Sitting Out The Wave ~ December 2017 Tarot

Well, here we are in the final month of 2017. Numerologically, 2017 was a year of new beginnings and unity. Time will tell on the unity aspect but there does seem to be a coming together of sorts. True, it’s a unity found in outrage over what may be happening to all of us but it’s a unity nevertheless. This year, with all of its catalyzing energy, began the conversation over who we are to each other and what we want our world to look like. Sexual predators are now called out with an even greater issue now playing out with the current president supporting a man for a Senate position who sees no problem with dating young teenage girls. Can you imagine anyone would ever consider voting for a man who clearly has serious issues with moral and/or criminal behavior? But that’s what we have now in the White House.

2018 moves us past new beginnings and into illumination as the numerology of the new year reduces to 11, considered a Master number. Although it can be reduced to two or duality, I’m hoping the illumination gained from watching the sideshow called our government will take hold and some positive change will occur. But we’ll see. I mean, how much of a seismic shift do we need to wake up when last year’s election should have been enough?

A note about the spread I’m using. rather than using an overall week card and then three additional general influences cards, I think I’ve finally settled on one that uses only two influence cards, one for what challenges us, and one for what supports us over the week.

Week one has the 3 of Wands, The Empress, and The Son of Swords influencing us. Overall, the 3 of Wands indicates energy that’s contained or waiting. In this representation, we see three branches fastened together by cordage creating a portal of sorts. Inside, we see the genesis of something new as all colors in the spectrum swirl about. The Empress card from the Major Arcana is placed in the area of challenge suggesting that whatever is within the portal may challenge our graceful response. A receptive presence, The Empress cautions us to observe the process, allowing it to unfold without our interference. Typically called the Prince or Knight in other decks, in the Wild Unknown Tarot, the author retitles this card as the Son of Swords. The young owl with a black sword in its talons swoops down on its prey, his wings powerfully grabbing the air around him. The Son acts with a pure heart and is unafraid of challenges but also suggests to us that we not rush to judgment, to act only when certain.

So, it appears that during this first week of December we’re to observe more than act. Or sign contracts or purchase electronic equipment.

The Hierophant, The Lovers and the 3 of Cups comprise week 2’s influences. It’s interesting that we had one card from the Major Arcana influencing during the first week and then this week we’ve increased that number to two suggesting that we need to pay attention to archetypal energies that are present this week. Mercury is in retrograde during this time so again, observation over action may still be necessary, but let’s look at what the cards actually say.

The Hierophant represents divine wisdom and the mastery of knowledge, tradition, and structure. He is a patient and awakened teacher who conveys higher knowledge to all who seek his wisdom. In this rendition, a brilliant lightning bolt strikes behind a squawking raven perched on a large ornate key. Some interpretations suggest that when The Hierophant appears in a reading we’re to seek out a teacher, but I believe that all answers are found within, so in this case, truth and awakening are found in our own divinity within. The Lovers card, another from the Major Arcana, depicts two geese flying in unison while the rays of creation shine down around them. In the challenge position, this card is cautioning us to remain in balance with self and others. Integration, surrender, and unification represent The Lovers’ overall theme and suggests that we might have difficulty finding that common ground this week with others. The 3 of Cups depicts three ravens perched on a branch under a full moon while three cups sit on the ground below. Three is a catalyst but it also represents triplicities and movement through cycles. Past/present/future, Maiden/Mother/Crone, mind/body/Spirit are all examples of triplicities that suggest movement or integration which aligns well with The Lovers. In harmony, our creations flourish. In conflict, not so much.

More observation along with alignment in our Higher Self during week two should create an inner balance to carry us through the effects of Mercury’s current retrograde influence. I view the presence of Major Arcana cards as our Higher Self tapping us on the shoulder as a reminder of who we are and also indicates that outside forces, in this case, Higher Self forces, are controlling the table. So sit up and pay attention to our inner voice.

The Ace of Cups, 8 of Pentacles, and the 6 of Wands comprise week 3‘s influences bringing together the elemental energies of Water, Earth, and Fire. Mercury thankfully leaves retrograde on Thursday of this week so things should begin to settle down until the next go around. Cups represent Elemental Water and our emotional presence and with the Ace present, the Ace of Cups describes the beginning of our emotional presence and identity. The Ace of Cups suggests abundance and joy along with love and fertility. This particular rendition doesn’t illustrate the sense of free-flowing emotion that other decks seem to show, Crowley’s Thoth Tarot an example of that beauty, but if we’re talking about emotional beginnings, then maybe that’s what this deck’s author had in mind. The components are there but not much is happening yet. The 8 of Pentacles depicts a spider and her web surrounded by eight small captured pentacles. We may find maintaining our attention to detail a bit of a challenge this week placing any preparations made at risk. Finally, the 6 of Wands may appear brambled, but like the phoenix rising from the ashes, a beautiful butterfly rises into the air depicting grace and balance.

The final days of Mercury’s retrograde leave us at emotional beginnings of some kind which seems held in check until toward the end of the week where we’re freer to express ourselves.

The bloom is off the rose as week 4 begins. We begin with the 5 of Pentacles where we see a lifeless rose, the head of its bloom bowed, as its petals fall to the ground. Five small pentacles frame the lower edge of the full moon above against a black background. We may be experiencing a dark night of the soul moment which may have begun during the week before. Loneliness and loss are felt with this card and a solution may feel out of reach. Another card from the Major Arcana, The Star is next in the position of what challenges us and may be suggesting that we’re overreacting a bit and to take ourselves less seriously. The Star represents the Blessed Conduit between our Higher Self and form and our dreams becoming reality. It suggests inspiration and hope and a reliance on intuition and inner vision. The final card of the week, the Ace of Pentacles is represented by the ever-expanding rings of a tree section. Dreamcatcher-like, the fissures in the wood expand outward to create a naturally occurring pentagram, a red ring in its center. The Ace of Pentacles depicts stability, material gain, and security along with natural beauty.

Rather than taking the beginning of the week too seriously if we’re feeling out of sorts, we might want to wait out the energy. We may be experiencing the remnants of a retrograde energetic wave which may sort itself out simply by moving itself into a higher vibration. I looked at what my own biorhythm chart showed for the days following the end of Mercury Retrograde and found that at least in my own case, my emotions will have moved into a more comfortable resonance. Sometimes all we have to do is wait for the lower part of the wave to go back up. Perhaps that’s the lesson of retrograding energies. Sit them out if at all possible.

As my mother used to say, this too shall pass. Maybe she had a point.

Blessings to all!