Introduction

“The blazing fire makes flames and brightness out of everything thrown into it.”
-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

I may be biased, but as a Leo, I find fire to be the most enigmatic of our elemental forces. Both destructive in force and imperative to creation, fire is deeply primordial. Animals have evolved to withstand most things--we've found ways into the depths of our oceans, launched ourselves through each layer of our atmosphere all the way into space, squeezed through caverns shaped by eons of our shifting planet, and thrived everywhere from frozen tundras to heat-scorched deserts. Fire alone has kept us at an impasse. Very few creatures can withstand the heat created by fire, but we all rely on it (or a form of it--our own sun).

While our sun is technically not "on fire," the warmth it provides has been more than enough to create a comfortable habitat for us here on Earth. None rely on the sun more than herpetofauna, or reptiles and amphibians. Both are cold blooded, animals that depend on their external environments to regulate their internal temperatures. Iguanas bask in the sun, turtles dunk in pools of water, snakes slither from burrows to exposed rocks, all in order to maintain a comfortable temperature. Throughout the ages, reptiles have been associated with fire, from myths of dragons spitting flames to salamanders slithering through fires unscathed. 

Herpetofauna are also some of our most ancient ancestors. An absolutely staggering 315 million years separate us from one of the first currently known lizards, the Hylonomus. In many ways it feels like reptiles did survive an inferno; through each brutal extinction they persisted and continued to evolve. 

When I started planning my elemental animal set, every class fell right into order: marine life for water, land-based mammals for earth, birds for air, and herpetofauna for fire. Herpetofauna presented their own unique challenges. Other animals fit more easily into the framework and symbolism used by Tarot. Mammals tend to have more 'personality,' or at least what we understand as personalities. Reptiles and amphibians are often solitary, quiet animals with routines very alien to us. In a way, this was freeing as an illustrator. I put a lot of thought behind every card, using Pixie Smith's illustrations for the ubiquitous Raider-Waite-Smith deck, as my guide. Her work is about the human experience, and it's hard to think of animals further from that viewpoint than reptiles and amphibians (save for insects, but more on that later!). 

The Ignis Arcanae is my sixth deck, also the third in a full elemental animal tarot series. I've been lucky enough to focus solely on creating these tarots, and haven't taken a break in over five years! I've tried, but the siren song of the cards brings me back. Each year I feel like I can delve deeper into the narrative and structure of tarot, and this deck is no different. I am so happy with the end product, and I'm thrilled that the Ignis Arcanae has joined my small, but steadily growing family of decks.

-Taylor Hultquist-Todd
  Creator: Ignis Arcanae, The Fire Tarot

The Fire Tarot Deck

The Fire Tarot is a 78-card deck, featuring 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The composition of each image found in The Fire Tarot is influenced not only by the characteristics of each being or scene depicted, but also by two highly regarded and popular classic tarot decks: the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, designed by Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite (sometimes called simply Rider-Waite or RWS), and the Morgan-Greer deck, created by Bill F. Greer and Lloyd Morgan.

The Fire Tarot illustrations display scenery and symbolism associated with each animal, while continuing to effectively capture the traditional nature and symbolism of each card. If you are familiar with popular RWS-based decks, you may find that some illustrations in the Fire Tarot stray a bit farther than expected from the traditional imagery. Other cards in the Elemental Tarot series have occasionally broken away from the typical RWS layouts, but the nature of fire, and the creatures depicted, requires more liberties in order to tell the archetypal stories in a way more fitting to their subject matter. A bit of chaos introduced to the storytelling within the Fire Tarot creates a deeper immersion into the element while reading the cards.

Depicting tarot art via animals requires some unique solutions. Imagery like armor and crowns still appear when it seems practical, to continue to tell the story important to each card without detracting too much from an animal’s environment or appearance. The elaborate clothing often featured in RWS and Morgan-Greer based decks is often removed from the images to better showcase fur, wings, tails, and other important physical characteristics of each creature. 

Also, the symbolism in the RWS and Morgan-Greer decks can occasionally portray scenes of violence or distress, in order to reflect the full spectrum of universal experience. However, artistic depiction of animals in perilous or violent situations raises ethical concerns. The Fire Tarot’s illustrations continue to effectively capture the serious or cautionary nature of certain cards with traditionally “darker” meanings, without actually showing animals being harmed or in peril.

The original artwork features a watercolor underpainting for each card, created using pan paints on hot-press watercolor paper. Once the watercolor is completed, each image is detailed and finished with Posca paint pens and Sakura Pigma Micron pens.

Using the Fire Tarot

Since The Fire Tarot is based on tarot structure and symbolism from widely used divination systems, you can let your intuition guide you as you would with other Rider-Waite-Smith or Morgan-Greer based decks, or use other references based upon those systems in conjunction with the notes, interpretation suggestions and keywords for each card found in this guidebook. 

To get started familiarizing yourself with The Fire Tarot, try pulling a card from the deck once a day. You can go through in a particular order of your choice, or simply take any card that appeals to you at random. Sit quietly, take a breath, exhale and clear your mind. Look at the image on the card and notice as many details as you can. Look up the card in this guidebook and read about it. Doing this regularly will help “attune” your intuition to the imagery in this deck and make readings more enjoyable.

Start by studying each card with the image right-side up. If you would like to add a bit more nuance to your readings, you can also check out the “reversed” meanings. This simply means that as you pull each card from the deck, when you turn it over, you’ll pay attention to whether the image is right-side up, or upside-down. The upside-down orientation indicates that the meaning is “reversed.” Note that a reversal does not necessarily indicate a meaning opposite to the standard meaning. In many cases reversals simply invite you to dig a bit deeper into the meaning of the card, and perhaps investigate underlying causes or potential outcomes of situations more closely. Some people enjoy the additional gradations of meaning offered by reversals; others find their interpretations more accurate and straightforward when using only the standard meanings. Both ways are appropriate and enjoyable so do what works best for you.

See the Suggested Spread section to find some suggested simple methods for using The Fire Tarot for insight or guidance by performing a reading.

Card Descriptions and Suggested Interpretations

Major Arcana

The Major Arcana cards represent a journey, the development of consciousness from its simplest and most basic form, The Fool (0) to the most complex and elevated, The World (XXI).

One important note regarding the sequence of the Major Arcana: although Rider-Waite-Smith and Morgan-Greer place Strength as Card VIII and Justice as Card XI, The Fire Tarot transposes these in favor of a sequence frequently found in many popular historical tarot decks that predate Rider-Waite-Smith, with Justice placed as Card VIII and Strength as Card XI.

0-The Fool (Tacnae)

At a bit over 4 inches in length, tacnae is the most intrepid explorer of all lizards, spotted as high as 5400 meters in elevation on Peru's Chachani volcano. Reptiles at such high elevations are rare because cold-blooded animals have more difficulty regulating their internal temperature than mammals--most lizards would be foolish to try to survive where tacnae ventures. But as climate change has driven warmer conditions higher into the mountain peaks, researchers believe that these adventurous lizards have braved the frigid temperatures, intense ultraviolet radiation and low oxygen levels found at high elevations in order to colonize new habitat areas.

Although tacnae's range is quite small, the genus to which it belongs is very diverse and highly adaptable; more than 270 individual species of liolaemus (also known as tree iguanas) live in wide-ranging habitats throughout South America. Further research is underway to understand how tacnae has adapted to freezing conditions and low oxygen availability.

• Scientific name: Liolaemus tacnae 
• Habitat and status: High-elevation regions of Tacna, Moquegua, and Arequipa, in the South American country of Peru. Tacnae is saxicolous (living on or among rocks) and has been observed under rocks and the roots of shrubs. Despite its hardy nature, this reptile’s conservation status is Near Threatened. 
• Keywords: new possibilities, exploration, folly, courage
• Interpretation suggestions: If your instincts are telling you to stray from familiar areas in order to survive, your instincts are right! You’ve got great survival tools; trust them. Those who don’t believe in you will be left behind as you scale new heights.
• If reversed: Uncharted territory is exciting, but pushing boundaries inherently means danger. Remember, evolution’s motto is “survival of the fittest,” not “fortune favors the bold.” If your next steps feel confusing or disorienting, it may be time to pause and be sure you’re ready before continuing your journey.

I-The Magician (Chameleon)

The chameleon's slow-moving appearance is deceptive. They have many specialized tools to help them survive and thrive. These amazing lizards are masters of channeling and directing their energy (and employing a bit of trickery) to become what they wish to be and to get what they want. While remaining motionless, chameleons are using their incredible vision (with eyes that can even move independently of each other) to assess their surroundings. Most have prehensile tails and specialized toes to help them balance, grasp and move with precision through treetops. If they spot prey, chameleons can shoot out their long tongues to attack explosively and with pinpoint accuracy, capture a victim with a sticky tongue tip, and powerfully retract the whole tongue to their mouths before their insect prey even knows what's happened. Competitors for mates may bite, joust, or ram each other with facial protuberances. And of course, chameleons are most famous for their ability to shift and transform their skin in a variety of colors and patterns.

Chameleons change colors via a complex system of multiple layers of skin. Each layer is pigmented differently and contains nanoscale crystals that reflect light. The chameleon can "tune" these crystals via chemicals and pressure, thus adjusting the distances between the crystals. This creates the spectrum of colors and patterns each chameleon can create, ranging from darker and duller when submissive, a bit brighter in a neutral state, or extremely vibrant when excited or aggressive.

A common misperception is that chameleons change color only to hide from predators by blending in with their environment. Chameleons use the ability to transform their appearance not only for camouflage, but to communicate, to attract partners, and to intimidate competitors. In short, chameleons use the natural tools available to them to forcefully project the image they wish to present and send powerful messages to those around them, in order to manifest their desires.

• Scientific name: Over 150 species in family Chamaeleonidae
• Habitat and status: Madagascar is home to nearly two-thirds of chameleon species; almost all the rest live elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, but a few species are found in Asia or Europe. A number of chameleon species are Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Critically Endangered due to habitat destruction.
• Keywords: trickery, explosive energy, transformation, will
• Interpretation suggestions: It’s time to let everyone know you mean business. Show your true colors and inject some energy into that situation you’ve been watching for a while. Use your willpower, and you’ll have things under your control in a blink.
• If reversed: Check to make sure you understand those around you. Their motivations might not be what they seem (and they might be capable of actions that will blindside you).

II-The High Priestess (Cobra)

Although cobras certainly do strike with venomous ferocity, their primary protection is their iconic defensive posture, silently spreading their neck ribs into a large hood. King cobras, in particular, can be relatively slow to strike, which is what makes them popular with "snake charmers," who can induce cobras to display their hoods impressively while avoiding their strike. King cobras guard a nest of 20 to 40 eggs, which are laid in a mound of leaves gathered by the female. The mother cobra will strike if a predator or a person approaches its carefully guarded nest too closely.

Due to their habit of protecting their eggs, some mythologies see the cobra as a protector or guardian deity. For instance, the Egyptian goddess Wadjet, symbolized by a cobra, served as nursemaid and protector of the solar deity, Horus.

The Caspian cobra is the world's most venomous cobra, and is highly aggressive, infamous for its bad temper when threatened. Mortality rates are 70-75% for those who are bitten by the Caspian cobra and left untreated.

• Scientific name: Cobra is the common name used to refer to a group of over 30 venomous snakes known as elapids, most of which belong to the Naja genus. Perhaps the most iconic cobra is the King Cobra, Opiophagus hanna
• Habitat and status: Most cobra species live in southern and southeast Asia, but some are endemic to Africa and southern Europe. Endangered status varies by species; some are protected in certain countries and most are vulnerable to habitat encroachment by humans.
• Keywords: wisdom, guardian, silence, secret knowledge, hidden and sometimes dangerous passions
• Interpretation suggestions: Sometimes the wisest course is to be on your guard and simply observe. You know your own power--no need to waste it unless a real threat appears.
• If reversed: Now you've done it! You thought you were a real charmer but you've threatened the status quo and it's coming back to bite you.

III-The Empress (Nile Crocodile)

The iconic crocodile found in Africa, the Nile crocodile is the second largest crocodile in the world, reaching a typical adult length of nearly 15 feet. At home in the fertile Nile basin, these large creatures are apex predators, and commonly prey on large mammals like antelopes and wildebeest--the largest adult crocodiles have been known to hunt giraffe or even young hippos or elephants. When they live in high-traffic areas of rivers and lakes, Nile crocodiles may even hunt in packs to ensure a plentiful harvest of prey.

Nile crocodiles reproduce by laying eggs, up to 60 at once, with females building hole-type nests in sandy soil, and returning to the same nest sites year after year. Interestingly, the sex of young crocodiles is based on nest temperature. Females are hatched at temperatures in the 82- to 88-degree Fahrenheit range, whereas hotter temperatures above 93F result in over 80% male hatchlings. The mother guards and fiercely defends the nest for 10-14 weeks, during which time she rarely eats. When the baby crocodiles are ready to emerge from the eggs, they utter distress calls which can be heard up to 65 feet away. When she hears her young calling, the mother will brush the soil off the nest so that the young can burst from their eggs. The female will open her mouth and carry the hatchlings from the nest to nearby water, where she releases them into the water by swinging her head from side to side. Male crocodiles have been known to assist in the birth of their hatchlings by rolling eggs delicately back and forth in their mouths between tongue and palate. Hatchling crocodiles are nurtured and guarded by their mothers for up to three months.

The dragon-like deity Tiamat, from Babylonian mythology, is often depicted as a primordial sea serpent or dragon—a creature akin to a crocodile in some interpretations. Tiamat symbolizes chaos and creation, embodying the untamed forces of nature.

• Scientific name: Crocodylus niloticus
• Habitat and status: With an estimated population in the wild of 50,000 to 70,000, the Nile crocodile is fairly widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar. Nearly hunted to extinction in the mid-20th century, Nile crocodile populations have recovered well due to protected status and conservation measures in many countries.
• Keywords: careful nurturing, fertility, frenzied creativity, abundance, protective environment
• Interpretation suggestions: Give a shout-out to a parent or protector if you’re feeling vulnerable. Their knowledge and natural protectiveness can ensure the right situation for your plans to come to fruition.
• If reversed: The environment might not be right for things to turn out as you expect. That doesn’t mean your plans can’t still be hatched; it’s just that things may be shaken up a little first. If you’ve been feeling neglected, don’t shut down and give up; nurturing assistance may come from an unexpected source if you keep asking for it.

IV-The Emperor (Monitor Lizard)

Monitor lizards are considered to be the most intelligent of all lizards, and some of the most intelligent reptiles in general. Skilled predators, monitors can be very aggressive in protecting their territory or food, fighting to mate with females and even cannibalistic toward their own young at times. Young Komodo dragons (the largest and most dangerous species of monitor lizard) will even roll in fecal material to make themselves unappealing as prey to larger animals.

The Komodo dragon has tiny bones called osteoderms throughout its skin, which reinforces its toughness against predators. Although monitor lizards can briefly move very quickly, they often employ strategies based on their stealth and power when hunting. They may lurk in one spot for hours waiting for the right moment to launch an attack. After attacking, they may not initially bring down their prey--but venoms as well as the bacteria in their bites are toxic enough to kill their prey within a few days, after which the monitor can use its powerful sense of smell to find and eat its victim.

• Scientific name: Any lizard of the genera Varanus or Lanthanotus in the family Varanidae (about fifty species)
• Habitat and status: Found in Africa south of the Sahara, through southern and southeastern Asia, in Australia, and on islands in the southwestern Pacific. The conservation status of these lizards depends on the species. Komodo dragons are considered Vulnerable, whereas other species such as Asian water monitors have a conservation status of Least Concern.
• Keywords: toughness, intelligence, power, dominance, strategy
• Interpretation suggestions: You’ve got the strength and brains to carry you through conflict and emerge victorious. Don’t back down: protect your own.
• If reversed: You may find yourself in an “eat or be eaten” situation, particularly on the job. Watch your step around those in command, but be mindful of opportunities to call out tyranny and abuse of power. Remember to count on your intelligence to strategize rather than forcing your way to a solution.

V-The Hierophant (Glass Frog)

Glass frogs camouflage themselves by becoming nearly transparent as they sleep on leaves during the day. Their beating hearts and other internal organs are actually visible through their clear belly skin. Glass frogs accomplish this amazing feat by storing nearly all their red blood cells within their livers--how they are able to do this without their blood clotting is an important mystery which scientists hope to unravel in order to better understand the mechanisms behind blood clots and clotting disorders.

The male glass frog seeks a mate by uttering loud mating calls--not an unusual practice for frogs. What makes some glass frogs' mating rituals unique is that some species live in areas that are very loud, such as near waterfalls. These species actually signal to attract a mate by waving their hands and feet in addition to their calls, which may go unheard over the rushing of a loud waterfall.

Glass frogs are considered important bioindicator species by many scientists and conservationists. By watching glass frog populations, scientists can learn what impacts climate change is having on specialized environments like the mountain forests which glass frogs inhabit.

• Scientific name: About 160 species within family Centrolenidae
• Habitat and status: Glass frogs live throughout the rainforests of Central America and are threatened by widespread habitat loss, climate change, fungus, and pressure from the international pet trade. More than half of glass frog species are threatened with extinction.
• Keywords: hidden mysteries revealed, marriage or partnership, rituals, an important signal
• Interpretation suggestions: Someone’s been trying to get your attention. Watch for the signs, and don’t be afraid to show them your heart.
• If reversed: If you’re not getting your point across, especially to a partner, you may be sending out weak signals. Don’t overthink it; your instincts are telling you to conform to the traditional ways of communicating your feelings. You should trust those instincts—they’ll get the message.

VI-The Lovers (Shingleback Skinks)

Shingleback skinks are an Australian lizard that displays complex courtship routines. The Eastern variety often returns to the same partner each year for twenty years or more; sometimes the male even remains by the body of his partner after she dies. This makes shingleback skinks one of the only truly monogamous reptiles on the planet. Shinglebacks live alone for most of the year, but between September and November reunite as monogamous pairs. Scientists aren't sure of the evolutionary reason why shinglebacks choose monogamy, but speculate that familiar partners may be more efficient at feeding, or at detecting predators. They also may reproduce more efficiently. 

Breeding shinglebacks in captivity is difficult, even with the less-monogamous Western shingleback, as they are notoriously picky about choosing a mate. They require privacy and consistent conditions to go through a bonding process over the course of several weeks, with several males sometimes following the same female, before they will choose a mate and breed. This process occurs in the wild and is difficult to simulate in captivity. It's thought that the bonding process helps to prove that the chosen mate is healthy and worthy of the energy required to bond and reproduce--given the lifelong stakes, that's no surprise.

• Scientific name: Tiliqua rugosa
• Habitat and status: Shinglebacks are common across most of southern Australia and are not endangered.
• Keywords: Lifelong partnership, trust, overcoming temptations, good choices
• Interpretation suggestions: A strong partnership is worth working at. Even if it seems unfruitful or boring at times, or if you’re dreading an upcoming long separation, remember that absence makes the heart grow fonder; a partner you can count on through thick and thin is an invaluable asset worth preserving. If you’re deciding whether to commit to a new relationship, remember that a good choice now will define your path for years to come.
• If reversed: Infidelity (or the temptation toward it) has made things rocky lately. Or maybe you and your partner can’t be together right now, which is creating doubts about your relationship. Concentrate on everything you’d lose if you give up this bond—then decide if it’s worth losing.

VII-The Chariot (Pacman Frog)

Dubbed the Pacman Frog due to their extremely wide mouths and steel-trap jaws (like the video game character), these highly aggressive amphibians will attack animals many times their own size (which is about 4 to 5 inches long). Pacman frogs rarely move about, preferring to lie motionless, awaiting prey. They may even try to lure prey by wiggling their hind toes, which small prey may mistake for food until it's too late. Voracious eaters, Pacman frogs will try to eat anything they can fit in their mouths, and sometimes things they can't! When threatened, Pacman frogs may jump toward their enemies and even bite. They'll even make loud screaming or grunting sounds in order to express their belligerent feelings.

• Scientific name: Ceratophrys ornate (also known as the Argentine Wide-Mouthed Frog or South American Horned Frog)
• Habitat and status: Woodland areas of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. They are classified as Near Threatened.
• Keywords: aggression, fearlessness, bullying, ambush, mastering a huge challenge
• Interpretation suggestions: You’ve been awaiting your chance to tackle a problem, situation, or opportunity. Others have said this is too big for you, but you know you’ve got what it takes. Now’s the time; the apple is in front of you so don’t be afraid to take a big bite!
• If reversed: Sticking up for yourself usually serves you well, but one of these days your big mouth’s going to get you in trouble.

VIII-Justice (Gharial)

Gharials are skinny-snouted crocodiles who live in large rivers. The gharial suffered critical population declines in the early part of the 20th century--as of 1976 their population in the wild was less than 200. Gharials require a delicately balanced environment of swiftly flowing rivers with sandy banks in order to thrive; human activity and habitat destruction has largely destroyed this balance and courted destruction for the gharial. Decreased poaching, establishment of protected areas, and captive rearing and breeding programs restored equilibrium and helped to re-establish the gharial, but they are still critically endangered.

In Hindu mythology, the god Varuna (who initially ruled over the sky but later came to become associated with oceans and water) is the personification of divine authority and the upholder of moral law. Varuna is often depicted riding a gharial; thus, the gharial can be perceived as a river guardian, conveying cosmic justice.

