The Five of Cups - Reversed…

You have been feeling a little low on energy - depleted of your spark. Well, today is an excellent time to RECHARGE! Do you remember your favorite video game when you are on a magical quest but almost ran out of lives? And then you find that golden chalice or sparkly coin that allows you to regenerate instantaneously and keep moving toward your goal? You are not at the end of this particular quest - you are right in the middle, so it’s time to find that prize. What is the secret juice or special sauce that will help you to recover and revive your spirit? Your inner battery is ready for a little magic, so discover that thing that will fill you with motivation, inspiration and LIFE. Reach for it - jump hurdles if you have to (Mario did and that strange man in Pitfall was swinging over caverns!). Let yourself feel the power of rejuvenation. Revive, restore and renew your spark! (Cue the Ms. Pacman music)

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” - Robin Williams

The Five of Cups (Reversed) from the Fairytale Tarot Deck by Yoshi Yoshitani

Knight of Wands - Reversed…

You have a feeling building up under the surface - a kind of mysteriously undefined, fiery passion. This creative restlessness is exciting, but also frustrating. What to do with it?!? In what direction should you let it lead you?!? You don’t have to know right away. Live in the strange yearning of it - let it burn deep inside until you cannot take the heat any longer. This inner spark of passion will grow in a way that ignites a journey which will surprise and amaze you. Sit in the uncomfortable pyre for now feeling directionless - fan the flames and wait for the right moment. Impulsively you will know when to charge ahead and just what path to take.

“I love the unknown. I love the discovery of what will be happening and just kind of sitting back and not knowing.” - Jennifer Aniston

The Knight of Wands from The Labyrinth Tarot by Luis Royo

Nine of Cups - Reversed…

Here’s a tricky question for you - take a moment to review the day - how much of your day’s activities and experiences really filled you heart and fueled your passions?!? On the outside, life is quite cute…but cute is not exactly compelling, is it?!? Your creature comforts are useful, but only to a point. The surface encounter of fulfillment doesn’t really move you anymore. You can let it all spill away and throw a pity party that will look to others as a basic call for sympathy and attention… or you can take the time this week to make some needed changes that will lead you toward realization of wholeness.Tonight - let the sappy, colorful ideas that you present to the world about self satisfaction melt away like crayons in the sun. You don’t need those fake colors anymore. Empty your mind and heart of who you want to be perceived as being. Ask the night sky to fill you with space and expansiveness. Ready yourself to dream a deeper, more enriching version of who you can be. Close your eyes and drift into this mysterious vision. When you wake, write down your first thoughts about what would fulfill you. Let this missive explain to you who you really are. Now, spend the rest of a the week, mapping out a plan to obtain it. Sweet dreams and let this challenge be an inspirational start to your week!

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” - Carl Jung

The 9 of Cups (Reversed) - Art by Vera for the Art Collaboration on Behance

Judgement…

When re-arranging our priorities and looking for a new and greater sense of self to emerge, it can be quite inspirational to turn to the natural world for guidance. There’s undeniable messaging that emanates from the trees in our path, the sky overhead, the animals that surround us and the very air we breathe. You might say their secret guidance is hidden in plain sight. Today, make yourself aware of how you inhabit the ecosystem around you. Listen, feel and absorb the mysterious song of the universe and try to sing a chorus or two. What you imagine for self might need a little connection with this ephemeral tune - the distant call of the birds, the deliciously exciting electric boom of a thunderstorm, the roaring of the ocean waves. Let’s face it - natures sheds and regenerates much like we do, so when it seems like change is insurmountable or you are feeling a little stuck, let the sound of the falling leaves or the rippling current be a reminder that change is your birthright and you are free to call upon it whenever you choose. Feel your destiny as a magical thing that exists in this moment all around you, rather than an unreachable destination. Let the natural world be your pulse.

“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.” - Albert Einstein

The Judgement Card - Tarot Art Print by Linda Ravenscroft

The Wheel of Fate - Reversed…

What goes around comes around. This weekend you may be feeling a little bit of the heat as you find yourself dangling on the downside of the wheel of life. It’s ok to lay low and just absorb what you are receiving with careful consideration. It’s not fun to experience life’s lows, but it’s imperative that you find the message and meaning that is hiding underneath it all. Knowing how to claim responsibility for where you find yourself will allow you to work toward a twist and turn in the right direction as you move forward. But for now, cling to the underpinnings of your situation and recognize that, while you don’t always have control over the ups and downs of existence, you have been and continue to be a contributing influence to the fortune of self and others as you spin.

“Realize that everything connects to everything else.” - Leonardo DaVinci

The Wheel of Fate/Fortune - Artists Rendering on Deviant Art

The Two of Swords…

Listen, I know you feel caught between - stuck in a moment of indecision. BUT you know you know the answer. Deep within, the direction is clear. It’s just a matter of unearthing the clarity that is buried underneath. If you can, find a moment today to hover - suspend yourself above that which surrounds you. Don’t let external distractions confuse or disorient you. Close your eyes and dig deep in the soil of self. Keep digging until you find that treasured answer. It’s there - I promise.

