Weekly Forecast: November 27-December 3
This week's cards are practically singing from the rooftops with clarity, energy, and affection. We have a clear conduit for our deeper, feeling selves that is allowing us to channel our emotions into practical action and important mental breakthroughs.
Just look at the elemental gorgeousness in these lush cards from the Fountain Tarot. They paint a lovely and straightforward illustration that I see as the deep and nourishing waters of our feelings (The Queen of Cups) emerging into the ground and growing (The Knight of Pentacles), then finally blooming into light and clarity with the Ace of Swords.
This is an excellent time to examine what it means for us to know things, both within our minds and our bodies. Where does our inspiration spring from? What path does it take before it emerges into the world? I like to think about this process as a beautiful secret we can't even put into words. We know it when we feel giddy and bright and can't help but smile slyly knowing that a special change is just around the corner.
Caring for our sense of wonder and the unique mystery of our creative process will bring us a sense of peace and excitement. There's no need to rush things. The only suite missing here is the Wands, showing us that this week is made for a slower, less frenetic way of being. Easing into our selves and feeling ourselves is what will feed our minds. We'll likely be aware of something brewing under the surface, detectable in more subtle ways, before it bursts forth into the sun into the clear cut and unmistakable.
The Knight of Coins (aka Pentacles) urges us to stay in the moment and diligently care for our swirling potential. Think of tending a garden - using the rhythms of nature to direct your work and showing up every day to snip here, pull up a weed there, or plant a seedling here. Sustained, mindful, and healing practice will grant us a sense of satisfaction as well as the room to grow without pressure.
By gifting ourselves this space to let our feeling selves bubble up we can care for ourselves and enjoy our lives at the same time. Revolutionary, I know! And springing from this flowing and earthy energy is the ray of sunshine that is the Ace of Wands. We can look forward to a mental breakthrought at the end of the week, one that will light up our lives and clear a path to our next, exciting step.
Underneath it all is the beautiful wholeness of the Queen of Cups. Now is a time to show our love both to ourselves and the world around us, knowing that its expression is deep and sustaining, meant to multiply joy and offer healing and regeneration.
Exploring the Minor Arcana: The Twos
In this series we'll be diving into the world of the Minor Arcana. Each segment will group the cards by number where we can engage in their themes and differences. For the first insallment on the aces click here.
In contrast to the singularity and power of the aces, twos are all about the themes of duality and connection. One may be the loneliest number, but it's easy to identify. As we move into plurality things quickly become interesting and deliciously complex.
When we look at tarot cards by number their attributes are influenced by their suite. Some suites are complimentary and others are, well, a bit more complicated. For example, the idea of duality is expressed by the suite of cups as one of harmony and coming together. In contrast, the mental prickliness of swords lends a different, more conflicted interpretation.
The twos are the first depiction of multiple forces in each suite and they ask us to consider what happens when two separate entities come together. This question has a number of outcomes as we all can confirm. Sometimes unions are harmonious, blessed with the magic of instant connection and shared experiences. And sometimes unions are frightening, less between two personalities and more between parts of ourselves.
Tarot is best understood using narrative. Using this tool we can see what brings us from the clarity and essentialism of the aces to the more complicated numbered cards. That is, what happens when the purity of an idea or energy is put into practice in the messy everyday world?
Explore In-Depth Minor Arcana Meanings
The Two of Swords shows us how the mental certainty of the ace quickly gets tempered by our own individual thoughts. We see a figure holding two swords crossed in front of their chest. They've blocked the path forward out of a combination of fear and trepidation, instead choosing to retreat inwards thinking about all the reasons why to stay put. In this case, the union of a clear goal or idea and our inner thoughts (in this case doubts and fears) can lead to stagnation.
The Two of Pentacles shows us juggling the realities of making something happen. This is the very tangible challenge of "getting it all done." We're combining an opportunity (the ace) with our real world endeavors. It's not as stable as a pentacle cradled in a hand emerging from a cloud, sure, but it's much more dynamic and real, and with great potential to boot. This card shows the topsy-turvy and, at times, fun part of juggling our daily lives.
The Two of Wands is an endearing depiction of how the inspiration of the Ace of Wands quickly makes our lives seem stifling when combined with our own ambitions. Wands are not the most patient group of cards, and the Two illustrates our impatience to get things going. Once we've been struck by an idea it's tough to stay in the same place, waiting. What once seemed cozy and comfortable is now nearly intolerable. Luckily, as with all twos, things are just beginning and nearly everything will change as this path unfolds.
