Sunday Tarot Reading - January 28, 2024

Good morning, dear readers! Our journey through tarot continues today with an energetic theme. Fires of passion, unknown paths and standing resilient — that’s the essence of today’s three-card spread. Let’s delve deeper into the wisdom each card holds.

Our first card today is the King of Wands. Traditionally, this card symbolizes the embodiment of authority, ambition and creative vision. This is the card of a confident leader, of fiery passion and determination. I am reminded of the stoic philosophy of ‘prohairesis’, the ability to choose our responses to our circumstances, the cornerstone of our freedom. Marcus Aurelius once mused:

“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

The King of Wands encourages you to work with what is within your control — your actions, your responses, your mindset. Channel your natural leadership qualities to forge the path ahead, despite any adversity you may face.

Next, we turn our gaze to the mysterious Moon. In classic tarot, the Moon is a card of intuition, dreams, and the unconscious. The Moon invites us to explore the unseen, the shadowy corners of our mind. The Stoics believed that our opinions about our experiences shape how we understand them, that our perception is our reality. Epictetus reflected:

“Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them.”

The Moon counsels you today to lean into your intuition, to allow the unknown to become a source of inspiration rather than fear. Each shadow holds a lesson, each uncertainty an opportunity for growth. Always be mindful of your perceptions and the world they create.

The final card in this spread is Seven of Wands. This card is traditionally associated with resilience and perseverance, a stand made despite odds. It is a nod to the sheer power of human grit, the unwavering will at the heart of stoicism. As Seneca meditated:

“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.”

The Seven of Wands comes as an affirmation. Stand your ground, continue the fight, embrace the struggle knowing it is crafting you into a wiser, stronger person. Bellows of resiliency are within you, fan the flames, grow stronger and sturdier with each challenge faced.

Journaling Prompt: Reflect on a recent challenge or struggle. Did your perception of it change over time? How have “the views which you took of it” shaped your subsequent actions? How can you harness the strengths of the King of Wands and the resilience of the Seven of Wands in your current or future struggles? As we journey into unknown territories, allow the wisdom of the Moon to guide your path. Embrace the power of the mind and the resilience of the human spirit, and remember, your trials are your tickets to transformation.