While the Nines mark peak moments and contemplation, the tens complete the suit with a brooding restless energy.

This energy is heaviest in the two active suits Wands and Swords, whereas in the passive Cups and Pentacles all looks happy and positive on the surface.

Looking deeper, change is in the air. Whether the scene is positive or challenging, transition and movement are inevitable.

Ten symbolises completion as reflected in the ten commandments found in the Old Testament and the ten Sephirot on the Kabbalah Tree of Life.

The metric measurement system is based on ten, and time is measured in decades (ten years) and centuries (10 x 10 years).

In the Tarot, Ten is linked to the Wheel of Fortune, indicating a continuous cycle, ending and new beginning.

The numbers 1 and 0 are also linked to the Magician and the Fool suggesting infinite potential.

In a reading, the Tens can indicate the need for closure or necessary change.

Other meanings include:

Completion of a cycle, result, regeneration, release, responsibility, consolidation; new direction or re-commitment; purpose.

A classic 10-card tarot spread is the Celtic Cross, and many different versions of it can be found on the internet.

Ten of Wands – burden, difficulties, responsibilities, oppression

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Oppression

Astrological Attribution: Saturn in Sagittarius – in the Major Arcana, Saturn is linked to The World – carrying the world on your shoulders; change is required to create balance

Interpretation: awareness of self-limitations; bogged down; discipline and self-reliance create suffering; sense of duty; not sharing responsibilities; not delegating, trying to do it all on your own; lack of resources, feeling overwhelmed but carrying on

Image symbolism:

Man supporting building on his shoulders – heavy weight, burden

Surrounding fire – urgency of situation to free himself of oppression, precarious situation

Red / orange colours – element fire, high energy

Ten of Cups – emotional contentment, harmony, fulfilment, wholeness, optimism

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Perfected Success

Astrological Attribution: Mars in Pisces – happy families, or are they? Something may be brooding underneath the surface; dormant volcano; beware of challenging times ahead;

Interpretation: feeling blissful and at ease; content with yourself and present situation; as good as it gets; commitment; feeling secure; close-knit family; count your blessings; gratitude

Image symbolism:

Swans – linked to Pisces (also see Knight of Cups)

Water – feelings and emotions

Lake – calm water

Signets – responsibility, unconditional love

Flowers in water – happiness, beauty

Ten of Swords – ending, exhaustion, resignation, failure, disillusion

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Ruin

Astrological Attribution: Sun in Gemini – new beginning, new life, new opportunity, birth, resilience, survivor spirit, looking at the bright side.

Interpretation: drawing a line, close the chapter, it can’t get any worse; devastated; ruin; shattered (dreams); giving up; acknowledging it’s the end of a situation, time to take a new direction.

Image symbolism:

Graveyard – endings, finality

Sunrise – new beginning, new dawn

Church ruin – something broken

Castle in distance – new goal, direction, possibilities

Ten of Pentacles – permanence, tradition, family, prosperity, wealth, establishment

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Wealth

Astrological Attribution: Mercury in Virgo – good organisational skills, nurturing a network of friends/ family / support, being established as an influencer / speaker / advisor, clever with money and long-term investments

Interpretation: investing time and energy to gain in the long-term; family heirlooms, inheritance, financial security, family support; legacy; status, privilege

Image symbolism:

Fireplace – warmth, luxury

Seasonal decorations – family gathering for festivities; traditional celebration; timing of card is winter

The decorations on display also symbolise values and aspirations with regards to money, home, family and work

You can view all images of the Tarot of Quotes in the Gallery.

The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook  is now available, which also includes empowering messages, spreads and journaling promps as well as a printable mini edition of the Cosmic Faery Tarot.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Following on from the energetic Eights, the Nines in the Tarot mark the completion of a cycle – fulfilment, conclusion, integration and attainment.

Linked to the nine months of pregnancy it also symbolises gestation.

