tarot – Just the Tarot

The Art of Receiving: A Holiday Lesson from the Ace of Pentacles

Are you great at giving but secretly uncomfortable receiving? This holiday-inspired reflection on the Ace of Pentacles explores why receiving is the true key to abundance — and how learning to allow support, blessings, and prosperity can transform your life.

We hear it every year: “It’s the season of giving.”

And while generosity is beautiful, here’s a question we rarely ask:

How good are you at receiving?

Most of us are excellent givers.

We’ll show up for others, offer help, carry the emotional load, and give until we’re exhausted…

Yet when something is offered to us — kindness, support, a compliment, an opportunity, or even abundance — we freeze. We deflect. We downplay. We say, “Oh, you shouldn’t have…”

But in manifestation, and in the symbolic language of the Tarot, receiving is not an afterthought — it’s the core skill.

And the Ace of Pentacles, with its golden hand offering a gift from the sky, is the perfect reminder that abundance can’t enter your life until you’re willing to let it in.

Ace of Pentacles Affirmation Poster by Dan Adair – Available on Etsy.

Why Receiving Is the Real Skill in Manifestation

Genevieve Davis puts it beautifully in her book, “Doing Magic: A Course in Manifesting an Exceptional Life.”

“As soon as you have asked for anything, your next immediate job is to get out of the way. You need to get out of asking and into the receiving state as soon as you possibly can.”

Most people stay stuck in:

• asking

• wishing

• visualizing

• striving

• trying harder

But manifestation isn’t powered by effort.

It’s powered by allowing.

During the holidays we pour energy outward — buying gifts, doing favors, meeting expectations — but the universe doesn’t respond only to what we give. It responds to what we’re willing to accept.

Receiving Requires Softening, Not Effort

In, “Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires” Abraham/Hicks calls this the Art of Allowing:

“Unless you are in the receiving mode, your desires will not be fulfilled.”

Receiving isn’t about deserving more or working harder.

It’s the opposite — a gentle softening.

Receiving happens when you:

• relax your shoulders

• loosen your defenses

• stop arguing with your blessings

• stop explaining your worth

• allow yourself to be supported

Winter energy itself teaches this.

The natural world slows, quiets, and becomes receptive.

There is no pushing — only opening.

The Holiday Block: Feeling Unworthy of Good Things

Here’s the core wound for many people — especially during the holidays:

We don’t believe we deserve good things.

Old stories rise up:

• “Other people need it more.”

• “I haven’t earned that.”

• “I don’t want to be a burden.”

• “I’m not enough.”

Many of us learned as children to receive less so others could have more.

So now, when life tries to hand us something beautiful, we reject it without even realizing we’re doing it.

But the Ace of Pentacles offers a different truth:

You are worthy of abundance.

You are worthy of support.

You are worthy of receiving joy, money, kindness, opportunity — just as you are.

The Ace of Pentacles: A Gift You Are Meant to Receive

TheAce of Pentacles captures this moment perfectly:

• the hand offering a golden coin

• the floral archway

• the path leading into a new beginning

• the vibrant, fertile landscape

This is the universe extending a gift — potential, prosperity, a fresh start.

The affirmation, “Receive Abundance,” is not a command.

It’s an invitation.

A permission slip.

This holiday season, abundance may appear in quiet ways:

• someone offering help

• an unexpected opportunity

• a compliment

• money flowing in

• a door opening you didn’t expect

Your job?

Let yourself say yes.

A Simple Holiday Receiving Ritual (2 Minutes)

Try this before bed or during a quiet moment in the day:

1. Place your hand over your heart.

2. Take a slow breath.

3. Say gently:

“It is safe for me to receive.”

4. Picture the golden hand of the Ace of Pentacles offering you a gift.

5. Say:

“I allow good things to enter my life.”

Small practice, big shift.

This Season, Let Receiving Be Part of the Celebration

Giving is beautiful.

Generosity is sacred.

But so is allowing yourself to be blessed.

Let this be the season you stop deflecting your good.

Stop stepping aside.

Stop shrinking back.

Let this be the season you say, without apology:

“I am ready to receive abundance.”

Because the universe can only deliver what you’re willing to accept.

