Our card shows one of the Dioscuri (better known as the constellation Gemini). They were often worshipped by sailors, who believed that they appeared in the form of St Elmos fire on the rigging of ships, to give protection from storms. In a reading, the Knight of Wands signifies adventure, travel and possibly a vacation over water or abroad.

Zeus mighty headache turned out to be his daughter Athena, being born by bursting out of his skull (and you thought migraines were bad). But while the process hurt like hell, Zeus ended up rather enjoying his little bundle of angry bravado. In fact, Athena became his favorite child. Likewise, the worst is behind you, and good things are on the way.

The muse above is holding an instrument, but not playing it. Likewise, you may be lacking confidence or doubting your abilities right now. Alternately, you may be playing for all youre worth, but it feels like nobody is noticing. Keep at it; this is a phase and will pass, but the skills/lessons learned will remain.

Aphrodite is our Queen of Wands, and not just because of her association with outward beauty and sex appeal (also aspects of the Queen of Wands). But because of her confident, outgoing and fiery nature, that believed she could make any conquest she chose and succeed in any task. She was optimism personified, and if you drew this card, you have reason to be, too.

Handsome Hylas was abducted by some nymphs, who knew a good thing when they saw one. But while that left Hylas very happy, it greatly upset his friend and mentor Hercules, who looked tirelessly, and fruitlessly, for him for months. Similarly, the Ten of Cups reversed is about trouble in relationships, separation, and a lack of peace and harmony.

The pythia, the ancient oracle at Delphi, is our High Priestess. When you ask her a question, she just points to the two small words carved over her temple doors: Know Thyself. People dont have to hide from you what you refuse to see.

Persephone had it all. Kidnapped by the god Hades, she realized that the god of the underworld was also the god of wealth, and was stupidly besotted with her. So she worked out a deal: half the year she lived with him; the other half, she went back to the world above to visit her mother Demeter. Likewise, the Ten is saying that you can balance wealth and family, too.

Along with Demeter, Dionysius was one of the two great gods of the earth. So he is a fitting King of Pentacles, the suite associated with earth. Specifically, he ruled wine making, fertility and madness. In other words, Dionysius knew how to have a good time! And if you drew this card, so should you. The King of Pentacles tells of a happy and prosperous future.

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.

Paris eloped with Helen because Aphrodite had promised him the most beautiful woman in the world for his bride. The fact that Helen was already married, and to the crazy king of Sparta, wasnt his problem, now was it? Ummm . . . . You know, enthusiasm is a great and wonderful thing, but maybe a little more thought needs to go into a certain situation just now.

Greek myths portray Artemis as Apollos sister, but other legends tell a different story: of a goddess older than all the rest, and one who never really fit into male-centered Greek mythology. Because she wasnt Greek. And she damned sure wasnt part of the patriarchy. She was the Great Mother of the Neolithic, who is bringing you fertility, growth and abundance now.

The great rivers of the ancient world were believed to be gods, maybe because without them, life wouldn’t have been possible. One of the greatest of these was mighty Euphrates, which along with the Tigris, made the Fertile Crescent so extraordinarily abundant. Likewise, the Nine of Cups is all about abundance in your life, in work, love, finances, and emotional well-being.

Bellerophon killed a monster, married a princess, and seemed set for happily ever after. Except that all that wasnt enough. He started to think that his true place was among the gods. And since he happened to have a magical flying horse, he took off for Olympus . . . and was promptly thrown back to earth for his hubris. Beware arrogance and rash decisions now.

Karen Chance