• Scientific name: Gavialis Gangeticus
• Habitat and status: Once ranging throughout Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan, fragmented populations remain in Nepal and northern India. Gharial are listed as Critically Endangered.
• Keywords: cosmic justice, karma, equilibrium
• Interpretation suggestions: Your commitment to fair dealings will soon pay off. Things have been pretty rough lately, but by considering everyone’s needs, you’ve ensured a good outcome not only for yourself, but for all involved.
• If reversed: It may feel like you’re hung up in red tape and burdensome rules, but guardrails are necessary to ensure a fair system for everyone. Work within the system, not outside it, if you want to keep on the good side of karma.

IX-The Hermit (Aldabra Tortoise)

Aldabra tortoises are one of the world’s largest land tortoises, weighing up to 550 pounds, only slightly smaller than their relatives on the Galapagos Islands. Their arid habitat has led them to develop many special adaptations; for example, they can suck up rainwater through their nostrils when it accumulates in rock crevices.

These giant tortoises can live to be more than 150 years old. Although tortoises are often perceived as solitary creatures, Aldabras are in fact one of the more social tortoise species. However, males can be sullen if encroached upon, fighting with one another for breeding rights and territory.

The Aldabra tortoise was one of the first species to be protected. In 1874, renowned naturalist Charles Darwin prudently petitioned for the protection of Aldabra tortoises and set up a breeding program. In 1982, the Aldabra Atoll was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering additional protection by secluding these and other creatures from outside interference. Despite the best efforts of environmental guardians, Aldabra tortoises are now listed as vulnerable, after years of human poaching and encroachment.

• Scientific name: Geochelone gigantea
• Habitat and status: South Island on the Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean. Listed as Vulnerable.
• Keywords: seclusion from the ordinary world, a protective guide, prudence, adaptability
• Interpretation suggestions: It’s not anti-social to need a bit of a buffer zone between you and the outside world. In fact, a little more seclusion may be just what you need to develop your own special tools for survival.
• If reversed: You may be an introvert, but you’re definitely not a loner. A good companion, who understands and respects your boundaries, can help you avoid developing sullen tendencies.

X-The Wheel of Fortune (Egyptian Sundial, with snakes of Northern Africa)

Archaeologists from the University of Basel unearthed a limestone tile in 2013, in the Egyptian Valley of the Kings. At first, it seemed unremarkable, but this piece of ancient rock was eventually revealed to be one of the world's oldest sundials, dating back to the 13th century BC. The sundial features a central hole for a gnomon (a rod made of wood, bronze or lead) which allows it to cast a shadow. Fan-shaped lines rendered in black pigments on the limestone surface denote the time.

Ten years later, software developers created a project called "Ra," which brings this ancient artifact's technology to life online, showing the time and even various points throughout the solar year such as the solstices and equinoxes. Even today, although the great civilizations of ancient Egypt have passed into history, their 3200-year-old technology fascinates and informs.

In Egyptian mythology, snakes are perceived in many ways--much like fire, they are both emblems of chaos and destruction as well as of healing and even immortality. Like the wheel of a sundial, snakes are emblematic of the idea that what comes around goes around.

• Keywords: inevitability, advancement, immortality, inevitability, health
• Interpretation suggestions: Like a shadow on a sundial, if you wait long enough, what has passed will come around again. Time can bring healing, even though it feels like everything's crumbling.
• If reversed: Instability is a fact of life; sometimes you'll feel it more than others and this is probably one of those times. Rely on the things you know are constants to help you get your bearings; a technological solution may present itself to help you keep things on a consistent timetable.

XI-Strength (Fire Salamander)

European fire salamanders have fiery orange or yellow markings on their black skin, reminiscent of lava or flames, which is how they've gained their name. Fire salamanders are sometimes called lungless salamanders, because their bodies take in oxygen through their moist, permeable skin. This quality makes it more vulnerable to pollutants, but salamander skin also contains glands that release toxins which can kill or sicken an animal that touches it or tries to eat it. Thus its skin is simultaneously the salamander's weakness and its strength. If a predator grabs a fire salamander by one of its toes, its tail, or even a leg, it can break off that limb and grow a new one to replace it. 

The fire salamander is often seen as a representation of resilience and adaptability due to its ability to survive in harsh environments. Its bright colors and amazing natural abilities serve as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, one can thrive and overcome challenges. 

Most people never see fire salamanders because they are active at night instead of during the day, which over the years has given them somewhat of a legendary reputation. In European folklore, people sometimes believed that the fire salamander was actually born in fires.  Thus their bright colors represent the often-chaotic power of transformation and rebirth. Wiccans often view the fire salamander as a symbol of protective strength against negative energies and evil spirits, to be used in rituals of purification and healing.

• Scientific name: Salamandra salamandra
• Habitat and status: Throughout Europe and portions of North Africa and Western Asia. Classified as Least Concern, but habitat encroachment impacts them as it does all wildlife.
• Keywords: energy, fervor, perseverance, transformation, resilience, purification
• Interpretation suggestions: Think of your recent experiences as a cleansing fire; you’re being forged into someone newer and stronger than the old you. It feels impossible at times, but keep your energy positive and you’ll find that new growth and transformation is always possible.
• If reversed: Remember, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. But don’t chase danger—you do have your limits.

XII-The Hanged Man (Crested Gecko)

Crested geckos live up to 20 years; fully adult geckos are relatively small, at only 8-10 inches long including their semi-prehensile tails, which they use for assistance in balance and climbing. The tail can be dropped to distract predators. However, they do not regenerate their tails once lost; most adult crested geckos in the wild lack tails. 

Crested geckos shed their skin up to once a week when young. When fully grown, the process only occurs once every one or two months. Their longevity and small size, in addition to their docility and friendly personality, makes crested geckos very popular as pets. 

These agile lizards can jump and climb very well. The toes and the tip of the semi-prehensile tail are covered in small hairs called setae. Each seta is divided into hundreds of smaller (approximately 200 nanometers in diameter) hairs called spatulae. These structures help the gecko climb with agility on most solid surfaces, especially flatter, smoother surfaces such as glass or wood. The toes have small claws, which aid in climbing surfaces to which their toes cannot cling.

• Scientific name: Correlophus ciliatus; also called the eyelash gecko
• Habitat and status: Native to southern New Caledonia, the crested gecko was once thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 1994. Popular as pets, crested geckos in the wild are classified as Vulnerable, and are being considered for protected status by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
• Keywords: self-sacrifice, sticking to duty, a quick change in direction, regeneration or rediscovery
• Interpretation suggestions: You’ve got the agility to change direction quickly when needed—don’t let a seemingly impassable barrier stop you from doing what you know is right. Once you realize you’ve outgrown the current situation, you’ll feel renewed, and the new state of affairs will fit you much better.
• If reversed: You might have to give up something important to get through the current situation. Just make sure your sacrifice is truly needed, because once it’s gone, you can’t get it back.

XIII-Death (Snake Shed)

Snakes are the only animal that sheds its skin whole, all at once. This process is called ecdysis, and snakes get rid of their old skin for a number of reasons: the skin may have been outgrown, it may have developed disease or parasites, or it may simply be worn out. Snakes may also shed just before reproduction or after giving birth. Snakes can't see very well just before they shed, so they may need a safe place to hide until the process is complete. The shedding represents a chance for reinvention. A shed snake skin is seen in many cultures as a symbol of transformation, rebirth and renewal. Just as the snake emerges fresh and new, finding a shed snake skin can signify major positive personal change.

• Keywords: dropping old ways, growth, fear of change, reinvention 
• Interpretation suggestions: You can’t have a fresh new start without shedding some of your old ways. Think of this as a chance to create a brand new you.
• If reversed: Something’s hanging up your efforts to change; take time out to ensure that you’re safe, then do what’s needed to reinvent yourself and emerge free of the things that were harmful to you in the past.

XIV-Temperance (Leatherback Turtle)

The largest of all sea turtles, leatherback turtles weigh in between 600 to 1500 pounds and can be over 5 feet long. They differ from all other turtles in that they have a tough, rubbery (or leather-like) shell made of cartilage, rather than a hard, bony shell. Although as reptiles they are cold-blooded, leatherback turtles maintain warm body temperatures in cold water due to some adaptations targeted at allowing them to generate and retain body heat. A specialized blood vessel structure, called a countercurrent exchanger, allows them to maintain a body temperature that is higher than the surrounding water. This provides them with a major advantage in the extremely cold waters. Their large body size and a thick layer of fat also assist them in maintaining a warm enough body temperature to survive in very cold waters.

Leatherback turtles are under threat from a variety of sources; illegal poaching and fishery bycatch contribute to the problem. A program called ShellBank, operated by the World Wildlife Fund, is a groundbreaking database of sea turtle DNA that safely extracts DNA from any sea turtle or sea turtle part or product and runs it through the ShellBank open-access and publicly available database. This data helps conservationists, researchers, and law enforcers detect which populations are most at risk and make precise and targeted efforts to protect them. Work with fisheries can enable and foster the use of turtle-friendly hooks and other devices that reduce the possibility of accidental turtle catches; training for local rangers and support for ecotourism businesses can help local economies thrive while discouraging illegal poaching.

• Scientific name: Dermochelys coriacea
• Habitat and status: Distributed widely across the world's oceans. Globally, leatherback status according to IUCN is listed as Vulnerable, but many subpopulations (such as in the Pacific and Southwest Atlantic) are Critically Endangered.
• Keywords: effective management, moderation, targeted adaptations to ensure balance
• Interpretation suggestions: Careful planning will pay off in ensuring that the things and people you care about most are protected (including yourself). 
• If reversed: You may find yourself in a fight over resources. Balance is possible, but you have to consider all sides to prevent conflicts of interest. Learn to find solutions that work for everyone, not just yourself.

XV-The Devil (Giant Horned Lizard)

The giant horned lizard isn't really "giant," at around six inches long, but of the 21 different species of horned lizard, they're the largest. These solitary desert dwellers have an intimidating appearance, covered with horns all over their bodies as well as sharp scales. They live in a violent and dangerous environment, so it's no small wonder they've got some powerful abilities, both to attack prey and to defend themselves. They strike out powerfully at insects with their large, sticky tongues, pulling them in and biting down faster than the blink of an eye. They can even attack by goring forcefully with the horns on their heads, leveraging power more than seven times their own weight. (In contrast, when a full-grown bull gores with its horns, its force is about three times its weight.) Perhaps the most shocking (and gruesome) habit of the giant horned lizard is its ability to stave off larger predators by deliberately breaking blood vessels in its own eyes and then squirting toxic blood at the predator.

• Scientific name: Phrynosoma asio
• Habitat and status: Along the Pacific coast of southern Mexico; like most animals, they are at risk due to habitat loss, but their current conservation status is Least Concern.
• Keywords: a shock, violent impulses, a malevolent or toxic personality, succumbing to temptations, blindness
• Interpretation suggestions: You may think you’ve seen it all, but even you may be shocked at what someone around you is capable of, especially if they feel threatened. It’s normal to be tempted to sink to their level or give in to your fears, but don’t let them suck you in once again. The best choice is to remain calm and take the high road.
• If reversed: Giving in to your addictions or urges has blinded you to reality. No sense beating yourself up for doing what came naturally in the past, but it’s time to learn a little restraint.

XVI-The Tower (Volcano)

The ultimate expression of destructive fiery energy, Earth’s volcanoes are actually a normal part of its geological cycle of growth and regeneration: there are more than 1500 active volcanoes on Earth, and around 50–70 volcanoes erupt every year. The word volcano—derived from Vulcan, Roman god of fire—refers to both the magma eruption process itself, as well as to the mountain of erupted rock and ash that often accumulates at the eruption site. 

Obviously, volcanoes create great chaos, bringing dangerous clouds of hot ash and gas, mudflows, avalanches, tsunamis and other traumatic events. But they’re also beneficial and necessary. Erupted materials contain many nutrients and eventually break down to form fertile soils. Volcanic activity provides an important source of geothermal energy, energy from Earth's interior heat. And undersea volcanoes build up over time to form new land masses on which millions of people live.

Modern volcanologists gain insights from their studies that allow them to assess eruption probabilities. Sometimes they’re able to provide warnings a few days to a few hours before an eruption, but are working towards the capability to forecast an eruption a few years to a few months before it occurs. No one can prevent a volcanic eruption from occurring, but advance warning makes all the difference in disaster planning---longer time scale warnings mean better opportunities for evacuations and reduction of human losses.

• Keywords: explosive change, destruction, a necessary but traumatic event, a sudden warning
• Interpretation suggestions: The pressure’s been building and things are about to explode. At this point, your best plan is to get out of the way. Whatever’s about to happen, just know that it’s for the best and it’ll soon be over, leaving fertile ground for rebuilding. Remember that the strongest characters are forged in the hottest fires.
• If reversed: Don’t try to keep things exactly the way they are; progress and change are inevitable. The more you pretend everything’s fine, the less prepared you’ll be when things start to heat up.

XVII-The Star (Basilisk)

Basilisk lizards can grow up to three feet long, but about three-quarters of this length is their tail. Often found along the edge of streams or rivers, basilisks are known for their unique ability to run quickly across the water on their hind legs to escape danger. Skipping across the water’s surface, special flaps between their toes help them not to sink. Its hind feet slap the water's surface to create small "potholes" of air; the lizard steps so quickly that it pulls its feet out of the potholes before they can collapse and fill with water. Small basilisks can run 30 feet or more before sinking. After their run ends, they will sink or dive below the surface, where they are strong swimmers and can catch small prey such as shrimp, small fish, or frogs, but they actually spend more time on land eating flowers and plants. At night, the basilisk seeks safety by sleeping in tall trees.

The basilisk shares its name with a mythical serpent, which was said to walk upright rather than crawling, and which could kill simply by staring at people. Fortunately, the real basilisk, although fascinating in its own right, does not have the deadly talents and magical abilities of the legendary variety.

• Scientific name: Basiliscus basiliscus, also called the Jesus lizard for its ability to walk on water; several other lizards of genus basilicus have similar qualities
• Habitat and status: Pacific lowland forests of Central America. Basilisks are common and not currently threatened. Continued habitat destruction in tropical regions represents the most significant conservation threat to this species.
• Keywords: healing, idealism, faith, a blessing, keeping an open mind 
• Interpretation suggestions: A light touch is best if you want to keep headed in the right direction. Keep the faith and inspiration may come to you.
• If reversed: Sorry to disappoint you, but no one walks on water and the person you thought would save you isn’t at all what they seem. Prepare to sink or swim on your own this time.

XVIII-The Moon (Spider-Tailed Horned Viper)

When scientists first discovered the very rare spider-tailed horned viper in 1969, they thought the spider-like bob at the end of its tail was a random mutation. After nearly forty years of trying to find a live specimen, they finally did so in 2006 and determined that this was, in fact, a unique species. The venomous snake, also known as the Persian horned viper, lures unsuspecting prey within striking distance by employing its tail as a lure. Birds will actually land right on the viper because they're concentrating so hard on the "spider." At that point, it's too late for the bird--the horned viper can strike in a mere fraction of a second. The practice employed by the spider-tailed horned viper is a phenomenon known as feeding mimicry. Interestingly enough, birds local to the environment where these horned vipers can be found seem to have caught on to the snare and tend not to fall for it. Visiting birds, on the other hand, aren't as wary. When it can't get birds, the viper will also eat other small prey like rodents and lizards.

• Scientific name: Pseudocerastes urarachnoides
• Habitat and status: Only found in a few mountainous areas of western Iran. The IUCN lists it as “data deficient” because there isn’t enough data to determine whether they are threatened or endangered. Its range is small enough that there’s a concern about extinction among the scientific community, and they're rare enough that international trade on them is restricted. 
• Keywords: hidden enemies, deception, illusion, a plot
• Interpretation suggestions: If something seems too good to be true and you feel a little nervous about it, you should probably trust your gut here. Someone’s trying to trick you.
• If reversed: Keep calm, watch and wait. Something that seemed confusing or unreal will be clarified soon, and you’ll find the truth is stranger than you ever imagined.

XIX-The Sun (Green Iguana)

The heat-loving green iguana actually isn't just green; many varieties exist in a wide range of colorful shades, but they do tend to blend in well with foliage and trees where they like to live. They're also well-known burrowers, but are never far from the heat and sunshine they love to bask in. 

Their vision at night is poor, but green iguanas have excellent vision in daylight, with sharp color vision and double-cone cells which enable them to see ultraviolet light (this helps them to know they're absorbing enough sunlight to produce vitamin D). One additional unique feature of an iguana's vision is its parietal eye, or third eye, which is a white photosensory organ on the top of their heads. It can't form images, but it's sensitive to changes in light levels and can detect movement, so it helps the green iguana notice predators that may be stalking it from above.

With its calm disposition, the green iguana has been popular in the pet trade for many years, which has given rise to its presence in North American areas as an invasive species. It's often hunted in places like Florida, both for sport and for food, but there's little evidence that green iguanas are having much impact in Florida's wild ecosystems. Instead, it seems to do what many transplanted Floridians do: hang out near major urban centers and soak up some sunshine. They do tend to destroy gardens and lawn landscaping, however. The Florida weather occasionally gets too cold for the heat-loving iguana; when cold fronts hit, local media reports are filled with accounts of "frozen iguana showers" as the cold causes them to lose their grip on tree branches and fall onto roads and bike paths, until the daytime warmth returns them to their normal condition. 

• Scientific name: Iguana iguana; also known as the American iguana or common green iguana
• Habitat and status: Native throughout South America and Mexico; many also have been introduced to other areas of the Americas via the pet trade. In the wild, they are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; habitat depletion is a concern.
• Keywords: radiance, enlightenment, warmth, positive energy, calm contentment, clarity of vision
• Interpretation suggestions: Finally, everything seems clear to you, and life is good. Enjoy the warmth and positive energy of time spent with good friends and family.
• If reversed: If you feel left out in the cold, try to hang in there—good times will soon return.

XX-Judgement (Crucifix Frog)

The lemony-lime colored crucifix frog is named for the distinct cross-shaped pattern of bright red and black spots on its back. These frogs often breed after a heavy rain, so that eggs can be laid in flooded areas. Their tadpoles often remain at the bottom of bodies of water until they mature, after about 6 weeks. 

Once mature, the crucifix frog dwells underground in a burrow that it creates, using the small "spades" on its feet to dig itself out of sight, sometimes 10 feet or more underground. It stays moist by creating a protective cocoon around itself, and waits, dormant, for a heavy rain--sometimes crucifix frogs can remain burrowed for years on end in this state. 

Once the crucifix frog feels rain trickling into its burrow, it eats its own nutrient-rich cocoon and then resurfaces by bursting out of its burrow. They're only a couple of inches long, but with their brilliant and distinctive coloration, a colony of hundreds of crucifix frogs reanimating and bursting from the ground after a heavy rainfall is quite a sight to behold.

These tiny frogs have rapid lifecycles after emerging from their cocoons, so they jump wholeheartedly into the short lives they have remaining, feeding and breeding for five or six weeks before they die and the cycle begins again with their offspring.

• Scientific name: Notaden bennettii; also called the Crucifix Toad, Holy Cross Frog, or Catholic Frog
• Habitat and status: Inland throughout New South Wales and in the southern half of Queensland, Australia. Their conservation status is Least Concern.
• Keywords: renewal, resurrection, liberation from old constraints, an awakening
• Interpretation suggestions: It’s been a long dry spell, but a cool, life-giving rain is on the way. You’ll soon have the energy to break out of your old ways and begin a new, exciting stage.
• If reversed: This is no time for the faint of heart or indecisive. Get with it or you’ll be left all alone with mud on your face.

XXI-The World (Tortoises and Turtles)

The concept of the "world turtle" or "cosmic turtle" is a common one shared by a number of global mythologies. In Hindu mythology, for instance, the god Vishnu's second avatar, Kurma, takes the form of a great turtle and is the heavenly foundation upon which a mountain is balanced--alternatively, the entire Earth rests on the backs of four elephants, which in turn stand atop a giant turtle. Chinese creation mythology also involves a giant turtle--the creator goddess cuts off the legs of this cosmic turtle and uses them to prop up the heavens and prevent the sky from falling after it has been damaged by another god. Some Native American traditions (such as those of the Lenape and Iroquois) hold that the Earth was created as soil was piled upon the back of a great, ever-growing sea turtle. This concept has led many indigenous tribes to refer to the North American continent as Turtle Island. It's not surprising that the concept of a giant turtle holding up the earth has taken hold in so many cultures--turtles appear in nearly every corner of the world, and they're emblematic of many qualities that humans value. They're famously long-lived, giving them an aura of ancient wisdom. They often move slowly yet can emigrate fantastic distances between the places where they feed and nest, imbuing them with the traits of persistence and perseverance.

The card image features a number of tortoise and turtle varieties, to represent all elements and astrological quarters. The Galapogos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) and Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) represent Air/Aquarius. The sea turtle (superfamily Chelonioidea) represents Water/Scorpio). The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) symbolizes Earth/Taurus. And the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) typifies the element of Fire/Leo. 

• Scientific name: See descriptions above.
• Keywords: fully integrated environment, success, completion of a goal, travel, the reward of a job well done, strong foundation
• Interpretation suggestions: Your patient effort has paid off and you’ve built a strong, solid world for yourself and your loved ones. Keep working to make sure the world is a good place for all the world’s creatures.
• If reversed: It’s true that foundations shouldn’t shake around too much, but a little movement is necessary to ensure that the work gets done properly. A little travel might even broaden your horizons a bit and get you back in touch with where you came from.

