Spirit Keeper’s Tarot

study journal

“Tell me what it is you seek—I will show you the

way. Lay your fears by my feet—I will dispel
them. Name what afflicts you—I can heal it.
Whatsoever you need, I shall provide. Here is
your refuge; here you will find sanctuary.” – Spirit
Keeper’s Tarot

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 INVOCATION OF THE MAGI

Beneficent in command and word was Isis, the goddess of

magical spells.

The company of gods rejoiced at the coming of Horus, the

son of Osiris, the triumphant, whose heart was steadfast, son
of Isis, heir of Osiris.

Khepri, creator of the gods, you are seated upon your throne,
illuminating your mother Nut.

Bull of Amentet, Thoth, the king of eternity, you are with me.

My hair is the hair of Nut, goddess of the sky. My face is the

face of Aten, disk of the sun. My eyes are the eyes of Hathor,
goddess of joy. My ears are the ears of Wepwawet, god of
war.

May the Eye of Horus protect me, keep me in safety, and may
my adversaries fall down headlong before me.

—Egyptian Book of the Dead

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 Card Meanings

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 MAJOR ARCANA: PRIMORDIAL REALM

On each Major Arcanum card, the top left features the elemental or astrological correspondence.
The center is the tarot key title. To the right is the corresponding Logos, or letter from the Proto-
Canaanite/Phoenician alphabet. Three of the Majors will bear an elemental glyph in the top left,
for the Tria Prima, the three alchemical primes.

Seven of the Majors will show a planetary glyph for the Sacred Seven, as you see for Key 1: The
Magus, featuring the astrological symbol for Mercury.

Twelve of the Majors will show a zodiac glyph, for the twelve zodiac signs. For example, Key 4:
The Emperor corresponds with Aries under the Golden Dawn system of attributions, which is
what this deck follows.

The bottom caption features the I Ching trigram correspondence on the left. For example, the
above caption under The Emperor card features the trigram Fire.

Where the symbol “※” appears in lieu of a trigram, that Major Arcanum is one of the six points
of divinity, equating to six principles of magic.
To the right is the number assigned to the card, in the Mayan numeral system. Planetary cards are
assigned 9, zodiac cards are 12, the three tria prima mothers are 3, etc. In the Mayan numeral
system, the bar equals 5, while a dot equals 1.
The center title is the spirit’s epithet for invocations and evocations.

The Significator (Key 0)

In this deck, the tarot Fool card, often assigned as Key 0, is your designated significator card.
Choose one of the three based on your inquiry. The Initiate is for spiritual guidance on which
path to take; The Seeker for questions about purpose or how to problem-solve a pending matter;
and The Keeper activates the spirits of the deck and explores the astral realm.
Key 0: The Initiate personifies a new cycle of growth. The Initiate card is about having to take
that proverbial first step of a thousand-mile journey. Ab incunabulis: from the cradle to the grave;
ab aeterno: since the beginning. Ab initio mundi: from the beginning of the world to this day. The
Green Man oversees this gateway, symbolic of rebirth, the cyclical forces of nature, and
evocative of Osiris. Your animal spirit companion, a fox, is waiting for you. The fox is an omen
of an opportunity coming your way, the fates portending a changing of the tides. Beyond the
threshold, the Orphic Egg, hatching the primordial god Protogonus—a new life.

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Key 0: The Seeker is The Fool who seeks answers, who seeks to know. This is you in search of
specific guidance and divine counsel. The journey to come will be about advancing the
sophistication of your knowledge. Another aspect to The Seeker: Until you have put in more
effort, the gods will not reveal to you where to find what you are looking for. You still need to
prove yourself worthy. Nobody is born “The One.” Nobody is born worthy. It is an embodiment
that you must prove you are capable of being. Double your efforts. Pictured here is Angkor Wat,
the City of Temples from the Hindu-Buddhist Khmer Empire in Cambodia. Greek gorgon heads
and Buddhist reliefs of the Medicine Master adorn the corridors.
Key 0: The Keeper engages in a more interactive relationship with the many names and many
faces of the Holy Spirit. This is the key for spirit contacts, connecting you to the angelic or divine
realms, for Akashic Records readings, or mediumship readings. The Keeper indicates a strong
guardian spirit present around you, and that presence wants to be known or identified. If there are
other cards in your reading, they will describe traits or aspects of that spirit presence. Background
features the Taoist Seal of Changes. The Dharma Wheel oversees this gateway. Here is a tribute
to the Iron Age Semitic mythos of a Mother Goddess, Elath (“the Goddess”) or Qudshu
(“Holiness”). In Ugaritic texts from 1200 BC, she is The Great Lady Athirat, also known as
Asherah.

The First Seven (Keys 1–7)

Integrate the Self

Key 1: The Magus. The Magus is the personification of creative thought. It’s time to be
disciplined, so that you can master your innate talents. Embody the alchemist and create a sum
greater than its elemental parts. Positive omen of power mounting. Prodigy revealed. There is
also an undertone of the trickster here in Key 1, signified by the fox mask. The theme is power,
but it is also performance. Time to put on a good show. Here, the Magus is embodied by Himiko,
the shamaness queen from the Yayoi Period of Neolithic Japan (Wa). Her Hermetic posture
conveys: As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul. Close your eyes
and let your mind expand.
Key 2: The Priestess. Go deeper to harness the full potential of your inner magic. What had
been kept hidden will soon be revealed. This is the Key of Secrets. In matters of love or war, The
Priestess is an auspicious omen. Pictured here is a Sumerian gala priestess, syncretized with
iconic references to the high priest who enters the Holy of Holies. Upon her lunar crown is an
icon of Inanna. Seek wisdom, and if that is still beyond reach, seek faith. The Divine’s reasoning
cannot be revealed at this time. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher
than your ways.”
Key 3: The Empress. You are on the verge of producing a Work of worthy admiration. Hopes
become reality. Positive omen of plenitude. Gloria Mundi is the muse for poets, writers, artists,
and musicians. Mother Goddess is proud of you. The heavens shine blessings upon your life path.
The Empress also embodies the spirit of Rhetoric. She wields the art of charismatic persuasion.
Fertile ground and high productivity are prophesied. The inspiration here is Wu Zetian, the only
woman in imperial Chinese history to rule a dynasty. Here, Wu Zetian is appearing as the
goddess Houtu, the Empress Mother Earth. Legend goes that the He Tu spiral sequence of
creation, an integral diagram in Taoist ceremonial magic, was a gift to the shamans from Sacred
Mother Houtu.
Key 4: The Emperor. You have the power to determine what is and what will be for yourself.
Cultivate discipline. Your task: define your destination, then lead the charge. You are being
called to direct and reign. Speak with a commanding voice. Overcome your fears, because it is
now time for you to conquer new frontier. Wield your authority with aplomb. Hold yourself out
as the leader and they will follow. Pictured here is Menelik I, Ethiopian emperor, son of the

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Biblical King Solomon and Queen of Sheba. Behind him is a golden eagle, symbolic of a
Heavenly Father, and the Ark of the Covenant. It is the dawn of your personal Age of Reason, a
progressive moment toward intellectual enlightenment.
Key 5: The Hierophant. The Hierophant is about confronting what you have inherited and
evaluating that inheritance with individual responsibility. This is the spirit of sovereignty over
your soul purpose. Lead with your values. Divinity speaks directly to you and works through you,
though the truth may be difficult to hear. The Hierophant is embodied by Maitreya, the
bodhisattva and prophesied future Buddha of Loving-Kindness and Light, greeting you at the
gates of Tushita, a celestial paradise. Alongside Maitreya, when The Hierophant appears,
Ganesha’s blessings are coming your way. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, a deva of
intellectualism, the arts, and science.
Key 6: The Lovers. You are at a crossroads and your next step is to choose between two paths:
a path of instant gratification and one of delayed gratification. Solve et coagula: dissolve and
concentrate, a maxim of the alchemists. The Lovers portend the sacred marriage of your higher
self and your ego. This is the key of hieros gamos, or the sacred marriage between the god and
the goddess, or the metaphorical intercourse between compassion karuna and insight prajna. For
the matter at hand, bring together Reason and Intuition, signified here by the phoenix and dragon.
Mediate the polarities. In modernity, The Lovers card might appear so that attention can be called
toward a romantic relationship or to the themes of Eros. Close by is the Edenic cherub with the
Flaming Sword. The angelic presence is Jophiel.
Key 7: The Chariot. Now is the time to make waves and create change. The Chariot is an omen
that you’re gaining momentum. You possess mastery of knowledge and skills that advances you
on your Path. You have arrived at a critical milestone. A new dawn has risen. Keep going. Stay in
movement and gain momentum. The charioteer is a depiction of Eos, Greek Titaness-goddess of
the dawn (Roman: Aurora; Vedic: Ushas). Lux et Veritas: Light and Truth; today, both are your
allies.

