Crow
You may have to face your fears head on today, even if you feel like climbing back into bed and pulling the covers over your head.
Today’s card — the Crow, Animal Wisdom Tarot’s version of the Nine of Swords — is sometimes referred to as the “Nightmare” card. It’s associated with a sense foreboding, brought about by fears that aren’t necessarily supported by reality.
So often our fears are self-imposed. We may have gotten ourselves into a sticky situation and are now dreading the consequences. Or we might be kicking ourselves for having engaged in risky behavior and find ourselves wondering if it was worth it in the end.
The woman in this version of the card has awoken to find that she’s not safe at home in bed, but tucked instead into the wing of an ominous black Crow. As a spirit animal totem, Crows are seen as the harbingers of fate — both good and bad.
They are associated with mystery and magic, alchemy, destiny and the unknown. They’re tricksters, shapeshifters and magicians, filled with mischief and misadventure. They represent the shadow side of humanity as well as the ability to transform and rise above.
While you may be feeling unsure of yourself today or anxious about being able to maintain your footing, you want to remember that most of your fears have been self-created. You can pull the covers back over your head and refuse to get out of bed, or you can tuck yourself further into the Crow’s protective wing and soar along with him to great heights.