Titan Goddess of the Breeze, Aura, sits with the land on one side and the ocean on the other, reflecting that the world is her oyster. Like a stiff breeze fanning the flames, your creativity and inventiveness are getting an extra boost right now.

Demeter gave Triptolemus a dragon-powered chariot that he used to fly about Greece, sharing the idea of agriculture. But not everyone was glad to see him. King Lynkos ran him off, fearing that new methods of gathering wealth might weaken his hold over his people. The Knight reversed warns of similar hide-bound behavior that is impeding progress.

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.

Oedipus was confronted by the Sphynx with a do or die riddle: what goes on four legs at dawn, two at noon and three in evening? His answer: a man, who crawls as a baby, walks upright as an adult, and needs a cane in old age. In response, the monster threw herself off a cliff, because hed gotten it right. Likewise, obstacles in your path are self-destructing now.

Revenge is great and all, but you know whats better? Not having to waste your life seeking revenge. There is a reason freed slaves used to lay their chains at the feet of a statue of Hebe, our goddess of temperance, peacemaking and clear-eyed pragmatism. They were saying “the past is behind us, and we’re moving on."

Hercules kingly cousin, in an ongoing attempt to get him killed, sent him to deal with a huge, nasty tempered boar. Herc did it, and then brought the boar back alive, to terrify his much less macho tormentor! Feeling betrayed? Has a close relationship gone to hell? The Three of Swords understands, but inflicting your pain on others rarely helps.

The Strength card reversed is about feelings of inadequacy, lethargy, pessimism, and the unwillingness to act. Like Hercules giving up halfway through his labors in despair, until Athena arrived to kick his butt. And to remind him that winning immortality, or doing anything else worthwhile, was never designed to be easy. So get back in there!

Abductions in Greek mythology tended to be pretty tragic. But then theres Hylas, who was getting some water one day for him and his mentor Hercules, when he was abducted by some nymphs. But unlike in most stories, Hylas fell in love and happily chose to stay with the nymphs. Likewise, the Ten of Cups is about finding emotional fulfilment, particularly in relationships.

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.

Karen Chance