Manuscript Found in Accra isn’t a typical fiction novel. It’s more like a collection of wisdom, pieced together from different conversations that took place in Jerusalem in 1099, right before the city was invaded. A man known as the Copt answers questions from the people about fear, love, failure, and life itself.

It’s one of those books you don't have to start from the beginning: you can flip open to any page. Each time I’ve read it, I’ve put post-its on different pages—because every time, depending on what I’m going through, different pieces resonate more than they did before. It makes you think about the cycles we go through—letting go, change, and how nothing is ever really lost.

For my fourth read-through, I’m adding in tarot cards to explore the themes of the book. The cards are all about life lessons and I love being to add more depth to the cards through other forms of art.

 

"Does a leaf, when it falls from the tree in the winter, feel defeated by the cold?"

In the cycle of nature there is no such thing as victory or defeat; there is only movement.. When the human heart understands this, it is free and able to accept difficult times without being deceived by moments of glory.

Life’s all about cycles. The falling leaf doesn’t fight it—it just surrenders, knowing that endings always lead to new beginnings. Much like the Wheel of Fortune in tarot. Life’s full of ups and downs, beginnings and endings, good luck and bad luck. Every phase serves its purpose. Sure, some of those phases feel heavy, but it’s through those moments that we build strength and grow.

When we don’t recognize that inner strength, it’s easy to get stuck, feel defeated. But instead of staying there, take the time to rest, reflect, and re-strategize. You’ll come back stronger. The only time you’re truly defeated is when you give up. This reminds me of the 4 of Swords—it’s all about rest and recovery. It encourages stillness, taking time to reflect before moving forward. Rest is productive—it’s a necessary part of renewal and clarity. It’s not a stop, just a pause.

"Solitude is not the absence of company, but the moment when our soul is free to speak to us and help us decide what to do with our life."

If you are never alone, you cannot know yourself. And if you do not know yourself, you will begin to fear the void. But the void does not exist. A vast world lies hidden in our soul, waiting to be discovered.

This resonates well with The Hermit card: stepping away from the noise to find answers within ourselves. It’s that moment of realizing that solitude isn’t something to fear—it’s where we find clarity. Sure, facing our own fears and pushing ourselves to grow is scary. But once you realize the fear is internal, it shifts everything. Solitude isn’t a punishment; it’s the space where you discover what’s truly in your heart. It makes it easier to face the unknown, because you’re not running from it anymore.

When you embrace solitude, you learn things about yourself you might never have known. You discover what you truly love, what you want out of life, and how much further you can push yourself than you thought possible. Sometimes, we need to step back, be alone, and trust that in that space, we’ll find the answers we’ve been searching for.

"We are afraid to change because we think that, after so much effort and sacrifice, we know our present world."

And even though that world might not be the best of all worlds, and even though we may not be entirely satisfied with it, at least it won't give us any nasty surprises. We won't go wrong.

We put so much effort into building our present world that change feels terrifying. Even if we’re not totally happy, at least it’s familiar and we know what to expect. Dreaming is easy, anyone can dream. But what happens when you actually take the risk to make those dreams real?

Not changing out of fear is only holding yourself back. Nature is always evolving, and we’re meant to do the same. The key is moving forward with intention instead of just going through the day-to-day motions. Change can feel uncertain, but that’s where growth happens. This reminds me of The Fool card: taking that first step without knowing exactly where it’ll lead, but trusting that it’s full of potential. You’re bound to make mistakes when starting anything new,—they’re just lessons pushing you grow.

"We deny our own beauty because others can't or won't recognize it."

Instead of accepting ourselves as we are, we try to imitate what we see around us. We try to be what other people think of as 'pretty,' and little by little, our soul fades, our will weakens, and all the potential we had to make the world a more beautiful place withers away.

Beauty exists in our differences. Instead of trying to reflect the outside, shine from within. 

Think of how much time we waste trying to fit into someone else’s idea of beauty—and not just the physical, the mental. A few years back my friend Nada told me, “you spend so much time thinking about food you could put that mental energy somewhere with so much potential.” The more we chase that, the further we stray from ourselves. It’s like watering down everything that makes us unique just to blend in. But real beauty isn’t about looking a certain way: it’s about presence, confidence, and the energy you bring. It’s in the details that make you you.

This reminds me of The Star—a card all about embracing your true self and realizing that your worth isn’t something to be validated by others. When you stop seeking outside approval, you start to shine effortlessly. It also connects to The Empress, who embodies self-love, creativity, and beauty in her own way. Neither of these cards are about forcing anything; they’re about stepping into your own power and letting that be enough. True beauty isn’t about being seen—it’s about how you see yourself.

"If we want to make a fire, we have to focus all the sun's rays in one spot."

And there comes a moment when we need to focus that inner fire so that our life will have some meaning.

Some brush the "life's meaning" question aside because there's no easy answer. They live today like it were yesterday. Instead of getting caught up in the idea that purpose has to be one specific thing, just act on your intuition. Think back to being a kid—what did you love to do? What did you lose as you got older that made you feel alive? Tying to The Six of Cups, a reminder that looking back can help us move forward. Our past passions and childhood dreams still hold wisdom, waiting to be reclaimed.

If enthusiasm is the sacred fire, fire needs fuel. When intuition wanes, discipline keeps the momentum going. This ties back to The Fool—you may not see the entire path ahead, but that doesn’t matter. It’s about taking that first step, fueled by what you love.

"Community is life; from it comes our capacity for survival."

