The Daily Fool

Select a new draw: Single Card Reading Two Card Draw Past, Present, Future Celtic Cross Look Up a Card

Your Past / Present / Future Draw of the Day

Meanings of the cards when read in their upright position:

1. The Past

King of Cups
The King of Cups directs his creative powers to achieve success. He practices self discipline, sometimes even at the expense of his dreams, to rise to power. The water seen rolling in waves denotes his emotional powers, as he is a caregiver, capable of manifesting harmonious situations and feelings. You, or one close to you, channels creative energy into something to benefit more than yourself, or him/herself.

The concept of the past sounds like an obvious one, but often there are subtleties involved. While this can include the Querent's past, it can also include events or the feelings of others that have had an impact or influence on the current situation. Does it necessarily mean things that took place long ago? Maybe... or it could be a conversation that took place last week.

2. The Present

Seven of Cups
Flights of fancy and daydreaming are indicated by the Seven of Cups. In the picture we see the many visions of happiness that the character sees in the cups, but they are all unrealistic goals at this time: a castle in the clouds, jewels, dragons, and holy figures, among others. You may be experiencing a preoccupation with visions of fantastic goals as a means of escaping an emotional reality you aren't able to confront. There are real and tangible sources of happiness in your life and those are the things you should treasure. Open up to the love around you.

The center card symbolizes the present–the things that are happening right now around you. Because this spread contains only three cards, many things can be read into this card that might normally be seen in several cards in other spreads.

3. The Future

The Devil
The Devil is the sixteenth card in the Major Arcana, and is given the number 15 to indicate the Magician (1) using the (5) elements (earth, air, fire, water, and spirit) for materialistic purposes. Note the Devil's four fingers and thumb held up (5), while the cudgel (1) aims the power down at the earth...the reverse position of the Magician. The inverted pentagram on the Devil's forehead is a symbol indicating spirit submerged in and subjugated by matter, or the material world. The Devil presides over a couple from a superior position, in a perversion of the trio on the Lovers card. The couple remain chained to his solid block of stone, though the shackles are loose. They are naked, vulnerable—and yet their faces remain calm. They are entranced by the promises of superficial gain that the belief in the Devil has given them. They remain chained to their worldly desires, believing that only what is concrete and physical is important.

When the Devil appears in a reading, it can indicate pettiness, materialism, and base desires. In the Christian faiths, the Devil is the enemy. Like Lucifer, whose vanity and conceit cost him God's favor, the Devil in the Tarot can be a warning to the selfish and egotistical. Overall, the Devil is a long, hard look at our darker selves, and a reminder that if pushed to the side and allowed to fester in darkness, our dark sides only grow more grotesque, and erupt when we least expect them, or when we just plain lose control. If you fear that you have not fully accepted the parts of yourself you dislike, don't lock them away. Bring them, slowly and safely, into the light. It will break the chains, and set you free.

Our last card represents the final outcome. It could be a long-term goal or an immediate resolution, depending on the question and the situation that the Querent is facing.

- Reading Guidance -

Before you draw: Hold a question or situation lightly in mind — not a yes/no, but an open one. What do I need to understand about this? works better than Will this happen?

Reading the spread: Look at each card individually first, then step back and read the spread as a sentence. Cards reinforce each other, contradict each other, and sometimes one card explains what another one seems to be hiding. Trust what strikes you immediately before you read the description.

If a card confuses you: Sit with it rather than pulling a clarifier right away. The card that doesn't make sense now often makes sense by the end of the day. If it still doesn't land, a single clarifying card drawn separately can help focus the energy.

Reversed cards in this deck speak to inward energy, delay, or a quality that needs to be reclaimed — not necessarily a bad omen, but an invitation to look more carefully at what is blocked or turned inward.