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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.

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.

The Pages in each suit express the element’s most simple, distilled quality. Here, we see the Page regarding his Wand with uncomplicated happiness and anticipation. He relishes Fire’s potentiality, and the sense of an adventure only just beginning.

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.

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 Three of Wands is a card of consolidation; unlike in the Two, here the figure looks out on his boats and is unfettered, and at ease. We have the clear sense of someone at peace with their life, and confident of their place within it.