adept. But only if the adept can overcome their
ingrained belief in the immutability of that past.

Symbolism: An aged lady lies at the side of a pool, looking into the clear water. There she
sees reflected not her present but her past as a nubile maiden. Is this a memory brought back
by circumstance? A vision? Wishful thinking or regret? Or is she performing some act of
Chronomancy, using magic to change her past? Only the lady herself knows. A lotus grows
out of the water indicating that whatever the lady is doing is contributing to her spiritual
growth: this is because it is said of the lotus that it has its roots in mud (the body), grows up
through water (emotion) and blooms in air (spirit). A similar analogy might be drawn about
Time itself: that originating in emotion it grows through action to bloom in physical expression.

Numerology: The Number of the Past card is Sixteen which reduces to Seven (1 + 6 = 7).
Sixteen is Four times Four –a number of ultimate physical manifestation and form. It is also
Eight times Two, passion and focus doubled. Reducing to Seven gives an overall spiritual
effect. Thus we see Sixteen as form or structure resulting from passionate focus and desire,
within an overall spiritual context.

Advice: This card suggests the need to throw off past influences, break past patterns, or
discard outmoded belief systems. It may indicate the need to heal past traumas. This card
indicates that the past is limiting the situation in some way, and that this limitation must be
addressed and overcome. Other cards can help to show whether the past is influencing the
Querent, another, or some other aspect of the situation. If it is the Querent who is being held
back by the past, self examination and self healing are required. If another person or aspect,
the Querent may need to find a way to convince them that the past need not be the future.
XVII - Future

Meaning: It is said that the future is what we make it –and metaphysically speaking this is
especially true. Although we are given certain things to work with by the Universe, what we do
with them is largely up to us. Especially when we understand the nature of the astral plane as
the matrix of physicality. Because it is the interaction of the Soul and the individual lifetime
through the medium of the astral which creates the conditions of the given life, becoming
consciously aware of that interaction and consciously shaping life through the astral gives us
a much greater conscious control of our lives. Thus the future cannot be viewed as something
which happens to us, but rather as something we build, consciously or unconsciously, in
tandem with our Higher Selves or Soul. Consequently it is especially important that we be
aware of our true desires, conscious or unconscious, and the role they play in shaping the
future.

Cosmology: Just as the concept of “past” is not so is not so immutable as it first appears
from the point of view of an adept, so too the concept of “future” is not as straightforward
either. Metaphysics teaches us that time is quite complex, and not at all the straight line that
the conscious mind likes to make of it. The analogy is sometimes made that Time is like a
multi-lane highway, with numerous parallel versions of itself which we cross between
unconsciously all the time –a process which for the adept can become conscious. Another
analogy likens Time to a flower –each event being like the center of the flower, its possible
outcomes radiating out in all directions like petals. What this means is that different aspects of
our soul can experience different versions of the same life, different outcomes of the same
decisions. It is theoretically possible for us to experience every possible outcome of each
decision through different aspects of our soul. In this way we must view the future not as a
straight line, but more in the image of a constantly expanding nervous system pushing forth in
all directions at once.

Symbolism: In Greek mythology the inventor Daedalus and his son Icarus were imprisoned
in the Labyrinth which Daedalus had built for the Cretan King Minos. To escape Daedalus
constructed artificial wings using feathers and wax. Using these wings the two men escaped
from the Labyrinth, flying out over the Aegean sea. There their fates differed because of free
will: Daedalus charted a sensible course of flight, and successfully escaped to land: his son
Icarus got carried away and decided to fly unwisely near the Sun, which melted the wax in the
artificial wings, causing him to plummet to a watery death. We are all given free will, but we
must consider the consequences of our choices, even the unexpected ones.

Numerology: The Number of the Future is seventeen, which reduces to Eight (1 + 7 = 8).
Seventeen combines the energies of One and Seven, or individuality and Spirituality,
emphasizing individual expression of the spirit and the singular destiny which each person
creates. Eight indicates the passion which shapes that destiny, and which can carry us to
safety like Daedalus, or to disaster like Icarus. Altogether this is a Number of highly personal
focus and the power of conscious or unconscious manifestation.

Advice: It is to be noted that it is not indicated whether the figure in the picture is Daedalus or
Icarus. When this card is drawn it does not indicate success or failure, but rather the
importance of the querent being conscious of their own desires in the situation. Self-
examination and self-awareness are advised. This card warns of the importance of being
clear in what you desire and how you feel about it. Hidden beliefs or emotions may act as
“crossed wires” and cause you to manifest a future different from what you consciously think
you want. Inner clarity is extremely important to get the result desired.
XVIII - Fortune

Meaning: If the Hermit represents the Souls’ journey through many lifetimes, and Body, Mind,
Heart, Soul, Time, Past and Future represent the tools that the Soul uses to experience those
lifetimes, then Fortune represents the first of the rules which govern that experience. That is
that each life is subject to many forces not under its direct conscious control: Acts of Fate
which can help or hinder what the conscious mind desires, or even refocus a life altogether in
new and unintended directions. However, while the conscious mind may have no control over
these, the Soul does –and uses these forces to further its purposes in the life being led. The
machinations of Fate may cause us to develop areas of ourselves, learn lessons, or interact
with people or situations in ways which our conscious mind would never choose, but which
our Soul requires. Thus the deeper meaning of the Fortune card is not merely that things
happen which we do not plan, but rather that nothing which happens is an accident –but
rather a fulfillment of the needs of the Soul.

Cosmology: Fortune represents what Spirit gives us in the form of Fate, before each life.
This is the total potential of the given life, created by the Soul through the Astral and often
termed a “life contract”. How much of this astral life contract is expressed during the life is the
result of the conscious mind and its choices. Not all aspects of the life contract will be acted
upon, but all are possible. In some cases different aspects of the life contract will be acted
upon in different probabilities: or alternate versions of the same lifetime. Although the life
contract is established before birth, it is in a state of constant revision throughout the life,
because of the constant and usually unconscious interaction of the mind and the Soul through
the astral. It is through this constant interaction that the tools discussed in the previous cards
are made use of.

Symbolism: The Rota Fortuna, or Wheel of Fortune, is a very ancient symbol associated with
the Goddess Tyche/Fortuna, Mistress of Fate. The Wheel of Fortune is often thought of as a
spinning wheel, drawing upon the symbolism of the Three Fates who spun out the fate of all
living things like thread –though the invention of the spinning wheel was actually much later
than the first use of this symbol. In the Vangelo delle Streghe we are told that the God
(Time/Space) turns the spinning wheel of the Goddess (Spirit/Nature). Here we see the God
turning the wheel, while the Goddess spins out fate from her own hair, representing her
essence. Thus we see that the Goddess/Spirit creates fortune from herself, through the
engine of the God as Time/space.

Numerology: The Number of Fortune is Eighteen, which reduces to Nine (1 + 8 =9).

Eighteen is also 9 x 2, giving still greater emphasis to the Nine vibration inherent in the
Number. Nine is the number of furthest extension before a new beginning, and the presence
of One and Eight add a personal emphasis and passion to this making Eighteen a number of
intense desire for or enjoyment in experiential existence: The desire to do everything which is
doable, know everything which is knowable, be all that being can encompass. Thus it is a
particularly appropriate number for Fortune.

Advice: In a reading the Fortune card represents a gift of Fate –unexpected good luck,
assistance, or advancement. This suggests that the querent will advance in their situation for
reasons other than their own effort. The querent can expect good luck and unexpected
favorable resolutions to situations in question.
XIX - Justice

Meaning: Just as Fortune is the life contract established before birth and revised throughout
life, so Justice, or Karma, is the effect of how that life contract is used. It is often held that
Karma is the equal reaction of every action, however it is truer to say that Karma is the result
of “attachment”. This is why Karma is often symbolized as a web, every string of the web
vibrating whenever another string to which it is attached -directly or indirectly- is touched. We
form such attachments through emotional and intellectual ties to actions or situations we have
been involved with. We carry them from one life to another, sometimes building up long
chains of attachments. These attachments draw us back to the same situations which caused
them, and thus create unconscious patterns in our lives. Thus our life contract is not entirely
voluntary, but is shaped by our attachments, or Karma, which force us into the familiar
patterns we are attached to. Only by learning the lessons of these attachments and releasing
them, can we move beyond them.

Cosmology: Cosmologically Justice means that we must deal not only with the things we
desire to create and do, but with the effects created by them. Thus when Goddess and God
became separate, Goddess could not simply take God back into herself, but had to enter into
him as the many souls. Similarly we cannot simply undo a thing we have done because we do
not like its effect, but must enter into that effect and learn the lessons it offers in order to
release the attachment. These attachments are the mechanism that the Soul uses to learn
the lessons it requires of life, by making sure that they cannot be avoided. It is often thought
that this means a given Karmic situation must be repeated physically one or more times in
order to release it, and granted it usually is, but every level of the being is equally important
and Karmic attachments can in fact be healed and released from other levels of the being
than physical if the person is sufficiently spiritually advanced to do it.

Symbolism: In the Cherokee mythology one version of the creation story says that it was
Grandmother Spider who set the universe to order. She spun a web across the sky and
traveled upon it, bringing the Sun to the world. The stars were bits of the Sun’s fire which
Grandmother Spider set into her web at intervals. It was she who invented weaving, pottery,
and other useful arts. Each day she would carry the Sun across the sky on her web, from
which vantage point she could see all things. Grandmother Spider was a figure in the
mythology of many Native American peoples. Here she is shown as a grand old lady, sitting
amidst the web of the universe, which glitters with the stars she has set into it.

Numerology: The Number of Justice is Nineteen, which reduces to One (1 + 9 = 1). This
places a strong focus on the self and the consciousness. The presence of Nine emphasizes
diversity of experience. Thus Nineteen speaks to us of the impact of experience on the self
and the self’s awareness. In terms of Karmic attachment Nineteen illustrates the idea the
experiential Karma and the idea that it is the self which carries the Karmic patterns forward by
forming attachment to them. The number Nineteen might also be interpreted as the showing
the self integrating but transcending over its experiences, which might be regarded as the
ultimate purpose of Karma.

Advice: In a reading the Justice card means that you can expect to receive back from a
situation as much as you are willing to put into it. Thus hard work will be rewarded with
success in equal measure. Justice represents a situation in which the querent’s efforts are not
wasted, though they may take time to reach fruition. But with the Justice card the querent
should trust that hard work will eventually pay off. Of course Justice also says that nothing
more will happen in the situation than the querent makes happen.
XX - The Hanged Man

Meaning: The Hanged Man represents a situation in process. It may seem like a period of
waiting period, but it is actually a necessary stage of the development in the situation. And
though it may appear that there is no movement and things are held in stasis, developments
are actually taking place below the surface of the situation. It is really a period of inner growth
and developing self knowledge, but this will usually not be evident until after that growth has
already been accomplished.

Cosmology: Cosmologically the Hanged Man represents the long process of life and death
by which the Soul perfects itself. It is a tedious and often painful process, even by the
standards of the Soul, but it is a necessary schooling which must be done. Only by living
many lives can the Soul advance through experiential learning and growth. The Soul might
wish to hurry this process, but nothing can be substituted for it.

