Weekly Forecast: Jan 23-29
Cards from the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot
Well, would you look at all these people in this reading!
This is a time where we’re feeling a shift in our roles, a change from one way of being that we’re very comfortable in to a wobbly yet exciting new approach. We’ve been feeling very in control and powerful – and for good reason – yet this week sees a need for innovation that may have us feeling like we’re learning to ride a bike for the first time. There will be unsteadiness and uncertainty, but we’re expanding our reach and learning important new tools.
We're moving from a realm of decisive thinking to the much messier (and sensual) realm of doing. When it comes to thinking we have the upper hand. In our minds, we can control all the factors, experiment with ideas, and mull it all over to find the best possible solution. This is important. Were we to rush ahead blindly things could fall apart quickly. It helps to draw a map before you set out on a journey.
The King of Swords reflects this feeling of competency. We’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. The sharp, piercing kind that cuts holes in bad ideas and stale ways of thinking, making a path to move into something new. Something that works far better than what we have now.
We’ve become quite masterful at this, and yes, it is good to acknowledge talents and successes. Like a sharp-eyed falcon hovering over the world, we’ve seen a lot and have a much better perspective of the bigger picture than those scurrying around on the ground. For things to change, however, we have to get down there, too. Now is a time to turn our thoughts into action and jump into the fray, taking our keen observations with us. It’s time to step through into another way of doing things. That is, by actually doing them.
But things look much different on the ground. It may be a little chaotic, and the steely remove we can have in our minds quickly gives way to a rush of sensations and stimuli. In the Page of Pentacles we find ourselves grappling with this new reality. At the same time, this is a splendid opportunity, and one I have a feeling most of us are more than ready for. We get to do things now – feeling, experimenting, and experiencing all that is around us.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed and deflated in this new role, remember it’s supposed to be a little awkward. We’re living in the real world and in real time. We’re learning. Perfection is not the goal here, simply dedication, diligence, and a nice pinch of joy and fascination.
Become engrossed in the tasks at hand and know that at a certain level, we’ll always be a beginner like the Page of Pentacles. This can be many things: beautiful, enriching, frustrating, and confusing. Above all, it’s hopeful. We can always change, adapt, and learn new things. Quite useful in a world that’s constantly changing, don’t you think?
The Empress drives home the underlying theme of earthiness and involvement present in this week. I see her as the most grounded card in Tarot: sitting on her throne she is the ruler of the physical world – of nature, sensuality, and all the experiences that make us alive – because she is inextricably a part of it. The Empress reminds us that the experiments (and sometimes fumblings) of the Page of Pentacles are bringing us to a world where we embody the change we want to see.
So this week consider what you want and then go out and do something to create it. This can be small, like craving a certain something delicious and cooking it for yourself. It can be large, like committing to a cause that you want to support. Better yet, bring this energy to many parts of your life. The way of the Empress is to treat all these manifestations with respect. We’re not able to embody this attitude in everything we do, but we’re thankfully in the scrappy place of the Page of Pentacles – ready and willing to get our hands dirty and try new things.
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Weekly Forecast: Jan 16-22
Cards from The Fountain Tarot
It’s been a while since we’ve had such a resoundingly positive reading. This is a week to take full advantage of, as the cards tell us that deep unity and raw power are coming together to lead us to a noteworthy triumph. Dive in and keep on working with creative abandon. This week sees victory on top of victory, or rather the visible success that comes from finally reaching the place that fits you best.
When we are acting from deep personal conviction and a sense of both the freedom and responsibility our place in the world brings us, our deeds become very noticeable. It’s the opposite of waking up on your birthday and having someone ask you, “Do you feel any different?” Well, no. It’s just another day. But now instead of an arbitrary date, our time is marked by the results of real, hard work. We do feel different: energized, clear-headed, and more ourselves.
