By Sarah Taylor
What seems clear in this week’s reading is that there has been a clearing.
The Tower in the near-past position, at left, forms the foundation to this particular part of your ongoing story — and I use the word “foundation” advisedly: The Tower is nothing less than the archetype that sweeps clean right down to your foundations.
The Tower, Ten of Cups, Ace of Disks from The Röhrig Tarot deck, created by Carl-W. Röhrig. Click on the image for a larger version.
Its Martian energy comes at the culmination of a build-up of false dreams and edifices that reach ridiculous heights. It is at this point that the illusion can no longer sustain itself.
Everything that lacked grounding, that lacked a bondedness to integrity, is torn down and away, leaving a dust cloud as the earth tremors in the after-shocks.
I know a lot of people fear The Tower. I do not any longer. I have lived through enough Tower moments, where I am aware of its work in my life, to know that, although uncompromising when it makes its appearance, that refusal to compromise takes nothing that still feeds my Soul with life-blood.
More than that: it paves the way for an increased flow of life-blood because obstacles have been removed. The Star, which comes after The Tower, is indicative of this re-connection to inspiration.
So where does that bring you now? Into the realm of the Ten of Cups. Cups are associated with water, and emotions — our own watery natures. But here, there is a closer correlation with The Tower than there would be with any of the other Cups cards. Because we are dealing with the Ten, we have another culmination. The Tower is bringing us into a shift, away from the Ten and into the final card, the Ace of Disks.
But first, the Ten.
The Ten of Cups’ title of “Satiety” is apt: to be sated is to be filled up. The process of filling may be pleasant — the breast as the largest element in the card attests to that possibility — but the implied message is clear: it is time to move on. Acknowledge what you have received; acknowledge that you have fed from something to your heart’s content. And now it is time to take what that has given you, and shift it.
Let’s define “heart’s content” a little, though. Because what you feed on will not always feel like it is either nourishing or pleasant. But it will have been what you needed — even if what you needed was something that told you that you have had enough — or, “Enough!” You might be sated; you might have “had it up to here.”
Tens are the point of release that indicate you have reached ‘tarot suit saturation point’. With the Ten of Cups, you no longer need to suckle from a particular emotional breast. You no longer need emotional nourishment from a particular source — a source that possibly has its roots way back when — and that the time is getting close to overdue for you to unlatch and release yourself.
Is this a childlike habit you are facing — a form of solace that, while comforting, keeps you in the same place in your life?
Is this a desire to reach for something, or someone, that you identify as nurturer — when, in fact, the moment has arrived when you are able to spread your wings and offer that to yourself and to others?
What comes through strongly in this reading is that Mars is responsible for moving you through that period of clearing, and a current time of integration of your own inner child, and towards a possibility that is grounded in something more in keeping with who you are, and infinitely more precious: look at how the compact disk of the Ten becomes the Ace of Disks in the final card.
“Success.”
The Ace of Disks seems to be hewn from hematite, named after the Greek word for “blood” — the life-blood that starts to flow as a result of The Tower. You are standing on a foundation — one with aligned integrity — of your own, inner, creative life-blood. It is the kind of life-blood that brings things into form.
You are one powerful mutha right now! Yes, that’s right: you are mother. You are mothering yourself. You are mothering your own material, tangible life into existence. One that has an integrity that you can feel simply by standing where you are and sinking into the core of what supports you, and aspiring to your own light — the one that feels simultaneously distant and yet so utterly connected to you.
Time to start building. Not rebuilding. Building. Something new. Something you. Reach for it, because it is there. It wants to meet you halfway. It is only by putting your hand up to the mirror that the mirror reaches back to you.
Astrology/Elemental correspondences: The Tower (Mars), Ten of Cups (Mars in Pisces), Ace of Disks (the pure, infinite potential of earth)
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.
Thank-you, Sarah, for a powerful reading – it resonates for me on a multitude of levels. I’ve just begun to explore them.
Once again this could not have been more appropriate. Your words echo my feelings.
My official resignation has been in my email save folder for a few days. Tomorrow it goes out. It has been a much lighter week moving away from things that have never really been WHO I AM. A little security is lost; a soul regained.
Much knowledge and strength amassed along the way.
Thank you for your insights.
Sarah, once again, your reading shows a reflection of my own recent experiences. The time is always incredible! Two days ago, I had a major revelation where I realized I had been “mothering” my mother for so many years…I’m now ready to let her grow, and concentrate my energy on my own creative life.
Thank you for your message!
Thank you Sarah. This is spot on for me right now. Your reading has given me a greater sense of power to keep on keeping on and a validation that I’m on the right path. I’m printing this one out to read over and over again. It’s food for my soul. Blessings, Robin
Thanks greatly… Sarah
The words, of your reading, are very meaningful, very uplifting..
If I didn’t know better, I would say you were witness to the last 24 hours of my life. Thank you.
Hmmm… given that Saturn just returned to Scorpio for three months last night, I wonder if this story of “sweep[ing] clean right down to your foundations” and the illusory “build-up of false dreams and edifices that reach ridiculous heights” is only just beginning?
I’ll be curious to see if the tarot readings when Saturn stations direct and also when it returns to Sagittarius carry this theme through. I know The Tower is associated with Mars (which rules Scorpio) and not with Saturn, but Saturn does represent structures…
Just feeling my way through it all. I think I have some sense of what this pertains to in my life, but I’m not 100% positive. And of course, I have no idea how things will develop. Thank you, Sarah, for the clarity of the reading, even if I’m not sure how far the clarity extends into my awareness of my life. 🙂
The tower – the tower!
It is destroyed! I realize it will not protect me anymore. I am set alone on this journey to a new land. I have little in the way of conscious guidance but I am feeling safer everyday.
Your reading verifies my consciousness this week. Love.
Sarah you said “I know a lot of people fear The Tower. I do not any longer. I have lived through enough Tower moments, where I am aware of its work in my life, to know that, although uncompromising when it makes its appearance, that refusal to compromise takes nothing that still feeds my Soul with life-blood.”
Yes me too! I am starting to accept the process and there is even a hint of optimism beginning to show itself during the destruction phase. Wow. I am living.
Thank you again Sarah. The reading & the writing is so bang on… BANG on… very useful & beautiful…the keen insight of the material, your underlying rigorous compassion for our work here as people, the writing & in particular that last gorgeous image which I really can continue to return to & reflect on– no pun intended– but there it is. Much affection for your gifts & offerings. h
Perfect, thank you 🙂
The world that I thought I was building has come crashing down. The place I saw myself in has been given to another. The cards tell me I am done with this and to move away. A difficult job as I have put many years into this. I am crazy. The situation will not improve. Best to get out now, and stop getting hurt. Learn your lesson. Find a new one.
Yes Sarah, a rather astute reading indeed, and like you I have come to learn that The Tower is beneficial.
As I write, I have been preparing to revisit some work that was undertaken quite sometime ago, now I can revision, rebuild and revise with clarity..
Sarah,
Thank you so much again-Oh, my goodness-Since January, I have wondered how these readings of yours so delicately and truthfully provide me with markers as I navigate the changing parameters of my life. So much change happening…You inspire me and give me faith and courage to keep on keeping on….Blessings to you!