Free Daily Tarotscope — Apr 5, 2014 — the Lovers

the lovers

The Lovers

As Venus moves into Pisces today — where it is exalted — you may be thinking about the kind of romantic idealistic love that seems only attainable under the rarest of circumstances.

The Lovers card is actually associated with Gemini (which is where the Moon is today). But the painting that was selected for this version of the card is decidedly Venus in Pisces, with the lovers so entwined in an intimate embrace that they appear to almost dissolve into one another.

This painting, known as “the Kiss,” is probably Klimt’s most famous piece. It is believed that he and his muse Emilie Flöge were the models for this painting.

The Loves card often refers to a decision or a dilemma involving matters of the heart. Perhaps you’re wondering where you stand in a relationship; or maybe you’re questioning your feelings about another.

This card also sometimes refers to a literal love triangle. An illicit affair. A clandestine relationship. Or one that would be frowned upon by your family, friends or church.

You may be torn about whether to proceed with a relationship that’s still new. Or you may be considering throwing the towel in on one that has grown stale and old.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Apr 4, 2014 — Ace of Pentacles

Ace of Pentacles

 Ace of Pentacles

Today’s Moon in Gemini may have you thinking about the world of opportunities that are now before you — to express yourself creatively, expand your social horizons, and generate more prosperity.

The Ace of Pentacles — like all Aces — represents the start of something new, and in this case it happens to relate to money. As in new financial opportunities coming your way. While you probably won’t see a windfall, it’s a positive affirmation that you’re putting your energy into the right areas.

You may have recently gotten a raise, started a new job or become the benefactor of someone else’s generosity. You could also be starting to see returns on your earlier investments. Either way, you should have more opportunities and more financial resources at your disposal than you’ve had in recent days.

You may also feel that your luck is changing. As the Ace of Pentacles is associated with a change in fortune — a positive change as I also see Aces as “Yes” cards — as long as the “yes” answer is a positive affirmation. It’s telling you to keep up the good work, to go after your dreams, and to be open to all that the Universe has to offer you.

In this rendition of the card we see bright golden stars super-imposed over infinite overlapping smaller stars. There’s also a golden tree whose vast roots and limbs spread out across the tiny villages that are sprinkled among the stars. If you look closely you can see homes, trees, mountains, lakes and even people in there.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Apr 3, 2014 — the Devil

the Devil

The Devil

Today you may need to take an honest look at some of your own imperfections and projections as a means toward healing something that has caused you pain.

The Devil is an archetypal figure that can take on many forms. He represents all of our own personal “shadow material,” i.e., all of the more sinister human attributes, such as anger, fear, jealousy, rage, manipulation, etc.

These are usually traits that we don’t see within ourselves but rather project onto others. In this respect the Devil can take on the form of an antagonist or enemy, or our own personal “boogeyman.”

You could unwittingly conjure up this archetype via the Sun / Pluto square today. This aspect correlates astrologically to the Devil archetype through bringing power struggles and ruthlessness to the forefront.

Feeling betrayed, used, bullied, deceived or unfairly judged: these are all possibilities within the realm of the Devil. The sense of futility, unfairness and feeling powerless are common experiences.

If you look at the imagery in this card, you can see that the Devil is wrestling with his own fantastic beast. He also clearly has the upper-hand. But how hard would it be for the beast to wrench himself away, knock the Devil to the ground and fly off and out of reach?

Free Daily Tarotscope — Apr 2, 2014 — Seven of Pentacles

Seven of Pentacles

Seven of Pentacles

This would be a good time to step back and re-evaluate all you’ve put into something as a means of determining your next move. Do you proceed as planned? Change directions? Or throw in the towel and start all over again?

The Seven of Pentacles speaks of needing the patience and discipline to see something through, but can also trigger feelings of disappointment or frustration over that something taking too long to produce results.

That also brings in the potential that as those results develop they turn out to be not what you thought you wanted in the first place. You could be involved in a relationship that’s just not working out the way you hoped or a career-path that turns out to be unrewarding. You may be mid-way through a college degree and find yourself wondering if you should change majors, or moving half-way around the world and realizing you’re homesick.

