The Queen of Cups

Element: Water

Imagery: A serene figure gazes into a decorated cup by the sea.

General Themes: Emotional depth, intuition, compassion, sensitivity, inner wisdom.

The Queen of Cups Upright

The Queen of Cups, like the King of Cups, teaches us how to be one with our emotions, not ruled by them. Notice the sea pooling around her and her throne firmly planted in the sand. This symbolizes the fact that emotions, like the waves lapping at her feet, come and go. She allows them to come, never suppressing the tide, but also never getting swallowed up in it. Her throne reflects the stability of her emotional maturity here.

This queen invites you to trust your intuitive gifts and your empathy for yourself and others. It’s easy to dismiss the power of emotions or relegate them to the sidelines when making decisions. In reality, however, our gut reactions can tell us a lot about a situation, which is why it is always important to honor that inner wisdom.

At the same time, you want to make sure you aren’t getting carried away by your emotions by cultivating healthy emotional boundaries. Remember, she feels everything and lets it wash over her, but she doesn’t drown in emotion. This includes not taking on other people’s heavy emotions. When you are more sensitive, it’s easy to absorb other people’s feelings, so this card welcomes empathy with a strong sense of compassionate limits.

The Queen of Cups Reversed

When this card appears reversed, it invites you to go inward and tend your inner life. You might have been giving too much of yourself, helping others process their emotions, or you might be struggling to process your own after something has shaken you up.

This card appears to remind you that you will find that sense of balance again—just give it time. Taking time out for self-care likewise can be a gentle way to reinforce healthy boundaries. It lets others know you don’t have unlimited energy and need your own time to recharge.

At the same time, the Queen of Cups reversed can come to you when you are avoiding feeling altogether. That’s not healthy, and she offers gentle support to let go, open up, and feel what you need to. If you don’t, your feelings will consume you. If you take her support and allow the wave of emotion to wash over you, it can heal you.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Queen of Wands

Element: Fire

Imagery: A confident figure sits with a wand and a sunflower, often with a black cat nearby.

General Themes: Confidence, charisma, creativity, courage, vibrant leadership.

The Queen of Wands Upright

Ahhhh…I love this card. If there were one card in the tarot deck that consistently speaks to me, it would be the Queen of Wands. She first came to me at the start of the pandemic, giving me hope and whimsy in an otherwise dark time. This queen wants you to fearlessly walk your own path. She certainly does, with her wand, host of sunflowers**,** and a canonical black cat at her side (I have two). 

She is all sunshine—the sunflowers—who isn’t afraid of the dark—that black cat, which is just another way of looking at befriending your shadow and what the rest of the world might call bad luck. Enjoy the things that make life magical. She is a figure who delights in whimsy and enchantments, often finding them in the ordinary.

The Queen of Wands invites you to cultivate optimism. It’s easy to go dark and see only the bad in people and situations…but there is always room for hope, growth, and understanding. This isn’t about sugar-coating legitimately toxic spaces or relationships, but rather, it’s a way of looking at the world that invites connection and a generosity of spirit that generates meaningful collaborations and relationships. She might walk her own path, but this queen is always admired and has many collaborators. She is a reminder that you can be your delightfully weird self and still feel part of things.

The Queen of Wands Reversed

This card often appears reversed when you need to reclaim your sense of self. Self-doubt has probably kicked in or you’ve gotten lost in conformity and groupthink. It’s okay to be your own unique self. Stop dimming your light to fit in.

This card calls you back to yourself. You don’t have to over-do it in order to relate to others or otherwise compare yourself to others. You can be whimsical and delightfully strange, like this queen, and still feel a part of things. Likewise, you don’t have to follow other people’s timelines, expectations, paths, or values. The Queen of Wands always goes her own way and never feels guilty about it.

To get back to yourself, step back from groups and enjoy some quiet time—you’ll be surprised at all the inspiration that will come flooding back when you do. Likewise, remember how hard you once had to work to find your sense of self. Why throw it away now? You should be celebrating your hard-won confidence.

