The Moon and The Hanged Man, although different, have a common theme of perception. The Moon speaks of partial truths, games of light and shadow, smoke and mirrors, while The Hanged Man goes through a change of perception by surrendering to an unusual perspective. The Moon card represents perception as the combination of fact and imagination. The Hanged Man clarifies his perception through a slow, maybe even unpleasant, individual process.

What does this suggest for this week? We, as a collective, are taking our time and a new stance to sort out our perceptions. According to the cards, it’s not a dynamic week, and we may even take a break from something or put it on hold, to let clarity settle inside us. We might ponder some unsavory facts that lead to enlightenment, leaving the diffusion of the lunar perception behind. In other words, our awareness becomes more concise.

If we indeed manage to attain this focus, the cards promise happy independence and satisfaction with ourselves. What that means varies from person to person, but, in essence, it is a feeling of personal security in the material world.

Let’s have a look at the advice cards now and see how they will enrich our reading.

The Faeries of the Future are a diverse bunch, but they are all moving forward. Although we will never catch up with the future, we’re always creating it somehow. Be optimistic and enthusiastic about the future as you take your steps in the present moment. It’s a (life-)long walk, wild cards may come along, so keep the light within bright, so that you’ll always see the path before you. See how nicely this ties in with The Hanged Man?

And the second oracle card wraps it all up.

Phanuel, Angel of Truth, reminds us that truth is ever-present, calm, and immutable, and it’s only up to us to reach for it. Truth is not demonstrative or interested in pursuing us. It is indifferent to our ways to avoid it or our quest toward it. It simply exists, and it’s available to the ones willing to experience it. It can also change our perceptions to a varying degree.

All in all, it’s our choice how we want our future to be, and we are making that choice every moment through the thoughts and actions we allow to define us. Choose a clear perspective, even if others don’t share it, because it will align you with absolute truth, an essential condition for true happiness.

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

• Spiritsong Tarot by Paulina Cassidy, published by U.S. Games Systems
• The Faeries’ Oracle by Brian Froud, text by Jessica Macbeth, published by Atria Books, Simon & Schuster
• Angelarium by Eli Minaya and Peter Mohrbacher, published by Lo Scarabeo

The Page of Pentacles is someone who perceives value but does not have a grasp on it yet. Starting the reading with this card, it looks like we’ve done enough wishing and dreaming and contemplating. This week we need to put our noses to the grindstone and deal with the nitty-gritty of daily life. Perhaps conflicts with others will arise, but, with the appropriate attitude, challenges can turn out to be an exercise in self-development and growth.

The Queen of Pentacles augurs a period of security that may last for a couple of days or longer, so the stress of the week will come to a halt and we’ll have the chance to recuperate.

All in all, it is an ordinary week, with a focus on the material and practical aspects of life. There is potential for fulfillment, which means effort will not be squandered but used to bring about improvement.

The advice cards consolidate this message. Both of them feature images of cattle, a symbol of nurture and generosity.

The first card is Grounded, and its message is:

Many of the most evolved beings on earth are “regular” folks living with joy, dignity, and courage.

The gentle calf is reminiscent of the Page of Pentacles, a being in the process of being nourished in order to become a source of value later on.

We often tend to separate spirituality from the mundane, thinking the material world is inferior, failing to realize that, in fact, it is the manifestation of the divine. There is wisdom in doing chores, and its fruit will only be reaped by those who don’t mistake it for plain tediousness.

We also have the New Moon in Taurus. According to this card, “prosperity lies ahead”, but so does the actual New Moon in Taurus this year, coming at the end of April. The calf reaches adulthood and becomes a dependable source of prosperity.

In conclusion, it’s good to focus on the chores in our lives for a while, preparing for a better, more secure future.

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

The Original Rider Waite Tarot Deck by A. E. Waite, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, published by Rider
Divine Abundance Oracle Cards by Tosha Silver, art by Fena Gonzalez, published by Hay House
Moonology Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland, artwork by Nyx Rowan, published by Hay House

The reading starts with the Three of Cups, a card of friendship and merriment. The next tarot card is the Ace of Wands, a burst of energy and creativity. By itself, the Ace of Wands is a positive card, but, followed by the Five of Pentacles, I can’t help but see it as a potential threat.

