Tag: Cartomancy

Matters of security and control are center stage today.  You have reached a point where you feel secure wit your resources, bu you don’t want to chance anything.  You are holding on tight to what you have and refusing to move from your position of control.  You may be protecting your money, your job, your time, your home and possessions, or your material body.  While a sense of security is to be valued, change is also necessary for us to develop.  When you let loose and go with the flow, whether by taking a chance with your money, letting someone else be in charge, or clearing out the unused clutter in your home, you are creating an opportunity to learn, grow and acquire more.  This card indicates that you have a firm foundation.  At this time, sitting firmly may be exactly the right thing to do.  As you move into the future you will have to decide whether you’d like to stay where you are or use your foundation to continue building.

This card might come up when you are denying your inner voice telling you there is something to worry about.  You are acting like everything is fine, but deep inside you have doubts you ought to address.  You may be putting on a brave face when secretly you are afraid.  Or, this card may come up when your fears or nightmares have become seriously disruptive in your life, like when you’ve developed a phobia (irrational fear) or have become insomniac.  This card can also come up once you’ve finally done something about the fear, yet still worry about your feelings.  Perhaps you have told someone what you are afraid of, or wrote about your worries in your journal.  Confessing your fear has freed you from it to some degree.  It might be therapeutic for you to work with your fears and nightmares — write them down, analyze where they come from, peel away the layers to learn about yourself and grow.  So, for today only, it’s time to start getting to the roots of your worry.  There is something you’ve been pushing down or trying to ignore, but it’s not working for you anymore.  Your worries creep in when you’re trying to sleep, disrupt your appetite, create so much noise in your mind.  A good way to start facing what’s bothering you is to write it down.  From there, you can decide if there’s something you can do about it, or choose to just let it go.

See this well-dressed woman standing in this beautiful garden?  She got there by working hard and is now enjoying the fruits of her labor.  She acted with discipline, taming her impulses like she’s tamed the bird on her arm.  When this card appears, it may be a time to act with such discipline.  You will accomplish much by quieting your animal instincts.  It could also be a time for self-reliance, for taking charge of your own future.  You may be craving more independence.  This card could also mean that you have already accomplished much.  Now, it’s time to indulge in rewards that you deserve.  Pamper yourself.  Take yourself out on a date.  The Nine of Pentacles could also be telling you that you give off the impress of not needing anyone else, or could represent somebody else that gives that impression.  So, for today only, reward yourself for all the good, hard work you’ve done lately.  Be proud of what you’ve accomplished and treat yourself well!  By making the effort to celebrate now, you’ll be reinforcing your good work and replenishing your energy for even more success in the future.

Today is a day for following your excitement.  Do something new that ignites your curiosity and invites your creativity.  It is quite likely that a little fear will come up as you take these new steps, but that’s all part of the fun!  There are endless possibilities for each of us in this crazy world.  Start expanding your horizons!  You might be feeling eager to begin a new project, or set off on a new adventure.  This card could also represent exciting news!

The Nine of Cups reversed is a card that indicates disappointment or smugness.  You may be feeling emotionally empty, despite your efforts, or that you can’t be happy until you have what someone else has.  It may be that your current path will never bring you the joy you seek and that you need to look for it elsewhere.  Alternatively, happiness may be very close at hand but you need to begin noticing all you do have, instead of what you lack.  This card could also indicate that you are very happy, but you are using your happiness in ways that hurt others.  You may be so self-satisfied that you are not noticing the feelings of those around you.  Your bragging and smugness may be very unappealing to those around you.  Today, delight in your senses and emotions.  Taste the delicious food you eat, feel the comfort of your home, appreciate the amazing gifts of music and art that have been created for our pleasure, feel the amazing love that flows in and out of your heart.  What an amazing world!  What an amazing thing to be alive!  Choose to be happy today; it really is a choice.

