JOURNAL: winter solstice/new moon reading

Little Red Tarot shared a wonderful Winter Solstice/New Moon Tarot Spread. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the sun is at its lowest arc in the sky, resulting in a long, dark night. Symbolically, this is a time of rebirth and renewal.

Here are the cards I chose.

Where you stand - you, now, and the energy around you

My first thought when I saw Commitment | 4 of Hearts was of the committed relationship I'm in and how unusual it is to (1) be in a relationship with anyone, and (2) really FEEL committed to someone. Commitment is difficult for me - yes, I'm usually the one who is running away from it. But I'm trying to make different choices now. Seeing this card confirms that I am indeed making different choices and this feels like a very positive stage of my growth. It also shows that I'm becoming more comfortable with living a life filled with routine.

Something to leave behind - you won't be needing this anymore.

This seems to be the opposite of the first card. The Troublemaker | Jack of Spades might be running away from a commitment. He is certainly running away from the responsibility of something. This is another pattern I know all too well. Sometimes it's easier to start over than the deal with the drudgery and details of some boring responsibility.

Something to receive - look for the opportunity to accept this gift from outside yourself - another person, the Universe...

Perhaps Owner | King of Diamonds relates to business ownership here. I already have a lot of independent contractor projects but I don't run any of them like a real business. Maybe it's time. This King also represents power, leadership, and wisdom to me so these are all great things to receive as well.

Something to learn - the past lunar month or year has taught you this.

Seeing Friendship | 3 of Hearts here was so sweet. I have a very hard time making real friends. I am shy and usually have my guard up. Plus, I'm pretty picky about who I associate with so my friends circle is small. But this year I'm realizing that I've met some pretty wonderful friends since moving to this small Southern city.

Something to give - offer this to the world as you go.

The image for Fantasy | 7 of Hearts was chosen so that it could also represent psychic ability, divination, and all things woo woo and this is the interpretation I would use here. Perhaps I have more to offer in the way of my divination expertise.

Your hopes and dreams - the spirit in which you are stepping forward into the next phase.

I think Mother | Queen of Diamonds shows that I'm finally embracing the energy of mothering, taking on the responsibility of nurturing myself and others.

Your secret special skill - a resource to help you on your journey.

Again, from a relationship perspective, Sweetheart | Queen of Hearts is showing the skill needed to be in a committed relationship. But this Queen is much deeper than that. She has a real appreciation for all living things, she knows how to commune with life and not take any day for granted. Her peace and inner joy doesn't come from material possessions but from simply embracing life and all of its gifts.

JOURNAL: Shedding, Growing, Transforming

I was inspired to do an oracle reading using the prompt shedding, growing and transforming from Shaheen Miro's blog post by the same name. Shedding is about letting go of something while growth is movement in the opposite direction, embracing a new direction. The combination of shedding and growing ultimately creates a transformation of some kind. Let's see...


What am I shedding as the year comes to a close?

Beginning | Ace of Clubs shows I'm shedding or letting go of the energy of newness and beginnings. I guess this goes without saying since we're at the close of the year but to me this card signifies a restless energy that comes when I'm starting a new project, like this blog. I'm full of enthusiasm and drive, waking up early to get things done, and burning the midnight oil. Perhaps some of this excess energy will soon drain away and I will get a good night's sleep.


What is growing in my life?

In Forgiveness | 6 of Hearts, I used this image to represent forgiveness and peace, the act of charity, and learning to share and give selflessly.

The first two cards represent a contrast - the first card represents letting go and the second card is about embracing. When cards represent contrasts, it's important to see how they differ. You can see this sometimes by looking at the characters and explaining how their actions are different. In the Beginning card, the boy impatiently waits for daybreak. In Forgiveness, the girl reaches out her hands to accept a divine gift.  

I'm moving from impatiently waiting for things to happen to reaching out for what I need and deserve.


What will this transformation look like?

I've recently changed this card's keyword to CAUTION instead of DECEIT. It reflects a need for caution because you're lacking the clarity to see the truth clearly. But since Deceit is the card I shuffled, I have to see it from this perspective as well.

