Lesson 5 - Assignment

[Amethyst Rose]

Same assignment as last week's, but with a twist. Due February 15th.

What is your favorite minor arcana card, and why? What is your least favorite minor arcana card, and why?

Bonus Marks:

Do a one card reading for me (the same as you are in your partner readings). You can post it in the lesson or pm it to me, which ever you're most comfortable with.

The following people need to hand in their assignment:

Rain Gnosis
badkitty
Brielle LaLune
Eternal Seeker

I've heard from a couple of you, and thanks for letting me know you'll be delayed. The rest of you deserve a spanking. :)


The following is a list of people who still need to hand in more than one assignment:

RiamonButterfly
AmethystMoon08
piglet
Autumn Eryn
MBeeHny
Willow_starr
ragnarokOmega
Wiccamagikal
demonique
Unorthodox
amp

All I can say is that you guys are giving me grey hair.

[Eternal Seeker]

You mean February 15th, I think? :)

[Amethyst Rose]

Uh....yeah. :)

[Anubis RainHawk]

Can we get extra credit if we do more than one for each catageory? There are lots to chose from, so it's kind of hard to choose just two.

Anubis RainHawk

[AmethystMoon08]

one card reading for you as in.. give YOU a reading? or our partner?

[Amethyst Rose]

Can we get extra credit if we do more than one for each catageory? There are lots to chose from, so it's kind of hard to choose just two.

Anubis RainHawk

Yes, absolutely. I actually considered making that the assignment, but it seemed to big for me. So if you want to do that, by all means....dazzle me. :D

[Amethyst Rose]

one card reading for you as in.. give YOU a reading? or our partner?

Do a reading for me, please. :)

[Shana-chan]

My favorite Minor Arcanas:

Four of Hearts: My probably most favorite card out of my deck, the Enchantment deck, is probably the Four of Hearts. It shows a statue of a woman, kneeling and holding out a plate with some sort of food on it, or maybe even a small fire (it's all gray, so it's hard to tell). She has purple flowers circling her head, and a bright white light above the flower-crown. There are heart-shaped alabaster pendants that are either falling into the plate, or rising from the plate (the artist doesn't have any concept of movement, unfortunately). From the way she sewed in the ground beneath the woman, it looks a lot like she's sitting on water, or on a altar that lays on the shore. The sky behind her is dark, and the border around the whole picture is in the shape of a heart. I think the reason I like this card the most, is because it has a very fantasy-like vibe to it. It reminds me of the Mists of Avalon (not the movie, the book), in a really good way. It's very mystical.

Now that I think about it, that's actually the only card I really like out of the minor arcana. There are others that are pretty, but I can tell by looking at them that I doubt the meaning is very good.

My least favorite minor arcana:

Eight of Wands: This is probably, most definately, my least favorite. It shows some woman, probably from the '20's to '50's, dressed in a really ugly, pink, flowery, short skirted dress. She has short hair, and a huge pink bow. I don't have anything again pink, but the lady just looks weird. Kind of dumb - after all, there are eight wands that are falling towards her at a great speed, and she's sitting there with her arms stretched towards them. o.O; Sure the wands have flowers on the end, but would you stare at the flowers when you knew that seconds from then you'd become swiss cheese from the wands? O.O o.o ^_^; Hehehe, sorry. This card just looks kind of goofy. Like it's not at all trying to be serious.

Princess of Hearts: This is another that I just dislike due to the artwork. It's what I'll guess is a want-to-be Victorian lady (maybe from France during that period, or something). She has a white face with red cheeks and a huge nose. Her hair looks like it hasn't been washed for weeks, and is a tangled mess underneath her hat (which has a heart on it). She appears to be lost in a ... I was going to say fog, but I see now that she's lost in a sea! What the heck?! She's standing in about three feet of water, looking at a map, her skirt is wet and she's not even trying to keep it dry. O.o She has fishes swimming around her ankles! -.-; Y-yea... huh... This woman is just plain silly... o.o

Last one, Ten of Swords: This card I simply dislike because of the meaning it portrays. It shows two children, one obviously seriously hurt, the other (about 12, while the other girl is around 5) trying to lift her up and wake her up. It's just very sad imagery. ;.;

As you probably noticed, I base most of my card likings/dislikings on the artwork and the meaning in the artwork, rather than the meaning that I look up. ^_^; Hope that's okay.

[Amethyst Rose]

Good job, thanks :)

[OriginalWacky]

What is your favorite minor arcana card, and why? What is your least favorite minor arcana card, and why?

Bonus Marks:

Do a one card reading for me (the same as you are in your partner readings). You can post it in the lesson or pm it to me, which ever you're most comfortable with.


Once again, something I'll have to do by suit... as I can't just pick ONE.

So, let's start with my favorites. My favorite Cups card is the Three of Cups. Three girls dance around holding up their chalices, they appear to be celebrating. It makes me think of good harvests, friendship, and joy. It also looks like they are toasting each other, perhaps because they have all accomplished something important. (LWB meaning: The conclusion of any matter in plenty, perfection and merriment; happy issue, victory, fulfilment, solace, healing.) It's just a very happy card in general to me. It reminds me very much of two of my friends and I who spent a lot of time together over the years, which is probably the biggest reason I like it. Seems like my feelings and the book agree pretty well on this one.

My favorite Wands card is the Eight of Wands. The wands are just in the air over a beautiful valley and stream. They aren't strictly lined up, as if they were for protection, and they aren't evenly spaced as if to suggest discipline. They are parallel, suggesting that they are similar, or heading in the same direction. The huge expanse of blue sky just makes me feel good. I think the reason I like it is that it reminds me of the Missouri River which I grew up next to. (LWB meaning: Activity in undertakings, the path of such activity, swiftness, as that of an express messenger; great haste, great hope, speed towards an end which promises assured felicity; generally, that which is on the move; also the arrows of love.) I guess my feeling about it isn't quite like the book here.

My favorite Pentacles card is the Ace of Pentacles. The hand that holds the pentacle would represent Spirit to me, and the fact that it's over a garden, which would be relaxing tells me that this would be a safe and comfortable place. In the background, there are mountains, but in the foreground there are flowers, and on the whole it's a pleasing picture which seems relaxing and energizing all at once. (LWB meaning: Perfect contentment, felicity, ecstacy; also speedy intelligence; gold.) My feelings weren't too far off the book's in this case.

My favorite Swords card is the Four of Swords. It appears to be someone who has died and been laid out for the funeral. Since death to me is but a transition, and not an ending, it's not a sad thing, other than the ones who will miss his physical presence. Though the person's face tends to look sad, that could be due to the positioning, not actual sadness at his death. To me it signifies peace, but with a change of some kind. (LWB meaning: Vigilance, retreat, solitude, hermit's repose, exile, tomb and coffin.) So I feel somewhat similar to what the book says about this one.

Now we move to my least favorite card of each suit. In Cups, my least favorite card is the Five of Cups. The figure stnading with head bent, the cups tipped over, the dryness of the land, all signify loss. There are two cups behind the person, which indicates they have something, but aren't paying attention to what is left because of the loss of the other three cups. The hunched shoulders, the grey sky, all are reather bleak, making the card feel sad to me. It's just a very sad card, which is why it's my least favorite. (LWB meaning: It is a card of loss, but something remains over; three have been taken but two are left; it is a card of inheritance, patrimony, transmission, but not corresponding to expectations; with some it is a card of marriage, but not without bitterness or frustration.) Well, I got the loss part down on this one. After reading the book meaning, I can see where they get inheritance.

My least favorite Wands card is the Ten of Wands. It's a young man carrying a whole bundle of ten wands, and they seem to be heavy and he seems to be struggling. He's bent and pushing into it, as if it's very ahrd, and holding the sticks with his arms wrapped around them makes me think he might be afraid of losing any of them. He's still distant from where he is going, and it looks like he may not be able to make it. I think I just don't like it because it looks like he is going to fail. (LWB meaning: A card of many significances, and some of the readings cannot be harmonised. I set aside that which connects it with honor and good faith. It is oppression simply, but it is also fortune, gain, any kind of success of these things. It is also a card of false-seeming, disguise, perfidy. The place which the figure is approaching may suffer from the rods that he carries. Success is stultified if the Nine of Swords follows, and it it is a question of a law-suit, there will be a certain loss.) I guess my feeling about the card disagrees with the book quite a bit there.

My least favorite Pentacles card is the Five of Pentacles. The two people, one crippled, walking by what seems to be a church in the snow seem to be cold, lonely, forsaken. Perhaps the church refuses them assistance, they are very poor and homeless it seems. They have ragged clothing and shoes, and the light seems to be bright from the church's stained glass window. Perhaps it could be a card that tells of searching for something, and maybe the church could be that something. I think I don't like it because I understand all too well what it's like to be out in the cold (physically OR emotionally). (LWB meaning: It foretells material trouble above all, whether in the form illustrated- that is, destitution- or otherwise. For some cartomancists, it is a card of love and lvoers- wife, husband, friend, mistress; also concordance, affinities. These alternatives cannot be harmonised.) So I'm not horribly far off on this one.

My least favorite Swords card is the Ten of Swords. It's someone laying on the ground, face down, and away from the front, and stabbed with ten swords, in the back. He appears to be dead, and it looks like blood is running along a crevice in the ground. The sky is mostly black, as if darkness is taking over. To me it signifies stabbing in the back, betrayal, and suffering at the hands of others. I don't like it because I've had too many people backstab me. (LWB meaning: Whatsoever is intimated by the design; also pain, affliction, tears, sadness, desolation.) Pretty tough to be far off on this one.

So, now you have a list of all the minor arcana cards that hit my buttons, one way or the other. I noticed that my least favorites were two Fives and two Tens, I don't know if that's a pattern to notice or not. The favorites vary more, with an Ace, a three, a four, and an eight. I'll drop my reading for you, AR, into your PM box, I'd feel better with that.

[Goddess Rhiannon]

I am using the Authurian tarot.

my favorite card is the Ace of cups...which depicts the holy grail....where nine witches or woman gather in a circle wearing robes of colbolt blue....which a chalace suspended over them...it is a beautiful card....and very tranquil to me.

my least favorite card would be the Ace of spears...or the grail lance card. Light shines in the castle window....illuminating a golden arrow...which is perched on a golden table....with four silver figures as legs.....the card is rather strange to look at...but just does not speak to me.

[Aidron]

With 56 cards to select from, this is a difficult choice. So many come
to mind that strike me as stand-out cards. Note, I did part of this in my e-mail, sending it to myself when I had to quit for awhile so if the paragraphs look off, blame gmail. :tongueout


Favorite Minor Acana Cards in the Celtic Dragon Tarot:

Ace of Wands - The ground is covered in a crystal formation, it
looks very similar to a clear or smokey quartz matrix that encompasses
the entire ground. At the very bottom an egg is cracking open with a
blue baby air dragon peeking out with one eye through the crack in the
egg's shell. Just above it and to the left another blue baby air
dragon stands half-way out of its shell, with newly formed scales upon
its breast and holding a golden or brass toned wand with a clear
egg-shaped sphere stone upon the tip beneath its right paw upon the
rocky ground. To the right and farther back into the scenery, a third
blue baby air dragon stands completely out of its shell, its head and
neck arced back and its mouth opened wide as if it is crying out in
jubilation or triumph-no doubt from the grueling task of freeing
itself from its egg. A very pale blue sky is visible in the
background, covered almost entirely by enormous and softly drawn white
clouds with a beautiful rainbow rising out from them and darting up to
the left and stopping at the border of the card.

I happen to adore this card because it includes the number 3 (the
three baby dragons), the gorgeous rainbow, the expansive sky, the
intricate crystal matrix formation upon the ground and overall I
happen to find aces to be some of the most beautiful cards in most
decks, with this one (and its partners) being no exception. It has a
grandness to it, but at the same time it's not an off-putting type,
which is why it tends to just suck me in to its imagery and keep me
there, like a good painting, lost in its beautiful scenery to debate
on the card's many details and possible meanings.

Two of Swords - A man dressed in medieval garb stands upon a
rocky cliff, with another such cliff standing out before him and the
two are connected by what appears to be a fallen tree with a few signs
of green life (vines) still somewhat visible upon it. He has barely stepped
out onto the fallen tree from his side and his upper body is arched
backward, with his right hand extended somewhat (as if in a hesistant
manner, appropriately enough). Below the fallen tree there is a
roaring pit of fire and smoke, relating to the dangers all risks and
choices hold. Upon the other side a dragon nearly twice his size with
orange-brown scales in a soft tones, numerous horns upon his head, and
what appears to be stones or pebbles for scales on his underside sits
expectantly clutching two swords in both of his forearms with the
hilts aimed toward the man as if he will offer them to him.

This card conveys in so many resonating ways the ideals behind it.
Hesistancy, stagnation, over-analyzation of what consequences may come
preventing you from making a choice or acting. The dragon and swords
signify that assistance and what you seek is available, but the man's
reluctance to cross and his withdrawn stance showcase that if you
don't act, if you don't go after what you want and if you spend all
your time in a state of worry you will simply remain where you are,
over complicate things and you may eventually not even see the forest
for the trees, falling victim to the very perils you sought to avoid.
This, like all of my favorites, is simply one of those very special
cards that even within a deck that resonates with you so strongly it's
even more apparent with these such cards. It's quite simply very easy
to comprehend and grasp its numerous messages.

Eight of Cups - A woman dressed in medieval garb (a yellow
dress with an indigo cloak, a white puffy shirt and a leather tote
bag at her side) and whispy grey hair walks away from a small pond
with fragments of ice remaining on it. Two green water dragons that
reside within the pond watch her almost curiously, and eight chalices
sit along the edge of the pond, empty but jeweled and
obviously very posh. The landscape seems barren, twisting roots to one
side perhaps from a tree that was uprooted, a smooth stoney cliff to
her left, and falling leaves fluttering in the wind. Off in the
distance a bright sun can be seen as well as many rolling hills and
mountains.

