Archive - June 2017

Five of Pentacles

June 4, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

Five of Pentacles:

Suit: Pentacles
Element: Earth
Function: Possessions, riches, material things, practicality

A very sick man and a very poor, underfed woman walk past the pristine and glowing stained glass window on a church. The man wears a bell around his neck, reminiscent of a leper, and hobbles around on crutches. Neither have shoes and they trudge through the snow on cold night. Oddly enough, they have one of the most colorful wardrobes of the tarot. She wears orange, the color of life and zest. They both wear blue, the color of serenity and spirituality, and yellow, the color of the higher mind.

He looks up to Heaven. She prays. With nothing on earth to cling to, they look up for support as the snow falls without seemingly stopping. Theirs is a desperate situation, and yet, not all hope is lost. Could they possible go into the church and get help? After all, that is what churches are supposed to be for, in part: helping the needy.

The stained glass window is interesting in itself. The pentacles are arranged as if on a tree, symbolizing fertility and wisdom; towers, symbolizing stability and strength, and red flowers surrounded by green leaves, symbolizing magic and the renewal of life. All in all, however, this is all part of an image, and what are real is the snow, the cold, and the destitution of the man and woman walking barefoot in that snow.

The Five of Pentacles is different from the preceding Pentacle cards in that it’s the first one that means to go without any material comforts or riches. Thus wherever this card shows up, there’s not just a lack of material comforts and riches, but a severe loss and need of them. It can indicate a crushing financial or personal blow that becomes or became a major setback.

It can also indicate a crushing blow to the ego. One can’t rely simply on themselves anymore, and they charity and perhaps even divine intervention to get them out of their rut. They may not, however, have people close to them to rely on; the people around them may either shut them out or be in the same place. They may be struggling to make ends meet, and one or more person is going without. It’s not even luxuries, but the things they need, like sleep, adequate food, rest, and hygiene.

When the Five of Pentacles is Reversed:

When the Five of Pentacles is reversed, the querent is coming out of us or has come out of a period of deprivation and heading into a new era of prosperity. They may not be out of the woods yet, but they’re getting close.
However, it can also mean that the querent is holding onto a feeling of deprivation and scarcity even though there’s no reason for it, since things are okay now. They’re still in the mode they were in when things were tighter, and they’re not relaxing or learning to enjoy what they have. They may be forcing their family members or loved ones to endure these now imaginary hardships.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent went through a series financial or material setback that left them going without, and that has brought them to this moment.

Present: The querent is currently dealing with serious financial and personal setbacks of a material nature and having to go without.

Future: In the future, the querent is going to have to brace for hard times; this may be a warning that they should conserve and prepare now.
 

Four of Pentacles

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

Four of Pentacles:

Suit: Pentacles
Element: Earth
Function: Possessions, riches, material things, practicality

A rich man looks out at the querent, either warning them or daring them to take his four precious pentacles. He has one under each foot: one is both his arms, and another on his head. He wears a small crown, indicating that he’s had some relatively small material success.

He’s alone. The city is behind him, and he sits hunched down on a stone stool, him and his pentacles. Perhaps the weight of the one on his head, or the need to balance it, keeps him from standing up. Perhaps he’s afraid to get up because then the pentacles under his feet aren’t protected. Perhaps it’s easier to wrap his body around the one in his arms if he doesn’t get up.

He‘s weary. He may not be happy. Chances are, he doesn’t sleep because he’s guarding his four measly pentacles. He’s alone, and he will probably remain alone. Perhaps he wants it that way, because he’s not sharing either the bench or the pentacles.

Either way, he’s a slave to those four little pentacles. He thinks he’s in control and that he’s the one who has the power. But it’s actually the pentacles that have the power, or rather the desire for them. It keeps him lonely, paranoid, and trapped in place.

He wears red, the color of magic, and black, and the color of despair and of shadows. Few people in the minor arcana actually wear black, so when it shows up, it’s good to take note. Black is the color of shadows, the absence of light. It represents the dark side of humanity, the place where our baser emotions, like greed, hide from the light. We justify these emotions. The man here probably thinks he’s simply protecting his wealth from thieves. Of course, his wealth is everything to him, but it’s not much, is it?

He’s not so much greedy as he is possessive. He doesn’t take a risk to get more wealth. He just clings to what he has and is vigilant to keep others from taking it. He’ll neither spend the pentacles nor invest them. He won’t even go back to the city and trust them near other people.