Symbolism: The Hanged Man is shown as the God Odin, who hanged himself from the Tree
of Life, Yggdrasil, for nine days and nights to gain the magic of the Runes. The deeper
significance of this is that in hanging himself this way Odin made a sacrifice of himself to
himself. The God is shown hanging from the tree, but not as one dead but rather almost
levitating. He wears a tunic decorated with solar symbols, and his cloak is fastened with a
brooch in the form of the solar eagle. His trousers are in a checkerboard pattern, representing
the constant interplay between the forces of life and death. From his hand he scatters the
sacred Runes which he has gained out into the world. The Runes were the first writing system
for the Germanic languages, and thus set Germanic people free to share information in
written form, so that Odin’s sacrifice was made to himself it benefited all his people.

Numerology: The Number of the Hanged Man is Twenty, which reduces to Two (2 + 0 = 2).
Two is the number of partnership and is also a number of introspection –partnership with ones
own spirit. Here Two represents the need to look beyond oneself, or perhaps rather within
oneself, to 0 –the Number of the Fool, or Primeval Deity: The interaction of the conscious
mind and the Spirit. By thus accessing the spiritual powers of the Soul, we can see far beyond
the limits of our conscious mind.

Advice: The Hanged Man represents a situation which will require the passage of time before
it can move forward or be resolved. This will take time before it occurs, and it cannot be
rushed. At the same time the querent will learn much about their own nature from the situation
–what truly matters to them, how they truly feel about things. Though they will have to wait
before they can progress, this waiting will bring them deeper self-knowledge and insight into
themselves.
XXI - Death

Meaning: In the Tarot, Death represents change in a situation, not usually physical death.
Consequently the fear with which many regard the card is unjustified. The change
represented by Death may be either good or bad depending upon the individual’s perspective,
but it will be a significant change in any event.

Cosmology: In a manner of speaking Death is the engine which drives the universe –even
more than Birth. For Birth without Death would create but not evolve. Without death there is
no change. Death clears away the old so that the new can take shape –and fertilizes that new
growth with the debris of the old. Indeed, since energy cannot be destroyed but only change
shape, death must be viewed as the agent of that change rather than as an ending of any
sort. Death makes possible all new beginnings, all transformations and evolutions –it allows
the Soul to take sequential new shapes, evolving its skills continually in a way that would not
be possible otherwise.

Symbolism: The Death card is represented by the Aztec God Quetzalcoatl, lord of
regeneration. The God is shown with the face of a skull, and his heart has been ripped out of
his chest. The Aztecs would offer the hearts of living victims to their Gods in the belief that this
served to maintain the universe –here the symbolism is that death sustains life by constantly
transforming the spirit and its many lifetimes, so that the universe is never stagnant.
Quetzalcoatl wears an elaborate headdress, and his loincloth is ornamented with ears of corn,
representing the idea that death feeds new life. On his hands are the symbols Alpha and
Omega, representing the Beginning and the End, and symbolizing that our existence is in the
spiritworld before and after death. The feathered serpent, the theophany or animal form of
Quetzalcoatl, rises up behind the image of the God.

Numerology: The Number of the Death card is Twenty One, which reduces to Three (2 + 1 =
3). Three is ultimately a number of movement and transformation, and emphasizes that Life
and Death are a cycle which serves to move all things forward. Twenty One is also three
times seven, which represents spirit (7) in expansion or motion (3). Thus Death must be seen
as a card of growing the spirit and expanding it through incarnational experience.

Advice: The Death card tells us that current circumstances will change drastically. Whatever
the current influences on the situation in question, drawing the Death card indicates that these
will be altered and transformed. The querent should be prepared to move with this change
and adapt to it, as there is no way to prevent or avoid it.
XXII - Temperance

Meaning: Temperance is the card of Alchemy –that is bringing disparate elements together to
create an integrated whole. This card symbolizes resolution of opposites, transcendence of
limitations, widening of vision. Temperance is a card of conscious personal and spiritual
growth and expansion, and ultimately represents the process of embodying spirit in the
physical world. Through Temperance we seek to perfect ourselves and expand our spiritual
consciousness.

Cosmology: Temperance is the card of the soul perfecting itself through experience. As the
Soul leads many lives it draws upon the experiences of these lives to gain new skills and
abilities and ever-deepening knowledge. Through attachments formed by Karma/Justice the
Soul is drawn to repeat certain experiences or patterns many times, until a deep
understanding is formed. In time the Soul gains greater facility with life and death and
individual lives have much more conscious control of their experiences, and manifest more
and more of the Souls nature into the physical. It is this process of growth which Temperance
represents. If the Death card can be said to be Involution –or the narrowing of the Divine
consciousness to a pinpoint of focus in order to learn a specific lesson- then Temperance is
Evolution or the widening of consciousness until it realizes its oneness with the Divine.

Symbolism: Temperance is shown as the Divine Androgyne, Goddess and God united in
one. The left side of the figure is feminine, the right masculine, and they meet in the middle.
S/He is crowned with disk and horns –a cows horn on the left, a goats horn on the right,
representing both domesticated and wild power. On the disk is the Utchat Eye which
represents the omniscience of Deity. S/He also wears an Egyptian usekh collar decorated
with scarabs, symbolizing the God Kheper and the ability to manifest form at will. A baby is
seen in the God/dess’ abdomen, representing generative power. The God/dess’ kilt is
fastened with a brooch representing Sun and Moon conjoined. S/He kneels between a large
goose on her right side and a dragon on her left –at center she holds an egg which has just
begun to open. Is it a goose egg, or a dragon egg? There is the question –and the answer
can only be shown through the experience.

Numerology: The Number of Temperance is Twenty Two, which reduces to Four (2 + 2 = 4).
Twenty Two is also Eleven times Two. Four is the Number of stability and physical
manifestation, while Eleven is the Number of metaphysical ability –thus both together
emphasize bringing spirituality into the physical. With this is the vibration of Two, which is
obviously a dominant influence in the number Twenty Two, which is the number of
introspection and partnership –here emphasizing the partnership of spirituality and matter.

Advice: The Temperance card suggests that the querent or the situation in question involves
bringing together a variety of components in order to forge a new creation. This might be a
new situation, a new group or alliance, a new project or company, or any number of things –
but it will be more and different than any one of its component parts. This is not merely a
growth, but a change: a new beginning for the situation.
XXIII - The Veil (Devil)

Meaning: The Veil card is a card of not being able to see the forest for the trees. When one is
deep in involution, that is when ones consciousness if narrowed to a very specific point of
focus -as the Souls consciousness is during physical incarnation- it is sometimes very difficult
to see the very thing you are seeking to understand. This may be because you are too close
to the situation, and have no objectivity regarding it. It can also sometimes be because the
situation is so new to you that you have no way to understand it. In any event, with the Veil
card whatever understanding you think you have is apt to be either wrong or incomplete in
some important point.

Cosmology: The Veil is the means by which each rebirth is made a new experience. The Veil
excludes the Soul’s previous experiences and knowledge from the physical mind, so that
each new birth is truly a new beginning. The Veil roughly corresponds to the Souls position in
the Seven Planes –those Planes which the Soul has traversed and mastered are easily
understood, those yet to be experienced are not easily perceived. The higher planes not
easily perceived include the Astral and Soular Planes where the Soul’s experiences are
stored. More advanced Souls who are farther into experience of the Astral Plane have more
access to their Souls powers and previous experiences and often remember these
spontaneously. This is called being “Born Old”. Others must work hard to access the
information of the higher planes.
Symbolism: The “Devil” is shown as a harlequin sitting on a rock in a dazed or dreaming
state. His true identity as the God is obscured by his costume, which gives him instead the
aspect of a clown. He has one foot on land and the other in water. The water here represents
emotion and the subconscious. Although solid ground rises all about him, and lotuses
representing spiritual growth and wisdom bloom above the waters, the Devil is oblivious to all
but his dream. In the sky above the Moon is blindfolded and sheds a tear, for while the God is
enslaved to his dream (matter) the Goddess remains veiled from him. Thus the image
represents delusion and fantasy.

Numerology: The number of The Veil card is Twenty Three, which reduces to Five (2 + 3 =
5). Five is the Number of communication and exchange, while Two is the Number of
partnership and Three of movement and expansion. Thus the Veil card is revealed as being
all about external communication and working with others. At first these concepts may seem
incompatible with ideas embodied in The Veil card –but when we consider that a primary
aspect of The Veil is the illusion of separateness (from Deity and from each other), and that
such separateness is the prerequisite of and primary reason for communication, the meaning
becomes clearer. The Veil is the mechanism by which Involution and its attendant illusion of
separation from the Universal Whole is possible.

Advice: The Veil card means that you are not seeing clearly –accurate understanding of the
situation in question is obscured, as if by a veil. With the Veil card an effort is required to see
the situation as it really is, rather than as you would have it be, or as you fear it might be. Part
of the problem is having an accurate view of yourself. The Veil card suggests that you may be
harboring illusions about yourself and your role in or feelings about the situation. Examine
your feelings and try to get some emotional distance from the situation or look at it from fresh
angles. You may find that things you thought you knew about the situation are very different
when viewed from a distance.
XXIV - The Tower

Meaning: The Tower represents a breaking free of situations which have been previously
held back. Limitations and barriers which have restricted growth or movement will be broken
loose. This freedom may come suddenly, and may be quite unexpected –and the changes
may not at first appear to be what is desired. However the changes are for the best. The
querent will have no control over these changes, however they can control their reaction to
them, and thus how they experience them. If the changes are resisted, they are likely to be
more intense and potentially traumatic. If the querent accepts and adapts to the changes, the
process can be much easier.

Cosmology: The Tower represents the Soul’s liberation from old forms, and the explosive
growth which follows. In this the Tower corresponds to the Alchemical term Nigredo. In
Alchemical though Yin / Yang opposites are subjected to pressure and reduced to a Nigredo –
a residue which results from the destruction of their old forms. From this residue, which is at
once putrification of the old and fertilization of the new, arises the Cauda Pavonis, or
Peacock’s Tail –a colorful explosion of new forms which represents the beginning of spiritual
enlightenment. In Alchemical thought it is said that there can be “No Generation Without
Putrification” –that is to say, new growth cannot occur until old forms are cleared away. For
the Soul this means that the many attachments created through many lifetimes must be
healed and released before it can achieve enlightenment.

Symbolism: The image of the Tower shows the Soul breaking free of the tower it has built for
itself, like a butterfly from its chrysalis. That this tower is built from the experiences of many
lives is shown by the different stone faces which form it –one Asian with the Yin Yang symbol,
one African with the Tiet (Knot of Isis) symbol, one European with the Pentagram, and one
Native American with the Jaguar. The Soul is shown as a beautiful woman. She has the wings
of a butterfly representing transformation, and she reaches out exultantly in her joy at being
free. Her naked body is covered with tattoos representing the marks left by her experiences in
her many lifetimes, how these have enriched her and shaped her character, and how she
carries forward the best of them into eternity.

Numerology: The Number of the Tower is Twenty Four, which reduces to Six (2 + 4 = 6). The
Six influence is increased by the fact that Twenty Four is also 6 x 4, or 12 x 2. Six is the
Number of Venus, of pleasure and comfort and accustomed habit –all the things which
constitute the Tower from which the Soul must ultimately break free. Six represents the
comfort and attachment which the Soul has for the Tower before liberating itself.

