Hello, Creatives!
Welcome to a new year, and to the return of Tarot for Creatives! I hope everyone enjoyed a peaceful and healthy season. I took a much needed two weeks off, although I wasn’t kicking back with my feet up, but feverishly editing for my next book release which is fast approaching. I did veg out over the holidays for a couple of days, and also used the downtime to catch up with friends, enjoy some quality reading time, and eat lots of cheese. There may have been a glass or two of wine sampled alongside the cheddar . . . I mentioned a project before I signed off for the holidays, and unfortunately, due to Brexit nonsense and postal strikes, I’m stuck waiting on post from the UK, and can’t reveal anything of what’s coming just yet. Looks like I need to stay patient for another while.
With January a month of resolutions and intentions, and the current moon phase a waning gibbous which carries an energy of refinement, now is the ideal time to take stock of where we’re at. This week’s spread asks: How it’s going, What’s working, What needs tweaking? To banish January blues, I’m working with the lovely Tarot de Carlotydes deck. With its soft, cheerful energy, it reminds me that spring is preparing for her arrival!
The 2 of Cups tells us we’re working with a balanced, heart-centred energy where we’re open to the possibility of forming a partnership. Unity, harmony, and love are the themes of this card, so if your intentions centre around a healthy work/life balance, the intention to collaborate or form a partnership (romantic or platonic), and approaching your day with heart-centred thinking, the message here is that you’re on the right track.
The gentle vibes of this card encourage kindness, and with January often being a tough month, there’s also a message to practice self-care as the week unfolds. Speak kindly to yourself, too. If you’re struggling with resolutions, avoid berating yourself. Every dawn brings a new day, so if yesterday didn’t go as planned, today’s a chance to start afresh.
A new romance may be forming. Is it with yourself? If not, why? It’s an often-used phrase, but there’s truth in the saying that you can’t love another until you love yourself. So, to answer How is it going, harmony is working wonders right now. Wallow in the soft, kind energy and keep it in mind as you continue to develop intentions.
"The whole point of collaboration is that you give and take from each other, and that's how you create things that are totally new."
The harmony of the 2 of Cups is reflected in the 6 of Pentacles with is message of give and take. In the What’s Working position, it suggests we’re maintaining good balance with all aspects of our business and financial matters right now. This card encourages us to be open to being both the master and student, so to continue with even scales, consider where you would benefit from mentoring, and where your knowledge may help others.
With this card, it’s also important to observe if you keep score. Sometimes, when we give our time and energy, we expect something in return. No-one wants to work for free, or be taken advantage of, but to get the best from 6 of Pentacles energy, we need to avoid a mindset of giving just for taking. Overall, the card encourages us to continue giving and taking help where it’s needed, keep an eye on the flow of our pennies, and be more conscious of the energy exchange as we go about our day.
Find your courage to banish Devil energy
The Devil prowls in for What needs Tweaking. With themes of addiction and self-bondage, it’s a dark card with a heavy message, but once again, can you see the theme of balance? Here we have two figures ‘chained’ to the Devil’s side, but the chains (in this card, a fragile climbing rose) are easily broken. In essence, the figures have chained themselves to the Devil, and not the other way around. The best way to work with this card in the What Needs Tweaking position, is to ask what you’re afraid of right now. What’s the one fear holding you back? If you can face that fear, one gentle step at a time, (keep that soft 2 of Cups energy in your grasp) you’ll free yourself and leap forward.
Take inspiration from the 2 of Cups by considering who you can lean on at this time. And from the 6 of Pentacles, is there wise counsel who could provide advice or assistance? Take a moment to also reflect on if you’re being kind to yourself? Listen to your inner monologue. Does it mutter along the lines of ‘you’re useless, you can’t do that, you’re not talented enough, it’s your own fault, you’re such a failure’? If it sounds familiar, you gotta knock that internal dialogue on the head. Would you speak to your best friend like that? Nope. So why treat yourself so harshly? The Devil asks for bravery. Find a hand to hold, and break its hold. Far better things await.
Even though it carries a tough message, how can you not smile at that Devil card? As a cat owner, it makes me smile every time. Lots to take from this week’s reading, but the overriding messages are self-love and harmony which are two great mindsets to take into the week ahead. How does the reading resonate with you?
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