This inspiration deck was created by the visual art students in the Arcata Arts Institute in the Fall of 2025. The descriptions below, listed alphabetical by virtue, will help readers understand the meaning, message, and inspiration behind each artists' card.
Acceptance KG Gaskill The giant ocean sunfish (mola mola) is a mysterious creature known for its strange shape and peculiar lifestyle. Like most oddities in this world, the mola faces judgment and criticism for how they look and move through life. Due to its anatomy, the mola slowly drifts through the ocean, overran by parasites and attacked by hungry creatures, often too dissatisfied to finish the job. However, the mola keep swimming and navigating through these strange waters. The mola drifts to you as a reminder to embody acceptance--whether to accept your circumstances and keep moving forward, or to accept yourself. The coral color of the border represents warmth, positivity, and individuality. The eelgrass wrapped around the fin symbolizes a situation that is holding you back, a reminder that you are strong enough to free yourself from whatever binds you. The jellyfish above are supportive reminders to go with the flow and embrace simplicity. Where in your life do you need acceptance?
Assertive By Caden Coriell To me, being assertive means speaking up for yourself even when it feels a little hard. My card shows a purple griffin in a medieval style because it looks brave and sure of itself. The border is shaped like a shield and it’s red, with blue around it to create a feeling of unification. I kept the inside white so the griffin stands out. When this card appears, it reminds the reader to ask, “What do I need to say for myself today so I can slay the day?”
Authenticity By Jocelyn Soderfelt To me, authenticity is being true to yourself, your ideas, your beliefs, and acting with those in mind. I think that being authentic will afford you the ability to find true friends and people who value you for you. In my card, I depicted the Norse dragon, Níðhöggr or Nidhogg, who’s known to eat the roots of the Yggdrasil, or World Tree. This is a sort of metaphor to death, where one can only be their authentic self. When this card appears, it’s meant to remind you to be true to yourself and remember your values, to remember who you are. To Gnothi Seauton or Know Thyself, as is the Greek phrase.
Awareness By Brayan Herrera Segundo I believe awareness can have many meanings, but to me, awareness means to be self conscious of something. Awareness is to have your mind, body and senses heightened. You are self aware of not just your surroundings, but your deepest most inner thoughts, almost as if you can see into the future and know what will happen next. To be aware, is to be insightful, and that's a very powerful ability to have. The animals that are supposed to represent the word “awareness” are hawks, elephants or even spiders, but I chose a squirrel. I chose a squirrel because of a personal experience I had as a kid and a thing I still do to this day. Every summer I go camping with my family, there are always squirrels there, and every time I see one, I chase after it and try to catch it and to this day, I haven't caught a single one. I asked myself, “why can I never catch a squirrel?” I then realized that squirrels are very aware of their surroundings. Every squirrel I tried to catch, knew what my next move was and fled. That's why I chose a squirrel, I added a golden ring around it to represent a form of self consciousness and awareness. I painted my piece pink blending in with purple to represent a galaxy-like background that represents the great beyond and that there is no limit to how aware anyone can be.
Beauty By Mala Livingearth Beauty is a multifaceted concept, encompassing both physical attributes and intangible qualities. Physical beauty often refers to aesthetic qualities that are pleasing to the eye, such as color, symmetry, and form. Intangible beauty, on the other hand, relates to inner qualities like kindness, intelligence, and integrity, which evoke feelings of admiration and appreciation. In my card, the sun shining through the clouds, her golden bouncy hair, and her deep shimmering skin, show physical beauty, while her kind expression and humble posture convey a nonphysical beauty. The association between these two forms of beauty lies in their ability to inspire positive emotions and create a sense of harmony. When you pull this card, see it as a reminder that true beauty extends far beyond the physical, encompassing inner qualities that enrich our lives and connections.
