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  We hope you enjoy this gate, which is one of our personal favorites.

  The King of Pentacles

  Your Mission: Operation Magnanimity

  Code-Word: Dignity

  Briefing

  Your mission as an emissary for change for yourself and others is to embody the positive qualities of the King of Pentacles; you will be courageous and forthright, you will be a natural at looking after the security of others.

  You may find yourself in the situation where you are able to help out a person; it could be in the workplace where you are presented with the opportunity of mentoring a new work colleague and to assist them in realizing their true potential.

  Do you have skills and the wherewithal that you could share with others? In this mission you will show a generosity of spirit, and maintain composure and calm in situations that would normally overwhelm you. In this you will lead others.

  You will learn to rule yourself and be generous to others. The essence word for you to enable change is ‘Magnanimity’.

  If the gentleman/Lady has ability,/she is magnanimous,

  Generous, tolerant, and straightforward,

  through which he/she opens the way to instruct others.

  - Xun Zi

  It is your mission to become a facilitator for the practical success of another person, it must however be done in such a way that it is not obvious that you are assisting them to achieve success, it is a secret mission.

  As Crowley puts it, as a King of Pentacles, you are “a producer of life” (Book of Thoth, p. 164), you possess the ability to create and influence outcomes for the good of the whole.

  If you have the tendency to be impatient with others, and not allow them to make mistakes without drawing attention to their shortcomings, now is the opportunity for you to embody the “laborious and patient” traits of the King of Pentacles (Crowley, p. 165). Stand back and allow them to make mistakes; correct them in a manner that is discreet and noble.

  During this mission time, hold back on the desire to express the ‘petty’ side of your nature and the temptation to put the proverbial boot in! This attitude of putting the boot in, is as Crowley says again, the ill-dignified aspect of the King of Pentacles (Knight) “yet they are always irritably meddling about petty matters; they interfere with, and inevitably spoil whatever comes their way” (Crowley, p. 165).

  So the test of this secret mission is to be kind and noble of spirit, and to be guided by your higher self. You must go easy on the jealousy or resentfulness of others, it should always be a case of “I’ve had one motto I have always lived by: Dignity: Always dignity” (Don Lockwood, Singing in the Rain).

  Shine your brightest light upon the world! Emanate wisdom and cultivate an enlightened state. Be aware of your power to make changes and this will change others. Unlike any other of the Court card missions, this one is actually all about you.

  In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.

  Eric Hoffer.

  Debrief: What does dignity mean to you and where did you tend to lose it most during this mission?

  The Queen of Pentacles

  Your Mission: Operation Liberty

  Code Word: Understanding

  Your mission as an emissary for change for yourself and others is to embody the positive qualities of the Queen of Pentacles. You will harness a force of power that will conjure up changes around you that will release a flow of information, that will ‘liberate’ and shake up the stagnation in your life and the lives of those around you.

  There is very much a teacher energy at play here, you are a catalyst of change, you are the ‘hand’ (yod) that is open and receptive, to give and receive and to liberate, to assist in the release of something, yours is the hand that unties that rope that binds.

  Make it your mission to be active in the community, take part in any voluntary work connected to improving the amenities where you live. Flashmob activities such as planting flowers, and clearing rubbish (safely and within the law of course)! Check out online groups and see how you can make a difference for the good of the whole. Use social networking to bring people together.

  “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

  Albert Pike

  Hold back on the feelings that arise when you find yourself becoming over-possessive and territorial. The negative aspects of the Queen of Pentacles energy is to protect and see off anyone who is a threat to a loving community. This matriarchic behavior could spiral out of control, and the need to control could become a problem. We all know of people who head a committee and become over-protective of what they see as their baby. They then have a reluctance to allow new blood into the system. Beware of becoming the committee of one!

  Your secret mission is to promote diversity and understanding, to speak up if the opportunity arises against bigotry and prejudice. Make it your business to welcome outsiders into your space, into your life. Do your upmost to highlight ignorance and promote awareness of inequality.

  It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

  Alan Cohen

  Hold back on the negative aspects of the Queen of Pentacles, the dangers of being servile, and following the group-think.

  Debrief: Discuss what you felt most resistance to during your mission.

  The Knight of Pentacles

  Your Misson: Operation Service

  Code Word: Beauty

  As the Knight of Pentacles your mission is to become involved in as many projects as possible that will actually create something that is tangible and have lasting results. It can be a small thing such as planting flowers in the garden or even feeding the birds in your garden on a regular basis, something that contributes positively in a practical, earthy way.

  Throughout this mission, you are serving nature and the natural order of the planet, you will be putting back rather than taking away. Think about being of service in the most natural way.