The Seven of Pentacles — like all Sevens in the tarot — refers to delays, dilemmas and decisions that are not easy to resolve. It can represent a pause or a setback, a choice between disparate paths, or even a change in direction late in the game.

In this version of the card, the pentacles are etched with astrological glyphs that represent the seven visible “planets.” They’re attached to a tree that is half above and half below the surface, with the symbol for the earth (or world) in the center.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Apr 1, 2014 — the Fool

The Fool

The Fool

What would you be doing today if you had no plans, no responsibilities, and no worries?

The Fool card encourages you to consider the possibilities, no matter how impractical or far fetched they may be. 

It’s a card of adventure, living in the moment and letting life take you where it may.

It speaks of innocence and fearlessness — fueled by faith in the Universe and probably a little luck. Notice the Fool waving us forward to accompany him on his journey, only moments away from falling over the cliff. 

This is the first card in the tarot, numbered Zero. It’s the beginning of the Fool’s journey and refers to unlimited potential. He has all four elements (wand, cup, sword and pentacle) on his person and very little else.

There are references to both good luck (the rainbow, the butterflies, the symbols on his knapsack) and bad (the cliff, the black cat, the menacing grey clouds in the sky). And off in the distance — beyond the waterfall, kingdom and mountains — who knows what he will find at the end of the rainbow?

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 31, 2014 — Six of Arrows

Six of Arrows

Six of Arrows

As March comes to a close it’s a good time to be thinking about where you want to be heading in the coming weeks — mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally.

The Six of Swords (called Arrows in the Wildwood Tarot), is a card of transition. Moving from one chapter in your life to another, which does require leaving something behind.

You may be moving, changing jobs, ending a relationship, or releasing some baggage that’s been holding you back. Although this card refers to change more than it does to endings, there are elements of “clearing the slate” that are a necessary part of this process.

In this version of the card, we see a lone sailor navigating his tiny craft through uncharted territories. His sailboat is fashioned in the shape of a swan, and sails effortlessly toward its new destination. He’s leaving behind the life he’s known and moving toward a new existence.

In traditional Rider Waite versions of this card, a figure is being ferried across an expanse of water, hunched over and hidden from view. But in this rendition the sailor stands at the helm himself. He’s steering his own vessel, and thus taking charge of his own destiny.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 30, 2014 — Page of Pentacles

Page of Pentacles

Page of Pentacles

It’s time to get enthusiastic about what you want to do with your life.

The Page of Pentacles can indicate the beginning of new ideas or skills you would like to learn specifically aiming at how you can increase your wealth or climb the ladder of success.

If you are at a crossroads with a decision in your life related to this you may wish to contemplate if you need further education or training to be able to attain the goal that you are reaching for.

Weigh up the skills and successes of your past as you can bring these forward with you into your new endeavour.

You need the compass indicated in the coin held in the Page’s right hand to show you the direction you need to go in order to attain the gold indicated at the Page’s right foot.

Do not hold yourself back with thoughts of why you cannot have what you desire… the past is behind you as can be seen from the skulls being firming held down with the Page’s left foot.

The vibrant red cloth indicates energy that can be used to reach your goal and the key around the neck shows that if you ask the right questions of yourself or of others they may open many doors to help you gain what it is you most desire.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 29, 2014 — Seven of Wands

Seven of Wands

Seven of Wands

You may feel the need to defend yourself today, or to hold your ground against what feels like perilous opposition.

The Seven of Wands speaks of a need to be more alert, guarded and cautious, rather than accepting things at face value.

You may face opposition from others — in the form of competition or outright resistance.

You may feel attacked or ganged up on. You may also have to reconcile a “me against the world” attitude before it turns into a chip on your shoulder.

As with all Sevens, there’s usually a moral dilemma or a situation in which you feel you’re being asked to compromise your ideals.

This may be a friend who asks you to keep an uncomfortable confidence, an accusation that’s put you on the defense, or a situation in which you feel unfairly targeted.

Either way you’re going to be called upon to take the high road, to stand your ground and to not allow yourself to back down.