The Second Seven (Keys 8–14)

Integrate the Cosmos

Key 8: The Force. You’ve attained mastery over your own fears and now it’s time to show the
world your fearlessness. The Force is the audacity to achieve personal miracles. In spite of the
obstacles you’ve had to endure, you prevail, you persist, you domineer. When the beast growls at
the maiden, instead of responding with violence or with fear, the maiden shows love, kindness,
and compassion. Her loving-kindness tames the lion. With patience and fortitude, you overcome
the initial setbacks. You are held in high esteem. The violet sun luminescent with Astral Light is
an omen of your spiritual transcendence to come. Keep the Will steady and even-keeled. Extend
your trust to others and you will turn their hearts. The taming of the red lion portends achieving a
milestone in the Great Work. To tame the lion, you first tame the heart.
Key 9: The Erudite. The Erudite is the prophecy of a wise teacher. This is someone who has
learned and mastered many subjects, and therefore possesses great knowledge as broad in scope
as that knowledge is deep. When The Erudite appears to you, here is the core message from
Spirit: Shine with the light of the heavens. Shine for others, so others can see themselves and the
world clearer. Light the life of humanity. Lux ex tenebris: this is the inner light of wisdom and
guidance that shines through the darkness. But take care— Luceo non uro: Shine, not burn.
Pictured here is a mbonga or ascetic priestess of Mwari, the Force Behind Creation, the Supreme
Creator of the Shona. The mbonga is a shamaness, spirit medium, and oracle.
Key 10: Wheel of Life. You are at a major turning point in your life. This is the symbol of
changing cycles and even the cycles of our mind, how we change our perspectives based on the
evolution of our experiences. This is also our karma and the law of causation. This is the guardian

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spirit present during a major shift in your life. Two divine forms of Shai appear here, one upright
and one in reverse. Shai is the Egyptian divine personification of fate and fortune. Design for the
Ezekiel’s Wheel is based on the Secret Key by William Postel. Personal history repeats; this
wheel of space-time shows itself to be nonlinear. Dear one, your life is in motion; nothing stands
still; the law of rhythm is your constant operation.
Key 11: The Chancellor. Be fair, be objective, and be impartial when you judge the situations
of others. Do not make your decision based on appearances, because in the matter at hand,
appearances will deceive. Choose balanced action, balanced words, and balanced thought. When
The Chancellor appears, it is a divine call to make the necessary adjustments so that you might
restore balance. Key 11 marks that point when the truth comes out. Across the skies is the
Babylonian Code of Hammurabi in cuneiform. If Key 10 was karma as fate, then Key 11 is a sign
that the gods want you to choose for yourself. Here is Themis, the singular force maintaining
civil society (Homer), divine law, Mother of Diki, Libran goddess of human-ordained law. How
it begins is how it will end—Alpha in balance with the Omega.
Key 12: The Outlaw. Examine your situation from a different perspective. Be the outlier. This
is the spirit designating how we break from establishment to serve a higher purpose. This is the
heretical, the eccentric, the dissident. This is the rejection of authority and rebellion against
establishment. The Outlaw appears to you when the answer is to operate outside of orthodoxy
and institutions. Do ut des: I give that you may give. This is also an omen of self-sacrifice.
Coram Deo: you are in the presence of God. Across the skies is Psalm 102 (KJV 103) from the
Latin Vulgate. The butterfly has just emerged from its chrysalis, resting its wings before it takes
flight—an omen revealing the influence of Psyche. The challenger will beat the incumbent.
Key 13: The Reaper. Lucem sequimur: follow the Light. You are being guided through an
initiation phase and the suffering you experience serves a greater divine purpose. A change that
you know in your heart is imminent but have been denying is the change that you will face. The
Reaper appears to you when the circumstances call for this gentle reminder: All is not fair to the
human perception. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. That is the purpose and the absence of purpose to
human Genesis. Endure through the difficult changes to come and when those winds of change
have settled, you will find yourself better for it. There will be rebirth. No matter how you might
feel, know that you are not alone in this.
Key 14: The Angel. This is where it gets better. Your Holy Guardian Angel whispers words of
reassurance. Mutatis mutandis: the necessary changes have been made. This is the primordial
spirit of exceptionalism. “Genius hits a target no one else can see.” (Arthur Schopenhauer, 1788-
1860). Genius, in Greco-Roman lore, is one’s tutelary deity, or a guardian spirit that protects an
individual person. It is your daimon calling to you. Rainbow ripples reveal Iris, messenger of the
gods. When your guardian angel appears, take a moment to intuit the pulses of energy in the
space around you. Can you feel the presence of the daimon? Do you know that you are watched
over and looked after? Here is the manifestation of a composite duality, Destroyer of Evil and
Bringer of Harmony. Blended, they are Creative Power, here to endow blessings. This is res bina,
double matter, and the union of opposites that results in Success. This is also the Divine
Androgyne of Khunrath (Eliphas Levi, Magic Chain).

The Third Seven (Keys 15–21)

Integrate the Divine

Key 15: The Demon. The serpent of the Edenic Mysteries is Azoth, the soul of the earth. Here
is the potential of the Lightbringer, the Godhead of Knowledge. To fully possess your rightful
power, you must first know how it feels to be disempowered. You know you’ve begun the final
prong of your spiritual journey when you’re thrust into a battle with the Typhon (son of Gaia and
Tartarus), the serpent who challenged Zeus. This is the mental and emotional chains of bondage

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you must break, and to break those chains, you must see clearly that those chains have always
been an illusion. This is self-sabotage, holding your own Reason and Intuition captive, the
personification of interferences that undermine the pursuit of our aspirations, obstructing the
advancement of our knowledge and wisdom. You have been surrendering your self-control.
When The Demon appears, a usurper may be lurking nearby. Yet the spirit of The Demon is the
source of chaos magic, alongside The Tower, the wellspring of unbridled power. Pictured here is
the Baphomet of the Templars.
Key 16: The Tower. The Tower is the spirit of disappointment when you feel what you have
worked hard for is not propelling you toward the higher ground you desire. The Tower appears
when the message you need to hear is this: change your direction. Revision work is needed.
Before the physical construction of your Great Work can manifest, you must build a solid inner
foundation. Focus on that inner foundation and then when the conditions are ripe, the physical
construction of your Great Work will manifest. This is the moment your material and spiritual
worlds collide.
Dismantle your own preconceived notions. Reach skyward for noble reasons, beyond personal
vanity. Ascend from ego. No matter the fall, you always get back up and thrive. Heed these
teachings: there can be joy in sorrow and stability in change. Lux mentis lux orbis: light of the
mind, light of the world. Key 16 can also be an omen of armed conflict or a force majeure. Here
comes a strike of bold clarity. Key 16 designates the primordial power from which Great Works
are created. These are the obstacles that reveal who among us is worthy of triumph. Pictured in
the back: the Eye of God, the Helix Nebula.
Key 17: The Healer. Do not lose hope. The fragments of your broken world will be healed.
This is the omen of restoration, of rebuilding, salving, and alleviating your pains. When The
Healer is making her presence known, it is the prophecy that a blessing is soon to be conferred.
You have overcome a brutal yet necessary trial in your life, and now is a time for healing your
battle wounds. With your goodness, you revitalize the world around you. Pictured here is
Kannon, or Kuan Yin, the Buddhist bodhisattva of mercy and compassion. Upon her crown:
Amitofuo. The Shinto shrine in the background honors beneficent nature spirits. “Born Shinto,
die Buddhist” is expressed here. What had been taken from you shall be restored in even greater
glory than before.
Key 18: The Necromancer. The matter at hand is steeped in ambiguity, but emotion and
intuition will converge to guide you. Seek out counsel from your ancestral lines. You cannot rely
on superficial impressions; instead, trust your psychic responses for judgment. Nothing is as it
appears, so you cannot rely on reason; rely on instinct. You are about to walk into the dark night
and will be navigating fluctuating terrain. Trust your intuition and you will avert danger at each
turn. Pictured here is Anubis weighing a heart against Maat’s feather. At the center crux of the
balancing scales is an icon of Maat facing right. Egyptian hieroglyphs are from the Book of the
Dead. This Key unlocks the underworld. When The Necromancer appears, the veil between
worlds is thin. It endows you with mediumship powers—the cards in the spread are messages
from beyond. Those who have passed on return to see you.
Key 19: The Warrior. This is the spirit of heroic acts. Libertas perfundet omnia luce: freedom
floods all things with light. Luceat lux vestra: let your light shine. You are now liberated and
triumphant. The sun symbolism above represents Sol Invictus. Below is Victoria, Roman goddess
of victory in war and politics (Greek: Nike). Here is victory in the battles you’ve fought for your
own independence. You’ve broken all chains. The ruby light that powered The Demon (Key 15)
now powers The Sun. You’ve detached yourself from that which had tried to control your will.
And now your light shines freely out into the world. The Warrior is the spirit of fighting to
protect others, fighting in service. This is success and glory you achieve not for yourself, but so
you can be in the empowered position to help others thrive and grow. You are about to attain the
highest echelons of greatness, because the heavens shine righteously in your favor.

