Weekly Forecast: January 9-15
It’s time to give ourselves the structure, security, and protection we need in order to finish a long process of grieving.
Light stuff, right?
Our first weekly reading for 2023 is presenting us with a call to arms, and in some ways I’m happy to see this assertive energy in a time that can sometimes feel diffuse or dreamy. If your’e not a fan of New Year’s resolutions or drawing gentle conclusions out of complicated circumstances, The Emperor is a card for you. How can you step into your role as the authority in your life? This image is confrontational and imposing for a reason; it’s likely that this will be a time for us to take public stands, assert boundaries, and take action to shape our lives in ways that can protect our energy, integrity, and accomplishments.
This isn’t, in other words, a time to be overly polite, compromise on issues that really matter, or equivocate. For some of us this can be a challenge, and it’s actually quite likely that a challenge is what’s bringing us to this place. Notice where you’ve been backed into a corner, confronted, or forced to take a stand. How might this experience be teaching you something valuable about yourself?
The Emperor is a card that asks us to take up space and acknowledge that, in doing so, we may have to protect ourselves in the process. You’'ll notice that this figure has a suit of armored boots poking out from under their robes; taking the time to make sure your (healthy) defenses are up will be immensely helpful in the days to come. Dress to negotiate, but make sure your suit of armor is polished and ready for battle, too.
So, have you noticed the card in the center yet? Yes, The Ten of Swords is making an appearance this week, but it’s not telling us that our strides under the influence of The Emperor are destructive or foolhardy. Instead, this card is alerting us to a painful but necessary ending, one that has to do with our perceptions and ideas of reality and ourselves. Is adopting a more proactive, authoritative role in your life ruffling feathers or pinpointing relationships that aren’t supportive? Does taking action to make changes in your life illuminate failures (real or perceived) in your past?
While it’s not a pleasant card to experience, The Ten of Swords is the important conclusion to a long story. When our load of swords - ideas, values, memories, communications - becomes too much to bear we collapse. What limit have you reached this week? It’s important to grant yourself all the grace and patience you require during this time. Feel it all and try not to analyze your experience too much - the last thing you need is more swords in your life. Instead, notice what hurts and gently start to remove it from your life by either walking away, saying goodbye, or making this important transition to a new phase.
And what would this new phase be? We have the jarringly celebratory Six of Wands on the other side of this scenario. This is a situation in tarot where it seems like things are happening on two levels: personally, we’re experiencing a necessary but painful contraction - looking inwards to release our “old swords” causing us injury - and publicly, we’re embracing our leadership and taking a stand to shape our lives (and likely, careers) in ways that are leading to immediate success.
It’ll be important this week to make room for our very tender internal journey through the Ten of Swords so that we can be present for the big strides happening via The Emperor and the Six of Wands. Can you feel like a puddle and be celebrated? This reading certainly thinks so, and it’ll be our challenge to let in support, celebration, and success while dealing with a painful and ultimately healing transition.
Potential surprise/reframe:
When I went to photograph this reading I was struck by the pair of The Ten of Swords and Six of Wands and thought of this question: How might falling on your face actually be a huge victory? The swords are a poised group of cards and they always want to find a neat and tidy narrative. Messiness, in other words, is what they try to avoid at all costs… until things become too much, hence this hot mess situation with ten swords in your back. In our reading, however, this is followed by the victory parade of the Six of Wands. Pay special attention this week to what is actually happening over what you’re thinking. It’s likely that people around you are lifting you up, maybe even impressed by your resilience, seeing achievements in your struggles where you may not have the perspective to recognize them as such.
THis week, embrace:
Taking a stand
Advocating for yourself & your best interests
Noticing what’s injuring you
Self-compassion and rest
Praise, opportunity, and support
This week. avoid:
Backing down or ceding progress
Overanalyzing suffering or discomfort instead of simply feeling through it
Over-scheduling (this is definitely a time to clear as much space as possible)
False modesty