1

Copyright by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

All rights reserved. The illustrations, cover design

and contents are protected by copyright. No part of

this booklet may be reproduced in any form without

permission in writing from the publisher, except by

a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in

connection with a review written for inclusion in a maga-

zine, or newspaper, or website.

Images courtesy of Bridgeman Art Library.

8 6

Made in China

U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

179 Ludlow Street, Stamford, CT 06902 USA

203-353-8400 Order Desk 800-544-2637

FAX 203-353-8431 www.usgamesinc.com

3INTRODUCTION-

It is the mark of a good action that, in retro-

spect, it appears inevitable.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Such it was for me in creating The Art of Life

Tarot Deck.

For many years I was a casual tarot card

reader, intrigued with periodically laying them

out, not really knowing or caring about their his-

tory, nor memorizing their individual meanings.

It was an occasional, entertaining hobby.

Then, in 2005, my husband was diagnosed

with Alzheimers disease. I found myself turning

to the cards more often, searching for some ex-

ternal source of meaning and seeking comfort. It

4was a time in my life when I felt lost and, often

times, helpless. I looked to the tarot to gain in-

sight and perspective. I was less focused on what

was happening to him, which I knew I couldnt

change, as to what was happening to me. I was

seeking answers to deep, psychological issues;

attempting to make sense of the senseless. In

times of stress, some people look to religion for

reassurance, some rely on therapists for clarity,

while others may resort to substance abuse for

an escape. I sought empowerment through tarot.

One night something curiously wonder-

ful happened. I awoke from a vivid dream of a

particular tarot card, something that had never

occurred to me before. The card was the Knight

of Wands. My initial reaction was to ask myself,

Why? What did it mean? I had this overwhelm-

ing intuition that it was a message. I remember

5getting out of bed and checking the meanings for

that particular card. In the Rider-Waite deck the

image of the Knight is a horse rearing up, rather

like the Lone Rangers horse Silver. This was

6especially significant to me because my father

had directed this program when I was a child.

Now, even more intrigued, I read further to find

that the suit of Wands related to my astrological

sign, Leo, and that the Knight represented look-

ing to inner convictions to take action.

After much contemplation, I felt certain

that my unconscious was presenting me with not

just an idea, but that it was guiding me to take

action. There was something I needed, and felt

compelled, to do; it was a feeling, a certainty of

purpose, unlike any other I had experienced in

my life. I knew I would design my own tarot deck.

Being convinced of the Why, I then turned

to the How. Admittedly, I was not a tarot ex-

pert. But I knew that I wanted the format to be

different from the others I had worked with in

the pastmore personal and direct, without

7the interruption of looking elsewhere for card

interpretations. I wanted the meanings to be

displayed on each individual card and for them

to be presented in such a way as to engage the

reader in an internal dialogue.

I realized that by drawing inspiration from

my background in art history and my lifelong pas-

sion for quotations, I could capture the essence

of the meanings behind each card while simulta-

neously encouraging the reader to interpret its

personal meaning.

My goal was to provide others with a means

to help them help themselves. I wanted to create

an interactive tool for people to access when

they were feeling uncertain or lost and search-

ing for direction or answers. It is my belief that

the individual only grows by gaining greater self-

awareness. Each of us holds the answers we are

8seeking; we merely need to ask ourselves the

right questions and trust ourselves enough to

listen to our inner voice when it responds.

Most importantly, I created The Art of Life

because I wanted to empower the reader. I

wanted each card, no matter what the implied

context or meaning, to give the reader a sense

of strength, possibility and optimism. I wanted

the journey of the tarot to take the reader back

to him or herself; to encourage contemplation,

and for the reader to discover that the answers

to life questions lie within.

9Tarot Card MeaningsIn the same way that art can be experienced

differently by each individual and with each

viewing, so too are the tarot cards open to

personal interpretation. Though there are tra-

ditional meanings associated with each tarot

card, this guide is intended to help you bring

your own emotional perspectives into focus.

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The Major ArcanaMajor Arcana deals with universal life stages and

major events.

