Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 16, 2014 — Six of Cups

Six of Cups

Six of Cups

Today may see you feeling nostalgic and reminiscing about the past. An old friend from afar may suddenly and unexpectedly feel the urge to reach out to you, or you may be compelled to do the same.

The Six of Cups speaks of memories and past associations, returning to long ago places (if only in your mind).

Often times a much-loved song or an old photograph or a familiar scent will jar your memories and have you longing for a simpler time.

This beautiful card depicts a stained glass cathedral-style window (which is the theme for this entire series). A blue sky with clouds make up the background, from which six chalices are organized vertically in pairs.

Two blue angels spread incense from the corners, while each set of chalices pours a luminous rainbow substance into the next.

The author of this deck, Luigi Scapini, calls this “the fruit of ancient experience.”

You may have been taking life too seriously and need to get in touch with your inner child. Or you now may have to let your guard down and allow yourself to trust again — especially if you’ve been trying to guard your heart from pain.

The Six of Cups speaks of recapturing the openness and innocence of childhood. And remember: just like the beautiful cathedral window on this card, if you try to shut out the dark, you’ll prevent the light from getting in too.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 15, 2014

The Moon

The Moon

Today you may be struggling with feelings of anxiety over something that just doesn’t seem to be panning out they way you’d planned.

The Moon card represents our unconscious hopes and fears and is loaded with shadow material. This card tells us that things are uncertain, unsettled and unfinished and that the outcome is still very much up the air.

The Moon in this version is portrayed by Shakespeare’s Three Witches, who foretold MacBeth’s fate early on in the tragedy of the same name.

The “Weird Sisters,” (as they were also known) were mysterious, ambiguous and contradictory, much like the Moon in the night sky.

They were also dark, moody, elusive and ever-changing, and it was never quite clear whether they were real or were figments of MacBeth’s imagination, born of his deepest desires.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 14, 2014 — The Hierophant

Hierophant

The Hierophant

Structures and authority have never gone down well with you and today you may find yourself just having to grin and bear these two things in your life. Although if you were smart about it you could actually decide to use this to your advantage.

Is there anything you need to think through? Have a plan for or need to call in some favors in helping you get ahead. While this card can refer to rigid authority and religious dogma, we meet a somewhat different type of Hierophant in this card.

The image on this card is from the famous series of frescoes by Simone Martini, depicting eight saints at San Francesco, Assisi. This is St. Louis of Toulouse, who was taken hostage as a child and raised by Franciscan friars. He later renounced his royal title in favor of his younger brother, and took the Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. He was renowned for holiness, sacrifice and miracles. 

Notice the two keys hanging over his heart. This implies tackling a problem you’re having and coming from your heart in how you handle it. You may well find that these keys open the door for you to success, bypassing a lot of that hard work spoken of above.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 13, 2014 — Four of Pentacles

Four of Pentacles

Four of Pentacles

Today you may need to look at ways in which you can both expand and relax your personal boundaries. The Four of Pentacles generally refers to holding onto something (or someone) too tightly– usually due to fear.

We worry that we don’t have enough money or that a loved one may leave us, and we respond to those fears by holding on for dear life — in the hopes that we can prevent it (or them) from slipping away.

In traditional tarot decks, the Four of Pentacles card depicts a man in royal garb with four golden coins. He wears one above his crown — representing his own wealth and status; stands on two of them — representing his position in society; and holds the last one tightly to his chest — representing his reluctance to give any of it away.

In this deck however, the imagery is quite different. We see a yogi in the  “pyramid” or parsvottanasana pose before a colorful Yantra symbol.

This posture — which requires the clarity and purpose to both extend one’s body and relax one’s mind — is a powerful remedy for the rigidity that is normally so inherent in this card. 

Ask yourself today in what ways you need to “stretch” — as in reaching further than you ever have before; and in what ways you need to relax — be it your purse-strings, your attitudes or your personal boundaries — so that you can achieve the sense of balance, harmony and grace that is depicted in this card.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 12, 2014 — Three of Wands

Three of Wands

Three of Wands

Today you’re likely to be bursting at the seams with the passion and confidence needed to put some of your biggest long-term goals in place.

The Three of Wands speaks of a renewed sense of purpose, clarity and motivation – the desire and willingness to “make something happen!”

You may already have a new project in the works, in which case you’re probably beginning to see the fruits of your labors pay off. Or you may be on the verge of launching a new project, and if that’s the case, there’s no better time than the present.

The Three of Wands embodies such a powerful life-force energy that it never permits itself to be “still.” It’s always improving.

Notice how the Pegasus in this deck is both watching over his shoulder (toward what has already been accomplished) and preparing to take flight.

There’s a nobility also associated with this card, which is befitting the majestic stance of our winged friend.

You may have recently discovered that you’ve found your life’s purpose. Or you may be just now acting on aspirations that you were too afraid to reach for in the past. Either way, this card speaks of a new burst of inspiration, a second wind, and the confidence with which to see it through.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 11, 2014 — Strength

Strength

Strength

Today you may be called upon to reach into your inner reserves of strength and overcome your deepest fears. The Strength card is all about mind over matter and gaining control over the things in your life that are at risk for spiraling out of control.

It could be as simple as a pattern of second guessing yourself or talking yourself out of doing what you know is best for you. And it can be as complicated as upholding your part of a bargain you’ve made with yourself: quitting smoking for example. Dieting. Sticking to an exercise regimen. Holding your ground against temptations to “give in” when you know that doing so is not going to be in your best interests.

The woman in this card has managed to tame the beast through kindness and generosity. But she’s not exactly lying down and exposing her underbelly. Her demeanor is both soothing and reverent as she places the wreath of flowers over the lion’s mane.  I love the “power” tattoo on her forearm.