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Key 20: Apocalypse. You’ve arrived at a point of no return. What has transpired is now
irreversible. “The only way out is through.” (Robert Frost, 1874-1963). This is that moment of
full realization for why all that has happened to you has happened. Revelation is coming, when
the answers that were hidden before will become obvious. Positive omen: A resurrection. Ill-
dignified meaning: There are casualties, collateral damage. When the Apocalypse appears with
other cards, it adds an emphasis of spiritual importance to the divination. Pay closer attention
when Key 20 is present. The Apocalypse is a mythic personification of an event horizon—this is
a space-time in which no event that comes subsequent can affect the outcome, because all that
could have affected it has either transpired or not transpired. The Apocalypse card appears when
you have crossed the boundary of where gravitational pull over you is such that turning back is
impossible. Into the Deep you go. Pictured in the background is Angkor Wat during the height of
the Khmer Empire in Cambodia.
Key 21: New World Order. This is the spirit you encounter when a cycle has come to its
completion. You are the New World Order who brings positive change to the zeitgeist. You are
the catalyst. This is the spirit of you succeeding at creating the change you have wanted to see in
your world. The New World Order ushers in a period of personal renaissance and unification.
When Key 21 appears to you, it is the divinatory mark of a new epoch in your life path. With it
comes dramatic changes to your world. This is the spirit of a great power rising. You are on the
right path for achieving that greatness. Pictured here is a pelican with wings outstretched who has
pierced her own heart and is now feeding her young, a set of three nestlings at her feet, suckling
upon three rivulets of their mother’s blood. In old medieval lore, it was believed that in times of
need, a mother pelican will pierce her own breast with her beak and feed her young with her own
blood. Thus, the pelican became an allegory for the Messiah and the self-sacrifice of Christ.
MINOR ARCANA: SEVEN UPPER REALMS
SKT RWS Thoth
Scepters Wands Wands
Chalices Cups Cups
Swords Swords Swords
Orbs Pentacles Disks

The top left corner of each Ace features its elemental association. The top right corner gives one of the four
key personal sensitive points (Asc: ascendant; Ic: imum coeli; Dsc: descendant; Mc: medium coeli). The center
gives the sacred relic.

On the pip cards Twos through Tens, the top left is the decan planetary ruler and the top right is the zodiac
sign governed by that decan ruler. The center is the epithet for petitioning that spirit.

The bottom caption, like the Majors, features the I Ching trigram correspondence to the left, Mayan numeral
to the right, and centered is the tarot key title, indicating number and suit.

Aces: Nucleic Seeds

The Initiators who inspire hope and who assert their Will. Aces indicate formless essential natures. This is
unbound potential. Carnelian.

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Hallowed Flame. Ace of Scepters: A switch inside you has turned on your creativity,
productivity, and ingenuity. Fire is alchemizing in your world, materializing as a creative project,
an innovative new venture, a birth, entrepreneurship, or the spark of inspiration for a passion
project. This is also a new direction in career development. This is the Awakening stage of your
Path. New knowledge is attained. Divine Reason is the light in your eyes. Take the necessary
beginning steps to transform a dream into your reality. Start a new journey and a new chapter of
opportunities will unfold.
Holy Grail. Ace of Chalices: The Ace of Chalices is an omen of peace—you will find peace
and Love. This signifies energies of beneficence, charity, grace, and the pursuit of that which
fulfills the heart. Your soul will be purified by what is to come. What fills you will wash away
past hurt. The seed to an opportunity or offering that will be your Holy Grail has been sown.
What will be coming into your life emanates with profound Beauty.
Sacred Word. Ace of Swords: A crowning achievement will be realized. You are a warrior
philosopher destined for greatness. Sacred Word, or verbalized intentions, become your reality—
your words become the truth that become reality. Air is alchemizing in your world, creating
intellectual achievements or social advancement. If you take up the sword to fight, to work, to
invest the effort and toil, then victory will be yours. You conquer others when you conquer
yourself. When the Ace of Swords is dignified, high achievement and holding power is
prophesied. Ill-dignified, who was on top will fall, the incumbent defeated, and a new power will
rise—the challenger wins.
Bread of Life. Ace of Orbs: A Hand of Spirit, the color of verdant earth, presents an emerald
orb to a praying Mariam, wife of Joseph the craftsman (tekton), mother of Jesus of Nazareth.
What is to come will feed the many. Earth is alchemizing in your world, materializing as an
investment that yields fruition. You are about to receive that which shall nourish you spiritually
and also bring you a sense of worldly prosperity. What has been in gestation will bear a great
fruit. Featured here is the SATOR acrostic. 18th and 19th century texts describe the SATOR
acrostic as a charmed tablet that wards against physical harms, everything from rabid dogs to
toothaches. The earliest mention of this magical square was in a 12th century codex we identify
as Manuscript Digby 53. Texts in the 15th century say it protects against black magic and even
attracts love.

Twos: Provision
The Ministers who restore balance. Relationship building. Here, the pursuit is Divine Wisdom, the
intellection of creation. Inner cultivation of the Tao. Spiritual power. Rose quartz or opal.

The Discerning One. Two of Scepters: Determine your boundaries and define the scope of
your own dominion. This is a moment for you to map out your ambition. Exercise discernment
before you proceed any further on this path you’ve chosen. Look out to the horizon and ascertain
whether this is the sea you want to embark from. Decide: do you want the kingdom or do you
want an empire? To achieve greatness, venture far from what you once knew. You will surpass
the past and triumph when you choose courage to tread the unknown. The divinity featured in the
upper third to the left is Guan Yu (or Guan Gong), the Taoist-Buddhist god of war, martial arts,
and military strategy.
The Joined One. Two of Chalices: The Joined One speaks of an outer accord that also becomes
an inner accord. This is emotional and spiritual fulfillment, the spirit of two becoming one, and
an omen of Perfected Love, love in all its divine forms. Abyssus abyssum invocat: sea calls to sea,
or the depths of me calls out to the depths of you. Do not neglect the relationships you cherish.
When you are a blessing to others, blessings will come your way. Hold up agape Love as the
highest virtue and you will be fulfilled.

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The Blind Seer. Two of Swords: The Blind Seer helps us navigate the stalemate between the
Ego and the Self. The twin swords, or twin paths, form the cross that you bear. You have yet to
attain the realization you need to make an intelligent, reasoned decision. So take the time to look
inward. Arrive at an inner peace and restore a sense of calm before you proceed any further. One
of the Seer’s swords is pointing toward the Lighthouse of Alexandria while the other points to a
marble statue of Horus, the falcon-headed sky god of sovereignty. The esoteric thesis of the Two
of Swords: when faced with an impossible choice between two ways, the best course to take is
always the third.
The Tension. Two of Orbs: Past suffering sires future opportunity. Tension portends change.
Forces are volatile and in motion—your next step will be determinative. Work harder and double
down—shoulder more commitments and steer your ship through the rough tides. Stretch to
expand. Carpe noctem: work at your dreams late into the night, harder than everybody else, and
the gods will reward you for your dedication. Exercise pragmatism in money matters; don’t make
it personal. Pictured here is Ala, an Alusi of the earth and the underworld from the Odinani or
Igbo pantheon. The python comes as her messenger. This is prognostication of a pivot, one with
financial implications. The constellation Draco is visible in the top left corner of the skies; the
brightest star is Thuban (a binary star system), meaning python in Arabic. From 4000 BC – 2000
BC, Thuban was the north pole star, prior to Polaris. Tension is the pull between a pair of forces,
and the harbinger of change.

