The Celtic Cross

Now is the time to give your mind an opportunity to rest in a safe and secure place. The four of swords offers recuperation, retreat, and recovery after emotional or physical turmoil. This card may be a caution against being overly busy, admonishing us to take time to slow down and contemplate. We might be advised to handle mental stress by organizing our thoughts before we go back into battle.

A knight is at rest upon what appears to be a bier as though for a funeral. This might be a time of retreat or illness - or it might literally be a funeral. Perhaps it is the death of an old way of thinking. When ill-dignified or reversed, the four of swords might explain what is lacking (peace of mind) or the ability to get much-needed rest. It may also indicate that the time for rest is over and it’s time to swing back into action.

One of the happiest cards in the deck of tarot, with the Ten of Cups we have arrived at a moment of deep emotional fulfillment and joy. A family of dolphins leaps gracefully over the stacked cups against a golden sky signifying harmony and joy in relationships, particularly those with loved ones and family members. Dolphins are symbolic of community as well as transcendence. Happiness lies through our stable relationships, no matter with whom they may be. When this card appears in a spread, it means we’ll experience a level of emotional security and well-being.

Conversely, an ill-dignified version of this card may reflect that our dreams of emotional happiness, though trying to manifest, are blocked in some way. Look for delays or unexpected confrontations.

There is a beautiful, carefree aura to the Six of Cups and more than a whiff of nostalgia. The days of summer are fading like sunflowers into the warm, golden days of early autumn. Harvest is imminent. After a time of emotional uncertainty and loss, we now move into a resurgence of positive, almost youthful emotions that take us back to the innocent, carefree days of childhood. There is a sense of balance and well-being with the number six, so this card can signify emotional give-and-take that is satisfying for all parties.

The danger in the Six of Cups comes when we cling too tightly to the past. When this card is reversed or poorly dignified, it may be time to let go. We may not be getting enough time for pleasure and recreation, or we may be inclined to live in the past.

The blue of this queen’s gown echoes the blue energy of the throat chakra. You never need to wonder how you stand with the queen of swords; she will let you know exactly what she thinks in no uncertain terms. Traditionally this queen is a widow or divorced woman but in modern terms, she may simply be more inclined to speak her mind than most people.

One key for interpretation for any queen is to ask what keeps her on her particular throne. She may be compelled by a logical and analytical nature or may simply be the manifestation of someone who will research, analyze, or communicate with extreme precision to master any given situation.

When the queen of swords is reversed or ill-dignified, look for someone who is not being completely honest, fair, or straightforward. A quick wit may become overly derogatory; a person who is normally unbiased may be overly judgmental.

Gemini, and the element of Air, rule the Lovers. The birds, and the wings that surround the two characters remind us of Air, and also of the angel so often pictured in traditional images.

Cupid's arrow seems to unite the embracing couple, while at the same time divides the couple as they prepare to kiss. It is this dichotomy that makes the Lovers such a complex card; invoking thoughts of romance while cautioning the need for communication and good decisions.

So often, whether well-dignified or ill, the Lovers speaks of non-romantic relationships, asking us what we are integrating into our lives, and why.

The Page of Coins appears to be calling us to learn something new. This page can teach us much about our resources as well as all things physical in our world. We are encouraged to surround ourselves with natures most precious teachers, the animals of this world, for they have so much to offer and impart on us, if we just listen and learn.

The slow stubborn energy of this card can also be a downfall if we allow it to creep in as fear, procrastination or laziness.

The feeling in the eight of swords is one of being trapped. In our minds we go over and over all of the options, but nothing seems to bring us the answer we’re looking for. Generally the situation is an unhappy one, yet we fear to leave it for whatever reason. Whether it’s an unsatisfying job, an unhappy marriage, or simply a bad habit, we tell ourselves, “My hands are tied, I can’t let go of__________”. We don’t realize that we have cast a spell of fearfulness and trepidation upon our own selves. Thus, we are the ones who have the power to break free. Close observation of this card will show that the bonds here seem to be loosely applied, insinuating that it might be easier than we thought to break them.

A reversal can indicate progress in the direction of removing self-limiting thoughts. Let go! Face your fears and move forward. To paraphrase Henry Ford, if you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right!

Surrounded by symbols of nature and fertility, the Empress is ready to create life. She stands in a doorway, perhaps representing the gateway to life, or to the safety and harmony of the home she treasures and nurtures.

The Empress asks us to find within us our fertility, and to be a fierce and loving mother to all we create. In a reading she may reference motherhood, pregnancy, or even a message from one's mother in spirit.

The shadow side of the Empress is the stark reality that not all seeds bear fruit, and that not all who create life are equipped to nurture it.

A choice, in the form of two boxes, is floating before us, and there is just ONE key. Does it fit both boxes or just one? We must trust our intuition on the decision. We also should prepare ourselves for a wonderful transformation. Be brave and unlock a box. By our direct nature in making a decision we will receive that thing we have longed for, hoped for and wished for.

Making a selfish decision to keep both boxes even though they are locked may just hold us in limbo for an unidentified length of time preventing our hard work from paying off.

Our patience and persistence has paid off, balance has come in like a gift from a stranger. We must make sure to accept what is being given to us no matter the source in order for us the capture, receive and implement the true meaning and lesson. Then we can use what we have received and learned wisely to secure the abundance that is right around the corner.

If we fall for the materialistic trap of possessiveness and fear our wealth may dry up as we have not learned the deep lesson within the six of coins.