FOOLAdventure, spontaneity, initiative

MAGICIANWill, determination, creative power

HIGH PRIESTESSIntuition, wisdom, knowledge

EMPRESSPassion, nurturing, abundance

HIEROPHANTConventions, tradition, rules

LOVERSLove, beauty, choice

CHARIOTVictory, self-confidence, achievement

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STRENGTHCourage, fortitude, resilience

HERMITSolitude, reflection, withdrawal

WHEEL OF FORTUNEChange, destiny, success

JUSTICETruth, fairness, equity

HANGED MANSurrender, sacrifice, new outlook

DEATHEnding, change, mortality

TEMPERANCEBalance, harmony, moderation

DEVILIgnorance, wrongdoing, submission

TOWERUpheaval, adversity, ruin

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STARPromise, optimism, faith

MOONDreams, illusions, subconscious

SUNJoy, clarity, enlightenment

JUDGMENTReward, karma, transformation

WORLDSelf-actualization, fulfillment, wholeness

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The Minor Arcana Minor Arcana cards relate to the details of every-

day situations and temporary influences. The

meanings can be derived by combining the char-

acteristics of the Suit (A) with the characteristics

of the Number (B) or Court (C) card.

A + B or C = MEANING

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SUITS

Wands .........Enterprise, development, creativity

Cups ............Emotions, relationships, love

Swords ........Mental and spiritual activity, strife

Pentacles ...Money, work, prosperity

NUMBERS

Ace .............Beginnings, potential

Two .............Balance, combination

Three ..........Activity, development

Four ............Structure, stability

Five .............Struggle, change

Six ..............Harmony, activity

Seven ..........Challenge, hidden

Eight ............Movement, energy

Nine ............Fulfillment, completion

Ten ..............Transition, abundance

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COURT CARDS

King.............Leader, innovator

Queen .........Supporter, nurturer

Knight .........Explorer, doer

Page ............Beginner, learner

- THE SUIT OF CUPS

Cups are associated with emotions and feelings.

King of Cups Appreciation for the arts,

nature, compassion, respect, strength

Queen of Cups Devotion, nurturing,

intuitive, emotional

Knight of Cups Romantic, sensitive,

idealistic

Page of Cups Instinct, feelings, passion

Ten of Cups Contentment, happiness,

friends and family

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Nine of Cups Harmony, exuberance, fulfilled

wishes

Eight of Cups Change, loss, leaving

something behind

Seven of Cups Illusions, clouded judgment,

fantasy

Six of Cups Memories, looking to the past,

sentimentality

Five of Cups Loss, sadness, regrets

Four of Cups Adaptation, renewal, change

Three of Cups Exuberance, fulfillment,

celebration

Two of Cups Friendship, beneficial

partnership, sharing, understanding

Ace of Cups Beginnings, openness,

attraction, insight

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THE SUIT OF PENTACLESPentacles relate to the material world, and

represent work and wealth.

King of Pentacles Responsible and solid.

Strength of character, prosperous

Queen of Pentacles Sensuous, grounded,

dependable

Knight of Pentacles Perseverance, hard

work and focus

Page (or Princess) of Pentacles

Inquisitive, enthusiastic student of life

Ten of Pentacles Security, affluence,

domestic harmony

Nine of Pentacles Self-sufficiency,

financial independence, accomplishment,

sound judgment

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Eight of Pentacles Craftsmanship,

productivity, expertise, recognition

Seven of Pentacles Harvest,

accomplishments, rewards

Six of Pentacles Generosity, charity

Five of PentaclesSpiritual or financial

impoverishment, despondency

Four of Pentacles Legacy, inheritance,

personal values

Three of Pentacles Expertise, ability,

recognition

Two of Pentacles Harmony, achievement,

balance

Ace of Pentacles Prosperity, contentment,

felicity

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THE SUIT OF SWORDSSwords represent matters of the mind, especially

ideas.

King of Swords High morals, authority,

determination, logical

Queen of Swords Experience with sorrow

and adversity. Perceptive, intelligent.

Knight of Swords Impulsive, action

oriented, courageous

Page (or Princess) of Swords Ideas,

student, seeker of knowledge

Ten of Swords Courage to overcome

problems, strength through adversity

Nine of Swords Anxiety, despair,

self-sabotage

Eight of Swords Inner conflict and turmoil.

