Category: Uncategorized

Monday, January 5, 2026
Chiron Direct as of January 2
Uranus & Jupiter Retrograde

Welcome to a new week and a new year! I live in New England, and we’ve had snowstorm after snowstorm, then it warms up and rains, then freezes over and more storms. I like living with seasons, but by February, I will be over it!

Chiron went direct on the 2nd, and there was a full moon on the 3rd. Lots of adjusting going on. Tomorrow is Twelfth Night/Befana night.

The last few years, rather than hitting the ground running on the first day of January, I’ve preferred to ease into the year. I want to work with the season of dark and quiet, rather than racing around. I find it works better for me, on multiple levels. And, I’m seeing that this year, I’m not the only one who’s chosen to approach the new year this way.

It’s a new month, so we’re working with a new deck. This is the Ask the Witch tarot, which is beautiful, and the card backs are labyrinths, so you can use them for meditation as easily as the front of the card. The deck is edited by Francesca Matteoni, and illustrated by Simone Pace. You can read about the creators by clicking on their names, and get the deck from Red Wheel Weiser here.

This is one of my spreads, that I call The Elemental Spread. It is very similar to many of the Medicine Wheel spreads I’ve seen, but I made a few tweaks to the way I use it over the years.

We start in the center, with Spirit/Self. This is the overall energy of the week, and how we relate to it.

We move to the position above, with is North/Tangibles, connected to the element of Earth, advice on how to deal with the week on a tangible, materialistic level.

We move clockwise to the third position, East/Thought, connected to the element of Air, advice on how to intellectually deal with the week.

Then we move down to the bottom of the spread, the 4th position, South/Passion, connected to the element of Fire, advice on how to deal with the week from a place of passion and identity.

Then we move up to the left side of the spread, the 5th position, West/Emotion, connected to the element of Water, advice on how to deal with the week from a place of creativity and emotion.

We wind up where we started, at the spirit center, integrating all the information for the week.
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.

Center – Spirit/Self: The Chariot
This week is about taking the reins in our own life. In this deck, the Chariot depicts Holda, the Germanic wild huntress. The card encourages our self-direction, determination, ambition, travel, and trust in positive outcomes supported by the actions we take. It’s a terrific card to start the new year. Any time this year you start to doubt yourself, call on Holda, and tap into your own inner wild huntress for guidance.

 

North – Earth/Tangibles: 8 of Cups
It’s time to leave something behind, to walk away without looking back, and it’s something tangible. It may be a place, a job, a way of walking through the world. It was right at the time, and helped us feel secure and survive, but we are at a new threshold, and it’s time to walk away. The heron will guide us along the path. Herons symbolize intuition and transformation. It’s time to trust our intuition for the next steps on our physical path. Our inner huntress, from the previous card, knows where we need to travel.

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: 2 of Pentacles
The 2 of Pentacles suggest a need to be flexible and juggle multiple responsibilities this week. Since it’s in the position of air/thought/intellect, planning will help us make decisions. But remember that a plan is a roadmap, not a prison, and sometimes we have to adjust the path. It might be between practical and emotional, desires and needs, others and ourselves. We have the capacity, and we need to make these decisions remembering the motion of the Chariot, and that this week requires us to leave something behind in the 8 of Cups. This card indicates it doesn’t have to be a dramatic exit in the former card; it can be a gentle release.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: 5 of Pentacles
This card always makes me queasy. Is there something I’ve missed in my finances? Am I about to be hit with an unexpected expense? If this was in the north/earth position of tangibles, I’d be in an all-out panic. But it’s in the passion/identity spot. Where do we feel abandoned right now, bereft, unappreciated, undervalued? What is preventing us from following our true calling? Is it the current harsh economic climate? Is there a way to take action to make it more supportive for all of us? Is there grief involved with what we are walking away from in the 8, because it was such a deep part of our identity for so long? This makes sense with the preceding cards of Chariot, 8 Pentacles, and the 2 of Pentacles reminding us to balance, not overthink and spiral into desolation. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. This deck has it right in the name – ASK the Witch! It also ties into the end of the Year of the Snake, and all the shedding that’s been demanded of us. There’s grief involved, especially when we have to lose tangibles. We are allowed to grieve, even though we live in a society that doesn’t know how to hold grief or handle it.

