Weekly Forecast: July 16-22
This week is giving us an opportunity to feel refreshed, motivated, and driven. Once we've had our first cup(s) of coffee we're ready to charge ahead and get a lot done. We have focus, we have a strong sense of self, and we have an exciting vision to back all of our actions.
But that's not all.
This week is giving us an opportunity to feel refreshed, motivated, and driven. Once we've had our first cup(s) of coffee we're ready to charge ahead and get a lot done. We have focus, we have a strong sense of self, and we have an exciting vision to back all of our actions.
But that's not all.
It seems like we have some tricky energy at play within us this week. It's that voice that whispers to us, just as we're getting into our first task of the day, " why don't you pick up your phone and see how many people have liked your Instagram post!" or "I wonder what your ex-boyfriend from six years ago is up to? Let's find out NOW!"
Though we have The Devil on the right, this isn't the intense, derail-your-life iteration of the card. Rather, it's the lazy self-sabotaging side. Think "little devil perched on your shoulder," not "looming force of evil." In excess, these traits might lead to disaster, but for this week the challenge is to make sure we don't fall into our usual small patterns of sloth and distraction.
The cards are presenting us with a clear-cut choice. Do we harness the diligent energy of the Eight of Pentacles to further our ambitions and goals a la The Chariot, or do we backslide into the slacker comforts of The Devil?
The Eight of Pentacles is a fascinating card because it shows us how bringing mindfulness to our work gives us clarity and satisfaction. When we're engaged in the practice of doing - not thinking to the future, past, or imagined "something better" - we unlock huge stores of potential. We're in a state of flow, checking things off our to-do lists with ease, galvanized by the delightful feeling of making progress.
So how do we tap into this energy when we have a pesky Devil at play? Oddly enough, the answer is to make room for him. The Chariot, though at first glance it might seem like a card that's all about victory, is also a master of reigning in opposites. How on earth could you get a tiger and a fox to pull you towards your goals? This week it's our task to reign in our Devils and use them to work for us, not against us.
Again, The Chariot has some helpful tips. If we're going to move forward we have to have vision, confidence, and a solid knowledge of who we are. That includes our decadent, distracted Devil-self, too. Getting to know the ways we avoid success and are drawn to mind-numbing pleasures is the first step towards working with them.
Let's put ourselves in the charioteer's shoes. Say the tiger on the right has a huge fondness for facebook. Every time the charioteer signals it's time to get going, the tiger is busy getting outraged by his distant relative's toxic political views. Being a savvy leader, the charioteer pulls the reigns in, getting an app to block facebook for the duration of the workday. Now the tiger is free to walk forward with purpose (and lower blood pressure). After work, they can all go out and spend some face-to-face time with real friends.
Though this example may seem silly, it's important to realize that we can treat unruly parts of ourselves with compassion and understanding. There's a lot more to our actions then meets the eyes. Disavowing them and trying to cut out behaviors only makes our Devil-sides stronger. Because let's be honest, what feels better than doing something you really shouldn't be doing?
Working directly with our bad habits and channeling them towards healthy expression (i.e. interacting in real life vs. facebook in the example above) satisfies our true desires while taking the naughty allure out of the distracting behavior.
So in a way, these cards still show us moving forward this week, regardless of how much we struggle with The Devil card. If we keep coming back to the work of the Eight of Pentacles we'll find ourselves again and again. And The Chariot is showing us that we're more than up to the task of achievement. All we need to do is get the rest of us on the same page.
Weekend Send-Off
This week has been a wild and wooly one. I found myself swept up into a flurry of activities - lots of readings, get-togethers, and a few adventures to boot. Let's just say I'm happy to have some time this weekend to catch my breath and rest! Here are a few things that made my days sweeter as well as a card to frame our next two days.
Garden blooms from this week
This week has been a wild and wooly one. I found myself swept up into a flurry of activities - lots of readings, get-togethers, and a few adventures to boot. Let's just say I'm happy to have some time this weekend to catch my breath and rest! Here are a few things that made my days sweeter as well as a card to frame this weekend.
Life-Affirming Tear-Fest - Won't You Be My Neighbor?