Minor Arcana: Suit of Wands

Cards in the suit of Wands are traditionally associated with the element of Fire. They're all about eagerness, getting things done, action and movement. Wands represent the forces that make things happen. Look for desert dwellers to represent the extra-fiery forces in The Fire Tarot.

Queen of Wands (Thorny Devil)

The thorny devil is an ant-eating reptile that is covered in thorny spines, features a "pretend" extra head on the back of its neck, and can change color to blend into its surroundings. Despite this somewhat frightening appearance, thorny devils are actually pretty peaceful (unless you're an ant), moving slowly and jerkily backward and forward to confuse predators. They're sun-loving creatures, feeding during the cooler mornings and afternoons and basking on warm roads and sandy areas in the heat of the day. Even for a desert creature, the thorny devil is extremely resourceful about finding water. At night, dew condenses on its body; grooves between their scales channel the water to the frugal thorny devil's mouth. During extra dry periods, thorny devils can even bury themselves in sand and draw moisture from it. 

• Scientific name: Moloch horridus; also called Mountain Devils, Thorny Lizards or Molochs
• Habitat and status: Range covers most of Australia; scientists are unsure about its distribution and population size, but it's graded Least Concern by conservationists.
• Keywords: good-natured, thrifty, wise economizer, nature and sun loving
• Interpretation suggestions: Soak up those good vibes—your sunny nature depends on plenty of rest and rejuvenation so bask in the warm company of good friends while you can and don’t feel you have to hurry.
• If reversed: You or someone around you is wasting precious resources—be careful not to burn out trying to help someone who can’t appreciate it.

King of Wands (Mojave Rattlesnake)

Mojave rattlesnakes range two to four feet in length; they live in areas with little vegetation and often shelter in rodent burrows. Like all southwestern rattlesnakes, the Mojave rattlesnake is ovoviviparous--it protects its young by keeping its eggs tucked safely away internally until they hatch. At that point the mother snake gives birth to fully developed baby snakes. 

Although not especially aggressive, they're fully in control of their own environment, so it's definitely possible to surprise a Mojave rattlesnake into biting you by accidentally stumbling across its hunting area. If that happens, take it seriously; this particular rattlesnake's venom is an ingenious blend of toxins that are a special challenge to treat. The effects can be either hemotoxic (attacking the blood) or neurotoxic (targeting the nervous system). To further complicate treatment, the effects and toxicity of Mojave rattlesnake venom can vary geographically, with the same species causing different symptoms and containing different toxic components depending on the location where it's found.

• Scientific name: Crotalus scutulatus; also called Mojave Green or Mojave Diamond Rattlesnake, or Desert Diamondback
• Habitat and status: Desert areas of the southwestern United States; conservation status is Least Concern.
• Keywords: take-charge personality, ingenuity, well-intentioned, severity or seriousness
• Interpretation suggestions: Keep your ideas inside until your plans are ready to hatch; your advantages are unique so you’ll have no trouble emerging as a full-fledged leader. 
• If reversed: You may be mistaking someone’s calm demeanor for an easy-going nature, but you may find out that crossing them is no joking matter. When it comes to protecting what they see as their turf, they’re deadly serious.

Knight of Wands (Perentie)

Australia is home to about half of the world's known species of monitor lizard, and the perentie is a fascinating example. Although not quite as large as their cousins, Komodo dragons, perenties are the largest lizards in Australia, sometimes growing to 8 feet or longer. They're carnivorous, eating eggs or insects, or tracking birds, other reptiles, and even small mammals and marsupials. Once they make a catch, perenties shake their prey violently to death and then swallow it whole. Although not exactly venomous, research suggests that perenties, like other monitors, have a vestigial venom gland in their mouths, which may explain why bite wounds from a perentie can require lengthy healing times. 

Sometimes hunted by wild dogs (dingos) or even by humans for food, perenties do a cautious stroll through their environment, periodically lifting their heads high and scanning their surroundings for danger. If they sense a threat, they can defend themselves with their powerful tails, and they may also rise up, swell their throats and hiss. However, they're most likely to simply run away from danger. 

• Scientific name: Varanus giganteus
• Habitat and status: Arid regions of Central Western Australia and Central Australia; their conservation status is Least Threatened.
• Keywords: departure, evasion, an arrogant person, bold but commitment-shy
• Interpretation suggestions: Someone might be pursuing you hot and heavy, but don’t be fooled—once you get close they may turn tail and run. 
• If reversed: You or someone in your life might be perceived as a big bully. Physical threats are never okay. Don’t give in to the temptation to get in the  middle of disagreements—they may leave you pretty shaken up.

Page of Wands (Paradise Flying Snake)

The black paradise tree snake is ornamented with colorful scales--usually bright green, but sometimes also clusters of red, orange and yellow. Its appearance is certainly not the most surprising thing about it: like other snakes of its type, the paradise tree snake can fly! Rather, it can launch itself from treetop to treetop, flattening itself into a more aerodynamic shape, forming itself into a J- or C- curve, and then undulating through the air to control the direction of their flight, in pursuit of other treetop-dwelling prey like lizards or even bats. Once they make a catch, paradise flying snakes are mildly venomous, but they're also constrictors who can squeeze their prey before consuming it.

• Scientific name: Chrysopelea paradisi
• Habitat and status: Common throughout its range in southeast Asia; rated of Least Concern by conservationists.
• Keywords: a surprising visit, the launch of a project or start of a journey, a strange or unexpected message
• Interpretation suggestions: Fling yourself into your next task with everything you’ve got—you might surprise people with the unusual way you accomplish things, but you’ll certainly send a message!
• If reversed: You may not even realize what’s hit you yet, but it’s probably bad news. Fight back if you don’t want to be squeezed out of the picture.

Ace of Wands (New Mexico Spadefoot Toad)

Designated the official State Amphibian of New Mexico in 2003, the New Mexico spadefoot toad is helpful to humans; by consuming lots of termites during the rainy season, the spadefoot helps keep troublesome termite populations in check. As they spend most of their year underground in burrows, they also help with soil aeration. 

In summer, when rains fill the spadefoot toad's burrow, it emerges to feed and breed. To indicate that they're ready for breeding, males float on the surface of ponds and send out their croaking song, which sounds a bit like a fingernail running across the teeth of a comb.

Although they do emit a smell like roasted peanuts if threatened (for instance if a human gets too close), which can cause sneezing if the frog is too close to a person's face, the New Mexico spadefoot toad seems largely untroubled by sharing its environment with humans. Humans have even given the New Mexico spadefoot toad extra opportunities to flourish, in some cases; people have created water retention areas for livestock, urbanization, roadwork, and other water projects, and those are new spots the spadefoot toad can employ as breeding sites.

• Scientific name: Spea multiplicata; also called Mexican spadefoot, desert spadefoot, and southern spadefoot
• Habitat and status: Mexican spadefoot toads are found from southwestern Kansas, western Oklahoma, and central Texas, through New Mexico, southern Colorado, southeastern Utah, Arizona, and in many Mexican states. Although human activity has disrupted their distribution, they are not listed as under threat, and indeed they can thrive in areas near humans or livestock.
• Keywords: startup energy, fertility, musical composition, an announcement, ready for action
• Interpretation suggestions: Your creative juices are flowing! Might be time to announce your presence and your readiness to get started.
• If reversed: You should think about putting your head down and waiting for more favorable conditions before you hop into that new plan.

Two of Wands (Purple Harlequin Toad)

The tiny inch-long purple harlequin frog is the subject of considerable scientific debate, as there is no consensus over whether it's actually an independent species, or merely a subspecies of harlequin frog. Where they do agree: the purple harlequin frog's population is sadly in serious decline due to a fungal disease to which they are prone, and due to habitat loss. 

When purple harlequins are ready for mating, the males have a special little series of calls they utter. One to two separate notes (frequencies) uttered in a pulsing pattern, announce the opportunity to mate to any nearby females.

• Scientific name: Atelopus barbotine; also called Purple Fluorescent Frog
• Habitat and status: French Guiana.  The IUCN does not recognize A. barbotini as its own species, but it does recognize it as a subspecies of A. spumarius, which faces population decline due to fungal disease and habitat loss.
• Keywords: absence that causes sorrow, need for further research, a possible opportunity
• Interpretation suggestions: You might have to work and think a bit longer before you can make a decision on something. Someone you care about may be leaving soon and unexpectedly, so be sure to let them know how much you care before they go, or you’ll be even sadder.
• If reversed: If you’re thinking of getting a new pet or starting up a new relationship, be sure to do your homework and be sure they’re what you really want. Otherwise, you may find things are not like you expected and lose interest—don’t wait til it’s too late and you’re stuck with unwanted responsibilities.

Three of Wands (Ocellated Lizard)

Ocellated lizards are large for European lizards, at one to three feet in length. Named for the bright spots along their flanks, ocellated lizards are usually most active during the day, climbing on rocks and in trees. When it gets very cold, ocellated lizards will dig holes in which to hibernate until warmer weather returns, or they may take a shortcut and usurp rabbit burrows for this purpose. These carnivorous reptiles prefer to eat large insects and snails, but the enterprising creatures will occasionally boldly rob birds' nests or eat smaller mammals or other reptiles.

• Scientific name: Timon lepidus; also called jewelled lizard, eyed lizard, jeweled lacerta
• Habitat and status: Found throughout the Iberian peninsula in Europe (Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar), and small patches of southern France and northwestern Italy. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatened and its numbers today are decreasing.
• Keywords: enterprise or bold activity, especially in business; seizing someone else’s property or authority
• Interpretation suggestions: If you can’t get the help you need, you just might have to take it.
• If reversed: You want to watch out if something looks too good to be true—a safe haven might not be so safe after all. You might be better off digging in and actually doing some work yourself.

Four of Wands (Garter Snakes)

Garter snakes are harmless, and love to live in parks, suburban areas and towns. These snakes are beneficial predators on rodents and insect pests. Generally one to three feet long, garter snakes are usually identified by the three long stripes that run along their bodies.

One variety, the red-sided garter snake, lives farther north than any other reptile in the Western Hemisphere, and can be found in northern Canada. In fact, this particular snake hosts the biggest snake party in the world, at Manitoba’s Narcisse Snake Dens. These are limestone outcrops in which large groups of snakes pile together and generate enough heat amongst themselves to live through a bitter Canadian winter. Each den is estimated to house up to ten thousand snakes. That might not sound very fun to you, but these snake communities are a fantastic safety and survival mechanism for the snakes. At mating time, the snakes emerge from their dens, at which time a few hundred males will surround a single female, creating a tangled snake ball that rolls across the ground. The stronger and larger female will attempt to take off for the hills, with the smaller males dropping off until just a few males remain, proving themselves worthy mates with their strength. This mating process lasts one to three weeks in the late spring. Quite the party. 

• Scientific name: Garter snakes make up the genus Thamnophis. The most common garter snake is Thamnophis sirtalis.
• Habitat and status: Found throughout the United States, garter snakes also live in southern Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Many garter snake species remain common and are not threatened, but some are endangered due to habitat loss.
• Keywords: community, a gathering or party, safety in numbers
• Interpretation suggestions: Your introvert tendencies need to take a back seat for the time being. You’re better off mingling in a crowd right now. If you don’t want to make small talk, maybe a concert or festival is the right spot to heat up your social life. 
• If reversed: You want to stay aware of your surroundings. Love is in the air, but you might have to fight off some unwanted attention before you can have the right person all to yourself.

Five of Wands (Brown Anole)

The light brown anole can change color to a darker brown, and features a dewlap that is yellow or orange-ish red. During mating season, male brown anoles puff out their colorful dewlaps as a means of indicating their readiness to mate; females also view this signal as an indicator that they're mating with an anole of their own species. 

Typically 5 to 8 inches long, brown anoles live on the ground and avoid trees, preferring to live in or near smaller plants and shrubs. Male brown anoles are territorial, making displays of intimidation when encountering competitors. If the males are similarly sized, they will actively attack and fight each other. Where they are introduced, brown anoles tend to compete with native wildlife and take over in abundance. They can also cause deadly disruption by transmitting parasites to other lizard populations.

• Scientific name: Anolis sagrei
• Habitat and status: Native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, via the importation and exportation of plants where the anole would lay eggs in the soil of the pots; not threatened, but rather is a highly invasive species that has negatively impacted native populations of other species including other anoles.
• Keywords: competition, territorial dispute, tension, battle over resources, hostile takeover
• Interpretation suggestions: It’s okay to be aggressive about protecting your personal space. Someone else will be more than happy to move in on your turf if you’re too tame. 
• If reversed: You might find yourself fighting off some type of infection or illness if you don’t take protection and preventive measures seriously.

Six of Wands (Island Night Lizard)

The Island Night lizard grows to be between 5 and 8 inches long. They live a long time for lizards, some reaching 25 years or older. This means that they also mature and breed relatively slowly. Contrary to their name, they are generally active most often during the day.

Habitat alteration and predation by introduced species (cats, goats, and pigs, for instance) decimated island night lizard populations and nearly wiped them out. However, the Channel Islands Species Recovery Plan of 1984 gradually took a variety of smart measures to protect these lizards and their habitats. It took a while, but in 2014, the island night lizard was finally formally removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. 

• Scientific name: Xantusia riversiana
• Habitat and status: Ranges across much of the southwestern United States and northernmost areas of Mexico. It has lost some habitat areas and is regarded as Threatened in Mexico, but is listed as being at Least Concern of endangerment by the IUCN.
• Keywords: conquering adversity, successful efforts, victory of intelligence over force, a wish fulfilled
• Interpretation suggestions: Careful planning will pay off big time; you may pull off a victory most thought was impossible.
• If reversed: You may need a little more patience before something you want comes to pass.

Seven of Wands (Saltwater Crocodile)

Reaching lengths of more than 23 feet and weights over 2,200 pounds, the saltwater crocodile is the planet's largest reptile. These crocodiles are excellent swimmers, often spotted far out to sea, but generally prefer to live in brackish waters near coastlines. They have been thriving in this environment since before the dinosaurs went extinct; in fact, in many superficial ways, the saltwater crocodile seems to resemble a dinosaur.

Due to their enormous size, saltwater crocodiles can and do eat just about any animal that strays too close; they can hold their breath for long periods of time, lurking along the water's edge and lunging to capture unwary mammals in their powerful jaws, then drowning them before eating them. They have the strongest bite in the animal world, so once caught in the jaws of the saltwater crocodile, escape is unlikely. 

Although most crocodile species are relatively harmless and have an undeserved reputation for violence, the saltwater crocodile's reputation for aggression is entirely deserved. Caution is necessary when in areas where the saltwater crocodile lives. It is highly territorial and is responsible for at least several dozen attacks on humans every year.

• Scientific name: Crocodylus porosus
• Habitat and status: Brackish and freshwater regions of eastern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. They're currently listed as Least Concern status and are at low risk of extinction, but their numbers must be protected from overzealous hunting and harvesting by humans.
• Keywords: combat, powerful adversaries, necessary vigilance
• Interpretation suggestions: Stay on your guard; you’re probably no match for your current adversary in sheer physical terms, so you’ll have to use your brains!
• If reversed: You might look a little silly trying to stick to the things you know are safe, but you’ll be glad you didn’t go poking around looking for trouble.

Eight of Wands (Flying Gecko)

Rainforest-dwelling flying geckos evolved to take full advantage of their environment. They've developed intricate webs and flaps of skin on their necks, limbs, trunks, and tails, which are the tools they use to glide and explore their arboreal surroundings. With these flaps, they've mastered a swooping motion that allows them to glide up to 200 feet and still come in for a soft landing. In addition to their gliding abilities, flying geckos are also masters of disguise and camouflage against tree bark, branches, and plant matter.

• Scientific name: Originally classified under the genus Ptychozoon, flying geckos are now classified as about 13 Ptychozoon species in the Gekkonidae family
• Habitat and status: Primarily native to southeast Asia; many are popular in the pet trade and their status is not evaluated.
• Keywords: speed, a quick trip, hasty developments, something you didn’t see coming
• Interpretation suggestions: Whatever’s going to happen, is going to happen quickly! Better get ready before someone or something comes sweeping into your life. 
• If reversed: Concealment or secrecy might be creating a few disturbing currents in your relationships. Best clear the air so you have smooth sailing, or you could get brought down to earth with a bump.

Nine of Wands (Alligator Snapping Turtle)

The alligator snapping turtle is the largest species of freshwater turtle. Males typically weigh between 155 and 175 pounds. Some myths claim that alligator snapping turtles are known to attack people. They don't, but with a bite force of 1,000 pounds, their powerful jaws can snap through bone, so they're best left alone. 

Alligator snapping turtles spend most of their lives in the water; they tend to stay submerged and motionless for so long that algae begins to grow on their shells, going nearly an hour before needing to surface for air. They have special lure-like projections on their tongues which they use to "fish" for prey. The turtle lurks on the bottom of the riverbed and opens his jaws, showcasing what looks like a delicious bright red wriggling worm, and fiendishly twitching this appendage back and forth. Curious fish will swim right in--and then, snap!--lunchtime for the turtle and lights out for the fish.

They can also actively search for prey by tasting chemicals in the water that are indicative of a particular species. This way, even when their prey is hiding in the sediment, they can still sense them.

• Scientific name: Macrochelys temminckii
• Habitat and status: Alligator snapping turtles are found exclusively in the United States, from northern Florida to eastern Texas and as far north as Iowa. Their populations are declining due to overharvesting and habitat degradation, so although they are not endangered, some states have imposed bans on collecting them from the wild.
• Keywords: hidden enemies, lying in wait, stagnation, a sneak attack
• Interpretation suggestions: You’ve definitely got the tactical advantage in the current situation. All you need to do is wait for the right moment, then spring into action. Victory will be a snap.
• If reversed: A rolling stone gathers no moss, so you should probably do a little more rolling and a little less lolling.

Ten of Wands (Black Mamba)

The deadly black mamba snake is so named for the black inside of its mouth, not for its external coloration. They can be olive, brownish, gray or khaki in color. Although they certainly are large snakes, possibly growing up to 13 feet in length, folklore often portrays them as having almost mythically large proportions--indeed the idea of a giant black mamba is definitely just a myth.

Because of its deadly nature, the black mamba's other characteristics are often exaggerated as well. It's quick, but only about 12 miles per hour, and it doesn't aggressively pursue humans. It's definitely poisonous, delivering a cocktail of potent neurotoxins with its bite, but a bite really isn't an instant "kiss of death"; most areas where black mambas are prevalent have good availability of antivenom which can and often does prevent fatalities.

One of the more fascinating traits of black mamba snakes is their mating ritual. Two males will often "wrestle" over the right to mate with a nearby female. This consists of an elaborate intertwined dance between the males, during which the winner will repeatedly pin the loser's head to the ground, until the loser gives up and loses interest in mating. Once a winner emerges, the male and female will also intertwine during copulation (which is prolonged and intensified by the male's dual set of penises), but they remain on the ground.

• Scientific name: Dendroaspis polylepis
• Habitat and status: Black mambas are common in sub-Saharan areas of south and east Africa. Black mambas are not endangered in any way (listed as Least Concern status), but they do face a future threat due to human expansion, habitat destruction and conflicts with human interests.
• Keywords: exaggerated abilities, oppression, determination, taking on too much
• Interpretation suggestions: Hey, you’re the one who started this dance—better stick with it. The payoff will be worth it if you can get to the finish line, but you may have bitten off more than you can chew and could end up with nothing but a huge headache for your trouble.
• If reversed: It’s understandable that you’d want to handle things all on your own. Remember that you’re tough (even intimidating when you need to be)—you’ve got this.

Minor Arcana: Suit of Cups

Cards in the suit of Cups are traditionally associated with the element of Water. They represent aspects of going with the flow, being open to love and imagination. Cups cards help us find a place for tranquility in our lives while avoiding stagnation.  In the Fire Tarot, most Cups cards feature reptiles and amphibians who live near and rely upon bodies of water.

Queen of Cups (Green Sea Turtle)

The green sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle; adults are 3 to 4 feet long and weigh 300 to 350 pounds. Green sea turtles are unique among sea turtles in that they are herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae. This diet is what gives their fat a greenish color (not their shells), which is where their name comes from. Green sea turtles wander far in their lifetimes but are devoted to the beaches where they were first hatched. They migrate hundreds of miles every two to five years from their foraging grounds, in order to nest in the area where they originally hatched. After about two months incubating in the warm sand, the eggs hatch and the hatchlings make their own way to the water by crawling toward the brightest horizon.

These long-lived turtles (they can live 70 years or more) are featured in many of the world's mythologies. In Hindu mythology, the god Vishnu turned himself into a turtle to hold up the world during the churning of the ocean of milk, and is still known as the World Turtle. In Hawaiian mythology, sea turtles symbolize wisdom and good luck, and are even seen as protective spirits, keeping an eye on the children who use the beach. 

• Scientific name: Chelonia mydas
• Habitat and status: Found worldwide, with 11 distinct population segments; a number of these populations are threatened or endangered by human activity or by degradation of their habitat and nesting areas. 
• Keywords: guardian, protector, wisdom, peacefulness, devotion
• Interpretation suggestions: Someone in your life is devoted to your welfare; although they may seem to have drifted away from you, they’ll always return to nurture you with their wisdom.
• If reversed: You may have to rely on your own instincts to launch yourself in life.

