King of Wands…

There are some exceptionally creative ideas simmering under the surface - you are a real visionary just waiting to ignite. Let your most wild and colorful designs take the lead in your mind tonight! You must dream it if you wish to own it, so paint it all out with vibrancy and texture in your mind scape. Be specific, but bold as you give color to this dream of yours. Focus the chaos and let it take defined shape without trying to control it too much. Think about how many people might benefit from your musings and how the world might be changed by your beautiful ideas. Tonight is the night to craft the core of a personal purpose that can and will inspire. Make sure it speaks to you and your wildly innovative spirit most of all, because this is epicenter of what will motivate you to get out and DO IT! When you are ready to put it all in motion, be sure to enlist the help of others who are equally as passionate as you. This moment tonight is your very first step toward realizing a dream.

“The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success, but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” -Oprah Winfrey

The King of Wands from the Universal Folk Tarot by Anita Inverarity

Temperance - The Wheel of Fortune…

It is “Two Card Tuesday” and two very strong cards have appeared with a clear message. You may be looking at someone else with jealous eyes from afar. I see you gazing longing over at their perfect situation. The universe seems to surround them with peaceful bliss and their every dream is supported and lifted up with ease. They are sitting pretty with no doubts and no fears about what is yet to come. In fact, their demeanor is of easy confidence in every aspect of their life. “Why are they afforded all of these advantages” you may be thinking to yourself, “while my existence is full of jarring twists and turns?!?” It’s true, you have faced quite a bit of challenges along your path and you will continue to feel those wheels spin, but you are made for more exciting things, my love! Your inner spirit is restless and driving. Comparing yourself to that other person is pointless - they may never understand the full complexity of life that you have as your very best friend! And if they do, it is only because they have moved through it to achieve a level of balance that is available to you if you desire it. But, do you? Maybe you like to mix things up - maybe the unknown thrills you and your spontaneous energy is what makes you grand. Mull it over. Knowing what you truly want and need is half the battle, but looking at what someone else has - that’s just a distraction.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not.” - Ann Brashares

Temperance & The Wheel of Fortune from The Tarot of Mystical Moments by Catrin Welz-Stein

The Empress…

The Empress beckons to you this week. She supports you in all endeavors you, but also challenges you to find the true jewel of who you are. In all tasks, big or small, allow the universe to blanket you in love, abundance and richness. Even when you find yourself entrenched in something that disconnects you from nature and beauty, she is urging you to incorporate the complexities of the cosmos and the stunning clarity of the natural world that surrounds you. (Ahem - eyes locked on a screen in a frenzied effort to meet deadlines counts in this case.) How might you do this? That, my dear friend, is up to you. Perhaps you step away from distractions and just listen to the gentle sound of the wind outside your window. Or maybe you must take a walk and have secret conversations with the trees. There are truly so many ways to reconnect. Simply closing your eyes and tuning into the womb-like thrumming of your own heart beat can remind you of the luxurious treasure of your own existence. See how these shiny jewels enhance the manner in which you approach the requirements of your week! Indulge.

“Keep your sunny side up! Keep yourself beautiful and indulge yourself!” - Betsey Johnson

The Empress from The Cosmic Tarot by Norbert Lösche

Nine of Swords - Justice…

When worries sweep in and you find yourself having sleepless nights, recognize that you have have the power within to maintain balance of thought and emotions. In fact, when you look back on your most anxiety filled moments, you may start to recognize that the thoughts and feelings didn’t just dissipate on their own - you were the key to releasing yourself from your own turmoil. Let the outer robes of who you are be light and pure. As you feel dark thoughts descend upon you, allow the wind to take them away into the night sky. You know the best way to maintain the world around you, just by being strong in your internal convictions about who you are. Don’t be carried away by clouds of doubt. Hold your own by being clear about who you are and the fear will flee.

