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Plain Text Card Guides are below. Please Scroll down to see which guide you would like (Especially created for our many non-English speaking deck owners, they contain the same text from the PDFS, but created for those who would prefer a version that can be copied and pasted into translation apps).
Plain Text Card Guides are below. Please Scroll down to see which guide you would like (Especially created for our many non-English speaking deck owners, they contain the same text from the PDFS, but created for those who would prefer a version that can be copied and pasted into translation apps).
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Tarot
ORACLES
plain text card guides
These are, more or less, exact transcripts from the PDF files and are placed here so that you can translate these into your own language with tools like google translate or freetranslation.com. We get many customers from various countries where English may not be the native language. I hope these text based guides are beneficial to you.
tAROT
WINTER WAITE TAROT
MAJORS
0. The Fool – Naïve but optimistic, the Fool ventures out into the snow, paying no heed to the potential for ice on the cliff edge. It’s good to see the best in things, but it would do you well to tread carefully.
1. The Magician – The snow whips up around the magician as he casts a spell. He represents the mastery of the elements; earth, water, fire and air. A showman!
2. The High Priestess – She represents secrets and what is hidden.
3. The Empress – She represents birth and fertility. The mother figure.
4. Emperor – Saint Nicolas depicted in his more modern day form Santa Claus. The man of the hour at Christmas time. Children from near and far have much reverence for this figure.
5. Hierophant – Saint Nicolas in his traditional garb. We sometimes forget that the sleigh riding Santa Claus was originally based on this saint. Among other things, Saint Nick was a patron saint of Children, and was known for his secret gift giving. The Hierophant in this case represents all things traditional at Christmas.
6. The lovers – Now that winter has fallen, the lovers don appropriate clothing. The lovers card represents a choice or partnership.
7. Chariot – Time to play on the snow. As of 2018, our version of the Chariot depicts children playing on a sled.
8. Strength – The lady tames nature. Like most animals, reindeers are skittish around potential predators. This card represents taming the deer with compassion.
9. The Hermit – The hermit ventures out into the snowstorm. The hermit represents the knowledge within.
10. The Wheel of Fortune – For the Winter Waite version of this card, we have replaced the 4 beasts (Ezekiel, Revelation) with something a little more whimsical. The Wheel is a peppermint Candy, with a cute little mouse on top. In our Christmas themed take on the deck, this card’s good luck is represented by candy, gingerbread houses etc. This card indicates that one’s fortune is about change, or good luck. Perhaps a Christmas bonus!
11. Justice – Saint Nicolas makes another appearance, stepping out of his Hierophant position, and into the role of a judge. His task is to decide which child has been naughty or nice. In one hand he holds a swirl lollipop, and in the other; a few lumps of coal.
12. The Hanged Man – Suspension of action. Inactivity.
13. Death – An ending of things, possibly a literal death but generally an end to something. In this case it could indicate an end to the year.
14. Temperance. - The lady walks beside a winter lake in her lovely burgundy gown. Owing to the frosty weather, her foot is no longer in the water. Like the lovers with their appropriate clothing, winter demands changes to how we interact with the environment. It is a good time of year to practice Temperance, especially for those who enjoy alcoholic beverages. Temperance should also be shown when navigating the perilous pitfalls of family get-togethers!
15. The Devil – In ancient lore, Krampus is known to visit the bad little kids, and has been depicted kidnapping them, sometimes putting them in chains, beating their backsides, and giving them lumps of coal instead of toys. The opposite of Saint Nick. We see the two children crying as they look upon their boring gifts. Krampus carries shackles in one hand and a whip made of birch wood in the other.
16. The Tower – A broken tower; burning, cold and dampened by the wintery weather. Whatever plans or dreams you once had, have most likely come to an end.
17. The Star – The winter weather has forced our once naked figure to wear her winter coat. She represents hope and aspirations.
18. The Moon – The wolf and the Dog have taken shelter in our Winter Wonderland, nowhere to be seen. The river has been frosted over with ice. Deer can be seen walking about the snowy landscape below the Moon. A card of hidden secrets and, at times, lunacy.
19. The Sun. – The Baby New Year (the look is inspired by Baby New Year from the Rankin/Bass children’s movie Rudolph’s Shiny New Year) is our child in the Sun card. The myth most associated with him is that he is a baby at the beginning of his year, but Baby New Year quickly ages until he is elderly like Father Time who he is often associated with.
20. Judgement – traditional Judgement card inspired by the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Our version takes place in winter. Judgement is often scary to many people, but Judgement, if mixed with correction and guidance, can be a welcome thing.
21. The World – The World represents completion. You made it. Happy Holidays. All the presents have been opened. The dishes are in the sink, the in-laws have gone home and the kids are fast asleep. Put your feet up and relax!
CUPS
Ace of cups – The mulled wine is overflowing. The ace of cups in the Winter Waite is much the same as the traditional card, except the addition of doves which represent peace and the wine overflowing from the cup. In the holiday context this represents the season of good cheer and peace on earth. Upright- Love of all kinds, agape, strong feelings, the overflow of the heart. Also. Liberality, compassion, the beginning of a romantic relationship or friendship. Good omen for matters of the heart.
2 of cups – The wine from the Ace of cups is received. Strong friendship, bond, sharing. In matters of love; compatible relationships, perhaps even a marriage is foretold. In this card mistletoe hangs overhead. This seasonal plant’s link to romance and the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started in ancient Greece during the festival of Saturnalia the Roman pagan winter solstice festival. It shares with Christmas the traditions of gift giving, generosity to the poor, feasting, making ivy garlands and decorating trees. Ivy is associated with Bacchus hence the wine featured in some of the cups in the suit. The mistletoe relates to romance, fertility and in Ancient Rome peace.
3 of cups- This is the card of celebrations, parties, get-togethers and social encounters that involve a group. In a holiday reading this could represent an office party, Christmas party and celebrating the holiday with family and loved ones. Be careful with the eggnog!
4 of cups- Someone who feels bored, unmotivated or left out. When this card comes up in a holiday reading it could indicate that you or the client is feeling a bit discouraged or isolated during the festive season. This is especially so for people who suffer from loneliness during the holidays. They may feel a bit out of the loop or excluded from Christmas celebrations. The cup offered to the person suggests hope, if only the person could see that maybe a friendship or help is being offered. Encourage the client to look for the cup.
5 of cups - Feeling of regret, failure and disappointment. A negative way to approach the holidays. Also seasonal depression.
6 of cups- Feelings of nostalgia and past holidays. Feeling like a child again, perhaps reliving the season through your own children. Returning home for the holidays. Family members call over during this time of year.
7 of cups- Visions of sugar plums dancing in your head. Wishes, hopes and dreams that make Christmas magical. Such choices this time of year! Every kid has a list of desires but figuring out which ones will bring the most happiness is the task! The seven cups represent temporary pleasures. Can also mean guilty pleasures, lust and vain imaginings.
8 of cups- Turning away from bad habits of the previous year, looking forward to a New Year with all its resolutions and new beginnings.
9 of Cups- The wish card. All I want for Christmas is …..?
In our card A monk is surrounded by cups of mulled wine. In his hand he holds a plate filled with mince pies. A card which indicates dreams coming true. A moment of happy bliss.
10 of Cups- A feeling of shared joy with family and friends. In the card Christmas carollers sing happily and represents blessings and good times.
Page of cups- A young person brings a new outlook and inspiration into your life. He reminds us to enjoy those precious moments in life when all is well with the world.
Knight of cups- A seasonal affair. Finding love during the holidays. He personifies the "courtship" period in a relationship.
Queen of cups- A compassionate woman who brings with her nurturing, love and sensitivity. This is the person who just magically seems to know your hearts desire and how to make your Christmas dream come true.
King of cups- A man who is in control of showing his feelings but feels very deeply indeed. He is the one who will try his hardest to make sure the present he gets a person will be the best one of them all. Sometimes he misses but his heart is in the right place.
WANDS
Ace of wands- The hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Time to gather up the energy for the holiday shopping and errands. I always assign a certain restlessness to this card, an indication that it’s time to get up and go.
2 of wands – In the holiday context this card indicates planning. The countdown to Christmas has begun. It’s time to book the vacation if you’re travelling during the holiday. It’s time to plan the meals, gifts and parties.
3 of wands – The two is about the planning of the holiday. The three is about the footwork, making it all happen. Now is the time to go out there and contend with crowds, go shopping and get everything you need to make the seasonal festivities special.
4 of wands - Attending family celebrations. The holidays are the perfect time to visit and celebrate with family that you don’t see as much during the year.
5 of wands - Elves enjoying some light hearted play. The card depicts the conflict that naturally occurs during the busy part of the season. This could be a little strife caused at a sale or tit for tats with relatives during the holidays. The Christmas season causes some people a great deal of stress for many reasons; the days are shorter, the crowds are larger and people may, in some cases, be less patient while out.
6 of wands - Achievement, success and recognition by family and friends. In the holiday context this could mean you pulled off the perfect holiday with your great planning and holiday spirit.
7 of wands - Santa’s helper protects the gifts! Competition and struggle. Again in the context of Christmas this reminds me of the parents fighting and competing with each other for the desired toy of the year like in the movie Jingle All the Way.
8 of wands - Fast movement. I think of this card as either travelling or legwork. In any case you’re moving forward fast.
9 of wands - A shepherd watches his sheep by night. This card represents Problems and setbacks that need to be overcome. During the holiday many problems can come up that threaten to end the joy of the season; mixed up orders, gift returns, the special present cant be found anywhere and glitter all over the place. This card indicates the need to keep both your chin up and your holiday spirit in tact. It will soon be over and the New Year promises new beginnings and resolutions. You will survive. Lol
10 of wands - Feeling worn out and over burdened. Holiday burnout. Some of this could be avoided if you ask people for help.
Page of wands - An active young person who could possible help you with errands during the holiday.
Knight of Wands – Travelling and going on vacation. Movement by land.
Queen of wands - This woman is a great planner and loves to be the host at social gatherings. She’s very active and actually enjoys running errands, meeting people and going to events. She likes to be involved and on the move.
King of wands - This is a man who is in charge. An authority figure that may represent your boss, father or significant other. I think of him as Emperor lite.
PENTACLES
Ace of pentacles - This card represents money, gift and financial opportunities.
2 of pentacles - I look at this card as balancing the books. The amount of money coming in opposed to the amount of money going out. Keep it real folks. During the holiday season the temptation is to spend a lot of money especially to make our children and loved ones happy. People get into all kinds of credit debt. This card represents a healthy balance of what’s being earned and spent.
3 of pentacles. - The card of labour or it could be something like er, decorating the Christmas tree. It is a public display after all.
4 of pentacles - Saving. Economy , Thrift. Making a little go along way. Smart spending.
5 of pentacles- Poverty. Neediness. This card reminds us that some people don’t have a Christmas and the next card shows what to do to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.
6 of pentacles- Generosity. Giving. Receiving gifts. This card epitomizes what the holiday season is about. It’s a season that speaks to our heart , our feeling of goodwill and generosity and to our sense of humanity. The six reminds us that if we’re doing well, we should share our wealth with those that have less.
7 of pentacles- Hard work. A holiday break.
8 of pentacles- Dedication, focus and mastery. Making decorations for the tree or holiday adornments.
9 of pentacles- An independent person enjoying their wealth. This card could represent a boss or a merchant. Perhaps even someone you know who’s alone during the season and is too proud to let people know about it. This reminds me of the person who has everything, or so people think, except a friend.
10 of pentacles- This card speaks to me of visiting parents and extended family over the holidays with the traditional exchange of gifts, feasting and good cheer. Home for the holidays.
Page of pentacles- I would say in this context, the querents child. A young person who is a student or undergoing a course of study.
Knight of pentacles- This is the worker bee. He’s patient and determined. He might seem a bit slow to move but he’s reliable.
Queen of pentacles - Mother. This is the queen who will bake the cookies and take care of the family. She is a homemaker.
King of pentacles- This is the patient knight all grown up. A fatherly figure, he’s managed to build a business and become quite successful due to his dedication to a task and determination. He provides for his family and takes care of those he loves and employs.
SWORDS
Ace of swords- The card represents the importance of having a clear mind and good judgement for success. Rationality.
2 of swords - Having to make a difficult choice and feeling unable to do it. This could mean saying no to the temptation of overextending yourself with that tempting credit offer during the holidays or whether or not to invite that problematic relative over for Christmas dinner. A hard choice needs to be made.
3 of swords - Sorrow and separation. Maybe the family’s broken or a divorce is on the horizon.
4 of swords - Illness or rest. Holidays can be very stressful and maybe for now you need to take it easy.
5 of swords- Feeling defeated. Tension with family and friends. Someone has taken advantage of you. Maybe you feel put upon during the holidays by family demands or you have given way more than you have received.
6 of swords- Moving toward calmer waters. This usually happens after you buy all the gifts and everything you need for the perfect Christmas day. The hustle and bustle settled down and now you can relax a bit.
7 of swords - Theft. Someone is stealing from you or taking something that doesn’t belong to them. Credit card fraud. Feeling ripped off.
8 of swords - Feeling trapped in a bad situation. Isolation. The feeling of not knowing what to do with a particular problem.
9 of swords - Worry and anxiety; Common at this time of year for many. Something’s keeping you up at night. It’s ok to ask for help.
10 of swords - Ruin of all kinds. Given the subject matter it could be financial or a relationship breaks down.
Page of swords - A curious youngster. It can also represent a spy or an envious person.
Knight of swords- A family member or friend who stirs things up. Also acting very quickly oftentimes without thinking. A troublemaker.
Queen of swords - A lonely single woman. One who may feel heartbroken and left out of things.
King of swords - A lawyer, judge or policeman. Also a man who uses his head over his heart. This card could warn of an encounter with the law or authorities over the holiday season. Intellectual. An idealistic intellectual figure, good with words and possibly interested in causes and political affairs, similar to the King of Swords. She may be a lonely single woman. One who may feel heartbroken and left out of things.
MAJORS
0. The Fool – Naïve but optimistic, the Fool ventures out into the snow, paying no heed to the potential for ice on the cliff edge. It’s good to see the best in things, but it would do you well to tread carefully.
1. The Magician – The snow whips up around the magician as he casts a spell. He represents the mastery of the elements; earth, water, fire and air. A showman!
2. The High Priestess – She represents secrets and what is hidden.
3. The Empress – She represents birth and fertility. The mother figure.
4. Emperor – Saint Nicolas depicted in his more modern day form Santa Claus. The man of the hour at Christmas time. Children from near and far have much reverence for this figure.
5. Hierophant – Saint Nicolas in his traditional garb. We sometimes forget that the sleigh riding Santa Claus was originally based on this saint. Among other things, Saint Nick was a patron saint of Children, and was known for his secret gift giving. The Hierophant in this case represents all things traditional at Christmas.
6. The lovers – Now that winter has fallen, the lovers don appropriate clothing. The lovers card represents a choice or partnership.
7. Chariot – Time to play on the snow. As of 2018, our version of the Chariot depicts children playing on a sled.
8. Strength – The lady tames nature. Like most animals, reindeers are skittish around potential predators. This card represents taming the deer with compassion.
9. The Hermit – The hermit ventures out into the snowstorm. The hermit represents the knowledge within.
10. The Wheel of Fortune – For the Winter Waite version of this card, we have replaced the 4 beasts (Ezekiel, Revelation) with something a little more whimsical. The Wheel is a peppermint Candy, with a cute little mouse on top. In our Christmas themed take on the deck, this card’s good luck is represented by candy, gingerbread houses etc. This card indicates that one’s fortune is about change, or good luck. Perhaps a Christmas bonus!
11. Justice – Saint Nicolas makes another appearance, stepping out of his Hierophant position, and into the role of a judge. His task is to decide which child has been naughty or nice. In one hand he holds a swirl lollipop, and in the other; a few lumps of coal.
12. The Hanged Man – Suspension of action. Inactivity.
13. Death – An ending of things, possibly a literal death but generally an end to something. In this case it could indicate an end to the year.
