My Cards at a Glance: First Impressions (Minor Arcana)

I had to split the post on my first impressions of the Minor Arcana into two parts, it was getting a bit long. This post will have the suit of Swords and suit of Cups.

Minor Arcana

Swords
King: There seems to be things flying in every single Swords card, either butterflies or what looks like crows/ravens. Some sort of black bird. I'm leaning toward Raven, since this king has large black wings. He seems to radiate energy.
Queen: So many butterflies! And she also has butterfly wings. I know swords represent Air, so that could be why there are so many wings. I like this card. Even with the sword in her hand, it calms me.
Knight: On a pegasus, of course! This card makes me... not sad, but... cautious?
Page: Swords are so dark and often bleak. Nothing around but herself and the ravens...Even the crown of light above her head still makes me feel... alone. As if the only comfort is in my own mind.
Ace: This card makes me think of the swords in old legends. King Arthur, the Master Sword of Zelda, the sword all great princes use to slay the beast and rescue his princess.
Two: Hm. She's blindfolded... that is the first thing I noticed, and the first thing I thought was "trust your instinct".
Three: In my starter deck, this card always made me think of the Three Musketeers... one of them betraying the others, and the band broken up after years of good memories and worthy causes. This card, though, makes me feel heartbroken and sad. A love lost, that can never be had again.
Four: She seems so full of life, yet her beauty is being forgotten, lost, covered up... This card is screaming at me that it has a deep meaning I should know, but I can't seem to place it...
Five: Betrayal. Expected, though? It hurts, but I can't help but notice he carries more swords... presumably to betray others with.
Six: This card makes me think of an ending. Like, she's just finished an unwanted battle, and is throwing down her swords for good and leaving them behind, saddened that she had to pick them up at all. I'm not sure how I can think those things when you can't even see her face... but that's just what it makes me think of.
Seven: This card doesn't seem to tell me anything. Whatever the message is, I don't see it at first glance. It's just... unclear to me.
Eight: I think I've felt like this before. Trapped, blindfolded, no way to go, yet being pulled in all different directions. Unsure what's going on, helpless, having no control... A prisoner in your own mind, perhaps?
Nine: I was afraid of this card, I've never liked it. I'm not afraid of it in this deck, but I still don't like it much. All of these swords have ravens on them, and none of them have handles. I don't like that. It's something you can't grasp, you can't control, it's... intangible? It's still fear, in some way.
Ten: First thought: Overkill. Something is officially over, whether it's an aspect of life or a dream... but it still gives me some glimmer of hope, since I can see what to me looks like her spirit floating over her body. The body is gone, but the spirit lives on. That is a positive message in an otherwise negative seeming card.

Cups
King: He seems a wise and peaceful king.
Queen: She seems... knowing. But not of knowledge... either your emotions or thoughts, it's like she can see right through me to what I'm really thinking or feeling, regardless of what I show. It's a bit unnerving, but she also seems caring. Like, it's okay.
Knight: Reminds me of that glorious prince that rides in to save the princess. He's handsome, flashy, yet simple and still strong. Is his character as strong as it seems?
Page: This is the image on the box cover. She's beautiful, open, trusting, caring, thoughtful... a wonderful card, and a wonderful person.
Ace: Despite all the symbols of the phases of the moon, the beautiful flowers, and the dragonflies, all I can think of when I see this card is that the cup is overflowing. It's so full that it's overflowing... I like this card though, so I don't think it's a bad thing. Success, maybe? Something positive?
Two: I love this card. It's beautiful. Man and woman in their simplest selves, interacting, sharing, loving. This card reminds me of exactly how I felt when I first fell in love with my husband. When it feels like you're the only two people in the world... *happy sigh*
Three: This makes me think of friendship. Of differences working together in harmony. Good vibes from this card.
Four: Daydreaming... happy dreams.
Five: Aww, this card makes me want to cry... Actually, I think I AM starting to cry. It's so sad! Next card please... =(
Six: Even though its a woman and a child, this reminds me of an older sister helping or passing on wisdom to her younger sister. I like it.
Seven: I've always liked the Seven of Cups, and this card is no different. It makes me think of fantasy and dreams, and every cup offering something different. And all being offered, as well.
Eight: Hm... not a single cup is standing, and she's walking away (with the help of a branch, it's always nice to know help is there if you need it) but even though this card makes me think of loss, or leaving, there is a path in front of her. It doesn't make me sad. It's like, "next chaper of life".
Nine: Is this the famous "wish card"? That's the first thing that came to mind. Making a wish...
Ten: Oh what a beautiful, beautiful card! I love it! Man, woman, and child. Together, embraced in love. A family, a wonderful family, filled with love and nurturing. A wonderful card to end the impressions on.

This deck is amazing. I felt something for nearly every card, and the ones I felt nothing strong for were still beckoning me to learn more. I love how the different suits also represent different seasons; I think each season goes well with the suits they represent. It all fits together in harmony, in balance. I like that there are cards in each suit that I like, and cards in each suit that I don't very much care for. I feel stronger connections to the cards in this deck than I ever have to any deck I've seen before. So many of the cards had so many other symbols and things going on in the card, I wanted to just keep typing and going into more and more detail! But this is just the first impressions, the detail will come later in individual studies of each card. But I am excited to do those studies!