Threes: Fruition
The Scribes, the Orators, the social Messengers, fostering plurality and diplomacy. Universal fulfillment.
Changemakers. The Palace of Mirrors. Citrine or amethyst.

The Politic. Three of Scepters: Your diplomacy, tact, pragmatism, and prudence are why you
are about to achieve great glory. This is the spirit of ingenuity and wielding your personal
brilliance, social intelligence, and psychic dexterity to successfully navigate complicated social or
political situations. This is the spirit of established strength by your side, coming to you as three
Babylonian magi, or high priests from the Chaldean Empire. Upon their staves, the names
Metatron and Uriel; talismanic sigils from the Holy Tablets of the Fathers (1614); and petitioning
sigil for drawing down the powers of the Sun. Here, we see powerful allies supporting you in
your endeavor. This isn’t about working harder; this is about working smarter. Expedient success
is coming your way, but be prepared to act when the opportunity arrives. There is advancement in
the sciences, arts, and culture.
The Kindred. Three of Chalices: The Kindred is the spirit of affinity. This is abundance in
love, camaraderie, and the prophecy of jubilee to come. Human bonding, affection, and trust are
the true bedrock of society. A personal zenith point is reached in your community relations. This
spirit also appears when you need a reminder to tend to the familial relations that matter the most
to you. Pictured here are three gyoja, or shamanic priestesses and seers as a Norse maiden,
mother, and crone from Viking Age Scandinavia. In Old Norse, they are seiðkonur venerating
Lady Freyja, their patron goddess of love, war, beauty, prosperity, and seiðr. Seiðr was the
practice of magic, a practice that encompassed shamanic visionary journeying. Magical staves in
the SATOR acrostic are sourced from the Galdrabok, a 16th century Icelandic grimoire. The
Kindred invokes the three Graces that bring goodwill, beauty, and fertility.
The Bereaved. Three of Swords: The Bereaved is sabotage after fruition, but there is a
foretelling of resurrection through the story of Isis mourning her husband, the god Osiris, and the
coming conception of Horus. This is the spirit of bereavement by your side. This is sorrow,
mourning, sadness, and deprivation of love. Yet this is also the power of resurrection after
sorrow. Your pain shall pass while the beauty remains (Pierre-Auguste Renoir). The Bereaved
invokes the empathy of Isis [Ēse] to your cause.

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The Mason. Three of Orbs: A brilliant idea is nothing without execution. Genius is nothing
without dedication and tenacity. Ex nihilo nihil fit is the philosophy that every Work comes from
a preexisting Work. Build upon precedent to achieve the advancement you seek. The Mason is
the spirit of innovative architecture, of construction, and material works that come by the sweat
on your brow. Labor omnia vincit: Hard work is the method through which we overcome
negative odds. This is the achievement of HRU and the thesis statement of the SKT. Imagery:
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
THE FOUR EMPYREAN COURTS
SKT RWS Thoth
Archangels Kings Knights
Shields Queens Queens
Shining Ones Knights Princes
Heralds Pages Princesses

The court cards signify the divine hosts who are the archetypes we must embody to move that
which is conceptual, intangible, and nascent in the Aces, Twos, and Threes. We embody these
archetypes (invoking the celestial messengers) to build, expand, to nurture, reason, manifest,
culminate, and mount—the Lower Realms of Fours through Tens. Thus they are wedged between
the holy Threes and worldly, temporal Fours.

The top caption of each court card features the angelic epithet.

The center of the bottom caption features that angelic being’s role, powers, or jurisdiction.

Archangels (Kings)
The four Archangels are the four most exalted titles of divinity within, symbolic of personal mastery over
attributes relating to the suit’s element. Archangels signify virtuosity.

Archangel of Glory. Angel of Art and Grace: You’re hearing the call to pursue greater
scholarship. Artistic, literary, and academic excellence is seeking you out. You’ve worked hard
and you’ve persevered, and now you will dominate in scholarly or professional endeavors.
Invoking this Archangel brings self-awareness that is productive and creative. You are endowed
with the blessings of self-confidence, incredible raw talent, and intuitive knowledge. Pictured
here is northeastern Japan in the mountain ranges of Hokkaido, reflecting a copper red from the
rising sun. To embody the archetype of this Angel, exude ambition, cleverness, and generosity.
Archangel of Healing. Angel Who Salves and Purifies: The Archangel of Healing purifies
you, mind, body, and soul. She has a tender place in her heart for those who are like fish out of
water, caring for them the most. You are being called to lean in to your own pain and through it,
feel empathy for others. You will be one who unifies others, one who instills faith in those who
need it the most. You are a crucial part of an oncoming Renaissance. Do not underestimate the
power and potency of your own subconscious mind. You’ll lead others safely through dangerous
terrain. Pictured here is an Inuk (Inuit) spiritual healer—an angakkuq— set in the Arctic tundra.
While it was rare for a woman to be an angakkuq, it did happen. Present before you is a savant of
medicine. Inuit sea otter talismans protect you. To embody the archetype of this Angel, exude
devotion to the wellbeing of the collective, serving a greater good.

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Archangel Commander. Angel of Storms and Battles: Choose to fight with purpose. Exude
confidence in your own capabilities. Here is mastery over law and letters, commander of logic
and reasoning—a facet of The Emperor. By your side is the Archangel Commander of the Light.
He blesses you with the courage to stand tall and stand up for yourself. Strategy, politics, science,
and invention are your blessings. Pictured here is a 14th century French Templar, a knight from
the Order of Solomon’s Temple. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17. To embody the archetype of this Angel, exude grace under
pressure, triumph over your fears, and be strong in spirit. Be brave enough to decide for yourself.
You possess the mental prowess to communicate to the universe what you want—so speak.
Declare.
Archangel of Mysteries. Angel Who Illuminates the Shadow: This is an omen of self-
sufficiency and security over worldly possessions. All that you need for fulfillment has been and
will be provided. Here is the Archangel of Revelations, set in pre-Columbian Tehuelche-occupied
Patagonia, the southern tip of South America, incorporating parts of Chile and Argentina. In the
skies is the Pleiades, under the constellation Taurus—an omen of prosperity and abundance, of a
great harvest to come. The corn symbolizes provision, one who is a Provider, one who nourishes
and sustains the livelihoods of others. You work and labor not for yourself, but for the
establishment of a kingdom for your kin. In the SKT, HRU manifests as the Archangel of
Mysteries. The esoteric implication of the suit of Orbs is that it not only signifies the element
Earth, but also the fifth element of quintessence.

The Shields (Queens)

The four Shields are four sanctuaries, and each sanctuary is a safe haven where you cultivate greater power
and abilities that correspond to the suit’s element. Shields appear when you need protection, provisions, and
nurture. The color references in their titles are based on the attributions to the alchemical four phases.

The Golden Shield. Sanctum of Splendor: There is cause for optimism. Cultivating your
passion project will bring great rewards. What you can envision, you can attract toward you.
Shine to prosper. Sire self-confidence to inspire believers. How do you shine so they believe?
Believe passionately in your dreams, and they will believe in you. What you’re seeing as their
lack of faith is in fact your lack of faith in yourself. Change that. Here, your sanctuary is a
Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Persepolis during the Achaemenid Empire. Light a candle in darkness
and you will be transported here to this astral holy place. Nuska (Nusku), the Mesopotamian god
of light and fire, son of the moon god, greets you. The prayer in Old Persian on the Shield: “Lord
of Wisdom and Light, protect my people from our enemies, from famine, and from falsehoods.”
Nuska hears you, you leave the temple, return to your physical world, now safeguarded and
blessed by the Lord of Wisdom and Light.
The Ivory Shield. Sanctum of the Immaculate: The patron divinity in this sanctuary is Airmid
(Airmed), from the Tuatha Dé Danann, tribe of the goddess Danu. In Gaelic Irish lore, Airmid is
an immortal with the powers of healing. She is also the guardian over the Well of Wisdom in the
Celtic Otherworld. Airmid is surrounded by blossoms of chamomile, one of the oldest medicinal
herbs documented. Dedicate time in the sanctum of the immaculate to clear your world of the
debris others have left behind in it, and once cleared, trust and create from your own intuition,
psychic senses, and lean in to your emotions—they will not lead you astray. Know that you are
loved and seen by Heaven, and let that give you strength to see yourself through. Have faith in
Heaven, and let that give you courage.
The Scarlet Shield. Sanctum of the Valiant: Cultivate your confidence and fearlessness. Make
sure your voice is heard—you do that by presenting yourself as logical and reasoned. Also, do
not hold back. Conquer to dominate. Invoke the warrior spirit. Encourage an opponent to make
mistakes so you can capitalize on it. Mind games bring victory. Intelligence without ambition is a
bird without wings (S. Dali). Calculate your advantages.

