You are being your own worst enemy. You are too focused and too driven to give up hope. It is that determination and stubbornness that is keeping you from your goal. You see the tree of knowledge before you and you in haste run towards the fence and that could cause you injury and delay. If you relax and open your mind and look at the big picture you will see that there is no fence beyond the gate posts. That your time, become a little more flexible and walk around the gate rather than climbing over it or crawling under it. You have almost gotten to where you want to be, start relaxing and start calming down.
Reversed: The gate before the tree is the way you feel you must go, yet you are hesitant to approach it and open it to reach the tree. You are afraid that it may not be all that you had hope for. You are feeling that once this journey is over you will be without purpose. You must remember now that this is not the end of the journey it is only the end of one part of the journey and with its completion a new journey will present itself.
Ten of Rods:
The journey is over, you have gained enlightenment, and you understand the world and all that it contains. If there is a problem facing you now, then now is the time to act and find a solution. The way your mind is working now that will be a simple task. I see the problem I have a solution. If you are thinking about starting something new now it the time to engage that opportunity. Intelligence clear thought and planning are your most beneficial tools use them.
Reversed: This card indicates that you are listening to too many other people and weighing their opinions with yours, no one else sees the path as clearly as you do, so break free of their nay-saying and do what you know to be the right thing. The only limitations you are facing right now are the doubts of others. It is your course, you thought it out and you will benefit greatly from the result.
Princess of Rods:
Of all the Princess cards, this one is the saddest, she is alone on a small island in a pond, only her thoughts and reflection are keeping her company. Were Rods have the elements of the Kings of the deck, we have with this card the young female in the role of the mature male, or at least if not in the role of, understanding the responsibilities of the King. She is thus denied her femininity and robbed of her youth. Her sense of duty and awareness grant her more understanding then the other princesses have, and with that understanding a greater sorrow.
Reversed: The Princess�s plight is made than much worse as she is wanting to speak out and wanting to do something, but she is isolated and lacks the means to effect change. She must develop patience and maturity and not give into bitterness and cynicism. Her chance will come and then she can act, but for the present she can only think and plan of how best to make the world right again.
Prince of Rods:
This card is the card of ego, bravado and has the lone wolf, tough-guy, me against the world attitude. It is stubbornness and being bull-headed. The Prince rides past the Tree of Life and Knowledge, riding through a dry barren desert. He is focused only on his goal, his ideal and his motives. He is so focused on himself that he is even oblivious to the Stone henge on the distant hill. These monoliths hold the answer to what he seeks; yet his arrogance and pride do not allow him to show and need for support or any doubt in his facade. This card warns the Querant that too much pride and too much determination will lead to disaster.
Reversed: The chance of error and failure are still here except that this failure may come from an outside source. You may have placed to much confidence in someone else or how you explained the situation to that person. Be wary of others to eager to help. You should keep a close watch on those around you, as someone may not be aware of what your responsibilities will be and they will end up pointing the blame for the failure at you. If may be best to make this decision alone and travel on your own because others may not have you ability to stick with it when things get tough.
Queen of Rods:
This Queen has come the furthest, she had, had simple beginnings and a great vision of idealism. She now dances in the penthouse of the world and her dreams have been fulfilled. The night sky is above her and reminders her of her younger and freer days, as she looks out the window at more down to Earth realities. She has come to understand that the castles in the air that we all dream about can be built provided one has a strong sense awareness and of being grounded. As the Querant you should stay balanced with long-term goals and short-term objectives. Pace yourself towards your success.
Reversed: She is living a life that was not her dream, yet she has accepted it and with that acceptance she has distanced herself from what she wanted and was as a younger woman. She has left behind simpler things and may even have become so hardened of heart to lose touch with her past. She is living a lie and may have betrayed everything she once held dear to reach this place and she may betray again. This card warns of the problems of ego and pride and the dangers of becoming overly self-confident.
Kings of Rods:
With the Kings of deck having the elements of Rods, The King of Rods is twice as powerful as the other Kings, he is the King of Kings. This card is all about strength, bearing, nobility and duty. It is the card that says you have the potential to tame the world. The ground is covered with an expansive plaza and a arch vaults over the sky. If the Querant draw this card as an expression of self, then they need not go any further, because they know what needs to be done and they have the will, wisdom and knowledge to make the outcome of events favourable on their behalf. He is the only King that is smiling because he does know something that know one else knows, and that he can do anything better than anyone else.
Reversed: The King is still the most powerful of the Court cards, yet he is a bit overwhelmed by his good fortune. He should enjoy this moment of solitude and rest up because regardless of how good things are going there is always work to be done and others envious of your good fortune. The Querant should take a break, enjoy the fruits of their labour and then get back to it. A rest will be as good as a change and there is no stopping you now.
