Weekly Forecast: February 7-13
Seven of Wands / Six of Cups / Page of Cups
Tense emotions and inner wishes leading to change
This week is animated by the tension between self-protection and vulnerability. In many ways, we’ve been moving fast, energized and sometimes lost in a spin of action. There’s something addictive and hypnotic about being constantly on the move: it feels satisfying, looks impressive to others, and certainly fills our time. But we’re also at a crossroads of sort, the stickier part of a journey where we have to push through a point of stagnation.
Can we be stagnant while moving so fast? This reading certainly thinks so. The Seven of Wands is a powerful card that shows us how resistance helps us move forward. It’s feels satisfying to notice our muscles hard at work as we keep meeting what’s coming with vigor and determination. Just look at this figure, wielding their stick with confidence. They may be slightly stressed (there are a lot of wands rising up to meet them) but the sky behind them is blue and clear; they have the energy they need and may even enjoy breaking a sweat and showing the world what they can achieve. Getting stuck in any card, however, is no way to live, and this week we’ll be tempted to keep up with the intense output seen in many wands cards. The key question is: am I doing this just to do something or am I doing it because it’ll take me somewhere?
If we embrace the energy of the Seven of Wands healthily, we’re in a position to get things done with speed and success early in the week. What is rising up that needs your attention? How can you respond in the moment and keep moving towards the next target? Embrace the focus and flow that comes from remaining attentive to the tasks at hand. The trick here, however, is to notice when the wands have stopped rising to meet us, otherwise we run the risk of whacking wildly at nothing and getting burnt out or goading on other wands to come join the fray. We may have some edgy emotions at play, too. Be alert for angst or sadness masquerading in righteous hustle and bustle. Momentum also takes some time to peter out - how can we gift ourselves a moment of respite after a big task ends?
While our external lives - work, family responsibilities, community projects - take center stage at the beginning of the week, we soon segue into the realm of the personal and interpersonal. The fiery wands give way to the tender cups as we consider the needs of the heart. This is a time to lavish attention on ourselves, to honor and care for our soft underbellies. I’m sensing a contrast between our public and private selves here: Is there a stark contrast or conflict between who we are in the outside world versus who we are internally? Sometimes this can be a necessary and helpful distinction - healthy boundaries that delineate our lives. Pay attention to where you feel the difference is too pronounced, however, and notice what parts of you are needing expression and attention. I’m also sensing a link between the angst, exhaustion, or tension that comes along with the Seven of Wands and the events earlier in the week. The places that feel uncomfortable or conflict-ridden may be telling us something important.
The Six of Cups invites us to enter into our inner sanctum and consider how our emotional needs are being met. What makes us feel safe and loved? If there’s any prickliness coming through in work or relationships, this would be a time to deeply consider how you’re meeting your own needs. The Six of Cups shows a walled courtyard with a guard walking away from the central child-like figures. How have you been protecting your inner child, tending to your imagination, need for love, and connection to nature or spirit? Are you asking others to fulfill this need and getting resentful when they don’t, won’t, or can’t? Take some time to see what your internal courtyard or inner sanctum looks like these days. Is it well tended for, sprouting with life like the flowering cups in the card? Or is it dusty and neglected? Perhaps it is time to plant and water some seeds for yourself.
So how to do this? The Page of Cups gazes at the six with loving curiosity, suggesting that this is a question about us, for us, and to be answered by only us. Pages are the adepts of the tarot court - is there something you’d like to learn more about? An area of the self that’s begging to be explored? This may take the form of a new skill or practice as well as simply inner work. Taking time to delve into your dreams, journal, or express yourself in art will be wildly enjoyable and satisfying. Only we know what new horizons are the most appealing. Take the time to ask yourself these important questions: What do I want? What lights me up? What can I do just for myself? Sitting with prickliness, turning away from mindless productivity, and choosing our passion will result in rich satisfaction and the glimmer of something new.
This week, embrace:
Tension as a source of wisdom and structure
Editing, workshopping, or adjusting projects
Appreciating your hard work
Time to reconnect with self and/or your inner-child
Following your curiosity
This week, avoid:
Unnecessary busy-work
Resentment towards those who can’t keep up
Harsh communication
Get creative:
The Seven of Wands: Reframe a difficult project or situation as a workout of sorts. What skills are you practicing that are making you sweat? How are you growing your strength through your actions? See if you can also identify the muscles you’ve built up - what feels easy now that was previously a huge challenge?
The Six of Cups: Identify one practice you loved as a child. It could be drawing, spending time in nature, making model airplanes, even watching cartoons. Set aside as much time as you can spare (ideally in the middle of the week, if possible) and devote yourself to this activity with the intention of creating a sacred space free of expectations or outcome. Just have fun and let it fill your cup.
The Page of Cups: This page is inquisitive and introspective. Pose a question to your subconscious (that charming fish in the cup!) with some dreamwork. Come up with a question and pose it to yourself before falling asleep. I suggest: What do I need to know about my true self? What new path is calling to me? What gift can I start growing? As soon as you wake up, start writing down your dreams. Write even if you don’t remember your dream yet - usually something interesting comes out. Choose a symbol, place, or character for your dream that resonates with you and see if you can incorporate it in your waking life and notice how this inspires you.