Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 20, 2014 — Eight of Wands

Eight of Wands -- Gypsy Palace tarot

Eight of Wands

It may feel like things are moving very quickly for you now and that you have to strike while the iron is hot if you want to take advantage of the opportunities that are presenting themselves.

The Eight of Wands refers to progress, mobility and rapid change, usually for the better. You could be bursting at the seams with new and fresh ideas, juggling interests or overseeing different projects that all seem to be nearing completion at the same time.

This card refers to being decisive, making the most of your time and cutting through whatever distractions stand in your way. There may be a lot going on around you — like the woman in the center of this card — but the Eight of Wands encourages you to remain focused and engaged in the task at hand.

Look at all of the swirling colors in this card. There’s a lot happening there — and certainly some distractions. But there’s also movement, creativity and energy which are hallmarks of the Eight of Wands archetype.

This is also a networking card. It relates to exchanging ideas and interacting with like-minded people. Blogging, disseminating information, and expanding social horizons are all indicated. You could receive news from afar; be preparing to embark on a spiritual journey, or planning a literal journey that takes you out of your daily routine and into uncharted territories.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 19, 2014 — Five of Pentacles

Five of Pentacles - Durer

Five of Pentacles

Today’s card — the Five of Pentacles — indicates a need to rethink what you value, especially when it comes to your own sense of worth or self-esteem.

In this version of the card we see an old man standing in the snow outside a closed wooden door. His clothes are shabby and worn, inadequate against the cold. His wife shivers on their mule behind him.

There are five gold coins scattered on the ground beside them. They don’t even seem to notice the coins. The woman seems dejected and uncertain, and her husband seems hesitant to knock. Perhaps they’ve been turned away before and have come to expect the same this time. 

This card is tied to Saturn in Taurus or the second house. Astrologically this relates to hardship and turmoil, business failings, loss of revenue, and financial decline. But it also says a lot about personal values and self-esteem. We don’t always realize how connected these are to one another.

In this respect the Five of Pentacles can also refer to feelings or loneliness or rejection. But like the couple in this card, you don’t want to make that assumption before you discover it to be true. They could just as easily find comfort, community and warmth on the other side of that door.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 18, 2014 — Justice

Justice -- Sorcerers Tarot

Justice

Today you may have to made a decision that calls for you to detach from any personal investment and approach things objectively and impartially.

In this version of the card, a woman stands in a clearing with a pair of tiny orbs hovering inches above her grasp. She stares at them, transfixed, as though she’s channeling all of her energy into keeping them afloat.

You can almost feel the electricity in the air — notice her hair standing slightly on end and the orbs glowing above her hands. If you look closely you’ll see that she also appears to be levitating — her feet barely touch the ground.

A scale hangs from a tree on her left and a sword is driven into the ground on her right. These are common themes with the Justice card. They represent fairness, wisdom, reason and intellect.

The Justice card refers to Universal justice — right vs. wrong rather than what you might desperately hope for or want to happen.

In this respect if you’re dealing with a legal situation, workplace drama, marital discord, or some other problem that calls for third-party mediation, know that this is the kind of Justice that will prevail in the end.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 17, 2014 — Nine of Lights

Nine of Lights - Dante Tarot

Nine of Lights

This can be a rewarding and fulfilling day for you. The Nine of Lights provides you with opportunities to count your blessings, thank your lucky stars and be witness to miracles taking place all around you.

This card (referred to as the Nine of Cups in most decks) refers to abundance, prosperity, happiness and fulfillment. it’s a card of gratitude and wonder; it speaks of being present in the moment and willing to receive all that the Universe has to offer.

In this version of the card we see Dante (from the Divine Comedy’s Paradiso volume) ascending into the Eighth Heaven — the Sphere of Fixed Stars. We see him rising above the earth, through the clouds and sky, past the planets and constellations, and on into Heaven. His lifts up his arms — in wonder and gratitude — basking in the glory that surrounds him.

