News & The Kemmyrk Blog

Monday, February 23, 2026
Waxing Moon
Jupiter Retrograde

Welcome to the final week of February! It’s also the final week using The Enchanted Tarot. I thoroughly enjoyed getting reacquainted with this deck again, and I hope you enjoyed the deck, too. Next week is the start of a new month, and we’ll use a different deck.

We are in eclipse season. Jupiter is still retrograde. Mercury goes retrograde on the 26th, so buckle up, my buttercups. Stay away from large purchases, especially electronics. Back up the computer. Slow down with communications to make sure you are clear in your words and take time to really listen and understand what comes at you. Give yourself extra travel time. Visit thrift shops – this is a great time for thrift shopping. You tend to find delights that are undervalued in price.

Last week’s reading encouraged me to be both cautious and hopeful. The Tower card had more to do on an international stage last week than on my own personal stage, fortunately, although some inner towers crumbled during the course of the week. The promises of the other cards began, and I intend to take the necessary actions for them to come to fruition.

This month, we’re using The Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber. I’ve had this deck since the mid-1990’s, but haven’t used it in a long time, so I look forward to reacquainting myself with it and growing with it this month. Each card is created as a multi-layered, symbolic tapestry. The book for this deck is also engaging. It contains a dream, an awakening, and an enchantment. The dream is the card’s story, the awakening is the card’s lesson, and the enchantment is an action to take to integrate it. I will be using my own interpretations, but I encourage you, if the deck speaks to you, to get your own copy and work with the deck and the book. You can learn about them and buy their books and decks 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: Queen of Hearts
This is the Queen of Cups in other decks, and a card of deep loving and creativity. Central to this week is the need to be loving, both outwardly and inwardly. With the incoming Mercury retrograde, feelings are easily bruised. Take the extra few beats to think through, multiple times, before you speak. Don’t “joke” at someone else’s expense. During a Mercury retrograde, words are even sharper weapons than at other times, so use care, love, and empathy in all your dealings this week.

North – Earth/Tangibles: Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands stands firmly in her passionate identity. Since this is in the northern position, of tangibles, it tells us to step in the world this week with self-assurance, tempering it with the care of the Queen of Hearts.

 

 

 

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: Nine of Swords
Ouch! This indicates a likelihood to overthink and be anxious this week. When the 9 of Swords comes up for me, it generally means I am spinning into anxiety all on my own, and the despair is self-inflicted, rather than coming from the outside. Given the position in this reading (swords at home in intellect), with the Queen of Wands, it suggests feeling some imposter syndrome this week. Even if you feel that, step forward with confidence. And use the self-compassion from the Queen of Hearts to temper the 9 of Swords anxiety.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Princess of Swords
This is the equivalent to the Page in other decks. This is another card of thought and intellect, in the position of passion or identity. As you move through the week embodying the Queen of Wands, you might also learn some new information to integrate. Be open to ideas this week, even if you wait to explore them until a future week. For me, this card often comes up to warn of gossip. Again, especially with the Mercury retrograde, watch your words. Do not speak gossip. If you are the subject of gossip, lean into both of the Queens in this reading and shake it off. You don’t have to argue. You can set a firm, compassionate boundary, and walk away.

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Six of Pentacles
The 6 of Pentacles is a card of tangible generosity in the position of emotion and creativity. Plant some seeds this week, both literally and figuratively. [According to my planting calendar, today (the 23rd) and Thursday and Friday (the 26th & 27th) are planting days]. Be kind, whenever you have the opportunity. It could be something as simple as holding a door opening or giving someone a kind word. As you plant, embody what you’re planting with the energy of the two Queens for a successful harvest later in the cycle.

This reading has two Queens, a Princess, and two numbered cards. There are cards from each of the four suits. There are no Major Arcana cards here, indicating this week is about the self, the people in your immediate circle, and the daily details. This week is a time to focus in. Keep an eye on world events, but your immediate community is the priority.

Did anything resonate with you, or did you get something different? I’d love to hear about it.

Have a great week.

