Well, despite crushing blows of emotion, I managed to get some more painting done.  I've been working so long now on these cards that I just realized that I'm getting down to the final eight.  I'll add some indepth comments on these latest images once I've had a bite to eat.  Oh, and I also just realized that I now have the entire suit of Pentacles and Swords done now, too.  I'll have to come back tomorrow and review...  Enjoy what I've done so far!

Ten of Wands

Okay, finally found the time to add the meanings to these cards...  The Ten of Wands is about burdens, being tied down to responsibilities and expectations.  The figure in this card is tied to the wands and his skin looks a little sunburned.  He's scowling, too.

Nine of Wands

The Nine of Wands is a testy card; the final showdown, it will test your patience and resolve.  Do you have what it takes to finish what you started?  The figure here has all his defences up.  He's prepared and waiting for something to happen.

Eight of Swords

The woman here is trapped by her thoughts, wrapped up in concerns and worries.  The swords here represent mental blocks.  She can escape but she has to use her head.

The Fool (or Adventurer)

The Fool is the guy who takes you on an adventure.  He's all set to go, got his backpack full and everything, yet he doesn't know what is ahead of him.  Who's that shadowy figure in the trees?  It could be a bear or another person.  We won't find out until the Fool gets over there.  Images of the Fool were common in Medieval and Renaissance artistic traditions. Secular sources, such as Brant's "Narrenschiff" (Basle, 1494) show the fool with foolscap, crutch or staff, barefoot and with leggings falling.  Sometimes the Fool is being taunted by children or a dog snaps at his heels as he is walking.  In nearly all Tarot decks, past and present, the Fool represents a spiritual aspirant or a student who is about to go on a quest for self development.  He isn't actually an idiot, he just doesn't necessarily know where his feet are going to take him and he's okay with that.  He's prepared for adventure, not disaster.  His attitude is cheerful.

Seven of Swords

The Seven of Swords comes with a bit of cunning.  The dancer has nearly all of the swords balanced around her and yet she is not cut by the blades.  This card represents trickery, duplicity, escape, and taking advantage of a situation. 

Three of Pentacles

The falcon of the Three of Pentacles represents development, accomplishment, and increased status.  At the falcon's feet is literally golden pentacle, the other pentacles behind him have grown out of the earth and appear as blossoms.

Five of Swords

With the Five of Swords comes uneasy victory.  The storm is just passing, yet the woman gathers up her swords to prepare for a war that has yet to come. 

Ten of Swords

This card usually depicts ruin and murder.  Here I have the soul of a woman being held up, not pierced, by ten swords.  Even though a defeat has occured here, there is still something to be gained.  The Ten of Swords means drastic change that occurs involuntarily, in other words, you can't avoid the change and you have to fast the consequences of your actions before you can move to the next stage in your life.  With this change comes a "death" -- it may make you very unhappy for awhile but that, too, shall pass...