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Free Daily Tarotscope — Dec 29, 2015 — The Sacrifice

sacrifice

The Sacrifice

Today transits may see you looking back over the year and thinking about purging whatever has not served you well as you surrender to a greater power.

With Mercury squaring Mars today and the Sun also sextiling Neptune, you may be feeling torn between the part of you that wants to hold on for dear life and the part of you that recognizes it’s time to throw in the towel.

The Sacrifice card is the Tarot of the Origins version of the Hanged Man. This beautiful card illustrates the act of surrender that is traditionally associated with the Hanged Man.

The vibrant reds and oranges in this card may symbolize anger and fear (think Mercury in Capricorn square Mars in Libra). And the arrow-head pointing down from the heavens suggests that the figure in this card doesn’t have much choice in the matter.

But his posture says he’s not only open to the process, he’s ready and willing to embrace it.

The Hanged Man represents sacrifice and surrender. Obstacles and delays. And the Universe saying “no,” “wait” and “let it go.”

As the year 2015 comes to a close, you may be more prepared than ever to let go of what is just not working for you.

You may be doing a personal inventory and taking the time to look back and see what changes need to be made. In order to this you may need to put things on hold — at least long enough to assess the damages and formulate a plan for the future.

The Sacrifice card is all about surrender. Letting go and letting God. Holding back from trying to change the natural course of things because your own input could (and would) interfere with their development. And figuring out what you want to do differently in the year ahead.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Dec 24, 2015 — Four of Wands

Four of Wands

Four of Wands

Today’s Venus / Jupiter sextile can bring out the kindness, warmth, graciousness and congeniality in all of us as we move into the final days of the year.

No matter where you are in the world today, you may feel like Spring is in the air, as this transit moves in like a breath of fresh air. This is a gentle, easy-going transit that brings feelings of benevolence and goodwill to the forefront.

Today’s card — the Four of Wands from the Samurai Tarot — is all about reflecting on accomplishments and looking forward to where those accomplishments may lead. It speaks of rejoicing and celebrating — whether this means planning for a party or special event, or getting yourself out of the doldrums and washing away the blues.

The Four of Wands takes the “dream big” energy that came with the Three of Wands and turns it into something tangible, solid and lasting. It represents a joyous celebration: a marriage, a promotion, the birth of a child.

It tells you that “this is only the beginning” of something you’ve already established and that it’s going to just keep getting better and better.

You may be planning a special event — one which will be way more fun than you are anticipating. You are likely to meet people, have fun, put your worries aside and focus instead on the promise of friendship, companionship and socializing.

No matter what else you’re up against today remember to be grateful for what you have. It’s not the time to isolate or withdraw from social opportunities. Look around you and take note of all you’ve accomplished thus far. Chances are good there’s a lot to be grateful for and a cause for celebration right there in front of you.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Dec 22, 2015 — The Emperor

Emperor

The Emperor

As the Sun moves into Capricorn today and the Taurus Moon trines Mercury and then Jupiter, you may be thinking more about taking charge of your life and achieving your goals and ambitions.

This is the Ceccoli Tarot’s version of the Emperor, in this case a mini Napoleon Bonaparte sitting on a rocking horse.

The room he sits in may be small, but he casts an imposing figure nevertheless, sitting there amongst the various discarded toys and sundries.

You may be asking yourself today whether you want to be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond. It’s all about gaining perspective and establishing priorities.

This card symbolizes worldly acclaim and ambition. No matter how high you want to climb, you can know that there are possibilities available to you if you only you set your sights on pursuing them.

As the Emperor also relates to the Laws of the Land, some of the less pleasant manifestations of this card include being on the receiving end of legal or professional disciplinary actions, dealings with the IRS or government, or having to deal with an oppressive boss or coworker.

Hard work, perseverance and determination are all required: nothing will come to you through sheer luck or wishful thinking.

The message behind this card is one of taking care of business. It’s not the time to be passive or wishy-washy. It’s all about stepping up and taking control of a situation that requires a firm hand and authoritative presence.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Dec 17, 2015 — The Lovers

Yoga Tarot - the Lovers

The Lovers

Today’s Venus / Pluto sextile may put you in the mood for love. This is a highly seductive aspect, especially with Venus now in Scorpio the sign associated with intimacy and passionate romantic interludes.

The Lovers card — this version from the beautiful Yoga Tarot — is all about uniting with another, and falling in love. But it’s not always an easy or definitive love.

Sometimes there are feelings of ambivalence or uncertainty, and sometimes there are choices to be made that can complicate things even more.

The figures in this card are clearly mesmerized by one another. They hold each other in a loving embrace, oblivious to the world around them.

But life — and love — is not always so simple. You might notice the pair of serpents wending their way around the couple and locking in their fate.

This card can also indicate uncertainty in relationship or a decision that needs to be made. You may be wondering where you stand or whether someone you care about feels the same.

You may also be ready to fall head over heels in love and wondering when someone new is coming in. If you’re in love today and happy with your choices, remember to celebrate that love with the object of your affection. And if you’re not — if you’re out there like so many of the rest of us still looking: don’t give up.