  There is little more to say of the Knight of Pentacles mission – he is the mainstay of the court cards, and just gets on with getting on. Go and make a real and practical difference in the lives of others.

  Debrief: What stops you from doing things?

  The Page of Pentacles

  Your Mission: Operation Application

  Code Word: Learning

  Your mission is to apply yourself to something that you have until now never been able to do. It could be that you have always wanted to learn to play an instrument. The important thing to remember that the mission is not to excel at this task, in that you do not have to become a talented musician overnight, and it is important to remember you may be lousy at it.

  The mission is to apply yourself to something and give it a go. This mission is about discovery, and that discovery could be that you are not suited to a particular thing, but it is the ‘Application’ that matters.

  Your service to others comes in the form of challenging yourself, starting something new – this will inevitably bring you into contact with new people, to whom your requirement to learn will in return, draw out their ability to teach.

  Debrief: What was the most unexpected thing you discovered about how others respond to you doing something new?

  The King of Swords

  Your Mission: Operation Shining Sword

  Code Word: Candid

  Your mission is to be assertive in communication, especially where it is for the good of another. If the opportunity arises for you to speak up for someone who is not as able to express themselves, then make it your mission to take command and stand up for them.

  If something appears to be unfair then try to take the upper hand. Do more than
try – succeed. As the King you will not accept failure, in yourself or others – you will keep going until the task is done. This is the harshest of task masters to have running your mission, but rewarding when complete.

  Debrief: What did it feel like to be brave?

  The Queen of Swords

  Your Mission: Operation Clear Skies

  Code Word: Decision

  Your mission as the Queen of Swords is to promote calmness at all times. Take a week, meditate, and contemplate. In this sense, you are a secret agent of change by becoming a role model. In other cards we have to take action, or permeate our energy; in this card we must simply be the person that others can hold as an example.

  So, you are the Queen the Swords. Here is how Aleister Crowley describes her in the Book of Thoth:

  “… intensely perceptive, a keen observer, a subtle interpreter, and intense individualist, swift and accurate at recording ideas; in action, confident, in spirit, gracious and just. Her movements will be graceful, and her ability in dancing and balance exceptional.” (p. 161)

  This is your role – you are playing an undercover part in this mission. Your success will be measured by how much other people learn from your stance, how you help others aspire to calmness and clarity, good decision-making, and equilibrium.

  You may notice when taking on this role how other people begin to change their attitude towards you, how you notice certain things more than others, and you may even start to make changes in your environment. This is a powerful archetype to embody in this manner and a challenging mission to accept, particularly if it is your “opposite” card.

  Debrief: How do people learn from a role-model? What is the process by which this “satsang” happens?

  The Knight of Swords

  Your Mission: Operation Swift Strike

  Code Word: Accelerate

  Of all the Court Cards, this is one mission where secrecy may not be the prime concern. The only concern is cutting to the chase, and getting there – wherever there is - as swiftly as possible. Your job with this card as your mission description is to hasten someone along their way. However you need to put it, however harsh it may sound – words are our best weapon.

  Just get on with it, just do it, enough already. Your mission is to charge in and say what no-one else will say, so long as it helps someone gain clarity. At least they will know where they stand.

  So, your mission will be measured by how radical a change you can effect with just a few words – but the right words, at the right time.

  Debrief: What was the worst thing that happened when flinging yourself into this mission?

  The Page of Swords

  Your Mission: Operation Overlook

  Code Word: Survey

  The Page of Swords, much like his cousin the Page of Wands, could be the ultimate superspy. In his case, he is the reconnaissance expert – always casing the joint, reviewing the schematics, scanning the battlefield, before committing any action.

  Your mission with this card is to plan something for somebody. Make an elaborate or layered series of events, and then act them out during the time you allocate for your mission. Think it through – how can you act at various points during a day to help someone?

  It could be (like any of these missions) as simple as planning to make someone breakfast, bring them a cup of tea, go out and buy something for them, put their night clothes out! And then, go and do it. Ensure that every step is as you planned it, or change the plan as it happens.

  The trick with this mission is in planning in advance – so that everything happens for the other person exactly as you envision it. Your success is measured by how perfect a plan you create, in comparison to its reality.

  Debrief: What is the difference between a plan and reality?

  The King of Cups

  Your Mission: Operation Paradox

  Code Word: Dive

  This mission is a strange one, as the King of Cups provides the paradox of masculinity and emotional depth. Or is it a paradox? Your mission is to assist a man – and this is the only mission that has to be undertaken with a man – discover more emotional depth. Without manipulation, this could be to simply ask him about his feelings. We are not asking you to be a pop psychologist or part-time and totally unqualified counselor, just to provide a friendly space for discovery.