The figure in this card is braced for adversity. She’s guarded and defensive, but she doesn’t retreat: she proceeds cautiously ahead.

And while the moon is partially obscured behind the thicket, it sheds just enough light on the path to help her find her way.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 28, 2014 — King of Swords

King of Swords

King of Swords

You may have to put your foot down today and be stern with someone that you’ve let slide in the past. Alternately you may be on the receiving end of someone else’s objective and impartial sense of discipline.

The King of Swords is a no-nonsense individual who is expected to mete out justice with a fair and authoritative hand. He may be a parent, a supervisor, a judge, or even a friend that steps in to give you a reality check when you need one most.

As with all court cards this can also refer to you — or to a state of mind that you need to develop — in order to preserve a sense of order in your life. You may have felt taken advantage of by someone who has overstepped their bounds with you and this card encourages you to resolve that problem by taking a more authoritative stance.

This “King’s” stern and grumpy demeanor is somewhat caricaturized in this version of the card. But the King of Swords is also highly intelligent, strategic and analytical. He’s most importantly impartial. He doesn’t mince words, and he doesn’t listen to excuses. He makes his decisions based on logic and reason rather than compassion and empathy. 

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 27, 2014 — Five of Wands

Five of Wands

Five of Wands

You may find yourself at odds with others today, either arguing your point with a loved one or embroiled in a heated debate with a group of people who all have differing opinions.

In general, Fives represent conflict and discord; and this one adds layers of passion and intensity (Wands) that is wont to escalate into all out war-fare.

Petty squabbles can erupt into major arguments because no one’s actually listening to what anyone else has to say. And this version of the card makes it clear: most of these aren’t “won” by the one who makes the most convincing point, but rather the one who wields the biggest club.

The important thing to remember is that most disagreements are based on misunderstandings in the first place. The inability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes  –coupled with the need to be heard — is behind almost every argument out there. And this combination can be a recipe for disaster.

There may be certain topics that ought to be automatically off limits today. Like politics and religion. Not because they’re unimportant, but because everyone involved is going to be already so invested in their own point of view that absolutely no progress can be made.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 26, 2014 — the Hierophant

the Hierophant

The Hierophant

Today you may be thinking about overhauling your belief systems as well as your spiritual convictions.

This can be as simple as picking up a book that challenges you to question you pre-existing notions, and it can be as profound as a spiritual awakening that strengthens your beliefs and your relationship with a higher power.

The Hierophant is seen as the “Pope” in some decks. It refers to traditional values and belief systems, religiosity and faith in a supreme being. These are all commendable in moderation. But there are also negative aspects, such as narrow-mindedness, religious dogma and outright fanaticism.

The Hierophant him- (or her-) self often refers to a spiritual leader or someone who makes (and enforces) rules about social behavior.

In this version it’s definitely a “her” —  a much kinder and gentler version than we’re used to seeing. She stands before what looks like an ancient temple, holding the world high above her in her hands.

Her connection all things living is evident. The animals, flowers and fruits that surround her are all “worshiping” her and clamoring for her attention.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 25, 2014 — the Moon

the Moon

The Moon

You may be dealing with feelings of uncertainty today and wondering whether what you believe to be real is real or whether it’s all in your imagination.

The Moon card can refer to anxiety and confusion, based on an instinct that you can’t make rational sense of. You feel that something is “off” but can’t articulate your reasons for feeling so because it’s not based on evidence, only intuition.

It refers to mysteries and perplexities that are hard to unravel. You may working with insufficient information or you may be making assumptions based on feelings rather than facts. Either way you could run into opposition from others who challenge you to justify your instincts.

Don’t think for a moment though that you’re off-base. Usually there’s a ton of truth to these feelings, even if you can’t explain them. It’s a visceral understanding rather than a logical one, which can make trying to express it very frustrating.

In this version of the Card we see the Man (or Woman) in the Moon, framed by a backdrop of clouds, stars and seasons. All four main phases of the Moon are here, with the largest one — the full Moon — shining high in the night sky. It’s face looks worn and weary, with one eye open and one eye closed. This is such a great representation of the fear and paranoia that can accompany this card.