The Lovers card — and this one in particular — can serve as a reminder that there’s someone out there for all of us, and that what is most important is having an open heart that you’re ready, willing and able to share with another.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Dec 14, 2015 — Four of Swords

Four of Swords

Four of Swords

Today you may feel like you need to take a breather or just focus on getting some much needed peace and quiet.

The Four of Swords — from the Golden Tarot of Klimt — encourages you to disengage from all the commotion that surrounds you find your strength through rest and recovery.

It could be as simple as getting away for a few days to relax and recharge your batteries. And it could be as profound as going on a life-altering pilgrimage or spiritual retreat.

It refers to removing yourself from all of the distractions in your life and reflect rather than “act.” It speaks of detaching from the whirlwind of activity around you and choosing to observe rather than participate.

You might also be thinking of getting away from it all. You could be feeling the strains of mundane responsibilities; or maybe you just long to escape from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life.

Take some time today for yourself and listen to the needs of your body. If you can’t get away there are other ways to regain your sanity. Meditation, breathwork, self-imposed silence, etc. — any of these can help you to de-stress and restore your equilibrium.

While you may feel pulled in several different directions today, you’d be best served to stay calm and carry on, rather than let yourself fall out of balance. The Four of Swords reminds you of the need to take care of your inner needs as much as you need to take care of your outer ones.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Nov 29, 2015 — Temperance

Temperance

Temperance

Today’s Sun / Neptune square may see you feeling like getting away from it all, or escaping into a world of fantasy and illusion.

There’s a nebulous quality associated with this transit that can manifest as feeling overly dreamy, romantic and idealistic. But it can also translate to a desire to escape — away from the cold harsh glare of reality.

Like the figure in this card — the Temperance card from the beautiful Ceccoli Tarot — you may find comfort and contentment in your dreams, where you can be one with the Universe and where all things are possible.

With the Sun in fiery Sagittarius and Neptune in ethereal Pisces, you may find yourself at odds between what you should do and what you’d much prefer to do. And while there is some “fire” in this card (the muted orange colors on the fish that are floating in the clouds), it’s clear that Neptune wins. There are Piscean fish symbols all over this card.

The Temperance card is associated with finding balance in your life and bringing the disparate areas back into harmony. And the Neptune / Sun square is tied to the dissolution of ego and boundaries. Both of these things are depicted in this card.

You may feel lacking in energy or motivation today, and if you can take some time to rest, then by all means do so. There’s a lot to be said for putting all your worries aside and floating off somewhere on a cloud of contentment.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Nov 28, 2015 — The Priest

The Priest

The Priest

Today, as Chiron turns direct — after 5 months in retrograde motion — you may be thinking about all that you’ve gained through the trials and tribulations in your own life, and how you can pull from those experiences to help others.

You may be coming out of a period of soul searching and  personal reflection, which when filtered through the Chironian impulse to consider the welfare of others, can act as a powerful conduit to heal those who need healing and acceptance — now more than ever.

This is the Samurai Tarot’s version of the Hierophant card. It’s called the Priest in this deck, and as you can see from the imagery in this card, the focus is as much on helping those who need assistance as it is on spiritual enlightenment. But perhaps the message here is that these are one and the same.

Chiron is called the “wounded healer” — a reference to the ability to bring comfort and guidance to those who need it, even if you’re still struggling to heal your own wounds. And as you can see in this version of the card, the Priest must rely on his own walking stick to reach the stream he’s guiding the thirsty woodland creatures to.

In this respect they may be healing him as well. We all know how powerful the idea of being useful is, and we all know important it is to feel that we’re making a valuable contribution.

The Priest card comes as a reminder that there’s always something to learn and always something to teach. There’s also always something to give, knowing that what we get back in often far greater in the end. We just need to step outside of our own biases and preconceived notions, and be willing to lend a helping hand.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Nov 9, 2015 — Queen of Pentacles

Queen of Pentacles

Queen of Pentacles

Today is a day to indulge yourself and allow yourself to enjoy all of the fruits of your labors.

The Queen of Pentacles is all about establishing security — financial and otherwise. But she also knows how to appreciate the finer things in life and to relish what she’s worked for and savor every moment.

She’s not afraid to work for what she wants. But she wants to be able to appreciate it too. She wants to surround herself with opulence and splendor, knowing that she’s earned and deserves it.

This Queen of Pentacles — from the beautiful Samurai Tarot — is clothed in the finest silks and lavish attire. She strikes an elegant and radiant pose. She is colorful, dramatic and mysterious. But she’s not someone to be trifled with: she’s also practical, efficient and wise.

As with all the Court Cards in the tarot, this may be you and it may represent someone in your life. It can also indicate a state of mind that is necessary for you to adopt.

Whatever (or whomever) she represents, know that it’s time to get serious about manifesting the life that you want, and enjoying yourself in the process.