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The gatekeeper of this sanctuary is a Shorn One, an Aztec warrior priest who shall be your
formidable line of defense as you charge forth confidently to face your battles. His shield features
an eagle devouring a serpent: a divine omen from the gods. And yet The Scarlet Shield reminds
you to wear your armor—protect yourself by asserting yourself. Also: there must be sacrifice for
there to be glory. Pictured in the background is the city-state Mexica-Tenochtitlan in the 15th
century.
The Ebony Shield. Sanctum of Treasures: Save, invest, and be more mindful of your personal
security. Fortify yourself. Ward to preserve and protect. This is the archetype of the breadwinner,
and the rock that anchors the family, the anchor that keeps the ship grounded. The Ebony Shield
safeguards your wealth, luck, gains, and earthly dominion so that others cannot take what is
yours. Pictured here is Dihya, warrior queen of the Amizighs, circa the 7th century. She was al-
Kahina, The Prophetess. The men who feared her called her a soothsayer-sorceress. Here, in
tribute to the Amizighs, she appears with traditional facial tattoos—magical talismans for
fertility, prosperity, and power during magical rites. The spirit of Dihya guides you around this
palace of opportunities.

The Shining Ones (Knights)

In Biblical angelology, the Shining Ones are a hierarchy of angels who gift humanity with miracles, endow us
with blessings, and encourage us to act virtuously. They’re called the “shining ones” because they emanate
with a brilliant, luminous light. They represent the pure kinetic power of the four elements, masculinized.
Each Knight is accompanied by one of the Four Horses and one of the four alchemical mythic creatures per
Paracelsus.

The Shining Flame. Embers of the Salamander: Do not delay; do not procrastinate. Train
now, and train hard. Throw the lightning bolt. Accelerate your passions and impulses. Learn fast
and you’ll earn fast. Crystallize your intentions and define them clearly.
Here is a hwarang warrior knight from the Silla Kingdom, training at a Buddhist monastery
dedicated to Maitreya. Balancing the scepter off-center requires more of the knight’s core
strength. Helper spirit: the fire-breathing salamander. The winged horse is named Bellum. By
failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail (Benjamin Franklin). To prove you are worthy, you
must show you are ready, and when you are ready, the gods will send you opportunity.
The Shining Waters. Waves of the Undine: Slow down and take some time to introspect.
Don’t get so caught up with knowing all the answers that you neglect the pleasurable experience
of life. Go with the flow. Ride the waves. Romance is present. There is a time for wisdom, and a
time for pleasure; now is the time to satiate your yearnings. The world you’re creating is pure
poetry. Dreams are prophetic. Employ kindness and charisma, as they will take you far. Pictured
here is one of nobility from 14th century Florence, the advent of the Italian Renaissance. His
helper spirit is the undine, who shapeshifts, can cast illusions, and shows you prescient visions.
The winged horse is Mortem.
The Shining Gale. Winds of the Sylph: Be strategic. Appear to conform to the shape of that
which is around you, but then assert yourself once you’re at the center. That is how you advance
quickly to the top. Launch the attack, but be cunning about it. Do not show your hand. Do not
reveal your plan. Just hasten your move, and act progressively. Pictured here is a warrior general
wielding the Sword of Goujian. The text in red are the opening lines of the Diamond Sutra. The
sutra’s thesis: you are what you are not; the perfection you seek is achieved by your imperfection.
Behind the sutra in imperial yellow is the seal for invoking the Lady of the Ninth Heaven. The
warrior general’s helper spirit is the sylph who controls the winds and storms. The winged horse
is named Victorum.
The Shining Quarry. Caverns of the Gnome: Slow and steady is your pace. Take time to think
through every move. Be chivalrous and you will be abundantly rewarded. You are the workhorse

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who gets the task done. Pictured here is a Rajput warrior in front of a reimagined Rani ki Vav, a
subterranean temple and stepwell in honor of Vishnu, The Preserver. His helper spirit is the
gnome, who grows metals and minerals in the earth and who can help to retrieve that which was
lost. The winged horse is Denarius. Take some time to review your finances and also, check in on
your own physical health and wellbeing.

Heralds (Pages)
The Heralds represent the power of potential for the four elements, feminized. They signify the gestation of a
force or influence forthcoming. They announce the arrival of greater gods, ancestors, or celestial spirits.
When a Herald appears in your reading, the sealed scroll signifies that she comes bearing you a message from
beyond. Pull an additional card to receive the message and to reveal the gestating force that will most
influence the journey to come.

Herald of the Flame. Awaken the Brilliance: Here is an omen of talent rising, the promise of a
Light about to shine. Hold your head high. Do not doubt yourself—you are good enough. School,
career, or a passion project—what you produce is sheer brilliance. Here, the Page is a princess
from Bhutan, the Hidden Holy Land and Lotus Garden of the Gods. The Bhutanese call their
lands the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon. The princess is being trained and prepared for the role
of Queen, which she will someday serve. Likewise, you are in training and preparation for the
great title you will someday be ordained to hold. Awaken your inner brilliance and rise!
Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working (Pablo Picasso). One vision of the Page of
Scepters is as a virginal priestess messenger sent by Vesta, Roman goddess of the hearth and
home, who tends to the Sacred Fire. In the Greek pantheon, this is the veiled virgin goddess
Hestia.
Herald of the Waters. Inspire the Prodigy: Your empathy will be the source of your
creativity. Your intuition is knocking on a closed door, wanting you to pay attention . Open that
door and listen to your inner voice; with it comes realization of an important opportunity. Your
greatest attributes are your grace, your kindness, and tenderness. The Page of Chalices is the
Herald here to help you become better attuned to your emotions, helping you in your pursuit of
true happiness. She appears to you when you need further guidance on your path to finding your
personal Holy Grail. Pictured here is a 15th century Inca ñust'a, or high-born from Tawantinsuyu.
Nusta is the Quechua word for a princess, queen, or a feminine divine being. Tawantinsuyu,
meaning “The Four Regions [Suyu],” is the name the Inca gave their empire. She is a priestess of
Mama Qucha, Inca goddess of the waters. This Herald is a prophecy of miracle working.
Herald of the Winds. Ventures of the Dauntless: You are fearless. You’ll undertake an
enterprise even while it’s still speculative. The future is uncertain, but that won’t stop you from
chasing fortune. Speak your truth. Walk your talk. Pictured here is a Roma woman traversing the
Silk Road during the rule of the Byzantine Empire. In one hand she holds a bronze sword, which
she acquired by trade, and in the other, her enchanted divination cards. Inscribed upon her sword
is the mantra invoking Vajrayogini, the dakini or female essence of transcendental passion, a
passion that will break down every barrier in your path. Move forward to move upward. Speak
with a commanding voice and people will listen. One vision of the Page of Swords is as a
priestess of Minerva, Roman goddess of warfare, military strategy, justice, wisdom, and the arts
and trades. The divinity calling to you through this Herald could also be likened to Athena.
Herald of the Earth. Dedication of the Adept: The adepti were those skilled in the secret arts
of alchemy and mysticism. Your hard work and commitment to success will bear the fruits of
mastery. This is the narrative of tenacity, grit, and determination. It’s demonstrating the discipline
to hone your craft. Be resourceful. Crowley describes the Thoth Princess of Disks (Page of Orbs)
as a priestess of Demeter, Greek goddess of the harvest, agriculture, sacred law Iethical codes,
religious doctrines, ritual), and fertility of the earth—a central figure in the Eleusinian Mysteries.
Another vision of the Page of Orbs is as a priestess messenger from Cybele, a mother goddess, or
the Roman equivalent Ceres.

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Pictured here is a maiden inspired by Bertha of Savoy, from the Duchy of Swabia, who later
became the Holy Roman Empress. In the midnight blue skies is the birth of a supernova that
occurred in the 11th century, now known as the Crab Nebula. The Herald of the Earth reminds
you to care for your body with all the tender love and nurture it deserves. Your body is sacred,
and it can hear your inner voice. So be kind to yourself. Make sure you are getting enough
protein, balancing your blood sugar, and eating plenty of greens.
MINOR ARCANA: SEVEN LOWER REALMS

Fours: Building
The Architects and Builders, establishing order from chaos. Here are keepers of the Divine Plan, chiefs of
reason and virtue. Tiger Eye or Agate.