Monday, February 16, 2026
Dark Moon
Jupiter Retrograde

Hello, friends! There is a lot going on astrologically this week, and this reading shows both disruption and something good coming out of it.

Today is the dark moon.

Tomorrow is a new moon, Chinese Lunar New Year starting the Year of the Fire Horse, a solar eclipse, and Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday. Saturn just left Pisces to go into Aries.

It will be easy to get swept away in it all, and it is important to stay grounded. As with any fresh start, you don’t have to do all of it on the first day. We’ve been clearing away, and now it’s time to set the track, so that we can start in a way that sustains us, instead of burns us out. Trying to do everything this week will hurt us. Measure your steps and your energy.

Remember, Jupiter, the planet of expansion, is still in retrograde. If we try to expand too fast, we will hit obstacles. And Mercury goes retrograde on February 26, which will slow us down, too. Instead of trying to do All The Things, do a single thing and make plans for what you want to do after Jupiter and Mercury both turn direct.

Pace yourself.

This month, we’re using The Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber. I’ve had this deck since the mid-1990’s, but haven’t used it in a long time, so I look forward to reacquainting myself with it and growing with it this month. Each card is created as a multi-layered, symbolic tapestry. The book for this deck is also engaging. It contains a dream, an awakening, and an enchantment. The dream is the card’s story, the awakening is the card’s lesson, and the enchantment is an action to take to integrate it. I will be using my own interpretations, but I encourage you, if the deck speaks to you, to get your own copy and work with the deck and the book. You can learn about them and buy their books and decks 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 Tower
Yes, I flinched when I saw this come up as the central energy of the week. The Tower is one of my least favorite cards in the deck. It comes up when I’ve procrastinated, and now the movement is out of my hands, because I did not take action. So everything blows up. In my life, there is a single creative project on which I’ve been dragging my feet on which I had a breakthrough this weekend (rather than a breakdown), so I’m hoping that will get me back on track. I’ve been pretty good about staying on top of personal responsibilities. I’m wondering if this card has to do with something on a national level, in light of what’s been going on lately, and we all get swept up in it. Seeing this card makes me want to hide in my blanket fort, but that is not an option. No matter what, there will be pain and disruption involved.

North – Earth/Tangibles: Eight of Wands
The 8 of Wands is about things moving very fast. In this card, the wands are all moving in the same direction (in some cards they are not). It’s in the north, the position of tangibles, so the disruption of the Tower will send things moving very quickly. You cannot step back or put it off once the Tower has fallen. You must take action now, whether you feel ready or not. Direct the energy and the action so that it does not direct you.

 

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: Four of Wands
The 4 of Wands is a beautiful, wonderful card of building something that will stand the test of time. In spite of the disruption and fast movement, you are building something that will endure. Since it is in the position of thought, remember that “thoughts are things” and use your intellect in the building of this new direction. How you frame it to yourself and others will influence the stability.

 

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Three of Pentacles
There is work to be done, and the 3 of Pentacles reminds us we don’t have to do it alone. Work within the community, ask for help, give help. Note that the position of tangibles holds a wand card of identity this week, and this position of identity holds a pentacle card of tangibles. The 8 Wands and the 3 Pentacles are talking to each other, through the Tower. Swift movement is easier with help. But you have to show up and do the work.

 

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Ten of Pentacles
This card states clearly to use your creative energy to create security. The 10 Pentacles is a wonderful card, and in this position of emotion and creativity, it tells us to use creative powers for something secure. Build your castle on a secure foundation. The insecure one blew up in the Tower at the center, but now you have a firm foundation. The 4 Wands in the opposite position again connects to the 10 Pentacles. They work together and support each other.

There are no hearts/cups in the reading, nor are there swords. There is the single Major Arcana in the center, indicating major disruption, and everything else is either a wand or a pentacle. It’s about creating the stable foundation for your true self, which works with Saturn moving into Aries.

Did anything resonate with you? Or did you get something different? I’d love to hear from you.

Monday, February 9, 2026
Waning Moon
Jupiter Retrograde

We’re well into February, with brutal cold where I live, among the other challenges. The moon is waning. We only have a single retrograde, Jupiter.