Those long, at times tricky roads you’ve ben slogging down in an attempt to discover what really matters to you? Look up this week and see where they’ve lead you. Identify feelings of peace and integration. You’ll be surprised to find that you have more answers about who you are and what you stand for than when you started.
Fueled by the energy this homecoming brings, we’re poised to jump from success to success. Sometimes this much action is foolhardy, but when we’re building on the completeness of The World, the final card of the Major Arcana, it’s only natural to get going again. Moving from the end of the cycle to The Magician (card two of the Majors) shows how natural this progression is: we’re simply beginning the cycle again. But not from a clean slate.
With our newfound solid sense of self, The Magician becomes even more powerful. Yes, many of the tools are the same, but we’ve learned different ways of using them. Our creativity, drive, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills have been sharpened. We’re excited to look down and see our minds racing with all the possibilities. Why wouldn’t we get started?
Well, there is the persistent voice in many of our heads that says, “Not yet. Be Careful. You don’t deserve this.” If this little whisperer pops up in your head during these exciting times, sit it down and have a conversation. What is it trying to do? Help you? Move you towards your goals or keep your safe at all costs? The World and The Magician show us examples of how powerful we can be when we operate at our full potential, and as such, it can be a bit scary. It’s only natural to have some mental static fizzing away at the edges, trying to keep us in our usual patterns. That doesn’t have to keep us there, however. There’s too many exciting possibilities on the horizon.
What is the area in your life that brings you the most excitement right now? This is the spot where The World and The Magician are working their magic.
It might be surprising. The World brings out latent parts of ourselves we might not have considered. Unity leads to some interesting conclusions, and the path that has you the most intrigued may seem a bit out there or at least unexpected. Good! The key here is to identify that uncertainty that comes with doing something new and embrace it as a sign you’re moving in the right direction. Change shouldn’t feel 100% comfortable. Comfort is a sign we’ve been there and done that and now is a time for innovation – the kind that makes your heart race.
The Magician thrives on this delicate balance between mastery and creative flow. Harness the new energy of excitement and use what you’ve learned to bring your ideas into the world. Ignore it and it could pop up in destructive ways. The Magician is a conduit for energy, so make sure you’re giving things an outlet, preferably the creative and constructive kind. Now is not the time to overthink or exercise too much caution lest we snuff out our inspiration. Here, momentum is key, so trust your gut and keep working with the diligence and mastery you’ve honed.
If we allow ourselves to be carried along by our momentum we’ll find ourselves out in the sun, charging ahead on a new path. This is the kind of open-ended adventure we need in the new year. We’re poised to make considerable accomplishments that will bring us both recognition and satisfaction. This reading tells us to embrace our passion and move ahead with confidence.
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Weekly Forecast: January 9-15
Ah, a visit from one of my favorite cards, the Three of Swords. Who could miss the intense image of a giant red heart pierced by three swords, plunked in front of raining clouds? We might as well start here. After all, a wound deserves our immediate attention, and this one looks like it might be serious.
If you haven’t noticed already, I have an enormous soft spot for the more dramatic-looking tarot cards. Does something appear scary and overtly negative? Chances are I love it. And it’s not because I’m an unbearable optimist, the sort of person who skips past the pain to point out the silver lining. I don’t work like that because I think it’s highly unadvisable.
I mean, look at the Three of Swords. It takes quite a mental leap to rush past the grave, almost comically overdone, injury the poor hear is being subjected to. And even if we were to do so, we’d still have to contend with the flat beige clouds and cascading rain. Hmm… it really seems like this card is focusing us to focus on pain. I wonder why?
The Three of Swords speaks to the toddler and teenager in us. A part of our personality that needs to howl after skinning a knee, acting as if we know for a fact we’ll have to amputate the leg instead of just put a band aid on a scrape. Often, we’re told this kind of reaction is overdone. Can’t we just skip to the part where we’re calmly applying Neosporin and informing everyone “don’t’ worry, I’m fine”? But think about why we cry out in the first place. Something hurts us and we instinctually express it. To both release some of the scary, shocking energy we get from a painful experience and to cry out for help.