A wealthy woman would like to buy the boy's horse and wants to test ride it first. She has her riding crop out but she hides a whip behind her back. She intends to whip the horse into her submission. This card shows that two people may appear to have the same goals but their intentions are very different.

What's interesting is that last week I was doing a series of readings about my 6-month relationship and this card kept appearing. With it showing up here again, it gives me the impression that this energy is inevitable. Perhaps this transformation will come through the experience of this relationship. I'll have to wait and see how it manifests.


How can I prepare for this transformation?

Leisure | 9 of Hearts shows me I must stay calm. This card can also represent activities such as meditation, contemplation, being still, detachment, and focus.

The numerical theme is 1(Ace) + 6 + 7 + 9 = 23 = 2 + 3 = 5. I received this same theme in my last journal reading. The five theme brings a time of conflict with others and at the root of the conflict is the struggle between pleasing yourself vs. pleasing others. In light of this theme, Leisure also suggests asserting my independence and freedom.

JOURNAL: what new opportunities can I expect this month?

I performed a 4-card spread to answer this question. Each card represents a different opportunity with Card 1 showing the most significant opportunity.

The most significant opportunity this month is reaching a milestone and taking pride in my work and accomplishments (Congratulations | 9 of Diamonds).  However, there may be criticism from others  (in the Congratulations card, other women are looking on in envy and the Criticism | 7 of Clubs card is next to it.). I may also have an opportunity to take on a new leadership role (Leader | King of Clubs).

It also looks like I'll have the opportunity to express my concerns about something, possibly getting something off my chest (combination of Criticism and Conversation | 3 of Clubs). What I love about these cards is the patterns you'll see. The Criticism and Conversation characters are making similar gestures, thus showing a strong connection and congruence between these two cards. This combo can also reveal an opportunity to receive constructive criticism and advice.

If we turn the cards over, we see the playing card side gives even more information. 

First, we see that Clubs predominate. This shows that I will need to manage frustration and impatience this month regarding these opportunities. We can also look at the numerical theme to reveal the overall theme for the month. We add the numbers of each card 9 + 7 + 13 + 3 = 32 and reduce the number by adding again 3 + 2 = 5. Five (5) is the numerical theme.

Now, I understand the frustration and impatience energy of the Clubs. The 5 numerical theme reflects a conflict between pleasing others vs. pleasing self. There is usually a power struggle involved. When the 5 theme appears, you desire to assert your freedom and break away from the crowd. During a five vibration, criticism is especially difficult hear because you're not trying to play nice with anyone. I've already begun feeling this energy so I must watch for behaviors and words that cause division.

The playing cards give me more insight into my outlook for the month, forcing me to look at the images a little differently. I may be faced with potential conflict in the form of criticism, possibly from an authority figure (Leader), but I should receive it as an opportunity rather than a threat. There may be haters around (Congratulations) trying to defeat my pride but I need to focus on celebrating my growth and accomplishments.

What do you think about using the playing card side 

to get additional information?

JOURNAL: what's my next step with the cards?

I firmly believe that each deck of cards has its own personality and it's own interpretations, even if there are keywords on each card. When I get a new deck, I spend considerable time doing readings, sometimes just for myself and sometimes for others too. Should I jump onto some forums to share readings, or just focus on quiet study?

Let's see what comes out of a reading.

Here's what I got:

 Do This

 

NOT This

Security | Ace of Diamonds reflects quiet study, so that's my answer. But what to make of Depreciation | 5 of Diamonds? This card relates to things being eaten away. It's a Diamonds card and typically suggests dwindling finances, gambling away money and bad credit. When this card appears, you may be spending more time, money and energy than you can afford....BINGO! In this case, this card warns not to go overboard connecting with this new deck. After all, I have plenty of other projects I need to attend to. I also need to watch my spending -- my intention is to purchase a few more prototypes as I see some changes I want to make with the deck.

I wasn't expecting the Conversation | 3 of Clubs card to pop out while shuffling. These are called "jumpers" because they jump out of the deck unexpectedly. Conversation gives me the impression that I need to be sharing this info with others or spreading the word. Well, I have this blog and my Instagram and Twitter accounts so they will be my main focus.

Do you use a quick advice spread like DO This, NOT This? 

Share it in the comments...always on the lookout for new spreads!