My fiance and I casually strolled into this movie expecting to feel some cozy childhood nostalgia and uplift. Well. Let's just say there wasn't a dry eye in the theater. Please go and see this movie even if you have just the slightest twinkle of curiosity. It's full of gorgeous insights into the human experience that (unfortunately) still sound radical today. I never realized how much I needed to cry freely in a theater full of strangers. It's nice to celebrate the special tenderness we all share.
Everyday Joy
Planning my next epic ritual bath. I don't take baths often, but when I do it's an occasion. I especially like to take on during full and new moons. New moon in Cancer? It's ritual bath time! All week I've been having fun playing around with ideas for it. What essential oils will I use? Herbs? Milk? I'm even toying around with adding a splash of rosé - what can I say, I'm feeling decadent. But someone did leave a bottle at my house from our last party...
Repeat Tarot Card
This Two of Cups has been showing its wonderful, tender self a lot lately, particularly when it comes to the giddy spark of mutual attraction. It reminds us to approach people and situations that make us blush with excitement, even if they seem intimidating. New relationships need extra tending, but they can grow into something strong and majestic over time.
Listening, Reading, Watching
I'm still deep in Drawing Down the Moon (it's quite the tome at 500+ pages), though I have been dipping back into Benebell Wen's classic book Holistic Tarot for inspiration while working on some tarot spreads. For those of you learning tarot who want a "one-stop shop" kind of book, I highly recommend this one. She also includes ethical and helpful tips on reading for clients and going pro, among many other things!
In the fun realm, I'm listening to the podcast The Habitat. It's a true story about six volunteers who pretend to be astronauts on a mission on Mars. I'm interested to see how the close quarters affect the group psychology (and I've been surprised to learn so much about the logistics of going to the bathroom in space... fascinating!)
How about you? What has been bringing joy to your life this week? And finally, here it is - our card for the weekend.
Queen of Wands
Message: Let your energy and inspiration flow freely. The world wants to see you in all your splendor. Prioritize your creativity and passions.
Embrace: Socializing, talking up your projects and passions, being proud of your accomplishments, special signs from the universe.
Let Go Of: Minimizing what you've created, energy-sucking tasks and relationships.
Guidance: What can I do to celebrate my creative powers? What makes me feel electric?
A Tarot Spread for Clarity and Direction
A few weeks ago I found myself mired in self-doubt. I was working on a new project and just wasn't connecting with my voice. What was I trying to say? And how on earth was I going to say it? I found myself going to familiar places and thinking the usual self-limiting thoughts. Maybe I had nothing to say. Maybe nobody was listening. What fun and supportive input, right?
A few weeks ago I found myself mired in self-doubt. I was working on a new project and just wasn't connecting with my voice. What was I trying to say? And how on earth was I going to say it? I found myself going to familiar places and thinking the usual self-limiting thoughts. Maybe I had nothing to say. Maybe nobody was listening. What fun and supportive input, right?
Rather than wallow in self-pity (okay, maybe after wallowing in a teensy bit of self-pity...) I decided to make a tarot spread to find my way forward. I've found that tarot is both a health slap on the wrist in moments of doubt as well as a conduit for our true, growing selves to speak through. So if you're looking to bypass some of the hemming and hawing of your chattery ego and cut to some clarity, this spread is for you.
In fact, I was so helped by this spread that I forgot to post it. The depth of the reading combined with its advice were most definitely galvanizing. I would recommend, however, that you keep your inerpretations of each position short. Like any good advice, the messages from this spread are clear and concise. Hear what the cards have to say and follow through with some nice and energizing action.
Tarot Cards for Summer
Ah, Summer. What a langorous and wonderful season. School's out, work slows down, and people take their vacations. It's a time for enjoying life: delicious food, the joys of swimming, and happy time spent with friends and family.
Ah, Summer. What a langorous and wonderful season. School's out, work slows down, and people take their vacations. It's a time for enjoying life: delicious food, the joys of swimming, and happy time spent with friends and family.
So where does Summer show up in the tarot? According to most tarotists, the suit most assocaited with Summer is the cups. What's more summery than water and the loving, sensual feelings it carries with it?
Summer also brings to mind relaxation, growth, connection, and unfurling. Below are some cards that I associate with this season. Look to these to gain a sense of time or to indicate these themes in your readings.
