The Five of Swords - Reversed…

You have been extra competitive and you have been playing this game your own way. Though you may think you have the upper hand, the real truth is the conflict has become so complex that you and all involved are now surrounded by foreboding, gathering clouds. A storm is brewing and you continue to laugh as you are overtaken by the greyness of uncertainty. What does “winning” actually mean to you?! Do you want to stick around to see the clouds open up and the winds hit you with sideways rain, or is it time to admit to yourself that you have taken things too far?!? Do any of the people caught in this impending downpour deserve what you have set in motion? What is your true aim here? Ponder this tonight. It isn’t too late to clear the air and begin to operate from a much more honest place. And, I’m sorry to say, you can’t win every single time…

“You can’t win every battle. Sometimes victory comes in the form of bowing out gracefully.” - Toni Payne

The Five of Swords (Reversed) from the Robin Wood Tarot

The Ten of Wands…

So, you have found yourself in murky waters, but have been a kind of warrior in how you deal with it all. You should feel like a warrior, but even a conquering hero can find themselves feeling a deep level of exhaustion. This week, you have your gaze pointed to the surface and you know it’s time to swim up to the top to finish this fight. The trouble is you are still carrying so many obligations and they are weighing you down, my friend. It’s time to prioritize your rise and release the burdens that you are holding onto. I know you feel committed, but some of the small details you have acquired will work themselves out once you have emerged. Think of it this way - you will be of no use to anyone if you sink. So, set your eyes on your final destination and begin to let go of those obligations which you simply cannot fulfill. Let the passionate fire within your spirit fuel your quick ascent to a better place.

“What kills us isn't one big thing, but thousands of tiny obligations we can't turn down for fear of disappointing others.”― Alain de Botton

The Ten of Wands from The Mermaid Tarot by Leeza Robinson and Julie Dillon

The Five of Wands (Reversed) into The Two of Cups…

You are finally through the rocky and fiery part of your most recent conflict and you deserve a beautiful moment to cool down. There are clear wounds that you need to dress from the struggle. But, what you need most is quite simple - love. Sure, a spa-day would be great and of course alone time with a book or show that you love is nice, but you finally have the chance to enjoy the healing balm of someone you adore, so do it!!! Rely on that special someone today to help restore your heart and soul. Your bond with them, whether it be in romance, friendship or both, is sacred and can heal all wounds. Make space for togetherness and grab onto healing. The most beautiful part of this moment? It’s a shared need fulfilled. You are the cure for each other. Happy Tuesday!

“Love is the greatest force in the world. It bridges gaps, heals wounds, and transforms lives.” – Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)

The Five of Wands (Reversed) into the Two of Cups from The Light Seer Tarot by Chris-Anne

The Eight of Swords…

Have you been feeling bound by dark thoughts? Maybe you aren’t trapped, but rather taking a moment to cultivate a more refined focus. Tonight is a leap year night! Treat this extra late night as a chance to turn your dark thoughts into a dark and dreamy kind of magic. Instead of letting them get the better of you, twist them around internally and use them to gain greater clarity on your direction. Sometimes, it’s good to be stuck because it forces you to deal with the trap itself. And, most often we discover it’s a trap of our own making. What are those thoughts pointing to? Define it deep within. When you fall asleep tonight, invite this quandary into your dreams so you might explore it further. You never know - what is lurking in your nighttime visions can be just the strange kind of guide you need to life the fog. Sweet dreams….

“A dream is a microscope through which we look at the hidden occurrences in our soul.” - Erich Fromm

The Eight of Swords - not sure what deck this is, but it’s full of dark magic…

Death (Reversed)…

You have been feeling like life is colorless, so it’s time to grab your crayons, colored pencils and paint brushes and bring some life back to this page of your existence. You deserve to be living life with verve, instead of wasting away in a pit of emptiness. Do something today that will make you feel alive again. Take a risk on doing something that scares you, but will waken your sleeping psyche. Fill your world with bright and vibrant hues. Come back to life by invigorating all senses and embracing a new eye-catching way of existing. You can start small, but it’s time to fill this world with color and do not dare worry about staying inside those lines…

