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TERRY DONALDSONAUTHOR
10987654321
Made in China
INTRODUCTION
The Tarot is a set of 78 cards. Of these, 22
constitute the Major Mysteries or themes
around which most of our lives can be considered to orbit: birth, death, fortune, and love
to mention but a few. The remaining 56 cards
represent situations and events in life. It is a
set of pegs from which to hang our interpretations of life and establish meaning.
The beautyand geniusof the Tarot
is that as a set of simple pictures it holds
universal appeal. It provides a very simple,
yet profound way of looking at ourselves and
understanding where we might be in our
lives. The practice of reading Tarot can lead
to greater understanding and self-realization.
The imagery of The Hobbit, indeed the
world of J.R.R. Tolkien in general, is very
profound, yet also very gentle and beautiful.
Tolkien takes us into a world of magic and
mystery, of little people and mighty giants,
and other imaginary beings. In The Hobbit,
he draws us into the world of a Hobbit,
a small gentle, home-loving creature who
suddenly finds himself catapulted into a heroic
quest that takes him away from all that he has
ever known.
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MAJOR ARCANA
O THE FOOL
Bilbo sets out on his journey from Bag-End,
giving his home a rearward glance as his feet
take him along the open road. He thinks
about the arrival of Gandalf and the Dwarves,
wondering how he became embroiled in
such an adventure. Naturally, he has his reservations and doubts. But deep down he knows
that the time has come for him to spread his
wings and experience more of what the world
can offer.
Divinatory meaning: A new chapter of
life is opening up. Being open to adventures
in life, a personal journey, spontaneous. Life is
full of sudden happenings. In a spread, this card
says that the part of your self that needs adventures has come to life. Time to take a leap of
faith and see where it takes you! There is a need
to exercise some degree of caution here, though.
Just leaping off any cliff is a risky thing to do,
either love-wise or business-wise! The emphasis
of this card is to try and balance spontaneity
with a degree of sense and future thinking.
Reversed, this card can show a reluctance
to make a commitment, or going off in a
crazy directiona fools errand. Or it can
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data all are vital, but these are things that need
to be constantly renewed. If this card shows
someone else, they will be a boon to you in
your future plans.
Reversed, it can show deceit, tricksters,
phony salesmanship, gimmicks, scams and
fraud, either on a personal scale, or collectively.
II THE HIGH PRIESTESS
Two pillars uphold a royal archway, a circle
of light upon one, and one for darkness adorning the other. Underneath the archway a lunar
crescent signals that for everything there is a
season. On the left page it reads The lost key
to the Book of Dain and on the right page
Lord of the Misty Mountain.
Dain the First was the last King of the
Dwarves in the Grey Mountains before
the Dragon Smaug attacked. Dain the Second
(Ironfoot) was proclaimed King of Durins
folk (the Dwarves) upon Thorins death in the
Battle of the Five Armies.
The lost key thus refers to the power of
destiny, and of history itself to bring all things
back to full circle. The history of events
between the two Dains is more fully covered
in The Silmarillio, but suffice it to say, it tells
us of the many wars against the Dragons,
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and other demonic creatures. It was underneath the Misty Mountain that the Dwarven
kingdom of Moria existed.
Divinatory meaning: Be guided by your
intuition, secrets, deep feelings kept hidden.
If this card is showing you, it says right now
to get in touch with your deeper feelings,
which you may have kept hidden from yourself for years! If it shows another, this person
may well help you to do just this.
Reversed, it says there are deep feelings
within your heart for someone who you are
scared of contacting.
III THE EMPRESS
Bilbo and Gandalf are united in the deepest bonds of spiritual love with their fellow
Companions on this great Quest. Gandalf
points with the forefinger of his right hand,
showing us the direction the Companions are
to take. Or has he just spotted someone or
something coming over the horizon? We are,
here in this place, reminded of the tremendous power of spiritual and earthly love,
which has motivated life itself, and expressed
itself in innumerable forms.
Divinatory meaning: Harmony, creativity,
sensual pleasure, and abundance. In a spread
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Reversed, you are being blocked by someone elses limited thinking. Or, you are going
round and round in circles.
VIII STRENGTH
Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the
Companions, aimed to reclaim the Lonely
Mountain from the Dragon Smaug. He was
haughty and stern in some ways, but had great
reserves of courage and strength, which enabled
him to fulfill his mission. His especial desire
was to reclaim the Arkenstone. He was the only
one of the Dwarves not taken by the StoneTrolls, and the first of them to be taken by
the Wood Elves. Always a valiant fighter,
he stood by Gandalf in the tunnels of the Great
Goblin, and of course, at the Battle of the Five
Armies. He was furious with Bilbo for giving
the Arkenstone to the besiegers of Men and
Elves. Thorin recovered the ancient Elven
blade Orcrist (Biter) from the Stone-Trolls,
then lost it to the Wood Elves. Upon his
death he was buried with the Arkenstone in
his casket and the sword Orcrist upon it.