This Knight is riding in full course, as if scattering his enemies.  In the design, he is really a prototypical hero of romantic chivalry.  He might almost be Galahad, whose sword is swift and sure because he is clean of heart.  The Knight of Swords represents skill, address, bravery, capacity, defense, enmity, wrath, war, destruction, opposition, resistance, ruin.  There is, thus, a sense in which the card signifies death, but it carries this meaning only in its proximity to other cards of fatality … but not today.  This Knight is in alignment with Gemini, which is synchronous with the Sun and Moon in Gemini tonight.  Gemini characteristics include intelligence, independence, freedom, enterprise, adaptability, communication, curiosity, persuasiveness, amusement, variety, fickleness, superficiality, impatience and reactive to circumstance.  What does this all mean for you?  This Knight is often taken as a person who is young, confident and articulate, but who may act impetuously.  The problem, thus, is that you might be carried away by unrealistic expectations.  You may come up with strong arguments for your position, but your impatience and impulsiveness might work against you in the end.  So, don’t be too quick to rush in and engage in conflict.  Scope out the lay of the land first before you open your mouth.

The Knight of Cups is graceful, but not warlike.  He rides quietly, wearing a winged helmet that refers to those higher graces of the imagination which sometimes characterizes this card.  This Knight is also a dreamer, but the images of the side of sense haunt him in his vision.  Today is a great day for creative play and for spending time with people you love.  You have a lot of love and passion flowing through you, so find ways to share it.  It’s not a great day for big decisions, however; the dreamy energy surrounding you today could make something seem better than it actually is.

When this card appears, things are happening or about to happen, quickly!  This is the card of things set in motion, rapid communication and intense energy.  Matters at hand will quickly be resolved, often in satisfactory ways.  Be careful what forces you set in motion when this casrd appears, because they will be nearly impossible to halt.  Prepare now, because once the energy of this card appears, all you’ll be able to do is hold on!  A warning here may be to ask yourself what you’re rushing into and why.  If this rapid action is in line with your ultimate goals, then enjoy the ride!  This card may appear when romance is passionate.  Love at first sight and being swept off your feet are indicated by this card.  Expect a message you’ve been waiting for to arrive.  Travel by air is often indicated by the Eight of Wands.

The Page of Cups Reversed represents emotional immaturity.  Someone may be acting self-centered, needy or insecure.  Someone may expect others to care for them, as if they were a helpless child.  If this is you, know that there is a great power in learning to care for and please yourself.  Someone could also be very protective of their emotions.  They may be avoiding relationships and foregoing pleasure out of fear of being hurt.  This card could also indicate discomfort with your own intuition.  You may be ignoring or distrusting of your intuitive voice.  If this is the case, seek guidance to help you connect with your inner wisdom.  So, for today only, be gentle with yourself and be sure to set aside some time for daydreaming.  It’s ok to say “no” to invitations or uncomfortable situations.  Having good emotional boundaries is essential to restoring your energy on days like today.

It’s time to create!  Your environment offers you the abundance you need to feel nurtured and comfortable so that you can manifest your vision in the world.  Inspiration is all around you.  Be sure to nourish yourself with whole foods.  Indulge all of your senses.  Connect with nature by working in a garden or deeply inhaling the scent of trees and flowers.  Connecting with creative, empowered people will enhance your creative spirit.  It’s time to celebrate your fertile, sensual, creative self.  Your mother or the general principle of mothering may be significant now.  Today is about nurturing your creativity.  Do something you love to do:  make art, cook a meal, beautify your home, spend time with the kids, work your garden.  Wherever you focus your loving attention today will spark healthy growth.

Today is a day for insights about your self and your life.  There is the possibility you realize some truth that is difficult or painful.  Be compassionate with yourself.  You may want to seek guidance from a wise and trusted friend or teacher.  This card represents trouble with words and truth.  This could represent someone in your life now, or an aspect of yourself.  There may be misunderstandings and missed messages.  You may not be able to express your thoughts clearly.  Nervous stuttering and stage fright  may be represented by this card.  You may have difficulty standing up for yourself or your beliefs.  This could be because you lack confidence in yourself or simply because you cannot find the right words.  Be wary of someone trying to take advantage of your trusting nature.  You could be lying to yourself.  You may be so convinced of your own idea that you ignore signs that you are mistaken.  This card can also appear when you have spoken without thinking.  You may have inadvertently hurt someone’s feelings.  While you may not be able to take back what was said, you can think honestly about what you’ve done and use your words to admit your fault and make an apology.  You may be gossiping or sharing secrets in order to gain friends.  If this is the case, think about what kind of friend you appear to be when you speak maliciously.  Lastly, this card could indicate a missed message.

