Start Today with Guidance and a Glimpse of Possibilities

In the Two of Wands, we see a man standing, alone, atop a walled fortress, holding the world in one of his hands. In the other, he holds one of the Wands of the card, while the second Wand has been fastened to the ramparts on his right. Like this bound Wand the figure here has been hemmed in by his success, and we can imagine him pondering on what, exactly, it has brought him.

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.

The Moon has long been associated with intuition, feminine mystery, and the unknown, the half-seen. And so it is in the tarot card of the same name: here we see, in the Rider-Waite image, a dog and a wolf howling at the full moon. Before them, a crayfish emerges from the waters of a pool while behind them a path leads back over the mountains, to the world beyond. This symbolizes that however fearful are the manifestations of our inner consciousness, we can be safe in the knowledge that there is a return route open for us. On such a return route we may tread with the new knowledge we have gained beneath the light of The Moon.

This card is all about keeping focused and staying determined to reach your goals. Where there is a will there is a way. If things have been slow and predictable recently, make yourself ready for some changes ahead because things are about to become a lot busier for you. Just remember to enjoy the process and don't get too ahead of yourself.

In this card we see a figure who wields all the suits of the Major Arcana with confidence: in his raised hand he holds a Wand, while on the table (or altar) before him lies a Pentacle, a Cup, and a Sword. They await his will. And herein lies the key to understanding this powerful card: The Magician is intention. He is the focused assertion of the will and the paths that open before us as a result.

The Eight of Pentacles represents working hard and producing something that is substantial as a result. This card depicts an artist working in stone which symbolizes craftsmanship, employment, and diligence. This indicates how consistent hard work coincides with achievement. It can also represent recognition from others for such skills.