The Three of Pentacles is the card of mastery and skill which can often lead to recognition and attaining a good reputation in work and business. This card also shows a knack for teamwork and collaboration and being open to working with others.

The Three of Pentacles is the card of mastery and skill which can often lead to recognition and attaining a good reputation in work and business. This card also shows a knack for teamwork and collaboration and being open to working with others.

In the Five of Wands, we see another aspect of the fire element: energy that requires a release to not become destructive. In the traditional Rider Waite image, we see a group of youths engaged in vigorously hitting their wands together; they are immersed in the action, their focus on nothing but the melee itself. A closer look at the card, though, shows us that these figures aren’t actually trying to hurt each other at all, but are merely playfighting, clashing sticks rather than aiming to cause each other any injury.

In this card the Hierophant sits, Pope-like on a raised throne, while two acolytes pay homage to him or await his bidding, In full regalia, with crown and scepter, The Hierophant is the point at which The Emperor and The Magician combine - he is the master of the stage, but, unlike the former, there is no element of service here and, contrary to the latter, The Hierophant does not wield his power lightly or playfully. Depending on the context, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

The Devil card depicts a male and a female demon, with chains about their necks, held captive by a central devil figure. Although if examined more closely: the chains are loose. These human-like figures could easily slip out of them and be free. Their captivity, therefore, is optional; or perhaps a price that they are willing to pay for something else. The Devil, thus, represents what can happen when primal forces, kept in harmony by Temperance and used with direction by The Hanged Man, are allowed to rage unchecked.

The Strength card traditionally depicts a woman gently opening (or caressing) the jaws of a lion, who looks up at her with complete trust. The lion can symbolize our passions, and our unconscious energy: the kind that manifests through our intuition and our dreams. In taming this, the woman in the card is allowing this side of her being to safely merge with the rational, outward-looking aspect of her core personality. Interestingly, the Strength attribute is normally perceived as being linked to the woman; however, in allowing itself to trust and have faith, it is, perhaps, the lion that more properly embodies the deeper meaning of the card.

The King of Pentacles represents wealth and influence. In the depiction of this card, the king holds a scepter representing the extent of his power, while the gold in his opposite hand represents the amount of material wealth he has within his reach. He is in a position of leadership and a high level of control. The greenery at his feet that takes shape in plants and flowers conveys material successes.