The Vision Guide

We hope this guide will help you draw a card and learn its spiritual meaning at a
glance, ready to inspire you during play. Our hope is that it sparks your creativity
even if you haven’t used Tarot before, and helps you generate whatever character,
location, antagonist, disaster or general feeling you need.

Copyright © 2023
by Viv Tanner, Eliot Baum, Clockworkbird Studio & Causa Creations Interactive Media GmbH

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or
mechnical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval with-
out permission in writing from the publisher.

“Blades in the Dark™ is a trademark of One Seven Design. The Forged in the Dark Logo is
© One Seven Design, and is used with permission.

First Edition, 2023

www.sefirot.games
sefirot@causacreations.net
 0 • THE FOOL I • THE MAGICIAN II • THE HIGH PRIESTESS
CAREFREE • CURIOUS CUNNING • CONJURING INTROSPECTION
OPTIMISTIC • IGNORANT CREATIVE • MANIPULATING INNER TRUTH • INTUITION
RUDDERLESS OVEREXERTING SECLUSION
Explorer • Idiot • Visionary Trickster • Artist • Sorcerer Priestess • Oracle • Witch
Temple • Ruins • Stone circle
Desert Cliffs • Asylum Laboratory • Alley • Ritual Altar
Mindscape

Desert chieftains • Slave-catchers Alchemists • Conspirators Coven • Mind divers

Spirits of the wasteland Hubristic summoners

Reckless plan Devastating lie • Demonic ritual Coven ritual

Decline of knowledge Creature from the id

III • THE EMPRESS IV • THE EMPEROR V • THE HIEROPHANT

PROTECTIVE • NURTURING ORDER • LAW • DUTY DISCI- KNOWLEDGE • FAITH
VIGILANT • REGAL • ALOOF PLINE • RIGIDITY TEACHING • CONFORMITY
CARING INDOCTRINATION
Queen • Guardian • Gardener King • Lawyer • Leader Priest • Teacher • Guide
Fields • Throne room • Barracks Mountains • Throne room
Cathedral • Academy • Library
Hospital Stronghold

Queensguard • Guardian spirits Kingsguard • Legalistic jinn Inquisition • Cult

Servants of the Poor Vigilantes

Corruption • Passionate tyrant Anarchy • Rigid tyrant Ensnaring lies • Invasive religion
Colonial Invader Zealots seize power

VI • THE LOVERS VII • THE CHARIOT VIII • STRENGTH

BALANCE • COOPERATION PROGRESS • MOTION CONTROL • RESILIENCE
LOVE • VULNERABILITY UNRESTRAINED • RECKLESS COMPASSION • COMPOSURE
CODEPENDENCE HEADLONG • RASH TAMING
Suitor • Matchmaker Rider • Soldier • Traveler Soother • Animal tamer • Matriarch

Bedchamber • Garden Gatehouse • Stables • Highway Animal den • Competition

Succubi or incubi Pursuing riders • Spirit horsemen Wild animals • Taming angels
Adoring devotee Anarchists

Ensnared by love • Selfishness Political upheaval • Stagnation Destructive passion

Oppressive subjugation

IX • THE HERMIT X • WHEEL OF FORTUNE XI • JUSTICE

ISOLATION • INNER GUIDE CHANGE • ACCEPTANCE BALANCED • MERCILESS
HOPE • INTROSPECTION REPETITION • CYCLES JUST • KARMIC • REVENGING
WITHDRAWAL REVERSALS OF FORTUNE
Wanderer • Beggar • Exile Gambler • Revolutionary • Farmer Judge • Accused • Lawyer • Angel

Cave • Safehouse • Holy site Gambling den • Seer’s workshop Court • Temple • Prison

Fanatics • Disorienting spirits Spirits of seasons • Wagering demon Law enforcement