The energy of the general collective for this week transitions from light-hearted interaction to helplessness and feeling left out in the cold, and what makes the switch is the Ace of Wands. So, the Ace of Wands here might be about a backfire, probably caused by too much unsubstantiated, cheer-induced confidence. The Five of Pentacles is not necessarily an outcome, it’s more like a possibility and a warning, especially taking into account the three additional oracle cards: Blue Moon, Kushiel, and Hanuman.

A Blue Moon is a relatively rare event that occurs at the desynchronization of the calendar and the lunar cycle, a full moon that dares not respect our expectations created by the way we organize days. Why am I putting it this way? Because it suggests the limits of our conventions and control over the natural world.

Kushiel, Angel of Punishment, represents the suffering caused by our unjust actions catching up to us. Looking at Kushiel‘s depiction, you can easily see that his only goal is to hit his mark, so it’s a matter of time until he does. It’s a reminder that the negative consequences of our faults are imminent, and the only way we can avoid being struck is by taking the responsibility to realize, repent and atone. Basically, you have to put yourself in an uncomfortable position before you are forced into it.

Hanuman is the Hindu god of courage and wisdom. He can see through the layers of reality, and understand life at each level. Hanuman speaks of our divine nature but also has the awareness that not all of us are open to such truth.

Putting all these things together, our reading stresses the importance of natural balance and truth. If we make serious mistakes this week, we can be sure that, despite suffering consequences, we will have the opportunity to learn our lessons and make our amends – the sooner, the better. We also have to consider the fact that our mistakes (and their consequences) are not and cannot be isolated from the nature and divinity we are all part of.

Hopefully, we’ll use our energy and creativity wisely and responsibly this week, keeping our hearts beating to the rhythm of love.

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

• The Original Rider Waite Tarot Deck by A. E. Waite, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, published by Rider
• Moonology Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland, artwork by Nyx Rowan, published by Hay House
• Angelarium by Eli Minaya and Peter Mohrbacher, published by Lo Scarabeo
• A Yogic Path by Sahara Rose Ketabi, art by Danielle Noel, published by Alpha

Judging from the tarot cards, it appears that we’ve recently secured some sort of abundance. The Six of Wands shows accomplishment, arriving at a place of satisfaction with yourself and/or social recognition. Followed by the Ten of Pentacles, it speaks of feeling that your place in the world is secure enough to be consolidated. What does that mean? Developing wealth, a family, or whatever makes you feel you’re living an abundant life, in an abundant home, community, and world. Do you have to be rich to feel this way? No, but literal riches could help.

And here, the Knight of Pentacles puts wealth into perspective. Financial wealth is pretty straightforward, but resourcefulness can also be translated into wealth. The true value of wealth resides in its circulation, and this is precisely what the Knight of Pentacles embodies. He knows that money is only one of the facets of value, a stage in a cycle.

Therefore, having your basic needs covered can make you feel comfortable offering something valuable to the world. According to your financial status, that could mean money, other material resources, but also a service, or anything that others are willing to pay for. Different people value different things at different times, but if you’re too preoccupied with your personal problems and lacks, you won’t be able to see those opportunities to give, because you won’t see yourself as being resourceful enough.

This week, the general collective is encouraged to focus on resourcefulness. The Bright Mother, the epitome of fertility and nourishment, turned up to enhance this point. We have enough to share. We don’t need to give away things that barely cover our necessities, but there is always something valuable we can offer, contributing to our communities that, in turn, will give back to us.

In this context, the card Change, speaks further about the fluidity of wealth, especially if we look closer at its message:

When the ego finally sees the utter madness of trying to control everything, you come to a sacred crossroads in your own evolution.

Yes, we could view money simply as money, but we’re offered the chance to broaden our understanding, and see a bigger picture of wealth: do I save money and energy to feed my ego, or do I make a contribution for the sake of contributing, no rigid conditions or expectations?

If you see yourself as a fountain of value, you’ll grow more and more secure in your confidence and ability to bring material wealth into your life. Especially if you keep up to the rhythm of love!

