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Empathic Mirror card meanings

Every card in the Empathic Mirror carries one of Joline Renn's abstract paintings, a short list of keywords and, on most cards, an answer. Here is how to read it, and what each card says.

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AskHold a question in mind. A yes or no question works best for a single card.
Read the answerMost cards print an answer in the corner: yes, no, maybe or unknown.
Read the keywordsThe words across the card are its meaning, in a few words. Notice which one stands out to you.
Read the paintingColor, movement and mood. The deck is made to be read by feeling as much as by words.

The seven principles

Cards 1 to 7 are the seven hermetic principles. They don't give a yes or no. They describe how things work, so they speak to the bigger picture behind your question.

Mentalism card — **1. Mentalism**All is mind: the universe is mental. Everything we experience in the physical world manifests in the thoughts of the creator's mind.

Correspondence card — **2. Correspondence**As above, so below. As within, so without. Our external reality reflects our internal state at any given moment.

Vibration card — **3. Vibration**All matter is made from energy, which vibrates constantly at different frequencies, higher frequencies being more ethereal, and lower frequencies being more material.

Rhythm card — **4. Rhythm**All have a flow or a pattern of movement that has a beginning, a middle, and an end. This rhythm can be seen in the cycles of day and night, the seasons, and the cycle of life and death.

Cause and Effect card — **5. Cause and Effect**Every action has a corresponding reaction, and nothing happens by chance or coincidence.

Polarity card — **6. Polarity**Everything has two opposite poles or extremes, which are interconnected and necessary for balance. North and south.

Generation card — **7. Generation**Masculine and feminine energies are present in everything. Dualistic, universal, creative.

Every card

The keywords and answer printed on each card, cards 8 to 92. 22 say yes, 21 say no, 22 say maybe and 20 say unknown.

