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Overall

Page of Swords (reversed)

• He is all ready to fight, but still only in training.
• When this card lands in a reading, it means that you need to think quickly and act decisively but keep your temper in check. You need to remain vigilant and to be on guard for trouble or conflict, but you should use your wit and not brute force. You do have the ability to quickly put an end to nonsense and petty arguments with either quick actions or a few well-chosen words….The message of the Page of Swords is that caution, cleverness, and tact are needed at this time. Try for tact before you take a swipe at your opponent.*

Cards

XXI. The World (reversed)

• The world is upside down.

XII. The Hanged Man

• A young man is calmly hanging upside down from his right foot on an ash tree. While he hangs there he is in a transitional state or undergoing an initiation of some kind. The halo around the hanged Man’s face shows him to be experiencing and epiphany. The peaceful skies in the background of this card tell you this phase is not a time to fear. You need to let go of something old and hurtful in order to gain this new wisdom. Enjoy this new perspective and in-between chapter of your life, and see what you discover.*
• When this card appears in a reading, it is a message to look at things from a different viewpoint. Embrace the idea of initiation as a vehicle to newer wisdom and a clearer spiritual path. Let go of the illusion of control, turn things on their heads, and look carefully at the lessons before you. Relax and be patient; this may not be easy, but fighting against the changes in your life only creates more drama. Read the signs carefully, meditate on their lessons as you allow yourself to go through this transitional or initiatory phase calmly and with joy.*

Five of Wands

• A lot of help surrounding me. I know this is not the “typical” meaning of this card, but when I saw this card, I saw the four people flying are here to help me (the person on the ground), and also felt hopeful.

Two of Swords (reversed)

• I am blindfolded and am protecting myself from the world.
• Her back is to the moon and to the water to illustrate that she has turned away from her emotions, or at least shut them down for a time. Small clumps of the herb lavender grow on either side of the stone bench. In the language of flowers lavender symbolizes distrust, which is appropriate for this woman. Also, the herb lavender is associated with the element of air and is very protective when grown in a Witch’s garden.*
• When this card turns up in a reading, it is a warning that you have blocked off your heart and emotions and are holding in your feelings. You are literally refusing to see what is right in front of you. Your heart says one thing, while logic says another. The water in this card represents your emotions and the repression of them. Just as the woman has turned her back on her feelings, you need to be aware that you are blocked and have closed yourself off. You may think you have balance, but there is no resolution. Take a careful look at both sides of the situation. Consider your options: boundaries are a positive thing, but do not shut yourself off from others. Be like the water and the swords in this card–stay calm and reflect like the water while you work through this, and be balanced like the swords as you work for equilibrium and understanding.*
• Reversed: Being forced to face your suppressed emotions.*

Knight of Cups

• Knight just across the stream offering the cup.
• The fair knight looks into a silver cup that he holds with a dreamy expression, as if he is seeing something reflected within. The cup held by the knight in this card can be thought of as the Grail, a traditional symbol of the Divine Feminine. While the Knight of Cups has no sword showing, he still wears silver armor with a beautiful, flowing the blue cape. This knight is elegant, not warlike…. The Knight of Cups can be moody and passionate, but he always follows his heart. He is a symbol of courtly love and honor.*

Reflection

I feel like all the upside-down cards (including the hanged man) represent me, and the upright cards are the outside force/help. I feel like the page of swords, ready to take on the world, but at the same time not feeling quite ready. And I feel like the world is upside down, but it maybe because I am hanging upside down, and not working on getting ready. This is further supported by the reversed two of swords. I feel like I blindfolded myself, but also am defending myself with two swords in front of me because I am afraid. But as seen by the five of wands and the knight of cups that are surrounding two of swords, the help is near both above me and right across the stream from me. Help is just around the corner. It’s time to get off that tree, start asking for help, and get on it!

*From <Witches Tarot Companion>