The Horseshoe

The Hanging Man is an acrobat, able to find both joy and contemplation in his uncomfortable position. In this image it is easy to see why this is the traditional card of yoga. We also see evidence of the element of Water, attributed to this card, in our character's ability to go with the flow. The hourglass shows us that time is suspended. We must be patient with our situation and find the joys and benefits inherent in it.

The Hanging Man asks us to consider what we control, and where we need to simply surrender to the situation.

When ill-dignified, the Hanging Man asks us to take control, or to look for over-controlling energies around us.

The Eight of Coins show us that the real work begins now. It’s time to stay focused and shut out any distractions. ‘Burning the candle at both ends’ may be a requirement to achieve the success we want. The work we have now won’t last long but it will be worth it when we come to the end.

Obsessing over all the details and allowing our perfectionist to come out may stifle the flow of work and create an unhappy environment for everyone.

Magically things abound in our safe secure world. We have created a peaceful home and core group of friends and, perhaps, a chosen family.

Living in a bubble of our own creation can feel good, but eventually we have to take flight and venture out into what many call ‘the real world’. The adjustment can be harsh if we are not prepared. We must trust that our created fortress is ‘within us’ as well and we are safe.

Knights go on quests and cups take us into the watery world of emotion and intuition. Appropriately the astrological correspondence is dreamy, intuitive Pisces. The Knight of Cups is the quintessential ‘knight in shining armor’; he can woo us and excite us with his flowery promises of romantic passion. This card can signify a period of transition or the advent of something emotionally significant in the life of the querent. The Knight of Cups is a good indicator that new possibilities with regard to personal relationships, love, or marriage are on the horizon.

When ill-dignified, the Knight of Cups can indicate someone who is living in a dream world and who is unable to make good on his romantic proposal. He is heedless of the emotions of others and, once having made his romantic conquest, moves on.

Ah, there’s nothing quite like the challenging energy of change found in all of the tarot fives! There is a restlessness in the number five that desires to move past the status quo. On top of that we are in the heart of the suit of swords, which by their very nature are quite troublesome because while the power to reason gives humanity a huge advantage, our thoughts can create trouble as well when we dare to speak our minds.

How we interpret this five of swords depends upon our point of view and can be deduced from surrounding cards. Perhaps the man shown on the card has just spoken in our defense and his willingness to speak up about what is right rather than what is easy will be a boon to us. On the other hand, this may represent someone who in his self-righteous manner of adhering to what he views as the truth ignores the need to be humane. This may be a moment where the battle has been won but it is uncertain as to whether or not the war can be won as well.

The striking aspect of this image is that the wheels, and the horses, seem to be pulling in opposite directions, yet the charioteer, reins in hands, moves ever forward.

This card progresses the delicate balance of the previous card, the Lovers. Here, opposites are not only united and integrated, but are also mastering goals.

On a mundane level, this is often a card of travel and transportation. On a deeper level, this card beckons us to become masters of our own destiny.

When ill-dignified, we must ask ourselves why we are not stepping into the power that moves us forward.

Our Magician, though an initiate learning to use his tools, is older, and brings to his practice the wisdom of his years. He reminds us that it is never too late to take an accounting of our tools, skills and abilities. The animals that surround him are teachers as well as companions. He may have some ability to control their behaviors, yet he also learns from them.

It is wise to remember that the Magician can also be a trickster - he can use his cunning nature to mislead and misdirect. He can close his mind to truth and stay focused on his own agenda to the exclusion of all else. When well-dignified, this card reminds us of our own skills, tools and abilities, and implores us to put them to good use.

When poorly dignified, this card asks us to be aware of closed-mindedness and deception that is perhaps our own, or another's.