When the four of pentacles is Reversed:

When reversed, the querent is stingy, but actually losing what they have because of it. They may under- or overestimate what they have. Or, the querent may actually not have much. Poverty is probably a problem, and the response is to try to hold onto what keeps slipping away. The querent falls into despair.
It’s also possible that the querent has put chasing the dollar about all other possible riches, including love and relationships. They’re alone with their money, with no one to share it with, and not quite ready to share it.

The querent may actually see their own personal worth in dollars and cents, and actually think that how much money they make is the main or only indicator of their worth and worthiness of love. They may try to buy love.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent was territorial and stingy with relatively little, and while they may still have it in the present, it hasn’t grown into more.

Present: Currently, the querent is just trying to hold on to what little they have, and are afraid to take risks; they may think they have more than they actually have.

Future: In the future, the querent is going to become insecure about their resources and cling to what little money, possessions, or valuables they have.

Three of Pentacles

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
1 Comment

Three of Pentacles

Suit: Pentacles
Element: Earth
Function: Possessions, riches, material things, practicality

In the city, a young apprentice works on a cathedral arch. There are two entrances, and he stands on a bench in one. In the other entrance stand a monk and an architect. They’re considerably older, and they look at plans. One can presume that the architect and the monk are the ones in charge.

However, the apprentice turns to face them, and they look the apprentice in the face. Even though he’s clearly the junior person, both in age and career, his input is valuable; he stands on a bench and therefore stands taller than the men who are merely looking at the plans but not carving or cutting into the stone.

The young man is actively making this cathedral, which is meant to last for all ages. There is mutual respect here, and a shared goal that the three are actively working toward. All three of these men have something to contribute that only they can contribute to this monumental work.

The monk is dressed in grey, the color of sobriety and fading into the background. He has an idea of what it should look like and what the purpose should be, but he’s not the one actively designing or making the building. The architect is dressed in an ostentatious garb of gold and red that covers most of his body. Gold is the color of success, and red the color of magic. Indeed, his designs and what he does with physics to create a building may seem like magic. The stonemason is dressed in violet, yellow, and blue, the colors of both higher and lower thought.

Cooperation and appreciation of other’s contributions and gifts are what will ultimately lead to success. That, and a dose of patience. Doing it right and making it last is far more important than getting it done quickly. After all, if it’s meant to last, than build it as if it’s meant to last.

The Three of Pentacles also indicates when it’s good to stop and get feedback from those who have insight or knowledge that you don‘t. There is a juxtaposition between the cathedral, which is grand, and the humility required to create something so grand. Here, the three men all confer with each other in peace.

When the Three of Pentacles is Reversed:

When the Three of Pentacles is reversed, the querent may be uncooperative or hasty. They may feel that they don’t need any input or advice from anyone else, even though they really can’t achieve what they want by themselves.

The Three of Pentacles reversed can also indicate that the querent is struggling to have their work or talents recognized and appreciated. Others may not see their contributions as important, and the querent may not advocate strongly for themselves.

Hastiness is also possible. The querent may be trying to finish something quickly rather than carefully, and whatever they’re making will inevitably fall apart because it wasn’t either meant to last. Or, the querent just wasn’t personally invested or was passive-aggressively sabotaging something.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent was cooperative and worked well with others to create big things, which has led them to the present moment.

Present: Currently, the querent is contributing their skills and talents where they’re appreciated and will create big things.

Future: In the future, the querent’s contributions will be appreciated, and they’ll find a niche or place to apply their skills to benefit society and themselves.

Two of Pentacles

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

Two of Pentacles:

Suit: Pentacles
Element: Earth
Function: Possessions, riches, material things, practicality

Let’s not beat around the bush: this man clearly looks like an erect penis. He’s wearing a big red, tall hat, symbolizing passion and magic, and he has two pentacles in either hand, balanced in an infinity loop. This is no mistake.

He’s wearing orange and red, the colors of life, passion, enthusiasm, youth, and magic. The pentacles are in a green loop, the color of life. He balances on one foot, keeping his pentacles from falling even though there appears to be chaos behind him.

In the distance is an ocean with ships riding dangerously high waves, and they go up and down, jostled and turned, but the man doesn’t worry about them. After all, what can he do about it? The tides of life go in and out, the waves go up and down, and everyone has their own journey, including the ships.

And the man in the tall red hat doesn’t care. His back is turned to that big ocean of uncertainty. He’s worried about his own two pentacles and that’s it. He’s not adventurous and isn’t worried. If we consider that fact that the pentacles look like testicles, it makes sense: when all is said and done, what is actually the most precious thing in the world to this man? It’s the thing that helps him support and create life.

