The Hierophant
Explanation
The Hierophant is another name for The Highpriest.
Where The Emperor is the chief of worldly power, The Hierophant is the head of spiritual matters.
Place in the cycle
The Hierophant carries the number 5. This is the number connected to humans. 5 senses, 5 limbs (including the head), 5 fingers on a hand, 5 toes on a foot.
Research (via known and unknown senses) is part of the number 5, with enthousiasm and in freedom.
Meaning
Positive
Use your mind, analyze the situation. Look at what you'll need to solve the situation and what your weaknesses in this task are.
Then seek help from a specialist and follow their advice. In the end, it's you who has to make the steps.
Neutral
When the card of The Hierophant is drawn, then there is something you want to achieve or solve. You'll be able to do this, because it's not the first problem in your path.
Negative
Go it alone, don't seek help. You can make it on your own. Don't bother others with your problems.
Queen of Pentacles
Explanation
The Queen in the suit of Pentacles becomes aware of her Earthly attributes; she's reliable and sober, able to give good advice.
When this card falls, it serves to make you more aware of what comfort relations with other people can bring.
Meaning
Positive
Now is not the time to be a hermit and avoid other people. Instead, seek out the company of those that appreciate or love you. If you feel like it, discuss your project or work or ideal with them, just to get a different perspective on things. Or just spend some time in silence with them, so your auras can replenish eachother.
Neutral
You might discover that you actually like the comfort of being with others in a safe environment, more than you previously thought.
Negative
You're too attached to the securities and good feelings that your loved ones provide you with. Those securities can hold you down too sometimes, and the tarot as a whole advises to avoid stagnation.
5 of Swords
Explanation
The 5 of Swords is about facing reality. The 5 is an assignment number, and in the slighly more difficult suit of Swords, it means you face a difficult challenge where your past experiences could hold you down.
Meaning
Positive
Try to figure out what it is that keeps you held down, then turn this weakness to a strength for dealing with the situations just ahead.
Neutral
You're working on new problems on your road to your ideal, but something from your past could be holding you down. Don't give up because of this, try to adapt to conquer the next problems on your road.
Negative
Try to let the past rest, and focus completely on what's ahead with as clean a slate as possible. The past is too much of an anchor on your leg right now.
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.
Page of Cups
Explanation
The Page of Cups is about cautiously exploring your own emotions (about the course ahead).
Meaning
Positive
Now is the time to carefully show your emotions to those around you, but don't go overboard straight away. Only show as much of your emotions as you need to get good advice.
Neutral
You've been rational about your choices for a long time. Now is the time to consider your emotions, and to cautiously discuss those emotions with those whose advice you value.
Negative
You're too cautious at the moment, it might be wise to discuss your emotions with others just a bit more.
9 of Wands
Explanation
The 9 represents rest after work, which is another thing (like 8) that the element Fire associated with Wands is not very comfortable with. Fire likes to keep going. This rest will probably be spent thinking about what to do next along the course to completion.
Meaning
Positive
It's not wrong to keep thinking ahead, but you could really use some real rest as well. You've earned it.
Neutral
You've completed a chapter in which you faced yourself. Your success has given you confidence, and now would be good time to get a little rest, but you're probably too impatient to truely do nothing.
Negative
There might be things on your horizon that you did not face before. Now is not the time to be arrogant or careless.
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.
Ace of Swords
Explanation
Swords represent the element Air, and relate to one's intellect, intelligence, and ability to communicate with others.
In the previous suit, Cups, you have chosen your next ideal to pursue. In the Swords suit it is time to face the world and try to make this ideal a reality.
The Ace of Swords carries the number 1, and is the first chance to inventorise what challenges the world around you and the people in it will throw at you when you try to make your chosen ideal a reality.
Meaning
Positive
Try not to make commitments too soon, first have a good look around to see all the actors and forces on the field.
Neutral
You have to take a good look around to see what's worth pursuing earlier, and what can wait until later.
Negative
You're too negative about either or both yourself and your surroundings.
The Emperor
Explanation
Like The Empress, this card indicates power. But instead of spiritual power, this card indicates materialistic, worldly power. The Emperor is sometimes compared to Mars, God of war and courage.
Place in the cycle
The Emperor has the number 4 attached to it. This is the number of order and structure, the number of matter; with 4 things can be built and organized.
There are 4 seasons, 4 elements, 4 wind directions. The number gives stability and orginanisation and discipline and a steady strength to get done what needs to get done.
The number 1 brings the idea, the number 4 takes it on. This also means that with this number 4 things can be decided one way or another.
While the previous card, The Empress, indicates a time to relax and enjoy, with this card it is time to get things underway and for the work to commence.
Meaning
Positive
Of all the things that are heading your way you must pick just a few or even just one to focus on. Get your goals into focus and stick to your goals. Be careful not to get distracted.
Neutral
This card falls in a time when you're busy and facing challenges. This means there is a lot to do and a large need to organise and structure your activities.
You feel strong and full of energy, you have willpower and selfdiscipline and an ability to close yourself to distractions.
Negative
Don't be too rigid, you can't achieve your goals with just strength, often wisdom and knowledge are needed as well.