Advice: The Tower card tells us that change is immanent and that conditions in the situation
at question will shortly be very different than they have been. This change should be expected
quickly, and is often a near total change in the situation. These changes are needed because
the querent has outgrown the old conditions -though the querent may not be consciously
aware of this. It is important not to resist the changes which come, but to embrace them and
adapt to them, because resisting the change will make it a harder experience.
XXV - The Stars

Meaning: The Stars represent calling upon the powers of the Higher Self, or Soul. This is
done by looking within oneself –by turning to the Soul for self knowledge and inner guidance.
Because the Soul has a much less limited perspective than the conscious mind, it can offer
answers and insights which the conscious mind cannot. It is largely a matter of quieting the
conscious mind enough to be able to listen to the Higher Self.

Cosmology: The Soul moves through the cycle of Death and rebirth, perfecting itself through
the Temperance of many lifetimes’ experience, in order to transcend The Veil and achieve
liberation from the Tower of its experiences. The Stars, the Moon, and the Sun, all represent
paths by which the Soul may pursue this goal. Severally they are introspection (The Stars),
religions (The Moon), and service (The Sun). These first of these, The Stars, represent self
examination and self healing. Examining and releasing ones attachments, so that one may
move forward freely. This is a necessary aspect of the Souls development without which it
cannot find liberation, for it would remain attached to previous experiences and patterns.

Symbolism: The Stars are represented by a Vision Quest. The Vision Quester sits nude in a
small valley, resting upon a blanket itself patterned with stars. His spirit reaches up from his
body toward the sky and the glittering stars above, as if it would be one with them –which
indeed is the point of the card, for the spirit is part of the universe (Deity) and longs to feel at
one with it again. The Soul’s return to unity with Deity, enriched by its experiences in the
physical, is the point of its journey. The Stars (inner understanding) lead the way back to
Deity.

Numerology: The Number of The Stars is Twenty Five, which reduces to Seven (2 + 5 = 7).
The influence of the Two and the Five show partnership (2) in communication (5) between
Soul and Conscious Mind –the relationship of oneself to one’s Higher Self or ones Spirit
Guides. Twenty Five is also 5 x 5 again emphasizing that this card represents communication
above all, albeit internal communication. The Seven is of course the Number of Spirituality
and Spiritual growth which is the keynote of the The Stars.

Advice: The Stars is a card of Spiritual guidance. The querent is advised to meditate upon
the situation in question. Inner guidance is needed, and is the only real answer. Seeking
external answers will not help. The querent must come to terms with what they really feel and
think about the situation. If the person is spiritually active then they should seek guidance
from their Spirit Guides. This is a card well defined by that phrase from the Charge of the
Goddess: “if that which you seek you find not within yourself, you will never find it”
XXVI - The Moon

Meaning: Where The Stars represent knowledge of self, The Moon represents knowledge of
Deity. Traditionally the Moon represents the unseen parts of the self, sometimes referred to as
the subconscious but also the superconscious –the spiritual and emotional parts of the self
not readily accessible by the conscious mind. The Moon card refers to the quest to bring
these unseen parts of the self into conscious control –which as we have seen is the key to
conscious manifestation and magic. This can be accomplished through the practice of
religion, philosophy, and other established spiritual paths of a transformational nature. It can
also be accomplished through other more personal forms of spiritual practice such as
meditation, prayer, and spellcraft.

Cosmology: The Stars represent the study of the self: the path of introspection, self-
knowledge and self-healing. The Moon represents the study of ones relationship with
Deity/the Universe: the path of communion and alignment with our Higher Self and through it
with All Things. This leads us ultimately to the understanding of the Hermetic maxim “As
Above, So Below”: that all things reflect each other because All is One. In this way we learn
that understanding ourselves and understanding the universe are not only related pursuits but
interdependent. This is most commonly expressed through religion and philosophy, and is the
major goal of each. This is the second of the three paths which the Soul uses to perfect itself
in the cycle of incarnation.

Symbolism: The Moon is represented by a worship ritual. Within a stone circle of dolmens a
group of Witches gather around a bonfire to worship the Goddess of the Moon. The High
Priestess can be seen invoking the Goddess with upraised arms. The crescent Moon above
shines down upon them, bathing them in its light. And just as the Moon reflects the light of the
Sun, so too the light of the bonfire paints the image of the dolmens across the dark
landscape.

Numerology: The Number of The Moon is Twenty Six, which reduces to Eight (2 + 6 = 8).
Twenty Six is also 2 x 13. Thirteen is the number of Lunar months in a year, and is closely
associated with spiritual and psychic abilities –an influence here doubled. Thus we have the
expansion of spiritual knowledge. As for Two and Six these are numbers of the inner self and
of inner peace –cultivation of which is certainly a major aspect of spiritual practice. Eight is the
Number of determination and passion. Thus we see a focus on the inner self, spirituality, and
focus –all the qualities of a transformative spiritual path.

Advice: When The Moon comes up in a reading it suggests that the querent should seek out
an answer to their situation by spiritual means. Depending upon the person this could be
through prayer, through meditation, or through magic. The situation must be approached on a
spiritual as opposed to a physical level, and spiritual intervention is required on the part of the
querent. Whereas The Stars indicate a need for spiritual guidance, The Moon indicates a
need for spiritual action.
XXVII - The Sun

Meaning: The Sun represents success, achievement, being in a good situation. Just as the
physical Sun brings light and warmth to create a favorable circumstance for plants and
animals to thrive, so the Sun in the Tarot indicates a favorable circumstance for the querent to
thrive: situations will be prosperous, goals will be achieved, emotions will be positive. It is a
card of success and happiness, suggesting excellent circumstances for the querent.

Cosmology: If The Stars represent knowledge of the self, and The Moon represents
knowledge of Spirit, then The Sun represents knowledge of the application of spiritual
knowledge in ones life. Because we are each a manifestation of Deity, we can access the
creative powers of Deity through our Soul when we have created a proper alignment between
our Higher and Lower Selves. This allows us to take a conscious role in the creation of our
lives and our experiences. How much of a role we are able to take depends upon how
successful we are in aligning with our Higher Self and unblocking our energies. One goal of
incarnation is a perfect alignment of Higher and Lower Self which will allow full manifestation
of the powers of the Soul in the physical world. The Sun represents the development of this
ability to consciously create ones life, and then apply this ability to the further development of
the Soul itself.

Symbolism: The Sun is represented by the Blessing of a newborn. A father holds his
newborn child aloft toward the Sun, invoking both the blessing of the universe upon the child
and acknowledging the relationship between the Universe and the child which is summed up
in maxim “As Above, So Below”. To one side the land is lush and verdant, to the other side
lies desert –father and son are directly between the two extremes. The extremes of landscape
indicate the way in which conscious manifestation can transform ones experience of life from
desert to oasis.

Numerology: The Number of The Sun is Twenty Seven, which reduces to Nine (2 + 7 = 9).
The influence of Nine is further shown by the fact that Twenty Seven is 9 x 3 –thus the
expansion of Nine. Nine is the furthest extent of expansion before returning to One (10 = 1 +
0 = 1) and beginning again. The influence of Two and Seven emphasize partnership and
spirituality. Thus here we see the furthest extension of spiritual growth through experience of
being.

Advice: When The Sun appears in a reading it indicates that the querent will be successful
either in terms of their general situation or in terms of achieving a specific goal. The Sun
indicates success, prosperity, acclaim. With this card the querent can be assured of positive
influences and beneficial situations.
XXVIII - Judgment

Meaning: Judgment represents the achievement of a long standing goal or the completion of
a journey. A quest will be completed, a dream accomplished, a goal realized. This is not the
accomplishment of a passing fancy, but rather of a long term goal, finally brought to pass. For
this reason Judgment may have the quality of an ending, as the querent may have been
working toward this goal for some time. Having successfully achieved the goal, the next
question becomes “What now?”

Cosmology: Cosmologically Judgment represents achieving “Enlightenment” or the state of

being a spiritual master or saint. Most religions recognize such a state, though what it means
to each one varies –but in all cases it represents a spiritual awakening and advanced spiritual
state. Thus Taoist sages, Hindu saints, Buddhist Boddhisattvas, Christian saints,
Metaphysical Adepts, Greco-Roman Demi-Gods, etc… will be seen to reflect the same basic
concept. This is the level of spiritual actualization which precedes transcendence of
incarnation and union with Deity. Everyone eventually reaches this level, but some take
longer than others and all must come to it in their own way. To paraphrase the Blv. LaVeda,
we can all take as long as we need, because Deity has all the time in the world.

Symbolism: Judgment is represented by a Boddhisattva in a posture of meditation. However

this Boddhisattva will immediately be seen to reveal his true nature as the Fool from card 0.
This is because the advanced Soul reflects the character of Primordial Deity very clearly. Like
the Fool the Chakras of the Boddhisattva are marked with lotuses, and he sits in the lotus
position upon a giant lotus which rises from the waters of manifestation. The Kundalini
serpent curls upward through the Chakras, visible above and below the figure. Behind is the
image of the Yin Yang, with its symbolism of masculine and feminine polarity spelled out
through the symbols of Mars and Venus. With his right hand the Boddhisattva makes the
Mano Cornuta, a symbol of generative power, pointing downward into the physical, while with
his left hand he makes a gesture of blessing pointing upward toward spirit.

Numerology: The Number of Judgment is Twenty Eight, which reduces to One (2 + 8 = 10 =

1). Ten represents the beginning of a new cycle by virtue of reducing to One –beginning. Two
and Eight here represent the passionate partnership between Soul and Deity, which is
experiencing a new beginning through Judgment. One emphasizes the focus upon the self
and perfection of the self achieved through self-examination and meditation (The Stars),
spiritual transformation (The Moon), and putting ones spirituality into action (The Sun) which
have made liberation possible.

Advice: The Judgment card indicates that the querent will achieve what they have wanted or
worked for. A long term goal is accomplished successfully. The effort that was formerly put
toward achieving this goal will no longer be necessary. This may necessitate the querent’s re-
examining their life in the wake of their success, in order to move on. Otherwise success may
lead to stagnation. The situation which has long taken their attention will be successfully
completed –new goals and new directions will be needed to take its place.
XXIX - The Universe

Meaning: The Universe card represents the world and all that it has to offer. This card
indicates extremely positive influences and extremely fortunate circumstances in whatever
part of a reading it appears in. Happiness, success, prosperity, luck –all are indicated by the
Universe card. The Universe offers an extremely fortunate situation, which offers all that one
might desire from it.

Cosmology: The Universe represents the completion of the Soul’s journey: reunion of the
Soul and Deity. What lies beyond this point: a new beginning and new adventures. It must be
understood that this reunion with Deity does not in any way lessen the Soul, but rather
expands it. The Soul is not “consumed” by Deity nor “absorbed” by Deity, but rather comes
fully into its Oneness with Deity. It is not the ending of a road but rather an opening into wider
worlds. Indeed, the Soul does not so much reunite with Deity as come fully into the realization
that it has never truly been separate –has itself been God along. The illusion of separation
has simply been the Divine Consciousness being so tightly Involuted that it lost sight of itself.

Symbolism: The symbolism of the Universe card is the color black. In this it is a direct reflex
of the Magic card (3) which is white. In both cases the solid color indicates processes which
are beyond our knowledge and understanding. As the Magic card might be regarded as a
White Hole constantly creating matter, so the Universe card might be thought of as the
obverse Black Hole, constantly consuming and transforming matter. And just as it is thought
that a Black Hole is merely the other side of a White Hole, so too the Universe is merely the
other side of Magic –reunion with Deity merely the other side of creation/separation.

