The Suit of Wands
Separate the Wands in your deck, and place all of the Wands cards face-up in front of you. Don’t bother putting them in order, and don’t concern yourself with the numbers. Just let them be random images.
What are some common themes you notice or keywords that come to mind? What areas of life might these cards refer to? In terms of timing, is there a particular season or amount of time that comes to mind (quick or slow, for example). Remember, these are just general observations. They aren’t rules or guidelines.
From my journal:
Vanessa Tarot Suit of Wands
What are some common themes you notice or keywords that come to mind?
Work, change. I see a lot of action in these cards. I see women who are risk takers and are accomplished in their careers or skills. I feel a sense of boldness and confidence, self-assurance.
What areas of life might these cards refer to?
Work, career, self-enrichment, school, travel. The 10 Wands (top row, 3rd from left) shows a girl with a pile of books around her as she studies. This card appeared once when I was completing my degree and constantly studying. I had asked, “What’s going on in my life right now?” and this card showed it exactly!
The 2 Wands in this deck shows a woman doing a science experiment. This card appeared while I was working as a nurse, showing how much I enjoy the analytic, scientific aspects of being a nurse. I did a lot of bedside lab tests as part of my job, in addition to collecting samples to send to the main lab.
The 8 Wands (woman on broomstick, bottom row, 3rd from the right) appeared in a spread to tell me about an unexpected flight I would be taking.
In terms of timing, is there a particular season or amount of time that comes to mind (quick or slow, for example)
Because of the fiery colors, I would generalize that this makes me think of autumn. Timing feels quick to me, but each card can be different. The 3 Wands (top row, first card) looks like waiting, which could indicate a longer than expected time frame.
NOTE: Pay attention to the facial expressions. If the character on the card could speak to you, what would it be saying? For example, the Knight of Wands (bottom row, 4th from left) is standing at the door of an airplane, ready to jump. This came up in a reading when I was feeling unsure about whether to move forward with a project. I was doubting myself. When I saw this card, I heard from the character, “Are you coming, or what?” The meaning I felt was that I needed to get over myself and just jump into the project. The woman on the card is ready, suited-up, and able to do this. That told me I was ready too.
Turn your Wands cards face-down and mix them up. Pick one card and turn it over. What is happening in this card? Tell a story. What might the people in this card be dealing with in their life right now? Is there any advice you would give them, or is there any advice they might give you? How might this card apply to your life right now? Are there any additional insights from the book?
From my journal:
Vanessa Tarot Page of Wands
What is happening in this card? Tell a story.
A child is playing on his pretend horse. I get the feeling of learning and growing. This child can walk but is learning new ways of using his body for fun and make-believe.
What might the people in this card be dealing with in their life right now?
Feeling playful, feeling like a beginner, trying to imagine something new. Literally, maybe the person is trying a new mode of transportation that is self-powered. Maybe this is “fake it ’til you make it” mentality (because it’s not a real horse). Maybe the person has a small child in the house that is learning to walk or nearing that phase.
Is there any advice you would give them, or is there any advice they might give you?
I would tell this person to keep playing and imagining. Don’t worry about what other people might think of you. Don’t feel boxed-in by what other people might think is possible.
This character might give me the advice to play more, to just “do my thing” and have fun. Maybe this card is saying it’s okay to be a beginner and to have fun with it, rather than thinking you should be farther along than you are.
How might this card apply to your life right now?
My son is in the learning-to-walk phase, so this reminds me of him playing through the hallway. Also, this character has a very determined look. He’s a determined, focused beginner. There are several new things I’m working on in my life. This could be saying to have fun, even while I’m feeling determined and focused on learning.
Any additional insights from the book?
“Eagerness and fervor to try new pursuits. A certain playfulness & fearlessness in facing new adventures.”
The Suit of Cups
When you see images of water in your tarot deck, it can give you an idea of the emotions in the card. Is the water calm or tumultuous? Is it helping the person move forward, or is it hindering their journey? Is it flowing, or is it blocked?
Separate the Cups in your deck, and place all of the Cups cards face-up in front of you. Don’t bother putting them in order, and don’t concern yourself with the numbers. Just let them be random images.
