THE SECRET

The Cube is you— Your symbolic self-portrait. The Ladder Represents your friends and your co-workers. The Horse Is your lover/life partner. The Storm Is trouble/upset/challenge— life's power to stir things up. The Flowers Are children, of your body and/or mind - "your baby," whatever you create and nurture.

The voCUBEulary
Interpreting Your Cube. "Well, what does it mean?" is what most people ask after finishing the game. The right answer to that question is, "You tell us." After all, it's your Cube. The voCUBEulary was created to help. We can't tell you for sure what your Cube means. But we can tell you what many types of Cubes (ladders, horses, etc.) have meant to thousands of others who've played the game. The voCUBEulary is conveniently presented in alphabetical order and offers many possible qualities of cubes, ladders, horses, storms, and flowers. (Can't find yours? Choose the closest approximations.) Don't take these as the end, but as the beginning of understanding your Cube.

Also, try the following techniques for understanding your Cube: * Ask your mate, friends, and family what they see in your Cube's imagery. People who know you well can be surprisingly helpful in finding missing pieces of the puzzle. * Free-associate. Anything that pops into your head in connection with your Cube (Horse, Ladder, etc.) is a vital clue. 

* Play with adjectives. If your Cube is metal, for instance, you might say, "this metal is hard, it's shiny, it's reflective, it's refined, it's stressed... " You're describing yourself. * Consider jokes and puns. The imagination has a sense of humor! * Consult body-sense. How does it feel to BE your Cube? The Cube
If your CUBE is . . above the horizon air below the horizon bisecting the horizon black blue brown buried, partially close cloud crystal diamond dice different on each side distant dug into the sand edge facing front edge, standing on fabric far away see distant floating optimistic/ idealistic/ spiritual/ living in ideas or fantasy/ impractical/ "above it all" . . . you are: idealistic/ intellectual/ spiritual/ a dreamer open/ undefended/ self-effacing/ subtle practical/ worldly/ down-to-earth/ sensual visionary and practica/l spiritual and sensual/ making ideas/ideals practical stylish/ stark/ mysterious/ guarded/ self-contained/ drawn to the dark side earthy/ serene/ cool/ spiritual/ electric/ loya/l distant/ aloof/ sad warm/ serious/ studious keeping a low profile/ camouflaged/ deep-rooted/ overwhelmed comfortable with closeness/ a "people person"/ family-focused/ impulsive/ living in the present/ concerned with the actual in a world of your own/ a dreamer/ imaginative/ pure visionary/ spiritual/ pure/ clear brilliant/ precious/ rare/ lucid/ sparkling/ cutting/ of firm, decisive opinions/ indestructible/ multifaceted a gambler in life/ a risk-taker/ lucky many-sided/ complex/ versatile/ changeable/ self-aware protective of your "space"/ independent/ taking the long view/ seeing things in perspective/ abstract rooted/ stubborn/ conservative/ opinionated aggressive/ assertive/ energetic/ an "action" person/ dual-natured (2 faces show) an immigrant/ a traveler, transient between two worlds/ undecided/ on the verge of a change/ edgy/ discriminating/ precise/ balanced precarious/ daredevil/ cutting-edge pliable/ domestic/ homespun/ textured/ cultured/ integrating many influences 

food (cheese, Jell-o, bread, etc.) formica glass, clear glass, colored glass, greenhouse/terrarium glass, stained (see colored) glass, shatterproof gold gray green hand-sized hole in the ground hollow hologram house hovering huge ice, melting ice, melt-proof jack-in-the-box Jell-o (see food) large metal, framework (w/ glass, cloth, etc.) metal, hollow metal, solid middle distance mirrored multicolored near see close oasis on the ground opaque

nurturing/ devoured by others/ sensual, pleasure-loving tidy/ cheerful/ able to start afresh/ upwardly mobile clear-minded/ candid/ self-revealing/ realistic/ fragile imaginative/ romantic/ poetic/ seeing what you want to see cultivating inner life/ displaying inner life/ protective/ possessive spiritua/l religious/ a craftsperson/ nostalgic/ artistic tougher than you look valuable/ weighty/ refined/ loyal, true/ desirable/ rich conservative/ neutral/ fair, just/ ambivalent/ factual/ subtle/ bored hopeful/ optimistic/ ever-reviving/ nature-loving/ ecologically aware/ grass-smoking/ rich, wealthy intimate/ affectionate/ trusting/ practical deep/ introverted/ receptive/ intense/ attuned to the unconscious/ nonconformist/ depressed spacious/ receptive/ light-hearted/ objective/ protective elusive/ disembodied/ speculative/ futuristic nurturing/ practical/ domestic/ socially conscious/ in real estate tentative/ uncommitted/intuitive/ realistic, but open to possibility confident/ egoistic/ dominant/ grandiose/ generous vulnerable/ calm/ refreshing/ in love imperturbably cool/ resourceful/ intrepid/ rational humorous/ full of surprises/ more than meets the eye vulnerable/ timid/ tender/ nurturing/ funny confident/ capable/ capacious/ healthily egoistic having basic strength of character/ conscious or protective of boundaries self-protective/ tough-skinned/ cynical/ venturesome made strong by stress/ weighty/ introverted/ impenetrable/ melancholy balanced between extremes (see close and distant) reflecting others/ a realist/ visually oriented multitalented/ multi-ethnic/ versatile/moody