King of Cups (American Alligator)

The American alligator averages 8 to 12 feet in length, and can reach a weight of nearly 1000 pounds. These carnivorous reptiles use their strong jaws to crack turtle shells or shake larger prey into smaller, manageable pieces. Alligators are well known for their powerful teeth; they have between 74 and 80 in their mouths at one time. As the teeth wear down, they're constantly replaced. In fact, an alligator can go through 3,000 teeth in its lifetime. The sex of juvenile alligators is determined by the temperature of the eggs. When the temperature is just under 90 degrees Fahrenheit, mostly male hatchlings are produced, but temps above or below that level produce mostly females. 

As apex predators, alligators are symbolic of power and authority. Because they are also ambush predators, striking their prey before the prey even knows what happened, the American alligator is also a symbol of clever cunning. By lying in stealth in the water, sometimes with only their eyes above the surface, alligators derive their power from their intelligence as well as their strength.

• Scientific name: Alligator mississippiensis
• Habitat and status: Found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas; generally found in freshwater, slow-moving rivers. Conservation status is now Least Concern, after conservation efforts helped save them from near extinction. The federal government lists the American alligator as threatened due to its similar appearance to the American crocodile, which is endangered (to prevent accidental killing of crocodiles by hunters who may mistake them for the alligator).
• Keywords: intelligence, cunning, power, authority, cleverness
• Interpretation suggestions: You’re in the power seat now, but you should still use your head, not just brute strength. No one needs to know what lies beneath the surface until you’re ready to snap up the prize.
• If reversed: All may look calm, but be wary of someone looking to take what’s yours by force.

Knight of Cups (Axolotl)

The axolotl is a type of salamander that doesn't go through metamorphosis. Rather than developing lungs and the ability to live on land, like other salamanders, axolotls keep their frilly external gills and other juvenile features and stay living in the water for their entire lifecycle. This is called neoteny, or paedomorphism. Their amazing ability to regenerate parts of their bodies (limbs, eyes, even parts of their brains) is thought to be related to their refusal to metamorphose. Certain genes which are only active during the developmental phase of an organism are thought to stay active in the axolotl, giving it the potential to continue to regrow and change throughout its lifecycle.

Axolotls are brown-grey in the wild, but are sometimes bred to a pinkish color that is related to an albinism gene. Axolotls are named after the Aztec god of fire and lightning, Xolotl, who transformed himself into one of these salamanders to avoid being sacrificed by fellow gods. Xolotl is also god of twins, monsters, and deformity. Because of their cultural importance, the Mexican government and local conservation groups have several schemes to help them. Actions include restoring their freshwater habitat and encouraging traditional methods of farming that provide axolotl habitat.

• Scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum
• Habitat and status: Axolotls are native to lakes and wetlands in southern Mexico City, particularly Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco. But both lakes have been drained to reduce floods, with Lake Chaco almost completely disappearing. Axolotls are confined to the canals of these lakes, and possibly a third lake, Chapultepec. Thus, they are critically endangered in the wild, although a large captive population exists.
• Keywords: flexibility, open-mindedness, ability to easily convince or be convinced, juvenile behavior, mystical transformation
• Interpretation suggestions: You don’t need to commit to a change you don’t feel ready for. In fact, staying true to your own characteristics may endear you to those around you and be your saving grace. 
• If reversed: Someone in your life may come across as a little juvenile or naïve; rather than being impatient with them, learn to see this personality trait as an asset you can learn from. Their ability to rejuvenate after trauma is instructive. 

Page of Cups (Mary River Turtle)

The Mary River turtle is quite distinctive in evolutionary terms--it's the only species in its genus. This quiet animal is one of just a few species that can essentially breathe through their tails and remain submerged for up to 72 hours. These tails (actually their cloaca, or reproductive organs) are also used to eliminate waste, and for breeding. Although Mary River turtles often live to be 100 years old, they begin breeding late in life, at around age 25. This slow maturity contributes to the fragility of their species' survival. Sometimes called a "punk turtle" because they often grow shocks of hairlike green algae that resembles a “Mohawk,” their distinctive appearance contributed directly to conservation efforts to save them. Amateur photographer Chris Van Wyk posted his photos of Mary River turtles online as part of the fight against damming the Mary River, where the images went viral. The government did in fact drop the plan, a case where artistry (in the form of photography) made a lasting impact for good.

• Scientific name: Elusor macrurus
• Habitat and status: Kept as a pet for over 20 years before it was formally described as a unique species, in the wild this turtle lives only in the Mary River in Queensland, Australia. It's listed as Endangered but conservation plans are in place to protect it.
• Keywords: stylishness, meditation, quiet study, artistic nature
• Interpretation suggestions: A project that some perceive as a waste of time or “just art” may turn out to be much more. Stick to your passion—it’ll pay off.
• If reversed: You’re a charmer, but you should think harder about getting serious—your instinct is to go slowly but opportunities won’t be around forever.

Ace of Cups (Lava Flowing into the Sea)

When lava flows into the sea, dramatic changes ensue, as might be expected. Steam plumes are created by the intense heat, which can be lethal because they often contain glass fragments. Violent explosions propelling lava fragments in all directions can also occur, and hydrochloric acid is sent into the air as an acidic mist. In terms of changes to sea life in this volcanic area, the metal concentrations and high temperatures actually cause a wild proliferation of phytoplankton in the area. Naturally, other marine species such as fish may die or flee the area as temperatures rise and the water acidifies. This may in turn cause a rise in the populations of mollusks or invertebrates who no longer are preyed upon by fish species in the area. Eventually, fish can return once sea conditions are more favorable, and they can then take advantage of the greater volume of plankton and other sea life which has abundantly multiplied in their absence. Hence, the dramatic and explosive changes are transitory: systems can recover within two years.

• Keywords: passion, birth, purification, overflowing abundance
• Interpretation suggestions: A great passion may be building to an eruption—the right conditions are in place for spectacular things to happen.
• If reversed: Big changes are exploding into your life—it may seem like the end of the world, but the conditions for new life are being created.

Two of Cups (Water Moccasins)

Water moccasins are semiaquatic; they're comfortable both swimming in water and basking on land. As pit vipers, water moccasins are venomous, and have heat-sensing facial pits between their eyes and nostrils, which can detect tiny differences in temperature so that the snake can accurately strike the source of heat, which is often potential prey. Although they have a reputation for being aggressive, the notion that they will chase humans is only a myth. Water moccasins rarely bite humans, and usually only do so when provoked.

Water moccasins mate in spring, usually from April to May. During the mating process, males slither around in an intricate dance performance, waving their tails to lure females away from other male suitors. The males also fight each other when competing for females.

• Scientific name: Agkistrodon piscivorus; also called cottonmouths
• Habitat and status: Range from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to central Texas and north to southern Illinois and Indiana. Water moccasins are categorized as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which means that across nearly all of its range, the species is at low risk of extinction. That said, many live in protected state and national parks, and the species is also protected by state law in some places.
• Keywords: mutual attraction, love or a union of friendship
• Interpretation suggestions: Half the fun of a new relationship is in the chase; let yourself be wined, dined and danced into love.
• If reversed: A jealous partner or would-be partner may create a toxic situation—be on your guard and steer clear of all the venom.

Three of Cups (Peruvian Poison Frog)

The Peruvian Poison Frog, like all poison dart frogs, has an alkaloid neurotoxin in its skin that destroys nerve cells and causes extreme pain. They accumulate this toxin via their diet of termites, ants, and other invertebrates--if they're bred in captivity without access to their regular diet, poison frogs are not poisonous at all. Even in the wild, the Peruvian poison frog is so tiny that it only holds a small amount of poison (about a milligram), enough to cause severe pain but not kill a human. 

Poison dart frogs have unique reproduction habits, sometimes polygamous. Males perform an elaborate courtship dance to attract females, and usually more than one female will respond to a male’s call. The females may fight aggressively until one is victorious. After mating, the female lays her eggs on the forest floor, and the male will guard them and keep them moist. After hatching, the male carries the tadpoles on his back to a water source, where they develop into froglets. 

• Scientific name: Many species in family Dendrobatidae
• Habitat and status: Lives in subtropical or tropical moist forests, subtropical or tropical moist mountains, and rivers. Some species are critically endangered or endangered.
• Keywords: healthy abundance, celebration, successful conception
• Interpretation suggestions: In the right situation (among friends), there’s nothing wrong with a little overindulgence—it may be just what you need to recharge your energies and rebuild your defenses.
• If reversed: Things could get a little toxic at your next celebration, especially if there’s some competition amongst couples. Just remember, all’s fair in love and war.

Four of Cups (Chinese Giant Salamander)

Giant salamanders are sometimes called living fossils because their genetic family has been around for 170 million years, and they've changed very little during that time. These salamanders are often called wa wa yu, which means "baby fish," which seems odd given that they can grow to over 110 pounds and six feet long, and have the longest life span of any amphibian, living up to 60 years in managed care. They're called baby fish because their distress call sounds a bit like a human baby crying. Chinese giant salamanders appear in many Chinese myths and legends. The "yin and yang" symbol may originally been two giant salamanders intertwined harmoniously.

Chinese giant salamanders camouflage themselves against the rocky river bottoms, producing a sticky, smelly skin secretion that repels predators. While lurking on the river bottom, the giant salamander sucks up its prey via what's known as the gape-and-suck method. When salamanders sense prey (they don't see well so instead use sensory nodes to detect water vibrations), they increase the size of their throats, pop open their mouths, and dislodge their jaws. This creates a strong suction which draws water, and anything swimming in it, into the mouth of the salamander.

As apex predators, they will slurp up anything that moves and will fit in their mouths, so it's easy for them to accidentally swallow or become tangled in lines of hooks, which makes humans their greatest threat. 

• Scientific name: Andrias davidianus
• Habitat and status: Found throughout China in fast-running streams, their habitats are jeopardized, so in the wild they are severely threatened. They  are farmed for their meat, but when released into the wild the domesticated varieties threaten wild genetic varieties with disease and other problems.
• Keywords: stagnation, overindulgence, stasis, balance
• Interpretation suggestions: Stop sitting around taking life in as it comes; you need to wake up and pay attention or opportunity may pass you by. Work on finding the right balance between doing nothing and overdoing it.
• If reversed: Something looks enticing right now, but don’t just grab at it like a big gullible baby. There may be a snare behind this shiny opportunity and you don’t want to swallow it hook, line, and sinker. 

Five of Cups (Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko)

Satanic leaf-tailed geckos are experts at deception to help them avoid predators. They generally hide in low-lying shrubs where their tails allow them to mimic fallen foliage. Some even have notches in their tails to further mimic a decaying leaf; this trait seems more common in the males of the species. They can also flatten their bodies to reduce their shadow, and open their jaws wide to show a frightening, bright red mouth. They can even trick predators by voluntarily shedding their tails; however, this is a one-time shot at survival because the tail does not regrow once lost. As with all geckos, the Satanic leaf-tailed gecko has no eyelids; they must use their long, flexible tongues to wipe away any dust or debris that gets into their eyes.

The Latin word 'phantasticus' in this gecko's name is translated as "imaginary." Its strange appearance even led a famous Belgian naturalist to describe the creature as "mythical" in the 19th century. 

• Scientific name: Uroplatus phantasticus, also called the eyelash leaf-tailed gecko or the phantastic leaf-tailed gecko
• Habitat and status: They inhabit tropical forests along the central to northeast coast of Madagascar. Listed as Least Concern status but their survival depends on the continued protection of Madagascaran wildlife areas.
• Keywords: loss, deceit, gaslighting, sacrifices, inability to focus on the good in life, (perhaps-imagined) betrayals
• Interpretation suggestions: What’s happening right now may not even seem real, but the problems aren’t in your imagination. You may need to let go of something important to get out of your current circumstances; just remember that you won’t be able to get it back once it’s gone.
• If reversed: It’s possible to move on and take some good out of the current situation—clear your vision and take stock of what’s around you.

Six of Cups (Dwarf Crocodile)

Although not exactly tiny, at a maximum length of nearly six feet, dwarf crocodiles are the world's smallest living crocodile species. They rest in the water most of the day where they eat fish and insect larvae; at night, they forage on land for insects, small mammals, and other amphibians. Because they're small enough to become prey for larger animals, they can sometimes even be found climbing trees for safety. Dwarf crocodiles fight each other and make drumlike noises during their mating period--the young will call out when newly hatched to be freed by their mother from the mound in which the eggs have been laid.

In rapidly growing population centers such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, dwarf crocodiles are a sought-after game species, which has put them on the Vulnerable species list. Although many people in central Africa feel that hunting wild game (bushmeat) such as dwarf crocodiles is essential to preserving their culture, a growing contingent disagrees. They feel that this nostalgic view of bushmeat harvesting is disastrous to the environment, and are working to raise awareness that most bushmeat is harvested as a luxury product destined for urban centers, not as part of subsistence hunting, and furthermore that the harvest of bushmeat is an increasingly harmful source of human diseases.  A campaign led by local Congolese is working to protect wildlife from poaching, by encouraging the message that traditional cooking can be natural and delicious while using sustainable sourcing. 

• Scientific name: Osteolaemus tetraspis, also called African dwarf crocodile or West African dwarf crocodile. 
• Habitat and status: Sub-Saharan western and central Africa, from Guinea east to the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and south to northern Angola. Listed as Vulnerable.
• Keywords: heritage, nostalgia, security, poor use of resources
• Interpretation suggestions: Yearning for the past won’t get you too far when circumstances have changed. Find innovative new ways to get those good-old-days feelings back.
• If reversed: If you don’t find a way to adapt, you’ll find your resources dwindling. Grow up and face the future.

Seven of Cups (Hatching Sea Turtles)

Seven different species of sea turtles live in the oceans of the world. After an adult female sea turtle nests, she returns to the sea, leaving her nest and the eggs within it to develop on their own. The hatching process is a carefully orchestrated effort to get the baby turtles successfully launched in life. First, they remain in their nests after hatching for a number of days, gaining energy from their egg yolk. Next, the hatchlings crawl upwards, often remaining beneath the surface until the temperature of the sand cools, usually indicating nighttime, when they are less likely to be eaten by predators or overheat. Once the baby turtles emerge from the nest, they use cues to find the water including the slope of the beach, the white crests of the waves, and the natural light of the ocean horizon. Any other light sources such as beachfront lighting, street lights, light from cars, campfires etc. can disorient hatchlings and lead them in the wrong direction. Once out of the nest, hatchlings face many predators including ghost crabs, birds, raccoons, dogs, and fish, so if they make it to the surf, they enter a days-long "swimming frenzy" to escape the waters near the shore where their chances of being eaten are much higher. They'll then set off for unknown destinations for about ten years—their "lost years"—before returning to coastal areas.

Because sea turtle hatchlings do not have sex chromosomes, their gender is determined by the temperature within the nest. Many scientists are concerned that rising global temperatures will result in warmer sand, causing more female than male baby turtles. With an estimated survival rate of just one in a thousand, it is critical that sea turtle hatchlings are given every opportunity to thrive that humans can provide.

• Scientific name: Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae families
• Habitat and status: Open waters and coastlines around the world. Three species of sea turtle are now classified as Endangered, with two of those being Critically Endangered.
• Keywords: careful planning, willpower, illusion, determination, overcoming impossible odds 
• Interpretation suggestions: The odds are stacked against you, but with careful planning, wise choices, hard work, and a little luck, you’re bound for freedom and open waters ahead.
• If reversed: It seems like you’ve got lots of bright options, but don’t be fooled into making a bad choice. Setting out in the wrong direction now could be a fatal mistake.

Eight of Cups (Golden Lancehead Viper on Ilha da Queimade Granda, “Snake Island”)

Ilha da Queimada Grande (‘Snake Island’) lies just off the coast of southern Brazil. Although it's only a little over 100 acres in area, this rocky island is home to between 2,000 and 4,000 highly venomous golden lancehead vipers--and it's the only place on earth they live in the wild. Trapped by rising sea levels at the end of the last Ice Age, about 11,000 years ago, golden lanceheads had no predators to keep their numbers in check, but also very limited prey. They adapted a specialized and very powerful venom to enable them to hunt and kill birds. This venom is some of the most potent in the world. It not only has the effects of other powerful venoms like breaking apart red blood cells and causing hemorrhaging, but it is actually powerful enough to melt skin, and can kill a human in less than an hour.  

Legend holds that a family once lived on the island in the early 1900s, to operate a lighthouse, but all the family members were killed by golden lanceheads (although this story is undocumented). The current lighthouse is automated. The Brazilian Navy has forbidden visitors, except for authorized scientific expeditions. However, because of the rarity of golden lanceheads and the potency of their venom (a gram of golden lancehead venom can be worth its weight in gold), determined poachers sometimes dare the dangers of Snake Island. 

Studies aren’t conclusive regarding their numbers and primary threats, because snake populations are difficult to accurately observe. However, despite some poaching and impact from human intervention on the island, a study published in 2014 concluded that their primary challenges to survival are food and reproduction. According to this study, males seemed to have a higher survival rate than females, possibly because females require more resources so that they can successfully breed. 

• Scientific name: Bothrops insularis
• Habitat and status: With a population of between 2,000 and 4,000 only on Snake Island, golden lanceheads are on the IUCN Redlist as Critically Endangered.
• Keywords: making the best of a bad situation, looking toward higher things, difficulties in love
• Interpretation suggestions: It might be time to seek the higher ground; your success depends on your ability to shift focus and let go of the way things used to be.
• If reversed: Stand your ground and you’ll prevail. Although you may find yourself on your own, your capabilities are fearsome and you’ll adapt well to your new situation.

Nine of Cups (Goliath Frog)

Weighing in at up to 7 pounds or even a bit more, and almost 30 inches long with legs extended, the goliath frog is indeed a giant among amphibians. They're so large that until the early part of the 20th century, scientists thought frogs of this size were prehistoric or merely legendary. Students of unknown, legendary, or extinct animals are known as cryptozoologists--scientists who analyze both folklore and biological data to understand the phenomena of the world we live in. Some scholars within this field consider the 1906 discover of live goliath frogs to be a dramatically successful feat of cryptozoology. 

Adult goliath frogs primarily eat the same types of food that other frogs do: insects, crustaceans, fish, and other amphibians--just more of it. Their large size also means they can eat bigger prey; bats have even been found in the stomachs of goliath frogs. However, goliath frog tadpoles, which are the same size as any other tadpole, are notoriously picky eaters, only eating a specific plant found near swiftly flowing rivers and waterfalls. This makes the goliath frog extremely difficult to breed in captivity and contributes to their endangered status. 

• Scientific name: Conraua goliath
• Habitat and status: Inhabiting small ranges in the rainforests at the equator of western Africa, goliath frogs are currently Endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
• Keywords: great success, abundance, a legendary victory
• Interpretation suggestions: If you’re willing to consider possibilities outside the box a bit, you may find that your dreams are coming true. Think big!
• If reversed: It may pay to be a little choosier about what you put in your body—you’re still young and you need the right sustenance to stay healthy.

Ten of Cups (‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Flowers on Lava Field)

The most common native Hawaiian tree is the ‘ōhi‘a lehua, which sports masses of fiery red and yellow flowers of the same name, and grows throughout the six largest Hawaiian islands. Although the tree itself is very slow growing, it is the first plant with the resilience to spring to life from recent lava flows. Perhaps its ability to colonize lava flows is what makes the ‘ōhi‘a lehua sacred to Pele, goddess of the volcano in many native Hawaiian traditions.

In Hawaiian mythology, ‘Ōhi‘a and Lehua were young lovers. Pele fell in love with handsome ‘Ōhi‘a, but he spurned her. In her rage, Pele transformed ‘Ōhi‘a into a tree. Lehua could not bear to be separated from her love. Out of pity, other gods turned her into a flower on the ‘ōhi‘a tree, so that today, the ‘ōhi‘a lehua plant represents the secure and trusting love of a couple who have been through explosive times and emerged with strength and grace into harmonious beauty. 

• Scientific name: Metrosideros polymorpha
• Habitat and status: A common plant in the Hawaiian islands, the ‘ōhi‘a lehua is vulnerable to invasive species, wildfire, and loss of pollinators, in addition to a fungus discovered on Hawaii island in 2014 known as Rapid Ohia Death (ROD).
• Keywords: Emergence from disaster into prosperity, promises fulfilled, contentment, resilience
• Interpretation suggestions: After the fire comes the rain, and with it comes a return to prosperity. The difference is that now you know you have the strength to get through anything with your loved ones around you.
• If reversed: Jealous anger can wreak a lot of havoc, and the worst part is that everyone suffers. Continue to show appreciation for loved ones and use this time as an opportunity to lean on each other and grow together.

Minor Arcana: Suit of Swords

Cards in the suit of Swords are traditionally associated with the element of Air. Swords cut through the clutter in our minds and in our circumstances and help us see ways to hack at the roots of problems. Like Air itself, Swords can represent gentle breezes that clear the air, but also the violent storms of our troubles. Other decks in the Elemental Tarot series feature many ancient animals in the suit of Swords. In the case of the Fire Deck, this means you’ll encounter lots of dinosaurs. 