Numerology: The Number of The Universe is Twenty Nine, which reduces to Eleven and
thence to Two (2 + 9 = 11 = 2). Eleven is a Number of psychic and magical power, while Two
is a Number of partnership and service. Two must also be regarded in this sense as the
Number of Goddess and God as opposite halves of the Universe: Yin and Yang. Thus the
nature of The Universe is revealed here as one of magical duality and partnership –the
eternal interaction of the Divine Whole through its inner forces, which appear separate but are
in reality only sides of the same coin. Thus we see that All is One and Many at the same time.

Advice: The Universe card indicates that the querent can expect very positive conditions in
whatever part of the reading the card appears in. The Universe indicates happiness, success,
good fortune: Whatever can be desired from the situation is likely to be there for the having.
The Universe is among the best possible cards in any position, and indicates a near ideal
situation.
Minor Arcana

In a traditional Tarot the Minor Arcana consists of four suits, which correspond the the four
suits of the playing cards. These Four Tarot Suits are Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.
In the Tarot of Hekate there is also a Fifth Suit, lamps. The four traditional suits correspond to
the Four Elements that are associated with the physical world: Wands/Fire, Swords/Air,
Cups/Water, and Pentacles/Earth. The suit of lamps corresponds to Spirit, which is thought of
as the Fifth Element that underlies the other four.

In the traditional Tarot the Elemental arrangement of the Minor Arcana suits tends to take a
different sequence from what we see in some other systems, such as modern Wicca,
however the Elements are often found in different sequences in different disciplines, owing to
the differing times and places in which these systems originate. Despite being ordered
differently, the ideas behind them remain the same. The Elemental sequence commonly seen
in Tarot is Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles.

Where the Major Arcana tells the story of the Souls journey through incarnation, the Minor
Arcana speaks to issues of everyday life, with Wands corresponding to plans and ambitions,
Cups to romance and family, Swords to structure and limitations, and Pentacles to money and
business. The added suit of Lamps corresponds to spirituality.

In addition each of the Minor Arcana suits tells a particular story, illustrating the meanings of
the cards in the suit and making them easier to remember. The protagonists of the stories are:
Wands: Marina (Sea), Cielo (Sky), and Montagna (Mountain): Cups: Aina (Land), Makani
(Wind), Ahi (Fire), and Wai (Water): Swords: Natsu (Summer), Aki (Autumn), Fuyu (Winter),
and Haru (Spring): Pentacles: Bakhu (Dawn), Heru (Day), Manu(Dusk), and Kekui(Night):
Lamps: Chak Ek (Venus). The idea that each suit contains a story has been around for some
time, but here the stories take center stage in elucidating meaning of the cards.

In traditional Tarot decks the Minor Arcana Pip Cards were illustrated much like playing cards,
with the image consisting of the number and kind of objects indicated by the card -for
example the Three of Cups would show three cups, or the Eight of Swords would show eight
swords. More modern Tarot cards illustrated the Pip Cards with scenes, but included the
requisite number of objects in the scene -for example in many decks the Eight of Swords
shows a woman bound and blindfolded, and also surrounded by the titular eight swords. In
illustrating the Pip Cards for the Tarot of Hekate I chose not to follow this practice, because it
seemed rather contrived to me -and also unnecessary as the name of the card is emblazoned
right at the bottom. I did not see why there needed to be six cups in the picture when the card
said Six of Cups right on it. This gave me a great deal more freedom in composing the
images for the cards. I did however follow the traditional practice of including the suits' title
objects in the Court Cards.

The Court Cards of the Minor Arcana differ from those of playing cards in that there are four
Court Cards rather than three -one for each of the four elements, plus the Ace for Spirit. Thus
you will see in the text that I interpret the meaning of the Court Cards elementally rather than
numerologically.
The characters portrayed in the Court Cards do not represent the same characters portrayed
in the Pip Cards. For the most part the Court Cards are portrayed as a royal or noble court of
the respective era. The King of Wands is a renaissance King: The King of Swords a Japanese
Daimyo: The King of Cups a Polynesian King: The King of Pentacles a Pharaoh: And the King
of Lights is a Maya King who has become a mystic.

As for the Ace, it represents the essential character of each suit, and in this is outside both the
story portrayed in the Pip Cards as well as the figures portrayed in the Court Cards. In this the
Ace somewhat echoes the nature of the Fool in the Major Arcana.

Let us now move forward to examine the cards of the Minor Arcana.
The Suit of Wands

Ace of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number One, the Ace of Wands represents the
essential nature of Fire: passion, action, transformation. This is a strong, determined energy
with great focus and drive. It represents the ability to manifest, to create ones desires on the
material plane through the application of focus and effort.

Narrative Meaning: The Ace of Wands is a European man brandishing a wand in front of
him. He wears a number of fire symbols including upward-pointing triangles from both eastern
and western traditions. His robe is patterned with trefoils representing leaves from the
standard “Clubs” suit of playing cards, which corresponds to the Tarot suit of “Wands”.

Divinatory Meaning: The Ace of Wands indicates a focus on long-term plans, goals, and
desires: Hopes and dreams that you truly want and feel passionate about and focus on with
an intent to bring them to pass. These are goals so strongly felt, so keenly desired that they
can be adhered to for long periods of time.
Two of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Two, this card represents the element of Fire in
private relations with others. It indicates passionate desires and material ambitions for the
present or future: goals, plans, and hopes.

Narrative Meaning: Young Lord Cielo stands on the battlements of his castle staring off into
the horizon and dreaming of a bright and splendid future. Although he is only a minor
nobleman Lord Cielo has high ambitions and full of hope he sets off to seek his fortune in the
royal court.

Divinatory Meaning: The Two of Wands indicates a new beginning, or new directions within
existing situations. It can mean starting out on a new path, a new project, or applying new
ideas or new approaches. In all events the Two of Wands indicates fresh ideas and
experiences that are different from what has gone before.
Three of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Three, this card represents the element of Fire
in public relations with others. Meetings, relationships, or communications with others who
can be of help in manifesting ones desires or plans. Moving forward materially through the
help of others.

Narrative Meaning: At the royal court Lord Cielo is presented to the young Queen Marina.
The Queen is deeply impressed with the handsome and courteous young man, and her favor
quickly elevates him in court society.

Divinatory Meaning: Receiving help or advice from another person in a better position than
yourself. This person’s help or advice will be good and should be accepted and made use of.
Four of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Four, this card represents the element of Fire at
its most stable. A stable fire burns brightly, gives much warmth, and attracts much attention.
This is a card of success, celebration, and celebrity.

Narrative Meaning: Queen Marina is so enamored of Lord Cielo that soon she takes him for
her husband, despite his relatively lowly origins. Now King Cielo, ruler of a kingdom and
husband of a beautiful and adoring Queen, all of the young man’s dreams and ambitions have
been fulfilled.

Divinatory Meaning: Achievement, accomplishment of a goal, getting what you have wanted
and worked for: happiness, celebration, exultation in your success. Being exceedingly
pleased with having successfully completed your desire.
Five of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Five, this card represents the element of Fire
in motion. Left to its own devices fire dances and leaps in all directions at once, quickly
expanding as long as there is fuel –regardless of whether its effects are constructive or
destructive. This card similarly represents undirected movement and resultant conflicts.

Narrative Meaning: Although he is now King, Cielo has many enemies, first among whom is
Queen Marina’s cousin Prince Montagna. Next in line to the throne after Queen Marina, and
Prime Minister of the realm, Montagna regards Cielo as being an unsuitable interloper and
despises him. For his part King Cielo knows and enemy when he sees one, and the two men
are quickly at loggerheads on every subject.

Divinatory Meaning: Conflict, either internal, external, or both. Several possible courses of
action are in contention, and it is difficult to settle upon which one will go forward.
Six of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Six, this card represents the element of Fire
helped along by fate. It represents worldly success and achievement, getting what you desire,
accomplishment.

Narrative Meaning: As King and Queen Cielo and Marina receive obeisance from all of their
nobles. It is a personal triumph for Cielo when his enemy Prince Montagna must pay him
homage.

Divinatory Meaning: Victory, success, achievement of your goal: getting what you have
wanted and being happy with it. Being in a position of having what you have desired.
Seven of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Seven, this card represents the element of Fire
dealing with obstacles. In this case the obstacle is the effort necessary to achieve or maintain
ones goals and desires. The obstacle can and will be overcome, but only through effort.

Narrative Meaning: Feeling angry and humiliated by Cielo, Prince Montagna plots a daring
strategy. Though he knows it will not be easy, Montagna plans to seize his cousin’s throne. It
will take a lot of planning, courage, and stealth, and the risks are great should he be caught,
but Montagna knows he can succeed if he goes at it correctly.

Divinatory Meaning: Success as the result of hard work. What is desired will be achieved,
but it must be worked for. The effort of accomplishing the goal will be felt, but it will be
successful.
Eight of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Eight, this card represents the element of
Fire in extremity. Fire in extremity is sudden, fast moving, and transformative, therefore this
card represents speed and transformation and transformation of circumstances.

Narrative Meaning: The rebellion comes quickly and seemingly without warning. With
nowhere to turn a terrified King Cielo and Queen Marina flee from the royal palace without
even taking time to dress.

Divinatory Meaning: Sudden changes, unexpected happenings, surprises. Things will move
very suddenly, and may take unexpected directions.
Nine of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Nine, this card represents the element of
Fire in its greatest skill. When fire is applied steadily over a long period it transforms without
destroying, as in cooking or the firing of pottery. This card is all about slow but steady
transformation, and the patience needed to allow that transformation to happen.

Narrative Meaning: Captured, Queen Marina is deposed and Montagna now becomes King.
After executing Cielo, Montagna imprisons Marina for many years. Though she hopes for an
eventual release, and dreams of regaining her freedom, Marina can do nothing but count the
days of her imprisonment.

Divinatory Meaning: Waiting. The time is not yet right to take action, patience is required,
one must wait and bide ones time. Nothing can be done to move the situation forward at this
time. One must simply wait and allow things to unfold.
Ten of Wands

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Ten, this card represents the element of Fire
in its ultimate fulfillment. That greatest fulfillment of Fire is the destruction of the old to make
way for the new, removing or transforming one state of being so that another can emerge.
This represents that change about to happen.

Narrative Meaning: After many years imprisonment the former Queen Marina is at last set
free, now too old to pose any threat to the new King, Montagna’s son. Widowed, childless,
with no hope of ever regaining her kingdom, Marina lives on waiting only for death to come.

Divinatory Meaning: Present situations are almost ready to pass over, new beginnings are
almost at hand but not quite. We are on the brink of change, dealing with the last aspects of
our old situations before new conditions unfold.
Princess of Wands

Elemental Meaning: The Princess of Wands represents the Element of Fire influenced by
Earth. Earth is fertile but immobile, fire is passion and manifestation: Together they represent
the potential for action not yet realized. All manner of actions are possible here, but they have
not yet been acted upon.

Narrative Meaning: The Princess of Wands is a talented and intelligent but sheltered woman
in the opening stages of her life. Her resources are great, her opportunities will be many, but
what she will do with these remains unseen as she has yet to emerge upon the stage of life.

Divinatory Meaning: A situation whose time has not yet come, but which will come soon. All
is nearly ready, but it is just not time yet for this to play out. This situation is simply not yet
ready to advance.
Prince of Wands

Elemental Meaning: The Prince of Wands represents the element of Fire influenced by Air.
Air is thought and imagination, fire is action and ambition: Together they represent an
explosion of imagination in all directions. Unfortunately trying to expand in all directions at
once usually leaves us unable to give enough attention to any one direction to make it
feasible.