The Three of Swords serves a very important purpose. How do we act in the face of pain? And can we recognize that these reactions actually serve to heal ourselves through self-expression and reach out to others? Perhaps this lies beneath a bunch of baggage: shame and embarrassment over our weakness, anger for what happened, even older emotions that need to get out. All of these can make us lash out in our pain, looking for someone to blame. We can also play up the drama, wallowing in it and exaggerating. Underneath it all, I believe, still lies a tender vulnerability and the inescapable delicacy of being alive.
It is this challenge – how to deal with our pain – that comes to the forefront of this week’s reading. Why do I love the Three of Swords so much? Because it shows us how the immediacy of our pain brings us a great opportunity to embrace our humanity, vulnerability, and tenderness. We need other people to hear our cries of help and simply acknowledge our situation. Expressing it constructively allows for a great deal of beautiful human tenderness. And, to be real, I’m also a big pragmatist when it comes to pain. If we face it head-on, we are able to deal with it in the moment, feel it, and move forward. Also known as getting it over with, constructively.
So much of our weasely behavior comes from avoiding pain which can lead to lots of needlessly built up meaning and drama. We must wail loud when we fall down both physically and emotionally, feel the pain, assess the situation, and accept the helping hand when it’s offered instead of brushing it away.
So what’s ailing us this week? This reading suggests that a lot of big things are coming home to roost. Judgement is another blunt card that tells us we’ve been receiving some big, unignorable truths as of late. A giant angel has descended from the heavens and is blowing a trumpet in our faces. Subtle. And yet so refreshing! How often do we get such clear messages? A pity these ones aren’t more positive. The trumpet is sounding screechy instead of melodious. Still, we must hear it and listen attentively.
It’s not ideal, but we’re actually in a position to move forward quite gracefully. And yes, I think we can incorporate some emotional messiness into our idea of a graceful transition. I’d rather deal with all the information as it comes and honor all the complicated feelings that come with a complicated time. If we choose to heed the call of our pain, to really listen to what our hearts and wounds are telling us, we’ll be poised to make something that actually reflects and serves the world as it is.
There’s a strong thread in this reading moving from left to right. The red of the angels wings and flag, the red of the pierced heart, and the red robes of the figures in the III of pentacles. Think of it as emotional alchemy. We hear some truth, it brings us pain, we feel the pain and build something from it.
The Three of Pentacles is a card that shows us the process of creation in its beginning stages. We’re building something, laying out the plans and hashing it all out. And we’re not alone. Three figures are joining together and they look quite different. We have what looks like a monk, a young lad with an apron, and a delightful character who looks like a Medieval version of Shania Twain in the “That Don’t Impress Me Much” video.
Pain and suffering has a great capacity for bringing together seemingly disparate groups of people. Of course, lash out with anger and blame and the opposite happens. This week we have a choice. What happens when we express our pain well? Others hear it and it brings us together. Once we get together, we get things done.
Now is a week to turn towards our pain, listen to it, express it well, and get ready for ways we can ge togther and create something we’d like to see in the world. The reading is quite clear on this: we're transforming the thoughts and feelings of the three of swords into the physical and tanglible three of pentacles. We can really make something we can feel and touch here. It’s difficult and it takes some bravery, but we’re in a much better position than we think to move forward wiser and more connected to the world.
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Weekly Forecast Jan 2-8
Cards from The Fountain Tarot
2017, here we are! The reading for this week sees us eagerly jumping forward into the new year. The celebrations and excesses of the holiday season left us chomping at the bit. This week we finally get to spring forward and put ourselves out there, reentering the normal schedule of our lives, getting back to work, and putting those resolutions to the test.
This re-entry is not a simple matter of picking up where we left off. We have plans. Lots of them. It’s time to make changes and set thing in motion.
