The Magician is somebody who is in full control of his world. He is quick-witted and strong-willed. One hand points to the sky, and the other points to earth, reflecting the age-old occult philosophy: "as above (mind) so below (physical)." He acts with a clear sense of purpose and never fails to manifest his desires. On his altar are the four ritual tools (wand, cup, sword, pentacle), signifying his mastery over the elements - from these he can synthesize anything he needs. He knows how to spot and use all resources in his environment to his advantage. He is brimming with confidence and is a source of innovation, creativity, and originality. He is also good with words and skilled at manipulating others. His sleight of hand could be used to trick and misinform. One must be careful not to abuse his powers, or carelessly squander resources.

The High Priestess is keeper of the mysteries. All the power the Magician wields over the outside world, she turns inward for mastery of the self. Hers is the quiet, deep voice of intuition saying: "what you find not within, you will never find without." At her feet is the moon, attesting to her dominion over dreams, and in her hands is a holy scroll, because she guards esoteric knowledge. Behind her is a curtain veiling a body of water. This is the vast ocean of the sub/un-conscious, whose secrets she only reveals to those who are ready. Aside from purity of mind and heart, the High Priestess also appreciates those who are pure in body, which can mean chastity in the literal sense of the word. She presides over sacred space and meditation, introspection and reflection, prophecy and visions. But if something must remain hidden, she will keep it safe, for she is not responsible for those who forsake inner guidance.

The Empress is the archetypal Mother. She is the great Earth Goddess who provides equally for all her children. She does not seek to control, but nurtures every life according to its unique needs. All beings thrive under her care. She is the cornucopia of fertility and abundance, and none in her presence go without. She is the bringer of growth and prosperity, joy and harmony. She is a wellspring of inspiration for any creative pursuit, and provides the ideal environment for self-expression. She is the flowering of new relationships, a successful marriage, or the birth of a child. As such, she is also the lady of passion and sexual exploration. The Empress secures a loving home with all all the earthly comforts, but can sometimes cause stagnation or laziness. Be ware of blocking creativity and refusal to grow. 

The Emperor is the archetypal Father. Where the Empress relinquishes control, he asserts authority. He is the fearsome Sky God who rules from the clouds and doesn't hesitate to throw down lightning bolts when his subjects disobey him. But for the most part, he is a benevolent ruler. He brings law, order, and coherency to a world in chaos. His rational mind keeps a tight leash on his emotions, allowing him the clarity to be stable and firm. He has the drive to succeed, and prosperity comes naturally for him. He is a great leader, for his presence commands respect. Because he writes the rules, it is also easy for him to abuse his power. Squelching all the spontaneity out of life could make his kingdom a barren wasteland. Stubbornness should not be confused with strength, nor self-righteousness with fairness.

The Hierophant represents institutions that transcend the individual. These are the structures that organize society, such as government, religion, corporations, and the school system. This is your President, your Priest, your boss, or your Professor. They are the keepers of tradition. Ideally, these are people who have earned your respect, who you can come to for advice, and who you trust to impart timeless values to subsequent generations. They are the focal points for communal solidarity. But in their darker aspect, they can be the dispensers of blind faith and oppressive dogma. They are the first to resist change and quick to encourage conformity. It is important to think for ourselves and determine if a tradition that is being enforced has outgrown its usefulness. The masses aren't always right. Sometimes individuality and rebellion are necessary.

The Lovers is where we first ponder the concept of polarity, duality, and opposites. Man and woman, heaven and earth, right and wrong... here is where we encounter choice. And what choices are more fraught with peril and confusion than those in the name of love? The scene of this card depicts the meeting and fateful decision made by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but this card originally alluded to a different myth: the Judgment of Paris. Paris was asked by the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite to choose which of them was the most beautiful. Each tempted him with visions of greatness, but in the end Paris chose Aphrodite, who offered him the most beautiful woman in the world. Unfortunately, she was already married, and thus started the infamous Trojan war. Other variations of this card show a choice between one woman who is young but naive and another who is older but wiser. All in all, this card teaches to choose carefully and, once the right choice is made, it promises love, harmony, commitment, and passion.

What we learned about polarity in The Lovers is now being asked to put to practical use. This card is the pinnacle of worldly achievement. It is about making conscious choices to move your chariot in the direction of your goals. It stands for victory! But all of these things only come once we've mastered duality within ourselves. All of us have conflicting forces at work in our psyche that, when left unchecked, weaken our resolve and tear our best laid plans apart. Mind and heart, logic and intuition, body and spirit. When they run wild, they pull your chariot in different directions and don't let you proceed. But they need not fight. They are just opposite ends of the same spectrum, two sides of the same coin, and can be brought back into harmony. If you train them to work together and align them with your will, they will drive your chariot forward as one.