by Marcus Katz
Queen of Pentacles: Resource Connecting
Upright: Nurturing
What you say: “With the Queen of Pentacles, you are able to nurture your state and environment over time”
Reversed: Neglecting
What you say: “You are neglecting what can be grown”
Theme/Framework: Care
Oracular Title: The Sun and Rain in a Shady Place
Flip Title: An Old Garden Gate Swinging Open in the Wind
King of Pentacles: Resource Demonstrating
Upright: Obviousness
What you say: “What you see is what you get”
Reversed: Hiding
What you say: “There are things you need which are being hidden”
Theme/Framework: Discovery
Oracular Title: On A Plate There is Good Food
Flip Title: A Man At A Costume Party
SWORDS
Key Theme for Swords: EXPECTATIONS
Ace of Swords: The Seed of Expectation
Upright: Movement
What you say: “With the powerful Ace of Swords, things get moving!”
Reversed: Fixation
What you say: “Things are fixed when the Ace of Swords is reversed.”
Theme/Framework: Expectation
Oracular Title: Light Streaming Through an Open Library Window.
Flip Title: A Sealed Envelope Passed From Hand to Hand.
2 of Swords: The Organisation of Expectation
Upright: Confusion
What you say: “In this symbol we see clearly the confusion of the mind”
Reversed: Clarity
What you say: “When reversed, the Two of Swords shows immediate decision being called into action”
Theme/Framework: Organization
Oracular Title: Many Papers Thrown to the Wind.
Flip Title: A Voice Raised Above the Crowd.
3 of Swords: The Activation of Expectation
Upright: Disappointment
What you say: “With this card we see that you will be disappointed in your expectations, calling those expectations into question.”
Reversed: Expansion
What you say: “Reversed, this card means expansion of those things you expect.”
Theme/Framework: Concern
Oracular Title: A Rain that Comes At The Wrong Time.
Flip Title: People Making Space for Someone on a Crowded Train.
4 of Swords: The Application of Expectation
Upright: Hiding
What you say: “You are hiding from the facts, perhaps not seeing the obvious, which is causing you disturbance.”
Reversed: Truth
What you say: “You must face the facts as they are, not what you want them to be”
Theme/Framework: Reality
Oracular Title: A Museum where the Labels are Misleading.
Flip Title: Children Playing Hide and Seek.
5 of Swords: The Boundary of Expectation
Upright: Defeat
What you say: “You may exceed yourself and meet defeat on this present course of thinking.”
Reversed: Winning
What you say: “When this card is upside-down, it denotes that you will win in your decision-making.”
Theme/Framework: Appreciation
Oracular Title: A Woman Turning Away from Her Reflection.
Flip Title: A Carpenter Arrives with His Toolkit.
6 of Swords: The Utilization of Expectation
Upright: Holiday
What you say: “You can see in this card a suggestion that you know when to quit when you are ahead and take your winnings.”
Reversed: Work
What you say: “This card reversed means that you have to work hard to get where you are thinking you should be.”
Theme/Framework: Responsibility
Oracular Title: A Family on the Ferry.
Flip Title: A Man Pushing a Broken-Down Vehicle.
7 of Swords: The Reorganization of Expectation
Upright: Trespass
What you say: “In this card, we see in the situation for which we are reading some indication of deceit – someone is breaking the agreement.”
Reversed: Integrity
What you say: “When this card is reversed, we know that all is being honestly presented.”
Theme/Framework: Exchange
Oracular Title: A Sign Reading Don’t Walk on the Grass.
Flip Title: A Man Borrowing Books from a Library.
8 of Swords: The Direction of Expectation
Upright: Trust
What you say: “Have faith in the direction in which things are progressing.”
Reversed: Mistrust
What you say: “Don’t believe how things are going – doubt may uncover problems not yet apparent.”
Theme/Framework: Knowledge
Oracular Title: A Mail Train on the Tracks.
Flip Title: A Newspaper full of Propaganda.