I am going to try my best to withhold my yearning for the cards, and take care of my daily chores. And eat lunch! It's important not to forget to eat. I'll return tomorrow, and start back with the Major Arcana, taking a card or two a day and studying them in depth. Today, the map has been laid out. Tomorrow, the journey begins.

My Cards at a Glance: First Impressions (Minor Arcana)

Yesterday I opened my deck for the first time, and took note of my first impressions of each of the Major Arcana. Last night, I slept with my deck under my pillow, safely back in it's box. I need to find a nice soft silk or felt pouch to store them in. I dreamed such a wild vivid dream! (Here's a link to that specific dream.) Nearly every emotion one can imagine was felt in this dream... it's as if my mind shared itself with the cards, and I got to watch the transference of memory and emotion and thought. I'll keep the deck under my pillow every night this week, I think.

This morning, I am ready to do the first impressions of the Minor Arcana. I'm going to start with Wands, then go through Pentacles, Swords, and Cups. King, Queen, Knight, Page, Ace, then 2-10.

Minor Arcana

Suit of Wands
King: Powerful, courageous; I love the suit of wands. He is a leader I would look up to.
Queen: She, too, is powerful. She seems proud to stand at her King's side, yet a force to be reckoned with on her own. This card has always been my Significator--and after seeing this card in this deck, that hasn't changed.
Knight: He appears ready to charge into battle, but... something about him seems off...
Page: Peaceful and guarded; this card seems to say, "I will take action when it's called for, but I would prefer to stay peaceful."
Ace: Pure and natural power of nature. The power of fire, but to be used for good, not for destroying.
Two: It's like there's something beyond the card I should be seeing... it's like, if I stare hard enough into the distance of the card, I'll see it.
Three: The lighted ball she carries is casting it's light in two different directions, but as much as that ball should be the focal point of the card, my attention is constantly drawn to the tiny dragon in the foreground.
Four: Love. Possibly forbidden, or at least not looked upon favorably by all. But, one that is simple, and to be enjoyed while it lasts.
Five: This one is hard... I have different thoughts that come to mind, but the first thing I thought is that in the image on the card, the lions are fighting (but not trying to kill each other) and one boy is telling the other two to leave them be and let them fight it out for themselves. That it will be okay.
Six: Power, peace, control. Courage, pride, and understanding. I think I like this card.
Seven: This card makes me feel like I'm going into battle, outnumbered, but holding my ground. Hard times, maybe?
Eight: Unicorns! The image is eight unicorns. I'm not sure what to think right away, but I do know that the "wands" on this card are the unicorn horns, and that unicorns are very powerful yet peaceful creatures. Very magickal. I wonder what this card means? I'm intrigued. Can't wait to study this card in depth at a later date.
Nine: A darker card... This one does seem to have fallen upon hard times. Makes me think of contemplation and consideration of options, or consideration of surrender. The lion in the image does tell me that sometimes, it takes a lot of courage to give up on a losing battle.
Ten: Starting a new journey, heading off into the sunset. But prepared! Well prepared.

Suit of Pentacles
King: This suit really shows the earthiness of pentacles. This king seems all-natural, as if he treats himself as one with the forest, not above it. A wise king indeed.
Queen: Hm. I like the picture on the card, but I'm not sure I really like this queen in general. She seems to carry herself in a way that says she thinks she IS better than everyone else; she seems proud of her earthly possesions.
Knight: Peaceful, harmless, and innocent.
Page: This card makes me feel completely in-tune with nature. At the same time it makes me feel like it doesnt matter how much money I have, I enjoy what I have. Like, the value of a dollar rather than the quantity of dollars?
Ace: This card makes me feel like life is simple. I've never had such a positive connection to Pentacles before. I've always associated them with nothing but money; but now with this deck, pentacles seems to have returned to their rightful place as a representation of Earth, rather than always monetary value. I like it!
Two: The way she's standing she seems to be balancing, and with the two pentacles on her arms, she has to balance everything just right, or either she falls, or one of the pentacles falls.
Three: A household working hard at daily chores. A marriage in it's mundane life. Oddly enough the pentacles, although on a downward slope of a vine, to me seem as if they're rolling UP the vine. I wonder if that means anything?
Four: This card makes me think of a leprechaun guarding their pot of gold. She has quite a bit of it, but she's holding on for dear life. I like that not only does she have gold stored in her tree, but the tree itself is fruitful. Success! I don't like how tightly she holds on though...
Five: This card makes me think of a family going through hard times. Good times are right around the corner, so keep your hopes up, and for now just remember that you always have each other. This card makes me want to hug my children tight and tell them that I love them.
Six: I like this card. Reaping what you sow, nature helping you, as if life is easy somehow... Money growing on trees, haha. A wonderful fantasy. I could just imagine this card popping up during a reading, in the "hopes and fears" position.
Seven: Seems to be another successful card, relaxing with what you have and enjoying life.
Eight: This card seems... poor, and sorrowful, yet hopeful. You get what you give; work hard and one day you will have more... in time. As sad as it makes me, I like this card. It's still a positive message. Now I understand what my book was telling me when it said you should find a deck you sympathize with.
Nine: This card seems to be showing off. But not on purpose, if that makes sense. It's beautiful, regal, exotic, yet simple and fanciful.
Ten: I'm not sure what this card is saying, but I like it. I have a feeling I could stare at this card all day and just let my mind wander with it.