Narrative Meaning: The Prince of Wands is an ambitious but unfocused young man. Full of
good ideas and enthusiasm, he rarely accomplishes anything because he is on to something
new before the finishing his last project: consequently he never seems to actually accomplish
anything. If only he would focus on one project to completion he might become as great as he
thinks he already is.

Divinatory Meaning: Although there is much desire and much energy expended in this
situation, there is not enough focus for these to create the desired effect. Efforts will be
wasted unless greater focus is brought to bear upon the situation.
Queen of Wands

Elemental Meaning: This card represents the element of Fire influenced by Water. Water is
fluid and reactive, Fire is ambition and passion: together they represent the ability to exert
influence without seeming to. Just as Water can carve out great canyons or wear down
mountains over centuries without appearing to do anything in the moment, so to this card
represents the ability to accomplish what we desire without appearing to exert ourselves.

Narrative Meaning: The Queen of Wands is a wealthy and powerful woman.

Although as wife of the King she has relatively little formal power, her actual power is
immense. She is mature, intelligent, and capable, and plans for all eventualities –but her main
focus is what she desires in the present rather than the future.

Divinatory Meaning: Being in a strong, secure position, and able to arrange things pretty
much as we desire them: Setting things to order, having our own way, being in control of our
environment. Having the influence to get what we want, especially from behind the scenes or
through informal channels.
King of Wands

Elemental Meaning: This card represents the Element of Fire influenced by itself. That
makes for fiery, passionate, and focused energy. Fire is transformative in nature and makes
long-term changes to everything it touches, and this card deals with long-term transformations
of people and situations through focused thought and effort.

Narrative Meaning: The King of Wands has great foresight and prepares for situations far in
advance. He lays out his plans and carefully nurtures their development for months or years
to successfully bring them to pass. The King of Wands anticipates all eventualities and
prepares for situations before he encounters them, and so is rarely caught off guard.

Divinatory Meaning: This card indicates a focus on long-term plans, goals, and ambitions.
Desires, projects, changes that require long range planning and sustained effort are indicated,
as well as the ability to stick to our plans once we have set them.

The Suit of Cups

Ace of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number One, this card represents the essential
nature of Water: A fluid, Water is happiest when it can flow free following its fancy and
shaping itself to whatever it encounters. Water represents the emotions, which also desire to
flow free and which naturally shape themselves to all that they encounter. This card
represents the joy of free-flowing happiness and the pleasure of following our own heart.

Narrative Meaning: The Ace of Cups is a woman carrying a chalice. She wears symbols of
water including the downward-pointing triangle of western tradition and the crescent of
eastern tradition. Her robe is patterned with stylized hearts after the suit of “Hearts” in
standard playing decks, which corresponds to the Tarot suit of “Cups”.

Divinatory Meaning: Happiness, pleasure, emotional satisfaction -sometimes romance. The

Ace of Cups symbolizes all positive emotions and positive emotional relationships, and when
it appears in a reading it indicates a happy and positive situation.
Two of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Two, this card represents the element of
Water as expressed in private relationships with others. Water represents emotion, which is
reactive in character. Water shapes itself to all it encounters, flowing around rocks and
boulders, streaming down gullies and ravines according to whatever path is easiest,
effortlessly surrounding creatures and plants within it. In private relationships this represents
romantic love, wherein two people shape themselves to one another.

Narrative Meaning: In the eighteenth century a young sailor on shore leave in the Pacific
meets the beautiful Aina, daughter of the local King. They are immediately drawn to each
other, for each one represents adventure and all that is exotic to the other. Smitten, Aina gives
the sailor the name Makani.

Divinatory Meaning: A romantic relationship or other partnership involving strong emotions.

A romantic partner, friend, or family member will be a very important influence in our
situations.
Three of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Three, this card represents the element of
Water expressed in public relationships with others. The fluidity of Water here shapes itself
not to one other, but to many. This card represents platonic love, friendship, and social
intercourse.

Narrative Meaning: Aina and Makani fall in love and spend all of their time together. Makani
enjoys the company of Aina’s family and friends as well, and they are happy to see the young
couple so much in love. Aina’s father throws a feast for the couple, and even Aina’s former
suitor Ahi attends and shares in the general joyousness.

Divinatory Meaning: Happiness shared with others, a joyful group or environment that
increases our own happiness: celebration, enjoyment, festivity.
Four of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Four, this card represents the element of Water
in a state of stasis. Though Water can remain within a confined space like a lake or a cup, it is
never truly immobile –even in freezing it expands. Every movement changes it and it will
always seek every opportunity to ripple, flow, or escape altogether. Still waters run deep, with
currents and eddies far below the surface and often invisible from the surface. So too here,
stability hides a restlessness that long for new opportunities and experiences.

Narrative Meaning: Although Aina loves Makani and is content with him, Makani himself is
restless. Makani dreams of the great wide world and of all the places that the ocean can take
him. Though what he has in Aina is good, he is anxious for more and cannot remain content.

Divinatory Meaning: A situation which while good in itself, is not all we desire it to be:
wanting more than is present, restlessness in an otherwise good situation. It is important not
to loose sight of the good things that we actually do have because we desire so strongly
things we do not have.
Five of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Five, this card represents the element of Water
in a state of change and transformation. Water represents emotion, and the emotions often
react badly to change –out of fear of the unknown, uncertainty about the future, or pain
because of having to release something that we feel attached to. Thus this card carries the
connotation of sorrow, or loss of something that has been loved or desired –even though that
loss may actually be for the best.

Narrative Meaning: When his shore leave ends Makani returns to his ship, leaving Aina
behind. Alone now, Aina is miserable and dejected. As happy as she had been with Makani,
Aina is equally unhappy now that he is gone. She feels as if the Sun is setting upon her life.

Divinatory Meaning: Unhappiness, a feeling of loss, grieving for a situation which has not
turned out as desired: A desire for things to be different than they are.
Six of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Six, this card represents the element of Water
given a Gift of Fate. Here that gift is to flow back upon itself and revisit familiar courses. It is
truly said that we can never step into the same river twice, yet at the same time all water will
in the course of time evaporate, rising to the clouds only to eventually precipitate and thence
flow was water once again. This card brings the echo of the past into the present, returning us
to people, places, or patterns we have previously known.

Narrative Meaning: For some time Aina lives with her sorrow, eschewing the company of
others and feeling sorry for herself. Then one day Aina happens to see Ahi fishing. Ahi had
hoped to marry Aina before Makani came to the island. Now Aina and Ahi begin to see one
another again.

Divinatory Meaning: Influences from the past, people we have known, situations or places
which have been important in our past, will influence our future. People from our past may
reappear in our lives; situations from our past may seem to repeat.
Seven of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Seven, this card represents the element of
Water crossed by obstacles. Water is reflective, and its surface often hides what lies beneath,
mirroring instead the illusory image of whatever is above it. This card too represents illusion,
with the surface appearance of situations obscuring their true nature.

Narrative Meaning: Free from his relationship with Aina, Makani now abandons himself to
the pleasures of the flesh and attempts to sate his appetites with many partners. Although this
distracts him from his regrets, they remain below the surface and return when he is alone.

Divinatory Meaning: Illusion, internal crossed wires, lack of self knowledge which leads to
pursuing the wrong goals, not knowing what we really want.
Eight of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Eight, this card represents the element of Water
in extremity. Because the surface of Water so often reflects what is above it, what is actually
under the water can be a source of fear for us. Even though there may be nothing to be afraid
of, not being able to see what is there can cause us to imagine all sorts of dangers, and
exaggerate whatever real dangers may be present. This card represents that exaggerated
fear of the unknown, and the tendency to imagine situations we gear as being worse than
they really are.

Narrative Meaning: Far away now, Makani is haunted by memories of Aina and the
happiness he had shared with her. Unable to return to her, or to find equal happiness with
another, he is tormented by his imagination. The happiness that was and might have
continued, the misery that is, the fear of what may yet be prey upon his mind.

Divinatory Meaning: This card indicates seeing problems as being worse than they are, or
even imagining problems that do not exist. Backing away from or withdrawing from a situation
because of exaggerated or imaginary fears.
Nine of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Nine, this card represents the element of Water
in its greatest strength. Water is reflective and fluid by nature, shaping itself to whatever it
encounters. Though we are rarely aware of it, the outer physical world shapes itself to the
inner spiritual world in much the same way. With this card our physical circumstances will
shape themselves to whatever we focus on –so we must be careful to focus on what we truly
desire.

Narrative Meaning: Happier with Aki than she ever was with Makani, Aina has learned much
about what she does and does not really want. The adventure and novelty that Makani
represented now pale beside the joy she finds in her relationship with Ahi. Her fondest wish is
now realized, and she is pregnant with a child who will be born into a truly loving home.

Divinatory Meaning: This card is both the best card and the worst card in the deck at the
same time. It is called “The Wish Card” and it indicates that whatever it is we are wishing for,
we will get. Obviously therefore, it is important for us to be clear on what we are wishing for.
Important, too, to remember that this does not mean only what we consciously wish for but
rather whatever it is we are placing our focus on. With this card it is important to focus on
what we desire, not on what we fear or what we think limits us –because whatever we focus
on will manifest.
Ten of Cups

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Ten, this card represents the element of Water in
its furthest extension. The furthest extension of Water is through precipitation and irrigation,
through which it nurtures all manner of life outside of itself. This card represents that aspect of
nurturing and sustaining love that brings light and life to our world.

Narrative Meaning: Aina and Ahi play with their son Wai at the oceans edge. Aina no longer
wonders about the world over the water, she is happy in her own world where she is valuable
and needed. The little family love one another and rejoice in their life together, and the
passage of each day brings new sweetness to them.

Divinatory Meaning: Happiness, joy, satisfaction. Having all that you desire in a situation.
Princess of Cups

Elemental Meaning: The Princess of Cups represents the element of Water influenced by
Earth. Water by its nature is free-flowing and reactive. Earth by its nature is solid and deep.
Both nurture and sustain life. Together they make mud, a sticky paste that clings to everything
–but is also very fertile and can be used under the right conditions to make many practical
things.

Narrative Meaning: The Princess of Cups is deeply emotional and can be easily
overwhelmed by her feelings. It is exceedingly difficult for her to rise above these feelings, or
to have any sort of distance or perspective on her situations. Her emotions are strong and
passionate, rising and crashing like waves on the rocks. However these same deep emotions
can be the source of great creativity and drive if enough distance can be achieved to direct
them in positive ways.

Divinatory Meaning: Moodiness, restlessness, strong emotions that disrupt. Holding on,
consciously or unconsciously, to bad situations. A need to address or release the source of
dissatisfaction.
Prince of Cups

Elemental Meaning: The Prince of Cups represents the element of Water influenced by Air.
Water is emotion and creativity, while Air is mind and intellect and communication. This card
represents the communication of emotion and creativity in positive ways: artistry, music,
media, social skills and networking, getting our message out into the world in whatever way
we can!

Narrative Meaning: The Prince of Cups is handsome, confident, and well-spoken. He is very
persuasive and tells wonderful stories. He is an artist and can paint and carve like a master.
Everything he touches the Prince of Cups makes beautiful, and everyone he meets is won
over by his fine words and fascinating ideas.