9 of Swords: The Rest of Expectation
Upright: Pessimism
What you say: “You cannot see in the gloom – doubt of thought makes you feel emotionally hopeless”
Reversed: Optimism
What you say: “Whilst it is great to think positively, this card reversed shows honest thinking leading to joy.”
Theme/Framework: Expression
Oracular Title: A Nursery at Night-time, A Dark Cradle.
Flip Title: A Schoolchild Greets the Summer Holidays.
10 of Swords: The Return of Expectation
Upright: Distress
What you say: “This foreboding card warns of the stress of being divided in mind about a matter.”
Reversed: Delight
What you say: “Reversed, this particular card shows delight and cause for celebration that a close shave has been avoided.”
Theme/Framework: Division
Oracular Title: Rain Falling on a Broken Mirror.
Flip Title: A Group Dancing with Tambourines.
Page of Swords: Expectation Channeling
Upright: Obedience
What you say: “The Page of Swords indicates that the energy which must be applied should follow the rules laid down for the particular game.”
Reversed: Disobedience
What you say: “It is time to break some rules!”
Theme/Framework: Law
Oracular Title: A Windmill Turning in a Good Wind.
Flip Title: Children Throwing Stones at Windows.
Knight of Swords: Expectation Responding
Upright: Pursuit
What you say: “In this card we clearly see the energy that you must bring to bear – pursuing what it is that you believe in.”
Reversed: Retreat
What you say: “It is time to make an orderly retreat from the situation; it is suggested by this card.”
Theme/Framework: Conflict
Oracular Title: A Man in a Vehicle Chases the Storm.
Flip Title: A Rabbit Takes Shelter in the Rain.
Queen of Swords: Expectation Connecting
Upright: Acknowledgement
What you say: “The Queen of Swords is ruthless but fair in giving her advice in a question. She shows here that your worth will be recognized.”
Reversed: Refusing
What you say: “The Queen of Swords is a little heartless I am afraid, and here shows when she is reversed that there will be a refusal to your intentions. It may even be ‘Off With Your Head’ so hold on tight.”
Theme/Framework: Permission
Oracular Title: A Girl Dressed for Her Debutante Ball.
Flip Title: A Man Misses his Connecting Flight.
King of Swords: Expectation Demonstrating
Upright: Deliberation
What you say: “The King of Swords is at the top of his game and counsels that you take time to deliberate your options before acting.”
Reversed: Thoughtlessness
What you say: “The King of Swords is least happy upside-down,
when confusion or other factors can lead to thoughtlessness. Take a moment to consider the situation.”
Theme/Framework: Thought
Oracular Title: A Judge Waiting on the Jury to Speak.
Flip Title: A Deck of Cards Scattered to the Winds.
CUPS
Key Theme for Cups: IMAGINATION
Ace of Cups: The Seed of Imagination
Upright: Motion
What you say: “Things are moving freely in this card, as in life. Fulfillment. Go with the flow.”
Reversed: Stagnancy
What you say: “The Ace of Cups reversed shows a stagnant situation, often emotional, which will inevitably drain you. There is nothing new here.”
Theme/Framework: Imagination
Oracular Title: An Artist with A Peacock Feather in their Hand.
Flip Title: A Large Dam in a Distant Place.
2 of Cups: The Organisation of Imagination
Upright: Trust
What you say: “In this well-aspected image, we see the idea of total trust being given and received.”
Reversed: Singleness
What you say: “Reversed, this card, the Two of Cups, perhaps tells us that you must have a singular perspective on this matter, and go it alone.”
Theme/Framework: Organization
Oracular Title: A Contract on A Well-Worn Desk.
Flip Title: A Horse Walking Steadily Across an Empty Desert.
3 of Cups: The Activation of Imagination
Upright: Harmony
What you say: “A time of contentment is predicted by this card. You will be satisfied by what follows.”
Reversed: Disharmony
What you say: “Your imagination can create scenes which can make you jealous or envious. Do not punish yourself with these images.”
Theme/Framework: Consideration
Oracular Title: Three Cats Sleeping In a Summer Yard.
Flip Title: A Face Looking in Through a Window.
4 of Cups: The Application of Imagination
Upright: Distraction
What you say: “It is already too late when you are over-striving. The answer was right where you started.”
