Category: Cartomancy

Your greatest strength is in being vulnerable today.  Let your defenses down.  Stop hiding, especially from yourself.  With a sense of unconditional self-love and compassion towards your self, feel your feelings completely and honestly.  Today, you must focus on some trouble with your personal power.  You may feel like your cravings and urges are driving you, like you don’t have control over your life.  It may be that you have an addiction or habit that you feel powerless against.  You may be trying to suppress your urges only to be swept away by them, for example, you may forego certain foods all day, only to find yourself binging on them at night.  You may have thought you had put an end to an old pattern, only to relapse.  In all these cases, remember that habits and addictions can be extremely powerful; being self-aware enough to realize you need help is not a weakness.  Strength Reversed can also appear when there is a power imbalance between you and someone else.  You may feel controlled or intimidated by someone.  You may be choosing to allow someone else to push you around out of fear of personal responsibility.  You may not feel confident enough to make your own decisions, so you submit to the will of another.  Alternatively, you may be the domineering one.  You may be using your emotional reactions to avoid some situation or to manipulate someone.  Strength Reversed can indicate stubborn pride.  You may persist with some action or way of thinking even though it is not actually beneficial.  You may refuse to ask for help, even when it’s obvious that you cannot succeed alone.

He loli ‘oli, he ‘alo a’e, he paio koho … Change is inevitable; struggle is an option.  That’s our mantra here at The Halau.  The Wheel of Fortune represents such unexpected turns of fate and fortune. Sometimes the wheel will turn in your favor and bring unexpected good luck and fortune, sometimes it will turn against you and you will experience bad luck and misfortune. However, the wheel suggests that these turns of fortune are beyond your control, they are part of the eternal movement and cycle of life.  Center yourself so that you can stay calm and make good decisions when your world seems like it is spinning out of control. Fate will determine the outcome.  Remember that great song by Blood, Sweat & Tears from the Sixties:  what goes up, must come down … Spinnin’ Wheel, round and round.

The Empress and the High Priestess (yesterday’s card) are two halves of the whole female archetype of the Major Arcana.  The Empress represents feminine power, motherhood, love, fertility, nurturing and abundance. She reminds us to embrace our feminine side, as well as embrace the flowing abundance all around. She recognizes the many forms of abundance in her life. The more she has to be thankful for, the more she finds. She is a sign of coming abundance, often in more than one aspect of life.  From the Empress comes all of the pleasures, luxuries and joys that life can bring. She encourages you to breathe slowly, and breathe in all the beauty that surrounds you. Take a moment to recognize the beauty and luxury around you. Surround yourself in the things that you love.

The Empress is also telling you that it is time to create.  Your environment offers you the abundance you need to feel nurtured and comfortable so that you can manifest your vision in the world.  Inspiration is all around you.  Be sure to nourish yourself with whole foods.  Indulge all of your senses.  Connect with nature by working in a garden or deeply inhaling the scent of trees and flowers.  Connecting with creative, empowered people will enhance your creative spirit.  It is a time to celebrate your fertile, sensual, creative self.

Today’s Meditation:  Find a sweet sacred space outside, somewhere you feel the beauty surround you and fill you. Sit or lie down on the ground, get comfortable. Imagine that you have roots drawing out of the base of your spine, moving into the earth. Imagine they are moving all the way through to the center of the earth, the Gaia, connecting. All the amazing mother earth energy begins to move up your roots, filling you, renewing you, reminding you.  Stay here for as long as you can and enjoy the way it feels. When you are ready draw up your roots, they are drenched in all her goodness. Carry this with you, feel your connection to the beauty of it all. You are a beautiful soul; live the abundant life you came here to live!

This personal mantra comes into play, especially today:  “It is by will alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of my morning Green Smoothie that thoughts acquire speed, my pineal gland acquires Sight. The Sight becomes my portal. It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.”

A bit of levity to begin your day ensures you step into your day on a positive, higher vibration … and you get the idea that it reinforces development of self-awareness.  What you most need to know today you will find within yourself.  Answers will come to you if you can quiet your mind.  Seek a quiet, solitary place and just listen to the voice that comes from deep inside you.  Trust your Inner Wisdom.  Spend time in Solitude and silence.  Pay attention to your dreams.  Trust your intuition.  Notice synchronicity as you go through your days.  Look for the answers you seek within yourself.  Practice spending time in meditation so that you can hear your inner voice and tune in to your own rhythms.