Divinatory meaning: Let your head
rule your heart, not the other way round.
Take control by accessing your inner strength.
This card in a spread tells you of the need for
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Acting on Beorns advice they head for a pathway, little known and not patrolled by Goblins,
which will lead them to the Lonely Mountain.
He reappears at the Battle of the Five Armies
and as the one to swing the battle decisively
in favor of victory by slaying Bolg, Leader of
the Goblin army from the Grey Mountains.
Afterwards, he dies from his own wounds.
Divinatory meaning: Look before you
leap; dont rush into new sets of commitments. Needing to be alone, withdrawal from
others, inner knowledge. This card says its
time to step away form the rat race and spend
some time on your own, thinking about where
you are going. It is perhaps time to contact
your angel, deity, or guide to help you through
this part of your journey. A process of healing might be required.
Reversed, it shows a refusal to face the
truth about ourselves, another, or a situation.
X THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
Bilbo and Gollum, having met by the
pool of water, engage in their riddle contest.
Superimposed, as it were, over the field of
human vision, we see in Elvish writing One
Ring to rule them all, in the Black Speech
of Mordor. The Great Ring was created by
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XIV TEMPERANCE
Bolg was the leader of the Goblin army at
the Battle of the Five Armies. Bolgs father was
killed by Dain the First (Ironfoot.) His hatred
of the Dwarves was rekindled when the
Great Goblin was killed during an encounter
with Thorin Oakenshield and his Companions.
With a host of Wargs and a cloud of bats,
Bolg gathered an army throughout the Misty
Mountains. At the Lonely Mountain, Bolg led
his army into battle against the Men, Dwarves,
and Elves. Thorin Oakenshield tried to break
through Bolgs bodyguard but was unable
to; in trying he suffered terrible wounds and
died shortly afterwards. In the Battle, the Eagles
then arrived, followed by Beorn in the shape
of a black bear. Beorn killed Bolg, and the
Goblins were defeated.
Divinatory meaning: Looking into the
past in order to understand the present, moderation, healing, unifying opposing trends.
In a reading, this card tells you that by diluting down your indulgences, and exercising
temperance, you will achieve the best from
a situation. When we are able to resist the
pull of opposites, and balance contradictory
desires, then we will be able to move forward
more smoothly.
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MINOR ARCANA
SUIT OF WANDS
ACE OF WANDS
Gandalf uses his fireball-throwing wand
to good effect! Flames spring up along the
staff. Having just escaped the Goblins,
and been reunited with Bilbo, Gandalf insists
they must be getting on with their journey.
The Goblins would be out in force after
what has just happened deep in their underground city. As they go deeper into the forest,
they hear the sound of wolves howling.
Escaping up into the trees, Gandalf uses his
staff to create fireballs, and projects these
down upon the surrounding Wargs, causing
them much confusion.
Divinatory meaning: New inspiration,
originality, and a sense of adventure. This card
encourages acting upon a new initiative.
It grants a sense of adventure, so now it is up
to us to proceed and see what we can achieve!
We can create afresh, we are not limited
anymore by the past. In a spread it shows
originality and fresh thinking.
Reversed, this card indicates frustration
and lack of inspiration.
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TWO OF WANDS
Bilbo and Gandalf hide from the Wargs,
up in the trees, away from them. They realize
this is just a temporary advantage, but at least
it gives them the time to think up something
else. As the wolves gathered round the trees,
they spoke in a language that only Gandalf
could understand. He discerned that a great
raid was being planned against the bold Men
of the South, who had been making inroads
and settlements into the forest. The reason
prompting all this was the imminent slaying of
the Great Goblin. The Wargs were angry and
puzzled at finding Gandalf here in this place.
Divinatory meaning: Good advice,
given and received, having the world in
your hands, proving your point to others.
When this card comes up, it is being shown
that you have a lot to contribute and that
your influence is being felt.
Reversed, or negatively aligned, it hints
that you are maybe being overly confident
and not listening to othersor just being
too self-important. Beware!
THREE OF WANDS
Here we see Bilbo making his entrance
into the Dragon Smaugs treasure lair! The
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tendency to put off what needs to be undertaken and confronted. Possibly you have too
many options being presented to you.
Reversed, it shows that your fantasies,
hopes, and even fears are so big in your mind
they are blocking you from moving forward.
In love, it says beware of overly high expectations regarding any new person.
EIGHT OF CUPS
One of the Great Eagles comes in to land.
These kindly birds were proud and noblehearted. At the Battle of the Five Armies
things were looking very grim for our friends.
At sunset, Bilbo looked into the sky and saw
dark shapes of Eagles coming. If the Elves
could not see Bilbofor he was wearing
his Ring during the Battlethey could
certainly hear him. They also took up the cry
The Eagles are coming! The Eagles are
coming! and this echoed across the valley.
