Do you see life as a challenge to overcome? A party to enjoy? A struggle to endure? People have many different approaches to life. Some may work well for us, others may not.

The Eight of Wands illustrates one way to face life; as a wonderful opportunity. If we rush along thinking everything will be great we may well create good things just by our attitude. A happy friendly person is easier to get along with than a dour one. They are natural risk takers good at making things happen and change. They are good in business or invention. A downside of this attitude though is that sometimes in any life bad things happen, what does someone with this attitude do at these times? They can fall to the ground in a big heap as though their happy balloon has been punctured. They could see it as an opportunity to learn and get through that way. This is the challenge with this attitude, to learn to deal with disappointments.

The Seven of Cups is another way to face life; refuse to accept it as it is. Someone who lives in this way lives mostly in their own head. Their life is full of fantasy and wonderful dreams. This is great if they can express these fantasies, for example, if they are a poet or painter. Their imagination then can bring wonder to other people’s lives. The world needs this type of people. It can also be useful if their lives are a bit grim. Sometimes retreating to a fantasy world can help us endure times that are less than pleasant. The problem comes when the fantasy world overtakes reality or stops us from changing our reality. The challenge with this attitude to life is to embed it in reality.

The Seven of Pentacles is another way to deal with life; by being extremely practical. These people look only to the long term, are not risk takers and plan everything very far ahead. Their lives are full of routine, organisation and structure. This is good if they are the lawmakers and bankers in the world. We need people to keep things running. We need food to get from here to there, money to move from here to there. They also help keep society from breaking down. They are the people who always send birthday cards and always ring their parents. They keep society functioning. Their challenge is to learn the pleasure that comes from taking risks and the joy that comes from artistic expression.

In life we need these different types of people; we can class them as inventors, dreamers and bankers. Each of us has one primary way of looking at life which can be moulded over time but doesn’t normally change. It is embedded within our genes. As we grow we have to learn the restrictions and advantages of our way of approaching the world. When faced with something very difficult for our personality type, such as a chaotic situation for a banker type of person, then the challenge is to learn a way to deal with it.

By knowing what sort of person we are we can gain clues about what situations would throw us and how to deal with them. Consider your approach to life. Does it fit into the descriptions above? If not can you clearly define it? By taking a little time to think about this next time something comes along that upsets your internal balance you can think ‘Ah! I know why I don’t like this. I need .’ It’s only by knowing yourself that you’ll know how to fill in the blanks. Most people learn these things about themselves over a lifetime. Perhaps by taking 30 minutes to think about it you can learn a bit quicker!

We all tend to view life as something that should be easy. Good things should just happen and bad things shouldn’t. Life should be simple. Life should be just full of good times. The sky should never rain on our lives. But rain waters the plants and makes them grow. It gives us water to drink. Without it we’d die. Maybe things we see as bad are equally valuable.

The Hermit is an example of something we don’t want – being alone. Loneliness is indeed a terrible thing and can blight your life. There is, however, another side to this solitude. The traditional hermit would by choice travel to some out of the way place and live alone for years. Why would they do this? To learn. Perhaps you live a very busy life constantly on the go, constantly striving and trying to juggle your responsibilities. Imagine then no noise, no hustle and bustle, just peace, quiet and time for yourself. Imagine what you could learn having taken the time to listen. Being alone isn’t so bad: it depends on your attitude to it.

The Tower indicates another example of something we don’t want – a crisis. Sometimes things happen and we know that we will never be the same again. The Tower shows people falling from a tower. They think that they can fly but they are going to discover that they can’t. It’s about seeing the truth. Sometimes this is painful. It always means that something significant has changed. We go on in life altered by this event. In the future, though, we are stronger because we had this moment of clarity: it focuses your mind, it shows you what can and can’t be achieved. The challenge of the Tower is to pick yourself up and rebuild. Without the lightning strike of the Tower we’d never get a chance to rebuild, bigger and better. Sometimes you have to tear it down in order to start again.

The Wheel of Fortune completes our triptych of cards. Sometimes really bad people have very good luck. Really good people sometimes have very bad luck. They’re on the Wheel, as we all are. The Wheel turns and life gets wonderful, we are incredibly lucky and we get everything we want. It turns again and everything goes wrong, nothing seems to work out the way we want it to. It turns once more and luck and joy flows into our lives again. This is the truth of life. This is one of the most important lessons in life: everything changes, nothing stays the same.

