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Free Daily Tarotscope — Dec 4, 2015 — Ten of Wands

Ten of Wands

Ten of Wands

You may have to muster up the strength, determination and fortitude today to do what must be done, even if the task before you seems daunting and overwhelming.

The Ten of Wands — this version from the stunning Mary-el Tarot — is all about rising to the occasion and taking care of business, no matter how difficult or arduous that may be. It’s about stepping up to the plate and shouldering responsibilities — or like the figure in this card, moving through hell or high water to get the job done.

What would happen if the man and his horse were to slow down or stop in their tracks? They’d be consumed by the flames that are already engulfing them. They’d perish on the spot.

The idea here seems to be that once the task is started there’s no turning back. The rider pledges his commitment (notice his hand held over his heart) and the horse gathers speed.

He may have taken on more than one man can reasonably expect to accomplish, but he’s not going to throw in the towel. And this is the essence of the Ten of Wands. Upholding your responsibilities may be more than you bargained for, but that doesn’t excuse you from doing them.

You may be overwhelmed with all that’s laid out before you today. And you may be wondering whether you even have it in you to keep on going. But as you can see from this card there’s no turning back. There are obligations and responsibilities to uphold as well as people who depend on you who’d likely be hurt by your neglect. The question you might want to ask yourself today is this: “Is life (or love) supposed to be this hard?” The value of whatever it is that’s taxed you to your limits probably needs to be reassessed.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Oct 23, 2015 — Page of Cups

Page of Cups

Page of Cups

Today is a day of getting in touch with your feelings and working on processing your emotions.

The Sun moves into Scorpio today, just as the Moon moves into Pisces and Venus trines Pluto. With all this watery emotional energy, is it any wonder you’re feeling self-conscious or maybe even a little shy?

These transits fit in beautifully with this version of the Page of Cups —  from the Mary-el Tarot — and the intricate fish and water symbols etched on the Page’s skin.

You may be feeling overly sentimental or self-protective today. Or like the Page in this card you may feel like keeping your feelings to yourself. The Page of Cups is gentle and tender-hearted, but can have difficulty expressing emotions.

Although the pale blues in the background of this card are linked to the throat chakra and the concept of expressing ideas, you may be feeling so sensitive and vulnerable that you have trouble putting your feelings into words.

It may be preferable for you to think about ways to tap into your own rich inner world today, rather than reaching out to others for comfort.

The soft hues in this card and the gentle energy exhibited by the Page are also reminiscent of healing, purity, and a soothing calm energy that you can access to restore peace and harmony. Take some time today to bring these images to life and hear what they have to say.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jul 10, 2015 — Eight of Cups

Eight of Cups

Eight of Cups

While you may be feeling somewhat self-protective today, it’s going to be important to let go of your fears and allow yourself to trust that the Universe has your best interests at heart.

This version of the Eight of Cups — from Marie White’s Mary-el Tarot — has a very different take on what is traditionally seen as walking away or leaving behind something (or someone) that no longer serves you.

There’s also sense of moving toward something with the Eight of Cups. Moving toward a place of personal gratification, even if that journey begins with a heavy heart.

But in this version the emphasis is more on opening your heart and allowing yourself to become aligned with the potential of something more relevant and more fulfilling being in store for you in the end.

Here a small child is almost completely enveloped in a cocoon that has been fashioned by the pelt of a lion, which he draws close to him for comfort and protection.

He’s empowered by his garment, the same way that Hercules was once empowered by his.

Marie says this is due to his natural ability to view the world without bitterness. He possesses both the strength of a lion and the innocence of a child, because he’s kept his heart open and his fears at bay. Notice the 6-pointed star of Ishtar on his wrist. This symbol is identified with Venus (the goddess and the planet) which is associated with purity, beauty and love.

No matter how painful the idea of walking away from something might be, consider that same scenario from the perspective of walking toward something instead. Take some time today to wrap yourself in all that Venus energy, and allow yourself to become a more active participant in where your journey leads.

Free Daily Tarotscope — May 9, 2015 — Seven of Swords

Seven of Swords

Seven of Swords

The question you’re going to have to ask yourself today — with Mercury squaring Neptune — is how much are you willing to give up to attain what you desire?

The Seven of Swords — like all Sevens — requires you to evaluate all the different sides of a complicated situation, and arrive at a solution that causes the least amount of distress.

It can refer to a moral dilemma or one with no easy answer, such as a decision that favors head over heart.

This is a tricky card that relates to an equally tricky dilemma. Do you risk letting go of the thing you treasure most just to save your neck? Or do you hold on for dear life, knowing that what you lose may be a far greater sacrifice in the end?

The imagery in this card — from the beautiful The Mary-el Tarot portrays this quandary perfectly. See how the Raven holds onto the jewel — risking being devour by the serpent. Does he let go of his treasure in order to save his life? or does he hold on for dear life and risk losing everything?

Traditional interpretations of this card speak of cunning, duplicity and deception. And there is some of that here. The Serpent could have easily coiled himself around the raven and tightened his grip already, but he takes his time taunting him with his hypnotic gaze.

