Mutable earth: late summer, sexuality, harvest

Her serenity is apparent, the bird sitting peacefully on her head, the armful of produce, her calm view of the field, and a gentle hand on the pentacles, as though she isn’t too attached to them, doesn’t need to control them. There is plenty, she seems to tell us, there will be enough.

Cardinal fire: heat, fire opals, intensity

A story is about the moment of unstoppable inevitability of knowledge or action: think of Greek tragedies, folk tales, revolutions, mysteries. Humans are wired to be hungry for these kinds of stories, because they help us to understand a chaotic and sometimes brutal world.

Mutable water: surrender, liminality, balance, suspension

When we are used to experiencing adrenaline, or the effects of trauma, rest and relaxation can feel counterintuitive: allowing our muscles to relax can give a stronger sensation than our familiar contractions.

Fixed earth: homecoming, celebration, safety

Fours tend to represent stability and support, in the Modern Witch deck, the four wands have been made into a shelter, gateway, or portal decked with festive foliage.

Cardinal water: spiritual awakening, coven, love, community

We are already in profound communion with all other humans, and each one of us is capable of the same range of dark and light behaviours, it is a matter of circumstance and context that determines the outcomes.

Mutable air: passing thoughts, delusions, fleeting fears

Tens represent the culmination of the energy of each suit, and the Ten of Swords is the associated with the intellect, and with air.

Cardinal water: queer mermaids, watery dreams, emotions, rain

Of all the court cards, the page is the youngest and has the most raw and childlike relationship with their suit. Cups are the symbol of emotion, and the Page of Cups has an unfiltered relationship with their intuition.

Cardinal fire: will, magic, ritual.

Casting a spell is a combination of ritual and will. The ritual supports the magic, and that is why it is necessary to use specific herbs, objects, incantations, tools, and so on. But without the concentrated force of will, the spell will be hollow and ineffective.

Cardinal earth: initiating a sensory practice, intentions

A sigil is a powerful symbolic representation of your magical will.

Mutable air: cosmic messaging, spiritual frequencies, intuition

Intuition and divination are key to practical magic. The individual magician’s intuition will dictate the results of their magic, even if they follow precisely the same rituals as someone else.