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

• Romantic Tarot by Emanuela Signorini, artwork by Giulia F. Massaglia, published by Lo Scarabeo
• The Faeries’ Oracle by Brian Froud, text by Jessica Macbeth, published by Atria Books, Simon & Schuster
• Divine Abundance Oracle Cards by Tosha Silver, art by Fena Gonzalez, published by Hay House

The Hierophant is standing in the pulpit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Vienna, Austria), holding the Madonna lily in his right hand, as if showing the ideal standard a Christian should aim to reach: the fruitful purity of Virgin Mary. This sermon has been echoing against the stone walls for hundreds of years. It is tradition, it is morals, it is the way. Inside this venerable sanctuary, life is always the same, from rituals to philosophical perspective. However, outside, life is always in motion.

At the railway station, trains come and go around the clock. Passengers travel, stories unfold, risks and chances are taken. When the red train wagons stop for a few minutes, people don’t welcome their loved ones with white lilies but with their arms, smiles, and kisses. In practice, life is short, fleeting, and fruitfulness is cherishing what you have right now in your life… and who you have in your arms. They come with a variety of challenges, they are fickle, and we have to maintain our sense of self in order to deal with theirs in a healthy manner. Lilies in the wild are not symbolic; they follow a biological process of development and decay, and, for a while, they radiate splendor. Their splendor is the same whether they are out in a garden or inside a church, but it lasts longer in nature, where it doesn’t just serve symbolic purposes.

So, what stone statues do you have to move in order to ease the flow of your life? Strength doesn’t always manifest as force or domination, sometimes, it is endurance and/or containment, but it always requires you to make an effort. Without effort, there is no proof, measure, or growth of strength. This week, we are challenged to replace stone ideals with real-life experiences, to live up to our capabilities, not dogmatic idealistic precepts.

Now, let’s look at the two oracle cards in this reading.

The image of the Pause card has always made me think of those moments when we are acutely aware that we are part of nature in both biology and magic. That awareness doesn’t come in the halls of cathedrals or in the thrill of physical experiences. It comes in moments of pause, when we can hear our heartbeats harmonizing with the rustle of the leaves and our skin merging with the breeze, when each second mirrors eternity.

The next card, Being Enough, clarifies this reading further:

The innermost heart says, “You are enough. Nowhere to go, nothing to get, nothing to change. No need to grow more deserving. You, yes You, are Love.”

Both of these additional cards remind us that divinity manifests through us and all around us. It manifests in little ways and in grand ways, in ceremonials and everyday laxity, in stone carvings and red rail wagons, in lilies and in lovers’ arms. Pause and listen to what resonates with you right now, and that’s the divine path you’re meant to take at this time – because, no matter what, you are one with the path.

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

• Romantic Tarot by Emanuela Signorini, artwork by Giulia F. Massaglia, published by Lo Scarabeo
• Nature’s Whispers by Angela Hartfield, artwork by Josephine Wall, published by Blue Angel Publishing
• The Wild Offering Oracle by Tosha Silver, artwork by Katie Daisy, published by Hay House

I don’t always take the message printed on the Moonology cards, preferring my own understanding of moon symbolism and astrology, but this time it hits the nail on the head: what do you need to release?

It seems as if we’ve been sleeping on an issue, something we hoped calm, reflective, prolonged thinking would solve. Yet, here we are, trapped in our thoughts. Our rational approach has fenced us in with a lot of unsatisfactory ideas. This is not a sustainable state of being, and something’s got to give. At what point do we just move on?

Some problems, no matter how hard you think of them or of a solution, are better left behind. Sometimes, solving a problem requires compromises you are uncomfortable making, or it even creates other problems. This happens when something is not for you but you’re clinging on to it – for any of a number of reasons. Does any of those reasons weigh more than your peace of mind, harmony, and overall happiness? If not, let it go, make room for what you need and what could add to your life. Peace of mind may be easier to attain than you realize.

The True Love card offers us some additional clues and advice. It says:

“Your wholeness and safety lie within, not from a partner. But this sovereignty actually leads to the deepest intimacy for you to stop using others. Let me stand on my own feet, dear Lord, and know True Love!”

