Sunday December 31st, 2023
- December 31, 2023
Today, as we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the new year, our tarot reading revolves around the theme of introspection and transition.
Nine of Cups: Often referred to as the “wish card”, the Nine of Cups traditionally signals contentment, satisfaction, and gratitude. Drawing this card suggests that our emotional realizations and aspirations are about to manifest into reality. But as a stoic, we must approach this with temperance and mindfulness. “All things are in flux,” Socrates once asserted. Life fluctuates. Whether we are experiencing success, pleasure, or plenty, we must remember to express gratitude without attachment. Like a river’s course, allow the bounty to flow through, celebrating its presence but not clinging to permanence.
High Priestess: The High Priestess is an emblem of intuition, mystic knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment. This card reminds us of the value of the shadow - the deep, contemplative side of our existence. As stoics, we view knowledge as a tool for wise action, not a gateway to arrogance. As Epictetus wrote, “Only the educated are free.” Embrace the wisdom the High Priestess brings and utilize it not for boasting, but for bettering your actions and decisions.
Six of Swords: The reinterpretation of this card for today delivers a relief of transition. As we sail away from turbulent waters into calmer ones, remember, as Seneca once spoke, “It does not matter what you bear, but how you bear it.” As we cross the threshold into a new year, let us not forget the trials, tribulations, and challenges that lulled us into our current state of enlightenment. Carry the lessons into the forthcoming year and steer the vessel of your life with new wisdom and profound courage.
As the year winds down, we find ourselves surrounded by the presence of emotional abundance, intuitive wisdom, and meaningful change. This is a time of self-reflection and emotional navigation. Let us tread these waters with resilience, wisdom, and a sense of profound optimism.
As a final thought for today, I leave you with this journaling prompt:
“At the cusp of this New Year, how will the lessons of the past shape your actions in the future? In light of the wisdom uncovered today, what changes are you willing to manifest into the coming year?”
Please note, this is guidance, not a prophecy set in stone. Tarot is a tool for self-reflection and personal growth, not a definitive answer. Listen to your gut and heart, dear reader. They are your greatest guides.
Until we meet again,
Professor Helmsworth