Symbolon

synescanta

14. The Two Faces of Eve (Cancer/Taurus, Moon/Venus)
Role Conflict; Ambivalent Feelings; Two Souls Within One Body; Wife and Lover
PROBLEM: You face a difficult decision, you can't make up your mind. A sacrifice is called for one way or the other, and this sacrifice is too great. So you remain hesitant. That's the heart of the matter. Two souls are living within the feminine aspect of your breast. Do you want to be mother or lover (or for a man: have a mother or a lover)? A decision only serves to repress the problem. The card urges you to acknowledge your indecision. Nothing more!
WAY: Your path should lead you to identify two conflicting and -- on the whole - mutually intolerant forms within yourself. Each one says "take me!". In essence, this means you are unable to perform the role of any single one.
OUTCOME: You discover ultimately that both aspects deserve a place in your soul; both have their time and place, they feel close to you but not to each other. You accept the distance they keep from one another. You face a difficult decision, you can't make up your mind. A sacrifice is called for one way or the other, and this sacrifice is too great. So you remain hesitant. That's the heart of the matter. Two souls are living within the feminine aspect of your breast. Do you want to be mother or lover (or for a man: have a mother or a lover)? A decision only serves to repress the problem. The card urges you to acknowledge your indecision. Nothing more! Your path should lead you to identify two conflicting and -- on the whole -- mutually intolerant forms within yourself. Each one says "take me!". In essence, this means you are unable to perform the role of any single one. You discover ultimately that both aspects deserve a place in your soul; both have their time and place, they feel close to you but not to each other. You accept the distance they keep from one another.

15. Articulation (Cancer/Gemini, Moon/Mercury)
Discussing Feelings; Psychotherapy (Psychoanalysis); Making Contact with Feelings; The Connection Between Mind and "Belly"
PROBLEM: You prefer to remain on the surface and ignore your feelings. You do everything to avoid perceiving or having to express them. But you have known for a long time what needs to be addressed. You need to understand that unexpressed feelings prey on the mind and, by their very nature, can trigger off illness.
WAY: The time has come to express what's happening in your life and what you feel. There's no progress without discussion -- only backsliding. Find a friend to talk to, or a psychologist if no one is prepared to listen.
OUTCOME: Reason and instinct come in contact with one another. You neither let yourself to be terrorized by feelings (and terrorize others) nor allow them to be silenced. You can express them as they arise. And you don't need to make a big thing of them; they are not that important. You prefer to remain on the surface and ignore your feelings. You do everything to avoid perceiving or having to express them. But you have known for a long time what needs to be addressed. You need to understand that unexpressed feelings prey on the mind and, by their very nature, can trigger off illness. The time has come to express what's happening in your life and what you feel. There's no progress without discussion -only backsliding. Find a friend to talk to, or a psychologist if no one is prepared to listen. Reason and instinct come in contact with one another. You neither let yourself to be terrorized by feelings (and terrorize others) nor allow them to be silenced. You can express them as they arise. And you don't need to make a big thing of them; they are not that important.

16. Incompatibility (Cancer/Leo, Moon/Sun)
Expulsion from Paradise; The Double; Marriage; Day and Night; Yin and Yang
PROBLEM: The heart of the matter is a failure to understand the incompatibility between man and woman. As a man you do not understand the "woman in you"; as a woman you do not understand the "man in you". Try to see things from the other's perspective for a change.
WAY: Your path takes you through a phase where it becomes necessary to devote more attention to the neglected aspect of your self than you have already done (you know best which part that is). You have to demand acceptance of your femininity from your masculine aspect, or vice versa.
OUTCOME: The path has led to both aspects having equal importance. Although this alone cannot resolve their incompatibility, you are aware of both sides now and value each accordingly. You have an inkling of what Paradise is, and that moment of mutual recognition (at the beginning and end of the day) causes your heart to beat a little faster. The heart of the matter is a failure to understand the incompatibility between man and woman. As a man you do not understand the "woman in you"; as a woman you do not understand the "man in you". Try to see things from the other's perspective for a change. Your path takes you through a phase where it becomes necessary to devote more attention to the neglected aspect of your self than you have already done (you know best which part that is). You have to demand acceptance of your femininity from your masculine aspect, or vice versa. The path has led to both aspects having equal importance. Although this alone cannot resolve their incompatibility, you are aware of both sides now and value each accordingly. You have an inkling of what Paradise is, and that moment of mutual recognition (at the beginning and end of the day) causes your heart to beat a little faster.

17. Caring (Cancer/Virgo, Moon/Mercury)
Sympathy; Watching over Someone; Caring; Grief; The Problem Child; Helper Syndrome
PROBLEM: You have forgotten there is someone dependent on your sympathy and care. The one waiting for you to care for him or her in the world outside only mirrors the small child within who wants attention.
WAY: Take care of yourself. Look after your own emotional well-being. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by others' feelings. The small child in you is crying and seeks attention.
OUTCOME: The mother/child relationship has been restored within you. You don't feel so frightened, nor so helpless and at the mercy of others now that you have learned to look after yourself. You have forgotten there is someone dependent on your sympathy and care. The one waiting for you to care for him or her in the world outside only mirrors the small child within who wants attention. Take care of yourself. Look after your own emotional well-being. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by others' feelings. The small child in you is crying and seeks attention. The mother/child relationship has been restored within you. You don't feel so frightened, nor so helpless and at the mercy of others now that you have learned to look after yourself. 1

18. The Family (Cancer/Libra, Moon/Venus)
The Third Force; Spiritual Contact; "WE"; Confession to a Relationship; Compound; Cohesion
PROBLEM: You have contributed to the creation of a third force but refuse to become involved. You refuse to accept it spiritually, choosing to give the third force over for adoption instead.
WAY: The way through the problem will demand a confession. But a confession means spiritually accepting something more troublesome because the generation of a third force presents its own challenges.
OUTCOME: A common entity will arise, a third force which is greater than its individual components. Rather than belong to you, it has a life of its own which needs both adults for a while to nourish its spiritual energies and allow it to grow. You have contributed to the creation of a third force but refuse to become involved. You refuse to accept it spiritually, choosing to give the third force over for adoption instead. The way through the problem will demand a confession. But a confession means spiritually accepting something more troublesome because the generation of a third force presents its own challenges. A common entity will arise, a third force which is greater than its individual components. Rather than belong to you, it has a life of its own which needs both adults for a while to nourish its spiritual energies and allow it to grow.

19. Abortion (Cancer/Scorpio, Moon/Pluto)
Selling the Soul; Sacrificed Femininity; Imagining Feelings; Spiritual Dependence; Depression; Concept of Motherhood
PROBLEM: The God of the Underworld has you firmly in his clutches. You have sacrificed your soul to the enemy of the living and now seek comfort in others. You cling to the hope that someone can free you from darkness. The path that leads you to light is long - you must first descend into the depths, into the world of the shadow, before you find your way back to the living.
WAY: You have to descent into the underworld with your feelings, just as Persephone did before you. That's where you frankly admit that it will take all you have before you can buy back your feelings and surface from the depths.
OUTCOME: You have sacrificed a lot: images and imagined feelings which were surrogates and self-delusions. A lot had to be "torn from your soul". The wounds will hurt for a long time but now you have more freedom and independence. You are no longer bound by what you have sacrificed; it has no power over you any more. The God of the Underworld has you firmly in his clutches. You have sacrificed your soul to the enemy of the living and now seek comfort in others. You cling to the hope that someone can free you from darkness. The path that leads you to light is long - you must first descend into the depths, into the world of the shadow, before you find your way back to the living. You have to descent into the underworld with your feelings, just as Persephone did before you. That's where you frankly admit that it will take all you have before you can buy back your feelings and surface from the depths. You have sacrificed a lot: images and imagined feelings which were surrogates and self-delusions. A lot had to be "torn from your soul". The wounds will hurt for a long time but now you have more freedom and independence. You are no longer bound by what you have sacrificed; it has no power over you any more.

20. Mnemosyne (Cancer/Sagittarius, Moon/Jupiter)
Memory; Therapy; Insight into the Soul; Personal Truth; The Muses
PROBLEM: The waters of Lethe flow through your soul, leaving no chance to remember. You deny the (feminine) healer within you and suffer from a spell of forgetting. Daylight fades around you. But Mnemosyne would like to make contact with you, let you know that your problem can only be solved by remembering.
WAY: Therapy of one form or another will be needed to help you get through the problem. It does not have to be in the form of a (paid) "worldly" therapist, although this would also be useful.
OUTCOME: As difficult as it was, the process has given you an important insight. That's what it was all about: you descended and remembered. The waters of Lethe flow through your soul, leaving no chance to remember. You deny the (feminine) healer within you and suffer from a spell of forgetting. Daylight fades around you. But Mnemosyne would like to make contact with you, let you know that your problem can only be solved by remembering. Therapy of one form or another will be needed to help you get through the problem. It does not have to be in the form of a (paid) "worldly" therapist, although this would also be useful. As difficult as it was, the process has given you an important insight. That's what it was all about: you descended and remembered.