nurturing/ loving/ fulfilled down-to-earth/ practical/ commonsensical/ realityoriented/concerned with the tangible private/ self-protective/ enigmatic 

outlined (lines on edges) paper plastic plexiglas (see glass and plastic) point, standing on

clearly defined/ aware of your boundaries vulnerable/ humorous, playful/ bluffing [if large] of blue-collar origin/ unpretentious/ proud to be ordinary/ "salt of the earth" resilient/ invisibly shielded special, exceptional/ perfectionistic/ driven/fastidious/ poised/ ready to take flight/ diamond-like regal/ luxury-loving/ extravagant/ pensive/ moderate/ immoderate/ romantic/ wise interested in power (worldly or spiritual)/ mysterious/ more than meets the eye (a CUBE half-buried) multitalented/ tolerant/ optimistic/ childlike warm-hearted/ hot-tempered/ passionate/ courageous/ aggressive/ revolutionary uncommitted/ changeable/ rootless/ nomadic/ searching tough but not hard/ resilient/ able to bounce back/ flexible/ funny intricate/ adaptable/ ingenious/ clever/ challenging/ liking to outwit others bright/ attention-getting/ achievement-oriented/ excellent modest/ keeping a low profile/extroverted/realistic in expectations substantial/ secure/ consistent/ honest/ unintrospective/ full of unexpressed feelings intense/ busy/ high-energy/ elusive curious/ thirsty for knowledge/ easily influenced the sum of many experiences/ a pieceworker/ a work in progress/ self-made monumental/ unchanging/ firm/ hard to influence/ stubborn/ selfdeclaring ("Here I stand")/ enduring/ resigned natural/ honest, blunt/ awkward/ unpolished smooth/ refined/ ambitious concentrated/ focused/ hidden/ precious thoughtful/ meditative/ receptive to inspiration/ selective/ enigmatic/ alluring candid/ unable to hide feelings/ self-revealing/ observan/ objective moody/ multifaceted/ active strongly dual personality/ physical illness cheerful/ upbeat/ positive/ inspiring/ making people happy emotional/ mystical/ fluid/ sensitive/ full of potential/ close to the unconscious

purple pyramid rainbow red rolling/tumbling rubber Rubik's shiny small solid spinning sponge stone, blocks stone, one piece (see solid) stone, rough stone, polished tiny translucent transparent turning two cubes yellow, bright water 

The Ladder
If your LADDER is... access to CUBE's entrance access to CUBE's top aluminum ascending see reaching into the sky balsa wood branches bread broken built into CUBE's side cactus connecting CUBE to ground descending from the sky . . . your FRIENDS: know the way into your heart/ are the only ones you let in/ help you know yourself/ evoke your emotions help you reach your full potential provide practical help/ work with you/ are unsentimental /utilitarian/ up-to-date/ reliable/ light yet strong/ never a burden reaching into the sky are fair-weather friends/ can't be relied on/ are your own thoughts/ are angels (imaginary/ spiritual friends) are natural outdoor types/ rough-hewn/ your relatives/ uprooted/ dead are nourishing/ are eating/drinking buddies have betrayed you/ let you down/ are in trouble/ are estranged from you are your sibling(s)/ are close as family are difficult and prickly bring you down to earth/ ground you in reality/ are your anchor include God, higher power/ are from a different milieu/ are influential contacts/ are spiritually evolved/ can help you rise go deeply into life/ help your self-understanding/ like to explore mysteries/ like the lower depths/ are undermining you/ are going straight to hell are unlike you keep increasing in number/ have a long reach/ are resourceful/ come through in emergency/ save your life are not very close/ live far from you/ don't see you often/ are not important to you are few and close

descending into the ground

different material from CUBE extension (fire-engine) far from the CUBE few rungs 

floating floating above the CUBE folded see stepladder folding, jointed (many positions) free-standing, diagonal free-standing, vertical gold inside the CUBE inside and outside CUBE iron iron, wrought leaning against CUBE leather thongs library ladder lying down many rungs metal see aluminum, iron, steel missing rungs paint-spattered