Divinatory Meaning: Creativity, communication, self-expression. This card represents the

importance of expressing ourselves and getting our message out into the world. The things
we have to say, the way we see the world, need to be shared with others and doing so will
bring success.
Queen of Cups

Elemental Meaning: The Queen of Cups represents the element of Water influenced by
itself. Water is fluid and motile, but it also can run deep: It can be beautifully clear or
amazingly muddy: it can be warmed to boiling or frozen to ice. For these reasons it is
considered to represent emotion and reaction. This card represents the more positive
qualities of emotion: love, compassion, joy.

Narrative Meaning: The Queen of Cups is a warm and loving woman, a devoted wife, a
caring mother, a nurturing friend. She is a happy woman who is pleased with her life, content
with her family and friends. Relationships are of paramount importance to her, and she will
give her all for any person whom she loves or cares about.

Divinatory Meaning: Happiness, emotional satisfaction, being in a joyful and fulfilling position
in life. Being surrounded by love, pleasure, and good things.
King of Cups

Elemental Meaning: The King of Cups represents the element of Water influenced by Fire.
Water and Fire are opposites, and holding them in balance is not an easy task. This card
represents the importance of balancing the opposing forces of mind and emotion, and how
much can be achieved when head and hear are in balance.

Narrative Meaning: The King of Cups is a steady and well-balanced individual who knows
his own mind and heart. His desires and beliefs are clear and well aligned, free from internal
contradictions or “crossed wires”, and as a result he is able to effectively manifest what he
wants.

Divinatory Meaning: The ability to experience and express emotions without being
dominated by them. The ability to enjoy your immediate situation without losing sight of longer
term goals or other considerations.

The Suit of Swords

Ace of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number One, this card represents the essential
nature of Air. Air is mind and thought, and its essential nature is discernment and analysis.
Through the mind we examine and come to understand a situation or thing, and whether it is
good for us, or bad for us. Thus this card represents the ability to assess our situations and
make judgments accordingly.

Narrative Meaning: The Ace of Swords is an Asian man holding a sword. He wears a
number of symbols of Air including the upward-pointing divided triangle of western tradition
and the circle of eastern tradition. His robe is patterned with “spade” designs from the
standard “Spade” suit of playing cards, which corresponds to the Tarot suit of “Swords”.

Divinatory Meaning: A decision. The Ace of Swords indicates an important decision either
already before you, or coming soon. In any event the decision is not yet made, and in making
it you should consider what you truly desire from the situation, rather than what is practical or
expedient.
Two of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Two, this card represents the element of Air
in private relationships with others. Air is thought and intellect, and the sort of relationship
indicated by this card is more mental and less emotional: It may be an alliance drawn for a
specific purpose, or a friendship based upon common interests or goals, or even a love
founded upon intellectual rather than emotional attractions.

Narrative Meaning: During the Japanese Shogunate two powerful Daimyo, or feudal lords,
maintain an uneasy alliance. Based solely upon political necessity, this alliance benefits both
men in the ever-shifting world of feudal politics, and brings peace and prosperity to their
respective territories. Although the two Daimyos, Lord Natsu and Lord Aki, work together and
publicly honor each other, both are motivated solely by self interest and neither trusts the
other.

Divinatory Meaning: An alliance between two equal parties, each with their own agenda.
This can be a good relationship, but each partner is seeking their own ends and is more
devoted to those ends than to the relationship. Neither partner will remain in the relationship
longer than their immediate needs are met.
Three of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Three, this card represents the element of
Air in public relationships with others. Air is thought and mind, and this card represents the
application of thought to relationships and making changes as a consequence. With this card
relationships are assessed, adjusted, and changed in some way. That change may be a new
kind of relationship, a geographic adjustment, or even an ending.

Narrative Meaning: After some time the alliance between Lord Natsu and Lord Aki falls
through. Lord Natsu attacks Lord Aki, and a war ensues between their two realms. Despite
their many years of working together, nothing can now repair the rift between them.

Divinatory Meaning: A broken relationship. Can be the end of a romance or other

partnership, or can indicate a fundamental change in the nature of the relationship.
Four of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Four, this card represents the element of Air
in a state of stability. Since Air is thought and thinking, this card indicates a period of
introspection and self-examination –a time secluded from other interests or distractions in
which we can look at ourselves.

Narrative Meaning: Lord Aki is severely wounded in battle. Brought home to his castle Lord
Aki is tended by his wife, Lady Fuyu. Lord Aki soon dies of his wounds, leaving Lady Fuyu a
widow.

Divinatory Meaning: A time-out period, a space of inactivity and rest, reflection. This may be
imposed by circumstances, and in any event is needed –time to think, to reflect, to prepare.
Take this time to ready yourself before moving forward.
Five of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Five, this card represents the element of Air
in a state of change and transformation. Air represents mind and intellect, and when changes
mean that things do not go as we have expected or planned, we often feel upset or
oppressed by circumstances. This card represents the pain and sorrow of not getting what we
think we want, and the feeling that things are wrong because of this.

Narrative Meaning: Lord Natsu’s soldiers sweep over Aki’s realm burning villages and laying
waste the crops. The people suffer greatly as Natsu’s army advances on the capitol.

Divinatory Meaning: Feeling put-upon or oppressed by the actions of others, feeling held
back or held down. Resentment.
Six of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Six, this card represents the element of Air
given a gift of fate. Air blows as wind freely around the world, flowing around anything that
would obstruct it. This card represents that same ability to move from one place to another, or
from one idea to another, despite any potential obstructions.

Narrative Meaning: Taking her young son Haru, Lady Fuyu flees with a small band of
devoted supporters to her father’s realm where they will live in exile.

Divinatory Meaning: A journey. Either a physical journey from one location to another, or an
internal journey from one state of being to another.
Seven of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Seven, this card represents the element of
Air facing obstacles. Air is mind and thought, and this card represents the ability of thought to
overcome obstacles. By thinking things through and planning accordingly, obstacles can be
overcome in ways that mere desire or even hard work could never accomplish.

Narrative Meaning: Some years later Haru, now a young man, determines to take back his
fathers realm with backing from his mother and grandfather. With a small core of supporters
Haru makes war on old Lord Natsu and tries to raise the realm against him.

Divinatory Meaning: Attempting to do something against the odds, an ambitious goal which
looks as if it cannot be accomplished. In fact, it can be done, but will require a great deal of
focus and hard work. Pursue it only if you are willing to work as hard as the situation shall
require of you.
Eight of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Eight, this card represents the element of Air
in a position of extremity. Air represents the mind, and the mind can be both its own best
friend and its own worst enemy. This card represents situations in which the mind traps itself
through predetermined assumptions, limitations, or behaviors –but which can be transcended
once these prejudices are discarded and the situation is seen for itself.

Narrative Meaning: Unsuccessful in his attempt to take back his fathers realm, Haru is
captured and imprisoned.

Divinatory Meaning: Feeling held back by a situation, unable to move, unable to effect the
situation as you would wish, feeling trapped or imprisoned by circumstances. The situation is
usually not as bad as it seems –you may be seeing all the walls but none of the doors. Try to
step back from the emotion of the situation and look at it with fresh eyes, and you may see
new solutions.
Nine of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Nine, this card represents the element of Air
in its greatest strength. Air is thought and mind, and the greatest strength of thought is its
ability to overrule instinct and solve problems despite fear. This card represents a situation
that instinct would tell us to run from, but which can be successfully handled if our fear is
overcome and the situation squarely faced.

Narrative Meaning: Learning of her son’s imprisonment Lady Fuyu knows that he is doomed.
Beside herself with grief, the aged widow must face her greatest fear and endure the most
difficult moment of her life.

Divinatory Meaning: That which you fear shall come to pass. Whatever your fear in the
situation, you must face it. Do not attempt to avoid it, but deal with it head on and all will be
easier. This is the card of the Night Mare, and like a bad dream it can only hurt you if, in trying
to get away from it, you fall out of bed and hurt yourself.
Ten of Swords

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Ten, this card represents the element of Air
in its furthest extension. Air flows ever on, over land and sea, between and around plants and
animals and people –with very few exceptions it never becomes stuck in one place. So too
this card represents the ability to move on, to let go, to release the past and embrace a new
future.

Narrative Meaning: Haru is executed, ending his lineage and any possibility of his family’s
return to power. His soul will go on to another life. His mother and retainers must also find a
new life, for all chance of regaining the old life is now gone.

Divinatory Meaning: Releasing a past situation in order to embrace a new one, letting go of
that which is outgrown, endings which lead to new beginnings.
Princess of Swords

Elemental Meaning: The Princess of Swords represents the element of Air influenced by
Earth. Air is mind and communication, while Earth is stability and fertility. This card represents
a deliberately cultivated mind and manner, and the careful and skillful use of communication
to achieve ones goals.

Narrative Meaning: The Princess of Swords is a highly cultured and well-educated

courtesan, a professional entertainer of the sort who moved in high circles. Years of training
have equipped her to use every word and gesture to greatest effect, while appearing perfectly
natural and unaffected. Her practiced ability to put her audience at ease can cause normally
cautious individuals to let down their guard with her, revealing information they would
otherwise conceal, or accepting advice they would reject in normal circumstances.

Divinatory Meaning: The skillful and tactical use of communication. Communications around
this situation will be and should be careful and precise, well thought out. Use care in
communication and be sure that what you are communicating is what you really wish to
convey.
Prince of Swords

Elemental Meaning: The Prince of Swords represents the element of Air influenced by itself.
Air is thought and mind –and here the mind eclipses all other aspects of the being. Self-image
and mental concepts such as duty take precedence over self-interest, comfort, or even
survival, as the person strives to reach an idealized state of being no matter the cost to the
physical self.

Narrative Meaning: The Prince of Swords is an armed warrior in the flower of his youth –lithe
and strong, dedicated and fierce, he is a man with a purpose. Dedicated to duty and honor
the Prince of Swords fights for his Lord and will lay down his life if need be for his people.
Sacrifice and self-denial are his companions, courage his staff and duty his God.

Divinatory Meaning: Doing what is right for oneself without regard for others. When the
Prince of Swords appears, it often means that you have been giving too much weight to the
needs or opinion of others, to the detriment of your own needs or feelings –“giving away the
farm” as it were. You must think of yourself first here, and place your needs highest in your
own agenda.
Queen of Swords

Elemental Meaning: The Queen of Swords represents the element of Air influenced by
Water. Air represents mind and Water is emotion and reaction to circumstances. This is a card
that represents the mind’s reaction to situations, and the lessons learned from experience.
Water shapes itself to all things, and the mind shapes itself to experience creating patterns of
behavior based upon the outcome of past experiences. The Queen of Swords represents the
effects of past experience upon future behavior.

Narrative Meaning: The Daimyo’s wife, noble by birth and resolute by nature. Losing all
through war and her husbands death, she clings to the glories of her past and allows these to
overshadow all possible futures except the potential to regain what has been lost. She bears
her hardships with courage and refuses to give up or release her desire for retribution.

Divinatory Meaning: Learning from past experience. Past patterns do not always repeat, but
here they will. Learn from the past and apply the knowledge to the future. If you have been in
a similar situation before, what did you do? If what you did before worked, do it again. If what
you did before did not work, you should not try it again but seek a new strategy. What has
happened in the past can be expected to be reflected in the future.
King of Swords

Elemental Meaning: The King of Swords represents the element of Air influenced by Fire. Air
is mind and thought: Fire is passion and manifestation. Together these represent a strong
mind fully engaged. This card is marked by clear understanding, good judgment, and a keen
grasp of ideas and situations.

Narrative Meaning: The King of Swords is a noble Lord, who rules with justice and honor. A
wise and courageous leader, good husband and father, he leads his people well and presides
over a stable and prosperous territory.

