Weekly Forecast: December 12-18
After a tumultuous week that has us focusing on what was ending, we’re now directing our gaze to where sustenance, beauty, and inspiration is flowing with natural abundance.
Last week was ruled by The Tower - that quintessential card of upsetting endings - yet it was also bolstered by the magic of the Seven of Cups. No one moment is entirely “good” or “bad",” and just as The Tower has room for beauty, beauty holds plenty of room for suffering. Yet it’s often this contrast that makes important ideas and sources of information visible. So, this week, we’re gifted with the awareness of an important wellspring, one that’s setting the stage for our next phase in life.
And, as the dust settles more and more, we’re starting to see how this source is ever-present and constantly flowing. What happens when we center our lives here instead of the hard walls of, say, a Tower?
The Ace of Cups is an undeniably gorgeous card, one we haven’t seen in quite some time. If last week had us scrambling to dream ourselves forward despite the chaos of something ending spectacularly, this week the chaos has subsided to reveal a more unified understanding of what really matters to us.
It’s crucial to note here that the cups are a group of cards that speak to feelings, not thoughts, concepts, or practices. We can direct these feelings into actions, of course, and translate some of their messages into ideas, but at their core, cups are about the watery and mysterious world of our emotions, spirit, and intuition. Experiencing and understanding this part of our lives comes easier to some than others, so be gentle if you struggle with validating and trusting their messages. Aces, however, are all about awareness and acceptance, nothing more, so just try to stay with what feels good. It’s likely that in dreaming big last week you gained a new understanding of what truly gives you sustenance - real spiritual and emotional sustenance. Let that be enough and see what your burgeoning awareness might reveal.
The rest of this reading plants us at an intriguing juncture. It’s time for a change, but not one we’re being forced into. This week we’re taking back the reins and mustering our energy to forge our own path forward. If you’ve been considering an impactful change in your daily life (Seven of Pentacles), this is the time to start making some decisions about it (King of Wands).
And let’s take a moment to appreciate our “elemental array” we’re working with - water (cups), earth (pentacles) and fire (wands). No airy swords in sight which tells us that this is not a time to analyze or deal in concepts or abstractions. Our inspiration is flowing, we have a solid foundation/resume, and now is the time to step into our role as the authority over our life and energy and do something.
If that feels pressure-filled, simply return to the Ace of Cups because there is no better card to represent authentic, heart-centered motivation. It’s been watering our efforts for some time, as shown in the lushness of the Seven of Pentacles, but we’re also ready to take things to the next level. Again, this is not about reinventing the wheel, but it is about finding new pathways that can give you increased satisfaction and avenues through which you can express your skills, talents, and charisma.
The King of Wands is an immensely charming card, and it tells us to live big and celebrate who we truly are. This is, after all, the King of Fire. What has you lit up right now? What is the source of your personal energy, creativity, and sense of mission? As a publicly-facing card, this King asks us to take responsibility for our gifts - they’re meant to be shared so that their fire can give warmth and light to others.
Notice how the King is also turning to the left, beholding the cards that come before them. Sometimes taking a “fiery stance” feels intimidating or confrontational, even. But this reading is wonderfully balanced; we’re aware of where we stand and that awareness, in fact, is what’s giving us confidence and informing our actions. There’s plenty of water to control a fire if it burns too wildly. There’s plenty of earth to soak up and be nourished by the effusive and plentiful water. In these conditions, taking a chance is not a risk, it’s a joyful requirement.
This week, embrace:
Identifying sources of pleasure, beauty, and inspiration
Naturally-occurring healing
Letting things in, not forcing them
Calm and grounded assessments of your daily life and career
Your personal authority, energy, and vision
Making changes with all these in mind/guiding/supporting you
This week, Avoid:
Fear-based decision-making
Rushing plans
Discounting what comes easily or feels good to you
Get creative:
Ace of Cups: Identify one thing that makes you feel amazing and do it more often. Bonus action: Obligatory Ace of Cups ritual bath (because how could I not?) - A heaping cup of Epsom salts, fresh mint, rose petals, and a few drops of sweet orange essential oil.
Seven of Pentacles: Find or consecrate a houseplant you already have to represent your eighth pentacle - what do you want to grow and tend to in your life right now? As you care for it, envision this project or venture flourishing.
King of Wands: The Albano-Waite-Smith deck we’re using this week is really making this king seem extra-fiery, so I think we should do the same. Find a power outfit, preferably red, and wear it all week or on a day when you need to be seen, get your point across, or muster your energy.