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The key to understanding The Hanged Man is realizing that he is maintaining this hanging by choice. This card depicts a man suspended, upside down, from the branch of a tree, a bright glow around his head. He has assumed this symbolic hanging position to reflect, meditate, and become at one with the universe - the light encompassing his head represents his success in achieving this. 

Authority and determination come to mind with the King Of Swords. This is a character who acts with clarity and confidence in his actions. He is often looked to for advice and leadership because he is known for his sound judgment and mediation skills. He has the ability to be a force of authority through inspiration and intelligence.

The Queen Of Swords is all-seeing and all-knowing. She is a character who is extremely perceptive, sharp, and intelligent. Pulling this card can indicate the value of intelligence above everything else thanks to life experience. This card is urging you to detach from your emotions, cut through the noise and focus solely on the facts. Use your critical eye to discern between fact and fiction. 

Just as The High Priestess is one archetype of femininity, so The Empress is another: from mystery and the profoundly spiritual, we now move to the Mother Goddess figure. The Empress reclines comfortably on her throne, surrounded by the abundance of the natural world, her body language open and at ease. The water that was hidden in the previous card here flows freely, pooling at The Empress’ feet. Yet her connection to the fertile earth does not denote a lesser power than that of her sister; it is her great strength.

It’s unusual for The Tower not to provoke a visceral reaction; this powerful card depicts the fall of a vast edifice built atop a summit of stone that must have seemed utterly indestructible before being struck by an unforeseen bolt of lightning.

In the Five of Cups we see the figure of a woman, who epitomizes sorrow and loss in the manner in which she stands, head down, regretful, desolate, and - we sense - deeply alone in her sadness, quite possible by choice. The three spilled Cups that are the source of her grief lay on the ground before her; behind her stand two remaining upright Cups, as yet unseen, or unheeded.