We see this attitude embodied in the Seven of Wands, an eager and enthusiastic card. There’s a great deal of energy available to us right now, perhaps surprisingly so. We're not starting from scratch here, either. The Seven of Wands shows how the past year has shaped us. We have ground to defend and new paths we want to pursue. This is fortunate, because who wants a clean slate when we have so much to build on?
There is a hearty dose of challenge and conflict in the Seven of Wands, along with the more-rosy creativity and energy. Conflict can invigorate us, giving us boundaries to push against and expand on. It can also mire us in counterproductive disputes. Will we use our feisty enthusiasm to move forward or get distracted with each obstacle or irritation?
Some issues should be addressed head on, and some are meant to be moved through quickly. Others are simply signposts along the way, representations of a life we don’t want to live or things we choose to leave behind. Now is a good time to get familiar with what deserves our attention and what doesn't.
I like the Fountain Tarot’s depiction of the Seven of Wands. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, the figure is on a hill fending off six wands from below. He wears mismatched shoes, suggesting his stance isn’t so stable. In this card, however, we see a fit man leaping down a flight of stairs in bare feet: He’s grounded and although he’s protecting himself with his wand, he’s moving towards the source of conflict, heading towards the world instead of protecting a small patch of it.
This week is a time to explore and engage with what's around us. We're certainly ready after a season of holiday decadence an introspective resolution-making. The thing is, the world right now is a bit... much. Far from swinging a stick around wildly and acting out of fear, this card suggests that we enter the fray with a sense of excitement and consider what we want to engage with. What is worth our time and what can we pass by on our path to a more grounded life?
So what lies as the bottom of the stairs? The reading takes us to The Lovers card which ties into the higher motivations guiding us. Far from hurdling down the stair mindlessly, we’re seeking a sense of connection, love, and community. Ah, delightful, you might say, but what does challenge and conflict have to do with that? How can any sort of confrontation bring us closer to unity and compassion?
The Seven of Wands combined with The Lovers depicts the often-overlooked importance of truth and communication in love. To have respectful relationships we must show up as ourselves while understanding the unique identity of the other person. Sometimes it takes a bit of confusion and miscommunication to reach this understanding. It’s a natural part of the process – understanding others is not simple and we must be willing to listen, communicate, and stretch our imaginations.
That being said, the Seven of Wands shows that we’re entering into a phase of connecting with others with a bit of baggage and a predilection for head-on conflict. This does not have to be our way. We can choose to focus on the curiosity of this Seven (to run down this stairs you have to be curious about what’s at the bottom) and remember that engaging with the world doesn’t have to be contentious.
Consider the wand the man is grasping. We might want to set down our wand and pick up another, or add one to our collection and carry it along with us. 2017 is not about swinging our stick and proclaiming it is the one true stick to end all sticks. That is most certainly not the path to empathy of The Lovers.
We end with the King of Coins, suggesting that some of the struggles in understanding we face right now center around money and power. Now is a time to reexamine how we value both. What does it mean to wield control over money and prosperity? What is our responsibility when we get there? What do we expect from those in these positions?
With the Lover’s front and center, the reading is bringing our focus to unity and connectedness. We must consider whether our attitudes towards the King of Coins as he manifests himself in our lives – in our own relationship to money and prosperity and our relationships to those who have it in our society – match up with this value. And then, what can we do to reconcile the differences.
I see the Seven of Wands as us running towards these tough questions with more than enough energy and creativity to grapple with them. Finding a way to combine the compassion of The Lover’s with the power and mastery of The King of Coins would result in a plentiful and loving world. I like the sound of that.
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Weekly Forecast: Dec 26-Jan 1
Cards: The Soprafino Tarot
The last week of 2016 shows us feeling a bit feisty and constrained. Changes are afoot, and who can resist some good old fashioned end of the year assessments? As the new year approaches we look back and contend with both our accomplishments and mistakes. How far have we come? What direction are we headed in? And is it towards a goal that feels right for us?