If you are lonely, you won’t be forever. Try to use this time to grow and learn. If you are going through a crisis, it won’t last. Try to learn what you can and get through it. If you are happy with everything going your way, don’t become complacent. Try to cherish this upward turn of the wheel.

The Wheel of Fortune will continue to turn and we can fight it or we can work with it. Try to learn from everything that happens to you because then you are growing in wisdom no matter what life throws at you. Wisdom is the insulation from the harsher turns of the Wheel. Wisdom gives us the ability to appreciate love. Wisdom enables us the help others when the Wheel turns downwards for them.

‘To everything – (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season -( turn, turn, turn)

And a time for every purpose under heaven’ (The Byrds)

The alternative is to not be on the Wheel at all.

‘Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering – and it’s all over much too soon.’ (Woody Allen)

I wish you the wisdom to see that every turn of the Wheel is in your favour.

Interpreting the Tarot cards is an attempt to acquire knowledge of the past, present or future through insight and intuition. Being able to read the patterns from the card images is the key to revealing what is happening beneath the surface and what is likely to result from this.

Because of the complexity of the Tarot cards, card readings should not be hurried. It is important for the reader and the querent (person asking the question) that they feel comfortable with each other. If the querent is sceptical, it will show in their voice and in their non-verbal cues. It is difficult for both parties to relax under these circumstances; the querent may be putting up an invisible wall around themselves which makes it hard for the reader to pick up on the correct cues. The reading may reflect this by showing a lot of negative cards or by not showing anything much at all and this will then reinforce the sceptical view point of the querent. On the other hand, the reader also needs to be aware that the querent may be nervous or anxious and they should do all they can to set the person at ease.

The complexity of the Tarot Cards although on the surface you may see an image which represents something familiar like the 6 of Swords – the person ferrying people over water – this seems fairly straightforward and would indicate that a journey will take place, possibly over water. On further investigation you may find that the journey may not be a physical one, it may be a spiritual journey that needs to be undertaken, or then again it could mean that you will be leaving difficulties behind or solving a problem.

‘The Empress’ card is another example of how involved readings can be as there are many ways to interpret this card. It can mean Motherhood and the abundance of nature, or it can mean a happy mature relationship, or it can indicate pregnancy and then again it might mean security and the guidance of parents. So how do we interpret it? This is where the skill of the reader comes in. We cannot assume it means one thing or the other until we have looked at the patterns in the cards of the spread. How do the cards relate to each other? What kind of theme do we see developing? What is the nature of the other cards surrounding The Empress?

It follows then, that if we are looking at pregnancy, we could expect to see other cards in the spread that show a young person (any Page or Knight cards) or a family card – the Ten of Pentacles or the Ten of Cups, and perhaps The Four of Wands (building something strong for the future – marriage etc), but then again we might also see The Tower which could indicate that perhaps it is an unwanted pregnancy, that can spell disaster, and sudden change. If the 9 of Swords is also present this would show there is worry, guilt, anguish and sorrow present or surrounding the querent.

Readers need to build an ongoing rapport with those who seek their guidance. I have found that many of my regulars constantly have the same or similar cards running through their readings whenever they are in crisis or they are experiencing a new romance. These cards are cues to what is happening and where they are placed in the spread indicates how their influence is changing or evolving and what is the likely outcome given what has gone before. Because of the special nature of the relationship that exists between reader and querent (trust, familiarity, belief) it becomes easier over time to interpret the cards for them.

The Six of Cups is the only card in the tarot deck that deals only with the past. Specifically, memories and good events in the past are represented here. It is a positive card backed by happy remembrances. The look back isn’t to seek out what was done wrong but what was done right. Happy memories can inspire a confidence that can carry you forward. You have accomplished many things already and they stand as testament to your abilities. Pleasure, sexual and otherwise, is tied to this card as is fertility. Take on the open hearted approach of children when this card is around and you will see the path ahead clear of debris.

The Seven of Cups are all about making the right choices and how difficult it can be to do that. The basket may look like it is filled with roses ripe for the grabbing but remember that roses have thorns. You may place so many choices in front of yourself it is nearly impossible to chose one. Or you make up choices that don’t actually exist in the real world. Defeat is likely with this card since your plans are not made with a solid backing. Temptation of the flesh and mind reside in this card and can easily steer you in the wrong direction. Realism and guarding against temptation are vital lessons learned in this card. If it comes down to the deadline and you really can’t make a decision, remember that not choosing is a choice of its own.