Many people dislike this card, but I find it to be very powerful. Is
she walking away from valuable prospects such as the jeweled chalices
and abandoning things on a whim or is she traveling away from a barren
life and situation toward a brighter future? So many consider it to be
the former instead of the latter, but I see both so vividly that I
cannot help but love this card's intricate dual nature. It could be
either or and thus is a very balanced card in my mind. Also, her hair
denotes that she might be an older woman, so this in turn hints that
hope and finding a better place for yourself in this world does not
have to come at any age. It's never too late to act, but it also makes
one wonder if this is a pattern for her, something she has done all
her life-abandoning things that is. All of this makes it into a very
rich card for me, one I'm always excited to see in a reading and
decipher.

Two of Pentacles - A young woman with golden hair and a brass
circlet upon her head is clad in a flowing white gown-like attire with
a brass-toned celtic breastplate over it walks over a wooden log.
Below her is a great canyon, albeit perhaps not width wise but depth
wise, and behind her a green earth dragon sits in a relaxed pose
watching her patiently and diligently. She holds two pendants in
either hand from their cords, each one a pentacle engraved onto a
metal similar in its brass tone to her breastplate. Two very tiny
green earth dragons also sit in her hands along with the pendants
dangling from her hands. You cannot see what lies on the other cliff
the log extends to, but the upon either cliff in the rocky formations
various faces of dragons, humans, and even a lion can be made out from
my point of view. The sky overhead seems quiet, very few clouds save
for one slightly large one that is eclipsing most of the sun.

This card resonates with me because it signifies balance, an important
ideal in my life. She could be balancing two jobs, her career life
with her home life, two seperate homes (such as a child who lives with
his mother during the week and father on the weekends due to divorce)
or the mundane with the spiritual. The potentials are limitless
really, even within just the realm of pentacles. The faces apparent in
the rocky formations and the green earth dragon behind her represent
to me that you are never alone, there are always concerned eyes upon
you looking after your every step. The girl's unhurried posture
relates to me that you must be calm, be patient, and take things one
at a time to succeed. All of these things, while easily enough to
describe and decipher make this card such a powerful one for me cause
I identify with each so much. The card quite literally conveys a very
wise philisophy for living life in my opinion, which is what makes it
stand out for me so much.


Least Favorite Minor Acana Cards in the Celtic Dragon Tarot:

Ten of Wands - A woman dressed in medieval garb with long dark hair is struggling to pull herself up and climb a rocky slope. The rocks are large, jagged, and few look sturdy or suitable enough to grasp onto. Several twisting roots can be seen emerging from the mountainside and a single twisting tree, either dead or on the verge of it can be seen to the left of her. At the top or at least to a resting spot upon the mountain, a white air dragon looks down at her patiently and with an encouraging gaze. It grasps ten slender brass-tone wands under its claws that are laid out elegantly in a fan-shape upon the rock it rests on. The background looks bleak, uninviting and full of peril with its grey sky and other foreboding mountains.

My main reason for disliking this card is the artwork. It is quite beautiful and keeps up to the standards of the rest of the deck with the exception of the woman. She looks more like something Picasso would have painted or a four year old than a professional artist like Lisa Hunt. The strokes used to paint her are whispy and appear unrealistic, not suitable for this deck. It's distracting to the eye and is a downright eye sore if you ask me. You can see the side of her face completely, yet there are no eyes, no mouth, no facial features of any kind really. It's as if she was painted in under 5 seconds as this was the very last card and Lisa Hunt just wanted to be 'done with it' and move on. Frankly, I want to slap her for not taking more time on this card. The woman's face should showcase struggle and exhaustion, not be blank. Though I guess it does showcase exhaustion, the exhaustion of Lisa Hunt and being unable to draw this woman properly. [sigh]

King of Swords - In the background you see stairs leading up to a simple yet powerful looking stone throne. To the right of them the shape of a dragon's face can be made out in the stone, obviously carved and not natural like some of the shapes in stone throughout the deck. It looks out over an orange and grey sky, obviously the scene taking place very high up such as at the top of a volcano, with smoke billowing out from the dragon's mouth. In the foreground the King of Swords stands, dressed in green pants, a brown shirt, an elegant red cape with golden designs upon it and a sword sheathed at his side. He stares down at a river of lava ablaze with flames and a large red fire dragon with gold detail in its scales and presumably its baby. The king appears to be in his... well, 60s or 70s possibly, and his expression is a lackluster one.

My dislike of this card as well stems from the artwork. It's all well and good until you pay attention to the king. Green pants? A brown shirt? Very earthy and dull tones, not very becoming of a fire suit. His age too bothers me. While I am not agist, fire is a vibrant element, and someone at his age with his somber and downright miserable looking expression does not convey that. It appears as if he is the stereotypical well aged man; bitter, bored, and with much contempt for that around him. The King of Cups is youthful, with the King of Wands and Pentacles being more well aged. This throws off the balance of the deck and in my opinion does not represent elemental fire accurately or properly. Plus, those damn green pants just look ridiculous on him. Bright hunter green pants, oh yeah, that just screams passion, energy, power, confidence.... [double sigh]

Knight of Cups - A young man with golden hair dresed in light blue pants and a white short sleeve shirt with a dark blue breast plate adorned with numerous sea shells, starfish and other sea curiosities rides a large pale blue-green water dragon through the waves. The knight's lower legs and the dragon's body passed its neck (though I assume it is serpentine in form regardless...) cannot be seen. Various sea creatures swim with them, fish, octopi, dolphins and perhaps even a giant squid if you notice one of the large tentacles at the bottom. The man has a golden chalice at his side, hooked by a blue cord to his belt. In the upper right corner a large golden chalice can be seen upon its side, as if spilling its contents which are the image of a woman with dark brown hair and another water dragon similar in color to the knight's into the scenery.

Again, it's the artwork that bugs me. I understand the symbolism behind the woman in the upper right-hand corner, albeit I think it makes little sense in accordance with the companion book, but this knight should not showcase female imagery I think. I have two female knights and two male knights in this deck (same with the pages), and the Knight of Swords and Pentacles are female, with the Knight of Wands being male. This to me unbalances the deck and frankly, when I don't have balance it drives me crazy. It's supposed to signify his awareness of his feminine side. Fine, but there's no need to stick a ridiculous looking woman in the card that only takes away from the imagery if you ask me. I don't interpret it the way the book dictates regardless, and I've had to literally struggle with coming up with my own unique interpretations to suit this card. That struggle combined with unappealing imagery is what makes this card a slight sore spot for me.

Page of Pentacles - A young boy dressed in light blue pants, brown leather boots, a soft brown tunic and a short-sleeve emerald green shirt underneath with a large golden pentacle pendant around his neck stands holding a book that's cover reads "The Meaning of Dreams" in his right hand. His left hand is upon the top of a brown dragon, an unusual looking one to say the least that looks like it might have come out of "Alice in Wonderland". The dragon has a quirky, yet "Huh?" expression upon his face and is seated, coming no higher than the boy's shoulder. Between the dragon's foreclaws on the ground a glowing interlocking pentagram can be seen. At the boy's feet a small emerald green earth dragon and orange domestic cat rub noses playfully. Above the boy and dragon white mist can be seen forming into various dragon shapes, swirling about them over their heads in a whimsical fashion.

Surprise, surprise, it's the artwork that bugs me in this card too! Whimsical? "The Meaning of Dreams"? White mist? What the hell is going on here? It sounds like the Page of Every Suit Imaginable, not the Page of Pentacles. Dreams I relate to elemental water, the mystical mist forming into dragons would be more air in my eyes, and the coloring on some of this looks more fire-like. In fact, the only thing that looks remotely earth oriented is the boy's attire and the pentacle pendant he wears. Seriously people, plan these cards out better, you've got colors that look weird, concepts that make no sense, and the boy's expression does not look reliable, serious-minded, or practical, common traits I associate with earth, but playful, care-free, and happy go-lucky, much stronger air and water qualities if you ask me. Again, because of poor artwork in my opinion this card provides trouble for me with divinations and thus makes it my fourth sore spot among the minor arcana.

[goldcat79]

ok the reading for the teacher's trip first i ask my deck to see if she and her family would have a good trip and the card i draw for this was the Eight of Pentacles from the Tarot of the cat people .

The card shows two people in this pic there are facing me the person sitting down she is holding what looks like guatier and on the head of this is cat faceand she is wearing a light brown robe that is full lenght and down the middle is a blue ribbon and on either side is a golden ribbon running the full lenght of the robe at the neck it has a white fluffly fur and at the resits it has the same fur and she has a headdress as well it has what look to be shells and golden bieds and the other person is standing and dressed in the same manner the background has 8 floating balls of different shades of blue nd the rest is black there are some stone collums that are where she sits

OK now i see someone that is learning how to play or part of a group in a event or a meeting of a clan there face are almost like stone showing no joy in wha there are doing but it would just like a dream if someone asked them to play the right song
ok the card was in the divintory meaning :

and it is : apprenticeship craftsmanship a person who learns quickly candorfrankness modesty haniwork personal effort


And Lesson#5
My favorite card in this would Knight of Wands: This knight has what i would call a bobcat that is as large as a lion colored like a tiger this cat has no armor the knight careers one wand in hand and it looks like bronze color with glowing gews at the top the knight is wearing a basic outfit has a helmet that has some jade gems on its top the sadle is purple with goldrings upon it and a tan sadle bags the sky is black with star showing
i like this card because i feel this card is like me i like things simple when it come about travel and work

and the card i dont like as much is the the Four of Wands:it too me show a man and his two cats lazy around his wands are on the ground he is holding a harp in his hand and he has on a purple robe that ties over one shoulder and has a jade ring and neckace on the sun is shining and the day just looks lazy and this card is me on a bad day when i dont feel like doing thing that need to be done

[Madjek]

My least favorites:
the VII of Swords: There is a man holding 5 swords who is tiptoeing away from some tents. There are two swords standing upright behind him. He has a smile on his face and it looks like he is rubbing his face gently on one of them.. He looks happy with his swords. I get the impression he might have stolen them.
The reason I don't like this card as much is because is has given me some trouble with the interpretation. What I feel it should mean does not match what my LWB says. In the LWB it says: New plans, wishes,Fortitude, perseverance, endeavor, hope,confidence,fantasy and partial success.
I absolutely don't see how they get that from this card. To me it means dishonesty, dishonor, mistrust, leaving things behind.

My most favourite
Since I have to pick one....it was really hard ...
VIII of Swords: The is a woman standing all tied up and with a blindfold. The swords are all standing upright around her. The wind is blowing her hair. She is standing over some puddles.
I picked this card because right away when I saw it I knew what it meant. My interpretation: feeling of helplesness, feeling tied down, unable to move on or forward, imprissoned, restriction, domination
LWB: crisis, somflict, domination, imprisonment, turmoil, bad news, criticism, sickness, calumny.
Pretty close I think.

[Bookgirl83]

I had a really had time picking just one card, so I did each of the suits.
Favorite cards

1. Queen of Rods A young blond woman sits on a throne. The seat behind her is decorated in red flames, and the armrests are lions. She wears a robe of orange and red, mimicing the colors in her throne. In her right hand she holds a rod, decorated with a red tassel. In her left, she holds a sunflower. A tabby cat is asleep in front of her. In the distance is a mountain range and a clear, sunny sky.
One of the reasons that I like this card is the image. I have always been drawn to fire as an image of strength, and the colors are very appealing to me. I really like the meaning of this card as well--caring, practical, friendly, sympathetic. These are all qualities that I admire, and strive to achieve.
2. Queen of Swords We see the profile of a woman sitting on her throne. She wears a silver helmet, with her crown, her long hair blows in the wind. In her right hand she holds a sword. In the background is a craggy mountain; the sky is dark and stormy.
I like this card because of the meaning it represents. This woman has faced hardship, but she is still strong. It also represents being quick-witted, intuitive and perceptive. Again, these are qualities I admire. Also, I think the card depicts the meaning very well.
3. Ten of Pentacles An older man holds his young grandson as the child watches him adoringly; he also pets the dog on his knee. Behind them, the child's parents watch the scene fondly. All of the people are well-dressed and obviously content. Ten pentacles line the top and right sides of the card. In the background is a well cared for castle, with a green lawn.
The meaning of this card is family wealth, security, inheritance, home. The meaning and the image go together very nicely, which is one of the reasons I like this card; it is easy to determine the meaning from the image. This is a goal of mine, a happy and secure family, one that is financially stable. If I had to pick an absolute favorite minor arcana card, this would probably be it.
4.Ace of Cups A golden cup sits on clear blue water. Two water lilies float on the water in front of it. Four streams of water shoot from the cup, landing in the water surrounding it. A dove flies in the golden sky, above white clouds.
Again, one of the reasons I like this card is because the image reflects the meaning to me. It invokes feelings of happiness and peace. Nothing can go wrong in this world. This is just a pretty card, designed to make one think of beauty and joy.

Least Favorite Cards
1. Five of Rods A group of five young men argue, each holding a rod. They are pushing and shoving each other. One has his rod raised over his head, clearly intending to strike another man.
This is an angry card, with an angry meaning. It clearly shows conflict, anger and violence. Both the image and the meaning it reflects are why I don't like this card. I dislike conflict, especially violent conflict. The fact that it is young men fighting says to me that they probably let their emotions and pride get the better of them; the conflict could have been solved without violence, and the fact that it wasn't is very sad.
2. Three of Swords A large red heart is at the center of the card; three swords pierce it. Behind the heart is a large grey rain cloud. Rain falls through a grey-blue sky.
This is an incredibly sad card, as it is meant to be. The meaning is separation, unhappiness, tears. The image of this card clearly reflects its meaning, but it is a sad meaning. Every time I look at this card it makes me want to cry and hug my husband. It's just the sadness this card evokes that makes me dislike it.
3. Four of Pentacles An old man squats on the floor of a building. His feet rest on two pentacles. Both of his arms are wrapped around another. There is a golden crown on his head, and a fourth pentacle sits in it. The man looks very pleased with himself, and a bit shifty to me.
I don't like the meaning of this card. To me, it shows someone who is too possessive of material wealth, someone who is unable to see beyond his wealth. This man is selfish and probably will spend his life alone, surrounded only by his wealth. I see this card in opposition to the Ten of Pentacles. Instead of using his wealth for his family and placing his family above wealth, the man in the Four of Pentacles hoards his wealth and remains alone.
4. Five of Cups A cloaked figure stands surrounded by mountains. On the ledge in front of him are three spilled cups of wine; on the ledge behind are two full cups. A castle rises in the distance, but the figure is separated from it by water.
This card represents loss, at least partial loss, and regret. Also, disappointment and sadness. While the meaning is not exactly a comfortable one, it is the image that makes me dislike this card. I cannot put my finger on exactly what it is about the picture that makes me dislike it. Maybe because the figure seems to be so clearly separated from a better life in that castle. Or maybe, I just don't like the art on this card. I just don't know, but I know that I don't like this card.