Divinatory Meaning: Good judgment. The ability to make good decisions, to rely upon your
own good sense. Do not follow the opinions of others in this situation –your own judgment is
best and should be listened to.

The Suit of Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number One, this card represents the essential
nature of Earth. Earth represents physical manifestation, and its essential nature is
abundance and prosperity. It is the produce of the Earth that sustains all life, and allows for all
physical well-being. So too this card represents well-being, sustenance, and prosperity.

Narrative Meaning: The Ace of Pentacles is an African woman wearing a pentacle necklace,
her arms raised in prayer. She wears symbols of earth including the downward-pointing
divided triangle of western tradition and the square of eastern tradition. Her robe is patterned
with lozenges after the suit of “Diamonds” in standard playing cards, which corresponds to the
Tarot suit of “Pentacles”.

Divinatory Meaning: Money, prosperity, stability. The Ace of Pentacles represents a strong,
stable situation in which one has all that one needs. It can also sometimes represent the
achievement of a goal.
Two of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Two, this card represents the element of
Earth in private relationships with others. Earth represents manifestation and making things
physical. Therefore this card represents learning how to craft and create, to manifest and
fashion in the physical world. We learn by doing, and so this card represents practicing this
through action of many different kinds in many different ways.

Narrative Meaning: Apprenticed to old Master Bakhu, Heru is busy learning the art of the
sculptor. It is a demanding art and requires constant practice and great effort, but Heru puts
his whole being into the effort and becomes very good.

Divinatory Meaning: Being very busy, learning, striving, seeking after a goal. Being so busy
that you have little time for anything but the task at hand, and may feel a bit like the proverbial
“chicken without a head”.
Three of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Three, this card represents the element of
Earth in public relationships with others. Earth represents physical manifestation and
integration. This card represents receiving help or instruction that allows us to advance or to
better create our desires.

Narrative Meaning: Established now as a sculptor in his own right, Master Heru becomes
very successful. His studio is busy and he has many projects and commissions, for his skill is
great.

Divinatory Meaning: Learning from our situations, gaining knowledge or skill from what we
are doing.
Four of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Four, this card represents the element of
Earth in a state of stability. Earth represents solidity and pattern, so in a stable state Earth is
stone. This card represents a situation in which things are firmly set: an unwillingness or
inability to allow movement.

Narrative Meaning: Now a successful and prosperous artisan, Master Heru is highly
conscious of his social position, and believes that this will stay the same forever. He has no
time for lesser folk and scorns the beggars who congregate near the city gate.

Divinatory Meaning: Stagnation, lack of movement, feeling blocked of held back in our
situations.
Five of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Five, this card represents the element of
Earth in a state of change and transformation. Earth as a rule does not like to move, and
greets change with trepidation. Often it interprets change as loss, even when that change can
be equally seen as the potential for gain. This card therefore represents fear associated with
loss or change.

Narrative Meaning: Although he has been successful, Master Heru’s lifestyle has far
exceeded his income. His creditors close in upon him, seizing his possessions to satisfy the
debts he owes them. Soon he loses all that he has worked so far to gain.

Divinatory Meaning: Worry about financial situations, fear of a lack of material security, loss.
Six of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Six, this card represents the element of Earth
given a Gift of Fate. Earth nurtures the seed that the plant may grow: this card represents
receiving that nurturing, being helped, aided, cared for by another.

Narrative Meaning: Now that he has lost everything, Heru looks upon the beggars at the city
gate differently, realizing that his own position is not so very different. Conditioned by his own
suffering, Heru’s heart is moved to compassion and even though he has much less to give
Heru now offers what he can.

Divinatory Meaning: Receiving help from another, especially unexpected help

Seven of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Seven, this card represents the element of
Earth faced by obstacles. Earth is abundant and fertile, with ever so many channels for that
fertility to manifest. Here the obstacle is not lack of possibility but rather a plurality of
possibilities that make it difficult to choose between them, as all are potentially equally good.

Narrative Meaning: Finally stabilizing his life again, Heru considers his options for the future.
Shall he return to sculpting or has he ruined himself too thoroughly? Shall he learn a new art?
Shall he consider commerce or manual labor instead? Heru has many possible paths to
consider and spends long hours weighing the pros and cons of each.

Divinatory Meaning: Being uncertain as to our direction, reassessing our plans and
reconsidering our circumstances. Weighing many different options, which are made harder to
choose between by being all equally good.
Eight of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by Number Eight, this card represents the element of Earth
in extreme situations. In this case that extremity is the perfection of skill. Earth is solid and
enduring, and here our knowledge is solid and our work enduring –we have learned all that
we can and now may apply it as needed.

Narrative Meaning: Unable to return to his former profession, Heru now apprentices himself
to a painter, Master Manu. Painting is not as prestigious a profession as sculpting, but being
less expensive is much more in demand. Heru applies himself as assiduously to learning the
art of painting as he once applied himself to learning to sculpt, and soon becomes quite good.

Divinatory Meaning: Perfecting our skills and abilities, mastering our craft, having the
knowledge and know-how needed to successfully handle our situations.
Nine of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Nine, this card represents the element of
Earth in its greatest strength. The greatest strength of Earth is the fertility and abundance of
the land, and its ability to sustain the lives of the many creatures that live upon or within it, no
matter what the season. This card represents an individual with all of the strength, creativity,
and abundant resources that they need for any situation they face.

Narrative Meaning: Now a Master Painter, Heru has returned to a position of prosperity and
social prominence. This time he is older and wiser, and makes much better decisions. With a
secure income and an improved understanding of his strengths and weaknesses, Master
Heru is now truly secure in his life.

Divinatory Meaning: Being complete in oneself, self-sufficiency, having all one needs, being
able to do all that is necessary through our own skills without help from the outside. This does
not mean that help is not available, only that it is not needed.
Ten of Pentacles

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Ten, this card represents the element of
Earth in its furthest extension. Earth represents the ability to manifest in the physical. Here
that ability to manifest and create what is desired has fulfilled the individual’s desires and
created a circumstance of happiness and prosperity for them.

Narrative Meaning: Having returned to a position of success and prosperity, Master Heru
completes his happiness with a marriage to the lovely Lady Kekui. Together they establish a
loving and well-ordered home, and live happily together for many years.

Divinatory Meaning: Success, stability, a solid base, support from others, especially family
Princess of Pentacles

Elemental Meaning: The Princess of Pentacles represents the element of Earth influenced
by itself. Earth is a very fertile element, but it is also the most fixed, motionless element.
When Earth moves it is extremely powerful, but getting it to move is extremely difficult. This
card represents situations in which potential is great but movement is difficult –situations in
which whatever is desired could be done, if only the situation can be set in motion.

Narrative Meaning: The Princess of Pentacles is young and beautiful, intelligent and highly
educated. She is cultured and cultivated, erudite and well mannered. However the Princess is
so concerned with etiquette and proper behavior that she refrains from publicly employing
many of her skills, prefering to appear a decorously inactive noble lady rather than revealing
herself a passionate and capable young woman.

Divinatory Meaning: Although we have all of the skills, abilities, and resources we need to
accomplish our goals, we may still find ourselves holding back either because we lack
confidence or fear what others may think of us.
Prince of Pentacles

Elemental Meaning: The Prince of Pentacles represents the element of Earth influenced by
Air. Earth represents being steady, patient, and well grounded. Air represents ideas and
intellect. Together these indicate a slow and steady mind that takes its time to learn fully and
understand completely all that it encounters –and never takes action without due preparation
and laying a secure groundwork.

Narrative Meaning: The Prince of Pentacles is a cautious and steadfast young man. He is
mature and sensible, patient and prudent, taking all the time he needs to fully develop his
situations. The Prince does not rush into things, but lays a careful and well-researched
groundwork for all his actions, so that when he does act he is well prepared and usually
successful.

Divinatory Meaning: The Prince of Pentacles represents slow but steady growth. This card
tells us that our situations are developing slowly but surely, and that patience and time are
needed to allow things to come to fruition.
Queen of Pentacles

Elemental Meaning: The Queen of Pentacles represents the element of Earth influenced by
Water. Earth is manifestation and water is fluid and ever flowing. Thus this card represents
the constant, ongoing manifestation of our desires into reality. Abundance, prosperity, and
good fortune are all manifested here.

Narrative Meaning: The Queen of Pentacles is a prosperous and powerful woman. She is
secure in herself and enjoys the pleasures that her status and wealth bring to her. Whatever
she desires is at her command, yet she is generous with her riches and with her favor, always
ready to assist others who are in need of her support.

Divinatory Meaning: One who has all she needs and more, prosperity, wealth, generosity,
one who shares good fortune and in sharing increases her own.
King of Pentacles

Elemental Meaning: The King of Pentacles represents the element of Earth influenced by
Fire. Earth is fertile, nurturing, and enduring. Fire is passionate and creative. Together they
represent the ability to create situations that are not only successful in the moment but also in
the future –situations that sustain and support us. The King of Pentacles not only enjoys
prosperity, but creates it through his own efforts.

Narrative Meaning: The King of Pentacles is an insightful and intelligent man who can size
up his situations easily and extract from them every possible benefit. Resourceful and
inventive, no situation can resist his efforts to entice prosperity from it, and he generally gives
back as much as he receives, enriching not only himself but everyone he deals with as well.

Divinatory Meaning: The King of Pentacles represents the ability to make money and
achieve prosperity through our own efforts. This card indicates the ability to see potential, and
to act upon that potential in such a way as to create the maximum benefit from situations.

The Suit of Lamps

Ace of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number One, this card represents the essential
nature of Spirit. The essential nature of Spirit is simultaneously imminent and transcendent –
both internal and external at once. It encompasses all things and unites all things from within.
Thus this card represents the inner nature of all things and Spark of Life that unites us all.

Narrative Meaning: The Ace of Lamps is a Native American person of androgynous gender,
before an altar set with many candles. Standing with hands clasped, the Ace wears a
voluminous robe and cloak with no symbols relating to the western elemental system or to the
standard playing cards, but with the eastern symbol for spirit emblazoned upon tabard and
sleeves.

Divinatory Meaning: This card represents empathy and the ability to see situations from
other people’s point of view. When this card comes up we should make an effort to place
ourselves in the other person’s shoes and see our situations from their perspective, and by
doing so may actually see the situation more clearly than we do from our normal perspective.
Two of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Two, this card represents the element of
Spirit expressed in private relationships. Left to its own devices Spirit moves always to the
good and is in a constant state of growth and expansion. Just as the Spirit is constantly
growing and expanding within, its natural inclination is to expand without as well. The natural
result of the growth of Spiritual energy within us is the desire to help others grow as well –to
be of service to the world and Her creatures, and to make a better world for all beings.

Narrative Meaning: Lady Chak Ek is a Witch/Shaman in the Yucatan peninsula during the
height of the Maya culture. Chak Ek studies the mysteries of spirit and works to help others
understand these. She practices herbal and magical healing, dream interpretation, and
performs magic for people high and low in station.

Divinatory Meaning: This card represents using our knowledge and abilities to assist other
people. When this card comes up it means that we should make a decided effort to reach out
and offer help to others with their situations, rather than passively watching events unfold.
This card urges us to offer advice, friendship, or even material aid as the best possible course
of action to take in our situation.
Three of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Three, this card represents the element of
Spirit expressed in relationships of a public nature. Just as the private expression of Spirit
comes in helping other individuals, so the public expression of Spirit comes in working to help
society and the world as a whole. This card calls us to become involved in causes greater
than ourselves, to give our lives to some great work whose goal is the betterment of the world
around us.