Here’s a simplified summary of this section, from the Schmoop.com website:

“Beatrice and Dante ascend to the Eighth Heaven, sphere of the Fixed Stars. Dante gazes down on Earth and realizes how small and petty it is. They witness the coronation and re-ascension of Mary and Christ into the Empyrean. St. Peter examines Dante on faith. Dante conveys his hope of returning to Florence one day to be crowned as a poet. St. James examines Dante on hope. Dante goes blind. St. John examines Dante on charity. Adam answers Dante’s four questions. St. Peter denounces corrupt popes.”

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 16, 2014 — Fortitude

Fortitude - Nigel Jackson tarot

Fortitude

Today’s card — Fortitude — refers to the inner reserves of strength, courage and discipline that are called for in moments of fear or uncertainty.

You may be feeling hesitant about something that threatens to disrupt your daily routine. Or you may be trying to put on a brave face and tackle something that scares you or takes you outside of your comfort zone.

Interviewing for a job. Making a presentation. Confronting an adversary. Expressing emotions. In other words, anything that’s been known to trigger fear or anxiety for you in the past.

This card is called “Strength” in most decks. It refers to the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of strength, such as willpower and self-restraint.

It’s about taking charge of your life and taking back your power — over your fears and compulsions and ultimately your destiny.

Look at the images in this card. Notice how gently the woman strokes the lion’s back and how he reciprocates by lapping at her hand.

This is the essence of the Strength card. It’s about taming the beast within while at the same time lauding its virtues. 

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 15, 2014 — Princess of Cups

Princess of Cups

Princess of Cups

You may feel like wearing your heart on your sleeve today, courtesy of the Princess of Cups.

The Princesses in the Druid Craft Tarot deck are the female versions of “Pages” in traditional decks. They’re youthful, sensitive, and sincere. They’re full of potential, lacking in worldly experience and sophistication and may be overly idealistic and naive.

In this version of the card, we see a tender young maiden standing in a clearing next to a stream. A gentle breeze tousles her robes and hair. She appears to be in a dream-like state: basking in the warmth of the sunlight as she cradles her chalice close to her heart.

There is a calm, gentle and serene energy about her, yet she’s also in touch with nature. She’s got her (bare) feet planted firmly on the ground.

As the embodiment of the first Water sign (Cancer in this case), this Princess expresses a more idealistic and less refined version than the other court cards. There’s a “babe in the woods” quality — literally — about her.

She’s pure of heart and gentle of soul, seeing only the good in others with the hopefulness that comes from youth and inexperience.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 14, 2014 — Ten of Swords

Ten of Swords

Ten of Swords

Today you may be called upon to surrender to the realization that something that means a lot to you must come to an end.

This card is called “Ruin” in some decks, and refers to damage that has been done which cannot be undone, such as a loss of a friendship, the end of a dream or a betrayal of trust.

In this version of the card we see a young fairy falling rapidly through the clouds. Perhaps like Icarus she’s flown too close to the Sun which has melted her wings. They’re still smoldering behind her as she tumbles toward the Earth.

She’s dropped her swords and they scatter around her — only a few are still intact. The clouds obscure the ground beneath her, making it unlikely that she could latch onto something and break her fall. Even if she could though, too much damage has been done. 

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 13, 2014 — Seven of Pentacles

Seven of Pentacles - Silent Tarot

Seven of Pentacles

Today you may need to step back and look objectively at how far you’ve come, in order to make an informed decision about your next move.

The Seven of Pentacles (“Coins” in this deck) refers to a need for discrimination and self-moderation. You may have to look at what’s not working — as well as what is — and let go of your attachments to anything that’s holding you back.

In this version of the card we see the goddess Venus emerging from the Sea and wringing out her hair. This image comes from the 1520 painting Venus Anadyomene by Italian Renaissance painter Titian.

Behind her in the gloom are sparse trees with 7 Coins hanging from their spindly branches. The phases of the Moon are painted on the faces of the coins.

Perhaps she’s risen from the Sea and is thinking to herself: “Now what?” Maybe she’s taking a moment to gather her thoughts before she decides on her next move.

As the Seven of Pentacles — like all Sevens in the tarot — refers to a delay, a setback or a moral dilemma, it’s important to not let yourself get so frustrated that you throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 12, 2014 — Four of Wands

Four of Wands

Four of Wands

You may be looking forward to a party or celebration among friends and loved ones today. The Four of Wands often refers to a literal celebration — such as a wedding or birth of a child — but it can also indicate a time of rejoicing and celebrating happy news.