Bravery By Emily Hartling Bravery is like a lotus flower as it blooms up through the mud. It shows that even through murky waters and difficult conditions, by facing the challenges that come its way, it can become something beautiful despite the odds. This illustrates that when you are going through tough or unclear times, by standing your ground and being brave, you can create something beautiful once you make it through.
Care By Emily Johnson When I think of care, I think of acts of service and time dedicated to another person. I have always loved when people braid my hair or do my makeup because it makes me feel worth the time and attention to detail. Face painting lets me share this feeling with my friends, strangers, and myself. Face painting reminds me of the connection and joy that gentle care for another person creates. In my painting, a girl paints another girl’s face. I added lots of color and glitter, swirling designs, and long flowing hair to show the flow state of connectedness that I find between me and the person I'm painting. When this card appears, it reminds the reader to be attentive in their interactions and make the space for people around them to feel seen.
Cleanliness By Sierra Roberts To me, cleanliness means the physical and mental cleansing of your space and mind. It can also refer to cleaning and organizing your things or yourself. It reminds me in my daily life to take care of myself and the things around me, and declutter and clean things so that they are fresh. The light colors in my piece represent the softness of water when something is being cleaned. The mirror represents purity and elegance. The woman brushing her hair represents the detangling of problems in life. Someone can apply this virtue by thinking of something in their life that has been cluttered or dirty, and to create a pleasant environment for themselves mentally or physically. Maybe clean a closet or something that hasn't been touched in a while.
Committment By Diego Moctezuma Commitment can be shown in different ways such as being responsible or being dedicated. For me, I chose to represent commitment in a loving relationship type of way. My card has a sunset and two swans right next to each other forming a heart. I chose swans because it is said that swans mate for life and I find them beautiful. I feel like love can last forever with the right swan. The colors of the card are meant to evoke feelings of joy and togetherness.
Compassion By Mija Cota Compassion is an empathetic comfort provided by one another when one feels down and low, wanting someone to see their struggles and feel a soothing presence. The word reminds me of how feeling someone's care is such a reassuring comfort, especially knowing someone has your back and understands what you're going through. The way some people can bring light into your gloomy day is one of the most beautiful aspects of human interaction. If you draw this card, it’s a sign of comfort–and the imagery expresses that there is always a sun person to shine on your gloomy day.. My card holds a balance of warm and cool colors. Cold colors should feel like a sorrowful chill, like another cloudy winter morning, and the warm colors that brighten up the picture should express the warmth and dose of Vitamin D, which improves your happiness. These warm colors show someone who has compassion for the one who feels cold and lost in the dark. The Sun and Moon pairing in my art piece has a scientific meaning of how the Moon only shines due to sunlight. Without the sun beaming onto the moon, the moon would forever stay in a dark, cold space in the universe. Always do your best to show compassion to those who can't find their light.
Cofidence By Rex Regan My virtue was confidence and I represented it through the imagery of a blind archer. The archer shows how even in the face of adversity, one can gather themselves and remain true to the faith they hold in their abilities. Confidence is an essential aspect for the manifestation of self reliance, and is a key point in the furthering and strengthening of a community or person. The subject of the piece shows how this confidence and trust in oneself can lead to greatness and overcome any challenge.
Conscience By Teagan Sailors I believe that the conscience is a vague, largely imperceptible concept. Your conscience is always there, always in use, and yet you hardly notice it. Furthermore, you have no control over it. The conscience is less like a hand steering your wheel, and more of a manipulating and advising fog surrounding you always, almost entirely unseen and unclear. When you see this card, I suggest you go a little more with that subconscious voice, those deep, inner urges that seem to have a bit more intelligence to them.
Considerate Christian Rose Being considerate means to regard someone else's feelings in a certain situation. For example, holding an umbrella for someone in the rain, even if it means you get wet. The figure smiles as he shares his umbrella, because he is happy to give what he has. This virtue reminds you to go out of your way and be kind to people, in hopes of making their day better. Can you practice consideration without expecting anything in return? Even small actions can make a big difference.