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: The Moon
As a Pisces, this card resonates, and it’s in the home position of water/creativity/emotion in this week’s spread. This deck depicts Hecate on the moon card, encouraging us to trust our intuition. Our intuition protects us from the illusions others try to cast upon us. So often, the moon is interpreted as us allowing ourselves to be fooled, but this card tells us to go deeper, dig so deep we haven’t been there before. Trust the moon, trust ourselves. Let Hecate light the path as we travel with Holda, leaving behind what we must, knowing we can juggle all we need to, and acknowledging that there’s grief involved in the change.

Did anything in this reading resonate with you, or did you get a different interpretation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, December 1, 2025
Waxing Moon
Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde
Saturn and Mercury Direct

Welcome to a new week, a new month, and a different deck!

If this past weekend was a holiday one for you, I hope you enjoyed it, broke toxic traditions if necessary, and created new ones. Last week, I definitely felt the 7 of Wands, especially as the retrogrades went direct. It was a challenging week, although the holiday itself was lovely. Yesterday, we celebrated the First of Advent, another family tradition, lighting the first of the candles.

Saturn went direct on Thanksgiving (last Thursday), and Mercury went direct on the 29th (Saturday). We have a full moon this Thursday, December 4th. Our family tradition is to celebrate St. Nicholas night on the 5th into the 6th. This is also Krampus night, but our family has always focused on the more joyful aspects of the night.

For December, we use the Yuletide Tarot by Kristopher Hughes, with art by Erin O’Leary Brown. You can read more about them by clinking the link on their names, and you can buy the deck from Llewellyn here.

The Minor Arcana correspondences are as follows:
Candles = Wands
Good Cheer = Cups
Canes = Swords
Gifts = Pentacles/Coins

This is one of my spreads, that I call The Elemental Spread. It is very similar to many of the Medicine Wheel spreads I’ve seen, but I made a few tweaks to the way I use it over the years.

We start in the center, with Spirit/Self. This is the overall energy of the week, and how we relate to it.

We move to the position above, with is North/Tangibles, connected to the element of Earth, advice on how to deal with the week on a tangible, materialistic level.

We move clockwise to the third position, East/Thought, connected to the element of Air, advice on how to intellectually deal with the week.

Then we move down to the bottom of the spread, the 4th position, South/Passion, connected to the element of Fire, advice on how to deal with the week from a place of passion and identity.

Then we move up to the left side of the spread, the 5th position, West/Emotion, connected to the element of Water, advice on how to deal with the week from a place of creativity and emotion.

We wind up where we started, at the spirit center, integrating all the information for the week.

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.

Center – Spirit/Self: 4 of Gifts
This is an interesting and somewhat disturbing card to have at the center of a reading leading into the holiday season. The man sits in his chair, clutching his gifts to his chest. Perhaps we feel we can’t be generous this year? Maybe we’re afraid to spend anything for the season (especially in the US right now) because of the current dumpster fire in which we live? Maybe we’re honoring the blackout on large corporate businesses, but still find much of the locally made goods beyond our budgets. Maybe we’re tired of being asked to give all the time, and feel the need to receive. Since we’re not receiving from those around us, we feel that we have to give to ourselves. That’s our current reality. Take a breath and give yourself grace. There’s a lot of uncertainty right now. Where will annual traditions make you feel more secure? What family stories or traditions can you share that will bring joy, without depleting you? We’re always encouraged to launch into the holiday season at full speed (and with Saturn and Mercury going direct, we feel that impulse even more). But maybe this year, with Jupiter in retrograde over the holidays, we need to have a slower holiday season. Give gently and in a way that makes you feel grounded rather than giving beyond your comfort due to expectations. Take time to assess the season, and make gentle changes that will make you and those around you comfortable and happy.

North – Earth/Tangibles: Seven of Canes
This is the equivalent to the 7 of Swords, which is the card of treachery and slyness. In the position of the north, tangibles, it has to do with material things. Is someone lying to you and trying to con you? I mean, here in the US, on a national level, we are in the midst of an enormous systemic grift, but this card is probably speaking to you on a more personal level. Tied to the previous card, the 4 of Gifts (4 of Pentacles), which tends to be about hoarding, and the images in both cards of clutching material goods close, there’s a sense of fear related to the week. Be cautious of opportunities that seem too good to be true this week. Also, make sure you are not hoarding beyond your needs. In terms of material goods this week, be thoughtful, and be careful not to be taken in by someone lying to you, while also not becoming the liar.