8
Spawning
Yes
Generating, producing, procreating, birthing, hatching, multiplying, originating, bringing forth, giving birth to, creating, opportunity
9
Blossom
Yes
Idea, innovative, personal development, inspired, process, endeavor, visionary, ingenious, resourceful, unconventional, experimental, daring
10
Creative Expression
Maybe
Idea, innovative, personal development, inspired, process, endeavor, visionary, experimental, daring
11
Bunny
Maybe
Fertility, rebirth, renewal, agility, grace, innocence, playfulness, cuteness, lively, sprightly, animated, spirited, frisky
12
Defensive
No
Fend-off, protect, attitude, order, chaos, involved, incident, threatened, danger, guarded
13
Toxic
No
Poisonous, spiteful, harmful, unhealthy, dangerous, destructive, vicious, caustic
14
Nostalgia
Unknown
Reminiscence, longing, homesickness, yearning, fondness, sentimental, melancholy, craving, regret
15
Escape
Unknown
Flee, avoid, elude, evade, break free, dodge, duck, getaway, shake off, shun, disappear, exit, fly, hide, outrun
16
Peacock
Yes
Colorful, flamboyant, proud, majestic, regal, graceful, elegant, beautiful, vibrant, bold, confident, charismatic
17
Sprout
Yes
Green, germinate, seed, grow, develop, shoot, quickly, response, favor, produce, spring, fresh, new, rise
18
Divine Feminine
Maybe
Sacred, female, spiritual, honored, goddess, wisdom, insight, fertility, intuition, receptive, creative
19
Hermit
Maybe
Recluse, solitary, isolate, lone wolf, withdrawn, detached, remote, inaccessible
20
Loneliness
No
Solitude, introspection, lack, detached, hollowness, barren, separated, neglect, disconnected
21
Asteroid
No
Vastness, awe, cosmic, wonder, boundless, fascination, infinite, interstellar, uncharted, extraterrestrial, cold
22
Watching
Unknown
Observe, view, witness, monitor, survey, behold, inspect, scrutinize, study, examine
23
Moving On
Unknown
Departing, exiting, vacating, relinquishing, evacuating, abandon, withdrawing
24
Focus
Yes
Sharpness, attention, centered, intense, clear, precision, interesting, view, direction, concentrate
25
Creativity
Yes
Imagination, ingenuity, resourcefulness, original, ability, clever, solve, brew, forge, form, inception, limitless, impulse, flow
26
Cocoon
Maybe
Transformative, protective, incubating, potential, growth, change, encapsulating, evolving, concealed
27
Change
Maybe
Alteration, shift, modification, transformation, adjustment, mutation, deviation
28
Burnt
No
Desire, urge, negative force, irresistible, habit, autopilot, expense, must, one way, always, never
29
Weeds
No
Wild, invasive, unwanted, pesky, tenacious, persistent, resilient, aggressive, stubborn, untamed
30
Map
Unknown
Chart, blueprint, plan, diagram, layout, drawing, design, draft, image, model, pattern, portrayal, projection
31
Beach
Unknown
Environment, land, temperature, clarity, edge, destination, energy, south, involved, event, surroundings, sandy
32
Friendship
Yes
Collaboration, alliance, association, cooperation, coalition, union, partnership, team, joint, confidante
33
Free Spirit
Yes
Nonconformist, unconventional, independent, unrestrained, wild, carefree, liberated, unorthodox, spontaneous
34
Versatile
Maybe
Adaptable, flexible, resourceful, efficient, dynamic, capable, skilled, competent, proficient, talented
35
Accomplishment
Maybe
Achievement, attainment, success, triumph, victory, feat, realization, fulfillment, completion, execution, leveling
36
Iceberg
No
Desolate, barren, isolated, remote, vast, impressive, imposing, majestic, awe-inspiring, intimidating, dangerous
37
Resistance
No
Defiance, opposition, rebel, noncompliance, insubordination, stubbornness, contrariness, mutiny, dissidence
38
Divine Masculine
Unknown
Sacred, strong, powerful, dominant, alpha, holy, blessed, consecrated, sanctified, anointed, exalted
39
Diving Deep
Unknown
Delving, exploring, investigating, probing, analyzing, dissecting, excavating, uncovering, understanding
40
Inner Child
Yes
Innocence, wonder, childhood healing, traumas, past, self-awareness, unresolved, insight
41
Lucky
Yes
Fortunate, blessed, favored, charmed, serendipitous, prosperous, optimistic, bright
42
Maverick
Maybe
Nomadic, wandered, traveler, rover, restless, vagabond, drifter, free spirit, nonconformist
43
Angelic
Maybe
Divine, godly, celestial, beauty, dreamlike, delicate, peace, perfection, radiance, love, guidance
44
Storm Warning
No
Occurrence, event, strong, warned, shelter, precautions, protection, serious, important, expected, headed, advance
45
Anxiety
No
Nervous, apprehensive, uneasy, tense, worried, edgy, jittery, panicky, fearful, agitated, stressed
46
Silhouette
Unknown
Shadow, darkness, mystery, enigma, hiding a secret, inner ocean, layers, intriguing, alluring, drama, undercover, silence, descent, great pretender, taboo
47
Emotional Healing
Unknown
Restorative, recuperative, remedial, soothing, therapeutic, healthful, renewing, uplifting, comforting
48
Transformation
Yes
Metamorphosis, alteration, shift, reformation, adjustment, remodeling, revision, transmutation, remaking, reworking
49
Joy
Yes
