African American tarot card 21, The World

21, The World - The World (Oduduwa, who took over from his brother Obatala the task of completing the creation by Olorun, Nigeria)

Light; Satisfactory outcome of a cycle, success, completion. Full self-awareness, good reputation.

Shadow; Fear of success, envy. Lack of Will power, false appearances, incomprehension. 
 

African American tarot card 20, Judgement

20, Judgement - the Earth, the Origins (Kaka-Guie, God of funeral rites, ferryman of souls, Ivory Coast)

Light; Reawakening, new ideas, purification. Perception, inspiration. social consent.

Shadow; fear of change, refusal to make decisions. Self-deception, inner darkness. 

 

African American tarot card 19, The Sun

19, The Sun - Man (Liza, male half of the creator God Mawu-Liza, West Africa)

Light; Great energy, joy, enthusiasm. Generosity, intelligence, helpfulness.

Shadow; Arrogance, pride, lack of judgement, megalomania. Hyperactivity, frenzied activity.  

 

African American tarot card 18, The Moon

18, The Moon - Woman (Mawu, female half of the creator God Mawu-Liza, West Africa)

Light; Introspection, sixth sense, prophetic dreams. Imagination. 

Shadow; Illusions, self-deception, non existent dangers. Uneasiness.
 

African American tarot card 17, The Stars

17, The  Stars - The Sky (Akuj, God of the sky and rain, Kenya)

Light; Sensitivity, hope, spiritual awareness. Harmony with oneself and others, joy of living. 

Shadow; Shattered hopes, lack of confidence, deceptions of the mind. 

 

African American tarot card 16, The Tower

16, The Tower - Corruption, Evil (Gaunab, God of evil, catastrophes and epidemics, South Africa)

Light; The end of a cycle, drastic change. New values, psychological growth. Giving up old habits. 

Shadow; Catastrophe, adversity, tremendous chaos. Lack of freedom, anxiety about the future.
 

African American tarot card 15, The Devil

15, The Devil - Obscurity, Deception (Anansi the Mocker, West Africa) 

Light; Charm, seduction, magnetism. Sexuality experienced freely, passionate spirit.

Shadow; Lust, temptation. Greed, lack of scruples. Abuse, evil, self destructive will.
 

African American tarot card 14, Temperance

14, Temperance - Medicine, Spirits (Babalu-Aye, God of recovered health, Nigeria)

Light; Harmony of inner energies, serenity, creative inspiration. Proper measure, generosity. 

Shadow; Energy imbalance, lack of harmony. Instability, apathy.
 

African American tarot card 13, Death

 

13, Death - Death, Ancestors ( Atai, Goddess dispenser of the gift of death and conflict, Nigeria)  

Light; Transformation, break with  the past, new concept of the world. Profound emotion, renewal of the Ego, rejection of the superfluous. 

Shadow; Stagnation and inertia, fear of facing change. 

 

 

African American tarot card 12, The Observer

12, The Observer - Initiation, Ritual (Ifa, God of fate and destiny, Nigeria)

Light; Wisdom, spiritual strength, inner depth, mysticism. Self-sacrifice, dedication.

Shadow; Lack of sense, isolation, stagnant situation. Renunciation, frustration.
 

African American tarot card 11, Justice

11, Justice - Law, Tribe-Ethnic Group-People (Chosi, God of justice, Nigeria)

Light; Impartial judgement, laws and order, natural law. Evening the score, restoration of balance. 

Shadow; Injustice. Hypocritical behavior, cowardice, narrow-mindedness.
 

African American tarot card 10, The Wheel

10, The Wheel - Weather, Seasons ( Elegua, God of crossroads and opportunities, Nigeria)

Light; Unexpected good luck, new cycle, ability to seize opportunities. Psychological maturity, comprehension of density.

Shadow; Resistance to change, pessimism, superstition, resignation.
 

African American tarot card 9, The Hermit

9, The Hermit - Witch Doctor (Deng, civilizing God who abandoned mankind in disgust, Sudan)

Light; Spiritual retreat, wisdom, austerity. Meeting with a Master.

Shadow; Misanthropy, hostility towards life, lack of compassion, distrust. 

African American tarot card 8, Strength

8, Strength - Warrior (Shango, warrior God of storm, Nigeria)

Light; Courage, vitality and good health, cheerfulness. Harmony between reason and instinct. 

Shadow; Loss of control. Repression of instincts. Inability to realize projects.
 

African American tarot card 7, The Chariot

7, The Chariot - Animals, Hunting-Grazing (Oya, Goddess of storm and change, Nigeria)

Light; Dyanamism, fruitful talents. Success in challenge, search for a social definition. 

Shadow; Megalomania, arrogance, imprudence and impatience. Lack of scruples. 

African American tarot card 6, The Lovers

6, The Lovers - Land, Agriculture, Harvest ( Adriambahomanana and Adriamahilala)

Light; Attraction of opposites, spiritual integrity, inner balance. Examination, moral test. Deep love and friendship.

Shadow; Impossible sentimental Utopias, romantic illusions. Failed tests. Inability to choose. 
 

African American tarot card 5, The Hierophant

5, The Hierophant - Magic, Writing (Tsui, god of witch doctors, Namibia)

Light; Secret knowledge, ability to be concise or understanding. Spirituality, ethical values, guidance, mentoring.

Shadow; Bad advice. Conformism, intolerance, pettiness.  

 

 

African American tarot card 4, The Emporer

4, The Emporer - Father (Olorun, God of the sky and father of the Gods, Nigeria) 

Light; Authority, responsibility, experience. Self-control, firmness and moral strength. 

Shadow; Despotism, obsession. Personal ambition, lack of feeling. Psychological dependency sought or imposed.
 

African American tarot card 3, The Empress

3, The Empress - Mother (Oshun, goddess of love, creativity and fertility, Nigeria) 

Light; Fertility and abundance. Imagination, creativity. Love rewarded. 

Shadow; Envy, creative sterility, laziness. Destructive seduction, meddling in the affairs of others. 

 

African American tarot card 2, The High Priestess

 

2, The High Priestess -Reason, Language  (Minona, the divining sorcerer-goddess, Togo and Benin) 

Light; Wisdom, intuition, empathy and receptiveness. The feminine Cosmic principle, guide of dreams.

Shadow; Flight from reality, falseness, instability. Difficulties with feminine side.