You are full of energy and desire something new.  Shake up your routine today.  Do something different and fun!  Go outside, get some exercise, follow your whims and fancies.  Though you may not be creating long-lasting change now, a bit of disruption will benefit your creative spirit.  You may be lacking inspiration, such as a bout of writers’ blocck, or feel like you don’t have the energy to follow your passion.  You might be saying “no” to opportunities for fun and growth due to laziness or fear of failure.  You may not trust your instincts and hence do nothing.  Alternatively, you may be so spontaneous that you don’t even think through your plans, soon leading to trouble.  This card can show up when you do not understand your own unpleasant emotions.  Instead of investigating your feelings, you turn your bad feelings towards others in irritation or anger.  If you’ve recently freaked out at someone, look at what inner pain or fear may have caused the outburst.

Today is a day for learning. Ask yourself, “What one thing could I learn that would improve my life now?” Once you’ve decided your subject, hit the books. Go to the recognized experts and pay close attention to their words. Once you’ve absorbed the traditional teachings on this subject, you can begin to innovate, but for now be a willing and cooperative student.

Slow down and consider your options today.  You have amazing potential. Consider carefully how you want to use your time and energy.  Don’t go running after the first opportunity that comes along if it doesn’t feel exactly right.  Take your time.  The Two of Wands Reversed can indicate either being stuck, or suddenly being able to move forward.  You might feel forced to make a decision before you are ready.  You could be feeling stuck because someone else seems to be limiting your options, or because you don’t have the abilities or motivation to move forward.  You may be too idealistic about your potential and abilities, and heading down a path that will inevitably end in failure.  You may have moved forward too quickly with a plan, and may now need to give up and start again.  You may be thinking of using your power in abusive or hurtful ways.  Alternatively, you may suddenly be able to move ahead because you’ve gained clarity about your future desires, or because you’ve been given what you need to move forward.

Today is a day to dream of possibilities.  Imagine if there are no limitations to stop you.  Dream big!  There’s no need to be realistic or practical.  Exercise your imagination.  Every amazing thing you’ve created began as a dream.  The Seven of Cups is a card of choices and fantasies.  It often means that you have so many choices available to you that indecision will prevent you from choosing anything.  It could also mean that you have your head in the clouds.  Dreaming of all that could be is keeping you from focusing on the here and now and making any progress.  If you have a lot of structure and stagnation in your life, this card could indicate the need to shake things up in order to recognize alternative paths you could take.  The Seven of Cups also represents altered states of consciousness, dreaming and visualization.  It is good to dream and experiment, but beware of your experiments and fantasies standing in the way of healthy development.

Your greatest strength is in being vulnerable today.  Let your defenses down.  Stop hiding, especially from yourself.  With a sense of unconditional self-love and compassion torwards your self, feel your feelings completely and honestly.  When Strength appears reversed, there is some trouble with personal power indicated.  You may feel like your cravings and urges are driving you, like you don’t have control over your life.  It may be that you have an addiction or habit that you feel powerless against.  You may be trying to suppress your urges only to be swept away by them … for example, you may forego certain foods all day only to find yourself binging on them at night.  You may have thought you had put an end to an old pattern, only to relapse.  In all these cases, remember that habits and addictions can be extremely powerful.  Be self-aware enough to realize you need help:  it is not a weakness.  Strength reversed can also appear when there is a power imbalance between you and someone else.  You may feel controlled or intimidated by someone.  You may be choosing to allow someone else to push you around out of fear of personal responsibility.  You may not feel confident enough to make your own decisions, so you submit to the will of another.  Alternatively, you may be the domineering one.  You may be using your emotional reactions to avoid some situation or to manipulate someone.  Strength reversed can indicate stubborn pride.  You may persist with some action or way of thinking even though it is not actually beneficial.  You may refuse to ask for help, even when it’s obvious that you cannot succeed alone.

The Nine of Cups is a card of satisfaction, wishes coming true, and feeling on top of the world.  When this card appears it is likely that you are feeling really good, or are going to be feeling good very soon.  If you have a wish, spend some time visualizing what you want to help you take steps towards making your dreams a reality.  This card could also represent feeling like you have it all.  Beware that you are not coming across as smug or a braggart to others.  Overall, this is a lovely card, and the guy in the picture is known as the Lord of Happiness. This card talks about a sense of inner fulfillment and bliss, which radiates outward to touch everybody with whom you come into contact.  At a spiritual level, we’re talking about inner harmony, contentment and tranquility – an appreciation of the High Powers, feeling at one with the Universe. This feeling leads to feeling that we are blessed by life.  On an everyday level, the card will often come up to mark periods of high achievement, and the resulting sense of pleasure and satisfaction. It will also come up to acknowledge joy and happiness in an emotional relationship.  Bottom line:  when this card appears, it’s important to make the time to simply enjoy your own feelings, to revel in your sense of calmness and joy.