Lastly we arrive at the most peaceful of the four, the romantic and dreamy Two of Cups. It's no surprise that cups work well in the form of a two. Cups are all about connecting, coming together, and collaborating. Like all cards, this two can refer to a personal journey - connecting fruitfully and lovingly with a part of yourself - or an interpersonal one. Yes, the Two of Cups is a very positive card to see in readings about romance. Additionally, they can signify a fruitful union in business, a friendship, or any platonic coming together. In all situations there's a budding sense of harmony, trust, and plenty of room for growth for both parties.
With twos it's important to remember that harmony and tension can manifest in positive or negative (or ambiguous) ways depending on the situation/surrounding cards. How have twos showed up in your tarot readings? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Weekly Forecast: November 20-26
Out of the wonder and into the frying pan.
Sometimes the transition from ease and freedom to struggle is overwhelming. Despite our lifetime of experience with ups and downs, we're surprised when, at the end of a big accomplishment, we have to enter into the fray once more. The contrast - like walking into a dark room after being outside - blinds us temporarily, making the dark seem darker and more frightening.
This week's reading shows us the challenge of such transitions. The World is our equivalent of a bright sunny day and - good news here - it's in large part due to our hard work, bravery, and ability to run with what life has handed us. Because of this we can rest assured that our skills are not illusions and our achievement is not a stroke of luck. Rather, it was hard earned and is now a part of ourselves, something we can draw on in the future. Or, perhaps, in this time of difficulty.
The World is also the final card of the Major Arcana and is therefore rich and resplendent with meaning. Feeling fulfilled on a personal level and seeing that reflected in our lives and environments? It's an addictive feeling, one that opens our eyes to wider vistas of possibility. We'd all like to float above it all, dancing with the joy of our wholeness like the figure in The World , but like any stage it can't last forever.
Instead we have the Five of Pentacles. What a contrast! We actually have replaced the bright blue sky seen in The World with a confusing flurry of snow against darkness. Instead of dancing we're trudging through banks of snow, bedraggled and beat up. Coming down is a hard thing to do, even when it's necessary, and this week we'll be feeling the struggle as we reengage with our everyday.
Yet when we move from brightness to dark our eyes need time to adjust. After a while, the dark doesn't look so ominous or pervasive. We feel less lost as we gain the ability to pick out shadows and flickers of light. There's two things we'll see as we make this somewhat awkward and unwanted adjustment. First, that we are not alone. There's someone else slogging along with us. We can find companionship, support, and comfort in community right now, whether it's in an individual relationships or with a group. Regardless, our shared struggle holds a beautiful potential for connection and coming together. We're all in it together.
And there's something else hiding in the swirling snow. Above the two figures we can see five pentacles framed in what looks like a window. In fact, they seem to be made of stained glass and illuminated from within. Perhaps they're from a building that can offer us shelter. Symbolically, these pentacles and their glowing light represent the comfort and guidance we can find in our belief in a higher power, whatever the shape it may take for each of us. It can give us meaning and direction, reintroducing a ray of the clarity we felt earlier when relishing in embodying The World. Now we're being asked to trudge towards a new light, deepening our beliefs and strength and proving our dedication. The path isn't always easy, but there's always a something guiding us. It just might not be as bright as we wish.
So yes, this snowy realm of the Five of Pentacles is confusing and off-putting. Not exactly where we'd like to land after feeling so fulfilled and on top of things. Yet it's a brief interlude, dare I say a necessary lesson, as we move towards our final card, the mysterious and mystical Hanged Man. This card suggests that a large part of our discomfort is stemming from our desire to control things. Perhaps we got addicted to the ease and triumph of The World and when things got sticky - when real life barged in all messy and demanding - it felt like we got demoted from rulers to beggars. Struggling against the situation felt like the natural thing to do; however, The Hanged Man asks us to embrace the messiness. It's simply what we are being asked to integrate next. Most intriguingly, it's also a place where we can find peace and relase. Once our eyes adust to the darkness and we reorient to the light we can ease back into ourselves, secure in our sense of self and trusting we'll know which way to go.
Tarot & Community: The First Tarot Club Meeting
As a beginner I had a very solitary practice; it wasn't until I read for others that a lot of the depth and nuance of the cards were revealed to me. After seeing this same need in my tarot classes (the reading swaps were the most enlightening and active) I decided to start a free group where we could do just that. I called it The Tarot Club a) because it sounded fun and alluring and b) because I wanted to intentionally create an inclusive space where the only requirement for membership was enthusiasm and interest. The special space of a club without exclusivity if you will.
