Planets

The Card: First Planet

The Name: Mercury

The Image: A winged man, Prometheus, Raven, steals fire from the sun.

The Interpretation: A major communication is due, whether it be gift of the Divine, an internal revelation, or words passed between mortals. As a person: A trickster type, who almost against his will brings good things to those around him. As a time: The moment of a theft, benign or otherwise; the "Eureka" of an inspired idea. Reversed: An important communication is blocked; beware the thief at your back door!

The Card: Second Planet

The Name: Venus

The Image: In the sky, Venus shows next to the crescent moon. On the ground, lovers meet around bonfires in a rolling field.

The Interpretation: It is a time of meetings, couplings, though not necessarily permanent ones. Just enjoy it, give yourself over to it. As a person: Someone who is free with romance. As a time: Dawn; Dusk; Any event where people go to meet potential mates. Reversed: Now is not the time to indulge.

The Card: Third Planet

The Name: Earth

The Image: Amidst the green of growing life, the Earth Mother sits, surrounded by all living things.

The Interpretation: There is a stable home for you, a garden of peace and quiet, even if it's only a corner. This is your base. From here all else can grow. As a person: An Earth Mother type; someone who makes any place home. As a time: A time for quiet and regathering strength. Reversed: Take care: you are polluting your home.

The Card: Fourth Planet

The Name: Mars

The Image: Beneath a reddened sky in which the planet Mars is clearly visible stands a veteran warrior in Roman armor, carrying a spear. His battle-ravage features show he is ready to fight, no matter what.

The Interpretation: Be ready to fight for what's important to you. But be careful not to confuse a violent confrontation with fighting for what is right. There are many other ways to be a great warrior. As a person: Someone with a war-like personality; Someone who usually chooses to fight before examining other possibilities. As a time: A time of "girding one's loins" in preparation for an upcoming battle. Reversed: Back off and stop fighting—and while you're at it, reconsider your motives in this confrontation.

The Card: Fifth Planet

The Name: Jupiter

The Image: Beneath a threatening sky in which the planet Jupiter is prominent, Jupiter sits on a throne. He appears jovial, and a goblet of wine is in his hand. In front of him, two people are petitioning for justice.

The Interpretation: The laws of nature and Karma are real, but they are not as serious as you believe. Lighten up. As a person: Someone who is wise and jovial. As a time: A time of judgment; A trial. Reversed: In the trial at hand, the judgment may seem to be arbitrary and illogical.

The Card: Sixth Planet

The Name: Saturn

The Image: On the side of a long dusky road stands an aged man in a white robe carrying a scythe and an hourglass. He beckons down the road. The planet Saturn is showing, swollen in the sky.

The Interpretation: It is Time. Saturn represents the passage of time and so responsibility and work ethic. Pay attention to the passage of time, for there is something you must do, and that right soon. As a person: An old man; Someone who is responsible and hard-working; Someone who constantly reminds you of your duty. As a time: All time; Time in general. Reversed: Stop focusing on the passage of time. There are tribes that have no words in their language for the passage of time—try living like that for a while.

The Card: Seventh Planet

The Name: Uranus

The Image: A wild-haired man stands, silhouetted against a red mackerel sky with arms raised. The planet Uranus is visible.

The Interpretation: Things are changing in a new direction, and surprise is in the air. Don't be afraid to be original. As a person: Someone who is always changing his mind; Someone who is constantly surprising. As a time: Any unexpected event. Reversed: Things are going to continue more or less as they are unless you make a concerted effort to change them.

The Card: Eighth Planet

The Name: Neptune

The Image: Beneath a sky dominated by a large image of the planet Neptune, a berobed man stands on the seashore manipulating a wand to create a pleasing glamour.

The Interpretation: Mystery, Illusion, Imagination and Magic are the powers at work under this planet's auspices. Keep your eyes open so you'll know what's real and what isn't—but don't make the mistake of discounting the importance of something just because you think it isn't "real." As a person: A Magician; Someone talented at weaving illusion. As a time: Dusk; Dawn; Moments when the edge between real and illusory is fuzzy and unsure. Reversed: You are being bamboozled by appearances.

The Card: Ninth Planet

The Name: Pluto

The Image: The entrance to Hades, the underworld realm of Pluto, shows as a firelit door in a hillside. Inside, time doesn't run the same course. Above, the planet Pluto hangs large.

The Interpretation: All that dies is reborn; all that is hidden will again come to light. As a person: A morbid personality; Someone who was once lost. As a time: A time of transformation; A time of rebirth. Reversed: That which you seek is lost to you. Cease your search.

The Card: Tenth Planet

The Name: Chiron

The Image: An eclipsed planet shown on a starry field.

The Interpretation: The unknown dominates. You cannot know the answer. As a person: Someone who cultivates mystery; Someone who is willing to take blind leaps. As a time: That first step into the unknown. Reversed: You are blinding yourself because you don't really want to know.