21. The Ice Queen (Cancer/Capricorn, Moon/Saturn)
Hardened Femininity; The Lonely Child; The Strict Mother; Feelings of Guilt; Depression
PROBLEM: The underlying cause of your problem is an inner persona which has closed off its feelings. You have curled up like a hedgehog, built a wall around your feelings ("a shell"), and now your reactions are cold and distant. The task is to take responsibility for your hardness instead of attributing it to the world.
WAY: It's time to be more adult. You might ask what is left of all your tears. The feminine aspect of your self can only surface if you deal with tears arising from loss or hurt feelings (not to be confused with tears of self-pity -- they're easy to come by).
OUTCOME: Your path leads you to take more responsibility for your own insensitive feelings. Then you stop blaming other people for your own callousness. It comes from you! Only this knowledge can bring about a thaw. The underlying cause of your problem is an inner persona which has closed off its feelings. You have curled up like a hedgehog, built a wall around your feelings ("a shell"), and now your reactions are cold and distant. The task is to take responsibility for your hardness instead of attributing it to the world. It's time to be more adult. You might ask what is left of all your tears. The feminine aspect of your self can only surface if you deal with tears arising from loss or hurt feelings (not to be confused with tears of self-pity -- they're easy to come by). Your path leads you to take more responsibility for your own insensitive feelings. Then you stop blaming other people for your own callousness. It comes from you! Only this knowledge can bring about a thaw.

22. Deliverance (Cancer/Aquarius, Moon/Uranus)
Emotional Release; Leaving Childhood Behind; Cold Freedom; Insecurity; Exile from the Homeland
PROBLEM: You don't want to accept the passing of a secure phase. Growth is long overdue and it is high time you hatched from the egg. The protective shell may well have to be broken open from outside because you are too frightened to choose to leave narrow boundaries.
WAY: You already know that the shell has deep cracks, that you need to give birth to something new. A certain theme in your life has aged. Your path involves pecking away the remaining pieces of the shell, and that takes a lot of strength and hard work -- but you know there is no turning back now.
OUTCOME: You've hatched from the shell -- it's cold outside. But you know it is all part of becoming an adult. Time will give you strength; the soul will grow its "feathers". And this, according to Plato, is the most important thing that can happen. You don't want to accept the passing of a secure phase. Growth is long overdue and it is high time you hatched from the egg. The protective shell may well have to be broken open from outside because you are too frightened to choose to leave narrow boundaries. You already know that the shell has deep cracks, that you need to give birth to something new. A certain theme in your life has aged. Your path involves pecking away the remaining pieces of the shell, and that takes a lot of strength and hard work -- but you know there is no turning back now. You've hatched from the shell -- it's cold outside. But you know it is all part of becoming an adult. Time will give you strength; the soul will grow its "feathers". And this, according to Plato, is the most important thing that can happen.

23. Sleeping Beauty-Slumber (Cancer/Pisces, Moon/Neptune)
The Dream; Longing; The Unborn; The Bewitched Soul; Intuition; Woman in the Realm of Oblivion; Waiting
PROBLEM: You are homeless, insecure and expectant. A wave of longing is unleashed in you and there is no one who can really ease it. This might be a sweet kind of pain, but it is also deeply disturbing because you hide yourself away. Feelings like these cannot be changed -- they can only be endured.
WAY: It's true that you feel lonely, but you also realize how the heavens can only address you in homelessness. Look at your dreams (take flights of fancy) so you can feel the messages inside you more clearly. If you keep looking outside yourself, the search will be in vain.
OUTCOME: You discover a more profound, invisible world next to the visible one, and there you will find a guide. For the sake of "intuition", this guide will show you the miracles of the objective world and let you forget your loneliness. You are homeless, insecure and expectant. A wave of longing is unleashed in you and there is no one who can really ease it. This might be a sweet kind of pain, but it is also deeply disturbing because you hide yourself away. Feelings like these cannot be changed -- they can only be endured. It's true that you feel lonely, but you also realize how the heavens can only address you in homelessness. Look at your dreams (take flights of fancy) so you can feel the messages inside you more clearly. If you keep looking outside yourself, the search will be in vain. You discover a more profound, invisible world next to the visible one, and there you will find a guide. For the sake of "intuition", this guide will show you the miracles of the objective world and let you forget your loneliness.

24. The Battle (Leo/Aries, Sun/Mars)
Power Struggle; Victory of Pyrrhus; Self-annihilation; An "Own-Goal"; Shadow-Boxing
PROBLEM: You have become tangled up in your own aggressions. You believe you have identified the enemy in the world outside, and now, despairing, seek victory whilst failing to realize you are fighting yourself. You are your own worst enemy. The more vehemently you try to win, the more energy you waste -- ultimately, it leads to self-annihilation.
WAY: The task ahead is to seize territory and win ground for yourself. No one is going to just hand it over. It's a tooth and nail battle. There is something to be learned, even from close victory or defeat: a little courage and you will learn how to face up to your opponents and fight.
OUTCOME: You have discovered that an outside enemy is only ever a reflection of an inner persona and a part of yourself. That doesn't mean, however, that you should not take up arms when need be: it's up to you to decide whether or not to fight. You have become tangled up in your own aggressions. You believe you have identified the enemy in the world outside, and now, despairing, seek victory whilst failing to realize you are fighting yourself. You are your own worst enemy. The more vehemently you try to win, the more energy you waste -- ultimately, it leads to self-annihilation. The task ahead is to seize territory and win ground for yourself. No one is going to just hand it over. It's a tooth and nail battle. There is something to be learned, even from close victory or defeat: a little courage and you will learn how to face up to your opponents and fight. You have discovered that an outside enemy is only ever a reflection of an inner persona and a part of yourself. That doesn't mean, however, that you should not take up arms when need be: it's up to you to decide whether or not to fight.

25. The Ruler (Leo/Taurus, Sun/Venus)
Feminine Power and Strength; Grandeur and Splendor; The Queen; Using Sensuality and Erotic Charm
PROBLEM: You alienated yourself from your ego; it can only be (or has been) reached by means of other people. You are prepared to "sell out" by clinging to someone whose power and strength you suppose will help you. Your intrinsic sense of self-esteem lacks foundation.
WAY: You have to learn to use your own charms to achieve what you want now. Try to view charm and the powers of attraction as part of a game you play, things you use to help satisfy desired and achieve your aims. The ego game is one we all play -- there's scarcely any other.
OUTCOME: You have realized you're not a sovereign Queen but someone who is dependent on others -- and that includes your subjects. You use your position in a friendly and loyal manner, without false modesty, and without feeling the need to hide your borrowed feathers. You alienated yourself from your ego; it can only be (or has been) reached by means of other people. You are prepared to "sell out" by clinging to someone whose power and strength you suppose will help you. Your intrinsic sense of selfesteem lacks foundation. You have to learn to use your own charms to achieve what you want now. Try to view charm and the powers of attraction as part of a game you play, things you use to help satisfy desired and achieve your aims. The ego game is one we all play -- there's scarcely any other. You have realized you're not a sovereign Queen but someone who is dependent on others -- and that includes your subjects. You use your position in a friendly and loyal manner, without false modesty, and without feeling the need to hide your borrowed feathers.

26. The Actor (Leo/Gemini, Sun/Mercury)
The Role; Self-portrayal; The Assumed Identity; "Theater"; Stage Backdrop; Intellectualism
PROBLEM: You fail to understand that you only act a role in present situation. The real person is hidden behind the "role"; it may be a while before you accept responsibility for it. For the time being, it's enough to know that your importance is borrowed or acted out. Of course, you are afraid of someone removing the mask. But who exactly could be revealed?
WAY: Play the role. Walk on-stage and start acting. Don't be concerned if the character isn't really you. The stage is your world now -- so act as well as you can. Does all this sound a bit false? Don't let it bother you. This is what your path demands. Only take yourself as seriously as the role asks of you.
OUTCOME: You act the role now without having identified with it. You don't take it seriously: you know it's just a game -you can even say as much. You can admit it to yourself and to others. Who could remove the mask now? You fail to understand that you only act a role in present situation. The real person is hidden behind the "role"; it may be a while before you accept responsibility for it. For the time being, it's enough to know that your importance is borrowed or acted out. Of course, you are afraid of someone removing the mask. But who exactly could be revealed? Play the role. Walk on-stage and start acting. Don't be concerned if the character isn't really you. The stage is your world now -- so act as well as you can. Does all this sound a bit false? Don't let it bother you. This is what your path demands. Only take yourself as seriously as the role asks of you. You act the role now without having identified with it. You don't take it seriously: you know it's just a game -- you can even say as much. You can admit it to yourself and to others. Who could remove the mask now?

27. The Ailing King (Leo/Virgo, Sun/Mercury)
The Patient; The Joylessness of Everyday Life; Exhaustion; Fleeing to Illness; Forbearance
PROBLEM: You flee into a state which could be misinterpreted as illness. Your ego rejects life because no one rolls out the red-carpet. But you refuse contact and retreat back to bed even before your "royal toes" can touch the pavement of reality.
WAY: This hails the arrival of everyday life for your ego. Your days have the same gray and colorless tone. You go through a phase which demands resilience and adjustment. The theme here is "the long run".
OUTCOME: You have learned to be patient in the sense of the word's original sense "patientia": forbearance of exigencies, enduring trivialities and ordinariness in everyday life. You flee into a state which could be misinterpreted as illness. Your ego rejects life because no one rolls out the red-carpet. But you refuse contact and retreat back to bed even before your "royal toes" can touch the pavement of reality. This hails the arrival of everyday life for your ego. Your days have the same gray and colorless tone. You go through a phase which demands resilience and adjustment. The theme here is "the long run". You have learned to be patient in the sense of the word's original sense "patientia": forbearance of exigencies, enduring trivialities and ordinariness in everyday life.