Narrative Meaning: Lady Chak Ek is much called upon by the local Prince and aristocracy,
as well as the ordinary people of her region. She uses her magic to advance their many
causes and to aid them in health and sickness, joy and sorrow, peace and war. She is a vital
figure in her community to whom all turn for help, and whose magic is a major force in the
social fabric of their lives.

Divinatory Meaning: This card indicates the importance of living our highest ideals in daily
life, and working to implement those ideals in the world. When this card comes up we are
asked to put our beliefs into practice, and to conform to our own higher principles. This card
calls us to “be the change we want to see” and to effect our situations by ourselves
expressing the behaviors we hope to see from others. If we are in need of prosperity we
should be all the more generous: in need of compassion we should be all the more
compassionate: in need of love we should be all the more loving. With this card we must be
the mirror of our own desires.

Four of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the number Four this card represents the element of
Spirit at its most stable. Because constant growth and expansion are the nature of spirit, it is
never truly still. Even when Spirit appears to be still, it is moving below the surface and
seeking new avenues for growth. No matter how blocked Spirit may be, it is always trying to
grow. Consequently the most stable state for Spirit is one of steady expansion.

Narrative Meaning: Although she is quite successful, Chak Ek has not yet mastered the
greatest abilities of magic, and longs to do so. She has prayed upon this matter, but not
received the answers she needs. She knows that there is more that has remained hidden
from her, and desires to learn it –but the doors of knowledge will not open to her.

Divinatory Meaning: This card indicates the importance of gaining additional information
about our situations. It is important for us to research and learn more about whatever we are
involved in, because we do not have enough knowledge at present to function at the level we
desire. This card may indicate that we simply need to know more about what is going on in
our situations, or that we need to actually acquire specific skills in order to better deal with our
circumstances.
Five of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Five, this card represents the element of
Spirit in a state of transition. The nature of Spirit is not only constant growth but also constant
adaptation. No matter what circumstances it is presented with, Spirit can adapt to them –
nothing is too great for Spirit. Constant adaptation is also constant change, and Spirit is
eternally reassessing and renewing itself, constantly growing and changing in reaction to new
experiences and circumstances.

Narrative Meaning: Lady Chak Ek comes to feel that she is blinded by her daily life, and
must step away from it if she is to have the greater spiritual growth she desires. To do this,
Lady Chak Ek decides that she must undertake a vision quest to receive guidance from the
Spirits. Lady Chak Ek gathers a few supplies and leaves her home to go into the wilderness
and seek deeper knowledge. She turns her back on all that is familiar in order to seek her
own inner self.

Divinatory Meaning: This card tells us that we need to step back from our present
circumstances in order to fully understand them. We need more emotional distance and
perspective than we presently have, and that we should withdraw from the situation at hand.
Because we are so emotionally involved in what we are doing we are not seeing it clearly, and
cannot see it clearly as long as we remain involved. Only be stepping out of the situation will
be able to have clarity about it and know how best to proceed.
Six of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Six, this card represents the element of Spirit
given a gift of fate. The gift of fate associated with Spirit is sudden advancement in
understanding and ability. Often such advancements have actually been building under the
surface of our consciousness for some time, but they explode upon our conscious mind as if
from no-where and often can totally reorder our thinking and way of understanding the world.

Narrative Meaning: After long meditations Lady Chak Ek receives her vision. Lady Chak Ek
is told that although she is very successful in using magic as a tool in the outside world, to
gain higher spiritual knowledge she must also use it as a tool of inner healing and
transformation. Lady Chak Ek is told that she must purify her inner self if she is to reach the
fullest potential of her outer self: that inner blockages and limiting belief systems have held
her back from the greater spiritual understandings and magical abilities that she has desired.

Divinatory Meaning: This card represents sudden breakthroughs or realizations about

ourselves and our circumstances. Situations that may have languished in confusion will
suddenly become clear, emotions or behaviors whose origins we have not understood will
suddenly come into focus for us. This is a card of sudden understandings.
Seven of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Seven, this card represents the element of
Spirit dealing with obstacles. Because Spirit is the inner nature of all things, it can overcome
all external challenges in one way or another. However internal blockages can limit the
expression of Spirit and greatly decrease its ability to function in any given lifetime. Such
blockages occur because of emotion and spiritual traumas we suffer, fears and limiting belief
systems. Having their origins within the being, such blockages can only be overcome from
within as well.

Narrative Meaning: In her meditations Lady Chak Ek works to heal her inner wounds and
release inner limitations, freeing herself from all that has bound her. In doing this she releases
all of the energy that has been trapped in these things, making herself whole again. She then
bathes in the sacred spring to purify herself and fully release all that has formerly held her
back.

Divinatory Meaning: This card indicates that we have hurt feelings, anger, or fear about the
situations we are dealing with, and that clinging to these is making our situations worse than
they need to be. This card tells us that we need to release and let go of whatever we may be
holding on to in order to move forward. We need to purify ourselves. Only when we have
forgiven and let these limiting emotions go can we expect our situations to move forward.
Eight of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Eight, this card represents the element of
spirit in extremity. The extremity of Spirit is self-transformation and renewal. Like a snake
shedding its skin or a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, Spirit periodically leaps forward
and totally transforms itself and its circumstances, taking on new forms and patterns.

Narrative Meaning: Her inner wounds healed, her soul made whole, Lady Chak Ek is now
open to higher levels of magic and spiritual illumination than ever before. Her personal growth
greatly accelerates and she learns skills that she formerly only dreamed of.

Divinatory Meaning: This card indicates that we need to make a new start, scrap whatever
we have been working on and try something else. What we have been doing is not working
and will not work, but a new direction will be much more successful.
Nine of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Nine, this card represents the element of
Spirit in its greatest strength. The greatest strength of Spirit is Magic –the ability to
consciously manifest the things we desire from within. This is both the most natural and the
most difficult skill in the world –we all do it unconsciously in every moment, but learning to do
it consciously can be very difficult.

Narrative Meaning: Chak Ek is now a more powerful Witch than ever before, and has
mastered skills she once only dreamed of. Chak Ek can bend both time and space to her will,
and manifest nearly everything she desires. Though her personal journey continues with ever-
unfolding understanding of her Higher Self, there is little that she cannot create.

Divinatory Meaning: This card tells us that we are over-thinking our situation and need to
relax and let things unfold rather than trying to control how they develop. Stop trying to figure
it all out and allow it to be what it is –the shape the situation takes naturally may prove to be a
surprise but will be what is truly needed.
Ten of Lamps

Numerological Meaning: Ruled by the Number Ten this card represents the element of Spirit
in its greatest extension. The greatest extension of Spirit, of course, is the unity of all things.
This is both the origin and destination of all existence, as well as its constant inner nature.
This card indicates a realization of this spiritual unity, and a consequent ability to see all sides
of any given situation.

Narrative Meaning: Arriving at the Great Realization at last, Chak Ek becomes one with all
things and fully embodies the powers of Spirit –she sees the true nature and inner workings of
the universe and embraces these as part of the oneness of all things. Enlightened by this
experience Chak Ek now knows that all things are possible and all things are One. This
knowledge transforms her understanding of magic, and of existence itself, and she carries it
forward with her.

Divinatory Meaning: This card represents joining together with others. What we desire
cannot be done alone, but is easy a part of a group. Support is there if we look for it, and
many hands make light work. Do not try to go it alone, but seek out allies and work together
and all will be accomplished as we desire.
Princess of Lamps

Elemental Meaning: The Princess of Lamps represents the element of Spirit influenced by
Earth. Spirit is ethereal and motile in nature: Earth is solid and grounding. Earth pulls the
creative force of Spirit into the physical and channels it in practical directions, toward concrete
material goals.

Narrative Meaning: The Princess of Lamps is a Sorceress, who experiences her spirituality
by channeling spiritual energy into creating her real-world goals. The Princess of Lamps uses
magic to shape her life on a daily basis, forming and reforming her goals through the
application of the magical arts.

Divinatory Meaning: This is a card of applying spiritual tools to real-world goals: mediation
and divination to achieve greater understanding of our situations, magic and manifestation to
create the things we desire. With this card no other tool but spirituality will adequately help to
move our situations forward, and only by engaging spiritually can we advance.
Prince of Lamps

Elemental Meaning: The Prince of Lamps represents the element of Spirit influenced by Air.
Air is mind and thought: Spirit is all-encompassing potential. This card represents people who
primarily experience their spirituality in terms of ideas and mental understandings, and who
tend to see intellectual understanding as more important than any other aspect of the being.
This mindset is often typified by self-denial and asceticism.

Narrative Meaning: The Prince of Lamps is an Ascetic who experiences his spirituality
through self-denial and mortification of the flesh, in order to exult the inner self. The inner-self
and abstract understandings of the nature of existence are all that matter to the Prince of
Lamps, who does not seek to express his spirituality in this world but rather wishes to leave
this world behind.

Divinatory Meaning: This card says that the thing we desire is actually bad for us, and that
we should seriously consider seeking another goal or direction. It is a card indicating the need
to disengage and change direction.
Queen of Lamps

Elemental Meaning: The Queen of Lamps represents the element of Spirit influenced by
Water. Water is fluid and reactive, shaping itself to all it encounters: Spirit is the inner nature
of all things. This is the card of one who works to be in tune with the inner nature of things,
who moves in synch with the energies of the universe, and who attunes herself with the Flow
of the Universe.

Narrative Meaning: The Queen of Lamps is a Witch, who experiences her spirituality through
connection to all things and the practice of manifestational magic. The Queen of Lamps works
to move in sync with the universe so that the things she desires to manifest come into being
more easily by virtue of being aligned to the natural flow of creation.

Divinatory Meaning: This card tells us that in order to move forward we must attune
ourselves to existing conditions –conditions exist in our situation that will help to carry our
goals forward if we take advantage of them and adapt our goals to them. Instead of pushing
our ideas forward we must look for the opening that already exists and fill it.
King of Lamps

Elemental Meaning: The King of Lamps represents the element of Spirit influenced by Fire.
Fire is passion, ambition, and focus: Spirit is the inner nature of all things. This is the card of
one whose ambition is to know and understand the inner nature of all things, and whose focus
is on accomplishing that understanding. This is the card of inner focus, inner learning, and
inner growth.

Narrative Meaning: The King of Lamps is a Mystic, who experiences his spirituality through
inward meditation and focused spiritual disciplines. The King of Lamps works to grow inwardly
through the practice of spiritual exercises and whose ultimate goal is spiritual perfection.

Divinatory Meaning: This card tells us that we need to apply greater self-discipline in order
to achieve our goals. We need to pull ourselves together, focus our energies, and set specific
goals and schedules in order to build what we desire in an incremental but steady fashion.

Conclusion
I knew when I began it that the Tarot of Hekate was a major undertaking, but little did I
imagine that it would take decades to complete and publish. I don't know how I would have
thought about it if I had realized. For many years the project was forgotten. The original black
and white artwork is all lost. The current pictures exist only because I photocopied all of my
work in those days – though the newly completed color versions are, in effect, new originals
since the deck was not originally in color. It really makes one mindful of how life can work in
unexpected ways.

I hope that you find the hundred card Tarot of Hekate interesting, and that it adds to your
understanding of Tarot as it added to my own.

Blessings always
Rev. Don