Seven Lessons the Tarot Can Teach About Surviving the Holidays

Feeling overwhelmed by the holiday season? The Tarot has a surprising amount of wisdom — and humor — to offer.From The Fool’s fresh start to The World’s end-of-year perspective, these cards remind us that the holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

A little humor, a little magic, and just enough perspective will get you through the Holiday Haze.

1. The Fool — You’re Allowed to Start Fresh

Every holiday season is a reset button.

Don’t carry last year’s stress into this year’s festivities.

Don’t walk off of emotional cliffs at family dinners.

Leap lightly… but maybe look down for gift-wrapping paper on the floor.

2. The Magician — Use the Tools You Actually Have

Trying to make a perfect holiday with imperfect resources?

The Magician whispers: Use what’s already on the table.

Don’t overspend now and stress later.

Aim for gifts that are magical, not expensive.

3. The Lovers — Choose Peace, Not Drama

The holidays tend to bring opinions.

And relatives.

And opinions from relatives.

The Lovers reminds you: choose connection, not combat… or at least choose silence and pie.

If one of your loved ones says something absolutely outrageous, remember that you can just put a piece of pie in your mouth and smile. Add whipped cream to make it an extra sweet conversation.

4. The Seven of Cups — Beware of Overcommitment

Shopping! Baking! Parties! Rituals! Volunteering! Travel!

The Seven of Cups says: You cannot say yes to all seven.

Pick the cup with the least glitter and the most sanity.

You don’t have to be all things to all people – just be the you that people love.

5. The Nine of Swords — Anxiety Lies

That nagging feeling that everything will go wrong?

It’s just the Nine of Swords doing its nightly stand-up routine.

Thank it for its service… and then ignore it.

Don’t just make it a holiday – make it a vacation from worry.

6. The King of Pentacles — Treat Yourself Like a Honored Guest

Warm food, soft blankets, comfortable socks —

This is not indulgence, this is holiday self-care strategy.

Just look at all the things you’ve done for other people! Don’t you deserve a little pampering, too?

The King of Pentacles approves.

7. The World — You Made It Through Another Year

Pause. Breathe. Celebrate the cycle completing.

On the Winter Solstice, the solar year will end. Take the time to reflect, to congratulate yourself for another trip around the sun.

Give yourself credit for all the chapters you survived this year — and all of the growth that went along with that.

Bonus Holiday survival secret:

Lower expectations. Raise kindness. Wear stretchy pants.

The Top Ten Tarot Cards Indicating Conflict

A quick, insightful guide to the ten Tarot cards that most often signal conflict—from chaotic energy and power struggles to hidden tension and emotional fallout. This post explains what each card means and how to navigate challenging situations with clarity and confidence.

There are days when Tarot feels like a warm hug…

…and days when it slides a little warning across the table and whispers,

“Brace yourself.”

Conflict is part of life, part of growth, and definitely part of the Tarot.

“Just the Tarot,” by Dan Adair – Available on Amazon

Whether it’s inner tension, relationship friction, or someone else’s chaos spilling into your lane, some cards show up to say:

“Something here needs attention.”

Here are the top ten Tarot cards that most strongly signal conflict — and what each one really means beneath the surface. If you’d like to download this list as a PDF file that you can add to your Tarot notebook, click here.

1. Five of Wands – The Classic Chaos Card

If conflict had a mascot, this would be it.

The Five of Wands shows:

– competition

– ego clashes

– mixed agendas

– flailing energy everywhere

It’s not necessarily destructive — but it is noisy.

Message: This isn’t war… it’s everyone talking at once. Calm the room.

2. Five of Swords – A Battle Nobody Really Wins

This is the energy of:

– arguing to be right

– unhealthy victories

– someone taking more than their share

– hurt feelings afterward

Message: Winning at all costs comes with a bill. Choose integrity.

3. Seven of Wands – Defend Your Ground

This is conflict from the outside:

– critics

– competition

– pressure

– feeling outnumbered

But the card says you can stand firm.

Message: Don’t fold. You’re stronger than the opposition.

4. The Tower – Major Disruption

This isn’t a small disagreement — it’s a smackdown from the universe.