Servants of status quo Vengeful Spirits

Exile • Isolationism Breaking a cycle Grave injustice • Police state

Perpetuating a cycle
 XIII • DEATH XII • THE HANGED MAN XIV • TEMPERANCE
RADICAL CHANGE SACRIFICE • SURRENDER BALANCED • PATIENT
TRANSFORMATION • GRIEF SUFFERING • WISDOM CONTENT • PASSIVE
INEVITABILITY • ENDINGS NEW PERSPECTIVES PURPOSEFUL
Doctor • Reaper • Midwife Scapegoat • Ascetic • Torturer Water bearer • Gentle advisor • Sage
Cemetery • Coming of age ritual
Forest • Gallows • Altar River • Shore • Fountain
Battlefield

Executioner • Angel of death Flagellants • Pain demon Cult of balance

Indifferent angels

Plague • Famine Victim sacrificed Apathetic populace • Drought

Self-destruction

XV • THE DEVIL XVI THE TOWER XVII • THE STAR

ENTRAPMENT • DESIRES DISASTER • DESTRUCTION HOPE • DEDICATION
CONTRACTS • OBSESSION UPHEAVAL • REBUILDING GUIDING LIGHT • PURPOSE
FREEDOM RENEWAL RESILIENCE
Conman • Puppet master • Jailor Arsonist • Revolutionary Guide • Prophet • Healer

Prison • Notary • Cavern Fortress • Siege camp • Ruins Spring • Mountaintop • Lake

Bargaining demon • Lawyers Cataclysmic magic • Mob Calming spirits • False guides
Enchanted servants Demon lord Hopeless mob

Imprisonment City in flames • Downfall Hope lost • Following false hope

Succumbing to desires

XVIII • THE MOON XIX • THE SUN XX • THE GATE

DECEPTION • DARKNESS JOY • INNOCENCE • LIGHT ENLIGHTENMENT
UNCONSCIOUS • MYSTERY NAIVETY • INSPIRATION FARSIGHTEDNESS • PERSPECTIVE
CONFUSION TRANSFORMATION

Night stalker • Trickster • Living shadow Child • Singer • Birdkeeper Seer • Immortal • Seeker
City at night • Dark forest Sunlit fields • Nest • Sanctuary Ruins • Ancient Palace
Mirror realm Sacred Door

Deceiving spirits • Shadow self Spirits of delight • Sun Cult Threshold guardian • Guide
Spy

Deception Drought • Enforced happiness Dawn of catastrophe

Trapped in mirror world Demon awakes

XXI • THE WORLD

JOURNEYS • COMPLETION
ACCOMPLISHMENT
GROWTH
Traveler • Explorer • Seeker
Island • Mountaintop
Where it all began
The world’s soul
Scholar completing life’s work
Global conspiracy

Dire work complete

End of the world
 PAGE OF SWORDS KNIGHT OF SWORDS QUEEN OF SWORDS
CURIOSITY PRECISION • AGILITY ENLIGHTENMENT
PLANNING • RESEARCHING QUICK THINKING • DECISIVE SEEING BEYOND
OVERPREPARING ACTION • QUICK FIXES KNOWLEDGE • STUDY
Student • Apprentice • Swordsman • Librarian Swordmaster • Debater Researcher • Alchemist
Library • Training Ground
Training field • Debate hall Laboratory • Misty ruins
Student Dorm

Student • Society • Curious Spirits Martial society • Punishing ghosts Mad scientist
Forces from beyond

Dangerous information found Botched solution Something from beyond

The wrong lesson learned Missing the bigger picture Experiment gone wrong

KING OF SWORDS PAGE OF WANDS KNIGHT OF WANDS

WISDOM • INTELLECT CURIOSITY • DREAMS PASSION • HEROICS
DELEGATION • RHETORIC EAGERNESS • FREE SPIRIT INSPIRATION • ACTION
PERSUASION DISCOVERY IMPULSIVENESS
Philosopher • Orator Traveler • Novice Magician • Shepherd Martyr • Singer • Champion