Contentment Ia fordham This card represents being able to be content with any situation you are in, even if the world is burning around you and the sun is beating down your back. Keep that raging fire behind you, and keep the judgmental sun even behind that. Sit on your raggedy yet so comfortable couch and be accompanied by a loving companion.
Courage By Johanna Mauro Courage means persevering with your actions or convictions even in the face of fear. The dark night and tangled branches symbolize a scary, unknown future. However, the lit lantern represents the courage that glows from within when you reflect on your values and internal compass. This card encourages you to find your inner conviction and move forward. Courage is the light that reveals the path ahead.
Creativity By Liana Chin Creativity is the ability to come up with original ideas, especially in the context of art. There are so many ways to be creative, like music, theatre, photography, and traditional art. This card urges the reader to think outside the box. Take the time to create something. There is never one path, and sometimes you need to follow your own, creative ideas, like the girl in the painting follows her paintbrush.
Detachment By Zulay Perez To me, detachment is the ability to let go of what doesn’t serve you. Detachment is a period of growth and a new chapter in your life. You are detaching yourself from things that are no longer healthy in your life, something that you once loved. Detachment is a feeling of freedom. The colors I used the most were shades of red. I used a vibrant red to symbolize strong emotions, such as danger and anger. I showed green vines to represent growth, and to contrast with the red border. Symbols on my card of virtue were a skeleton, ribbon, and scissors. I used a skeleton to represent death, which means both the end of a chapter, and new beginnings. The ribbon in my card represents an attachment, but the scissors are in the process of cutting the red ribbon, attaching the two skeletons. When this card appears, it shows all sorts of emotions. The reader can interpret each symbol differently.
Determination By Amaya Nishinaka Determination is an unwavering commitment to achieving a goal despite obstacles. Determination represents perseverance, resilience and can be symbolized by oak trees. As depicted in the card, the aerial silks represent the obstacles as they could cause slipping, rug burns, and bruises. But the aerialist represents the resilience and perseverance of tangling yourself in obstacles and turning them into something beautiful despite the struggles. This card encourages you to keep going beyond your struggles and climb higher despite the obstacles holding you back. Hook your knee and intertwine your dreams with reality.
Dignity By Catherine Arafat For me, dignity has always meant my sense of worth and value, and having the right to be respected morally and ethically despite the circumstances I am in, including my background, status or financial situation. It means respecting myself and others, and treating them fairly and honestly, honoring their humanity and worth. All of this is reflected in the peacock’s magnificent feathers and gracefulness, as well as the woman who is standing proudly and on her dignity. When this card is drawn, it invites you to acknowledge your worth, by thinking about your strengths and diving deeper into your character, as well as encourages you to treat others with respect by listening and sympathizing with them.
Empathy By Liam Porter When I hear empathy, I think of someone comforting another, being able to listen and understand how they’re feeling and what they’re going through. When this card is drawn, the holder can remind themselves to be empathetic. To seek out and find others whom they can empathize with and listen to. This card is a reminder that small actions have bigger impacts than the giver can know, and that anyone can empathize. Through my illustration, a dog and a cat, two natural enemies, can understand and share their emotions. Two hearts are inferior to one.
Encouragement By Addyson knife Encouragement is such a beautifully powerful virtue. It highlights strength in yourself and others. Encouragement to me is a strong being, It has to be pleasing to the eye but defined by intimidation and hardship. Dragon immediately came to mind for me. It's a robust creature with immense intelligence and love. I added an oil spill effect to the scales to bring color to the piece since rainbows are a symbol of encouragement. The lotus flower is yet another symbol of encouragement that is incredibly beautiful. I chose to use a cartoon-ish shading style to bring some fun into the piece while still capturing some dramatics. When this card is shown, it should remind the reader to “have courage and take heart”!
