Tarot Reflections

The Knight of Cups, from the Rider-Waite deck, is featured for the upcoming new moon this June. The message here is, “it’s time to align your mind and your heart”. One way to do this is by mentally tracking your heart – your emotional self. What are your heart’s desires? What emotions are running rampant for you at this time? What emotions are surfacing that you would rather sweep under the rug? At this new moon, consider engaging in this practice for clarity. A journal can be a good resource too. Awareness is the first step to change and change seems to be in the cards (and stars for that matter!) for humanity at this time. When we align our mental and emotional states we can be powerful agents of change!

With planting season upon us, I was prompted to consult my Herbal tarot deck for some insight into this months’ full moon. What showed up was The Medicine Wheel card. I love how the rocks are laid out in four quadrants symbolizing the seasons, directions, and life cycles. The card signifies a time of completions and endings – with every ending comes a new beginning. It’s a theme for 2024. As for slippery elm, I’ve used it for sore throats and coughs, and lung issues, making it a good fit in times of grief and loss that can come with endings. It’s a nourishing, smooth and comforting herb. The tagline for this card, as so eloquently said by the deck’s creators is: “bringing down to earth the sacred power of the sky”, translating to the power of manifestation available to humanity at this time.

The Mythic Tarot presents the tarot card Justice for this super new moon. The figure in this card brings a message of balance, steadfastness, and of taking a stand for what s/he believes in. It often requires a letting go – a releasing of the old outdated way of being. It is a time for a new intention to be made. The owl may be bringing a message of loss that simultaneously comes with a gain or new beginning. The big pillars signify that you are protected by Great Spirit, Creator, your animal allies or however you see that Great all-knowing force. In these times, it can be comforting to remember that.

The Inner Child cards revealed the Child of Swords for this upcoming full moon. The main figure in the image is Pinocchio, and the tagline for this card is “walking the path of your truth”. We are being asked to take an honest look at ourselves and ask this question: Where am I out of honour or integrity in my life? Just like Pinocchio, who learned many life lessons about love, honesty and sacrifice, we need to clear out the smoky mirrors. Sometimes we get into habits we’re not even aware of. Now is the time to come clean and use your mental discipline to move forward with authenticity and honour.

Well, it’s another powerful new moon with the total solar eclipse. With the Wheel of Fortune from the Rider-Waite deck, you are being asked to see a new reflection of yourself. It is a reflection that’s aligned with your soul instead of solely your ego or facade. From this place within, you are able to choose your code of conduct so to speak. Your new identity and/or offering are coming together as you ready yourself for some kind of completion – the manifestation of whatever it is you’ve been envisioning and creating for yourself up to this time. In regards to the wheel, there’s an ask to look at your potential for greatness – your soul’s destiny – and also at your struggle simultaneously. We all have ups and downs on the journey of life, and keeping this in mind can help in times of hardship.

The King of Wands from the Rider-Waite deck signifies the strength of our creative fire coming out. It’s also a sign of our increasing connection to our spirit bodies and to our intuition. There is a presence in this being that gives the feeling of maturity, vast experience, and reflection. Here are a handful of reflective questions worth asking yourself over this full moon:

1. What kind of ruler (over oneself, not others!) do you want to be?
2. What are you feeling ambitious and creative and passionate about at this time?
3. How can you use your spiritual strength as a resource or support for you and/or others?
4. Where is your creative fire coming out at this time?

The three of Wands from the Thoth tarot deck is shining itself upon us for this new moon in March. As we watch the return of the sun’s strength we feel a renewed strength within. Pay attention to see where and how Creator is showing up for you around a new commitment and/or awareness; there’s a new opening, based on what you have chosen to commit to, that feels enlivening to you. There’s a feeling of alignment and togetherness in this card too that’s life-affirming, urging you to begin building your sanctuary – from the inside out. Makes me feel like dancing!

The fullness of the moon this month is represented by the 10 of Wands, from the Rider-Waite deck. It’s a time to ask yourself, “what are the ten ways in which I have followed my spiritual path or intuition…and where have I not? There’s a feeling of burden that comes with this card, and becoming aware of what you’re feeing burdened with and how that state came to be created will be the key to lightening your load. Perhaps there’s an ending of some kind awaiting you – in the inner and/or outer realm. With every ending there’s an opportunity for a new beginning. Halleluhja!

In consulting the Inner Child cards for this new moon we see Alice in Wonderland, correlating to the Wheel of Fortune in the traditional tarot deck. Like Alice, you can truly create your own reality and experience the adventure of a lifetime…or lifetimes. Upon exploring the realm of dreams and visions (and envisioning) you can creatively see how to move forward. Tap into your creative imagination; it will allow you to see what’s needed for the fulfilment of a long-held intention/seed you’ve been planting. At this time you’re needing to find the structure, the language, the form, and the details to bring the soul seed’s path to fruition. You may need to think outside the box – be bold, be brave, be connected to your heart! Opportunities are on the way. The Wheel is on your side, even if it doesn’t feel like it.

The Star from the Rider-Waite deck is making a cameo for this full moon in January. “You are the Star of your Life”!

It’s the time to listen to the wisdom of the stars – the realm beyond the mundane – and bring it down to your everyday life. Part of going on any kind of spiritual journey or retreat (even if just for an hour) is the integration afterwards. It’s about listening for your truth and then disseminating the seeds in whatever way feels good. It’s an act of receiving and giving.

We all have the ability to create a connection to divine intelligence as well as a deep connection to the earth and the water world. The potential to plug into the stars and receive their wisdom is available to us all. It creates a solid centered place from which to make choices. Here’s to clear skies over the next few days so we can see all the stars in their twinkling glory!