Someone or something may challenge what you believe in today.  Stand up for yourself.  There’s a good reason you feel so strongly about this issue.  Your unwavering integrity and strength will serve you well.  Be prepared to take a stand for what you believe in.  There are big forces at work against you, for example, societal expectations, stiff competition, perhaps your own lack of faith in yourself.  By facing up to this challenge, you will refine your principles, gain courage, develop your character and be ready to achieve mastery.  Ask yourself about what you truly believe.  If you are confident in your perspective, then don’t back down!  You may even be required to be aggressive or defiant.

Today, chances are you are feeling like you have everything you need, maybe even everything you want.  Give thanks for the gifts and experiences of your ancestors, or the vast body of knowledge created by the masters in your vocation.  This is the legacy that has brought you to where you are now.  You are taking your place in this lineage.  How do you want to be remembered?  The Ten of Pentacles is a card symbolizing physical security.  It could mean a successful financial venture, an inheritance that will provide for those concerned, or an auspicious partnership.  It is also a card of traditions so could represent a holiday celebration or doing things the way they have always been done.  If you have a question about what you should do, think back to the way your elders would solve the problem.  The warning with this card is that you may be thinking that financial wealth is the only kind of wealth there is, and may be forgetting about spiritual and emotional wealth.  Is there a cost that you have not considered in achieving the comfort you desire?

If there is difficult conversation you’ve been putting off, today is a good day to have it.  You have a very good understanding of your emotions.  You can feel deeply without being swept away by those feelings.  You can also listen easily, with compassion and empathy to another’s point of view.  Maybe the difficult conversation you need to have is with  your self.  This King may seem like an unemotional person.   It may be that he finds his feelings so difficult that he keeps them hidden, even from himself.  He may be worried about the consequences of letting his emotions come to the surface.  He may also feel that he needs to look tough, even if, in private, he is in emotional pain.  The King of Cups Reversed can have trouble finding love.  Even though he has a lot to offer in romance, his fear of being hurt makes him put up walls around his heart.  Even though he is deeply caring, he comes across as emotionally unavailable.  The King of Cups Reversed can also become lost in love.  He gives all he has to the ones he loves and loses his own identity in the process.  Because his identity is so enmeshed with his loved ones, he can be overbearing and possessive of them.  This King can be excessively emotional.  He may feel a great deal of self-pity or spend all his time trying to understand past hurts.  His emotions may be so overwhelming that he is drawn towards substances or fantasy to escape.

When making choices today take a long-term, heart-centered perspective.  Put the feelings and well being of yourself and your loved ones first.  A choice made purely from logic,that goes against what feels good or right,is not the right choice today.  When the Lovers appears reversed, there is likely trouble in relating to another or in making choices.  It may simply be that you are looking for love and cannot find it.  You might have an ideal lover in mind and cannot find the person that suits that role.  Potential love relationships may continuously fizzle out due to lack of chemistry.  You may find yourself in a sexual relationship that is not based on love, such as a “friends with benefits” arrangement.  You may be experiencing unrequited love, when you have intense feelings for someone who does not have feelings for you.  You may find it difficult to communicate with another person.  Attempts to connect may lead to disagreements and misunderstandings.  It is like the two of you are not speaking the same language.  You may be in a shaky relationship.  Often the relationship will be insecure due to some sort of imbalance.  One person may be afraid of losing the relationship and respond by being possessive and clingy.  Someone may be feeling smothered in the relationship, like they cannot be themselves or sikmply that they need some space.  The Lovers Reversed can also indicate poor choices or indecision.  It may be difficult to make a decision because what you thinkand what you feel are at odds.  If you’ve made a poor choice in the past, this card could come up when you are feeling regret or guilt over that choice.