This month, we’re using The Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber. I’ve had this deck since the mid-1990’s, but haven’t used it in a long time, so I look forward to reacquainting myself with it and growing with it this month. Each card is created as a multi-layered, symbolic tapestry. The book for this deck is also engaging. It contains a dream, an awakening, and an enchantment. The dream is the card’s story, the awakening is the card’s lesson, and the enchantment is an action to take to integrate it. I will be using my own interpretations, but I encourage you, if the deck speaks to you, to get your own copy and work with the deck and the book. You can learn about them and buy their books and decks 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 Star
The Star is one of my favorite cards in the tarot, and the depiction on this card is just gorgeous. This is a card of hope and beauty. Enjoy your own beauty, and let the light of the stars in the sky guide you. Look for messages in the stars that help you take necessary, positive actions on earth.

 

 

North – Earth/Tangibles: King of Pentacles
The King of Pentacles in home here, in the position of the north and tangibles. This is about hard work paying off in tangible ways. Perhaps someone in a position of power recognizes the work and rewards you for it. Accept generosity and be generous in return. The Star, in the previous position, supports this.

 

 

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: Seven of Wands
In spite of the hope and the tangibles, thoughts this week are tempered. There may be a lack of trust in the good fortune, or the tides changing. Your beliefs and values may be challenged this week, and it’s important to defend your position. Waffling now will deny the hope and the tangibles of the previous two cards. Defend yourself against threats. Someone may try to convince you that the only way to get the promises of the previous two cards is to back down from what you know is right. Don’t listen.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: King of Swords
You have the King of the suit of intellect in the position of identity. That means it’s time to cut away what is no longer of value to who you are. This fits with the waning moon cycle and the end of the Year of the Wood Snake (the Year of the Fire Horse begins next week). It also ties in to the previous 7 of Wands card. This week will require some cord cutting to stand for your values.

 

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Temperance
This is a card of balance. Work on keeping your emotions balanced and calm this week, and keep your creativity on a steady keel. Show up, do the work, don’t create drama. Let things flow. Don’t let anyone divert that flow or energy for their own purposes. Cut away energy vampires. Be patient and tempered in all your actions.

 

 

This card contains two Major Arcana cards for big energy (both very positive cards), along with two Kings, about power and will, and the 7 of Wands, about standing strong. Minor Arcana cards are about the practical details to get things done in relation to the energies of the court and Major Arcana cards. You will be challenged this week, but not allowing yourself to be bullied into backing down will serve you for the upcoming cycle. Since it’s also the waning moon, you can remove/banish/release what you want to get rid of in your life.

Did anything resonate? Or did you get something different from the reading? I’d love to hear your experience.

Monday, February 2, 2026
Last Day of the Full Moon
Uranus and Jupiter Retrograde

Welcome to a new month, and a new deck.

Yesterday was the full moon and Imbolc. Some traditions observe Imbolc today, or Candlemass today. Whatever you observe, blessings as we feel the stirrings under the surface.

Uranus goes direct tomorrow, which means we start to feel more stable in the aspects that make us unique. Happening in Aquarius season, which celebrates individuality, that’s a positive.

This month, we’re using The Enchanted Tarot by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber. I’ve had this deck since the mid-1990’s, but haven’t used it in a long time, so I look forward to reacquainting myself with it and growing with it this month. Each card is created as a multi-layered, symbolic tapestry. The book for this deck is also engaging. It contains a dream, an awakening, and an enchantment. The dream is the card’s story, the awakening is the card’s lesson, and the enchantment is an action to take to integrate it. I will be using my own interpretations, but I encourage you, if the deck speaks to you, to get your own copy and work with the deck and the book. You can learn about them and buy their books and decks 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
The Chariot came up in this same position in our first reading of the year, on January 5. Here it is again, telling us to take the reins of our lives. Don’t let others divert you from your purpose. Keep your focus, your determination, and your will clear.

 

 

North – Earth/Tangibles: Six of Wands
The 6 of Wands is a card of victory, and in the northern position, it’s about tangible victories. This is not the time to give up. Keep going this week, and you will see tangible, positive results. This is directly tied to the Chariot in the previous position. Taking the reins and using determination and focus will result in a tangible victory.

