Moving On ~ Tarot for 14 March 2017

Beginnings and endings appear to be the theme of today’s tarot reading along with the sense that we’ve gone as far as we can and now we’re moving on to something new. Cups, Swords, and two cards from the Major Arcana comprise today’s tarot reading expressing the overall numerology of six, or the sacred aspect of Self. Six represents our emotions, the gods and goddesses, communication, harmony, and most importantly, cats.

In the 8 of Cups, a cloaked person, staff in hand, appears to be walking away from 8 golden cups. A crescent moon in its Crone phase hangs in the night sky. Rock walls surround the entrance to a small cove creating a hidden feeling.

Cups are a symbol for Goddess presence as well as the feminine or receptive side of self. They reflect our intuition and our emotions and in the 8 of Cups, it appears that the cloaked individual has nothing left to give preferring instead to simply move on. The presence of the staff suggests that higher goals may be possible now that the individual has let go of what either cannot be changed or no longer serves.

So we’ve let go and moved on and now we come to the first card from the Major Arcana in today’s reading, The World. The Goddess hangs suspended by flowing hair within a green wreath surrounded by a man, an eagle, a lion, and a beast. She has completed the journey of the Fool in synthesis and reawakening, knowing that the journey is in itself her true reward.

I was feeling fairly optimistic about the reading until I drew the 10 of Swords. Swords is an interesting suit. From Elemental Air, Swords represents our intellect and how that either works in our favor or it doesn’t. The odd numbered cards are considered problematic or challenging and the even numbered cards aren’t much better.

It’s darkest before the dawn is the 10 of Swords‘ general interpretation. A man is laying on the ground with 10 swords impaling him everywhere. Again, we’re reminded that we’ve gone as far as we can go with whatever our situation is. It’s time to come up with a new plan of action. Our intellect has gotten in the way again and we need a more balanced approach.

Judgment appears in the Major Arcana just before The World. The card in the position of hidden influences, this card represents awakening and renewal. A family of three approaches in a small boat. The man’s arms are raised as he holds a large horn in jubilation. His wife’s arms are crossed in front of her suggesting a concern for protection while their child emulates his father’s happiness and glee. Their journey is coming to a close and new experiences are about to begin.

We all take our own journey in life even if it seems that we do so together with others. How we process those experiences is individual at best. In the case of the husband and wife, their shared experience may lead the man to eagerly embrace new beginnings while his wife may be more hesitant to do so.

The Ace of Cups represents the outcome of the reading suggesting contentment and joy. The dove of peace looks on while a hand reaches out from white billowy clouds holding a golden chalice overflowing with love nourishing the lotus blossom below. The Ace of Cups represents emotions that are free-flowing and abundant. In the outcome position, it can signify that we’re experiencing new love or the beginnings of new emotional expression.

Technically the reading has a preponderance of Cups even though they only appear twice. Looking at both in relationship to each other it appears that we’ve let go of emotions which no longer serve and are now willing to embrace emotions that bring us more fulfillment. When we let that process unfold without resistance, it’s easier to see the negative effect that overthinking has on just about everything. Both the 8 of Cups and the 10 of Swords illustrate that although letting go can be difficult, at some point, we must if we’re to get anywhere at all.

Over-thinking anything can impact our process as much as overreacting emotionally, and bringing both into balance can definitely result in a feeling of renewal. When our self-imposed chaos subsides, clarity returns and suddenly we’re able to move forward into new experiences. While it doesn’t represent the end of our life’s journey, it does suggest that life is a series of realizations. We just need to pay attention.

Blessings!