Enthusiasm By Nyx Steele Enthusiasm to me means committing to whatever it is that you’re doing, and taking the whole “live life to the fullest” motto to the highest level. It’s doing what you’re doing without shame, and bringing your energy to each adventure that finds you. When drawing this card, I would stop to ask yourself if you’re holding back any energy or any excitement, and if so, why? I used bright colors and activity to symbolize feeling enthusiastic, and committing your energy to something. Colors always feel exciting and uplifting, which is how I personally feel when enthusiastic about something. Let your initial excitement win, and bring your all into whatever may be next.
Ethical By Quinn McSorley To me, “ethical” means to act according to principles of law and moral belief. Ways to make ethical decisions include gathering facts and recognizing the full issue. In my card, the man holding the two buckets symbolizes making the ethical choice. He is weighing out his two options, trying to make the best choice. The sun peeking out from the clouds symbolizes making the right decision, even when it is hard. I tried to make a simple background to give attention to the man holding the buckets. When I see this card, it makes me want to make good choices and review all of my options before going forward.
Excellence By Zoë Cappuccio Excellence is reaching the truest north of your abilities. I don't believe that excellence is perfection, but rather your own personal best. Excellence is persevering through pain and struggling until eventually, you come out on the other side with something beautiful, and a goal achieved. The dark background represents how excellence is reached only after a struggle, showing the knight – still and silent – pondering the choices they made to get to where they are now. This card tells you that your excellence will soon be reached.
Fairness By Alisa Chen Personally, this virtue means being fair to others; as usual, it represents treating others equally, and in life, it reminds me that people can be very different from how they seem. Someone can apply this virtue when drawing this card by making fair decisions towards other people and towards yourself, because you matter too. The dark shading behind the scale shows that, sometimes, to be fair, you will have to give up something that you like. When this card is drawn, it reminds the reader that fairness sometimes comes at a price.
Faith By Anaia Benemann To me faith means trusting the process. To trust the process you must let go of your personal wants and desires in order for your mind to be clear and open to new opportunities on the way to your goal. I chose to represent Faith by painting a white horse looking down into a pond and in the horse’s reflection it's a unicorn. The maple tree represents the past (behind the horse), present (the horse), and the future (the horse looking into its reflection). This represents seeing your true potential and being able to fully reflect on yourself before moving forward. To be able to reach whatever intention you have you must have faith in your own ability and the divine ability of the card to bring you where you need to go, no matter what path takes you there. When this card appears it reminds you to reflect on yourself and your actions, have faith in what the future holds, and trust the process along the way.
Flexibility By Belysia Sanchez To me, flexibility is the ability to calmly adapt to changes and new situations, and be open minded. To be flexible is to be able to bend and not break. I illustrated an octopus doing yoga on my card. Octopuses are known for not only being physically flexible, but also mentally flexible. They are very intelligent creatures that practice problem-solving skills, helping them adapt to new situations, and have the ability to learn new tasks. I made this octopus do yoga because I believe many of yoga's core values follow what it means to be flexible. If this card appears, it's reminding you to stay open minded and adaptable, allowing for growth when changes occur.
Forgiveness Quinn Pickins Forgiveness is an important and valuable trait to possess. Having the strength to forgive others after they’ve caused you pain is not only freeing to yourself but proves that negative actions-whether they are from you or others- cannot suppress your love and kindness. This piece portrays how forgiveness can free yourself and help you and others get through hard times. You can see one figure is mostly colored in red, signifying anger and self resentment for their actions. The other figure is covered in blues and purples with a yellow glow around them that is spreading over the other, protecting them from the harsh surroundings while they are brought into the light environment. This card is a sign to forgive yourself and others in order to move on.
Friendly By Stella Hughes Friendly means open arms, caring people, and genuine love, even through the hard times. I strongly believe that smiling at everyone and having a warm feeling when talking to others can easily make anyone's day. The flowers in my design are meant to show a reminder that everything in life is supposed to flow and to just let things be. The warm colors and big smile on the beautiful lady are meant to show kindness and remind everyone that everything's okay. This card should be a reminder to stay positive, stay optimistic, and stay happy, even if it's hard to find the warmth inside.