[Rua]

My favorite Minor Arcana card: Ace of Cups
The imagry on this card is great. It means: the begining of a relationship or new love, intuitiveness, joy, fertility. It is just an amazingly beautiful card.

My least favorite Minor Arcana Card: This one was hard to chose. I have a lot of least favorites! lol. The Nine of Swords, the Ten of Swords, and most of the Wands, I have a hard time with. The Nine of Swords means: sorrow, powerlessness, hopelessness, pain, suffering, misery, anxiety over a loved one. The card shows a person, I cant tell if it is a man or woman, crying in bed, I would guess this person had a nightmare of some kind. Above the bed hange 9 swords. The overall color of the card is black.

The Ten of Swords means: ruin, dispare, ending, disruption, pain, misfortune, mental anguish, desolation. This card shows a man lying face down on the ground in a puddle of blood with 10 swords in his back. The overall color is again black. Both of these cards just have an ominous, bad feeling to them.

As for not liking Wands, it is just for the simple fact that I have a hard time reading them. Most of the cards just have sticks in them and I have a hard time getting a meaning from just sticks.

[Lady Ravenna]

My favourite cards My 2 favourite minor arcana cards in this deck are Ace of Cups & 6 of Swords.

Ace of Cups – description This card depicts a baby cherub sitting in a golden chalice holding onto a rose, and sitting with the cherub is a dove (peace). The background is purple water and pink sky.

Why it is my favourite This card gives me a good feeling. Peace, love, beginnings, and it gives a sense of hope. To see this card in a reading would probably give the person a positive feeling. This card says what it means.

Meaning “Abundance. Artistic endeavor started. Beauty. Beginning of creative project. Fidelity. Joy. Love.”

6 of Swords – description This card shows a woman that looks to be walking out of a forest holding a candle. In the ground all around her are the 6 swords, one of which the woman is holding onto.

Why it is my favourite This is another card that says what it means, and gives me a sense of hope as well. The light she is holding is a ray of hope, she is coming out of the dark times and things will get better. This card also gives me a very positive feeling.

Meaning “Hard-earned success. Journey away from pain or difficulty. Obstacles overcome.”

My least favourite card My least favourite card in this deck is 5 of Cups

5 of Cups - description This card depicts an figure in a long hooded cloak looking down. The person is standing on a rock in a little stream, infront of him are 5 chalices each on their own rock. In the background there is a mountain, and at the very top of the card is a cluster of bright stars.

Why it is my least favourite This card gives me a very strange feeling. The person looks sad, lonely, almost desperate. I do like that this cards picture matches its meaning, I just don't like the bad feeling it gives me.

Meaning “Incomplete partnership. Inner turmoil. Loss. Superficial relationship. Worry. Regret.”

The weird thing about the cards that I chose is that each of these cards has significance to me right now. I chose these cards based on the feelings I got when looking through my whole deck, and it turns out that they each have special meaning to me.

[Aleigh]

Once again I'm going to have to do this by my favorite card to get in a reading, and then my favorite card for this deck (Celtic Dragon).

My favorite Minor Arcana card to get in a reading is the 10 of Cups. (Except for the fact that it turned up MISSING yesterday). In the Celtic Dragon deck this card shows a man and a woman standing together with their 2 children, looking at a table with 10 cups. There are rainbows coming from the cups, which symbolize their spiritual happiness and the balance of their emotions. There are little dragons crawling all over an urn on the table, and there are other larger dragons flying around in the air over their heads. The dragons on this card are supposed to symbolize the constant flow of magical energy. There is a large, sort of shadowy water dragon in the background that is supposed to represent peace gained from balancing one's emotions. (Though why it is in the Air when it is a Water dragon is beyond me).

According to the LWB this card symbolizes successfully reaching one's goals, Contentment and happiness coming into your life, strong friendships or love brightening your existence, or a possible joyful family occasion.

My favorite Minor Arcana card in the Celtic Dragon deck specifically is the Eight of Pentacles. The card shows a large dragon sitting with a book, reading to a little boy and girl. There are eight tiny dragons sitting with the children. The group is in a beautiful garden with a fountain in the background. The large dragon is supposed to represent the main astral teacher and guide who tries to guide each person into a positive path of life. The fountain represents renewal and the orderly conscious mind. The fountain is also connected with the subconscious mind and emotions, and shows that correctly using water (emotions) has a regenerating effect on the garden (the conscious mind). The smaller dragons represent minor helpful astral entities and companions.

The meaning of this card according to the LWB is that you need to take the time to learn new skills. You need to use your knowledge to create new opportunities, and Karma will bring good things your way; you will reap the benefits of past work.

I just love this image for the 8 of Pentacles, much more than in my other decks.

My least favorite Minor Arcana card to have come up in a reading is the 3 of Swords. In my deck the card shows 3 fire dragons fighting above a huge fire. They each are holding a sword, and are twisted together in a sort of Celtic Knot. According to the LWB the number 3 whas an ancient sacred number denoting the Goddess and her power of destruction and regeneration (death and rebirth). But in this card the power is tangled in a knot, representing the stopping of progress. The swords of action are being used for wounding, not liberating. The dragons are oblivious to the destruction caused by their fighting (the fire below).

The LWB meaning of this card is that arguments and emotional upheavals will dominate this period of your life. There is a deep sense of loss and betrayal caused by someone close to you.

I love the way this card was drawn in this deck, but I hate to have this card come up in a reading!

My least favorite Minor Arcana card specific to the Celtic Dragon is the 5 of Cups. It shows a man half-turned away from a table with 5 cups sitting on it. Two of the cups are laying on their sides spilling all over the table. There are small dragons fluttering around his head, but he doesn't see them. The man is supposed to be so blinded by illusion and falsehoods that he refuses to see the wealth of life and spirit that he is leaving behind him. The small dragons represent his astral guides and teachers (who he is ignoring). There is a dark, open doorway behind him that represents the unknown that he is about to enter without direction or aid from his teachers.

THe LWB meaning of this card is that you may be hurt from seeing through an illusion. This is a period when you tend to dwell only on negative events or happpenings. The card foretells the possibility of a divorce or the breakup of a marriage or friendship.

I don't like this card to come up in a reading, but I really don't like the way this card is drawn in the Celtic Dragon deck. It's completely superficial, but the man looks like some kind of cave man and he looks like he's not wearing any pants and he distracts me from getting any kind of meaning from the card. Not that everyone appearing in a tarot deck should look like a supermodel...he just reminds me of someone I knew in high school (and didn't like very much) and it really bugs me. LOL Every time I look at this card I shudder.

[LadyAutumnCat]

What is your favorite minor arcana card, and why? What is your least favorite minor arcana card, and why?

Bonus Marks:

Do a one card reading for me (the same as you are in your partner readings). You can post it in the lesson or pm it to me, which ever you're most comfortable with.


[COLOR=Indigo]I couldn't pick just one favorite or least favorite, so I am doing this by suit.

Favorites:
[B]Suit of Cups: My favorite here is by far the Ten of Cups. The card depicts a man relaxing with his five pet cats. The cats are all satisfied and content as is the man. His companion cats are in varying states of calmness, three are at his feet. One is rubbing up against his leg, the other is offering his belly, and the third is napping at his feet. One cat is sleeping on his lap, and the fifth is contentedly rubbing his face against the man's face. 10 cups are lined up in the background full of jewels. The colors in the card are beigish with some greenish undertones.

This card particularly touches me because I am a so very much a cat lover and am most content when my cats are all over me. To me, this card signifies comfort, family, and home. Everything is calm and in order. The man can sit back and relax with his furry family, knowing that he can let go and be loved. This is particularly touching because the cats are willing and able to share the emotion with their human companion, unabashedly and sure they they are loved in return. I feel so much warmth and companionship in this card. Illustrating the strength of the bond between human and non human animal. Family and home are not always conventional.

My least favorite in the Suit of Cups: My least favorite is the Five of Cups. This card depicts a couple with turning their backs on one another. Their cups are empty, their arms face downward giving up. Their compantion cat is hungry and looking in the cups for food, which is non existant. His last meal a fish, is now nothing but bones, and he is downtrodden as are his human companions. A light shines behind the three beckoning them to turn around and go to it, but they are too caught up in their sorrows and don't see the way out of their situation.

This card makes me feel so very empty and sad. I think of broken relationships and extreme loss. I think what hurts me the most about this card is the hungry cat. While the couple can go their separate ways and rebuild their independent lives, the cat can not make it on his own. He is hungry and sad through no fault of his own. His home is broken and he is suffering. The love is gone as is all the balance and safety. The family is broken apart, having lost everything. Renewal is possible, but they must all be stong enough to try to make it as a separate entity. The cat most at a loss because he depends on the love of his human companions to see him through.

My favorite in the Wands Suit: Four of Wands
This card depicts a man out in nature playing his lyre. His cats are relaxing next to him, their bellies taking in the rays of the sun. The man is comfortable basking in the warmth of the sun and being at one with the natural world. His cats are contented being with their human companions, relishing play time and down time. Far in the distance almost imperceptible are two cats staring at the man from within a cracked earth. Perhaps they are longing to be with him but are too caught up in their problems, or perhaps they herald the strife of the past.

This card calls to me because it represents a strong bond to nature and harmony. The setting is peaceful and content. It's as if it's a time of long awaited relaxation. I think of playfulness and friendship, as well as a return to the self through the natural world. Man is no longer outside of nature, but experiencing it as a wild animal himself. This is how I am with nature and long to live within it completely. The cats, despite being domesticated animals, quickly return to their natural world, and help the man realize his oneness to the natural world around him, allowing him to relax and forget the hustle and bustle of city/human life.

My least favorite card is the Five of Wands. This card depicts a man and his cat caught up in the disarray of the tumbling wands. They both attempt to hold onto the wands, but they are too far gone and disorganized. Darkness is behind them both and they are caught up in the melee. The cat is frightened, strongly clinging to the wand for support. The man dances around almost as if attempting to juggle and reorganize the wands.

This card signifies a loss of order. The collapse of dreams and hopes, as well as much needed order. I think of chaos and lost hopes. There is so much loss and conflict here. The solution to me is to let go of the past and move on. Let the wands or the past fall, and pick them up again to start anew. Unfortunately these two are not willing to do so and are caught up and held back by their past.

Favorite Suit of Pentacles: The Six of Pentacles:
This card depicts a woman feeding a slew of hungry, homeless cats that are all relying on her and looking up at her as their protector and provider. The woman is old and dressed in simple finery, she is not rich, however she feels that she must dress nicely for her companions. Six cups are behind them all representing her dedication and constant generosity. They can all rely on one another for love and compassion. The homeless cats and the lonely woman have a strong bond, they all need from one another.

I love this card because it reminds me of myself. I do anything to help lost, homeless, or sick animals. I can't bear to leave any animal alone, cold, or injured. I have a bond with animals that includes a strong dedication and generosity to them. However, it is not a one sided relationship. Like the woman in the card provides for them, they also provide for her. While I am feeding and caring for animals, they give me unconditional love and allow me to share my love and emotions with them. It is a reciprocal and necessary relationship. They complete me and I complete them. Our lives are forever intertwined.

Least favorite: Suit of Pentacles:
The Five of Pentacles -
This card depicts an older and poor woman in very drab clothing, grieving over the loss of her only friend, a skinny ragamuffin of a cat. The cat has died and she lovingly strokes his fur. She is consumed by his loss and fails to notice that her friend's spirit is behind her, watching over her, and enveloping her in a light of love and protection. He is physically gone, but spiritually there for her, forever. He is ensuring that his gentle and kind companion is not alone. The spirit cat is in the center of a pentacle, with each point representing hope and renewal, however, the woman is missing out on his signal.

This card saddens me because the woman does not realize that her friend is asking her to not mourn and give up, but to turn around and look up at his strong signal of love and hope. She has failed to realize that the loss is a new beginning, despite the pain. If she would only open her eyes she would realize that she still has him, and always will. I can't help but think of when my best friend, my cat, died. He sent me a sign and I didn't ignore it, I knew that he was giving me hope and happiness, despite the pain and loss, I knew that things would start over. I would never try to replace him or forget him, but would continually remember him and thank him for saving me and being my only friend. In daily life he is there, but this woman does not realize this. She is too wrapped up in her pain to see that there is still hope and love. She is missing out because she is so wrapped up in her loss. She is squandering opportunity, renewal, and love.

[B]Favorite Card: Suit of Swords:
The Four of Swords. This card depicts a woman playing with her companion cats. She is holding a cat dancer out to them as her companion animals play at her feet. The woman is dressed comfortably in lovely finery that she feels is worthy of her cats. She is relaxed and at rest basking in the comfort and love of her surroundings and her cats. Behind her four swords are orderly arranged representing stability and order.

This card speaks to me once again of the importance of human and non human interaction and family ties. Animals are comforting companions that allow humans to return to their playful and natural selves. They allow us to forget our woes and bask in the greatness of the all important moment! I think that it is critical to remember that cats despite their love for us are very independent however they share their love with us, that is why the people in these cards tend to wear their finest, as thanks to the cats and in order to worship them as well. It's an open exchange that benefits both sides of the relationship. I am like this woman and the animals in my life are like the cats, an open and loving companionship, love, and respite in one another.

Least Favorite: Suit of Swords: The Five of Swords
This card depicts a man leaning on his sword, he is wearing the fur of a cat with the head as its clasp. He is wearing a horned helmet and has a very intimidating look on his face. Behind him the swords are arranged as cell bars and his victims/captives are two leopards which closely watch him and lean on one another for protection. The man is alert as are the cats, it's a struggle for power.