This time for reassessment is special and insightful. However, in looking back sometimes we come face to face with something we’d rather not see. Being human, all our progress has its consequences, and it’s impossible to move forward in life and have only positive and nurturing experiences. It’s also impossible to move through life without affecting those around you.
This is also a time of the year that is steeped in tradition. We’ve been celebrating major holidays and gathering with family (or finding them more on our minds if we’re separated for whatever reason.) The Heirophant (“Il Papa” in this Italian deck) at the center of our reading shows the importance of tradition in our lives. He represents the old practices and institutions that have persisted for generations. These can be found in our family, churches, government and any “official” structure.
Sometimes these practices are comforting and make us feel part of a greater community or something bigger than ourselves, and sometimes they are stifling and ill-suited to our modern lives. The end of 2016 sees us wrestling with our belief systems and entrenched outlooks.
Are these practices working for us and do they have a place in our lives? These are deep questions that can stir up a lot of emotions, especially in the aftermath of the holiday season.
The Five of swords is a classic card about conflict. It suggests that we’ve been struggling with tradition as of late. Our upbringing, rituals, religion, or simply ways “we’ve always done things.” This can be a positive struggle. It is dangerous to accept traditions without questioning them, but we must be careful to differentiate healthy questioning with contrarian, teenage-style rebellion.
In fact, the Five of Swords speaks to an empty victory with a rather high cost. We may be firmly convinced we’re in the right, feeling victorious about having argued our stance so passionately, only to look up and see those close to us slinking away. Perhaps we’ve offended someone carelessly, or made no room for others in our polarizing opinions. Now is an important time to look up and see who, if anyone, may have been hurt.
It’s important to recognize the other side of The Heirophant/Il Papa: Community. Our institutions and traditions give us a rich base of support. At their most simple, they are created, sustained, and populated by people. They give us a sense of rootedness and belonging that we must value now more than ever. And, naturally, since they are made up of people, they are imperfect. This week sees us both feeling chafed by parts of our community and longing for a place where we feel welcomed.
As is often the case, sometimes the things we most passionately reject are the aspects of ourselves we are most ashamed of. Maybe they remind us of some squishy part of us we need to hide, or bring up uncomfortable feelings. Anger and conflict are great ways to temporarily mask our discomfort and confusion. Yelling righteously about something gives one a delicious sense of power and certainty, though it doesn’t last long afterwards.
This reading urges us to work through our issues with tradition and resist rejecting them wholeheartedly. The Two of Swords sees us turning inward to really think about our relationship to community. What are we seeking and how can we make it a part of our lives? Can we work with the groups we find ourselves in now or do we need to strike out? Do we simple need to add a new aspect of community to our lives or take up a new group undertaking? This can be as large as exploring a new spiritual practice or as simple as volunteering at a new organization. No matter the shape, it is important to acknowledge and respect both the importance of tradition and official groups in our lives and to question them as we participate.
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Weekly Forecast: Dec 19-25
This week has us considering new plans and straddling the line between precise thinking and enthusiastic go-getting.
We start our reading with The Fool, a delightfully optimistic character who represents new journeys and experiences. We’re about to to embrace change and set off in a direction that is full of unknown possibilities. All we need to do is stay balanced and remain in the moment. As we can see, if The Fool becomes distracted he runs the risk of falling off his tightrope. Fortunately, over-seriousness is not the answer here.
The key here is to remember that balance is a process and not an end goal you can achieve. Furthermore, it's something that requires constant motion, adjustment, and concentration. See how the Fool is about to place his second foot onto the tightrope? He’s about to embark on a journey with lots of wiggling, shaking, and correcting if he intends to remain on the rope. It doesn't always look dignified, but it can be a lot of fun if you stay focused and keep moving forward.