We don’t need approval and validation from others to choose to rid ourselves of inner turmoil. Being kind to yourself and recognizing your wholeness will naturally sort the people and situations in your life and let go of the ones that don’t align with the plenitude of you.

Until next week, keep up to the rhythm of love – true love!

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

• The Original Rider Waite Tarot Deck by A. E. Waite, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, published by Rider
• Moonology Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland, artwork by Nyx Rowan, published by Hay House
• The Wild Offering Oracle by Tosha Silver, artwork by Katie Daisy, published by Hay House

The picture painted by the cards this week is clear, fluent, to the point. In a nutshell: we have stability in divine power that manifests into sharp, mature, confident mental abilities, and is used in the daily conflicts/challenges that make us change – hopefully for the better. But let’s have a closer look!

The Emperor sits on his throne, surrounded by clouds, way above ground level, a falcon on his left hand. The Emperor symbolizes masculine attributes of the Divine. He embodies stability, structure, calm courage, practical wisdom, self-containment. He is the ultimate protector and ruler. However, he is an absolute, an ideal, meaning that this energy never materializes in its purest (positive) form.

Here comes the King of Swords – the master of ideas, words, and, most importantly, his own mind and knowledge. Through him, The Emperor energy starts narrowing down to a practical facet. The King of Swords sits on a throne, too, but the heavy clouds in the scene reveal that this throne is placed directly on the ground. Like The Emperor, he too has a bird, but his is a symbol on his garments, and it sits on his chest, symbolizing his deep commitment to truth, knowledge, and freedom – particularly of thought. We could say that, in this context, the King of Swords resides at the border between thought and materialization.

The next card is the Five of Wands, which depicts five boys play-fighting on a cloudy but warm day, unlike the snowy environment of the King of Swords. In this illustration, the sky is in the background, and three swallows fly freely under the clouds. At the forefront, on a verdant meadow, there is a training match. The young men are confidently putting their knowledge and skills to the test. Some will win, some will lose, but everyone will gain experience and new insight. Through application in the real world, their ideas will change or consolidate – either way, it is a learning process.

We could see this succession of cards as a funnel for awareness. Yes, at a certain level awareness is pure and (probably) endless, but, as long as we live a material life, it has to transmute into practice.

There could be more to interpret, including the colors in the cards, but the essential point would not change, so let’s keep the reading on the shorter side, and look at the additional cards.

The first one is part of the Karma Angels oracle deck, and it represents the angel Nith Haiah. Nith Haiah evokes the solitude of the poet, that independence of thought that can be achieved by embodying our personal truth. It’s the mental confidence that does not need external validation, because it is rooted in divine truth. The book of Nith Haiah might be the one under the right arm of the King of Swords, the knowledge the Five of Wands is in the middle of processing.

We also have the Knight of Acorns, represented by the Boar in the Spiritsong Tarot, a deck that can be also used as an animal oracle. This card encourages us to take action! Your knowledge needs to be put into action: what stands the test of practicality should be kept, what doesn’t can be discarded without regret. And in the process, new ideas and observations will appear.

So… just do it!

‍

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

• Tarot of the Golden Wheel by Mila Losenko, published by U.S. Games Systems
• Karma Angels by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin, art by A. A. Atanassov, published by Lo Scarabeo
• Spiritsong Tarot by Paulina Cassidy, published by U.S. Games Systems

The main energy for the week is represented by the Seven of Wands. Coming after the Five of Wheels/Pentacles, this could mean that, after acutely feeling shortcomings and their effects, we’re determined to take responsibility for our well-being, setting boundaries to influences and people who could put us in a position of lack and helplessness again.

The Five of Wheels/Pentacles is one of my favorite cards in this deck, Tarot of the Golden Wheel, despite being a generally negative card. Mila Losenko, the author and artist, did a fantastic job at depicting deeper implications of lack and poverty. The two characters in the scene are burning the wheels of their wagon, being forced to sacrifice the very means of escaping the dire situation they are in, for immediate survival. Stranded in the frigid woods, they only have one certainty: they are going to survive as long as the fire is still burning and they stay in place. When morning comes, they will have to find a new solution, but to get there, they have to stay alive now.

