Justice:
Description: We see a pair of women who are wearing different color dresses, are looking away from each other and both are blinded by golden masks. The lady in white is carrying scrolls (law) and the lady in black is carrying a sword (order). Both of these women are holding onto a pendulum, which replaces the traditional scales. This pendulum has the image of a yin yang on it, a symbol of balance. And this pendulum is pointing at the center of a globe, this pendulum acts as a truth seeker. The globe is in an indentation on the flood and there are two Libra symbols on both sides of the globe.
Meaning: Justice is eponymous. If you have been wronged or if you have wronged someone else, Justice will be dealt swiftly and truthfully. This could be in the context of a court date or just interpersonally as the dual nature of Justice suggests.
Reversed Meaning: When Justice is Reversed the pendulum becomes incapable of management and no longer finds the truth. Justice Reversed is injustice at it’s worst. Whether in court or interpersonally you are certainly not going to get your fair share. Be warned.
Elemental Association: Air
Astrological Association: Libra
Gifts: Clarity, evenhandedness
The Hanging Man:
Description: We see a man suspended by ribbons, he is the same figure from The Fool and The Wheel and he is here to pause and reflect on his journey. Behind The Hanging Man is the planet Neptune, which is the planet of change and spirituality. The Hanging Man released nine coins from his left hand, an homage to how long Odin was believed to be hung on the World Tree, Yggdrasil, in order to receive the wisdom of the runes. The Hanging Man has removed the mask that we so oft see him with, a symbol of removing the masks we all so often wear and becoming our truest self. Here he has time to become acquainted with himself. The mirror shows the hourglass we saw from The Fool, except now it is on its side. Time is seemingly frozen here as The Hanging Man reflects on his journey so far and recollects himself for the journey still to come.
Meaning: The Hanging Man means that its time to slow down for a moment and become a sacrifice to your own soul. It is in dying and rising again that we attain new life, this is what is called the Paschal mystery in Christianity, and it possesses such deep esoteric meaning. Just as Odin sacrificed himself and came out with the runes, so you much sacrifice yourself and spend time reflecting and recollecting yourself.
Reversed Meaning: The Hanging Man Reversed means that as the coins fall back The Hanging Man tries to grab them back again, but will be unable to. This is a forced sacrifice. Something will be forcibly taken from you by the universe that was holding you back, because you wouldn’t willingly offer it up.
Elemental Association: Water
Planetary Association: Neptune
Gifts: Self-mastery, new perspective, the ability to function in uncomfortable circumstances.
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Death:
Description: From the top down: We see a skull carving with a spider and a scorpion crawling upon it, all of these are symbols of Death, and the scorpion represents the sign Scorpio. Hanging by a chain below the skull is the symbol of Pluto, who is the planetary ruler of Scorpio. Both have to do with transformation, death and rebirth. Behind the symbol of Pluto, we see a dark spectre riding upon a black horse carrying banners as black as pitch. Below that we have a seen of a dead bird being feasted on by a colony of ants and amid it all a white rose, a symbolism of new life amid all the death and decay.
Meaning: Death is about change, transformation, and rebirth through the means of an ego death of some sort. It is the herald of a painful death to a very important part of your life, but soon the roses will bloom in the proverbial world of your heart.
Reversed meaning: Death Reversed means that you are not accepting the change of death and are resisting the death to your own ego. This can only lead to disaster and destruction.
Elemental Association: Water
Astrological Association: Scorpio
Gifts: Release, transformation of consciousness.
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The magician and hermit look pretty great & wicked
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Yes, Ciro Marchetti’s artwork is truly inspired. You can practically read the entire deck raw just by intuition alone.
Temperance:
Description: We see a hovering, golden angel bathed in the light shining through the skylight above. In her hands she holds fire which is ascending into the air, both masculine elements; and water which is descending into the earth, both feminine elements. She is in perfect balance and harmony.
Meaning: Temperance is eponymous. The word Temperance means moderation, to keep in balance the things we do. Temperance also comes from the verb, to temper. Which means to strengthen by adding new ingredients. Ultimately, Temperance the card is calling us to a state of personal balance and strength.
Reversed Meaning: Temperance Reversed, the fire now descends to the earth, a clashing of genders, and the water now ascends to the air, a clashing of genders. There is now no balance or Temperance.
Elemental Association: Fire
Astrological Association: Sagittarius
Gifts: Refinement, equilibrium.