Meanwhile, be alert to danger that threatens all communities: people being drawn into a standard way of behaving, taking as their model their own limitations, fears, and prejudices. That is a very high price to pay, because in order for you to be accepted, you will have to please everyone. And that is not proof of love for the community, but proof of lack of love for oneself.

People will love and respect you only as much as you love and respect yourself. Trying to please everyone is a losing battle. Instead, seek out relationships with others who are confident in who they are and unafraid to change direction when life is sending signs to pivot. Love isn’t swayed by others’ opinions or expectations. Surround yourself with those who celebrate your growth, not just when things are tough, but through every moment of joy. The Three of Cups reminds us that true community is about support, shared happiness, and mutual respect. It’s about finding people who lift you up and help you grow, not those who expect you to shrink to fit their standards.

Seek relationships with those who take control of life instead of letting life control them, embracing their own way with confidence. These are the kinds of people who make you feel seen, celebrated, and understood, knowing life is full of possibilities.

"Work is the manifestation of Love that binds people together."

Through it, we discover that we are incapable of living without other people, and that they need us just as much.

There are two types of work: one that provides us our daily needs—simply a transaction of time that can never be bought back. In this work, people live for the weekend or retirement, thinking they'll finally get rest, but by the time they get there, they’re too old to truly enjoy what life has to offer. It’s the “I have no choice” mentality. Then there’s the other kind of work—the work that allows people to earn their living, but with the dedication and love that comes from the heart. Two people can cook the same recipe, but one will be infused with love, while the other feels like it was done out of obligation. Love is driven by passion, and the more you pour affection into it, the more it grows.

The second type of work requires discipline—the freedom to choose to nurture your dreams despite the challenges. Many people make excuses, feeling like life has been unfair to them, but if they truly looked, they would see the love and drive behind what makes others pursue their own passions. Going after your dreams won’t always be easy; there will be moments of self-doubt and disappointment. But even in those moments, remember: The Empress teaches us that the work we do from the heart is what truly nurtures the soul. It’s a constant balance between sacrifice and fulfillment, but it’s this love-infused work that leaves a lasting impact.

"Success does not come from having one's work recognized by others. It is the fruit of a seed that you lovingly planted."

You managed to finish what you began even though you did not foresee all the traps along the way. And when your enthusiasm waned because of all the difficulties you encountered, you reached for discipline. And when discipline seemed about to disappear because you were tired, you used your moments of repose to think about what steps you needed to take in the future.

This is The Emperor in action—turning dreams into reality through structure, patience, and resilience. Success isn’t found in comparison but in the quiet promises made to yourself: to show up, to build, to keep going even when no one is watching. Stability isn’t restrictive—it’s what allows you to grow something that lasts. Instead of rushing, make sure each action leaves your foundation more stable and fruitful than the previous. Don’t try to pick your fruit too early and don’t let it rot out of fear. Respect the time between. True success takes time. When the world sees the final result, they don’t see the moments you nearly quit, the pivots, the failures, the nights spent questioning it all. But real success? It’s going to bed with your soul at peace, knowing you stood firm, stayed true, and built something that will last.

You didn’t get paralyzed by defeats or overthink what didn’t work. You didn’t feel humiliated when you had to ask for help. In turn, when someone needed help, you showed them all that you have learned without fearing that you are revealing secrets.

Keep the goal in mind, but don’t forget to pause. Check in with yourself. Are your values still aligned? Are you building something meaningful? Real success isn’t about collecting achievements—it’s about creating a life that feels rich in purpose.

"There is nothing wrong with anxiety."

Anxiety was born in the very same moment as mankind. And since we will never be able to master it, we will have to learn to live with it—just as we have learned to live with storms.. Anxiety will never disappear, but the great wisdom of life is to realize that we can be the masters of the things that try to enslave us.

Anxiety is a part of love, and therefore a part of life. It’s investing in your dreams without seeing immediate results. It’s the moments before stepping on stage, heart pounding. But anxiety only becomes unbearable when we let it consume us instead of learning to work with it.

When anxiety makes you feel like you need to do more just to be productive, remind yourself: you need time to enjoy life to feel inspired. For those who can’t harness anxiety and instead let it rule them, life becomes a cycle of fear. In an attempt to escape, they turn to habits that only heighten anxiety and have a hard time living fully and instead exist in constant worry, searching for threats that don’t exist and losing sleep.

The Nine of Swords asks: How much of your suffering is real, and how much is the story you’re telling yourself? Instead of running from it, face it. Name your fears. Some will shrink in the light. Some will require action. Either way, you are stronger than the weight of your thoughts.

"We will always meet rivals in everything with do, but the most dangerous are those we believe to be our friends."

None of us can avoid meeting those who will betray and slander us, but we can drive away the evil before it shows its true face.

This is the Seven of Swords—the card of deception, hidden motives, and quiet betrayals. Not all threats come from open conflict. Sometimes, the real danger comes from those who linger close, not out of loyalty, but for their own advantage. Be cautious of anyone who seeks to please everyone, as their loyalty may shift easily. Pay attention to the pain you invite into your life by allowing in negative energy.

"If a village or city refuses to welcome you, do not insist."

Walk back along the path by which you came and shake the dust from your feet. 

Not every place, person, or situation is meant for you, and clinging to what does not serve you only drains your energy. If something refuses to welcome you, take it as a sign, not a challenge, here lies the essence of the Eight of Cups.

There is strength in leaving with dignity rather than forcing yourself to fit where you aren’t valued. Release any resentment, shake off the dust, and move forward. The right path will never require you to beg for a seat at the table.