THE MINOR ARCANA
The Minor Arcana consists of fifty-six cards. The cards are divided into four elemental suits (Fire, Earth, Air, and Water), and can be identified by the symbol at the foot of the card. Each suit has a family consisting of Daughter, Son, Mother, and Father. Each card other than a family card has a name that relates to the element. The name of the representative god or goddess from ancient mythology appears above the element symbol. Along the margins are symbols which are amplifications of the true symbolic meaning of the art. The key to reading the Minor Arcana is a simple matter of combining the meanings of the four elements with the basic meanings of the numbers. There is no necessity to perform difficult feats of memory; this system is logical and consistent. For example, the number I will always mean the beginning of something, so in the four suits the basic interpretation will be as follows:
One of Fire = A creative beginning
One of Earth = A material beginning
One of Air = A thought or idea beginning
One of Water = An emotion beginning
If you look at the descriptions and interpretations of these cards, in the book, you will see that they are only elaborations on these simple meanings.

THE MEANING OF THE ELEMENTS


FIRE - CREATIVITY - I WILL
Creativity is not just concerned with artistic ability but it is much more the act of making things happen. It is creating something out of nothing, having the vision to see a possibility and being able to apply the necessary energy in order to turn that possibility into a reality. Everyone has creativity. The business man or woman sees a potential market and sets about the business of supplying the commodity or service. A young child meets a group of friends and says, "Why don't we all play ..." knowing it will be fun. The visionary quality of all creative acts indicates that fire represents intuition, knowing things before they happen. Other key words for the qualities of the element fire are vitality, enthusiasm, excitement, energy, exaggeration, game playing, passion, showing off, entertaining


EARTH - POSSESSIONS - I HAVE
Earth describes all things that are physical and tangible. They include home, money, property, possessions, and acquisitions. It also refers to the physical body, our looks, the clothes we wear, the food we eat and, of course, our health. To the extent that we "possess" other people and they are considered as "belonging," earth is family, friends, children, colleagues. Earth represents all that has the potential for growth into something greater. It signifies our authority, social standing, skills, and achievements. Key words for the qualities of the element earth are system, law, routine, shopping, insurance, mortgage, savings, legacy, tradition, background, building, gardening, farming, banking.


AIR - INTELLECT - I THINK
Air is about what goes on in the mind. It encompasses ideas, logical or imaginative thought, teaching, learning, communicating with others, and all matters concerning writing, the media, contracts, and agreements. Air also describes the lighter forms of contact, such as parties, meetings with friends, social events, celebrations, reunions, and so on. As air is concerned with communication it also covers phone calls, letters, and short trips. The idea of travel in the broader sense is involved with learning, meeting people, and social visits, so it also comes under the meaning of air. Key words for the qualities of the element air are ideas, mind, concept, explanation, rationale, discussion.


WATER - EMOTIONS - I FEEL
Water represents the emotional aspect of any question. Love, hate, desire, repulsion, pleasure, pain - this element is purely about the way you feel. Close emotional relationships, the family, lovers, rivals, even enemies are described by water. It represents premonitions, fears, memories, and nostalgia, but above all water is our unconscious. It will therefore be involved in questions relating to all of the other elements. Key words that fit the qualities of the element water are love, anger, sentiment, sympathy, caring, tenderness, frustration.