14. Temperance. - The lady walks beside a winter lake in her lovely burgundy gown. Owing to the frosty weather, her foot is no longer in the water. Like the lovers with their appropriate clothing, winter demands changes to how we interact with the environment. It is a good time of year to practice Temperance, especially for those who enjoy alcoholic beverages. Temperance should also be shown when navigating the perilous pitfalls of family get-togethers!
15. The Devil – In ancient lore, Krampus is known to visit the bad little kids, and has been depicted kidnapping them, sometimes putting them in chains, beating their backsides, and giving them lumps of coal instead of toys. The opposite of Saint Nick. We see the two children crying as they look upon their boring gifts. Krampus carries shackles in one hand and a whip made of birch wood in the other.
16. The Tower – A broken tower; burning, cold and dampened by the wintery weather. Whatever plans or dreams you once had, have most likely come to an end.
17. The Star – The winter weather has forced our once naked figure to wear her winter coat. She represents hope and aspirations.
18. The Moon – The wolf and the Dog have taken shelter in our Winter Wonderland, nowhere to be seen. The river has been frosted over with ice. Deer can be seen walking about the snowy landscape below the Moon. A card of hidden secrets and, at times, lunacy.
19. The Sun. – The Baby New Year (the look is inspired by Baby New Year from the Rankin/Bass children’s movie Rudolph’s Shiny New Year) is our child in the Sun card. The myth most associated with him is that he is a baby at the beginning of his year, but Baby New Year quickly ages until he is elderly like Father Time who he is often associated with.
20. Judgement – traditional Judgement card inspired by the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Our version takes place in winter. Judgement is often scary to many people, but Judgement, if mixed with correction and guidance, can be a welcome thing.
21. The World – The World represents completion. You made it. Happy Holidays. All the presents have been opened. The dishes are in the sink, the in-laws have gone home and the kids are fast asleep. Put your feet up and relax!
CUPS
Ace of cups – The mulled wine is overflowing. The ace of cups in the Winter Waite is much the same as the traditional card, except the addition of doves which represent peace and the wine overflowing from the cup. In the holiday context this represents the season of good cheer and peace on earth. Upright- Love of all kinds, agape, strong feelings, the overflow of the heart. Also. Liberality, compassion, the beginning of a romantic relationship or friendship. Good omen for matters of the heart.
2 of cups – The wine from the Ace of cups is received. Strong friendship, bond, sharing. In matters of love; compatible relationships, perhaps even a marriage is foretold. In this card mistletoe hangs overhead. This seasonal plant’s link to romance and the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started in ancient Greece during the festival of Saturnalia the Roman pagan winter solstice festival. It shares with Christmas the traditions of gift giving, generosity to the poor, feasting, making ivy garlands and decorating trees. Ivy is associated with Bacchus hence the wine featured in some of the cups in the suit. The mistletoe relates to romance, fertility and in Ancient Rome peace.
3 of cups- This is the card of celebrations, parties, get-togethers and social encounters that involve a group. In a holiday reading this could represent an office party, Christmas party and celebrating the holiday with family and loved ones. Be careful with the eggnog!
4 of cups- Someone who feels bored, unmotivated or left out. When this card comes up in a holiday reading it could indicate that you or the client is feeling a bit discouraged or isolated during the festive season. This is especially so for people who suffer from loneliness during the holidays. They may feel a bit out of the loop or excluded from Christmas celebrations. The cup offered to the person suggests hope, if only the person could see that maybe a friendship or help is being offered. Encourage the client to look for the cup.
5 of cups - Feeling of regret, failure and disappointment. A negative way to approach the holidays. Also seasonal depression.
6 of cups- Feelings of nostalgia and past holidays. Feeling like a child again, perhaps reliving the season through your own children. Returning home for the holidays. Family members call over during this time of year.
7 of cups- Visions of sugar plums dancing in your head. Wishes, hopes and dreams that make Christmas magical. Such choices this time of year! Every kid has a list of desires but figuring out which ones will bring the most happiness is the task! The seven cups represent temporary pleasures. Can also mean guilty pleasures, lust and vain imaginings.
8 of cups- Turning away from bad habits of the previous year, looking forward to a New Year with all its resolutions and new beginnings.
9 of Cups- The wish card. All I want for Christmas is …..?
In our card A monk is surrounded by cups of mulled wine. In his hand he holds a plate filled with mince pies. A card which indicates dreams coming true. A moment of happy bliss.
10 of Cups- A feeling of shared joy with family and friends. In the card Christmas carollers sing happily and represents blessings and good times.
Page of cups- A young person brings a new outlook and inspiration into your life. He reminds us to enjoy those precious moments in life when all is well with the world.
Knight of cups- A seasonal affair. Finding love during the holidays. He personifies the "courtship" period in a relationship.
Queen of cups- A compassionate woman who brings with her nurturing, love and sensitivity. This is the person who just magically seems to know your hearts desire and how to make your Christmas dream come true.
King of cups- A man who is in control of showing his feelings but feels very deeply indeed. He is the one who will try his hardest to make sure the present he gets a person will be the best one of them all. Sometimes he misses but his heart is in the right place.
WANDS
Ace of wands- The hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Time to gather up the energy for the holiday shopping and errands. I always assign a certain restlessness to this card, an indication that it’s time to get up and go.
2 of wands – In the holiday context this card indicates planning. The countdown to Christmas has begun. It’s time to book the vacation if you’re travelling during the holiday. It’s time to plan the meals, gifts and parties.
3 of wands – The two is about the planning of the holiday. The three is about the footwork, making it all happen. Now is the time to go out there and contend with crowds, go shopping and get everything you need to make the seasonal festivities special.
4 of wands - Attending family celebrations. The holidays are the perfect time to visit and celebrate with family that you don’t see as much during the year.
5 of wands - Elves enjoying some light hearted play. The card depicts the conflict that naturally occurs during the busy part of the season. This could be a little strife caused at a sale or tit for tats with relatives during the holidays. The Christmas season causes some people a great deal of stress for many reasons; the days are shorter, the crowds are larger and people may, in some cases, be less patient while out.
6 of wands - Achievement, success and recognition by family and friends. In the holiday context this could mean you pulled off the perfect holiday with your great planning and holiday spirit.
7 of wands - Santa’s helper protects the gifts! Competition and struggle. Again in the context of Christmas this reminds me of the parents fighting and competing with each other for the desired toy of the year like in the movie Jingle All the Way.
8 of wands - Fast movement. I think of this card as either travelling or legwork. In any case you’re moving forward fast.
9 of wands - A shepherd watches his sheep by night. This card represents Problems and setbacks that need to be overcome. During the holiday many problems can come up that threaten to end the joy of the season; mixed up orders, gift returns, the special present cant be found anywhere and glitter all over the place. This card indicates the need to keep both your chin up and your holiday spirit in tact. It will soon be over and the New Year promises new beginnings and resolutions. You will survive. Lol
10 of wands - Feeling worn out and over burdened. Holiday burnout. Some of this could be avoided if you ask people for help.
Page of wands - An active young person who could possible help you with errands during the holiday.
Knight of Wands – Travelling and going on vacation. Movement by land.
Queen of wands - This woman is a great planner and loves to be the host at social gatherings. She’s very active and actually enjoys running errands, meeting people and going to events. She likes to be involved and on the move.
King of wands - This is a man who is in charge. An authority figure that may represent your boss, father or significant other. I think of him as Emperor lite.
PENTACLES
Ace of pentacles - This card represents money, gift and financial opportunities.
2 of pentacles - I look at this card as balancing the books. The amount of money coming in opposed to the amount of money going out. Keep it real folks. During the holiday season the temptation is to spend a lot of money especially to make our children and loved ones happy. People get into all kinds of credit debt. This card represents a healthy balance of what’s being earned and spent.
3 of pentacles. - The card of labour or it could be something like er, decorating the Christmas tree. It is a public display after all.
4 of pentacles - Saving. Economy , Thrift. Making a little go along way. Smart spending.
5 of pentacles- Poverty. Neediness. This card reminds us that some people don’t have a Christmas and the next card shows what to do to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.
6 of pentacles- Generosity. Giving. Receiving gifts. This card epitomizes what the holiday season is about. It’s a season that speaks to our heart , our feeling of goodwill and generosity and to our sense of humanity. The six reminds us that if we’re doing well, we should share our wealth with those that have less.
7 of pentacles- Hard work. A holiday break.
8 of pentacles- Dedication, focus and mastery. Making decorations for the tree or holiday adornments.
9 of pentacles- An independent person enjoying their wealth. This card could represent a boss or a merchant. Perhaps even someone you know who’s alone during the season and is too proud to let people know about it. This reminds me of the person who has everything, or so people think, except a friend.
10 of pentacles- This card speaks to me of visiting parents and extended family over the holidays with the traditional exchange of gifts, feasting and good cheer. Home for the holidays.
Page of pentacles- I would say in this context, the querents child. A young person who is a student or undergoing a course of study.
Knight of pentacles- This is the worker bee. He’s patient and determined. He might seem a bit slow to move but he’s reliable.
Queen of pentacles - Mother. This is the queen who will bake the cookies and take care of the family. She is a homemaker.
King of pentacles- This is the patient knight all grown up. A fatherly figure, he’s managed to build a business and become quite successful due to his dedication to a task and determination. He provides for his family and takes care of those he loves and employs.
SWORDS
Ace of swords- The card represents the importance of having a clear mind and good judgement for success. Rationality.
2 of swords - Having to make a difficult choice and feeling unable to do it. This could mean saying no to the temptation of overextending yourself with that tempting credit offer during the holidays or whether or not to invite that problematic relative over for Christmas dinner. A hard choice needs to be made.
3 of swords - Sorrow and separation. Maybe the family’s broken or a divorce is on the horizon.
4 of swords - Illness or rest. Holidays can be very stressful and maybe for now you need to take it easy.
5 of swords- Feeling defeated. Tension with family and friends. Someone has taken advantage of you. Maybe you feel put upon during the holidays by family demands or you have given way more than you have received.
6 of swords- Moving toward calmer waters. This usually happens after you buy all the gifts and everything you need for the perfect Christmas day. The hustle and bustle settled down and now you can relax a bit.
7 of swords - Theft. Someone is stealing from you or taking something that doesn’t belong to them. Credit card fraud. Feeling ripped off.
8 of swords - Feeling trapped in a bad situation. Isolation. The feeling of not knowing what to do with a particular problem.
9 of swords - Worry and anxiety; Common at this time of year for many. Something’s keeping you up at night. It’s ok to ask for help.
10 of swords - Ruin of all kinds. Given the subject matter it could be financial or a relationship breaks down.
Page of swords - A curious youngster. It can also represent a spy or an envious person.
Knight of swords- A family member or friend who stirs things up. Also acting very quickly oftentimes without thinking. A troublemaker.
Queen of swords - A lonely single woman. One who may feel heartbroken and left out of things.
King of swords - A lawyer, judge or policeman. Also a man who uses his head over his heart. This card could warn of an encounter with the law or authorities over the holiday season. Intellectual. An idealistic intellectual figure, good with words and possibly interested in causes and political affairs, similar to the King of Swords. She may be a lonely single woman. One who may feel heartbroken and left out of things.
DEAD WAITE TAROT
MAJORS
The Fool : A bloodied figure holds a white lily, the symbol of death. As the path below him crumbles, his undead companion barks his bloody, rancid breath into the noontime air, a warning that this fool is in danger of dropping off out of existence.
The Magician : The Magician, usually known for keeping a few things to himself, has no place to hide; he’s literally spewing his guts for all the world to see. In the foreground both roses and lilies slowly die. What exactly is inside that Cup? Don’t ask!
The High Priestess. Another beauty! She’s sitting on her throne, and by the looks of the muscles deteriorating on her legs, she’ll be there for some time! Her guts pour out from her cavernous ribcage over a mysterious, ancient scroll. If you’ve ever poured your heart out over a heartfelt letter, or put your blood sweat and tears into a project, you might know the feeling.
The Empress: Morbid and not for the faint of heart, this is one of the more horrible cards but a zombie apocalypse is no walk in the park. Amidst the collapsed wheat, a stream of blood drips from the card. There’s a strange irony in that the Empress represents life, yet she has (almost) given birth to an undead young one. Reminiscent of that scene in Alien where an alien rips through people’s chests, a little arm peeks from the womb (or should that be tomb?)
The Emperor: A bearded man of power sits on a crumbling throne. It reminds me of the Nine Inch Nails song “Hurt”, specifically the line “my empire of dirt”. In this card The Emperor still reigns, but only in his own fading consciousness, like a once powerful father that has become weak. Maybe someone needs to whisper in his ear that it’s time to put the sceptre down…except that someone’s bitten it off.
The Hierophant: Haven’t you heard? The zombie apocalypse is no respecter of persons. Even the church is infected. During the first stage of the virus, the faithful will have flocked to church, hoping for answers, fervent in prayer. Be ye peasant or be ye pope, the zombie virus shall not be mocked!
The Lovers: Rotten apples lie at the tree of forbidden knowledge, while the granted knowledge (The burning bush) still burns brightly. The Angel, not being in a physical body, remains unaffected by the virus. The lovers below still recognise their love for each other as the dim light of their eyes fades. Soon they will unknow each other.
The Chariot: The city is in flames. A charioteer stares ahead, his lower jaw and tongue lost somewhere in time. Does he move left, or move right? Will his sickly sphinxes even respond to his will? Come to think of it, one of the wheels has fallen off the chariot. Unless it is fixed, he will be going around in circles.
Strength: An undead lion, looking a bit worse for wear, kneels a little under the palm of an undead lady who fancies herself as a bit of a lion tamer. His face covered in blood, the lion has just previously eaten an unsuspecting victim.
The Hermit: Judging by the brightness of the lamp, there’s still enough fuel to light his way for a little while, which means the hermit is a very recent addition to the ranks of the undead. A source of wisdom and mystical knowledge, this figure’s brilliant mind will, like the great library of Alexandria, fall away into nothingness.
Wheel of Fortune: Yeah right, Wheel of Misfortune you mean! Actually, not so. Yes, the virus has affected the wonderful world of Waite, but beyond the ravaged post-apocalyptic world there is still hope. As a zombie hoard shuffles along in formation in the background, in the foreground we see the spiritual world is very much alive; the cog wheels of existence are always turning, every second of every minute of every hour. Like the angel in The Lovers card, the spiritual beings are physically unaffected by the zombie virus.
Justice: Is there justice to be had in the wasteland? Let’s hope so. An undead figure dressed in judicial garb holds scales representing weighing of evidence when examining and judging a case in court. The sword represents the idea that justice can be very swift and final.
The Hanged Man: What a way do die! Hung out to dry, this zombie has been completely stripped of his innards by carrion birds. However what this zombie lacks in guts, he more than makes up for in physical endurance; his spine appears to be as strong as steel. Talk about hangin tough!
Death. Essentially this card is the “Genesis” card of the deck; we go back to where it all began. A king has become lunch under the feet of a sickly pale horse, a royal feast as it were. A bishop of the church pleads with the diseased horseman, looking into the very eyes of death itself for some small morsel of mercy. None is given. The green air indicates the virus may be airborne in nature. If you want to be hopeful with this card, tell the client there’s a sunrise in the background. That’s about it!
Temperance: The problem with zombies is that they cause more trouble that just biting people and making a buffet of your vitals, their blood can also contaminate streams and rivers and other water sources. In this scenario, we see dead fish near the opening of a stream. A horde of zombies fail to notice the spiritual being in the foreground. With two cups in hand, liquids are being mixed. Perhaps a cure is being sought?
The Devil: Like the two zombies in the Lovers card the figures in the Devil card stand looking at each other, only this time they’ve grown animalistic tails (a return to their animal nature). The woman’s tail has a cluster of grapes, the man’s tail (base nature) is set on fire by the Devil. They are prisoners of the fallen nature.
The Tower : Nowhere to go but down. The doors of the tower have been breached. The human occupants flee for their lives, hoping to escape with their essentials. They have no option but to leap out the window and hope for the best. Let’s face it, they’re zombie food. The best case scenario is that they can rebuild again IF they can somehow, miraculously, escape that horde of insanity and teeth below.
