OccultForum.org

Well I have my idea of reversals. Kybalion strikes again - it is the same coin. The reversal is not the other "person", it is the same thing with it's defining characteristics. If the characteristic is honesty, then it is not lack of it if it's reversed. It is still there but begs the question "where?". This was the best conclusion I could reach.

These are my meanings for the 78 cards of the standard tarot deck, and the reversals of those cards. I've listed each card using the following format:

Number
Name
Meaning
Reversed Meaning
Elemental and/or planetary influences for Majors, Court Cards and Aces, mnemonic for minors

Majors

0
Fool
Trust, innocence, open mind, beginning
Folly, irresponsibility, hesitation, reckless, naive, bad choices
Uranus / Air

1
Magician
Manifestation, skill, creativity, concentration, flexibility, success
Egotistical, self-absorbed, lying, confused, thief, cunning, lack of will power, mental disease, disgrace
Mercury / Air

2
High Priestess
Intuitive, deep, secrecy, keeper of hidden things, memory, reflection
Shallow, superficial, manipulative, moody, unapproachable, secretive, controlling
Moon / Water

3
Empress
Fertility, pregnancy, birth, nature, bounty, feminine, prosperity
Superficial, lazy, overprotective, smothering, self-indulgent, materialistic, vain, infidelity, extravagant
Venus / Earth

4
Emperor
Stability, foundation, rulership, establishment, order, structure, rules and laws, authority, construction, respect
Dictatorship, unfair, harsh, domineering, ruthlessness, micromanagement, ineffectiveness, indecision, failure to control your emotions
Aries / Fire

5
Hierophant
Wisdom, explanation, teaching, inner guidance, spiritual mastery, education, belief systems, advisor, religion
Inventive, original, non-conformity, youth, inventor, free spirit, open mind, new adventures, frailty
Taurus / Earth

6
Lovers
Divine union, balance, completion, love, new friendships, wholeness, discernment, unity, combining, decisions, duality
Adultery, physical attraction, jealousy, infidelity, quarrelling, divorce, a strong opposition
Gemini / Air

7
Chariot
Physical power, pushing through, physical strength, movement, book learning, police
weakness, indecision, lack of motivation, stagnation, a feeling of being trapped
Cancer / Water

8
Strength
Emotional power, discipline, stamina, fortitude, courage, lust, wisdom, healing, nature, animals, vitality, integrity, passion
Conceit, perfectionism, vengeful, critical, prejudice, excess, misfortune, mercy needed
Leo / Fire

9
Hermit
Searching, solitude, meditation, being yourself, wisdom offered, introspection, guidance, research, study
Withdrawal from society, paranoia, isolation, fear, hidden, concealed, disguise, perfectionism
Virgo / Earth

10
Wheel
Movement, destiny, big changes, new adventures, karma, fortune, creativity, personal vision, new life, evolution, progression
Bad luck, minor setbacks, difficult change, neglecting talents, failed enterprise, difficulty getting motivated
Jupiter / Fire

11
Justice
Fairness, responsibility, decisions, cause and effect, pendulum swinging, centering, equilibrium, equality
Inequality, lack of fairness, bad decisions made in haste, inability to come to a good compromise, quarreling, loss of freedom
Libra / Air

12
Hanged Man
Initiation, letting go, biding time, surrender, willing sacrifice, suspension, accepting your destiny, mysticism, rethinking your own identity
Overcoming obstacles, martyrdom, unwillingness to surrender, a thaw between two warring people
Neptune / Water

13
Death
Letting go, death of the ego, change, rebirth, renewal, endings and new beginnings, evaluate and revamp, modification, regeneration
Decay, grief, holding on, disaster, destruction, upheval, depression, mourning, corruption, self loathing, resisting transformation, stagnation
Scorpio / Water

14
Temperance
Moderation, modification, management, compatability, timing, accommodation, trial, testing, blending, refinement
Discord, competition, conflicts of interest, lack of co-operation, overreaction, poor timing, out of sync, bad management, impulsive, unstable
Sagittarius / Fire

15
Devil
Materialism, temptation, bondage, entrapment, seduction, ignorance, financial difficulties, confusion, obsession, doubt
Fed up, overcome temptations, see the trap, bound by material considerations
Capricorn / Earth

