Start Today with Guidance and a Glimpse of Possibilities

We see in the traditional Rider Waite image of the Seven of Wands the figure of a man in the midst of battle; despite the clear effort and intense focus of his expression, he has literally risen above his attackers and is holding the high ground. We do not see his adversaries, simply the Wands with which they are fighting; we have the sense that, despite their greater number, he is in no danger of being overwhelmed.

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 High Priestess sits, stable as a rock yet fluid as the waters behind her, representing one of the archetypes of femininity. Here, she is the untouchable mystery: the curtains behind her screen our view of the sea, representing the cost of looking upon such power. We may glance it in snatches before the veil falls back into place again. And yet these brief moments of absolute clarity can be some of the most important of our lives, if we heed them and use them.

The Chariot card shows a commanding, triumphant figure who rides in a carriage being pulled by a pair of sphinxes. This is a powerful card of victory: a victory that has been achieved not by chance, but through sheer force of will and the utmost exercising of control. Note that the charioteer holds no reins, but can direct his carriage where he wishes it to go through his own focus and conscious intention. When The Chariot appears in a spread, it bears an important message about how we can incorporate these elements into our lives.

In the Four of Wands, we see two dancers, followed by a joyous troupe of people, leave a castle for a flower-garlanded bower. This is a card of celebration, joy, openness, and freedom; the citizens of the fortress have chosen of their own free will to come forth into the sunshine - the card can be seen as a parallel of The Tower. Here, though, rather than allowing the castle to become their prison, the people have left it of their own accord, carried along by hope, trust, and the will to celebrate the bounty that life has to offer.

The card of Judgement is always of particular importance when it appears in a reading. In the traditional Ride-Waite depiction of the trump, we see an angel blowing a trumpet: in response, figures below rise up from their graves, arms outstretched to welcome their newly gifted life. The card carries a sense of both joy and purpose, and the strong intimation that the angel’s call cannot be denied.