Gaia, Mother Earth, is our world card. Just as Gaia gave birth to everything, so her card represents birth, new beginnings, fulfillment, achievement and satisfaction. It’s the payoff for hard work, the triumphant end of a cycle and the beginning of a wonderful new phase of life.

King Midas returned Dionysius lost tutor, Silenus, to him, and received his requested reward: everything he touched would turn to gold. He was thrilled, until his beloved daughter ran into his arms before he could stop her, and became a golden statue. The Four reversed warns of the destructive power of greed, and of the toll it can take on relationships.

The sun reversed indicates a period when you may be acting under false assumptions. Like an overly bright light, something is blinding you to the reality of the situation, and lulling you into a false sense of security. Everything seems fine -- even wonderful -- but the reality may be very different.

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.

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.

Aphrodite had promised Paris that Helen of Sparta would be his bride, but how to get them together? She solved the problem by sending Paris to Sparta as an envoy, at a time when Helens husband was away. And then sent Himeros (god of desire) to seal the deal. Likewise, you can reach a desired end more easily through diplomacy than force today.

The Lovers reversed warns of fights, betrayals and the possibility of shattered bonds. Remember, love (like Aphrodite up there) is not always kind. And choosing badly can bite you

Our Ace of Cups is Oceanus, believed by the ancient Greeks to be the physical manifestation of the wild, rolling oceans. That makes sense as Cups is the suite most associated with water. It is also the suite of our emotional life, and the ace is overflowing with all sorts of emotional rewards: love, joy, and productivity are in the cards for you now.

Hephaestus was the Olympian god of fire, metalworking, stonemasonry and sculpture -- a really creative guy. He made many of the magical items used by gods and heroes alike, including a golden throne for his estranged mother, which wouldn’t allow her to stand up! His challenge, and yours, is to channel creativity into positive things, instead of using it to get in trouble.

Karen Chance