Queen of Swords (Tyrannosaurus Rex)

The first skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex was discovered in 1902 in Hell Creek, Montana. Originally, skeletons of T. rex were arranged with the dinosaur standing upright. However, scientists have determined that T. rex more frequently kept its enormous head low to the ground, with its tail extended, in position to stalk its prey. The sharp teeth and shock-absorbing jaw of the T. rex indicates that they probably ate their struggling prey live, in large chunks. They grew quickly to adult size of up to 40 feet in length, 12 feet in height, and up to 15,500 pounds (about as much as the largest African elephants today). Like most predators, T. rex had large olfactory bulbs indicative of excellent sense of smell. Its forward-facing eyes hint that T. rex may have had better depth perception than most other predatory dinosaurs. Most T. rex skeletons show lots of signs of injury as well as disease--sure signs that their lives were lived fiercely guarding their position reigning over neighboring creatures.

• Name meaning: Tyrannosaurus rex means “king of the tyrant lizards” (although perhaps “monarch” is more fitting than king, as it is nearly impossible to identify the sex of most T. rex skeletons)
• Habitat and status: T. rex  lived about 66–68 million years ago, during the Cretaceous Period in the western United States.
• Keywords: sternness, intelligence, deep perception, a sharp guardian
• Interpretation suggestions: Someone in your life may not give you the warm fuzzies, but they see things clearly and they’re not afraid to take a chunk out of anyone who threatens you. Stay on their good side!
• If reversed: You may encounter someone with a biting wit who is avid to use that power to hurt you. Steer clear; vicious behavior will attract its own punishment.

King of Swords (Brachiosaurus)

The long neck of Brachiosaurus made it look like a giraffe, and its forelegs were longer than its hind legs (hence its name of "arm lizard"). Because it held its head so high, Brachiosaurus is likely to have been a consumer of leaves atop tall treelike plants. Its teeth indicate that it was entirely herbivorous and likely kept on the move constantly to get enough to eat, requiring 400-900 pounds of food each and every day to support its enormous body. but At over 40 feet tall and 120,000 pounds, its size and power certainly protected it from predation. Traveling in herds, the commanding Brachiosaurus could live to be 100 years old. Interestingly, Brachiosaurus had an air-sac circulatory system (like modern birds). Massive air sacks rested to each side of their neck bones; these structures had the additional benefit of making their bones lighter and helping to support their weight.

• Name meaning: Brachiosaurus means “arm lizard”
• Habitat and status: Brachiosaurus lived 155-140 million years ago, during the Late Jurassic period, and could be found in what is now the USA, Algeria, Portugal and Tanzania.
• Keywords: high productivity, a commanding presence, immovable force, supporter of authority
• Interpretation suggestions: You get a lot done in a day and it shows. When you swing your weight around everyone feels it.
• If reversed: Watch where you step and use your power to keep the peace, not to squash the opposition. Violence is not necessary for your survival nor is it justifiable, much as you may be tempted to use it.

Knight of Swords (Raptor)

The word raptor is derived from the Latin word raptare (or rapto) which means to seize violently and drag away. It's a word that's used to describe two types of animals who share a common ancestry in the early Jurassic period: one branch evolved into our modern birds, and the other became modern reptiles. This latter evolutionary branch featured Dromaeosaurs, a group of bird-like dinosaurs sometimes known as raptors. Contrary to popular fictionalized accounts of these dinosaurs, scientific evidence suggests raptors were most likely solitary hunters, and were likely fearlessly combative and contentious with each other, thinking primarily of their own welfare and seizing what they want by force. 

Most raptors were very small, around the size of a turkey, although a few Dromaeosaurs grew taller than a person. With legs and bodies built for speed and agility, raptor arms are long, fully feathered, and closely resemble bird wings. These wings were most likely used by flapping them to maintain stability while pinning down prey. This feeding style is remarkably similar to modern birds of prey, where they pin down smaller prey with their claws, flap to maintain control, and feed with their beaks. The only difference is raptor jaws contained numerous small serrated teeth like tiny steak knives. Many Dromaeosaurs could use their wings and claws to help climb trees, and some could even fly or glide. To accommodate their extra motor skills and superb vision, the brains of these fine-tuned predators were relatively larger than other dinosaurs (but still much smaller than mammal brains).  

• Scientific name: Raptors are from the family Dromaeosaurid
• Habitat and status: Worldwide throughout the Cretaceous Period (145-66 million years ago).
• Keywords: ferocity, selfishness, high confidence, success due to skill
• Interpretation suggestions: No one questions your skill or your bravery, yourself least of all. Your attitude will take you far, but there may be some sacrifices along the way.
• If reversed: You might not be quite as clever as you think you are. Watch your back, and stop throwing money around; it’s not an endless resource.

Page of Swords (Stegosaurus)

Stegosaurus is a plant-eating dinosaur with plates on its back and spikes on its tail. Its armor makes Stegosaurus one of the most unique creatures of its age. The function of these militaristic-looking plates has been debated by paleontologists. Although it's speculated that the tail spikes and spinal plates may have been for defense against predators, or were perhaps used in a display to attract mates, a more likely theory is that they helped regulate body temperature. This is theorized because the plates contained many blood vessels, and their alternating placement means the plates could have acted as radiators, releasing body heat to a cooler ambient environment. Alternatively, the plates could also have collected heat by being faced toward the sun, like living solar panels. In any case, this unique technology was far more advanced than its intelligence; Stegosaurus had an extremely tiny brain for its size (which was usually about 20 feet in length, but sometimes as large as 30 feet).

• Name meaning: Stegosaurus means “roof lizard”; when first discovered, people believed the plates lay flat on its back like a shell or roof
• Habitat and status: North America during the Late Jurassic Period, 159 million to 144 million years ago
• Keywords: caution, watchfulness, a combative appearance, reliance on technology over intelligence
• Interpretation suggestions: Sometimes it’s enough to look like you mean business. Just go about your routine and those who would harm you may think better of trying to tackle you.
• If reversed: You may face danger from someone who’s on to the fact that your act is all show.

Ace of Swords (Dinosaur Fossil)

Dinosaurs first appeared about 245 million years ago; the last mass extinction about 66 million years ago ended the long and great rule of the dinosaurs. How do we know this (since humans weren't around until much later)? Through the fossil record, of course. A fossil is any evidence of prehistoric life (plant or animal) that is at least 10,000 years old. As organisms like dinosaurs decayed, over millions of years, water in the nearby rocks surrounded the hard parts of the dinosaurs (bones and teeth), and minerals in the water replaced them, bit by bit, creating a fossil, a solid rock copy of the original specimen. By carefully excavating dinosaur fossils and recording information about where and how they are found, and by comparing these prehistoric records with what we know about similar modern-day animals, scientists have been able to reconstruct a great deal about the world of the dinosaurs and the way in which they lived. Their rule may be over, but in a way, the dinosaurs are still with us today via the records they've left for us embedded in rock. 

• Keywords: critical thinking, ultimate triumph, start of a struggle
• Interpretation suggestions: Applying your brains to the evidence in front of you will yield amazing results. You’ll probably face some argument along the way, but that will only make your victory sweeter when everyone admits you were right all along.
• If reversed: Yes, what you’ve accomplished may last forever, but will you be around to enjoy it?

Two of Swords (Euoplocephalus)

A number of dinosaur species are ankylosaurids, like Euoplocephalus, meaning they're herbivores who are heavily armored with bone, but Euoplocephaus is the only ankylosaurid dinosaur with a bone-plated head. A number of examples of this giant beast exist in the fossil record--at around 20 feet long, it was actually medium-sized for an ankylosaur. With rows of large high-ridged plates on its back, two bony rings covering its neck, and a massive club at the end of its tail, the Euoplocephalus seems built for battle, but in reality it likely avoided fights as much as possible, in favor of grazing on low plants and bushes. When forced to defend itself, Euoplocephalus was probably well matched against many of the era's fierce predatory dinosaurs; in addition to the armor many similar dinosaurs had, Euoplocephalus even had a bony plate protecting its eyelids.  

• Name meaning: Euoplocephalus means “well-armored head”
• Habitat and status: Lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period (100 million to 66 million years ago).
• Keywords: dangerous times, powerful forces in balance, a block on knowledge
• Interpretation suggestions: It’s clear you’re just trying to go about your business, but you’re going to have to stand up for yourself at some point. Don’t worry; you’re more than a match for the situation.
• If reversed: Someone thinks they’re protecting you, but in truth they may be preventing you from seeing clearly. Use your instincts to fend off trouble even if you can’t quite see where it’s coming from.

Three of Swords (Parasaurolophus; Last Days of Dinosaurs)

The 30-foot long Parasaurolophus likely lived in large herds to protect themselves against predators. Many scientists believe that the two hollow tubes located inside the distinctive crest of the Parasaurolophus were used to make unique sounds, perhaps to call and communicate with others in the herd.

Regardless of their adaptations for survival, nothing could have prepared Parasaurolophus for the sudden catastrophic event that almost certainly sealed the doom of all the planet’s remaining dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period 66 million years ago. Scientists believe an asteroid impact is the most likely culprit which changed the atmosphere and climate enough to kill all the dinosaur species in existence at the time, whether on land, in the air, or at sea. The sole remaining type of “dinosaur”—birds—went on to evolve rapidly along with mammals as the gaps in the ecosystem left by the demise of the dinosaurs rushed to be filled.

• Name meaning: Parasaurolophus means “near crested lizard”
• Habitat and status: Lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period (100 million to 66 million years ago).
• Keywords: upheaval, removal, a large and catastrophic loss
• Interpretation suggestions: An unexpected element arriving in your personal orbit can be catastrophic. Loss paves the way for change and evolution, but it’s okay to take time to grieve the way things used to be.
• If reversed: Clouds may be clearing soon, but some situations are very hard to cope with, for anyone. If you still feel like you’re struggling it may be time to reach out for professional help of some kind.

Four of Swords (Triceratops)

Triceratops looked imposing, at 25 feet long, almost 10 feet tall at the hips, and weighing in at about 8 tons, but they were a plant-eating dinosaur and used their size primarily as protection from predators. Triceratops' skull is enormous and unusual, with three horns, a parrot-like beak, and a 3-foot frill along the top. These features were most likely used to fend off predators. Similar horned dinosaurs have been found in patterns suggesting that they moved in herds for protection, but Triceratops are usually found on their own, suggesting they may have spent much of their lives alone. When they did get together, defensive marks found on Triceratops skulls indicate that males may have used their horns to fight each other, probably to impress females. 

• Name meaning: Triceratops means “three-horned face”
• Habitat and status: Lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, 68-66 million years ago
• Keywords: solitude, strength in isolation, vigilance
• Interpretation suggestions: Others may find strength in numbers, but you know your strength lies in your ability to go it alone. Take a moment to catch your breath and calmly regain your strength before tackling the next opponent.
• If reversed: You can’t hide out on your own forever—if you want something, eventually you’re going to have to fight for it.

Five of Swords (Pachycephalosaur)

Pachycephalosaur is perhaps best known for the distinctive domed "skull cap" atop its head, complete with smaller horn-like nubs. Some scientists have recently expressed their idea that Pachycephalosaur may have even had keratin-based bristles on their heads, and even that these areas may have been brightly colored or seasonally changing in color, as a means of attracting mates. In other words, their domes and associated coloration may have been a means of communicating prowess and readiness for mating, or conversely perhaps communicating a warning message to would-be predators similar to the way virulent colors on animals today can signal toxicity.

Much debate and conjecture revolves around whether Pachycephalosaur's dome was used primarily for display as described above, or whether the animals actually used them to "butt heads" in combat with each other. Some studies point to the fact that about 20% of existing Pachycephalosaur domes surveyed show damage and skull lesions, as evidence that they regularly incurred trauma in combat.

• Name meaning: Pachycephalosaur means “thick-headed lizard”
• Habitat and status: Found in North America and East Asia, and lived during the Late Cretaceous period, roughly 76 to 66 million years ago.
• Keywords: loss, defeat, conquest, a combative appearance, using a victory to send a message 
• Interpretation suggestions: Losing can be humiliating, especially when you felt you had the upper hand at first. Are you in a home situation that is mutually destructive? You’re not as tough as you thought you were, and it’s time to face the reality of your situation: there are no winners here. 
• If reversed: Now’s a bad time to take a victory lap. Be wary of rubbing it in too much—it’ll soon be your turn to take a few hard knocks, and you’re definitely going to feel it.

Six of Swords (Hadrosaurs)

The enormous Hadrosaurid dinosaurs were herbivorous, using their duck-like beaks to crop vegetation. It's likely that they lived near water but probably didn't spend much time in the water itself, as was once thought...the giant crocodiles of the era would have been a threat to them. Several types of Hadrosaurs existed, all of which were likely peaceful herd animals. One type, the hadrosaurins, lacked a crested skull, while the other type, the lambeosaurs, did have such a crest. Many conjectures have been made as to the function of the crest, but the most commonly accepted theory today is that it was used to make deep, loud warning calls or trumpeting noises, as a way of keeping the herd together or attracting mates. One type of lambeosaur, Maiasaurus ("good mother lizard"), is believed to have migrated to nesting sites in a manner similar to some modern-day reptiles, where parent Maiasaurs watched over and cared for their tiny hatchlings (who began life less than 14 inches long), smoothing the way for them to grow safely to adulthood.

• Name meaning: Hadrosaur means “bulky lizard”; also called duck-billed dinosaurs
• Habitat and status: Found in Europe and North America during the Late Cretaceous period.
• Keywords: water travel, smoothing the way, a migration to safety
• Interpretation suggestions: Head to a place you think of as safe or as “home.” It’s where you need to be right now; you’ll be able to care for yourself and others best there.
• If reversed: Why are you sticking around in a stagnant situation? This is where you’ll run into danger if you’re not careful. Heed the warning signals around you even if they’re not what you want to hear right now. 

Seven of Swords (Troodon)

Paleontologists consider Troodon to be among the most intelligent of dinosaurs because of its large brain and sharp vision. A relatively light, small dinosaur, Troodon was still substantial in size at up to six feet tall when standing upright, and over a hundred pounds. Its numerous serrated teeth (up to 35 on each side of its upper and lower jaws) indicate that Troodon was a formidable carnivorous predator, lurking in darkness and using its agility and excellent vision to track and strike smaller prey with ease.

Interestingly, experts debate whether Troodon is a valid name for a single dinosaur species at all. Some conjecture that Troodon is instead a sort of catch-all category and that too many different teeth and fossils have been lumped together as the same species, but are instead altogether different animals. Only time and further discovery and work on classification will reveal the truth and make sense of Troodon's real appearance and behavior. 

• Name meaning: Troodon means “wounding tooth”
• Habitat and status: Throughout North America. Troodon lived about 76 million to 66 million years ago, during the end of the Cretaceous Period.
• Keywords: perseverance, greed, agility, a clever theft, too much going on
• Interpretation suggestions: You may have tackled something a little too big for you, but stick with it—you’re smart enough to get away with your plan.
• If reversed: If you lump too many tasks from different projects into a day, you’ll just end up with a jumbled meaningless mess. Take a step back to sort out a logical plan and things may make more sense, although you may find you have to scratch some of the work you’ve already put in and start over.

Eight of Swords (Pterodactyl)

Pterodactyl is the common term for a group of at least 130 different types of winged reptiles. Some were tiny, with 10-inch wingspans, while others dominated the Mesozoic skies with wingspans up to 30 feet or even more. 

Pterodactyls lived during the same era as the dinosaurs (the late Triassic period through the end of the Cretaceous period--about 228 million to 66 million years ago). However, they weren't actually dinosaurs but rather an entirely different classification of flying reptiles. At first, scientists felt that Pterodactyls only glided and were cold-blooded, but later research and discoveries indicate that their capabilities were much more advanced. They had fur-like coats and powerful flight muscles, showing that they could truly fly and generate their own body heat.

Somewhat oddly, marine-based Pterodactyl fossils are dominated by juvenile examples. This is strange because under normal circumstances young animals would be destroyed by predators, leaving few examples. Scientists speculate that many young aquatic Pterodactyls died by drowning during the process of learning to dive for food and relaunch into the air.

• Name meaning: Pterodactyl means "winged finger"
• Habitat and status: Globally throughout the Mesozoic era (full age of the dinosaurs). 
• Keywords: self-sabotage, feeling helpless, lack of strength or confidence, an accident
• Interpretation suggestions: Your skills and talents are formidable; why aren’t you using them? You need to learn to spread your wings and fly—the only thing holding you back is your own lack of confidence. 
• If reversed: Don’t try to do too much before you’re ready. Testing your strength before you’re at full capacity may lead to accident. 

Nine of Swords (Iguanodon)

Hulking, herbivorous Iguanodan weighed in at over three tons and was 30 feet long or more. Even though it had powerful legs, it was most likely unable to run very fast. Unfortunately, perhaps because it lived amongst faster, and sometimes larger, carnivorous dinosaurs, Iguanodon eventually died out well before the age of dinosaurs ended. 

Iguanodon may have even co-existed with the iconic Megalodon, which is interesting since they are the first two named dinosaur species discovered. Carnivorous Megalodon was discovered and named in 1824 even before the word "dinosaur" was coined in 1840. Megalodon was closely followed by its herbivorous neighbor, the Iguanodon, in 1825. Scientists—indeed all people at the time—were confused, disturbed, and yet fascinated with the discovery of these enormous fossilized remains. Dinosaurs were initially thought to be much larger and much more recently alive—they were thought to be only a few thousand years old at first, making it possible for them to have terrorized early humans. As we now know, this fear was groundless, but a great deal of time would pass and an enormous amount of research would be conducted before prehistory and the age of dinosaurs were more completely understood, and these fears put into more realistic perspective.

• Name meaning: Iguanodon means “like an iguana” because the teeth were thought to resemble those of an iguana
• Habitat and status: Europe, North Africa and possibly North America, during the late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous period (about 161 million to 99 million years ago)
• Keywords: feeling weighed down, lack of understanding, end of an era
• Interpretation suggestions: A bad experience or terrible feeling may be weighing heavily upon you and putting you at risk or keeping you from the comforts of life. 
• If reversed: Keep plodding away; things will get better. If you don’t understand what’s going on right now, just know you’re not alone. Knowledge can be the best comfort; new discoveries will eventually help allay your fears and bring you out of the darkness.

Ten of Swords (Fantasia ‘Rite of Spring’ 1940—Dinosaur Extinction)

Walt Disney's 1940 classic, Fantasia, features the rise and fall of the dinosaurs in its longest sequence, the 22-minute section titled 'Rite of Spring' after the music used to accompany the animation. Written in 1913 by Igor Stravinsky, the original 'Rite of Spring' ballet culminates in a young girl chosen as sacrifice who then dances herself to death; the corresponding Fantasia scenes depict dinosaurs in the hot, hazy desert, plodding slowly to their own demise, eventually leaving nothing but their bones parching in the sun. As we know, the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago paved the way for the rise of the age of mammals, but the film sequence ends with scenes of chaos and destruction followed by the final silent sunset on an era.

Stravinsky was the only composer whose work was used in Fantasia who was still living at the time the movie was released, and although he initially expressed satisfaction with the film's use of his music, he eventually changed his mind. He was heard to call the film an "imbecility" and felt that Disney's conductor had betrayed Stravinsky's original conception of the work, calling the interpretation "execrable." 

• Keywords: desolation, dejection, disappointment or betrayal, the end of a struggle
• Interpretation suggestions: The bad news is that you’ve lost. The good news is that you don’t need to fight anymore. Someone you trusted may have used you or betrayed you, but the time for anger is over. It’s time to accept things and move on.
• If reversed: Post-traumatic stress is real; whether your trauma has been mental or physical, healing must be given space to happen. Give yourself the tools and time you need; the next, better phase will inevitably come around.

Minor Arcana: Suit of Pentacles

Cards in the suit of Pentacles are traditionally associated with the element of Earth. Pentacles provide the grounding required to bring our plans and dreams to life. They often represent our most basic needs--food, shelter, money, satisfying work. When these needs are fully met, we have the right foundation for exploring and fulfilling higher needs in a healthy way. Because of Pentacles’ elemental link to earth, these cards highlight burrowing animals in the Fire Tarot, and also plenty of slithery snakes.

Queen of Pentacles (Mexican Mole Lizard)

Pink and wormlike, the Mexican mole lizard moves more like an earthworm than a lizard, burrowing underground via peristalsis of its segments and only emerging at night or after a heavy rain. Its blunt head and strong, paddle-like forelegs allow the Mexican mole lizard to burrow into sandy soils efficiently, but its hind legs barely exist and aren't useful at all. Like other worms and burrowers, Mexican mole lizards are important to the ecosystem because they eat insect pests and aerate the soil. Although its ears aren't well developed (in order to allow more efficient digging), the skin of the Mexican mole lizard can transmit vibrations and allow it to "hear" danger coming. Mole lizards spend most of their lives on their own, preferring to rely on their own abilities for safety. One mechanism for self-defense is dropping their own tails to plug the hole behind them as they burrow out of harm's way. This gives them extra time to escape, although it's a one-time ability because they can't grow the tail back.

• Scientific name: Bipes biporus, also called the five-toed worm lizard
• Habitat and status: Found in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Guerrero, and Chiapas, in Mexico. Although their range is relatively small, they're classified as Least Concern and their numbers are stable.
• Keywords: independence, self-reliance, prosperity, a gardener, bold action
• Interpretation suggestions: Some think you’re arrogant, but you’re actually very down to earth, just using your head to get things done. Go about your business—others are counting on you to keep your environment healthy and flourishing.
• If reversed: If you sense rumblings that something’s wrong around you, pay attention. A bold, one-time move may be the best way to ensure your security.