He’s keeping it together, and he’s worried about himself and what he has to do. This is all he can do, and all he can control. He has his things in balance, and he’s having a good time with them. Life is simple. He has focus. He keeps his pentacles up in the air.

It’s impossible to tell if he’s moving with the pentacles, or if the pentacles are moving with him. Perhaps they’re just both in harmony. In a way, he’s like the ships that tide the waves, in that it doesn’t matter who moves what, so long as things stay going perpetually.

He’s not struggling. He may even be playing. Perhaps he finds his task enjoyable and doesn’t mind having to keep his pentacles up off the ground. That’s good news, because his task will never end.

When the two of pentacles is Reversed:

When the Two of Pentacles is reversed, life is out of balance. The querent can’t juggle everything, and they’re either dropping the ball or they need to figure out what’s important and stop worrying about the things that don’t matter, or the things that are out of their control.

The querent may need to balance their budget, or their work and home life better, which may require focusing only on the tasks at hand.

The querent may also have an internal imbalance. They may be too mentally focused on one thing as opposed to another. They may be more concerned with what others think about them than what they think about themselves. They may also be clinging to outdated or ill-fitting notions or ideas and not balancing them with new ones that fit better.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent was able to juggle all of their demands and responsibilities such that they didn’t feel burdened. This is the attitude they bring with them in the present.

Present: Currently, the querent is keeping all things in balance and doing so with deft and ease.

Future: In the future, things will come together for this querent so they’ll be able to at least handle everything on their plate.

Ace of Pentacles

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

Ace of Pentacles

Suit: Pentacles
Element: Earth
Function: Possessions, riches, material things, practicality

The Ace of Pentacles welcomes the querent to paradise and security. They still have to get there, but there is a way if they’re willing to walk it. The hand from Heaven isn’t going to carry them, but it offers the gift of the way.

A hand comes out of the heavens and offers a single, giant gold coin with a pentacle on it. It’s like the sun, shining in the sky. The pentacle is a five-pointed star, with all lines connected. It symbolizes the balance of the elements with the spirit.

The hand is not grasping the pentacle, but rather, cradling it. It’s not going to use the pentacle to do something. It doesn’t guide, strike, or create. It simply shows the querent what it has.

The suit of pentacles represents material wealth. It represents what can be done with what is here, right now, and what can be held and given. It also represents what can be shared; the hand could clutch the pentacle selfishly, but instead, it offers it, as if giving it as alms to the poor, weary traveler.

Or perhaps it’s striking a bargain. If you walk the way, go through the garden, and get to the mountain, you will get the wisdom and benefit of the pentacles. After all, the reward for nothing is nothing, and no one gets anything for free. This isn’t cruel; it’s just the nature of living on a planet with finite resources and finite time.

There are lilies lining the way, symbolizing purity and innocence. The arch of the garden has red fruit. Green and red are the colors of life, and red is the color of magic. Beyond the green garden threshold is the mountain, a symbol of endurance, timelessness, stability, and strength.

The sky is wide open, white, and endless, like a blank canvas. Heading through the garden gate and onto the journey of the pentacles promises that the querent will get to write their story and carve their own destiny. After all, wealth is freedom, and one who prospers can do things like follow passion and enjoy beauty without interference or worry that it won’t be available tomorrow. And perhaps it won’t, but there’s nothing practical in worrying about what may never be so long as it exists right now.

Take the gift now.

When the Ace of Pentacles is Reversed:

When the Ace of Pentacles is reversed, the querent has either missed an opportunity to materially otherwise gain, either because they overlooked the obvious, or because they didn’t trust in the present. It’s also possible that their own greed made them overlook something they thought was small in hopes of getting something bigger. Lack of planning may result in future disaster.

The Ace of Pentacles reversed can also indicate someone who doesn’t know the value of a dollar or doesn’t want to earn what they have. It can also indicate someone who does work hard, but the reward is delayed or on the other side of yet another obstacle.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent embarked on a quest for worldly gain or was given an opportunity for worldly gain that brought them to the present.

Present: Currently, the querent is presented with an opportunity to earn rewards or riches, and must carefully walk a path to get it.

Future: In the future, the querent will have an opportunity to create their own prosperity if they stay on the course they’re on.