And remember, whenever the Queen of Wands appears, she welcomes innovation, whimsy, and a unique way of going about life. So shake off self-doubt and apply your energies to imagining a more exciting way of going about life.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Queen of Swords

Element: Air

Imagery: A regal figure sits on a throne with a sword raised, clouds and wind around her.

General Themes: Clarity, truth, discernment, independence, intellectual strength.

The Queen of Swords Upright

This card is fiery, especially since the feminine is often considered more emotional or—dare I say it?—hysterical. The Queen of Swords is a figure of sharp wit and insight. She is known for her intellectual strength and discernment. She is a queen who knows her own mind, so when she appears, she wants you to trust your mental clarity. Sometimes, this card even appears when your intellectual instincts are being undermined to remind you to stay strong.

Act with clarity and compassion. This queen often has a reputation for being cold, cruel, or remote, but she is actually focused on the greater good. She evaluates things fairly and is often a type of warrior, seeking balance and justice in all things. She is also highly independent, not afraid to think differently than others, so she may appear to remind you not to get lost in the mindless collective.

At her best, this queen wants you to maintain healthy boundaries with gentle awareness. This isn’t a card that asks you to charge ahead into battle, as the Knight of Swords might, but to hold the boundary in your mind and let your inner awareness be the protection you need.

The Queen of Swords Reversed

Reversed, this card is a clear caution not to let self-doubt cloud your judgment. It can be like a slow-working poison and slowly distort your vision. Often, the best way forward when old wounds open is to look for the cause. Deal with that, and the self-doubt fades.

Trust your vision. Some readers see this reversal as the Queen being cruel or overly cold and cerebral. But, in my experience, she appears when you’re being rigid and judgmental with yourself—which tends to color the world around you. Don’t use your sharp mind to torture yourself. Instead, come up with bright ideas and big thoughts to help you through your current angst. Only then will your mental clarity return.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

The Queen of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A nurturing figure seated on a throne in a lush garden, holding a pentacle.

General Themes: Grounded abundance, nurturing, practicality, stability, care for self and others.

The Queen of Pentacles Upright

This card has a lot of joy to it. It’s about female empowerment, regardless of your gender. Your inner feminine is prosperous and nourished. Sometimes referred to as the working mom card of the deck, the Queen of Pentacles is about knowing your worth and honoring the life experience and skills that brought you to this abundant paradise.

Enjoy tending your proverbial garden every day. As I always say when pentacles appear in a reading, abundance comes from hard work—manifestation is just another word for putting in the hours and focusing your energy on creating the life you want. It’s that simple, and that hard, which is why prosperity feels all the sweeter once you earn it.

This card is also about staying down to earth. Notice the queen in the card. She is regal, yes, but her feet are firmly planted on the ground, and her throne is made of stone. There is no rush here, only stability and fertility (notice the bunny in the corner of the card). Good things come from a steady hand and a sense of earned empowerment. Nothing has been handed to this queen, so she knows the value of honest labor. What’s more, she cares for herself and others, never feeling the need to hoard her wealth. When this card shows up in a reading, it’s a sign that you are capable of grounded abundance and might even be celebrating what your practical accomplishments have generated for you and yours.

The Queen of Pentacles Reversed

This queen gives out a lot—she cares for a whole kingdom! So when The Queen of Pentacles appears reversed, it is asking you to make sure you are investing in self-care as much as you are caring for others.

Likewise, focus on nourishing what you love. You are past the days of having to prove yourself or invest in things from the ground up. You can pick and choose where you put your energy, so apply yourself to where it matters most. This goes for people, too. Give your time and energy to the loved ones who make your world brighter. Everyone else is secondary.

Reversed, this card invites you to rein in your energy a bit and focus on nurturing your proverbial garden. No need to seek other pastures.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Knight of Cups

Element: Water

Imagery: A knight rides calmly while holding a cup before him, often crossing a quiet landscape that suggests emotional or spiritual quests.

General Themes: Romance, emotional pursuit, intuition, creativity, following the heart.