“Nothing can bring your piece but yourself.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The 9 of Swords & Justice

Four of Wands - Reversed…

If you hope to celebrate on this extended weekend and you truly want to make the most of it, you must plan ahead. It won’t be enough to stroll onto the scene with a party attitude - you have to lay the foundation for an atmosphere of connection. I know you don’t feel like putting in any work on this - I mean, can’t we just all show up and have a good time?!? But, if you truly want to enjoy the full revelry of the weekend ahead, you will have to set yourself up right. So, brainstorm for a moment - what four things can you do tonight to better prepare yourself for freedom and fun this weekend? Is the work all done - have you cleared your “desk”? Are you packed or do you have what you need for any planned events? Is there something you are supposed to bring or would like to bring if attending elsewhere? Has everyone been invited who should be there? Keep thinking…If you can accomplish four prep-steps tonight, you will be ready to rock and roll tomorrow!

“The whole point of the week is the weekend.” - Angela Montenegro

The Four of Wands (Reversed) from Tarot Grand Luxe by Ciro Marchetti

Seven of Wands…

The spell you have been toiling over is manifesting. The story you have been tirelessly shaping is solidifying. Your work is working - for you and for others. I know you feel like you still have to be on the defensive, fighting to maintain what you have accomplished and pushing to build upon what has been done, but you have the upper hand. So, focus, breathe and take control. Find that level of assertion that elicits less frustration. Know that you can and will achieve what you have been striving for. Lock in your stance, but play to win….because you will.

“I play to win, whether during practice or a real game.” - Michael Jordan

The 7 of Wands from the 78 Tarot Astral Deck - Art by Monika Ptok-Byrard

The Lovers into the Ten of Cups - Reversed…

At a glance, these two cards may feel worrisome aside one another, but love is ever changing and you cannot control what your relationship wants to be. Whether this is a romantic connection, a friendship or a dear family member - a relationship you are entrenched in is evolving. The questions, doubts and fears about the realities of your attachment may have infused life with excitement, but they are now melting away. You are allowed to feel a tiny sense of loss, but what you stand to gain is so much deeper and more meaningful. On the surface your bond is a vision and you have been living in a joyful state of unknowing bliss. Underneath it all, things are murky, but even more magical than you can imagine. The more you accept each other, not for what you think you want but, rather, for the reality of what is deep inside, the better this relationship becomes. Easier? No. But, so much better than you could ever imagine. So, swim against the current together. What feels murky at first during this transition is just your moment to dive deeper into each other’s psyche in a way that will fortify your love.

“Real love changes and grows with time and discovers new ways of expressing itself.” - Paulo Coehlo

The Lovers into The Ten of Cups (Reversed) from The Tarot of Mystical Moments by Catrin Welz-Stein

Glance at the Week Ahead…

Free yourself from emotional drama this week and make some space for individual thought and you will be rewarded with opportunity! This is one of those weeks where you will have to literally run away from the interpersonal chaos that others try to inflict upon you. Trust me, it’s not worth even engaging in the turmoil - it’s nonsensical at best and definitely not your burden to take on. No matter how they cry, whine, blame and curse - walk away and get to a place where happy solitude reigns. When you have removed yourself from the location of all the neediness and trauma, you will finally be able to think again. You will reflect back on the great times of your past, but envision the possibility for greater times ahead. What direction do you really want to move in? I guess that’s a loaded question, but, if you free yourself from toxic distractions, brilliant ideas will spring to mind and these ideas will unlock a whole new world of opportunity you hadn’t been able to imagine. This is only the first step toward a needed change for you, but honor yourself by celebrating your personal fortitude and sense of self-protection which is allowing you to connect with the energy of personal possibility and growth . Then drive…walk…run…skip…dance in the direction of that dream. You got this.

“The less you respond to negative people, the more powerful your life will become.” – Robert E. Baine, Jr.

