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The Minor ArcanaWhile the Major Arcana express universal themes, the Minor Arcana bring those themes down into the practical arena to show how they operate in daily events. The Minor Arcana cards represent the concerns, activities and emotions that make up the dramas of our everyday lives. There are 56 cards in the Minor Arcana divided into four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles. Each of these suits stands for a particular approach to life. For the purpose of the Australian Animal Tarot Deck the four suits we will be working with are Earth (Green - Mental), Water (Blue - Emotional), Fire (Red - Physical) & Air (Yellow - Material) EARTH - Green (Wands) - MentalShape = square The Earth (Green) is the suit of creativity, action and movement. It is associated with such qualities as enthusiasm, adventure, risk-taking and confidence. Earth corresponds to the Yang, or the masculine principle. Sometimes this suit is called rods.  Restless - you want to be up and doing and moving. Take some time for stillness and connect to Spirit with your prayers. Praying Mantis: Power of calmness, stillness, silence, time of meditation, inner reflection, stillness in healing or in creativity, teaches how to manipulate surroundings with skill, direct the body's energy to empower the body. Are you taking some quiet time for yourself? Are you being patient with those around you? Are you moving toward your goals? However slow it may take, patience and perseverance is the key. Are you allowing the time to stop and pause in between tasks? Are listening carefully to yourself, others and your surroundings - in other words are you paying attention? Praying Mantis can teach you how to balance these energies. The Eight of Wands represents motion and activity - now is the time to get moving! The seeker's plans are put in motion, or the seeker is taking part in the plans laid by others. This action will also be bringing these events to a close. This card also marks the arrival of news, which could be disguised. The end of a period of stagnation and delay. A flurry of activity. An opportunity to prove yourself. The beginning of an adventure that tests your limits. New ideas. Good news is heading your way in all forms of communication. Reverse - Getting carried away with excitement. Rushing into a relationship. Not thinking of the consequences of your actions. Short-living pleasures. Jealousy. Domestic quarrels.  Shed your old ways. You will need courage and strength in this time of transmutation and shedding of your old skin. Hermes / Thoth / Caduceus / Orboras / Uraeus - the snake is the ancient sign & symbol of healing & alchemy. Peeling away that which hinders or restricts our growth. Kundalini energy at the base of the spine, is depicted in the Caduceus, which shows the yin/yang twin snakes of Ida & Pingali entwined around the staff of Hermes, crossing at the chakras to sprout wings of enlightenment at the 3rd eye. Speed, agility, rebirth, creativity, wisdom. Acceptance of yourself as a universal being. Rebirth, wisdom, fluidity, wholeness, transmutations, sexuality, look for transitions, changes and new opportunities. Creative forces are awakening with heightened intuition. Snake can teach about shedding what is not needed; perceptions, attitudes, ideals. Snake shows how to access vitality, ambitions and dreams along with intellect and personal power. What things are surfacing that you need to strike out and take advantage of? Perhaps a time to rest and reflect? Listen to your intuition and visions at this time. The Nine of Wands signifies that even though obstacles may seem overwhelming, the seeker must continue to push toward his or her goal, but do so carefully because there is a possibility of injury either physically, spiritually or emotionally. One last test or challenge remains. Preparing for upheaval and conflict. Outwitting an adversary. Gain the advantage by putting your affairs in order before trouble strikes. Start planning your course of action. A minor setback due to miscommunication. Once the obstacle is overcome, you are home free. Hidden enemies. Expectation of difficulties. Reverse - unheeded warnings. Hardship and fights. Confusion. Being caught off-guard. Avoidable losses. Obstacles. Delays. Ill health. If snake has slithered past you, you are being asked by 'Spirit' to shed your old ways and transmute into the NEW YOU. The life-force is within you, allow it to show you the way to let go and move on to your new beginnings. A new cycle is about to begin and your new growth is here at hand. Embrace the wisdom snake has brought your way. It may be time to move house, change jobs or change your hair style.  The fulfilment of your dreams is at hand. Your burdens have been solved and it is time to see the truth - your truth not anothers. Dragonfly/Damselfly brings lightness of body, expression of emotional and mental aspects, fresh air and a new perspective will come soon, allows your inner light to shine through. Teaches a mastery of moving quickly with precision, breaks down illusions, heightens visual depth and aids in changes that are swift with emphasis on the emotions and un/subconscious. Are you seeking out pieces of your life that need changing? Dragonfly will aid in this search. The Ten of Wands signifies that the seeker must be careful not to be overcome by his or her work or success. His or her work is threatening to consume the seeker's life. It might be time to lighten up some. This card may also signify a time when you have to step up and take on more responsibility because you are the only one who can. Over all, this card indicates that life is a struggle now; delegate where you can. This is the card of a workaholic, someone on a mission. Feeling pressured. Overburdened. You certainly can handle all you are doing but if it becomes too much, don't be afraid to delegate. Most of your burdens are self-imposed. Make time to relax. Problems soon to be resolved. Striving to meet a goal or maintain a certain level. Reverse - Self-defeat. Learning the hard way that there is no short cut to success. Succumbing to temptation. Difficulties. Some losses will occur.  Dark eyed woman - who is a helpful friend, this one is very earthy and well grounded. Cows can teach us about the home and community and the joy, contentment therein. Cows aid us in realizing to be easy going and live in the moment. They show us about love and connections at work and home. Cow also may demonstrate how to eat properly. Are eating enough fruits and vegetables? Are you happy at home? Cow can teach how to make those changes that are needed to balance to the joy in your surroundings.. She is business-like and exuberant about all she does. She is never at a loss for energy. She can be a drama queen but that is because she is passionate about what she believes in. She can be temperamental. Linked to the element of fire (Aries, Leo or Sagittarius). She represents independent thought, the strength of conviction and a love of nature, generosity, learning, courage and leadership. You are focused on work and/or your spiritual growth. You are filled with new ideas and anxious to act on them. It could also be an older woman who either helps or interferes depending on surrounding cards. Reverse - Jealousy. Deceit. Possible infidelity. Unstable emotions. Fickle. Resistance. Opposition. Possessiveness. Invasion of privacy. Withholding knowledge. Dashing other's dreams.  
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Links to the other Suits in the deck
Major Arcana - Spiritual Element
Minor Arcana - Fire Element
Minor Arcana - Water Element
Minor Arcana - Air Element