 

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: Judgment
You know, intellectually, that it’s time for an important change. Everything you’ve thought and done has brought you to this point. With so many planets turning direct and moving signs, by taking the reins and persisting in an ethical way, you can accomplish your desires. Ethics and values play deeply into this card. This week, your ethics and values may be challenged. How you respond to that will directly affect how you move forward and could derail the tangible victory in the 6 of Wands.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Ten of Swords
Take a look at the art of this card. Often, in decks, the 10 of Swords depicts a lone figure with 10 Swords in their back. For me, that artwork often tells me that someone else is trying to put their anxiety or hurt or problems onto me without my consent. However, this art has one figure holding another. Which figure in the card are you? There is despair here, and an enormous amount of grief. Since this is in the position of identity, you may have lost or be about to lose a part of yourself that’s important. Tying it to the previous card, if you compromised your ethics, you may regret it. If you held firm and true to your values, it may feel like all is lost now, but looking at the overall reading, that is not the case. Walking your talk will ultimately help you steer your chariot to victory ethically, even if right now you feel challenged. Last week, the 5 of Wands was in this position, so it’s in direct correlation to that situation. We know what the right thing to do is in the situation. But will be do it?

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: The Magician
Dream it, believe it, become it is the Magician’s message to you this week. What do you want to make a reality? This is directly connected to all the other cards in the readings, and is about choice, will, and ethics. You have everything you need, but how will you use it?

 

 

There are three Major Arcana cards in this week’s reading, which means the big things, and two Minor Arcana cards, giving us options for the details to get there. The overall sense of the reading is that this week, we will be challenged on an ethical stance, and how we choose to meet it will set our course for the next cycle.

Did anything in particular resonate with you, or did you get something different? I’d love to hear from you. If you’re having trouble leaving a comment here, feel free to do so on one of the social media channels leading to this post.

 

Monday, January 26, 2026
Waxing Moon
Uranus and Jupiter Retrograde

Hello, my friends, here we are in the last week of January.

Neptune moves out of Pisces today. For Pisces, especially, it brings an end to 14 very difficult and deceptive years.

Last week’s reading resonated here in the US, especially with the 3 of Swords at the center. First, we were betrayed by the 7 Vichy Dems in the House of Representatives who voted to keep funding domestic terrorism. On Saturday, those same federally sponsored terrorists murdered another person in Minnesota, with no consequences. Again. Meanwhile, politicians keep telling us to be polite as we’re murdered, so they can fundraise off outrage, instead of stopping those who kill and making them face consequences. It is very much 3 of Swords heartbreak and betrayal.

Even so, there were 10 of Cups moments in my own life, and it was hard to hold both.

At the end of this week, we end the month, and we start February with a full moon. At the start of next week is Imbolc, things stirring beneath the surface.

We also switch to a different tarot deck next week, for the month of February.

Several of this week’s cards have shown up in previous readings this month, tying the readings even more closely together.

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 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: 3 of Wands
This card was in the North/Tangibles position in the January 12th reading. It is here, in the center/spirit position this week. What’s your plan? What actionable steps are you going to take this week? Keeping your head down and going along to get along is not an option. What are you actually going to DO and how does this align with who you ARE? Again, Wands are about passion and identity, and standing in who we are is vitally important this week.

North – Earth/Tangibles: The Sun
The sun is a wonderfully positive card, and depicts Bastet, the cat goddess. If you have cats in your household, spoil them even more than usual this week, in honor of Bastet. This is a card of vitality and lasting success, and it is in the tangible position of the spread. The caveat here, tying it to the 3 of Wands, it that the Sun will shine on us IF we stand true to our integrity and TAKE ACTION. If we do nothing, nothing will improve. If we go along to get along, it will get worse. The actions we take from our place of integrity will allow Bastet’s blessing for long-term success.