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: The List
This is the equivalent to the Judgement card in other decks. We make our lists in this season, deciding to whom we send cards and/or give gifts, and which names we cross out. Others are doing the same to us. There’s nothing wrong with outgrowing connections that no longer serve us, or cutting back if we can’t afford something. But there are also connections that reward nurturance, and spending 5 minutes writing a card to someone who matters to us, or who might be lonely and need remembrance can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Make sure every choice is mindful and purposeful.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Father Christmas
This card is the equivalent to the Hermit in other decks. Since 2025 is the year of the hermit, it makes sense this would turn up in the “identity” slot. Listen to your inner guide. The holiday season tends to be about external pressures. But it is also winter, the dark time of the year, and we need time for quiet and reflection, so that we can hold up the lamp for others.

 

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Krampus
This card is the equivalent of the Devil in other decks, about being concerned with things on the physical plane, and feeling constrained by them. Again, it ties in with the 4 of Gifts, the 7 of Canes, the List, very closely. We are stressed about the material aspects of the coming weeks. We need to look within and find our light (Father Christmas) and the gentler, more loving, warmer aspects of the season that aren’t all connected to stuff. When you’re just trying to pay the bills AND show those around you that you celebrate them this season, it’s tough.

This week’s reading is about acknowledging the tensions you feel with seasonal expectations, and recalibrating. What will make YOU feel good within realistic parameters this season? How can you be generous and joyful without feeling depleted? Where will you have to draw boundaries?

Instead of driving forward full speed ahead (after all, no Chariot showed up this week), ease into the season with a realistic eye and taking small steps, rather than trying to get it all done.

Did anything in particular resonate with you? Or do you have a completely different interpretation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, November 10, 2025
Waning Moon
Neptune, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Mercury Retrograde
Jupiter goes retrograde tomorrow (Nov. 11)

Hello, my friends! We have five retrogrades happening, including the chaotic Mercury Retrograde, with Jupiter Retrograde joining tomorrow. My Mercury retrograde started with no heat, when the furnace broke down.

This is one of my spreads, that I call The Elemental Spread. It is very similar to many of the Medicine Wheel spreads I’ve seen, but I made a few tweaks to the way I use it over the years.

We start in the center, with Spirit/Self. This is the overall energy of the week, and how we relate to it.

We move to the position above, with is North/Tangibles, connected to the element of Earth, advice on how to deal with the week on a tangible, materialistic level.

We move clockwise to the third position, East/Thought, connected to the element of Air, advice on how to intellectually deal with the week.

Then we move down to the bottom of the spread, the 4th position, South/Passion, connected to the element of Fire, advice on how to deal with the week from a place of passion and identity.

Then we move up to the left side of the spread, the 5th position, West/Emotion, connected to the element of Water, advice on how to deal with the week from a place of creativity and emotion.

We wind up where we started, at the spirit center, integrating all the information for the week.

For the month of November, we are using the Crow Tarot, by MJ Cullinane. You can learn more about the creator’s work and purchase the deck here.

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.

Center – Spirit/Self: Four of Wands
The 4 of Wands is one of my favorite cards in any deck, including this one. It’s about building something beautiful and lasting. It’s about joy and celebration. We have little of that right now, so approaching this week (in spite of what just happened in the US, where the Democrats folded instead of fought for healthcare for the American people) from a place deep within ourselves of celebration and building something long lasting and permanent will help us. We build it first on an energetic/spiritual level, and then on a physical level.

North – Tangibles/Earth: Page of Wands
The Page of Wands is about passionate being. It’s about being passionate in the world, and good news. In spite of the chaos, something good is on the horizon. Be ready to great it with joy and passion, and use it to build something beautiful (4 Wands).

 

 

East – Thought/Inspiration/Air: Seven of Pentacles
The 7 of Pentacles is a card of tangible things in the position of thought and inspiration. Remember that “thoughts are things” and where we direct our attention and our thoughts is what will likely come to fruition first. It’s about gathering. In this position, it encourages us to think about where we put our time and attention, where we want to “be” and how (Page of Wands) to build something beautiful (4 Wands).

South – Passion/Identity/Fire: Justice
A passion and a fiery need for Justice, especially in a time of betrayal, matters. At the same time, we want to make sure we’re not just lashing out. We need to seek justice in the long-term (tying back to 4 Wands). Think about where you want to put your time and energy (7 Pentacles) and know who to dismiss when they are no longer worth your time. That is also justice.