Generous By Violet Wilson When I think about generosity, I think about all the people I surround myself with. I think of all the things they do for me and each other, and all I do for them. I like to think I am surrounded by generosity: it is a pair of earrings I borrow from my younger sister, it is the kind words I exchange with a bus driver, it is the birds outside my window when I wake up. I think that life and nature are inherently generous, so I chose to use water (which is necessary for life) to represent this card, with a figure I’d like to think of as adjacent to Mother Nature. I chose to use primarily blue in this piece particularly because of its connection to altruism–the selfless concern for the well-being of others. When you see this card, you might count your blessings or ask yourself, “How might I bring a little more generosity into the world?”
Gentle By Sitong Chen To me, being gentle means approaching situations with calmness, humility, and compassion. In this card, the girl sitting on the grass radiates peace. Cute animals such as a deer, a bunny, and cats are surrounding her as they sit in nature together. She represents that tenderness can heal both ourselves and others. The sunlight behind her symbolizes inner warmth, and it is a gentle heart that brings light to everyone around her. The soft colors that I used show the peaceful mood in this piece. “Let your softness be your strength; the world needs your gentle light.”
Gratitude By Evie Herrera Gratitude to me means being grateful for everything you have in life. Not everyone has what they need and we should remember to be happy for what we have, even though it may not be much. Being grateful helps in many ways because instead of focusing on what is missing, instead focus on what you do have, which helps you be more optimistic and happy. The galaxy colors emphasize the fact you can be grateful for anything and everything and gives content vibes. When you draw this card it should make the readers think “Am I thinking about things half empty or half full?”
Harmony By Kaya Scofield To me, Harmony is the balance of spirit and body, mind and soul. I believe that one can be harmonious when they can align with their morals and values. I chose the symbol of the tree of life because it represents unity and the interconnectedness of everything and everyone. The spiral in the center represents the never-ending journey of self-discovery, the willingness to change. The color pink combines the purity of white and the compassion of red. When this card appears, it reminds the reader to ask “How can I balance my emotions?”
Helpful By Sadie Cedergreen Helpfulness is the quality of helping or being ready to give help. To me this means an expression of the kindness of assisting someone who needs it even when it may be an inconvenience to you. I think bees are very helpful. In order to assist their colonies while collecting pollen they also help human kind without even realizing, so their helpfulness is both intentional and unintentional. When this card is drawn, the symbolism of the bee could inspire others to be helpful.
Honesty By Elliott Hutchings This virtue has themes of vulnerability, openness, and trust. I showed that through the eye contact with the viewer, the vulnerable pose, and trust is conveyed through the figure not hiding their true self. I believe that although honesty and trusting someone, or even trusting yourself is hard, It’s important to try. This card reminds you to try and be more open, trust yourself, and maybe lower your guard just a little bit.
Hope By Mallory Turner Hope to me symbolizes looking for joy in the smaller things in life that keep you pushing forward. When things seem rough, you can go on a walk and appreciate life more. It reminds me to look for peace in the natural world, where everything always seems calmer and more hopeful. To capture this I focused on swirly shapes and a calmer color palette, accompanied by a serene landscape.
Humility By Tatum Dick Humility means that despite your great accomplishments, you remain levelheaded and down-to-earth. I depicted humility in my card by showing a great and brave knight kneeling at the feet of a lady to show that he is still humble even in light of what he may have done in his life. When people see my card, I hope that they think of how they can stay open and kind regardless of their past.
Idealism By Tim Clewell An ideal society, as I imagine, is one in which every person is sustained, where all have access to the nourishment that feeds both body and mind. In such a world, hunger and scarcity would be relics of the past. Everyone would share in the abundance of wholesome food that supports health, vitality, and well-being. Just as importantly, all would be surrounded by loving, supportive relationships that strengthen the spirit. This card portrays a father and child walking together through flourishing rows of vegetables. The lush, vibrant fields symbolize abundance and the promise of enough for all. Their joined hands and shared path embody the importance of connection, guidance, and intergenerational care. When this card appears, it invites the reader to pause and remember: “Look toward the horizon; what you imagine today becomes tomorrow’s harvest.”
