My Tarot Blog Posts Are Now “Stories” On Medium.com

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As you can see from the date of my last blog post here, it’s been a couple of years since I posted anything on my blog, the main reason being that I started writing in earnest at Medium.com a couple of years ago.

I write on a variety of topics there, including mindfulness, Reiki, the Law of Attraction, and crochet. And of course, I also write about tarot.

I’ll be posting links to those tarot pieces or “stories,” as Medium calls them, here so that you can bypass Medium’s paywall and read them for free.

If you’re already a Medium subscriber, you can find me HERE.

If you’re not a Medium subscriber and want to read ALL of my stories for free, you can find them HERE. You just won’t be able to read stories written by other fantastic Medium writers.

If you’re thinking about subscribing to Medium, you can find more information HERE.

Let me know if you have questions, and thanks for your support.

What-Can-I-Expect Career Tarot Spread

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I was so confused yesterday after meeting with a friend who is helping me update my crochet website. I had so many questions afterwards in terms of what I can do to manifest more cash flow. She thinks I would be great on Twitch or Tik Tok, but I’m a friggin’ introvert and a highly sensitive empath. That kind of exposure feels like looking directly at the sun without sun glasses!

So I came up with this “what can I expect” career tarot spread to see what I could learn about three pursuits I COULD engage in to generate cash flow and be happy doing it.

The Question and the Spread

What can I expect in terms of financial success and emotional satisfaction if I pursue –

1 – Teaching mindfulness meditation – Queen of Swords

2 – Writing short, non-fiction eBooks – 8 of Pentacles reversed

3 – Having a Twitch livestream of some kind – King of Wands

4 – Something I’m not aware of (card pulled from the bottom of the deck) – 10 of Cups

I probably could have done two cards for each pursuit – one representing financial success, the other emotional satisfaction. Oh well, maybe next time.

I used the Light Seer’s Tarot, my all-time favorite deck to use when I’m reading for myself.

What to expect career tarot spread using my Light Seer’s Tarot deck

It’s always intriguing when cards from a previous spread show up in subsequent spreads. It’s almost like their meaning becomes clearer by appearing in different positions over multiple spreads. The King of Wands, both upright and reversed, has shown up in several recent readings I’ve done for myself. So I probably need to pay attention to it.

1 – Teaching Mindfulness Meditation

The figure in the Queen of Swords, representing teaching mindfulness meditation is so serene sitting on her cushion in the open air. The word “equanimity” comes to mind when I see her. Perhaps learning how to teach mindfulness meditation is more about helping ME achieve more peace and equanimity so that I can focus on my writing.

After all, the Queen is looking directly at the figure in the 8 of Pentacles reversed. I watched an Eckhart Tolle video this morning on YouTube that clarified for me what present-moment awareness is and how it helps you achieve peace of mind, a quality I definitely need in order to move forward, regardless of the path I eventually choose.

2 – Writing short, nonfiction eBooks

The 8 of Pentacles reversed could be saying that I have eight! short, nonfiction eBooks that I could write and that would result in financial success (Pentacles = dollars!). It’s just that I have to friggin’ write them, and I haven’t been, hence the reversal. I have a detailed outline for the first one and notes on a few others. I just have to write it. I’ve already published one tarot and one crochet eBook, but I could definitely write a few more.

Looking at the card upright, the woman at the desk is ME! She has a laptop computer in front of her; you just can’t see it. And she looks so comfortable and at home at her desk. Doing this would definitely provide the emotional satisfaction I’m looking for.

But I have to market those books (ugh, I need help here) if I’m going to see any royalty income from them. The books could also lead to other enjoyable and emotionally satisfying ways to generate cash flow that I’m not aware of at the moment.

3 – Having a Twitch livestream of some kind

The friend mentioned above has been encouraging me to start livestreaming my crochet skills on Twitch. This is something I would never have thought of, although I’m somewhat familiar with the platform because of m daughter who watches Grand Theft Auto Online (like all the time!).

But in order to crochet on Twitch, I have to be comfortable in front of the camera and as confident and out there as the King of Wands. Like I said earlier, I’m an introvert! And my understanding is that you have to stream for hours on end and have a big following in order to make money. I don’t know if I can be emotionally satisfied doing that.