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: The Devil
Our thoughts are, rightly, tied up with tangibles. There is a lot going on that we need to think about, respond to, and act on. The Devil is often considered a negative card. However, in this deck, it depicts Lilith, and demands you take your power back. Lilith and Bastet are not in conflict here. We have to do Lilith’s bidding and take back our power in order to have long-term success and blessings from Bastet. We MUST figure out a way through this mess, first by making a plan, and then by following it through. It demands we deal with the realities in front of us and do not look away.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: 5 of Wands
You need to decide who you are and what you stand for this week, and then do it. No hiding, no pretending, even when it causes conflict. There is no more room for you to be quiet. Get in there and fight the good fight. If there is disagreement between those fighting beside you for the better world, listen to each other and see where you can come to an agreement. But do not capitulate to those who want to maintain the status quo.

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: 2 of Swords
This card was in the South/Identity position in last week’s reading, and has moved into the creativity/emotion slot this week. That means that what began last week, when you had to make a decision in what you stand for, continues to challenge you emotionally and creatively. How can we channel this rage into creative work that will engage a large audience? What decisions do we have to make based in both intellect and emotion to support standing in our core integrity?

This is not a gentle reading. It’s telling us we must take a stand this week, or things will only get worse. Two of the five cards are Major Arcana cards, which means big energy. The other three are minor arcana, with two being wands (identity) and one being swords (intellect). There are no cups and no pentacles in this reading. This week is about action and integrity.

Did anything resonate with you, or did you get something different from these cards? If you’re having trouble leaving messages in the comments, feel free to comment on the Instagram account for Cerridwen’s Cottage.

Monday, January 19, 2026
Waxing Moon
Uranus and Jupiter Retrograde

Here we are, at another week. We had a new moon yesterday in Capricorn, demanding that we put in the work, while we are physically and emotionally exhausted from the daily fights necessary to survive. This week’s reading details the tensions we experience.

The new moon in Capricorn is not going to wait until we’re ready. It’s demanding that we make plans and take action now. The tension between that Capricorn energy and what we are feeling is apparent in the cards.

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 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: 3 of Swords
I flinched when I placed this card down at the center of the spread. The 3 of Swords is about heartbreak and betrayal. We are certainly being betrayed by systems that claim they had to exist in order to protect us, and we’re learning that was a lie. Not just a mistake, but a deliberate lie, to keep us docile. The 3 of Swords reminds us that we can’t pretend this isn’t happening, and that we’re not in pain. The first step to taking action is acknowledging the pain and discomfort and sitting with it, in order to use it as a foundation for change. Looking away and pretending it doesn’t exist will make it worse. And Capricorn sits, tapping on their watch, telling us to acknowledge, integrate, and take action.

North – Earth/Tangibles: 10 of Cups
Here’s the first conflict – our personal, immediate, tangible reality contains love and beauty, even while we feel pain and betrayal. You can look around you and say, “I feel pain, but the cat is purring” and the purring cat is the 10 of Cups. Or there’s a healthy plant, or a warming, soothing beverage. The 10 of Cups doesn’t deny the pain of the 3 of Swords. They are co-existing. There are tangible positives adjacent to the pain. Accept both, or the friction between them will grow. This card is absolutely gorgeous, and I encourage you to return to it any time this week feels unbearably heavy.

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: 4 of Cups
Our thought patterns are centered around the 3 of Swords and not the 10 of Cups. We are saying, “it must be one or the other” rather than “I can use the 10 of Cups to heal the 3 of Swords.” There are three cups on the ground, with blackened foliage around them, suggesting bitterness. Instead of assuming the 4th cup being offered is more of the same, take a chance that it might be closer to the 10 of Cups than the 3 of Swords. Where you place your thoughts this week will pave your path in this next moon cycle. If you spiral in pain and doubt, that’s what the next moon-to-moon cycle will focus on. If you use the pain and anger as a boost toward something better, the better will start to form. Watch and shift thought patterns this week.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: 2 of Swords
We are at a crossroads of our identity and passion, with the 3 of Swords as the catalyst. We don’t know what to do or who to be. There are difficult decisions necessary. What kind of person do we want to be moving forward? How do we best walk our talk, and maintain our integrity? With all the exterior noise and chaos going on, block off periods of time of silence to withdraw and let your inner voice (guided by that crescent moon in the art, the waxing moon, as it is waxing) through. Don’t get so caught up in the 3 of Swords and the negative aspects of the 4 of Cups that you miss everything tangible in the 10 of Cups.