The Demiurge. Four of Scepters: The Demiurge builds our physical platform of success. An
intangible idea has become a tangible work product, one that will take on a life of its own. The
Demiurge marks progress, achievement attained, and marks a momentous rite of passage. The
setting is the Holy Roman Empire in the early 14th century, the start of Renaissance humanism,
and just before the Great Occidental Schism of 1378. The maiden on the left is Peace and Faith.
The maiden on the right is War and Will. An omen of concord, fulfillment, completion.
The Hollow Void. Four of Chalices: Do not get too emotionally attached. Rely on yourself and
your own intuition, not on what others are promising you. Here is a monastic practicing Korean
Seon sitting meditation. They have put up walls around their mind—the precondition for finding
one’s Path of Light. In the distant background is a temple inspired by the Jeungsimsa Obaekjeon
Temple atop the Mudeungsan mountain in South Korea, in the city of Gwangju. This is the
“contemplating the meaning of life” card. You feel like you’ve lost sight of the Purpose, and now
need a moment to yourself to reflect. The Hollow Void builds our psychic inner platform for
spiritual strength. Offerings from others are made with good intentions, but aren’t the answer you
seek; you must look within and trust your intuition. Detach, and you’ll transcend. This Key
evokes Gwan-eum gwanseeum while the scorpion reveals the watchful, protective Serket,
goddess of healing and magic, divine forces now by your side.
The Convalescent. Four of Swords: A fallen warrior recuperates after battle, still in full armor,
now in incubatio, or temple sleep, resting inside an asclepeion, an Athenian healing temple. The
Greek goddess Iaso, the goddess of recuperation and recovery from illness, appears through the
window. She holds an amphora containing the Universal Medicine, an elixir whose recipe she
shares with her sister Panacea. Iaso is the daughter of Asclepius, granddaughter of Apollo. You
are recovering from old wounds. You’ve reached a state of grace. The Convalescent is the net
loss after construction. This is needed rest and restoration after enduring strife. The Convalescent
is the spirit of nursing you back to full health. This is the spirit to bring you rehabilitation after
fighting battles. Now say these words to yourself: “Every day in every way, I am getting better
and better” (Émile Coué). Repeat thrice. Fortune comes to you after you have taken the time to
restore both inner and outer balance in your life.
The Conservator. Four of Orbs: The Conservator, a Russian boyar (an aristocrat) with a goat’s
head for Capricornus, personifies an eclectic collector of curiosities. This is the spirit presented in
your life path when you are demonstrating an inordinate attachment to the material. This is
earthly power you are clinging on to, at the expense of greater spiritual realization. The
Conservator is both the spirit of that which is empirical and orderly, efficient and pragmatic, but
that which is self-serving, covetous, and parsimonious. You are so afraid of losing what you
have, you cling on to what you do not need. Take inventory of what’s been cluttering your life.
Freedom comes when you learn how to let go. The Conservator can also be an icon of rational
egoism or Randian objectivism.

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 Fives: Expanding
Storms and stress. The Pioneers pushing the boundaries, disrupting the status quo. Destabilizing forces; yet
innovation requires risk. Realm of the gifted translators and changemakers. Fives denote growing pains.
Lapis lazuli, hematite, or fluorite.

The Contender. Five of Scepters: The Contender is the spirit of strife and a zero-sum game.
Stay calm yet be aggressive in the face of competition. This is the battle, the contention you fight
for domination. There is a rivalry for supremacy. Be ready to pounce on opportunity. Here is the
maiden Medea, sorceress and priestess of Hekate, granddaughter of the sun god Helios, and niece
to Circe. She is with Jason, who Medea falls in love with. Accept the challenge. Aspire to attain
that Golden Fleece. Medea, with the blessings of Hekate, is on your side and will protect you
every step of the way.
The Grotesque. Five of Chalices: A cloaked viscount holds a wilting dahlia, with its petals
falling—an omen of unease and caution. In the distance beyond the stream, a rusalka appears in
the waters, larger-than-life. The setting is northern Russia during the Smuta, or Time of Troubles
(1598-1613). Visible in the skies is the constellation Orion.
The Grotesque tells the story of “the other,” of heartbreak, and fragmented dreams. It is a story of
loss, mystery, and yet also of unseen power rising. The still-upright chalices and the symbolic
references to The Angel reveal to you that unseen power. You tried so hard to do what was right,
but the situation backfired on you and you’re left holding the broken pieces. Yet take heart, for
not all is lost. Events past have put you on the cusp of a major spiritual transformation. Dear One:
What you think makes you unattractive—grotesque even—is what makes you powerful. Yes, you
are an oddity and an aberration, and that is exactly why you are so impressive.
The Hector. Five of Swords: Be mindful and keep your aggressions in check. Do not lash out in
anger or spite; don’t use your words to hurt others just because you can. Take time to understand
your opponent before you fight. Hector was the greatest warrior of ancient Troy, and through that
namesake, this is the spirit of indomitable strength, but it is Defeat at any cost, and it will cost
you. Mighty as you are, you’re just a warrior in someone else’s battle. When will you gain
control and pursue your own initiatives?
As it was for Hector of Troy, reconciliation efforts are not fruitful. There is an imbalance of
power in the situation at hand. Be on alert for opportunists. Heed also: the Hector is the spirit of
that which upon first impression is predicted by all to be victorious, but who will end in defeat if
you do not learn the important lessons that Hector is here trying to impart to you. Indomitable
strength does not come from lording your power over others; it comes from using your charisma
to sway others. Pictured in the background is a reference to the Trojan War. Aphrodite on the left
is aiding Hector, the Trojan warrior. Athena in owl form aids the Greek warrior Achilles. Before
rushing into battle, make sure it’s a cause worth fighting for, and you’re not just acting on
account of a misunderstanding.
The Vagabond. Five of Orbs: No matter the suffering this world puts you through, Faith is
your anchor. The Vagabond is the wanderer spirit of alienation and feeling alienated. Yet this is
also the spirit of Faith—have confidence in what it is you most hope for, and assurance in what
you cannot yet see. Your soul is weary and restless; you feel beaten and weathered. You are in
search of higher meaning. And now you are at the threshold of finding what you’ve been seeking,
but first, you must confront your shadow. This is the spirit who will teach you toughness and
resilience, but does so by putting you through the gauntlet of material troubles. At the heart is
this: Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to never
cease your questioning of purpose. Abraham’s Stone, the Tzohar, descends from the heavens to
illuminate the synagogue, or schul. The final message of The Vagabond is one of hope. The spirit
of Hope gets you through your moments of hardship. Remember: Exodus 5. You will always
persevere, because your legacy has been divinely ordained. Embrace the light of your faith.

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 Sixes: Nurturing
The Peacemakers who seek greater purpose, emanating of heart-centered consciousness. The residence of
ascended masters. Beauty and Splendor are signs of the Sacred. Nurture the body and you nurture the mind;
nurture the mind and you nurture the spirit. Archetype of the caretaker and the wise one. Emerald or angelite.