“Walking through darkness with thoughts full of colors".― Prajakta Mhadnak

The Death Card (Reversed) - Artist Rendering by Orphics Posters

The Magician into the Lovers (Reversed)…

If you are looking to manifest love, you have all the tools necessary for success, but you might want to reassess the brand of love spell you are casting. Be specific in your wants and desires, but remain open to the idea that the kind of partnership you think will be fulfilling, might not actually be for you. In fact, maybe you should tone down that fantastical approach and allow yourself the time to gain mental clarity on what love truly means to you. You may have to acknowledge that love might best fit into your world in a more unconventional way. Or, that you may have to reshape yourself a bit in order to let the right kind of love in. Also - be less definitive in your idea of what is right. Let love surprise you. Isn’t the ultimate goal to give in just enough to let your world to be turned upside-down in ways that are unexpected and rewarding? Keep making magic, but relinquish your sense of control…

“Life’s most beautiful moments often arrive unannounced, wrapped in the shimmering paper of unexpected surprises.” – Unknown

The Magician & The Lovers (Reversed) from the Star Spinner Deck by Trungles

Queen of Pentacles…

Hey, Queen! There are so many pieces of you that come together in a truly majestic way to fill this world with your glam style and personal sorcery. Take a moment today to think about the gorgeous collage which you have created to make you who you are. Your kind and giving heart, your flawless taste, your fierce style of leadership should all be accounted for and celebrated. You have a way with others that is both respected and revered, because all these bits and pieces of you come together in support of a unique and honorable approach. These are the colors that make you successful and the same colors that allow you to recognize when you need to dedicate yourself to reinvention. Feel self love and gratitude for your own work of art.

“Art is that which helps you see beauty in the mundane...
Let my life be a work of art.” ― Eric Overby, Senses

The Queen of Pentacles - Art by Collagecanto on Flickr

Ten of Cups & King of Pentacles…

Your cup runneth over and your pockets are lined with money!!! I’m sure you’re laughing at this and thinking, “I WISH”. But here’s a question for you, if you had to choose between love and money what would you pick? And, don’t say “well if I had money - love would come, so I pick money.” That isn’t always the case - there are plenty of unloved, sad rich people out there! Aren’t you glad you aren’t one of those?!? But seriously…Love OR Money? I know - it’s an unfair choice. Here’s a better question - if you had more money than you knew what to do with, how might you use it to encourage more love and togetherness in your life? Sometimes we have to ask ourselves these tough questions and keep asking until we get to the truth of what is really missing in our world. Once you have that truth - you will likely be surprised that you may not need money to manifest it…. Can’t wait to see what action you take next….

“Money is good, love is wealth.”— Douglas Horton

The Ten of Cups and The King of Pentacles from The Tarot of the Witches Garden by Sasha Graham

Seven of Swords - Reversed…

Sometimes we have to do deceitful things for self-protection. In this case, you can come clean with anyone you have mislead because your intention was self-preservation in a situation that definitely felt threatening. If they don’t understand why you had to be a bit underhanded in this case, you will immediately know that trust is not a part of your personal relationship or partnership. To be put in this position is tricky enough, but if they cannot understand your reaction to certain danger then they are likely not worth your time and energy going forward. Wouldn’t you prefer to have everything out in the open and know with complete certainty that this person will have your back? You are not a dishonest person in your core, so if someone is bringing that quality out in you it must be addressed. Let the messy truth of what you have done be revealed. It will provide you with so much clarity of mind.

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!” - Sir Walter Scott

The Seven of Swords - Reversed - The truth? I don’t know what deck this is….

Queen of Pentacles & Two of Swords…

Someone powerful emerges to make you an offer today! This is highly enticing, because it comes with great reward and the promise for future proliferation. However, you understand in this moment that you will have to make a very complex decision because, in accepting this gift, you know you will be disappointing someone in your life who is very important to you. Don’t rush through this process - spend time weighing the pros and cons. Explore the darker repercussions that will come along with saying yes to truly understand what is at stake. Look within to get the answers you need to be able to move forward without regret or doubt. You will know what is right if you do.

“Life is a chess match. Every decision that you make has a consequence to it.” - PK Subban

The Queen of Pentacles and the Two of Swords from The Sacred Rose Tarot by Johanna Gargiulo-Sherman

The King of Swords…

The blizzard of the past few weeks is threatening to derail all of the progress you have made, so it’s time to step up and take control of all situations at hand. You have keen instincts and you know how to best approach each menacing person you encounter and all malevolent energy that blows in. Trust your knowledge and understanding and figure out how to use it as a weapon of retaliation. You have the upper hand here, so sharpen your mind and strategize your best path through the undesired accumulation toward clear success. You will be sitting pretty, if you just use the power of your mind.

“Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.” -Terry Goodkind

The King of Swords from The Tarot of The Witches Garden by Sasha Graham

The Fool…

Does it feel like you are about to take a big, wild step out into the abyss? This week is sure to be full of unknown adventures, some of which we will be ready for and some that will catch us dangerously by surprise. It’s best to recognize when you feel totally out of control and to take it one step at time. There will be support, but there will also be distractions. Be sure to look where you are going and face the challenges that come your way with curiosity and an open heart. Some things may not go your way, but if you approach defeat with a carefree heart that is willing to learn, it will certainly break the fall. Make sure to make some time to clown around. If nothing else, be sure to have fun along the way!

“I see myself as an intelligent, sensitive human, with the soul of a clown which forces me to blow it at the most important moments.” - Jim Morrison

The Fool - not sure what deck this is?

Six of Cups - Reversed…

Something is just not working this week. Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you feel tired, cranky, overextended and just plain over it. You are missing life’s little rewards along your journey because you are just overwhelmed by demands. Maybe it’s time to get more than a little selfish. There’s only so much you can share of self and that inner child is longing for your attention. I know you feel like other people depend and rely upon you and they do, but what good are you to them when you have such a short fuse? If you truly want to connect with a free and generous heart, you need to take some time for yourself to remember the sincerity and innocence of your original intentions! You will not survive the winter if you continue to progress in this way, so be selfish. Take time to reconnect with the truest form of self - refill the deep well of your giving heart, so you have something to give!

“People empty me. I have to get away to refill.” - Charles Bukowski

The Six of Cups (Reversed) from The Witches Tarot by Ellen Dugan (Author), Mark Evans (Author)

The Four of Wands…

Yesterday, we pulled this card reversed and it presented in a way that indicated we weren’t quite connecting with people in our circle in a harmonious way. The read seemed to indicate that we should seek our tribe elsewhere. Today I pulled the same card, but upright, first thing in the morning and I was excited at the notion that the like-minded tribe I hoped to secure would emerge for me! And, I was surprised at how much I was reminded of the strong relationships I DO have in my life all through the day! Old friends and new friends appeared to me in many ways. Think back on your own day - how did your tribe appear to you? Were there surprise texts, chance meetings, introductions or fun gatherings? Have you identified those that resonate with your spirit? How might you foster these relationships? Just think of what is possible when you set out to conquer together!

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”  - C.S. Lewis

The Four of Wands from The Witches Tarot by Ellen Dugan and Mark Evans

The Page of Wands into The Four of Wands (Reversed)…

You have a spirit that is all about positive action and you have been jumping up and down to gain the attention and approval of others. But, sometimes they just don’t notice and you feel like you aren’t getting your desired result. But, you know that you can’t make everyone like you. If you try to force a relationship, even when you do this with a carefree and joyful spirit, some people will just not resonate with what you are putting out into the world. You shouldn’t let this get you down, though. No need to linger and let this moment damper your spirit. So, you can’t solidify the connection with that particular person or group of people that you had hoped would be there for you?!? Move on - there is a tribe out there just waiting for your special brand of happiness and fire. Go and find them!!!

"When you find people who not only tolerate your quirks but celebrate them with glad cries of “Me too!” be sure to cherish them. Because those weirdos are your tribe." - A.J. Downey

The Page of Wands into the Four of Wands (Reversed) from the Light Seer Tarot by Chris-Anne

The Ace of Cups…

The energy of this week submerges us into the deep end of emotional opportunity! If you have a heart that has been longing for deeper connection and engaging relationships…be prepared to be offered the chance to dive in. Even though the changes will feel dangerous, you will also feel exhilarated by this fresh and golden opportunity. Allow yourself to be engulfed in whatever emotions surface for you as you swim through this week like a mystical creature of the deep. There will be rewards waiting for you at every turn. Once you have claimed your most precious prize, it’s up to you how you choose to enhance and enrich it! Surprises abound - you find you are the prize that someone else claims! Wherever your adventure takes you this week, open your heart up so that you can experience it all with the sincerest of intentions.