The Five of Cups (Reversed) - The Knight of Coins - The Three of Cups (Reversed) with the Ace of Coins hovering above from The Slow Tarot by Lacey Bryant

The Tower…

Deep thoughts on a Saturday…When I pulled this card this morning, there was a moment of dread….what would come to us? How might this message manifest? But, the essence of The Tower has actually materialized in a pretty powerful and surprising way for me today, so I thought it would be best to just share it with you. I found myself listening today to a podcast about Columbine that has really moved me - “Confronting Columbine”. My BF was like, “Ugh - why are you torturing yourself with this? That’s not very uplifting for a Saturday?” But, I have always been someone that loves hearing personal stories. I believe in the power of shared humanity and I feel drawn to understanding the complexities of life. I suppose that is why I am a tarot reader and have built the other part of my life in the performing arts. Also, I have a visceral memory of the moment of that mass shooting hitting the news - I had only just recently graduated from High School myself, so it made quite a lasting impression on my developing soul. Looking back, it’s so incredibly disheartening to feel as though we haven’t made much progress on this issue as a community and culture. There is so much to be learned from those who have persevered and have had to rebuild their lives despite the darkness they had been thrust into. And, the truth is, in life and of this card, these situations create stories that must be heard to inspire us to change on a personal level and as a collective. Perhaps, absorbing the survival tale of others, may help us be prepared when we find ourselves in a situation of absolute chaos and destruction ourselves. Perhaps these stories of inspirational healing and recovery will carve out a deeper understanding of all of the good we are truly capable of as a community. How you choose absorb tragedy and use it to motivate change is vital to the world around you - don’t forget it. So much gratitude to the makers of this podcast - I suppose I didn’t realize there was a tiny piece of me that needed this kind of inspiration.

“I have this feeling that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” - Rachel Joy Scott

The Tower - Art by Rada Iya

The King of Swords…

You know what is needed for a cohesive and enjoyable weekend. Trust your intellect and use it to set plans in motion. If someone in your inner circle tries to interject, dominate them with your ideas and they will bend to your will. Sound aggressive? It doesn’t have to be. Just having the knowledge and the determination to set that knowledge in motion is a powerful enough move at this point. You are cloaked in the support of the universe and have the natural ability to help others see things more clearly. So, step into your power with grace, but be unbending in your decision making. Later, all those who succumbed to your steadfastness will thank you for the brilliant and bold experiences they had because of your thoughtful planning. Invoke the spirit of the wind, and let all those thoughts swirl together into your own unique plan of action - then lead everyone in the direction of your vision!

“There are dreamers and there are planners. The planners make their dreams come true.” - Edwin Louis Cole

The King of Swords from The Robin Wood Tarot

The World - Reversed…

You are reaching the end of a full cycle and ready for a re-start! Yahoo! But, wait. Slow down. Stop. Pause. Rewind. You aren’t QUITE there yet (sorry). If you think of your life as a manuscript and you are the author who has been toiling away to spill all kinds of creativity and prose down on the page, then this is your moment to revise. Yes -you must take a look back over this story and refine. Edit, maybe, but rework definitely. You know - finishing touches and all of that. Now is your chance to review, rediscover and revamp before you turn that sucker in for validation. You want to feel proud of your work - don’t you? You want the world to look back on your endeavors with admiration and respect. So a few more days, weeks, even months will be worth it. THEN you can cash it in and start a whole new storyline! Listen, this could be award-winning - the greatest of all time, so take the time to end on a high note! You know what to do…

“Good writing is rewriting.” - Truman Capote

The World (Reversed) from the Curious Parrott Tarot Deck by Margaret and Thom Parrott

Justice - Reversed…

When things go wrong, do you put the blame on yourself? If you are anything like me, you do. It’s easy to run through all of the details in your mind about what happened, what action you took, what action you didn’t take and what you should have done differently and then distill it all down to, “It’s my fault”. Or, even worse, “I deserve this.” But, justice and injustice aren’t always that straight forward. Injustice sometimes just occurs and there is no way out of it - you can fight, you can protest, you can refuse, but it just won’t go your way. And no amount of “shoulda, woulda, coulda” will help you solve the problem. So, take a minute today when you start to spiral in a direction of self loathing and defeat to stop and regain control of your thoughts. You are not at fault this time. You don’t deserve what is happening. You’d be doing an injustice to self, if accepted took the burden of it all as your own. Release that inner voice of self judgement. Quite the mind.

“Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.” - Maya Angelou

Justice (Reversed) from The Inspirational Tarot Deck by Rachel Farabough

Reversed Knight of Cups - Two of Cups - Reversed Page of Cups…

An emotional start to the day? Cups are raining down upon us! An emotional connection with a loved one is feeling very off base today. The intention is good, but there are external forces that will not let you come together in a cohesive manner. Perhaps you are both being a little childish in refusing to honor the other’s feelings. You can take your compassion in a different direction, but the experience will never sit right if you do. You will find yourself suspended in a bewildering and awkward state and no distraction will help you to right the wrong of it. Your bond is meant to heal, comfort and restore each other. So, take the step to redirect back in the direction of your loved one, no matter how difficult this feels. Choose compassion in this moment. Choose each other.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” - Leo Buscaglia

The Knight of Cups (Reversed) - The Two of Cups - The Page of Cups (Reversed) from the Rider/Waite/Smith Deck

The Hanged Man - Reversed…

Sorry for the scary clown on a Monday night, but life is sometimes a bit of a circus. Recognize that you might have to make a sacrifice of self in order to progress toward a greater sense of calm and wellbeing. But, I believe you already know that and know what it is that must be parted with to feel stable. In fact, you may have felt like a scary clown for the past few days or weeks. If that terrifying alter ego is ready to drop, let them. Either they will descend with purpose on your behalf or they will scurry away into the night. Imagine, this evening, you are untethering yourself from this energy and releasing something or someone you may think you need, but has gifted you with only freakish and bizarre feelings. Shift your perspective by imaging a life without this haunt - how do you feel in this freeing vision? It or them may be driving you to be something you are not. It may be time to figure out how to remove the makeup.

“Someone asked a clown, ‘why do you wear a mask?’ Clown replied, ‘Everyone wears it - mine is visible.’ - Anonymous

The Hanged Man (Reversed) from a deck I don’t know at all - any of you clowns know this deck?

Six of Swords - Strength - Four of Wands…

I have been feeling a burdensome chaos descending in life and the world around me. Lately, it seems that things are not aligning the way I hoped and sudden surprises are leaping out at every turn. I’m not sure if you are feeling the same, but I felt the need to do a deep draw to see what this week has in store and how we might master it. To do this, I pulled from the deepest and juiciest deck I own - my friend, Sasha Graham’s Dark Wood Tarot. Perhaps a journey deep into the Dark Wood of existence, is what we need and crave. Withdrawing in the direction of promised safety is an option this week, but how safe will we actually be from a threat that lies within? Our minds will travel with us, after all. Hiding and celebrating what we think we DO have always looks appealing. Gratitude is sometimes the answer that brings us the balance we long for, but happy thoughts will not be enough to ward off what lurks underneath it all. Instead, we may have to sit in the beautiful, but uncomfortable power of our own unrevealed potency. If we must fight, let us do it with all of the most vicious hidden reserve of persuasion that we can manifest. When we bring this to the surface, we will feel out of control, but we will win and simultaneously exorcise the wicked shadows that have been getting in our way. Our strength runs WAY deeper than we think.

“The shadow is needed now more than ever. We heal the world when we heal ourselves and hope shines brightest when it illuminates the dark.” - Sasha Graham

The Six of Swords - Strength - The Four of Wands from the Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham & Abigail Larson

The High Priestess - Reversed…

Life can definitely get in the way of full connection to intuition. How can you trust your instincts about anything when you are constantly being bombarded with more obligations and commitments? Also, in this age of information, your brain is often on overdrive just trying to decipher and catalogue the constant communication that is thrown in your face. Today, you may think you are intuitively connected to a decision that needs to made, but this message from within needs to be further distilled. You are not reacting with clarity and authenticity today - you are surrounded by static. Take a moment to remove yourself from the onslaught of external forces. Quiet the mind and the heart just enough to hatch a plan on how you might best cut through the static to find your authentic truth. This will lead you to the right decision for self.