The Seven of Wands comes in and says “NO! I don’t want to feel restricted and helpless anymore, so I’m going to defend myself.” In other words, this week, we’re refusing to be victims of scarcity (anymore), and we’re determined to stand our ground, especially in situations and with people that might restrict our possibilities and/or perspectives. Followed by The Fool, the Seven of Wands represents a liberating attitude that has the potential to bring about fresh beginnings, new lessons and opportunities to explore. It also indicates that we can trust ourselves because we’re guarding our higher interests.

The Fool speaks of the courage of a pure heart, of following an unheard call that pulls us out of our boundaries and comfort zones. We might find that some problems we were trying to solve had manifested simply because we didn’t act promptly and firmly against their causing factors. When we finally take that stand, those problems might just disappear, leaving you light and ready to explore the future.

The oracle cards, Grief and The Fee Lion, speak further about past suffering and the need to tie up loose ends.

I like the Divine Abundance Oracle Cards with their beautiful colors, encouraging messages, and Tosha Silver’s eclectic yet unitary approach to spirituality. However, upon seeing the grammar of the Grief card, my mind was desperate to find a way to embrace it… and avoid buyer’s remorse. So, I thought about times of overwhelming anguish, when we can’t see clearly or function at our usual level, of the blurry vision of teary eyes, and I assigned this card a dimension of compassion, which made the grammar mistake (or artifice) endearing. Grief is proof we are alive, that our hearts still beat and function, and, in order to heal, we need to be gentle with them. Allow your heart to feel and heal, embrace the sadness, then let it go.

The Fee Lion points to the fact that, oftentimes, we keep ourselves in misery solely because we don’t tie up the loose ends in our lives. Following through is easier said than done, but essential if we want to move forward. If we postpone or neglect doing what we need to, disappointment will attack us from within, but also through others. Therefore, it’s always best to do our own tidying up by choice, before external nudges push us into negative feelings and situations.

Remember that this week is all about taking that seventh wand in your hand and claiming sovereignty over your energy, despite other people and circumstances. Enough suffering, let’s start a new cycle of self-empowerment! We can do this!

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

Tarot of the Golden Wheel by Mila Losenko, published by U.S. Games Systems

Divine Abundance Oracle Cards by Tosha Silver, art by Fena Gonzalez, published by Hay House

The Faeries’ Oracle by Brian Froud, text by Jessica Macbeth, published by Atria Books, Simon & Schuster

When I look at the Nine of Cups next to the Death card, I see a light switch suddenly turning off. One minute you’re cozy indoors, in comfort and control of your environment, the next, you are out in the reality of life that is beyond your control: darkness, cosmic perspectives and proportions, natural cycles, decay, and (re)birth. This may sound heavy, but the Death card is actually about cutting off the heaviness of unessential things. It’s the ultimate representation of minimalism, of clearing and cleaning, reminding us that in order to nurture a new beginning we have to make room for it and accept that the past is just fertilizer at this point.

The Six of Cups might indicate a tendency to go back to memories of “the good old days”, remembering the serenity and peaceful calm of a time when (the concept of) death did not cross our minds, when we focused on life, on potential, on hopes and dreams. If we use nostalgia as an escape, it will always make us feel as if the best of our lives is in the past, and that attitude makes it impossible to fully enjoy our present. Moreover, it makes us oblivious of the good things in our present. That being said, nostalgia can also be highly beneficial, if used wisely, as a fountain of inspiration for ways in which you can heal, nourish, uplift, stimulate, delight your inner child.

And here, the advice cards tie in beautifully.

First off, we have Aging, which, especially in this context, speaks of atemporality. The message on the card says:

“I am one with unlimited Love, beyond all seeming restrictions of age. I am filled with joy, energy, and beauty – a vessel for the Divine Shakti!”

It reminds us that no matter the transformations we go through in life, there is a constant core in all of us, beyond our physicality, or minds, our physiology and emotions. That core is divine – it used to shine brightly in the child you used to be, and you covered its brilliance throughout the years, but it is still there. And, at a very basic level, it is the pure experience of existing, before any interpretation.

Then, we have the Full Moon in Aquarius. Aquarius symbolizes the synergy between individualism and care for others. The card says “Show the world the real you,” that is the core of who you are, the things you deeply care about, the unique value you can offer to others.