Ace of Cups
This card shows the effusion of good feelings that come with Summer. Think of the excitement of the last day of school and the openness of free time. Aces are beginnings and influxes of energy, so here we can see the refreshing feeling of Summer arriving on the scene. It's that beginning of the vacation feeling, a new romance, and the warmth that comes with spending quality time with others. When aces appear we can also be sure that a new adventure is about to begin. Here, it's through connection, love, and romance. Summer has a way of stripping us of inhibitions and this card sees us showing up fresh, available, and ready to connect.
The Hanged Man
This context taps into the "just chillin'" side of The Hanged Man. Here we can see relaxation, detaching from worry, and leaning into a state of ease. Much like we're able to unwind when the days get longer, we're less busy at work, and - of course - away from everyday life and on a vacation. This card also shows us that relaxation is an important ingredient to self-discovery. When we let our minds wander and give up on controlling things we also give other pieces of information and insight time to percolate and develop. And we leave space for people to seek us out and enjoy our undistracted presence.
Nine of Pentacles
This card screams "garden party" to me, and indeed the Nine of Pentacles is the embodiment of hospitality. The garden she's cultivated is beautiful and open to whomever would like to stop by. This card shows us how generosity and sharing joy with others is an essential ingredient to success. Taking time to enjoy what's beautiful, pleasurable, and satisfying is an important part of life we can often overlook, foolishly thinking it's not important. Better yet, doing this with others builds community on good times and good will and has lasting effects we may not be aware of in the moment.
The Empress
The Empress is a card for late summer when the time has come to harvest what's ripe on the vine before the chill of fall arrives. She emulates the strength of preparation, respect and love for nature, and the abundance of knowing oneself. Of course, there are themes of fertility here as well. Think of this card when communing with nature, caring for your family, and pursuing pleasure for pleasure's sake. This card refers to the time when we celebrate the bounty of summer and start transitioning into fall and winter.
What about you? What tarot cards do you find full of Spring energy? Share in the comments below.
Weekly Forecast: July 9-15
We walk into this week on the tail of a big conclusion whose consequences haven't left us quite yet. Endings are big and take up a lot of space, both mentally and emotionally. The Ten of Swords is a powerful card that shows both the pain and relief that comes when something has run its. It may not have become what we originally dreamed it would, but leaving it behind is still bittersweet. When things end we say goodbye both to the reality that came to be and the dream we held for the future that was never realized.
We walk into this week on the tail of a big conclusion whose consequences haven't left us quite yet. Endings are big and take up a lot of space, both mentally and emotionally. The Ten of Swords is a powerful card that shows both the pain and relief that comes when something has run its. It may not have become what we originally dreamed it would, but leaving it behind is still bittersweet. When things end we say goodbye both to the reality that came to be and the dream we held for the future that was never realized.
And, as we've all experienced, this process is never linear. We rarely are able to waltz away from big endings and changes refreshed and rejuvenated, never to suffer their pains and doubts again. Instead, these feelings cycle through us. Like ripples through water, we experience reverberations long after the original disturbance.
Life, however, likes to pile things on top of each other. This week the pain of leaving something behind (rightly, I might add) is being replaced pretty quickly by the intoxication of a new connection. The Two of Cups shows us delighting in a new companion. This connection can be either romantic or platonic; however, whichever we experience will share the same tingling sensations of joy and anticipation. We've met someone wonderful! And this experience is infusing our world with a great deal of happiness and excitement.
Going from the dark, tidal experience of the Ten of Swords to this effervescent delight is a big transition, to say the least. And so it's no surprise that The Devil is showing up as our final card. The beautiful newness of our relationships this week are providing a tempting an irresistible distraction.
Here, we can take The Devil two ways. Firstly, as we can see from this illustration of the archetype, The Devil is fun. It's hard to resist a figure leaning forward seductively holding jewels and flowers! In small doses, a little decadence and distraction are helpful in moving past the initial shock of the Ten of Swords. But The Devil is also terrible at moderation and this week we're walking a fine line between healthy recreation and harmful, mind-erasing overindulgence.
In this second scenario, The Devil's energy is tempting us to use our new joyful connection to soothe and stifle the pain still reverberating from the Ten of Swords. Since the Two of Cups is such a fresh, young energy this can be quite detrimental to the health of the relationships we're forming right now. In other words, we're smothering an alluring glimmer with the pressure to relieve ourselves of a nagging pain.
