This card represents the root of the matter; what has gone before, and is directly related to the current situation. Check to see how the energies of this card blend with the other six cards; remember that it moves with each mystery in a different way.

Meaning: When the Four of Swords is dealt in a reading, it is a sign that you need to take some personal downtime-a retreat or a day off so you can recoup lost energy and find your strength again. The querent may be feeling overwhelmed by demands and stress. They may feel the need to get away and to withdraw from the hectic and daily grind of life. This card symbolizes that you need to allow yourself time to recover from an illness. It may also represent a need to step away from group magick for a bit. You may need to practice solitarily for a time. You will find the solutions to your magickal problems quietly and on your own.

Keywords: Taking some downtime for yourself. Resting and allowing yourself to fully recover from an illness. Recouping lost energy. Working magick as a solitary for a while, and finding your focus.

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This card shows the energies of the first mystery of universal love in the life of the querent. It explains how the querent's actions manifest in the surrounding world, whether following a harmonious Wyrd or a flawed one. It also describes how the querent perceives his or her relationships with others.

Meaning: The Ace of Swords is the most potent and pure form of the masculine element of air. When the Ace of Swords flies into your life, you are being put on notice that it is time to take action. This is a card of intellect, heroism, victory, justice, achievement, new beginnings, and winning battles. Another of this card's most important lessons is that now you have the chance for a new way of thinking. Cut through the fantasy and embrace what is. The truth hurts, but sometimes it can also heal and make room for a new, improved reality. Success is attainable; victory is near; go grab a hold of it with both hands!

Keywords: Success, truth, awareness, victory. Determination. Take action now. A clear perception leads to spirit and a closer connection to deity. The element of air.

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Here are indicated the energies of the second mystery of magick in the life of the querent. This card shows how we use our gifts, talents, skills, intuition, and psychism; and, in particular, how these gifts should or should not be used at this time. If the querent practices the occult sciences, some indication of that may be found here, if it bears relevance on the question posed.

Meaning: A mature, wise man who is well versed in the Craft. This card represents an individual who is artistic, intuitive, creative, and passionate. Physically he has dark blond to light brown hair with a touch of gray, and blue or green eyes. He is a good friend, a loving and attentive husband, and a devoted father. The King of Cups gives good, solid advice when asked. This card can represent a quiet man who keeps his emotions to himself but who can be moody. He is, however, deeply emotional, and he has a tough outer shell to disguise a very soft and loving interior. He often sees what most people would prefer to keep hidden. This card represents an individual who is an excellent mediator, psychically talented, and strong and fair.

The lesson from the King of Cups is that wisdom comes from looking within. Temper your counsel of others with compassion and affection.

Keywords: A water-sign man. A married, mature man well versed in the Craft. A loving husband and father, a good friend, a wise counselor. A creative personality. The gifts of intuition. Wisdom that comes from experience.

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This card brings forth the energies of the third mystery of one's oath in the life of the querent; showing what the querent, up to this point, has dedicated his or her life to, what his or her principles are, and how he or she operates according to those values. It may show you what is most important to the querent at this time.

Meaning: When the Ten of Wands appears in a reading, it is a heads-up that you have taken on too many things at the same time. Your routine and activities have become too much for you to man- age. While you may enjoy wearing many hats and having an active social life, currently you are feeling overwhelmed with the demands from work, family, and/or your coven members. The bundle of ten hawthorn wands in this particular card actually represents too much of a good thing. While your intentions may have been noble, there is an overabundance of creative energy, and you are being pulled in too many different directions. You will need to let something go. Set down some of those wands in order to complete your tasks and goals with grace. Learn to delegate in the business world, your personal life, and your coven or you will have trouble successfully completing your goals.

Keywords: Many commitments, not enough time. Feeling overwhelmed and carrying too much of a burden. You need to pick and choose; what can be set aside and what is vital?

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The effects of the fourth mystery of karma or Wyrd in the life of the querent are apparent in this card. It can tell you if the person is working toward good karma, or not so good. Physical birth or death, both of issues and people, may fall here, depending on the question. Indications of past and present actions can assist you in answering the question posed. Financial and mental stability are also reflected in this card.

Meaning: When the Nine of Pentacles blooms in your reading, it tells of a time of joy and abundance. This tarot card classically represents a person who is elegant, successful, and happiest when surrounded by beautiful things in nature. It symbolizes a Witch who taps into the element of earth to receive their powers. No matter what their title may be-Garden Witch, Green Witch, or magickal herbalist-this is an earthy, practical person who enjoys nature, makes and keeps a beautiful home, and grows a magickal garden. In addition, this card represents sharing the magick and the secrets of the garden with others. You are being called upon to connect to the earth and to study its mysteries. Finally, the Nine of Pentacles can represent that financial worries are over. It heralds a time of creative focus, confidence, and personal growth.

Keywords: Garden Witch, herbal magicks, green magick. Happiness, success, confidence, abundance, self-sufficiency. Magickal powers and spirituality can be enhanced by getting your hands into the soil and tending the earth.

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This card indicates the fifth mystery of wisdom, power, and lineage in the life of the querent. Here you will be able to discover whether or not the querent has used wise counsel, directs his or her power wisely, and how he or she is responding to his or her life's plan. The card can also tell you from what source the querent should draw to assist in the issue at hand.

Meaning: When the Eight of Wands flies into a reading, it is a notice that projects that were once delayed are coming to a swift completion. This is a positive and exciting card full of motion and action. Spells that were cast will happily manifest now. Often this card will symbolize travel for business or pleasure, and typically this is travel by air. The Eight of Wands can also mean long-distance communication between business partners. This is the time where fresh ideas and creativity rule, and swift and decisive action is the order of the day.

Keywords: Movement, action. Things coming to a swift completion. The positive manifestation of spellwork. Travel for business or pleasure and typically travel by air. Long-distance communication.

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The final card shows overall advice and counsel on the question asked.

Meaning: This card represents change. In order for something new to grow, something old has to give way. This card often shows up in readings for pregnant women, which makes sense. Think about it: their way of life is about to change forever. Their lives are about to transform into something else new and exciting. This card also symbolizes other important endings and beginnings in your life: birth, marriage, new job, leaving for college, moving, etc. Basically, one way of life is gone, allowing room for new beginnings and opportunities to emerge.

Keywords: Transformation, change. Endings and beginnings. Cycles of nature and of life.

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