She's also been tempered-made harder-by time and experience. Historically, the Queen of Swords was thought to represent a widow, but these days she can represent anyone who has suffered a devastating emotional loss, including the loss of a lover or a child. The Queen of Swords has also been associated with miscarriage and infertility.
Key Symbols
Queen of Air. Like all of the tarot's queens, the Queen of Swords is a mature woman, gracious and wise in the ways of the world. Queens, of course, are rulers-but their rule is based on the feminine principles of safeguarding and nurturing their realms. The Queen of Swords is charged with safeguarding and nurturing the suit of Swords, which corresponds to the airy world of the intellect.
Air Signs. Almost every symbol in the card reinforces the Queen's connection with air. She's surrounded by open sky, and trees bend and blow in the wind. Carved on her throne are flying birds and winged angels. She holds her left hand out, as if to gauge which direction the wind is blowing, and she holds her sword aloft in her right handwhich is her dominant hand, so it symbolizes action.
Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the four queens of the tarot are associated with the four cardinal signs of the zodiac. The Queen of Cups represents the cardinal air sign of Libra, which makes her a gracious and charming leader.
Elemental Symbolism. Elementally speaking, the four queens are all watery. Each one combines the element of water with the element of her suit. As a result, the queen of the airy suit of Swords embodies the vaporous combination of water with air.
Historic Significance. While the Queen of Swords' historic status as a widow makes her well acquainted with heartbreak, her personal tragedies don't keep her from enjoying the good things in life. According to some accounts, she likes to dance at parties.
Keywords
Upright: Eloquence, grace, charm, logic, intelligence, power, discernment, analysis, science, professionalism, objectivity, self-reliance, intellect, political instincts
Reversed: Anger, aloofness, willfulness, hatred, cruelty, slyness, sharp tongue, bigotry, hypocrisy, deceit
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a widow
• a divorcee
• a mother-in-law
• a sharp-tongued woman
• a party girl
King of Swords
THE KING OF SWORDS Is a firm friend or a powerful enemy. He is an authoritative leader and commander; he makes intellectual decisions based on solid logic. He's a man of action with a keen mind that generates a steady stream of ideas.
In most versions of the card, the imposing King of Swords leans forward with a scowl on his face and a clenched fist resting on the arm of his throne. He wears a full suit of chain mail armor topped with a blue tunic and a red cape. He looks as though he's about to stand up and make a point with the heavy sword in his hand.
The King of Swords is active, clever, subtle, fierce, delicate, courageous, skillful, and inclined to domineer. He can tend to overvalue small things. At times, he can also be deceitful, tyrannical, and crafty.
Key Symbols
King of Air. Like all of the kings in the tarot deck, the King of Swords is a seasoned, experienced man. He has successfully completed the mission he undertook as the former Knight of Swords. He was rewarded with the keys to the kingdom, and he now rules the entire realm-as well as its armies, which defend and conquer in the name of the throne.
Sky Kingdom. The airy symbols that surround the king reinforce his connection to his element. Butterflies and wings are carved on his throne, and the ground at his feet is scattered with wind-blown leaves.
Elemental Symbolism. Elementally, the four kings of the tarot are all airy intellectuals. They simply combine the element of air with the corresponding element of their own suit. In that regard, the King of Swords embodies the rarefied combination of air with air.
Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the four kings of the tarot are associated with the four fixed signs of the zodiac. The King of Swords represents the fixed fire sign of Aquarius, which makes him a forward-thinking, socially conscious monarch.
Historic Significance. Historically, the King of Swords was thought to indicate that it was time to put an end to a ruinous lawsuit. Traditionally, the card was said to represent lawyers, doctors, surgeons, and senators.
Keywords
Upright: Judgment, power, command, authority, law
Reversed: Cruelty, perversity, barbarity, evil
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a lawyer
• a legislator
• a politician
• a tyrant
• a surgeon
THE ACE OF PENTACLES is the first card in the suit of pentacles, the suit that corresponds to the ancient element of earth. It's the embodiment of physical existence. It also promises a world of possibilities, ranging from new beginnings on the material plane to an accumulation of spiritual treasures.
Key Symbols
Mint Condition. All of the aces represent new beginnings; the Ace of Pentacles symbolizes a fresh start on a physical level. The aces also symbolize gifts. In this case, wealth and good health are yours for the taking.
Real Estate. The Ace of Pentacles is a practical card. No other card is as grounded or down-to-earth-because the Ace of Pentacles is earth itself. The card sometimes heralds a new life-which could be the birth of a baby, or simply a new lease on life through better health and a more optimistic attitude. Because pentacles represent money, the Ace could also symbolize the start of a new career, a raise, a promotion, or a rewarding investment. And because pentacles correspond to the physical world, the Ace could even suggest the acquisition of land or a new home. There is nothing more tangible than real estate; it's an investment that's grounded in real property, as opposed to paper money, stock certificates, or bonds, which have no value in and of themselves. It's not always a physical symbol, either: the Ace of Pentacles can also describe treasured ideals and spiritual values.
