Weekly Tarot: September 7th-12th

***Note: I created this spread, and I read tarot intuitively meaning that I was not formally taught in any way. These are my thoughts and intuitive reactions to each card in each position, and these interpretations may not resonate with you, personally. This is in no way meant to predict certain events.***

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Card 1: What to think about this week -- 9 of Swords

Strap in kiddos it’s going to be a rough one. The nine of swords is often referred to as the “nightmare card” and is all about exploring the deep, dark thoughts and traumas that keep us from moving forward mentally. I love this particular illustration of the nine of swords because it shows something so beautiful, a swan, being held by the neck with something both beautiful and heavy: a golden chain shacked around its neck.

This image perfectly captures the painful yet beautiful nature of the nightmares we allow to take up space in our lives. We have all had a bruise or two that we take pleasure in poking even though it hurts, there’s a sense that poking it and seeing how little it has healed “hurts so good”. What are the figurative bruises we keep poking “just to see if they’re still there”? 

Further, if we think about the golden chain around the swan’s neck, it’s possible that at first glance we missed it or saw it more as a necklace than a shackle. Are there things in our lives we are passing off as additions or even adornments but are truthfully holding us back? Or even hurting us?

This week it is time to get really really honest with ourselves. It’s time to dig -- the nine of swords is about digging internally and exploring the deepest caverns in our minds and hearts. We may be reliving trauma this week and finding bruises that never quite healed. It might be painful, it might feel unbearable, and we might lose sleep pondering the intricacies of what haunts us.

It won't be easy but it is certainly an important practice. This week turning our thoughts inward -- and really deeply inward at that -- will help us heal more completely and properly.

Card 2: What to do/take action on this week -- Three of Wands (Reversed)

When upright, the three of wands is all about acting on potential. It’s about taking the next steps after contemplating a bright future. However, in the reverse the three of wands is more about holding back and not playing all your best cards at once (is that even how card games work? I have no idea). This week is a good time to play smaller than you’re tempted to and do less.

This definitely isn’t a sign to switch directions completely or to plan on never making a big move you’ve had in mind, instead it’s more about conserving energy and waiting for the timing to be on your side.

Actions this week should be thought over at least twice before being taken. Anything we do should be carefully calculated and within the norm. It’s not a good time to take a risky leap of faith, switch up your whole plan, or skip a step in a plan that’s already under way. Take your sweet, sweet time this week feeling out your next step and plotting your moves. It will be more than worth it in the future.

Again, remember that the three of wands always comes with a sense of potential and a bright future, a wide horizon. Just because this card is in the reverse doesn’t mean that potential disappears, it just means we need to take a different approach to our big bold dreams. 

This week what you do -- and how you do it-- is important because it’s still bringing you toward those big dreams, just be careful to not get carried away with how badly you want those dreams that you overstep your bounds or move too quickly. This card is reminding us to take our time pursuing what we want, not to forget what we want altogether. 

Card 3: What will come up this week -- Knight of Swords

The knight of swords is a passionate figure, full of romance, direction, courage and bravery. He moves quickly and decidedly toward what he wants and he isn’t afraid to show how strong he is. What will happen this week could either be a person like this coming toward you or, more likely, things around us will move fast and wild.

I think this is a big reason why the other cards have asked us to be more cautious and contemplative: when things around us change quickly and chaotically, it’s important to stay calm and not get involved and carried away. Even if we see great progress in the external factors that impact our plans, we should be careful to not take that as a sign to move more quickly or ignore our better judgement.

After all, the knight of swords is impulsive as much as he is romantic and fearless. He is not quite as impulsive and fleeting as the knight of wands, but the knight of swords energy is definitely not stable. The swift changes we witness around us may not be lasting. Things might even take a sharp detour for the week, only to be pushed back on track in a few weeks time. 

That being said, it’s a good time to note the tricky astrology of the rest of the year, particularly September and October. Things are going to get weird, difficult, and quite confusing, particularly as it relates to life direction/purpose and interpersonal relationships (so fun, amirite). I don’t have too many of the astrological details at the moment (more to come on that), but for now I will say that Mars will be stationing retrograde this week -- September 9th, to be specific -- which will also put it in a tricky position vis a vis Venus. All of that means that things will feel quite derailed in terms of our plans for life changes and tensions will rise in friendships and romantic relationships especially. Not to worry! This too shall pass. Stay calm, introspective, and productive and you’ll get the most out of this energy.

BONUS: Tarotscopes

This week I want to try something new and a little different. I have pulled one card for each element with a more specific message for the week ahead. I pulled these cards with sun or rising signs in mind so read for either or both.

Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Six of Pentacles (Reversed)
You’ve been giving a lot of yourself to others, so much so that you’ve lost sight of what you actually want for yourself. Take some time this week to turn your giving practices back toward yourself and give yourself a gift (or a few). These gifts can be material, like new clothes or home decor, or they can be more symbolic like blocking out time to watch your favorite movie and nap. If you’re reading this and wondering how this possibly applies to you, take out a piece of paper and make a list of everything you’ve done for someone else recently. Impressed? Tired? Good, now try and give to yourself just as much as what’s on that list.

Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Four of Wands
Congrats! On whatever it is you’ve just accomplished. Whatever it is, you’ve finally come to a place now where you can really enjoy the stable foundation you’ve been building for yourself and celebrate the hard work you’ve put in. If you don’t feel that great or solid just yet, rest assured that it is coming soon and you’ll be basking in the glow of your bright future before you know it. There is so much in your life that is coming together and solidifying at this time. A word of warning: earth signs love to meddle and love to be the ones to make things happen, but this time you’ll want to stay out of it and let things fall into place for the best results.

Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): The Star (Reversed)

This week will bring the most introspection and deep dives to water signs, but honestly, if there’s anyone that can handle it it’s you intuitive, emotional, watery beings. You’ll grapple with disconnection this week and feel quite lonely. You might even fall into despair feeling like your faith has run out. You’re really going through it, pushed to the limit by this complicated Virgo season. However, understand that you are going through a process of building self-trust and a deeper connection to your intuition. This dark road leads to a great, great light that you’ll covet for the rest of your life.

Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): Four of Cups
There is something being offered to you--it’s right in front of your face, right under your nose --and you aren’t seeing it! This is something you have wanted for a while now, and it is finally showing up but you can’t see it. You’re not able to see it and appreciate it because it isn’t matching the story you imagined in your mind of how this thing would come into your life. If you don’t take off the blinders soon or accept that things don’t always happen as you plan, you’ll miss out on this opportunity altogether. For you, I really feel like this is a love offer of some kind or, if you’re not looking for love, this is likely an opportunity to do something new you never considered even though you’ve been begging for a sign about your career. Stay open to everything around you and let go of your need to control how things happen.

If you made it this far, please let me know how you liked this week’s tarot in comparison to weeks past. I’m experimenting with new ways to get tarot messages across and would love any feedback!

Stay healthy, calm, and centered this week :) 

***To schedule a personal tarot reading with me, check my availability here.