Today’s Mercury square Neptune aspect can cloud your thoughts and cause you to be struggle with indecision. It can make harder to know what you really want, and how far you’re willing to go to hold onto to it. It can force you to have to “choose” even if that means having to choose the lesser of two evils.

Just as the snake encircles the raven and systematically tightens his grip, so must you weigh the consequences of holding too tightly to what you value, especially if it means giving up something far more precious.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 27, 2015 — The Star

The Star

 The Star

On the heels of yesterday’s Devil card, comes a reminder that even in our darkest hours there is still room for hope. There’s still compassion, redemption and the promise of salvation.

The Star card — from Marie White’s stunning Mary-el Tarot — brings this reminder to life, with the Star taking an angelic form and spreading the love out over a sea of humanity.

The angel figure in this card glides through, above and among an infinite crowd of nameless / faceless beings. She is above them and at one with them at the same time. A unicursal hexigram is imprinted on her gown and the stigmata markings of Christ are imprinted on her skin.

The human figures in this card spread out as far as the eyes can see, becoming one with the landscape and the angel herself. You can see their forms becoming less and less distinct as they blend into the hills and valleys that stretch back toward the horizon.

Venus enters Pisces today — the sign of its exaltation. This is the archetype associated with communion, compassion and unconditional love. It’s associated with dreams and visions, beauty, harmony, kindness and grace. It’s also associated with sacrifice, a theme referenced here in the markings on the angel’s palms, feet and forehead.

The unicursal star is a symbol of continuity. It’s also said to reference man reaching up to God and God reaching down to man. This is the message behind the Star card : that we’re not only all “one” but are also all a part of God, however we may experience him (or her).

The Star card reminds us of the need to rise above our petty grievances and to hold onto one another, especially when the going gets tough.  As Venus moves into Pisces — on the heels of Mars, Neptune and Chiron — the messages contained in this card can only serve us well.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Jan 16, 2015 — Three of Swords

Three of Swords

Three of Swords

Today’s card — from the Mary-el Tarot — is a very different Three of Swords than we’re used to seeing.

The most common version depicts a blood red heart lanced by three swords, symbolizing loss, pain, heartache and rejection. Being stabbed in the heart or broken hearted. A deep searing wound accompanied by unfathomable pain.

And while the Three of Swords is hardly a happy card, this version emphasizes the powerful process of healing and transformation. The broken heart is replaced by a gentle white dove, discovering his own strength and ability to overcome adversity.

The Three of Swords often represents a necessary break that’s been a long time coming. It can refer to the end of a relationship or the loss of a dream that you’ve held onto for far too long. You can see that struggle here with swords that the dove grapples with in this card.

While the sky grows dark behind him, if you look closely you can make out a face in the clouds. It’s as if there’s a protective force behind him as he morphs into a mighty bird.

The storm clouds remind you that it’s not going to be easy. Loss and endings never are. But there’s a potential for triumph inherent in this card that tells you you can rise above.

If you’re  dealing with the aftermath of your own heartache today, know that you have it within your own power to prevail. This card serves as a powerful reminder that even the gentlest creature can overcome adversity —  and so can you.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Dec 20, 2014 — The Lovers

the Lovers -- Mary El Tarot

The Lovers

Venus conjuncts Pluto today, bringing the planet related to love (Venus) face to face with the planet related to lust (Pluto). The Lovers card is all about relationships and choices that need to be made regarding relationships. These are often complicated by temptations that emerge, forcing you to have to choose between dual principles or desires.

Are you seeing in your own life where an attraction has turned into a fixation or obsession? Or where perhaps you’re relaxing your own set of standards to allow for indiscretions you’ve already made?

The Lovers card — and the Venus / Pluto conjunction — says that the stakes are high and that there may be a price to pay for giving into your passions without considering the long term repercussions.

A third party (leading to infidelity on someone’s part) is one strong possibility. But so is a relationship that’s likely to create tensions with family members or society. A same-sex union. A May-December romance. An inter-racial affair. A relationship that is sure to be frowned upon by your religion. A love affair with your co-worker or boss. The possibilities are endless.

It can also refer to the union of polarities, as seen in the Mary-el version of the card. The figures here are about as opposite as they can get: male and female, young and old, black and white.This is said to represent the alchemical marriage.

The female figure is strong and aloof, the male passive and vulnerable, She is naked, save for a nautilus shell headdress, while he is draped in purity and light. Yet they flow together in an intimate embrace. Even so, there’s an apparent emotional disconnect in this rendition. The female figure stares off into the distance while the males gazes downward.

The angel watching over them in the background is barely noticeable. She doesn’t assist and she doesn’t interfere. This is something to keep in mind today (and all days) as you find yourself struggling with temptation. You do have free will, the choice is ultimately yours, and whatever decision you make will have consequences that you’ll be expected to answer for.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Nov 11, 2014 — King of Cups

King of Cups

King of Cups

Today’s Moon in Cancer can be a bit tricky. On the one hand it encourages you to immerse yourself fully in the realm of feelings, intuition and emotions.