 

West – Emotion/Creativity/Water: Page of Swords
The Page of Swords is about discussions and talk – be careful it’s not about rumors. Be aware of those who may speak against you, and don’t speak without evidence against someone else. You may lose a few feathers, but stick to your truth. And watch for an important message that feeds into the other cards about justice, choosing where to put attention, types of being, and building something permanent.

There are two pages in this spread, which are about messages and something that is in a stage that still needs nurturance before it’s brought out into the world. Don’t rush (another warning form the 7 of Pentacles). Take your time, so you can embody something in the long term.

Did this resonate with you? Or did you get something different from the cards? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

When I wrote this spell for the almanac, two years ago, I did not realize how relevant it would be today. You can read the full spell on the Llewellyn website here.

Monday, August 25, 2025
Waxing Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron Retrograde

Hello, and welcome to the last week of August. We are finally getting a break in the heat and humidity here, which is very welcome.

This month, we are using the Tarot de Marseilles. This particular tarot is one of the earlier decks, with these designs becoming popular in the 18th century, with the Marseilles name coming into use around the middle of the 19th century. There are various versions of the history of this deck, and I encourage you to read as much about the history as you can.

The minor arcana decks focus on the suit and the number, rather than creating illustrated scenarios, the way many other decks, especially modern ones, do. Some people prefer this more ascetic version of the Minor Arcana. Others find it easier to interpret and find meaning in more detailed scenes. Play with different decks, and see what works best for you. I find I am drawn to different decks depending on what I need in a reading, so sometimes one type of deck works better than another for a specific question.

The deck I’m using was a gift, and is published by Fournier, in Spain. You can learn more about their decks here. This deck does not have specific artists credited.

Next week, with the new month, we start working with a different deck. I will be hunting around the apartment for weeks I am sure, because Bea ran off with the Star card from the Marseilles deck that was in last week’s reading.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. 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

At first glance, this spread looks a little chaotic, so let’s break it down and figure it out.

The Collective Energy of the Week – King of Cups
The King of Cups is kind and honorable. He’s also in control of his emotions, and chooses when and where to share them. The energy of the week is about doing the right thing, but doing it with kindness.

 

 

 

The Week’s Challenge – Ace of Pentacles
The Ace of Pentacles is a positive card, promising new paths on the material plane. So how can this be a challenge? I will use something that happened to be a few days back as an example: I was offered work that I feel is unethical and would compromise my integrity. Do I need the money? Yes. Do I feel the trade-off is worth it? No. Am I going to accept the work? No. I gracefully declined. What I will do, instead, is trust the Ace of Pentacles bringing me new opportunities on the material plane. I will trust that by saying “no” to something I know is not right for me, it opens the path to something better. Tying this card in with the previous King of Cups, do the right thing, but be kind about it. My sense is that there will be an opportunity offered that is not right for you this week. By refusing it, you will make room for another opportunity just out of sight that is better.

The Week’s Opportunity – 10 of Cups
It’s always great to see the 10 of Cups in a spread, because it offers joy and long-term emotional stability. Don’t get so caught up in the Ace of the previous position that you miss the 10 being offered in this position. Again, tying it back to the King, doing the right thing with kindness will open new paths on the material plane that will give you long-term joy and success.

 

The Week’s Stretch – 5 of Wands
This is an odd card for the “stretch” position, suggesting that you will have to put in a lot of work in order to have an argument, but you also may be in a position where it’s wise to compromise. Again, lean into the King of Cups energy here, of controlled emotion, so this doesn’t block the 10 of Cups. Don’t worry so much about the opportunity you know is wrong for you and miss all the fun and something better that’s waiting in the wings. Of, if you must take this new opportunity, negotiate that it’s for the short term, rather than the long (although, looking at the full spread, my gut instinct is you’re better off walking away, which is why this is in the “stretch” position). Read the fine print of any and everything this week.

The Week’s Comfort – 4 of Cups
Again, a strange card to come up as a “comfort.” In decks that depict the minor arcana cards with illustrations, the 4 of Cups often shows an individual looking bored or unhappy. This card just has four balanced cups in the picture. Fours can be about stability or stagnation. You get to choose here. If you walk away from something that is not right for you, you have the joy of the 10 and the possible new Ace that was hidden by the first Ace/opportunity that seemed good at first, but proved not right for you at this time. If you take the first thing offered, that your gut tells you is not right, you will have to make compromises that do not serve you, give up the joy offered in the 10, and get stagnant. Use the King’s emotional and creative discernment to weigh your choices this week.

