This week, Cheryl from Canada has sent in her New Year Tarot reading for our Tarot Circle interpretation.
As with all Tarot Circle posts, I’ll provide my initial thoughts and then I’ll hand it over to you, the reader, to use the comments section to write what you see.
Remember there’s no right or wrong and you don’t have to be an experienced Tarot reader to comment.
The Question
Cheryl didn’t ask a specific question. Since we are using the New Year spread, it’s pretty clear that the question is along the lines of “What do I need to know about the year head?”
Cheryl’s Tarot Reading
Cheryl used the New Year Tarot spread. She also provided her own interpretation for each of the Tarot cards drawn, which I have included below.
1. The previous year in summary – Queen of Swords
- The Queen of Swords is actually my astrological card, as well as first card randomly drawn on this spread
2. What have you learned from the past year – Three of Wands
- To let go, and allow my daughter to ‘sail’ onto her own path, giving her independence
3. What you ultimately aspire to in the next twelve months – Ace of Wands reversed
- Focus and prioritize, go back to 10 of Wands and release some of the demands and obligations
4. What empowers you in reaching your aspirations – Five of Wands reversed
- Release of some of the struggles
- Again focus to reach goals
- Compromise what is important to me
5. What may stand in the way of reaching your aspirations – The Hanged Man reversed
- Must sacrifice for my better good i.e. choose and prioritize among metaphysical studies, and activities (spreading myself too thin and creating unnecessary burdens and stress)
6. Your relationships and emotions in the coming year – Three of Cups reversed
- Isolating myself while focusing on metaphysical studies and activities
- Distancing myself from family and friends (feeling emotionally drained from the strain of always helping others)
7. Your career, work and finances – Knight of Wands reversed
- Delays and frustrations
- “Do not act impulsively…There will be things that you can control and change as you want to.”
8. Your health and well-being – The Tower
- Sudden change of events
- This card is my most worrisome in the spread. In this position, I feel anxious over the unknown
9. Your spiritual energy and inner fulfillment – Two of Cups
- Need to explore the ability to love self
- Represents heart chakra – open and ready to give and receive love
10. What you most need to focus on for the year ahead – Temperance
- Balance, moderation and patience
- Self evaluate to re-examine life priorities
11. What will be your most important lesson in the coming year – Queen of Pentacles reversed
- Mothering vs. smothering
- Isolating myself, feeling as though I need a reprieve from the demands of emotionally supporting family and friends
12. Overall, what lies ahead for the next twelve months – Eight of Cups reversed
- Confusion over best options (wanting to achieve so much, studying obsessively, yet feeling as though I should be farther ahead in my metaphysical goals)
- Knowing when to walk away from a situation that is not working for me (prioritizing)
Summary:
The area in my life that needs the most attention in 2012 is balancing and prioritizing.
Firstly, I want to be there for family and friends, yet I need to protect myself from being a human sponge of others’ emotions. I need to realize everyone has their own paths that they must experience to grow and learn. Although I want everyone to be safe, to have health, to be happy and well, I cannot control situations or protect them from falls. I cannot take on the responsibility for everyone’s situations and actions.
Secondly, I need to prioritize my metaphysical studies and activities. I have gone from one extreme (being there exclusively for my family and friends) to passionately studying metaphysics and volunteering. Although I feel that I am fulfilling a personal need with my studies and activities, I still need to work and to take care of my home and family. Balance, moderation, and patience.
My Interpretation of Cheryl’s Tarot Reading
Cheryl has done an amazing job at interpreting her own reading. So I will simply add a few extra observations to her already solid interpretation.
What stood out to me was the Three of Cups reversed (Relationships) and the Two of Cups (Spirituality). I have often seen the reversed Three of Cups as being the ‘other woman’ in a relationship so Cheryl may find herself in this predicament. If she does, she may be better off leaving the relationship and returning to her relationship with herself, learning to love who she is. Even if it is not indicative of a third party relationship, then she may indeed find that she prefers to spend more time on her own, connecting with herself, loving herself, and learning about her emotional self before she moves back into the social circle again. (I love the connection with the Heart chakra, too, by the way!)