4 – Something I’m not aware of (card pulled from the bottom of the deck

If I were to take the 10 of Cups literally, I would be cuddling with my man, blissfully watching our kids play. That is not happening at this late stage in my life. Nope, not grandkids either ( wait, maybe they’re his!). I’m really not sure what specific activity the card represents, other than the need to remain positive in everything I do and to be more childlike and playful in my life in general.

Sometimes I can be way too serious, and if I chilled a little and counted my blessings more often, I’d certainly be a lot less stressed. I’d also be a lot more clear-minded and composed as I make decisions about which path to take.

It could be a reminder that happiness and emotional satisfaction are inside jobs. You have to be happy and content NOW, as best you can, whatever circumstances you find yourself in. You really can’t rely on things in external reality to make and keep you happy because external reality is impermanent. But inner happiness is always there, just waiting for us to discover it.

My decision

For now, I’m going to continue the mindfulness meditation training (because it de-stresses me) and also continue writing those eBooks, as well as other freelance writing projects that may come my way.

And learn more about Twitch. And I know just the “handle” I want to go by (stay tuned). There could very well be a way for me to crochet on Twitch without feeling overly exposed and vulnerable, and instead, feeling as cool, confident, and comfortable as the King of Wands, with his bad self, looks.

The USA Wants a Tarot Card Reading …

Here’s another “current events” reading I published on Medium back in May of 2021, a few short months following January 6.

. . .

Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash

Like many of you probably have, I’ve been watching a lot of the news lately about how Republicans are pushing back against President Biden’s efforts to help regular Americans survive and thrive during a pandemic.

Voter suppression laws popping up in Republican-dominated state after state; excuses justifying toxic policing; refusal to support bills like the George Floyd Justice Act, the American Family’s Act and Biden’s infrastructure bill are just a few examples highlighting this desire to resurrect a cruel past that keeps Republicans in power.

It can get so depressing that I often resort to turning off the news and binge-watching something funny or inspiring just to take the edge off.

On the other hand, I am an eternal optimist, always looking for ways to view what’s happening from a mindset of empowerment that comes from focusing on what I WANT to experience instead of putting too much attention on what I don’t want.

Yes, I acknowledge that what I don’t want exists NOW. I’m not putting my head in the sand and ignoring it. But I don’t want to wallow in it. Instead, I try to let it guide me towards what I DO want so that I can focus my attention and energy on it.

The tarot card readings I do for myself are excellent vehicles for helping me understand what’s going on beneath the surface of problematic life events and showing me what I need to do to move forward.

Is it possible to do a similar reading for the entire country? I had to find out, so I did one!

Tarot Card Readings on Current Events Can Be Tricky

… at least for me.

Because I’m coming from a particular political point of view (Bernie Sanders progressive!), my challenge is removing enough of that filter in order to give an “objective” reading.

I tried a little over four years ago in a spread that was supposed to tell me who would win the 2016 election. The answer was staring me in the face (that Trump would win), but I didn’t want to believe it. Four years later, I’m willing to give it another try.

And while it’s next to impossible to COMPLETELY remove the filter through which one views the world, my goal will be to interpret the cards as objectively as I can, based on each card’s meaning, its position in the spread, and the intuitive insights I receive about it.

The New Era Elements Tarot

Front of New Era Elements Tarot box surrounded by 4 crystals.

I chose The New Era Elements Tarot deck by Eleonore F. Pieper, PhD because it brings the imagery of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWH) and Crowley-Harris (CH) decks into the 21st century and is a bit more reflective of our times as opposed to the “feudalistic” imagery of these older decks.

Keep in mind that each deck creator presents their unique understanding of the cards’ meanings which is reflected in the images they choose to represent those meanings. So I may need to refer from time to time to the LWB or Little White Book since this is a pretty new deck.

The “Elements” in the name refers to the fact that the four tarot suits are represented by the four elements of Nature, namely — Fire (Wands), Air (Swords), Water (Cups) and Earth (Pentacles).

In addition, the court card characters emerge from their medieval setting to become members of one version of the modern family, namely Fathers (Kings), Mothers (Queens), Sons (Knights) and Daughters (Pages).

The USA’s Question and a Spread to Answer It

“What can my citizens do to ensure that their President’s agenda, which is designed to address many of the inequalities and injustices that my citizens face, so that we can move into the 21st century, stable, secure, and productive?

Whew! That’s a tall order! I’ll need to create a tarot spread that will answer this question in a way that empowers the USA and gives her citizens hope for the future.