Do the right thing and be kind. That will open the way to new opportunities that are right for you and also bring joy, without making harmful compromises, and give you stability.

Did anything in particular resonate for you in this reading? Or did you get something different? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, June 30, 2025
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde

Hello, my friends! We are definitely in summer!

Pluto is still retrograde. Neptune joins the retrogrades on Friday, July 4th, and will be retrograde until December 10th of this year. It starts its retrograde in Aries, moves back into Pisces in October, and then will return to Aries in January of next year. The last time Neptune was in Aries was in 1875. Once it stations direct in Aries, it will be there until 2039. Neptune retrograde obscures creativity and it’s vital to remain strongly connected to our intuition. Once Saturn joins the retrograde parade on July 13, we are likely to feel overwhelmed at times. Especially when the two are retrograding together, it’s important for us to take a breath and take a break when we need to. There will be times when we feel trapped – think 8 of Swords energy. It’s about completion of a cycle, making room for something new. Tie up loose ends during this retrograde

Use it to assess new ventures, work more deeply with your own intuition, explore hidden facets of yourself and those around you, make right any wrongs you’ve done anyone, and rest. Rest, rest, rest. Behaving ethically and responsibly is vital during this time, in order to move on to the next cycle in positive ways.

This week’s reading has two Major Arcana cards, a court card, a new beginnings card, and a card that carried over from last week’s reading, albeit in a new position.

We are still in June, even though we’re moving into July, so there’s one more week of the wonderful Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake with art by Elisabeth Alba. You can visit Deborah’s website here and Elisabeth’s website here. The deck is available from Llewellyn Worldwide here.

I am a huge fan of both of these creators. No, I don’t get a kickback from them or from Llewellyn, and yes, I bought both these decks!

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. 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 – The Devil
With everything going on right now, and the looming retrogrades, this card makes a lot of sense. So often, we try to place blame for the unsatisfactory parts of our lives on others, rather than taking stock of where we need to make changes ourselves. That is not about excusing systemic oppression — it’s important that we fight to change that as needed. But, on a personal level, sometimes it’s easier to hold onto something negative because it’s familiar. This card tells us that, collectively and individually, we have to take a hard look at where we contribute to what’s holding us back, make decisions, and then take actions for positive change.

The Week’s Challenge – Knight of Wands
This ties into the previous card – make decisions and move forward. The time for making excuses and being static is over. Yes, there’s a dragon on that mountain in the distance, but why does that creature have to be a foe? Why not befriend it? Go on the adventure. Take the risk. Trade the devil you know for something new.

 

 

The Week’s Opportunity – Justice
This is a card of fairness, truth, and balance in the daily details of your life. The figure in the card may be blindfolded, but she has moved that blindfold and can see. What are you bringing out into the world? It ties into the upcoming retrogrades about the need for personal ethics, even though we are living in a world right now that often has none. The way to destroy the Devil’s power over you in the first card is to stay true to your personal sense of integrity. Each of us doing that leads to a collective defeat, without capitulation or appeasement.

The Week’s Stretch – Ace of Wands
Another wand, and this promises something may go boom! In the best possible way. Be alert for a wonderful opportunity, and then harness the Knight of Wands energy in the challenge position to move on it. One wand is a challenge, and the other is a stretch, so it’s about being aware of opportunities and then taking the risk for something wonderful.

 

The Week’s Comfort – Nine of Cups
This card was in the stretch position last week, and has moved into the comfort position this week. You enjoyed the work last week; now you’re a step closer to the wish coming true! While it’s not a good idea to become smug or complacent, it is a good idea to take a deep breath and enjoy the good stuff. You’re sitting by the sea (creativity, emotion), having built a lovely sandcastle, decorated with gold cups. Your cat is playing with the crab, a symbol of flexibility and emotional depth. Take comfort in knowing that your wish is close and will soon come true.

Did anything in particular resonate with you in this reading? Or did you get a different interpretation? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Have a great week!

Monday, June 16, 2025
Waning Moon
Pluto Retrograde

Hello, friends! Pluto is still retrograde, and we have the Summer Solstice on the 20th. I hope you have something wonderful planned.

Last week definitely emphasized the 9 of Swords and the 8 of Wands for me. I’m hoping this week is a little better.

This month’s tarot deck is the wonderful Everyday Witch Tarot with support from the Everyday Witch’s Familiars Oracle. Both are by the wonderful Deborah Blake with art by the terrific Elisabeth Alba. You can visit Deborah’s website here and visit Elisabeth’s website here. Both decks are available from Llewellyn Worldwide, with the tarot deck here and the oracle deck here.