King of Wands

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

King of Wands

Suit: Wands
Element: Fire
Function: The Will, Action, Creativity, and Initiation

The King of Wands looks as if he’s ready to jump off his throne and go sprinting toward whatever it is that has his eye. He wears a robe of red and green, the colors of life and magic. He is full of life and vitality. He is fire personified.

His yellow cloak has salamanders on it, symbolizing mental passion. He’s not just a doer, but a thinker and a pioneer. His head is protected by a red leather shield. He doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, and he certainly can’t hear them.

Both his green shoes can be seen, indicating that he knows how to work in the real world, and that he gets things done. The salamander at his foot is a reminder that he’s both walking the walk and talking the talk. His mind and his reality are one. He isn’t a mere dreamer.

His throne has pictures of salamanders and lions, symbolizing fire, leadership, and fearlessness. Even his golden crown looks like flames rising from his head.

The King of Wands holds his staff in his right and hand and balls his left hand into a fist. Whatever action needs to be taken, he’ll do it, and he’s not afraid to get dirty or get rough. Nothing will get in his way, and he’ll let nothing stop him.

In a sense, he’s dominant masculine energy personified. He’s fearless, aggressive, confident, bold, pioneering, and ready to do what it takes and do what he wants when he wants to do it. Nothing will stop him, and he bows to no one.

Who would dare get in his way, anyway? He might use that staff to lead, he might use it to fight, or he might use it to hold naysayers back. In fact, that’s probably what he’s seeing in the distance, and he’s shoring up for a fight now.

The King of Wands has a vision and he’s going to meet it. He has a goal, and that’s the most important thing. He has the heart, the mind, the body, the power, and the endurance to do it. Woe be to anyone who gets in his way or tries to engage him in a power struggle. This man is a juggernaut about to blast off.

When The king of Wands is Reversed:

When the King of Wands is reversed, there’s too much confidence. The querent is not putting his money where his mouth is. He may be a braggart and overly aggressive. Bullying and being the victim of a bully is possible when the King of Wands is reversed, since ultimately this card reversed means deep insecurity.

This can also mean someone who doesn’t have the talent to match their ambition and still goes ahead and tries to get what they can’t really earn. There’s an inherent selfishness in this card, that when reversed, turns into narcissism.

When the King of Wands is reversed, nothing is ever his fault. He never fails. He blames others for his mistakes, setbacks, and shortcomings.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent was bold, action driven, self-made, and possibly going at it alone, which has brought them to the present.

Present: Right now, the querent is actually doing what they dare and what they dream, and this is their singular focus.

Future: In the future, the querent is going to shore up their courage and strength and make the bold move they’ve only been dreaming of so far.

Queen of Wands

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

Queen of Wands

Suit: Wands
Element: Fire
Function: The Will, Action, Creativity, and Initiation

The Queen of Wands is someone you want on your side. A majestic, handsome woman cloaked in yellow and white, she sits on her throne holding a wand in her right hand and a sunflower in her left hand. Yellow is the color of intellect and the higher mind, and white is the color of purity. Her crown is gold, symbolizing success, alchemy, and royalty.

The sunflower symbolizes the proliferation of life. Her wand itself is starting to grow a bud or two. The Queen of Wand has sunflowers on each side of her head, symbolizing that her thoughts proliferate. She’s creative.

Behind her embroidered on her thrown are two red lions, symbolizing passion and power. At her legs are two lions, symbolizing passion and power…but especially of her open legs. Her power is of the mind and the body, and particularly the sexual, yet she doesn’t try to seduce the viewer. She is perfectly comfortable with her own sexuality. One foot shows, showing that she’s grounded.

There’s a black cat at her feet. Now, the cat looks out at the reader, but the queen doesn’t. She looks off into the distance and up, presumably into the future and to the heavens. The cat, however, is keeping an eye on the reader and acting as a guard. Perhaps there is a euphemism there, that the cat stands guard between her open legs.

Black cats are symbols of darker magic, sexier magic, and the kind of magic that is powerful and intimidating. Yes, she is cloaked in brightness and sunshine, but she’s no stranger to the dark side. The black cat is female sexuality in a repressive society, and it’s also representative of the one’s dark side. The Queen of Wands accepts her dark side and brings it to the light of the sun.

The Queen of Wands has it all: looks and brains, charm and talent, daring and caution. She has her toe in everything and she’s staying afloat. In a sense, she’s living the dream, because she’s living life to the fullest. Whatever you need or want, she’s got it.

The Queen of Wands is winning at life. In fact, it’s as if she’s earned her throne for being awesome and was elected Queen of Wands by her peers. She’s an alpha female and the pinnacle of female power.