 

Nurture yourself and your loved ones today through practical, loving action.  Think of your chores as sacred.  Honor your environment by cleaning it.  Bless your body by eating some nutritious and delicious food and enjoying some gorgeous exercise.  Bestow a little extra care upon your family, housemates, or pets.  The care you invest today will only serve to multiply your abundance.

Whenever this card appears,expect conflict of some sort. It could possibly be negative, such as petty hassles, arguments and clashing of personalities, but it could also represent friendly bandying about in games and contests. Chances are you’re feeling feisty today. You may get involved in a heated debate, or have a craving for some fun competition. The warning is to not get too attached to winning — keep light, have fun. New ideas and strengthened friendships are possible. In teamwork and relationships, it is nearly inevitable to have some difference of opinion. These differences ought to be treasured. It’s from them that new ideas and interesting compromises emerge. Be wary of stubbornly holding onto an idea for the sake of it. Tremendous power can be had when we join our energy with that of others, instead of fighting with them. Remember what team you’re on. Try not to get bogged down by petty hassles or annoyances.

Today, consider how wonderfully complete you are.  You are a unique and amazing person.  Everything that has happened to you has made you who you are today, even the hard stuff … ESPECIALLY the hard stuff.  Find some time today to reflect on your story so far and what an incredible adventure it has been.  And then get ready for the next chapter!  It is waiting for you.  The World (or Universe) card represents both endings and new beginnings.  You have learnt the lessons from your current phase of life.  It is time to move on.  This card can mean a victory or graduation.  It is telling you that you have enough and that you are enough.  It is time to move beyond thoughts of your personal quest to bigger thoughts of what you can offer the earth.

You may feel a nudge to do something different today. Follow that feeling. By expanding your world in new ways, you allow the universe to bestow new blessings upon you. A reversed Wheel of Fortune indicates an obstacle to forward movement. It could be that plans to travel or proceed with a project are delayed. You may feel like the same thoughts are spinning endlessly in your mind. You are not making progress, and may even be moving backwards. Alternatively, this card may be indicating that you are moving too fast. Slow down and take the time to consider your next move carefully. If you are considering an investment right now, this card indicates that you ought to reconsider … and absolutely no gambling at this time.

Let your feelings flow today.  You have a wonderful opportunity to create something heartfelt and authentic.  Whether it is a new relationship you’re creating, or a piece of art, your willingness to be open and vulnerable will make it very special.  Look for new opportunities for love, friendship, or spiritual growth.  This is an opportunity for intimacy and pleasure.  It could be an invitation to a social gathering, a romantic getaway, a marriage, a letter from a dear friend, or a chance to indulge yourself with that which makes you feel truly happy.  You may receive a heart-felt gift.  This is a chance to make a fresh start emotionally.  It may indicate a need to let your feelings flow freely, whether this is expressing your love for another or letting your tears out.  The Ace of Cups can also indicate conception, a pregnancy, or a birth.  The Ace of Cups also indicates an opening of intuition — a chance to tune into your higher self.  When this card appears, pay attention to your dreams and be receptive to the subtle signs around you.

Anything is possible today!  Open your mind.  Accept and say, “Yes!”  You’re only limited by your own doubts and fears.  So, today shake away your worries and take a chance!

Today, spend some time thinking about your financial situation.  You have a good practical energy around you that is great for organizing your finances and making money decisions.  Be sure to use some of that energy to notice and appreciate your many blessings as well.

Today, delight in your senses and emotions.  Taste the delicious food you eat, feel the comfort of your home, appreciate the amazing gifts of music and art that have been created for our pleasure, feel the amazing love that flows in and out of your heart.  What an amazing world!  What an amazing thing to be alive!  Choose to be happy today; it really is a choice.  The Nine of Cups is a card of satisfaction, wishes coming true, and feeling on top of the world.  When this card appears it is likely that you are feeling really good, or are going to be feeling good very soon.  If you have a wish, spend some time visualizing what you want to help you take steps towards making your dreams a reality.  This card could also represent feeling like you have it all.  Beware that you are not coming across as smug or a braggart to others.

