Youth holding a Hare, from an Athenian redware kylix. The boy is shown as a successful hunter, using his skills to bring home the bacon (or the rabbit). Dont be afraid to hunt in new fields today.

The pythia at Delphi is our High Priestess. She was famous for never telling anyone everything, especially those who thought they already knew it all. Don’t accept the surface situation now; dig for hidden truths.

The Two of Pentacles reversed features Chloris, nymph of youth and flowers. On this card, she is echoing the poet: "gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old Time is still a-flying: And this same flower that smiles to-day, to-morrow will be dying." In other words, partying is great, but sometimes, you have to buckle down.

In the middle of the Trojan War, Achilles got into a quarrel with his ally Agamemnon, who had stolen a beautiful slave that Achilles had wanted for himself. So Achilles refused to fight. Likewise, theres something you need to do, but youre resisting. If you wait until you’re forced into it, your options will be fewer than if you make the decision yourself.

Hebe, goddess of youth, was famous for being one of the few even tempered gods. There was no drama with Hebe, no tantrums, no spiting people for fun. Just common sense and peacemaking, which, lets face it, was almost a first for Olympus. Likewise, Temperance is the card of cutting yourself and everyone around you a little slack. Ahhh, now doesnt that feel better?

Hercules needed to capture the Golden Hind for one of his labors, but was afraid of the reaction of the Hinds owner, Artemis. Yet, after explaining the situation, he found her surprisingly lenient. She even helped him find a way to both complete his labor and return her pet. Likewise, you may have felt stymied recently, but are now finding a way through to action.

Plutus, god of wealth and good harvests, was blinded by Zeus so he would distribute his bounty without consideration of someones worthiness. Or as the old saying goes, the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. The Nine reversed indicates that you may be feeling envious of someone elses good fortune, or may feel under rewarded for your own hard work.

After Achilles died, his good friend Ajax claimed his divinely made armor, but his army voted to give it to someone else. He flew into a rage so fierce that, if Athena hadn’t confused his mind, he would have slaughtered his own allies. He killed himself afterward, in shame for losing his temper and his honor. Guilt or despair may be plaguing you now, too. Dont give in!

A symposium in the modern world is a meeting of scholars to discuss new research. In ancient Greece, where the term originates, it was a meeting of scholars to drink until they puked. And to hang out with pretty flute girls (and boys). Modern day symposiums could learn a few things from the ancient Greeks! Likewise, you could be a little less serious about something today.

Achilles, the demigod son of the sea goddess Thetis, is our Six of Swords. As a young man, Achilles was dressed as a girl by Thetis, who didnt want him going off to war. But a general saw him looking longingly at some weapons on display, and figured it out. Likewise, the Six is about making a transition to a future that suits you better.

Sirens had the heads of women, the bodies of birds, and sang like angels. But angels they werent. Their favorite pastime was luring sailors to their deaths with their song. Likewise, something may be tempting you now, but its an illusion, offering temporary pleasure in exchange for possibly permanent damage. Dont fall for it.

The number three was used a lot in Greek mythology: Zeus had two brothers, and together they ruled the earth, sea and sky. The three fates wove the life of each human. The three Furies doled out revenge. And the three Graces . . . well, upright, theyre a party. But reversed, they can indicate a third wheel in a relationship, when three is most definitely a crowd.

This card represents your imaginative, visionary, childishly optimistic side. Some part of you is yearning, like Icarus, to fly toward the sun, or like Captain Kirk, to boldly go where no man has gone before. You want to see new things, experience adventures, wear bad velour costumes and still get the girl! This is the card that asks, if crazy schemes work, are they still crazy?

Karen Chance