When the Queen of Wands is Reversed:

When The Queen of Wands is reversed, it indicates a loss of confidence in who one is. It can also mean that a querent is uncomfortable with their feminine side and with female energy.

It may also mean that the querent doesn’t have confidence in their ability to take care of business, whatever it is, or that they feel that others don’t approve of them or actively get in their way.

The querent may not feel confident that they can handle everything they have on their plates or everything that could come their way. They may be afraid to use their creativity, cunning, or charm, to get things done.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent was thriving, crafting a great reputation, and using their talents to get what they want.

Present: In the present, the querent is winning at life, and is everything anyone could want in a man or woman. They’re a natural.

Future: In the future, the querent is going to be a personal success, in that they’re be able to handle whatever comes their way with flourish and without breaking a sweat.

Knight of Wands

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

Knight of Wands

Suit: Wands
Element: Fire
Function: The Will, Action, Creativity, and Initiation

The Page of Wands grows up, gets some armor and horse, and boldly ventures forth. He still wears his tunic with the salamanders, symbolizing fire: passion, the alchemy of thought into reality. In fact, it’s ripped, as if it’s just clinging to his body but about to come off. Or perhaps he’s torn because he tried to fit it over his armor.

He now wears white armor, symbolizing his youthfulness and naiveté and rides an orange horse, symbolizing enthusiasm and exuberance. He has the armor, he has the horse, and he seems to have the chutzpah…but does he have what it takes to make the Page’s dreams into realities? Because it certainly seems as if he’s ready to go.

But where is he going? Does he know? Does he even care? Does he even know what’s ahead of him? What will happen when he gets there? He’s in the desert now. There are three pyramids or mountains behind him, but he’s heading in a different direction. Those obstacles will have to wait for another day.

The Knight of Wands is action about to be taken. The time to contemplate and dream is over. It’s not necessarily careful planning or deliberation, but simply the very first moment of intentional action toward fulfilling a desire. The action is thus almost entirely fueled by the initial desire, confident that success will be had.

The Knight of Wands is also foolhardy, overconfident, and brash. This isn’t the card for strategic moves or even making a move with someone else. This is entirely self-focused, even self-absorbed. The Knight of Wands is still a boy, though an attractive one, and is still filled with the exuberance, daring, and charm of a young man who is invested fully in his youth and thinks that that alone will carry him through life.

The Knight of Wands isn’t worried about anyone else, what happens to them, or how the Knight of Wands affects them. There are no people or structures or even other wands in the card for a reason. The Knight of Wands is all about advancing the wants and needs of the Knight of Wands. Without having to worry about anyone else, he doesn’t need to second guess. In fact, the Knight of Wands doesn’t think before it acts.

When Knight of Wands is Reversed:

The Knight of Wands reversed is indicative of hubris. When the Knight of Wands is reversed, forward movement is frustrated or denied. Or, the querent makes a move, doesn’t look, and falls flat on their face. They may be overconfident and completely unrealistic in their beliefs about their abilities and talents.

They may also severely underestimate themselves and be terrified of change or action. The reversed Knight of Wands can show someone who is so wrapped up in anxiety that they’re paralyzed.

On the hand, The Knight of Wands reversed can indicate someone impulsive and reckless, who is going to do what they want to do when they want to do it because they do.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent took bold action, moving forward and in possibly a new direction, which has brought them to the present.

Present: Currently, the querent is at a critical stage where they want to make a big change or pursue their heart’s desire, even if it means going at it alone.

Future: In the future, the querent is going to have the confidence and courage to follow their dreams and actually take the first bold moves to do so.

Page of Wands

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

Page of Wands:

Suit: Wands
Element: Fire
Function: The Will, Action, Creativity, and Initiation

The page of wands stands with confidence and spirit, admiring or gazing at the potential of his wand. Yes, perhaps there is something phallic there, as procreation is too, a creative activity. He wears yellow, the color of the higher mind, and red, the color of passion and magic. His tunic has salamanders on it, which symbolize the magic and power of fire. His hat is white, symbolizing innocence and purity. Though he stands in what appears to be a desert, he isn’t worried or afraid.

The page is going to make his way, and swimming in his head are a million ideas of what to do and what he could do. Of course, he doesn’t quite have anything underway yet. He probably has no idea how he’s going to materialize any of ideas, or how to even start making them come to fruition. This isn’t where he is yet. He’s young, he’s vital, he’s energetic and full of the kind of courage that only the young and naïve have. In a way, he’s like the Fool from the Major Arcana.