These are the spread positions I’ve come up with to answer the USA’s question.

(1) What is the current environment that has given rise to this question?

2–4) What are three underlying reasons that would explain why there is an attempt to amplify and perpetuate these injustices?

(5–7) What are three actions my citizens can take to heal these injustices so that they can move forward toward a more equitable and just society?

(8) What can my citizens expect as a result? OR What’s the next step they need to take to move forward?

I like using 3-card spreads and positions because they have an internal flow, from beginning to middle to end, that lends itself well to storytelling. This spread is also divided roughly into past, present, and future, beginning with the bottom row and proceeding to the top rows.

Here’s the sequence in which I dealt the cards.

8

5 6 7

1

2 3 4

Okay USA, Here’s Your Reading

An 8-card tarot spread using the New Elements Tarot deck, laid out on a variegated gray blanket
The cards I dealt with my New Era Elements Tarot deck to answer the USA’s question.

(1) What is the current environment that has given rise to this question? — THE SUN REVERSED

The Sun symbolizes the energy without which growth is impossible. It pours its rays on ALL of us, not on just a select few. Joe Biden wants the USA’s Sun to shine down on everyone. Reversed, this stream of energy and support is being blocked.

The potential for massive growth and renewal is present, but something is standing in the way of its full expression.

(2–4) What’s are three underlying reasons that would explain why there is an attempt to amplify and perpetuate these injustices? — THE MAGUS (MAGICIAN) REVERSED — SON OF WATER — 7 OF AIR (SWORDS)

The Magus (Magician) reversed is Donald Trump, “the pitchman, the go-getter who can communicate and persuade, who is always firmly in control“ (New Era Elements Tarot LWB, pg. 9). He’s out of power now, hence the reversal, but his influence remains.

The Son of Water, for me, is the perfect example of how masculine and feminine energies combine to counter toxic masculinity. The only person I can think of who fits this description is Joe Biden, although he’s far from young. But he’s a caring, sensitive man who wants to do as much as he can to help the citizens of this country.

Perhaps the youthful aspect of the card symbolizes the fact that this kind of energy expression is new for us after four years of Donald Trump’s narcissism and sociopathy.

The RWS Knight of Cups from my Radiant Tarot deck

In the RWS deck, this card would be the Knight of Cups which depicts a knight on horseback holding forth a cup, symbolically offering his love to whoever is open to receiving it.

I definitely had to refer to the New Era Elements LWB to understand the 7 of Air (Swords). It looks nothing like the RWS 7 of Swords and focuses on one aspect of that card’s meaning, namely Deception.

On the other hand, I don’t have to look at the LWB because it’s clear from the card’s keyword that the country is being gaslighted with The Big Lie that Trump won the election, as well as all of the lies the Republicans are telling now about how terrible Biden’s plans for the country will supposedly be, not voting for them, and then taking credit for them when they work.

In the New Era Elements Tarot, we see a cuckoo chick in the nest of another bird species where its mother laid her eggs. Now the mother of the other bird species has been deceived into feeding the cuckoo chick as well as her own, that is, if they even survived.

Mother Cuckoo can now head down to Mar-a-lago for a round of golf.

Bottom line, Biden’s efforts to bring light and healing to the country are being hampered by Trump’s continued influence as well as the Republican Party’s desperate attempt to regain control through lies and deception.

(5–7) What are three actions can my citizens take to heal these injustices so that they can move forward toward a more equitable and just society? — SON OF EARTH (PENTACLES) REVERSED — 4 OF EARTH (PENTACLES) — 9 OF EARTH (PENTACLES) REVERSED

Interesting. All in the suit of Earth or Pentacles. Well, the USA did ask how the country can be “stable, secure, and productive,” so it makes sense that Pentacles would show up here. Let’s see what each card reveals.

The New Era Elements LWB describes the Son of Earth (Pentacles) as “a calm, practical young man” who is “steady and dependable and rarely deviates from his path once he is committed to a course of action” and “[H]is somewhat fastidious get-up” symbolizes his focus on the material and “his own appearance.” [Ibid, pg. 102].

Reversed, I think this card refers to how the pandemic knocked all of us out of our regular work routines, shut down so many businesses, and destabilized our finances, causing a lot of stress and hardship for many of us.

But it has also expanded the definition of work or, at the very least, WHERE we work such that we’ve had to shift the way we think about how and where work gets done.