The Champion. Six of Scepters: Positive omen; success comes, but at the cost of a personal
sacrifice. The Champion is the spirit of victory. The imagery of the spirit here conveys the core of
the message: to be the champion, one must be oblivious to pain. For there to be victory, there
must be self-sacrifice. Another message revealed: the time has come for a celebration of life. A
Norse-Gael queen adorned and crowned with amber sits upon her throne, which features Odin’s
wolves, Geri and Freki, cast in bronze. The background features the letters of the god’s name
Tyr, Norse god of war. Decisive superiority; rising to the occasion to overcome the opposition.
The challenger defeats the incumbent. You can and you will; it’s only a matter of time.
The Memory Keeper. Six of Chalices: You will be pleased with the outcome. Keep the faith
and there will be gratification with the final outcome. The Memory Keeper is the spirit of
reminiscence. Who you once were is trying to speak and reach out to who you are now. Listen to
the whispers from the past, for they send premonitions of the future. Initiate an open dialogue
between the Past and the Present. The Memory Keeper is your custodian of memories, both fond
and adverse, the reflection of your inner child. When The Memory Keeper appears to you in a
reading, the past and the present converge. Six blessings are yours when you heed the counsel of
The Memory Keeper: Amor: Love and passion. Prosperitas: Good fortune. Gloria: Fame and
glory. Votum: Hope. Decus: Honors. Laetitia: Joy. Across the river is a scene of Neolithic
Austronesians, the ancestors of indigenous Oceania. These intrepid masters of the seas originated
from the island of Taiwan as early as 10,000 BC.
The Quester. Six of Swords: You are being navigated to calmer waters, across what you
previously thought was an impossible obstacle to overcome. With logical sensibility, you’ll
navigate yourself toward earned success. The success factors that the Six of Swords endows you
with are intellectualism, acute and accurate analysis, and claircognizance. Plans move forward.
Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change (Stephen Hawking). Pictured here is one of the
earliest recorded female alchemists and scientists of ancient history—Mary the Jewess (also
known as Maria Prophetissima, or Mary the Prophetess), who is believed to have lived some time
between 100 AD and 300 AD. The six swords signify the six steps in an early Latin expression of
the Scientific Method. The red star in the sky is Arcturus. Mesopotamians associated the star with
Enlil, god of winds, air, and storms, who separated the earth from the skies. In Arabic astronomy,
Arcturus is the Keeper of Heaven. The Inuit call it Sivulliik, where The First Ones dwell.
The Giver. Six of Orbs: Your charity to others will return riches to you six-fold. Abundance is
your birthright. Let the karmic circle remain unbroken: give to receive; receive, but give back.
The Giver is the spirit of provision. Seeking anonymity, The Giver shows only the hand in
offering. Yet know this about one of the many names for The Giver: Anesidora—the “Giver of
Gifts.” In the Six of Orbs, we also see the divine blessings of Demeter, who gifts you with
material success. When The Giver appears to you, the spirit of nurture is all around you. Give
freely, mercifully and you shall receive freely, and mercifully.
In the background, a Punjabi Sikh man and woman extend their right hands, exchanging gifts.
The persimmon is symbolic of divine knowledge and longevity; the mango is a symbol of love
and affluence. Pictured here is a gurdwara, doorway to the guru.

Sevens: Reasoning
The Philosophers and Knowledge Keepers, interpreters of the Law. Transmuting the conceptual into the
material through Logos. The endurance of the world-weary spirit. Selenite, snowflake obsidian, or sodalite.

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The Dark Horse. Seven of Scepters: This is the underdog who chooses to fight, even in the
face of unfavorable odds. The Dark Horse is marginalization personified, and yet this is the spirit
of valor. When outnumbered, you resist. A defensive strategy is how you’ll maintain your
position. Philippine martial arts is represented here. Appearing in the skies is Apolaki, the
Tagalog immortal or god of the sun and war, patron deity of warriors and martial artists. Stand
your ground and defeat those who try to overpower you. Fight for what is right. Stand up for
yourself, especially when others will not. May your perseverance be stronger than the challenge
you face.
The Corrupter. Seven of Chalices: The Corrupter is the master of sophistry—superficially your
current reasoning seems plausible, but it is fallacious. Let neither desire nor fear manipulate you.
There is illusory success and wishful thinking. You’re dreaming big but acting small. We see the
allegory of the seven sins. Which of the seven animals is pulling at your attention? The pig is
gluttony, the snake for envy, peacock for pride, snail for sloth, lion for wrath, toad for avarice,
and the goat for lust. The symbology here is taken from the 18th century Tableau de Francois-
Marie Balanant. Do not act on impulse. When The Corrupter appears to you, rethink that idea
you’ve been contemplating: it might not be prudent. Also, pay closer scrutiny to your
environment: there are poisons around. The Seven of Chalices is falsehood appearing as truth.
What you perceive as real may just be imagined. This spirit appearing to you is a warning that
misleading perceptions abound. Forego the easy temptation of riches and fame and instead
choose what matters most to your heart. There is still time to change course.
An alternate revelation The Corrupter brings is that of one who is detrimentally indecisive and
believing in fallacies. Your words of guidance is this: If you don’t know where you are going,
then any road will get you there (Lewis Caroll). Idle dreams will corrupt; time to take action.
The Rogue. Seven of Swords: The Rogue is mischief personified. Here you see the story of
Loki cutting off Sif’s beautiful golden locks of hair while she sleeps. Sif is the Norse goddess of
the earth, of plenitude and the grains, affinity, fertility, family, marriage, Mother of Might and
Magnificence. She was also a seer. Here is a metaphor that over-intellectualizing and over-
thinking are the weakening barriers to success.
The Seven of Swords denotes an unstable mind, and unstable efforts. This is the spirit of the
sleight of hand. And yet sometimes, a little mischief and sleight of hand is what gets the job
done; deceive to get to the truth. When the odds are stacked against you, one-up the odds by not
playing by their rules. In the background we see a trickster fox spirit. In Chinese lore, she is the
hulijing, a shape-shifting magical being who can bring prosperity as quickly as she can bring
misfortune. The fox spirit is a common familiar of the witch. In Japanese mythos, this is the
kitsune, and in Korean, gumiho. The Rogue is the spirit of cunning and scheming, and yet also the
personification of one who is misunderstood.
The Gardener. Seven of Orbs: The Gardener is one who sows seeds in a private patch, to be
cultivated as a form of personal aspiration. Here is the spirit of potential and promised harvest.
You are contemplating the prospects of achievement. Past hard work has paid off and there are
several different fruits of your labor that you could harvest, but you hesitate, because you’re not
sure which of these fruits are most ripe. This is hard work completed, but inaction causing a lack
of actual harvest. The Thoth Seven of Disks is the Lord of Failure—but know this: you are being
tested. Will you be resilient and persistent? Are you worthy?
When The Gardener appears to you, know that you’ve got an idea, a design, or concept worth
investing in, and if you see it through, you will achieve the security, stability, and material
abundance you’ve been seeking. The Gardener is also a spirit who oversees low magic and can be
called upon to assist with the Craft, utilizing herbs, stones, roots, oils, and charms. Consider
further study to master the craft of prosperity magic, feng shui, or geomancy. The Gardener
appears to you when you are experiencing success unfulfilled. The background is an illustration

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depicting Tibetan subsistence agriculture, meaning the cultivation of food crops at the small-
scale, for your own family or just for your community. Perched in the tree is a male Himalayan
monal, a nine-colored pheasant bird with iridescent plumage. The Seven of Orbs can also indicate
having achieved success, but the gains are spiritually unfulfilling.

Eights: Manifesting
The Manifestors, Shape-Shifters, and Shadow Masters of all worlds. Detachment releases the suffering.
Alchemize fear of the unknown. Excavate the depths of vulnerability to find true invincibility. There is
unrevealed power. Archetype of the martyr. Jade.

The Sharpshooter. Eight of Scepters: Swift movement abounds around you. This is the spirit
of marksmanship. Decisive action must be taken now. The Eight of Scepters is a welcomed
omen. You will hit the target you’ve been aiming at, but move quickly, because time is of the
essence. In the foreground, Artemis, the Greek archer goddess of the hunt, twin sister to Apollo,
aims and shoots with her silver bow, a gift from her father Zeus. She is wearing her signature
saffron hunting tunic. Artemis was the patron goddess of Sparta. Appearing in the skies is
Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, another daughter of Zeus, and patron goddess of Athens.
She wields her father’s aegis, now adorned with the severed head of Medusa. An assembly of
powerful goddess energies are present when The Sharpshooter appears. You are their messenger,
a vessel for Divine Will. The words you speak are the words of the Goddess.
The Defector. Eight of Chalices: A defector is one who leaves behind a world you no longer
belong to and journeys to a new promise land. This is the spirit of abandoned success. The
Defector reveals one who has changed paths, changed sides or viewpoints. This is walking away
from what you had otherwise devoted your efforts to, and not looking back. This is the spiritual
quest for that which will be more emotionally fulfilling. This is the start of a difficult journey, but
a journey that will take you to where you want to be. The setting is the 2nd century BC in the
Near East. Standing over the temple is Thoth, or Tehuti, the Egyptian ibis god of science, writing,
magic, and art. Along the bottom right corner of the card is a mermaid, the later embodiment of
Atargatis, a primordial life-giving and protective mother goddess of the seas, from Mesopotamian
and Syrian antiquity. There are challenges ahead. Heal a broken heart by channeling the attributes
of Thoth (learning, writing, wisdom, the moon, sacred texts, the sciences).
The Captor. Eight of Swords: You are feeling bound by the Threads of Fate. You’re being
pulled in so many oppositional directions that now you cannot move in any direction at all. The
themes here are having to confront the evils of oppression, aggressions of those in a superior
position to hurt those who are helpless and meek, feelings of isolation, but also, having to learn
how to overcome one’s own victim mentality. You see yourself as the captive, but that you are
not; you, my dear, are the captor. This is a first-person view of the situation. What have we been
doing to falsely imprison logic, reason, free speech, higher ideals, morality, ethics, and the
flourishing of the humanities? The setting is Hellenized Alexandria. You are seeing the Great
Library of Alexandria; adjacent to it, the Musaeum, or research institution dedicated to the
Muses.
The woman pictured here is Hypatia of Alexandria, a Neoplatonic philosopher, teacher, inventor,
political advisor, and mathematician. The mob persecutes her because she reminds them of the
Light, of the Reason and Truth that they are not yet capable of. When the Eight of Swords comes
up, take heart knowing this will be the final outcome: degeneres animos timor arguit—fear
betrays ignoble souls.
The Journeyman. Eight of Orbs: This is the spirit of apprenticeship, of perfecting one’s craft,
of routine work that leads to mastery. This is also the spirit of prudence. When The Journeyman
appears to you, you are being called to apply discipline, a strong work ethic, and perseverance to
hone your skills in a particular trade. The Journeyman is the grind of dedicated work, practice,
and careful, methodical study of a specialized craft. Embody the apprentice. Pictured here is a