In fact, The Fool seems pretty enthused about it all. He's grinning and holding a sprouting staff over his head. Optimistic? Yes. Foolhardy? Quite possibly. Yet looking closer we see the ground is not so far away. The chances we’re about to take will yield maximum joy with minimal danger. There’s just enough of the unknown to make it exhilarating and worthwhile. If we’re not a bit scared moving forward, we may not be moving anywhere worth going, and certainly not somewhere all that new.
Here, tension is a good thing. Without it, the rope would fall to the ground in a jumbled mess. Sometimes our paths need the pull between two poles (or several) to become something we can walk on. And who said a little suspense was a bad thing? Certainly not this gleeful Fool. He knows and trusts the rope beneath him, despite (or because of) the fact that he doesn’t know so much about it.
Our other two cards are placed at either ends of the rope when we look at the spread as a whole. To our left is the Page of Knives, a young green man who is staring at us, the viewer, blankly. He’s dry, focused, and intellectual. As a page, he represents a new fixation or preoccupation. We’re becoming familiar with a new skill, honing our vision, and using a laser-like focus to come to a conclusion. We’re not there yet. We’ve yet to throw the knife at the target, and we may even miss it several times. We need practice, but we’re getting somewhere and we have plenty of motivation to move us along the way.
On the left is a delightful salamander with a red-plumed helmet: The Knight of Wands. He’s all about slithering full-speed ahead towards his goal with a focus on action, accomplishment, and movement. A salamander go-getter if you will. He is passionate, rowdy, and confident… maybe even a little bit conceited, though you could never say he doesn’t get things done.
We’re clearly at a moment where our urge to act is coming into conflict with our newer desire to plan, practice, and think things out. Our old M.O. was to jump right in and figure out the details later. Instead, a newer part of ourselves in showing up, urging for some thought consideration. Confusing! Especially considering how underdeveloped this new way of thinking is.
Rather than pit these urges against each other, this reading suggests that we’re proceeding as we should. It is quite advisable to look before you leap, just as it is important to actually do something with the ideas in your head. It’s all about finding a balance between the two. So welcome the uncertainty and make room for a push and pull. Respect both the urge to plan and the urge to act. Consult both, and you’ll find yourself moving along in an exciting new direction.
And though there’s not much certainty with regards to outcome, there is an overwhelming focus in these cards to embrace and take joy in a sense of fun and exploration. Being too measured and “adult” in this situation will stifle your creativity and take up the valuable room needed for growth.
Having The Fool, a quintessential card representing new journeys and a childlike sense of wonder, sandwiched by a Page and a Knight, the youngest of court cards, is as close to a green-light for excitement and enthusiasm as I can imagine. So don’t tamp down your passions here. Focus on putting one foot in front of the other, make room for all the wiggling and adjustment it takes to maintain balance, and don’t forget to look up at the sun and enjoy.
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Weekly Forecast: Dec 12-18
Plans, plans, plans.
We’re full of them this week, with our eyes focused on the horizon and our minds busy considering different opportunities. It’s the calm before the storm, the place of reflection before action, the “look” before the “leap.”
It’s the kind of energy that seems appropriate during the last weeks of the year. Now is the time of “Best of” 2016 lists and New Year’s resolutions. These cards tell us to spend some time taking stock while also gearing up for change and new frontiers.
The Three of Wands is a card that’s seeking expansiveness. We’ve set a part of the plan into action and are deciding what to do next. What will take us further along our chosen path? What’s the next step?
The man is grasping three wands showing that he has already made some progress. He’s collected three wands (accomplishments, goals, or skills) and is looking to get more. Now is a time to take stock of your accomplishments and recognize the skills and abilities you have at your disposal. How can you use them right now? What are you missing?
This is an exhilarating place to be. The world is your oyster! The sea is stretching out before you, unknown and exciting. And right now you’re standing on firm ground, aware of your strengths and how they can help you.
The next move? Taking the leap.