We have reached a peak, and now it is time to consider a new path to avoid stagnation as indicated by the Hermit (card 9 in the Major Arcana).

There is a sense of aloneness in all the Nines in the Tarot indicating a need to be self-reliant and take sole responsibility for our situation.

The Nines reflect experience. We have come a long way. How did we get here? A good question to ask, when the Nines show up in a reading.

By evaluating and reflecting on past actions, we can gain an understanding why we are in the situation as depicted by these cards and choose which path to take next.

Numerically, the number Nine is linked to 18 (1 + 8), The Moon, which can indicate confusion and insecurities often on an emotional level.

Nine of Wands –endurance, exhaustion, threat, protection

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Great Strength

Astrological Attribution: Moon in Sagittarius – rest from strife, yet feeling restless and weary; insecure, flexible, strong, power of cyclical forces

Interpretation: battered and bruised, but still standing; careful, guarded, cautious, watchful. Suspicious and distrustful. Safe.

Image symbolism:

Castle wall – protection, secure base, boundary

Dog figure with shield – watchman, guard, protection, prepared for the unexpected, defence

Waning moon – a cycle ending, consolidation

Yellow / orange colours – fiery energy

Bushes – blocking view, obscurity, hidden dangers / obstacles

Nine of Cups – pleasure, satisfaction, sensuality, happy times, indulgence

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Material Happiness

Astrological Attribution: Jupiter in Pisces – higher purpose, gratitude, emotional growth, spiritual love, benevolence

Interpretation: enjoying the simple pleasures, wishes fulfilled; lucky in love, being content, emotional and spiritual nourishment and abundance, manifesting dreams

Image symbolism:

Laughing buddha – happiness

Blue cup filled with stars – positive feelings and emotions

Red rose – passion, love

Nine of Swords –worries, anxiety, panic, loneliness, guilt, nightmares

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Despair and Cruelty

Astrological Attribution: Mars in Gemini – destructive forces of the mind; cruel words, negative self-talk

Interpretation: negative thinking, irrational fears clouding sound judgement, sleepless nights, self-torment, need to confront issues head-on to dissolve anguish; dark night of the soul, sense of hopelessness

Image symbolism:

Ugly creature – negative thoughts and fears personified; they affect outer persona and appearance

Crystal ball – focus on clear thinking

Grey-green colour – bleakness, lack of inspiration

Nine of Pentacles -abundance, harvest, reward, status, independence

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Material Gain

Astrological Attribution: Venus in Virgo – enjoying the fruits of labour, success and abundance achieved through diligence and efficient planning

Interpretation: enjoying the good life, luxuries, plenty, affluence, self-sufficiency, outer and inner wealth, gratitude

Image symbolism:

Manor house – wealth, status, security

Luscious garden – rich harvest, fecundity, growth

Large trees – maturity, long-term, patience

Red rose – Venus, beauty, solitude, self-reliance

You can view all images of the Tarot of Quotes in the Gallery.

The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook  is now available, which also includes empowering messages, spreads and journaling promps as well as a printable mini edition of the Cosmic Faery Tarot.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

After the Sevens, we are now experiencing a sense of revival with the Eights in the Tarot.

In numerology, Eight is the number of regeneration and renewal, linked to the (eight-pointed) Star, number 17 of the Major Arcana.

Eight also represents cosmic balance.

On its side, the shape of this number becomes the lemniscate, a symbol for the eternal balancing of opposites, which can be found above the heads of the Magician and Strength in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot.

And on the Wheel of Fortune, the eight-spoke wheel reflects the perpetual balancing act symbolised by this number.

The hourglass shape of this number symbolises the passing of time.

After having sorted through the options available in the Sevens, decisions are being made about what to keep and what to release.

Flux and movement is a common theme of the eights in the tarot together with energy, thrust, evolution, restriction, persistence, resilience, expansion.

Priorities are set, and a new order is being established.