Facing down fear. New strategies needed.

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Seven of Swords Confusion, mistrust.

Overcoming inner turmoil.

Six of Swords Healing, leaving troubles

behind

Five of Swords Rising above defeat,

misfortune

Four of Swords Retreat, replenishment,

convalescence

Three of Swords Heartache, healing,

recovery

Two of Swords Ambivalence, careful

decision-making , caution

Ace of Swords Opportunity for change, self-

reliance

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THE SUIT OF WANDSWands are associated with enterprise, growth

and development.

King of Wands Authority, enthusiasm,

leadership, passion

Queen of Wands Affability, growth,

motivation

Knight of Wands Action and change

Page (or Princess) of Wands Enthusiasm,

ambition

Ten of Wands Responsibilities, burdens

Nine of Wands Perseverance, confidence

Eight of Wands Progress, promise,

movement

Seven of Wands Courage, cleverness,

overcoming obstacles

Six of Wands Success, enthusiasm

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Five of Wands Competition, Resolution,

goal setting

Four of Wands Harmony, fulfillment, growth

Three of Wands Fruition, accomplishment,

effort

Two of Wands Enterprise, pursuit, creative

venture

Ace of Wands Ambition, initiative,

motivation

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Using the CardsThe Art of Life Tarot cards may be enjoyed indi-

vidually, as a source of daily inspiration. Simply

choose a card and place it in the pop-up frame.

Alternatively, the cards may be selected and laid

out in a spread when seeking further clarity on

specific issues.

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The five-card Creativity Spread is useful for

examining emotional elements in ongoing life

events, particularly for creative endeavors.

CARD INSPIRATION

What inspires you to do the best work possible?

CARD INFLUENCES

Who or what has influenced you in your deci-

sions and your endeavors?

CARD CHALLENGES

What current challenges do you face in your life?

CARD PROCESS

Where are you in the current process? What do

you need to do to reach your goals?

CARD FINAL OUTCOME

What are the results of your creative endeavors

or current projects?

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CREATIVITY SPREAD LAYOUT

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SAMPLE READING

CARD INSPIRATION

Queen of Swords: Experience with sorrow and adversity, perceptive, intelligent

Quote: Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is

nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

Interpretation: Find inspiration in your own strength and others who have overcome similar

problems.

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CARD CHALLENGE

Seven of Wands: Courage, cleverness, over-coming obstacles

Quote: Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.

Interpretation: Make the most of what you have. If life gives you lemons

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CARD INFLUENCES

The Sun: Joy, clarity, enlightenment

Quote: "Precisely the least, the softest, lightest, a lizards rustling, a breath, a moments glance

it is little that makes the best happiness.

Interpretation: With the Sun ruling, your capacity for happiness is a personal choice, not

related to external circumstances.

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CARD PROCESS

King of Cups: Appreciation for the arts, nature, compassion, respect, strength

Quote: It is a good thing to be rich and to be

strong, but it is a better thing to be loved.

Interpretation: Focus more on the doing and less on the rewards of your work.

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CARD OUTCOME/FINAL PRODUCT

King of Wands: Authority, enthusiasm, lead-ership, passion

Quote: Self-confidence is the first requisite to

great undertakings.

Interpretation: Creative endeavors (like the creation of this deck) can help empower others

with self-confidence.

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About Charlene LivingstoneCharlene was born in

Detroit, Michigan into a

theatrical familyboth

parents were actors.

She studied design and

architecture and gradu-

ated from the Univer-

sity of Michigan. For 25

years she taught Visual Arts and English to gifted

students in Toronto, Ontario. She has also pub-

lished several articles on life and relationships

for the Toronto Star, and Globe and Mail. Char-

lene currently lives in Toronto where she is still

very much involved with the arts. She is a Gallery

Guide, giving tours and talks, at the Art Gallery

of Ontario.

For our complete line of tarot decks, books,

meditation cards, oracle sets, and other

inspirational products please visit our website:

www.usgamesinc.com

U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.

179 Ludlow Street

Stamford, CT 06902 USA

203-353-8400 Order Desk 800-544-2637

FAX 203-353-8431