Imagination By Slate Savra To me, imagination is the ability to think of something different, to have ideas not necessarily based in the here and now. I believe that imagination is integral to life, functioning both as a tool to plan your future and as an escape from the present. In my card a rat is painting itself flying in fantastical colors. It represents the joy one can find in imagination. When this card appears, it reminds the reader to pause and take a break from the present, and instead imagine something fun.
Joyful By Nicolai Dillon Joy is a simple thing. Oftentimes I find that small and simple actions can give me a deep-rooted feeling of happiness. The colors and design in the card are simple to reflect a peaceful and content feeling. When this card appears it should remind you to slow down and find joy in common acts.
Kindness By Isabella Lampro Kindness is something that everyone should experience to lead a fulfilling life. It is a give-and-take; you get what you put in. I communicated this in my piece by using colors and variation in lines to make an opening, almost giving the piece a feeling that anyone could relate to. I chose the sun and moon to show a complementary relationship between opposites. The stars communicate joy with their facial expressions. When we give joy and kindness, it brings us joy. You can always think, “How can I spread kindness to the world?”
Love By Meta Bee Nave There is really no one definition for love, and yet we know what it is to love and be loved even if we don’t realize it. Love is very important and complex in every form it takes. In the end love represents the bonds between people and their relationship with the world and how they chose to live their lives. Love is a reminder that everything you feel is ok to feel. In this piece I have a sun and moon representing two people supporting and holding one another. The moon and sun are holding each other's hands inside of a pink circle symbolizing a heart that is shared between them. The botanical element represents a classic symbol of love roses, which is shown in different stages of growth representing the different stages that love can take and grow into. The eyes represent the window to the soul, the emotions that can come from love and the things we can or can’t see because of it. When you draw this card think of all of the people in your life that you feel support you. Who do you support? Why do you support them? Reflect on who matters to you, who you love and who loves you.
Loyalty By Elsa Neukom To me, loyalty is about feeling a special connection with someone or something, a devotion that doesn’t waver no matter what. I decided to illustrate this with an image of a girl and her pet bird. The girl’s expression toward the bird symbolizes the fidelity and kinship that is felt toward each other. I decided to make the colors blue and pink to symbolize how differences do not affect the loyalty that can be felt. When this card appears, it reminds the reader to pause and think, “Who or what in my life do I feel loyalty towards?”
Moderation By Mariia Vasileva To me, moderation is the ability to move between excessive risk and lack of extreme. It reminds me that both stillness and excess can lead to emptiness and chaos. In my card, the sharp shards of ice on the left symbolize fear of action and the cold stillness that comes from avoiding risk. On the right, flames with pointed spikes represent impulsiveness and the burning chaos of going too far. At the center, an azalea flower represents moderation and a healthy middle path. Above them, a pendulum swings, representing movement and choice, and reminding us that life is a constant motion between what we fear and what we desire. When this card appears, it advises the reader to choose with care, moving neither too fast nor too slow.
Modesty By Logan Holmes When I think of modesty I think of being happy with less. Modesty to me is appreciating the world and things around you. This card reminds you to be happy with what you have. It could also be interpreted as just enjoying the things around you and how we should be more appreciative of the world around us.
Optimism By Jacob Klein-Morehead To me, optimism is my ability to find the good in everything and create a kinder atmosphere out of something bad. I believe that just a little optimism can create a better world. In my card, I pictured a woman flying from the moonlit night into a sunny sky, symbolizing an escape from a darker world. I used soft colors to convey comfort and familiarity. I hope this card reminds people to look at the bright side of things.