Netzah/Netzach is the seventh sefira/emanation in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, at the bottom of the Pillar of Mercy. Netzach means “eternity” in Hebrew, strengthening the theme of atemporality in this reading. Netzah represents endurance and is the strength that emerges from pushing your feet firmly against the ground.

I feel inclined to interpret the Full Moon in Aquarius and Netzah together, as the responsibility for your own life, growing stronger through being true to your higher self and ideals, no matter how uncomfortable or hard it gets. It’s your burden, your privilege, your true value and power.

This week, it’s a good idea to go deeper than our New Year’s resolutions, and really ask ourselves why we want to achieve the things we do, investigate what would make us truly fulfilled, and devote ourselves to transforming (back) into that person we always knew we were – our true selves.

And, as we make room for authenticity, keep up to the rhythm of love – it always helps!

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

Tarot of the Golden Wheel by Mila Losenko, published by U.S. Games Systems

The Wild Offering Oracle by Tosha Silver, artwork by Katie Daisy, published by Hay House

Moonology Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland, artwork by Nyx Rowan, published by Hay House

Angelarium by Eli Minaya and Peter Mohrbacher, published by Lo Scarabeo

New year, new you – doesn’t that sound lovely?! But in order for it to be true, we have to put in a lot of work. New Year’s Eve passed quickly, the clock struck midnight, the fireworks lit up the sky, and countless wishes swelled our hearts with excitement and hope. Then, morning came, and the confetti needed to be swept off the floor and someone had to do the dishes. When the party is over, we are reminded that daily life is an endless succession of chores. Ignore or postpone those chores for too long and the consequences will derail you, complicating life, entangling you in chaos and hardship. We’ve all experienced this to some degree. That is probably why – according to this week’s reading – the collective is kicking off the new year in a conscientious disposition.

Some truth has been faced and accepted lately, and this attitude made us realize the benefits, or even necessity, of working steadily towards what we need and/or wish to achieve. Whether that truth pill was as easy or hard to swallow is unimportant, because the result is the same.

The Eight of Wheels/Pentacles represents focus on practical matters and, most of all, self-improvement through repetition and dedication. This energy is what you need to employ when you want to become better at your job (and consequently earn more), improve your skills and talents, or get in shape – any goal that needs your sustained attention, time, and effort before it rewards you. Many of our New Year’s resolutions can be reached this way. Let’s hope this year the usual January rush toward our goals doesn’t fizzle out by the end of the month.

The Knight of Wands shows what could motivate our self-development efforts: increased potential, more room for spontaneity, creativity, even admiration. In order to dart forward with confidence, we have to make sure we can do it – by training ourselves.

Angel Elemiah is perfect for this reading because he brings the best out of challenges. He encourages you to give your all, to abandon yourself in the process of growing/learning/improving, letting change flow through you and transform you. Then, let your new gifts flow into the world, to the people who need them.

If you look closely at the Seek Beauty card, you can see that the character in the picture is immersed in water. With a head full of wishes, she contemplates dandelions, other wishes in various stages of development. She is surrounded by architectural beauty that seems to be partly underwater. This card gives additional depth to the Eight of Wheels/Pentacles and is an echo of Elemiah. Together, these cards speak of high and noble aspirations. For the woman in the picture, time is suspended, as she dreams of beauty. By being preoccupied with beauty, she becomes more beautiful. Also, the beauty in her is what opens her up to more beauty. It’s all about the flow of helpful, constructive, inspiring energies that can lead to manifestations of beauty and goodness for other people, and, through that, for ourselves.

If repetitive work gets boring, seek beauty – in your mind. Think of the new opportunities that will open up for you, the people your work will help, the happiness you will inspire, your feeling of satisfaction, your self-appreciation, etc.

Keep up to the rhythm of love and have a lovely productive week… and year!

Tarot and oracle decks used for this reading:

Tarot of the Golden Wheel by Mila Losenko, published by U.S. Games Systems
Karma Angels by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin, art by A. A. Atanassov, published by Lo Scarabeo
Nature’s Whispers by Angela Hartfield, artwork by Josephine Wall, published by Blue Angel Publishing