He’s alone, which means that he has no one to impress, no one to obey, and no one to make comfortable, no one whose approval can be sought or will be sought. He doesn’t need them. He’s enamored with his own ability to think and to churn ideas. Anyone else would be an annoyance, a distraction, and a wet blanket.

Thus, the Page of Wands is creativity, and the power to be creative and to do new things. The Page of Wands suggests that one must be creative and original in order to get what they want, even if this means going at things alone.

The Page of Wands isn’t worried about anyone else or anything else. The Page of Wands tells that one should just jump in and do it. In essence, he really does tell the querent to follow their bliss.

This card may also be telling the querent that in order to do what they want, they’re going to have to go at it alone and not worry about whether or not anyone else wants to help them. They probably don’t need anyone’s help, or at least not now. They can always find the appropriate people on the way.

When Reversed:

When reversed, the Page of Wands indicated a stifling of creativity out of fear of being alone or fear of anger others, or simply fears of having to deal with an uncertain future. This card reversed can also tell the querent that the problems they’re currently facing is because they’re trying to do the same thing over and over again and are expecting different results.

The Page of Wands reversed can also indicate stifled creativity, in which the querent absolutely wants to do something creative but sabotages their own efforts through self-criticism. They need to learn to ignore the little voice telling them that they can’t do it, and go ahead and do it anyway.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past:In the past, the querent was inspired to do something creative and planned to do it, separating them from everything they knew or had before, and this has brought them to this moment.

Present: Right now, the querent is embarking on a creative journey and is thinking about and planning the next bold step with pure enthusiasm.

Future: In the future, the querent is going to be free to follow their bliss wherever it leads, even if they go at it alone. They won’t care.

Ten of Wands

June 3, 2017
Psychic Reviews
Tarot Card Meanings
Add comment

Ten of Wands:

Suit: Wands
Element: Fire
Function: The Will, Action, Creativity, and Initiation

The ten of wands is the natural progression of the Nine of Wands. Here, the man in the card has picked up all of the nine wands from the last card, added another, and is walking steadfast to the town. We can’t see his face because he’s buried it in his bundle of wands, but he doesn’t look like he’s going to give up, or that he’s upset or regretful. After all, he’s near the village or town. He’s going to be able to set down his burden soon.

The man wears an orange tunic, symbolizing enthusiasm, and brown leggings and shoes, symbolizing practicality and strength. He appears to be walking on a paved road, such that he’s not just close to the town, but he’s within the area of the town. He’s made it, and he just has to go a little further.

He will do it though. This is a moment that begs the reader to cheer the man on and tell him to keep going and not give up, and not as an admonition but as sheer encouragement and shared enthusiasm. This invokes the same feeling one gets watching the very end of a race, or the very end of a ball game, when’s team is about to make the winning score.

The Ten of Wands symbolizes not just the very last leg to victory, but the excitement and determination to make those very last, critical steps, toward victory. This card shows where someone is very near the end of some very hard work.

This is the end of the numbered deck and therefore the end of the narrative. The wands have gone from the spark of life to a destination, through strife, and now through that strife a little wiser and a little stronger because it willed it that way. This card indicates that through the querent’s own blood, sweat, and tears, they will see victory.

The Ten of Wands can also mean that the querent is doing much more than expected or more than what others have to do in order to get things done. They will have to work harder and longer, but they can’t pity themselves. They haven’t the time when the end is so close.

When Reversed:

When the Ten of Wands is reversed, the querent is shouldering an unnecessary burden, playing the martyr, or refusing to take their burden and move with it, rather wallowing and pitying him or herself. In any event, self-pity and seeking attention or approval for it likely.
The Ten of Wands reversed can also mean that the querent is shouldering a burden that isn’t theirs to bear and that they either pick up or have placed on them involuntarily. Someone in their lives may be projecting emotional garbage. They may feel responsible for someone else’s success or someone else’s emotional well-being. It drags them down and they can’t seem to get rid of it.

This card reversed may simply indicate a hoarder who needs to do spring cleaning.

In a three-card reading, this card means…

Past: In the past, the querent shouldered a great responsibility and carried it through to the end, which has brought them to this point today.

Present: The querent is currently carrying a heavy burden, but the end is in sight and they will soon see relief and victory if they keep going.

Future: In the future, the querent will have to carry a heavy weight, but it’s simply what they have to do to meet their goals, and since the end is in sight, they understand that it needs to be done.