New Beginnings In Balance ~ Tarot for 8 January 2019

Although on my YouTube channel I use the Rider-Waite Tarot deck for Somewhat Daily Tarot and Rune, I confess to loving non-traditional Tarot decks. I love reading about the creator(s) frame of mind and how each one sees the cards. Decks with a Druid or Celtic feel are a favorite, but my all time favorite is the Thoth Tarot, by Aleister Crowley. Considered a Hermetic-oriented tarot deck, Lady Frieda Harris, the deck’s artist, almost seems to paint energy into each card. The deck is elemental and extraordinary. Her detail evokes both history and emotion while bringing Crowley’s visionary work to life. I have both the smaller and larger versions of the deck and today, I’m using the larger cards.

Crowley also rearranges and retitles some of the cards to the consternation of traditional tarot readers, myself included. For example, he moves Justice to card 8 of the Major Arcana replacing Strength and retitling it, Adjustment, an intense and beautiful card. Strength becomes Lust and card 11. Temperance is retitled to Art (of alchemy), Judgment becomes Aeon (which I appreciate), and the World becomes the Universe. You get the idea.

Will, intellect, and physical matters are influencing today with the Ace of Disks (Pentacles), 5 of Swords, and the 4 of Wands comprising the reading. The overall numerology is one signifying new beginnings.

The Ace of Disks is a beautiful card full of earthy colors and symbolism. In the center is Crowley’s signature of sorts, To Mega Therion representing his affinity with the Great Beast, 666 visible in the center. We see several pinecones suggesting a portal into physical matter with greens, browns, and golds expressing creation. A lignum appears in the center suggesting a phallic depiction of male fertility with the center appearing open and feminine, the blending of masculine and feminine energies. Traditional interpretations of the Ace of Disks involve our physical world and material possessions and suggests that we may be experiencing some concerns over security and stability. Perhaps we’re beginning a new career, or something else is beginning that centers on structure or finances. Energetically, we could also be feeling the need for grounding.

The 5 of Swords is titled, Defeat, and is depicted by five swords in a pentagram pattern outlined in red rose petals pointing downward into physical form. The colors are interesting, with a demarcation between the greenish shades and the blue and pinkish/purple shades suggesting that Spirit is unable to inform ego. The geometric stars are erratic, the swords bent or broken. Venus in Aquarius provides the struggle between balance and a more unbridled nature and the resulting Defeat.

A card of Venus in Aries, the 4 of Wands depicts cycles and energetic balance. The wheel’s spokes are adorned with rams’ heads and doves illustrating the balance between love and passion. This is a card of focused will, with its fiery energy contained within a circle. Titled, Completion, the 4 of Wands suggests harmony and accomplishment.

To ensure success, our will needs to be in balance with our intellect. The Ace of Disks suggests the genesis of something new in our lives. But for that to be successful, the 5 of Swords is suggesting that we not engage in negative self-talk or self-defeating behavior. Sometimes, we just need to get out of the way and not overthink things. Instead, if we adopt a more focused approach, one grounded in reality and practicality, a successful outcome can be assured.

Cool!

Blessed Be