"To love deeply in one direction makes us more loving in all others." — Sophie Swetchine

The Ace of Cups from the Creative Commons Tarot Deck

The Page of Wands - Reversed…

There is a lot going on around you - some of which is exciting, but much of it feels dangerous. But, strangely you are totally disengaged and do not even want to explore these happenings. It’s alright to feel disinterested in all of it. You don’t always have to be motivated to deal with the chaos. In addition, you shouldn’t let yourself be made to feel like you have to participate by someone else. You can simply sit back, ignore and let it pass by. Perhaps, after the fact, you’ll make sense of it all in retrospect. But, maybe you won’t. Will you feel as though you missed something? Hard to say at this point. Don’t force yourself to be active out of fear of regret. If you do not feel invested, perhaps there is a reason. Trust your gut - even if it’s just not motivating you to do anything.

“I am immediately disinterested when I hear mountain-climbing stories. - Fred Armisen *Me too, Fred - me too.

The Page of Wands (Reversed) from the Radio Opaque Tarot by Echo Vaas

Nine of Swords (Reversed) & Page of Swords…

This morning, I accidentally pulled two cards when reaching for a card of the day. But in Tarot, as in many moments of life, I have always found there really aren’t accidents. This two card discourse struck me right away, because last night I saw a dear friend in their incredibly creative cabaret show of personal stories and original songs! I was very moved at how she took a particularly traumatizing moment in her life and used it to create a truly gorgeous and heart-felt song. It reminded me that all of the stress and darkness we experience can spark new ideas. And, those ideas, if we let them take form, can motivate and inspire others in brilliant and moving ways we had not thought possible. When restless thoughts begin to swirl around you, gain control by using those thoughts in a creative way. Take your anxiety and turn it into something beautiful and full of bright potential for yourself and for others.

“When you’re sick of this world that’s broken, when you’re tired of your thoughts unspoken - don’t let it break you, that won’t be your fate. Don’t wait - create!” - Matty from SuperYou The Musical - lyrics by Lourds Lane

The Nine of Swords (Reversed) into The Page of Swords from The Light Seer’s Tarot by Chris-Anne

The Empress - Reversed…

This is a week of maniacal people making a mess of your world - isn’t it? Who is that holier-than-thou presence looming over you, judging your every move? We all have those certain people that hover and make us feel small. They might pretend to be powerful and all knowing, but their intentions are so dark and twisty and their subtext is disturbing. They only seek to make themselves feel better by making you feel bad. Underneath the surface they have completely disconnected from their authentic self and they can’t stand that you are so true to who you are. So, let them loom and spout their opinions about who you are and what you do. Don’t give them a minute of your personal energy - they haven’t earned it. If you really want to scare them away - hold up a mirror and reflect back to them what you see. They may be so horrified by how far they have strayed from compassion and proliferation that they will finally change themselves for the better.

“We do ourselves a great disservice when we let the bitter opinions of others mingle and subvert our own thoughts.” - Dodinsky

The Empress (Reversed) from The Modern Way Tarot by J. Bindels and N. Fernando

The Page of Cups and Temperance Reversed…

Are you having a DAY?!? Overwhelmed by the chaos created by another? All it takes is one emotionally immature crazy maker to splash into your calm zone and turn everything into an upside down nightmare. As cute and lovable as they may be, perhaps as you reach the end of this day, you might look back and gain a more illuminating perspective on the mess that was made for you. I get it - you feel sympathetic to them and will defend their plain innocence. However, is that who they truly are or is that just the game they play? And, where are they now?!? You are the one left dealing with the turmoil. You may love this person - you may feel slightly responsible for them, but ultimately, it appears to be time to start setting boundaries around how giving and available you are to them. Take back your sense of autonomy and control, if only just to restore your equilibrium.

”Whether they appear as your overbearing mother, your manic boss, your needy friend, or your stubborn spouse, the crazymakers in your life share certain destructive patterns that make them poisonous for any sustained creative work. . . Crazymakers are often blocked creatives themselves. Afraid to effectively tap into their own creativity, they are loath to allow that same creativity in others. It makes them jealous.” - Julia Cameron

The Page of Cups into Temperance (Reversed) from The Tarot of the Witches Garden by Sasha Graham