Today is a day to nurture the seeds for what you want to have in the future.  This can literally mean working in your garden.  It can also mean beginning to learn a new skill or craft, starting to save money, arranging your living space in a new way, or doing something else that takes you closer to a future goal, particularly a goal related to security and abundance.  When this Ace appears reversed, examine your relationship with your physical world.  You may have trouble finding the financial flow you need for a new project.  It may be that you have the money you need, but you are fearful that investing it could lead to loss.  You may be so focused on the material world that you fail to see the value in the spiritual and emotional aspects of life.  You may be considering an unwise investment, either because it will lead to loss, or because it is an unethical or wasted used of your resources.  This card may appear when you are not spending much time “in” your body.  You may be spending a lot of time in the mental world or escaping your physical body by using substances.  You may be neglecting your physical body.  This card reminds you to nourish yourself with whole foods from the earth, rather than highly processed foods.  Your energy might feel ungrounded, causing sleep disturbances, anxiety or hyperactivity.  This card reminds you to spend time in your body every day, by exercising, eating whole foods, resting and connecting with nature and your loved ones.

Calm your mind today.  Shift your focus inwardly so that recovery and healing can take place.  Take time to let our thoughts settle and your ideas mature.  Taking time for mental restoration now will help you focus and stay motivated in the days to come.  When this card appears it’s time for a break.  Stress can take a toll on our bodies, minds and spirits.  Taking time out to recuperate can give us the strength and fortitude we need to carry on.  The Four of Swords may also be advising you to seek counsel, to go to an expert for advice.  You are also advised to keep some new idea to yourself for now.  Let the idea grow in your mind before sharing it with the world.

This is a card of Union — the coming together of two or more things to create something new.  The Two of Cups represents romantic attraction, a marriage, a supportive partnership, coming to a compromise, mutual support in a relationship friendship and bonding or a sense of equality between two people or two groups of people.  Whether this card indicates romance, business partners, friends, family members, or the uniting of physical and spiritual realms, when the Two of Cups appears, it always represents equality, balance and mutual give-and-take, particularly in regard to emotional support and understanding.

You can accomplish a great deal today, but discipline is key.  Stay focused on your goals.  Don’t let distractions interfere.  You have the skills and resources to achieve what you want, but not without effort.  When the Chariot appears reversed, there is trouble with making progress.  You may have all you need to move forward but lack the confidence to work towards your dreams.  You may not feel deserving of happiness, or you may feel stifled by fear.  Try to overcome your doubt.  It is likely that your thoughts are limiting you more than the reality of the situation.  This card could also indicate that your energy is scattered.  You may be unclear about what you want, or you may feel pressured to put others’ desires before your own.  Take time to go inside yourself and seek clarity about your priorities.  The Chariot reversed may indicate movement, but it is movement that has not been thought through clearly.  You may be overconfident and rushing ahead before completing the foundational steps necessary to achieve your goal.  Your actions now may also be unethical or harmful to yourself or others.  This card is advising you to slow down and look at the bigger picture.  It could also indicate travel trouble, especially when travel is over land.  Be sure to have your vehicle tuned up before a long trip and allow yourself extra time to get to appointments.

The number Five represents a challenge that will allow for further growth.  Fives are an initial struggle on a new path.  Five is the number of disequilibrium — shaking things up, breaking old habits, passing through the fire to be made stronger.  Learning and movement are represented by the number Five.  Five is the number of the Throat Chakra, which is concerned with communication.  The number Five also links the astrological sign of Leo, as the fifth sign of the zodiac, and the planet Saturn, the god who fathered Jupiter,  Neptune and Pluto, and the god who represents Time.  Saturn is associated with self-control, limitation and maturation.  The suit of wands symbolize the element of Fire.  Wands represent inspiration, life force, motivation, power and desire.  They also represent the connection between the spiritual and material, as we can see when we think of magic wands.

Chances are you’re feeling feisty today.  You may get involved in a heated debate, or have a craving for some fun competition.  The warning is to not get too attached to winning — keep it light, have fun.  New ideas and strengthened friendships are possible.  The Five of Wands reversed may indicate when a disagreement is finally resolved.  You may be ready to admit you were wrong or apologize to someone, or someone may apologize to you.  However, beware of smoothing over a situation to avoid conflict as the issue may come up again and again until you confront it.  This card may also come up when you back down too quickly when faced with opposition.  Remember that challenging situations often have the most rewarding outcomes.  If you are finding a relationship dull, this card could indicated a need for increased competitiveness.  Play sports or board games together.  This card could also indicate inner conflict, like wanting to do two things that cannot both be done together; litigation; disputes; trickery; contradiction.