II. The Mystery

Upright

• A mysterious hunch, which may lead to rewarding insight.
• The aroma of tremendous personal truth.
• Seeking, finding, and working with personal truth.
• Knowledge which may be attained through intuitive efforts.
• A personal give and take with a profound work of art.
• Art with rewarding depth.
• Dealing with deep subject matter.
• Sensing beyond what is readily apparent.
• Getting the impression that a mystery is afoot.
• Seeing something which cannot be easily explained.
• Trusting inner guidance.

The Mystery is a card of truths unknown, yet strangely close at hand, in the air, beneath the rug, under our noses. Such truths, represented by this card, are not of a distressing nature, but rather of the elucidating nature. The Mystery is a major in the realm of Water because its truths are also often closely connected with the essence of the querent, or the essences of those surrounding the query. Such truths may be approached through intuitive exploration.

This card can be representative of the pool of self— a shadowy, deep pond in which only a few personal aspects, and their connections to the bigger world, can be seen at any given time. We can remember other things we've seen in the pool, but are they still there? and are they still the same? Upon diving in the physical senses become muddled, so it is up to other senses to help us find our way in the mysterious depths.

Looking just beyond the inner world, The Mystery may represent depths to be explored in the context of works of art, and how individuals and people in general relate to the symbols and dynamics present within them. It could point to a particular work of art which raises many question, and which can lead those who engage with it on several rewarding personal journeys.

The Mystery may also represent a sneaking suspicion regarding a mystery in the wider world, one that relates to an unsolved crime or a scientific puzzle. Could it be a suggestion to follow this suspicion wherever it may lead?

Reversed

• Everything is discernible through observation and reason, and there is no need for intuition.
• Lack of depth; works of art where there is not much room for exploration, or where exploration is not fruitful.
• Bad artwork which gives rise to coarse thoughts and emotions. Possibly pornographic in nature, in any number of ways. (Violence porn, fundamentalist religion porn, works of art focused primarily on inducing fear or disgust.)
• Bad artwork which unintentionally induces antipathy due to lack of sensitivity or perspective.
• Lacking the capacity to sense the mysterious elements of existence— existing on the surface and not digging deeper.

The Mystery Reversed can often indicate lack of depth, as a personal quality or in a work of art. Where the essence of this card is embodied, deeper exploration may be either not needed or not fruitful.

It also may represent favoring logical reasoning over intuition, as a personal trait or as a situational ethic. Sometimes everything is discernible through observation and reason, and following intuition isn't necessary or helpful.