28. The Wedding (Leo/Libra, Sun/Venus)
Love (Falling in Love); The Couple; The Climax; Euphoria; Lucky in Love; Unity of Opposites; Dependence on The Relationship
PROBLEM: You try to realize your own happiness through other people. You expect someone else to love you. You want to bask in their warm rays. Did you just say you've also got something to give? Well good, so it's a fair exchange. But have you already discovered love in yourself, independent of others? You see!
WAY: The path can only be travelled with someone else. It's all about making mutual plans, as your sun can only shine with someone by your side. Together you can discover for yourselves the road leading to the heart.
OUTCOME: You are already on the way to achieving togetherness. Love is the womanly guide to whom you will return. You find love in yourself through someone else. You try to realize your own happiness through other people. You expect someone else to love you. You want to bask in their warm rays. Did you just say you've also got something to give? Well good, so it's a fair exchange. But have you already discovered love in yourself, independent of others? You see! The path can only be travelled with someone else. It's all about making mutual plans, as your sun can only shine with someone by your side. Together you can discover for yourselves the road leading to the heart. You are already on the way to achieving togetherness. Love is the womanly guide to whom you will return. You find love in yourself through someone else.

29. The Magician (Leo/Scorpio, Sun/Pluto)
Efforts to Create Life (Test-Tube Life); Black Magic and White Magic; Positive Thinking; Perfectionism; Genetic Engineering
PROBLEM: You are under a magic spell. But don't take this the wrong way: your own magical past returns to you even if you may feel the victim of "sacrifice". You are trapped in spiritual chains and live according to an image of life which consumes a lot of strength and life energy.
WAY: You live life in a bubble, like homunculus inside a testtube. You have invested a lot of energy into its conception, and the time has now come to make a sacrifice which will again release pent up energy. Remember: it's only an image being destroyed. The truth knows no destruction.
OUTCOME: You have understood that you are not the creator but the created. You will find peace and move into an orbit around your true star. You know that all other stars are the work of Hollywood -- a few pretty pictures, some glamor up-front, but it's all made of cardboard. You are under a magic spell. But don't take this the wrong way: your own magical past returns to you even if you may feel the victim of "sacrifice". You are trapped in spiritual chains and live according to an image of life which consumes a lot of strength and life energy. You live life in a bubble, like homunculus inside a test-tube. You have invested a lot of energy into its conception, and the time has now come to make a sacrifice which will again release pent up energy. Remember: it's only an image being destroyed. The truth knows no destruction. You have understood that you are not the creator but the created. You will find peace and move into an orbit around your true star. You know that all other stars are the work of Hollywood -- a few pretty pictures, some glamor up-front, but it's all made of cardboard.

30. Fortuna (Leo/Sagittarius, Sun/Jupiter)
Luck; Spiritual Depth; Tolerance; Reaching for the Stars; Seeking Admiration; Optimism; Inner Healer; Trust
PROBLEM: You suffer from a serious lack of trust deep within you. You have lost your optimism and don't trust your own insights any more. Your ego no longer heeds the (omnipresent) inner healer -- the bridge to Religio has been destroyed. The process could lead to megalomania.
WAY: You only need to find the confidence along the way that you are a "recipient", that you will be guided by everything "good" in the heavens. The heavens are your therapy.
OUTCOME: The effort is worthwhile. The cornucopia is overflowing again. Insight returns and you can again experience what we call "luck". You suffer from a serious lack of trust deep within you. You have lost your optimism and don't trust your own insights any more. Your ego no longer heeds the (omnipresent) inner healer -- the bridge to Religio has been destroyed. The process could lead to megalomania. You only need to find the confidence along the way that you are a "recipient", that you will be guided by everything "good" in the heavens. The heavens are your therapy. The effort is worthwhile. The cornucopia is overflowing again. Insight returns and you can again experience what we call "luck".

31. The Burden (Leo/Capricorn, Sun/Saturn)
Toil; Conscience; Enduring Fate; Ethics; Guilty Feelings; Responsibility
PROBLEM: A burden weighs down your soul. It weighs heavily on your conscience. You still haven't accepted that removing it requires a long, painful and tiring process. You are responsible for yourself. You have to rely solely on yourself, something which makes life all the more difficult.
WAY: The problem looms ahead of you and the path to its solution is steep. It demands commitment and effort. You are the only one capable of doing the job. Be prepared for an exhausting process and count on having a few setbacks.
OUTCOME: The view from the summit has given you a clear perspective. Law and conscience have become the measure of your life. As Kant said: The "starlit sky overhead and the conscience within" will determine your actions. A burden weighs down your soul. It weighs heavily on your conscience. You still haven't accepted that removing it requires a long, painful and tiring process. You are responsible for yourself. You have to rely solely on yourself, something which makes life all the more difficult. The problem looms ahead of you and the path to its solution is steep. It demands commitment and effort. You are the only one capable of doing the job. Be prepared for an exhausting process and count on having a few setbacks. The view from the summit has given you a clear perspective. Law and conscience have become the measure of your life. As Kant said: The "starlit sky overhead and the conscience within" will determine your actions.

32. The Fall (Leo/Aquarius, Sun/Uranus)
Palace Betrayal; Overthrow; Change; Fall of the Ego; Loss of Power; Disloyalty
PROBLEM: You have suffered a fall and can neither understand nor come to terms with it. You have no idea that a betrayal comes from above. Instead, you accuse others of having deceived or betrayed you. But the overthrow is justified and satisfies a higher need. You have to accept it, even if this hurts your ego.
WAY: Somewhere along the way you have to relinquish your throne and the kingdom you worked so tirelessly to create. The task now is to seek the jester within yourself. But only if you are prepared to pack your belongings and get away for a while.
OUTCOME: In the end you realize that you too are the fool and that now you are better able to do justice to the role. You identify less with the king now and all the more with the joker. You have suffered a fall and can neither understand nor come to terms with it. You have no idea that a betrayal comes from above. Instead, you accuse others of having deceived or betrayed you. But the overthrow is justified and satisfies a higher need. You have to accept it, even if this hurts your ego. Somewhere along the way you have to relinquish your throne and the kingdom you worked so tirelessly to create. The task now is to seek the jester within yourself. But only if you are prepared to pack your belongings and get away for a while. In the end you realize that you too are the fool and that now you are better able to do justice to the role. You identify less with the king now and all the more with the joker.

33. Retreat (Leo/Pisces, Sun/Neptune)
Loss of Ego; Contemplation; "Deidentification"; Inconspicuousness; "Dis-realization"; Existential Crisis; A Feeling of Nothingness
PROBLEM: There is nothing ore to do, it's time to take your leave from the stage. Your world becomes barren, gray and colorless. Don't look for causes -that's just how it is. You have no role to play at the moment (in both senses of the word). Try to accept this fact.
WAY: Don't waste your energy, you have to cross a no man's land now. You are not at the helm of a boat, you drift on a raft far from shore. So just relax and let yourself be carried along. Don't interfere -you will only become confused. Learn to let matters run their course. Refraining from action is the best course of action.
OUTCOME: You learn from the outcome that solutions are only found within yourself, not in teh world outside. You also understand now what it means to close your eyes to the world and to open them up within. You take a step forward in your growth which will make your ego smaller and your existence far richer. There is nothing ore to do, it's time to take your leave from the stage. Your world becomes barren, gray and colorless. Don't look for causes -- that's just how it is. You have no role to play at the moment (in both senses of the word). Try to accept this fact. Don't waste your energy, you have to cross a no man's land now. You are not at the helm of a boat, you drift on a raft far from shore. So just relax and let yourself be carried along. Don't interfere -- you will only become confused. Learn to let matters run their course. Refraining from action is the best course of action. You learn from the outcome that solutions are only found within yourself, not in teh world outside. You also understand now what it means to close your eyes to the world and to open them up within. You take a step forward in your growth which will make your ego smaller and your existence far richer.

34. Eros (Aries/Taurus, Mars/Venus)
Attraction of the Sexes; Sex; Flirtation; Body Contact; "Cher-Chez La Femme"
PROBLEM: The card would like to remind you of the theme (and problem) of your sexuality. It wants to tell you: "Human beings can't live from the spirit alone; we have a body too". It can mean two things: either this theme was allowed to run on so long that you have dried up, or you focus on nothing but the theme itself and have become closed to everything else (surely you know which one is true). In both cases the car says: "Take more care of your sexuality". Cupid is finding its target.
WAY: The way ahead involves finding the courage to be sensual again, learning to understand your own inhibitions (or excesses) and discovering that Amor has its own way of uniting the pieces.
OUTCOME: You understand the scope of the sexual game without overestimating or underestimating its significance. Sexuality, as someone wise once said, is the best frivolity. The card would like to remind you of the theme (and problem) of your sexuality. It wants to tell you: "Human beings can't live from the spirit alone; we have a body too". It can mean two things: either this theme was allowed to run on so long that you have dried up, or you focus on nothing but the theme itself and have become closed to everything else (surely you know which one is true). In both cases the car says: "Take more care of your sexuality". Cupid is finding its target. The way ahead involves finding the courage to be sensual again, learning to understand your own inhibitions (or excesses) and discovering that Amor has its own way of uniting the pieces. You understand the scope of the sexual game without overestimating or underestimating its significance. Sexuality, as someone wise once said, is the best frivolity.