The Eight of Cups is about stagnation. Whatever energies or emotions have pushed you to where you are having stopped flowing. Waiting for them to return isn’t the most effective method of continuing your life. This is a time to move forward, past difficulties in relationships where you are the giver and not a receiver. It is time to shake off whatever lethargy is holding you in stasis and make a move of some kind. The past is over, the present brief and the future ahead to be had. It is time for growth, even if that comes at the price of sacrificing something that you currently hold dear.

The Nine of Cups is filled with positive energy and satisfaction of the heart, mind and body. Whatever you are wanting the most will be coming to you in some shape or form. This card is especially handy at making relationships (romantic, sexual or friendship) stronger and more fulfilling. Happiness and abundance are within your reach. Take time to bask in all of this joy and pleasure.

The Ten of Cups contain love in its most ideal form. It is a simplistic, pure love of the sort that is told of in stories and poems. It is a bright, lasting and harmonious happiness. There are no regrets or fears. But it is important not to take it all for granted because it can slip past you or stagnate. Enjoy what you have and nurture it without pushing for change.

The Emperor can shape the existence of the world through the strength of his mind- via communication (either oral or written). He is wise and worldly, strong and somewhat strict. He is the ultimate father figure. He is protective of the order that he has created. He is able and willing to fight battles for others. Law and government mean a great deal to him as they provide structure to what would otherwise be chaos. He is a fair judge in all matters and uses his power wisely. This card appearing in a tarot reading can indicate that you are about to come into power and that you would do well to mimic the Emperor’s ways. Concentration, assertiveness, confidence and focus can be mastered by you and result in you taking over the world (metaphorically, of course).

The Hierophant has a forbidden knowledge. This card often represents a group more so than an individual person. There is a leader but one who is followed because the people want to and not because of any act of force. Following him is beneficial to all. The order held so dear to the King is enforced here with rules and regulations. Those who buck these laws will not be tolerated. But for the most part the rules are sound ones that are best to be followed. The Hierophant is an excellent teacher and mentor. If this card appears in your reading, now may not be the time for bold and innovative action. Traditions do have their place in society.

The Lovers have more meaning than the obvious duo of sexuality and love. The card represents harmony, wise choices and aspects of our inner mind. Emotions are at play here. The card has a positive connotation but the high spirits might not last. The downsides of love lost or never found can be extremely painful. This card instructs consideration before action. When referring to a relationship between people, the Lovers create a great bond of love and sexuality in their relations. But it does need to be tended to so it doesn’t extinguish or fade away.

The Chariot represents the control of emotions not in the sense of suppression but in proper utilization. The Chariot is pulled by a duality of emotions which the driver must take by the reigns to move forward. He needs them there, but he also can’t let them go running amok. They need to be kept in check. There is a tremendous amount of discipline and will associated with the mastery of emotions. But if you manage the task, you can extend that mastery over those around you. Wisdom, confidence and glory can be gained from conquering these inner enemies. If you are able to keep your emotions under control, anything will be possible. Persistence and discipline will carry you through the internal battle and should you emerge victorious, the power of your destiny will be firmly in your hands.

In a life of ups and downs trouble and strife is inevitable. What do you do when disaster strikes? Do you put your head in the sand and pretend it’s not happening? Do you turn to drink or drugs to get you through? Do you take it out on others or yourself?

We don’t get many or any lessons at school or from our parents about dealing with the bad things. Our parents don’t want to think of us ever having trouble and our schools don’t think it’s their business. So what happens when trouble comes?

The Tower is the tarot card of real trouble. Something has happened which means life will never be the same. The card itself shows two people flung from the top of a tower by a bolt of lightning. It illustrates that when the lightning hits you will never be the same. There are obvious disadvantages to this but there are also advantages. When the Tower card is influencing you, you can see clearly. All your illusions are blown away. You see the truth, no matter how bad that might be.

The Page of Swords gives you an idea of what to do with this new knowledge: communicate! At such times of stress often we try to be strong and silent. Often it would benefit us more if we weren’t! Talking about your feelings enables you to work through things quicker and it also allows those who love us to help, as they want to.

The Hanged Man illustrates a great concept in tarot: the benefit of another perspective. Putting yourself in another person’s shoes, even if they are your enemy, can enhance your own knowledge immeasurably. Why would someone treat you badly? Imagine things from their perspective and find out.