I am a huge fan of both of these creators. No, I don’t get a kickback from them or from Llewellyn, and yes, I bought both these decks!

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. 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 – Page of Cups
Curiosity and the willingness to try new things are wonderful, unless there’s no follow-through. This week, the Page of Cups reminds us that it’s great to shake ourselves out of ruts, remain curious, and learn new things, but don’t just follow something because it’s new and shiny. Take the time to really learn about it and grow your skills.

 

The Week’s Challenge – Queen of Pentacles
This is an odd card to have as a challenge. Usually, it’s a relief to see this Queen. This card is a reminder that there is so much about which to be grateful in our daily lives. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that, because we ignore what we have, looking toward what we want. This is a good reminder in this position for me this week, since a payment has been delayed in my work. My challenge is to remind myself that everything is fine, and I have what I need, and the payment will arrive when it’s needed. Just look at the abundance of black kittens and grapes in this painting. Plenty for which to be grateful!

The Week’s Opportunity – Three of Pentacles
Creating together, when the work is truly shared and communication is clear, is a chance to make something larger and more sustainable than done alone. This week is an opportunity for collaborative work on something very tangible. That can be on a creative project. It could also be on making the world, in general, a better place, by working with the others across time and distance. Look for those opportunities, and enter in a spirit of genuine collaboration, rather than pushing your own agenda.

The Week’s Stretch – King of Wands
Another Court card! The King of Wands follows the plan, and he’s explaining it to his cat, who is paying attention – or deciding how to play with the wand he holds. The stretch this week will be to make sure you are making the decisions to move forward, not just going along to get along with someone else’s decisions. Take a stand for your own well-being.

 

The Week’s Comfort – 7 of Swords
This is an odd card to have in this position, as comfort, which is why I added oracle cards to explore it further. The 7 of Swords is about guile and deceit. Is someone lying to you? In order to save yourself, do you have to play some of your cards close to your own chest, and not reveal something? If something feels off about a person or situation, pay attention. Be careful where you place your trust.

 

Exploring this further, the Foundation of this situation is the Snake. There’s a transformation happening. You may need to conceal part of what’s happening from someone who does not wish you well and would use it against you if they knew. Know when to keep your own counsel and don’t reveal information before its time. Someone may try to derail something connected to the Page, the 3, or the King, if they know about it before everything is finalized. Know when to keep your mouth shut this week.

The Growth from so doing is Dog, also an Earth card in this oracle. Connect with yourself, nurture yourself, play, rest. That will give you clarity to know where your loyalties should lie. Keeping your own counsel will show you who does not wish you well, and you can detach from them by the end of the week.

The needs for the week look like flexibility, caution, and discretion. Walk lightly, stay quiet, and follow your path, not the one that’s more convenient for others.

Did anything in the reading particular resonate with you? Or did you get something completely different? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, May 12, 2025
Full Moon
Pluto Retrograde

Happy Full Moon in Scorpio! Feel all the things. Figure out what needs to leave your life permanently. We are also in Pluto Retrograde, where what was hidden is revealed.

I had hoped this would be a more overall joyful reading, but it warns us of possible conflicts and struggles this week. Still, having the information ahead of time helps us prepare and mitigate.

This month’s deck is the gorgeous Forager’s Daughter Tarot by Jessica Lei Howard. It’s a stunningly beautiful deck that reads well, and every bit of the artwork has layers of meaning. You can learn more about the creator and buy the deck here.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. 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 – Bond
This deck has several additional Major Arcana cards beyond the traditional World card that is both the ending and a fresh beginning in other decks. This is number 25, and called “Bond.” It depicts a pack of wolves, an aventurine crystal, and a cleaver vine. Wolves are smart and loyal, and have a strong sense of family and community. Green aventurine is about connection, protection (a pack protects each other), integrity, and I’ve also used it successfully for healing and prosperity. The cleaver vine grows quickly and attaches with strength. It is tenacious, but if it is not kept under control, it can suffocate that to which it clings. So this card indicates the energy for the week is about building community with a sense of responsibility and integrity to each other, without suffocating each other.