The Star: A bit of a tranquil card, or at least the best that could be hoped for in a deck like this. A woman barely hanging together pours blood into a pond and onto the land. Don’t ask why, just leave her be!
The Moon: Under the moonlight a wolf and a dog take down a zombie and in the process spill his guts into a river. Two more zombies come to shore. In the far distance, a horde of zombies pass by, almost unnoticed in the darkness of night. Even the moon feels ill!
The Sun: Remember what we said in the Hierophant that the zombie virus is not a respecter of persons. Here is a prime example. A not so happy kid on a horse is feeling a bit under the weather. The red eyes of the sun almost suggest he’s been pulling an all nighter.
Judgement: It was always difficult to create an entire deck based on death, without taking away from the original death type scenes. Just like the Death card, Judgement deals with a bit of a morbid scene (though originally meant as a blessing of course). The angel blows a trumpet and the dead (undead?) rise from their graves. It gets confusing!
The World: A crow has found its prize. A nice bouncy eyeball that it will take back to its nest and devour in the comfort of its own home. Tasty!
WANDS
Ace of Wands: A river of blood flows through a sea of green fields. In the distance lies a castle. Lord knows what has become of it. A zombie hand peeks from a cloud brandishing about the only form of life nearby; lush green leaves sprouting from a wand.
2 of Wands: A tatty clothed merchant looks at a shattered globe in his hand. In the distance, something disastrous must have taken place; the shoreline is bathed in blood.
3 of Wands: The dark night sky is lit up just barely with an orange glow from the burning cities on the horizon. A flock of crows fly above, almost hidden by the darkness. In the foreground a merchant, dressed a little worse for wear, waits for the ships to come in; important supplies for small pockets of survivors.
4 of Wands: A once happy snapshot in time, a woman wearing a wreath comes towards you, wanting brains instead of cake. There are no signs of tangible life here, just remnants of what was once a celebration near the castle. The fruit on the trees look like they could be salvageable though!
5 of Wands: A few survivors joke around and share a few laughs, almost taunting the zombies before they bash their brains in. It is much debated as to where the game of golf first came into being…but now you know!
6 of Wands: How much victory can one have when one is a shell of his former self? At this point the only gratitude you get is from the deadheads.
7 of Wands: Battered and exhausted but still going strong. Is the figure fighting off zombies who want him for food or fighting off raiders who want his possessions?
8 of Wands: Arrows fly in a volley over a river tainted with blood. Towns in the distance burn against the backdrop of a blood red sky. A carrier pigeon has been sent out to make contact with another castle/community.
9 of Wands: A soldier who was once on guard is loyal to his post; a loyalty that has traversed through his transition into a poor undead soul.
10 Wands: Talk about tough! With half of his leg missing, his ribcage and skull exposed to the elements, this zombie will NOT be stopped! He’s on a mission and he intends to carry it out…let’s hope he remembers the actual purpose behind the mission, rather than just the journey itself.
Page of Wands : A zombie admires his staff. An adventurer, lover of different cultures and points of view. Unfortunately it’s all lost on him now. Poor bugger!
Knight of Wands: The horse is badly wounded as is his rider. He’s lost his way in the desert and that useless corpse on his back isn’t helping matters! As the horse wanders, his eyes go dim. Soon he will wander this ocean of sand, like some weary camel, for what will seem like an eternity.
Queen of Wands : The sunflower in her hand tells you everything you need to know! Even the cat can’t be saved from this scenario. Her heart beats in her exposed chest, thump, thump, thump. Her sons, the Page and Knight of Wands are lost to the ravaging winds of the desert, and even if they were to return, she would fail to recognise them.
King of Wands: As the book of Ecclesiastes tells us “all is vanity”. Once proud kings of the earth now walk as decaying road kill. All is vanity, including the unrealised dreams of fancy which, had these kings been given, would all amount to nothing in the end anyway. Most of their achievements are lost to the sands of time.
CUPS
Ace of Cups : a hand appears from a cloud with a cup of blood. A dove attempts to dip a Eucharist into the cup, but, alas, the bird’s wing is broken. In the distance a zombie seems to be emerging from the lake of blood…all rather lovely!
2 of Cups: 2 lovers exchange cups, an expression of their love, except…the man’s cup, and his arm, have fallen to the floor. Nonetheless he reaches for her cup. (The bloody cheek of it!) She doesn’t seem to mind too much. She probably forgets who he is in the first place.
3 of Cups: 3 almost undead-ish women have a party and, well, judging by their good cheer, they’re having one last drunken blowout before they turn!
4 of Cups: Could it be? A cure? From the Temperance angel that was described earlier? Maybe, but it seems lost on this zombie.
5 of Cups: A lone zombie mourns the loss of some of his “special” beverage. As the old saying goes “there’s plenty more fish in the sea”, but in this case “there’s plenty more blood in those people who are hiding in the castles”. The glass can always be half full if you will it to be.
6 of Cups: A return to innocence. Sometimes all one can do when they lose themselves, is to go back to a good memory. Even if the flowers don’t seem as bright as they used to be, and the soil has lost most of its soul, reliving a good memory is a cure for many an ailment.
7 of Cups: This is what sane rational desires look like when insanity has taken captive of one’s meat computer. A regular brain might wish for luxuries. A zombie’s nutty noggin, on the other hand, desires a lot of crazy stuff, mainly all food related for whatever reason.
8 of Cups: A lone survivor wanders inland, away from the shore. This man has seen enough to last him a lifetime. What kind of bloody carnage lies beyond the card, we don’t need to know. Suffice to say, it’s not pretty.
9 of Cups: A wish comes true. What poor soul had to lose a leg to fulfil this sick fantasy we’ll never know?
10 of Cups: What a disaster! What would have been a happy home in some half decent setting now burns in the distance. The zombie children devour a rat as though it were candy. An undead man tries to keep his wife from falling to the ground. Imagine your dreams almost coming true…almost, but leaving some nasty bitter aftertaste. Hey, you weren’t expecting a happily ever after style ending during a zombie apocalypse were you?
Page of Cups: A dead fish peers from a cup, its dead lifeless eyes staring blankly at this death ridden man. The zombie stares at the fish, almost with a child like innocence. He’s completely oblivious to the hip bone protruding from his right leg, and the cold wind whistling through his rib cage.
Knight of Cups : A badly eaten horse stops beside a clean crystal blue river. On top, a zombified knight sits with a cup in hand.
Queen of Cups : Covered in barnacles from the sea, this Queen seeks out her reflection on the side of her cup. Unlike most of the zombies in the world of Dead Waite, she still has some “awareness”. She knows she is transforming day by day. The bloody sores on her legs and arms, pecked raw by the crows whose keen sense of smell in regard to death, have bothered her now for days. Maggots have even shown their ugly head. The sound of the crashing sea waves gives her small comfort, but it is better than nothing.
The King of Cups: Like the Queen, the barnacles of the sea cling to him. His blood filled cup has fallen into his lap, the contents of which roll down his garments. On his little floating platform he is surrounded by piranhas. This zombie’s fate more or less lies in being eaten away over an extended period of time.
SWORDS
Ace of Swords: A rotting hand peers from the clouds holding a very battered, time ravaged sword. A wasteland lies below.
2 of Swords : This card puts a whole new spin on someone asking if they can “pick your brains”. The woman’s blindfold has dropped from her eyes, and her arm has fallen away from her body.
3 of Swords : 3 swords pierce a pulsating, zombified heart.
4 of Swords: While this scene appears to depict permanent rest, as in a zombie being killed, the vital organs being eaten by the crows are not essential to a zombie’s “undead” state. In other words, the crows have not killed this zombie by indulging in the intestines. Legend has it that in order to truly do away with a zombie you must destroy its brain.
5 of Swords : Even the undead have their fair share of petty show offs; you know the type. This is a hollow victory. Even if they physically could, the other two don’t want to get into a sword fighting contest over something trivial.
6 of Swords : A passage through hell. Let’s hope the boat doesn’t capsize. Three survivors make their way across an expanse of water, flanked on both sides by zombies in the water.
7 Swords : A thieving zombie really only proves one thing; this guy was a no good rotten thief in his former life. Why else would you be doing something as pointless as stealing swords when you’re a bloody zombie? The unconscious is our real captain. Few can understand it, but through repetition and routine people will do the strangest of things. It reminds me of the zombie shoppers going to the supermarket out of mere routine in Romero’s Dawn of The Dead
8 of Swords : All wrapped up and no place to go. The sun rises beyond a zombified woman. Perhaps she’s been tied up by a few survivors, before they fled the area. Her head has sustained injury and so too has her arm. Had she still retained her human mind, she may have used these swords nearby to cut the ties that bind her.
9 of Swords: A survivor awakes in the middle of the night. Outside he hears the roaring and wailing of a monstrous horde. They scrape their nails along the wooden boards, trying to pry their way in. How can one sleep peacefully with such a threat outside the door? Surely though the window of the room is secure with the wooden beams and swords?
10 of Swords : A figure lies dead on the ground as crows feast on his vitals. Whether this was a zombie or a human man it is not 100 percent clear. His neck, the only flesh revealed, has not turned green. In a zombie apocalypse, one might be forgiven for thinking that such a clear contrast between the living and the dead would unite all survivors, but rarely is anything as ideal as that. There are always opportunists, traitors and scavengers regardless of the feeling of comradery in such situations. It is anyone’s guess how 10 swords came to be lodged in his body; from his legs all the way up to his neck, but regardless of what happened, someone really wanted him dead!
Page of Swords: While this zombie is more or less a goner, he still retains some memory of a previous life where he was practicing his sword fighting skills. He will soon discard the blade, relying instead on his row of sharp teeth to carve out a life for himself as a raging, decaying, psychopath. I mean, wouldn’t you?
Knight of Swords: Charge!!! Though this horse has been through the war, it has not been infected by the virus, allowing it to gallop as quickly as regular horses. It could be argued it is trying to flee the rider.
Queen of Swords : The queen holds her hand in the air, the muscles and sinew hanging from the bones. For a second she thinks she sees a butterfly landing on her fingers, but there is nothing there. Though her sword has dulled some and her once majestic butterfly crown is barely hanging together, she sits as queen. In her mind, life has not changed. She is still the queen of her realm.
King of Swords : There is little that remains within the cavern of this poor soul’s chest. Over time the crows have picked his stomach apart like it were a piñata. Someone or something has hewn his forearm right from his body.
PENTACLES
Ace of Pentacles : white lilies are wilting in the foreground. Flies buzz around a rotting hand that comes from a cloud holding a damaged pentacle.
2 of Pentacles: in the background we see a sea of blood, with survivor ships trying to make their way to a port with their cargo in one piece (see the 3 of Wands). In the foreground a rotting figure juggles two pentacles.
3 of Pentacles : A craftsman sits down to have his lunch after a decent start to the morning. The city planners call by to see how he’s getting on and show him the plans. Well would you look at that…one bloody handprint on a piece of paper? That makes a lot of sense! It’s not like these planners are in their right state of mind. The craftsman has proceeded to decorate the hall with bloody hand prints. His other hand, along with his hammer both lay on the ground.
4 of Pentacles : This zombie has developed an obsession with his possessions. Behind him a city, once burning, now smoulders.
5 of Pentacles : The church has been ransacked. Shadowy figures shuffle about in the dim light inside. On closer inspection they are not survivors. Perhaps they were some of the faithful that thought church might be the best refuge. Unfortunately the church, throwing caution to the wind, granted everyone refuge, both the sick, and the healthy. I mean, that’s what Jesus would do right? At least they meant well. Now they are all just as dead as everyone else.
6 of Pentacles : A strange spectacle. A wealthy man, yet a man strong in faith, gives “money” to the impoverished. A strange spectacle because the virus has brought down the wealthy to the same level of paupers, but the rich man still believes his money is of value, and the poor still believe they are poor. Their roles are deeply rooted in the subconscious. The philanthropist has come from the ransacked church in the 5 of Pentacles. The wealthy man gives some meat instead of money, reminding us that though he still retains the role of philanthropist, he is clearly not in possession of money, either that or money itself has no real value anymore (That and he’s a zombie and not thinking clearly.)
7 of Pentacles : a farmer still sits waiting, tending his crops. Good luck. They’re gray, and starting to look a bit lifeless. Maybe he’s been watering it with some of that special water found in the Moon and Temperance card.
8 of Pentacles: That moment when you realise a hard working man has lost the plot entirely; A femur for a hammer and a sharpened bone for a chisel. That tells you all you need to know. At least he’s dedicated to his work!
9 of Pentacles : The falcon rests on the lady’s hand as she wanders through her garden. Surprisingly the falcon has not flown off. Perhaps its hood has been enough to keep it settled in her presence. She seems to recognise it; remember it almost, and has not considered it as a snack. Behind her a great crop of grapes grow on the vine. They don’t seem to have been affected by the changing world.
10 of Pentacles : Happy families! In the streets of a ruined city an old zombified man looks fondly at his dogs, which have brought him a little treat. The dogs are not infected at this point, thank heavens, nor do they appear to shrink from their master. A young boy nearby gets ready to bite into his Big Mac…wait, that’s not a…oh, never mind.
Page of Pentacles : A mesmerized zombie looks at a Pentacle he has found. Little does he know, these gold coins will have dropped in value at this point. The good thing about being a zombie, though, is that no matter how impoverished one gets, there will always be food.
Knight of Pentacles : A big Clydesdale horse looks out at a ploughed field. It has probably ploughed this field a few weeks previous. Scabby, rough blotches cover its hide. It’s sick but it has not been zombified. The knight, on the other hand, has a once fatal head wound. His ribcage is showing, and he has a wounded leg. What’s going through that mind of his? Is he lamenting the devaluation of his gold coin?
Queen of Pentacles : This queen sits in nature, admiring her slightly disfigured coin. A zombie rabbit sits nearby. She seems to be at peace, even though the horrible dystopian nightmare has taken its toll on her body.
King of Pentacles : While this king has been badly damaged, and he has more or less become a complete zombie, he roars his displeasure at the fall of his kingdom. He remembers, somewhat vaguely it must be said, a time when he was seen as an authority. His will was carried out by entire armies, and he was full of wealth and power. Had his old dusty tear ducts any vitality left, he might even shed a tear, lamenting the loss of his glory days.
BONUS CARDS (Originally Created for the Dead Waite Campaign)
The Scavenger : During such trying times when society has broken down and everyone seems to have gone crazy, it is good to have a stockpile of food and amenities that you can rely on until you can become accustomed to the new world. Not everyone will be so fortunate. As panic sweeps through the towns and cities, of a fear of running out of supplies, you too will have to decide what to grab, and what to leave behind, and the importance of wasting nothing. This card indicates that someone is not only resourceful, but is open to the many many opportunities in the environment around them. I see it more as someone picking over something that's already been picked over yet making use of things that others deemed scrap, rather than pilfering something of immediate and noticeable value. (the kind of things that would go missing from the shelf from the first wave of raiders). A scavenger might also have a much keener eye, picking up things that others may have missed.
Yet, there are pros and cons to everything. In a negative sense it would mean that one might need to protect themselves from theft. Think the 7 of Swords, for example. Keep an eye on your stuff! Someone might be chipping away at the foundations of your Kingdom.
The Lookout : Every decent fort needs one. Without a lookout, you will not see danger ahead of you, and so will have to think quickly when things go wrong, (Which life tends to do, just to keep us on our toes). Based on the Belvedere card from the Sibilla oracle deck.
Communication : Contact with the outside world is vital to form a wider community and a network of reliable contacts. In this medieval zombie setting, being fiercely independent can be a good thing, but condemning yourself to isolation has it's limitations.
In the card, an apocalyptic postal worker (not Kevin Costner lol) delivers a letter from one Kingdom to the other.
Similarly in our 8 of Wands card, carrier pigeons fly alongside arrows, carrying a message attached to their leg. In the old days, long before telephone, it was a great way of getting a message to someone from a distance.
Infected : Many people see the idea of Death as transition. What's more of a transition than passing over into the world of the zombie. Perhaps a better explanation is that feeling one might get when they are still consciously "with it", but "know" that people need to keep away them for their own safety. One might actively volunteer being quarantined for the greater good, especially if they have children. This noble, voluntary act is probably much more likely to happen when nearing the last stages of transition, where one might start “seeing” things that no one else sees, or having intense feelings of hate and rage; sure signs that something is going on upstairs that might need to be taken seriously!