The Knight of Cups Upright

The Knight of Cups is a lover, not a fighter. You could say he is the Warrior of Love, championing meaningful connection and joyful passion. What is life without the sweeter things to soften the heartaches?

This card is a delicious invitation to invest in your personal life more and the world of passion—not your vocational passion or passion project, as with the other cards, but your Eros energy and sensuous side.

Seek out beauty and harmony. Fill your life with things that bring softness and soothing. Flowers in your home. Perfume that makes you feel beautiful. Even a coffee mug that a loved one gifted you—all of these are things that return you to the present and reconnect you to your body and emotional life.

Let your inner romantic be your guide. This card isn’t just about romance. It’s about romanticizing your life (in a healthy way, of course). Take a moment every day to pause and appreciate what makes your day magical. Tune into the little things that bring you joy. This will keep you open to new experiences and healthy connections.

The Knight of Cups Reversed

On the other hand, there’s such a thing as romanticizing your life too much and getting lost in daydreams. Don’t just fantasize about what you want, actively work on bringing those things into your life. Sometimes it’s as simple as doing an energetic check-in and seeing where stagnant energy is keeping you from being open to new relational energy. Sometimes it’s as simple as slowing down and practicing self-care so you have the energy to cultivate and tend healthy relationships. We often don’t tend our inner and personal lives in the same way we do our professional lives. But your personal life can’t grow if you don’t leave space for it to develop.

This card can also appear when you are allowing yourself to fully feel what you need to feel. This is where the Warrior of Love comes in. He wants you to free yourself by expressing your emotions in healthy ways and acknowledging that you have a heart and a body, as well as a head. This reversal wants you to embody Eros energy, but in a more grounded way—not the hyper-fantasy of romance, but by figuring out what it means to wake up and love your life every day.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Knight of Wands

Element: Fire

Imagery: A knight rides a rearing horse across a desert landscape, holding a wand as if charging forward with enthusiasm and momentum.

General Themes: Action, passion, bold movement, adventure, impulsive energy, pursuing inspiration.

The Knight of Wands Upright

The Knight of Wands, much like the Knight of Swords, is about seizing the moment and charging forward. Only this card is a touch more grounded than the Knight of Swords. The energy is there for you to take this opportunity to make things happen. It’s time to pursue your passion!

Likewise, now is a great time for an adventure. This is not a card for the shy or demure. Put yourself out there and watch the Universe match your energy. Just don’t get reckless. The Wands carry a lot of fire energy, so it’s best to temper it. Tend the spark rather than burn too hot. Balance your enthusiasm and inspiration with some old-fashioned common sense and you will go far.

The Knight of Wands Reversed

In reverse, this card is a caution sign. Avoid impulsive behavior and chaotic energy. Think things through before making a rash decision. You might be itching for a change when you get this card, or otherwise anxious to get going. Resist that urge—slow down and examine where this panic energy is coming from. Once you get to the root of your restlessness, you can move forward in a healthier way.

You might find yourself in a high-drama situation that seems to have no end. Don’t feed the flames here. Withdraw energy and remove yourself from the situation. Chances are, you’ll find that the chaos fades when you stop feeding it. Turn your attention to your passions instead and develop a realistic plan to grow them.

At the same time, this card can sometimes appear when you’ve been burning too hot and need to step back from whatever it is you’re working on. It is important to know when to work and when to rest.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Knight of Swords

Element: Air

Imagery: A knight charges forward on a galloping horse with sword raised high as storm clouds swirl in the background.

General Themes: Determination, intensity, intellectual drive, decisive action, rushing toward truth or confrontation.

The Knight of Swords Upright

This is an intense card! Like the Eight of Wands, the Knight of Swords wants movement and action. So dive into those passion projects…just stay centered as you do so. Sometimes this card is a caution not to get carried away. The knight is literally trying to rein in his horse, so you might want to rein in your enthusiasm just a bit.

Be decisive in your actions and intellectual clarity, but don’t rush into anything foolishly. Think of yourself as a grounded conjurer who can cut through the noise and see the heart of the matter. There’s no need to force a confrontation here. Sometimes, the insight is enough to restore boundaries or help you move forward.