The two pages highlight the youthful and enthusiastic energy at work this week. What we’re working on now will open us up in untold ways, allowing us to develop new parts of ourselves and test out new skills.
Pages are like a child with a new obsession. Whether it’s dinosaurs, Pokemon, or ancient Egypt, they immediately set out to know all there is to know about the subject (and then tell everyone about it.) They’re enraptured with whatever struck their fancy and have a singular focus that borders on fanaticism.
Of course, this can have its drawbacks, but channel this energy correctly and you could get a lot done while learning a lot about yourself. Ever envy how much energy small children seem to have? Well, if you embrace the enthusiasm of the pages, you could find yourself with energy to spare. This is a week where we have the potential to get a lot done, fast.
Moving from the Three of Wands and into the Pages signifies a change in perspective. The man looking across the body of water in the three is gazing into the distance. He’s looking at a big picture, perhaps too big if he wants to actually start moving ahead.
In contrast, the Pages are in it. They are engrossed in their object and focused on using it. Pentacles signify the material world and our life as we live it, while swords represent the world of the mind: our thoughts, ideas, and how we communicate them. It seems that we’re entering a time ripe for reevaluating how our lives and ideas can further us along our path.
The pages also are front and center. We see their faces, their actions, and intent, while the man in the Three of Wands is facing away from us. Moving from the three to the pages signifies a shift in our self-perception. It’s time to narrow our focus and think of ourselves as the heroes of our stories, to move from the third person to the first person. We can’t take the next step while holding ourselves at a distance.
We are the main characters of our lives.
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Weekly Forecast: Dec 5-11
This week we see ourselves popping into an unexpected place. Something is going to shake things up and make our worlds seem richer and more complicated. It’s time to get ready for that teenage feeling.
A flight of fancy, an inspiration, a new relationship or any such gift has brought us into a new phase. Suddenly things feel different, like how falling in love makes the world bright, new, and full of wonder.
It’s impossible to go through life’s routines and not grow accustomed to “the usual;” however, this new development will have our heads spinning as we try to reorient ourselves. But when you shake a snow globe you can’t ensure the flakes land in the same place.
Now is a good time to check in and see how we can change for the better. Who says life can’t proceed with fun tweaks and adjustments. It’s good to make room for the romantic, whimsical, and impassioned.
The center of the reading is the Knight of Cups, a tender card to be sure. He’s a sensitive young fellow, depicted here sitting in a blue-grey landscape, a silver cup balanced on his head. He’s all about the feelings, writing passionate letters, and swooning over his latest love.
Of all the knights, this one is the most introspective. In the Fountain Tarot he’s the only Knight without an obviously apparent sense of purpose - wands is out striking a fabulous pose, coins is holding a giant coin for us to see, and swords is lunging forward.
Cups rule emotions, the watery realm of feelings, relationships, and romance. In other words, the things we feel instead of think. But at first glance this Knight seems a little distracted. What action is he embodying? True to the nature of cups, this Knight is not charging forward. His motion, instead, is to feel his way through things.
His message for us this week? To feel our feelings, revel in our passion, and daydream away.
For a bit, anyway. It would be a shame to waste the transformative power of this stage. To do that we need a little something extra.
Like all tarot cards, the Knight of Cups is not to be taken in his own. To stay in his space for too long would cause our lives to stagnate. We’d get lost in romantic thought or carried away by our unbridled emotions. So where to go once we’ve reveled in our new feelings?
The two flanking cards lay out potential steps forward. Don’t be put off by their intensity. You’re ready for it. The King of Coins and The Emperor deal with power and control, suggesting that the captivating new development coming forward this week is leading us towards a position with more responsibilities.
We’re prepared for this if we move forward deliberately and with a sense of fun. We don’t want to cut ourselves off from the teenage passion of the Knight of Cups and get stuck in the sternness of The Emperor or the decadence of the King of Coins. It’s going to take a bit of both.