Academy Office • War chamber Road • Hills • Strange new lands Tournament field • Pageant

Gods of order Reckless wizards • Curious spirits Knightly order • Reckless spirit
Enlightenment cult

Total order Dangerous magic found Disaster from impulsiveness

Logic as its own undoing Cursed land found Arrogant hero killed

QUEEN OF WANDS KING OF WANDS PAGE OF CUPS

RESTRAINED POWER AUDACITY • ENCHANTMENT WILD EMOTIONS • INSTINCT
COURAGE • DETERMINATION ART • RUTHLESSNESS FRIENDLINESS • CURIOSITY
HAUGHTINESS OVERCONFIDENCE
Playwright • Spiritualist • Animal tamer Actor • Firebrand • Cult leader Apprentice healer • Fisher • Young scryer
Lion’s den • Desert ruins Theater • Den of revolution
Tavern • Celebration • Orphanage
Bacchanalia Cult altar

Zealots • Occultists Society of sorcerers • Great jinn Mirthful spirits • Hedonist cult

Haughty ruler Ruler plays with fire Emotional melding

Restrained power unleashed Mob follows firebrand Blood magic discovered

KNIGHT OF CUPS QUEEN OF CUPS KING OF CUPS

GRACEFUL • FLUID PENSIVE • CARING DIPLOMACY • KINDNESS
DYNAMIC • CHARMING EMPATHIC • INTROSPECTIVE COMPASSION • ALLURE
APPEASEMENT
Reveler • Charmer • Dancer Confessor • Healer • Scryer Diplomat • Abbot • Judge
Healing pool • Ocean shore Throne room • Dining hall
Party • Celebration • River
Bathhouse Wetland

Sirens • Con artists Succubi or incubi Benevolent conspiracy

Corrupting healer Ocean ruler

Conquered by charm Unhealable wound Evil appeased

A great lie takes root Consumed by inner world Villain gains sympathy
 PAGE OF PENTACLES KNIGHT OF PENTACLES QUEEN OF PENTACLES
AMBITION • OPPORTUNITY DILIGENCE • ROUTINE SELF-SUFFICIENT • CANNY
GREED • EAGERNESS PATIENCE • STUBBORNNESS PREPARED • PUPPETEER
DEVELOPMENT PERFECTIONISM
Apprentice merchant • Ambitious newcomer Farmer • Businessperson • Perfectionist Moneylender • Wealthy widow • Host

Wharf • Mine • Market Workshop • Farm • Forge Bank • Gang den • Vault

Street urchins • Greedy spirits Relentless spirits • Bureaucracy Aggressive merchant

Lady Fortune

Dangerous resource discovered Trapped in routine Poverty rife

Short-sighted ambition Years of work destroyed Reliance on unjust ruler

KING OF PENTACLES
GENEROSITY • ABUNDANCE
STABILITY • COMPLACENCE
DISTANCE
Merchant queen • Retired businessman

Treasury • Wealthy guild • Garden

Debt collectors • Ghost caravan

Trade collapse
WRuler grows isolated
Tables and Divination tools
These tables are intended to help you understand each card’s spiritual meaning, and get inspired during play. Don’t worry if you choose
something different to what’s written here. This guide is only meant to help you along, not limit you. Sometimes Tarot is intuitive, not
logical!