are dreamers/ drifters/ intellectuals/ philosophers/ artists/ valued for their ideas/ not very practical hover over you/ protect you

are clever/ versatile/ adaptable/ ingenious have a unique slant on things/ are forward-looking (if towards horizon)/ are nonconformists are independent don't lean on you (or you on them) are ambitious are "upstanding" have your respect are priceless to you/ are loyal are in your heart/ are in your confidence/ are intimate/ are protected by you/ find you rather possessive are of two kinds: intimates and acquaintances are "heavyweights"/ strong/ blunt/ loyal/ uneducated/ serious, somber are cultured/ creative/ artistic/ have worked on themselves lean on you/ give you support/ are close companions/ are physically affectionate are natural, organic/ athletic/ Western/ casual/ outdoorsy/ plainspoken/ strong but supple like to read/ lead you to knowledge/ are writers, teachers/ are wellinformed/ cultured/ polished/ travel a lot are relaxed/ casual companions in leisure/ not much use (unless in emergency)/ down and out/ deadbeats/ dead are many

you've lost close ones are your creative collaborators/ have had varied experiences 

reaching into the sky reaching top of CUBE see access rickety rooted in the sand rope same height as CUBE same material as CUBE shorter than CUBE spiral steel stepladder, folded stepladder, open supporting CUBE (off the ground) swimming-pool ladder taller than CUBE wood, new wood, old wood, finished

include God, higher power/ help you evolve spiritually/ help you achieve ambitions

are unreliable/ in bad shape/ ill or aging are rooted/ immovably loyal/ take a firm stand/ give strong support are flexible/ dependent/ have a strong bond with you/ reach out to you/ are travelers are your equals are very much like you are not quite your equals come and go/ are on-again, off-again/ help you intermittently are steadfastly reliable/ made strong by stress/ indestructible/ straightforward/ streamlined/ practical/ unadorned come through when you need them are stable/ steady/ dependable/ independent/ self-reliant support you completely/ are your foundation/ are necessary to your life are playmates/ share your fun & leisure/ help you relax/ lead you into your feelings are people you look up to are fairly new friends/ care about appearances are old friends/ are familiar and comfortable/ are older than you are cultured/ care about appearances/ are aristocratic/ wealthy/ snobbish 

The Horse
If your HORSE is . . Appaloosa Arabian ascending the LADDER . . . your LOVER is: American/ Western/ casual high-strung/ aristocratic/ elegant/ sensitive/ nervous/ proud rising in your estimation/ ambitious/ spiritually evolving backing you up/ in the background/ the power behind the throne/ protected by you/ hiding behind you/ taking a back seat/ "behind" in age or career your equal companion/ loyal/ close mysterious/ romantic/ powerful/ moody/ a good lover/ brunet(te) married/ responsible/ hard-working/ domesticated romantic/ exotic/ adventurous/ chivalrous/ a crusader/ regal/ wealthy warm/ earthy/ sensual/ordinary, unpretentious/ brunet(te)/ AfricanAmerican/ Hispanic enduring/ reliable/ long-married/ bearing burdens revolving around you a real work horse/ big, heavy/ substantia/l physically strong deceased/ no longer loved falling in your esteem/ no longer idealized in another city/country/ indifferent/ very independent/ in his/her own world/ a low priority for you/ on the way out of your life

behind the CUBE

beside the CUBE black bridled/saddled, plain leather bridled/saddled, ornate brown camel circling the CUBE Clydesdale (the Budweiser horse) dead descending the LADDER far from the CUBE female see mare flying horse

a new love/ idealized/ idealistic/ admired, looked up to/ spiritual/ intellectual/ magical/ taking you higher/ taking you away 

frightened by the STORM head down hoofprints only hungry/thirsty inside the CUBE licking the CUBE looking at the STORM lost lying down male see stallion many horses see two or more mare mustang naked (no saddle or bridle) near the CUBE near the LADDER nervous no horse palomino

easily upset/ a worrier/ having problems right now relaxed/ an eater/ a browser/ braced for trouble/ depressed a memory not getting enough from you in your heart of hearts/ helping you find yourself/ in your protection/shelter/ jealously possessed nourished by you/ demonstrative/ a good kisser/ a good lover a worrier/ vigilant, protective unsure of direction in life relaxed/ secure/ at home/ lazy/ ill/ refusing to budge

nurturing/ gentle/ patient/ fertile/ enduring/ temperamental wild/ tough/ a "street kid"/ independent/ rebellious/ a troublemaker free/ loved sexually close to you/ loyal/ committed your best friend/ a friend before a lover/ close to your friends sensitive/ high-strung/ temperamental/ easily upset nonexistent/ gone/ shut out of your solitary soul your pal/ fair (in any sense)/ good as gold/ attractive blond(e) 