I had to take a day or so to process the magic and insight from our first tarot club meeting. It was a beautiful coming together of tarot enthusiasts of all stripes. In all honesty, I didn't have a clear idea of what shape the first meeting would take. I like to let things unfold in the moment, dictated by the curiosity and needs of the group. You could say I'm allergic to hierarchy. I wanted The Tarot Club to be a truly community driven space where anyone who shows up is a co-creator and co-learner. I simply offer the space (and a little light refreshment.)
I truly believe we are our own best teachers; when we can come together as a group we get a beautiful array of teachers with their own unique insights and wisdom. Setting the intention and then stepping back to let it unfold is an amazing thing, indeed!
So what happened? It was cozy, supportive, and quite surprising. We began with casual snacking and catching up, and maybe a little rosé, after which we chatted about our recent tarot experiences.
Next we dove into readings. Led by a question from one of our lovely participants, we began with a group reading where each of us chose a deck (I had a large chunk of my collection out, plus decks brought by others) and shuffled the cards with our question in mind. We decided to do a reading on the struggles unfolding in the wake of the Weinstein scandal and subsequent reveleations about sexual assault, harassment, and abuse perpetrated by men in power. Yes, go big or go home! What could we do to work with this energy to effect lasting change and how could we deal with well-meaning supporters unaware of their contributions to these issues?
As we each pulled a card and read it together we drew deeper and deeper into the trancelike state I access during readings. It was a powerful experience to travel to this place with a group and the experience was, quite honestly, magical. I'm still digesting it and the potential and healing power of community tarot readings. I'm excited to find new ways to facilitate similar experiences.
Afterwards we broke up and swapped readings, trying out new decks, troubleshooting issues, and experimenting with different decks. In between it all was lots of tea, wine, catching up, and laughter. It was a beautiful night of tarot and community - very three of cups! - that had me glowing afterwards and full of new ideas for the next meeting.
If you're in the Raleigh-Durham area I hope you'll join us next time (the third Thursday of each month from 6-8). No matter your tarot level, we'd love to have you and your insights! To learn more click here or RSVP for future meetings here.
Exploring the Minor Arcana: It's All Coming Up Aces
A few weeks ago it seemed like an ace was popping up in every reading I did. And what an exciting time it was!
Aces symbolize new beginnings, news, and positive emerging trends. They're a breath of fresh air in tarot form, ready to reinvigorate us and usher in an electric change of energy.
Well, today I'm taking up the challenge of the aces and diving into the second half of my tarot meanings on the website. Yes, I'm finally starting to upload the minor arcana card meanings! And I thought there'd be no better place to start than with the aces.
In fact, as I type this I'm envisioning a rollout by group - i.e. the twos from all suits, pages, knights, etc. - where we can engage with the similarities of each group and look into their meanings.
Explore Minor Arcana card meanings
So, first stop: The Aces.
As I mentioned before, aces are all about newness. In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck Pamela Coleman Smith chose to illustrate all four suits in the same way. A hand emerges from a swirl of clouds grasping the symbol of its suite. They are, quite literally, gifts emerging from the heavens!
Because of this aces are welcome figures in any tarot spread. When we see an ace we can expect the qualities of that group of cards to begin appearing in our lives. Much like a heavenly hand popping out of a cloud, aces are pretty obvious and awe-inspiring. Look for an electric feeling of excitement in your life to see the ace at work. This can show up as a new opportunity, relationship, epiphany, idea - anything that's instantly captivating and feels full of potential.
Speaking of potential, aces are just the beginning. Technically the number 1 of each group of cards, they symbolize the start of a journey. As such, their energy is amorphous and untested. This doesn't make it any less potent or important. It does mean, however, that it will take some work to make its effects permanent and powerful.
For example, say the Ace of Cups shows up in a reading denoting a new relationship with a lot of potential. After the reading, the querent neglects to care for the relationship by engaging with all sorts of shifty behavior (not texting back in a timely manner - the worst!, acting dismissive, professing a deep love for Nickelback, etc.) causing the person to run off. No good! And no way to treat an ace. Instead, aces ask us to care for them by creating a nurturing place in our lives for their gifts. Only then can it grow into something more sustaining.
Head over to the Minor Arcana tarot readings page for in-depth meanings for all four aces and stay tuned for our next group, the twos!