The image of the 4 of Earth (Pentacles) shows three “ancient fig trees” whose roots run deep into the ground, giving them the stability they need for their trunks to grow strong and their branches to reach high into the heavens.

Biden’s infrastructure bill and the recently passed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill are aimed at doing just that, strengthening the country by providing a solid foundation in the form of money to support its citizens and to rebuild the country’s failing infrastructure, from the ground up.

The New Era Elements 9 of Earth (Pentacles) has a meaning that’s different from the card’s meaning in the RWS deck.

The RWS 9 of Pentacles from my Radiant Tarot deck

In that deck, this card typically refers to someone enjoying the fruits of their labor after an extended period of hard work.

In the New Era Elements’ version, the image suggests new growth that’s sprouted enough that it’s ready to be planted.

The infrastructure bill and all of the other bills that have passed through the House of Representatives and are awaiting Senate action are ready to be planted in the ground so the country and its citizen can grow and expand, thanks to the support these bills will give us.

But again, the card is reversed, meaning something is standing in the way of their passage, namely Republican members in the Senate and the filibuster.

Bottom line, in order for the country to grow like those three “ancient fig trees” in the 4 of Earth, we’ll be required to adjust to new ways of working and get The President’s bills, currently blocked, through the Senate.

(8) What can my citizens expect as a result? OR What’s the next step they need to take to move forward? — 7 OF FIRE (Wands)

The 7 of Fire (Wands) is the perfect card to describe what we need to do to actualize the promise of cards 5–7! And the card is upright which tells me it can be done!

Bottom line, let’s not let the country burn down. Instead, let’s be brave and work together to confront the raging fires that want to destroy democracy and put them out with a big blast of the waters of unconditional love, compassion, and empathy.

So there you have it, USA. I hope I’ve answered your questions to your satisfaction. Your citizens have a lot of work ahead of them, but I’m more than confident that they can accomplish the goals that will benefit so many Americans, regardless of political affiliation.

A “Voting Rights” Tarot Card Reading

Here’s an article I published on Medium back in July of 2021 when the wave of voter suppression bills started being passed.

. . .

Watching Rachel Maddow a little over a week ago about the Texas State House Dems who left the state to come to DC to keep the Texas legislature from passing a restrictive voter suppression bill got me thinking.

Can I look into the future to see if the two Federal voting rights laws – The Four the People Act and The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, will be passed by the Senate and signed into law?

I typically shy away from “predict the future” questions because the future is not set in stone; it can be changed by what one focuses on in the present.

On the other hand, classic spreads like the Celtic Cross or even a simple Past-Present-Future spread include a “future” position.

I’ve come to realize that HOW we interpret this position in a tarot spread is the key to whether the reading is “deterministic” or opens us up to possibility.

Multi-colored opaque circles against a dark background, a burst of white light in their midst.
Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash

The latest discoveries in science, especially in quantum physics, are telling us that there are infinite, probable futures in the quantum field that could unfold. And the one that has the best chance of manifesting is based on the attention it receives via our conscious focus on it.

So while we can’t guarantee that the reading will reveal a specific future event, we may still be able to glimpse what is possible and focus our attention on it in order to manifest the best possible outcome.

Question and Spread Positions

The main purpose of this reading is to discover how we, as a country, can ensure voting rights for all.

My original question was: Will the two voting rights bills be passed and signed into law?

But a future prediction isn’t going to help one way or the other. If the answer is yes, then we can sit back and let the chips fall where they may. If the answer is no, we may feel discouraged and give up any hope of securing voting rights for everyone.

A more empowering question would be — What can we do to ensure every U.S. citizen has the right to vote?

In order to answer this question, we need a deeper understanding of where we are now, how we got here, and what we can expect in the future as we focus on ensuring voting rights for all. I added positions 8–10 to make sure we are doing all we can to ensure the passage of these bills.

Here are the spread positions I came up with to answer this more empowering question –

(1) What is the current situation with regard to voter suppression and denial of voting rights in the U.S.?

(2–4) What past factors contributed to the current situation?

(5–7) What’s the most probable future we can expect if we focus our attention on everyone having equal access to the ballot box?

(8–10) What additional steps can we take as a country to ensure voting rights for all?

(11) Additional insight; something we’re not aware of with respect to this topic, pulled from the bottom of the deck.