King of Pentacles (Gopher Tortoise)

Originating 60 million years ago, the gopher tortoise is one of the oldest living species on the planet and the only native North American tortoise species east of the Mississippi River. It's considered a keystone species, which means that a large part of a particular ecosystem is dependent upon its survival. In the case of the gopher tortoise, about 350 other species need the burrows created by gopher tortoises for protection from the elements, fire and predators. The longleaf pine savannas in which it thrives are imperiled by human activity, so public and private land-management efforts are needed to ensure adequate food and living space for the gopher tortoise to live, breed, and nest. They're nearly extinct in some of the westernmost portions of their former range, but federal and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners working in collaboration have helped gopher tortoises to thrive and even bounce back in the eastern parts of their range such as much of Florida. 

Fire is a critical habitat preservation tool. In Florida alone, for example, the Forest Service treats almost 200,000 acres with fire every year. Without prescribed fire intervals of every two to three years, the habitats transform from open savannas into shaded forests where gopher tortoises and other species can’t thrive. This practice in turn can help other vulnerable species to increase in population since they share the same habitat.  

• Scientific name: Gopherus polyphemus
• Habitat and status: Range is from southern South Carolina through the southern half of Georgia, into Florida, and west into southern Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. However, it’s nearly extinct in South Carolina and Louisiana and rare in Mississippi and Alabama. Its IUCN status is Vulnerable.
• Keywords: a builder, slow but industrious, key player, importance of science
• Interpretation suggestions: The work you’re doing is critical to the success of so many people—stick with it!  A proposal may seem counterintuitive, but it’s actually for the best; trust the science on this one.
• If reversed: Watch out for someone you’re working with—possibly a developer of some kind. They’ve only got their own short-term interests at heart.

Knight of Pentacles (Gila Monster)

The Gila monster has a bad reputation, and it is indeed one of just a few venomous lizards in the world, but Gila monsters are generally harmless and spend their time basking in the sun surrounded by cacti and other desert foliage. Its bite is painful to humans but rarely fatal. Their jaws are very strong, however, so you may have trouble releasing yourself from a tenacious grip if a Gila monster does bite you. When biting prey, small grooves in its teeth help venom flow into the prey animal, so the Gila monster may even methodically chew to ensure the deep penetration of its venom. Gila monsters are not fast, and they look a bit awkward, but they're persistent and even a bit sneaky, flicking their forked tongues quietly to pick up scents in the air when they hunt. Good climbers; they may even forage in cholla cactus for bird eggs in nests. Gila monsters will occasionally oblige each other by sharing shelters, but males do engage in choreographed wrestling matches when competing for mates.

• Scientific name: Heloderma suspectum
• Habitat and status: Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Near Threatened. Gila monsters face the threat of increased habitat destruction due to urbanization and agricultural development. The illegal pet trade also threatens the wild population.
• Keywords: methodical, diligence, tenacity or perseverance, an obliging person (maybe too much so)
• Interpretation suggestions: You may need to chew on an idea for a while before you can get it to pay off, but people shouldn’t mistake slowness for laziness. Quite the opposite: you’re simply methodical, and once you start something there’s no stopping you.
• If reversed: Sure, you can let a buddy move in for a while, but they might prove to be a lazy slob. Be prepared to show them the sharp side of your tongue to get them motivated.

Page of Pentacles (Hognose Snake)

Hognose snakes are so named because of their upturned broad snouts, which they use to dig themselves into sand and soil, industriously burrowing homes for themselves. Hognose snakes can safely eat poisonous toads because they have the ability to neutralize the toad's poisonous secretions. They may behave in ways that seem frightening, but hognose snakes are actually only imitating the behavior of dangerous snakes, as a means of self preservation. Eastern hognose snakes, for example, are sometimes called puff adders, because they'll inflate the skin near their heads to look more impressive when threatened. Other species may flatten out their heads and necks to give them the appearance of a venomous hooded snake. All hognose species will then loudly hiss and strike, but rarely actually bite (and even if they do, they're not venomous). When their bluffs fail to impress predators, they'll even play dead, rolling over, writhing, and then falling limp and open-mouthed with their tongues lolling out.

• Scientific name: Any of five species of North American nonvenomous snakes in genus Heterodon
• Habitat and status: The various species live in much of the US and northern Mexico. IUCN considers the eastern and western hognose snakes to be of Least Concern, but southern hognoses are Vulnerable and several subspecies are considered regionally Critically Imperiled.
• Keywords: idealistic person, studiousness, willingness to do what’s necessary, amateurish or imitative behavior
• Interpretation suggestions: You’ve got the right instincts to dig in and get the job done. Some may mock your serious nature, but you know where you want to go in life. If someone’s trying to lead you astray, it’s okay to cut loose and tell them what you think, but it may be easier and more effective just to pretend you’re asleep when they come looking for a party companion. 
• If reversed: You may think someone you know is impressive, but the truth is that they’re a bit of a poser. They’ve got a lot of work to do before they’ll achieve the things they claim to have already done.

Ace of Pentacles (Natural Shale Gas Seep; Western New York State)

The eternal flame in Chestnut Ridge County Park in New York is due to a seepage of shale gas. A naturally occurring phenomenon, this regional touristic attraction is one of the largest, if not the largest, current gas seep in the Appalachian Basin that is supporting open, unattended flames. It's been burning throughout the available recorded history of the area, and may have been burning for many hundreds or even thousands of years. Boasting a stunning beauty as it shines from behind the veil of a cascading waterfall, the Chestnut Ridge eternal flame gas also serves as a natural reference gas that has not been altered in its origin or flow by human influences. 

Although certainly "natural," and a relatively clean-burning fuel as fossil fuels go, natural gas is mainly methane, which is a strong greenhouse gas. Additionally, carbon dioxide emissions from burning natural gas for energy accounted for about 35% of total US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2022. While beautiful, valuable, and useful, scientists have called upon us to exercise wiser use of this resource before its impact imbalances our environment and climate beyond repair.

• Keywords: magic of nature, sudden wealth or prosperity, use (or misuse) of plentiful resources
• Interpretation suggestions: Everything around you can be beautiful if you look at it with appreciation, and value it appropriately.
• If reversed: Just because something’s plentiful doesn’t mean it can’t be wasted or misused. Don’t be greedy.

Two of Pentacles (Yellow Anaconda)

The yellow anaconda is one of the world's biggest snakes, weighing in at up to 75 pounds and up to 15 feet long (but they're a bit smaller than their relatives, green anacondas). Yellow anacondas can live over twenty years, and although they're not venomous, they're dangerous constrictors, killing their prey by encircling and squeezing them to death. Because they spend a lot of time floating atop slow-moving rivers or marshy areas, they're sometimes called water boas. At mating time, females produce pheromones to attract males. Their courtship usually takes place in the water, where they may form breeding balls consisting of one female and multiple males. The strongest and largest male will eventually win out and breed with the female.

There are no major threats for yellow anacondas at present, and they're at the top of the food chain in their region. However, these snakes are hunted for their skin and for the pet trade; as with many wild creatures, they also suffer from the destruction of their habitat by human activity. Balance is required to ensure their continued survival.

• Scientific name: Eunectes notaeus, also known as the Paraguyan anaconda
• Habitat and status: Endemic to southern South America, their population status has not been evaluated.
• Keywords: entanglements, working to stay afloat, healthy competition
• Interpretation suggestions: You’re pretty popular these days—it’s not easy to keep things floating along without getting snagged up. You may even be trying to manage multiple partners who are vying for your attention. Someone’s going to have to win eventually, and competition might get fierce.
• If reversed: Beware of getting tangled up in too many projects or jumping through hoops. You could find yourself tripped up and feeling pretty squeezed.

Three of Pentacles (Radiated Tortoise)

The beautiful shell of the radiated tortoise is marked with brilliant yellow lines radiating from the center of each dark plate of the shell, hence the name. Other star-patterned tortoises exist, but none quite so finely detailed and intricate as the radiated tortoise. 

It is "fady" or taboo to touch these important and sacred creatures, according to native Madagascarian tradition, so for a long time their status was protected and their artistic loveliness could be enjoyed by many. Many of the people of Madagascar still observe this tradition, but unfortunately an influx of outsiders to the region have placed the radiated tortoise at peril. Over the past two decades alone, the noble radiated tortoise has disappeared from about 65% of its former range and its population has dropped about 80% over that time. The illegal wildlife trade is the overwhelming driver of the decline, both for use as meat and as black-market pets smuggled out of the country. 

• Scientific name: Astrochelys radiata
• Habitat and status: Radiated tortoises only occur naturally in the extreme southern and southwestern part of the island of Madagascar. They have been introduced to the nearby island of Reunion. They are Critically Endangered.
• Keywords: someone important and noble, beautiful craftsmanship or artistry, creative satisfaction
• Interpretation suggestions: Creating something beautiful and distinctive looking is its own reward, but you may start to earn more than just satisfaction. 
• If reversed: Working too fast is only going to result in diminishing returns. You’re being wasteful of precious resources for nothing.

Four of Pentacles (Frilled Lizard)

The frilled lizard spends most of its time on the trunks and limbs of trees hunting insects. It will descend to the ground to catch insects or search for other food. If it does descend to the ground, the frilled lizard is also well known for rearing up on its hind legs and dashing for safety. But perhaps its most famous feature is the leathery ruff, or frill, of skin around its neck, for which it is named. When the lizard is alarmed, it opens its mouth widely to "puff out" its frill which is a bright and startling orange color. When fully extended the frill can reach nearly a foot across, making the frilled lizard appear much larger and more threatening to any potential predator. Largely solitary, frilled lizards generally only socialize at mating time. Males are territorial and appear to use their impressive frill both to establish boundaries against other males, and to attract females. 

One interesting note about the frilled lizard: in the 1980s, a popular Japanese television commercial featured the animal, and it became emblematic of Australia in that country. During the height of its popularity, the Australian two-cent coin (which features a frilled lizard) sold among collectors in Japan for up to a dollar. 

• Scientific name: Chalamydosaurus kingii
• Habitat and status: Found in northern Australia and southern New Guinea; classified as of Least Concern by IUCN.
• Keywords: territoriality, accumulating power, solitary strength, inflated value
• Interpretation suggestions: Security is important, but it really is possible to overdo it. Don’t use your need to mark your boundaries as a way to keep loved ones out. 
• If reversed: You may have paid too high a price for something you thought was a wise investment. Don’t be fooled by displays of wealth and power—they’re all for show and falsely inflate real value.

Five of Pentacles (Jamaican Iguana)

Jamaican iguanas are the country's largest native animal, and can reach a length up to five feet. They eat fruits and vegetables, and the seeds in their waste return to the earth and grow quickly, adding to the area’s biodiversity. The dry forests the iguanas live in are a vital part of Jamaica’s economy, as they help to maintain limestone aquifers that provide ground water along the south coast. Unfortunately, human development and encroachment, and predation by introduced species such as dogs, cats, pigs, and mongooses, have decimated wild Jamaican iguana populations. 

As part of protection efforts, it is illegal to possess or harm Jamaican iguanas. The exception is zoos; a number have been placed by the Jamaican government in zoos overseas, so that should disease set back the natural population again, they can be reintroduced. Today, iguana "headstart" program at zoos collect wild hatchlings and raise them at the zoo until they are large enough to be safe from mongooses and ready for release. Since 1996, over 700 headstarted iguanas have been released back to the Hellshire Hills, where they are now thriving and breeding in the wild. After 20 years of intensive predator control and reintroductions, the number of nesting females and hatchlings in the wild has increased eightfold. The Jamaican National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), which is tasked with managing and protecting Jamaica’s biodiversity, aims to release 1,000 iguanas in the Hellshire Hills by 2026.  

• Scientific name: Cyclura collei
• Habitat and status: The species was declared extinct in 1948. However, in 1990, the animals were rediscovered in a remote area in the Hellshire Hills, Portmore, St. Catherine. Since then, programs have been hard at work to reintroduce and elevate their populations, but they're still Critically Endangered.
• Keywords: loss of resources, society turning its back, institutional greed (or conversely, help from an agency or institution)
• Interpretation suggestions: Sometimes reaching out for help from the professionals is the only way to make it through. Get your bearings first; figure out how to stand on your own two feet later.
• If reversed: Others like to blame your personal failings for your current situation; they might be right, but who are they to judge? At least there’s someone out there who is willing to give you a second chance.

Six of Pentacles (Knob-Tailed Gecko)

Australian knob-tailed geckos are very common pets, but they also appear widely in their natural habitat of Australian deserts. The knobby tails give them their name, but because they often make a loud bark during displays when threatened, they're also commonly called barking geckos. Knob-tailed geckos are hardy creatures, sheltering during the day and stalking prey at night. After dark, when temperatures are colder, the knob-tailed gecko has a distinct advantage because it's less susceptible to cold than other animals of the region, making it quicker than its prey when temperatures dip. Like many other lizard species, knob-tailed geckos can drop their tails if needed to escape predators. However, this particular lizard family isn’t permanently out of luck if they need to release their tails because they do grow back.

• Scientific name: Several species of genus Nephrurus
• Habitat and status: Endemic to the desert areas of Australia; classified as Least Concern.
• Keywords: gifts, prosperity, give-and-take, good resource management, no time like the present
• Interpretation suggestions: Things are good; right now is a great time to think about making a charitable donation or giving someone a gift; the favor will come back around when you need it someday.
• If reversed: You’ve got to move a little quicker if you want to stay ahead of the competition.  

Seven of Pentacles (Eastern Copperhead)

Eastern copperheads are medium-sized snakes (two to three feet) with distinctive hourglass-shaped markings. Happy in a very wide range of habitats, they tend not to mind habitat alterations, so they do well even in suburban areas or places like abandoned farm buildings or old construction areas. Given this propensity to live just about anywhere, it’s perhaps not surprising that copperheads are responsible for more venomous snake bites than any other type of snake in the United States. Although they are venomous, their venom is relatively mild and it's very unlikely to be strong enough to kill a human. In fact, they're considered quite beneficial to humans, especially to farming operations, because of the large number of mice and rodents they kill as food. They'll sometimes hunt actively, but often lie quietly in wait of prey to pass their hiding places, at which point they'll ambush and bite their prey, patiently letting their venom do its work before tracking down the carcass. Rodents are also responsible for carrying ticks, so by extension the eastern copperhead provides valuable tick control via its hard work as an intrepid mouse hunter.  

• Scientific name: Agkistrodon contortrix
• Habitat and status: Eastern United States and northern Mexico. Eastern copperheads are common and are not threatened.
• Keywords: hard work pays off, slow progress, meaningful work, a job well done
• Interpretation suggestions: Some don’t think of you as much of a go-getter, but don’t listen to them; your patient efforts pay off. The work you do is meaningful and helpful.
• If reversed: Lashing out is just a waste of energy—you won’t hurt your intended target and they may well punish you for it. Better to just hold your ground and hope they don’t bother with you.

Eight of Pentacles (Blue Tegu)

Known for their light blue coloration (most intense in adult males), blue tegus can grow up to ten feet in length. These conspicuously patterned lizards can live to be up to 20 years old in captivity; this combined with their appearance and their general reputation for docility, makes them popular as exotic pets, but escaped and released tegus have become a hazard to native wildlife in the United States. 

The blue tegu is skilled at taking care of its needs, by using its tongue and other chemical receptors in its mouth to skillfully detect and interpret chemical cues from prey animals and other lizards. Because tegus are so brilliantly patterened and colored, several species, including the blue, have been heavily exploited commercially for the high-quality leather their hides provide. Tegus are also eaten as a delicacy in South America. Although they are not yet a threatened species, populations have decreased and their exploitation by humans puts them at risk. 

• Scientific name: Salvator merianae, also called the Argentine blue tegu
• Habitat and status: Central and western regions of South America, in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. Least Threatened status. Tegu are also invasive to the southern United States due to their popularity as pets.
• Keywords: diligence, maintaining health, practice makes perfect, commercial success
• Interpretation suggestions: You’ve been cranking out a lot of work lately, and the high quality is paying off. Maybe it’s time to hire help or find someone to teach your skills to?
• If reversed: The focus on profit and commercial success is making you lazy about quality lately. Don’t let the money-making aspect invade and take over what you used to enjoy naturally.

Nine of Pentacles (Eyelash Python)

Named for the bristly scales above its eyes, the eyelash python (or eyelash viper) appears in many different colors, making it attractive to the pet trade. However, only those experienced in handling snakes should give them a try, because they are extremely venomous and strike more quickly than almost any other snake in the world. Their lifespan is at least 10 years. 

Because they have no specific mating season and will breed throughout the year, these snakes are quite prolific at reproducing, often taking more than one partner per year. Two males may go through an amazing courtship ritual called the "dance of the adders" when they are competing for the same female. They face each other, head and the forepart of the body held erect, while trying to push each other to the ground. This can go on for hours. There is no biting from either contestant. The eyelash viper gives birth to live young, carrying along the eggs for six months before the fully independent baby snakelets are born. 

Since they can be bright shades of yellow and often live in banana plantations, they’ve accidentally been transported between countries with exported bananas. 

• Scientific name: Bothriechis schlegelii; known by a variety of names including eyelash viper, horned palm viper, and eyelash mountain viper
• Habitat and status: Native to Central and South America; because their population is unknown but stable, their status is Not Evaluated.
• Keywords: abundance, success, inheritance and passed-down knowledge and success, high productivity, exercising caution
• Interpretation suggestions: You’ve inherited some abilities or resources that could bring you abundant success. You shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying this, and you can share freely, but use your discretion. You may have to dance around a bit to avoid those who may try to trap you and take advantage of you.
• If reversed: Watch out—someone’s trying to hitch a free ride on the fruits of your labor. This could end up being hazardous to your health.

Ten of Pentacles (Blue Iguana)

The Grand Cayman blue iguana's skin is dusky-blue to gray with cross bands that are often barely visible. Blue iguanas love the sun, and their coloration provides great camouflage among the rocks where they bask during the daytime. Sometimes exceeding 5 feet in length and weighing over 25 pounds, blue iguanas are the largest land vertebrate on Grand Cayman. 

Because of their adaptability, blue iguanas show up in areas that are inhabited or modified by people as well as in more wooded or forested areas. Although they do sometimes eat insects, they're primarily herbivorous, eating leaves and stems but also enjoying flowers and fruits. During the mating season, these lizards become a brighter blue. After mating, the females will become very territorial and protective of their home/nesting area. 

By 2002 the Grand Cayman population had plummeted to a remnant of less than 20 wild blue iguanas, due to habitat loss and predation. Although the entire wild population now consists of iguanas that were either bred in captivity or "headstarted" before release back into the wild, and the offspring of those animals, these offspring have been successfully reproducing and surviving on their own in protected wildlife reserve areas on Grand Cayman. Continued quarantine procedures, captive breeding programs, and population monitoring are helping to provide an insurance policy against future catastrophe and giving the blue iguana a secure legacy as one of the most distinctive and beloved reptiles on Grand Cayman. 

• Scientific name: Cyclura lewisi; also called Grand Cayman blue iguana
• Habitat and status: Indigenous only to Grand Cayman Island, blue iguanas are classified as Endangered.
• Keywords: a well-protected home, a legacy, posterity, archives and recordkeeping, insurance
• Interpretation suggestions: It pays to protect what’s yours so that it can be handed on to your children or other loved ones. You should feel pretty secure because you’ve worked hard to make things that way, but a little insurance never hurts.
• If reversed: You never know what repercussions your actions will have. Something beautiful and unique may be in danger because of poor planning. Do better.

Bonus Images

Your Fire Tarot deck may have come with a couple of extra cards. These bonus images are for you to use in the deck or set aside as you choose. Here are a few ideas:

• Review the meanings of each card’s image, then consider what they might mean in a divination deck, and include them for interpretation in readings just like other cards.
• If you find that one of the extra cards represents one of the 78 Major or Minor Arcana cards well, you can personalize your deck by replacing those Arcana cards with the bonus images.
• If you have other decks in the Elemental Tarot series, or are using several other decks simultaneously for readings or other tarot work, consider using one or both of these extra images to represent the element of Fire in general or to specify the Fire Tarot deck; especially when using multiple decks, these “significator” cards can help point you toward the most helpful elemental correspondences.
• Simply use as altar decorations or enjoy the artwork! Don’t feel required to include them if you prefer to stick with the standard 78-card tarot.

Bonus Card 1 (Tranquility: Sonoran Desert Toad)

Found throughout the Sonoran desert of southwest North America and northern Mexico, the Sonoran desert toad is a nocturnal amphibian. Other Elemental decks have tapped into folklore for imagery surrounding the tranquility card (a white wolf and white koi for the Earth and Ocean decks, respectively), but reptiles and amphibians (usually) aren't looked upon favorably when it comes to legendary creatures. So in this case, the artist decided to create her own folklore! Check out Taylor's artist notes here: 

“I was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and though my family moved to the much colder, damper Chicago suburbs when I was about 5, I still have incredibly vivid memories of the desert. The peace and stillness of the desert at night is incomparable--a world lit by stars and the moon, almost silent. When I picture 'tranquility,' I see that moonlit desert, with gigantic saguaro cacti overlooking the parched earth.”

You may also appreciated this anecdote from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum regarding the Sonoran toad:

"Colorado River toads are impressive amphibians, the largest toads in the Sonoran Desert, with an equally impressive diet of insects, including the large palo verde wood borer beetles. Each summer we are regularly visited inside our home by some of these toads. One in particular visited us for five consecutive years.

