Monthly Tarot for February 2019

With a preponderance of cards from the Major Arcana in this month’s reading, it appears that Higher Self will be influencing this month. As we continue to process everything that took place over the last couple of months, let’s see what this month’s cards from the Haindl deck portend. The overall breakdown follows:

• Major Arcana cards (5)
• Cups/Water (4), Swords/Air (2), Wands/Fire (1), Pentacles/Earth (0)
• Court cards (3 – Cups/Wands/Swords, King/Queen/Prince)
• Runes – Wunjo, Jera, Kenaz, Berkano, Algiz
• I Ching Guas – Retreat, The Army, and The Creative

Week One

The Fool begins the month expressing undeveloped potential. In Haindl’s rendition of this card, we see the Fool depicted as the court jester, his left hand reaching out to touch the wounded swan representing humanity’s fall from grace. He does this in joy, evidenced by the inclusion of the rune Wunjo in the upper right hand corner of the card. A card of Uranus, the esoteric planet of awakening, its presence suggests that we may experience sudden change over this next week or month.

Haindl changes the court cards to reflect cultural icons throughout history and for the King of Cups, he assigns Odin as the Father of Cups in the North. We see Odin, one-eyed and hanging upside down from the World Tree. He points to runes scattered on the ground below him, an offering from the three Norns of Fate to provide illumination and transformation. Continuing the theme of new beginnings and undeveloped potential from The Fool, The King of Cups supports the self-discipline required to embrace change. He is spiritual and kind, but can also be shallow and passive aggressive in his interactions with others. But resonant in this card is change and how we embrace new experiences.

The Wheel of Fortune ends week one’s influences reinforcing cyclical change and success. We see Father Sky looking down at Mother Earth, their cyclical relationship evident by the turning of the wheel. Jera is the rune for this card reinforcing our passage from one state to another. As the 10th card from the Major Arcana, this is a card that reflects new beginnings, so, this may be a week where change of a cyclical nature will be experienced.

Week Two

Whereas the overall numerology for week one was one or new beginnings, nine, or completion, is the numerological influence for week two. Kali, the destroyer of evil forces, begins week two’s influences as the Queen of Wands, or as Haindl titles the card, the Mother of Wands in the East. The Queen of Wands is indeed a fiery presence, generous and affectionate, yet stands in her own power. Most Queens are like that, however, taking no prisoners while simultaneously protecting and nurturing those around them. Given that Court cards interact with other cards that surround them, let’s take a look at the next two cards to see what it is that Kali is protecting.

The sixth card from the Major Arcana, The Lovers, this card is filled with expressions of loving balance. We see two nude individuals, a woman and a man, coming together in partnership between two spiky trees representing a doorway into their new life together. She is the Goddess, her rock-like hair depicting her ancient presence as she takes a consort, their arms reaching for the golden chalice between them, an expression of their loving commitment to each other. We see a Merkaba above, a red rose behind, six leaves aligning with the Merkaba’s tips while a unicorn looks on in wonder. A spear points downward into the chalice, bringing will into balance with emotions. A card of Gemini, The Lovers reminds us of choice, discrimination, integration of polarity and the experience of self in others. Kenaz is the rune for this card suggesting that it is love which lights our path.

Mourning is the title of the 3 of Swords where we see three swords, two separated from the third by a droplet emerging from a tear in the background. The 3 of Swords typically involves a drama triangle of some kind or slander and jealousy. We may experience a betrayal this week, or perhaps we’re coming to terms with what has already taken place. Feelings of self-protection may arise for us this week particularly if we’ve been betrayed by someone close to us. A relationship we have with someone may be in crisis this week, or we may be coming to some resolution, even if only within. Retreat may provide us with a stronger perspective as the 33rd gua from the I Ching suggests.