“At the center of your being you know the answer. You know who you are and you know what you want.” - Lao Tzu

The Two Of Swords - Artist rendering by Thalia Took

The Seven of Pentacles…

So, if you are east coast based like me, have just experienced a stunning harvest moon appear as a silent but powerful “goodbye” to summer. Now, you are starting to feel the air turn crisper and the wind whispers to you for change.. The energy of fall is calling to you and potential for something different is on the horizon. But this potential isn’t just of the external variety. There is a piece of you that has been haunted by the idea of of real growth and germination. Perhaps your tired soul is recognizing that you need more space in your world? Or maybe your inner child feels corrupted and neglected. At night, your dreams may be filled with nonsensical and dizzying visions - a kind of messaging you are having trouble deciphering. What looms over you is your own psyche motivating you towards more - more of what?!? You get to decide, my haunted friends. But the time is now to prepare a space for it and allow it to possess you.

“It is a good idea to be alone in a garden at dawn or dark, so that all it’s shy presences may haunt you and possess you in a reverie of suspended thought.” - James Douglas

The Seven of Pentacles from the Dark Wood Tarot by Sasha Graham

Queen of Wands (Reversed) - The Magician…

This feels like a Two-Card-Tuesday-Dose-of-Reality “Smack Down”! You can’t always be in charge and sometimes your creative ideas are dismissed leaving you powerless. But, are you truly powerless? Or do you just need a reminder of the fundamentals. Sometimes to truly make magic, you need to simplify down to the root and use the basic tools at your disposal. Your ego may feel the need to take over and control the moment or task at hand and you might long for recognition, admiration and respect. But, do you need those things, truly, to get the job done. Even if you have felt that level of “Smack Down” today, trust that your ego can mend and rely on what you have at your disposal - your raw talent. It doesn’t have to be revered to be effective. You have all the elements to be successful - don’t let a little setback get you down. Stay connected and you will flourish - that is real sorcery.

“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” - George S. Patton

The Queen of Wands (Reversed) into the Magician from the Rider/Waite/Smith Deck

The Queen of Pentacles…

There’s a beautiful future that is calling to you - it’s asking you to step up and take the lead on your own behalf. In fact, future you is feeling glamorous and in charge, but is looking back to where you currently are and beckoning you to begin the work. Yes, it takes work to achieve the kind of freedom that allows for indulgence and abundance, but that doesn’t mean it’s not within reach. Start now by planting the seeds of that delicious fruit and then use your savvy to encourage it to bloom and ripen. This will take planning. This will take courage, patience, dedication and the continual belief that your desire can and will blossom. Your succeeding future self is relying on you to start the process now, but don’t just make plain steps, ignite your plan with majesty and true conviction. Whenever you feel like you might like to abandon this endeavor, let your future self remind you of just how much you deserve the riches that await you. Think of this first step as the moment you begin to ascend the throne that was always there waiting for you.

“I believe that, young or old, we have as much to look forward to with confidence and hope as we have to look back on with pride.” - Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen of Pentacles - Art found on Deviant Art

The Two of Wands…

If you are anything like me, you might be grappling with the emotions that arise when you feel the “end of summer blues”. It’s like a grayness that invades your every move and the terrible feeling that you just want to avoid any sense of saying goodbye. Well, an encouraging message has materialized in the form of the Two of Wands! So, we’re at a crossroads of sorts, but it’s up to us how we choose to grab onto the options that have presented. The sun is dimming, the world keeps spinning, but to have decisions to make is a gift. Which emerging path this fall is tickling your fancy and how might you use it to create even more magic in your life? Take hold of what is being offered, but dream beyond it, as the grasping of it is only the first tiny step in a journey that is great! Let the orange hues of warmth dissipate and invite the purple inspiration of the new, crisp air. Creativity and motivation are at your fingertips. You decide which way to go as you enter this darkly delicious season. You get to choose who you want to become within underneath it’s indigo sky. Let yourself be inspired.

“May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears.” - Nelson Mandela

The Two of Wands from the Inspirational Tarot Deck

The Seven Of Swords…

I hate to break it to you, but whatever you are up to - they are onto you. You may think you are pulling the wool over someone’s eyes, but those eyes are seeing what you are doing. Yep -you are caught and if you aren’t you will be soon. They may not immediately grasp the full truth of your actions, but truth has a way of rising to the surface or slowly sinking in with an extra burn. So, it’s just a matter of time before you are discovered in this act and there’s only so much you can play that innocent, unknowing card that you have relied upon in the past. Look within and examine your reasons for this deception. Maybe if you confront the heart of it, you’ll find a more forthright and transparent way to handle the situation - one that clears a path for all to move forward with a clear conscience. To be sneaky is sometime necessary, but in this occasion- what are you truly avoiding? Will the consequences of your betrayal really be worth it? I know you don’t want to hear it, but honest is the best policy in your case.

“Being honest may not get you a lot of friends, but it will always get you the right ones.” - John Lennon

The 7 of Swords from the Mystical Manga Tarot by Barbara Moore

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