Readings for the New Year

From Tarot.com’s free annual reading offer. There seems to be a quite a number of Pentacles in this reading, and the thing is… my question was about something else, but the answers…

Challenges/Opportunities – Four of Swords

Escape to your sanctuary to do some necessary internal work.

The card that lands in the Challenges/Opportunities position refers to ways that you can turn obstacles into stepping stones.

The Four of Swords in this position urges you to find a place and time for quiet reflection. You are probably overstimulated, having made yourself too indispensable. This card represents the tribal, familial or cultural qualities passed to you by your ancestors that mark and define you, that make you the unique individual you are.

Acknowledge how much you have neglected your inner life and resolve to budget time and energy to tend to this vault of treasures. We need to get away from the outer life occasionally to do an internal audit, to create a new strategy, or to envision alternative paths. Without a retreat into quiet time, you cannot expect to marshal our very best resources for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Break away from your preoccupations and find a “cave” for the internal work which may be crucial to emerging developments.

This is quite true, although finding a time to be quiet for a Geminian like me may be a tall order.

Foundation- Nine of Pentacles

Apply the benefits you have secured for yourself to improving the greater good.

The card in the Foundation position points to influences from your personal history, your roots and background.

The Nine of Coins in this position suggests that you come from a situation of being valued and supported which gave you the inner permission to seek what pleases and fulfills you. Identify the personal touchstones that help you feel nourished and safe. Indulge in them regularly and you will then be more generously disposed toward the needs of others.

There really is no conflict between treating yourself well and being in service to the greater good. Enjoy the benefits you have earned for yourself and let your overflow improve the world around you.

Well, it certainly sounds like how I felt at my old job. But I realise that I’ll need to work harder, and I know what it is that made me feel good before this.

Recent Past – Eight of Pentacles

The creative work that is your destiny is beginning to be revealed.

The card in the Recent Past position refers to events that are just departing, recently influential but now diminishing in power.

The Eight of Coins in this position says you have glimpsed what you would like to accomplish in your life. When you understand what has tied your efforts, studies and experiences together at different stages of your life, you begin to see your personal creative mission shape up and reveal itself to you.

There is powerful realism in this card. You initially thought your work was routine, but over time you developed a style and a pattern. Put down your tools for a minute, so you can get a better perspective on what you have accomplished.

Hmm… This is very intriguing.

Higher Power – The Fool

Whatever you do stimulates you; you can do no wrong.

The card in the Higher Power position reflects the broader perspective and influence of your conscience, Guardian Angel, inner wisdom.

When the Fool comes up in this position, whatever you do will be interesting, creative, opportune and unique. Moment to moment, the grandeur of creation is a source of constant wonder.

There is no need to invent further adventures, send yourself on quests or summon adversaries to challenge you. The Fool has no need of plans or schemes to stimulate or intensify his life. He simply feels the wind in the feather of his cap, points his nose and wanders. Savor this beautiful moment.

Ok, I get the picture. Take a break and live each day.

Near Future- The Moon

Sometimes it’s necessary to let go of rational functions and trust your intuition and dreams in order to gain illumination.

The card in the Near Future position indicates which way the wind is blowing with regard to your situation. If you follow the Advice card, however, you can improve on or neutralize tendencies.

With the Moon in this position, you may be on the brink of a period of time so multidimensional that it will be hard to separate fact from fantasy. So many developments will unfold, change and merge that it’s difficult to comprehend every nuance. It’s almost overwhelming.

The best thing to do in such an instance is to open and relax your mind into a more primal state of pure awareness. It’s easy to have the rational intellect get in the way of shamanic insights or deep body wisdom. When that happens we may fail to recognize the messages or get confused instead of enlightened. Open all your pores, raise your antenna and trust that your internal responses are meaningful and worthy of attention.

Ultimately, what makes or breaks situations or plans is the way you feel about them. So stay close to your feelings every moment. If you get stuck on rationalizing, you may only limit yourself.

I suppose that means that I have to listen to my intuitions more. Understood!

Blocks and Inhibitions – Eight of Staves

Don’t relax your self-discipline; there is much more work to do.

The card in the Blocks position points to self-undermining tendencies, areas where you could be in denial, where you could get stuck — unless you examine yourself and make some corrections.

When the Eight of Wands falls in this position, your assessment of how far you have progressed toward your goals may be faulty. You may think you are in a good position, that you are nearing the finish line, but in reality Nature is telling you there is much more to do.

If you coast on past effort, the situation may get away from you or cease working altogether. Your will and commitment have to measure up to the enormity of your project; this is no time to relax your self-discipline and be casual about your responsibilities.

I suppose that’s what the New Year does to you. I have been feeling relaxed lately.

Allies- The Hierophant

Centuries of knowledge and wisdom are available to you.

The card in the Allies position points to people who can be supportive or helpful to you at this time.

In this position, the Hierophant points to a long-standing tradition of highly refined craftsmanship that you can tap into and draw inspiration from. It would behoove you and speed up your project if you would allow a Hierophant, a master of the Mysteries, to advise you.

The Hierophant has acquired direct knowledge by going to the heart of an issue and experiencing it. If you have a problem to solve, cast aside your pride. Determine who has the key to the situation and how you can befriend them, win their confidence and learn at their knee what you need to know. This Hierophant knows the direct path, the exact formula, the perfect key to the situation.

Aiep… coupled with what I was told last week… AIEP!

Advice – Five of Pentacles

Pooling resources allows you to make bolder moves and larger investments in future projects.

The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.

The Five of Coins in this position advises you to create contractual agreements with those around you who have similar interests. In this kind of situation, there is strength in numbers. Put your heads together and devise a bold plan for future objectives and decide how to invest in their success. This Five of Coins recommends teamwork and the mutual benefits a combined effort can yield.

Note: In the English decks, like the Rider-Waite, the sickly poor freezing outside a well-lit church warn of the painful outcomes of bad choices, rather than focusing on the dynamic tension of the choosing itself, as in the traditional Continental decks.

Well, this certainly makes sense. And to think that the first thing I thought of was to open a cosplay shop. ^_^

I shall leave the last card, the Long-term card, for my own at this point in time. Suffice to say that it is the Princess of Swords, so you may wish to dig out your own translation of what that means.