Communication and adopting another perspective are ways in which we can learn to see the truth. Once that truth is clear then we can start to plan for the future and rebuild. In this way trouble once it comes can be a great enabler, helping you to move forward into a better future. My own philosophy is to try to learn something from everything; good or bad. My hope is that you, when the lightning strikes, find a way to get through and come out better than before.

The Ace of Cups is all about love and the river of feelings that could lead to great emotional fortitude. When this card appears in a tarot reading, it often is a sign of a relationship that has just (or is about to) started. This relationship has the potential to become something great with a bit of work put in by both of the participants. This card can be the harbinger of true love and utter happiness but it’s not guaranteed. The tools for happiness and love are in your hands. The Ace can’t make you use them. Understand also that the love in this card doesn’t have to be the romantic sort. It could be the love of friendship or of self. Either way, this card provides an excellent opportunity to connect with your innermost thoughts and feelings.

The Two of Cups is usually referring to a relationship between people but it can represent parts of the self. The Two is all about harmonious love- acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness and unconditional affection. When the term “soul mate” is used, the Two of Cups is somewhere behind it. There is, however, instability to the bonds formed by this card. They have the potential to disintegrate. There will have to be effort put forth by both people to make this relationship last. Having a good deal of self love established will help the chances of a relationship with another person.

The Three of Cups continues the theme of harmony but extends it to the group at whole. This card brings with it joyous times of friendship and success in bonding. Any sadness that occurs during this time will be muted. A group of people with a common goal will achieve it easily with this influence. This card also bodes well for any kind of events that involve a group of people like weddings, festivals or parties. It is a time of recuperation and enjoyment of those around you. The love that is expressed here is sentimental, unusual and deep. If you don’t think you have that sort of people in your life, take another look.

The Four of Cups is the sign that all of this harmony and love needs to be kept in moderation. It usually appears in a tarot reading for someone who is well loved and happy. The dark side of this card is that if these things are taken for granted, they will disappear. And you will only have your own carelessness to blame. To prevent this from happening, look around and take the time to realize and appreciate what sources of love and happiness are present in your life.

The Five of Cups is what happens if you do take that love for granted and it vacates your life- grief, regret, sadness and disappointment. Sometimes the card appears in time for you to change your behavior and prevent the loss. Most often it comes after it is too late to make things right and the tragedy of a lost love befalls you. This loss will hurt but it wouldn’t have happened if that relationship was meant to sustain. The Five allows you to look around and see what is left that can be appreciated. You can’t get back what you have lost but you can prevent anything else from leaving.

The Page of Cups takes on the most imaginative and emotional aspects of childhood. This person lives with their feet floating above the ground so that their head can remain firmly in the clouds. If the card represents an event in your tarot reading, the event in question will likely have to do with a child- as in a pregnancy. But it can also be the birth of a relationship or new emotional state.

If the card represents another person or a part of you, it is representative of a romantic. Compassion, gentleness, and imagination define this person. They love peace and can’t always handle conflict. There is bravery under their dreamy fadade. But there is also a moodiness and impracticality that stems from not being connected fully with reality. Under this card, dream big and dare to think the impossible can be possible.

The Knight of Cups does not gallop forward as quickly and boldly as the knights of the other suits. He travels slowly, calmly and with his intuition and emotional self acting as his guide. He is often a messenger of love and opportunity. He can be the bearer of the beginning of a new relationship that bears a warning of not looking at it with too much idealism. If this represents a person, expect them to be a romantic dreamer with a flirtatious side. They will be passionate and goal oriented. They can’t tolerate those who don’t believe in them or their dreams. The Knight emphasizes moderation in dreaming and love.

The Queen of Cups is capable of a great deal of insight. A counselor, healer, psychic and shoulder to lean on all wrapped in one royal package. Her beauty is astonishing and her ability to attract others to her remarkable. She is also a dreamer that can lose herself in those realms away from reality. She defines herself in part by her relationships and thus puts great weight on their success. Her intuitions into others and ability to show them what is there is astonishing but she isn’t always able to do the same for herself. Depending on how this card shows up in a tarot reading, it can be a sign that you are not using your intuition enough or that you are relying on it too much.

The King of Cups has a calm, glassy surface and a passionate fire burning below. He can be an advisor or healer, a fair judge, a sympathetic and compassionate ally. Wise, romantic and confident, the King is nevertheless hiding much about himself. He has motives and an agenda. He can be selfish and to those that he draws near unfaithful. At heart, he is filled with insecurity and doubt. When this card appears, use the King’s tolerance and fairness to solve whatever problems you are facing. Stay between his fire and water sides to not feel the negative effects of this card. After all, it is no better to drown than it is to burn.