You may feel that you have an abundance of motherly energy and nowhere to put it. You might be tempted to make a commitment to a pet or even something more serious, but changes are just around the corner for you and this may not be a good time to commit to something so serious. Ask yourself what will happen if your circumstances change before you make any commitments.

Lacking clarity, or feeling dim?  You might be having trouble shining.  You may be afraid of attention, or of letting your true nature show.  You may be uncomfortable with praise and compliments.  You might be unable to shake off worry and doubt and have a good time.  Try to get at the upright quality of this card by being in the present and being proud of the divine and unique self you are.  Perhaps you are enjoying too much of a good thing?  You may be helping others everywhere, but neglecting your own needs.  Burnout is a big risk.  Or, you might simply be feeling the consequences of too much sun, literally:  sunburn, hangover, or an empty wallet.  You are now reminded of the value of moderation.  From a different angle, you may be in delusion, or being deceived, or getting half-truths from another.  You could be deluding yourself by only seeing what you want to see.  You could also be self-centered and acting as if the Sun revolves around you.  Be sure to give credit where credit is due, and refrain from further showing off.  Lastly, you might experience delays due to inclement weather, so come up with a backup plan in case of clouds and rain.

Today is a new day, literally, with a New Moon and solar eclipse signalling an energy vibe of hope, peace and renewal, and the optimism of a fresh start.  Trust in the constantly changing nature of the universe.  After the darkest hour comes the dawn of a new day.  You are on a healing path; nurture both physical and spiritual aspects of life.  Visualize your ideal future as you go through your daily mundane tasks.  Perhaps you might need time alone in calmness and stillness to heal completely … so if another is in need of healing, approach that other’s need on an optimistic and gently nurturing note.  In a creative venture, this card could be a sign of success.  Lastly, The Star also indicates astrology and other divinatory arts may be able to bring you messages from the Universe.  Pay attention.

Perhaps you’ll be traveling or be transported to a far-off destination. If not, then go with the momentum of this vibe of movement. It’s time to take control of your life. You are competent and possess the self-discipline and determination. You can do this! Stay focused on your goal. Harness all of your resources to get to where you want to go. Don’t get thrown off course by your emotions. Forego short-term gratification for long term accomplishment.

Perhaps you find yourself in a state of overabundance.  You may be feeling stifled by the clutter in your home.  You may feel heavy after overindulging in rich foods and drink.  The Empress reversed reminds you that though it is good to treat yourself well, too much of a good thing is not beneficial.  This card can also show up when someone is trying to do too much to care for other people.  The best helping and caring is done when we take time to rest and nourish ourselves.  In whatever capacity you help others, be sure you are enjoying the process, not just the end results.  Finally, this card can indicate trouble with your mother or mother figure, or difficulty embodying femininity or the mother role.  It would be beneficial for you at this time to explore your thoughts and feelings about femininity and nurturing.

Today, look at the big picture of your life. Where are you at in your life now? What are the big lessons you’ve been learning? What are you grateful for? What are you tired of? By taking time to check-in with yourself now, you can calm your mind and spirit. When you are calm, your inner voice can be heard more clearly. So check-in, calm your spirit, and notice the wise guidance of your soul. This card is about drastic change, release and review. Your current phase of life is coming to an end. Now, look objectively at what has come before In which ways did you succeed? Where did you fail? What big lessons have you learned? Life cannot stay as-is. Change is unavoidable. You will benefit now by being accountable for your choices and behavior. Be honest with yourself. Tune into your higher calling to learn where to go next. Pay attention to the big ideas you have now. They are not just impossible dreams!

Ask yourself if your head and your heart are united.  If you have a decision to make now, tune in to your heart’s desire, but also pay attention to logic.  If you are acting out of love, you are on the right path.  Often in life we must make choices, and once we choose one path, another is sacrificed.  This card urges you to take responsibility and ownership for the choices you have made.  Celebrate the love you have in all its forms:  passion, friendship, caring, spiritual devotion and self-love.