16
Tower
Major shakeup, feeling unsafe, conflict, spearation, unexpected breaktrhough, devastating conditions, financial problems, divorce, downfall, sudden change, unexpected shock
Dust settling, paradigm shift, change for the better, reconstruction, release
Mars / Fire

17
Star
Idealism, self discovery, sense of purpose, liberation, peace, clear vision, generosity, serenity, spiritual gifts, revelation, insight
Hopelessness, deceit, hope, arrogance, depression, doubt, pessimism, loss of friendship, physical or mental illness, procrastination, a feeling of being drained
Aquarius / Air

18
Moon
The unknown, feminine energy, intelligence, instinctive energy, body consciousness, natur, art, lunar, the unconscious mind, emotions, secret and hidden fears, deception, illusion
Lies, falsehood, deception, schemes, threat, insecurity, despair, fear, misunderstanding, false accusations
Pisces / Water

19
Sun
Glory, gain, riches, self-assurance, life force, masculine energy, pure light, promotion, attainment, liberation
Stubborn, sunburn, very angry, arrogance, flashy ego, pesimistic, negative, illness, failure, loss
Sun / Fire

20
Judgment
Wake-up call, unlimited possibilities, spiritual awakening, renewal, rebirth, absolution, blessings, guidance
Losing a law suit, karma, loss, ill health, uneasiness, bitterness, lonelines, sickness
Pluto / Fire

21
World
Cosmic consciousness, success, global issues, world-shaking eventsm karmic completion, reward, liberation, integration, accomplishment, fulfillment, evolution
Weakness, stress, worn out, discord, delay, unrealistic goals, obstinate, misuse of power, intolerance
Saturn / Earth

Wands

Ace
Ignite, instigate, inspiration, self expression
Over extend, scattered, delay, wrong direction
Summer / Fire - Root of Fire

2
Creative growth, authority, control, success, boldness
Restlessness, indecision, pride, quick temper
Dominion

3
Joining forces, power, enterprise, effort, trade
Pride, arrogance, conceit, creative block, daydreams
Established Strength

4
Marriage, home, settlement, family bonds, health
Unready, unreliable, hasty action, lack of pleasure
Perfected Work

5
Ambition, activity, dangerous games, power struggles
Cruelty, violence, lust and desire, law suits
Strife

6
Teamwork, winning, success, hopes, desires fulfilled
Disillusionment, blackstabbing, overbearing, pride
Victory

7
Opposition, courage, persistence, advantage, gain
Feeling threatened, vulnerability, quarreling, ignorance
Valor

8
Forward motion, confidence, boldness, courage
Violence, not lasting, oppressive, insolent, hasty, remorse
Swiftness

9
Great strength, power, health, discipline, delay
Unprepared, weaknes of character, sickness
Great Strength

10
Burden lifted, delegation, strong opposition, talent
Delegation, oppression, difficulties, rash decisions
Oppression

Page
Impulsive, creative, outspoken, edgy, dynamic
Flighty, scattered, overreactive, rash, gossip
Earth of Fire

Knight
Healthy, vital, generous, noble, strong, swift, restless
Pushy, unreliable, inconsistent, obsessed, indecisive, bored
Fire of Fire

Queen
Capable, commanding, generous, self-governing, dramatic, performer
Pretender, domineering, disorganised, flighty, bitter, judgmental
Water of Fire

King
Rapid, intense, entrepreneur, headstrong, self-starter, daring, idealistic
Selfish, power hungry, intolerant, driven by desire, impulsive
Air of Fire

Cups

Ace
Friendship, joy, happines, beauty, pleasure, love
Selfish, unstable desires, disruption, unhappiness
Autumn / Water - Root of Water

2
Good rapport, kindred spirits, marriage, joy, love
Holding back, false love, isolation, separation, withdrawal
Love

3
Pleasure, fun, entertainment, parties, drinking, celerbration
Excessive partying, overindulgence, alcoholism, accidental pregnancy
Abundance

4
Boredom, dissatisfaction, discontent, contemplation
Enthusiasm, motivation, seizing opportunities
Blended Pleasure

5
Disappointment, sorrow, obsession, remorse
Return of hope, recovery, acceptance of the past
Loss in Pleasure

6
Amiable, patience, gain, pleasure, nostalga, longing
Defective knowledge, unwarranted, self-assertive
Pleasure

7
Fantasies, romantic illusions, rose-coloured glasses
Decisiveness, a realistic atitude, determination
Illusionary Success