Cheryl also wrote that she felt quite anxious about the Tower in her Health and Well-Being position. The thing with the Tower is that while it does bring shocking and unexpected change, it has longer-term benefits and it helps to re-focus your thoughts and beliefs. It is often a blessing in disguise. For example, you may find yourself off your feet for 3-4 weeks but this turns out to be a pivotal period where you can read a lot of books on an entirely new subject or even start writing a book from your bed or couch. While the Tower does bring a major shake-up, it’s best not to focus too much on it because there is often little you can do to change it. You could try to be more cautious to prevent any unwanted accidents, but sometimes these things just happen whether we’re careful or not. Just know that if something does happen, it will be a blessing in disguise, so look out for the hidden opportunities.
In fact, look at the reversed Hanged Man as a challenge. Perhaps Cheryl will find herself in a period of unwanted suspension where she does have to stay in bed or be off her feet for a certain period. While she may initially see this as a frustrating delay, it may provide the opportunity for reflection and contemplation about life.
What’s Your Read?
Over to you! How would you interpret these cards and the spread overall? What is your advice to Cheryl?
Post your response in the comments below. Use this as an opportunity to hone your Tarot reading skills or to get your opinion out there!
If you are interested in having your own Tarot reading interpreted, you are welcome to send it in, but please note there is currently a 4-5 week waiting period.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for your comments, Biddy. I have taken the Tower (Health) as a suggestion/warning from the Universe. Pro-actively, I have booked annual check-up appointments with the dentist, doctor and visited a health food store for supplements.
Regarding the Three of Cups reversed (Relationship), I am a bit confused and will have to meditate on this. I have been married for 30 years, and can’t imagine a love triangle!
As with most women, I need to take time for self-care, though – Two of Cups (Spirituality).
I am a bit uneasy with the reversed Hanged Man, especially if this is a reference to the Tower (Health). In the past, I have suffered a long-term illness and do not want to go back there. I need to let go of the nasty thought and be positive – Law of Attraction!
Cheryl, what a great way to use the Tower card in an empowering way. By taking action now, you can avoid the drama later. That said, the Tower can also be a positive experience in the long run as it bring huge change and transformation in your mindset. So either way, make the most of it.
I agree with you, Biddy. Cheryl did an amazing job at her own reading. I would have interpreted it in a similiar fashion. I think another way Cheryl could interpret that Hanged Man, Reversed is to move on and make a decison about something that she may have been procrastinating on since Hanged Man is about pauses in addition to sacrifices. And also, a message to Cheryl with that Temperance Card…is to pay attention to her guardian angel in particular this year. There are angels all around her, and to open your eyes to their subtle messages! Looks like a satisfying year with plenty of spiritual growth!
Thank you, Patricia, for your inspiring thoughts. I am comforted by the angles and love to see symbols of their presence with little flickers of light, or seeing triple digits, or sensing their embrace. I welcome a year of significant spiritual growth!
I just want to add the idea of having three Wands cards reversed in the reading. This may refer to lack of enthusiasm and too many projects simultaneously in-progress. The Ace of Wands reversed suggests projects unfinished, while the Five of Wands reversed could mean compromise. Cheryl needs to find stability in her life once again to refocus on her goals. The Knight of Wands reversed could indicate hastiness in projects. Perhaps Cheryl needs to organize her work so her energy won’t be dissipated on various activities.
The Temperance card could advise to balance between mind over matter (material finances). Meanwhile, the Queen of Pentacles suggests neglect of duties; the cause of which is her search for pleasure (Eight of Cups Reversed). My advise would be free herself from social pressure that depreciates her energy (Hanged Man Reversed). In this way, she wouldn’t “collapse” (The Tower) in doing too many projects or activities.
Marianne…this is bang on. Since I did my New Year’s reading, I opted out of two weekly commitments. I’m taking this reading as serious advice/wake-up call from the Universe (and wonderful readers on Biddy’s blog) to make changes. I love your positive take on the Tower. It eases my mind. Thanks for your input.