Think about how far you’ve come in taming your own inner beasts. If you’re tempted to throw in the towel, remember that doing so will only cause you to lose momentum.

The Strength card encourages you to not only meet your fears head on, but to transform them by neutralizing the power they hold over you. Once you do that you’ll find that they weren’t so frightening after all.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 10, 2014 — Ace of Swords

Ace of Swords

 Ace of Swords

The Ace of Swords stands for intellect.

It gives you a fast paced way of thinking and is good for study, thinking ideas through thoroughly and making plans.

You may experience a myriad of thoughts today and who can tell where they will lead you?

But one thing is certain if you keep your wits about you and think clearly you will come up with new ideas for old problems along with a different way of executing them.

Words can cut like a knife, they can also heal when applied correctly.

If you have anything you have been wanting to say to someone and have not been sure of how to say it you may find that your thoughts lead you to a new conclusion in how to best present your argument in a way that it will be heard.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 9, 2014 — Two of Wands

Two of Wands

Two of Wands

Today you want to be mindful of the need to balance your plans and ideas with the actual work that goes into making them manifest. The Two of wands speaks of taking the spark of an idea (brought about by the Ace of Wands) and turning it into something tangible.

But this doesn’t just happen magically — despite the imagery in this card. We can see the little faerie seated on the edge of a fountain and framed by two blooming wands.

One is clearly smaller than the other and this is the one she’s directed her attention to.

The key here is balance: you won’t be able to make something happen without careful consideration and planning; but all the magic in the world won’t cause your ideas to materialize without putting in the effort.

There’s a certain give and take with the Two of Wands (and will all Twos in the tarot) that is mirrored right back to you.

If you want to make something happen, prove it by participating in its development. The outcome you achieve will be directly proportional to the energy you put into it.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 8, 2014 — the Hermit

the Hermit

The Hermit

Today you may feel like removing yourself from the hustle and bustle of the outside world and retreating into a place of quiet and solitude.

The hermit card is not about rest or relaxation; it’s about getting away from the noise and distractions so that you can heed your inner voice.

In this deck we see a bear lumbering down a snow-covered hill in the dead of night. Only a small lantern lights his way. He’s bundled up against the elements; you can almost hear the sounds of his footsteps as he trudges through the snow.

He steadies himself with a rod as he silently scans the path before him. Is he lighting his own way? Or is he holding the lantern before him as a beacon for others who may have lost theirs?

While the Hermit card can sometimes refer to avoidance, there’s a an important distinction between running away from one’s problems and moving toward the “light.” Every one of us sometimes need to get away — if only to gain some spiritual perspective.

Today you get to choose whether you’re lighting your own way or acting as a guidepost for those who have wandered away from theirs. Both are valid endeavors ,and only you will know which is the right path for you.

 

The card used for today’s tarotscope is part of the Tarot of the Magical Forest Series, a Lo Scarabeo deck by Hsu Chi Chun and Leo Tang, published by Llewellyn.
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Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 7, 2014 — the Fool

the Fool

The Fool

A new day is dawning for you. You’re as ready as you’re ever going to be for a change — especially one that requires you to put the past behind you and prepare for a brand new start.

There are elements of anticipation, inspiration and faith in the Universe with the Fool card. Before he can embark on his journey, he must be willing to throw caution to the wind and let the day take him where it may.

It may not be easy to trust in this process, but the magic that can happen as a result is well worth the effort.

Think about where you may be focusing too much on the destination (outcome) and not enough on the journey.

You’re undergoing a major transition and this card challenges you to be open to the process, unhindered by doubts, fears or misgivings.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 6, 2014 — Nine of Cups

Nine of Cups

Nine of Cups

Today’s card — the Nine of Cups — is also known as the “Wish card.”  It’s about getting what you wish for and the attendant feelings of gratitude that follow.

In this version of the card, a brightly-colored bird — from the gorgeous Dream Raven Tarot series — gazes down in admiration upon the nine jeweled goblets that are clasped in the tendrils of her wings.

She scrutinizes each one carefully, and with genuine appreciation. Each one is so distinctive and unique that it must be hard for her to decide which one she likes best.

This a card of abundance, generosity, appreciation and gratitude. Nothing is taken for granted here — it’s all about putting out there to the Universe what you want and fully expecting to have it delivered.

At the same time there’s a great appreciation for all that you have and a willingness to share it with others.

Along with being the “Wish” card, it’s also a card of Miracles. As there’s so much more focus on what one has than what one lacks, it’s easier to notice small miracles and in even the smallest things.

With that in mind, Count your blessings and expect good things today!

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 5, 2014 — Two of Pentacles

two of pentacles

Two of Pentacles

You’re likely to be weighing the pros and cons of an important decision today. Whether this is related to business, relationships, money, or even a new way of approaching existing problems, it’s bound to be weighing heavily on you.

Pentacles relate to tangible or material concerns. In this respect it could be as simple as juggling funds — as in trying to keep afloat financially. You may have to figure out what needs to be attended to right this very minute, and what can safely be put aside until later.

There’s a certain agility that’s required here. Even though in this version of the card the Pentacles are encircled by a cord (fashioned into a figure 8 or infinity symbol) it’s still necessary to hold onto both of them so that you don’t drop the ball.

Patience and dexterity are also necessary, to not only maneuver around the obstacles that may be preventing you from managing your priorities, but also for getting in sync with your own intuition.

The infinity symbol itself is important: even though the figure in this card may appear to be in a hypnotic trance, he’s more likely just aligning himself with the natural rhythms of day to day life. It takes as much concentration as it does skill to be able to pull that off.