Eight of Wands – action, movement, change, initiative, energy

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Swiftness

Astrological Attribution: Mercury in Sagittarius – quick thinking and acting, swiftness, travel, excitement, adventure, rapid communication

Interpretation: finger on the pulse, living in the fast lane, creative overdrive, bright ideas, volatility, electricity, information overload, flux, momentum

Image symbolism:

Rollercoaster – the ups and downs of life, excitement, risks, intensity

Red, orange, yellow colours – fire energy

Eight of Cups – moving on, resignation, quest, uncertainty, insecurity, sadness

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Abandoned Success

Astrological Attribution: Saturn in Pisces – Leaving comfort zone behind, outgrown an established situation, feeling restricted or tied down, embracing change, following your heart

Interpretation: a comfortable situation has become stale and sluggish; in need of a fresh perspective; abandonment; letting go, detachment, sombre mood

Image symbolism:

Waning moon – ending

Path in front – new direction

Lake – water, feelings

Red/white roses – mixed emotions, alchemy, balancing emotions

Horizon – new possibilities

Eight of Swords – restrictions, crisis, isolation, suppression, helplessness, indecision

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Shortened Force

Astrological Attribution: Jupiter in Gemini – recognising self-restrictions, need for change and expansion, making conscious choices to create movement; restlessness, communication

Interpretation: obstacles, limitations, narrow-mindedness, victim mentality, entrapment, feeling trapped, helplessness, need to sharpen the mind and will to overcome obstructions

Image symbolism:

Surrounded by walls – restriction, limited view

Sky, windows – way out, possible solutions

Night time – lack of vision

Eight of Pentacles -eagerness, mastery, development, effort, productivity, quality

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Prudence

Astrological Attribution: Sun in Virgo – growing and nurturing skills; quality work, working towards perfection, paying attention to detail

Interpretation: continuous effort, discipline and perseverance, regular investment, aptitude, tenacity, industrious, practice makes perfect

Image symbolism:

Washing hanging to dry – waiting for investments to mature, reaping the harvest, repetitive work

Stars leading up – moving up on career ladder, self-improvement, advance

You can view all images of the Tarot of Quotes in the Gallery.

The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook  is now available to download, which also includes a printable mini edition of the Cosmic Faery Tarot.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Moving on from the restorative Sixes, we are now experiencing the crazy creepy contemplating Sevens in the Tarot.

This is not as bad as it sounds, since the number Seven is regarded in numerology as a mystical and sacred number.

In the Tarot, the number Seven is linked to movement, struggle, contemplation, self-reflection, indecision, new direction and restraint.

The corresponding Major Arcana card is the Chariot.

Seven of Wands – defence, resistance, struggle, perseverance

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Valour

Astrological Attribution: Mars in Leo – stress, competition, aggression, stamina, energetic, intense, friction, willpower, courage, survival instinct

Interpretation: standing up for yourself, fight for what you believe in; enduring a stressful situation, be daring, taking a risk in order to prevail; on the defensive

Image symbolism:

Fire – Mars (also see the Tower); attacking forces, chaos

Figure on the podium – defensive position, ready to confront trouble

Water in the distance – resolution ahead

Seven of Cups – Wishful thinking, desire, escape, daydreaming

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Illusionary Success

Astrological Attribution: Venus in Scorpio – creative visualisations, sensual dreams and desires, fantasy worlds, imagination, escapism, mixed emotions

Interpretation: lots of ideas floating in head, choices, flights of fancy, imagination overwhelm; reality check; gullibility; prioritizing, turning dreams into reality

Image symbolism:

Vases and jars – choices

Stars in the vases – dreams, treasures, happy thoughts, aspirations

Sky with clouds – castle in the air, dreams and hopes that need action to turn them into reality

Seven of Swords – deception, secrecy, insincerity, stealth, ambiguity

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Unstable Effort

Astrological Attribution: Moon in Aquarius – obscurity, insecurity, hidden agenda, cunning, slyness, self-protection, vagueness, subversion, plotting, resistance, mistrust, intrigue

Interpretation: avoiding confrontation, running away from responsibility, a cover-up, lying, lack of integrity, hiding the truth; trying to get away with “murder”; malpractice

Image symbolism:

Dark grey colours – murkiness

Guy Fawkes – infamous 17th century English Catholic, who planned a plot against King James I (the gunpowder plot), which failed.