Simple and sweet if I use one card for each position, making it a 5-card spread. But I decided to deal three cards for the past, future, and “what we can do” positions, turning it into an 11-card spread. The number three lends itself well to storytelling, which is why I like to use it in my spreads.

Here’s what the spread looks like when dealt.

11-card tarot tarot spread with numbers representing positions in the spread layout.
Federal Voting Rights Spread Positions

A final note: Keep in mind that this reading is being filtered through my belief system. As much as I try to be objective (is that even possible?), I can’t rule out that my own personal opinions and beliefs will influence how I interpret the cards.

The Deck

New Era Elements Tarot deck box surrounded by 4 crystals

My current “go-to” deck for doing “current events” readings is the New Era Elements Tarot, a 78-card deck based on the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) and Thoth decks, but with images that are reflective of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The four elements of nature represent the tarot suits — Fire (Wands), Air (Swords), Water (Cups), and Earth (Pentacles).

The Reading

11-card tarot spread using the New Era Elements Tarot deck

(1) What is the current situation with regard to voter suppression and voting rights in the U.S.? — 7 OF FIRE (BRAVERY)

How interesting that the 7 of Fire (Wands) shows up in the first position representing the “current situation.” This card appeared in the final position of a spread I did for the USA back in May. It appeared in the “What do we need to do to move forward?” position.

Voter suppression is one of the many fires that those who value democracy need to put out in order to ensure voting rights for everyone. Again, it’s upright, so we have the will, confidence and belief in our ability to succeed. As Rachel said in her 7/23/21 broadcast, it’s going to be a “high summer of action” with respect to voting rights.

(2–4) What past factors contributed to the current situation? — JUDGMENT REVERSED — FATHER OF EARTH REVERSED — 5 OF AIR REVERSED (DEFEAT)

When I see the New Era Elements’ Judgment, I can’t help but start singing to myself –

“ I’m looking at the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways.”

Thanks for the perfect performance, Michael Jackson, and Siedah Garrett for the powerful lyrics.

But the card is reversed so he may be disinclined to change his ways. There are people who are unwilling to look too closely at how their behavior is negatively impacting others.

What comes immediately to mind is the behavior of many Republican State legislatures that don’t really care how the voter suppression laws they are trying to pass are hurting the people they are supposed to represent and imperiling democracy as a result.

These voter suppression bills are hurting not only people of color but every citizen, regardless of race.

Tarot cards — Father of Earth and King of Pentacles

The Father of Earth is the New Era Elements Tarot’s depiction of the RWA King of Pentacles. In the former, he’s your average, everyday Joe trying to make a living, doing the best he to make ends meet. The latter is a King on his throne, bedecked in jewels and clearly a person of considerable wealth. Quite a contrast!

The deck creator describes the Father of Earth as “practical, circumspect, and careful.” Sounds like someone on a limited income who has learned to survive the best he or she can. No fancy clothes; just practical wear to get through the work day. Voting is the best way to ensure that citizens like the Father of Earth can elect representatives who have THEIR interests at heart.

And his reversal allows him to stare at the unconscionable man in front of the cracked mirror and ask,

“WTF? Why are you doing this?”

In the New Era Elements Tarot, the reversed 5 of Air (Swords) is described as a “[f]ailure to recognize the destructiveness of one’s ideas.”

If that doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what does. And just in case you weren’t sure, the image and keyword — Defeat — drive that point home.

Things look pretty bad, but keep in mind, the Air element represents the mind. If we remain focused on how hopeless things look as our voting rights are slowly chipped away and do nothing, trembling in fear and despair, then we ensure the demise of democracy.

BOTTOM LINE: The Father of Earth refuses to be defeated, taking a stand to hold accountable his representatives who are pushing voter suppression bills.

(5–7) What’s the most probable future we can expect if we focus our attention on everyone having equal access to the ballot box?— THE MAGUS — 3 OF CUPS (ABUNDANCE) — THE EMPEROR

The Magus (Magician) is another card that appeared in my May USA reading. In that reading, the Magus was reversed, and I attributed it to the former President.

In this reading, I’m seeing the Magus in its traditional sense, as someone who knows how to create reality using the resources supplied by the four elements of nature. He has created his plan and has the confidence to move forward and execute it. Perhaps the Father of Earth has decided he’s going to take an active role in helping pass the For the People and John Lewis Acts.

