Start Today with Guidance and a Glimpse of Possibilities

The Knight of Wands is in full charge, in contrast to the Page, who stands still, contemplating the adventures before him. The Knight's horse rears up, as keen to begin the quest as his rider, and we have the clear sense of the wind that is created in their wake: the feathers on the figure’s helmet stream out in the rushing air. This is a card of movement, action, and eagerness.

The Nine of Pentacles depicts a woman standing in a garden, dressed in a way that signifies a high status. The card symbolizes a comfortable lifestyle that has been achieved based on merit. It indicates that managing resources and looking ahead is what ensures long-lasting livelihood.

The joy and optimism inherent in Ten of Cups are clear for all to see: the rainbow, a symbol of hope, contains ten images of the suit arching across the sky. Below, a couple looks up, delighted at the sight, while their children dance beside them: the little ones don’t need to see the rainbow itself to be filled with the simple happiness that life can offer.

Unlike the Queen of the suit, the King of Cups is not directly connected to the water: his throne rests upon the waves and an artificial fish, as opposed to a live one, is hung around his neck. The King does not look at his Cup but, instead, holds it with the same grip with which he holds the scepter in his other hand. Here is creativity that has been contained and put to use.

The Queen of Wands sits comfortably and firmly on her throne; in the traditional Rider Waite image she holds her Wand in one hand and a sunflower in the other, and a black cat sits before her, symbolizing protection. The Queen looks calmly out at us and the landscape around her, deeply receptive and appreciative of the good things that life offers her.

In the Four of Swords, we see the image of a knight’s tomb in a church. The scene is a peaceful one: three of the Swords are engraved in stone on the wall behind the tomb, while the fourth makes up part of the tomb on which the figure of the knight lies. The scene depicted in the stained glass window is that of Christ healing a follower who kneels before him. This, then, is not a card of death, but one of rest and regeneration.