And please share your thoughts and impressions of the aces below. How do you see their energy in your readings and life?
Tarot & Intuition
Well, this is a classic moment. I'm in the middle of creating a new course and booklet on intuitive tarot reading and... I'm procrastinating. But it's not so bad if I'm procrastinating by writing a blog post, right?
I hope so, so here I am! Intuition has been on my mind a lot recently. Aside from the work aspect, it's a facet of myself that I call on every day to guide my decisions. I'm also finding that the longer I read tarot the clearer it becomes to me that I am a deeply intuitive reader.
What do I mean when I say this? What is an intuitive tarot reader?
When I look at the cards in front of me I read on two levels. The first is what's on the table itself, the connections between the card meanings, symbols, colors, and more. Aka all the wonderful, rich information we encounter when we learn tarot. The cards are the letters of a language and, when laid out together, they form words. So that covers the tarot reader part of my identity.
The second level is where things get interesting. When I first started reading I was a very by the books teenager. Quite literally, in fact. I was constantly referring to my dog-eared copy of Joan Bunning's Learning the Tarot (FYI you can read it for free here) for every card. I was orderly, disciplined, and a bit unimaginative.
Over time I strengthened my ability to read between the cards, paying attention to the feelings they brought up, the images and thoughts that emerged from somewhere other than my internalized dictionary of card meanings. At first it was an odd sensation that I doubted a lot. It was too woo! Not at all quantifiable! I was just making things up!
Interestingly, reading for other people was instrumental in snapping me out of these limiting beliefs. Reading someone else's cards is a vulnerable exercise that takes an initial leap of faith. Trusting in the cards, we have to remind ourself that they have an important message made just for the person receiving the reading. It's our job as tarot readers (and this goes for professionals and laypeople alike) to deliver this message without ego, manipulation, or confusion. This means getting out of our own way and letting our intuition sing.
And as we all know, tarot readings are innately magical and expressive. Imagine listing off card meanings and correspondences in a robotic monotone. It's no good at all! I quickly jumped into the in the moment magic of tarot when I "went public." To my surprise, the information that came from "between the cards," otherwise known as my intuition, was often greeted the most warmly. I was forced to wrestle with the fact that this information was resonating with my clients whether I believed in it or not.
So I dove in headfirst in an attempt to get to know this side of myself better. What did it feel like when information came through my intuition? What could I do to cultivate it and encourage it in readings? What if it didn't show up at all?
These questions have led to some beautiful realizations. In a way, intuition is a lot like a fingerprint. We each have our own unique configuration and there's a rich adventure waiting for those who want to take the path.
I've learned a lot over the years when it comes to my own intuition, and I believe that we all have unique and worthwhile relationships to pursue with this often misunderstood and devalued source of wisdom. I'm looking forward to exploring it more here on the blog and via classes. Stay tuned for updates, and please chime in with your thoughts below. What do you think about the idea of intuition? How would you define it and how do you think it plays a role in your tarot readings?
Autumn Leaves Tarot Spread
Fall is here and I couldn't be more excited. One of my favorite things to do it wander around outside exploring. There's nothing like seeing all the nuances and hidden secrets in nature: the crisp antique blue of the fall sky, strange mushrooms growing under a log, an odd flower you've never seen before.
This weekend I spent three hours walking along the trails of a park near my house. I found myself fascinated by the rustling autumn leaves, how they dry to a crisp that makes that evocative rattling sound, and the magic of witnessing leaves falling to the ground. (Seriously, they hang on for so long, it's miraculous to me that I can see the exact moment they leave their home and cascade to the ground. What a privilege!)
This inspired me to make a tarot spread reflecting the changes we all undergo in Autumn. I think the process of shedding old growth applies to all creatures, including us, so I made this spread to look into what we're leaving behind and how we can care for ourselves as we "shed our leaves."
Not just a spread for fall, these cards are wonderful for any transitions and moments where we need to commemorate a change, especially one where we need some breathing room afterwards before we start of running again. Click here or on the image above for a full rundown.
I hope you find it helpful :) Happy fall!
How to Interpret Major Arcana Cards
Last week I wrote about exploring the Major Arcana through the Fool's Journey. But what about in readings? How do we dive into the meanings of these striking cards when they show up in our spreads?