Anything is possible today!  Open your mind.  Say, “Yes!”  You’re only limited by your own doubts and fears.  So, today shake away your worries and take a chance.  Here’s the caveat:  since this card is reversed, it’s indicating that you look at your relationships with limits.  On the one hand, you may be limiting yourself and your potential by never taking risks.  You may be making assumptions about every possible path before even trying it out.  You may think to yourself, “I already know what will happen if I do that, so why even try?”  Though there is value in past experience, be wary of being closed off to new experiences.  You may be pleasantly surprised.  On the other hand, this card may be urging you to act with more constraint.  It may be that you have forgotten everything you’ve learned in the past and are acting foolishly in a situation.  You may be so in love with adventure and newness that you are bypassing opportunities to commit and grow in any one area.  It is good to be curious and try new things, but there is also value in settling down and diving deeper into what you already have.

Today is a day of learning.  Ask yourself, “What one thing could I learn that would improve my life now?”  Once you’ve decided your subject, hit the books.  Go to the recognized experts and pay close attention to their words.  Once you’ve absorbed the traditional teachings on this subject, you can begin to innovate, but for now be a willing and cooperative student.  This card represents problems with traditions and societal norms.  You may be questioning or rebelling against some tradition or societal norm.  The way things are usually done may not be working for you.  You may notice that traditional practices are harmful or impractical, and may even participate in revolutionary action or protest.  You may be rebelling for the sake of rebelling.  A rebel without a cause.  Ask if your actions stem from your deepest desires, or if you are just doing the opposite of what’s expected of you.   You are perhaps being bothered by your conscience.  You may be confused about the right thing to do or say.  You may be riddled with guilt or regret.  You may be feeling weary from constantly living up to the expectations they seem to imposed upon you.  Perhaps you are being confronted by a teacher with questionable methods.  This teacher may use intimidation or shame as a teaching tactic.  The lessons being passed may be unethical or outdated.  This teacher may take advantage of their position of authority.  Lastly, this care may also represent divorce or leaving a religion.  Whatever your day is for you today, take note.

You may feel like sticking close to home today to get on with what you need to do there. The Chariot is a card of “safety”, whether this be your own need to feel safe and secure or simply the need to regroup your thoughts in order to find an answer.

Love life: This is a great day to spend some time at home relaxing with a special someone. You may also feel the warmth of your family’s good feelings towards you and all you do for them.

Work life: There is structure to your life today when it comes to work. If you are faced with a problem that seems too big for you, break it down to smaller tasks and go from there.

Questions to ask yourself today: Are you allowing fear to stand in your way? Are you out of balance or lacking in the self-control necessary right now?

Find within yourself all the answers and guidance you seek. You need not look anywhere else. And trust that when the Chariot shows up, you are on path and the path is taking you to a place where all your dreams and more come true. Follow the guidance of your heart. If you feel light then it is right for you; if it feels heavy within you, find another way. And remember to keep asking, “What else is possible?” Ask and you shall receive!

As always we get what we get for a reason. This card offers inspiration and release of all your fears. Remember fear is simply:

False Evidence Appearing Real.

Follow the love. That is the good stuff!

Today’s Meditation:

Step into your sweet, sacred space, set a timer for 10-20 minutes, relax, and invite stillness. Bring your awareness into your breath and the vibration of your heart, quiet your mind. Silently to yourself or out loud repeat the mantra: “I believe in the power of love; I choose love.”

When your timer goes off, release your mantra and be with the stillness for as long as you can. Enjoy the power of love!

If you have decisions to make today then don’t go jumping to conclusions without knowing all of the facts. The card of Judgement means you have time to choose your next course of action and that you also need to weigh up the pro’s and con’s before doing so.

For love: You may feel as if you need to decide if your relationship is good for you. If you find yourself in this predicament it would be a good idea to give yourself some “time out” from the relationship and spend some quality time alone. This will help clear your mind and make it easier for you to see your way forward.

For work: This is not the day to be relaxed about your work commitments. There are factors at work, whether in your immediate work circle or outside of your control, which may cause you to find you are being judged on your performance. Take the time today to do things right.

A little wishful thinking can go a long way, especially when you have the card of The Star to back you up. This is the day to bring your dreams into reality, wish on a star and see where it takes you. One thing is for sure, you’ll have a smile on your face and the mood to match it.

For Love: Your love life looks good today. In fact, it looks great! Very little can go wrong for you and if you have been having any niggling doubts about where your relationship is heading, then you’ll probably find that today you are not so bothered. Use this energy to propel your wishes forward to where you would like your love life to be.