And on the other hand it spends a good part of the day in hard aspect to Mars, Pluto and Uranus — the three most intense, aggressive and tumultuous planetary energies out there.

What this means for you is that getting in touch with your feelings today can bring some things you’ve been struggling to deal with (or avoiding entirely) to the surface.

Look at the King of Cups in this card. He appears as a Poseidon-like figure, naked (open, receptive, exposed) and submerged in a pond filled with lotus blossoms (purity and enlightenment).

You can see how he’s become almost one with the murky waters that surround him, in fact you can’t tell in some places where the water ends and he begins.

Notice that his trident is also partially submerged and its tines have been distorted by the play of light on the surface of the water.

The King of Cups is about more than just getting in touch with your feelings. It’s about learning contain and control and master them. While it’s clear there is some turbulence in the water that surrounds him, you can see how this King is able to maintain his composure. 

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

Eight of Wands

Eight of Wands

Today you want to work on bringing the divergent areas of your life into harmony, courtesy of a pair of astrological aspects that are doing the same.

With Mercury in sextile to its counterpoint Jupiter today, and Venus in sextile to its counterpart Mars, the theme will be finding a comfortable medium between the opposing forces in your life.

The Eight of Wands is traditionally associated with action and movement and there is some of that going on here. But the central themes in this version are more about protection and trust, as seen in the tiny figure nestled in the Lion’s arms.

The lion appears as a guardian angel, with a fiery mane and golden-orange wings. Notice the serpent — in the form of a lemniscate or infinity symbol — that encircles the sleeping child.

Also notice the one lion’s paw and one angel’s hand that cradle her sleeping form. A blanket of stars keeps her safe and warm. The symbols of protection and safety are repeated here, as are the themes of divergent forces residing harmoniously in the same space.

In many decks, the Eight of Wands signifies energy, motion and action. And we can surmise that the figure in this card will awaken from her sleep more rested and prepared to move ahead. But her rest is an integral part of her preparation and is just as meaningful.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 24, 2014 — Ten of Swords

Ten of Swords

Ten of Swords

What do you do when you come to the end of as arduous journey and find yourself facing a very painful reality? The Ten of Swords begs this question as you’re faced with the knowledge that it may be time to lay down your sword.

Perhaps a relationship has run its course, and you’re forced now to finally put it to rest. Or maybe a dream you held onto for far too long is proving itself to be impossible to achieve.

You know that you’ve given it your all — you’ve fought a worthy battle — but you realize it’s time to let it go: once and for all. You just don’t have any more “fight” left in you.

So what do you do? Do you lay down and die, or do you surrender to the knowledge that the Universe has something entirely different in store for you?

The Ten of Swords is one of the more ominous cards in the tarot, yet here we can see the focus is one of triumph and victory more than surrender and defeat.

A balsamic moon sits high in the background, the raven’s scythe pointed defiantly toward it. There’s a sense of liberation here in the imagery of this card. The vanquishing of ego; the surrendering of pride; the dissolution of conflict — these are all here. And what is left after all of these things have been abandoned? Victory, triumph and regeneration.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Sept 12, 2014 — The Hermit

The Hermit

The Hermit

Today you may feel like retreating from the outer world and turning inward toward your emotional center.

The Hermit card refers to solitude, introspection and internal analysis. It’s about getting a better understanding of yourself and searching for a deeper meaning to life’s most pressing questions.

With Mercury and Chiron in semi-sextile today, you may also be feeling overly sensitive — to your environment and to the people around you.

The Hermit card can appear at a time when you’re so bombarded with external stimuli that you just want to “get away” from it all. But be careful that you don’t spend so much time in your head that you miss out on opportunities that present themselves.

You also want to be conscious of your own motivations: the downside of this card is the urge to hide things, close yourself off from others and avoid those who matter to you most.

The Hermit in this card is submerged deeply into the realm of the unconscious, as shown by the waves surrounding him. He blends in so completely that he becomes one with them, a reflection of the need to immerse yourself fully, which is the essence of this archetype.

Free Daily Tarotscope — Aug 27, 2014 — Five of Wands

Five of Wands

Five of Wands

Venus squares Mars today which may result in conflicts in your relationships. As Venus — the “love planet” — and Mars — the planet associated with action and aggression — butt heads, you may feel the urge to follow suit.

Usually when it comes to the Five of Wands (and often with Venus square Mars) nobody really knows what they’re fighting about. There’s just this competitive urge to “win” at any cost, which means that in the end nobody wins.

The Five of Wands refers to conflict, strife and competition: forcing your will on others, trying to be heard above the “roar” of opposing viewpoints and struggling against cross-purposes.

In this version we see a lion charging through the thicket, undaunted by the obstacles (trees) before him. In fact he’s enveloped in a protective aura of light as he moves toward his objective. Does the aura that surrounds him insulate him from danger? Or does it obscure his own motivations and the repercussions of his actions?

Like the Lion in this card you may have to look at where you may have been pushing your views forcefully onto others. You might not even realize that you’re doing it, yet your actions can translate as pressure, at at least on some subconscious level. Petty squabbles can erupt into major arguments because no one’s actually listening to what anyone else has to say.