Think:

– sudden revelations

– arguments that break things open

– emotional earthquakes

Message: The old structure needed to fall. Liberation follows.

5. The Five of Cups – Emotional Fallout

Not a conflict card on its face, but it often shows up after one:

– regret

– grief

– disappointment

– unresolved conversations

Message: You’re grieving what was lost. Healing begins when you turn around.

6. The Devil – Power Struggles

This card signals:

– manipulation

– obsession

– toxic dynamics

– control games

– addictive patterns in relationships

Message: This conflict has a hook. Break the chain, not each other.

7. The Knight of Swords – Rushing Into Battle

He is smart, fast, determined…

…and doesn’t always think things through.

Shows:

– heated arguments

– impulsive reactions

– someone charging ahead without listening

Message: Slow down before your mouth outruns your wisdom.

8. The Two of Swords – Silent Conflict

Not all conflict is loud.

This card is conflict frozen:

– denial

– avoidance

– stalemates

– tension beneath the surface

Message: Peace requires a decision. Open your eyes and choose.

9. The Seven of Swords – Sneaky Energy

Not direct conflict — but conflict waiting to happen.

Signals:

– deception

– half-truths

– secret plans

– someone acting behind the scenes

Message: If something feels “off,” it probably is. Trust your intuition.

10. The Ten of Wands – Overwhelm and Burnout

This appears when conflict comes from:

– taking on too much

– carrying other people’s problems

– no boundaries

– pressure that builds until you snap

Message: Put down what isn’t yours. You’re not meant to carry it all.

Final Thoughts: Conflict Isn’t Always the Enemy

Conflict in Tarot isn’t punishment — it’s information.

The cards don’t show conflict to scare you…

They show it to help you:

– redirect

– set boundaries

– speak truth

– release what’s toxic

Because once conflict is acknowledged, transformation can finally begin.

The Top Ten Tarot Cards That Indicate Healing

Discover the top ten Tarot cards that symbolize healing, recovery, and renewal. From The Star to The Hermit, explore how the cards reveal your path toward balance, peace, and wholeness.

When you’re working with the Tarot, certain cards appear as gentle messengers of recovery, renewal, and wholeness. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual healing, these ten cards remind us that balance and well-being are always within reach.

1. The Star

The ultimate card of healing and hope. It promises renewal after hardship and invites you to open your heart to divine light and self-trust.

2. Temperance

Balance, integration, and moderation — the alchemy of opposites. Healing flows when extremes are softened and peace returns.

3. The Sun

The warmth of vitality and joy. The Sun restores the life force, illuminating health, positivity, and the return of childlike energy.

4. The Four of Swords

The body and mind’s call for rest. Recovery through stillness, meditation, and withdrawal from stress.

5. The Six of Swords

Moving away from turbulence toward calm waters. Healing through distance, clarity, and emotional peace.

6. The Ace of Cups

Renewal of the heart. Healing through love, forgiveness, and self-compassion; a cleansing flow of feeling.

7. The Queen of Pentacles

Earthy nurturing energy. Healing through care, nourishment, and connection to the body and natural rhythms.

8. The Three of Cups

Healing through friendship and community. Emotional recovery by rejoining the circle of support and joy.

9. The Ten of Pentacles

Long-term stability and health. Healing in the sense of “wholeness” — when life feels safe, abundant, and grounded again.

10. The Hermit

Healing through introspection and solitude. Finding the inner light that guides you back to your own wisdom.

Using the Cards for Healing

When these cards appear in a spread, ask yourself: What part of me is ready to recover?

Healing doesn’t always mean fixing something broken — sometimes it means remembering you were whole all along.

“Just the Tarot,” by Dan Adair – a complete set of definitions for all of the cards, including layouts and instructions, available on Amazon.

The Magician: Symbols of Manifestation

The Magician shows how thought becomes form.
From roses and lilies to the infinity symbol, every detail reveals the art of manifestation — the meeting of spirit, will, and action.
Discover what each symbol means and how The Magician teaches conscious creation.

The Magician stands at the threshold between spirit and matter, reminding us that creation begins in consciousness. Every element in this card — from his roses to his raised wand — tells the story of how ideas become real.

