Deck employed – Frankie Albano’s recoloring of Pamela Colman Smith’s original art for A.E. Waite 1909 “Rider Tarot”

January

5 SWORDS

Keywords

Destructiveness, humiliation, and self-righteousness. Someone is misusing their power. Danger of alienating friends. Receiving bad advice.

Comments

In the United States, this may have to do with the incoming Congress and the shifting of power within the Legislative Branch of the Government, moving from a relatively Democratic leaning stance to a more divided (and divisive) split between the Senate and the House of Representatives.

February

VII THE CHARIOT

Keywords

Comments

The luck of the hard-working. Success, wish fulfillment. Individuality, personal independence. Self-expression, self-expansion, pride in one’s achievements.

The card reflects congratulations for high achievement and serves as a sign of empowerment – movement both in the physical world and the inner one. This is a kind of growth, *only* in forward movement.

The changes indicated are gradual, not sudden or abrupt, this is very much a “slow and steady wins the runs”, not a mad dash to the finish. Wheels are turning in unseen matters that will manifest in time, and when the time is right, the little bird will say “coocoo”.

March

X WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Keywords

Change, cycles, fate, decisive moments, luck, fortune, unexpected events, Karma

Comments

The wheel of life is turning, continually. Seasons change, political parties rise and fall, generations of youngsters grow up and birth new ones. Your luck is up, then it is down. A leader is elected, then later defeated. It is sunny…and then it is rainy. Is this stuff fate? Is there an explanation for absolutely everything?

Change is the only constant, and the only “control” we have over it is by taking responsibility for what we can actually do about the things we can and cannot. If life feels as though everything is upside-down right now, don’t worry, it probably is. breathe, and keep rolling.

April

XIII DEATH

Keywords

Feeling trapped, confined, self-limiting, uncertainty, lack of direction, needing release, letting go

Comments

All things are in a flux and must change so that new life can spring from old forms. Death. Life. What is Death, but the next change in Life? Death is an ending, of something. Something BIG. It’s time to put paid to whatever the matter was, pick up whatever remains, and move on. It is time to overcome old habits and to let go of so-called securities. Make a clean break with the past.

Oh, and make sure you pay your taxes on time.

May

KNIGHT of PENTACLES

Keywords

A young man who knows what he wants. Decisive, yet compassionate action. Being in nature, taking a vacation, the relief of leading a simple life.

Comments

The Knight of Pentacles is a card of confidence and practicality.

Moving onward from the decision that was reached in April, a new destination is now in place, a new course set, a trip to work or a slow development of the situation. Either way, it’s not far off. Check your finances, pack your gear and get ready to move on. You should be there by Autumn.

June

XII THE HANGED MAN

Keywords

A turning point, a leap in personal development, a return home. A situation which is simultaneously a test and a breakthrough. Forced, suspended situation or ambiguity. A suspended decision.

Comments

You may reach a sudden inspiration which causes you to rethink recent decisions. Take a deep breath and reflect on both the realization and the reasons why you made those decisions. This is not the time to drunk call your ex. Write that letter or email but wait on sending it until you have slept and re-read it. You may feel differently about it in the morning.

July

3 CUPS

Keywords

A positive group-experience. Expanding one’s vision. Emotions can be released, a problem dissolves.

Comments

A return of happiness and pleasures of life, reunions with friends and family, problems of long-standing natures come to an ending.

Yet while the temptation to “Laissez les bon temps rouler” remember that “easy come-easy go” is also a very real thing, and as the Wheel of Fortune told us some months ago, “What goes up, will come back down.” Be prepared for that as well.

August

8 WANDS

Keywords

Quick action; overcoming obstacles, directness; communications; events moving swiftly; blockages removed; opportunities arrive quickly; manifestation imminent; law of attraction in action; working quickly and efficiently; apparent synchronicity; alacrity.

Comments

Those things that were held in abeyance earlier (Hanged Man) are now released to their appointed tasks in rapid succession for completion. Be ready to act on them.

While the Eight of Wands is often associated with travel, it can also be a reminder that as rapidly as the money comes in, it flows back out – keep an eye on your budget, regardless of travel, or not!

September

VI THE LOVERS

Keywords

Love, flirting, a romance. Beauty, sensuous pleasure, powerful emotions. The uniting of opposites, teamwork, solidarity.

Comments

The Lovers tell us that there’s a big decision to be made that probably won’t be easy. This card can often symbolize a push and pull between our vices and our virtues and having to decide whether to give in to temptation or pull ourselves away to do the right thing. If we have overcome past difficulties, these things fall can into place of their own accord. If we are still struggling, we will need the assistance of our partners. Don’t got it alone.

October

5 CUPS

Keywords

Regret, failure, disappointment, pessimism. Loss and/or separation but without losing your intrinsic self-respect. Do not deviate from the path which leads to self-realization.

Comments

Things do not always work out the way we want them to. Don’t get stuck in the past, wishing for what might have been, or what was, and wallow in self-pity and regret. It’s easy to remember that “Hindsight has 20/20 vision”. Okay, you made mistakes. Forgive yourself. See what you can learn from them. New opportunities and possibilities are waiting for you – but only when you are ready. It’s time to shift your mindset and focus on what can go right from this point onwards. Be open to the brighter side of life and know many blessings are in disguise right now. Instead of focusing solely on the three empty cups, recall that there are two still full, waiting for you as well. Pick yourself up, clean yourself up, open the door, and go through it.

November

IV THE EMPEROR

Keywords

Stability, structure, protection, authority, maturity, dependability, fatherhood, safety, provide, practical, logical, leadership

Comments

As we move towards the closing of the year, we find ourselves on more stable footing, surer of ourselves, more certain that we are moving in the correct direction and leading towards a better balance and true Leadership.

December

2 WANDS

Keywords

Planning, first steps, making decisions, leaving comfort, taking risks

Comments

Much has been achieved during the past year with its ups and down challenges, but don’t stop here. Existing abilities need to be put to the test and cultivated further. Keep going forward, not backward.

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

“Qui onques rien n’enprist riens n’achieva.” [He who never undertook anything never achieved anything.] – 14th Century French saying, i.e. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”

Summary

As with most years, there will ups and downs, some success, and some setbacks. With an eye towards the United States political scene, I see strong division early in the year with some major upheaval coming quickly as the House tries to find a footing it can stand on with its very unstable foundation, this is going to lead to stalemates in Congress until both Houses of Congress learn to work together, which is going to require actual Leadership. There’s an indication that may take place. Announcements from the Justice Department may bring that into effect – or maybe not. It’s not clear to me right now. There is a lot of change indicated throughout the year, both in direction and in goals; it’s not a complete reset and redo, but it’s very close. Buckle your seats and hang on, it may be a bumpy ride, folks!