On the other hand, I could interpret the image literally. Perhaps major corporations like CNN and Facebook, if they haven’t already, are going to start more vocally supporting voting rights and challenging these recalcitrant States in significant ways we haven’t seen yet.

The New Era Elements’ 3 of Water (Cups) symbolizes an outpouring of emotion in the form of three gushing waterfalls. Could this mean the two voting rights bills and maybe even an infrastructure bill make it through the Senate and onto the President’s desk for signing?

Hard to say specifically, but there’s an outpouring of emotion and joy about something (maybe three somethings?) that has (have) a good chance of manifesting.

And who’s looking over it all, making sure democracy prevails? None other than Abraham Lincoln, an interesting choice to depict The Emperor. On a symbolic level, the Emperor represents the masculine principle personified, in all of its patriarchal glory.

But the intuitive sense I get from this card is that the principle of democracy is so sound and firmly entrenched in our society that it will prevail. And Abe is going to make sure it does.

Or it could be that the present-day Lincoln Project will continue to produce those hard-hitting ads that speak out against the enemies of democracy.

BOTTOM LINE: Things are looking hopeful with respect to securing voting rights for all, but we have to not only believe it, but take whatever action we can to ensure it.

(8–10) What additional steps can we take as a country do to ensure voting rights for all? — 8 OF AIR REVERSED (INTERFERENCE) — 4 OF WATER (CUPS) REVERSED (COMFORT) — 2 OF WATER (CUPS) (LOVE)

The 8 of Air (Swords) Reversed (Interference) is telling us not get distracted from the goal, whether distractions come from within or without. And don’t take on more than you can handle. Do one thing to secure your right to vote, and do it well.

The 4 of Water (Cups) Reversed is basically telling us to get up off our rear ends and DO something. There’s no time for complacency (or Netflix binge watching … well, maybe a little). We may need to take some steps outside of our comfort zones, and change can be difficult. Take little steps, but do something.

Finally, as we work together to ensure access to the ballot box, the 2 of Water (Cups) (Love) reminds us to treat each other with dignity and respect. Being divisive, judging, name-calling, and bullying simply won’t do. Let’s substitute those divisive behaviors with cooperation, compassion, understanding, and kindness. These are the qualities that will ensure success.

Yes, I’m Still Writing About Tarot

Hello! Wonderful to see you again! I know I haven’t published any blog posts about tarot in a long while. The pandemic and the craziness of 2020-2021 kind of threw me for a loop, and my writing became very sporadic.

However, my goal for 2022 is to write more consistently.. I had thought that I would move my writing to Medium but have since had a change of heart. So without further ado …

Shalini’s New Year Tarot Spread

My tarot buddy, Shalini, and I got together a week ago for our annual, holiday hookup. We originally met at the Washington DC Tarot Society (now known as the Capitol Tarot Society) when I was still in DC. We now meet during the holidays when she comes home for a visit. She shared a cool spread with me that’s designed to provide a taste of what’s coming in the year ahead.

My Lightseer’s Tarot Deck

While we used this spread to read for each other, I decided to do one for myself a few days later with the deck I love to use use when I’m reading for myself. Carrie-Anne’s Lightseer’s Tarot always gives me deeply meaningful guidance. And I love the colorful, modern imagery and the diversity she brings to the cards.

The Spread

I like that this spread divides the year into quarters instead of months. I get a flavor for the most dominant energy that will be present during the three months of each quarter, based on where I am right now. The information from seven cards instead of 12 will be a lot easier to manage and keep in mind as each quarter unfolds.

Shalini’s New Year Tarot Spread

As I shuffled the cards, I quieted my mind by focusing on my breath and then asked the cards for insight into what I can expect to be the predominant theme of each quarter of 2022, as well as the main lessons learned and to be learned in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

In the spread below, the card at the top, far right fell out of the deck as I was shuffling, so I included it with the other seven.

The Reading

What the new year holds for me

Honestly, when I saw those reversals come up for the four quarters, I wanted to trash the spread and start over. In numerology, this is a “1” year for me, one of births and new beginnings, not obstacles and delays.

But I knew I needed to keep the spread because, with this deck, I usually get significant guidance that I didn’t expect when first viewing the cards. In addition, reversals aren’t necessarily “bad.” They can point to energy that is latent, present but not fully expressed, either because it needs more time to develop or something is blocking or interfering with its smooth expression.

