Monday, December 30, 2024
New Moon
Uranus, Jupiter, Mars retrograde
Chiron DIRECT as of yesterday
Hello, everyone! How was last week? I used the Kings quite a bit in my daily life, which was filled with unexpected challenges, and the Page of Gifts just kept coming up.
The year turns this year, as well as there being a new moon today. Time for a fresh start, along with the fresh year.
Chiron went direct yesterday, so we can move forward with the healing we’ve done over the months it was in retrograde. I saw something online the other day that hit home: “healing is a process, not a light switch.”
This month, we are using the Yuletide Tarot, from Kristoffer Hughes with art by Erin O’Leary Brown. You can get it from Llewellyn Worldwide here. (Note: even though I’ve written for Llewellyn almanacs for decades, I do not get free decks from them, nor do I get a cut of anything you buy using this link. I bought the deck myself). This is the first year I’m using this deck. It was recommended to me by my friend, tarot reader and author Jamieson Wolf. I spent the last month getting to know the deck, in preparation for this month’s work with it.
In this deck:
Canes = Swords
Candles = Wands
Good Cheer = Cups
Gifts = Pentacles
If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine, that I’ve developed over months. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.
These interpretations are mine, based on my experience, intuition and responses to the artwork. You may have a different experience. This is an overview of the week as it stands now; every decision we make from the moment of the reading can change the outcome. If there’s something in the reading that worries you, you have the information ahead of time so that you can plan, make better choices, or handle it differently than predicted for a better outcome. Tarot sets out possibilities, which you change through your choices and actions.
Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort
The Collective Energy of the Week – 5 of Canes
This is the 5 of Swords in other decks. This is a card of conflict and malice. Be careful of those around you who do not wish you well. At the same time, be careful with your words and your actions, so that you do not cause harm. There’s a lot of potential for harm here. It can be easy to get into the mindset of striking before being struck. It may be better to remove yourself from the situation instead of either bowing to the conflict or escalating it.
The Week’s Challenge – Ace of Candles
This is Ace of Wands in other decks. This is the burning spark of inspiration, identity, and new opportunities. Conflict can clear the way for a new path. Instead of staying mired in conflict, choose a different direction. This card came up in the December 9th reading in the “Opportunity” position. This week, it is in the Challenge position. It may be about the same issue, or you may have more than one option opening up for you.
The Week’s Opportunity – Queen of Gifts
This is the Queen of Pentacles in other decks. This is a card of material generosity in a very clear,practical, and caring way. It’s a reminder to be kind. Whenever you have the opportunity to be kind this week, make the most of it. Especially if it’s a way to de-escalate conflict. If/when someone attempts kindness to you, don’t bat it away. Accept it.
The Week’s Stretch – The Holly King
This is the Emperor in other decks. This is about structure and leadership, doing so in a way that is positive and empowering rather than destructive and controlling. It ties into the collective energy card of the 5 of Canes. Be careful where you place your energy, and do so without malice. In this particular card, he offers light and leadership in a cold, dark forest.
The Week’s Comfort – 2 of Candles
This card is the 2 of Wands in other decks. It was also in the same position for the December 9 reading. It’s about planning the next steps from that spark, but it hasn’t yet manifested yet. It’s about reaching out with and for information. It’s interesting that two cards that appeared in the December 9 reading reappear here, albeit one of them is in a different slot. For different people, it will mean different things. It could be that something that sparked back early in December has been stagnant, and the new year gives you the chance to keep building it. It could represent something different now than it did earlier in the month. It’s personal. I know I find comfort when I can sit down and plan things out. If this is not typically how you approach new elements in your life, consider doing so. Or consider doing so in a different way. If you usually write lists, try telling yourself a story or creating a series of images around the plan. Shake up your process a bit, in order to freshen it.
The Candle Cards, the Queen of Gifts, and even the Holly King are good tools to offset the chaotic and potentially malicious energy swirling around this week. There’s certainly plenty of malicious energy on a political level. See if there are ways to prevent it from infecting your community and personal energies this week. Be aware of it, be on alert so it can’t be weaponized against you, but use the Holly King, The Queen of Gifts, and these fresh sparks to manifest something better and leave the chaos behind.
Do you get a similar read on these cards, or did you get a different meaning? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Next Monday, we will be in 2025, a new year, and a new month. Which means we will also use a different deck.
Happy, Safe, and Joyful New Year to you.