The welcome sighting of this toad always indicated to us that the summer rains were due to commence almost immediately. He made his appearance in the house by entering through the flap-type dog door, after which he traveled about the house consuming any insects he found along the way. Eventually he arrived in the sun porch off our living room, where he plopped himself in the water of a fountain in the corner of that room. We are not sure, but believe that he hibernated one winter in the soil of a flowerbed adjacent to the fountain.

It has been several years since we last saw this, our favorite toad, but others of his species visit us each summer."

-Bill Woodin, ASDM Director Emeritus & Beth Woodin, ASDM trustee

• Scientific name: Incilius alvarius
• Habitat and status: This toad is common in the Sonoran Desert, and can be found from Central Arizona to southwestern New Mexico and Sinaloa, Mexico. It hasn't been spotted in southeastern California since the 1970's but was once found in that area as well. Although listed as a species of "Least Concern," data is insufficient on its population and it is listed as Endangered by New Mexico's Department of Fish and Game.

Bonus Card 2 (Pele)

Hawaiian deity of volcanoes and the element of fire itself, Pele is the personification of Hawai'i. Our Earth has many islands and landmasses created by volcanic activity, and the Hawaiian islands are some of the most lively, with up to six active volcanoes. The dense, beautiful, incredibly unique biomes of Hawai'i both rely on and are at the mercy of the lava churning below. According to tradition, Pele is embodied by the lava and natural forces associated with volcanic eruptions. She creates new land, but also destroys what was previously there; Pele is thus, like fire itself, both destructive and creative in nature.

Much like the fire she represents, Pele is strong and passionate. She guards her islands fiercely, and inspires those who honor her to tap into their own innate strength.  

• Other names: “Madam Pele” or “Tutu Pele.” Sometimes called Pele-Honua-Mea (Pele of the sacred land) and Pele-Ai-Honua (Pele, the eater of the land).

Suggested Spread

Tarot spreads are simply a way of arranging several cards in a particular formation, with each spot in the formation revealing a different aspect of the situation or question at hand. The tarot books in this booklet’s Source Notes contain illustrations and explanations for several popular tarot spreads, if you are interested in learning more about patterns that will help you gain additional insights from the cards. You can use the Fire Tarot deck in any spread that’s designed for Morgan-Greer or Rider-Waite-Smith style decks. You can lay out your spreads directly on a table, or you may prefer to lay them out on a reading cloth or altar cloth, to protect the cards and to help you mentally zoom in and focus exclusively on the area where you’ve laid out your cards.

Here is a simple spread created just for The Fire Tarot, the Controlled Burn Spread. While we all know the destructive role fire can play, fire is also a tool that can be used to clear away unwanted debris and allow new life to flourish. The Controlled Burn Spread is meant to help you examine a given situation, see which aspects might benefit from a little (hopefully well-regulated) chaos, and provide a few pointers on the best way to clear the path without getting burned.

To use this spread to interpret the cards, follow the steps outlined below. 

1. Think of a question, concern, or situation. On what do you want to seek guidance from the cards?
2. Take a deep breath and clear your mind. Continue to remain calm and open, and shuffle the cards, without looking at the card images, for as long as you like. Focus on your question or the situation you’re examining.
3. When you are ready, choose cards from the deck and place them face-up in the order shown in the illustration above. Here are a few possible ways to select the cards for the reading: use whichever works best for you.
• Simply choose the top four cards.
• Cut the deck into four piles and choose the top card of each pile.
• Fan the cards out and choose four that appeal to you.
• Embrace chaos! Put the cards in a soft bag, give it a shake, then reach in four times and grab a card.
4. Each of the four positions in the Controlled Burn spread reveals a different aspect of the situation you’ve asked about. Use your intuition, and the card meanings in this book, to help you consider what the cards have to say about your question. Each card has multiple possible meanings; the card position in the spread may help you understand which meaning applies to you and to the situation or question you have focused on for the reading.

Positions 1: The Firebreak. Place this card horizontally, just to the left of center in your reading area. In a real-life fire control situation, a firebreak is an area cleared of flammable materials that will keep the fire contained (like a plowed furrow of dirt, or a natural firebreak like a river).  As you think about your situation, this card represents a resource or person who can help you keep things under control. It can even represent a physical location you might want to go as you execute your plan to clear away a little deadwood in your life.

Position 2: The Backfire. Place this card horizontally, just next to the Firebreak card. The backfire is the second protective component when controlling a fire. It’s a smaller fire designed to race toward the bigger fire and provide additional cleared area where the larger fire can’t jump across into an area you want to protect. In your reading situation, the Backfire card can represent something to give you “fuel” or added strength to fight for the things that are most important to you.

Position 3: Burn Zone. This card goes at the top of the spread. You can see a few things represented in this card: maybe they’re people, ideas, habits, or things you need to have cleared away because they’re choking off healthy growth. Or maybe this card represents the healthy relationships, new habits, or old friends you want to reintroduce and give the chance to flourish. This card could even give you some indications of how big your controlled burn needs to be—just a bit of a backyard bonfire, or are we talking a forest fire? If you like, you can keep drawing and set more cards in this area until you feel like the picture is clear.

Position 4: Safe Zone. This final card is placed at the bottom of the spread, between you and your Firebreak/Backfire area. It might be exciting to consider all the changes that could happen in your life as you review the card or cards in the Burn Zone position. That’s why it’s extra important to take a look at the card in the Safe Zone, to consider what, who, or where will be most important to protect and keep away from any potential chaos. This area can also provide thoughts on the best timing for your controlled burn scenario, if you see events or time indicators that should be kept well away from trouble. As with the Burn Zone position, you can keep adding cards here if you want a fuller picture.

1. Lastly, take a moment to observe all the cards together and consider their position in the spread with any possible interactions. For example, animals that represent things you want in the Burn Zone may have a predator interaction with an animal in your Backfire spot—is this an area where you need to be extra careful? It can be helpful to imagine and write a story, where all of the creatures or images depicted on your cards interact with each other in the context of the situation or question you have asked the cards about. This can be a way of taking a step back from the realities of the problem to meditate about it in a more abstract way, or it can simply be a fun way to jumpstart your creativity as a writing exercise.

The Elemental Tarot Series

The Fire Tarot is part of a series of four tarot decks, the Elemental Tarot Series. All the decks feature animals, relevant symbols and legends, and important landmarks or components of our planet’s ecosystem. The concept that everything can be separated into component parts, or elements, is an ancient one, and the four-element model appears in many cultures. For the Elemental Tarot Series, the element associated with each deck simply adds another layer of symbolism for you to consider when using the cards. Use these correspondences however they make sense to you.

Elemental Correspondences

This deck is, of course, associated with the element of Fire. The Earth Tarot, Terra Arcanae, is naturally associated with the element of Earth, and the Ocean Tarot, Oceanum Arcanae, is associated with the element of Water. The Air deck is forthcoming soon.

Begin by reviewing the elemental correspondence for each Minor Arcana suit. 

• Wands=Fire
• Cups=Water
• Swords=Air
• Pentacles=Earth

You can read the heading information at the beginning of each Minor Arcana section to get a little more information on what these correspondences tend to represent in tarot readings. Next, take a look at the table below to find a little more detail on concepts associated with each element.

ELEMENT	FIRE	WATER	AIR	EARTH
EXPERIENCE	Intuition	Feeling	Thinking	Sensation
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN	Aries Leo Sagittarius	Cancer Scorpio Pisces	Gemini Libra Aquarius	Taurus Virgo Capricorn
DIRECTION	South	West	East	North
TIME	Noon	Twilight	Dawn	Midnight
SEASON	Summer	Autumn	Spring	Winter
SENSE	Sight	Taste	Smell	Touch
AGE	Youth	Middle Age	Birth	Old Age/Death
POLARITY	Yang	Yin	Yang	Yin
JEWEL	Fire Opal	Aquamarine Beryl	Topaz Chalcedony	Quartz Rock Salt
METAL	Iron or Gold	Silver	Mercury	Lead
PLANTS	Nettle Garlic Mustard Red Pepper Almond Blossom	Lotus Melon Cucumber Ferns Seaweed	Aspen Mistletoe Pansy Primrose Violet	Oak Ivy Grains Comfrey Apples
COURT CARDS	Knights	Queens	Kings	Pages
MAJOR ARCANA CARDS	Judgement	Hanged Man	Fool	The World

Using the Elemental Tarot Decks Together

Designed to work as standalone 78-card tarot decks, the Elemental Tarot decks can also be used together as a unique and fun way to interpret and understand the cards. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Choose one card from a deck at random. Then find the same card in one or more of the other Elemental Tarot decks. Use this the same way as a single-card pull, as a daily reflection or meditation, or to look up and help learn about the nuances of each card. The meanings will be similar, but different. This can help you understand which meaning applies in a given reading, and to develop an understanding of the symbiosis between cards—the way cards can work together in a spread to build a meaning all their own.
• Use the decks as normal for readings, but let the elemental correspondences help you choose which deck to use. Are you reading for a Leo? The Fire Tarot might be attuned well to that person. Is the reading intended to provide insight on a creative project? Again, this would be a good time to use the Fire Tarot. If you like creating a space to do your readings, like an altar or meditation space, you can use metal, jewel, plant and other correspondences to give you some ideas about what you might like to include in your space depending on which deck you’re using.
• Perform a multi-card reading using any deck of your choice, perhaps a standard RWS deck. Note which Minor Arcana appears most often in the reading. This gives you an idea of which element you might want to lean into a bit more for follow-up and clarification. A reading with lots of Wands cards, for instance, has a Fire elemental influence, and can be followed up with a three-card reading from the Fire Tarot to give a little more information and insight.
• Use a small container or bag to mix one or more decks together, then draw cards for a spread of your choice. You could also draw from underneath a cloth, to avoid subconsciously favoring one deck over another. This method opens the possibility of drawing duplicate cards; what might it mean to draw two Fool cards in one spread, for example, or two High Priestesses? You can also notice whether any particular element is heavily represented in the cards you draw, and consider possible meanings using the elemental associations.

Source Notes

The following sources have been used in researching and writing the card meanings described in this book. See the Individual Card Notes for sources of information relevant only to particular cards. In addition to the following references, some general information about animals, myths, and other information such as endangered species status, have been gathered from general open-source information sites.

Gerulskis-Estes, S. (1981). The Book of Tarot. Stamford, CT: U.S. Games Systems.

Greer, M. K. (2018). The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals. Woodbury, MN: LLewellyn Publications.

Pollack, R. (1997). Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot. London, UK: Element.

Starhawk. (1979, 1989). The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess, 10th Anniversary Edition. New York, New York: Harper-Collins.

Waite, A. E. (1971). The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (republication). Blauvelt, NY: Steiner Publications.

Whitcomb, B. (1993). The Magician's Companion: A Practical & Encyclopedic Guide to Magical & Religious Symbolism. St. Paul, Minnesota: Lleweyllyn Publications.

Individual Card Notes

O-The Fool

Buehler, J. (2021, February 23). A mountain lizard in Peru broke the reptilian altitude record. Science News. Retrieved from https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mountain-lizard-peru-broke-reptile-highest-altitude-record

Cerdeña, J., Farfán, J., & Quiroz, A. J. (2021, February 15). A high mountain lizard from Peru: The world’s highest-altitude reptile. Herpetezoa: Journal of the Austrian Herpetelogical Society, 34, pp. 61-65. Retrieved from https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/61393/

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. (2024). Liolaemus tacnae. Retrieved from IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/48442700/48442713#habitat-ecology

I-The Magician

Britannica Library. (2024). Chameleon. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from library-eb-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/levels/referencecenter/article/chameleon/22335

Edmonds, P., & Ziegler, C. (2015, September). Chameleons: True Colors. National Geographic, 228, pp. 92-109.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. (2024). Chameleon. Retrieved from San Diego Zoo: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/chameleon

II-The High Priestess

Encyclopaedia Brittanica. (2024, May). cobra. Retrieved from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/animal/cobra-snake

Nag, O. S. (2020, December 22). How Many Types Of Cobras Are There? Which Species Are Most Venomous? Retrieved from World Atlas: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-types-of-cobras-are-there-and-which-species-are-most-venomous.html

Schaefer, T. (2024). Cobra. Retrieved from Power Animals: https://www.tirzaschaefer.com/cobra

The WNET Group. (2021, August 16). King Cobra Fact Sheet. Retrieved from Nature: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/king-cobra-fact-sheet/

III-The Empress

Crocodiles of the World Foundation. (2024). Nile Crocodile. Retrieved from Crocodiles of the World Ltd.: https://www.crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk/animals/nile-or-african-crocodile/

Otiose Minds Media. (2024, May 11). Mythical Crocodiles: Legends and Lore. Retrieved from MythLok: https://mythlok.com/mythical-crocodiles-legends-and-lore/

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. (2024, May 7). Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus & C. suchus) Fact Sheet: Reproduction & Development. Retrieved from International Environment Library Consortium: https://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/nile_crocodile

IV-The Emperor

A-Z Animals. (2024, May 27). Monitor Lizard. Retrieved from A-Z Animals: https://a-z-animals.com/animals/monitor-lizard/

Encyclopaedia Brittanica. (2010, April). Monitor. Retrieved from Britannica Library: https://library-eb-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/levels/referencecenter/article/monitor/53366

Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. (2024). Komodo Dragon. Retrieved from Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/komodo-dragon

V-The Hierophant

Goyenechea, A. (2022, October 17). It’s Not Easy Being Green: Will the World Answer Latin America’s Call to Protect the Glass Frog? Retrieved from Defenders of Wildlife: https://defenders.org/blog/2022/10/its-not-easy-being-green-will-world-answer-latin-americas-call-protect-glass-frog

International Fund for Animal Welfare. (2024). Glass frogs. Retrieved from Ifaw.org: https://www.ifaw.org/animals/glass-frogs

National Institutes of Health. (2023, January 13). Let’s clear things up: how do glassfrogs achieve transparency? Retrieved from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.nibib.nih.gov/news-events/newsroom/let%E2%80%99s-clear-things-how-do-glassfrogs-achieve-transparency

Sexton, C. (2021, January 16). Glass frogs wave their hands and feet to attract mates. Retrieved from Earth.com: https://www.earth.com/news/glass-frogs-wave-their-hands-and-feet-to-attract-mates/

Volunteer Latin America. (2024). Glass frogs. Retrieved from Volunteer Latin America: https://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/blog/posts/glass-frog

VI-The Lovers

Australian Museum. (2020, November 19). Shingleback Lizard. Retrieved from Australian Museum: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/reptiles/shingleback-lizard/

Exotics Keeper Magazine. (2022, February 13). Lovestruck Lizards: The Monogamous Relationships of Shingleback Skinks. Retrieved from Exotics Keeper Magazine: https://exoticskeeper.com/blog/lovestruck-lizards-the-monogamous-relationships-of-shingleback-skinks

VII-The Chariot

Animallist.com. (2024). Argentine Horned Frog. Retrieved from Animallist.com: https://animallist.weebly.com/argentine-horned-frog.html

Critter Squad Wildlife Defenders. (2024). Pacman Frog Fact Sheet. Retrieved from Critter Squad Wildlife Defenders: https://www.crittersquad.com/fact-sheets/pacman-frog-ceratophrys/

Kizirian, D. (2024). Horned frog. Retrieved from World Book Advanced: https://www-worldbookonline-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/advanced/article?id=ar756896

VIII-Justice

Nair, A., Mallapur, G., Whitaker, R., & Velho, N. (2011, April 28). The Gharial - Our river guardian - A factsheet prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Retrieved from India Water Portal: https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/gharial-our-river-guardian-factsheet-prepared-ministry-environment-and-forests

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (2024). Gharial. Retrieved from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/gharial

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023, October 4). Varuna. Retrieved from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ahura-Mazda

White, M. (2009, November). When Crocs Ruled. National Geographic, 216, pp. 130-141.

IX-The Hermit

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023). Aldabra Islands. In Britannica Library. Retrieved from library-eb-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/levels/referencecenter/article/Aldabra-Islands/5522

Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. (2024). Aldabra Tortoise. Retrieved from Los Angeles Zoo: https://lazoo.org/explore-your-zoo/our-animals/reptiles/aldabra-tortoise/

The WNET Group. (2023, October 4). Aldabra Tortoise Fact Sheet. Retrieved from Nature: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/aldabra-tortoise-fact-sheet/

X-Wheel of Fortune

Argyros, A. (2018). Reviving Ophidia: Godly Serpents in Ancient Egyptian Magic and Mythology. University of Vermont, UVM Honors College Senior Theses. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/hcoltheses/234

infoclio.ch. (2023, October 11). Ra - the world's oldest sundial. Retrieved from Infoclio.ch: https://www.infoclio.ch/en/ra-worlds-oldest-sundial

XI-Strength

AmphibiaWeb. (2024). Salamandra salamandra. (University of California, Berkeley) Retrieved from AmphibiaWeb: https://amphibiaweb.org/species/4284

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. (2024). Fire salamander. Retrieved from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers: https://sdzwildlifeexplorers.org/animals/fire-salamander

Your Spirit Animal. (2024). Fire Salamander Symbolism and Meaning. Retrieved from True Spirit Animal: https://truespiritanimal.com/fire-salamander-symbolism-and-meaning/

XII-The Hanged Man

Animalia. (2024). Crested gecko. Retrieved from Animalia: https://animalia.bio/crested-gecko?environment=293

ZillaRules. (2018). The Ultimate Guide to Crested Geckos. Retrieved from ZillaRules: https://www.zillarules.com/articles/the-ultimate-guide-to-crested-geckos

XIII-Death

The Forest Preserve District of Will County. (2020, August 19). Nature curiosity: Why do snakes shed their skin? Retrieved from Forest Preserve District of Will County: https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz/nature-curiosity-why-do-snakes-shed-their-skin/

Thornberry, M. (2024, May 20). Finding A Snake Skin Meaning: Hidden Symbolism & Spiritual Significance. Retrieved from Berry Patch Farms: https://www.berrypatchfarms.net/finding-a-snake-skin-meaning/

XIV-Temperance

Nicolas, A., & Madden, C. (2024, June 16). New global database helps trace sea turtle origins to better protect them. Retrieved from World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/new-global-database-helps-trace-sea-turtle-origins-to-better-protect-them

Oceana. (2024). Leatherback Turtle. Retrieved from Oceana: https://oceana.org/marine-life/leatherback-turtle/

World Wildlife Fund. (2024). Leatherback Turtle. Retrieved from World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/leatherback-turtle

XV-The Devil

A-Z Animals. (2024, May 27). Horned lizards. Retrieved from A-Z Animals: https://a-z-animals.com/animals/horned-lizard/

Bouchard, A. (2020, Feb 9). Horned Lizards Are Great Predators, But Also at Avoiding Predation. Retrieved from Labroots: https://www.labroots.com/trending/plants-and-animals/16775/horned-lizards-predators-avoiding-predation

Virginia Zoo in Norfolk. (2024). Giant Horned Lizard. Retrieved from Virginia Zoo in Norfolk: https://virginiazoo.org/animal/giant-horned-lizard/

XVI-The Tower

British Geological Survey. (2024). Volcanoes. Retrieved from British Geological Survey: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/earth-hazards/volcanoes/

Rowland, S. K. (2024). volcano. Retrieved from World Book Advanced: https://www-worldbookonline-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/advanced/article?id=ar587920

XVII-The Star

Rayner, R. (1997, March). Secret of a Lizard's Water Dash. National Geographic, 191, p. 144.