35. The Stocks (Aries/Gemini, Mars/Mercury)
Gossip; Defamation; Destruction with Words; Moaning; Wailing Willy (Yapping); Character Assassination; A Sharp Tongue
PROBLEM: You are about to propagate a vicious lie or become the victim of lies yourself. Neither of these -- whether you are victim or culprit -- is any more noble than the other as both show you are susceptible to gossip and lies, that you have not understood the whole meaning. Whatever the case, you believe you are not implicated in it being spread. That's a mistake!
WAY: Your journey will not spare you the ignominy of the stocks. Your actions will be made public and it would be a good thing to prepare yourself -- yes, even help the process along (if you don't find it too difficult). Otherwise you will be taken by surprise. The easiest way is to go public. That's what we call "outing".
OUTCOME: The matter you hid has come to light -- now acknowledge it. Standing at the stocks means admitting to your most unsavory characteristics and, most importantly, to aggression. You are about to propagate a vicious lie or become the victim of lies yourself. Neither of these -whether you are victim or culprit -- is any more noble than the other as both show you are susceptible to gossip and lies, that you have not understood the whole meaning. Whatever the case, you believe you are not implicated in it being spread. That's a mistake! Your journey will not spare you the ignominy of the stocks. Your actions will be made public and it would be a good thing to prepare yourself -- yes, even help the process along (if you don't find it too difficult). Otherwise you will be taken by surprise. The easiest way is to go public. That's what we call "outing". The matter you hid has come to light -- now acknowledge it. Standing at the stocks means admitting to your most unsavory characteristics and, most importantly, to aggression.

36. Guilt (Aries/Virgo, Mars/Mercury)
The Unintentional Act; Acting in Good Faith; Projection; VictimCulprit Relationship; Guilt and Innocence
PROBLEM: The perpetrator in you fight for his life, for his very innocence. He is on a voracious search for defence. You cannot acknowledge the act and grant those redeeming words: "I was the one!" The threads holding victim and perpetrator together are a noose around your heart which steals your breath and freedom.
WAY: Guilt is unavoidable. Someone is going to be hurt no matter which solution your path leads you to choose. Only one thing can help you: confess!
OUTCOME: Why do you bother asking anyway? Mankind is doomed by fate. These words taken from the Oracle of Delphi are written upon the walls of the temple at your journey's end. You accept that the theme of guilt is part of life: a state beyond guilt and innocence existed only in Paradise before the fall, before knowledge of Good and Evil, when victim and culprit were one. The perpetrator in you fight for his life, for his very innocence. He is on a voracious search for defence. You cannot acknowledge the act and grant those redeeming words: "I was the one!" The threads holding victim and perpetrator together are a noose around your heart which steals your breath and freedom. Guilt is unavoidable. Someone is going to be hurt no matter which solution your path leads you to choose. Only one thing can help you: confess! Why do you bother asking anyway? Mankind is doomed by fate. These words taken from the Oracle of Delphi are written upon the walls of the temple at your journey's end. You accept that the theme of guilt is part of life: a state beyond guilt and innocence existed only in Paradise before the fall, before knowledge of Good and Evil, when victim and culprit were one.

37. Disagreement (Aries/Libra, Mars/Venus)
Battle of the Sexes; Clash; The Hatchet; Breaking the Symbolon
PROBLEM: You don't want to perceive a relationship conflict. That could mean a conflict with your partner, a neighbor, friend or family member. You are afraid to argue and clash. Your partner, placed in the position of having to enact your aggressions, has become your enemy. This pressure -- which you want to repress with counterpressure -- could just as easily surface on the bodily plane (as cramps, pain, fever, or agitation).
WAY: The one and only thing you can do is remove the bone of contention. You can only progress through open discussion. This path offers you very little harmony in the relationship.
OUTCOME: You have learned to live with the irreconcilable difference between the sexes. If you follow your ego's power to assert itself, you will inevitably lose the "we". If you give in to togetherness, you will sacrifice a part of yourself. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You don't want to perceive a relationship conflict. That could mean a conflict with your partner, a neighbor, friend or family member. You are afraid to argue and clash. Your partner, placed in the position of having to enact your aggressions, has become your enemy. This pressure -- which you want to repress with counter-pressure -- could just as easily surface on the bodily plane (as cramps, pain, fever, or agitation). The one and only thing you can do is remove the bone of contention. You can only progress through open discussion. This path offers you very little harmony in the relationship. You have learned to live with the irreconcilable difference between the sexes. If you follow your ego's power to assert itself, you will inevitably lose the "we". If you give in to togetherness, you will sacrifice a part of yourself. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

38. The Vampire (Aries/Scorpio, Mars/Pluto)
Penetration of the Soul; Rape; Bondage; The Victim; The "Undead"
PROBLEM: Part of you has died. This means you have attached yourself to someone else, chosen this person as your perpetrator, and may now consider yourself to be a victim. You hope to be blessed with life; you want to share this person's energies, and now you are surprised by his or her control over you. You turned yourself into the victim by calling on the intruder. Now both of you are embroiled in "Dangerous Liaisons"
WAY: Acknowledge that one part of you is heteronomous. Discover which of your personae has descended into the realm of the shadow and the underworld and invades alien lifeforms. Identify this parasitic creature, it creates shackles which hold you down.
OUTCOME: The vampire will die. This frightens you, but it is the cure. It doesn't mean a complete death: the vampire stealing part of your life will surface and die in the light of consciousness, creating space for a new beginning. Part of you has died. This means you have attached yourself to someone else, chosen this person as your perpetrator, and may now consider yourself to be a victim. You hope to be blessed with life; you want to share this person's energies, and now you are surprised by his or her control over you. You turned yourself into the victim by calling on the intruder. Now both of you are embroiled in "Dangerous Liaisons" Acknowledge that one part of you is heteronomous. Discover which of your personae has descended into the realm of the shadow and the underworld and invades alien lifeforms. Identify this parasitic creature, it creates shackles which hold you down. The vampire will die. This frightens you, but it is the cure. It doesn't mean a complete death: the vampire stealing part of your life will surface and die in the light of consciousness, creating space for a new beginning.

39. The Crusader (Aries/Sagittarius, Mars/Jupiter)
Religious Controversy; Resilient Defence of a Mission; Fight Against Dissidents; The Power of Persuasion (Upholding Convictions)
PROBLEM: You act against your own good judgement (repress the insights you have gained) and turn your sword on those who (you think) dissent. You want your "correct" opinions to prevail, not noticing that they are only the pretence to wage war and destroy.
WAY: Sometime you will have to stand up for your convictions, even if that means a fight. It is not enough just to achieve insight and knowledge if you are not prepared to back them with deeds.
OUTCOME: Ultimately, your actions are guided by insight and understanding. Deeds are no longer dictated by blind aggression; your well-thought out actions are driven by conviction. Now you know how easy it is to start a fight -shadow-box -- with yourself. You act against your own good judgement (repress the insights you have gained) and turn your sword on those who (you think) dissent. You want your "correct" opinions to prevail, not noticing that they are only the pretence to wage war and destroy. Sometime you will have to stand up for your convictions, even if that means a fight. It is not enough just to achieve insight and knowledge if you are not prepared to back them with deeds. Ultimately, your actions are guided by insight and understanding. Deeds are no longer dictated by blind aggression; your well-thought out actions are driven by conviction. Now you know how easy it is to start a fight -- shadow-box -- with yourself.

40. Prevention (Aries/Capricorn, Mars/Saturn)
Fruitless Effort; The Ban; The Power of Destiny; Blockage; The Bridle; Defeat by Authority
PROBLEM: You try to charge head-first into things at the moment, failing to realize that your efforts won't get you anywhere.
WAY: Give up! It's not up to you to decide. You can't draw your sword from the sheath because, frankly, it isn't your sword. So stop trying.
OUTCOME: You will learn to harmonize your energies with the demands of fate. That means subjective desires give way to a higher aim and your energies can be made to flow again (in a new direction). You try to charge head-first into things at the moment, failing to realize that your efforts won't get you anywhere. Give up! It's not up to you to decide. You can't draw your sword from the sheath because, frankly, it isn't your sword. So stop trying. You will learn to harmonize your energies with the demands of fate. That means subjective desires give way to a higher aim and your energies can be made to flow again (in a new direction).