I dislike this card because the man is cruelly entrapping the leopards. They are currently in a jail sentence and he is not minding them at all. He has temporarily conquered these majestic and endangered animals, reminding me of the destruction humans are wreaking on the natural world. Trapping the animals and destroying their wild nature does not signify human strength, but weakness and fear, as well as a distance from the true wild self. This card depicts everything I hate and am fighting, the destruction of wilderness.

I have noticed a pattern in my selections. I love cards where there is harmony and companionship with the animals and humans, while disliking all Five cards that to me signify entrapment of some sort. I believe it is important to be compassionate and caring, which comes through in how I react to the cards.

I will pm you your reading, as I feel more comfortable doing that.

[Flaire-FireStar]

late assignmnents

Hi Amethyst,

I'm just letting you know my assignments will be late because I'm currently battling the flu.

Just to let you know.

[Dashifen]

Favorite Card: Knight of Cups
I love the knight of cups. I’m a big fan of paradox and opposites that are inseparably bound despite or, perhaps, because of their paradox. The knight of cups I see as being either inaction due to reflection or, when reversed, action through emotion. To me, cups being the suit of emotion, intuition, and induction seems at odds with the concept of a knight which is inherently a person who acts from strategy and logic and must be in control of their emotions, which is only enhanced by our somewhat deluded but common point of view of knights (i.e. Arthur’s roundtable) who are always honorable, stoic, and respectful when dealing with others. So, then, how can we reconcile this stoic, active image of a knight with the emotive, passive suit if cups. This paradox is attractive to me, especially since I see it in myself and consider this to by a personal card.

So, I read the card as representing a person who’s thinking too much. A person who’s actions are hampered by their inability to resolve that action or come to a decision about what should be done. As a result of their penchant for reflection, this type of person often seems to be inactive, but is, in reality, just working slower to make a decision. Reversed, the card seems to indicate a person who’s active, but doesn’t act through logic but rather through intuition. Their actions are guided by gut reaction as opposed to logical reflection. Both of these descriptions describe me at different times and so I feel a sort of affinity to this card.

Least Favorite Cards: All of the Eights
The eights in the Vertigo deck suck. They’re hard to read because they’re symbolism is rather terse. The same reason I don’t like the Moon very much (the image on the card doesn’t match the meaning that I know the card to have) the eights are almost impossible for me to determine read according to the LWB. Granted, I’ve since decided not to worry about the LWB but I still think that the symbols on the cards have very little to do with the meanings that the author talks about which makes me wonder how much the author and illustrator were working together – at least on the eights. Most of the cards I can see the correlation, but on these four it just doesn’t work for me. It has nothing to do with the meanings of the eights, just the connection between the artwork and the specified meaning. Not sure if I explained myself well for this one, so if you have questions, just ask.

As always, these images are copyright 1995 and 2000 by DC Comics and were illustrated by Dave McKean.

[Rainlily]

favorite Card

6 of cups--In the 6 of cups we see two children standing in a courtyard. There are 4 cups on the ground with plants growing out of them and 1 cup behind them. The 6th cup is held by the boy who is smelling the flower before he hands it to the younger girl. To me the card is sweet and innocent, perhaps we are seeing puppy love here....awwww cute:) Ialso love the visual aspect of it,these card card features a lot of the colour yellow normally I don't like yellow but for some reason it works with this card.

Least Favorite card

5 of swords-- In this card we see a man holding three swords, there are two swords on the ground and behind him there are two men, one walking away, one holding his head down. The man holding the swords is looking back at them with a smug look on his face. What I see is that he has beaten these two men in battle and is gloating over their misfortune. I get the feeling that he is more pleased with their sorrow rather than his glory. This is the total opposite of the way I am, some people are poor losers, well I'm a poor winner and have a tendency to feel guilty and fell bad for those who lost, and this is why I dislike this card.

[~Elise~]

Dislike -- Just about any court card. Even with all the readings I've done, I STILL have problems with these cards. Symbolism on the cards help some...but I know there are readings that there is something I'm missing due to situational meanings that I haven't gotten down.

Favorite-- Nine or ten of cups. One being the wish card...the nine has a woman at the shoreline with a dragon rising out of the water to hand her a chalice full on riches...she has eight more at her feet already. What isn't to like in this card?
Ten of cups--happy home--family and all that jazz. What isn't to like here, as well. I love when these come up in readings for my clients. I can let them know that all the hard work they've done is paying off...in spades.

Elise

[Raven Reed]

I will say that this is harder than with Major Arcana. The cards are not as descriptive as the Majors, although fine for reading.

Least Favorite Cards

Six Of Cups -A wall, with steps next to it, are holding three cups containing purple flowers. In the foreground are three more cups holding flowers sitting on the bare ground. In the background is a house surrounded by trees.

I don’t like the connotation of childhood memories that this card has. It makes me feel uncomfortable every time it comes up, oddly enough.

Five Of Pentacles – Two women walk through driving snow. Both are wrapped up in muted colors, but one has covered her face and looks to internal concerns while the other looks out, enjoying the snow.

Ugh. I have spent too many years of my life “financially challenged” to look at this card without a sigh.

Three Of Swords – A heart is pierced by three swords. On the heard is a faint Eye Of Horus looking thing, with a tear in the corner, and a Venus sign. Each golden sword handle is lotus shaped and the middle sword has a Mars sign on its handle. The background is cloudy gray.

I don’t think anyone wants to get this card… Separation, heartache - I could do without.

Five Of Staves – Five golden haired women holding staves (strangely, thereare leaves spouting along them) are fighting. They stand on barren ground with a harsh sun behind them. Four are crossing staves and one is leaning so that she is getting ready to swing hers.

Internal dissention is another thing I have that I can do without. In the card, it is clear that the women are all aspects of the same woman. So this card strikes a strong note with me.

Favorite Cards

Nine Of Cups - On the ground that is covered in grass and little red flowers, a woman relaxes with her back to us. She is dressed in a pink gown and holds a cup in her hand. Before her is a table covered in a blue cloth on which are moons and stars at the border. The top holds eight cups, one from which streams a rainbow.

Who doesn’t love a wish card!? Also, material abundance and so forth are nice, too.

Eight Of Pentacles – A woman, in peach and muted green and a veil on her head, sits in a green, grassy field. Behind her are barely visible mountains. She is leaning over a pentacle. In front of her are paints and paint brushes. Above her head arc seven more pentacles.

I have had a hard time figuring out what I want to be when I grow up. The woman in this card looks so happy drawing on her abilities! I would like that to happen for me, too.

Queen Of Swords – A dark haired woman in pink robes sits on a stone bench. She has an Egyptian flavored crown on her head. In her hand is a sword with a golden handle on which is the Venus sign. The Venus sign is also etched on the blade. Around her feet are lotus blossoms (at least that’s what the book says... they don’t look like lotus blossoms.)

I like the intellectual flavor of this card. I think I want to BE this card, of all the court cards.

Six Of Staves – A golden haired woman in pale gowns rides a horse. There is a laurel wreath upon her head. The horse’s reins and harness are dagged and it wears a cloth looking thingy (it looks like the horse is also wearing a dress). Surrounding them are six staves, one with another laurel wreath with a red ribbon.

Victory! Success! Aknowledgement! Wonderful. I want it.

[Devi]

What is your favorite minor arcana card, and why?

My favorite minor arcana card in the osho zen deck is the queen of pentacles.

I love this card because of the similarities I see in myself, my sister and my mother.

The image is of a woman sitting on top- of a big pink colored lotus. She is dressed in a bohemian or hippy styled green dress. The dress is adorned with pink and yellow decorations. She has a shawl of green yellow orange and red draped over both arms. Her jewelry consist of bangles in a variety of rainbow colors, she wears big gold hoops at her ears and a white silvery necklace or laced garment decorated with symbols of the zodiac. Her hair is long and black and looks like it could be either long waves or long locs,on top rests a beautiful wreath of colorful flowers. She sits on this pink lotus outside in nature. She appears to be situated halfway on the grassy green earth and the flowing blues of water. her back faces trees with autumn inspired leaves. A big white doughnut shape floats directly behind her. The outer shaped contains white flowers that seem to float upward going beyond the shape and changing colors of pink and purples merging with the sky until the edge of the scene.The outer rim of the doughnut glows a warm yellow and the hole itself contains a dark sky with stars sparkling all around. The woman's arms are raised as if she's peacefully in-tuned to all that surrounds her and even maybe a little beyond that.

This card gives off a feeling of feminine nurturing and earthy femininity. The motherly feeling of giving and receiving love. This woman also radiates kindness to me. This aspect reminds me of my mother. The woman also reminds me of my sister. She has an aura of confidence in who she is and what she has to offer. She is comfortable with her emotions and also maintains a down to earth and grounded nature. The woman's garments and sense of style reflect my personality. The eclectic clothing and jewelry tells me that this woman does not mind being different from the norm. Her style is simple but expressive. She sits peacefully outside which to me reflects her love or connection to mother nature and to her surroundings. The water rushing around her and the peek of night sky reflects her sensitive and intuitive nature.

A small part of the osho zen description states"The Queen of rainbows is like a fantastic plant that has reached the apex of it's flowering and its colors. She snaps her fingers to the music of love,and her zodiac necklace is placed in a way that Venus lies over her heart.

Another interpretation of the queen of earth states,"Fertility possible parenthood. Creating prosperity and harmony. Beauty,wealth,the home.Regality,warmth and affection. Love



What is your least favorite minor arcana card, and why?


Now for the most disliked minor arcana, my actual problem with the card deals with with having confusing interpretations.

This particular one is the five of staves.

On my osho zen deck the five of staves is represented by three trapeze artists . They have situated themselves carefully and are in perfect sync and are in the process of changing partners. The sun burns brightly behind them feeding them energy or representing the intensity of their concentration. The one on the left wears a red leotard with blue stockings she swings with her arms outstretched hanging upside down with her eyes closed. The middle woman wears a red leotard with green stockings and is reaching up toward the first woman. She is being swung by her ankles by the third and final trapeze artist who is also wearing a red leotard but with purple stockings.

This card to me represents the ability to do great things with preparation concentration and practice. Achieving goals through cooperation, participation, and trust.

In my ancestral tarot deck the 5 of staves is represented by an outdoor scene. The staves are represented by elements of egyptian culture during the reign of Ramses II. In the background stands a huge rock structure. It looks as if the beginning of some carved structures jut out on different places on the structure. There is a walkway leading up to a stone wall and then a doorway opening to the rock slab. This walkway is also adorned with animal statues lined up on each side. Four Palm trees sway to the left, two on each side. At the closest end to the viewer sits three people. They surround a large rectangular cloth or paper which seems to be some sort of building plan or design. The three individuals are dressed in white and seem to have different architectural tools between them. They each seem involved in their own individual area of expertise and are carefully making calculations. A fourth figure dressed also in white, but more decoratively, stands to their right. He is adorned with a headdress of high authority and holds out a stave that appears to have a bird's wingspan for a tip with curling snakes around the the bottom. This individual seems to have the position of authority and is directing the other three through their planning process.

This image like the previous card also represents camaraderie and goal reaching. Working well together to produce something special.

However, with the Goddess tarot the meaning takes on a different feeling. With this deck the five of staves is represented by five women involved in a heated battle. The sun burns brightly behind them fueling their anger or symbolizing their heated emotions. Each woman hold a staff. Four have their staves outstretched and are hitting each other. The fifth girl is approaching from the side. Her face looks angry and you get the feeling she is about to join in this conflict.

These images represent struggle and animosity to me. Something has gone wrong and these woman have turned on each other. No one is thinking. This seems like an rash act done on pure emotion-anger.

So this meaning seems to vary and is a little confusing to me.

[Lolith]

Like many others, I could not pick just one favorite and least favorite so I picked one from each suit.

Favorites:

Ace of Pentacles. A huge golden coin is floating above the ground. There are ivy vines entwined with the silver pentacle on the coin. Underneath the pentacle is a lush garden. It is a very rich, green garden with lots of flowers and trees. The trees are full with leaves and raise up behind the pentacle. On the ground is a gravel walkway running through the middle of the garden. It leads up to an empty stone pedestal. Behind the pillar and past the garden are distant, misty hills.

Reason: Even though this card does not strike an automatic feeling about it, I think this card is absolutely beautiful which is why I picked it as one of my favorites. The garden looks realistic and the flowers look exotic. There is nobody around and it looks like a perfect place to just sit and relax. It just seems so serene. This is a place I would love to visit.

2 of Wands. A young blond man is standing in front of an open window with his back to us. He is dressed richly is blue and red. In his right hand he holds a globe, and in his left a wand. To his right is another wand bolted into the wall. Through the open window he is looking out onto a wide open sea. The sea is very blue and very calm. Near the shore is a beach, and off to the side is a hill with a lighthouse on top. The sky overhead is mostly cloudy.

Reason: When I see this card I feel the longing to travel. I am a very restless person, and I imagine this young man to be the same. I picture him looking out over that ocean thinking of all the places he could go. The globe in his hands reminds me of all the maps that I have. I'm always looking at them and dreaming up plans to visit all the places I want to. I guess I like this card because it makes me think about the places I want to go, and in a way pushes me to try to follow through with the plans.

6 of Swords. *Since I have already typed up a description for this card I am copying what I put down for assignment 3* A blonde man is sitting in a boat. He is wearing a puffy white shirt with a black band on his right arm. On his back is a blue cape, and on his legs are a pair of red pants. He has one arm resting on the side of the boat, which, by the way, is in the shape of a large, white swan. The 6 swords are in the front of the boat point down. Behind the man is an image of a cloaked person. The person is completely see-through and is standing. In this person's hands is the oar, so you know it's controlling the boat. The man seems to just be relaxing and enjoying the ride. The water is clam and a very clear shade of blue. The only disturbance is the ripples from the moving boat. The boat is moving towards some land which is very hilly. The hills are a healthy shade of green with only a few trees. On top of one of the distant hills is a small figure, which might be a house. Right on the shore is a dark spot (which I'm assuming to be a cave). In the middle of this spot is a white star. Above the land is the sky which is a perfect sky blue, and has a few puffy clouds in it. It appears to be a beautiful, partly cloudy, spring day.

