5 of Pentacles
Explanation
The 5 of Pentacles is an assignment-number card, and is about letting go of your securities. Pentacles element Earth (also) represents material posessions, so this card is about letting go of (some of) your worldly assets.
Meaning
Positive
Don't look back, and don't get depressed over what you've lost. Things may seem a little barren right now, but help is on the way.
Neutral
Despite losing something, you gained something as well; freedom from ties.
Negative
You're too afraid of losing your securities and thus setting yourself free.
3 of Cups
Explanation
The 3 of Cups represents hope, faith and love. The 3 is a reward number and in this suit of Cups your feelings during that number will be that of joy and self-contentment.
Meaning
Positive
This card will test your abilities to enjoy hope, faith and love, in the widest. Let go of all doubts and enjoy the comfort of the innocence of a child who believes all will turn out for the best.
Neutral
You might be feeling a lot of optimism about the future, and this is not unjustified, even though parts of the world might believe differently.
Negative
You can go overboard with enthousiasm and optimism as well. If this card falls in a negative, upside-down way, try to be more realistic, so you don't get disappointed later.
7 of Swords
Explanation
The 7 of Swords is about making slow progress because you can't trust the situation and/or people around you.
Meaning
Positive
Now is a good time for a little extra relaxation, to take the edge off. Make sure you sleep and eat properly, and solicit the advice of those you do trust.
Neutral
You're not exactly sure who and what you can trust right now, but by being cautious you can still make some progress, even if it's not as much or as fast as you'd like.
Negative
You're too distrusting at the moment, it's probably wise to give anyone the benefit of the doubt at least once.
The Hanged Man
Explanation
Inclusion of The Hanged Man in the Tarot could mean that Tarot has it's origins in Scandinavian mythology.
In the Edda is described how Odin hung himself upside down from the Yggdrasil, the tree of transformation, for nine days and nights, to better understand the runes.
This card can therefore be seen as a link to rune laying, another yet somewhat more mysterious divination tool.
But these observations can not serve as proof for Scandinavian origins for the Tarot.
Place in the cycle
This card has the number 12 attached to it, the composed value of which is 3 (an output number).
The year has 12 months, and therefore this card can be seen having a reference to the passing of time.
The Hanged Man is the first (composed) 3 in the second major cycle.
First you learned that you're not a plaything of fate, that you can make your own choices. Then you've learned how to fend for yourself and face yourself. Now, at The Hanged Man, you can learn to let go. You no longer have to cling to old values. You've found strength in yourself and by letting go, you allow growth.
This is the reward of the first output number (3) of the second cycle. The numbers 10, 11 and 12 may be seen as the gateway to the underworld. From 13, here, this underworld is truely entered.
Meaning
Positive
Allow things to happen to you, don't resist them. Follow your feelings and discard practical objections for a while. You're on the eve of a major transformation in your life.
Neutral
When this card is drawn, you've reached a point of giving up your resistance to change. You allow fate to take over for a while, and things to happen to you. You've got enough self-confidence to realise you'll make the right choice for yourself in whatever circumstances.
Negative
Keep your feet on the ground and don't jump into any adventure right now.
The Devil
Explanation
The Devil has since ancient history been the adversary of God, the opposite of God.
The Devil has many faces and is always waiting to make new victims.
In a psychological sense, every human has his/her positive sides, and his/her negative sides. Only by being aware of your negative sides can you overcome them.
Place in the cycle
The number this card carries is 15, composed that is 6. The resemblances to the first '6' card (The Lovers) are remarkable; in both cards security is a central theme.
With The Lovers, you made the choice against old securities yourself, with The Devil you will lose them due to outside influences.
The Devil is a very important card in the cycle. An enormous amount of work has to be performed at The Devil. Facing your fears will be a large part of that work.
The Devil kind of forces you to face your future.
Meaning
Positive
Don't avoid change. Seek some security outside yourself, away from your inner troubles.
Neutral
The Devil announces a bad time in your life, which also allows you to experience new heights later. After this bottom at The Devil you can only go up. You're busy changing, and in that process you now encounter your own fears. And you might not even recognize this!
Negative
This is not the time to face your own fears. Other issues in your life had better take priority.
Ace of Wands
Explanation
The ace of wands represents the beginning of an idea. The element fire and the number 1 give a powerful combination: enterprise and new beginnings apply to both. This is an energetic combination, which is why the card is generally considered a positive one. Spring is the season associated with this card.
Meaning
Positive
Try to focus on just one or two (new) things, it would be a shame to let all this new energy be divided over so many things not much progress is made with any of them.
Once you've decided, move ahead with full force, do what you like and don't worry about a thing.
Neutral
You're filled with new energy. Energy to undertake new endeavours in your life, sometimes maybe a bit too many at the same time even. Your attention could be flowing from one flower to the next, the next even more beautiful than the previous one.
Negative
One early flower doesn't mean it's full on Spring just yet. You are probably a bit premature by taking on new things and ideas right now, you have things to work out before you move on.
The Judgement
Explanation
The Judgement is a card that is near the very end of the last cycle of the major Tarot. It represents an outside source making judgement over you.
Place in the cycle
The Judgement has the number 20 assigned to it, and therefore has a composed number 2 attached to it as well.
2's are assignemnt numbers. And assignments can even happen while in a reward cycle.
You would be wise to judge yourself on the points that the external authority might judge you. Then it's verdict will be less of a suprise to you.
Meaning
Positive
Re-live your past, small piece by small piece, to see what you've accomplished and what still hurts. Take it easy though, don't ask too much of yourself during this process. Try to keep focus primarily on the positive sides of your past.
Neutral
By re-living your past, you get rid of old blockages and throw away the last burdens that are left over from your journey. Re-living the past may be painful at times, but it helps you close off the past as well.
Negative
You run the risk of getting stuck in the past, because if you move beyond it, you'll have to face the unknown.
So don't dive into the past when the card is drawn upside down, apparently right now is not the time for it.
6 of Wands
Explanation
The 6 of Wands represents victory (over yourself maybe). 6 is the number that represents the rewards of hard work, which you did in card 5. When a 6 of Wands is in your game, you might be feeling a little proud with your accomplishments. But some modesty might help you shine even better.
Meaning
Positive
Ok, show a little pride with your accomplishments. Nothing wrong with that.
Neutral
Showing self-confidence after your recent victory, means that others might recognize your achievement as well, and grant you the kinds of vibes that will further increase your self-esteem. Be careful not to fall off the horse though!
Negative
Now might not be the best time to show too much pride over something that others might not think as valuable as you do.
The Star
Explanation
The Star is a guidepost by which you can find your way, it represents hope but also unreachability.
Place in the cycle
The Star carries the number 17, composed that is 8. This composed number is an assignment number, like 5 is. It is a nice card, but one where work is to be done as well.
After The Tower, you're in the mess chaos left behind. The Star is your compass to find your way out of these problems. You haven't lost everything, you've still got yourself.
Meaning
Positive
Dare to show some vulnerability. Follow the stars and dare to hope. Try to see positive developments and pick up on them. You will re-find your ideals, try to open to them (again).
Neutral
You've lived in chaos for a while and you've accepted that chaos and might even have gotten used to chaos. Now you're challenged to step out of chaos and develop trust and confidence again. But: someone who hopes might be disappointed, so you will have to show some vulnerability, which won't be easy after the period you've just gone through. You might get hurt again.
Negative
Use your brains, don't get too naive and protect yourself.