Character History

Character history:
„As a child, I solved problems by...“ / „As an adult, I survived / flourished by...“
The Fool Never looking back • Seeking out the unknown • Cutting ties that held me back
The Magician Deceiving or manipulating • Creating my own odds • Playing by my own rules
The High Priestess Having mastery of my mind • Seeing beyond the material realm • Bringing peace to confusion
The Empress Raising the weak • Protecting those I care about • Finding strength in community
The Emperor Appealing to law and order • Taking control • Never showing weakness
The Hierophant My religious faith • Listening to my elders • Teaching others
The Lovers Relying on my friends • Bringing balance • Working seamlessly with others
The Chariot My wild and reckless youth • Eagerness to make progress • Never believing I could fail
Strength Holding to my principles • Never backing down • Enduring all hardship
The Hermit Keeping my distance • Not relying on others • Relying on my hard-earned wisdom
Wheel of Fortune Rolling with the punches • Turning the other cheek • Predicting the ebb and flow of fate
Justice Appealing to fairness • Seeking truth • Keeping myself in balance
The Hanged Man Watching and learning • Making enormous sacrifices • Viewing problems from all angles
Death Transforming myself to fit the problem • Cherishing what I had • Embracing life and its risks
Temperance Acting the right way at the right time • Holding myself in balance • Keeping my impulses in check
The Devil Escaping invisible bonds • Learning from each disaster • Trapping others with their own limitations
The Tower Transforming chaos to insight • Destroying in order to rebuild • Being willing to tear things to the ground
The Star Helping others find their path • Trusting my path • Keeping hope in the face of disaster
The Moon The depth of my intuition • Harnessing my dark instinct • Learning to see the darkness in others
The Sun Staying positive • Inspiring joy • Burning the candle at both ends
The Gate (Judgment) Keeping a broad perspective • Remaining detached from the moment • Chasing moments of epiphany
The World Traveling widely • Sampling the world‘s wonders • Setting and accomplishing goals
Page of Swords Figuring out how things work • Carefully weighing my options • My scientific education
Knight of Swords Rushing in with quick fixes • The whiplash of my wits • Focusing my intellect on my ambitions
Queen of Swords Devouring information • Savoring knowledge for its own sake • Judging truth for myself
King of Swords My intellect, and the respect it gave me • Adapting new knowledge • The clarity of my keen mind
Page of Wands Channeling spirits and magic • My curiosity and wonder • Impressing people with my performances
Knight of Wands My courage and conviction • Leaping into instinctive action • Riding the winds of inspiration or magic
Queen of Wands Waiting for the perfect moment • Cultivating my art as one stokes a fire • Being charming and fascinating
King of Wands Acting with total confidence • Becoming a bold leader • Enthralling crowds with my art
Page of Cups My curiosity and intuition • My ability to bond with others • Letting my emotions rule me
Knight of Cups My easygoing charm • Learning to bend when others would break • Training my body to dance and slide
Queen of Cups Finding my inner peace • Being kind to myself • Mastering my inner world
King of Cups Relying on loving friends or family • Extending compassion to others • Demonstrating the power of kindness
Page of Pentacles Knowing how to scrape by • Seizing opportunities • Luck
Knight of Pentacles Committing to the hard work ahead • Diligently assessing before action • Taking things at a steady pace
Queen of Pentacles Striving for independence • Building something from nothing • Hiding my resources from prying eyes
King of Pentacles Turning to pragmatic friends or family • My keen business sense • Patiently turning setbacks into triumphs
Burdens and Ideals
Players can choose burdens or ideals not on this list, but they must be an adjective, or a verb in the “-ing” form. (eg. “Doubting”).