Wethington, A. (2024). Basiliscus basiliscus Common basilisk. Retrieved from Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Basiliscus_basiliscus/

Whitfield, S. M. (2024). basilisk lizard. Retrieved from World Book Advanced: https://www-worldbookonline-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/advanced/article?id=ar754898

XVIII-The Moon

Baker Nelson, G. (2024, May 27). Spider-tailed horned viper. Retrieved from A-Z Animals: https://a-z-animals.com/animals/spider-tailed-horned-viper/

XIX-The Sun

Coren, M. J. (2024, April 16). Can we eat our way out of America’s invasive species problem? Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/04/16/iguanas-invasive-florida-hunting/

iNaturalist. (2024). Green iguana. Retrieved from iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/35342-Iguana-iguana

XX-Judgement

Australian Geographic. (2024). Crucifix frog. Retrieved from Australian Geographic: https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/fact-file/fact-file-crucifix-frog-notaden-bennettii/

Australian Museum. (2021, August 4). Crucifix Frog. Retrieved from Australian Museum: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/frogs/crucifix-frog/

Bush Heritage Australia. (2024). Holy Cross Frog. Retrieved from Bush Heritage Australia: https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/crucifix-frog

XXI-The World

Grundhauser, E. (2017, October 20). Why Is the World Always on the Back of a Turtle? Retrieved from Atlas Obscura: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/world-turtle-cosmic-discworld

Queen of Wands

Bush Heritage Australia. (2024). Thorny Devils. Retrieved from Bush Heritage Australia: https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/thorny-devils

Northern Territory Government. (2024). Thorny devil. Retrieved from Alice Springs Desert Park: https://alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/connect-with-nature/animals/animals/thorny-devil?SQ_VARIATION_491435=0

King of Wands

Nevada Department of Wildlife. (2024). Mojave Green Rattlesnake. Retrieved from Nevada Department of Wildlife: https://www.ndow.org/species/mojave-green-rattlesnake/

Spencer Greene, S., Gilbert, M., Wolk, B., Campleman, S., & Ruha, A.-M. (2023, Nov 10). Geographic variation in the clinical features of Mohave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) envenomations reported to the North American Snakebite Registry. Toxicon X, 21. doi:10.1016/j.toxcx.2023.100171

State Compensation Insurance Fund. (2021, Feb 9). The Mojave Rattlesnake. Retrieved from Safe at Work California: https://www.safeatworkca.com/safety-articles/the-mojave-rattlesnake/

Knight of Wands

Government of Western Australia. (2024). Perentie. Retrieved from Perth Zoo: https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/animal/perentie

Sullivan, J. (2003, February 8). Varanus giganteus — Perentie. Retrieved from Wildherps: http://www.wildherps.com/species/V.giganteus.html

Page of Wands

Animalia. (2024). Paradise Tree Snake. Retrieved from Animalia: https://animalia.bio/index.php/paradise-tree-snake?environment=484

Ecology Asia. (2024). Paradise Tree Snake. Retrieved from Ecology Asia: https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/snakes/paradise_tree-snake.htm

iNaturalist. (2024). Paradise Flying Snake. Retrieved from iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/27214-Chrysopelea-paradisi

Ace of Wands

AmphibiaWeb. (2024). Spea multiplicata. (University of California, Berkeley, CA) Retrieved from AmphibiaWeb.org: https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?where-genus=Spea&where-species=multiplicata&account=lannoo

Pajarito Environmental Education Center. (2024). New Mexico Spadefoot Toad. Retrieved from Pajarito Environmental Education Center: https://peecnature.org/learn/nature-guides/featured-critters/spadefoot-toad/

Two of Wands

AmphibiaWeb. (2024). Atelopus barbotini. Retrieved from AmphibiaWeb.com: https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?rel-common_name=like&rel-family=equals&rel-ordr=equals&rel-intro_isocc=like&rel-description=like&rel-distribution=like&rel-life_history=like&rel-trends_and_threats=like&rel-relation_to_humans=like&rel-comments=like

Gone Froggin. (2022, February 21). Purple Harlequin Toad (Atelopus barbotini). Retrieved from Gone Froggin: https://gonefroggin.com/2022/02/21/purple-harlequin-toad-atelopus-barbotini/

Three of Wands

Animalia. (2024). Ocellated lizard. Retrieved from Animalia: https://animalia.bio/index.php/ocellated-lizard?custom_list=544

iNaturalist. (2024). Ocellated Lizard. Retrieved from iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/73972-Timon-lepidus

Four of Wands

Esrock, R. (2023, March 2). Snakes on a plain: a visit to Manitoba’s Narcisse Snake Dens. Retrieved from Canadian Geographic: https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/snakes-on-a-plain-a-visit-to-manitobas-narcisse-snake-dens/

Means, D. B. (2024). Garter snake. Retrieved from World Book Advanced: https://www-worldbookonline-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/advanced/article?id=ar217700

US Environmental Protection Agency. (2010, February). Endangered Species Fact Sheet: San Francisco Garter Snake. Retrieved from US Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2013-08/documents/sf-garter-snake.pdf

Five of Wands

iNaturalist. (2024). Brown anole. Retrieved from iNaturalist.org: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/116461-Anolis-sagrei

Six of Wands

National Park Service. (2016, June 25). Island Night Lizard. Retrieved from National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/night-lizard.htm

US Fish and Wildlife Service. (2024). Island night lizard (Xantusia riversiana). Retrieved from Environmental Conservation Online System: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2068

Seven of Wands

National Geographic. (2024). Saltwater crocodile. Retrieved from National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/facts/saltwater-crocodile

Northern Territory Government of Australia. (2024). Saltwater crocodile conservation. Retrieved from Northern Territory Government of Australia: https://nt.gov.au/environment/animals/conservation-of-crocodiles/saltwater-crocodile-conservation

Oceana. (2024). Saltwater Crocodile. Retrieved from Oceana: https://oceana.org/marine-life/saltwater-crocodile/

Eight of Wands

Gekkota. (2023, September 8). The Magic of Flying Geckos: Gliders of the Rainforest. Retrieved from Gekkota: https://www.gekkota.com/flying-geckos/#Species_Spotlight_A_Look_into_the_Different_Types_of_Flying_Geckos

Thai National Parks. (2024). Kuhl's parachute gecko. Retrieved from Thai National Parks: https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/gekko-kuhli

Nine of Wands

National Wildlife Federation. (2024). Alligator Snapping Turtle. Retrieved from National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Reptiles/Alligator-Snapping-Turtle

Ten of Wands

Bowie, D. (2024, January 24). Black Mamba Fact vs. Fiction: Mythical Size and a Kiss of Death. Retrieved from How Stuff Works: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/black-mamba.htm

Schott, R. (2005). Dendroaspis polylepis. Retrieved from Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dendroaspis_polylepis/

Warren, A. (1994, October). Mamba Love It Isn't--It Takes Two to Tangle. National Geographic, 186(4), p. 146.

Queen of Cups

Dobrowski, M. (2014, October 7). Sea Turtle Folklore and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Retrieved from The Sirene Project: https://www.thesireneproject.com/gon-articles/2.html

NOAA Fisheries. (2024). Green Turtle. Retrieved from NOAA Fisheries: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/green-turtle

King of Cups

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (2024). American alligator. Retrieved from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-alligator

Stanton, K. M. (2023, May 10). Alligator Symbolism & Meaning & the Alligator Spirit Animal. Retrieved from UniGuide: https://www.uniguide.com/alligator-symbolism-meaning-spirit-animal

Knight of Cups

Dunning, H. (2024). Axolotls: Meet the amphibians that never grow up. Retrieved from Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/axolotls-amphibians-that-never-grow-up.html

van de Kerkhof, M. (2024, March 11). Xolotl: Aztec God for the Motion of Life. Retrieved from History Cooperative: https://historycooperative.org/xolotl/

Page of Cups

Edge of Existence. (2024). Mary River Turtle. Retrieved from Edge of Existence: https://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/mary-river-turtle/

Edmonds, P. (2020, September). The Curious Case of the "Bum Breathing" Turtle. National Geographic, p. 36

Ace of Cups

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. (2001, November 29). Volcano Watch — What happens when lava flows into the sea? Retrieved from US Geological Survey: https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-what-happens-when-lava-flows-sea

Limon, R. (2021, September 29). Volcanic eruption in La Palma: What happens when lava enters the sea? Retrieved from El Pais: https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2021-09-29/volcanic-eruption-in-la-palma-what-happens-when-lava-enters-the-sea.html

Two of Cups

Broom, B. (2018, May 11). What you've heard about snakes may not be true. Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Retrieved from Mississippi Clarion Ledger: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/outdoors/2018/05/11/snakes-myths-bite-venomous-dangerous/602296002/

Pester, P., & Szalay, J. (2023, January 30). Cottonmouth snakes: Facts about water moccasins. Retrieved from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/43597-facts-about-water-moccasin-cottonmouth-snakes.html

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. (2024). Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus. Retrieved from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/reptiles/snakes/cottonmouth.html

Three of Cups

International Fund for Animal Welfare. (2024). Poison dart frogs. Retrieved from IFAW: https://www.ifaw.org/ca-en/animals/poison-dart-frogs

Rainforest Cruises. (2024). 13 Interesting Poison Dart Frogs Facts. Retrieved from Rainforest Cruises: https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/poison-dart-frog-facts

Reptile Wiki. (2024). Peruvian poison frog. Retrieved from Reptipedia: https://reptiles.fandom.com/wiki/Peruvian_Poison_Frog

Four of Cups

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. (2024). Chinese Giant Salamander. Retrieved from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/chinese-giant-salamander

Smith, S. C. (2019, December 13). Awesome Animal - Chinese Giant Salamander. Retrieved from Stan's Cogitations: https://www.stancsmith.com/blog/awesome-animal-chinese-giant-salamander

Five of Cups

Animalia. (2024). Satanic leaf-tailed gecko. Retrieved from Animalia: https://animalia.bio/satanic-leaf-tailed-gecko

Dubyna, A., Marushchak, O., Sherstiuk, A., & Tkach, A. (2020). Satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus). Retrieved from Bion Terrarium Center: https://bion.com.ua/news_article/satanic-leaf-tailed-gecko-uroplatus-phantasticus-care-sheet/

Six of Cups

Ebersole, R., & Stirton, B. (2023, June). Forest to Table. National Geographic, 243, pp. 84-101.

Rafferty, J. P. (2024). dwarf crocodile. Retrieved from Britannica Library: https://library-eb-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/levels/referencecenter/article/dwarf-crocodile/641058

Seven of Cups

SEE Turtles. (2024). Baby sea turtles. Retrieved from SEE Turtles: https://www.seeturtles.org/baby-turtles

World Wildlife Fund. (2024). Sea turtle. Retrieved from World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle

Eight of Cups

Adams, E., Kenny, N., & Miller, W. (2024). Golden Lancehead Viper. In M. Bakermans, & W. San Martín, Extinction Stories. Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Pressbooks. Retrieved from https://pressbooks.pub/extinctionstories/chapter/golden-lancehead-viper/

Asher, C. (2023, November 1). Snake Island: The bizarre true story of Earth’s most venomous isle. Retrieved from BBC Science Focus: https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/snake-island-true-story

A-Z Animals. (2024, May 27). Golden lancehead. Retrieved from A-Z Animals: https://a-z-animals.com/animals/golden-lancehead/

Nine of Cups

Cryptid Wiki. (2013). Goliath Frog. Retrieved from Cryptid Wiki: https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Goliath_Frog

Davis, L. (2021, January 23). The Beginnings of Cryptozoology. (Indiana University Bloomington) Retrieved from ScIU: https://blogs.iu.edu/sciu/2021/01/23/the-beginnings-of-cryptozoology/

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. (2024). Goliath Frog. Retrieved from San Diego Zoo: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/goliath-frog

Ten of Cups

Hawai‘i Forest Institute & Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association. (2016, September). ‘Ōhi‘a lehua. Retrieved from Hawai‘i Forest Institute & Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/files/2018/10/Rapid-Ohia-Death-Poster.pdf

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. (2024). ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua. Retrieved from Hawaii.gov: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/plants/ohia-lehua/

Queen of Swords

American Museum of Natural History. (2024). Tyrannosaurus rex. Retrieved from American Museum of Natural History: https://www.amnh.org/dinosaurs/tyrannosaurus-rex

Smithsonian. (2014, April 1). Tyrannosaurus rex. Retrieved from Smithsonian: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/factsheets/tyrannosaurus-rex

King of Swords

Castro, J. (2016, March 16). Brachiosaurus: Facts About the Giraffe-like Dinosaur. Retrieved from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/25024-brachiosaurus.html

Favero, J. (2022, July 21). 15 Big-Time Brachiosaurus Facts. Retrieved from Thanksgiving Point: https://thanksgivingpoint.org/15-big-time-brachiosaurus-facts/

Natural History Museum. (2024). Brachiosaurus. Retrieved from Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/brachiosaurus.html

Knight of Swords

Extinct Animals. (2024). Raptor Dinosaurs. Retrieved from Extinct Animals: https://www.extinctanimals.org/raptor-dinosaurs

Hawk Conservancy Trust. (2024). Hawk Facts. Retrieved from Hawk Conservancy Trust: https://www.hawk-conservancy.org/hawk_facts/the-word-raptor-is-derived-from-the-latin-word-raptare-or-rapto-which-means-to-seize-violently-and-drag-away/

Kowinski, J. (2024). Dromaeosaurids - The Raptors. Retrieved from Fossilguy.com: https://www.fossilguy.com/gallery/vert/dinosaur/dromaeosaurs/index.htm

Osterloff, E. (2024). The Cretaceous Period: What was Earth like before dinosaurs went extinct? Retrieved from Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-cretaceous-period.html

Page of Swords

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2018, October 24). Stegosaurus. Retrieved from Britannica Library: https://library-eb-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/levels/referencecenter/article/Stegosaurus/69535

National Park Service. (2020, January 9). Stegosaurus ungulates. Retrieved from National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/dino/learn/nature/stegosaurus-ungulates.htm

Ace of Swords

American Museum of Natural History. (2024). Dinosaur Bones. Retrieved from American Museum of Natural History: https://www.amnh.org/dinosaurs/dinosaur-bones

Natural History Museum. (2024). When Did Dinosaurs Live? Retrieved from Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/when-did-dinosaurs-live.html

Two of Swords

A-Z Animals. (2024). Euoplocephalus. Retrieved from A-Z Animals: https://a-z-animals.com/animals/euoplocephalus/

Three of Swords

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. (2024). Parasaurolophus. Retrieved from Jacksonville Zoo: https://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/parasaurolophus

Rae, S., & Hendry, L. (2024). What killed the dinosaurs? Retrieved from Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dinosaur-extinction.html

Four of Swords

Dodson, P. (2024). Triceratops. Retrieved from World Book Advanced: https://www-worldbookonline-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/advanced/article?id=ar566510.

Natural History Museum. (2024). Triceratops. Retrieved from Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/triceratops.html

Five of Swords

Mowbray, S. (2023, April 20). What We Know About the Hard-Headed Pachycephalosaurus. Retrieved from Discover Magazine: https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/what-we-know-about-the-hard-headed-pachycephalosaurus

Ostrom, J. H., & Padian, K. (2024, May 14). dinosaur. Retrieved from Encylopaedia Brittanica: https://library-eb-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/levels/referencecenter/article/dinosaur/106181

Sanders, R. (2023, May 23). Newly described species of dome-headed dinosaur may have sported bristly headgear. Retrieved from Phys.org: https://phys.org/news/2023-05-newly-species-dome-headed-dinosaur-sported.html

Six of Swords

Carroll, R. L. (1988). Introduction to the Hadrosaurs. Retrieved from University of California Museum of Paleontology: https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/ornithischia/hadrosauria.html

Natural History Museum. (2024). Hadrosaurus. Retrieved from Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/hadrosaurus.html

Seven of Swords

Carpenter, K. (2024). Troodon. Retrieved from World Book Advanced: https://www-worldbookonline-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/advanced/article?id=ar750175&st=troodon

Encyclopaedia Brittanica. (2024). Troodon. Retrieved from Britannica Kids: https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Troodon/390683

Natural History Museum. (2024). Troodon. Retrieved from Natural History Museum: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/troodon.html

Eight of Swords

Encyclopaedia Brittanica. (2024, June 26). pterodactyl. Retrieved from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/animal/pterodactyl

Castro, J., & Dutfield, S. (2022, October 13). Pterodactyl: Facts about pteranodon and other pterosaurs. Retrieved from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/24071-pterodactyl-pteranodon-flying-dinosaurs.html

Nine of Swords

A-Z Animals. (2024, May 27). Iguanodon. Retrieved from A-Z Animals: https://a-z-animals.com/animals/iguanodon/

Dunham, W. (2023, February 13). The first dinosaur was named 200 years ago. We know so much more now. Retrieved from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/science/first-dinosaur-was-named-200-years-ago-we-know-so-much-more-now-2024-02-13

Ten of Swords

Gabler, J. (2015, October 5). 'Rite of Spring': A classic 'Fantasia' segment, whether Stravinsky liked it or not. Retrieved from Your Classical: https://www.yourclassical.org/story/2015/10/05/rite-spring-fantasia

Pfeiffer, L. (2023, April 24). Fantasia. Retrieved from Encyclopaedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fantasia-film

Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School. (2023, April 11). THE STORY BEHIND: Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring". Retrieved from Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School: https://www.riphil.org/blog/the-story-behind-stravinsky-s-the-rite-of-spring

Queen of Pentacles

Casanova, M. (2017). Bipes biporus. Retrieved from Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bipes_biporus/

iNaturalist. (2024). Five-toed worm lizard. Retrieved from iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/116513-Bipes-biporus

King of Pentacles

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (2024). Gopher tortoise. Retrieved from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/gopher-tortoise/

The Nature Conservancy. (2022, June 30). Gopher Tortoise. Retrieved from The Nature Conservance: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/animals-we-protect/gopher-tortoise/

USDA Forest Service. (2023, November 22). One burrow at a time: saving the gopher tortoise. Retrieved from USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/features/one-burrow-time-saving-gopher-tortoise

Knight of Pentacles

Rosamond Gifford Zoo. (2023, June 13). Banded Gila monster. Retrieved from Rosamond Gifford Zoo: https://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org/experience/animals/reptiles/banded-gila-monster/

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. (2024). Gila monster. Retrieved from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/gila-monster

Zug, G. R. (2018, April 4). Gila monster. Retrieved from Britannica Library: https://library-eb-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/levels/referencecenter/article/Gila-monster/36801

Page of Pentacles

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2022, February 2). hognose snake. Retrieved from Britannica.com: https://www.britannica.com/animal/hognose-snake

National Park Service. (2024, January 9). Plains hognose snake. Retrieved from National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/jeca/learn/nature/plains-hognose-snake.htm

Ace of Pentacles

Etiope, G., Drobniak, A., & Schimmelmann, A. (2013, May). Natural seepage of shale gas and the origin of “eternal flames” in the Northern Appalachian Basin, USA. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 43, 178-186. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.02.009

US Energy Information Administration. (2024, April 16). Natural gas explained. Retrieved from US Energy Information Administration: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/natural-gas/natural-gas-and-the-environment.php

Two of Pentacles

Animalia. (2024). Yellow anaconda. Retrieved from Animalia: https://www.animalia.bio/yellow-anaconda

Three of Pentacles

Mada Magazine. (2024). Taboos and traditions: The Fady in Madagascar. Retrieved from Mada Magazine: https://www.madamagazine.com/en/fady

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (2024). Radiated Tortoise. Retrieved from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/radiated-tortoise

Turtle Survival Alliance. (2024). Radiated tortoise. Retrieved fromTurtle Survival Alliance: https://turtlesurvival.org/species/radiated-tortoise/

Four of Pentacles

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. (2024). Frilled Lizard. Retrieved from Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: https://denverzoo.org/animals/frilled-lizard/

Savage, M. (2001). Chlamydosaurus kingii. Retrieved from Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Chlamydosaurus_kingii/

Five of Pentacles

Jamaica Information Service. (2022, March 30). The Jamaican Iguana. Retrieved from Jamaica Information Service: https://jis.gov.jm/information/get-the-facts/the-jamaican-iguana/

Lincoln Park Zoo. (2024, May 8). Name Reveal: Jamaican Iguanas. Retrieved from Lincoln Park Zoo: https://www.lpzoo.org/name-reveal-jamaican-iguanas/

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. (2024). Jamaican Iguana. Retrieved from San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: https://science.sandiegozoo.org/species/jamaican-iguana

Six of Pentacles

Atlas of Living Australia. (2024). Nephrurus levis De Vis, 1886. Retrieved from Atlas of Living Australia: https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/85b74ce1-8cf4-424c-acda-059bce80e349

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. (2024). Knobtail Gecko. Retrieved from Fort Wayne Children's Zoo: https://kidszoo.org/our-animals/knobtail-gecko/

iNaturalistUK. (2024). Knob-tailed Geckos. Retrieved from iNaturalistUK: https://uk.inaturalist.org/taxa/34188-Nephrurus

Seven of Pentacles

Biggs, B., & Szalay, J. (2024, June 18). Copperhead snakes: Facts, bites & babies. Retrieved from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/43641-copperhead-snake.html#section-where-do-copperheads-live

Missouri Department of Conservation. (2024). Eastern Copperhead. Retrieved from Missouri Department of Conservation: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/eastern-copperhead

Eight of Pentacles

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2014, August 25). tegu. Retrieved from Britannica Library: https://library-eb-com.ezproxy.hclib.org/levels/referencecenter/article/tegu/71548

The Reptarium. (2024). Taz--Argentine Blue Tegu. Retrieved from The Reptarium: https://thereptarium.com/pages/taz-argentine-blue-tegu

Nine of Pentacles

A-Z Animals. (2024, May 27). Eyelash viper. Retrieved from A-Z Animals: https://a-z-

Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (2024). Eyelash palm pitviper. Retrieved from Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/eyelash-palm-pitviper

Ten of Pentacles

Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (2024). Grand Cayman blue iguana. Retrieved from Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/grand-cayman-blue-iguana

Wildlife Conservation Society. (2024). Blue iguana. Retrieved from One World One Health: https://oneworldonehealth.wcs.org/Wildlife/Reptiles-and-Amphibians/Blue-Iguana.aspx

Bonus Card 1 (Tranquility: Sonoran Desert Toad)

Aquarium of the Pacific. (2024). Sonoran Desert Toad. Retrieved from Aquarium of the Pacific: https://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/sonoran_desert_toad

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. (2024). Sonoran Desert Toad. Retrieved from Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_desert_toad.php

Bonus Card 2 (Gaia)

National Park Service. (2021, January 20). Pele. Retrieved from National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/articles/pele.htm

Royal Hawaiian Movers. (2024). Discover Pele, the Mysterious Goddess of Hawaii’s Volcanoes. Retrieved from Royal Hawaiian Movers: https://www.royalhawaiianmovers.com/discover-pele-the-mysterious-goddess-of-hawaiis-volcanoes

About the Creator

The Fire Tarot was designed and illustrated by Taylor Hultquist-Todd, an illustrator based in Philadelphia, PA. As a budding illustrator, Taylor often copied tarot layouts and imagined one day creating original decks. The Fire Tarot is Taylor’s sixth deck, and is third in her Elemental Tarot series, which began with The Ocean Tarot and continued with The Earth Tarot. Taylor’s other work includes The Myths & Legends Tarot, The Cat Tarot, and her first deck, The Dog Tarot, which features Taylor’s own beloved Chihuahua as The Empress.