Mask – famous mask appearing in V for Vendetta, a graphic novel created by Alan Moore

Seven of Pentacles – patience, choice, growth, development

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Success Unfulfilled

Astrological Attribution: Saturn in Taurus – completion, lack of movement, restrictions, new opportunities, outgrown a situation, resistance to change, indecision, preparing for change, fear of failure, stagnation

Interpretation: patience, waiting for the right moment, a choice between the familiar and the unknown, contemplating risks, taking time to act, cultivating what is nourishing and sustaining (e.g. healthy habits, friendships, beliefs etc.)

Image symbolism:

Fruit and plants – harvest, growth, success

Open door – new opportunities, the unknown

Orange / brown colours – autumn, the season linked to the suit of Pentacles

I welcome your views and opinions on my cards. Please feel free to leave your comments below.

The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook  is now available to download, which also includes a printable mini edition of the Cosmic Faery Tarot.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Having left the upheaval of the Fives behind, we are now moving towards the calmer conditions of the Sixes in the Tarot.

In numerology, the number six is attributed to harmony restored, benevolence and advancement – qualities, which are reflected in all the sixes of the Minor Arcana.

The sixes depict the consequences of the fives; after conflict and loss follows regeneration and growth.

Six of Wands – accomplishment, leadership, victory, recognition

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Victory

Astrological Attribution: Jupiter in Leo – advancement, personal growth, self-development, expanding one’s horizon, confidence, praise

Jupiter is also linked to the Wheel of Fortune, so the Six of Wands may indicate a lucky break.

Interpretation: winning; coming out on top, acknowledgement, prevailing, feeling proud, putting oneself first

Image symbolism:

Cup held high – prize, winner

Red / orange / colours: element fire (Leo) combined with Jupiter (fire) – climax, pinnacle, peak, top

blue / lilac sky – expansion

trees – growth, support

Six of Cups – kindness, sharing, nostalgia, caring, affection

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Pleasure

Astrological Attribution: Sun in Scorpio – little pleasures, contentment, moments of joy, bittersweet memories, well-being

Interpretation: Caring for others, family ties, soulmate, deep connection, children, gratitude, fond memories

Image symbolism:

Gnome and squirrel – close bond, friendship, content with each other

barrel with water – feelings, emotions, calm, bliss

greenery around – nourishment, protection, beauty in simplicity

windmill – playfulness, fun, child’s play, innocence, a gift, whimsical

Six of Swords – melancholy, transition, moving away from strife, recovery

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Earned Success

Astrological Attribution: Mercury in Aquarius – travel, change of scenery / location, a new frame of mind, heading towards a more positive place

Interpretation: picking up the pieces, beginning to cope, being hopeful, starting over, leaving behind what is no longer working

Image symbolism:

Boat – journey, moving forward

Grey / beige colours – feeling low, depressed, sombre

Star – hope, recovery, a glimpse of optimism; linked to The Star (Aquarius).

Six of Pentacles – charity, generosity, support

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Material Success

Astrological Attribution: Moon in Taurus – giving and receiving, financial ups and downs, mentoring, advice; follow your intuition to create stability and financial security

Interpretation: cooperation, sharing abundance / knowledge, help

Image symbolism:

Britannia statue – benevolence, guidance

Kneeling figure – reaching out for help

Green / gold colours – abundance, prosperity

The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook  is now available to download, which also includes a printable mini edition of the Cosmic Faery Tarot.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

After a relatively calm and harmonious time as reflected in the fours, the fives in the Tarot are seriously shaking things up.