Ideals Burdens
The Fool Curious, Innocent, Carefree, Eager Thoughtless, Uncommitted, Rudderless, Heedless
Self-Defeating, Overexerting, Risk-taking,
The Magician Cunning, Visionary, Conjuring, Inventive Manipulative
The High Priestess Divining, Introspecting, Transcending, Harmonizing Disjointed, Succumbing, Misjudging, Withdrawn
The Empress Nurturing, Guarding, Caring, Vigilant Callous, Conceited, Domineering, Aloof
The Emperor Principled, Disciplined, Coordinating, Leading Abusing, Arrogant, Rigid, Domineering
The Hierophant Enlightening, Faithful, Reforming, Eloquent Rigid, Dogmatic, Indoctrinating, Conforming
The Lovers Harmonious, Balanced, Supportive, Unifying Resentful, Exploitative, Self-Centered, Unbalanced
The Chariot Unrestrained, Unburdened, Bold, Determined Reckless, Unheeding, Imprudent, Negligent
Strength Enduring, Steadfast, Taming, Soothing Frantic, Bitter, Wavering, Wild
The Hermit Illuminating, Self-Improving, Wise, Seeking Reclusive, Isolated, Selfish, Lost
Wheel of Fortune Calm, Flexible, Stoic, Far-sighted Stagnant, Addicted, Inflexible, Short-sighted
Justice Honest, Balanced, Merciful, Punishing Merciless, Vengeful, Deceptive, Corrupt
Surrendering, Open-minded, Sacrificing,
The Hanged Man
Wisdom-seeking Resisting, Stubborn, Egotistical, Self-destructive
Death Liberating, Relinquishing, Evolving, Deadly Grieving, Stubborn, Sickly, Bloodthirsty
Temperance Measured, Purposeful, Patient, Balanced Erratic, Succumbing, Excessive, Restless
The Devil Freed, Awakening, Relishing, Insightful Manipulative, Ensnaring, Obsessed, Desperate
The Tower Drastic, Destructive, Ruthless, Levelling Defeated, Catastrophizing, Hateful, Fearful
The Star Renewing, Hopeful, Resilient, Healing Hopeless, Doubting, Aimless, Lost
The Moon Mysterious, Instinctive, Intuitive, Enticing Phony, Deceptive, Repressed, Bestial
The Sun Innocent, Purifying, Inspiring, Joyful Naive, In denial, Distrusting, Cynical
The Gate (Judgment) Purposeful, Unburdened, Wise, Awakening Narrow-minded, Immature, Regretful, Stagnant
The World Content, Harmonizing, Reborn, Reflective Resisting, Bigoted, Presumptuous, Frustrated
Page of Swords Experimenting, Considerate, Inquisitive, Pensive Stagnating, Uncertain, Clumsy, Inexperienced
Knight of Swords Agile, Precise, Decisive, Sharp Delicate, Over-hasty, Frantic, Imprecise
Queen of Swords Knowledgeable, Perceptive, Truth-seeking, Patient Cold, Gullible, Implacable, Mean
King of Swords Enlightened, Patient, Persuasive, Methodical Manipulative, Severe, Arrogant, Merciless
Page of Wands Eager, Adventurous, Discovering, Evolving Foolhardy, Unrealistic, Cynical, Dreamy
Knight of Wands Daring, Heroic, Passionate, Inspired Reckless, Careless, Angry, Overzealous
Queen of Wands Stately, Intuitive, Decisive, Restrained Cruel, Haughty, Overconfident, Indecisive
King of Wands Audacious, Bold, Charismatic, Artful Ensnaring, Overconfident, Ruthless, Hesitant
Page of Cups Passionate, Intuitive, Calm, Affable Sensitive, Overwhelmed, Naive, Tempestuous
Knight of Cups Flexible, Graceful, Charming, Subtle Insincere, Avoiding, Shallow, Stubborn
Queen of Cups Pensive, Empathic, Caring, Controlled Narcissistic, Uncaring, Gullible, Over-sympathetic
King of Cups Welcoming, Diplomatic, Compassionate, Reflective Appeasing, Callous, Alluring, Mesmerizing
Page of Pentacles Ambitious, Attentive, Training, Hard-working Greedy, Obsessive, Aimless, Opportunistic
Knight of Pentacles Diligent, Patient, Reliable, Steady Stagnant, Stubborn, Chaotic, Perfectionist
Queen of Pentacles Self-reliant, Pragmatic, Prepared, Canny Isolated, Maneuvering, Selfish, Puppeteer
King of Pentacles Generous, At ease, Secure, Practical Complacent, Distant, Lonely, Dissatisfied
Don’t resist the
Call of the Void