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Page of Cups
The Page of Cups is a dreamer, and the starfish represents regeneration. We need to use the pain of the 3 of Swords as a baseline and dream our way toward the 10 of Cups. By choosing to take a risk on what’s being offered in the 4 of Cups, and withdrawing to listen to our intuition in the 2 of Swords, and creating specific blocks of time for dreamtime and meditation, we can use the pain of the 3 of Swords as a positive catalyst, instead of getting stuck in it, and feeling there is nothing we can do, and no way out.

Notice that there are no Major Arcana cards in this week’s spread. It is all minor arcana, with a single court card, a cup in its home position of emotion. This week’s spread is about the daily details and the moment-to-moment choices we make. It is not a pleasant spread, but it is a necessary one.

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

As an aside, in the three weeks leading up to Imbolc and the three weeks leading out of it, I’m working with the Seasons of the Witch Imbolc Oracle by Lorraine Anderson and Juliet Diaz, illustrated by Tijana Lukovic. You can learn more about it by clicking the deck name. I did a one-card reading last Friday, will do a two-card reading next Friday, and a 3-card reading the Friday before Imbolc, then go backwards, 3-2-1. I did not share Friday’s reading, because it was more personal than communal, but I might share the others.

Hang on, my friends, and live your core integrity.

Monday, January 12, 2026
Waning Moon
Uranus and Jupiter Retrograde

Good morning, and welcome to a new week, while we, in the US, are still reeling from last week. Last week’s 5 of Pentacles in the identity position made even more sense as the week went on, especially if you are a woman. There was a lot of grief. And I definitely needed Hecate and Holda this past week.

We are in the final quarter of the moon’s wane this week, with the dark moon on Saturday the 17th, and the new moon on the 18th. This final moon quarter is when I do banishing, releasing, and cleansing work. The only thing I release on a full moon is what I am building, so it can manifest. On the waning moon, moving to dark moon, I release what I want to get rid of. The dark moon itself is what I used for strong banishing work. That is not the “only” way or the “right” way. It is the way I’ve found works best within the rhythms of my life.

We had three extra cards fall out of the deck as I shuffled this week. In the photo, they are off to the left of the spread. We will discuss them at the bottom of the spread.

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 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: 7 of Wands
This card warns us that, this week, we need to be ready for anything and hold our boundaries. The pressure on them will get worse. We have to be ready to protect what we care about, which is very relevant to current events. Show up for yourself and your neighbors this week.

 

 

North – Earth/Tangibles: 3 of Wands
The 3 of Wands is about making a plan, and then taking steps on that roadmap. It’s about vision paired with action. Your roadmap is a guide, and you will adjust as you need to, but things can’t stay as they are. You are defending (above) what you care about, while in motion to create something better in very real, tangible ways. Don’t be afraid to take action that puts big dreams into motion.

 

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: 10 of Pentacles
This is a card of stability, legacy, emotional and financial support. With everything that’s going on, I was surprised that this turned up in the spread at all. When we look at it in this position, however, it makes sense. Imagine the world this way, and feel, deep in your bones, the positive emotions this brings up. Then, pair that with your intellect as you make your roadmap, defend what matters, and take action to bring this 10 of Pentacles world into being.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: The Wheel of Fortune
The Fates show up here in the Wheel of Fortune card. This is the only card that I read reversed if it comes up that way. It is upright here, which means the cycle is moving toward something better. Since it is in the position of identity, it means we must embody the mantra “be the change you want to see in the world.” Things won’t get better unless we take the actions the 3 of Wands in the north tells us we need to take to create the 10 of Pentacles world we want. The Wheel of Fortune is also one of the two cards, numerologically, for 2026. 2026 adds up to 10, which is the number of this card. While many distill that down to 1, The Magician, I am working with both of those cards/numbers this year, and this is a good reminder that this is where we are, and we must take the power ourselves to turn the wheel in the direction we want. That language, those words, are hard to write without pain, since turning a wheel is part of what got a woman killed last week. She literally turned the wheel of her car (chariot) away from danger and an enraged misogynist murdered her. And our government is proud of him for that murder.