The Knight of Swords Reversed

The reversal of this card is a sign to slow down. Like right now. Don’t go charging ahead until you cool off and look at the situation logically and with emotional distance. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you say or do something you can’t undo.

Get grounded and rethink your game plan. Trust your intelligence and experience to guide you through this moment, and don’t hesitate to gather your resources and supporters. It is more important to think everything through and have a solid plan than to try to solve things on your own or fix them immediately. Slowing down here ensures a better outcome.

Focus on realignment instead of brute force to resolve this issue. Remember, if you are whole and aligned within, it is easier to navigate the external world.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Knight of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A knight sits steadily on a still horse, holding a pentacle while surveying fertile fields.

General Themes: Persistence, responsibility, steady progress, patience, dedication to long-term goals.

The Knight of Pentacles Upright

The Knight of Pentacles is the grounded presence of a responsible soul. This figure wants you to steadily work toward your goals with dedication and patience—not haste. Get used to slow but consistent progress. Embrace routine and savor the ordinary magic that comes from investing in your calling.

Real conjuring happens when you show up every day and do the work. It might not seem glamorous or exciting, but it’s where the real enchantment happens. Too often we look to big revelations or dramatic shifts to move forward in our lives, including professionally or financially. But the truth is, that only happens when we stay consistent. It’s like the Universe needs to know we’re willing to put in the work and not looking for quick fixes.

So, in short, invest in the process. That’s where magic happens.

The Knight of Pentacles Reversed

On the other hand, when this card appears reversed, it’s a reminder that perfection is overrated. Invest in the process, sure, but don’t go overboard trying to make everything perfect. Part of showing up, day in, day out, is knowing that things are never simple or flawless. This card often shows up when you are getting rigid in your thinking or practice. Loosen up! You don’t always have to be working in order to make progress.

Work steadily on your goals, but find new inspiration. You might be feeling stuck right now and could use an infusion of passion. Let go of your need to control everything and get back to a sense of play and exploration. What inspired you about this calling or project in the first place?

At the end of the day, inspiration and discipline are a winning pair.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Page of Cups

Element: Water

Imagery: A young figure gazes at a cup from which a fish unexpectedly appears, suggesting imagination and emotional surprise.

General Themes: Emotional openness, intuition, creativity, sensitivity, messages from the heart.

Page of Cups Upright

The Page of Cups is another playful card, celebrating new connections and inspirations. Creativity is flowing and new friends pop up in unexpected places—like the fish peeking out of the Page’s cup in this card.

Be open to possibility here. This is a highly fertile time for matters of the heart and intuition. Let them guide you as you move forward here. Likewise, stay curious! So much of the Page energy is about being open to new things and cultivating an eternal sense of wonder. You can do this by nourishing your creative life.

Page of Cups Reversed

The Page of Cups reversed comes when you might be feeling disconnected from yourself or your emotions. Be gentle with yourself here and pull back. Once you feel more centered, let your feelings guide you.

Again, nurture your creativity. It will bring you back to yourself. Sometimes we get so focused on being productive or getting through the day that we forget to tend our inner life. Take a minute—or five—to feed your soul.

This is also a wonderful invitation to get spontaneous! Sweep away stagnant energy by getting playful and whimsical. The simple act of play can be a powerful antidote to self-doubt.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Page of Wands

Element: Fire

Imagery: A youthful figure stands in a desert landscape holding a flowering wand, looking at it with curiosity and excitement.

General Themes: Curiosity, creative spark, exploration, new inspiration, adventurous spirit.

Page of Wands Upright

The Page of Wands upright is an invitation to embrace your adventurous spirit. Make ‘yes’ your spell. What feels fun and exciting? What sparks your curiosity or inspires you? Go there.

Notice the figure on the card, however. Their feet are firmly planted on the ground. Get excited—get carried away, even! Just make sure to also cultivate grounded exuberance. It will take you farther. Think of this as a time to lay the foundation for future adventures and explorations. Instead of burning hot and then burning out, look for sustainable expansiveness.