The Devil would rather we bypass the sticky and uncomfortable parts and have fun now, at any cost. This is an important time to carefully examine our usual coping mechanisms. Where are we rushing things and how are we covering up the difficult emotions we need to process?
This brings us back to the Ten of Swords. It will benefit us greatly to look at the source of our suffering. Sure, it might not be all flowers and jewels, but it has a lot to teach us right now. Doing so will help take some of the pressure off of the delightful connections we're forming at the moment and allow us to heal and better understand what's come before.
Weekend Send-Off
Did anyone else get turned around by the Fourth of July? I almost forgot to write this post - such is the power of having a national holiday smack-dab in the middle of the week! Luckily, I caught myself just in time. So, without further ado, here are some of the things that brought joy to this first week of July. Please share yours in the comments below.
A quiet moment in the studio / Photo by Hill Honeck
Did anyone else get turned around by the Fourth of July? I almost forgot to write this post - such is the power of having a national holiday smack-dab in the middle of the week! Luckily, I caught myself just in time. So, without further ado, here are some of the things that brought joy to this first week of July. Please share yours in the comments below.
Big Discovery - Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
Despite seeing this book recommended by so many people whose work I enjoy I hadn't picked it up until this week. And let me tell you it's a gem! A scholarly approach to the Neo-Pagan movement with the tact and respect of someone with firsthand experience. I was especially surprised to see how much Adler's early experiences being drawn to witchcraft mirrored my own. Read this if you're curious about modern witchcraft and are looking for a reputable and engaging book.
Everyday Joy
Drumstick ice cream cones. An oldie but a goodie! I bought a gigantic pack of these for our Fourth of July cookout and they were nothing short of revelatory. I'm pretty pleased that we didn't finish them all - I just had one as a mid-afternoon snack ;)
Ridiculousness
My friend sent me this hilarious hipster lorem ipsum generator and it is pure gold if you need a quick laugh or pick-me-up. Instead of using the old faithful "lorem ipsum..." as placeholder text in your designs enjoy the gems on this site. Case in point: "Vaporware green juice knausgaard, meh literally fixie narwhal. Distillery readymade master cleanse cred fingerstache." Enjoy!
Repeat Tarot Card
This week was all about the Nine of Pentacles. A truly rich and resplendent card, this nine is all about showing up fully in life with generosity, abundance, and good intentions. We can see it in all the important actions people are taking to help one another through these difficult times, the space we're holding for joy and connection, and the desire to shape the world to match ideas of inclusivity and hospitality.
Visual Magic
I love me a good house tour. Add New England seaside charm with vague mentions of ghostly activity and you have yourself a true winner. Check out this tour of John Derian's home in Provincetown, Massachusetts for gorgeous historical interiors and beautifully peeling wallpaper.
Listening, Reading, Watching
I just finished the podcast The Gateway on the internet guru Teal Swan. It's fascinating, disturbing, and very difficult to listen to without speeding through all six episodes.
As far as books go, I've been working through Michelle Tea's wonderful book Modern Tarot. I love checking out new resources for people just starting to learn about tarot and this one combines card meanings with super-helpful firsthand experiences from Tea's own tarot practice. I might write a full-on review on this one, but until then definitely check this out if you want a down-to-earth look at each card in the deck. (Plus, she includes wonderful spells, too!)
How about you? What has been bringing joy to your life this week? And now without further ado... the card for the weekend!
King of Pentacles
Message: Live it up this weekend! Be decadent, loving, and generous and enjoy the life you've built.
Embrace: Good times and sensual pleasures. Yes, I'm talking about food, sex, enjoyable activities, and the magic of the so-called little things in life.
Let Go Of: Stinginess, shame, pretending to be less than you are.
Guidance: How can I celebrate and enjoy the fruits of my labors with others?
Weekly Forecast: July 2-8
This week we have some big themes at play and things are not what they seem at the surface. The Devil is appearing to show us that we've been feeling pulled back towards some bad habits. Though we know they're not the best for us, there's a perverse comfort in their familiarity and sense of ritual. Like gorging in junk food, it feels good in the moment, but there's a massive stomach ache looming in the future.
