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 Eight of Pentacles turns up in a reading, it tells of a time for practical knowledge, determination, and skill. This is a moment of hands-on training or of intense study with your career or the magickal arts. Here is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a creative project such as art or writing.

Being focused, disciplined, and diligent with your project, you will put all of your skills to good use. By combining all of your gifts with hard work, there will be success. This is not a card of fame; this is a card that reminds you of how effort, focus, and creativity often bring growth, gain, and a sense of accomplishment. This card can also show up in a reading when there is a long, involved project nearing a successful completion.

Keywords: Diligence, skill, attention to detail. Study and practice of the magickal arts. Work in progress, a project that is nearing a successful completion.

 Return to Top

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: This first Major Arcana card is an excellent illustration of someone who is following their bliss. This card often materializes in a reading when the querent is trying something new and completely different. They may be just beginning their spiritual journey or are exploring a new magickal tradition or path. Perhaps they are taking on a brand-new job or are considering an innovative business opportunity. The Fool encourages us to dare, be more open minded, and enjoy the ride. Do not let yourself be dragged down by worries. The Fool laughingly persuades you to trust and take a chance, and not fret too much about the future-instead, just enjoy the trip and take things one day at a time.

This card is all about the proverbial leap of faith. Sure, it is possible that you might make a mistake or fall down, but hey! You can always get right back up, brush yourself off, and try again. Sometimes that is the best way to learn-by daring to do. At the end of the day, the Fool encourages you to be open to new prospects and ideas. Live on the edge; think outside of the box. Be confident and bold! There is a big, wide, magickal world out there...go explore it!

Keywords: Follow your bliss. Adventure, fresh starts, exploration, a journey. New ideas; take a chance and chase your dreams. The beginning of a spiritual quest; exploring a new magickal path or tradition. A leap of faith.

 Return to Top

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: This is a card of generosity and of gifts received. The gift is something of value-not necessarily money. The gift may be lending someone a helping hand, your time, or your attention, or even sharing your talents. Classically this is a card of assistance and donations to a worthy cause. This "gift" may be monetary or it could be emotional support, a volunteer opportunity, or a way to give back to the community. Another meaning is gladly paying a karmic debt. This card also turns up when a scholarship is on the horizon. Abundant, positive, and prosperous energy is flowing freely at this time. Its an opportune moment for prosperity magick.

Keywords: Giving and receiving. Generosity. Freely giving of your time and talents. Volunteering or giving back to the community. Charity, scholarships, payment of a karmic debt. Prosperity energy is flowing at this time.

 Return to Top

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: The Two of Cups represents relationships specifically between two people. This card symbolizes balance and equality. Here is a magickal union that binds together heart, body, and soul in the best possible way. When this card sails into a reading, it symbolizes romance, an engagement, or a happy marriage or romantic relationship. This card may also be a sign of an upcoming wedding or handfasting ceremony, depending on the cards that fall around it, such as the Four of Wands. The Two of Cups may also indicate a close friendship or successful and happy business partnership. It illustrates the hope of a new journey together as a couple and shows us that there are always new emotional opportunities for supportive friendship as well as a true and lasting love.

Keywords: Romance. An engagement, handfasting, wedding, or reconciliation. A partnership. Equality and true love.

 Return to Top

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: Gentle strength, calmness, fortitude, and quiet personal power are the themes of this card. When this card turns up in a reading, it is a reminder that brute force is not necessary in the current situation; however, the wise use of personal power, self-control, determination, and strength of character are. Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is to have confidence in ourselves and our personal power-to be strong enough to work calmly and with determination through any challenges we may face, carefully and in complete control of ourselves.

Keywords: Strength of character, personal power. Restraint. Being calm. Self-control, confidence, determination.

 Return to Top

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 Three of Swords is dealt in a reading, it causes a visceral reaction. This is a brutally tough card; there is no polite or soft way to put it. When the Three of Swords turns up in a reading, it is like a sucker punch to the stomach. It hurts. This card, more than any other, illustrates the pain and loss that the querent is experiencing at this time. What you need to understand is that you will have to take the pain into your heart, accept it, shed your tears, and then move beyond it. Once you have accepted the pain and experienced the grief, then-and only then-can you move forward. This card may also stand for a delay to a project and plans or the painful karmic repercussions that are experienced when a manipulative spell backfires on the caster.

Keywords: Delay, personal betrayal, loss. A time of drama and tears. Sadness, conflict. A spell that has backfired.

 Return to Top

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

Meaning: When this card appears in a reading, it often marks a time of initiation and learning. The Maiden Goddess is challenging you. Be wise and listen to her words of wisdom. This card is a reminder to quietly and calmly seek occult knowledge and look within. Use your intuition and trust your instincts. This is not the time to let your emotions rule you; instead, it is an opportunity for growth and a chance to gain real insight and understanding. The High Priestess teaches you to be strong, wise, and steady. She quietly shows you that in order to attain real wisdom you must remember to always work your magick thoughtfully and from a place of neutrality.

Keywords: The Maiden aspect of the Goddess. Neutrality, initiation, wisdom. Inner knowledge, intuition. Lunar energy and magick, waxing moon magick, the feminine mysteries of the Craft.

 Return to Top