Although we don’t see dancing and merriment in this version of the card, we do see other important references to the Four of Wands — namely festive symbols of welcoming and hospitality.

There’s a decorative canopy and a basket full of sumptuous fruit; a babbling brook and foot bridge nearby, and high on the hill in the distance, a majestic castle.

The Four of Wands — like all Fours in the tarot — is not about work or productivity. It’s about taking time away —  from day-to-day chores and responsibilities — to celebrate life’s important milestones.

It’s about meeting and greeting, putting aside biases and preconceived notions and breaking bread with others. It’s also about creating new memories.

The Four of Wands not only appears as a literal celebration, it can also refer to a cause for celebration — such as an engagement, a new baby, a promotion, purchasing a new home, etc. However it manifests, you’ll want to recognize the occasion and share your joy with loved ones.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 11, 2014 — Queen of Wands

queen of wands

Queen of Wands

Today’s card — the Queen of Wands — encourages you to conduct yourself with fairness, grace and integrity in all of your dealings with others.

The Queen of Wands — like all of the court cards in the tarot — can refer to a person, an event or a part of yourself. She embodies the feminine or yin aspects of Fire (wands) energy: creativity, passion, enthusiasm and drive.

She’s strong and dynamic, stands out in a crowd, possesses leadership qualities and elicits respect from others. She’s also very worldly and knowledgeable.

In this version of the card, the Queen stands tall and proud with a jewel-tipped scepter in her hands. A gold crown rests on her head and a world map stretches out behind her. Even in this simple rendition her command and authority are clear.

If this is a person in your life, know that she’s honest and impartial and will treat you with respect. She may be a supervisor, a parent, a friend or even some facet of yourself that has long been dormant.

If the card refers to you, see it as a reminder that you do possess these qualities and may need to reincorporate them into your personality. The presence of this card encourages you to recapture the essence of the Queen of Wands and put her to good use.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 10, 2014 — Two of Wands

Two of Wands

Two of Wands

The Two of Wands — like all Twos — refers to taking the spark of an idea (seen in the Aces) and forming it into a tangible, working plan.

This requires looking at it from all angles — weighing the pros and cons, evaluating time and energy, separating the wheat from the chaff and so on. This is beautifully represented in the imagery depicted on this version of the card.

Here we see two leopards — one dark and one light — each standing watch by their own ornate pillars. The dark leopard is an exact mirror image of the light. Their sleek bodies curve toward one another and become “one,” reminding us of the power of uniting opposing forces to make one stronger entity. The Sun shines high in the sky between them.

The key here is balance: you won’t be able to make something happen without careful consideration and planning. And all the planning 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 (as with all Twos in the tarot) that is mirrored right back to you. There’s also a need for discrimination — throwing out the unrealistic or half-baked ideas and focusing on what has a genuine shot at being successful. The Two of Wands requires you to be objective and this is why it’s always wise to bounce your ideas off of another.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Mar 9, 2014 — Nine of Pentacles

Nine of Pentacles

Nine of Pentacles 

Today is a good day to be present in the moment and to be grateful for all that you’ve acquired.

The Nine of Pentacles is all about enjoying the bounty that life affords you rather than focusing on what you lack. You may be feeling good about how far you’ve come and deserving of all you’ve been able to acquire. And now is the time to start enjoying it.

There are symbols of abundance and prosperity all throughout this card — from the colors on the card to her lavish jewelry to the bowl of grapes and gold coins around her neck to the partridge on her shoulder. Even the pine bough behind her is said to represent fertility and immortality. The woman in this card appears to be content which what she has: she knows she’s earned and deserves it.

You may not be feeling very “prosperous,” especially if you’ve been struggling to make ends meet. But this card is all about putting that consciousness into perspective, and focusing on what you have rather than what you don’t.

Sometimes the Nine of Pentacles appears as a generous benefactor or someone who opens a door for you that leads to a good financial opportunity. If this is the case be mindful of his (or her) contribution and make sure you give credit where credit is due.