Like the Fool, the Page of Wands asks you to embrace new things without expectations. Don’t go into a situation expecting a certain outcome. Instead, be curious, be open, and see what happens. You’ll be surprised at the magic you encounter!

Page of Wands Reversed

The reversal of this card asks you to expose your softer, more whimsical side. Enjoy a period of daydreaming and conjuring. Instead of venturing out into the world, explore your inner landscape and allow your mind to roam freely.

Embrace the excitement of new beginnings. Enjoy this moment before things are fully in motion. Watch the seed sprout and reach to the sky before it knows that it is a sunflower. See the green shoots sprouting from the Page’s wand in this card? Sometimes a fresh start sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Appreciate it.

Lastly, don’t stress about setbacks. Use them to get clear about what you want. Every bump in the road is a lesson that makes sure you’re moving in the right direction.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Page of Swords

Element: Air

Imagery: A youthful figure stands alert with a raised sword, winds swirling through the landscape as clouds move behind them.

General Themes: Curiosity of the mind, vigilance, communication, learning, intellectual exploration.

Page of Swords Upright

You are a budding intellect in this card, full of new insights and sharp perceptions. It is important to nourish this new critical thinking muscle with the Page of Swords. You might still be learning to trust yourself, so this card comes as encouragement. This is true not just for your literal smarts but also for the psychic stuff—dreams, instincts, those sharp insights that come out of nowhere. Trust those.

When you do this, you don’t have to be so guarded. You can trust yourself to make the right call. This, in turn, means you can move through the world in a different way. You are free to explore, knowing you are safe.

Now here is where it gets really fun…trusting your intellect also means you have permission to get curious! Explore what nourishes you mentally and focus on expansion. When you aren’t stuck in hypervigilance, life opens up around you, often presenting new opportunities for growth and development.

Page of Swords Reversed

This reversal is seriously asking you to let your guard down. The good news is that when it appears, it means you are safer than you realize in whatever situation you are grappling with. Sometimes, we get so used to surviving, negotiating, and planning for future scenarios that we move through life closed off, always prepared for the next battle, like the figure in the card, sword always at the ready. You don’t really need to do that, however.

Use your strong mind to imagine more nourishing possibilities. Instead of searching for threats, search for joy, adventure, and whimsy. Lay down your sword and see how life responds to your openness and curiosity.

This card can also appear reversed when you are struggling to communicate difficult feelings, and so remain perpetually guarded. Express yourself in healthy ways so your emotions don’t leak out in negative ways. It is better to be direct and solution-focused than to bottle anything up.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Page of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A young figure stands in a fertile landscape holding a pentacle with focused attention, contemplating its potential.

General Themes: Study, dedication, manifestation, practical learning, new opportunities in the material world.

Page of Pentacles Upright

All Pages usher in an exciting new chapter. Like the Aces, they represent raw potential, only now it is ready to be embodied and brought to life. The Page of Pentacles reflects an auspicious time to develop new creative projects.

The Page, like the Fool, is very much a novice, so use this time to embrace the learning process. Remember when you were once new at something and how you eventually grew into mastery through simple practice and steady devotion. You’re at a starting point here, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build something wonderful if you stay open and curious.

Let your inspiration guide you. This is not a time to get bogged down in little details or potential setbacks. Focus, instead, on the potential of this new idea and see where it takes you.

Page of Pentacles Reversed

Reversed, this card wants you to learn from past mistakes. Go forward into your new adventures with the wisdom from your experiences. It is one thing to feel like a novice, charting new territory, but another to walk blithely into a new chapter without having learned anything from the last one. That will only lead to you recreating the same story to your detriment. 

Likewise, be excited about your new project—but stay grounded. This might caution you to do your homework or plan a little more before diving into things. Be honest about what is sustainable for you to grow. A good way to do that is to refocus on the things that revitalize and energize you. 

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Ten of Cups

Element: Water

Imagery: A family stands beneath a rainbow of ten cups.

General Themes: Emotional fulfillment, harmony, shared joy.

Ten of Cups Upright

Ahhh…what a lovely card. Harmony has been restored. Your relational life is abundant and joyful. What more could a person ask for?