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The Devil:
Description: We see a bare-chested devil holding the symbols of the four elements (cups, swords, wands, and coins) and offering these to the familiar face of The Fool. Here, like in The Hanging Man, The Devil is holding sideways the hourglass, giving The Fool the decision to stay here or continue on with the journey. All this in front of the back drop of a flaming pentacle with two symbols of Capricorn head aloft by pillars.
Meaning: The Devil represents materialism, addiction, and ignorance. Things that look appealing at first become your downfall if you don’t look before you jump.
Reversed Meaning: The Devil Reversed means that you are now capable of moving on from your materialism and addiction. You’ve grown in wisdom and you know now that not all that glitters is gold.
Elemental Association: Earth
Astrological Association: Capricorn
Gifts: Recognition, experience.
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The Tower:
Description: We see a precariously stilted Tower which stands above the ground. Around it in the four cardinal directions are symbols of the elements. Then, judgement comes from the heaven’s as a meteor shower takes down this symbol of pride and arrogance.
Meaning: The Tower means calamity, destruction, complete catastrophe.
Reversed Meaning: The Tower Reversed means that you’ve gone through your destruction and now you’re ready to move on. The dust has settled, all accounts have been paid, and you’re going to be okay.
Elemental Association: Fire
Planetary Association: Mars
Gifts: Destructive force clears way for the new.
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The Star:
Description: The focus is in the top right hand corner, a bare, faerielike woman dances around the now verdant wreckage of the ruins from the previous card, The Tower. She leaves stardust in her footsteps and gestures the Venus, the morning and evening star.
Meaning: The Star means hope, inspiration, and guidance. The meaning of The Star is encapsulated in the phrase, “Wish upon a star”, calling to mind the ideas of hope and inspiration that engender a wish. And, the stars also work for guidance, both in legend such as the three wise men, or in reality, such as the usage of the North Star.
Reversed Meaning: Now the ruins take the focus in the top right corner. The Star Reversed means that hope is dead, all that is left is despair and the things which are fostered by a despairing heart: rage, sorrow, and bitterness.
Elemental Association: Air
Astrological Association: Aquarius
Gifts: Inspiration, hope.
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The Moon:
Description: We see a beautiful, nude woman being bathed in light from The Moon. On both sides of her are statues of Thoth, Egyptian God of Knowledge and Magic. Then, on two pillars with an upside down triangle, a symbol of the element water, are two statues of Anubis, Egyptian God of Cemeteries. And a crab comes out of the water which reflects the light of The Moon.
Meaning: The Moon means intuition, contemplation, imagination, and creativity. It can also mean enchantment and magic, a feminine energy or a woman.
Reversed Meaning: The Moon Reversed means falsehood and deception. As the triangles are now pointing up and this is a symbol of the element of fire. It attacks the characteristics of The Moon which are connected to The Water.
Elemental Association: Water.
Astrological Association: Pisces.
Gifts: Intuition, imagination.
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The Sun:
Description: We see a robed figure in front of an orrery with The Sun illuminating everything. At the top we see three astrological symbols which call to mind the zodiac and it’s influences upon the earth.\
Meaning: The Sun means knowledge, illumination, and vitality, all the positive astrological meanings of The Sun. It can also mean a masculine energy or even a man.
Reversed Meaning: The Sun Reversed means egotism, pride, and arrogance, all the negative astrological meanings of The Sun.
Elemental Association: Fire
Planetary Association: The Sun
Gifts: Confidence, achievement, joy.
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Judgement:
Description: We see an angelic being standing in front of a heavenly pipe organ as in front of him arise four dead souls.
Meaning: Judgement means absolution and resurrection. A time when judgement is put aside and mercy triumphs. It is time to forgive ourselves and those in our past.
Reversed Meaning: Darkness overclouds the top. Judgement Reversed means that mercy will not be extended. Your judgement will stay with you until you are punished.
Elemental Association: Fire
Planetary Association: Pluto
Gifts: The recognition of potential, answering an inner calling.
The World:
Description: Our hero from The Fool has returned to the image in the last card of the Major Arcana. At his feet is now a finished hourglass and he is surrounded by an ellipsoid of symbols of the Zodiac, showing the completion of the cycle. And the ellipsoid shape reminds us of the womb, from which are are born and reborn again.
Meaning: The World means that a season in your life is at it’s proper end, you have properly learned your lesson and are now able to move on to the next one.
Reversed Meaning; The World Reversed, our hero falls off the hourglass and it’s back at a starting position. The meaning is that you have set too lofty goals and were unable to attain them. You may have passed Go, but you have not gained the $200, to use a Monopoly term.
Elemental Association: Earth
Planetary Association: Saturn
Gifts: Synchronicity, fulfillment.