Week Three

Week three brings rebirth and transformation with the appearance of the Death card. The thirteenth card of the Major Arcana, Death brings a structure to the cyclical nature of life. We’re born, we live, and we die, only to endlessly do it all over again in some fashion. Death portends a change in state or behavior. It clears the path for that which no longer serves to die away replaced by that which is new. Berkano, the rune of motherhood and fertility appears in the upper right hand corner of the card suggesting the birth of something new. This week, we should make way for new experiences to take hold.

The Ace of Cups begins the suit of Cups, reflecting Elemental Water and our emotional presence in form. A single drop of water is suspended over a golden chalice while its alchemical effect swirls about and from the cup. The Ace of Cups represents the genesis of emotions, joy, and abundance. We are nourished by its energetic and loving influence. Perhaps we’ve taken the betrayal from week two and transformed our perception surrounding that experience.

Giving us more information about the emotional transformation we may be experiencing, the week’s influences end with the 7 of Cups, which Haindl titles Illusions of Success. I interpret the 7 of Cups from a witchy perspective so there are no illusions in this card, at least not in my estimation. And frankly, I can’t believe any witch would see it any other way. We define our experiences, and to believe that our head in the clouds (the traditional depiction) is a negative thing is incredibly short-sighted in my opinion. Instead, I see the seven as a number for balance, depicted by the scales. The center chalice may be overturned but the others are in balance. Instead of an illusion of success, or that we’re somehow fooling ourselves by focusing on that which cannot occur, how do we know that? To disallow anyone from dreaming of opportunities is a sad sort of control. Gua 7, the Army, from the I Ching defines the pattern and structure of leadership within a group, or in this case, army, and suggests that who we are within the 7 of Cups experience defines our success or failure. Are we the authoritarian or are we the administrator? Do we control, or share? Traditional interpretations involve our inventing problems or creating drama, as well as success that is temporary in nature.

If there is a balance to be found between the traditional and my own it’s that we possess the power to choose and to bring balance to any situation in which we engage. This week’s numerology of seven may indicate a resolution to any betrayal from week two is achieved and that we’ve learned to stand in our own power and take back control that others may have weakened. In other words, we may indeed find a balance between shadow and light.

Week Four

Osiris, as the Prince of Swords, represents the god of the afterlife, and rebirth, as the transformational influences we’ve been experiencing continues into the final week of the month. Traditional interpretations hold that the Prince of Swords is full of courage and integrity who readily meets challenges, however, when out of balance, he may lack impulse control. But typically, intellect and reason influence his choices.

In a purification by fire, The Tower, the sixteenth card from the Major Arcana, explodes with fiery energy, clearing out the rubble to transform our lives. A seven numerology, The Tower sheds what no longer serves, leaving what remains in balance. Anything is possible when this card appears. Similar energy to Hagalaz, we transform within a fixed structure, in this case, ego is transformed by Spirit. However, it’s Algiz that Haindl places on the card, symbolizing Air, Fire, and Water as they manifest and transform.

A beautiful peacock looks lovingly at two golden chalices on The 2 of Cups. Titled, Love, seven small stars rise over each chalice, reinforcing the seven numerology of The Tower and the notion of balance. Love, healing, and partnership along with balance and reciprocity are concepts associated with the 2 of Cups, a card of emotional balance. Gua 1 from the I Ching adds the idea of the creative power within to the 2 of Cups as it applies to relationships. Perhaps our relationships with others are undergoing a transformation and with a nine numerology it suggests that a better balance than we’ve experienced to date may be achieved.

In Summary

Change and transformation appear to be February’s theme, possibly revolving around our relationships with others. There’s a progressive feeling to the month as well which seems to suggest that awakening and transformation will evolve over the month in some way. If not in terms of awareness, it may indicate a series of events that may take place which opens the door for reconciliation with others, for example. Or it could simply mean that life is settling down over the course of the month. But honestly, it feels a little bigger than that. And with the overall numerology of 22, the Master Builder, our transformation is limitless!

Blessed Be