This week we have some big themes at play and things are not what they seem at the surface. The Devil is appearing to show us that we've been feeling pulled back towards some bad habits. Though we know they're not the best for us, there's a perverse comfort in their familiarity and sense of ritual. Like gorging in junk food, it feels good in the moment, but there's a massive stomach ache looming in the future.
One the other side, we have the rich abundance of the Nine of Coins (aka Pentacles). Our surface life is coming through big and bright. Things are going well for us professionally and practically. We have all sorts of creature comforts and they're being seen by those around us.
So what's at the center here? What's causing so much dissonance between our inner and outer worlds?
The Eight of Swords brings it all into focus. Again, the theme of familiarity comes up. Here, however, we have a limiting array of familiar doubts and fears. These are guiding us back to the familiar bad habits represented by The Devil.
Instead of expansion, ease, and enjoyment - The Nine of Coins - we're allowing ourselves to be ushered on well-worn paths to claustrophobic coping mechanisms.
This is an interesting, if not slightly disturbing, combination of cards. What do we do with this mess? We might find ourselves being drawn to the intensity of The Devil. Big, scary-looking cards have that effect. "Oh no! The Devil! I don't want that! Let's pay extra attention to its horribleness!" is an understandable reaction. Yet it also shows our tendency to give so much air time to dysfunction and struggle. Meanwhile, the Nine of Coins shines alluringly to the right.
The challenge this week will be to redirect our gaze to what's going well in our lives. We can wrestle with The Devil and hold space for the parts of our lives that are blossoming. Turning away from our sources of happiness and the hard work we've done will only further our time spent underground.
And here's where I can't help but notice a tinge of self-sabotage. Are we being too hard on ourselves, occupying the critical space of the Eight of Swords so that we move away from the real, important work and success of the Nine of Coins? Is The Devil more in line with our idea of who we are?
The thing is, self-doubt and worry are part and parcel of our human experience. What we do with these thoughts is what matters. This week we're given the opportunity to listen to the messages of the Eight of Swords and do something new with them. Can we hold space for our personal growth and move towards the Nine of Coins? The bird in that card holds the key to a different relationship with The Devil. The bird, too, is wild, but here it's tamed and smaller. We can also channel the urges of The Devil and give them a healthy outlet of expression. One that opens up our lives and flourishes in the sun instead of keeping us in the darkness.
Weekend Send-Off
Hello my peaches! I'm so excited to introduce a new regular feature here on the Incandescent Tarot blog. Each Friday I'll be sharing some of the things that have made my week brighter - books, films, resources, and tarot happenings. Not to mention a one-card reading on what to expect for the weekend ahead. I hope you enjoy and share what's been making your world extra-magical in the comments below!
My new happy place: Gunter's Greenhouse in Durham, NC
Hello my peaches! I'm so excited to introduce a new regular feature here on the Incandescent Tarot blog. Each Friday I'll be sharing some of the things that have made my week brighter - books, films, resources, and tarot happenings. Not to mention a one-card reading on what to expect for the weekend ahead. I hope you enjoy and share what's been making your world extra-magical in the comments below!
I know, what a time to start a positive column like this one. This week has been fairly soul-crushing when it comes to current events. I'll be posting more about this in the next few days; until then, I'll be doing what I can to support organizations like RACIES, the ACLU, and others, and you can bet your butt that I'll be marching in Raleigh tomorrow.
Still, there have been some lovely bursts of light amidst all this madness. Now more than ever the importance of kindness, beauty, and community is coming through loud and clear.
Big Discovery - Hannah Gadsby
I hadn't ever heard of Gadsby's work before watching her netflix stand-up performance Nanette. And oh my, I was seriously blown away by her radical honesty, hilarious comedy, and stunning insights. Go watch it now and cry tears of happiness for the utter magic that happens when we let our true selves shine freely.
Everyday Joy
I got back in the swing of making a new batch of iced tea to sip throughout the day. I'm terrible at hydrating until I remember that it makes my skin infinitely better (yes, vanity is my prime motivator). My favorites are fresh mint with honey and lemon, hibiscus chamomile, and ye olde green tea aka what I will continue to assume is healthier and morally superior caffeine.
