Five of Swords

All right, take a deep breath. The Five of Swords is one of the most challenging cards in the Minor Arcana to interpret, because so much of its meaning depends on the situation it describes. On the surface, this is a card of empty victory: a young man stands in the...

Ace of Pentacles

Aces are the quintessential “yes” card, signifying all systems go, and the start of something new: a new opportunity, new path to follow, new challenge. When the Ace of Pentacles shows up in a reading, that new beginning also brings with it a windfall of money....

Five of Pentacles

There’s no two ways about it. The Five of Pentacles is a difficult card to draw. As a Five, it means change above all—and as the imagery indicates, often this is not change for the better. The card depicts two sad characters, supplicants or beggars, huddled against...

Six of Pentacles

The Six of Pentacles is one of the most reassuring cards in the minor arcana, because it’s all about getting what is due to you. Granted, if you have been loaned money you may find that this loan is coming due, but most of the time this card symbolizes that whatever...

Ten of Swords

The Ten of Swords is always a nasty bit of business to draw in a reading, symbolizing the feeling of being stabbed in the back, or utter defeat. While the dawn breaking on the horizon offers a hopeful note, typically this card indicates that you are facing an...