41. The Spiteful Troublemaker (Aries/Aquarius, Mars/Uranus)
Trouble-Making Brat; Rumpelstilzchin; Pain in the Neck; The Irritant; The Exorcist; The Menace; Trickster; The Ally
PROBLEM: One of your inner personae is exploiting you or some other person without being noticed. It has a tremendous power to alienate; it's a traitor working behind your back, a trouble-maker, or a menace which comes between you and the world.
WAY: Look for your "Rumpelstilzchin". Discover the secrets this wizened little fellow guards in himself (and therefore yourself), find out what motivates him. One of his aims is to deliver you from something in the past.
OUTCOME: At the end of your journey you will have made this persona an ally. You are not dependent on the opinions of others any more. You can go your own way and no longer feel obliged to accept or ask for charity. One of your inner personae is exploiting you or some other person without being noticed. It has a tremendous power to alienate; it's a traitor working behind your back, a trouble-maker, or a menace which comes between you and the world. Look for your "Rumpelstilzchin". Discover the secrets this wizened little fellow guards in himself (and therefore yourself), find out what motivates him. One of his aims is to deliver you from something in the past. At the end of your journey you will have made this persona an ally. You are not dependent on the opinions of others any more. You can go your own way and no longer feel obliged to accept or ask for charity.

42. The Absolute Fool (Aries/Pisces, Mars/Neptune)
Tilting at Windmills; The Loser; The Tramp; Guilelessness; The Sleeping Soldier; Lethargy; Dreams of Heroics; Perceval
PROBLEM: At the moment you are unable to accept not having enough energy to come to terms with the world. You are a loser. Your body, tired and weak, might well reflect this listlessness.
WAY: As part of this process you have to learn to reject competitiveness and fighting. The task is to take an inconspicuous, independent path without seeking the confirmation of others.
OUTCOME: You have learned to honor both worlds. You neither wear yourself out, tilt at windmills, nor build castles in the air which are destined to collapse. At the moment you are unable to accept not having enough energy to come to terms with the world. You are a loser. Your body, tired and weak, might well reflect this listlessness. As part of this process you have to learn to reject competitiveness and fighting. The task is to take an inconspicuous, independent path without seeking the confirmation of others. You have learned to honor both worlds. You neither wear yourself out, tilt at windmills, nor build castles in the air which are destined to collapse.

43. The Golden Girl (Taurus/Gemini, Venus/Mercury)
Cinderella; Feminine Competition; Presentation of Values; Grimm's "Pechmarie"; The Bluestocking; The Beautiful and the Ugly
PROBLEM: Deep down you feel inferior. You suffer from low self-esteem because you think someone either makes you appear plain and inadequate or that this is how you really are. Both suggest you get hung up on making comparisons (competition), something that can only make you lose in the long term. As long as you try to increase your self-esteem by appearing attractive, you will remain a prisoner on the plane of self-portrayal -- in essence, you don't believe in yourself. You feel inferior.
WAY: An essential part of the journey is to take a good look at your competitive behavior. How or in regard to what person do you dress yourself up to appear better than you really are? Take an honest look at how your lack of self-esteem surfaces.
OUTCOME: When the problem is over you see that portraying self-esteem is just a theatrical role. It is up to you to decide whether you continue the role or bid it farewell. Neither one is of great consequence, no matter what you decide. Deep down you feel inferior. You suffer from low self-esteem because you think someone either makes you appear plain and inadequate or that this is how you really are. Both suggest you get hung up on making comparisons (competition), something that can only make you lose in the long term. As long as you try to increase your self-esteem by appearing attractive, you will remain a prisoner on the plane of self-portrayal -- in essence, you don't believe in yourself. You feel inferior. An essential part of the journey is to take a good look at your competitive behavior. How or in regard to what person do you dress yourself up to appear better than you really are? Take an honest look at how your lack of self-esteem surfaces. When the problem is over you see that portraying self-esteem is just a theatrical role. It is up to you to decide whether you continue the role or bid it farewell. Neither one is of great consequence, no matter what you decide.

44. Clinging (Taurus/Virgo, Venus/Mercury)
Greed; Gaining Weight; The Material World as Protective Wall and Prison; Assurance as Safeguard
PROBLEM: At some point you built a wall around yourself and, seeking security (and in fear), became your own incarcerated slave. "Excess" plays an important role here. You think, "The more, the better", but this will only make you less flexible and trap you even more in the end.
WAY: Look at how you hope to find support in external values which may later become obstacles and make progress more difficult.
OUTCOME: The material world undoubtedly has its time and place -- it can make good sense. You find a balanced (and nonrestricting) approach to this theme. Security has its intrinsic value, but it is no end in itself. At some point you built a wall around yourself and, seeking security (and in fear), became your own incarcerated slave. "Excess" plays an important role here. You think, "The more, the better", but this will only make you less flexible and trap you even more in the end. Look at how you hope to find support in external values which may later become obstacles and make progress more difficult. The material world undoubtedly has its time and place -- it can make good sense. You find a balanced (and non-restricting) approach to this theme. Security has its intrinsic value, but it is no end in itself.

45. The Gilded Cage (Taurus/Libra, Venus/Venus)
The Relationship as Imprisonment; The Partner as Possession; Jealousy; Bribing Your Partner; Devotion
PROBLEM: "Buying" and "being bought" are bitter aspects in your relationship. Relationships of this kind are doomed to "possession" and "jealousy". You are trapped no matter whether you are the "possessor" or the "possessed". You are the prisoner of the gilded cage who grows more passive and less flexible over time. You paid a high price for "security".
WAY: The task at hand is to make your relationship (or friendship) more meaningful. You have to "invest" in it and accept a possible loss of freedom. Otherwise it will continue to lack the foundation and the fertile soil to grow.
OUTCOME: The journey leads you to a realization that the door of the cage was never closed. Two people who belong together and provide warmth for one another should not isolate themselves in "mutual reassurance". Devotion is a natural part of a relationship only when mutual growth and development are possible. But loss of freedom might be the price to pay. "Buying" and "being bought" are bitter aspects in your relationship. Relationships of this kind are doomed to "possession" and "jealousy". You are trapped no matter whether you are the "possessor" or the "possessed". You are the prisoner of the gilded cage who grows more passive and less flexible over time. You paid a high price for "security". The task at hand is to make your relationship (or friendship) more meaningful. You have to "invest" in it and accept a possible loss of freedom. Otherwise it will continue to lack the foundation and the fertile soil to grow. The journey leads you to a realization that the door of the cage was never closed. Two people who belong together and provide warmth for one another should not isolate themselves in "mutual reassurance". Devotion is a natural part of a relationship only when mutual growth and development are possible. But loss of freedom might be the price to pay.

46. The Marionette (Taurus/Scorpio, Venus/Pluto)
The Barbie-Doll Syndrome; Remote-Control Sensuality; The Perfect Appearance; Being Possessed by the Material Form; Eating Disorders
PROBLEM: You hang by invisible threads. You don't realize you are trying to conform to an image. Expressed metaphorically, you want to become a larva. The God of the Underworld seduces you so perfectly that you are unable to distinguish between image and reality. It's like a virus with such a long incubation period that you don't remember where and when you were infected.
WAY: Try to find out how this alien virus turned you into a doll. The task is to escape, to emerge from the chrysalis and get back to your true individuality. This isn't easy as there is always the risk of moving on to another image (unwittingly) after metamorphosis.
OUTCOME: You find the self-esteem your personality needs. The strings are no longer controlled by your (and other's) self-image. The path leads you away from the controlled images of others, superficialities, and values which don't suit you. You hang by invisible threads. You don't realize you are trying to conform to an image. Expressed metaphorically, you want to become a larva. The God of the Underworld seduces you so perfectly that you are unable to distinguish between image and reality. It's like a virus with such a long incubation period that you don't remember where and when you were infected. Try to find out how this alien virus turned you into a doll. The task is to escape, to emerge from the chrysalis and get back to your true individuality. This isn't easy as there is always the risk of moving on to another image (unwittingly) after metamorphosis. You find the self-esteem your personality needs. The strings are no longer controlled by your (and other's) self-image. The path leads you away from the controlled images of others, superficialities, and values which don't suit you.

47. Matter and Spirit (Taurus/Sagittarius, Venus/Jupiter)
Spirit as Function; "New Age" Business (The Spiritual as Product); Buying Your Happiness; The Sect
PROBLEM: You are about to buy important insights (or sell them to someone else). That means the spiritual property which you carry around does not really belong to you. It has not yet begun the journey through the soul. What you possess is still a piece of merchandise you like to use as decoration for the ego.
WAY: New insights usually involve having to let go of something (valuable) which was either trapped within you or kept you yourself captive. The journey demands a sacrifice, and this sacrifice is something material.
OUTCOME: You know that your own insights (spiritual creations) are only true for you. No one can buy them, and nor can they be sold to anyone else. They like to be self-styled; "handmade", so to speak. You are about to buy important insights (or sell them to someone else). That means the spiritual property which you carry around does not really belong to you. It has not yet begun the journey through the soul. What you possess is still a piece of merchandise you like to use as decoration for the ego. New insights usually involve having to let go of something (valuable) which was either trapped within you or kept you yourself captive. The journey demands a sacrifice, and this sacrifice is something material. You know that your own insights (spiritual creations) are only true for you. No one can buy them, and nor can they be sold to anyone else. They like to be self-styled; "handmade", so to speak.