Repeat Tarot Card
I love seeing what card makes the most appearances in my personal and client readings. This week was all about the pages, especially the Page of Wands. It's a nice card to have during these tumultuous times. For me, this intrepid page is reminding us to stay fired up and take baby steps forward, trusting that we'll learn all we need to succeed so long as we stay engaged and motivated.
Special Gratitude
I'm feeling incredibly mushy about the friends and community I'm blessed to have in my life. Even when I'm furiously hermiting away, lost in my thoughts, and surprised that they're still there when I peek my head back above ground! That and the reliable decadence of sugary pastries.
Listening, Reading, Watching
This week I finished another gorgeous book, Fair Play, by Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins. She's also an incredible writer and this thin volume (you could read it in a day) touches beautifully on art, creativity, and nature. Though I just checked the amazon reviews and a fellow named "Jason G" strongly disagrees with me and chose to title his review "I would rather put sand in my anus." Thanks for the evocative image, Jason. Guess we'll just agree to disagree!
I've been listening to Sam Evian for some chill summer jams after having the pleasure of seeing him live a few weeks ago. That and the wonderful and entertaining podcast Pairing by my dear friend. Check it out if you like all things wine and art!
How about you? What has been bringing joy to your life this week? And now without further ado... the card for the weekend!
Knight of Pentacles
Message: It's time to get hands-on in your life in ways that are gratifying and truly you
Embrace: Positive action, sprucing up your space, interacting others and sharing your plans
Let Go Of: Overwhelming "big picture" thinking, hiding behind theories, timidity
Guidance: What actions will contribute to the world I want to see? How can I live lushly and justly?
Exploring the Minor Arcana: The Pages
Ah, the Pages, what a delightful and enthusiastic group of cards! The Pages represent themes of youth, vitality, fascination, learning, and focus. We can think of these cards as the youngsters of tarot. They see the world with fresh eyes and find inspiration naturally and freely.
The Pages remind me of the unbridled obsessions we have as children. For me it was dinosaurs. I loved them. I loved everything about them. I wanted dinosaur toys, dinosaur books, and dinosaur pajamas. We can see this organic excitement and focus in the cards. Each page holds the symbol of his suit. They're drawn to the meaning of each symbol. They want to learn the ins-and-outs. They want to experience it all.
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 all the posts in the installment, click here.
Ah, the Pages, what a delightful and enthusiastic group of cards! The Pages represent themes of youth, vitality, fascination, learning, and focus. We can think of these cards as the youngsters of tarot. They see the world with fresh eyes and find inspiration naturally and freely.
The Pages remind me of the unbridled obsessions we have as children. For me it was dinosaurs. I loved them. I loved everything about them. I wanted dinosaur toys, dinosaur books, and dinosaur pajamas. We can see this organic excitement and focus in the cards. Each page holds the symbol of his suit. They're drawn to the meaning of each symbol. They want to learn the ins-and-outs. They want to experience it all.
In readings, Pages refer to our instinctual interests, our childlike ability to see magic in the world around us, new areas of study and learning, as well as emerging news and information. Let's look at each Page below to get some more insight into this lovely group of cards. Click on each link for the official meaning entry and more details.
Explore In-Depth Minor Arcana Meanings
The Page of Wands unites the energy of the Pages with the intoxicating power of creativity. This card represents burgeoning creative interests, the development of creative skills, and the desire to learn by doing.
For the Page of Swords shows growing interests in intellectual pursuits, whether it's becoming a student (or an actual student in your life) or being drawn to research and collect new information. This Page wheels and deals in facts, information, and communication, though they're learning the ropes of each they have a natural aptitude and burning sense of motivation.
The Page of Cups is a sensitve and seeking card. It can denote moments when we feel called to get connected with our intuition, spirituality, and other forms of guidance. This Page is romantic, tender, curious, and gentle. It also ties into new connections, relationships, and emerging feelings.
Finally, the Page of Pentacles ties the eagerness of the Pages to the practical world. This can show up as the beginning of entrupreneurial interests, plans for businesses, professional training, and interest in making changes in our lives. The Page of Pentacles is interested in making a direct impact on their life and working towards stability.
How do the Pages speak to you in your tarot practice? Which do you relate to most? I'd love to hear your takes, so share away in the comment section below! And stay tuned for our next section on the Knights.
