By Sarah Taylor
Taking a look back over recent readings, there are correlations between this reading and two others that are asking for attention: first, with the reading last week (Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015), and, second, with the reading of Dec. 14, 2014. If we approach these as significant, this means that there is a larger story the cards are telling you about your life, from week to week — sometimes focussing on one theme; sometimes returning to another; sometimes bringing in something new.
The Hermit, Six of Swords, Princess of Swords from the Röhrig Tarot deck, created by Carl-W. Röhrig. Click on the image for a larger version.
Last week, the reading held the following cards, from left to right: Justice, Eight of Disks, Princess of Cups (the Page in Rider-Waite Smith-based decks). This week’s reading, from left to right holds: The Hermit, Six of Swords, Princess of Swords. That’s a major arcana, a minor arcana, and a court card respectively — both courts also being Princesses.
Something feels like it is lining up. Two parallel lines; two parallel, yet interconnected, experiences. Both with their roots in a larger life theme (both major arcana cards being those larger life themes, and in the card associated with the past); both applying those themes in the practicalities of the present (the minor arcana cards in the centre position); and both heralding the emergence of a new way of being (the Princesses in the future positions).
I write “a new way of being” because Princesses are the nascent, personality-based expressions of their suit. They are relatively young and inexperienced, yet they are also bold, fearless, and unadulterated (un-adult-erated). They have not yet learned to self-censor in the way that older people do — and more respect to them for being this way. They are the way-showers, the liberators, the renegades and rebels. Their rebellion can be quiet and personal, or loud and provocative. It can be destructive, constructive, or both. One way or another, though, an aspect of self is birthed and makes its presence known — either in you, or through a reflecting back to you from someone else.
Many of us will be trying out our new wings right now, that’s for sure.
So, in the cards this week, we have a time of introspection in the past, which may or may not have been accompanied by feelings and tangible experiences of solitude. This is The Hermit, which is the card that comes after the extroversion of Strength, and indicates moving within. This is a vital aspect of the soul journey, moving within. Without this time, we cannot integrate what we have discovered on the way.
It is often not an easy time. It is often not easy to contend quite as fully with ourselves as The Hermit asks of us. We fight tending the inner fire. We will do much in order not to look into its flames, let alone nurture it. But something has come of this time. Work has been done. The wood has been chopped, the water has been carried.
And now there is a period that you are currently moving into, which was coming up on the horizon in mid-December last year:
“The words on the Six of Swords:
“Differentiation,” “Cognitions,” “ability to analyse.”
Three swords stand, point down, on each side of the card. Balance, yet “differentiation.” Analysis, yet synthesis. This is one of the ‘lightest’ of the Swords cards, and speaks of a transition from the confusion of the Five to a coming together and moving into a new form. It will also frequently speak of a trip across water in the real world. There is a shift to a new state of relating, and relatedness. This is likely to have its origins in you, although it may also play out through the mirror of another, or others, in your life.”
The outcome: freedom. Freedom from a belief that has held you back, freedom from an inability to express yourself, freedom to stand for something that releases you and others, freedom to have your own mind. Again, this is the start of something: the Princess needs time to mature and take her place at the head of court — to integrate and live out her promise fully. But she is there, and she will be heard.
What will come from that assertion is a sense of being unashamedly yourself in how you see and relate to a part of life. Your life.
Astrology/Elemental correspondences: The Hermit (Virgo), Six of Swords (Mercury in Aquarius), Princess of Swords (the earthy aspect of air)
If you want to experiment with tarot cards and don’t have any, we provide a free tarot spread generator using the Celtic Wings spread, which is based on the traditional Celtic Cross spread. This article explains how to use the spread.
Sarah, this week, since Monday, I have been living in a nightmare of my own doing and I have found it almost impossible to face the situation and not knowing what is to come I have stowed away – drunk.. the kind of fear that causes the heart to palpitate. Trying not to compulsively fixate but finding the need for heavy alcohol consumption the only antidote. Unable to run any longer yesterday I stopped running.
Today as the CSPAN airing of the Paris rally for peace I sensed my own inner flam and realized I can see past the fear. Just as Parisians’ are expressing a fearless defiance of FEAR, my own is gone in this moment. I am not afraid but I am excited with an adrenal rush, due to the unknown, a different fear – high alert to intuitive senses. I know that I have busted out of the enclosure and even thought it caused damage to myself and the structure that confined me, I am not ashamed!
My fear comes from looking at the damage and pondering the horrifying consequences – my own mind concocting. But now I realize fear is in looking back and trying to imagine how I will repair the damage and mend the fence…. Then Paris reminded me of what I want and why I did what I did; I don’t want to go back because I realize exactly what I have wanted – the freedom of the outer expanse that I could only see before. Now I have it! So I turned around and a whole new world opened up, causing my heart to swell with joy. Realizing I have no desire to repair the fence or persuade anyone else to come through the opening, for my own security, and certainly I am refusing to go back in, I realized that I not trying to look past the fear but away from it; fear is in the past not the future. Now I am moving farther from the damage of my limited known world; I leave the others to their own choice and I will not be ashamed of mine.
My spirit has soared for the last few hours – and then I read your reading! Such wonderful and explicit confirmation. Awesome!
My inner Princess is a beautiful child who wants to fearlessly explore and has been dying to get out of the limiting crib for my whole life. Every step she takes is a joyous expression of innocence; this one is no different. And my fear fades away as I embody her.
Thank You.
This is really wonderful, Cowboyiam. Thank you for it! Talk about parallel realities – my inner speakers kept reverberating all week “You can run, but you can’t hide”.
I re-discovered that between endings and beginnings there is a pause (space, breath, void). It can last a moment or a lifetime and it may be housing a treasure to be unfolded and transmuted – our greatest fears. When dealt with consciously and compassionately, it creates an impressive anchor and foundation to sustain the beginning. I’m learning to enjoy the journey, not fixate on the goal.
Thank you for your beauty, Sarah.
“Now I am moving farther from the damage of my limited known world; I leave the others to their own choice and I will not be ashamed of mine.”
Aho, Cowboyiam. What a journey you’re embarking upon!
My wife has signed up for this life with me – Like beauty and the beast she has the love capacity to see the beauty in me where others only see flawed nature. In times like this the following statement was helpful for her to read.
I am the one she chose to be the reflection of – she is the one I chose to heal me when im wounded – we together experience this life like two sides of the same coin, and our growth works on that same principal. She needed me to do what she otherwise would not have – I needed her to keep me alive. It works.
Here is the missing statement —
One way or another, though, an aspect of self is birthed and makes its presence known — either in you, or through a reflecting back to you from someone else.
Absolutely! I certainly could not have done it without a tremendous, safe container of other(s). Indeed, though crawling and running have served their time and purpose, it’s time for me to walk (and dance!).
Sarah, behind on my emails I’ve just read this. I’m smiling! Yesterday while driving to a friends house I said aloud, “so this is what Freedom feels like”. I’m staggered at your insight and this week has facilitated great breakthrough for me in the form of guilt free ‘me’ time and an even stronger trust and belief in the universe as provider with me as co-creator. Thank you. x
Mandy — Identifying and being with that “pause” has definitely been part of the Great Work for me. Thank you for articulating it. … And is there ever a goal that we reach, really? 🙂
Rockhound — Thank you too!