Reason: I love everything about this card including the peacefulness I get whenever I look at it and the lesson it gives me. The ghost of a figure rowing the boat reminds me of my intuition. The person is just sitting in the boat letting it go where it pleases, and seems so relaxed about it. He completely trusts his gut instinct and does not fear where it will take him. When I see this card I am reminded to trust my instinct, which is something I often have a hard time doing. When I fight it is usually when I am wrong. If I were to trust myself completely maybe I would lead myself to somewhere beautiful and peaceful, just like in the card. The hills in the background remind me of places I want to go, and the overall feeling of this card brings peace to mind.

5 of Cups. A person dressed in a black cloak is standing with their head hung. He or she is looking at 3 spilt cups at their feet. The red contents are spilling onto the ground. Next to this person are 2 more cups, but these are still upright. The person is standing on some grassy land with a creek running next to them. On the other side of this creek is some hilly land with a stone cliff in the background. On the cliff is a town. The color of all the grass is pale green. The sky overhead is cloudy with a hint of a possible storm coming. There is a lone bird flying in the sky.

Reason: Even though this is considered a "bad" card, this is one of my favorites. The initial feeling I get when I look at this card are great loss. As I continue to look, I get the feeling that there still is some hope. I find something strangely beautiful about the cloaked figure. The way they are standing and looking at the tipped over cups just gets to me. I can somehow feel their loss, and can understand why everything appears so bleak. As a person who can see the whole picture, however, I can see the still standing cups, so I know that when I loose something important to me I need to look for the hope in the situation.

Least favorites:

7 of Pentacles. A man is standing admist lush green leaves. He is dressed in matching brown jacket, hat, and gloves with a green scarf tied around his neck. He has a pleased look on his face, and is leaning on a wooden stick. The leaves surrounding him are large and appear to be some sort of ivy. There are 7 pentacles throughout the leaves and are arranged to look like flowers in the leaves. The sky behind the man is blue with clouds.

Reason: To me this card seems very cheesy. While I like the leaves and coins, the way the man is dressed just looks weird to me. The jacket he has on has fringe on it, and his hat seems like the one Indiana Jones would wear. The way he is wearing the scarf just adds to that image. He is supposed to be a gardener looking upon his work, but I can't seem to see it that way. My first thought when I see this card is "Look, it's Indy..." It always makes me laugh, and is kind of distracting to the reading.

8 of Wands. 8 wands are perpendicular to each other. The crystals on their bottom ends are glowing, and appear to have flames coming out of them. The setting for this card is outerspace. The earth is at the bottom, and you can see the Moon and Jupiter is the background with one other planet or moon. The wands appear to be rocketing through space.

Reason: I understand the symbolism used in this card, but it just appears silly to me. This card seems so out of place in this deck. All the cards are of setting on this earth, then all of a sudden you have wands flying through space. It's a good looking card, but it just doesn't seem right to me. Once again, it seems too cheesy to me.

10 of Swords. A person dressed in purple is laying face down on the ground in a puddle of their own blood. There are 10 swords stabbed into his back. The ground is white, with the exception of the blood. The background is a black sky (?) with some yellow near the horizon. It seems to be a possible strange looking sunset.

Reason: The main reason I don't like this card is that it seems undone to me. There are vibrant colors in it, but even they are washed out compared to the other cards in this deck. Another thing is the background, when compared to the others, seems like the artist took the easy way out. There is nothing there but blackness with a little bit yellow. It's hard to tell if it's a wall or a sunset, and the only clues are very, very, pale streaks of light (?) I know I didn't create this deck, but I think there should be something else in this card, it just appears so empty.

Knight of Cups. A man dressed in green is riding a horse. He has scales on his arms and a fish belt around his waist. In his hands is a cup with a heart on it. The horse he is riding had a fish tail for its backhalf, and its front hooves are flippers. Its mane is all suds. The two of them are riding through water which is very choppy. There are lots of suds and the water shimmers with the colors of the rainbow. The sky overhead fades from pink to blue.

Reason: This card screams cheesy to me. It just seems so overdone with the suds and fish. I know cups are a water suit, but come on. The outfit the knight has on and the straps on the horse are just covered in fish and scales. The mane on the horse drives me nuts, and I flat out just don't like the way it looks. It doesn't appear very welcoming to me at all. The rainbows in the water remind me of the way oil looks in puddles on the street, and the sky seems like the sun can't decide to set or rise. Besides the images, if this card were to ever come up in a reading, I wouldn't know where to start with it.

Well, there you have it. I didn't notice any patterns in the numbers of the cards, unless you want to count that all my least favorite cards are all higher numbers. I doubt that means anything though considering the reason I picked them were because of the artwork. My favorite cards just jump all over the place, and were picked mostly for the feelings I get when I look at them. As for the extra credit reading, I will PM that seperately (why not give it a shot :hahugh: ).

[Valkie]

What is your favorite minor arcana card, and why? What is your least favorite minor arcana card, and why?
This took quiet a bit of thought... there are a lot of cards to choose from!

Dragon Tarot

For me, my least favorite is the 4 of cups (http://www.tarot.com/images/decks/dragon/full_size/39.jpg). The picture is of a mother dragon flying down to her nest, which is on a rock in the middle of water. It's night, the sky is hazy and the moon is on the left. There are three dragons in the nest, too big to be considered newborns but no where near close enough to adult.

It symbolizes the duties are responsibilities that come with love. To care for others and forsake yourself. There is a air of loneliness about the card, of isolation.

My favorite card is the 4 of wands (http://www.tarot.com/images/decks/dragon/full_size/25.jpg). Situated in the middle of a desert is a black obilisk with white stars. On either side of the obilisk is a palm tree. The sun is in the middle to the left and the red dragon is wrapped around the base of the obilisk.

This card holds a sense of comfort for me. Though the obilisk symbolizes the unknown, it is embraced by the dragon and protected. The palm trees show that there is life here and a reason to celibrate, much like coming across a mirage in the middle of a desert.

[Ivy Artemisia]

My favorite Minor Arcana card- Three of Cups

I really enjoy the imagery that the three of cups brings to mind. In the Gilded Tarot, there are three women dancing with ribbons. They float high above a pool of water. They are in the background of the card, each is holding a ball of light. They are clothed in pastels, gree, blue and pink, and they each have a different hair color. In the foreground, there are three cups. One is 'standing' in the top of the water, the other two are pouring water into the first. The water looks as though it is reflecting sunlight during a spectacular sunset, but the sky is a darkened sort of twilight.

The reason I like this card is because of the joy and laughter within it. It looks like they are having a lot of fun. It also implies togetherness. I have two really good close friends right now and it reminds me of us and how much fun we have when together. The cups sharing water symblolizes us sharing knowledge, wisdom, ideas and fun! That's just how it correlates to my life.

My LEAST fave Minor Arcana card- Ten of Swords

This card, in the Gilded Tarot seems pretty sad. The sky is darkened, as though night is approaching, and a thunderstorm along with it. There is a sillouette of mountains in the background, maybe representing obstacles the man could not overcome? Anyway, there is a man, sprawled facedown on the ground. Ten swords are superimposed over the mans image, appearing to stab him in the back. He's obviously been lying there motionless quite a while, because a deer approaches him. Three dark black birds are flying off in the distance- could represent the three aspects of the Morrighan.

This card just seems so sad. I can almost hear sad music being played as the dear approaches and the crows fly in the distance. It just seems as though this man had probably tried really hard, and just to fail so miserably... its just sad.

[CanisFirebrand]

I'll be posting this in stages, since it will be a large post. I want to save it here and keep editing it until I am done, just so I don't lose everything I type.

Hard to pick just one favorite and least favorite out of 50 or so cards. :)

So, I picked one for each suit, 8 in total :eek:

Deck: Gothic Tarot

Favorite Cards:

Cups

Card: Queen of Cups

Description: A woman standing on the ground with a blueish mist around her. She is facing west, if you use the top of the card as pointing to north.

She is wearing a flowing black dress. The back of the dress trails off behind her and out of the frame of the card.

At her waist is a silver daggar. The daggar hilt is pointed to the northwest while the point is pointed to the southeast. The hild of the daggar has a red jewel on its end.

The woman's hands are outstreatched. Her left hand is pointed palm down to the southeast. Her right hand is upraised and pointed to the northwest while holding a single silver goblet with red jewels around its perimeter.

The black dress drapes from her right arm as if it is extra material making a wing like appearance.

I can't see the placement of her feet as the dress goes all the way to the ground. But it apperas that her right foot is slightly in front of her left and about shoulder width apart.

The way she holds the cup suggests that it is either in offering or she is asking it to be blessed for consumption/use in a ritual.

The woman looks a bit vampirish in nature(her skin is fiar looking and pale/whiteish) and reminds me of Morticia Adams in appearance. Her long, black hair flows behind her. Upon her head and going down the length of her hair, appears to be spikes of some sort, perhaps a type of crown.

My Thoughts: Regal, majestic beauty. The card is striking in its simplicity.

What my LWB Says: Divinatory Meaning: Honest, gentle and warm, dreamy, a mysterious nature, intuitive, sensuous and sensitive.

My Analysis: I can see those traits in the card. The woman is poised and very regal looking while she extends her arm to raise the chalice. Rightly so, since she is the queen of her suit. She appears to be a gental woman and a sense of mystery surrounds her as there is nothing nor any trace of where she might be.

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Swords

Card: Knave of Swords

Description: The setting is a graveyard. Three tombstones are visible in the picture. The tombstones are in the foreground of the picture.

The tombstones are lined up from left to right. The one on the left and right are set back a slight distance from the one on the middle.
The left tombstone has a cross at the top. The right is the typical shape of a tombstone that you see in movies and pictures. It is rectangular with a curve upon the top.
The middle tombsone is a large rectangular shape that is taller then the other two. In the middle of this tombstone is a carved out section which has a sword carved into it. The sword blade is pointing down towards the ground.
A mist covers the ground and encicles the three tombstones.

Perched upon the middle tombstone is a gargoyle. The gargoyle is sitting with the feet and hands resting on the top of the tombsone. His long tail curls around the left of the tombstone to the front. The hands and feel have very long, sharp and dangerous looking claws. The gargoyle has large wings that are openedand spread apart. The gargoyle has large pointy ears upon its head. Also, the chest and facial expression are hidden by dark shadows. The eyes are cat like slits that are bright white.

The time is night time, as evidenced by the deep black sky and a brightly lit full moon.

My Thoughts: A card that just seems to draw you in. I've always admired the look and beauty of gargoyles so this was a natural choice for a favorite card.

What my LWB Says: Vigilant, perceptive, secretive and possibly deceitful, one who watches and waits for opportunity.

My Analysis: The card seems to fit these descriptions very well. The gargoyle is perched waiting and could be seen as vigilant. Secretive and deceitful are present in that the facial experssion of the gargoyle is hidden in the shadows. The gargoyle is waiting for a visitor or sign before reacting.

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Pentacles

Card: IV of Pentacles

Description: A woman stands on a ledge. It looks like it is part of a tower from a castle. The ledge she stands on has a gargoyle head at the end. the gargoyle has horns that are pointed backwards and curve inwards, kind of like a gazelle I think it is.

The tower has, on its wall facing you the viewer, four circled pentacles lined up vertically. On top of that wall sits a majestic looking cat-like gargoyle. The gargoyle has two horns pointing up and a pair of wings that are relaxed, though slightly open. His teeth are showing as his mouth is slightly open.

The woman is dressed in a black gown that has extra material trailing behind her and to the right. Her left hand is raised and she appears to be stroking the underside of the cat-like gargoyles chin. The gargoyle appears to be alive and is a companion to the woman as he is permitting her to stroke his chin even though he bares his menacing looking teeth.

My Thoughts: Another card that features an awesome gargoyle. These cards were easy for me to pick because of that. But that wasn't the only reason, the poise of the woman who looks like she is in her element gives an air of awe to the card.

What my LWB Says: Gifts, legacy, inheritance, an attainment of wealth or power may lead to greed, possessiveness, spoiling.

My Analysis: As with many of the cards in this deck, the meanings in the LWB don't seem to fit with the artwork. I do get a sense of possessiveness from the card, in that the woman has an attitude about her like she possesses the cat-like gargoyle. It also appears that even though she appears to be possessive of him, she is spoiling him by stroking his chin.

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Wands

Card: X of Wands

Description: This card features a beautiful female vampire, wearing a white dress, descending a set of curvinf stairs. The picture shows her with 3 steps in front of her still to travel, though I am certain there are a few more beyond the lower border of the card.

Behind her, surrounded by mist are the 10 wands. Each wand is a straight shaft with a metal looking circular piece on top with a red jewel in its center. Beyond the wands is blackness. And nothig can be seen beyond them.

In her right hand, she carries a candelabrum (three candles). The candles are burning and leaving a trail of smoke/heat behind them that has mist-like qualities to it.

At the base of the stairs on a pillar is a Gargoyle statue with its head turned looking at the female as she descends. The gargoyle is very feline in structure with wings in an open position and its mouth open as if to speak.

My Thoughts: A card that inspires intrigue to me. I am left wondering just where the woman is coming from and where she is going to. The gargoyle beacons her and is protective. A stunning card.

What my LWB Says: The trappings of success, fortune and gain come at a price, a burden to carry, opression, a lawsuit may end in defeat.

My Analysis: To me, the card seems to represent acceptance of the path you have chosen. The 10 wands at the top of the stairs are seeming to block the path of the woman, should she choose to turn and ascend the stairs.
Combine that with the fact that the gargoyle has its head turned to watch the lady approach and has its mouth open as if to speak or beacon her to him. She is very much in her place and is seemingly resigned to the path she has chosen and is repeating it as if it is her nightly ritual. I get the feeling she is either descending to tend to the lighting(all the candles) in what would appear to be a castle, or is going to great a visitor.