What are some common themes you notice or keywords that come to mind? What areas of life might these cards refer to? In terms of timing, is there a particular season or amount of time that comes to mind (quick or slow, for example). Remember, these are just general observations. They aren’t rules or guidelines.
From my journal:
Vanessa Tarot Suit of Cups
What are some common themes you notice or keywords that come to mind?
Feelings, emotions, connection, relationships, hopes and dreams. I see different relationships, from a happy family (10 Cups, top row, third from left) to maybe a couple who are just dating (2 Cups, bottom row, third from right). I see characters who are yearning for something different (6 Cups, first card on top row), (8 Cups, second card on bottom row). I also see communication, both verbal and physical (Knight Cups, bottom row, second from right – that could indicate a physical letter in a reading).
What areas of life might these cards refer to?
Relationships, hopes & dreams, love. The 10 Cups (top row, third from left) appeared in a reading when I asked if I would be able to have a child. The window looks just like the large window in our living room, and the fireworks made me think of New Year. I thought it might mean I would have a child around the new year, which I did!
In a different deck, the 2 Cups (bottom row, third from right) appears when I am getting guidance relating to the connection my husband and I have. In this deck, the card makes me think of dating, but in my Pearls of Wisdom deck, it shows a beautiful, deep connection.
In terms of timing, is there a particular season or amount of time that comes to mind (quick or slow, for example).
In general, this feels like a slower timeline, things that take time to grow and develop, like relationships, confidence, emotional healing, etc. Many of these cards have the night sky as a background or generally look dark, so I would think of “night time” as an answer to timing if I was asking about it.
Turn your Cups cards face-down and mix them up. Pick one card and turn it over. What is happening in this card? Tell a story. What might the people in this card be dealing with in their life right now? Is there any advice you would give them, or is there any advice they might give you? How might this card apply to your life right now? Are there any additional insights from the book?
From my journal:
Vanessa Tarot Six of Cups
What is happening in this card? Tell a story.
A woman who reminds me of Dorothy in Wizard of Oz is sitting on a wall at night, looking up to the sky. She is looking to the moon with a look that appears to be questioning and challenging at the same time. Even though she is the only figure on the card, I don’t feel loneliness. It feels like the stars and moon are her friends, like she has a connection to the energy in the universe.
On the one hand, she has pretty red shoes and a pretty dress on. At the same time, she is wearing an apron, her hair is a little disheveled, and her gloves – are they dishwashing gloves or fancy gloves? It looks like she’s elegant and fancy, but also gets her hands dirty and is a hard worker. It looks like she just finished some hard work and now is taking time to rest and challenge the universe, “Prove to me what you have promised.”
What might the people in this card be dealing with in their life right now?
It looks like she is a very hard worker who is taking a rest and hoping that her hard work will pay off. She’s checking in with the universe to see if she’s on the right track. She is enjoying nature, enjoying her alone time, and enjoying the time to get more insight.
Is there any advice you would give them, or is there any advice they might give you?
I would tell her to rest while she can because soon she’ll be back to more work!
She might tell me not to settle for how things appear to be happening. If I want something to change, I can work hard, check in with the universe, and create the change I’m wanting to see.
How might this card apply to your life right now?
I keep getting the feeling that she has just cleaned her entire home and is taking a little break before determining what is next. I have been embracing minimalism and working to clean out anything we don’t need or use in our home. It feels like an overall restart, refresh. I have been working toward moving to a new home. The gleam in her eyes tells me to not accept challenges and to keep finding ways around them.
Are there any additional insights from the book?
One of the insights from the book that feels right to me is, “Happiness and delight in the simple things in life.” The more I simplify and clear out what I don’t need, the more I appreciate what I have.
The Court Cards
The court cards are the Page, Knight, Queen, and King in each suit. If you look at those cards, you will notice that they show different personalities, ages, and stages of life.
If you see a court card and immediately think of someone in your life, assume that the message has something to do with that person. For a split second, it might feel like you’re looking at a picture of that person. Don’t discount it when it happens! Trust what you get.
One thing to remember is that the gender of the person on the court card doesn’t necessarily have to match the gender of the person it’s referring to. The age doesn’t have to match either. In addition to court cards, other cards in your tarot deck may indicate actual people in your life.