A Garden of Earthly Delights. The garden shown in the card symbolizes rest and reflection, order over chaos, and refuge, and the wall around the garden represents safety and protection.
Circles of Meaning. The design on the pentacle is a Pythagorean symbol. The star symbolizes the five senses, while the circle represents the spirit that unites them. The pentacle in the card is the same sort of orb that emperors and kings once held as symbols of their reign.
Vaporous Matter. The clouds symbolize higher thought and a separation between the worlds.
Historical Significance. In The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, Arthur Edward Waite called the Ace of Pentacles the most favorable card in the deck because it symbolizes wealth and abundance on many levels. The card sometimes suggests that people will have the resources they need to pursue their dreams and manifest their spiritual, emotional, and intellectual ideals. The Ace of Pentacles also portends physical pleasure, comfort, and luxury.
Astrological Symbolism. Astrologically, the Ace of Pentacles is associated with all of the powers of earth-the element associated with Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn.
Keywords
Upright: Perfection, happiness, contentment, comfort, joy, ecstasy, financial rewards, gold, money, treasure, reward, prosperity, income
Reversed: Love of money as the root of all evil; misuse of resources; squandered wealth
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a magic coin
• a lucky penny
• seed money
• a crystal ball
• a fertilized egg
Two of Pentacles
THE Two OF PENTACLES is a card of balance and change. It depicts the constant juggling act that most people perform as they try to synchronize their schedules, and the balancing act they attempt when it's time to pay bills.
Key Symbols
Juggling Act. The juggler in the Two of Pentacles is part clown, part court jester, and part sho
wman. He's juggling only two balls, but he's moving them in a complicated pattern, weaving them in and out of a ribbon in the shape of a lemniscate, the figure-eight symbol of infinity. (The lemniscate also figures prominently in the Magician and Strength cards.) The juggling suggests a perpetual ebb and flow of gain and loss, weakness and strength-a life in a steady state of flux.
Balance of Nature. Because the suit of pentacles relates to money and material existence, this card may refer to balancing two jobs, or trying to live in two worlds-work and home, for example-or even trying to make income and expenses balance at the end of every month.
Two-stepping. Occasionally, the Two of Pentacles could suggest the two-timing nature of someone who juggles more than one relationship or strings two people along.
Dance Partners. The design is reminiscent of the cosmic dance of the sun and the moon, like a man and a woman, circling each other in the heavens.
Humble Opinions. The Two of Pentacles might also symbolize a character's "two cents' worth."
Keywords
Upright: Harmony, balance, dexterity, juggling
Reversed: Agitation, trouble, embroilment, embarrassment, awkward positions, confusion, concern, worry, difficulties
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a juggling act
• a tap dance
• a traveling performer
• two separate scenes that mesh together
• two separate points of view in your story
Three of Pentacles
THE THREE OF PENTACLES is the card of artistry. It depicts a stonemason-a master of his art-carving out a world far more orderly and beautiful than the world he was born into. He's following the divine guidance of a bishop and a monk who hold the blueprint of his creation.
Key Symbols
A Work of Art. As a young sculptor puts the finishing touches on a life-size statue in the sanctuary, a bishop and a monk discuss the artist's progress. The card depicts the process of giving substance and form to our spiritual ideas and beliefs. The sculptor is designing a work of art that will serve as a tangible reminder of God's grace and presence.
Tools of the Trade. In the wrong hands, the sculptor's hammer and chisel could be weapons of destruction. In the artist's grip, however, they become instruments of creation. He chips away at the unforgiving matter of time and space, carving out a new reality for himself.
Artistic Genius. The stonemason's artistry elevates him: he stands higher than his observers do. The imagery seems to reinforce the belief that many artists and writers have about their work: while they are fully engaged in the act of creating, they say, the work doesn't feel as though it's coming from inside them. Instead, they feel that the work is coming through them, as if they're channeling a vision and a consciousness far greater than their own.
Light from Above. Three stained glass windows shaped like pentacles seem to frame the sculpture in a halo of heavenly light.
A Spiritual Setting. The setting, a church, is an obvious allusion to the house of God. Less apparent, however, is the additional reminder that our physical bodies are also temples; we are all spiritual beings in physical form.
Holy Trio. The three pentacles under the arch call for the integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Historic Significance. Historically, if the Three of Pentacles came up in a man's reading, it would portend celebrity for his eldest son. Early tarot scholars also related the card, when it was reversed, to children, childhood, or childlike impulses.