Order By Alia Owen Order to me is balance and structure, how our lives are pieced together when they feel scattered. I painted a forest landscape as my artwork to symbolize peace and the natural world. The forest may seem scattered, but every tree and leaf has its order. I drew a puzzle piece over it to show how people try to fit their lives into something that feels whole, like finding our meaning and place. Order in everyday life is a state of calm and routine when all seems unsteady. It’s based on trusting in every small piece, when you can’t see the full picture. Find peace and pattern in your life, even ones you can’t understand yet.
Passion By Julia Brands In my life, I have found that passion is a leading factor that drives me to succeed in life. In school, with my hobbies, and when pursuing personal goals, I find that when I am passionate about something, I tend to succeed and do my best in that area of my life. In this card, the red represents the strength and power that passion gives you, and the importance of this virtue in life. The subject of the painting on this card is a ballerina, and as a dancer myself, passion is the reason I continue to dance to this day, regardless of the challenges it presents. Passion is a source of strength and keeps us moving forward in life. It is the fuel for success, creativity, and moving outside our comfort zone. Let this card serve as a reminder to pursue the things you feel passionate about - the things that bring you joy, happiness, and accomplishment.
Patience By Clio Saulsbury-Bruck Patience is the quiet strength to endure difficult times, and letting growth unfold in its own time. It’s the art of trusting the process, even when it may seem that nothing is changing on the surface. The wrapping vines and blooming flowers represent this trusting process, showing that good can come out of waiting. The muted greens and earthy tones reflect the steady rhythm of nature, and that everything blooms when it’s ready. When this card appears, it invites you to breathe, wait, and let things develop at their natural pace. Growth is never rushed, it is nurtured by time and faith.
Peace By Anya Seiler To me, peace is the feeling of floating freely in a space untouched by confusion or concern. I chose jellyfish to symbolize this because they drift gracefully through the water, moving in a calm dream-like state. The soft blue hues create a serene space for the mind to wander through. When this card appears, it reminds the reader to pause and find a moment of stillness amid the chaos.
Perseverance By Eddie Chacon Perseverance is about pushing yourself through even the hardest of battles, even when it’s unbearably heavy. Remind yourself you’ve made it once, you can make it again. In my card I used Sisyphus as imagery. I chose him because his eternal punishment is to push the same boulder up and down hills, and he’s not allowed to stop. He believes he can make the boulder stay on the top of the hill if he pushes enough and tries enough times. It’s a metaphor for the feeling of trying to persevere through some of the toughest obstacles all of your life. I used a hard monochromatic grey scale with high contrast for Sisyphus and the background to represent dullness of average life. The red for the boulder represents all of your challenges and the pure strain and intensity of all life’s issues. Sisyphus is chained to it and cannot remove himself from it but he strains to push it everyday, to relieve the pain when he reaches the top of the mountain. If a reader pulls this card, they should remind themselves, they can always reach their goals and no matter what, if they persevere.
Realism By Juniper Otter As much as reality informs fantasy, and fantasy informs reality, the most important thing to do is look. Clear eyes and a worldview which neither emphasizes optimism, nor pessimism will allow for confident decision-making. The central figure is both real and unreal. Paths grow from them, meant to symbolize the many ways and choices of life itself. They balance a set of scales, meant to show that one must handle both the bright light of optimism and the dimness of pessimism with equal care. They cover their eyes, desiring to avoid choosing, but their hands have eyes upon them as well - for one cannot truly avoid life. Eyes feature heavily within this artwork because clear-sightedness is an important tenet of realism. Reflect on your life, and the choices ahead of you. Think of them not in terms of “good” or “bad”, but in regards to how goals may be achieved and aims fulfilled. Choices are not a binary - they can be positive and negative, for many reasons. Though it can be frightening at times to face life head on, doing so will allow one to reap the benefits of preparedness, and the confidence which comes with it.
