It's a beautiful card, isn't it? A bright and seductive tone pulls us into the lovers quivering breath between their lips. The sun shines, and the landscape is lush and abundant. Balance, joy, beauty, art, and the comfort of another come through clearly in this card.
     The Lovers may of course represent love, seduction, and completion. We are balances in both male and female energies, happy with ourselves, and very present in the moment. Take time today to appreciate the loving and wonderful people in your life - including you!

     The man here is being crushed and burnt as he struggles to free himself from the wands toppling about him. Fire rages and seems to destroy a city in the background. As a Ten, something is coming to an end. Outside passions and responsibilities have come to a peak that may be too much to bear. He must either find a way to cool the fires or let all burn and create something new.
     This card appears when we feel we have to much stress, strain, and responsibilities. At wits end, balancing so many things, it is time to step back and reevaluate how much energy truly needs to be extended at this time and give ourselves a break. If we push too hard, we will merely burn out, incapable of finishing what we were fighting toward in the first place. Today, retreat into the cool quiet for a little while, and let the fires cool.

     The woman here dances nude, all of the riches of life spiraling in toward her. She is happy and able to work her magic with ease is the chaotic beauty around her. She is at home with herself, the plants, the animals, the angels, and all of the cosmos.
     The World is an auspicious card. It represents a time when we feel alive in the dance of life. We accept the whole of the people and environment around us and know how to consciously use our own power to create what we want. This is a period of satisfied growth and abundance. The harvest of our works have come in, allowing for a new beginning... Today, enjoy the riches of life! :D

Sometimes I'd wonder if you would follow me
As I ventured into the abyss
You screamed and crawled and begged me not to
We could not both go over
You knew this
I did not
And so I dragged you to the edge
I was ready to jump in
You still had my ankle
So you must be ready too
Pleading eyes looked up at me
A second thought...
And then I tripped and fell
You let go
What could you do?
And both of us we lost 
Looking at the darkness there
Until I saw you
Eyes again in light and wonder
For wings I'd grown and flown up to you
The abyss now harmless under

Poetry by Jess Fleming
27 July 2013

     Sometimes we try to keep people in the light. They seem to chase the darkness and the fear--everything we know will be bad for them. And they drag us toward it as we beg for them to change and no longer chase the danger, because we love them. And when they finally take the plunge and we are forced to let go... We realize that they needed to go into the darkness in order to conquer it for themselves, and all is renewed.

     The Hermit spends his time in solitude, however you can see that he does not feel unpleasantly alone. He appears to be in deep contemplation, as he in in a yoga pose and enjoys the stillness of nature in the dim starlight. The pink flowers in the scene give a slight hint of romance, as the hermit is in a state of self-love. The starlight strikes the mountains with a pinpoint of brilliant light, just as the hermits own meditation seems to light the lantern at his feet.
     The Hermit often appears when it is time to step back, to spend some time alone in self-care. If we are to remember what we are called to do and what our purpose is, we must take time from the business of life to go within and refresh ourselves. In this way, we find our inner light and come forth with positive energy to shine on the world and the ones we love. Today, take a little time to yourself, relax, and love who you are. 'Blessed meditations!

     The King of Sword is an older man, who is quite well educated, with a sharp wit. He can be quite difficult for others to read, and scrutinizes everything. At times, he may come across as cold, calculating, and defensive. However, he is great at both the big picture and the details and is definitely someone you want on your side when intellect is required.
     While this card may represent a person or attitude who may be prevalent today, it gives important advice. Today, watch things closely as they may not be what they seem at first. Step back and think before making any big decisions. And, as the hawk eyes staring at us here reminds us, sometimes what we need to watch most closely is ourselves.

     Like yesterday's card (7 of pentacles) the 3 of pentacles may represent a time of hard work. However, with the energy of the number 3, this work may be more creative, enjoyable, and productive. The three men here are all working together, utilizing different talents to organize and build. Progress here appears to be going fairly quickly as balance and harmony are achieved through teamwork and achieving a working rhythm.
     Today is a great day for following ambitions and continuing projects, as satisfying progress is likely to be made. The energy of this card allows us to put all of our focus  and energies on one goal, so that we can confidently achieve what we set out to do. Enjoy this day of great work!

     If you haven't read The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life by Deepak Chopra, then I highly suggest it. I picked this book up a couple of months ago, when things seemed to be dragging, and I found an incredible amount of spiritual motivation.
     Deepak compares spiritual health to the health of a cell in a human body. In order to keep you healthy, each cell must act according to its purpose: interacting, reproducing, healing, and dying at just the right moment to keep the whole of your body strong...and yet, despite the life, death, and change all occurring in the body, you retain a sense of identity.
     Like our own cells, we are individuals on this earth designed to work together, remain healthy, and fulfill our own tasks.
     Using the cell metaphor, Deepak discusses the apparent paradoxes of life and death and good and evil. He clearly and logically combines religious study and his own experiences to help us come back to what he calls "the one reality" where we are healthy, able to let go, and feel like we are fulfilling our destiny.
     

          As you can see here, the seven of pentacles features a downtrodden looking man. Chipped pentacles are buried in the ground at his feet and halfheartedly clings to two of them. Note, however, that although he appears to be in ruin, he still stands; there is a feeling of pushing through here. 
          This card encourages perseverance. All may feel at a loss and failure may seem inevitable, but we will never get where we are trying to go if we don't keep putting the work in and looking for other options. When we feel like we've been struggling and getting nowhere, we need to reassess and try, try again.

This is a great card for summer, as things a heating up and we find ourselves with more energy and excitement. This Card features a single wand--alive with electricity and bursting out sun-like radiance. It seems to rise up out of the deep blue waters and skies, signaling new creation.

The Ace of Wands carries with it a very raw, fresh, and potent energy. It is the passion that builds within, exploding forth to propel us through challenges. Mostly simple put, this Ace is willpower itself and signals a positive motivated energy to the day!