48. Responsibility For Creation (Taurus/Capricorn, Venus/Saturn)
Responsibility for the World; Creator and Nature; Care and Attention; Usufruct; Looking after the Dependent and the Weak.
PROBLEM: There is a creature in your immediate environment (an animal, a plant or even someone in need) which is weak and somehow dependent on you. You are careless, you don't realize this lifeform will wither and die unless it receives attention. The task ahead of you is to care for it, look after it.
WAY: You are being asked to intervene on behalf of someone else, the world or the environment. Your journey involves learning to accept responsibility for the weak (lifeforms which depend on you). That could mean an animal, plant or human being in need of your protection. Your journey will never end unless you care for them and relieve their burden.
OUTCOME: Now you are acquainted with the "Francis of Assisi" in you. A part of you which seeks to do good in the world will awaken almost unnoticed (or unintended). You are ready to accept responsibility; you feel in harmony with nature. There is a creature in your immediate environment (an animal, a plant or even someone in need) which is weak and somehow dependent on you. You are careless, you don't realize this lifeform will wither and die unless it receives attention. The task ahead of you is to care for it, look after it. You are being asked to intervene on behalf of someone else, the world or the environment. Your journey involves learning to accept responsibility for the weak (lifeforms which depend on you). That could mean an animal, plant or human being in need of your protection. Your journey will never end unless you care for them and relieve their burden. Now you are acquainted with the "Francis of Assisi" in you. A part of you which seeks to do good in the world will awaken almost unnoticed (or unintended). You are ready to accept responsibility; you feel in harmony with nature.

49. The Farewell (Taurus/Aquarius, Venus/Uranus)
Exiles From the Homeland; Exile; Sudden Material Collapse; The Outsider; Change of Place; Break-up of a Friendship (Betrayal of a Friend)
PROBLEM: You would like to remain in the protective shell of your surroundings but some aspect of your life has become too "hard". There is a danger of your roots driving down so deep that you can never find the strength again to free yourself. That's why fate has ordained deportation. It assists in your passage to freedom and personal growth.
WAY: You will have to give up your security or perhaps even your friends (or important groups of people). Certain affiliations and aspects of your life have become too antiquated to support you; there is nothing more you can learn from them.
OUTCOME: Innumerable departures have taught you that security cannot be found in material forms. You accept freedom and change of affiliation, the natural rhythm of ebb and flow, "bonding" and "letting go". Everything has its time and place. You would like to remain in the protective shell of your surroundings but some aspect of your life has become too "hard". There is a danger of your roots driving down so deep that you can never find the strength again to free yourself. That's why fate has ordained deportation. It assists in your passage to freedom and personal growth. You will have to give up your security or perhaps even your friends (or important groups of people). Certain affiliations and aspects of your life have become too antiquated to support you; there is nothing more you can learn from them. Innumerable departures have taught you that security cannot be found in material forms. You accept freedom and change of affiliation, the natural rhythm of ebb and flow, "bonding" and "letting go". Everything has its time and place.

50. The Garden of Spirits (Taurus/Pisces, Venus/Neptune)
The World Behind the World; Homelessness; Rootlessness; Cinderella Syndrome; Disregard for the Material World; Allegory of the Visible World
PROBLEM: You have drifted unwittingly into a reverie. You flee from reality by waiting for your dream to be realized. These kinds of dreams are like a drug, alienating you all the more from the world and those you find difficult to leave. They have lulled you into a false sense of reality. Above all else, they make you passive.
WAY: The important step in your development is to embark on a journey at some point which takes you away from your homeland. Material things are too restrictive, so that means freeing yourself of most of your belongings. You can only dream with such an enormous millstone about your neck.
OUTCOME: "Each manifestation on earth is just a metaphor." Ultimately, you have understood what this means. So you don't really need to play power games any more, but can take your time to look at the metaphors and learn to understand yourself in them. You have drifted unwittingly into a reverie. You flee from reality by waiting for your dream to be realized. These kinds of dreams are like a drug, alienating you all the more from the world and those you find difficult to leave. They have lulled you into a false sense of reality. Above all else, they make you passive. The important step in your development is to embark on a journey at some point which takes you away from your homeland. Material things are too restrictive, so that means freeing yourself of most of your belongings. You can only dream with such an enormous millstone about your neck. "Each manifestation on earth is just a metaphor." Ultimately, you have understood what this means. So you don't really need to play power games any more, but can take your time to look at the metaphors and learn to understand yourself in them.

51. The Strategist (Gemini/Virgo, Mercury/Mercury)
The Intellectual; Control; Tactic; Science; Life from the Head; The Diplomat; Causality (Law of Cause and Effect)
PROBLEM: Your life is in dry-dock at the moment. A virus keeps you trapped and it's called "reason" or "rationality". You only know the waters of feeling from books, using your head to try to control the world.
WAY: Act intelligently and only after careful consideration. Plan your moves carefully -- don't get carried away by feelings. Take your time, get things into perspective. First of all, remember that everything has its consequence.
OUTCOME: A lot of things will have been clarified and rearranged. The point is to learn to understand more about the direction your life is taking. You will start seeing cause and effect as a whole. Now you understand and adjust to the causes which have to produce certain effects. Your life is in dry-dock at the moment. A virus keeps you trapped and it's called "reason" or "rationality". You only know the waters of feeling from books, using your head to try to control the world. Act intelligently and only after careful consideration. Plan your moves carefully -- don't get carried away by feelings. Take your time, get things into perspective. First of all, remember that everything has its consequence. A lot of things will have been clarified and rearranged. The point is to learn to understand more about the direction your life is taking. You will start seeing cause and effect as a whole. Now you understand and adjust to the causes which have to produce certain effects.

52. Vanity Fair (Gemini/Libra, Mercury/Venus)
Seeing and Being Seen; Relationship as Ego Trip; Passing the Time; Being With Someone; Staging Togetherness
PROBLEM: Your relationship (or the relationship you seek) is hollow and empty at the moment because it is an ego-wish. Either you have become someone's "ornament" or you use your partner to inflate your own ego. Instead of achieving deep togetherness in your relationship, you find boredom and disinterest which you try to overcome with "games".
WAY: Your partnership is going through a very ordinary, unremarkable phase: no highs, no lows. You are both simply coexisting. It's the only way to solve your problem at the moment. This way, you might create the peace and quiet you need to unwind and relax, give yourself the distance you need to be more objective.
OUTCOME: Appearances are a normal component of life and relationships. They are part of the game, and you will have learned to join in without placing too much importance on them. Your relationship (or the relationship you seek) is hollow and empty at the moment because it is an ego-wish. Either you have become someone's "ornament" or you use your partner to inflate your own ego. Instead of achieving deep togetherness in your relationship, you find boredom and disinterest which you try to overcome with "games". Your partnership is going through a very ordinary, unremarkable phase: no highs, no lows. You are both simply co-existing. It's the only way to solve your problem at the moment. This way, you might create the peace and quiet you need to unwind and relax, give yourself the distance you need to be more objective. Appearances are a normal component of life and relationships. They are part of the game, and you will have learned to join in without placing too much importance on them.

53. The Pied Piper (Gemini/Scorpio, Mercury/Pluto)
Being Tricked; The Suggestion; The Propagandist; The Con-artist; Buying Addiction; Advertising (Images Designed to Seduce You)
PROBLEM: You don't realize you have fallen for someone or some idea. You are a prisoner now, confused by the alluring and (admittedly) beguiling tones of the flute. Unfortunately, there was no one who could have tied you to the mast -- as Ulysses was in his time -- to prevent you being harmed by the Sirens' sweet songs.
WAY: It is impossible to avoid being attracted by the sounds of the flute, even if they become empty promises. The more you find out about life and what's best for you, the less often you will fall for seduction in the future.
OUTCOME: Ultimately, you will miss out on what was promised. That means you realize someone was dangling a carrot under your nose. You might even feel like a donkey now. But the truth is, you've finally left your armchair and got yourself moving -- and that's what it was all about. You don't realize you have fallen for someone or some idea. You are a prisoner now, confused by the alluring and (admittedly) beguiling tones of the flute. Unfortunately, there was no one who could have tied you to the mast -- as Ulysses was in his time -- to prevent you being harmed by the Sirens' sweet songs. It is impossible to avoid being attracted by the sounds of the flute, even if they become empty promises. The more you find out about life and what's best for you, the less often you will fall for seduction in the future. Ultimately, you will miss out on what was promised. That means you realize someone was dangling a carrot under your nose. You might even feel like a donkey now. But the truth is, you've finally left your armchair and got yourself moving -and that's what it was all about.

54. Master and Disciple (Gemini/Sagittarius, Mercury/Jupiter)
Learning and Teaching; Spiritual Difference; Eternal Student; Con-man; Spiritual Noncommitment
PROBLEM: You have lost your way and become caught somewhere between the role of teacher and pupil. You can't see yourself as the pupil, but nor can you find the courage to teach. This no man's land is robbing you of intellectual energy and makes you feel trapped between "no longer being" and "having become". The knowledge you gained still lacks responsibility -- you are not growing spiritually at the moment.
WAY: You will have to "beat" two different paths. On the left path you remain a pupil, on the right path you will have become the teacher. Both belong to your current development with equal time and measure.You will be on your way twin "drive" them.
OUTCOME: You have become a spiritual "medium". You impart and accept knowledge according to need and your designated group. You can do both now. Your knowledge has acquired therapeutic powers and entails responsibility, reaching into the depths of existence and becoming a river which enriches the soil. And now you can accept how long it will take the river to flow into the sea. You have lost your way and become caught somewhere between the role of teacher and pupil. You can't see yourself as the pupil, but nor can you find the courage to teach. This no man's land is robbing you of intellectual energy and makes you feel trapped between "no longer being" and "having become". The knowledge you gained still lacks responsibility -you are not growing spiritually at the moment. You will have to "beat" two different paths. On the left path you remain a pupil, on the right path you will have become the teacher. Both belong to your current development with equal time and measure.You will be on your way twin "drive" them. You have become a spiritual "medium". You impart and accept knowledge according to need and your designated group. You can do both now. Your knowledge has acquired therapeutic powers and entails responsibility, reaching into the depths of existence and becoming a river which enriches the soil. And now you can accept how long it will take the river to flow into the sea.