First Quarter — The Fool reversed

This is the “new me” who is coming into being since I lost 30 pounds over the last two years. I’m trying to figure out who this new person is and what adventures she wants to undertake. Perhaps, I’m still holding back a bit on fully embracing this “1” year that will officially begin in May, my birth month.

There are lots of unknowns before me, so I’ll need to sustain as much as possible a positive attitude and belief that this year will unfold “perfectly,” however that turns out, and the that the “new me” will begin to blossom in earnest.

Second Quarter -The Hierophant reversed

April is when I’m supposed to begin “practice teaching” as part of my Mindfulness Meditation Teacher certification training that I began last July. One of the roles of the Hierophant is to dispense wisdom as a teacher or mentor. The reversal tells me that I still have some work to do before I can teach mindfulness meditation (I’m only half way through the certification program).

There may also be some lingering “old me” doubt that I’ll actually be able to do this. I can use the second quarter as an opportunity to let go of the doubt and replace it with a sense of confidence and “can do.”

Third Quarter — The Lovers reversed

Oooh, boy! Looks like there’s a possibility for an important romantic relationship developing. I know I’m being cautious in that department, given that I’ve been single for a while now. But I’ve been thinking recently about dipping my toe back into the relationship waters and trying to imagine the kind of relationship and man I would be happy with at this stage of my life.

I’ll either be working on figuring that out in the third quarter, or I might be given the opportunity to “cautiously” ease my little toe into the shallow end of the dating pool. We shall see.

Fourth Quarter — 10 of Swords reversed

I may experience some difficulty, or even reluctance, in letting go of some aspect(s) of the “old me” as the year winds to a close. At least I don’t have swords sticking out of my back in this version of the 10 of Swords!

And the figure in this card is the only one in the spread looking at the center card, the Empress, representing me now, pregnant with possibility (will have more to say about Her in a minute).

Perhaps keeping at the forefront of my mind the abundant future the pregnant Empress symbolizes will imbue me with a sense of excitement that allows the “new me” to unfold and makes it easier to let go of old energy and beliefs that no longer serve me.

The Previous Year’s Lesson (2021) — 9 of Cups

This depiction of the 9 of Cups is pretty accurate. I received monthly pandemic unemployment benefits as a self-employed person from March 2020 to September 2021, in addition to the two big checks everybody got.

It was also at the beginning of 2020, before the pandemic hit, that I made the decision to consciously and deliberately focus more on abundance and prosperity instead of lack and limitation. The pandemic aid, I believe, was a manifestation of that intense focus. It has given me a sense of freedom from the stress of worrying about finances.

Indeed, it felt like I had received a treasure chest full of jewels and gold, shouting hallelujah from the rooftops! And if I can manifest abundance like that once, I can do it again.

This Year’s Lesson (2022) — The Empress

The Empress is the other factor that helped me have a less worrisome view of the four reversed cards. As I said, she’s pregnant with possibility, and each quarter of the year represents one of those possibilities (she’s having quadruplets!). In fact, it looks like she’s about ready to give birth. In which case the reversals could symbolize the baby’s head, correctly positioned to move down and through the birth canal.

I therefore see 2022 as a transition year during which I have the opportunity to fully let go of the “old me” and embrace the “new me” who is just about ready to be born.

Next Year’s Lesson (2023) — King of Wands

Hmmm … looks like the work I do in the third quarter to turn the reversed Lovers upright may very well bear fruit in 2023. See the gray in his beard? He’s even around my age!

OR, this card could refer to me stepping into my power and becoming a confident leader in some capacity. And yes, I AM a cat person.

The Card That Fell Out of the Deck — 4 of Pentacles reversed

Even with the generous amount of money I received in pandemic aid, I try to be frugal in how I spend it. Doesn’t always work, but for the most part, I’ve done a good job. But the “old me” worried a lot about money, with a rather persistent focus on lack. Perhaps the reversal symbolizes the loosening of the tight grip around my purse, allowing more “9 of cups” energy and opportunities into my life.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, I don’t need to make exact predictions about the new year (e.g. the man of your dreams will show up on February 14, 2023 at 1:45 pm) to get a solid feel for the main issues I need to pay attention to in the coming months.

It will be interesting to see what unfolds. Maybe I’ll do an update six months from now to report how the first two quarters turned out.

In the meantime, try the spread yourself to see what the year holds for you.