Delight, euphoria, pleasure, rejoicing, glee, gratitude, enchanted, happiness, bliss, ecstasy, jubilation, merriment
50
Desire
Maybe
Longing, yearning, craving, aspiration, hunger, thirst, eagerness, itch, coveting, wanting
51
Lost and Found
Maybe
Lost: misplaced, missing, forgotten, vanished, gone, disappeared, strayed. Found: discovered, located, detected, uncovered, identified
52
Mysterious
No
Enigmatic, hidden, confidential, furtive, undercover, cryptic, private, undisclosed, covert
53
Stress
No
Nervousness, apprehension, unease, worry, tension, angst, agitation, panic, dread
54
Odyssey
Unknown
Epic, hero, encounter, wrath, power, intelligence, culture, journey, adventure, enchant, entertain
55
Ancient
Unknown
Lineage, karmic, realities, remember, elemental, storm, strength, determination, fortitude, knowing, survival
56
Enthusiasm
Yes
Passion, eagerness, zeal, fever, excitement, animation, exuberance, vivacity, gusto
57
Busy
Yes
Industrious, diligent, hardworking, assiduous, tireless, energetic, zealous, productive, efficient, active
58
Exuberance
Maybe
Enthusiasm, vivacity, effervescence, high spirits, elation, delight, buoyancy, cheerfulness, radiance
59
Attraction
Maybe
Appeal, allure, magnetism, charm, charisma, temperament, disposition, character, essence
60
Cut
No
Sharp, keen, incisive, acute, biting, penetrating, piercing, razor
61
Nightmare
No
Malevolent, vindictive, malicious, sinister, wicked, evil, cruel, fear, fiendish, demonic, monstrous
62
Shadow
Unknown
Obscure, mysterious, elusive, veiled, dark, shrouded, dim, murky, ambiguous, shade, darkness, gloom
63
Lucid Dream
Unknown
Conscious, aware, alert, cognizant, mindful, responsive, perceptive, observant, attentive, sentient
64
Evocation
Yes
Supernatural, summon, elicit, ritual, invoke, memory, imagination, calling, conjuring, magical, sacred, mind, prayer, chants
65
Clear
Yes
Liberation, emancipation, release, unfettering, unshackling, unbridling
66
Legacy
Maybe
Heritage, tradition, inheritance, gift, endowment, estate, continuation, survival, permanence, endurance, stability
67
Higher Knowledge
Maybe
Enlightened, wise, learn, scholarly, intellectual, astute, perceptive, insightful, discerning, clever, expert
68
Trojan
No
Mask, compromise, security, infiltrate, backdoor, spy, hidden, worm, entry, unauthorized, bypass, spread, rude
69
Black Cat
No
Feline, dispel, medieval, symbolic, disguised, ward, spirits, protection, sensitive
70
Dragon
Unknown
Fierce, powerful, mythical, legendary, majestic, intimidating, magical, ferocious
71
Illusion
Unknown
Fantasy, apparition, delusion, deception, trickery, mystification, misconception
72
Wild Growth
Yes
Increase, expansion, advancement, progress, proliferation, augmentation, maturation, rise, escalate, improvement
73
Galaxy
Yes
Vast, distant, cosmic, immense, breathtaking, stunning, awe-inspiring, colossal, magnificent, grand, impressive
74
Time Traveler
Maybe
Exploratory, shifting, ethereal, dimensional, tourist, wander, move, pilgrim, roam, reconnaissance
75
Ibis
Maybe
Perceptive, insightful, sensitive, aware, discerning, astute, clever, quick-witted, sharp, shrewd, wise, intuition
76
Captive
No
Confined, coercion, confused, manipulation, trapped, hostage
77
Fear
No
Confined, coercion, confused, manipulation, trapped, hostage
78
Powerful
Unknown
Strong, mighty, robust, potent, influential, commanding, dominant, authoritative, convincing, dynamic
79
Cubs
Unknown
Valuable, cherished, beloved, dear, treasured, prized, esteemed, admired, appreciated, important, significant
80
Determination
Yes
Resolve, sun, overcome, driven, perseverance, tenacity, soul, grit, magnetism, willpower, focus, resilience, phoenix
81
Momentum
Yes
Drive, energy, force, impetus, inertia, push, speed, thrust, velocity, zest
82
Rescue
Maybe
Save, retrieve, deliver, extract, free, liberate, release, recover, salvage, emancipate, extricate, help, assist
83
Conflict
Maybe
Friction, strife, dispute, discord, tension, hostility, clash, contention, animosity, antagonism, confrontation
84
Uncontrollable
No
Unmanageable, wild, unrestrained, impulsive, chaotic, unruly, turbulent, unbridled
85
Pride
No
Arrogant, conceited, egotistical, haughty, pompous, self-important, snobbish, superior, vain
86
Manifestation
Unknown
Actualizing, materializing, realizing, fulfilling, succeeding, genesis, initiation, birth, production
87
Struggle
Unknown
Resilient, determined, persistent, tenacious, steadfast, unyielding, unrelenting, indomitable, persevering
88
Strength
Yes
Brave, leader, confident, ambitious, generous, loyal, encouraging, optimistic, charismatic, enthusiastic, passionate
89
Communication
Yes
Message, transmission, contact, conversation, dialogue, discussion, talk, correspondence
90
Adventure
Maybe
Explorer, voyager, pioneer, pathfinder, wayfarer, seeker, risky, maverick, daredevil, journey, roam, free
91
Secret Admirer
Maybe
Undisclosed, observer, attracted, distance, anonymous, rejection, consideration, admiration, shy
92
Argument
No
Dispute, disagreement, altercation, contention, conflict, controversy, heated, clash, misunderstanding, verbal battle