The Page of any suit has a childlike personality about it. Of all the Pages, this is the most mature and capable but it maintains much of the lightness and whimsy of childhood. This tarot card can represent an event, a part of you or an aspect of another person. It is typically a positive minded card, representing mental power and insight. There is also an investigative nature at work here but usually not in a detrimental way. Balance and strength of heart exist in this card. When this card shows up in a reading, you will have the clarity and diplomacy to make a decision regarding even the toughest decision.

The Knight of Swords bears no resemblance to his little brother the Page. He is without emotion, hostile and a bringer of conflict. There is no fear here or chance of defeat. His feelings of invincibility, while a negative on the whole, can give him the short term confidence needed to plow through an obstacle. There is no balance in judgment- but that can be a good thing. Sometimes a situation can only be rectified by plowing straight through it without fear and with the knowledge that you can make it through to the other side unscathed. That said, the negative aspects of this card need to be watched so that they do not become overpowering and unproductive. This card can represent an aspect of you, another person or an event.

The Queen of Swords has an emotional side but you’ll never see it- even though it does influence her decisions. The majority of times that this card shows up in a tarot reading it is representing another person. She is able to see through to the heart of a situation and sense even the most subtle deception. She holds honesty and truth higher than all other things. She is often distant from others due to exacting standards and can suffer from negative self-worth feelings due to not living up to them herself. But her brilliant sense of humor can mask these feelings well for others. She is symbolic of learning something from every situation and becoming a master of analysis.

The King of Swords is the fairest judge you can find. Highly emotional, he is able to keep his feelings in check when making decisions. Usually, this card represents another person in a tarot reading but it can occasionally be an aspect of self. He is a commander, a leader- someone that others follow out of trust. He is capable of making the best decision for the group at whole. He is active and likely to make the first strike. His lack of empathy can come down harshly on those who break what he has deemed to be the rules. When this card appears, the person it represents will draw attention of others as their leadership abilities and mental clarity become obvious. This is a person who takes charge of a room and leads them to battle. He is as far from being a wallflower as you can be.

The card of Strength is not referring to the physical attribute of that characteristic. The strength at work here is of character- the proper control of emotions and desires. This card symbolizes patience, courage, action and determination. Aspects that are not associated with this card are compassion, nurturing and forgiveness. It is all about control of the self and of the surroundings. There is a deep seated power here, one that moves softly but victoriously. This state of being is achieved by properly controlling your emotional side with your more rational mental prowess. If this card appears in a tarot reading, whatever goals you are after can be accomplished if you are willing to be patient.

The Hermit has a purposeful reason for shutting himself off from the world. He isn’t just an antisocial miser. He is trying to find his inner truth with only the help of a small lantern and the sound of the voice within. The world’s distractions can obscure that truth and make it harder to utilize those helping tools. He has already done much work towards calming his internal chaos but the external chaos around him is preventing the task from being completed. It is a purposeful and necessary isolation. When the job is done, he will return to the world enlightened. If this card appears in your tarot reading, now is the time for self reflection- to figure out who you truly are and what you long to be. If the card refers to a specific problem, that issue will need to be resolved before any other progress can be made. If the card refers to a person, a mentor may be about to enter your life and guide you towards self discovery.

Though it bears the same name as a cheesy televised game show, the Wheel of Fortune is energy in its most potent form. This is the charge behind our lives, the catalyst that sets the duo of fate and destiny in motion. The shape of the wheel is representative of the life cycles that we all must pass through in our quest to a proper life and enlightenment. Fate and destiny seem to be things that we cannot predict but we can. But tarot readings and other divinity methods can clue us in to our destinies and fate operates on that cycle. Every beginning has an end- and a new beginning right after that. Change is unavoidable and should be embraced and learned from. When the bad spells are overwhelming you, bear in mind that it is only a matter of time before the good times get their turn.

Justice is not referring to the laws and rules created and enforced by man. He presides over the unchanging laws of the universe that keep things operating as they are meant to. Cause and effect are one of the areas that Justice is in control over. Though we have long since figured out the relationship between these aspects, we are still not able to predict what exact effect will be brought about by every cause. Naturally, karma would also be a law that Justice would enforce. If you behave in a positive manner, positive things will return to you. If you behave in a negative manner, beware what will come back.