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young Muisca shaman-in-training. In front of her is her teacher’s staff, setting an example for her
to follow as she practices casting her own orbs. The shaman-in-training works under the watchful
tutelage of her gods, Chia, diosa de la luna, her moon goddess, and Xue, dios del sol, her sun god.
The backdrop is the high plateau of the Colombian Andes, home of the Muisca (or Chibcha),
around 800 AD. Note the orb set into a master’s staff: this is prophetic of an adept who is
currently an apprentice, but who will someday exceed the master.

Nines: Culminating
Realm of dream consciousness, where psychic and shamanic powers arise, the source where magic begins.
Embodying either the archetype of the hermit or of the shaman. Threshold between spheres of spacetime. 9s
are God’s Strong Ones. Malachite, onyx, or bloodstone.

The Pugilist. Nine of Scepters: Here is a world-weary spirit, bandaged, on bended knee,
praying at the crossroads for Great Strength. An old power, the Ancient One, has taken an interest
in your fiery spirit. The Pugilist is a spirit of great endurance, but that strength comes from
having endured great suffering. The Pugilist is one who continues to fight oppression, one who
won’t accept defeat as an option. When The Pugilist appears, consider defensive boxing tactics as
a metaphor. Sidestep to dodge the blow. Parry to deflect the punch. Cultivate the ability to
withstand toil without giving in to fatigue.
The Ancient One is “She of the Earth and Underworld,” or Chthonia, a reference to Hekate,
though it can also be a reference to the Sumerian goddess Ereshkigal, Ruler of the Underworld
and Lady of the Great Earth. The “Great One of Magic” can also refer to Werethekau, an
Egyptian divinity who is the personification of magic and sorcery. She is a protectress in the
underworld. “Hekau” means “magic” in Archaic Egyptian. Wield magic as you would your fists
and stand your ground.
The Wish Granted. Nine of Chalices: This is the blessing of wellbeing, abundance, and
contentment. The final outcome will be your wish granted. Every chalice of life you hold up
toward heaven will be filled with success, gains, and fruition. Pictured here are the three most
prominent forms of Shakti, collectively called Tridevi, the Triple Goddess. Lakshmi is the
goddess of wealth and prosperity. Durga in the form of Parvati is the goddess of valor and
victory. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, culture, music, and the arts. This Key is a
talisman for manifesting the triple blessings multipled by the trinity. Practice Tip: Utilize this card as
a talisman to overturn misfortune, and to grant your aspirational wishes.

The Haunt. Nine of Swords: Restful sleep eludes a figure, who sits upright in bed, face buried
in hand, in slight fetal position. This world has been cruel to you. The horned shadow is The
Haunt—chronic pain and distress that hovers between slumber and wake. Crowley describes the
Nine of Swords imagery as “a cathedral of the damned.” In a moment of insomnia, the illusions
cast upon the walls of the mind project outward and become your environmental reality. Yet your
suffering has awakened Mother Hekate, titan-goddess of liminal spaces, magic, and crossroads,
who is coming to you in your moment of need. The checkered tiles on the bed frame with the
astrological glyphs (a table of essential dignities) represent Fate, while the checkered tiles of the
floor behind her, where Mother Hekate stands, is blank, representing Free Will—the path into the
future is unwritten.
The Eminence. Nine of Orbs: Everything is for the best in the best of all possible worlds (an
aphorism from Voltaire). All that you have done and invested in is propelling you to the top. The
land you have tilled will sustain you and bring you prosperity. The three stratified layers of
scenery in this card represent Inca cosmology—the three worlds or Pachas. This is the
underworld, the material world, and the celestial world. Here, they are in harmonious balance.
Above the three generations of women is the goddess Ch’aska, associated with Venus as a star of
dawn and twilight, maidens, princesses, fertility, abundance, dawn, and morning dew. Each one

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pictured here is in her own possession, but appreciate the legacy it takes for you to achieve what
you have.

Tens: Mounting
The maestro is again the novice. After one destiny is achieved, another is revealed—this is the Wheel of the
Law. Increase to ascend.

The Burdened One. Ten of Scepters: The Ten of Scepters is the card of laborious tasks. You
have been a carrier of sorrows. The Burdened One is oppression we bring onto ourselves when
we don’t temper our willfulness. The series of decisions you have made along the way have led
up to this culminating point of unduly carrying the responsibilities for others. Yet rest assured
that these burdens you carry fulfill a greater purpose. Many are the beneficiary of the work you
do. Pictured here is the titan Atlas holding up a schema of the celestial spheres. The schema
diagrams the Ptolemic ten spheres in the firmament above earth. Hands of God feature the
Sigillum Dei.
The Joyous One. Ten of Chalices: The Joyous One is happiness we have earned. This is the
prognostication of spiritual fulfillment. Creativity becomes productivity, and productivity leads
you on a path toward contentment. The rainbow across the heavens is an omen: perpetual
success. The Joyous One is the personification of wisdom attained and the support of familial
love. The koi fish has transformed into a celestial dragon. Pictured here is Matsu, South China
Sea goddess, presented here in her form as Queen of Heaven. Matsu was a 10th century
shamaness and sorceress from the Fujian province of southern China, a Hokkein-speaking region
of the mainland. She was spiritually trained under the tutelage of the bodhisattva Kuan Yin. The
card can also appear to remind you that you are complete, that your life and world is perfected
and harmonious as it is right now, that it is not necessary for you to pine for more. Bask in the
blessings you’ve been given.
The Destroyer. Ten of Swords: A Tengrist shamaness channels The Destroyer of Obstacles.
We are seeing her physical and spiritual forms merging, and so she appears with six arms. The
Destroyer spirit might initially feel ominous, but it represents a spiritual catharsis. A catharsis is a
sense of purging or purification. In Platonism, a catharsis is needed before you can advance on to
receive esoteric knowledge. There is treachery—biting the hand that feeds. A force of uprising
and rebellion comes through in the Ten of Swords. This is an omen that you are to be a Disrupter,
but powerful figures would rather you not make waves or stir conflict, so they try to hold you
back. Disrupters facilitate progress and change, but at the cost of peace. Writers are familiar with
the instructive maxim, “Kill your darlings.” The phrase refers to extraneous prose that only serve
to amplify the author’s ego, but do not substantively serve the narrative. Thus, in the revision
phase, such sentences ought to be removed from the manuscript. Likewise, the Ten of Swords is
about excising from your life that which does not advance your soul purpose.
The Dynasty. Ten of Orbs: The setting is Manden Kurufaba (the Mali Empire in West Africa),
14th century Timbuktu. Here was the Golden Age of Trans-Saharan commerce and prosperity.
The Dynasty is wealth multiplied. In the foreground, the old man faces the young man—they
personify inheritance, legacy, and the multigenerational dynasty. This card portends advancing
prestige. The Dynasty is the spirit of collective power that strengthens a tribe. The theme here is
successorship. It can also suggest the personal impact on you of much greater national or global
affairs. Something greater going on in the collective has reached down to directly affect you, at
the individual and personal level. What the Ten of Orbs portends is gains to be had from that
impact. While the Ten of Orbs marks a pinnacle of material wealth and success, the Book of
Thoth reminds us that the success will quickly go inert if the pinnacle is not immediately put to
productive use toward the greater good. Thus, with the benefits and gains you reap, you must
direct those benefits and gains toward a greater good. Do not harvest all the blessings for
yourself.

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