The Eight of Swords from the Rider/Waite/Smith deck shows a woman bound and blindfolded in a marshy swamp with swords all around her like a wall. It is a card of restricted thinking which leaves us feeling trapped and helpless. These restrictions are often self imposed. Today’s Journey Tarot’s updated version of this card shows a woman huddled on a couch clasping her knees. The door beside her has multiple locks. She has exiled herself from the world. Beyond her desolation there is a cheerful, yellow hot air balloon outside her window. She only needs to look up to see it.

Teresa Sue McAdams, co-creator of “Today’s Journey Tarot”, co-author of “Today’s Journey Tarot, A Traveler’s Guide”, co-author of “Tarot Meditations, A Journal for Self Discovery”, and author of “Lessons, The Wisdom Within Each Moment”

www.todaysjourneytarot.com

I was taught that the Seven of Swords from the traditional Tarot was a sneak thief. He was someone who acted deceitfully and underhandedly to gain his desires. The Rider/Waite/Smith deck depicts a man carrying swords away from an encampment. He looks back over his shoulder to determine if he is being followed or his treachery has been discovered. The symbolism here includes the colors of his hat and boots (red), the road he escapes down (yellow) and the sky which is also yellow. One of the slyest thieves of our day is someone who cheats. Today’s Journey Tarot’s Seven of Air shows two students taking an exam. One is obviously glancing at the answers on the other student’s test. He symbolizes the thief who takes advantage of a situation to further his own desire at the expense of others.

Teresa Sue McAdams, co-creator of “Today’s Journey Tarot”, co-author of “Today’s Journey Tarot, A Traveler’s Guide”, co-author of “Tarot Meditations, A Journal for Self Discovery”, and author of “Lessons, The Wisdom Within Each Moment”

www.todaysjourneytarot.com