Take the new giddiness of this week and start asking yourself how you would like to take control in your life. Our paths will vary, so I’ll leave the choice up to you.
Are you drawn to the relaxed and plentiful lushness of the King of Coins? This is a way of leading that involves embodying power and being hands on. He is connected to his domain and partakes of his riches. Relaxed, jovial, and a bit stubborn, he is very much a part of what he resides over.
Or are you drawn to the structure and boundaries of The Emperor? He thrives on defined roles and containers – everything must be in its right place. His way of leading involves creating structure and ruling above it all.
This is a good week to embrace the swoony introspection of the Knight of Cups and consider the new paths open to you. It’s a time for choosing who and how you want to be in the world, and the best choices are taken slowly while experiencing our true emotions. Look at these two cards, contemplate their meanings, and see how each feels to you.
And of course, enjoy how this week’s passionate surprise manifests itself for you.
Have a question you'd like to explore?
Tarot for Self-Care: Knight of Wands
When I drew the Knight of Wands for this series, the first thing that came to mind was my immune system.
Maybe it’s the cold, the shortening days, or the specter of a nasty cold threatening me during a busy time of the year, but health is on my mind.
I don’t want to get sick (who does) and this virile knight charging full steam ahead is exactly how I want my body to attack any illness.
The Knight of Wands is a card that doesn’t wait. Of course, the Knights have somewhat of a reputation for being the hotheaded teenagers of the tarot deck. Subtlety and deliberation are not their strong suits. And when you pair this with the fiery nature of wands? You’d best watch out and get out of the way.
But there are situations when jumping in headfirst is a good course of action. The Knight of Wands is a good card to emulate when your fiery passion is channeled in the right direction and when you need to be proactive.
So how do we encourage our bodies to embrace this energy during cold season? I would like to introduce you to my new obsession, Fire Cider.
Fire cider is a folk remedy that warms and stimulates the immune system. Packed with herbs and spices to get your circulation and digestion moving, it also happens to taste delicious. And I’m quite pleased that the name reflects the element of the wands suit.
Below you’ll find my personal recipe. I just finished steeping my batch and have been sipping on it religiously. I like a few teaspoons mixed into a mug of hot water. Don’t hesitate to add a little more if you like it spicy!
I certainly feel more vigorous and fiery after drinking some. And I haven’t gotten sick yet… knock on wood.
Knight of Wands' Fire Cider
Note: This recipe is meant to be very flexible, so customize away. Feel free to add or substitute herbs and spices (make sure they’re safe for consumption first, of course.) I suggest thyme, rosemary, fresh grated horseradish, lemon zest and juice, and rosehips. Get zany and go wild.
Materials
1 16 oz. Mason Jar
Ingredients
The spice must flow
Apple Cider Vinegar
1 inch piece Ginger, grated
3 cloves Garlic, minced
½ Onion, minced
4 points Star Anise
4 Cloves
5 Cardamom Pods
4 Dried Chiles
The beautiful mess before steeping
1 tsp Peppercorns
1 tsp ground Turmeric
½ tsp Cinnamon (or use a stick if you have one)
½ tsp Cayenne
Raw Honey
Instructions
Add onion, ginger, garlic, and spices in your mason jar. Fill with apple cider vinegar. Close and let steep on a sunny windowsill for at least 2 weeks. (I recommend sticking a piece of wax or parchment paper in between the jar and lid to prevent corrosion.)
Shake daily and watch everything float around inside just because it’s mesmerizing. Once it's steeped enough, strain out solids and add honey to taste. You’ll need quite a bit – it’s spicy and sour on its own. And remember you won’t be chugging it straight (unless you want to feel like a badass and like heartburn.)
To serve, spoon a few teaspoons into a cup and add hot water for a warming tonic. Or sip a few teaspoons straight. You can also use the solids in stir-fries if you’re feeling resourceful. It’s delicious.