Six of Wands

Today’s Mars / Pluto trine joins together the urge to make things happen and to bring about change in profound and life-altering ways.

This aspect can be incredibly powerful and transformative. It can bring in opportunities to completely reinvent yourself. And it can see you finally starting to receive the recognition you’ve worked so hard for.

It may come in the form of a raise or a promotion, or may be as simple as reassurances from loved ones that you’re valued and appreciated. You may feel like a million bucks, and rightfully so.

The Six of Wands — this version from the Deviant Moon Tarot — is called “Victory” in some decks; it speaks of validation of your efforts, and is well-deserved; this is the kind of acknowledgment you receive when it becomes clear that you’ve paid your dues.

In this version of the card, a figure emerges as a butterfly from the bud of a partially blooming flower. She wears a crown and holds a scepter in one of her many hands. We see the Sun rising high in the sky behind her as she’s hailed by her peers.

There’s a sense of triumph in this rendition, as in being chosen as a leader or someone to look up to. You may feel unexpectedly revered or idolized. But with that comes expectations that you’re going to have to live up to. More recognition but also more responsibility. More people counting on you to show them how its done.

This is not the time to “bask in your glory,” but rather a time to mirror back to those who are acknowledging you the same sense of gratitude and appreciation. It’s a time to remember the little people — those who have helped you a long the way.

If you’re in line for a promotion, an award or some other form of external validation, be ready to embrace it as confirmation that you’ve earned it and deserve it. But leave your ego at the door as there’s still more work to be done.

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Nine of Wands

Today you may be feeling like you’ve given something (or someone) your all and are now *this close* to throwing in the towel.

The Nine of Wands speaks of being on the verge of exhaustion over something you’ve put so much effort into and still haven’t seen the results you’d hoped for.

You may see some sort of resolution in sight, but it’s still a ways off which means even more obstacles and more work than you’re sure you want to trouble with.

So the question becomes what do you do? Do you throw your arms in the air and say I don’t think I can take it anymore? If so you give up all the work you’ve already done and all the momentum you’ve gained.

But if not it means you’re going to have to reach in, dig deep and find the strength, tenacity and fortitude to tackle those final hurdles and keep on going.

The masked figure in this version of the card looks like he’s all but given up. He sits pouting on a ledge in what appears to be a 3-dimensional maze. The staircase beside him threatens to block his every step. But look: there’s another set of stairs and a light glowing in the distance: could it be he’s found the escape route?

The eight wands leading up the first staircase may not be obstacles after all. They may be armholds. And the Ninth wand serves as a torch to both light his path and ignite his resolve.

This is the challenge you’re faced with today. You may be seeing that something you set off to accomplish is not only taken longer than you expected but has also turned into a bigger headache.

But you’re closer to the finish line than you know, and if you just keep going you’ll be rewarded with a sense of accomplishment in the end.

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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.

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