Thankfully with the help of the medical world, most infections can be treated in our society, but some cannot. In a zombie setting, one might find it very useful to seek out a local pharmacy or hospital for supplies for certain ailments. Actual zombie bites, unless there is a cure on the near horizon, will probably prove fatal.
In a card reading, depending on the question, this card may prove quite interesting. Let’s say the question was “What’s wrong with my computer?”. If you pulled the infected card it would be pretty obvious. However I would caution both reader and client to be careful with medical type readings. If you feel something’s really wrong with you, seek medical advice from a doctor. Don’t be a zombie, use common sense! In such serious readings, these cards should really only be used for entertainment.
Survivor : You’re a survivor and at least one small part of you probably loves the thrill of the battle on top of it all. You’re holding up that zombie head like a trophy. Hell, you probably sew up your own wounds too without as much as a grimace. Ok, that might be going a bit far!
A survivor indicates that you’re willing to rough it and endure things that would break most other people under the pressure.
This could also indicate you have survived divorce, ill health, severe emotional trauma and lived to tell the tale. There is quite a lot of truth to the saying “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. You are battle hardened. Occasionally some may say they wished to see a softer side to you, which is fair. Depending on the person, it might be good to show this side of you, but never resent your survivalist mentality. It has probably saved your life a few times.
MAJORS
The Fool : A bloodied figure holds a white lily, the symbol of death. As the path below him crumbles, his undead companion barks his bloody, rancid breath into the noontime air, a warning that this fool is in danger of dropping off out of existence.
The Magician : The Magician, usually known for keeping a few things to himself, has no place to hide; he’s literally spewing his guts for all the world to see. In the foreground both roses and lilies slowly die. What exactly is inside that Cup? Don’t ask!
The High Priestess. Another beauty! She’s sitting on her throne, and by the looks of the muscles deteriorating on her legs, she’ll be there for some time! Her guts pour out from her cavernous ribcage over a mysterious, ancient scroll. If you’ve ever poured your heart out over a heartfelt letter, or put your blood sweat and tears into a project, you might know the feeling.
The Empress: Morbid and not for the faint of heart, this is one of the more horrible cards but a zombie apocalypse is no walk in the park. Amidst the collapsed wheat, a stream of blood drips from the card. There’s a strange irony in that the Empress represents life, yet she has (almost) given birth to an undead young one. Reminiscent of that scene in Alien where an alien rips through people’s chests, a little arm peeks from the womb (or should that be tomb?)
The Emperor: A bearded man of power sits on a crumbling throne. It reminds me of the Nine Inch Nails song “Hurt”, specifically the line “my empire of dirt”. In this card The Emperor still reigns, but only in his own fading consciousness, like a once powerful father that has become weak. Maybe someone needs to whisper in his ear that it’s time to put the sceptre down…except that someone’s bitten it off.
The Hierophant: Haven’t you heard? The zombie apocalypse is no respecter of persons. Even the church is infected. During the first stage of the virus, the faithful will have flocked to church, hoping for answers, fervent in prayer. Be ye peasant or be ye pope, the zombie virus shall not be mocked!
The Lovers: Rotten apples lie at the tree of forbidden knowledge, while the granted knowledge (The burning bush) still burns brightly. The Angel, not being in a physical body, remains unaffected by the virus. The lovers below still recognise their love for each other as the dim light of their eyes fades. Soon they will unknow each other.
The Chariot: The city is in flames. A charioteer stares ahead, his lower jaw and tongue lost somewhere in time. Does he move left, or move right? Will his sickly sphinxes even respond to his will? Come to think of it, one of the wheels has fallen off the chariot. Unless it is fixed, he will be going around in circles.
Strength: An undead lion, looking a bit worse for wear, kneels a little under the palm of an undead lady who fancies herself as a bit of a lion tamer. His face covered in blood, the lion has just previously eaten an unsuspecting victim.
The Hermit: Judging by the brightness of the lamp, there’s still enough fuel to light his way for a little while, which means the hermit is a very recent addition to the ranks of the undead. A source of wisdom and mystical knowledge, this figure’s brilliant mind will, like the great library of Alexandria, fall away into nothingness.
Wheel of Fortune: Yeah right, Wheel of Misfortune you mean! Actually, not so. Yes, the virus has affected the wonderful world of Waite, but beyond the ravaged post-apocalyptic world there is still hope. As a zombie hoard shuffles along in formation in the background, in the foreground we see the spiritual world is very much alive; the cog wheels of existence are always turning, every second of every minute of every hour. Like the angel in The Lovers card, the spiritual beings are physically unaffected by the zombie virus.
Justice: Is there justice to be had in the wasteland? Let’s hope so. An undead figure dressed in judicial garb holds scales representing weighing of evidence when examining and judging a case in court. The sword represents the idea that justice can be very swift and final.
The Hanged Man: What a way do die! Hung out to dry, this zombie has been completely stripped of his innards by carrion birds. However what this zombie lacks in guts, he more than makes up for in physical endurance; his spine appears to be as strong as steel. Talk about hangin tough!
Death. Essentially this card is the “Genesis” card of the deck; we go back to where it all began. A king has become lunch under the feet of a sickly pale horse, a royal feast as it were. A bishop of the church pleads with the diseased horseman, looking into the very eyes of death itself for some small morsel of mercy. None is given. The green air indicates the virus may be airborne in nature. If you want to be hopeful with this card, tell the client there’s a sunrise in the background. That’s about it!
Temperance: The problem with zombies is that they cause more trouble that just biting people and making a buffet of your vitals, their blood can also contaminate streams and rivers and other water sources. In this scenario, we see dead fish near the opening of a stream. A horde of zombies fail to notice the spiritual being in the foreground. With two cups in hand, liquids are being mixed. Perhaps a cure is being sought?
The Devil: Like the two zombies in the Lovers card the figures in the Devil card stand looking at each other, only this time they’ve grown animalistic tails (a return to their animal nature). The woman’s tail has a cluster of grapes, the man’s tail (base nature) is set on fire by the Devil. They are prisoners of the fallen nature.
The Tower : Nowhere to go but down. The doors of the tower have been breached. The human occupants flee for their lives, hoping to escape with their essentials. They have no option but to leap out the window and hope for the best. Let’s face it, they’re zombie food. The best case scenario is that they can rebuild again IF they can somehow, miraculously, escape that horde of insanity and teeth below.
The Star: A bit of a tranquil card, or at least the best that could be hoped for in a deck like this. A woman barely hanging together pours blood into a pond and onto the land. Don’t ask why, just leave her be!
The Moon: Under the moonlight a wolf and a dog take down a zombie and in the process spill his guts into a river. Two more zombies come to shore. In the far distance, a horde of zombies pass by, almost unnoticed in the darkness of night. Even the moon feels ill!
The Sun: Remember what we said in the Hierophant that the zombie virus is not a respecter of persons. Here is a prime example. A not so happy kid on a horse is feeling a bit under the weather. The red eyes of the sun almost suggest he’s been pulling an all nighter.
Judgement: It was always difficult to create an entire deck based on death, without taking away from the original death type scenes. Just like the Death card, Judgement deals with a bit of a morbid scene (though originally meant as a blessing of course). The angel blows a trumpet and the dead (undead?) rise from their graves. It gets confusing!
The World: A crow has found its prize. A nice bouncy eyeball that it will take back to its nest and devour in the comfort of its own home. Tasty!
WANDS
Ace of Wands: A river of blood flows through a sea of green fields. In the distance lies a castle. Lord knows what has become of it. A zombie hand peeks from a cloud brandishing about the only form of life nearby; lush green leaves sprouting from a wand.
2 of Wands: A tatty clothed merchant looks at a shattered globe in his hand. In the distance, something disastrous must have taken place; the shoreline is bathed in blood.
3 of Wands: The dark night sky is lit up just barely with an orange glow from the burning cities on the horizon. A flock of crows fly above, almost hidden by the darkness. In the foreground a merchant, dressed a little worse for wear, waits for the ships to come in; important supplies for small pockets of survivors.
4 of Wands: A once happy snapshot in time, a woman wearing a wreath comes towards you, wanting brains instead of cake. There are no signs of tangible life here, just remnants of what was once a celebration near the castle. The fruit on the trees look like they could be salvageable though!
5 of Wands: A few survivors joke around and share a few laughs, almost taunting the zombies before they bash their brains in. It is much debated as to where the game of golf first came into being…but now you know!
6 of Wands: How much victory can one have when one is a shell of his former self? At this point the only gratitude you get is from the deadheads.
7 of Wands: Battered and exhausted but still going strong. Is the figure fighting off zombies who want him for food or fighting off raiders who want his possessions?
8 of Wands: Arrows fly in a volley over a river tainted with blood. Towns in the distance burn against the backdrop of a blood red sky. A carrier pigeon has been sent out to make contact with another castle/community.
9 of Wands: A soldier who was once on guard is loyal to his post; a loyalty that has traversed through his transition into a poor undead soul.
10 Wands: Talk about tough! With half of his leg missing, his ribcage and skull exposed to the elements, this zombie will NOT be stopped! He’s on a mission and he intends to carry it out…let’s hope he remembers the actual purpose behind the mission, rather than just the journey itself.
Page of Wands : A zombie admires his staff. An adventurer, lover of different cultures and points of view. Unfortunately it’s all lost on him now. Poor bugger!
Knight of Wands: The horse is badly wounded as is his rider. He’s lost his way in the desert and that useless corpse on his back isn’t helping matters! As the horse wanders, his eyes go dim. Soon he will wander this ocean of sand, like some weary camel, for what will seem like an eternity.
Queen of Wands : The sunflower in her hand tells you everything you need to know! Even the cat can’t be saved from this scenario. Her heart beats in her exposed chest, thump, thump, thump. Her sons, the Page and Knight of Wands are lost to the ravaging winds of the desert, and even if they were to return, she would fail to recognise them.
King of Wands: As the book of Ecclesiastes tells us “all is vanity”. Once proud kings of the earth now walk as decaying road kill. All is vanity, including the unrealised dreams of fancy which, had these kings been given, would all amount to nothing in the end anyway. Most of their achievements are lost to the sands of time.
CUPS
Ace of Cups : a hand appears from a cloud with a cup of blood. A dove attempts to dip a Eucharist into the cup, but, alas, the bird’s wing is broken. In the distance a zombie seems to be emerging from the lake of blood…all rather lovely!
2 of Cups: 2 lovers exchange cups, an expression of their love, except…the man’s cup, and his arm, have fallen to the floor. Nonetheless he reaches for her cup. (The bloody cheek of it!) She doesn’t seem to mind too much. She probably forgets who he is in the first place.
3 of Cups: 3 almost undead-ish women have a party and, well, judging by their good cheer, they’re having one last drunken blowout before they turn!
4 of Cups: Could it be? A cure? From the Temperance angel that was described earlier? Maybe, but it seems lost on this zombie.
5 of Cups: A lone zombie mourns the loss of some of his “special” beverage. As the old saying goes “there’s plenty more fish in the sea”, but in this case “there’s plenty more blood in those people who are hiding in the castles”. The glass can always be half full if you will it to be.
6 of Cups: A return to innocence. Sometimes all one can do when they lose themselves, is to go back to a good memory. Even if the flowers don’t seem as bright as they used to be, and the soil has lost most of its soul, reliving a good memory is a cure for many an ailment.
7 of Cups: This is what sane rational desires look like when insanity has taken captive of one’s meat computer. A regular brain might wish for luxuries. A zombie’s nutty noggin, on the other hand, desires a lot of crazy stuff, mainly all food related for whatever reason.
8 of Cups: A lone survivor wanders inland, away from the shore. This man has seen enough to last him a lifetime. What kind of bloody carnage lies beyond the card, we don’t need to know. Suffice to say, it’s not pretty.
9 of Cups: A wish comes true. What poor soul had to lose a leg to fulfil this sick fantasy we’ll never know?
10 of Cups: What a disaster! What would have been a happy home in some half decent setting now burns in the distance. The zombie children devour a rat as though it were candy. An undead man tries to keep his wife from falling to the ground. Imagine your dreams almost coming true…almost, but leaving some nasty bitter aftertaste. Hey, you weren’t expecting a happily ever after style ending during a zombie apocalypse were you?
Page of Cups: A dead fish peers from a cup, its dead lifeless eyes staring blankly at this death ridden man. The zombie stares at the fish, almost with a child like innocence. He’s completely oblivious to the hip bone protruding from his right leg, and the cold wind whistling through his rib cage.
Knight of Cups : A badly eaten horse stops beside a clean crystal blue river. On top, a zombified knight sits with a cup in hand.
Queen of Cups : Covered in barnacles from the sea, this Queen seeks out her reflection on the side of her cup. Unlike most of the zombies in the world of Dead Waite, she still has some “awareness”. She knows she is transforming day by day. The bloody sores on her legs and arms, pecked raw by the crows whose keen sense of smell in regard to death, have bothered her now for days. Maggots have even shown their ugly head. The sound of the crashing sea waves gives her small comfort, but it is better than nothing.
The King of Cups: Like the Queen, the barnacles of the sea cling to him. His blood filled cup has fallen into his lap, the contents of which roll down his garments. On his little floating platform he is surrounded by piranhas. This zombie’s fate more or less lies in being eaten away over an extended period of time.
SWORDS
Ace of Swords: A rotting hand peers from the clouds holding a very battered, time ravaged sword. A wasteland lies below.
2 of Swords : This card puts a whole new spin on someone asking if they can “pick your brains”. The woman’s blindfold has dropped from her eyes, and her arm has fallen away from her body.
3 of Swords : 3 swords pierce a pulsating, zombified heart.
4 of Swords: While this scene appears to depict permanent rest, as in a zombie being killed, the vital organs being eaten by the crows are not essential to a zombie’s “undead” state. In other words, the crows have not killed this zombie by indulging in the intestines. Legend has it that in order to truly do away with a zombie you must destroy its brain.
5 of Swords : Even the undead have their fair share of petty show offs; you know the type. This is a hollow victory. Even if they physically could, the other two don’t want to get into a sword fighting contest over something trivial.
6 of Swords : A passage through hell. Let’s hope the boat doesn’t capsize. Three survivors make their way across an expanse of water, flanked on both sides by zombies in the water.
7 Swords : A thieving zombie really only proves one thing; this guy was a no good rotten thief in his former life. Why else would you be doing something as pointless as stealing swords when you’re a bloody zombie? The unconscious is our real captain. Few can understand it, but through repetition and routine people will do the strangest of things. It reminds me of the zombie shoppers going to the supermarket out of mere routine in Romero’s Dawn of The Dead
8 of Swords : All wrapped up and no place to go. The sun rises beyond a zombified woman. Perhaps she’s been tied up by a few survivors, before they fled the area. Her head has sustained injury and so too has her arm. Had she still retained her human mind, she may have used these swords nearby to cut the ties that bind her.
9 of Swords: A survivor awakes in the middle of the night. Outside he hears the roaring and wailing of a monstrous horde. They scrape their nails along the wooden boards, trying to pry their way in. How can one sleep peacefully with such a threat outside the door? Surely though the window of the room is secure with the wooden beams and swords?
10 of Swords : A figure lies dead on the ground as crows feast on his vitals. Whether this was a zombie or a human man it is not 100 percent clear. His neck, the only flesh revealed, has not turned green. In a zombie apocalypse, one might be forgiven for thinking that such a clear contrast between the living and the dead would unite all survivors, but rarely is anything as ideal as that. There are always opportunists, traitors and scavengers regardless of the feeling of comradery in such situations. It is anyone’s guess how 10 swords came to be lodged in his body; from his legs all the way up to his neck, but regardless of what happened, someone really wanted him dead!
Page of Swords: While this zombie is more or less a goner, he still retains some memory of a previous life where he was practicing his sword fighting skills. He will soon discard the blade, relying instead on his row of sharp teeth to carve out a life for himself as a raging, decaying, psychopath. I mean, wouldn’t you?