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: The Hanged Man
Luonnator, the Finnish daughter of nature, is depicted in this card, which is in the position of our creativity and emotions. She reminds us that everything won’t be solved in this week. It will take time for our actions to have positive results. Slow, steady growth will do more than rash, impulsive actions. Keep showing up. Keep creating.

 

The three additional cards:

The Star: Aradia, Queen of the Witches, comes to us in the Star, offering us hope and light in dark times.

 

 

 

 

Strength: Joan of Arc shows up in the Strength card, reminding us that resistance is necessary, and sacrifice is often part of that. Considering how an innocent woman was murdered in the US last week, this card is both an encouragement and a warning. We all know what happened to Joan at the hands of tyrants. But doing nothing is not an option.

 

The Page of Wands encourages curiosity and fresh ideas, which is something we will need to create change and a better world. The old methods have rotted. The politicians clinging to them and refusing to do what needs to be done for positive change need to be swept away to make room for fresh ideas and trying new things.

There are three wand cards in this spread, reminding us how important it is to be true to ourselves and our core integrity. We also have four Major Arcana cards in the spread, indicating life-altering energy. And a single pentacle card, albeit a good one, saying it’s about tangibles. No cups, no swords in the spread, although there is water in the Hanged Man card in the west/emotions position, and water in the Star card.

This week focuses on being and doing.

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

Stay safe.

Monday, December 29, 2025
Waxing Moon
Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde

Welcome to the time between times, where we don’t know or care what day it is, and all we want to do is rest. I hope you can build some time for that into your week.

I hope last week was a good balance for you between joy, peace, nostalgia, and all good things.

This week has a lot going on. We have New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and all that goes with it. I hope you are creating your own traditions, and integrating them with those you enjoy and want to continue from earlier in your life.

We are in a waxing moon, with a full moon on Saturday, January 3rd. Chiron goes direct on the 2nd, meaning a long stretch of healing work comes to a close, and you integrate that healing between now and the next Chiron retrograde, which begins on August 3rd of 2026.

This is the last week we are using the Yuletide Tarot by Kristoffer Hughes, with art by Erin O’Leary Brown. You can learn about each of them by clicking the link on their names, and you can buy the deck from Llewellyn here.

In January, we will switch decks.

The Minor Arcana correspondences for the Yuletide Tarot 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: Page of Gifts
This is the equivalent to the Page of Pentacles in other decks. The Page is engrossed in a book, a favorite of all the gifts under the tree. I relate to that! In our family, we spend a lot of time enjoying our new books on the Eve and the Day! The Page is curious, interested, dedicated to studying and learning. Sometimes, it can cross the line into obsession, especially with a new interest. It’s easy to get caught up in all the calls to create a “new you” and all the things you “should” do in this New Year. Consider taking time to figure out what you really want. It doesn’t have to all change on January 1. It can slowly evolve throughout the year, changing as your life changes. Take your time and study the possibilities.

North – Earth/Tangibles: Ten of Good Cheer
This is the equivalent to the 10 of Cups in other decks. There’s so much pressure around “having a good time” around New Year’s Eve and implementing massive changes on New Year’s Day that we often don’t have any fun at all. So remember to enjoy what’s around you, your home, family (be it blood or found), and the joys of what YOU really want, not what others tell you that you should want. Live the joy that is your home, family, and friends. This week, especially, they are tangibles in your life.

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: Page of Candles
This is the equivalent to the Page of Wands in other decks. Feed your passions this week. Light those candles of inspiration and inner fire, and tend to them this week. Allow your passions to provide inspiration. That ties in with the Page of Gifts and the 10 of Good Cheer: study and enjoyment around your passions will lead to inspiration. It’s a fire card in an air slot, indicating that the fire of inspiration needs attention this week.

