The Strength card shows a woman gently closing the jaws of a lion. It rarely signifies physical strength. It is about building character, moral integrity, and discipline. The strength this woman draws on comes from a deep-rooted sense of self-worth. She is confident in her abilities, and inspires others to have faith in themselves. Her values are very important to her and she is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. She will remain constant even if the whole world is against her. As Mahatma Gandhi himself said: "first they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." She leads by example instead of force because she knows that love, compassion, and understanding bring more lasting rewards. Kindness can melt the coldest heart. She asks us if we are expressing these qualities in our lives, or if we are resorting to arrogance, bullying, and excessive pride? Conversely, are we playing the helpless victim when we should be asserting ourselves?

The Hermit waits on a mountaintop, because this vantage point allows him to see more than those down below. He also holds a lantern, to guide weary travelers along uncharted paths. His sacred isolation puts him in touch with influences outside the human realm. More often than not, the Hermit represents ourselves. The retreat from society - whether literal or figurative - is usually voluntary, but sometimes it is imposed upon us. In either case, it is an opportunity for meditation, introspection, and reconnecting with the universe. There are some things in this life we must face alone, with no one there to help us, so we best learn to trust our inner guidance. It is a card that says nobody knows us better than ourselves. The Hermit's reclusive tendencies can sometimes shut others out of his life. Make sure you are withdrawing yourself for the right reasons, and not simply putting up walls of denial to protect yourself. Self-examination requires the acknowledgement of old wounds.

The Wheel of Fortune speaks of cycles and change. These are usually things beyond our control, such as the weather, the changing of the seasons, or the stock market. The Wheel's power over luck has long been associated with gamblers. Concepts of Fate and Destiny come to mind, although I believe such things are simply a consequence of making too many choices. Above all, this card says that no matter what happens, life goes on. The world is in constant flux. You will have your ups and you will have your downs, though even these are a matter of perspective. One man's fortune is another man's downfall, but worry not, "this too shall pass." We are all part of a grand orchestra, and though individual instruments may seem out of tune, together they contribute to a beautiful melody. The turning of the Wheel brings movement, progress, opportunities, or a change of fortune.

This Justice is not blind. She sees all with perfect clarity and accepts nothing but the truth. She is divine order personified. Where the Wheel of Fortune taught us about the randomness of change, Justice probes deeper and reveals how our actions have direct consequences for our world. She keeps the scales of Karma that hold all beings accountable for their choices. This cosmic balancing act is not a matter of punishment and reward, but of cause and effect, and she wields a sword to enforce her judgment. She teaches that no situation can be isolated from the chain of events that came before it, nor the chain that ensued from it. From the beginning of time to the end of time, they are all beads on the same necklace. She presides over legal matter and is the epitome of fairness and impartiality. Always she warns to keep a level head and never jump to conclusions.

It is fascinating to me that, upon seeing the Hanged Man, many people have the urge to turn him "right side up." Perhaps it is human nature to feel uncomfortable with such a drastic change in perspective, yet that is exactly what the Hanged Man challenges you to do. He asks that you not limit yourself to one point of view and learn to see through the eyes of another. By fostering compassion and understanding, your consciousness will expand to take in the bigger picture. As Tao Te Ching 13 says, "Surrender yourself humbly; only then can you be trusted to care for all things." This often requires sacrificing part of yourself, such as your ego, for the greater good. The Hanged Man is the image of Christ on the Cross - the Sacrificial Savior with countless names across many cultures. He echoes the myth of Odin, who hung himself from the World Tree and gave up his eye to gain knowledge of the Runes. Though a sacrifice must be made, what we gain in return is always worth it. The Hanged Man ushers in a period of suspended animation, and in order to move beyond him, we have to be flexible and learn how to think outside the box.

Death is inevitable. It is the great equalizer that does not discriminate between young and old, men and women, rich and poor. It brings relief to those in pain and pain to those left behind. No one is left unaffected in its wake. But life cannot exist without death any more than summer can exist without winter. Death clears away the old to make room for the new, just as the fallen leaves of autumn fertilize spring soil. Death is the face of change itself... sweeping, irreversible change. This can be frightening, but remember that change is your friend! It is the only constant in the universe, so learn to take advantage of its many benefits. Ideally it should be a liberating experience. Like a snake shedding its old skin, it gives us the chance to get rid of anything that is weighing us down, and release thought patterns or even whole lifestyles that have outgrown their usefulness. This is a time for healing and renewal. It is the transition from one state to another, and rarely means physical death. Rather, it is a death of the old self, and the dawning of a new era.

As its name implies, this card's message is moderation. It is the Greek Golden Mean and the Buddhist Middle Way: "Nothing in excess." This is a card of balance, serenity, and harmony. The angel has one foot in the water and one foot on land, which could be interpreted as the integration of mind and heart, but also stands for having equal footing in two worlds. The boundary between land and water, like the crossroads, has long been associated with interdimensional gateways. The angel pours water between two cups, which could be interpreted as controlling the passions, but also stands for alchemy. Alchemy is the science of transmuting elements and the blending of opposites. In more practical terms, Temperance stands for the ability to stay calm and use discretion. It is the card of tolerance, compromise, patience, and forgiveness. It asks us to reexamine our priorities, and teaches us to juggle them without losing our head.