I would guess its a card saying you must accept the path you have chosen and do not linger or think of what might have been by turning back. The path you came from is blocked and you can only continue on in your journey.


---------------------------------

Least Favorite Cards

Cups

Card: IX of Cups

Description: The entire card is in blue except for the the background. The card shows an egyptian mummy, think the kind you see in movies. The mummy is in a sarcophagus(sp) and stands upright in the middle of the card. The sarcophagus has heiroglyphics over it. The mummy has its arms crossed in typical egyptian burial fashion. In the right hand, a small rod is held. In the left, a curved rod is held.

The mummy is standing in a doorway that contains two sets of arches. Both are filled with heiroglyphics. The right piller features a representation of Anubis. The left features the representation of I assume Ra. It is an egyptian holding a rod. The head of the egyptian is bird like.

My Thoughts: I Chose this card because I don;t feel it quite fits with the theme of the deck. The rest of the cards feature vampires, gargoyles, angels and demons. There are a few cards that feature Egyptian images.

What my LWB Says: A good omen, satisfaction, sexual desires sated, physical and emotional fulfillment, success, renown, contentment.

My Analysis: The only phrase above that I feel in the card is contentment. I could see the card as representing preperation for a journey. I feel that because mummification was done to prepare the body for its journey into the underworld down the river Styx.


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Swords

Card: Knight of Swords

Description: A male angel stands upon a tower. All that is seen of what he is standing on is a small portion. The rest of the background and foreground is concealed by clouds.
The angel has his right leg bent and resting on a block on the tower. The left is standing straight down on the tower. In his left hand, he holds a sword pointed down and to the left. In his right hand, he holds a poll with a spear tip. The poll has a red flag attached to it and blowing in the wind above and behind the angel.
The angel is wearing a red robe that trails behind him> he also has an armor breast plate with a gold cross on it.

My Thoughts: The card fits the theme of the deck, but the card doesn't have much going on in it or give off any profound images.

What my LWB Says: Clever, a skillful and brave warrior, ruthless against any opposition, war-like, destructive.

My Analysis: The card signifies a brave warrior, ready to take on opposition. The angel is carrying a banner proclaiming his spot, but also carries a sword ready to strike down those that stand against him.

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Pentacles

Card: Queen of Pentacles

Description: A curved arch with three tribal looking engravings, one at the bottom of each side and one curving with the arch at the top. Below the arch a pentacle sits. In the middle of the arch, a woman weaing a robe stands. She has her arms crossed over her chest, right arm on top. She has large, bat-like wings on her back that are unfolded and stretched out behind her. Upon her head is a crown with 3 points, the middle being taller then the others.

My Thoughts: There isn't a whole lot happening in this card. The woman stands, watching/waiting. It is as if its a moment frozen in time.

What my LWB Says: A practical nature, liberated, secure, intelligent, enjoying opulence and financial comfort, generous with gifts.

My Analysis: To me, this card signifies a powerful woman. As with other court cards in the minor arcana, the shown female is regal in representing her suit.
The card could also signify a transition or preperation for change in that her pose is almost that in which you would see a deceased body.

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Wands

Card: Knight of Wands

Description: Upon the top of a hill or mountain stands a male figure. He is angelic in nature and certainly powerful. The figure is naked except for material covering his midsection. His chest shows powerful muscles. Attached to the figure are large angelic wings raised and unfloded behind him.

In his right hand, he holds a large staff with a gold circular piece attached to the top. In the middle of the gold piece is a bright red jewel.
In his left hand, he holds a gold shield. His arm is turned slightly so that you see the back of the shield and his hand griping it.
The figures left leg is extended straight down while his right is bend and resting on a large serpent.
You cannot see the figures head as it is covered by a gold face shield that covers his whole head. The shadows also obscure his eyes so that they are not seen.
Behind the figure are clouds, giving the appearance that it is indeed a large hill or mountain he is at the top of.
The serpent is curled around itself and the left leg of the figure. The serpents mouth is open exposing its sharp looking teeth and tounge hanging out. The serpent appears to have been recently slain.

My Thoughts: I'm not absolutely certain why I chose this card. I think because of the depiciton of the figure and the fact that you cannot see his face. It gives me a sense of mystery and I like to see peoples eyes and facial expression so that I can gage their personality.

What my LWB Says: Well-liked, virtuous, energetic and headstong, unpredictable, also an indicator of a departure or change of residence.

My Analysis: I do not get any of those meanings from this card.
The card shows a powerful male who has overcome an obstical and slain it. The card seems to represent that and would be interpreted as such by me.

[faerieridingdragons]

After spending more than 2&1/2hours last night doing most and least favorite cards for each suit I was unable to post it,which made me want to cry.So this time I'm only going to choose two cards.
My favorite is the Five of Cups.There is a cloaked figure standing barefoot on a rock in the middle of some rapids.The rest of the lake/river however is very calm.The five gilded cups are placed on five rocks in the rapids facing the figure,who has their head bent down staring at them.In the distance is a snow covered mountain,and the purpleish-black night sky which matches the dark cloak he/she is wearing.To me this seems to be a card about making decisions.It also makes me feel alittle sorrowful.It's as if this person has made making a choice more difficult for themselves,not only by placing the cups in the rapids ,but by standing there trying to decide.
My least fave is theTwo of Pentacles.The woman on this card is dressed in a white baggy pantsuit with red designs.She is wearing a mask that resembles butterfly's wings and a very wide toothy smile on her face.Her right hand holds a pentacle which has a golden "happy"mask hanging from it on two gold chains.This mask is larger and held higher then the "sad"mask dangling from the pentacle in her left hand.In the background is trees and a blue sky with lots of white clouds.Direcetly behind her there are several huge icicles.Why is she so happy?What is the joke,and why won't she let the rest of us in on it?This card makes me think of secrets being kept,such as an inside joke.

[faerieridingdragons]

I just pmed you my extra credit.I do hope you'll let me know how accurate it was.

[CanisFirebrand]

I'll finish my assignment in a bit. I haven;t been around much lately and have lots to catch up on at home...

[celticfire]

ok...i too picked from each suit one fav and one least fav. for me, it seemed that the fav cards (once i read their 'true' meanings) applied to me either in the form of decribing me to a T or it really fits what i'm experiencing right now. almost the same thing for the 'least fav' cards as well (particularly things i'm going through right now).

so here goes:

SWORDS

My fav is the Queen of Swords shows a woman sitting upon an elaborately carved throne. She is surrounded by the stone arch of her dias, the columns which hold up the archway begin at shoulder height on the queen. With a stern, forceful, and formidable expression on her face, she is regal and warrioress all in one. On her brow is a crown, around her neck are more jewels...as well as on her upper arms and wrists. She is holding a sword in her left hand, and it is held high with the tip pointed to the ceiling. Her gown is blue and very feminine at the bottom, but the top shows she is sleeveless...leaving her shoulders bear, showing long, strong arms. Because of her appearance, I see her as not only a powerful but intelligent and fully capable leader.
(book meaning: represents a woman whi is rational and logical; has deinitey ideas and opnions to how things should be done; she is shrewd and mentally agile; does not give her heart freely in love though and may at times, isolate herself due to past disappointments)

My least favorite in the swords suit is the Seven of Swords. In this card, there is one man lying atop a hill with four swords protuding from his back. It is evident he is suffering, struggling, and dying but that doesn't stop his attackers. There is one man with his sword arced above his head that is standing over him (with one leg up in the arm), the next man holds his sword high, preparing to strike (his hair is flying as if in action). The last man is simply holding his sword in front of him and his expression is one of hesitation...contemplation. This third man does not appear to be sure of what is going on. This card screams of viciousness and betrayal to me.
(book meaning: direct confrontations are often disastrous; find your enemy's weak point and disarm him in advance; underhanded behavior may be going on behind your back; manipulation is going on).


WANDS

The Two of Wands shows a young man sitting on the ground next to a rock. He is holding one wand and the other wand is propped alongside the rock. He appears to be looking into the distance...watching what is going on before he makes a move or a decision. This card to me says courage...whether for the unknown or that which can be seen heading straight for you (like a freight train). It offers a calm resolve for what's ahead.
(book meaning: come to a time of decision and you must decide whether to build on what you have or to expand in a new direction; you may be in the planning stages of beginning a new business or a new career path).

My least fav card is the Five of Wands because it appears to be of a man wrongly accused and having to confront his accusers. There is one man and he stand in the midst of four others. They appear to be at odds with the man in the middle. The single man appears confused and afraid at what is going on...as if these are his friends (or were?) and he's having to face them all alone and not on good terms. I just don't like the 'feeling' on this card...its as if he's having to answer for something or some crime he's not even aware he's committed.
(book meaning: represents competition, opposition, or being at odds; competitiveness in a relationship where two live separate lives; gather thoughts and look at plans before proceeding; you are struggling to succeed in a competitve environment; presist until you succeed).

PENTACLES

The Seven of Pentacles comes across to me for some reason. The picture shows that on a wooden table there are six pentacles and a man seated at the table holds the seventh. He appears to be contemplating something as he is looking at the pentacle, rubbing his chin. He is bearded and is draped in a blue tunic with a navy cloak pinned with a brooch. He is also sitting in front of an arched window. The table itself is wooden and on it are the grains which appear to be spirals themselves, flowing around itself in an endless cycle. This card to me says careful thought is necessary before acting and/or reacting.
(book meaning: success has produced just rewards and now is the time to reflect and plan for the future; beware of taking financial risks).

The Five of Pentacles is my least favorite card. This card shows that in the midst of a stone ruin, lies a wooden chest left carelessly open on it side. Inside the open chest are four pentacles, one of which has been broken, while one pentacle lies on the ground outside of the chest. It is as if someone has rummaged the treasure and iethe rleft in a hurry or the remainder of its contents are meaningless. This card to me says that things are tossed aside once they ahve served their purpose...forgotten. Not so much lost, just discarded without a second thought.
(book meaning: time of financial troubles, poverty, and loneliness; indicates the loss of a job or the loss of money, which may or may not have serious consequences; can also indicate loneliness in a relationship; there is a sense of being alone).

CUPS

In the Nine of Cups there are nine cups standing up in a small, shallow, stone pool. The water flows into the pool from a stream coming from the forest. There is a woman in red, sitting by where the stream and pond meet. There is a spiraled torque on her upper right arm, which to me, symbolizes the endless flow and life force of water. She has learned over the stream with her left hand outstretched and cupped, as if in ritual harmony with the stream. Urging it to fill the pond at her feet. The grass, greenery and forest surrounding the woman and pond are luch and vibrant. This card says to me abundance, peace and contentment.
(book meaning: often called the "Wish Card"; suggests fulfillment having overcome difficulties; your efforts and the hard work you've put forth will be rewarded; indicated the celebration of a relationship - that honest love gained through a deep commitment between two people; you may find yourself receiving a lot of positive attention or of being appreciated).

In the Princess of Cups, my least favorite card of this suit, there is a princess standing upon a grassy knoll. She is garbbed in a flowing yellow and orange gown with a red belt that hangs at her waist. Her hair is golden blonde and she has a red band across her forehead. Although the colors she wears are bright and are those of power, her expression is one of concentration (as if she's uncertain). The large cup is held carefully in both hands. The princess seems to be using great care to hold onto it. The card to me says focus, but with lack or surety.
(book meaning: opportunity of new relationship or partnership; reflective and caring; her message is love moving to a deeper level; it may suggest the arrival of good news - possibly the birth of a child).

[Anubis RainHawk]

Lesson 5 Assignment

Favorite cards

Because they're were too many cards to choose from, I decided to write about one card from each suite. Interestingly, my favorite cards frome each deck were the aces, the embodiement of each suite and element. The following cards are listed in no particular reason because I couldn't chose which cards I liked the most.

http://www.nodntap.net/tarot/images/ace_of_wands.jpg
Ace of Wands

By just looking at this card, I can tell that it represent's energy, power, and growth. A flaming wand floats in the air as if it were the sun. Brilliant flames created a fire aura around this object in which rays are reflected throughout the card. The inner white flame represents show the purity of that which is created. The wand has a crystal tip and has the double helix within it, symbolizing life. It also represents evolution, most often in a spiritual sense, though it could also represent the growth of an idea. The clear quartz crystal at the top represents clearity and the active, masculine and the saphire crystal represents darkness and the feminine. Robin Wood specifically added aspects of both genders because she believes they are both nessicary for creation. This is why there is a cresant moon on the tip, which is usually regarded as a simple of the feminine. Two large sun flowers create a phallical shape that represents the meaning of this card, pleasures of creation, energy, and virility. The card's imagry give a feeling of happiness production, which is what I think the creator intended.
meaning: energy, creation, growth, virility, fertility, life, and beginnings.

http://www.nodntap.net/tarot/images/ace_of_cups.jpg
Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups is a very peaceful and less active card in comparison to the Ace of Wands. While the Wands indicated creation, the Ace of cups represents nuturing. The way I think of it is the wands are like seeds and the cups are like the water that feeds those seeds. Anyway, the Ace of Cups shows a large lsilver cup that is so overfilled it is overflowing. I take this to represent all good things that are happening in a persons life are overflowing. The Ace has a large and noticable heart, which obviously represents love. It is possible that the card can represent an overflow of love, in other words, unconditional love (in a romantic or familar/friendly relationship). The cup is silver to show it's affiliation with the element of water. Mermaids and fish swim on the cup to futher represent the element of water and that love is active and alive. One mermaid holds a a red ruby to represent love and the joy she gets from love. Five rays shine from the cup to represent the 5 points of the pentagram to show that love is magickal. The lotus flowers represent wisdom and enlightenment gained from love.
meaning: love, joy, englightenment, good things overflowing, fullness, and fulfillment.