I like to think of the Major Arcana as the heavy hitters of tarot. These are the cards that engage with the big issues of life: our personal development, inner struggles, and deeper patterns. They appear in readings to direct us towards the important journeys of whomever we read for. If the minor arcana deals with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the majors refer to our deeper currents
Explore Major Arcana Card Meanings
Picture a deep, beautiful ocean. The wind might pick up and drive the surface into frothy waves or the sun might come out from behind the clouds and make the top layers balmy and warm. The wind is the influence of the minors - events in our daily lives that influence our state of mind.
The lower depths, however, are much different. They respond to mysterious currents and cycles not always visible from the top. In fact, oftentimes the fray on the surface doesn't reflect the slower, instinctual path beneath. In this way we can look at the Major Arcana as the currents of our lives - forces that lead us along our journey of growth and change.
With this in mind we can look at our spreads as forecasts for both layers. If the minor arcana cards paint a much different picture than the major(s) we can see if the current path is reflective of the querent's higher self/life path. For example, say we draw one major arcana card, The Hermit. Surrounding it are lots of tarot cards depicting conflict and tension like the Five of Swords and Seven of Wands.
This tells us that the action on the surface - the Five of Swords and Seven of Wands - is at odds with the larger journey of the querent. The deception and conflict is masking a strong urge to focus inwards and reconnect with their greater purpose. The querent may find themselves feeling destabilized and lashing out with unkind words, masking their discomfort with high-stakes actions, rather than allowing themselves to follow their own instincts and take some time for themselves.
Overall, the Majors invite us to think big. All facets of our life have a common theme: ourselves. Honoring each person's journey as something profound and meaningful can be quite healing. It also grants us access to helpful advice and guidance. Look to the majors to see what's truly important, what qualities to embrace, and where the querent is in their journey of the self.
Weekly Forecast: November 13-19
It's tempting to get suspicious when things are going smoothly. After all, we're conditioned to equate struggle with hard work. If we're not toiling intensively (something that usually entails exhaustedly telling everyone how busy we are) we're not doing enough.
There's also an animal side to us that's always alert for any dangerous rustling in the bushes. Something bad could happen any moment! And what if we're relaxing? Why, we'd be caught off guard and then...?
But what about when things just feel right? You know, when something's both comforting and exhilarating, like being in love. It can appear in the joy that comes from trying something new, the peace of laying back and relaxing into our cozy lives, or the heady thrill of a new relationship that captivates us.
The feeling draws us into our bodies so we can experience the world through our senses. We instinctively draw a deep breath and catch the crisp scents of fall, or we curl our toes in acknowledgment of the butterflies in our stomach. We're at one with the world and at one with ourselves.
The Page of Cups shows us the beauty of this kind of receptivity. We're poised to be chanelling our experiences and feelings with grace and care. It feels good when our emotions flow through us without any obstacles in the way.
Relaxing into and trusting the world around us is giving us a gift of pleasureable centeredness, not to mention a rare sense of focus. Now is the time to follow our passions wherever they may lead us. What are you finding irresistibly captivating right now? What makes your eyes close and cheeks blush when you think about it? It can be a new dream, a romance, a budding friendship. No matter what form it takes, you'll know by how comfortable and joyful you feel when engaging with it.
This is a wonderful opportunity to refocus around what feels good and what is naturally exciting. Doing so is the practice we need to override our instinct to look at the world with fear and trepidation. And what, might you ask, can come from wide-eyed enthusiasm and semi-hedonistic relaxation?
Like it or not, we don't have as much control over our world as we'd like to think. Fortunately, this means we don't have to actively pursue everything. We don't need to be pushing boulders around to effect change. The world actually spins on its own, and it's about to change quite soon. The Wheel of Fortune indicates an upcoming shift from the dreamy, pleasurable Page of Cups to the grounded possibility of the Ace of Pentacles. Yes, that means without "doing" anything your budding ideas and connections are becoming more solid.
When I say "doing" I mean trying to overtly control and manipulate a situation. Letting go of direct control and action and focusing on passion and enjoyment is actually quite the feat. Being receptive doesn't mean being passive.
This week asks us to remember that experiencing is just as fruitful and important as acting. Remain present and really let yourself feel the excitement of your new relationship, dream, practice, or hobby. Enjoy! What you're doing is actually essential - establishing a background of experience - and will naturally evolve into something tangible, stable, and trustworthy.
We’re using a different deck than normal this week, for no other reason that that it was the closest to my morning writing spot - nestled in bed under a crisp, white duvet. Our cards have a similar energy, a focus on finding comfort and rest in difficult situations. Because, as you’ve likely noticed, The Tower is starting things off this week. What’s crumbling or has crumbled recently? What is making you tired?