For Work: If you have been thinking of expanding your horizons with work, then now is the time to do so. It may be that a “dream job” falls right into your lap or you hear something that requires you to further investigate this job. Do not hold back. Go after your dream.

You may feel frustrated that things aren’t moving as quickly as you’d like today.  Be patient; stop trying to force things to happen.  Take this time of waiting as an opportunity to practice being present with yourself.  You may find that when you let go of your expectations that things turn out differently annd even better than you’d hoped.  This is a time of patience, contemplation and sacrifice.  The greatest benefit will be had when you are able to let go.  Don’t try to control the present situation.  Try to make peace with uncertainty.  Take time to observe your environment and situation from a new perspective.  Review what has come before.  Notice the blessings that came out of hardship.  It is a good time to look at past Tarot readings and journal writings in the new light of the present.  A sacrifice may be required in order to move forward.  Now is a time to get in touch with the spiritual aspects of yourself.

In all you do today, seek balance.  If you are trying something new, you will have the best success if you are moderate in your approach.Do it a little, and then step back to see how it feels.  This is how you can make long-lasting, sustainable changes to your relationships, attitude, or behaviour … step by step.  Now is a time for adjustment.  Two or more things are coming together to create something new.  You may be integrating your life with someone else’s, integrating your work and home lives, or integrating spirituality into your everyday life.  Whatever project you are working on,be sure to change a little, then step back and assess the results.  Like a scientist, change one variable at a time, and then see what happens.  Find your balance before moving forward.  Use your emotions and be practical, too. In a situation with another person, compromise will be necessary.  If you’ve been feeling off-kilter, seek balance between work and play, feeling and doing.

You are being asked to look carefully at the role of solitude in your life.  If you’ve been feeling irritable, depressed or moody lately, you may want to take some time alone.  Don’t take it personally if a loved one is pushing you away at this time; we all need time for ourselves occasionally.  If could be that though you are around other people, you are keeping your thoughts and feelings private for now.  Alternatively, you may have been avoiding other people in order to avoid dealing with some situation, or when being anti-social has become a dysfunctional habit for you.  It may be time to consider getting out there and connecting with others.

From the Hermit to the High Priestess … Continue your inner retrospection:  trust your inner wisdom.  What you most need to know today you will find within yourself.  Answers will come to you if you can quiet your mind.  Seek a quiet, solitary place and just listen to the voice that comes from deep inside you.  Spend time in solitude and silence.  Pay attention to your dreams.  Trust your intuition.  Notice synchronicity as you go through your days.  Look for the answers you seek within yourself.  Practice spending time in meditation so that you can hear your inner voice and tune in to your own rhythms.

You feel the need or desire to withdraw from the world today.  It is time for deep introspection and meditation.  Your soul is craving a retreat in order to replenish and restore.  By taking space and solitude now, you will be ready to engage with and guide others when they most need you later on.  The answers you seek will be found within you, not in any book or on any website.  Seek guidance of a wise counselor or mentor today.

You may feel frustrated that things aren’t moving as quickly as you’d like today.  Be patient; stop trying to force things to happen.  Take this time of waiting as an opportunity to practice being present with yourself.  You may find that when you let go of your expectations that things turn out differently, and even better, than you’d hoped.  The Hanged Man reversed indicates some sort of separation between your spirituality and the way you live your life.  You may be spiritually insightful, but continually fail at bringing those insights into your everyday actions.  You may even appear to be a hypocrite, saying one thing and then doing the opposite.  This card could even represent someone who uses their elevated spiritual position in immoral and damaging ways.  Beware of people that seem to have a holier-than-thou attitude, and be wary of having this attitude yourself.  You may desire a more spiritually fulfilling life, but you don’t know how to make it so.  You may be over thinking the situation.  The truth is that you’re already a spiritual being.

The structures and systems you’ve built in your life are being shook up.  Assumptions you’ve taken for granted are going to be thrown into question  You are going to be forced to think in brand new ways.  A surprising event, such as being laid off, discovering a betrayal, an unexpected pregnancy, winning the lottery or unexpected expenses (like home or car repair).  Someone could have an emotional outburst that will cause a bit of shock and chaos.  However, the Tower is also indicating that it’s time to shake up your life.  Take a look at your deeply held assumptions – do they still serve you?  Get outside of your normal mode of thinking by taking a trip, getting rid of old belongings, trying something new, or exploring a new philosophy.  Drastic changes are required in your life.