http://www.nodntap.net/tarot/images/ace_of_swords.jpg
Ace of Swords

The Ace of Swords is victory and triumph. It represents a holy thing ordained by the gods. A large sword floats in the air sourrounded by luarel and olive leaves and white roses. It floats in the highest sky, shrounded by clouds. The swords itself has a long clean blade with wing handles, a red handle, and an emerald in between the wings. The way the plants are placed forms a double helix possibly to show that knowlegde can cut both ways. The double edges might mean that also. The wings show freedom and the red hilt shows blood and pain that can be cause by knowledge and how important it is to the seeker, as well as all people in general. The laurel leaves represent victory and the olives and white roses both represent peace. This card has an interesting combonation of symbols because thought the plants represent peace, the sword itself is a violent weapon, so I think it can also represnet agression, so maybe it can indicate a time to fight.
meaning: victory, success, triumph, honor, knowledge, logic, freedom, attainment

http://www.nodntap.net/tarot/images/ace_of_pents.jpg
Ace of Pentacles

The Ace of Pentacles is the earth, with all it blessings and all of it's struggles, though I feel this card indicates more blessings than work. A large golden pentacle floats into an vines that support it as it hangs within a grove of trees. Below it is a garden of blooming flowers showing beaty and fulfillemtn. In the middle of this garden is a white pillar pedistal. This really stands out to me as the thing the seeker wants. To me, the pedestal shows that the seeker will be able to attain his/her desires. The pentacle is gold to show not only bright prospects, but prosperity and happiness. The pentacle is a symbol of earth, but also all of the elements as well as the gods. I think it represnets harmony with all those aspects within this card. The flowers that grow in this garden include bluebells, wisteria, and purple flowers which represnet magick, happiness, and health, respectively.
meaning: bright prospects (both material and spiritual), prosperity, happiness, and attainment

Least Favorites

There aren't really any cards in the minor arcana that I don't really like because I think they're all really importand and have an important lesson to teach. For this reason, I decided to write about cards that describe situations that I don't want to be in.

http://www.nodntap.net/tarot/images/10_of_wands.jpg
10 of Wands

The 10 of wands shows a blonde man dressed in red carrying a 10 wands down a long hill towards a castle. You can tell that the wands are really heavy because he is hunched over. The man's shadow is cast on his path to show that he's in a place that he would rather not be, carrying more than he wanted to. The path is long to show the long period of time that the seeker must be in this sitiuation. The red clothing along with the wands, both representations of the element of fire, show a desire, in this case a desire to do something. Unfortunately, the seeker has bitten off more than s/he can chew and has to deal with the consequences of the action for a long time.
meaning: overload, carrying too many burdens, too strong of a williness to carry other's burdens.

http://www.nodntap.net/tarot/images/7_of_cups.jpg
7 of Cups

When I look at this card, I get the distinct feeling that it represents a situation in which the seeker cannot make up his/her mind. I don't think it's nearly as serious of a descison as in the 2 of Swords, rather it' a choice of dessert when you have a large variety to choose from. In the Robin Wood pack, a girl dressed in Renaiassance clothing places her hand on her cheeck and thicnks (dreams) of her choice. Her thoughts are shown in a large yellow cloud in which 5 cups depict her dreams. One cup represents money, another security, and another love. The other cups show magick, success, and captivity, respectfully. The last cup in the middle can represent a number of things including divinity, freedom, and one's true self. As the girl looks at these cups, it's obvious that she thinking rather than doing.
meaning: overactive imagination, indesicsion, dreaming, thinking instead of acting, and a mystical experience

Anubis RainHawk

[Rowan MoonDragon]

My favorite minor arcana card is the 10 of cups. A couple is standing with their ars around each other and the other ars are outstretched toward the rainbow above. There are 2 children playing. There is a house in the background with trees and stream. The 10 ups are in teh rainbow. I like this card because its a very happy card..very bright. Makes me feel happy and joyous. Tells me there is hope...after the rain there is a rainbow.

Me least favorite minor arcana card is the 10 of swords. A figure lays face down on the ground. He is half covered by a blanket and there are 10 swords in his back. He appears to be by a beach and there are mountain in the background. The sky directly above the mountains is yellow but above that the sky changes to clack. This card is very dark and painful. Feelings of b eing stabbed in the back or possibly physical back pain...maybe a surgery is needed. I feel the pain and hurt in this card.

[Willow Rosette]

Im sorry this is not going to be my best assignment I have procrastinated doing this assignment and now it is 930 and i have to be up for work in 6 hours.

My favorite minor arcana card is the Two of pentacles. It has a woman in the middle of the card standing kinda sideways facing the right (looking at her) she is richly dressed in a blue robe with a white fur trim. the white fur is lined with small pink balls. It is belted at the waiste with a blue and silver jeweled belt. In each hand she holds globe like things. In her left it is pink with a pentacle in it. The right is purple with a pentacle in it. she has bracelets and a necklace that match the belt. the back ground is an orangeish brown that goes from a dark color to light in the middle. At the womans feet is a very cound cat laying down. With a look of happiness on its face.

Im not sure of all the cards why this one is my favorite but i love the colors and i love the cat.

To me the meaning would be choices needing to be made. not good or bad but just different.

My least favorite would still be the five of pentacles but since I accidently used it and decribed it in my least favorite in the major arcana my next least favorite would be the the four of pentacles. It has a woman dressed in a deep red robe sitting on blue rocks with a strange pattern to them. She has three medium circles in her lap. the circle is yellow with orange pentacles inside them. Next to her is a large circle same color and design as the smaller ones. At her feet is a small house size cat that varies shades of blue and has no personality to it. all you see is the cats back, the back of its head and its tail. it is away from the woman.

I think the meaning of the card would have something to do with hoarding what you have and the reprocitions being negatiive, like loosing the ones you love or something along those lines.
I was pretty close the book meaning is:love of material wealth, hoarder, usurer, skinflint, miser, ungenerous person, inability to share.

[Amethyst Rose]

ok the reading for the teacher's trip first i ask my deck to see if she and her family would have a good trip and the card i draw for this was the Eight of Pentacles from the Tarot of the cat people .

The card shows two people in this pic there are facing me the person sitting down she is holding what looks like guatier and on the head of this is cat faceand she is wearing a light brown robe that is full lenght and down the middle is a blue ribbon and on either side is a golden ribbon running the full lenght of the robe at the neck it has a white fluffly fur and at the resits it has the same fur and she has a headdress as well it has what look to be shells and golden bieds and the other person is standing and dressed in the same manner the background has 8 floating balls of different shades of blue nd the rest is black there are some stone collums that are where she sits

OK now i see someone that is learning how to play or part of a group in a event or a meeting of a clan there face are almost like stone showing no joy in wha there are doing but it would just like a dream if someone asked them to play the right song
ok the card was in the divintory meaning :

and it is : apprenticeship craftsmanship a person who learns quickly candorfrankness modesty haniwork personal effort


You did an excellent job in the description of this card, goldcat, but I felt like the reading was incomplete. How did you think that the card pertained to me and my trip? What did it tell you about it? What about the symbols that you see in the card, what do they represent? Good job, though :)

[Amethyst Rose]

I'll be posting this in stages, since it will be a large post. I want to save it here and keep editing it until I am done, just so I don't lose everything I type.



Hey, Canis....still waiting for your info on your least favorite cards. :)

[CanisFirebrand]

I just sat down to do them now. :)

I have set aside my time to write up the cards, do my reading for you and pm my reading to my partner. :)

[Amethyst Rose]

Woo, I can't wait. :) The first half was really well done, and I love getting readings for myself. :)

[CanisFirebrand]

:)

Posted.

I hope that I can do a good job giving you a reading of this card.

For Amethyst Rose, I drew the VIII of Swords.

Description: A female figure is shown on the right side of the card. She is leaning against a large piller.
As she is leaning, her left arm is bent in the shape of a reverse L so that her elbow is pointed behind her and her hand is pointed up and resting, palm flat against the piller.
Her right hand is crossed over her stomach and her right hand rests with the palm flat against her stomach. She is wearing a white gown that trails infront of her and to the west.
To woman is pale and apperas to be a ghost. Her legs are visible through the gown, though her feed are obscured. The ground is covered in a mist so that you cannot see the ground she is standing on. Behind her is a black sky with clouds.
The left side of the card shows eight swords with the points of the blad sticking into the ground, though not seen.
The swords are arranged in such a pattern that they appear patterened.
The three swords in the back are lined up diagonally
The next four are lined up in the same way in front of the previous three.
A final sword rests in the same area as the top most sword in the middle row.

Also, upon looking at it further, it appears that two of the swords actually pin the womans dress to the ground, keeping her there leaning against the pillar.

What my LWB says: A time of powerlessness and restriciton, self-imposed censure, entrapment, bad news, also sickness.

Symbolism: Swords represent the element of air, the direction east and represent intellect, communication and conflict.

The colors in the card sometimes mean something, but as the whole deck is basically black and blue, I'm not sure that plays a role here. But typically, blue can represent tranquility, thoughtfulness, peace or calm. Black can represent the beginning or an end, the unknonwn or a termination.

Her dress is white, which can represent purity and innocense.

Swords can represent power and skill.



Card meaning for you: The dress trails off into the distance, however the swords seem to be pinning it down. I get a sense of feeling trapped. The swords block one exit and the pillar another. Perhaps you are feeling trapped by your present situation, whether work or home life. It appears that you are an innocent bystander in this entrapment, based on the color white in the card. However, you may, below the surface, have actually played a part in becoming trapped.

Still, there is hope and the ever present longing to be free. Use this as an opportunity to reflect upon your current course and see where some action on your part may change things.

[Amethyst Rose]

Oh, sure, leave me hanging. :) Great job with the reading (so far) and your assighment, thanks. :)

[CanisFirebrand]

Oh, sure, leave me hanging. :) Great job with the reading (so far) and your assighment, thanks. :)

:)

Hopefully it wasn't too stressful a wait.. :)

[Amethyst Rose]

Well, it didn't kill me, so it couldn't have been too bad. :) I'm going to have to do some thinking on your reading though.... I do think that it applies to me, but it'll take some though as to just how, and what I should do about it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. :)

[halfwaynowhere]

i have taken a while to post this assignment, mainly because i have had a hard time deciding on my favorite and least favorite minor arcana cards... i still haven't really decided, but i'll do this anyways...
Favorite card: 9 of coins- i'm not sure if this is really my favorite or not, but it has been standing out the most to me lately... the picture on the card depicts a young woman standing at a window overlooking nine coins scattered on the ground. she is playing a violin. i'm nt sure why this card is appealing to me, possibly because to me it represents success and creativity, and i am applying to the art institute, so hopefully thats a good thing...
Least Favorite card: I don't particularly have a least favorite card... i flipped through my deck and looked for the card that made me feel the ickiest, and i pulled out the two of cups... i'm not sure why i don't really like it, it represents love, friendship, ad harmony, so its not really a bad card... perhaps its because right now i'm a bit bitter about whats going on in my lovelife (or lack thereof). So maybe a happy lovey card is making me feel even more bitter?

[goldcat79]

good day to all i was wondering when we going to start doing spread for are cards like the zodiac or the circle maybe the the wewb or romany or the arrows of brighid just wondering all and if you think the class mite be ready to move to the spread well i just wondering _whistle_

[Aleigh]

good day to all i was wondering when we going to start doing spread for are cards like the zodiac or the circle maybe the the wewb or romany or the arrows of brighid just wondering all and if you think the class mite be ready to move to the spread well i just wondering _whistle_

That's next on the syllabus. :) http://67.15.36.42/mw/showthread.php?t=77592

[Amethyst Rose]

good day to all i was wondering when we going to start doing spread for are cards like the zodiac or the circle maybe the the wewb or romany or the arrows of brighid just wondering all and if you think the class mite be ready to move to the spread well i just wondering _whistle_


Give me time, please! I spent yesterday catching up on assignments and tons of pms, and I'm jet lagged on top if it. I hoped to get to it yesterday, but I was just too tired. It'll probably get done today.

[goldcat79]

:devil: well i was just wondering all because i have new deck and i wanting to learn how to do all of spreads i didn't think i was going to starting doing them today :deviltail but i have pm my parter but she has not got back to me since you left for your trip so i am not doing any reading right now my new deck is The Sacred Circle Tarot this deck has more to it then my last one so i hope to get even better reads well i hope you had a good trip :colorful:

[CanisFirebrand]

Ohh.. I love that deck.. It was my first. :)

From there, I got the Fey deck, Faeries Oracle, the Dragon deck, and then my current, the Gothic Tarot. :)

[Clockwork_Eros]

Favorite would be the two of disks, I love the orobourous snake in its infinity pose, and the alternating yin yangs.

Least favorite is the six of disks. Artistically it just lacks the flavour of the other cards.

I am very sorry this is so late. I've been in crunch time between my Art class and my Senior Research Project. Sorry!

[linaXgrazzada]

sorry this was so late, things have been kind of crazy due to a death in the family

favorite minor arcana card- the ten of cups
its not realistic at all but thats a bit why i really like it. in my deck the card has a perfect family on it with a rainbow and a sunny day. i wish my family and world could be perfecto like that but its unrealistic. i love the meaning of it as well.

least favorite- this ones a bit harder because i really dont have particular one i dislike. I dislike the ten of swords because it means disappointment and i just hate the word disappointment. That may be a stupid reason but thats me i guess.

[Flaire-FireStar]

Whee! I can think again! BEGONE EVIL FLU! :D

What is your favorite minor arcana card, and why?

I had to think long and hard about this. And in the end, I suppose since he's shown up so often in my daily readings that he's become sort of a bit of good news, I've chosen the King of Pentacles (http://www.learntarot.com/pkg.htm).

The King appears to be sitting in a garden (or on a rooftop garden of some sort) surrounded by foliage. In one hand, he has a scepter, in the other he has his pentacle. His garments are very ornate, in patterns that look like grapes. In the background is a turret from (possibly) a neighbouring castle.

The keywords for this King from learntarot are ENTERPRISING ADEPT RELIABLE SUPPORTING STEADY. They are things that I wish to be, wish to have my life to be like (steady). I don't particularily like change. This King is everything I'd like in life.


What is your least favorite minor arcana card, and why?

My least favorite card is the Three of Swords (http://www.learntarot.com/s3.htm). Hands down.

I remember looking through my deck the first day I got it and noticing this bad boy and knew it was a bit of bad news. Not only are the colours bland and ominous, it reminds me of heartbreak every time I look at it, which is something that I (for one..and I"m sure most people, for that matter) do not want to deal with.