8
Temporary success, diminished feelings, loneliness
Refusing to move on, wrong decisions, clinging to the past
Abandoned Success

9
Loyalty, liberty, success, completion, emotional happiness
Hoping, waiting, wishes delayed, vanity
Material Happiness

10
Mutual love, happiness, tranquility, unity, trust
Betrayal, unrequited love, family fights
Perfected Success

Page
Sweetness, poetry, gentle, kind, romantic
Jealous, melancholy, moody, overly emotional, selfish
Earth of Water

Knight
Love, introspection, refinement, sensitive, charming, warm, flirting
Manipulative (someone who knows theyre attractive), superficial, not genuine, deceptive
Fire of Water

Queen
Deliberate, caring, nurturing, practical, charming, honest
Superficial, status seeker, gold digger, very materialistic
Water of Water

King
Unconditional love, good father, nurturing, diplomatic, kind, sensitive, reliable
Spoils and smothers others, clingy, maudlin, sentimental, heavy drinker
Air of Water

Pentacles

Ace
Privacy, health, legitimacy, physical body, property, abundance
False start, greed, extravagance, misused wealth, over-extended
Spring / Earth - Root of Earth

2
Fluctuation, balancing two jobs, harmony, talent
Arguments, being overwhelmed, weighing alternatives
Harmonious Change

3
Success, completion, paid employment, constructive force, business gains
Overqualified, loosen up, falling open, prejudice, selfish
Material Works

4
Prosperity, financial stability, good investments, a gift
False economy, stinginess, defensive, suspicion, fear of opening up
Material Power

5
Worry, insecurity, strain, emotional crisis, disorder, unemployment
Carefulness, revival, propserity, successful budgeting
Material Trouble

6
Benefactor, giving and receiving, good karma with money
Jealousy, miserliness, time to pay back loans, gifts are really bribes
Material Success

7
Fruits of labour, disappointment, reevaluation, slavery
Bad investments, anxiety, impatience, bad investment
Success Unfulfilled

8
Training, learning, selling something, economy, cunning
Overly careful, hoarding, overqualified
Prudence

9
Inheritance, big increase in money, complete material gain
Theft, knavery, materialism
Material Gain

10
Riches and wealth, completion, friends and family
Old age, dullness, robbery, loss, conflict of loyalties
Wealth

Page
Generous, diligent, careful, courageous, simple, solid, innocent
Self-critical, poor student, stubborn, rebellious, insecure about school
Earth of Earth

Knight
Responsible, reliable, plodding, helpful, dedicated, patient, handy, honourable, alert
Miserly, critical, irresponsible, impatient, timid, dull
Fire of Earth

Queen
Deliberate, caring, nurturing, charming, timid, sensual, kind, truthful, orderly, productive
Mean, selfish, materialistic, hard nosed, greedy, foolish
Water of Earth

King
Friendly, dependable, practical, responsibile, loyal, solid, steadfast, hardworking
Heavy, dull, labour. Laziness, corruptible, jealous
Air of Earth

Swords

Ace
Intellect, mind, authority, stress, mental sharpness
Slander, injustice, tyranny, obstacles, brute force
Winter / Air - Root of Air

2
Balance, steady, truce, empathy, harmony, compromise
Duplicity, unconvinced, unable, unwilling, unsure
Peace Restored

3
Tears, suffering, emotional pain, sorrow, worries, separation
Deep sympathy, disorder, confusion, loss (lesser)
Sorrow

4
Rest, recuperation, inactivity, physical healing
Ready to resume former activity, freedom from anxiety
Rest from Strife

5
Defeat, loss, failure, anxiety, greed, shamelessness
Vindication, restoration, forgiveness
Defeat

6
Help, labour, messenger, love proposal, end of worries
Changes in plans, delay, selfishness, refusing help
Earned Success

7
Partial success, sneakiness, betrayal of confidences, trickery
Good advice, return, regain, triumph over falsehood
Unstable Effort

8
Feeling stuck, ignorance, interference, boundaries
Freedom, release, prison break
Shortened Force

9
Loss, suffering, doubt, pain, malice, pity
Sunshine after a storm, hope, release
Despair and Cruelty

10
Overkill, too much force, ruin, pain, envy, loss, illness
Overthrow of evil, time to rebuild, recovery, inner strength
Ruin

Page
Student, mentally active, forceful, learning
Self-critical, poor student, stubborn, rebellious, insecure
Earth of Air

Knight
Knight in shining armour, sharp mind, idealism, fierce, clevel
Pushy, aggressive, troublemaker, activist, deceitful
Fire of Air

Queen
Bright, sharp tongued, stern, dominating, cautious, intelligent, fair, independence
Bitter, malicious, jealous, prudish, demanding, pushy
Water of Air

King
Fair, just, educated, stern, humanistic, knowledgable, goal-oriented
Stern, strict, cruel, mistrusting, calculating, vengeful
Air of Air

A lot has happened here...nice!