Keywords
Upright: Skill, creativity, talent, ability, renown, nobility, elevation, dignity, rank, aristocracy, power, fame and fortune
Reversed: Mediocrity, puerility, pettiness, weakness, humility
Writing Prompts
Write about:
. a time in which you seemed to feel words flow through you, rather than from you
. the difference between artistry and craftsmanship
. taking direction
. accepting criticism
. writer's block
Four of Pentacles
THE FOUR OF PENTACLES is the card of the miser-a sternlooking king who seems unwilling to share any piece of himself. He sits far removed from the outside world, clutching one golden coin to his chest. Two coins are planted firmly under his feet, and a fourth is perched on top of his head.
Key Symbols
The Midas Touch. The miserly king looks a lot like King Midas-and the image could serve as a warning about balance and proportion. Remember that while everything Midas touched turned to gold, it was a curse-not a blessing. In fact, his obsession with wealth actually cost him his daughter.
Four Elements. The four coins in the card represent the miser's material possessions, as well as his mind, heart, and soul. The four coins actually symbolize the four realms of the Minor Arcana: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical.
Moneybag. The miser is actually sitting on a treasure chest, filled with even more of his precious belongings.
Priority Express. The figure in the card is clearly focused on his material and physical existence. He's obsessed with making sure his money and property are all in order; he also may be concerned about his physical health and well-being.
Body Language. The miser's body language couldn't be any clearer. He wants you to back off-and stay back, far away from the pentacle he's guarding in his lap.
Historic Significance. The Four of Pentacles does guarantee a certain measure of financial security and stability. Historically, the card was said to herald pleasant news from a lady, for a bachelor. Reversed, it was believed to represent a cloister, monastery, or convent.
Keywords
Upright: Material gain, possessiveness, asset management, determination, borders, self-protection, boundaries, limits, isolation
Reversed: Delay, opposition, hindrances, obstruction, obstacles, loss
Writing Prompts
Write about:
. selfishness
. withholding
. greed
. restraint
. isolation
Five of Pentacles
THE FIVE OF PENTACLES Is a card of crippling poverty-as well as the fear it inspires. Two beggars make their way through wind and snow past the lighted stained glass window of a church.
Key Symbols
Vow of Poverty. In The Pictorial Key to the Tarot, Arthur Edward Waite said the beggars in the card were mendicants-monks who lived a life of poverty and preaching. The mendicants were so committed to poverty that they didn't even have monasteries, like most other religious orders at the time. They lived and worked in the streets, depending solely on the charity of others.
Material Trouble. The mendicants in the card are dirty, hungry, and handicapped by time and circumstances. They hobble through wind and drifting snow. They're making their way past a church, where a bright light glows from within, but it's hard to know if they realize that help is at hand. With any luck, they're making their way to the entrance, where sanctuary and warmth await. Waite called this card "Material Trouble."
No Leg to Stand On. One of the figures hobbles on crutches-he is so bereft, he literally doesn't have a leg to stand on. In the tarot, images of sheer poverty like this one are metaphors for spiritual poverty.
Damaged Goods. Both of the figures in the card seem to have been wounded-perhaps by the tenets of organized religion, by ministers and clerics who betrayed the very faith they claimed to represent.
Shame and Blame. The Five of Pentacles could also refer to people who feel they can never measure up spiritually, who feel guilt and shame, or who feel condemned to make their way through a cold world without the warmth and support of a spiritual group.
Helping Hands. The two figures are passing a church, a symbol of refuge, haven, and help from above. The light is on inside, so the door is probably open.
Historic Significance. One archaic interpretation of the card had to do with love and lovers-wives and husbands,
lovers, mistresses, and paramours. It could even suggest a sweet, pure, and chaste relationship between a chivalrous man and a refined woman.
Keywords
Upright: Poverty, material troubles, fear, anxiety, loss, destitution, bankruptcy, ruin, disorder, disgrace, chaos
Reversed: Troubles in love, debauchery and licentiousness, discord, disharmony, conflict
Writing Prompts
Write about:
• a window
• a light
• a church
• a soup kitchen
• an encampment of homeless people
Six of Pentacles
THE Six OF PENTACLES is the card of charity, benevolence, and goodwill. The merchant pictured in the card is obviously successful in his work, and he seems to enjoy his ability to share his wealth. The scales he holds, reminiscent of the scales of justice, illustrate the concept of social justice.
Key Symbols
Legal Tender. The Six of Pentacles is closely connected to industry and commerce. Money doesn't grow on trees, as they say-it's earned, through business and investment. When those ventures pay off, some people think of charity and philanthropy as a means of giving back to society.
Fair Trade. The businessman in the Six of Pentacles is committed to fairness and ethical trading. His scale is legal for trade.
Just Deserts. The merchant in the card also seems to recognize that he has been more fortunate than most. He knows that all rights-and privileges-entail an equal measure of responsibility. He demonstrates the belief that gifts should be shared, not hoarded. All told, the image is a testimony to his goodness of heart as well as his success in life.
Kind Words. He also seems to be talking to the people he's helping, which is a reminder that a kind word can be worth its weight in gold.
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