55. Affliction (Gemini/Capricorn, Mercury/Saturn)
Impairment; Learning Difficulties; Lack of Contact; The Invalid; Reflection; Clarity of Thought
PROBLEM: You have lost your agility at present. Your movements are inert and lame; you cannot advance. You still haven't understood why this point in your development is so important that you have to stay there for a long time.
WAY: You have to take more responsibility for your thoughts as well as your actions. The path involves coping with handicaps and encouraging yourself to be more patient.
OUTCOME: The person is sent on his or her way. There are periods of wandering alone in the desert and moments of elation when he or she may dance and leap with joy. You will get to know both phases and have learned to accept responsibility for this moment in life's journey. You have lost your agility at present. Your movements are inert and lame; you cannot advance. You still haven't understood why this point in your development is so important that you have to stay there for a long time. You have to take more responsibility for your thoughts as well as your actions. The path involves coping with handicaps and encouraging yourself to be more patient. The person is sent on his or her way. There are periods of wandering alone in the desert and moments of elation when he or she may dance and leap with joy. You will get to know both phases and have learned to accept responsibility for this moment in life's journey.

56. Dreaming Johnny (Gemini/Aquarius, Mercury/Uranus)
Dream Dancer; Reaching for the Stars; Stumbling; The Freudian Slip; Recklessness; The Free-thinker; Insignificant Cause and Momentous Effect
PROBLEM: You are neglecting something, you want to walk before you can crawl. You have disturbed the natural flow of events and now your rash and hasty actions have led you to the edge of a precipice. A piece of the path is missing between the first step and the third. You want to pluck success out of thin air without going through the effort of taking one step at a time. Now you are literally suspended in thin air.
WAY: You can't get ahead using the usual ways and means. Conditions call for unconventional and spontaneous action.
OUTCOME: You have broken free of everyday life, escaped from functional neutrality. You will have learned to read the signs of the heavens. You can learn more from the butterflies than pure "logic" will ever teach you. You are neglecting something, you want to walk before you can crawl. You have disturbed the natural flow of events and now your rash and hasty actions have led you to the edge of a precipice. A piece of the path is missing between the first step and the third. You want to pluck success out of thin air without going through the effort of taking one step at a time. Now you are literally suspended in thin air. You can't get ahead using the usual ways and means. Conditions call for unconventional and spontaneous action. You have broken free of everyday life, escaped from functional neutrality. You will have learned to read the signs of the heavens. You can learn more from the butterflies than pure "logic" will ever teach you.

57. Silence (Gemini/Pisces, Mercury/Neptune)
Invisibility; Speechlessness; "Silence is Golden"; Keeping a Secret; Uselessness; Disinterest
PROBLEM: You try in vain to make your world function properly but things are beyond your control. The world doesn't respond to your efforts any more; chaos seems to conspire against you. Your words don't explain what you want to say. You still haven't learned to remain still. You are not yet familiar with the "world of silence" (Max Picard).
WAY: Along the way you have to learn to keep things to yourself. The angel forbids you to swap or betray secrets. Your path only concerns you, so don't try to describe or explain it, or make embellishments to impress others.
OUTCOME: The golden treasure of silence waits for you only at the end of the rainbow. You know there is nothing more to say now, that you no longer seek the fool's gold of self-conceit and self-image, but... You try in vain to make your world function properly but things are beyond your control. The world doesn't respond to your efforts any more; chaos seems to conspire against you. Your words don't explain what you want to say. You still haven't learned to remain still. You are not yet familiar with the "world of silence" (Max Picard). Along the way you have to learn to keep things to yourself. The angel forbids you to swap or betray secrets. Your path only concerns you, so don't try to describe or explain it, or make embellishments to impress others. The golden treasure of silence waits for you only at the end of the rainbow. You know there is nothing more to say now, that you no longer seek the fool's gold of self-conceit and self-image, but...

58. Everyday Life in the Relationship (Virgo/Libra, Mercury/Venus)
Lack of Thrill; Dullness; Relationship Obligations; Sameness; Erosion; Lack of Incentive
PROBLEM: One of your relationships has lost its spice and begun to pale. Neither partner does anything to restore its color. This could mean a relationship between lovers, a married couple or even a relationship at your workplace. What was once so promising, now involves adjustment, obligation and self-imposed demands.
WAY: Relationships create forces which ask you to conform. It is important to look closely at your illusions during the heyday of the relationship (the fact that you dream of a never-ending honeymoon) and learn to restore value in everyday life.
OUTCOME: Ultimately, you will have understood how the togetherness of "we" is more significant than the "I" of the ego. The next step is to understand everyday life as an activity -- not as a "challenge", but as something you "practice. One of your relationships has lost its spice and begun to pale. Neither partner does anything to restore its color. This could mean a relationship between lovers, a married couple or even a relationship at your workplace. What was once so promising, now involves adjustment, obligation and self-imposed demands. Relationships create forces which ask you to conform. It is important to look closely at your illusions during the heyday of the relationship (the fact that you dream of a never-ending honeymoon) and learn to restore value in everyday life. Ultimately, you will have understood how the togetherness of "we" is more significant than the "I" of the ego. The next step is to understand everyday life as an activity -- not as a "challenge", but as something you "practice.

59. Castigation (Virgo/Scorpio, Mercury/Pluto)
Self-punishment; Compulsion to Rid Yourself of Guilt; Flagellation; Compulsive Neurosis; Exorcism; Serving an Ideal
PROBLEM: You suffer from the spell of a (perhaps mild) compulsive image. You are trapped somehow in a vicious circle of compulsive "innocence and cleanliness". You think you can ward off evil -- in thought or deed -- with constant selfpurification. These rituals are occasionally so subtle and selffulfilling that you consider them as part of everyday life. But they in fact rob you of an important element of your lifeforce and control you unconsciously, just like a puppet on a string.
WAY: There are times in the life of every human being when it is necessary to forego desires in order to serve a higher ideal. The path ahead involves submitting to the ideal.
OUTCOME: Rituals are energy fields which are generated by the constant repetition of actions (or sometimes a combination of these actions). You have learned to distinguish meaningful rituals (of subjugation) from meaningless (possessive) rites. You suffer from the spell of a (perhaps mild) compulsive image. You are trapped somehow in a vicious circle of compulsive "innocence and cleanliness". You think you can ward off evil -- in thought or deed -- with constant self-purification. These rituals are occasionally so subtle and self-fulfilling that you consider them as part of everyday life. But they in fact rob you of an important element of your lifeforce and control you unconsciously, just like a puppet on a string. There are times in the life of every human being when it is necessary to forego desires in order to serve a higher ideal. The path ahead involves submitting to the ideal. Rituals are energy fields which are generated by the constant repetition of actions (or sometimes a combination of these actions). You have learned to distinguish meaningful rituals (of subjugation) from meaningless (possessive) rites.

60. The Inquisition (Virgo/Sagittarius, Mercury/Jupiter)
Interrogation; Intolerance; (Political) Hypocrite; Disregarding Differences of Opinion; The Security of Feeling Right; The Search for the Guilty Party
PROBLEM: You are like the hypocrite who tries to prove his innocence by being intolerant and dismissive of other people's ideas and beliefs. You renounce their beliefs and pursue your own. You are so convinced that you just can't be told.
WAY: You will be subjected to severe interrogation (and perhaps prosecution). Fate will use the powers of force and the inquisition to squeeze the truth from you. It's not a matter of guilt or innocence (although it may seem that way on the surface), but of the process unleashed by the pressure (or blackmail). This process allows you to take another step forward.
OUTCOME: Trust in achieving belief and a deep spiritual (and religious) experience at the end of your journey. You have become more tolerant (of yourself and others) and no longer feel compelled to prove you are the only one who knows. You are like the hypocrite who tries to prove his innocence by being intolerant and dismissive of other people's ideas and beliefs. You renounce their beliefs and pursue your own. You are so convinced that you just can't be told. You will be subjected to severe interrogation (and perhaps prosecution). Fate will use the powers of force and the inquisition to squeeze the truth from you. It's not a matter of guilt or innocence (although it may seem that way on the surface), but of the process unleashed by the pressure (or blackmail). This process allows you to take another step forward. Trust in achieving belief and a deep spiritual (and religious) experience at the end of your journey. You have become more tolerant (of yourself and others) and no longer feel compelled to prove you are the only one who knows.