So let me give it a go with suit interpretation and answers to your questions:

Swords - like the air, thoughts are constantly moving and it's really hard to shape them and hold them still in order to make peace with them. Even when we do that it gets even harder to keep them or let them go (to be honest I don't know which one is harder) so we fight for them or with them (this is what sword represent to me), which leads to mental stress. And if we always put our head before the hart it can only lead to - "depressing tale of failure".

Wands - passion, inspiration and bursting energy has a tendency to burn out quickly just like a fire if you don't put the same amount of energy in to it's maintenance. Bad management of the energy can lead to a feeling of overwhelming which can be very tiresome for a person. Also, the first filing of rush or enthusiasm has a tendency to become an addiction that never allows you to finish what you started. Instead it keeps you in a constant search for new sensations. So I wouldn't say it is ego overcoming the soul, but more like a ego searching for the soul with no clear directions.

Pentacles - unlike previous suits, this one is about long run and sustainability. Earth takes it's time to create, maintain, cultivate and just then is ready to pick it's fruits. Our endurance depends on how deep the roots can go so while we make mistakes on the surface, we always have the results of our hard work from beginning. It takes stability for something to grow and wisdom to maintain that stability which rests in interconnection of elements (that’s why this suit has a concept of giving it back). I would say it is more about hard work, patience and fallowing the rhythm of nature for the fruitful harvest then it is a saving lecture.

Cups - water is flexible, resilient, adaptable to all the changes that come in the way. To be an emotional creature, means to have a certain dose of empathy towards others. To be able to understand other people’s feelings means you will be more likely to understand your own emotions. That’s why in this suit we find the time to reflect in spiritual quest. To know oneself is to understand oneself and whoever takes a time to do that…well he better get’s his happy ending.

And for two cards reading I got Five of coins and Five of coups. What I read from that – Not sharing (could say hiding) will lead to unfulfilled relationship and regret.

Fantastic answers, Vjetruša. Anyone else got any insight into those four questions I posed with the story of the four suits? I'm really enjoying how we are going with this - please, keep the two card draws up and keep trying to form a short sentence or message that ties the cards together. One of my pet rats died today and I drew three cards asking for insight on the situation - I got The Hanged Man, Five of Cups and Ten of Swords. I read this to mean that I must let go and not blame myself for her passing, she was suffering from some form of illness that eventually claimed her, and this is closure - don't regret what has happened, instead see this as an end to a life that would only have gotten worse in time.

The images below are from my own personal deck that I designed, so please don't share them around - this deck isn't commercial.

Sometimes it's more difficult to see off our four-legged companions than some human beings. I wish her a peaceful journey from now on.

Your design for the cards are stunning!
I really love how the story comes directly from the body, rather than the external symbols.

Which techniques did you use...photography and?

Vjetruša wrote: Your design for the cards are stunning!
I really love how the story comes directly from the body, rather than the external symbols.

Why, thank you! Here are a couple more.

Vjetruša wrote: Which techniques did you use...photography and?

These are six months of image grabs, which is why its just a personal deck and not commercial - I spent six months collecting parts of larger images that stood out to me across all the various image sites I could find. Some of the cards are single frames from comic books, or parts of commercials, or even tiny pieces of huge murals. I then used Paint to add the words, which resulted in a couple of the cards having letters within the black border, but it is still obvious what each card reads.

CG I hope your little friend has accomplished in this life what he needed to accomplish.
The cards are really great. I guess every great tarot reader comes with his own personal deck sooner or later.

RockDemon wrote:CG I hope your little friend has accomplished in this life what he needed to accomplish.

Thanks RockDemon [crymore] For those kind words you get to pick three cards you'd like to see from Tarot Naught, and then thats it - no more cluttering the thread with puctures [grin]

RockDemon wrote: The cards are really great. I guess every great tarot reader comes with his own personal deck sooner or later.