Moreover, one of the key words from learntarot.com show as "betrayal" which is one of my biggest fears in getting to know people. I fear that when this card comes up in readings for myself that betrayal is what it is symbolizing.



(I'll do your reading tonight, and will post tomorrow)

[-Sky-]

Favourite Minor Arcana Cards

Swords: Swords are one of my favourite suits in minor arcana so i like most of the cards because they deal with the intellect.Also i am attracted to the swords because they represent the element of air,my element.
Ace of Swords(Intellect)
Card Description: The card shows a great powerful,shining sword with a jewelled hilt.Waves of energy emanate from the blade.In the background is St Michael's Mount in Cornwall,England.
Card Meaning: The Ace of Swords indicates an awakening of mental powers,a surge of new ideas and concepts that will change your view of the world and your life forever.However,the sword is a ruthless weapon,it can cut away dead wood or living flesh.It can be used as a force for good or ill.The irresistible power of the Ace of Swords is bound to lead to some conflicts with those around you who are not willing to change so quickly,if indeed at all.The Ace of Swords shows that you have great personal reserves of strength that you can call on to see you through present difficulties.You have the power to acquire knowledge and shape your world with your intellect.
Why do i like this card: I believe that the Ace of every suits represents the element itself or the qualities of every element.And this is why the Ace of Swords is called Intellect.First of all,i really like the picture of the card.Swords always fascinated me so one sword for me shows the power to fight and shape your destiny.Also Cornwall is one of my favourite destinations so seeing St Michael's Mount there is very interesting.But apart from the picture i deeply like the meaning of the card because every time it shows in a spread it gives me courage and reminds me of my mental power and the energy i draw from air.

Queen of Swords(Imagination)
Card Description: The card shows a handsome young woman with light brown hair and gray eyes.Her expression is benign but serious.She holds aloft a sword and is dressed in drifting yellow robes.It is the spring equinox and the land around her is beginning to blossom with spring flowers including primroses and gorse,through which bees buzz.Behind her are silver birch trees and a hare appears at her feet.
Card Meaning: [...] The appearence of the Queen of Swords in your spread may indicate a real woman in your life.She is graceful and unconventional,quick-witted and confident.Though she likes to be with people,to talk to them and listen to them in equal measure,she is not happy in a crowd.She is artistic and loves music,poetry and beautiful things.The Queen of Swords is totally honest and a seeker of truth,hating ignorant prejudice and blind faith.She sees beneath the surface of things and has an intense desire to see justice and fair play.She is adept at balancing opposite factions to further her desires.Her nobility of mind can often mean that she is lonely;she is loyal and has the highest ideals,others often dissapoint her by not measuring up.Any man she gets involved with had better be perfect.She can appear cold and proud,because her intellect and ideals are more important to her than any physical attraction.
Why do i like this card: This card is my exact description!I am exactly like the Queen of Swords(being a female gemini),although i draw some characteristics from water(Deep emotions) and fire.To begin with,i love the picture.The young woman looks a lot like me and she holds a sword.She is not in the mood of fighting but she holds her sword proudly like she holds her ideals.Now the meaning of the card is what i love the most because it describes who i am.I have strong ideals and i often put them above anything.I am often dissapointed by people.I am a seeker of truth.And all the above.

Wands
Queen of Wands(Illumination)
Card Description : The card depicts a handsome,red haired girl clad in a flame-colored dress.About her forehead,she wears a chaplet of marigold flowers and clasps a spear in her right hand.She is accompanied by her fox familiar,and together they await the midsummer dawn before the needfire.
Card Meaning: The fire of the Queen of Wands nourishes and sustains as it inspires.Hers is the illumination of faith and vision that comes from within and that cannot be dimmed by external sources.But just as the hearth fire needs to be fed,so does the flame of the spirit.This card tells you to sustain your vision and nurture your spirit.It is time to develop the qualities of independence,creativity and warmth.
Why do i like this card: I love the lesson taught by the card and the energies that are sent.The title of the card is Illumination and thus it illuminates your path and it calls on you to tend the flame of your heart and stay true to what you feel.It advises you to follow your heart and the flame that's in your heart while it also gives you the strength to do so.

Cups
Queen of Cups(Intuition):
I seem to like the Queens of every suit!Actually i was torn between Ace of Cups and Queen of Cups but i decided that i like this one more.
Card Description: The card shows a dreamy woman holding a silver cup as she rises from the center of a lake.A kingfisher flashes across the water and in the bacjground is Glastonbury Tor.
Card Meaning: The Queen of Cups embodies the mystery of the feminine,exerting a seductive power that has nothing to do with physical beauty-in fact,the Grail Maiden was not beautiful,her beauty was an inner one,a perfect spirit.The feminine mystery is connected to the secret and subconcious power of feelings.The Queen of Cups is attractive because she reflects back to the observer one's own inner desires.Because she is unknowable,men find her all the more seductive,as she can reflect their own fanatasies.She reminds women to stop thinking of themselves purely as housewives,mothers or career women and reafirm the mysterious and sensuous side of their natures.
Why do i like this card: This is one of my favourite cards in the whole deck.Its beauty can only be belittled by the beauty of the High Priestess.When i look at the card i feel overwhelmed with the power of the feminine and the mystery it includes.The Grail Maiden emerges from purple waters like she emerges from a lake of feelings.Also this card is deeply connected with feelings and i believe that feelings are the key to my magic and my essence.I love this card because it calls every woman to look at her inner emotions and desires.She may not be very handsome but her inner beauty shines like a diamond.

Discs
10 of Discs(Tradition)
Card Description: The card shows ten discs arranged in a triangle.They are located in a steep valley and rooks circle in the dark sky.
Card Meaning: The card is concerned with family and tradition.Perhaps you are impelled to rsearch your family history and bloodline or found a dynasty of your own.On another level,this card may concern the creation of something that can be passed down to future generations.Spiritually the 10 of discs is advising you that your progress will come from traditions founded in the far past,ancestral knowledge and spiritual contact with the ancestors.
Why do i like this card: I love this card because i am very attached to both my blood heritage and my spiritual heritage.I believe in the glory of the past and i respect my ancestors because i think that they have alot to teach us.

Least Favourite Cards of the Minor Arcana

Swords
4 of Swords(Rest)
Card Description: The card shows 4 swords with jewelled hilts,all plunged into the ground with daisies growing around them.
Card Meaning: Not given
Why i dislike this card: First of all,sorry for not giving the meaning but the fact that i don't like the card mostly has to do with the picture.The swords in it are probably ceremonial and they are plunged into the ground.Swords are weapons and they were made to be used either to fight or at least to train.So i don't like seeing them plunged in the ground decorating a yard.Also the title of the card is "rest" and i am not the type of person to settle down and enjoy the peace ;)

Wands
5 of Wands(Grounding)
Card Description: The card shows 5 sharp spears.In the background is the mountainous landscape of Glendalough,Ireland in summer.
Card Meaning: The 5 of Wands indicates that you are in danger of becoming carried away in following a dream and not noticing what is actually going on around you.It may be that you don't have the skills or financial backing to achieve what you want.It may be that your head has been in the clouds and you have not noticed that the bills are mounting,the necessary work is neglected and your family and friends resent being ignored.
Spiritually,it means that you are ungrounded,getting carried away in a selfish fashion with ideas and visions,and neglecting to also act in the material world.[...]
Why i dislike this card: The meaning of the card is not my piece of cake.I don't like being told that i am not capable of doing something i really want and i also don't like being told i've been in the clouds.Generally i dislike being grounded by others.And although i agree that we shouldn't focus too much on the spiritual word and leave the mundane behind i think that everyone has the right to choose.

Cups
4 of Cups(Discontent)
Card Description: This card shows 4 rusting cups standing in front of a dripping yew tree in a hazy landscape.
Card Meaning: This card demonstrates that you are feeling discontent on an emotional level.You are bored and dissatisfied with your life,you feel apathetic and uninspired.You may be tempted to relieve this with excessive indulgence in materialistic pleasures,but this will soon pall and will not fill the gap you feel.Your way of lifedoes not provide you with goals to reach for.
Why i disliked this card: Because i've been through the above state of existance twice and it is the worse thing that can happen to you.It is very unpleasant to be uninspired and bored all the time and it is also as hard to change to become motivated again.

Discs
4 of Discs(Materialism)
Card Description: The card shows four jeweled discs arranged in a diamond pattern.
Card Meaning: You are assigning far too much importance to possessions.Material acquisitiveness is dominating your life.It is often said that money is the root of all evl but the truth is that greed is the root of all evil.A person who clings too tightly to their money and material possessions and values themselves in terms of what they own is betraywing a lack of personal worth.Spiritually this is a barren card,you can see nothing beyond the material.
Why i don't like this card: Because there is nothing that i dislike more than materialistic people that they don't see beyond their money and material possessions.I believe that the truth treasure is our wisdom and spiritual gifts and those who can't value them are total ignorants.

[Shatril]

I'm sorry this took so long. I have been very busy with work, however, I'm seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, and hoping it isn't a train coming at me.

I really can't say that I have any cards that I particularly like of dislike, so I picked the one that is currently got me by the throat, as in looking at the symbolism/iconography. And the one that will probably be last to grab me.

Most Interesting at Present

Ace of Cups

Description—The main feature is a golden chalice/cup with an upside-down M. It isn’t shaped appropriately to be a W as the sides beginning and ending strokes do not slant out as shown here. There are little bells hanging from the bottom of the bowl of the chalice/cup. There are 5 (although Waite says there are 4) streams of water flowing from the chalice/cup into a lake/pond, in which red lotus/water lilies float. The chalice/cup bottom rests on the palm white hand that is radiating white rays, the thumb of the hand is holding the chalice/cup steady. The hand is coming from inside a cloud, and to me represents the hand of God/dess. There is a dove flying straight into the chalice/cup. In its beak it carries a white host with a equal armed cross on it (called the peaceful cross) similar to that worn on the tunics of the Knights Templar as shown in drawings of them (however, I have no first hand knowledge of what they wore as I wasn’t alive then). The are drops of water coming from the water flowing in the cup that look like lots of little Yods from the Hebrew Alephbeth.

Symbolism—This card depicts the holy grail/sangreal. I’m convinced that the symbolism is much more than this and am currently exploring the symbolism.

Meaning in a reading—This card means peace and love. “…time of happiness and love, a gift of joy. Just as fire makes the world, so love gives it value”

Least Interesting at Present

9 of Wands

This is a picture with a big blue sky. The figure is of a man holding a wand and looking over his shoulder in a wary manner. He seems to have a bandage on his head. The 8 wands/staves are stuck in the ground as if building a barricade to keep danger out. I have recently been told that the colors on the RWS deck mean nothing as they were chosen by the manufacture of the cards, as Ms. Smith submitted black and white drawings of the cards. I’m inclined to believe this as the colors do not seem to make any symbolic statement. They seem to match the going belief about what certain things would look like; i.e., blue sky, gold chalice/cup, brown wood.

Meaning for me: build up defenses, protect your back. Be careful of what is coming. Defensiveness. Old wounds, Discipline, Character, Inflexibility, holding a line.

Shatril

[Amethyst Rose]

Thanks, you guys, for getting these in. Excellent answers, Sky and Shatril, thanks!!

[Jackiedanielz]

Favorite: 4 of Wands
When I first started learning my deck I started with the Wands. Without using my companion book or Idiot's Guide I knew instantly what the 4 of Wands was telling me. In my card its a picture of a woman, man, and child within 4 golden enlaced wands, flowers are connecting each wand post. This card streamed structure and family to me. It was a happiness that one day I wish to attain. Call me a typical romantic pisces but the card I hold as my future. The looks on their faces and the colors represented in the card just called to my heart. Rolling green fields with the grass blowing lightly in the wind. The family looked like the were celebrating their togetherness. I love it!

Least Favorite: 5 of Pentacles
This card, again its the picture but also the meaning that I don't favor. Take the same family mentioned above and take out the father, leave the child looking scared & the mother in despair. A man approaches them as if to help. It screams something is in need here. Its like the family are all of a sudden out on the streets, the love is lost within the family and the woman and child have no where to turn. Behind them is the same stained glass window as in my hierophant card. But there are no achievements represented, just loss & need of assistance. Maybe its just too sad for me? :heyalove:

[Bix]

Alrighty! Finally I got this done.

Favorite Cards
Coins
King of Coins. A dragon curled around a tree with gold items at the base of the tree. He seems to be in a very relaxed state. This represents material success and fulfillment. Something I hope to achieve in my life.

Swords
Ace of Swords. The picture is very vibrant and pretty. I get a positive vibe from it. The dragon is gorgeous and full of life. The card represnets positive breakthroughs and good things to come.

Cups
Page of Cups. A baby dragon is just emerging from its newly hatched egg. I like this card because it represents innocence and trust towards others. Bad things may have happened before but this shows it is okay to turn over a new leaf.

Wands
Four of Wands. A dragon is curled around a giant black obelisk. This card called to me because it represents rewarded labor and rest after achieving a goal. The dragon seems to be content with the goal it achieved.

Least Favorite
Coins
Four of Coins. The dargon on the card seems lost and bewildered. It looks like it doesn't have anywhere to turn. A feeling of despair and helplessness comes from the card.

Swords
Nine of Swords. The dragon on this card seems lost in the mists. It seems to be looking for a way out but can't find it. The poor thing is anxious and desperate.

Cups
Seven of Cups. The dragon is blocked out and surrounded by lightening. It seems like it is confused and deluded. Like it was trying to fly to achieve something but other things got in its way.

Wands
Ten of Wands. The dragon is holding its face like it has an uber headache. It looks to be despairing over its current events in life. Burdened by other people or its own problems.

One card reading.
Eight of Cups
A dragon stands in the background of a long river. It looks like the dragon has a long journey before it can achieve its goals. Maybe you're confronted with a big task to overtake and you're a bit overwhelmed and don't know where to start.

[Amethyst Rose]

Thanks Bix! The reading is fairly accurate... I'd say the big task ahead of me is in getting my website up and running....there's just so much to do. :)