The figures in the card look up at a rainbow that covers them, their home, and the land before them. This card calls you home. Family, however you define it, is where your focus should be. You’ve spent a tremendous amount of energy and time in the outer world (all that pentacle energy!), and now it’s time to ground that abundance in hearth and home.

This might be a time when you are more focused on your personal life rather than your professional one. For now, follow your bliss and contentment will blossom.

Lastly, although this card represents the close of a cycle, as all Tens do, we are always unfolding into a new chapter. Similarly, one part of our life might feel like it’s in the Tens while another is at the Aces or perhaps the Fives. That doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the shared joy of this moment. In fact, the more you lean into it, the more your relational cup will fill.

Ten of Cups Reversed

The reversal of this card is less romantic than its upright form. It asks you to enjoy certain relationships for what they are without unrealistic expectations. Knowing people’s limits or the limits of a specific situation can help you appreciate what there is to appreciate without expecting something people or the situation can’t give. This isn’t about normalizing toxic energies, to be clear, but recognizing that not all people need to be pulled close like family.

This card does, however, ask you to seek common ground to forge healthier connections. This is not a time to emphasize differences or instigate conflict. Nourish what is meaningful and generative and leave the rest. Healthy boundaries lead to a flourishing relational life. 

This is also a great card for exploring what love and healthy relationships mean to you.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Ten of Wands

Element: Fire

Imagery: A figure carries a heavy bundle of ten wands toward a town.

General Themes: Burden, responsibility, overload, hard-earned progress.

Ten of Wands Upright

The Ten of Wands upright invites you to release unnecessary burdens. Often, we take on responsibilities and labor that aren’t ours to carry. This is especially true for those of us who are in caretaker roles or empathetic professions. We get used to carrying more than we should and normalize the oppressive weight of it. That’s terrible!

This card asks you to really look at what you’re carrying and what you need to let go of. You don’t have to work as hard as you have in the past to bring something to fruition. You also aren’t responsible for other people’s baggage. Just because you have a lot of fire energy doesn’t mean you need to be giving it away.

Be strategic about where you spend your energy and allow yourself to refuel. It is not your responsibility to carry the weight of the world, or even ten wands, on your shoulders.

Ten of Wands Reversed

The reversal of this card reads much the same as its upright form, but with a lighter feeling. You still need to release unnecessary burdens here, but it’s not as hard for you to let them go. In fact, you feel downright energized!

The Ten of Wands reversed gives you permission to let go or ask for help. You don’t have to shoulder things on your own. Playing the martyr is never a good idea, so loosen your grip on things and get support if you need it.

See how light you feel? Move forward with that energy.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Ten of Swords

Element: Air

Imagery: A figure lies face down with ten swords in their back beneath a dark sky.

General Themes: Painful endings, betrayal, collapse, finality.

Ten of Swords Upright

Ouch. There’s no two ways about it. This is a brutal card. But as with all heavy cards in the tarot, the Ten of Swords paves a path toward healing if we’re willing to sit with the pain and listen to what it’s saying. Like the Nine of Swords, this card wants you to face your fears.

It might sound like hollow encouragement, but there’s no place to go but up when you get this card. You feel like you’ve hit rock bottom. You feel betrayed (literally stabbed in the back) by someone or by a situation. There’s no going back from this point. Your only way forward is to let things end, however painfully. Once you do that, there is hope—notice the sun rising in the distance.

You can’t fix what brought you to this terrible collapse, but you can understand it and take that wisdom into your next chapter. Look for new potential rather than fixating on the pain of the past.

Ten of Swords Reversed

Conversely, this card feels much more uplifting when it is reversed. Like its upright form, it asks you to leave pain in the past. Pick yourself up and move on—with the knowledge you’ve gained from this terrible situation.

This card, in many ways, is about having the courage to work toward a brighter future despite major setbacks and disappointments. What’s more, the reversal indicates that you are ready to move on, both mentally and emotionally.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Ten of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A multigenerational family gathers in an archway filled with pentacles.