Let’s look closely at the symbols that make the Magician such a powerful image of manifestation.

🌹 Roses and Lilies – Desire and Purity

At the Magician’s feet, red roses and white lilies intertwine. The roses symbolize passion and vitality — the raw energy of desire. The lilies represent purity, clarity, and spiritual truth.

Together they tell us: creation requires both — the fire of wanting and the innocence of trust.

✋ The Raised Hand and Pointing Finger – “As Above, So Below”

With one hand holding a wand to the heavens and the other pointing to the earth, the Magician enacts the Hermetic axiom: “As above, so below.”

He channels divine inspiration downward into form, bridging worlds. It’s a reminder that every idea you manifest must be grounded in action.

⚡️ The Double-Ended Wand – Energy Flows Both Ways

The wand itself has two tips, showing that energy moves in a circuit. Inspiration doesn’t just descend — it also ascends, rising from the material back into the spiritual.

When you create something authentic, the universe responds in kind. Power flows in both directions.

🌀 The Infinity Symbol – Eternal Creative Flow

Above his head floats the lemniscate — the sideways figure eight of infinity — mirrored again in his serpentine belt, the ouroboros that eats its own tail.

These symbols whisper that creation is endless. There is no true beginning or ending, only perpetual transformation. Every manifestation becomes the seed of the next.

🎀 The Headband – Focused Intention

Around his brow, the Magician wears a simple white band. It signifies concentration — the mind harnessed and directed.

Magic without focus is daydreaming; focus without inspiration is drudgery. The headband marks the moment when clarity and will fuse.

❤️ The Red Robe – Passion in Action

Red is the color of vitality, courage, and physical energy. The robe says: ideas alone are not enough — they must be acted upon.

Beneath the robe, his inner tunic is white, showing that true power is driven by purity of motive, not ego.

🌞 The Yellow Background – Light of Consciousness

The entire scene glows in radiant yellow, representing illumination and awareness.

This is the color of intellect, clarity, and awakening — the mind fully alive. The Magician works in daylight because his magic is conscious, not hidden.

🧰 The Tools on the Table – Mastery of the Four Elements

Before him lie the wand, cup, sword, and pentacle — the emblems of fire, water, air, and earth.

They show that he commands all aspects of creation: spirit, emotion, thought, and matter.

Nothing is missing; he already holds everything needed to bring vision into being.

🔢 The Number One – The Point of Origin

As the first card of the Major Arcana, The Magician represents beginnings — the spark of individuality, the “I am” moment.

He’s the point where potential first becomes personal power. Every creative act starts here: the decision to say yes to your own ability.

🌟 Bringing It All Together

Every symbol in The Magician tells the same story: you are the conduit between heaven and earth.

Your thoughts, feelings, and actions are the instruments on his table.

When you align them with clarity and purpose, magic isn’t mysterious — it’s inevitable.

So the next time you draw The Magician, take a breath and remember:

You already have everything you need. All that remains is to raise your wand — and begin.

“Just the Tarot,” by Dan Adair – a guidebook for reading the cards with complete definitions and sample layouts, available as an ebook on Amazon.

The Top Ten “No” Cards for Taking a New Job

When the Tarot says no, it’s often saving you from a storm ahead. This article explores the ten cards that most often warn against taking a new job — from the Tower’s sudden collapse to the Devil’s golden handcuffs. Learn how to recognize when the energy around a position is toxic, unstable, or simply not aligned with your higher path. Sometimes walking away is the most empowered move you can make.

Sometimes a new opportunity looks great on paper, but the cards tell a different story. When these ten Tarot cards appear in a career reading — especially in key positions like Outcome, Challenge, or Advice — they often signal that the timing or energy around a new job just isn’t right.

1. The Tower

Sudden upheaval, chaos, or destruction. The Tower warns that this job could collapse unexpectedly — layoffs, toxic leadership, or a company shake-up that leaves you scrambling. Proceed only if you thrive on change and can land on your feet fast.

2. The Devil

Temptation disguised as opportunity. This card often signals golden handcuffs — a job that looks lucrative but erodes your freedom or values. Watch for manipulation, burnout, or a boss who wants control more than collaboration.

3. The Ten of Wands

Overload and exhaustion. The job might demand everything you’ve got — and then some. This card suggests taking on too much responsibility, often without the recognition or compensation that makes it worthwhile.

4. The Five of Swords

Office politics and power struggles. The Five of Swords points to a competitive or hostile environment where people win at your expense. If you sense drama or hidden agendas during the interview process, trust your instincts.

5. The Eight of Cups

Walking away. Even if you take the job, this card suggests you won’t stay long — your heart isn’t in it. The Eight of Cups reminds you that emotional fulfillment matters more than a paycheck.

6. The Seven of Swords

Deception or hidden motives. This could mean shady company practices or a job offer that isn’t what it seems. Get everything in writing and read the fine print — twice.

7. The Five of Pentacles

Financial instability or lack of support. This might be a company struggling to stay afloat or a position that doesn’t pay enough to sustain you. Be cautious about promises of “growth potential.”

8. The Four of Cups

Apathy and disengagement. This job could leave you uninspired or emotionally flat. If you’re already feeling unmotivated, this may just be more of the same in a different package.

9. The Hanged Man

Stagnation. The Hanged Man suggests a lack of progress — your talents might be undervalued or your advancement delayed. If the job feels like waiting in limbo, it probably is.

10. The Ten of Swords

The painful ending. Whether it’s betrayal, burnout, or a layoff, this card says “enough.” The Ten of Swords is the Tarot’s final full stop — a clear “No” that urges you to let this opportunity pass and prepare for a fresh start elsewhere.

Closing Thoughts

A “No” from the Tarot isn’t always bad news — it’s often protection in disguise. These cards help you see beyond surface appeal and recognize when a job may drain your energy or steer you off your true path.

Sometimes the most powerful word you can say to the universe is no — because it creates space for the right yes to appear.

Feel free to leave questions in the comments section and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

“Just the Tarot,” by Dan Adair – A complete guide to Tarot readings available on Amazon.

Healing Our Week with the Tarot: Using “Antidotes” for Negative Energy

Weekly Tarot as mindfulness: forecast your reactions, apply the antidote (compassion, joy, courage), and make your inner world a peaceful place

There’s an internet meme I really love that says, “Maybe the day had a shitty you.” It’s a good reminder that our own energy creates a lot of what we experience as being, “outside of us.” Let’s talk about a very simple mental hygiene routine with the Tarot that we can use to keep our energy clean and positive.

The Buddhist Practice of Antidoting

Buddhism has long recognized that positive emotions are good for us and negative emotions are bad for us. There’s nothing revolutionary about that simple fact. Happiness makes us happy and sadness makes us depressed. What a concept!

Buddhism gets even more radical than that, though, and refers to negative emotions as, “poisons.” Constantly feeling the negative emotions – anger, hatred, jealousy, depression – is like drinking poison. It makes us physically, emotionally, and spiritually sick.

And, if we drink poison, we obviously need an antidote, right? So, in the Buddhist practice, if we’re angry about something we meditate on loving/compassion. If we’re jealous of someone, we meditate on feeling good for them. If we’re afraid, we meditate on courage. Any negative emotion has a corresponding antidote.

We can easily tie that thinking into a Tarot practice that helps us to stay balanced and stress free.

A Simple Weekly Tarot Practice

At the start of each week, try doing a short four-card predictive spread:

1. Current Conditions

2. What Needs to Be Done

3. Factors Working Against Me

4. Probable Outcome

For example, imagine the reading comes up like this:

• Current Conditions – Five of Cups (reversed) – recovering from sadness

• What Needs to Be Done – Seven of Wands (reversed) – exhausted after a battle and feeling defensive

• Factors Working Against – Five of Swords – conflict, tension, disagreements

• Probable Outcome – Five of Wands – ego struggles for dominance; hollow victories.

Without diving too deeply into analysis, we can see this describes a week of emotional recovery mixed with potential conflict.

The energy of the week feels charged—lots of fives, lots of challenges.

But remember: nothing the Tarot predicts is ever set in stone. It simply points to the energetic weather we’re about to walk into.

Finding the Antidote

So, how do we antidote this kind of energy?

By becoming as peaceful and non-reactive as possible.

If the cards forewarn us that conflict is likely, we can consciously generate its opposite: serenity, patience, and groundedness. When we carry that peaceful energy into the week, we DON’T blow up at the rude cashier at the grocery store. We DON’T indulge in road rage when someone cuts us off in traffic. We DON’T snap at a co-worker when they say something sarcastic to us.

When we carry those antidoting energies, we rise above the fray.

We stop feeding the poison and instead create harmony wherever we go.

In the same way, if our reading predicts sadness or depression, we can consciously seek out things that will make us happy. If it predicts that we’re going to be scattered, we can do a little extra mindfulness practice.

Turning “Negative” Cards Into Meditation

This is one of the most powerful ways to meditate with the Tarot.

When we pull a card that seems negative, rather than dreading it, we can pause and ask: What’s the opposite of this energy? If this card represents a poison, what’s its antidote?

If the cards suggest sadness or loss, how can we actively cultivate joy?

If they hint at arrogance, how can we practice humility?

If they predict anger or tension, how can we embody calm?

Each “negative” card becomes a mindfulness bell—an invitation to rebalance our inner world.

Empowerment Through Awareness

Instead of thinking, “This is going to be a rough week,” we can say,“This reading is giving me insight into the energies ahead—and tools to shift them.”

This approach gives us agency.

It empowers us to stay in the flow, improve our own energy, and choose how we’ll respond to life’s ups and downs.

No matter what’s happening around us, we’re the ones who have to live in our own minds—and Tarot can help us make that a bright, peaceful place to be.

“Just the Tarot,” by Dan Adair – a kindle ebook of Tarot definitions available on Amazon

The Influence of The Emperor Card

The Emperor in Tarot represents structure, authority, and the disciplined use of power. When paired with the other Major Arcana, his influence reveals how stability, order, and leadership shape every phase of life—from creative beginnings and relationships to transformation and mastery. This chart offers quick interpretations of The Emperor in combination with all 22 Major cards, including reversed meanings. Perfect for Tarot readers seeking deeper insight or a printable reference for their readings.

In the absence of a regular blog post for today, I’d like to offer a chart detailing the influence of The Emperor card when paired with the other cards of the Major Arcana. Please feel free to print this and use it for reference in your readings.

Or, if you’d prefer, you can download a PDF version here. Just click on the link and, when it comes up, go to your browser menu and select Print.

The Emperor + The Fool

Establishing order within spontaneity; bringing discipline to new beginnings.

Reversed: Rigidity crushes adventure; fear of chaos blocks growth.

The Emperor + The Magician

Structured willpower manifests results; mastery through disciplined focus.

Reversed: Control issues distort creativity; misuse of authority for personal gain.

The Emperor + The High Priestess

Balancing logic and intuition; wisdom gains form through structure.

Reversed: Repression of the intuitive or feminine; ignoring inner guidance.

The Emperor + The Empress

Perfect union of order and creativity; leadership joined with nurturing power.

Reversed: Domination smothers harmony; imbalance between authority and compassion.

The Emperor + The Hierophant

Law, tradition, and moral authority combine; social order strengthened.

Reversed: Dogmatism or oppressive systems; blind obedience replaces wisdom.

The Emperor + The Lovers

Commitment grounded in integrity; love stabilized through loyalty and structure.

Reversed: Control in relationships; emotional manipulation disguised as protection.

The Emperor + The Chariot

Directed ambition achieves victory; leadership in motion.

Reversed: Power struggle; lack of self-control undermines success.

The Emperor + Strength

Calm authority; inner strength expressed through steady leadership.

Reversed: Harshness; using force instead of gentle courage.

The Emperor + The Hermit

Solitary leadership; wisdom applied in governance or mentorship.

Reversed: Isolation through pride; refusal to listen to guidance.

The Emperor + Wheel of Fortune

Mastering change through stability; fate meets steady will.

Reversed: Resistance to life’s cycles; attempts to control the uncontrollable.

The Emperor + Justice

Fair authority; order maintained through truth and balance.

Reversed: Corruption, hypocrisy, or biased rulings; justice twisted by ego.

The Emperor + The Hanged Man

Surrendering control to gain new perspective; discipline through acceptance.

Reversed: Stubbornness; refusal to yield or adapt leads to downfall.

The Emperor + Death

Transformation of power structures; endings that lead to renewal.

Reversed: Fear of change; clinging to obsolete authority.

The Emperor + Temperance

Measured leadership; control balanced by moderation and patience.

Reversed: Extremism; misuse of authority through lack of balance.

The Emperor + The Devil

The darker side of control; domination and attachment to power.

Reversed: Breaking free from tyranny or self-imposed limitations.

The Emperor + The Tower

Collapse of rigid systems; false structures destroyed to rebuild truthfully.

Reversed: Denial delays the inevitable; abuse of power leads to ruin.

The Emperor + The Star

Hope finds structure; inspired vision made practical through planning.

Reversed: Cynicism and loss of faith; suppression of creative dreams.

The Emperor + The Moon

Authority guided (or confused) by emotion and illusion.

Reversed: Paranoia or manipulation; losing control through fear and fantasy.

The Emperor + The Sun

Confidence and vitality in leadership; stability brings joy and success.

Reversed: Arrogance; demanding recognition rather than earning respect.

The Emperor + Judgement

Accountability; renewal through responsibility and moral clarity.

Reversed: Refusal to own past actions; defensiveness when challenged.

The Emperor + The World

Achievement through mastery and structure; completion of a lasting legacy.

Reversed: Fear of letting go; rigidity blocks full integration.

“Just the Tarot,” by Dan Adair – A Kindle E-book available on Amazon

Donald Trump and the Dark Archetypes of the Tarot

A closer look at the dark archetypes the Donald Trump embodies and has brought into our national consciousness.

Most of us embody certain archetypes as we move through life.

Some of us are “The Wounded Healer” and endeavor to share our personal healing with others. Some of us are “The Magical Child,” who lead others back to their own creativity and wonder. Yet others are “The Wizards,” who have a deep understanding of life’s mysteries.

Donald Trump seems to embody several archetypes symbolized in the Tarot—none of them good—and it might be interesting to take a look at them.

THE MAGICIAN REVERSED

In order to really understand this one, we need to look at the older version of The Magician from the original Tarot decks. Contrary to the shining image portrayed in the modern decks, The Magician was much more of a street performer than an occultist. The closest we have to that in modern life is the stage magician who makes flowers appear out of his sleeve or pulls rabbits from his hat. In a word, he was an illusionist.

Another version of that is what is referred to as a “flim-flam man” in the South. He’s the guy who sets up three shells on a table and you have to guess which one the pea is hidden under while he shifts the shells faster than the eye can see. He’s also known as a con artist.

Trump is very much in that tradition. From his fake university to his fake charities to his golden tennis shoes and engraved guitars, he’s been conning people his entire life. He is such an excellent illusionist that he’s actually managed to con his way into the White House—not once but twice.

THE HIEROPHANT REVERSED

The Hierophant is basically a religious leader—more specifically, a leader of a formal religion rather than a spiritual path. When he’s reversed, he’s a false teacher, a pastor who’s leading his sheep-like followers down a path to the slaughterhouse.

This “religious” aspect of Trump may be the most surprising of all. As many people have noted, his most devoted followers have all of the characteristics of cult members. Despite the facts that he’s a serial adulterer, a pathological liar, a convicted felon, and an adjudicated rapist, they’re convinced that he’s been sent by God to watch over the United States. He’s violated every single teaching of Jesus Christ, yet he’s become the de facto leader of Christian nationalism.

JUSTICE REVERSED

The Justice card is strongly associated with the legal system. Quite simply, when it’s upright it indicates a fair and balanced outcome in the law. Reversed, it indicates injustice and a lack of fairness.

Using his immense wealth and a stable of crooked lawyers, Trump has managed to evade 90% of the legal consequences that he should have faced. Yes, he fomented an insurrection; yes, he stole top secret documents and lied about it; yes, he’s committed one impeachable offense after another. But he continues to skate on the consequences. When his pet attorney general says, “No one is above the law,” she means no one but Trump.

THE DEVIL

If The Lovers card exemplifies love, then The Devil exemplifies hate. Trump is very fond of saying that he hates his opponents, he hates Democrats, he hates liberals, and he hates immigrants. In many ways, he’s hatred and vindictiveness personified.

Moreover, The Devil is a card of people being chained to their basest instincts. Trump has an amazing power to bring out the very worst in people. In just a few short years, he’s managed to turn half of the country into xenophobic, homophobic, misogynist racists who are happily ripping up our Constitution in order to celebrate their prejudices.

THE MOON

At its root, The Moon is the card of insanity. It’s the card of both delusions and illusions. You only have to listen to one of Trump’s speeches to know that he’s out of his mind. From rambling about sharks eating electric boats to windmills driving whales insane to his obsession with toilets that won’t flush, he’s a never-ending fountain of gibberish and word salads.

And beyond that, he drives the rest of us to the verge of insanity. He’s like this brain virus that’s slowly eating away at our serenity and sense of well-being. His view of the world is so skewed, so bizarre, so out of touch with reality that it’s astounding—and yet, here he is in our daily lives, ranting and raving and frothing at the mouth.

CONCLUSION – NAMING THE ARCHETYPES TO WEAKEN THEM

Archetypes are powerful forces shaping our destinies, our worldviews, and even our collective behavior. When they surface on a national scale, they can feel like hurricanes we can only endure.

But awareness is its own kind of power. By recognizing these archetypes and calling them by name, we loosen their grip. We stop being unwitting participants in someone else’s drama and begin to reclaim our agency. In a time when dark archetypes seem to walk among us, simple recognition is a first act of resistance.

The Top Ten Tarot Cards Indicating Something Is About to Change

Feeling stuck in life, like the gears just won’t move? Tarot can reveal when change is on the horizon. Here are the top ten cards that signal transformation, progress, and fresh starts are just ahead.

Are you feeling like your gears are stuck in park and you just can’t make any progress?

Life has those frustrating phases when nothing seems to move forward, and it feels like the universe hit “pause.” But in Tarot, there are clear signs that the stillness is temporary — that something is about to shift. When these cards appear in your spread, they often signal that change is on the horizon.

Here are the top ten Tarot cards that whisper, “Get ready — things are about to give.”

If you’d like to download this list as a PDF file to use in your reference library, please click here.

1. The Tower

The most dramatic of them all. The Tower represents sudden upheaval, breakdown of old structures, and unexpected change. While often unsettling, it clears space for new growth that couldn’t happen otherwise.

2. Death

Not about physical death, but transformation. The Death card announces the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Something old must be released so something new can be born.

3. The Wheel of Fortune

The cosmic gears are turning again. The Wheel reminds us that nothing stays the same forever — what goes down must rise again. Big shifts in luck, fate, or perspective are coming.

4. Judgement

This card calls for awakening and renewal. Judgement often signals that a chapter is closing, and you’re being invited to step into a new version of yourself.

5. The Fool

When The Fool appears, it’s time to leap. New journeys, fresh starts, and adventures are right around the corner. Change is already waiting at the door.

6. The Hanged Man

At first glance, this card seems like being stuck — but it’s the pause before release. The Hanged Man invites you to surrender, gain a new perspective, and prepare for the shift that follows.

7. The World

Completion is at hand. The World marks the end of a major cycle and the transition into the next. It’s change with a sense of wholeness and accomplishment.

8. Eight of Wands

Fast movement! When the Eight of Wands shows up, delays are ending, and events will soon speed up. It’s the card of sudden progress, news, or opportunities arriving quickly.

9. Ace of Wands

The spark of something new. This card often signals a breakthrough — fresh energy, creative drive, or passion ready to ignite. It marks the turning point from stagnation into action.

10. Five of Pentacles (Reversed)

In upright form, this card shows hardship, but reversed it often signals recovery and things turning around. Change is coming to lift you out of difficulty and into support, healing, or new resources.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been in one of those liminal phases where nothing seems to move, these cards are reminders that stagnation never lasts forever. Whether the change comes suddenly like lightning (The Tower) or slowly like the seasons (Death, The World), the Tarot assures us: movement is inevitable.

So if your spread shows one of these cards, take heart — the gears are about to shift, and your story is moving forward again.