Jan 14 - King of Swords (images)

King of Swords Across Decks 🎴✨

Know when to walk away, know when to run

As a suit, Swords represent the intellect - thought, logic, language, and clarity. The King of Swords is the master of that realm. Clever, analytical, and sometimes (though not always) a little cold, he understands systems, people, and situations at a glance. In Rider–Waite–Smith decks he appears as a literal king, but in other decks he may be a strategist, a professional, or another kind of authority figure.

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1. Cat Tarot — Real cats, real characters

The King of Swords in this deck has lived in his home for a long time. He knows every corner, every sound, and every secret - including the best places to nap and the most effective butterfly-chasing routes.

King of Swords Vibes:

🧪 Key themes: knowledge, experience, familiarity
🎨 Emotional tone: relaxed, assured
✨ Unique: Every figure in this deck is a cat (apart from the Devil!), all behaving exactly as real cats do.

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2. Gaian Tarot — Nature and pagan wisdom

The Gaian Tarot focuses on humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Here, the King of Swords is renamed the Elder of Air. He has spent years perfecting his craft - flute playing - and now plays simply for the joy of it, with only a small bird as his audience.

King of Swords Vibes:

🧪 Key themes: wisdom, patience, mastery
🎨 Emotional tone: calm, practised
✨ Unique: This King is genuinely elderly, subverting the usual image of the King in his physical prime.

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3. Floating World Tarot — Bright and animated

Inspired by Japanese history and culture, this deck presents the King of Swords as a samurai: a warrior who survives by intellect, discipline, and honour. The Moon above him hints that even the most rational mind has hidden depths.

King of Swords Vibes:

🧪 Key themes: honour, integrity, strategy
🎨 Emotional tone: serene, composed
✨ Unique: This King is younger than the others and bears traditional samurai face markings, blending authority with personal code.

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Reflection

Each of these Kings knows his domain completely - the back garden, the flute, or the sword. Mastery comes not from raw power, but from deep understanding.

What realm are you the King of?

Caption:
"Rule with mind and justice." 🌙✨

Jan 13 - 🖖 Captain Picard: Emperor or King of Swords?

(Spoiler: He has very Emperor energy - but also he will logic you into emotional clarity.)

There are many types of leaders in fiction.
And then there’s Jean-Luc Picard - stoic, principled, bald by choice, and a man whose tea order alone commands respect.

So where does he land in the tarot?
Let’s break down the case for two serious contenders.

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🏛️ The Emperor Case

Picard is an Emperor through and through:

• He leads with structure, clarity, and a strong sense of responsibility.

• He values hierarchy, discipline, and knows that rules exist for a reason.

• He is protective - not just of his crew, but of principles.

• He can command with a single raised eyebrow and doesn’t need to shout to assert power.

The Emperor represents stability, authority, and the ability to hold the line.
Picard doesn’t rule through fear - he leads through reason and example.
Even when he’s emotionally conflicted, he always returns to the bridge.

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⚔️ The King of Swords Case

But Picard also fits the King of Swords:

• He’s highly intellectual and analytical.

• He often makes decisions based on logic rather than emotion.

• He believes in truth, diplomacy, and precision of speech.

• His moral compass is guided by thoughtfulness and language - he believes in words as much as action.

The King of Swords is all about discernment, strategy, and integrity in communication.
That’s Picard in the negotiation room. Or facing off with Q. Or casually quoting Shakespeare while under attack.

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🃏 So… Which One Is He?

He’s an Emperor with a King of Swords brain.

Picard embodies both cards at once:

The Emperor sits on the throne.
The King of Swords writes the speech.

He commands respect, maintains order, and holds the boundary - but he does it with reason, intelligence, and often, poetry.

He’s not the loudest man in the room. He’s the one the room turns to when it matters.

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✨ Final Thought:

If you ever draw The Emperor or the King of Swords and wonder what kind of leader you’re being called to be, ask yourself:

“What would Picard do?”

