4 of Pentacles
Explanation
The 4 of Pentacles is about holding on to what you got. The number 4 represents structure and order, and fits well with the suit's element, Earth.
Meaning
Positive
Try to make a list of what you have, and what you would like to have. It'll help bring some clarity, probably.
Neutral
Holding on to what you have can often result in a tense attitude. But you can hold on in a relaxed fashion as well, if you remind yourself regularly at first.
Negative
Beware that you don't become too cramped while you're trying to hold on to what you have. Try to relax and allow others their fun as well.
The Tower
Explanation
The card of The Tower goes by different names in different Tarot games. Some call it The Tower of Destruction, or The House of God, or Tower of the Light.
Some think that The Tower gives reference to the tower of Bable, but there are no direct indications for this.
Place in the cycle
The Tower has the number 16 attached to it, composed that is 7. This is a ladder number, a number of ambition and climbing to new heights.
The composed number of this card is the same as The Chariot's, but where The Chariot represents balance, The Tower represents chaos.
You've come a long way in the cycle already. You've let go of the old to welcome the new, you've faced and overcome your fears, yet The Tower tears down whatever remains.
This card lets chaos loose into your life, so that creativity and growth can flourish. The Tower ends what The Hanged Man started. From here the journey back to the upperworld begins.
Meaning
Positive
Don't resist what happens to you, try to see it as exciting.
Neutral
Go through your fears so you will end up in kind of a freefall. You've put down your shackles and now you let go, anything becomes possible.
When the card of The Tower falls, something will happen to you that robs you of your (remaining) securities. Some things will happen to you that may scare you, but you can choose to see them as exciting.
Negative
Don't conjure up extra fears related to what happens to you. Remain able to react.
7 of Cups
Explanation
The 7 of Cups is about making a choice between different ideals. But Cups, with the water element, don't like making definitive choices that much, making this 7 in this suit a bit of a hard choice.
Meaning
Positive
Listen only to yourself as you make the choice of what ideal to pursue. You might even want to ignore the advice of those around you for this choice, as it is you who has to do the work to get there.
Neutral
You've overcome many illusions so far already. But you might be tempted to believe in one of those illusions again. Try to believe in something that's attainable this time.
Negative
When this card falls in an upside down way, you are probably too stuck in evaluating things. At least fulfill your existing commitments.
The Chariot
Explanation
The Chariot is pulled through the city with the conqueror on it to signal a big win to a large audience.
Place in the cycle
This card has the number 7 attached to it, the "lucky number" in Western Culture. It was and is seen as a magical and holy number. But it also encourages growth.
During the prevous card, The Lovers, all the wisdom of the first cards in the deck has been processed and a choice was made for personal growth. Now it's time to do something with all this baggage, to actually travel the road. A lot has been done so far, wisdoms have been accumulated and integrated into one's personality.
Meaning
Positive
The time to let others tell you what to do is over, you're ready to grow on your own. But remember; you'll have to work for growth, it won't just be given to you.
Neutral
You've probably gone through a time when you were growing toward something that (subconciously or not) scared you (a bit). Now you're ready to really grow toward the new, toward the exciting, and you're telling nearly everyone with enthousiasm and some naivety perhaps.
However, you run the risk of getting stuck in showboasting. You may claim all sorts of things, and then when push comes to shove you may neglect to make the necessary steps.
Negative
Now is not the time to be reckless. Look at things objectively and don't rush into adventure.
King of Wands
Explanation
The Kings are the rulers. With the experiences of Queens, who integrated the experiences of Pages and Knights, they act.
The King of Wands uses the properties of Wands (vitality, optimism, enthousiasm) to go out with confidence. He is seen as a leader with charisma.
Meaning
Positive
Use the positivity that this card radiates. This would be an excellent time for a job interview or to apply for any other position where others determine your suitability.
Neutral
You function well at the moment, now might be the time to take on more responsibilities, to apply to a higher rung on the ladder of success.
Negative
You might be too arrogant to some at the moment. Modesty gets you further.
2 of Wands
Explanation
The 2 of Wands represents the research and digestion of a new idea. The number of this card and it's element are somewhat in conflict; while the 2 is focussed inwards, the Wand's element fire is outgoing. Fire wants to steam ahead while the blackbox 2 asks for patience.
Meaning
Positive
You'll need to be patient, postpone your activities related to new things in your life just a bit.
Try to focus your attention on what's useful to do right now.
Neutral
You are confronted with a waiting period, and you probably don't like it. You'd like to embark on new endeavours, but somehow circumstances force you to wait.
Negative
Waits are not required here. Even if it seems something is stopping you, try now to get around the block and proceed with your new idea.
3 of Pentacles
Explanation
This card is about completing a masterpiece, it's the output number of the production cycle after all.
It's a chance to show the world what you're capable of.
Meaning
Positive
Don't let this opportunity to show off your skills slip by.
Neutral
You have received, or will soon receive, a valuable opportunity where you perhaps can gain some free advertising if you do the job well.
Negative
Although you might receive an opportunity to do some high-profile work, this is not the perfect time for you to be very ambitious in this (new?) field, you've yet to master the craft.
Page of Swords
Explanation
The Page of Swords is probably more than the other Pages an explorer at heart. The element of the Swords suit is Air, and Air is the best place to explore from after all ;-)
Just don't forget to analyse what you explore.
Meaning
Positive
Take your time to decide, and only decide after you have properly considered all the angles.
Neutral
You're in a situation where you have to decide about something, possibly about whether to embark on a journey with people who want something from you.
It is probably wise not to jump in the deep end without considering what you're jumping in to. It won't hurt to stand on the edge and feel the temperature of the water either.
Negative
Not everyone is motivated to hurt you or exploit you. You might do well by being a little more trusting with individuals who you think might be worthy of that trust. You can probably trust your instincts.
Ace of Pentacles
Explanation
With Wands, you surveyed the world for worthy goals and ideals.
With Cups, you decided on a specific (set of) ideals to pursue.
With Swords, you faced some initial problems on your road towards your chosen ideal(s).
Now in Pentacles, it's about the remainder of the work (with procedures worked out by Swords) that gets you to completion of your chosen ideal(s).
The element attached to Pentacles is Earth. And it's attributes are perseverance, taking pride in boring hard work, discipline, order.
Pentacles are often refered to as related to money. But that's a bit of a narrow view. It's about the hard work that completes the journey to an ideal and thus give your life fulfillment.
The Ace of Pentacles has the number 1 attached to it, which is always the number of a new beginning.
Meaning
Positive
You've figured out what to do, you sort of know how to do it, then now is the perfect time to start doing it. And don't give up easily.
Neutral
When this card falls, it might serve to point your attention to whatever is new and fresh in your life; a new job, study, love relation, business relation, project, etc. Look to the other cards in the reading to see what more can be said about it.
Negative
The plans you made for getting to your ideal might not be the optimal course for getting there after all. Stay flexible, something you encounter might be a shortcut for you.