There is struggle, strife, tension and hardship, a tough situation that requires courage, wit and resilience to cope with.

But despite the unpleasantness of the images and what they stand for, this kind of upheaval is necessary for renewal and growth.

That’s why in numerology, communication, fruitfulness and new learning are attributed to the number 5.

Numbered five in the Major Arcana, the Hierophant perhaps is a good example of what happens, when there is no such movement, and everything stays the same for too long.

Old, outdated structures begin to crumble and turn to ruin, if change doesn’t happen from within.

So, the fives in the Tarot advise us to change, be flexible, alert, and free ourselves from a rigid structure.

Five of Wands – competition, conflict, disagreements, tension

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Strife

Astrological Attribution: Saturn in Leo – releasing suppressed tension, fighting an opposing force, personality clash (ego-driven)

Interpretation: quarrelling, anger, discord, disharmony, chaos, stress, competing with others, feeling threatened, aggression, rebelling

Image symbolism:

Flower – energy source

Bees crawling over each other – everyone for themselves, lack of teamwork, competition, busy, relentless; each carrying their hidden weapon

Red / orange / yellow colours: element fire (Leo) combined with Saturn (earth, which is reflected in the dark grounding colour at the base of the flower and green in the background – potential for new growth), intense energy, in the heat of the moment, hot-tempered

Five of Cups – loss, sadness, grief, mourning, disappointment, depression

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Loss in Pleasure

Astrological Attribution: Mars in Scorpio – hurt feelings, endings and transformation (Scorpio linked to Death), shattered dreams, broken promises; clashing elements fire (Mars) and water (Scorpio) causing emotional havoc)

Interpretation: emotional pain, bereavement, disenchantment, grief caused by someone else, bitterness, resentment, self-pity

Image symbolism:

bridge – need to cross the bridge to move on; acceptance, forgiveness

butterflies – transformation

stars – hope, faith; need to look towards the future with optimism

forest – uncharted territory, uncertain path

trees – protection, nurture (emotional support)

blue / purple /pink colours: element water (Scorpio), feeling the blues, melancholy, need for healing, new light in the distance suggests new beginning

Five of Swords – defeat, betrayal, hollow victory, conquest

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Defeat

Astrological Attribution: Venus in Aquarius – peace-loving pacifist Venus weakens inventive, rebellious, forward-thinking Aquarius; mental weakness; relenting; accepting defeat

Interpretation: recognising limitations; (trying to avoid) humiliation, giving up, isolation after victory, notorious; loss of trust, unhealthy ambitions, ruthlessness, lose-lose situation, short-term gains; arrogance

Image symbolism:

War memorial – remembrance of loss and victims

George and the dragon – victory and sacrifice; defeat and submission

Owls – gaining wisdom from adversity; learning lessons from what’s happened to avoid repeating mistakes made

blue / grey / black colours – element air (Aquarius); depressive, sombre mood, unemotional, detached, dull, lone wolf mentality

Five of Pentacles – hardship, poverty, insecurity, health problems

Esoteric Title: The Lord of Material Trouble

Astrological Attribution: Mercury in Taurus – mental overdrive causing unsteadiness and uncertainty; worries and anxiety mixed with inactivity, difficulties to adapt or adjust

Interpretation: financial loss, down-sizing, loss of property / possessions, homelessness, need to be thrifty, health issues, poor diet; feeling abandoned, trying to make ends meet, out in the cold, hopelessness, waiting for change

Image symbolism:

winter landscape, snow – cold, barren, gloomy

evergreen plant – something can grow and thrive, if you put your mind to it

stars – hope, renewal, asking for help and guidance; focus on building confidence and new aspirations

twilight – lack of clarity, pessimism

I welcome your views and opinions on my cards. Please feel free to leave your comments below.

You can view all images of my Tarot deck created so far in the Gallery. 

The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook  is now available to download, which also includes a printable mini edition of the Cosmic Faery Tarot.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane