9 of Swords
Explanation
The 9 of Swords represents relief from cropped-up grief. The number 9 is a number of reward and rest and accomplishment. In the element of Swords there is not a lot of time for rest, but without any rest you'd just burn yourself out.
Meaning
Positive
Even for men, it is sometimes allowed to cry. Crying can help you get rid of intense cropped up grief, and much improve your outlook on the world.
Neutral
When this card falls, it is time to deal with grief cropped up over possibly a long time. It's now time to get rid of both the grief and the blockages it's caused in you.
Negative
This is not the time for mourning, which you could have been doing for too long now. Try to face the world without negativity.
10 of Cups
Explanation
The 10 of Cups is the link to the Swords suit. It is time to leave your own emotions behind and face the world and the tasks ahead.
Meaning
Positive
It is time to pursue your chosen ideal. You've mapped out most of the road ahead of you, now it's time to start walking.
Neutral
You've found hapiness when you've found your ideal to pursue. You know what you have to do to give your life substance, now is the time to get really started.
Negative
The ideal you've chosen might not be the right one for you after all. Take a little extra time to think about your goals one more time.
Death
Explanation
This is about psychological death (or: transformation), not physical death as we have to face in life.
Place in the cycle
Death carries the number 13, which is considered the unlucky number not now but throughout history as well.
It's composed number is 4, the number of structure and order.
Meaning
Positive
Get rid of the old (habits) and get ready to welcome in the new. Don't look back too often, which may make you second guess your decisision.
Neutral
You're in a period of your life where you've decided to radically clean up your act. Actually you've made the decision at The Hanged Man, the previous card in the deck, and now at Death you're ready to fill in the blanks of that change. The cleaning up concerns things that you know have to change. You get rid of things that no longer matter and will become blockages when you continue with them. But the new is not here yet, so while you cut old habits out of your life you may end up waiting for the input of the new. This may cause feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability.
Death is a card that does not fall frequently, it is a bit of a special card. When it does fall, you should spend time to understand it's meaning for you then and there. First of all to take away the negative appearance of the card, second because the card signifies an important time in the life of the asker.
The card may indicate relational problems. Getting rid of the old may mean abandoning someone you once loved.
There is the chance that you may want to kick out the old (habits) too soon, just to get clarity. Or you may end up in limbo, having eliminated the old but also not welcoming of whatever new is heading your way.
Negative
Don't make any (drastic) changes yet, give things time instead.
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.
7 of Pentacles
Explanation
The 7 of Pentacles is about perseverance, about not giving up the work. Yet it may also make you aware that while you've started the job, you're now perhaps also quickly tired from the work.
Meaning
Positive
You've got to decide, because it doesn't feel nice to be divided between two extremes; either you enjoy the work you've done so far, or you work some more right now.
Neutral
You're divided between a desire to be active, and a desire to be lazy. You want to stand still and admire your own work, yet something inside you is telling you you've done this for long enough now.
Negative
It's not wise to be lazy at this time. Your situation likely demands that you keep on working.
The Moon
Explanation
The Moon has been looked in all ways during our history. It has been both revered and dispised.
Where the sun ruled the day, the moon ruled the night. Those who knew the lunar cycles knew when they needed to seed and when they needed to harvest.
Place in the cycle
The Moon carries the number 18, composed that is 9. This composed number is the number of completion, of achievement.
The Hermit, also a 9, closed off the upperworld. The Moon closes the underworld.
You've faced a lot in the underworld, your own fears not least of them. Now it is time to crawl back up to securities and comfort, but there's work to be done before you're there.
Meaning
Positive
If you want to achieve a high goal, you'll need to walk the middle ground between the swamps. You'll need to articulate to others where you want to go, and in telling them about your desires expose yourself somewhat.
Neutral
You're busy with your feelings at the moment, re-finding your ideals and vocalizing your feelings despite that making your vulnerable. This is not the time to get stuck in the sea of your feelings, it is time to go onto shore and find the golden middle path toward hapiness.
Negative
Don't look at your ideals and desires too much. Stick to practical goals.
10 of Swords
Explanation
The 10 of Swords is about saying final goodbye to things or people that are bad to you.
Before embarking onto the final suit in the minor Arcana, the Pentacles, where you will use everything you've learned in Wands, Cups and Swords to accomplish your final goal, you have to get rid of some excess weight.
Meaning
Positive
You can safely let go of whatever or whomever has been bothering you for so long now.
Neutral
Knowing what you don't want is an important step toward knowing what you do want.
Negative
Now is not the time to burn these particular bridges yet. Give it one more chance.
Strength
Explanation
Strength is the second of the four midieval values. Justice, card 11, is the first, and the third, Temperance, is card 14.
Place in the cycle
In the Rider-Waite deck, the cards for Justice and Strenght have swapped places, because Waite saw links between the cards and the astrological signs Leo and Libra.
This card carries the number 8, and is the third and final assignment number. This assignment is no longer simple like the first two, but is all about standing upright in the real world.
Meaning
Positive
Stand up for yourself and don't bother yourself with others' opinions of you.
Neutral
When the card of Strength falls, you will gradually discover sides of yourself that you didn't know before. First you adjusted, now you've decided to go your own way. You are no longer bothered by the opinions of others. Even if others disapprove, you will go your own way. You stand up for yourself and accept yourself as you are. You don't have to be liked as much as you needed to be.
Negative
This card signifies a long process. When the card is drawn upside down, it usually means you're not going fast enough for real change to happen.
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.