61. Fear (Virgo/Capricorn, Mercury/Saturn)
Fear of Life and Death; Fear of Darkness; Being Subject to Fate; Death as Friend; The Irrevocable
PROBLEM: You block your lifeforce at present and are almost paralysed. One part of your soul stands in stony defence at a threshold, refusing to accept its arrival. You repress the very thing you need to do, and therefore repress (or try to repress) your own fear.
WAY: Your path leads you to an important encounter with the fear of dying. Now is the right time to read the Books of the Dead, to look at those rituals which can make you more familiar with death and teach you how it can be your friend. By learning to die, you also develop the courage and strength to outlive and survive those numerous litter (ego) deaths which shape our existence.
OUTCOME: You are not afraid of death any more. You have died a number of deaths and learned the need to let go. The Grim Reaper is by your side, an ally who can be relied on to accompany you wherever you go. You block your lifeforce at present and are almost paralysed. One part of your soul stands in stony defence at a threshold, refusing to accept its arrival. You repress the very thing you need to do, and therefore repress (or try to repress) your own fear. Your path leads you to an important encounter with the fear of dying. Now is the right time to read the Books of the Dead, to look at those rituals which can make you more familiar with death and teach you how it can be your friend. By learning to die, you also develop the courage and strength to outlive and survive those numerous litter (ego) deaths which shape our existence. You are not afraid of death any more. You have died a number of deaths and learned the need to let go. The Grim Reaper is by your side, an ally who can be relied on to accompany you wherever you go.

62. The Furies (Virgo/Aquarius, Mercury/Uranus)
The Spirit of Revenge; Paranoia (Persecution Complex); Madness; Discarding Conventions; Being Haunted by the Furies; Extreme Restlessness
PROBLEM: You are burdened by a guilt which is now manifested as repressed fear. You think no one will notice it unless it is disturbed. But you personalized your "guilt" a long time ago and now it makes you restless.
WAY: It's about time to build a house for your guilt and everything it has made you do. There can only be one home for your actions: in your consciousness. Your conscience can only (gradually) find peace once you have clarified and worked out the bearing that an action has upon your soul.
OUTCOME: You have stopped fleeing from the furies and wisely accepted being unable to escape "punishment". The furies can only transform themselves once you have assented to their judgement. Then they can curtail their wrath and turn into the gentle Eumenides. You are burdened by a guilt which is now manifested as repressed fear. You think no one will notice it unless it is disturbed. But you personalized your "guilt" a long time ago and now it makes you restless. It's about time to build a house for your guilt and everything it has made you do. There can only be one home for your actions: in your consciousness. Your conscience can only (gradually) find peace once you have clarified and worked out the bearing that an action has upon your soul. You have stopped fleeing from the furies and wisely accepted being unable to escape "punishment". The furies can only transform themselves once you have assented to their judgement. Then they can curtail their wrath and turn into the gentle Eumenides.

63. Deception (Virgo/Pisces, Mercury/Neptune)
Self-Deception; Foul Play; The Swindle; Sleight of Hand; The Real Crook; Order in Chaos
PROBLEM: You are tricking yourself. You deceive yourself and project the self-deception onto someone else, creating a selffulfilling prophecy by "forcing" this person to betray you. It is difficult to see yourself in this mirror, but the longer you try to avoid your reflection, the cloudier and more opaque it will become.
WAY: Your path is in chaos and confusion. You cannot see a way out any more. However, this confusion can be healing as it forces you to distinguish between dreams and your need for security, obligation and ideals. You need to work for a balance between conforming (caused by fear) and letting the future to unfold.
OUTCOME: A sham existence has been exposed -- the truth has been revealed. You have the courage to submit to the unthinkable, to the chaos of life. You have learned to live with insecurity... yes, that all you can count on is unpredictability. You are tricking yourself. You deceive yourself and project the self-deception onto someone else, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy by "forcing" this person to betray you. It is difficult to see yourself in this mirror, but the longer you try to avoid your reflection, the cloudier and more opaque it will become. Your path is in chaos and confusion. You cannot see a way out any more. However, this confusion can be healing as it forces you to distinguish between dreams and your need for security, obligation and ideals. You need to work for a balance between conforming (caused by fear) and letting the future to unfold. A sham existence has been exposed - the truth has been revealed. You have the courage to submit to the unthinkable, to the chaos of life. You have learned to live with insecurity... yes, that all you can count on is unpredictability.

64. Disaster (Libra/Scorpio, Venus/Pluto)
Chains; Relationship-Hell; Contact With Magic; The Black Wedding; Enslavement; Sado-masochism; Pornography
PROBLEM: You have been seduced by an image and now you are its prisoner. You have devoted yourself completely to your partner -- either in reality or in your imagined world. You will be chained together until you remember the magic which led you to this predicament in the first place.
WAY: You won't be spared the path leading into the underworld of your relationship. You have become trapped by serious commitments but will emerge more mature and continue on your way.
OUTCOME: Emotional bonding and sharing in the challenges of personal growth can only take place with your partner of destiny -- not with someone you conjured up. You have been seduced by an image and now you are its prisoner. You have devoted yourself completely to your partner -- either in reality or in your imagined world. You will be chained together until you remember the magic which led you to this predicament in the first place. You won't be spared the path leading into the underworld of your relationship. You have become trapped by serious commitments but will emerge more mature and continue on your way. Emotional bonding and sharing in the challenges of personal growth can only take place with your partner of destiny -- not with someone you conjured up.

65. The Symbolon (Libra/Sagittarius, Venus/Jupiter)
The meaning of the Relationship; Lucky in Love; The Marriage Vows; Partnership as Process of Understanding; The Golden Anniversary
PROBLEM: At the moment you repress any knowledge of the "relationship agenda". Either you imagine you have already done what you need to in relationship or that there is no such thing as the perfect partner. Whatever the case, your inner relationship persona still has a thing or two to learn. It lacks an understanding of what partnership is all about.
WAY: You are confronted by the stairway to the temple of meaning in your relationship. Don't hesitate to climb it. Your path is clear now. Instead of looking for faults in your partner (that would be a step backwards), look consciously ahead and foster the vision of a higher goal: not a goal which serves to fulfil your subjective wants, but one leading to the birth of spiritual togetherness.
OUTCOME: Coming at your journey's end, this card has the meaning of "luck". This means happiness which can grow from spiritual togetherness. Therefore you understand the significance of a relationship and the meaning of the sacred vows of marriage. At the moment you repress any knowledge of the "relationship agenda". Either you imagine you have already done what you need to in relationship or that there is no such thing as the perfect partner. Whatever the case, your inner relationship persona still has a thing or two to learn. It lacks an understanding of what partnership is all about. You are confronted by the stairway to the temple of meaning in your relationship. Don't hesitate to climb it. Your path is clear now. Instead of looking for faults in your partner (that would be a step backwards), look consciously ahead and foster the vision of a higher goal: not a goal which serves to fulfil your subjective wants, but one leading to the birth of spiritual togetherness. Coming at your journey's end, this card has the meaning of "luck". This means happiness which can grow from spiritual togetherness. Therefore you understand the significance of a relationship and the meaning of the sacred vows of marriage.

66. Sadness (Libra/Capricorn, Venus/Saturn)
Being Abandoned; Loneliness Within the Relationship; Sadness and Mourning; Fates Powers to Separate; The Widow
PROBLEM: You have strayed far from your truth. You repress the pain and (unconsciously) prevent the wound from healing. You urgently need to find someone close to you who can help you come to terms with your sadness (concerning a relationship). Time heals all wounds if you are prepared to cleanse them with tears.
WAY: Your journey involves having to say farewell to a relationship or a partnership. A period of sadness and loneliness lies ahead of you. It will help you keep your courage in this time of darkness if you remember that all things pass.
OUTCOME: You have sole responsibility for the relationship. At the end of your path of growth you will have recognized that your dependence on the reactions and moods of your partner was only illusory. You have strayed far from your truth. You repress the pain and (unconsciously) prevent the wound from healing. You urgently need to find someone close to you who can help you come to terms with your sadness (concerning a relationship). Time heals all wounds if you are prepared to cleanse them with tears. Your journey involves having to say farewell to a relationship or a partnership. A period of sadness and loneliness lies ahead of you. It will help you keep your courage in this time of darkness if you remember that all things pass. You have sole responsibility for the relationship. At the end of your path of growth you will have recognized that your dependence on the reactions and moods of your partner was only illusory.

67. Separation (Libra/Aquarius, Venus/Uranus)
Liberation; Divorce; Escaping a Relationship; Taking Leave; Being Unattached; Inability to Form a Relationship
PROBLEM: You don't want to accept that two parallel stretches of track have been cut by new plans, that your paths take separate courses. You do everything in your power to force the trains to keep running together. Just as water and oil can only be (temporarily) mixed by a lot of stirring, you try to stir yourself so that you can remain together. You should just let things run their course...
WAY: Your path through life involves too much "we" and too little of yourself. The task now is to spread your wings and develop your own ideas about life.
OUTCOME: You have created your own freedom both within and without the relationship and can now live. You can always feel your wings. You don't want to accept that two parallel stretches of track have been cut by new plans, that your paths take separate courses. You do everything in your power to force the trains to keep running together. Just as water and oil can only be (temporarily) mixed by a lot of stirring, you try to stir yourself so that you can remain together. You should just let things run their course... Your path through life involves too much "we" and too little of yourself. The task now is to spread your wings and develop your own ideas about life. You have created your own freedom both within and without the relationship and can now live. You can always feel your wings.

68. The King's Two Children (Libra/Pisces, Venus/Neptune)

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