General Themes: Legacy, stability, wealth, long-term security.

Ten of Pentacles Upright

Wow! This is a joyful card, though we often don’t think of it in this light, given how grounded it is in sturdy structure. But it is full of abundance—pentacles everywhere—canine companions, family, and a Two of Cups–like union.

Here, abundance is the new normal. Get used to the joys of a full life, including material wealth and meaningful relationships. You’ve come full circle. Now is the time to lean into this next chapter of your life. The Ten of Pentacles reflects the maturation and stability that come with life experience and a desire to always be growing.

Your focus on building a solid foundation has paid off. Your journey from the Aces to the Tens represents the closing of a cycle. So your story isn’t just Ten here, it’s Ten, Nine, Eight…and so forth. Every second of your journey was integral to who you are today. You’ve achieved long-term security—enjoy it!

Ten of Pentacles Reversed

The reversal of the Ten of Pentacles invites you to rethink who you share your abundance with. Energy is everything—be mindful of who you let into your life. This isn’t about isolationist or misanthropic tendencies, but understanding that being open to life and healthy relationships doesn’t mean you have to be open to everything. Instead, cultivate meaningful connections and projects that resonate with your energy. This, in turn, affects everything, from finances to overall stability.

Sometimes this card appears reversed when we’re reluctant to let go of old connections or perspectives that no longer nourish us. They might have been meaningful to us at one point but now feel hollow or draining. This often happens when we’ve outgrown a space or situation and haven’t caught up to that fact yet. Don’t be afraid to embrace new connections—and the good fortune that follows. We often can’t grow professionally or personally unless, like trees, we’re willing to shed what no longer brings us life.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Nine of Cups

Element: Water

Imagery: A seated figure displays nine cups arranged behind them.

General Themes: Satisfaction, emotional fulfillment, gratitude.

Nine of Cups Upright

Unlike the Seven of Cups, which represents illusion and glamour, the Nine of Cups is about wishes coming true—if you put in the work. Here, a figure is seated and surrounded by nine upright cups. He is overflowing with abundance!

What’s more, the figure feels a deep gratitude for all of the proverbial wealth he’s accumulated. He doesn’t take anything for granted and likewise doesn’t hold back when it comes to celebrating his hard-earned prosperity.

Express gratitude for what you have. You’ve earned it.

Nine of Cups Reversed

Reversed, this card reminds us that happiness comes from within. All the wealth in the world won’t satisfy us if we’re drawing from an empty inner well. This is often considered the wish card, so ask yourself…are you wishing for the right thing? Will it ultimately bring you happiness?

When the Nine of Cups reversed appears, it invites you to redefine what success means to you. Sometimes, we get lost chasing external validation or accomplishments at the expense of our personal or internal lives. Remember, you can have abundance in all things, including your relational life.

The reversal can also caution against empty hedonism. Moderation in all things begets more abundance. Enjoy yourself, yes, but don’t get lost in self-medicating or the frivolous accumulation of goods. True abundance is in knowing when you have enough.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Nine of Wands

Element: Fire

Imagery: A wounded figure stands guarded, holding a wand with eight behind them.

General Themes: Resilience, persistence, boundaries, endurance.

Nine of Wands Upright

The figure in the Nine of Wands upright looks battered and bruised, but he’s still upright. This card wants you to hold your ground. You might not feel like you have the energy for it, but it’s important that you stay true to your mission.

Reinforce boundaries. Notice the ring of wands surrounding the figure. You are protected even if you feel low energy at the moment. Avoid giving out more than you have. Remember, protecting your energy is a form of magic. Resilience is key, as is learning from this hard lesson.

Nine of Wands Reversed

If the upright form of this card is about staying on guard, this reversal asks you to lower your defenses. You don’t always have to be looking for the next fight.

This is a great time to explore who you are outside of your warrior identity. What would it feel like to put down your wand and stand upright without fear? What would you do if you weren’t always scanning for threats? Let go of the need to fight for everything. Sometimes, the boundary is redirecting your energy to other, more life-affirming things.