(Hint: He’d pause. Breathe. Sip his tea. And say exactly what needed to be said.)

Jan 12 - Labyrinth Tarot deck mini review

“Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered…” you’ll find yourself holding a deck that feels like it slipped straight out of the Goblin King’s hands. The Labyrinth Tarot (Minerva Siegel & Tomás Hijo) captures that strange, dreamlike world where every turn hides a riddle - and every card hums with mischief and mystery.

The Major Arcana are stunning, filled with familiar faces and a shimmer of otherworldly symbolism. You can almost hear Jareth purr, “It’s only forever…” as you turn The Magician. The Minors are simpler - less ornate, more symbolic - but they carry the same flicker of charm that makes the film unforgettable.

The card stock feels sturdy, the box a treasure in itself, and the guidebook strikes a nice balance between fandom delight and proper tarot insight. The deluxe edition (in the U.S.) adds a card stand and velvet pouch, because of course it does - Jareth would never settle for less.

Published by Titan Books in the UK and Insight Editions (Simon & Schuster) in the U.S.

Verdict: Not the easiest deck for deep, introspective readings, but absolutely perfect for magical moments, creative spreads, and anyone who’s ever wished their tarot would start singing “Dance, magic, dance.”

Jan 11 - The Chariot (images)

The Chariot Across Decks 🎴✨

Don't stop me now!

The Chariot is about momentum: the energy that keeps us moving toward what we want. In Rider–Waite–Smith–inspired decks, this is usually shown as a literal chariot pulled forward by opposing forces. In modern decks, the imagery may change, but the message remains the same: drive, determination, and forward motion.

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1. Light Seer’s — Modern and inclusive

The Light Seer’s is one of the best-known modern decks. In this image, the figure crouched on the roof of the chariot doesn’t appear to be in control in a traditional sense - but he isn’t worried. He’s allowing fate and momentum to carry him exactly where he needs to go.

Chariot Vibes:

🧪 Key themes: movement, willpower, no hesitation
🎨 Emotional tone: trusting, open
✨ Unique: Look closely - the horses aren’t attached to the carriage. This journey is powered purely by intention and will.

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2. Labyrinth Tarot — Fandom fun

Anyone who’s seen Labyrinth will instantly recognise Sir Didymus, the bravest knight in the realm. Didymus never hesitates when he wants something - whether charging into danger or protecting Sarah. He simply goes.

Chariot Vibes:

🧪 Key themes: momentum, courage, heroism
🎨 Emotional tone: fearless, unwavering
✨ Unique: Didymus’ “chariot” isn’t a vehicle at all - it’s Ambrosius, his loyal steed, carrying him forward without question.

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3. Everyday Witch — Colourful and cute

The most contemporary of the three, this card shows a young witch on a motorbike paused at a crossroads. Whichever direction she chooses, she has the power to get herself - and her ever-present cat companion - where she wants to go.

Chariot Vibes:

🧪 Key themes: direction, self-determination, power
🎨 Emotional tone: decisive, bright
✨ Unique: The road signs are black and white - a subtle nod to the traditional opposing steeds of the RWS Chariot.

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Reflection

Across decks, the Chariot reminds us that progress comes from focus, commitment, and trusting our own momentum. Once we choose a direction, the path opens beneath our wheels.

Where do you need to go today?

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Caption:
“Drive your energy forward.” 🌙✨

Jan 10 - Seven of Cups (Images)

Seven of Cups Across Decks 🎴✨

It's my life, and it's now or never

The Seven of Cups is about choices - not just any choices, but the kind that can overwhelm us. Opportunities glitter and beckon, some tempting, some dangerous, and the card asks us to look carefully before reaching for any one of them.

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1. Tarot of White Cats — Fun and irreverent

Based on the RWS, this deck adds levity without losing the classic feel. The figure (or cat) is mesmerized by the offerings - wealth, fame… and danger lurking in the shadows.