The Week’s Challenge – The Tower
This card is my least favorite card in the deck. It usually shows up when I’ve been procrastinating, and now things are out of my control, and yes, it is my fault. For me, personally, this card puzzles me, since I’ve been trying to keep on top of things. I’m a little behind on two projects, and I’m about to commit to a long-term relationship with a client, but I’ve still met all my deadlines. The Tower coming up concerns me personally, because the last thing I need right now is more trauma. On a larger, collective level, which is what this reading is about, it could indicate something shattering on a larger, political level. Let’s hope whatever happens pushes us, with Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, in a stronger collective direction instead of the way we’ve been headed. Frankly, this card in this position makes me uneasy this week. I feel like I need to batten down hatches, but am not sure where to start.

The Week’s Opportunity – The Eight of Swords
Because of the way the 8 of Swords is often viewed negatively, it’s interesting for it to turn up in this position. The 8 of Swords indicates feeling trapped and oppressed, fearful of the cage. On a personal level, I was feeling rather optimistic about this week until The Tower card came up, and then I definitely froze like the rabbit. The snakes in this card are shadows and illusions, pinned in place by the points of the swords. So where is the opportunity here in feeling so scared, especially with The Tower looming over us in the previous position? Maybe, in this moment of freeze, we need to take a breath and look through the swords at the situation more clearly. Swords are about thought. Aces usually point upwards, while these 8 swords are pointing down. Is there something beneath the surface that keeps us feeling trapped? How much of this is our own overthinking? Taking a moment to recalibrate when faced with the drastic change of the Tower is necessary and helpful, but we also have to remember that we can slip through the swords rather than remaining trapped by them. It’s a reminder to take an opportunity in the chaos to pause and breathe before taking necessary action. Instead of seeing it as a trap, see it as a point of recalibration in a rapidly changing situation.

The Week’s Stretch – 4 of Cups
The artwork in this 4 is very interesting, and different from many other decks. Many decks will have a figure looking bored, staring at a particular cup and ignoring other cups. This artwork has a pair of cups (harkening back to the 2) reflected and slightly distorted in water, with a pair of mussels nestled deeper in the water, filtering their water. This indicates that, within the change of the Tower and the anxiety of the 8 of Swords, we need to take some time to meditate and process emotion (cups are emotion and creativity). When we feel trapped, overwhelmed by change, and are overthinking, it’s often difficult to breathe and sit with those feelings, but this card reminds us that we make better decisions when we do so.

The Week’s Comfort – 3 of Cups
This is a joyful card that relates directly back to the Bond card in the first position. How we get through the more difficult aspects of the week, and how we find comfort is through our community and remembering that we are not alone. The card is colorful and joyful, and reminds us to find moments of joy, especially with others, and especially in times of stress.

Did anything in particular resonate with you? Or did you get a completely different interpretation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Monday, May 5, 2025
Waxing Moon
Pluto Retrograde

Happy May! I hope you had a blessed Beltane (Northern Hemisphere) or Samhain (Southern Hemisphere).

Pluto has gone retrograde, and will be so until mid-October. What’s hidden is revealed, and it’s a good time to face down fears and learn new tools to deal with hidden agendas.

We will not be retrograde-free until at least March of 2026. Retrogrades will layer in and out over the rest of this year. In 2024, we had a big stretch at the top of the year which was retrograde-free. Here, we only had a few weeks here and there, early on.

This month’s deck is the gorgeous Forager’s Daughter Tarot by Jessica Lei Howard. It’s a stunningly beautiful deck that reads well, and every bit of the artwork has layers of meaning. You can learn more about the creator and buy the deck here.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. 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 – King of Cups
We have a blue heron with yellow iris and a full moon. How lovely! It’s about emotional balance and compassion. This week’s collective energy is about taking care of each other without throwing our own emotions out of whack. We can give each other room and support each other’s feelings without getting sucked into someone else’s angst. By holding compassionate space, we give them room to find the tools they need to feel more in balance themselves.

The Week’s Challenge – 6 of Wands
The card has a beautiful daffodil in bloom. The trumpet mushrooms near its base made it glow even brighter. The 6 of Wands is about achievement, recognition and victory. So why would it be a challenge? Looking back to the King of Cups in the previous position, our achievements might spark some jealousy in others. Let’s give each other room to feel what we feel. Because of someone else’s negative reaction, we might also feel we don’t deserve this victory and recognition. We do. Embrace it and enjoy it.