Now is the time for rest, healing, and enjoyment. Resilience is important, yes, but so too is knowing when to stop fighting.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Nine of Swords

Element: Air

Imagery: A figure sits upright in bed, distressed, with nine swords hanging above.

General Themes: Anxiety, worry, mental anguish, overthinking.

Nine of Swords Upright

The Nine of Swords is one of those cards people dread getting. But this card isn’t the doom and gloom people think it is. It’s about facing your fears. The figure in the card sits upright in bed, as if awakening from a nightmare with a start. This is not a time to ignore the monster under the bed or the thing keeping you up at night.

In our effort to silence our fears, we only make them louder. Self-doubt works the same way. The more you feed it, even by suppressing it, the more you risk creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, wrap that rose-patterned blanket around you, take a breath, and face the scary thing you’ve been trying to ignore.

Here’s the thing…that nightmare? It’s a message, not a prophecy. If you shift your perspective from defending yourself against it and instead asking it what it wants you to hear, then the medicine will follow. So go on then. Make friends with the monster under the bed.

Nine of Swords Reversed

The Nine of Swords reversed ushers in good news. You’re coming out of a nightmare situation. Often, you’re leaving behind a toxic spiral that keeps you stuck in your head, manifesting your worst fears. This is the moment you choose not to feed those thoughts.

It’s not that you suppress them anymore, either. No, you brought them into the light, looked at them for what they were, and made the conscious choice to move on from the self-doubt and negativity that kept you stuck in the past. That’s no small thing.

Now, you are integrating this shadow medicine. Let sacred, simple pleasures heal your soul and show you the way forward.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!

Nine of Pentacles

Element: Earth

Imagery: A well-dressed figure stands in a lush garden with pentacles and a falcon.

General Themes: Self-sufficiency, refinement, independence, material comfort.

Nine of Pentacles Upright

This card is the embodiment of grounded joy and fulfillment. You are abundance incarnate! Enjoy the fruits of your labor—you’ve earned it. The Nine of Pentacles often appears when you have resolved the heavier issues of the Eights and have learned to celebrate the life you’ve built for yourself. Don’t shy away from fully embodying this stable and abundant phase of your life.

The figure in the card represents refinement, self-sufficiency, and empowerment. Notice the beautiful robe they wear. It is the epitome of luxury and refinement. The upright version of this card invites you to celebrate your hard-earned, luxurious lifestyle. Sometimes this card can come up when we’re feeling guilty for the abundance in our life and wondering if we deserve it. If you’re not quite at the stage of your life where material comfort seems achievable, this card appears to remind you that you have more than you think—and exuberant stability is within reach.

This card isn’t just about literal wealth. It’s about taking pride in your craft and knowing your worth. Gone are the days of having to prove yourself. You’ve arrived.

Nine of Pentacles Reversed

The reversal here enters your life when self-doubt and impostor syndrome sneak in. Ugly questions crop up like, “Do I really deserve all this? Did I earn this? Am I capable of conjuring all this?” These mental weeds have a nasty tendency to spread, so it’s important to address the underlying anxiety that caused these weeds to sprout in the first place.

Often, this card appears reversed when we are feeling isolated or wondering if we are all accomplishments and not much else. Other times, it speaks to your insecurity. From the outside looking in, it looks like you have it all together. On the inside, though? You’re wondering if this abundant life is something you can hold on to. You might be struggling to feel grounded or wondering if your life will flourish in other ways beyond finances.

Take a breath and look around. You’ve cultivated a beautiful paradise and have clothed yourself in luxury. If you can do that, you can make your next dream a reality. Reclaim your balance by saturating yourself in embodied joy.

In the end, the remedy here is the same as the upright card’s wisdom: enjoy the fruits of your labor. Know your worth and don’t get lost in things that make you feel small. Stay open and let the energy flow. You’ve got this.

The Bruja’s Guide to Tarot is the divination sister to the scholarly The Bruja Professor, a witchy take on literature, the occult & pop culture, and Enchantment Learning & Living, an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you.

If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday…and good conversations with the tarot, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s to a magical life!