  Dive as deep as you can into a male emotional space, see what you can draw out – it may be as enriching to you as to them.

  This mission requires a suitable space and time, and maybe planning in advance. Or it can happen across a canteen table. The successful outcome of Operation Paradox is a certain knowing on the face of a man when he connects to his deeper emotions.

  Debrief: Is the stereotype of masculinity such a paradox to emotional depth?

  The Queen of Cups

  Your Mission: Operation Harmony

  Code Word: Connect

  There are some situations in life that need healing, that need the bits to be connected to make sense, to be moved on from, or celebrated. With this card as your mission, you should look to help someone – or more likely a group of individuals – get connected.

  Putting people in touch with each other for long-term support is a task that fulfils the mission of the Queen of Cups. Her oracular nature should be drawn upon to tell you what is missing in a situation – draw cards, do readings for people, help them put something together.

  This mission is complete when something broken is fixed.

  Debrief: What did it feel like when the broken thing was fixed?

  The Knight of Cups

  Your Mission: Operation Galahad

  Code Word: Quest

  With this card as your mission, you must take someone’s quest and help them upon it. You must be their “wing-man” and side-kick in all that they do towards their goal. Who do you know who has an ambition? Offer them support, be there for them.

  If there is no-one close to hand, as there may be for some missions, then adopt a charity or noble goal for a while, give them anonymous support in any way you can – be a guardian angel.

  This mission is accomplished when you see someone (or a group or organization) assisted by your secret efforts. There is no reward in this for yourself, just the knowledge and experience of moving the universe towards its accomplishment.

  Debrief: Do people have quests? If so, what are they?

  The Page of Cups

  Your Mission: Operation Fish Cup

  Code Word: Surprise

  Your mission as this youthful energy in the world of emotions is to bring curiosity and surprise into someone’s life. When acting as this secret tarot agent, expect the unexpected – turn things on their head for others. Make random acts of kindness, show spontaneous flair and exuberance. Let others get caught up in your love of life.

  Unlike other missions, this one is infectious – you are not a Wand who brings their whole will to bear on the task, nor a Pentacle who works concretely and up-front. You are more like the puck or pixie who adds glitter until everyone is smiling!

  You get mission accomplishment points for every time someone laughs, smiles or does something goofy with you. And on a more serious note, from curiosity and novelty, from feeling, comes creativity – this mission should bring new creations and emotions.

  Debrief: How did it work for you to be the centre of attention?

  The King of Wands

  Your Mission: Operation Hyper-Motivate

  Code Word: Responsibility

  Your mission as the King of Wands is to be more motivated in order to improve the lives of those around you. The tasks that you have promised to fulfill for other people but have been putting off until another day need blitzing. You will do these tasks with an enthusiasm that will be contagious.

  You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

  Abraham Lincoln

  You are the one who will step up and put order/structure into your home/work life. At home you are going to clear o
ut the detritus that has accumulated to make way for a ‘new order’, as it is only possible to create new by clearing out the ‘old order’. You are going to be the ultimate organizer and fixer. This will be done is such a way that you will lead by example. Where you go others will follow.

  You will however have to hold back from becoming overbearing, as this is the drawback of the above, you may be perceived as a busybody, control freak. So it is very important that you keep a check of how others are responding to your newfound zeal on being the one to get things done.

  You conjure fire and light the way.

  This mission is about you re-assessing your life. You must have an action plan. You must decide on what you want in the future now.

  Debrief: What would it be like to be like this all the time?

  The Queen of Wands

  Your Mission: Operation On the Rails

  Code Word: Enthuse

  With the Queen bringing her more subtle energy to this mission, albeit in the suit of fiery wands, you must tread deliberately but gently. Your mission is to put someone on the rails to their stated outcome – in a long-term and sustainable manner. You may have to hold their hand; you may have to keep checking on them – all the time whilst encouraging their independence.

  The balance of this mission is a difficult one – the Queen of Wands is always an interesting character, and card in a reading. You can generate the required state by being enthused, and helping the other person (or group – these missions can apply to a group) see the benefits of something, so they move towards it.

  Stay with it, and when they accomplish some step towards their contentment, you will have done your job.

  Debrief: What has this mission taught you about how this card works in a reading?

  The Knight of Wands

  Your Mission: Operation Go For It

  Code Word: Charge

  When the Knight of Wands is on task, watch out. Your mission is to simply get others to do what they say – when they say it. Take no prisoners, let no-one escape their own ambitions. When you are on this task, listen for someone to state a goal, plan or merely wishful thinking, and then move them a step towards it.