Today you want to be thinking about your long-term goals and what you might need to do to bring them to fruition. It may require you to make some short-term sacrifices. But what you gain in return — through hard work, discipline and patience — will make it all worthwhile in the end.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Nov 4, 2015 — Knight of Swords

knight of swords

Knight of Swords

Today is a day for being strategic and thinking about the choices you have to make as you plan your next move.

You may be wavering over important decisions. You may be weighing your options or figuring out what your best course of action may be.

The Knight of Swords is traditionally associated quick thinking and quick action. But this is a kinder, gentler version of the card. This version, from this Crystal Tarot — appears to be lost in thought.

He’s in no hurry to get moving, even though his horse is raring to go. He may be daydreaming about the journey ahead, or he may be contemplating all of the different routes that can lead him to his destination.

As with all court cards this can refer to someone in your life, a frame of mind you need to adopt, or it can refer to you personally. If it’s someone in your life, you will know him by his gentle demeanor and sense of fair play. These are qualities that you’d do well to incorporate in your decision-making today.

The Knight of Swords is known for being frank, blunt and outspoken. And even in this gentler version you can count on him to be honest.

If it takes you a little while to get your bearings today and to make an informed decision, know that there’s a reason for holding back. You want to be decisive, fair and just. So make sure you have all the facts before you jump to any conclusions.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Nov 2, 2015 — Page of Batons

Page of Batons

Page of Batons

You shouldn’t have any trouble getting into your zone today and adopting a more contemplative or meditative state.

As Mercury moves into Scorpio, you may be turning away from all the noise and distractions in your life and seeking a place of quiet and solitude to explore the deeper regions of your psyche.

You may be thinking of ways to bring depth and clarity back into your life, or like the woman in this card, a way to breathe life into your own creative process.

This is the Ceccoli Tarot’s version of the Page of Batons (or Wands). She’s expressive and original, even in her introspective state. She’s taken a novel approach to self-expression, rising up through the mist that surrounds her to blossom where she stands.

While there’s generally a very exuberant quality to the Page of Batons, this version is more intent on maintaining her composure than on any outward displays of emotion. Still there’s a certain drama in the way she presents herself, with the flowers blooming and the bees buzzing all around.

If this is someone in your life, know that she’s here to teach you a thing or two about creative self-expression.

But she may also represent and event in your life or a set of qualities that you need to embrace — in this case the combination of introspection, self-reflection and understated grace. While the Mercury in Scorpio transit can have you pondering the deeper mysteries of life, the Page of Batons takes it a step further and brings them to life.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 27, 2015 — The Stars

the Stars

The Stars

Today’s Full Moon at 3° Taurus is in the sign — and at the exact degree — of its exaltation. The Full Moon lights up the night sky so brightly that it makes it difficult sometimes to see the Stars. But that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

Look at the figure in this card — from the stunning Samurai Tarot. He kneels down in a shallow tide pool and gazes up at the night sky, only to be rewarded by its panoramic splendor.

This card is about getting perspective. Putting your faith in the Universe. Seeing where you fit in in the Cosmos. Getting in touch with your own capacity for awe and reverence. And feeling inspired by nature and the beauty that surrounds you.

Notice how ocean spray seems to come to life in this image, brought on by the glow of the Full Moon and stars. Animal and human figures take shape, only to shift and change before your eyes. (For me what started out as a ceremonial dragon turned into Samurai warrior and oriental lion).

This tells you that things aren’t always as they appear and that you do have some say in the reality you create.

This card is all about synchronicity and serendipity. It’s a card of Hope and Faith in the Universe. It tells you that in spite of all your trials and tribulations, everything is as it should be, and in the end everything is going to be alright.

It invites you to open your eyes and see the vastness of the world around you, the billions of stars in the night sky and the billions of people that make up humanity.

It comes as a reminder that even in in the midst of all the chaos that surrounds you, there is still room for growth. There’s still love, peace, beauty, harmony and compassion. There’s still the promise of forgiveness, redemption and salvation.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 16, 2015 — Eight of Cups

Eight of Cups

Eight of Cups

Today you may be asking yourself just what is it that you are trying to hold on to? This is the Ceccoli Tarot’s version of the Eight of Cups, a card typically associated with finding yourself caught within the confines of your own self-created prison.

The image on this card shows that there are things, whether outer or inner, that you are holding on to or bottling up inside. But notice there are only seven birds — six inside one on the outside: where is the final bird? It’s you of course if you’re ready to free yourself from your cage.

Something like this usually comes out in the end and you may need to do some serious thinking to work out what you are going to do next.

Be careful that you do not find yourself holding so much in that it explodes like fireworks causing an argument or friction with someone close to you. With Mars trining Pluto today the urge to purify and release whatever pent up energy you’re holding onto is strong.

If you have been doing too much or burning the midnight oil a little then you need to slow down.

There is light at the end of the tunnel as can be seen from the bird outside the cage yet you need to let go of something first to be able to feel free as this will lead you onto your next step down a path that is not as constricting as the one you are now on.

If you find yourself holding onto old grudges, thinking to settle or even a score then perhaps it is time to let go as the only person this will hurt and hinder is yourself. Remember the eighth and final bird is you, so be willing to open the door on your cage and set yourself free.