Reliability By Scarlett Wood I chose the Iris because it represents reliability, and I really wanted to draw a flower. I love irises so much because they are so pretty and have some personal meaning to me. The iris for me represents reliability because they last long. Someone who draws this card can infer that they have something or someone who will be strong for them and be there for them, such as a long-lasting relationship.
Service By Annie Marak This is the service card - an invitation to perform service or acknowledge the overlooked acts of service in your life. The underlying intention and obligation does not mitigate the choice to help someone out. Opened doors, gas pumped, breakfast made, the space created and more. Are you someone who provides service? Do you need someone who takes it on their own accord to get you what you need? Somebody may need you, are you available and capable to help? Through service your hands hold power to change, make connections and provide your soul piece. You become a vessel of grace and comfort.
Temperance By Kylie Lusk This card is inviting you to bring balance into your life. Balance coming from the ideas of self-restraint and patience. Slow down and avoid the extremities of life. The slow falling sand within the hourglass represents patience and the duality of stability and fluidity. The blue and pink colors blending together bring a sense of calm that releases from the figure. Take your life leisurely and find inner peace.
Tenacity By Fionn Conroy In my eyes tenacity means the willingness to not give up and stay determined to push forward with something even if the odds are against you. Tenacity can be seen in the more mundane parts of life where you simply don't want to do something but do it anyway because you want to push yourself to be better. It can also be seen in the more heated moments where you know that if you keep on going you may be able to change your life for the better. The story of Atlas is a clear representation of tenacity and how if you stay determined you can accomplish anything which is why I chose it to be the centerpiece of my work.
Trancendence By Annabelle Brunner Transcendence is the state of going beyond the ordinary boundaries of humanity. For me, transcendence is mentally leaving your body and spiritually entering another place. In my card, there is a woman who is looking up at a sunset over the ocean. However, the sunset isn't a sunset, but rather the solar system with planets clearly visible. The woman represents an extension of the sea. The connection between the woman and celestial presence in her environment expresses transcending into a different form of reality, while still being yourself. When this card appears, it reminds the reader that you are not limited to one body– you can be anything you set your mind to.
Trust By Emily Mcgaughey To me trust is more than just faith that someone won't let you hit the ground if you fall, but about being willing to let you in when they are in a harsh situation, willing to let you near and not show fear around you. I find more trust in the willingness from animals, animals who have never felt the comfort of trust before. Gaining trust from an animal is a whole different level than finding trust in a human, communication is harder, you can't just tell them things, you have to earn their trust, and you have to trust them back. I believe trust as a mutual thing, you need to have that sincerity in both parties for it to work. I want this card to represent the trust between a human and a stray cat, with her kittens. The cat watches from above trusting the human deeply but not taking her eye off, still showing care for the kittens, and the human trusts her. It’s purpose is for the viewer to feel a connection with the ideal of faith and trust between the two subjects, to think “how gentle the feel of it is” and “how well the two are put together, rather than opposed”.
Truth By Havanah Oliveira In my personal life, I have had to accept the truth multiple times, with my family and myself. In this image I portrayed a figure looking inward and accepting their truth. The bright yellow stars represent the “light of truth”. This card should remind you that you are not alone and you can find your truth with others.
Unity By Ari Niles Unity is a state of harmony achieved by agreeing to be one greater whole, as opposed to lesser divided parts. Unity of the mind, body, and soul amongst yourself and others, and with plants, animals, and ecosystems, aids in making a more interconnected world. This card shows a fox snuggling close to rabbits, both going against their instinct to fight and flee, and their unity helping them both ward off the chill in the night air. This card asks you to set aside any differences that may be holding you back and instead join forces to reach your goal.
Vision By Elora Wanden Vision is the ability of seeing. Viewing the passage of time, the future, and the truth. We all respond to the visions of greatness, the prophecies of grandeur, and dreams of success. This is why I chose to depict an Oracle of Delphi like woman, dressed in white, and choosing to see everything as it is, and to show you that the visions you see will come true. This card is a reminder to see the past, present, and future when carrying on through life.