Pages
Pages might represent children, your children (even if they are grown up), someone who acts like a child, someone beginning a journey/phase, a newbie, part of your personality, or something else you see on the card.
Knights
Knights might represent a young adult, teenager, someone who acts like a young adult, someone who matches the personality shown on the card, someone with a little experience who hasn’t reached mastery yet, part of your personality, or something else you see on the card.
Kings and Queens
Kings and Queens might represent adults, people who are accomplished and stable, someone who has achieved recognition or expert status in a field of work, or something else you see in the card.
From my journal:
One of my clients asked if the man she is interested in wants a serious relationship. I got the Knight of Cups from my Pearls of Wisdom deck.
On a surface level, the Knight represented the man she was asking about. As I saw the Knight toasting several girls, it felt like he was saying, “Hi ladies!” I saw the liquid sloshing from his cup, which made me think of a sticky floor in a bar from drinks being spilled. I could taste the beer in my mouth.
My overall feeling was that this is someone who enjoys the single life, going to bars, and flirting with many women at the same time. At that time, he was not looking for a committed relationship.
Since that reading, almost anytime I see the Knight of Cups in the Pearls of Wisdom deck, I get the feeling of someone who is dating, rather than someone who is in a committed relationship. Instead of a seedy bar feeling, I might get a sense of playfulness or fun, depending on the person.
Be open to getting a different interpretation each time you see a card. With other tarot decks, I don’t have the same association with the Knight of Cups. It’s solely inspired by the images on the Pearls of Wisdom deck.
Separate all the court cards in your deck. You should have 16 of them. Look through the court cards and find the one that you feel most represents you. Make a note of it in your journal, along with what qualities the person in the card appears to have. In future readings, this card will probably represent you when it appears.
From my journal:
I was shuffling my Halloween Tarot deck recently, and the Queen of Ghosts popped out. I thought it was a funny representation of what I do in my work as a medium, communicating with spirits! The woman looked calm and focused, listening to the friendly ghost who is talking to her. The purple of her robe is the color of intuition (and royalty of course :D). She is connected to the water, which is calm and flowing, and is also a symbol of emotions and intuition. I have been keeping this card on my desk.
Look through the court cards and choose the card that most reminds you of your significant other. If you’re not currently dating anyone, choose the card that looks like your ideal future love. What qualities do you see in this card? Make a note of it in your tarot journal. In future readings, this card will probably represent your significant other or future love.
From my journal:
Pearls of Wisdom King of Wands
I chose this card to represent my husband. The man in this card has such bright, positive energy. He seems like someone who is shining a light for others, encouraging them. He looks like someone who loves being in nature. He looks stable, grounded, and accomplished. These are all qualities I see in my wonderful husband.
Shuffle the court cards face-down, and think of someone you don’t get along with. Ask to get new, positive insight about them. Pick a card, and tell the story of the person you see in the image. Try to detach from your preconceived notions about the person in your life. Read the card with objectivity.
What do you notice about the person on your card? Say out loud what comes to your mind without judging anything as right or wrong. When you’re done, write down what you got in your tarot journal.
Our spiritual helpers see us with love, compassion, and understanding. Using the tarot cards, we can see the people in our life through the eyes of love, which can help us improve the relationship. It doesn’t mean you have to be friends with the person, but it can help improve your own sense of peace when you’re around them.
From my journal:
Not many people get on my nerves, but when they do, they really do. I was not looking forward to this exercise because I am happy to hang onto my feeling that I am a better person than this other person in my life. LOL! (I’ll add “just kidding” for those of you who are judging me right now. 😄 Just keeping it real!)
The first card I drew perfectly represented all I don’t like about this person. I had to re-focus on the purpose of this reading – to see new, positive qualities. Then I mixed the cards together and drew a different card.
Pearls of Wisdom Queen of Pentacles
I see a woman who loves her children and wants to share knowledge and her view of the world with them. I can relate to that. She is warm and welcoming. She likes creating opportunities to gather together, and she’s a great hostess. She values her family above all. She sees herself as a teacher. She likes nature. She is unconventional. These are all things I appreciate about her and can relate to.