Knight of Swords: Charge!!! Though this horse has been through the war, it has not been infected by the virus, allowing it to gallop as quickly as regular horses. It could be argued it is trying to flee the rider.
Queen of Swords : The queen holds her hand in the air, the muscles and sinew hanging from the bones. For a second she thinks she sees a butterfly landing on her fingers, but there is nothing there. Though her sword has dulled some and her once majestic butterfly crown is barely hanging together, she sits as queen. In her mind, life has not changed. She is still the queen of her realm.
King of Swords : There is little that remains within the cavern of this poor soul’s chest. Over time the crows have picked his stomach apart like it were a piñata. Someone or something has hewn his forearm right from his body.
PENTACLES
Ace of Pentacles : white lilies are wilting in the foreground. Flies buzz around a rotting hand that comes from a cloud holding a damaged pentacle.
2 of Pentacles: in the background we see a sea of blood, with survivor ships trying to make their way to a port with their cargo in one piece (see the 3 of Wands). In the foreground a rotting figure juggles two pentacles.
3 of Pentacles : A craftsman sits down to have his lunch after a decent start to the morning. The city planners call by to see how he’s getting on and show him the plans. Well would you look at that…one bloody handprint on a piece of paper? That makes a lot of sense! It’s not like these planners are in their right state of mind. The craftsman has proceeded to decorate the hall with bloody hand prints. His other hand, along with his hammer both lay on the ground.
4 of Pentacles : This zombie has developed an obsession with his possessions. Behind him a city, once burning, now smoulders.
5 of Pentacles : The church has been ransacked. Shadowy figures shuffle about in the dim light inside. On closer inspection they are not survivors. Perhaps they were some of the faithful that thought church might be the best refuge. Unfortunately the church, throwing caution to the wind, granted everyone refuge, both the sick, and the healthy. I mean, that’s what Jesus would do right? At least they meant well. Now they are all just as dead as everyone else.
6 of Pentacles : A strange spectacle. A wealthy man, yet a man strong in faith, gives “money” to the impoverished. A strange spectacle because the virus has brought down the wealthy to the same level of paupers, but the rich man still believes his money is of value, and the poor still believe they are poor. Their roles are deeply rooted in the subconscious. The philanthropist has come from the ransacked church in the 5 of Pentacles. The wealthy man gives some meat instead of money, reminding us that though he still retains the role of philanthropist, he is clearly not in possession of money, either that or money itself has no real value anymore (That and he’s a zombie and not thinking clearly.)
7 of Pentacles : a farmer still sits waiting, tending his crops. Good luck. They’re gray, and starting to look a bit lifeless. Maybe he’s been watering it with some of that special water found in the Moon and Temperance card.
8 of Pentacles: That moment when you realise a hard working man has lost the plot entirely; A femur for a hammer and a sharpened bone for a chisel. That tells you all you need to know. At least he’s dedicated to his work!
9 of Pentacles : The falcon rests on the lady’s hand as she wanders through her garden. Surprisingly the falcon has not flown off. Perhaps its hood has been enough to keep it settled in her presence. She seems to recognise it; remember it almost, and has not considered it as a snack. Behind her a great crop of grapes grow on the vine. They don’t seem to have been affected by the changing world.
10 of Pentacles : Happy families! In the streets of a ruined city an old zombified man looks fondly at his dogs, which have brought him a little treat. The dogs are not infected at this point, thank heavens, nor do they appear to shrink from their master. A young boy nearby gets ready to bite into his Big Mac…wait, that’s not a…oh, never mind.
Page of Pentacles : A mesmerized zombie looks at a Pentacle he has found. Little does he know, these gold coins will have dropped in value at this point. The good thing about being a zombie, though, is that no matter how impoverished one gets, there will always be food.
Knight of Pentacles : A big Clydesdale horse looks out at a ploughed field. It has probably ploughed this field a few weeks previous. Scabby, rough blotches cover its hide. It’s sick but it has not been zombified. The knight, on the other hand, has a once fatal head wound. His ribcage is showing, and he has a wounded leg. What’s going through that mind of his? Is he lamenting the devaluation of his gold coin?
Queen of Pentacles : This queen sits in nature, admiring her slightly disfigured coin. A zombie rabbit sits nearby. She seems to be at peace, even though the horrible dystopian nightmare has taken its toll on her body.
King of Pentacles : While this king has been badly damaged, and he has more or less become a complete zombie, he roars his displeasure at the fall of his kingdom. He remembers, somewhat vaguely it must be said, a time when he was seen as an authority. His will was carried out by entire armies, and he was full of wealth and power. Had his old dusty tear ducts any vitality left, he might even shed a tear, lamenting the loss of his glory days.
BONUS CARDS (Originally Created for the Dead Waite Campaign)
The Scavenger : During such trying times when society has broken down and everyone seems to have gone crazy, it is good to have a stockpile of food and amenities that you can rely on until you can become accustomed to the new world. Not everyone will be so fortunate. As panic sweeps through the towns and cities, of a fear of running out of supplies, you too will have to decide what to grab, and what to leave behind, and the importance of wasting nothing. This card indicates that someone is not only resourceful, but is open to the many many opportunities in the environment around them. I see it more as someone picking over something that's already been picked over yet making use of things that others deemed scrap, rather than pilfering something of immediate and noticeable value. (the kind of things that would go missing from the shelf from the first wave of raiders). A scavenger might also have a much keener eye, picking up things that others may have missed.
Yet, there are pros and cons to everything. In a negative sense it would mean that one might need to protect themselves from theft. Think the 7 of Swords, for example. Keep an eye on your stuff! Someone might be chipping away at the foundations of your Kingdom.
The Lookout : Every decent fort needs one. Without a lookout, you will not see danger ahead of you, and so will have to think quickly when things go wrong, (Which life tends to do, just to keep us on our toes). Based on the Belvedere card from the Sibilla oracle deck.
Communication : Contact with the outside world is vital to form a wider community and a network of reliable contacts. In this medieval zombie setting, being fiercely independent can be a good thing, but condemning yourself to isolation has it's limitations.
In the card, an apocalyptic postal worker (not Kevin Costner lol) delivers a letter from one Kingdom to the other.
Similarly in our 8 of Wands card, carrier pigeons fly alongside arrows, carrying a message attached to their leg. In the old days, long before telephone, it was a great way of getting a message to someone from a distance.
Infected : Many people see the idea of Death as transition. What's more of a transition than passing over into the world of the zombie. Perhaps a better explanation is that feeling one might get when they are still consciously "with it", but "know" that people need to keep away them for their own safety. One might actively volunteer being quarantined for the greater good, especially if they have children. This noble, voluntary act is probably much more likely to happen when nearing the last stages of transition, where one might start “seeing” things that no one else sees, or having intense feelings of hate and rage; sure signs that something is going on upstairs that might need to be taken seriously!
Thankfully with the help of the medical world, most infections can be treated in our society, but some cannot. In a zombie setting, one might find it very useful to seek out a local pharmacy or hospital for supplies for certain ailments. Actual zombie bites, unless there is a cure on the near horizon, will probably prove fatal.
In a card reading, depending on the question, this card may prove quite interesting. Let’s say the question was “What’s wrong with my computer?”. If you pulled the infected card it would be pretty obvious. However I would caution both reader and client to be careful with medical type readings. If you feel something’s really wrong with you, seek medical advice from a doctor. Don’t be a zombie, use common sense! In such serious readings, these cards should really only be used for entertainment.
Survivor : You’re a survivor and at least one small part of you probably loves the thrill of the battle on top of it all. You’re holding up that zombie head like a trophy. Hell, you probably sew up your own wounds too without as much as a grimace. Ok, that might be going a bit far!
A survivor indicates that you’re willing to rough it and endure things that would break most other people under the pressure.
This could also indicate you have survived divorce, ill health, severe emotional trauma and lived to tell the tale. There is quite a lot of truth to the saying “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. You are battle hardened. Occasionally some may say they wished to see a softer side to you, which is fair. Depending on the person, it might be good to show this side of you, but never resent your survivalist mentality. It has probably saved your life a few times.
THE TRIPPIN' WAITE
The original Waite Smith deck is so popular and has been talked about so exhaustively in print and online media that we felt it would be more appropriate to focus more on the changes found in the Trippin’ Waite for this printable PDF, with brief interpretations for those completely new to the original.
0. The Fool – Naïve but optimistic, the Fool carries a poppy flower in hand, and sets out on his magical trip. It’s good to see the best in things, but it would do you well to tread carefully.
1. The Magician - This figure represents the mastery of the elements; earth, water, fire and air. A bit of a showman! Doves fly overhead, seemingly appearing out of thin air. He wears a beautiful Indian themed cloak.
2. The High Priestess – Covered in a cloak of celestial light. The eye above her emphasises her use of intuition to guide her in situations. She is sometimes interpreted as the Shekhinah, the English transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling" and denotes the dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God.
3. The Empress - Mother Nature. She represents birth and fertility. Rabbits bounce around and bees buzz around in her midst, both a familiar symbol for birth and reproduction.
4. Emperor - A hippie father figure who has probably enjoyed himself at Woodstock and is basking in his glory days. He usually represents the Querent’s father or male role model.
5. Hierophant -The Hierophant in this case represents the popular Indian Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who left an impression on many of the big music stars of the 60’s. He represents spiritual matters of all kinds.
6. The lovers – The Summer of Love. Two flower children, painted and naked under the watchful eye of a peaceful spirit, come together as one. The lovers card represents a choice or partnership.
7. Chariot - The choice of direction in your life is yours to make. The Chariot represents successfully managing conflicting desires and feelings. A journey. It also represents determination and strength as there is a lot of skill in driving a chariot. An eventual mastery of a situation through determination and hard work.
8. Strength - Inner strength. This card represents keeping your base animal instincts in check. Through compassion, the Lady, in her daisy patterned dress soothes the beast.
9. The Hermit - The hermit walks amidst the stars. He represents the knowledge within and his cloak gives him some privacy. He carries a staff to aid him in his walk. A card of inner reflection.
10. The Wheel of Fortune - A change of fortune. If your fortune has been great, it may soon turn, but if your fortune has been bad, it could be a sign you’re going to experience a nice change of events. At the four corners can be seen the heavenly creatures mentioned in biblical books like Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation. Generally a card with wonderful potential.
11. Justice – An Asian judge, garbed in tie dye, sits upon her lofty throne of clouds. A card of Karma, it reminds us that justice is impartial and that you will be dealt with fairly. What you put into a situation is exactly what you will get out of a situation. May also indicate court appearances, or civil marriages or divorce.
12. The Hanged Man - Suspension of action. Inactivity. This card is sometimes seen as self sacrifice for the moral good, or the welfare of others. The wings in this card represent a will to do something, but the inability to do so. He would gladly fly, but he is bound.
13. Death – An ending of things, possibly a literal death but generally an end to something.
14. Temperance. - A lady beside a stream pours rainbow water from one cup to another. On her head she wears a crown of daisies. Irisis grow behind her, a symbol of the Goddess Iris, who also is represented by the rainbow; a link between the heavens and earth.
15. The Devil - With his Nixonian salutes, The Devil lingers above a Vietnamese villager and an American G.I, both victims, it could be argued, of the war machine. We see in the background the napalm being dropped. For the G.I, the chains represent a forced draft into the military, and for the Vietnamese lady, the chains represent her being chained to an event that she has no say in. The Vietnam War played a big part in the late 60’s, and led to many anti-war protests.
16. The Tower – Inspired by Donovan’s “Atlantis”, The Tower represents ruin, sometimes sudden ruin, and a break down of long standing beliefs, perhaps being disillusioned. Towers take a long time to be built up, for example a loving relationship, and then seemingly out of nowhere, the whole thing comes crashing down.
17. The Star – She represents hope and aspirations. Above her head is a swirl of stars, a sign she is blessed. A card of inspiration.
18. The Moon – A wolf and dog bark at the moon, a river flowing between them from the hills. Touched by the moonlight, the waters flow out to the sea where a lobster comes to shore. A card of hidden secrets and, at times, lunacy, in the darkness it is harder to see things clearly. It can represent dreams and illusions which may appear very real but can be a bit vague.
19. The Sun – A card of joy and can indicate good weather and optimism. May also indicate a birth.
20. Judgement – A young angelic child plays his hypnotic music to once sleeping flower children. The card indicates that a situation in the past may be resurrected in some form, shaping your future. Sometimes in relationships this indicates a second chance. In terms of actual Judgement, the idea of being judged is often scary to many people, but true Judgement, if mixed with correction and guidance, can be a welcome thing.
21. The World – The World represents completion. You made it in whatever tasks you had set for yourself. Take time to enjoy your newfound success. Everything has come full circle.
Ace of Cups - Two doves of peace descend upon an overflowing cup. The card represents love of all kinds, agape, strong feelings and the overflow of the heart. Compassion and the beginning of a romantic relationship or friendship. Good omen for matters of the heart.
2 of Cups – Make love not war! Strong friendship, bond, sharing. In matters of love; compatible relationships, perhaps even a marriage is foretold.
3 of Cups - This is the card of celebrations, parties, get-togethers and social encounters that involve a group. May also indicate the celebration of a birth.
4 of Cups - A man with a flowery tunic and head band, sits with his arms folded, staring into space. Perhaps he is feeling unmotivated or left out. The cup offered to the person suggests hope, if only the person could see that maybe a friendship or help is being offered. Encourage the client to look for the cup.
5 of Cups - Woodstock is over. A sad folksinger stands looking at the knocked over cups left behind. Let’s hope that what was spilled wasn’t too expensive! A feeling of regret, failure and disappointment. There’s always other festivals and the music lives on.
6 of Cups - Feelings of nostalgia. A young kid gives a cup filled with flowers to his grandma. This card represents feeling like a child again.
7 of Cups - Wishes, hopes and dreams. The seven cups represent temporary pleasures. Can also mean guilty pleasures, lust and vain imaginings.
8 of Cups - A flowery clad figures walks away from a previous situation that wasn’t working out and looking forward to better and brighter prospects.
9 of Cups - The genie is here, to grant your wishes. An optimistic card, but be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. A card which indicates dreams coming true.
10 of Cups - A beautiful log cabin lies in the distance as a family enjoys a stroll along their golden path. A feeling of shared joy with family and friends. A card that represents blessings and good times.
Page of Cups - A goldfish jumps from a young man’s cup. He is a messenger of love, and reminds us to enjoy those precious moments in life when all is well with the world. Possible news of a birth.
Knight of Cups - A seasonal affair. He personifies the "courtship" period in a relationship. A young man who may be interested in the Querent.
Queen of Cups - A compassionate woman who brings with her; nurturing, love and sensitivity. This is the person who just magically seems to know your hearts desire and may have intuitive, psychic abilities.
King of Cups - A man who is in control of showing his feelings but feels very deeply indeed. The type of man who will admire from a distance and may be slow to show his feelings.
Ace of Wands - The impulse to get up and do something. Get active. A feeling of restlessness. The first spark of putting something into action, or “getting the ball rolling” so to speak.
2 of Wands – Planning. There’s a great saying “failing to plan is planning to fail”. Part of planning includes visualisation.
3 of Wands – The card of waiting. All that planning in the 2 of Wands should soon be paying off. You’re waiting for your ships to come in. In an artistic or craft sense, perhaps you’re awaiting a shipment of goods that you’ve ordered of your work, that you will resell. For a farmer, it could be seeing his produce being brought in from the field after the harvest.
4 of Wands - Family celebrations. Things related to the house and home. Can indicate weddings or christenings.
5 of Wands - Disagreements in a group, and petty arguments. These fairies find themselves in a minor squabble on top of a brightly coloured daisy. 2 doves pass by; an indication that sometimes conflicts can be resolved easier than we think.
6 of Wands - A victorious figure draped in a butterfly motif cloak rides in on horseback. This card indicates achievement, success and recognition by family and friends.
7 of Wands - Competition and struggle. Defence and trying to stay on top of a situation. Bees buzz around this little fairy as he stands his ground.
8 of Wands - Fast movement. I think of this card as either travelling or legwork. In any case you’re moving forward fast.
9 of Wands - This card represents problems and setbacks that need to be overcome. This card indicates the need to get your defences up and be watchful.
10 of Wands - Feeling worn out and over burdened. Some of this could be avoided if you ask people for help. Have faith, you can make it!
Page of Wands - An active young person who likes to explore.
Knight of Wands – Travelling. Movement by land. Like the other male figures in the court cards, he appears to be wearing an outfit patterned with the symbol of Ouroboros, an ancient symbol first traced to Egypt (which probably explains the pyramids found in the original Wands court cards)
Queen of Wands - This woman is a great planner and loves to be the host at social gatherings. She’s very active and actually enjoys running errands, meeting people and going to events. She likes to be involved and on the move. She holds a sunflower and her black cat sits lovingly by her side.
King of Wands - This is a man who is in charge. An authority figure that may represent your boss, father or significant other. I think of him as Emperor lite. A salamander, often associated with fire, can be seen close to his throne in the foreground.
Ace of Pentacles - This card represents money, a gift or financial opportunities.
2 of Pentacles - I look at this card as balancing the books. The amount of money coming in opposed to the amount of money going out. This card represents a healthy balance of what’s being earned and spent.
3 of Pentacles - The card of labour, especially work to be displayed in public. Could be a group effort or project.
4 of Pentacles - A figure clings tightly to his money. A card of saving, economy and thrift. Making a little go along way. Smart spending. This person will carefully shop around for the best prices, and most likely has a big saving’s account.
5 of Pentacles - Poverty. Neediness. This card reminds us that some people don’t have enough and the next card shows what to do to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves. Also the card of illness and disability.
6 of Pentacles- Generosity. Giving. Receiving gifts. The six reminds us that if we’re doing well, we should share our wealth with those that have less.
7 of Pentacles- Hard work. A man in tie dye tunic with red lens coke bottle glasses tends a special plant, the fruits of which he hopes to enjoy someday. He waits for his crop to grow up strong.
8 of Pentacles- Our Bob Dylanesque craftsman works hard at creating souvenir “peace” pentacles, and hopes one day to make a living from his skills. A card of dedication, focus and mastery.
9 of Pentacles - An independent person enjoying their wealth. This card could represent a boss or a merchant. This reminds me of the person who has everything, or so people think, except a friend.
10 of Pentacles - An old man attends his Dalmatians, while in the background a younger family with their child stand around conversing with each other. This is a card relating to the family and retirement. It can also represent a house or an estate.
Page of Pentacles - I would say in this context, the card may represent the Querent’s child. A young person who is a student or undergoing a course of study. Like the Knight, he wears the leaf print of a particular healing plant on his clothing.
Knight of Pentacles - This is the worker bee. He’s patient and determined. He might seem a bit slow to move but he’s reliable. On his helmet and on the horses head, can be seen oak leaves. Oak trees symbolize endurance and strength and in mythology, was an important tree to figures like Zeus and Thor.
Queen of Pentacles - Mother figure. This is the queen who will bake the cookies and take care of the family. She is a homemaker. In the foreground we can see rabbits, and a hummingbird close to her throne scouts for some delicious nectar. Not far from her throne she grows some fine quality mushrooms.
King of Pentacles - This is the patient knight all grown up. A fatherly figure, he’s managed to build a business and become quite successful due to his dedication to a task and his determination. He provides for his family and takes care of those he loves and employs. The pattern on his clothing is made up of grapes, which represent abundance.
Ace of Swords - This card represents the importance of having a clear mind and good judgement for success. Rationality. It could also be a sign that finding one’s success may prove to be a challenging journey.
2 of Swords - Having to make a difficult choice and feeling unable to do it. A hard choice needs to be made.
3 of Swords - Sharp words that hurt the heart. Sorrow and separation. Maybe the family’s broken or a divorce is on the horizon. Don’t let your heart become too cold as it can be hard to come back from. If it is possible, reach out to someone.
4 of Swords - A time to relax and rest, sometimes after an argument. Kick back and listen to some music. Unwind mentally.
5 of Swords - Feeling defeated. Tension with family and friends. Someone has taken advantage of you. Also, something that is achieved or won unfairly.
6 of Swords - Moving toward calmer waters, the ferryman sails across the sea, bringing his fare to a better place. Escaping from a bad situation.
7 of Swords - Theft. Someone is stealing from you or taking something that doesn’t belong to them.
8 of Swords - Feeling trapped in a bad situation. Isolation. The feeling of not knowing what to do with a particular problem.
9 of Swords - A bad trip! Worry and anxiety. Something is keeping you up at night. The card of nightmares and sometimes imaginary fears...in some cases you may be working yourself up into a frenzy without really needing to.
10 of Swords - Ruin of all kinds. Given the subject matter it could be financial or a relationship breaks down. While this is a devastating card, remind the client that with every ending there is a chance for a new beginning. The sun rises in the background to remind us that even though things are dark, it will not be that way forever.
Page of Swords - A curious youngster. It can also represent a spy or an envious person. A curious mind with a thirst for knowledge.
Knight of Swords - A family member or friend who stirs things up. Also acting very quickly, oftentimes without thinking. Can sometimes be a troublemaker.
Queen of Swords - An idealistic intellectual figure, good with words and possibly interested in causes and political affairs, similar to the King of Swords. She may be a lonely single woman. One who may feel heartbroken and left out of things.
King of Swords - This figure may be an intellectual, teacher, lawyer, judge or policeman. Also a man who uses his head over his heart. This card could warn of an encounter with the law or authorities. He’s more interested in your ideas than anything else.
The original Waite Smith deck is so popular and has been talked about so exhaustively in print and online media that we felt it would be more appropriate to focus more on the changes found in the Trippin’ Waite for this printable PDF, with brief interpretations for those completely new to the original.
0. The Fool – Naïve but optimistic, the Fool carries a poppy flower in hand, and sets out on his magical trip. It’s good to see the best in things, but it would do you well to tread carefully.
1. The Magician - This figure represents the mastery of the elements; earth, water, fire and air. A bit of a showman! Doves fly overhead, seemingly appearing out of thin air. He wears a beautiful Indian themed cloak.
2. The High Priestess – Covered in a cloak of celestial light. The eye above her emphasises her use of intuition to guide her in situations. She is sometimes interpreted as the Shekhinah, the English transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling" and denotes the dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God.
3. The Empress - Mother Nature. She represents birth and fertility. Rabbits bounce around and bees buzz around in her midst, both a familiar symbol for birth and reproduction.
4. Emperor - A hippie father figure who has probably enjoyed himself at Woodstock and is basking in his glory days. He usually represents the Querent’s father or male role model.
5. Hierophant -The Hierophant in this case represents the popular Indian Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who left an impression on many of the big music stars of the 60’s. He represents spiritual matters of all kinds.
6. The lovers – The Summer of Love. Two flower children, painted and naked under the watchful eye of a peaceful spirit, come together as one. The lovers card represents a choice or partnership.
7. Chariot - The choice of direction in your life is yours to make. The Chariot represents successfully managing conflicting desires and feelings. A journey. It also represents determination and strength as there is a lot of skill in driving a chariot. An eventual mastery of a situation through determination and hard work.
8. Strength - Inner strength. This card represents keeping your base animal instincts in check. Through compassion, the Lady, in her daisy patterned dress soothes the beast.
9. The Hermit - The hermit walks amidst the stars. He represents the knowledge within and his cloak gives him some privacy. He carries a staff to aid him in his walk. A card of inner reflection.
10. The Wheel of Fortune - A change of fortune. If your fortune has been great, it may soon turn, but if your fortune has been bad, it could be a sign you’re going to experience a nice change of events. At the four corners can be seen the heavenly creatures mentioned in biblical books like Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation. Generally a card with wonderful potential.
11. Justice – An Asian judge, garbed in tie dye, sits upon her lofty throne of clouds. A card of Karma, it reminds us that justice is impartial and that you will be dealt with fairly. What you put into a situation is exactly what you will get out of a situation. May also indicate court appearances, or civil marriages or divorce.
12. The Hanged Man - Suspension of action. Inactivity. This card is sometimes seen as self sacrifice for the moral good, or the welfare of others. The wings in this card represent a will to do something, but the inability to do so. He would gladly fly, but he is bound.
13. Death – An ending of things, possibly a literal death but generally an end to something.
14. Temperance. - A lady beside a stream pours rainbow water from one cup to another. On her head she wears a crown of daisies. Irisis grow behind her, a symbol of the Goddess Iris, who also is represented by the rainbow; a link between the heavens and earth.
15. The Devil - With his Nixonian salutes, The Devil lingers above a Vietnamese villager and an American G.I, both victims, it could be argued, of the war machine. We see in the background the napalm being dropped. For the G.I, the chains represent a forced draft into the military, and for the Vietnamese lady, the chains represent her being chained to an event that she has no say in. The Vietnam War played a big part in the late 60’s, and led to many anti-war protests.
16. The Tower – Inspired by Donovan’s “Atlantis”, The Tower represents ruin, sometimes sudden ruin, and a break down of long standing beliefs, perhaps being disillusioned. Towers take a long time to be built up, for example a loving relationship, and then seemingly out of nowhere, the whole thing comes crashing down.
17. The Star – She represents hope and aspirations. Above her head is a swirl of stars, a sign she is blessed. A card of inspiration.
18. The Moon – A wolf and dog bark at the moon, a river flowing between them from the hills. Touched by the moonlight, the waters flow out to the sea where a lobster comes to shore. A card of hidden secrets and, at times, lunacy, in the darkness it is harder to see things clearly. It can represent dreams and illusions which may appear very real but can be a bit vague.
19. The Sun – A card of joy and can indicate good weather and optimism. May also indicate a birth.
20. Judgement – A young angelic child plays his hypnotic music to once sleeping flower children. The card indicates that a situation in the past may be resurrected in some form, shaping your future. Sometimes in relationships this indicates a second chance. In terms of actual Judgement, the idea of being judged is often scary to many people, but true Judgement, if mixed with correction and guidance, can be a welcome thing.
21. The World – The World represents completion. You made it in whatever tasks you had set for yourself. Take time to enjoy your newfound success. Everything has come full circle.
Ace of Cups - Two doves of peace descend upon an overflowing cup. The card represents love of all kinds, agape, strong feelings and the overflow of the heart. Compassion and the beginning of a romantic relationship or friendship. Good omen for matters of the heart.
2 of Cups – Make love not war! Strong friendship, bond, sharing. In matters of love; compatible relationships, perhaps even a marriage is foretold.
3 of Cups - This is the card of celebrations, parties, get-togethers and social encounters that involve a group. May also indicate the celebration of a birth.
4 of Cups - A man with a flowery tunic and head band, sits with his arms folded, staring into space. Perhaps he is feeling unmotivated or left out. The cup offered to the person suggests hope, if only the person could see that maybe a friendship or help is being offered. Encourage the client to look for the cup.
5 of Cups - Woodstock is over. A sad folksinger stands looking at the knocked over cups left behind. Let’s hope that what was spilled wasn’t too expensive! A feeling of regret, failure and disappointment. There’s always other festivals and the music lives on.
6 of Cups - Feelings of nostalgia. A young kid gives a cup filled with flowers to his grandma. This card represents feeling like a child again.
7 of Cups - Wishes, hopes and dreams. The seven cups represent temporary pleasures. Can also mean guilty pleasures, lust and vain imaginings.
8 of Cups - A flowery clad figures walks away from a previous situation that wasn’t working out and looking forward to better and brighter prospects.
9 of Cups - The genie is here, to grant your wishes. An optimistic card, but be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. A card which indicates dreams coming true.
10 of Cups - A beautiful log cabin lies in the distance as a family enjoys a stroll along their golden path. A feeling of shared joy with family and friends. A card that represents blessings and good times.
Page of Cups - A goldfish jumps from a young man’s cup. He is a messenger of love, and reminds us to enjoy those precious moments in life when all is well with the world. Possible news of a birth.
Knight of Cups - A seasonal affair. He personifies the "courtship" period in a relationship. A young man who may be interested in the Querent.
Queen of Cups - A compassionate woman who brings with her; nurturing, love and sensitivity. This is the person who just magically seems to know your hearts desire and may have intuitive, psychic abilities.
King of Cups - A man who is in control of showing his feelings but feels very deeply indeed. The type of man who will admire from a distance and may be slow to show his feelings.
Ace of Wands - The impulse to get up and do something. Get active. A feeling of restlessness. The first spark of putting something into action, or “getting the ball rolling” so to speak.
2 of Wands – Planning. There’s a great saying “failing to plan is planning to fail”. Part of planning includes visualisation.
3 of Wands – The card of waiting. All that planning in the 2 of Wands should soon be paying off. You’re waiting for your ships to come in. In an artistic or craft sense, perhaps you’re awaiting a shipment of goods that you’ve ordered of your work, that you will resell. For a farmer, it could be seeing his produce being brought in from the field after the harvest.
4 of Wands - Family celebrations. Things related to the house and home. Can indicate weddings or christenings.
5 of Wands - Disagreements in a group, and petty arguments. These fairies find themselves in a minor squabble on top of a brightly coloured daisy. 2 doves pass by; an indication that sometimes conflicts can be resolved easier than we think.
6 of Wands - A victorious figure draped in a butterfly motif cloak rides in on horseback. This card indicates achievement, success and recognition by family and friends.
7 of Wands - Competition and struggle. Defence and trying to stay on top of a situation. Bees buzz around this little fairy as he stands his ground.
8 of Wands - Fast movement. I think of this card as either travelling or legwork. In any case you’re moving forward fast.
9 of Wands - This card represents problems and setbacks that need to be overcome. This card indicates the need to get your defences up and be watchful.
10 of Wands - Feeling worn out and over burdened. Some of this could be avoided if you ask people for help. Have faith, you can make it!
Page of Wands - An active young person who likes to explore.
Knight of Wands – Travelling. Movement by land. Like the other male figures in the court cards, he appears to be wearing an outfit patterned with the symbol of Ouroboros, an ancient symbol first traced to Egypt (which probably explains the pyramids found in the original Wands court cards)
Queen of Wands - This woman is a great planner and loves to be the host at social gatherings. She’s very active and actually enjoys running errands, meeting people and going to events. She likes to be involved and on the move. She holds a sunflower and her black cat sits lovingly by her side.
King of Wands - This is a man who is in charge. An authority figure that may represent your boss, father or significant other. I think of him as Emperor lite. A salamander, often associated with fire, can be seen close to his throne in the foreground.
Ace of Pentacles - This card represents money, a gift or financial opportunities.
2 of Pentacles - I look at this card as balancing the books. The amount of money coming in opposed to the amount of money going out. This card represents a healthy balance of what’s being earned and spent.
3 of Pentacles - The card of labour, especially work to be displayed in public. Could be a group effort or project.
4 of Pentacles - A figure clings tightly to his money. A card of saving, economy and thrift. Making a little go along way. Smart spending. This person will carefully shop around for the best prices, and most likely has a big saving’s account.
5 of Pentacles - Poverty. Neediness. This card reminds us that some people don’t have enough and the next card shows what to do to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves. Also the card of illness and disability.
6 of Pentacles- Generosity. Giving. Receiving gifts. The six reminds us that if we’re doing well, we should share our wealth with those that have less.
7 of Pentacles- Hard work. A man in tie dye tunic with red lens coke bottle glasses tends a special plant, the fruits of which he hopes to enjoy someday. He waits for his crop to grow up strong.
8 of Pentacles- Our Bob Dylanesque craftsman works hard at creating souvenir “peace” pentacles, and hopes one day to make a living from his skills. A card of dedication, focus and mastery.
9 of Pentacles - An independent person enjoying their wealth. This card could represent a boss or a merchant. This reminds me of the person who has everything, or so people think, except a friend.
10 of Pentacles - An old man attends his Dalmatians, while in the background a younger family with their child stand around conversing with each other. This is a card relating to the family and retirement. It can also represent a house or an estate.
Page of Pentacles - I would say in this context, the card may represent the Querent’s child. A young person who is a student or undergoing a course of study. Like the Knight, he wears the leaf print of a particular healing plant on his clothing.