 

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Knight of Canes
This is the equivalent of the Knight of Swords (intellect) in other decks, and it is in the position of fire/identity. Knights take their suit out into the world. This Knight can be unapologetically blunt, but it’s because he burns with passion and belief of his mission. This supports the previous cards encouraging your inspiration this week, although you might want to pause and temper your speech a bit, so that you don’t cause harm. However, if someone causes you harm, especially if it’s deliberate, bite back.

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Strength
The figure in this card offers gentleness and nourishment to the wild reindeer. They deal with each other at eye level, as equals. With all the expectations and loud noises and demands of the New Year, hold firm in the inspiration, passion, and seeds starting to form in these other cards, take them forth when it’s time with firm boundaries, blunt words if needed, but also compassion. Start the New Year and meet the full moon with a gentle strength.

We have one Major Arcana, three Court Cards, and one Minor Arcana card (a joyful one) this week. Take as much time for yourself as you can, and share joyfully with those of your choice. Meet the new year with a gentle strength.

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

I wish you a lovely and a gentle entry into the New Year.

Monday, December 22, 2025
Waxing Moon
Chiron, Uranus, Jupiter Retrograde

Hello to this new week! We just had a new moon last Friday, the Solstice was yesterday, and, for many of us, there are stresses and celebrations coming this week.

Deep breath.

For December, we use the Yuletide Tarot by Kristoffer 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: Matrona
This card was in the south/identity/passion position last week, but moves to the center/spirit this week. Be as nurturing as you can this week. Encourage yourself and those around you to take a breath, because creation is a process and it needs time and nurture. Be as kind as possible as often as possible, and also hold your boundaries, so you don’t get depleted.

 

North – Earth/Tangibles: Sinterklaas
This card is the equivalent to the Hierophant, in other decks. Sinterklaas embodies the spirit of the season. Tied with Matrona, the card reminds us to be our best selves this season, without letting ourselves be exploited, which is sometimes a difficult path. But there is support – look at the forest creatures willing to lend a hand. No, not like a Disney cartoon, but the energies are around and you can tap into them as you need. Take time for yourself and let ancient magics speak to you. Enjoy your favorite traditions of the season. Let those you don’t enjoy fall away and create something new. Be present with the season in tangible ways that are meaningful to YOU, not to the advertisers trying to get your money.

East – Air/Thought/Intellect: Seven of Good Cheer
This is the equivalent to Seven of Cups in other decks. So many choices! We are popular this week, and may feel like we have an endless round of “good cheer” events where we have to show up. It can be exhausting, but we want to have fun, and don’t want to miss anything.  No matter what you choose, that choice will be right, and you don’t have to say “yes” to everything. In fact, say “yes” to yourself in there a few times. This card of emotion is in the position of thought/intellect, so you may be calculating where you feel you should put your energy. Tying back to the two previous cards, remember to let your intuition and your sensory enjoyment guide you in these choices. Wherever you end up will be the right place, and you don’t have to be everywhere.

South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Three of Gifts
This is the equivalent to 3 of Pentacles in other decks. It’s about those last-minute touches you are putting on everything, and all that you’ve learned that drive you to create right now. This card is unusual because this figure works alone, and the threes are usually about collaboration. Don’t forget to include others, and make it a group activity. You can finish off your creative projects, write cards together, bake together – enjoy the spirit of collaboration, balancing it with getting it all done.

West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: King of Canes
This is the equivalent of the King of Swords in other decks, and it is in the position of emotions. It’s a reminder that sometimes people fall off our holiday card lists, or we lose touch, or we want to cut them away because the relationship is unhealthy. That’s okay. Do so with kindness, whenever possible. People grow away from each other, and relationships have to either evolve or end. It’s as natural a cycle as moving from Solstice to Imbolc, moving from the holidays into the New Year.

The main themes this week are kindness and a balance between personal boundaries and collaboration or group involvements. You can take care of yourself while taking care of each other. We’ve been taught that one party is always supposed to give all to make the holidays work, but what if we all contributed some labor, some laughter, and some love, and built something more inclusive?

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

Have a wonderful week!