Tarot Reading for Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 : Guidance, Balance and Reflection

Welcome dear seekers, to our three card spread reading for this Wednesday. The universe has seen fit to present us with the cards The Hierophant, Temperance, and The Hermit. Let’s explore together what wisdom lies within these ancient markings, blending stoic philosophy with timeless tarot teachings.

Our first card, The Hierophant, is a symbol of spiritual guidance and authority. Rooted in classical connotations, this card represents the familiar structure and order brought about by societal institutions. Consider today the ways in which you’re guided by the doctrines around you, whether they take the form of societal norms, cultural expectations, or spiritual codes. Remember, in the words of Epictetus,

“It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.”

Are there external voices or unwritten rules that unknowingly lead your day? This isn’t a call to rejection but rather to conscious engagement. Be mindful of the societal ‘shoulds’ and instead consider your unique ‘coulds’.

Next in our spread - Temperance, the card of balance and moderation. This card invites us to be present, patient, and purposeful in our pursuits. It is a gentle reminder to carry harmony in our hearts, an echo of the stoic principle that emphasizes tranquility and emotional stability. As Marcus Aurelius once noted:

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

See the image of Temperance pouring liquids from one cup to another as a nudge to examine your life’s balance. Am I pouring too much energy into one aspect at the cost of another? Strive for equilibrium, and remember that balance is not a one-time act but a continuous performance.

Our final card, The Hermit, sends forth a call for introspection, guidance and wisdom. The Hermit signifies the enlightened soul who has chosen to retreat from the noise of society to seek a deeper truth. As Seneca said:

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.”

The Hermit encourages us to step back and reflect on the life we’re living, and ask ourselves if we’re wasting it on trivial matters. This card inspires us to seek wisdom not from external factors but from the sacred wisdom flowing within us.

So, our reading today results in a dual focus on external guidance with The Hierophant, and the inward retreat represented by The Hermit — with Temperance bridging between them, emphasising the crucial role of balance in ones life. It is within this delicate dance between external influence and internal wisdom we find our true path. Seek this balance today, dear reader, and tune into the wisdom around and within you.

Journal Prompts for today’s reading:

1. In which ways do societal expectations or norms influence my decisions? Are they in line with my true desires and principles?
2. How balanced is my life at this moment? What areas need more balance?
3. How can I embed quiet moments of reflection and solitude into my daily routine?