The Week’s Opportunity – 5 of Swords
The artwork here is hornets attacking apples which have 5 swords jabbed into them. Ouch. 5 of Swords often warns of arguments and intellectual disagreements. So why is this often painful card an opportunity? What if, instead of an argument, it was a debate that expanded one’s perceptions? What if it wasn’t done in bitterness and anger, but in the spirit of understanding other points of view, even if you choose to hold onto your own? Hornets are annoying, but they also serve a purpose. Hornets symbolize purpose, protection, and vitality. They munch on the apples to invigorate themselves for the fight ahead. Look at discussions this week as a way to invigorate, not a contest with a winner and a loser.

The Week’s Stretch – The Hierophant
The toad sits, watches, waits, and weighs opportunities. In a more traditional deck, the Hierophant often symbolizes teachings (often religious) and traditional structures. In this deck, and in this particular position, it’s about taking the time to consider the best approach. This ties into all three of the previous cards. Hold space for each other, enjoy your achievements, have a lively debate without viciousness, and don’t hop on an opportunity before dissecting it. Have a little bit of patience this week, which could be challenging, and let things unfold instead of trying to control every moment.

The Week’s Comfort – The Magician
The Magician is about transformation through will. All the tools are there; it just takes the magician to utilize the tools and transmute the transformation through their own power and will. No matter how rocky the week may get, remember that you have the tools to create the reality you want – even when there are things around you that are out of your personal control. Look at the reality. Use the tools you have. Create something better out of what’s at hand.

Did anything in particular resonate with you in this reading? Or did you get a completely different interpretation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, April 14, 2025
Venus Direct as of April 12
NO RETROGRADES

We have about 4 weeks of no retrogrades. So it’s time to get ducks in order and quiet down feral brain squirrels.

Last week, Venus had a good sharp ass kick on her way out the door. A necessary one, but that didn’t make it pleasant.

This week’s reading is almost all wands, which means it focuses on identity, passion, and one’s inner fire.

This month’s deck is the wonderful Mystic Mondays deck by Grace Duong. It’s modern, bright, and colorful, a great way to jump into spring. A fellow writer recommended this deck to me, and I fell in love with it. It reads very well, and the artwork itself communicates with strength and grace. If you want to read more about Grace’s work (she has several decks and gives workshops), and buy the deck, you can do so here.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. 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 – 4 of Wands
The 4 of Wands is about building structures that are strong and will support you through life’s chaos. Artwork sometimes depicts a marriage. This card shows a stable structure with colors from all the elements. After months of chaos, back when Mars went retrograde (we’ve navigated Mars, Mercury, and Venus retrogrades these past few months), we have an opportunity to build some stability that will allow us sanctuary for the future. Let’s build, and let’s build it together.

The Week’s Challenge – Ace of Swords
The Ace of Swords is about new ideas and fresh intellectual opportunities. That makes sense, after the fog of the past retrogrades. And, since there’s such a small window of time without retrogrades, we want to jump on this, because it feels so GOOD to have a fresh idea after all the muck. The reason it’s in the challenge position for the week is because we have to hold more than one thing this week – working on the stability while exploring the new idea. Neither should oust the other. If we do this well, the new idea will support the stability, which, in turn, will support the new idea. Don’t let the new idea distract you, and don’t let the urge for stability push aside the new idea. They are both important.

The Week’s Opportunity – Princess of Wands
I love the joy in this card. This figure is having fun! This is about dancing a creative spark into being, and ties directly into the two previous cards. Dance your Ace into existence in a way that is strong and purposeful, so that the 4 can provide the stability.

 

 

The Week’s Stretch – 7 of Wands
You will be challenged this week, on multiple fronts. Stand your ground. You’re not an imposter. You deserve stability AND creativity. We live in a society that demeans creativity and tells us that we can either have stability or be creative. That is a lie to keep us under control. Stand up for what you want and persevere.

 

 

The Week’s Comfort – 9 of Wands
You have what you need to protect yourself and persevere. This card relates directly to the 4 at the beginning of the reading. That structure you started building in the week will hold. Look at the contrast between the 7 in the previous position and the 9 here. In the 7, the figure faces front, out in the open, with multiple challenges coming at her. In the 9, the figure has her back to us, protecting it with the wand, looking out at the wands providing a protective fence. Perhaps she built them with the wands she acquired in the 7. It’s not over yet; don’t give up.

This is very much a reading of the self this week. It makes sense, after all these retrogrades, that we feel like we’ve been let out of the starting gate and have to win the race before the next retrograde in early May. There may be some collisions. Stay strong. Stay the course.

Did anything in this reading resonate? Or did you get something completely different? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.