Reversed: Calling
What you say: “Reversed, this card shows that a calling is present – tranquility is required to hear this calling. Quiet down now.”
Theme/Framework: Vocation
Oracular Title: A Stained Glass Window Reflecting on a Floor.
Flip Title: A Salmon Swimming Up-River.
5 of Cups: The Boundary of Imagination
Upright: Guilt
What you say: “You feel sorrow that you have not lived up to your own image of yourself.”
Reversed: Innocence
What you say: “You will reach your goal so long as you remain pure to the task you set yourself in your heart.”
Theme/Framework: Acceptance
Oracular Title: A Broken Drum Discarded underneath a Christmas Tree.
Flip Title: A Mountain Stream Reflecting Sunlight.
6 of Cups: The Utilization of Imagination
Upright: Immaturity
What you say: “If you heed the Six of Cups, you will take advice to grow up and leave the childish attractions.”
Reversed: Maturity
What you say: “This card flipped indicates a maturity and presence of heart to know how this situation plays out.”
Theme/Framework: Age
Oracular Title: A Rocket Ship Leaves the Earth.
Flip Title: A Clock in the Kings Hall Striking Noon.
7 of Cups: The Reorganisation of Imagination
Upright: Release
What you say: “This interesting card, full of symbols, shows that it is timely to release your emotions despite what shadows they may make.”
Reversed: Collecting
What you say: “When this card shows up in a reading flipped upside-down, it’s telling us that you should be collecting your thoughts, not being overshadowed by them, OK?”
Theme/Framework: Acquisition
Oracular Title: The Signing of Deeds to a New House.
Flip Title: A Childs Stamp Collection in an Attic.
8 of Cups: The Direction of Imagination
Upright: Attending
What you say: “Whilst this card may show a dismal scene, it can be read as a calling to attend to one’s own needs or the needs of others.”
Reversed: Absence
What you say: “This card reversed is a flip in that it denotes absence – perhaps one which cannot be avoided. Oftentimes, this absence is an opportunity for you to find the space you need.”
Theme/Framework: Place
Oracular Title: A Dog At His Masters Feet.
Flip Title: An Empty Space on a Park Bench.
9 of Cups: The Rest of Imagination
Upright: Fulfillment
What you say: “This card is perhaps the happiest card to receive in that it shows that you receive the fruits of your labours in good time.”
Reversed: Disappointment
What you say: “Your labours will amount to nothing by the appearance of this card in a reversed position. You should prepare to reconsider.”
Theme/Framework: Accounting
Oracular Title: A Feast at Harvest Time.
Flip Title: A Cupboard Full of Shoes with One Missing.
10 of Cups: The Return of Imagination
Upright: Ecstasy
What you say: “A beautiful card which shows a heavenly situation, past or outcome for your situation.”
Reversed: Heartache
What you say: “This usually bright card in a reversed position does tend to show heartache and emotional poverty.”
Theme/Framework: Values
Oracular Title: A Phoenix in a Story Book.
Flip Title: A Burnt Catherine Wheel After the Firework Party.
Page of Cups: Imagination Channelling
Upright: Sophistication
What you say: “With this Court Card, the Page of Cups, we can read that this situation requires a careful and elegant approach, almost bordering on performance!”
Reversed: Primitive
What you say: “It’s time to get real and just burst through the complexities by returning to basics.”
Theme/Framework: Culture
Oracular Title: A Fountain Cascading in a Stately Home.
Flip Title: A Dripping Tap in a Silent Room.
Knight of Cups: Imagination Responding
Upright: Exhibition
What you say: “You see in this card that – much like the character shown – you are being advised to strut your stuff!”
Reversed: Recluse
What you say: “In this card, with this character, reversed, you are being made aware that you are trying too hard to impress. Time to return to your own space for a while.”
Theme/Framework: Presentation
Oracular Title: An Artist at a Gallery Exhibiting Paintings of Peacocks.
Flip Title: Sunflowers Wilting During a Heatwave
Queen of Cups: Imagination Connecting
Upright: Affection