Knight of Pentacles - This is the worker bee. He’s patient and determined. He might seem a bit slow to move but he’s reliable. On his helmet and on the horses head, can be seen oak leaves. Oak trees symbolize endurance and strength and in mythology, was an important tree to figures like Zeus and Thor.
Queen of Pentacles - Mother figure. This is the queen who will bake the cookies and take care of the family. She is a homemaker. In the foreground we can see rabbits, and a hummingbird close to her throne scouts for some delicious nectar. Not far from her throne she grows some fine quality mushrooms.
King of Pentacles - This is the patient knight all grown up. A fatherly figure, he’s managed to build a business and become quite successful due to his dedication to a task and his determination. He provides for his family and takes care of those he loves and employs. The pattern on his clothing is made up of grapes, which represent abundance.
Ace of Swords - This card represents the importance of having a clear mind and good judgement for success. Rationality. It could also be a sign that finding one’s success may prove to be a challenging journey.
2 of Swords - Having to make a difficult choice and feeling unable to do it. A hard choice needs to be made.
3 of Swords - Sharp words that hurt the heart. Sorrow and separation. Maybe the family’s broken or a divorce is on the horizon. Don’t let your heart become too cold as it can be hard to come back from. If it is possible, reach out to someone.
4 of Swords - A time to relax and rest, sometimes after an argument. Kick back and listen to some music. Unwind mentally.
5 of Swords - Feeling defeated. Tension with family and friends. Someone has taken advantage of you. Also, something that is achieved or won unfairly.
6 of Swords - Moving toward calmer waters, the ferryman sails across the sea, bringing his fare to a better place. Escaping from a bad situation.
7 of Swords - Theft. Someone is stealing from you or taking something that doesn’t belong to them.
8 of Swords - Feeling trapped in a bad situation. Isolation. The feeling of not knowing what to do with a particular problem.
9 of Swords - A bad trip! Worry and anxiety. Something is keeping you up at night. The card of nightmares and sometimes imaginary fears...in some cases you may be working yourself up into a frenzy without really needing to.
10 of Swords - Ruin of all kinds. Given the subject matter it could be financial or a relationship breaks down. While this is a devastating card, remind the client that with every ending there is a chance for a new beginning. The sun rises in the background to remind us that even though things are dark, it will not be that way forever.
Page of Swords - A curious youngster. It can also represent a spy or an envious person. A curious mind with a thirst for knowledge.
Knight of Swords - A family member or friend who stirs things up. Also acting very quickly, oftentimes without thinking. Can sometimes be a troublemaker.
Queen of Swords - An idealistic intellectual figure, good with words and possibly interested in causes and political affairs, similar to the King of Swords. She may be a lonely single woman. One who may feel heartbroken and left out of things.
King of Swords - This figure may be an intellectual, teacher, lawyer, judge or policeman. Also a man who uses his head over his heart. This card could warn of an encounter with the law or authorities. He’s more interested in your ideas than anything else.
MUSICAL AFFIRMATIONS
A groovy guide for the affirmation cards from the Trippin’ Waite crowd funding campaign of 2018. The particular cards pictured here were exclusive to the campaign.
THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN’
It’s time to make plans. Things may be changing in your life, whether you intend for that or not, or it might be a reminder that it’s time to make changes. It’s good to prepare for the change in the best way you see fit.
Why not embrace something new, and get rid of old ideas that don’t work for you anymore?
Bob Dylan - One of the most iconic singers of the sixties, Dylan often sang protests songs against the Vietnam War. With a career spanning six decades, Dylan has released 38 studio albums and 13 live albums making him one of the most recognisable and inspirational figures in music today.
Trivia: Just like various other musicians, such as Lynryd Skynrd’s Michael Cartellone and Lars Ulrich from Metallica, Dylan has also painted and drawn works of art over the years. In fact one of his paintings can be found on the cover of his “Self Portrait” album from 1970.
CHILLIN’
Relax and take some time for yourself. Maybe you’ve been working hard, either physically or mentally, and need to unwind. Get together with some friends, or just kick back by yourself, it’s all good.
Jimi Hendrix – Widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of all time, Hendrix, Like Morrison and Joplin, sadly became part of the “27 club”, but his memory lives on to this day through every kid across the world learning “Purple Haze” on his electric guitar.
Trivia: As Hendrix was struggling to make a living playing the rhythm and blues circuit, He played for a time with “Curtis Knight and the Squires”. It was in the Cheetah Club in NYC that Rolling Stone’s Keith Richard’s girlfriend, Linda Keith, discovered Hendrix. (1)
SHOWMAN
Time to put on a show and bask in the limelight. A commanding stage presence is the friend of all successful people in the public eye. Maybe you’re nervous about public speaking? Take a few lessons from Jagger, who really doesn’t seem to have stage fright in his vocabulary. Full of confidence and charisma, he captivates his audience with ease.
Mick Jagger: The front man for The Rolling Stones belts out one of
his hits in this card. For many, the sound of the exciting 60’s wouldn’t be complete without hits like “Paint it black” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” blasting out of the record player.
Trivia: The Rolling Stones are named after a Muddy Waters song “Rollin’ Stone”(2)
FEELING GROOVY
You feel the spring in your step and your world feels just right. Essentially everything seems to be going your way. You feel good and you’re optimistic when thinking about the future.
So, what if you’re not all sunshine and roses? Most of us aren’t always that chipper, but it’s important to remember too that we are what we think about all day long, so, often it’s how we allow ourselves to feel and think that makes the difference. Visualise everything going your way. Seeing yourself happy in your minds eye is a potent remedy for those with a case of the blues.
Janis Joplin: With her husky voice, and soulful singing, with hits like “Take Another Piece of My Heart” and “Mercedes Benz”, Joplin’s music is still being played today, a testament to her vocal talents. Like Morrison and Hendrix, Joplin went to the other side at the young age of 27.
Trivia: The song “Pearl” by The Mamas and The Papas, from the album “People Like Us”, is a tribute to Joplin.
SPEAK UP STAND OUT
Is there something in your life you need to take a stand against? Do you need to confront someone and say “no more”? Making clear your boundaries, and standing by your conviction will help you weather the changing political storms and cultural shifts, both out there in the big bad world, and in your own personal life.
Joan Baez : A powerful protest voice of the sixties, Baez railed against the Vietnam war with such passion and conviction, much like her one time partner Bob Dylan. Often involved in social justice, she also performed “we shall overcome” and “freedom” at the March on Washington in 1963, an event made famous, in part, by Martin Luther King Jr’s historic “I have a dream” speech.
Trivia: Baez is of Mexican/English ancestry. Her father was born in Mexico, and moved to the U.S when he was two years old. Her mother originally hails from Edinburgh, Scotland, daughter of an English Anglican priest. (3)
NATURE
The best kind of healing. A walk in nature may be just what you need. Breathe in the air, and take time to smell the wildflowers. Don’t fancy the great outdoors? You can always care for pets in your home, or water potted plants. It’s really about connecting with the primal and non judgemental creatures of the world once in a while, in order to recharge your batteries.
Joni Mitchell : Preferring to veer away from the protest movements of the sixties, due to her feeling that “it wasn’t fair to blame the boys who were drafted” and also due to the fact that some of her uncles had died in battle (4), Mitchell was more
focused on environmental issues. One of her big hits was Big Yellow Taxi, which has the line “I don’t care about spots on my apples, leave me the birds and the bees”, of whom can be seen flying around in her card in this affirmation set.
Trivia: Mitchell has designed most of her own album covers and sees herself more as a "painter derailed by circumstance" (5)
AWARENESS
Now might be a good time to employ any clairvoyance you might have to any given situation. This card is calling on you to get a clear vision and to be alert. It might also signify that someone is “on to you”, if you’ve been doing something in secret. It depends on what question you’re asking. It may also mean that the thing you’re asking about is something you already know the answer to on a gut level.
Jim Morrison: Aka The Lizard King, or Mr Mojo Risin’ (an anagram of his surname) Morrison is often regarded as one of the most influential front men in rock history. As much a poet as he was a singer, his lyrics range from experiences of hallucinogenic states, in songs like “Universal Mind” and “The Ghost Song”, to songs dealing with relationships and love like “Love Street” and “L.A Woman”.
Trivia: Iggy Pop’s “Passenger” is said to be inspired by one of Morrison’s poems (6), though according to Pop, In an interview with “The Guardian” the song was partly inspired by travelling with David Bowie on tour when Pop didn’t have a car or driver’s license” (7)
INDEPENDENCE
Do you need more independence right now? Being dependent can sometimes feel comfortable, providing the one you depend on is reliable and can take care of your every need. However, having independence can be very freeing and even if you don’t seek it right now, independence leads to empowerment if or when you can fully embrace it.
Stevie Nicks: Nicks broke onto the music scene in the late sixties with the band Fritz, alongside Lindsey Buckingham, who would not only go on to be a fellow band member in Fleetwood Mac, but also a love interest. Fritz opened for the likes of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and the Moody Blues, which helped open doors for Nicks and would lead her onto fame with Fleetwood Mac with classics like “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way”.
Trivia: The song "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" first appeared on Stevie Nicks’ debut solo album, in 1981. Tom Petty, who wrote the song, sang duet with her on the album, and in 2017 sang the song for the last time with her.
IMAGINATION
Get creative; with art, with music, with ideas, with dreams. In the words of Napoleon Hill “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.” Just think. Everything around you right now, even the chair you’re sitting on, was born from the imagination of someone. Everything created comes from the imagination.
John Lennon: Lennon, along with McCartney, wrote some of the most memorable songs of all time with the Beatles. The influences in Lennon’s songs have changed over the years, with more pop rock songs like “Tell me Why” giving way to more “Trippy” songs like “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” and edging into more politically charged territory with lyrics like “Give Peace a Chance” Our card is inspired by one of his most well known songs “Imagine”.
Trivia: Due to his controversial stances and protests against the Vietnam War, Nixon’s administration tried, but failed, to deport Lennon from the U.S (8)
SPIRITUAL
When this card accompanies a reading, the matter may be of a spiritual nature, such as marriage, or relating to a place of worship, or a religious ceremony. The card may also be telling you to get in touch with your spiritual side. Some are of the belief that a balance between the material world and the spiritual world is best, as veering too far in either direction can lead to an imbalance in one’s mental wellbeing. Meditation might be a good way to get realigned.
George Harrison: Of all the Beatles, Harrison appears to have been most influenced with the band’s pilgrimage to India to meet The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” is a song inspired by Krishna, and his faith in seeing his Lord after death. In the song “Awaiting you All”, Harrison tells us that by chanting the names of the Lord we will be free.
Trivia: Harrison was part of the Traveling Wilburys, a super group consisting of Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison
ROMANTIC
Everyone needs a little romance in their life. This card may indicate that love is in the air if the question is about relationships. If for business question, it may also be a sign of a good partnership. It can also be an indicator that you need to focus more on romance if the question relates to problems with a relationship; perhaps a weekend away, a nice dinner, something that breaks up the daily grind.
Paul McCartney: McCartney, along with Lennon, makes up the majority of the song writing efforts from the Beatles. McCartney’s lyrics have often been described as romantic in nature, especially during Lennon’s more politically charged stints at song writing, where Lennon would be a little critical of McCartney’s writing style. From this friction was born “Silly Love Songs”, one of McCartney’s most popular songs.
Trivia: Aside from playing bass and singing, McCartney is a pretty decent drummer, who, it is said, would sometimes get into arguments with Ringo over certain drum parts.
STARR POWER
A person who naturally attracts attention without even having to really try. One who has a very influential presence. This has more to do with how you manage your own energy rather than performing as a performer. These people light up a room without much effort.
Ringo Starr: Most famous for being the drummer of the Beatles, Starr’s beats are the backbone of the Fab Four’s impressive catalogue spanning the best part of a decade.
Since the breakup of the Beatles, Starr has produced nineteen solo albums.
Ringo’s first solo album was a compilation of his mother’s favourite songs. (9)
(1) Hendrix McDermott, John (2009). Ultimate Hendrix: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Live Concerts and Sessions. BackBeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-938-1.
(2) Palmer, Robert (1982). Deep Blues. New York City: Penguin Books. p. 104. ISBN 0-14006-223-8.
(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Baez
(4) CBC Music, “The Joni Mitchell Interview” June 10th 2013
(5) http://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=519
(6) Webb, Robert. "ROCK & POP: STORY OF THE SONG – 'THE PASSENGER' Iggy Pop (1977)". Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved August 24,2008]
(7) https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/05/iggy-pop-and-josh-homme-talk-about-their-post-pop-depression-album
(8) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon
(9) Schaffner, Nicholas (1980). The Boys from Liverpool: John, Paul, George, Ringo (1st ed.). New York: Methuen. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-416-30661-3.
A groovy guide for the affirmation cards from the Trippin’ Waite crowd funding campaign of 2018. The particular cards pictured here were exclusive to the campaign.
THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN’
It’s time to make plans. Things may be changing in your life, whether you intend for that or not, or it might be a reminder that it’s time to make changes. It’s good to prepare for the change in the best way you see fit.
Why not embrace something new, and get rid of old ideas that don’t work for you anymore?
Bob Dylan - One of the most iconic singers of the sixties, Dylan often sang protests songs against the Vietnam War. With a career spanning six decades, Dylan has released 38 studio albums and 13 live albums making him one of the most recognisable and inspirational figures in music today.
Trivia: Just like various other musicians, such as Lynryd Skynrd’s Michael Cartellone and Lars Ulrich from Metallica, Dylan has also painted and drawn works of art over the years. In fact one of his paintings can be found on the cover of his “Self Portrait” album from 1970.
CHILLIN’
Relax and take some time for yourself. Maybe you’ve been working hard, either physically or mentally, and need to unwind. Get together with some friends, or just kick back by yourself, it’s all good.
Jimi Hendrix – Widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of all time, Hendrix, Like Morrison and Joplin, sadly became part of the “27 club”, but his memory lives on to this day through every kid across the world learning “Purple Haze” on his electric guitar.
Trivia: As Hendrix was struggling to make a living playing the rhythm and blues circuit, He played for a time with “Curtis Knight and the Squires”. It was in the Cheetah Club in NYC that Rolling Stone’s Keith Richard’s girlfriend, Linda Keith, discovered Hendrix. (1)
SHOWMAN
Time to put on a show and bask in the limelight. A commanding stage presence is the friend of all successful people in the public eye. Maybe you’re nervous about public speaking? Take a few lessons from Jagger, who really doesn’t seem to have stage fright in his vocabulary. Full of confidence and charisma, he captivates his audience with ease.
Mick Jagger: The front man for The Rolling Stones belts out one of
his hits in this card. For many, the sound of the exciting 60’s wouldn’t be complete without hits like “Paint it black” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” blasting out of the record player.
Trivia: The Rolling Stones are named after a Muddy Waters song “Rollin’ Stone”(2)
FEELING GROOVY
You feel the spring in your step and your world feels just right. Essentially everything seems to be going your way. You feel good and you’re optimistic when thinking about the future.
So, what if you’re not all sunshine and roses? Most of us aren’t always that chipper, but it’s important to remember too that we are what we think about all day long, so, often it’s how we allow ourselves to feel and think that makes the difference. Visualise everything going your way. Seeing yourself happy in your minds eye is a potent remedy for those with a case of the blues.
Janis Joplin: With her husky voice, and soulful singing, with hits like “Take Another Piece of My Heart” and “Mercedes Benz”, Joplin’s music is still being played today, a testament to her vocal talents. Like Morrison and Hendrix, Joplin went to the other side at the young age of 27.
Trivia: The song “Pearl” by The Mamas and The Papas, from the album “People Like Us”, is a tribute to Joplin.
SPEAK UP STAND OUT
Is there something in your life you need to take a stand against? Do you need to confront someone and say “no more”? Making clear your boundaries, and standing by your conviction will help you weather the changing political storms and cultural shifts, both out there in the big bad world, and in your own personal life.
Joan Baez : A powerful protest voice of the sixties, Baez railed against the Vietnam war with such passion and conviction, much like her one time partner Bob Dylan. Often involved in social justice, she also performed “we shall overcome” and “freedom” at the March on Washington in 1963, an event made famous, in part, by Martin Luther King Jr’s historic “I have a dream” speech.