Divinatory meaning: Looking for
something on a deeper level, commitments,
walking away from the negativity of the past,
moving on. Something has been built up,
but isnt quite right. Therefore, you have to
turn away, and strike out in a new direction.
Although the way isnt clearly marked with
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feelings. In the water, lotuses emanate spirituality, and a dragonfly hovers in the purple aura.
Divinatory meaning: An emotionally
receptive woman, unconditional love, empathy,
and compassion. This card, in a spread, shows
someone who exudes compassion, and who
naturally attracts people. There is a giving of
love that is generous and open. Also, it says
that in order to move forward you must let go
of all resentments first. Otherwise, your hands
will be too full to be able to receive afresh,
your cup too full to be refilled.
Reversed, this card indicates you may be too
preoccupied with someone to function in the
capacity of open vessel for others. Or, that this
commitment is forcing you to deny your own
emotional needs.
KING OF CUPS
Bilbo stands outside his home, on his own
land, deep in thought. Between the two trees,
half-hidden, we see Bag-End. Bilbo has come
full circle back to where his story started.
When Bilbo arrived back at Bag-End he did
so in the middle of an auction; he had to buy
back many of the things that had already been
sold off. He hung his sword, Sting, over the
mantelpiece; his coat of mail was arranged on
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TWO OF SWORDS
Here we have both Biter and Sting!
The latter was originally made by the Elves
as a knife, but in the hands of Bilbo Baggins
it functions brilliantly as a dagger. Bilbo gives
this blade its name after the fight with the
spiders in Mirkwood Forest. Bilbo brings
Sting out when he meets Gollum; in fact,
its blue light warns him of the approach of
something evil.
Divinatory meaning: Denying the truth
of a situation, blocking out feelings. You might
be afraid to let certain feelings out, such as
anger, for fear of disastrous results. A defensive attitude puts barriers up around you.
Reversed, this card may show that you
are not only cut off from yourself, but from
someone else too. Maybe the better way for
you would be to drop down your protective
wall. Level with the other person, come clean,
and admit your feelings. Or, find some other
outlet for the storm that is raging within you,
maybe through martial arts or some other
creative outlet.
THREE OF SWORDS
Biter and Sting we know! Now we are
introduced to Beaterin the Sindarin tongue
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FIVE OF SWORDS
We see two of our Dwarven Companions,
alerted to the approach of the spiders, and
attempting to escape. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author,
was himself bitten by a spider in his early
years. Perhaps this is why spiders feature as
such negative creatures in the story. When we
listen to the spiders speech, we are struck with
amusement. Bilbo surprises himself in this
situation, by putting on his Ring of invisibility,
and provoking the spiders into chasing him.
Then, using his sword Sting, he kills them.
After the battle, he is amazed at himself and
realizes that there is, indeed, much more to
himself than even he supposed.
Divinatory meaning: The parting of the
ways, hollow victory, giving up without a
fight, acceptance of loss, feelings of failure.
This card reminds us that the battle may not
be lost yet. Better to pick up arms and keep
fighting, because the enemy is now laughing
at our easy acceptance of defeat. Could we
not at least muster enough energy for a last,
single round? If not for ourselves, than for
those we love. Lets go down with all flags
flying, and end in a blaze of glory! Who
knowswe might even surprise the enemy
and win! In a reading, this card may well
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should have been so astute as to have recognized such hidden qualities in him!
Divinatory meaning: Moving on
work-wise, being agile in handling material
matters, juggling many projects at the same
time. This card suggests exploring many
options, being confident and understanding
how change can be met with events sculpted
to create positive outcomes.
Reversed, it can hint at doing too many
things at once, the need to slow down the pace
and prioritize.
THREE OF COINS
The three Trolls, robbers of the most evil
kind, have captured our friends, and are preparing to eat them! But they are unprepared
for the trick that Bilbo is about to play upon
them. He will confuse them, and allow his
friends to escape. Then, the Trolls will be
turned into stone by the rays of the rising sun!
Divinatory meaning: Learning new skills
and abilities, professional growth, establishing oneself, and becoming more aware of
ones abilities. This card also pertains to team
activities and good organization. It would
not be possible to create anything without
support and co-operation. The presence of
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THE RING OF
GOLLUM SPREAD
10
12
1. Basic personality
2. Possessions
3. Communication
4. Domestic life
5. Love life
6. Work life
7. Partnerships
8. Changes
9. Travel and learning
10. Achievements
11. Social life
12. Inner life
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MIDDLE-EARTH SPREADS
THE SWORD OF
ARAGON SPREAD
9
8
7
6
5
1. Present scenario
2. Past influencefirst movement
3. Past influencesecond movement
4. Past influencethird movement
5. Future expressionfirst movement
6. Future expressionsecond
movement
7. Future expressionthird movement
8. Future expressionfourth movement
9. Future expressionfinal outcome
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12
6
11
10
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