Exercises - Lesson 3

The Minor Arcana

Exercise 3.1 - What are the Suit Qualities?

Review the lists of suit qualities. They describe some positive and negative expressions of each suit. Don't try to memorize these lists. They are simply designed to give you a first feel for the energy of each suit. When you're ready, go through the word pairs below. For each pair, give the suit and expression (+ or -) that seems most appropriate to you. For "dependable and careful" you might say "Pentacles - positive." You can check my suggestions, if you wish.

sullen and lazy
prim and humorless
witty and well-informed
judgmental and controlling
cheerful and bold
thorough and practical
calm and sympathetic
logical and outspoken
irresponsible and cocky
loyal and down-to-earth
critical and arrogant
whole-hearted and passionate
temperamental and sulky
sensitive and loving
foolhardy and rash
moody and frail
stubborn and gloomy
honest and objective
persistent and firm
aloof and domineering
spiritual and intuitive
hasty and unprepared
creative and adventurous
overcautious and rigid

Exercise 3.2 - Suit Qualities - Clear-cut Examples

Many aspects of daily life reflect the energy of one suit in particular. For each activity below, state the suit and expression you believe fits that activity best, and name a few qualities that support your choice. Going skydiving might be a "Wands-positive" activity because you must be "daring, energetic and confident." (or a Wands-negative activity because it is "foolhardy and reckless!)" You can check my suggestions, if you wish.

always needing to have everything just so
getting drunk the night before an important exam
being where you say you will, every time
solving a math problem
using the tarot cards
cheering your team on to victory
listening to a friend talk about her troubles
making a cruel, sarcastic remark
refusing to apologize when you're wrong
treating those "beneath" you with disdain
seeing a project through to the end
brooding over a perceived slight
volunteering for a dangerous, but vital mission
quitting your job in a moment of anger
arbitrating a dispute
finding dirty work distasteful

Exercise 3.3 - Suit Qualities - Blended Examples

In most events, the four suit qualities blend together. For each activity below, name two positive suit qualities that would contribute to success and two negative ones that would take away from it. Do this for each suit. For example:

to keep love alive....
- Wands: be passionate and enthusiastic, but not impatient and hot-tempered
- Cups: be romantic and loving, but not broody and touchy
- Swords: be honest and honorable, but not cold and judgmental
- Pentacles: be loyal and dependable, but not unexciting and inflexible

managing a project
creating a work of art
raising a child
closing a sale

Exercise 3.4 - Suit Qualities in Yourself

The different suit qualities combine in each person to create his or her personality. Examine yourself in light of the four suits. Ask yourself these questions:

Is one suit quality dominant?
Is one quality less familiar?
In what situations do I take on each quality?
Do I reflect the positive or negative side?
Do I attract people of the same type, or different?

You can repeat this exercise with another person as the subject.