Shift & Make Shift-a man is hanging a small-game animal over the fire to cook. His small white dog behind him is so thin, you can see the dog’s bones through its skin. The dog is licking at a bone in the bowl on the low table behind the man. A single candle burns in a bottle on the same table. Overhead, a line of laundry hangs to dry. Upright Meanings: the poor, or the working-poor. Those living from paycheck-to-paycheck, or benefit-check-to-benefit-check. Those hanging on economically, but barely. Those working more than one job to make ends meet. They don’t have enough money at the end of a check to build up savings, nor resources or time to make future plans–every penny and all effort goes toward survival. Having to make-do with little or nothing. Reversed Meanings: things improve, just a little, for the poor. Poverty doesn’t press down on them as hard. A public policy enacted which improves the lot of the poor. A poor person experiences a ‘lucky break’ which might help them break the cycle of poverty. Having a little more breathing-room. Things might actually be looking-up!
Somebody-a man with short legs and a long torso stands grasping a quarter-staff in his right hand. He’s smiling broadly as he directly faces the viewer. From his sword, to his fur-trimmed coat to the hat on his head, he is finely-dressed. Upright Meanings: a person of consequence; this could be an elected official, a celebrity, a rich person, or some other person notable for their accomplishments. This is a V.I.P. and they know it, and are proud of it. They enjoy being a Somebody. Reversed Meanings: a person who is famous for bad reasons; a famous criminal, a famous crime victim, a famously-badly-behaved person, or someone famous for their controversial creative output. Someone who is famous, but wishes they weren’t; a desire for anonymity. Someone who knows they’re important and is a total-jerk about it.
Time-a statue of Time, depicted as a running man with wings. He is wearing a small drape across his abdomen and he carries a scythe in his right hand, and an hour glass in his left. His right leg is extended out behind him, and the toes of his left foot are the only part of him in contact with the base. Though a statue, his posture is clearly saying ‘time is fleeting’. The base under the statue appears to have a clock on the front of it. Upright Meanings: Time Flies. Or perhaps it drags. Timing is everything. Time suspended, but only for the moment. If you are engaged in a project, this card warns you to complete it, for time is running out. If you are enduring hard times, this card could be saying it won’t last forever and that it may, in fact, end soon. Reversed Meanings: Time has either already run out for someone, or it soon will. Paired with the Death card in this deck, this card reversed could be predicting an actual death, but this death could be of their plans and ambitions as well. Time is either a problem or an issue for the inquirer. Poor time-management.
Tragedy & Comedy-in a clearing, with a mountain as a backdrop, William Shakespeare is being pulled in two directions by Tragedy and Comedy. Comedy is pulling him by the arm, but Tragedy has a firm grasp on his wrist. His feet are angled toward Comedy, but his attention is fixed on Tragedy. Tragedy is hold one finger in the air, as if admonishing Shakespeare and Comedy. Meaning: this card has no reversed meaning. Simply put, this situation has elements of both tragedy and comedy to it. Matters will resolve themselves in a tragi-comic way, so be warned of this and make your peace with it. Be neither overly-amused nor overly-saddened at what takes place. There will be both something funny and something sad about the outcome.
Treachery-a turbaned man on a horse is accepting a drink from a well-dressed lady to the right while, to the left, a man with a dagger is approaching to stab him in the back. Upright Meanings: treason, treachery, back-stabbing, a diversionary assault, watch-your-back. A seemingly well-meant gesture may be a trap, so beware. A road-block which means trouble for you. Be cautious while traveling; being an out-of-towner may make someone think you’ll be an easy mark. Reversed Meanings: treason exposed, treachery thwarted; the rider turns in time to see the dagger. A treacherous action which comes to naught. The dagger finds the wrong mark.
Wit-a Sir John Falstaff-like figure stands on a lawn with an upraised sword in his right hand, and a shield slung over his left arm. Upright Meanings: someone with a quick mind and a razor-sharp wit; a comedian; keen observations about the absurdities of the human condition; a witty commentator on broadcast news or columnist in the print media. Someone who can cut, thrust and parry with words. Reversed Meanings: Witless. A dullard. Someone too thick to understand all the nuances of the situation, and the ramifications if the wrong decision is made. The kind of person who doesn’t understand why a government agency like NASA exists. Someone with no sense of humor, or their efforts at comedy fail. The sort of unarmed unfortunate with whom an honorable person does not engage in verbal combat.
World-a two-circle map of the world, with the western hemisphere on the left, and the eastern hemisphere on the right. Upright Meanings: the global community; the inquirer needs to see things from a larger perspective; ‘don’t take this personally’; ‘don’t be so small-minded’; an event or technological advance with global ramifications. Reversed Meanings: the world turned upside-down; my world turned upside-down; some revelation or discovery so huge and shocking it changes our perspective from here on out; some shocking disaster or tragedy which reminds everyone of our common humanity.
Can you please share it? I can only find it incomplete and I love this deck, I’m feeling very connected to it.
I’ll double-check that posting and reload. Thank you for calling this to my attention.
Done! The complete deck, with an updated notation on the box, is now posted. I apologize for the oversight.