Divination 101
Cartomancy
Xs - Tens - 10s

Minor Arcana

The tens are the conclusion of a cycle, event, or undertaking. Not only this, they represent both an end as well as the early stages of a new beginning. Tens are full of happenings and meanings to come.

Some use “culmination, completion, and complexity” to represent the final numerically valued cards of tarot. Tens represent the maximum expression of their suit - all the events, experiences, and lessons before we step into the Court Cards of the Minor Arcana. This can be heavy and overwhelming, like in the wands and swords, or joyous and full like the cups and pentacles.

Pentacles - Coins, Diamonds (Physical)

In a general context, the Ten of Pentacles represents solid foundations, security and happiness in all areas of life. Like all Pentacle cards it is usually connected to financial or material issues that we can expect especially good things in those areas of life when it appears.

It is also a good card to get in relation to family as it represents family responsibilities, family values and support. We could find ourself tracing our ancestry or discovering our family tree when it appears. We may be feeling very close to our family at this time, as the Ten of Pentacles can signify domestic harmony. Or we may be looking forward to a family event, celebration or gathering.

This Minor Arcana card can represent being conventional and embracing old school traditions. Life should be stable and settled when it appears.

SPIRITUAL MEANINGS
In a spiritual context, the Ten of Pentacles can indicate that we are finding peace and happiness in all areas of our life. Our spiritual journey has led us to this point, where we have manifested that which makes us truly happy and fulfilled in our life. Enjoy it and remember to share the blessings with others to keep the positive energy flowing.

Cups — Chalices, Hearts (Emotional)

The Ten of Cups Tarot card is a great card to have in our Tarot reading as it represents true happiness and emotional and spiritual fulfillment. It tells us that we will be living our happy ever after and can look forward to domestic bliss. This Minor Arcana card represents happy families, children, caring and fun. We are typically feel very happy and secure when it appears in our Tarot reading. Life should be full of true contentment. This applies to us and our circle of family and friends. Everything we need we have in abundance and we will be feeling truly blessed. Now is a time to reap the rewards of our previous hard work.

The Ten of Cups Tarot card also represents playfulness and creativity so we may find the fun factor in our life goes up a notch when this card makes an appearance.

The Ten of Cups can also signify reunions, home comings or family gatherings so if we have been away from our family, friends or partner or they have gone abroad, we can expect to be reunited with them.

SPIRITUAL MEANINGS
In a spiritual context, the Ten of Cups indicates that we will be feeling very happy and positive. Those around us will also feel the benefits of the good energy radiating from us. It is also a card of good luck and destiny so we may find our spiritual path is really falling into place when this card appears.

Swords - Scepters, Spades (Thought)

In a general context, the Ten of Swords is not always a good omen as it can represent backstabbing betrayal, badmouthing, bitching behind our back, bitterness and enemies. It is a Minor Arcana card of failure, ruin, collapse, severing ties, goodbyes and the final nail in the coffin of a relationship or situation. It can signify nervous breakdowns, chronic fatigue, exhaustion and being unable to cope.

It can also represent hitting rock bottom, hitting a wall or being in a dead end situation. The Ten of Swords can also indicate someone playing the victim or martyr, being overly dramatic, attention seeking or exaggerating. It can also signify violence, attacks and curses.

The transverse can also be true. When this card appears, it can signify that we have cast aside the Matter side of our Spirit in our manifestation and are embracing the Transformative change to come. We are wise to stay balanced during this transitory state.

SPIRITUAL MEANINGS
In a spiritual context, the Ten of Swords usually indicates that we may be severing ties with an old belief system, as stated above. Swords are of the Element Air and Air can be Thought or assisting Change in our being.

It can also be a warning to be on the lookout for people in our spiritual circle that may be disloyal or dangerous as this card can indicate curses or betrayal. Or, simply someone who may be leading us astray that we are wise to sever ties with.

Wands — Staves, Clubs (Transformative Energy/Spirit of Fire)

In a general context, the Ten of Wands represents a situation that started off as a good idea but has now become a burden. It signifies problems, responsibilities, being overburdened, overloaded and stressed. It indicates that we have a huge weight on our shoulders and we are feeling obligated, saddled and restricted.

This Minor Arcana card can signify being taken for granted, struggle, major challenges, drudgery and duty. It suggests that we have taken on too much and may be heading for burn out. This card does however also indicate that the end is in sight and if we keep going we will be successful. It can also signify delays, losing our way, losing our focus and having an uphill struggle. It can indicate that the fun or spontaneity has gone out of our life.

SPIRITUAL MEANINGS
In a spiritual context, the Ten of Wands suggests that we have lost our way a little bit or lost our focus as stated above. We may feel that we have gone off course on our spiritual path or that the stresses and burdens of our life have taken us away from our path. Know that our path is always there and we are always being guided back to it. If we feel we have strayed simply change direction, the Universe will guide us back.

Major Arcana

Wheel of Fortune X (10)

Destiny, fortune, success, elevation, luck, felicity. Reversed: Increase, abundance, superfluity. The Wheel Of Fortune card, like other cards of the Major Arcana, varies widely in depiction between tarot decks.

Forever revolving, we sometimes find ourself “on top of things” and sometimes you will find things steamrolling you. The Wheel of Fortune is What Is. It is not merciless – it bears witness to our choices – conscious and unconscious, and it acknowledges that there are forces acting upon us that we can do nothing about when it arises. Change and address what stresses us because of this matter of fact.

Filled with signs that each have their own meanings, the different creatures that surround the wheel are the angel, the eagle, the bull and the lion. They are related to four fixed signs in the zodiac - leo, taurus, scorpio and aquarius. These four animals are also representatives for the four evangelists in Christian traditions, which is perhaps the reason that they are all adorned with wings.

In most decks in the RWS system, the books that each of the creatures hold represents the Torah which communicates wisdom and self-understanding. The snake indicates the Spirit’s act of descending into the world of Matter. On the wheel itself, rides a sphinx that sits at the top, and what appears to be either a devil, or Anubis himself arising at the bottom. These two Egyptian figures are representative of both the wisdom of the gods and kings (in the case of the sphinx) and the underworld (Anubis). They are rotating forever, in a cycle, and suggests that as one comes up, the other goes down.

The Sun XIX (19)

Did we mention that energy was radiating out? The tens, The Wheel of Fortune, now The Sun! Radiating with optimism and positivity, a large, brilliant sun shines in the sky, representing the source of all life on Earth. Underneath, four sunflowers grow tall above a brick wall, representing the four suits of the Minor Arcana and the four elements.

Happiness abounds as a natural child rides a white horse before you. (RWS decks) The child represents the joy of being connected with your inner spirit, and his nakedness is a sign that he has nothing to hide and has all the innocence and purity of childhood. The white horse is also a sign of purity and strength.

Leo (July 23 - August 22)