“A quiet mind is able to hear intuition over fear.” - Yvan Byeajee

The High Priestess (Reversed) from the Muse Tarot by Chris-Anne

Seven of Pentacles - Reversed…

Feeling a little uncertain as you head into the weekend? Perhaps you are unsure of many things in this moment - befuddled, disenchanted and just not ready to make any promises. You don’t have to commit, if it doesn’t feel right. Commit to a partner, commit to a plan of action, commit yourself to family or work…to any of these things it’s ok to avoid saying “yes”. Dwell in the ennui and allow your psyche to feel a little lost. Maybe, you need this uncomfortable unknowing. So don’t say yes - go for a walk under the night sky and let the stars speak to your disoriented spirit. They have a message for you - they whisper, “wondering is enough.” After all, life is one big mystery, never really revealing its secrets to anyone. Avoid yes - embrace ambiguity.

“I left the ending ambiguous because that is the way life is.” - Bernardo Bertolucci

The Seven of Pentacles (Reversed) from the 78 Tarot Astral Deck - Art by Natacha Chohra

Three of Cups…

Check in with your nearest and dearest today. That strange feeling of disconnection can be coming from you, but it also could be a hint that there is something brewing under the surface that needs to be addressed. You may be busy, but it could be that your absence has made someone feel neglected. Or, perhaps something you said or did wasn’t received the way you intended it to be. Don’t let this rift plunge you even further into the depths of muddled detachment. All you really have to do is reach out and say hello. Make yourself available to them. All will be revealed in a way that can allow clarity for all, if you do. Also, they may have important news or gossip to share that you don’t want to miss out on - something very juicy and exciting!. Make a call, send a text, drop them a silly message or set a date to meet up. You won’t regret it.

“True friends stay with you no matter the distance or time that separates you from them.” - Lance Reynald

The Three of Cups (Reversed) from The Mermaid Tarot by Leeza Robertson & Julie Dillon

The King of Pentacles - Reversed…

I was feeling a little bit of the Wednesday Woes as I started my day so, this morning I asked the deck, “What can we do today that will help us get through the week?” And the answer was, admittedly, hard to decipher. Could it be that we need to release ourselves from the rigidity of thinking that we have sustain a certain level of power? Should we take a step down from our metaphoric thrown? Do we really need the heaviness of the symbolic crown we have been carrying atop our heads? Let’s take one small step to check our egos by easing up on our stubbornness. Do one thing differently today - do one thing with silly, lightheartedness leading the way. Step outside of your comfort zone by giving yourself and others permission to be surprised. Let’s break away from our well protected routine and let’s set out to tarnish our jeweled crowns…

“As soon as you open your mind to doing things differently, the doors of opportunity practically fly off the hinges.” - Jay Abraham

The King of Pentacles (Reversed) by Sushila Burgess

Two of Pentacles - Reversed & The Chariot…

You are ready to stop climbing and to cease juggling. Why stress so much to keep up with what everyone else needs or wants? I mean, you did that really well and kept it all together, but now it’s time for you to take initiative by setting your own tone. You know exactly what direction you are headed in, so clear the path of delays and recalibrate the pace. You may feel sluggish when you start, but just decide you are going to take the reins and move ahead in a way that suits you best. All the people that threaten to slow you down or stand in your way, will just have to adjust to keep up or get out of your way! Focus and use all of your resources to support this internal shift in energy. Time to move forward, my friends, but do it at the pace of YOUR choosing!

“You have to set the tone and the pace, define objectives and strategies. Demonstrate through personal example what you might expect from others.” - Stanley C. Gault

Two of Pentacles (Reversed) into The Chariot from The Tarot of Mystical Moments by Catrin Welz-Stein