Seven of Cups Vibes:
🧪 Key themes: deliberation, careful choice, temptation
🎨 Emotional tone: light, playful, fun
✨ Unique: includes a snake and a dragon, signaling hidden risks

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2. Cat Tarot — Real Cats, Real Choices

Unlike other cat decks, this one shows cats behaving exactly as they do in life. The overwhelmed cat faces seven bowls of delicious food - so many options, it can’t focus on just one.

Seven of Cups Vibes:
🧪 Key themes: too many choices, distraction, overwhelm
🎨 Emotional tone: bright, colourful, whimsical
✨ Unique: all the options are appealing and similar - the abundance itself is the challenge

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3. Transient Light — Minimalist chic

A soft, sepia-toned, minimalist deck that emphasises imagery over character. Seven wicker baskets overflow with objects - games, flowers, jewels, and even a snake - leaving the focus entirely on the choices themselves.

Seven of Cups Vibes:
🧪 Key themes: variety, consideration, reflection
🎨 Emotional tone: calm, contemplative, thoughtful
✨ Unique: no character in the image; the attention is entirely on the options presented

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Reflection:

Across these decks, the Seven of Cups reminds us that more isn’t always better. Whether playful, realistic, or minimal, the card encourages pause and careful consideration before committing to a choice.

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Caption

“Pause. Consider. Choose wisely.” 🌙✨

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Jan 9 - The Structure of a Deck

 If you’ve ever wondered what makes a tarot deck tick, today’s your mini-guide. A standard deck has 78 cards, split into two main sections:

✨ Major Arcana (22 cards): These are the heavyweights - life-changing events, big lessons, archetypes. Think The Fool, The Tower, The High Priestess… the cards that tell the story of the soul’s journey. If you see a tarot reading in a movie or TV show, these are probably the cards that come up.

✨ Minor Arcana (56 cards): These reflect day-to-day life. They’re divided into four suits - usually Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles - and each suit has ten numbered cards plus four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King). Some themed decks will change the suit names or Court positions, but the meanings usually stay the same.

• Cups → emotions, relationships, heart matters

• Wands → creativity, ambition, action

• Swords → intellect, challenges, decisions

• Pentacles → money, work, practicalities

Think of your deck like a theatre: the Major Arcana are the lead actors, and the Minor Arcana are the supporting cast, making the story richer and more detailed.

Once you get familiar with the structure, reading becomes less intimidating - and a lot more fun.

Jan 8 - Tarot Characters: Ace of Wands (Pop Culture)

🔥 The Ace of Wands is the spark - inspiration, courage, and the moment something begins. It’s the flash of “what if?”, the rush of energy that says go, even before you know where the path leads. This card is about potential catching fire.

Here are three moments that capture the Ace of Wands in motion:

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Rapunzel Leaves the Tower (Tangled)

When Rapunzel steps beyond the tower, it’s not a carefully planned escape - it’s a leap powered by curiosity and creative hunger. Fear comes with her, but it doesn’t stop her. This is the Ace of Wands as the first brave act that changes everything.

Ace of Wands Vibes:
• Creative awakening
• Courage sparked by curiosity
• The beginning of something bigger

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“I Aim to Misbehave” (Mal Reynolds, Firefly)

Mal’s declaration isn’t strategy - it’s intention. In that moment, he chooses motion, resistance, and self-defined purpose. The Ace of Wands lives here: fire lit by conviction, ready to act even without guarantees.

Ace of Wands Vibes:
• Defiant inspiration
• Choosing action
• Fire with a cause

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Moana Sets Sail (Moana)

Moana doesn’t leave with a map - she leaves with a calling. That first push into the ocean is instinct, passion, and trust in something unseen. It’s the Ace of Wands as pure ignition: the moment inspiration demands movement.

Ace of Wands Vibes:
• Inspired risk
• Following the call
• Potential set in motion

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🔥 The Ace of Wands asks: what’s lighting the spark for you - and what would happen if you acted on it, even just a little?