Thus Ends The Major Arcana
Ace of Wands:
Description: Hovering above the pit of magma is a red wand with a large red crystal with the symbol of fire emblazoned inside it. There are six jewels coming out of the main jewel, the number of planets of the ancients. And surrounding the want are two dragons.
Meaning: Ace of Wands is a burst of fiery and passionate energy for the starting of a new venture or enterprise.
Reversed Meaning: Ace of Wands is a similar burst of fiery and passionate energy but it is directed improperly and leads to burn out and a withering of the soul.
Seasonal Association: Summer. The Ace of Wands rules the season of Summer, through the signs of Cancer, Leo, and Virgo. (The Chariot/Strength/The Hermit)
Elemental Association: Fire
Gifts: Inspiration, new direction, great opportunity.
2 of Wands (Dominion):
Description: We see a pair of similar locked boxes, but only one key. Two wands flanking this image, one crystal is red, the other, white.
Meaning: 2 of Wands means that there is a decision to be made. You have the power and the authority to make the decision (symbolized by the key) but this decision won’t be around forever. You need to choose swiftly before all the choices are missing.
Reversed Meaning: 2 of Wands Reversed means that your indecision will lead to failure. Though you possess the power and authority to make the decision, you don’t trust yourself to make the right one and through your obstinacy you have frustrated the plans of the divine.
Astrological Association: Mars in Aries (The Tower/The Emperor)
Gifts: Opportunity, influence
3 of Wands (Established Strength)
Description: We see a figure standing at sunset amid three towering crystal topped wands as he watches an airship come in.
Meaning: 3 of Wands means patience is required. A decision has been made and it’s plan is put into motion and it’s time to wait for your “ship to come in” as it were.
Reversed Meaning: 3 of Wands Reversed, the airship is now leaving. You have missed your ship, that is you have missed the results and fruit of your decision and labour.
Astrological Association: Sun in Aries (The Sun/The Emperor)
Gifts: Potential
4 of Wands (Perfected Work):
Description: Amid a scorched and burned landscape four wands with crystalline tops keep safe a verdant garden, complete with a rainbow and a flowing brook.
Meaning: 4 of Wands means success and completion, your ship had come in and brought you to rewards beyond your wildest dreams. This is that reward, it is order out of the chaos, it is safety in the storm, it is success amid the loss.
Reversed Meaning: 4 of Wands Reversed do to your unreliability and noncommittal nature you have lost for yourself the success and completion guaranteed your progress. You left to soon before you saw the fruit of the journey required by patience.
Astrological Association: Venus in Aries (The Empress/The Emperor)
Gifts: Success, settlement.
5 of Wands (Strife):
Description: A tree has created five dryads who all fight one another with wands. In the background a pair of dragons fight, which gives the illusion that some of the dryads have bat wings.
Meaning: 5 of Wands means that there is an internal struggle or conflict. These could be members of a family, of a religion, or parts of a person’s psyche. Everyone is harmed by the harming of each other.
Reversed Meaning: 5 of Wands Reversed, when flipped the focus is put on the wood of the tree. This means that these warring factions have been put to peace and work as a whole toward a common goal.
Astrological Association: Saturn in Leo (The World/Strength)
Gifts: Passing the test, rising to the occasion.
6 of Wands (Victory):
Description: We see a rider carrying the oak leaf wreath of victory upon his long spear. He has dragon motifs on his shield and helmet and in the background we see a set of symbols carved into the archway. At the bottom, two upward pointing triangles, symbols of fire. Above them, the symbols of Leo (ego, self) and Jupiter (good fortune). And above them is an image of the Sun, which rules Leo.
Meaning: 6 of Wands means victory. You have been successful and fortune has smiled upon you and brought you full circle to victory and success.
Reversed Meaning: 6 of Wands Reversed the triangles now point down, which is the symbol of water and this changes the polarity. Water is the opposite of fire (obviously) which wands represent. So, instead of you being victorious, your enemy has been victorious and you have lost.
Astrological Association: Jupiter in Leo (The Wheel/Strength)
Gifts: Fame, glory.
7 of Wands (Valor):
Description: An enigmatic and shadowy figure stands in front of a portal the crystal on his wand making an upward pointing triangle, a symbol of fire. Six other wands encroach on him from below, but he possesses the high ground.
Meaning: 7 of Wands means that you have an upper hand in a difficulty being faced.
Reversed Meaning: 7 of Wands Reversed, you have lost your high ground to your opponents. They are now guaranteed in their victory.
Astrological Association: Mars in Leo (The Tower/Strength)
Gifts: Integrity.