Oh, most definitely, and some people go on to a career in designing yet greater and greater decks, or get snapped up by Lo Scarabeo or Llewellyn, or start boutique tarot shops like Baba Studio and focus on unique and beautiful limited edition decks. I would strongly recommend that people make at least one deck for themselves if they are serious about tarot as it makes the deck so much more in tune with your own psyche, and allows for much more instinctual reading. It costs about US $25 to print a single deck online, and a run of one deck will not attract attention from copyright lawyers unless you openly flaunt it or try to sell it for a profit. If anyone would like to make their own deck, please let me know and I will show you how to do it.

Clockwork_Ghost wrote:

RockDemon wrote:CG I hope your little friend has accomplished in this life what he needed to accomplish.

Thanks RockDemon [crymore] For those kind words you get to pick three cards you'd like to see from Tarot Naught, and then thats it - no more cluttering the thread with puctures [grin]

Oh ok thanks, since we are dealing with death here and besides it is my favorite card so let the fist one be the Death, and then my subconscious told me to pick the Sun and the Moon.

Clockwork_Ghost wrote:

RockDemon wrote: The cards are really great. I guess every great tarot reader comes with his own personal deck sooner or later.

Oh, most definitely, and some people go on to a career in designing yet greater and greater decks, or get snapped up by Lo Scarabeo or Llewellyn, or start boutique tarot shops like Baba Studio and focus on unique and beautiful limited edition decks. I would strongly recommend that people make at least one deck for themselves if they are serious about tarot as it makes the deck so much more in tune with your own psyche, and allows for much more instinctual reading. It costs about US $25 to print a single deck online, and a run of one deck will not attract attention from copyright lawyers unless you openly flaunt it or try to sell it for a profit. If anyone would like to make their own deck, please let me know and I will show you how to do it.

I would love to make my deck, but do you think it will be beneficial for me at this moment? As I told you I don't own a real deck yet,(though my sister who lives in US bought me one, so it is going to arrive soon, can't wait to get my hands on it.) and I am yet a beginner a in symbolism and all, maybe study and get acquainted with symbols and at least with one real deck and then?

RockDemon wrote: Oh ok thanks, since we are dealing with death here and besides it is my favorite card so let the fist one be the Death, and then my subconscious told me to pick the Sun and the Moon.

Ahhh, three great choices. Cards are below.

RockDemon wrote: I would love to make my deck, but do you think it will be beneficial for me at this moment? As I told you I don't own a real deck yet,(though my sister who lives in US bought me one, so it is going to arrive soon, can't wait to get my hands on it.) and I am yet a beginner a in symbolism and all, maybe study and get acquainted with symbols and at least with one real deck and then?

No, it wouldn't be beneficial just yet, but is something to look into later down the track. Let me know when you get your deck and I'll show you the 'Interview reading' I tend to do with each deck I get to see what kind of relationship I may have with it, and what it can offer me in terms of divination, or whether it becomes part of the bigger collection. I have many, many tarot decks and there are some that I have never used as I have failed to connect with them, but are valuable parts of my bigger collection overall.

Clockwork_Ghost wrote:Ahhh, three great choices. Cards are below

Awesome cards CG, especially the moon resonates within me as well.

Clockwork_Ghost wrote:No, it wouldn't be beneficial just yet, but is something to look into later down the track. Let me know when you get your deck and I'll show you the 'Interview reading' I tend to do with each deck I get to see what kind of relationship I may have with it, and what it can offer me in terms of divination, or whether it becomes part of the bigger collection. I have many, many tarot decks and there are some that I have never used as I have failed to connect with them, but are valuable parts of my bigger collection overall.

"Interview reading" sounds intriguing, definitely need to try. I'll tell you as soon as the cards arrive.

Okay, here's an exercise for anyone who wishes to explore two card storytelling with tarot. I will post five pairs below and I would like you to write a sentence or two which links the meanings of those cards, for example: The High Priestess and Five of Wands - 'Using your own intuition and listening to your inner voice will allow for better success in brainstorming new ways of doing things and resolve potential conflicts before they occur.'

Now your turn - take as many of these as you want to answer, you don't have to answer them all.

1. Five of Cups and Strength
2. Ace of Swords and The Magician
3. The Tower and Five of Pentacles
4. Ten of Pentacles and The World
5. Wheel of Fortune and Ten of Wands.

Please post your sentences below.