Trivia: Baez is of Mexican/English ancestry. Her father was born in Mexico, and moved to the U.S when he was two years old. Her mother originally hails from Edinburgh, Scotland, daughter of an English Anglican priest. (3)
NATURE
The best kind of healing. A walk in nature may be just what you need. Breathe in the air, and take time to smell the wildflowers. Don’t fancy the great outdoors? You can always care for pets in your home, or water potted plants. It’s really about connecting with the primal and non judgemental creatures of the world once in a while, in order to recharge your batteries.
Joni Mitchell : Preferring to veer away from the protest movements of the sixties, due to her feeling that “it wasn’t fair to blame the boys who were drafted” and also due to the fact that some of her uncles had died in battle (4), Mitchell was more
focused on environmental issues. One of her big hits was Big Yellow Taxi, which has the line “I don’t care about spots on my apples, leave me the birds and the bees”, of whom can be seen flying around in her card in this affirmation set.
Trivia: Mitchell has designed most of her own album covers and sees herself more as a "painter derailed by circumstance" (5)
AWARENESS
Now might be a good time to employ any clairvoyance you might have to any given situation. This card is calling on you to get a clear vision and to be alert. It might also signify that someone is “on to you”, if you’ve been doing something in secret. It depends on what question you’re asking. It may also mean that the thing you’re asking about is something you already know the answer to on a gut level.
Jim Morrison: Aka The Lizard King, or Mr Mojo Risin’ (an anagram of his surname) Morrison is often regarded as one of the most influential front men in rock history. As much a poet as he was a singer, his lyrics range from experiences of hallucinogenic states, in songs like “Universal Mind” and “The Ghost Song”, to songs dealing with relationships and love like “Love Street” and “L.A Woman”.
Trivia: Iggy Pop’s “Passenger” is said to be inspired by one of Morrison’s poems (6), though according to Pop, In an interview with “The Guardian” the song was partly inspired by travelling with David Bowie on tour when Pop didn’t have a car or driver’s license” (7)
INDEPENDENCE
Do you need more independence right now? Being dependent can sometimes feel comfortable, providing the one you depend on is reliable and can take care of your every need. However, having independence can be very freeing and even if you don’t seek it right now, independence leads to empowerment if or when you can fully embrace it.
Stevie Nicks: Nicks broke onto the music scene in the late sixties with the band Fritz, alongside Lindsey Buckingham, who would not only go on to be a fellow band member in Fleetwood Mac, but also a love interest. Fritz opened for the likes of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and the Moody Blues, which helped open doors for Nicks and would lead her onto fame with Fleetwood Mac with classics like “Dreams” and “Go Your Own Way”.
Trivia: The song "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" first appeared on Stevie Nicks’ debut solo album, in 1981. Tom Petty, who wrote the song, sang duet with her on the album, and in 2017 sang the song for the last time with her.
IMAGINATION
Get creative; with art, with music, with ideas, with dreams. In the words of Napoleon Hill “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe the mind can achieve.” Just think. Everything around you right now, even the chair you’re sitting on, was born from the imagination of someone. Everything created comes from the imagination.
John Lennon: Lennon, along with McCartney, wrote some of the most memorable songs of all time with the Beatles. The influences in Lennon’s songs have changed over the years, with more pop rock songs like “Tell me Why” giving way to more “Trippy” songs like “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” and edging into more politically charged territory with lyrics like “Give Peace a Chance” Our card is inspired by one of his most well known songs “Imagine”.
Trivia: Due to his controversial stances and protests against the Vietnam War, Nixon’s administration tried, but failed, to deport Lennon from the U.S (8)
SPIRITUAL
When this card accompanies a reading, the matter may be of a spiritual nature, such as marriage, or relating to a place of worship, or a religious ceremony. The card may also be telling you to get in touch with your spiritual side. Some are of the belief that a balance between the material world and the spiritual world is best, as veering too far in either direction can lead to an imbalance in one’s mental wellbeing. Meditation might be a good way to get realigned.
George Harrison: Of all the Beatles, Harrison appears to have been most influenced with the band’s pilgrimage to India to meet The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” is a song inspired by Krishna, and his faith in seeing his Lord after death. In the song “Awaiting you All”, Harrison tells us that by chanting the names of the Lord we will be free.
Trivia: Harrison was part of the Traveling Wilburys, a super group consisting of Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison
ROMANTIC
Everyone needs a little romance in their life. This card may indicate that love is in the air if the question is about relationships. If for business question, it may also be a sign of a good partnership. It can also be an indicator that you need to focus more on romance if the question relates to problems with a relationship; perhaps a weekend away, a nice dinner, something that breaks up the daily grind.
Paul McCartney: McCartney, along with Lennon, makes up the majority of the song writing efforts from the Beatles. McCartney’s lyrics have often been described as romantic in nature, especially during Lennon’s more politically charged stints at song writing, where Lennon would be a little critical of McCartney’s writing style. From this friction was born “Silly Love Songs”, one of McCartney’s most popular songs.
Trivia: Aside from playing bass and singing, McCartney is a pretty decent drummer, who, it is said, would sometimes get into arguments with Ringo over certain drum parts.
STARR POWER
A person who naturally attracts attention without even having to really try. One who has a very influential presence. This has more to do with how you manage your own energy rather than performing as a performer. These people light up a room without much effort.
Ringo Starr: Most famous for being the drummer of the Beatles, Starr’s beats are the backbone of the Fab Four’s impressive catalogue spanning the best part of a decade.
Since the breakup of the Beatles, Starr has produced nineteen solo albums.
Ringo’s first solo album was a compilation of his mother’s favourite songs. (9)
(1) Hendrix McDermott, John (2009). Ultimate Hendrix: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Live Concerts and Sessions. BackBeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-938-1.
(2) Palmer, Robert (1982). Deep Blues. New York City: Penguin Books. p. 104. ISBN 0-14006-223-8.
(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Baez
(4) CBC Music, “The Joni Mitchell Interview” June 10th 2013
(5) http://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=519
(6) Webb, Robert. "ROCK & POP: STORY OF THE SONG – 'THE PASSENGER' Iggy Pop (1977)". Archived from the original on September 27, 2008. Retrieved August 24,2008]
(7) https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/mar/05/iggy-pop-and-josh-homme-talk-about-their-post-pop-depression-album
(8) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon
(9) Schaffner, Nicholas (1980). The Boys from Liverpool: John, Paul, George, Ringo (1st ed.). New York: Methuen. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-416-30661-3.
THE WINTER LENORMAND / HORROR LENORMAND / Trippin' LENORMAND (coming soon)
1. Rider - Someone is approaching. Incoming news. A message. Good news. To understand the nature of the message read the surrounding cards. For example with Clover, it could indicate lucky ticket or news of a win.
2. Clover - Generally a good omen, the clover indicates "luck". Far away from the Querent, the luck is diminished.
3. The Ship - Journey over water. Travel. Things coming from a distance. Also, moving away from a person or event. Business opportunity from abroad.
4. The House - Home. Family. Tradition. Safety. Surrounded by bad cards, the card could indicate trouble from a neighbor or someone nearby.
5. The Tree - This card usually indicates something to do with health. Roots. Also a deep rooted and long standing situation or connection. If the card is further away from the Querent, you should pay attention to your health.
6. Clouds - Lack of clarity. Confusion. The inability to see a situation clearly. Examine where the Querent is in relation to the clouds. If the bright clouds are near the significator it’s a good omen for future plans and indicates clarity of judgement. However if the grey clouds are ahead of the client this could signal troubled times ahead and entering into an unpleasant situation.
7. 7. Snake - Not a good omen when describing people and events. Seduction. Temptation. Possible treachery. Traitor. Bad luck. The closer this card is to the significator the more dangerous this card is. Deception.
8. The Coffin - Signifies endings and illness. The closer this card is to the significator, the stronger the omen.
9. Bouquet - Invitation. Gift. Happiness. Very positive card. Could signify engagement. The closer the card, the stronger the influence.
10. Scythe - Pain. Cutting. Unexpected problem. Danger.
11. Whip - Quarrels. Relationship problems. Rocky friendships. Domestic troubles. Conflicts. The nearer the card to the Querent, the chances are more likely for troubles and arguments.
12. 12. The Birds - Gossip. Chatting. Difficulties. Anxiety. When far away it may indicate gossip in a negative sense.
13. 13. Child - Innocence. Child. The beginning of something new. A new start.
14. The Fox - Deception. Cunning. This is another card that if close to the significator indicates great danger. A woman. Could be a female enemy.
15. The Bear - Authority. Strong personality. I read this card as a man. Power. Influence.
16 The Stars - Hopes. Dreams. Generally good fortune. In presence of evil cards suggests bad coincidences or unfortunate events.
17. Stork - Change of residence. Birth. Whatever is described by the Stork indicates a change in that area. The further the Stork is from the Querent card the less likely the change is to take place.
18. The Dog - True friendship. Fidelity. Trusted companion. The further away from the client the card is the less reliable the friendship.
19. The Tower - Solitude. A large building. Being alone. Isolation. It can represent a “long standing” issue, for example, when beside a ring it may indicate a strong, long lasting relationship, but in the context of a grudge, this could indicate a long bitter rivalry.
20. The Garden -Public place. Social gathering. Party. Place where people meet.
21. The Mountain -Obstacle. Block. Could warn of a formidable enemy.
22. The Road- A decision needs to be made. A choice. If this card is further away from the Querent, it may indicate that you need to consider a different path.
23. The mice or the rat - Illness. Loss. Small theft. Erosion. The idea is of "gnawing" and gradual loss. If the card is very far away from the Querent, it may suggest that the loss is permanent.
24 The Heart - Love. Feelings. Strong emotion. Fondness. Romance.
25. The Ring - To the right of the significator suggests a happy marriage. To the left of the significator indicates broken engagement and separation.
26. The Book- Secrets. Documents. The closer the card is to the significator the more guarded the secret is.
27. The Letter- Written communication. Good news from far away.
If surrounded by negative cards, this may indicate delayed or bad news.
28. The man - Male significator or man close to the querent.
29. The woman - Female querent or woman important to the questioner.
30. The Lily - Sexuality. Virtue. Family. If this card appears below the Querent card, it suggests a person of questionable integrity.
31. The Sun - Happiness. Bright future. Good prospects. When far from the Qurent, it indicates there may be some disappointment.
32. The Moon - Artistic talent. Dreams. Intuition. Recognition. When far away this card suggests grief and displeasure.
33. The Key- Destiny. Fate. Yes in answer to a question. If far away, the card indicates disappointment.
34. The Fish - Finances. Money. Business. Wealth. Big financial opportunity. When the card is far away this card suggests difficulty in completing new tasks.
35. The Anchor - Stability. Commitment. Success in business and love. When far away this card indicates change of mind or instability.
36. The Cross - Troubles. Grief. Bad omen.
Lenormand cards are meant to be read in context with each other. For example The Sun (31) + The Fish (34) as a pair would indicate happiness in regard to finances or business. or Rider (1) + Scythe (10) could indicate an accident or unexpected news which could be disturbing. In that context you would have to read the card that follows to see what happens as a result.
1. Rider - Someone is approaching. Incoming news. A message. Good news. To understand the nature of the message read the surrounding cards. For example with Clover, it could indicate lucky ticket or news of a win.
2. Clover - Generally a good omen, the clover indicates "luck". Far away from the Querent, the luck is diminished.
3. The Ship - Journey over water. Travel. Things coming from a distance. Also, moving away from a person or event. Business opportunity from abroad.
4. The House - Home. Family. Tradition. Safety. Surrounded by bad cards, the card could indicate trouble from a neighbor or someone nearby.
5. The Tree - This card usually indicates something to do with health. Roots. Also a deep rooted and long standing situation or connection. If the card is further away from the Querent, you should pay attention to your health.
6. Clouds - Lack of clarity. Confusion. The inability to see a situation clearly. Examine where the Querent is in relation to the clouds. If the bright clouds are near the significator it’s a good omen for future plans and indicates clarity of judgement. However if the grey clouds are ahead of the client this could signal troubled times ahead and entering into an unpleasant situation.
7. 7. Snake - Not a good omen when describing people and events. Seduction. Temptation. Possible treachery. Traitor. Bad luck. The closer this card is to the significator the more dangerous this card is. Deception.
8. The Coffin - Signifies endings and illness. The closer this card is to the significator, the stronger the omen.
9. Bouquet - Invitation. Gift. Happiness. Very positive card. Could signify engagement. The closer the card, the stronger the influence.
10. Scythe - Pain. Cutting. Unexpected problem. Danger.
11. Whip - Quarrels. Relationship problems. Rocky friendships. Domestic troubles. Conflicts. The nearer the card to the Querent, the chances are more likely for troubles and arguments.
12. 12. The Birds - Gossip. Chatting. Difficulties. Anxiety. When far away it may indicate gossip in a negative sense.
13. 13. Child - Innocence. Child. The beginning of something new. A new start.
14. The Fox - Deception. Cunning. This is another card that if close to the significator indicates great danger. A woman. Could be a female enemy.
15. The Bear - Authority. Strong personality. I read this card as a man. Power. Influence.
16 The Stars - Hopes. Dreams. Generally good fortune. In presence of evil cards suggests bad coincidences or unfortunate events.
17. Stork - Change of residence. Birth. Whatever is described by the Stork indicates a change in that area. The further the Stork is from the Querent card the less likely the change is to take place.
18. The Dog - True friendship. Fidelity. Trusted companion. The further away from the client the card is the less reliable the friendship.
19. The Tower - Solitude. A large building. Being alone. Isolation. It can represent a “long standing” issue, for example, when beside a ring it may indicate a strong, long lasting relationship, but in the context of a grudge, this could indicate a long bitter rivalry.
20. The Garden -Public place. Social gathering. Party. Place where people meet.
21. The Mountain -Obstacle. Block. Could warn of a formidable enemy.
22. The Road- A decision needs to be made. A choice. If this card is further away from the Querent, it may indicate that you need to consider a different path.
23. The mice or the rat - Illness. Loss. Small theft. Erosion. The idea is of "gnawing" and gradual loss. If the card is very far away from the Querent, it may suggest that the loss is permanent.
24 The Heart - Love. Feelings. Strong emotion. Fondness. Romance.
25. The Ring - To the right of the significator suggests a happy marriage. To the left of the significator indicates broken engagement and separation.
26. The Book- Secrets. Documents. The closer the card is to the significator the more guarded the secret is.
27. The Letter- Written communication. Good news from far away.
If surrounded by negative cards, this may indicate delayed or bad news.
28. The man - Male significator or man close to the querent.
29. The woman - Female querent or woman important to the questioner.
30. The Lily - Sexuality. Virtue. Family. If this card appears below the Querent card, it suggests a person of questionable integrity.
31. The Sun - Happiness. Bright future. Good prospects. When far from the Qurent, it indicates there may be some disappointment.
32. The Moon - Artistic talent. Dreams. Intuition. Recognition. When far away this card suggests grief and displeasure.
33. The Key- Destiny. Fate. Yes in answer to a question. If far away, the card indicates disappointment.
34. The Fish - Finances. Money. Business. Wealth. Big financial opportunity. When the card is far away this card suggests difficulty in completing new tasks.
35. The Anchor - Stability. Commitment. Success in business and love. When far away this card indicates change of mind or instability.
36. The Cross - Troubles. Grief. Bad omen.
Lenormand cards are meant to be read in context with each other. For example The Sun (31) + The Fish (34) as a pair would indicate happiness in regard to finances or business. or Rider (1) + Scythe (10) could indicate an accident or unexpected news which could be disturbing. In that context you would have to read the card that follows to see what happens as a result.
DIRECT PDF DOWNLOAD FILES (same as the linked versions at the top)
| winterlenormand-compressed.pdf |
| trippincardmeanings-compress.pdf |
| winterwaite-compressed.pdf |
| goodvibespread.pdf |
| musicaffirmationsmeanings-compressed.pdf |
| deadwaitehorror.pdf |
| groovycardmeanings.pdf |