Pegasus see flying horse pinto pony prancing on top of CUBE ridden by someone running running away saddled see bridled spotted see pinto stallion standing standing over (small) CUBE thirsty see hungry Thoroughbred tied up toy horse Trojan horse trotting well-bred/ competitive/ a high achiever/ very good-looking married ("hitched") a plaything/ a possession/ toyed with/ not taken seriously pregnant/ having an affair/ bent on conquest/ treacherous/ bringing unpleasant in-laws determined/ disciplined/ steady/ goal-directed/ well-mannered bold/ assertive/ adventurous/ protective/ proud calm/ patient/ contented/ principled/ committed dominant/ framing your life friendly/ versatile/ moody/ artistic small/ cute/ childlike/ affectionate proud/ spirited/ eager/ energetic/ theatrical/ affected dominant/ honored/ on a pedestal/ possessed by you rational, controlled/ goal-oriented/ hard-working/ involved with someone else busy/ energetic/ preoccupied/ athletic leaving you/ undependable/ uncommitted 

under the CUBE (large or on its point) two or more horses unicorn walking white winged see flying horse

dominated by you/ in your shadow/ under your protection/ clinging more than one lover/ dual-natured/ multifaceted/ moody enchanting/ unworldly/ shy/ pure/ innocent/ spiritual/ magical calm/ casual/ taking his/her time/ determined idealized/ idealistic/ your dream of high principles/ good 

Storm
If your STORM is . . . above the CUBE acid rain approaching beautiful behind the CUBE black clouds blowing away the CUBE blowing away the LADDER burying the CUBE burying the HORSE coming see approaching departing electrical far away frightening the HORSE horizon, on the localized lightning see electrical over for now shocking/ galvanizing/ giving you a jolt/ illuminating/ enlightening minimal/ nothing to worry about upsetting your lover in the distant future/ other people's/ on the evening news confined to part of lif/ manageable/ intermittent . . . TROUBLE is: here, now/ in your childhood/ kept to yourself/ affecting only you nagging worries not here yet/ in the foreseeable future challenging/ inspiring/ part of life's drama in your past/ ignored by you worries/ threatening but not actual devastating/ a major disappointment/ failure/ loss/ illness/ a strong sense of mortality much worse for your friends overwhelming/ transforming/ humbling/ a learning experience overwhelming your lover 

out of sight past rainstorm sandstorm thunder tornado wind

absent from your life now/ vigorously denied in your past/ the worst is over an emotional crisis/ bringing tears/ dampening your spirits/ depressing/ breaking the tension/ necessary for growth blinding, confusing/ irritating/ life-changing/ a financial or material crisis quarrels/ just sound and fury/ threatening/ rumored violent/ destructive/ traumatic/ focused, acute spiritual crisis/ intellectual challenge, controversy/ stressful/ upsetting routines/ changing your mind/ energizing/ renewing 

Flowers
If your FLOWERS are . . . around the HORSE's neck behind the CUBE behind the HORSE bouquet bright-colored cactus flowers close to the CUBE cut flowers daisies dead flowers falling from the sky/STORM far from the CUBE floating in the air foreground, in the garden, away from CUBE garden, near the CUBE inside the CUBE many flowers . . . CHILDREN are: your lover's pride/ prize/ triumph protected by you/ your followers/students/ grown and left home coming, once you find love/ protected by your lover close to one another/ close together in age/ gifts to/from your lover bright/ important to you/ attention-getting/ sources of pleasure a lot of trouble/ worth the trouble your own/ young/ under your protection adopted/ stepchildren/ grown, left home innocent/ natural/ fresh/ blond in trouble/ estranged from you/ of no interest to you/ deceased or aborted/ grown up, on their own blessings/ worth the trouble/ works of art other people's/ not a part of your life/ living far away potential/ possible/ future children very important to you/ preoccupying you now someone else's your own/ kept safe/ carefully cultivated wished for/ in the womb/ young/ dependent/ cherished/ oveprotected/ possessed/ an extension of yourself many kids/ your life's work/ other people's 

oasis, in a on or near the LADDER roses small tree, on or under under the HORSE vase, in a water lilies wild, growing

protected from harsh life/ given enriched environment/ sources of hope your best friends/ your friends' kids/ nieces, nephews passionately loved/ children of passionate love young/ underfoot/ pets/ other people's/ not a big part of your life life's children/ growing on their own/ entrusted to life protected by your lover your pride/ cherished/ on display/ possessed close to the unconscious/ close to their mother/ pure not your responsibility/ entrusted to life