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.

Like Hercules, who completed twelve supposedly impossible labors to win immortality, this card indicates a time in which you can overcome even the greatest of challenges.

So the god Dionysius turned some pirates into dolphins, as punishment for kidnapping him. But, honestly, it could have been worse. Old time pirates didn’t exactly have it easy, and dolphins . . . well, they’re just really cool. Maybe some of the pirates even came to enjoy their new condition, as you might once you adapt to the changes life has recently brought you.

Hades, God of the Underworld, spent centuries bemoaning the lack of a dating scene in hell, until he finally got his act together and kidnapped the beautiful Persephone. Likewise, the Death card reversed warns of a life in danger of stagnation because the risks necessary to succeed are not being taken.

Erichthonius, king of Athens, established the Panathenanic games (precursor to the Olympics) to honor his adopted mother, Athena. He was himself lame, but didn’t let that stop him from competing. He just invented a four wheeled chariot, and used it to beat out many more mobile competitors! Learn from Erichthonius, and don’t let obstacles hinder your success.

Hercules had a hell of a battle with the Lernaean Hydra. Multiple heads, poisoned blood, and a vicious temper do not make for a fun fight. But he finally managed it, and discovered afterwards that its poisoned blood was perfect for dipping his arrows in! Thanks, Hera! You, too, may soon see the silver lining in a recent cloudy prospect.

Sea goddess Thetis is our Knight of Cups. The Knight is all about compassionate love, and Thetis showed this repeatedly. Like when she found the lame Hephaestus, after hed been thrown out of Olympus, and nursed him back to health. In gratitude, he later made arms and armor for her son Achilles. Showing compassion to someone now could yield you valuable rewards later.

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.

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?

On her own, Scylla (above) was a feared sea goddess, but pair her with Charybdis, a massive and very dangerous whirlpool, and she was able to turn to Straights of Messina into the ancient Greek equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle. Sunk ships, sunk ships everywhere! Find your other half, partner up and see what kind of power you can generate.

Karen Chance