Today is a new day and a new opportunity for joy!  Find ways to refresh your environment and yourself. Have a long and lovely bath,tidy up your room, de-clutter, practice forgiveness.  Make space for wonderful new things in your life.  The Star reversed indicates that you may be trying too hard to move past some difficulty or relying too heavily on hope to solve your problems.  You may be doing everything you can to heal from a physical or emotional illness, when really resting and waiting would do you the most good.  You may be counting on your optimism and faith to move you forward, without taking the action necessary to progress.  You may be using the Tarot to ask the same question over and over.  Instead of getting the answer you want, you will end up confused.  Alternatively, you may be making affirmations and presenting an optimistic facade, while actually you are filled with doubt and pessimism about the situation.  Finally, this card could be warning you against “healers” who are using their abilities or skills in unethical ways.

You may feel a nudge to do something different today.  Follow that feeling.  By expanding your world in new ways, you allow the Universe to bestow new blessings upon you.  The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that change is inevitable  However things are now, they will most definitely not stay the same forever.  We don’t always have control over what life sets in our path, but we can decide how we respond.  Try not to get too attached to one way of being.  Don’t try to control everything; you can’t.  The Wheel of Fortune advises you to center yourself so that you can stay calm and make good decisions when your world seems like it is spinning out of control.  If you’ve been down on your luck, it is quite likely that the Wheel of Fortune is indicating a change for the better.

Today, look at the big picture of your life.  Where are you at in your life now?  What are the big lessons you’ve been learning?  What are you grateful for?  What are you tired of?  By taking time to check-in with yourself now, you can calm your mind and spirit.  When you are calm, your inner voice can be heard more clearly.  So check-in, calm your spirit and notice the wise guidance of your soul.  Judgment may appear reversed when there is difficulty tuning into your higher calling, or when judgmental thinking is an obstacle.  You may be trying to get clear about the best direction to take, but feel like you’re getting nowhere.  Your head may be spinning from too  much input from family and friends, the internet, TV, books and all other sources of information that fill our world.  If this is the case,it may be helpful to seek solitude and unplug so you can tune into your own voice.  You may have trouble trusting your own voice.  You may have ideas or fantasies that seem so impossible or unconventional that you quickly dismiss them.  While it’s true that we have to start from where we are, remember that anyone who ever made a dream come true started with one small step.  What can you do now to create the future you dream of?  Judgment also appears reversed when we are being judgmental of others, or are feeling judged by others.  Remember that what is true for you is not necessarily someone else’s truth; we are all committed to choose our own priorities in life.  Try not to make assumptions about someone’s behavior; it’s likely you don’t know the whole story.  If you feel judged by someone else, try not to let it get to you.  Just do your best by your own assessment.  fear of others’ judgment may be holding you back from pursuing your dreams.  What’s worse though:  being judged by others for following your heart, or getting to the end of your life and feeling full of regret for all the things you never did?

Today, make a to-do list and get to it.  No excuses.  No distractions.  You can get a lot of meaningful work done today, but only if you take responsibility for yourself.  The Emperor is about authority, structure and security.  When he appears reversed, there is probably some problem in one of these areas.  He represents someone who is abusing their power.  It may be that the person in charge of your situation, whether it is you or someone else, has let their power go to their head.  They may be overly controlling or critical.  They may put their own needs before the greater good.  They may be deceitful or greedy.  They may be lazy or unmotivated, or just not qualified for the position they hold.  The Emperor can also appear reversed when a situation is not safe or predictable.  Rules and structure are missing.  Chaos prevails.  If you are trying to get something done, but do not have a plan or structure, you may find you make no progress.  Alternatively, if you are too structured and rigid, the Emperor Reversed may be prompting you to shake up your routine and be a little less predictable for the sake of creativity.  This card can also indicate trouble with boundaries.  You may find it difficult to say “no” or to avoid taking on other people’s “stuff”.  Or, you may be pushing your own “stuff” on to others.  The Emperor is the father in the Tarot, and when he appears reversed, there may be problems with a father figure or in taking on the role of a father. Your father may be ill.  You may have trouble in your relationship with your father, or, if you are a father, with your children.

Be prepared to take a stand for what you believe in today.  Someone or something may challenge what you believe in.  Stand up for yourself.  There’s a good reason you feel so strongly about this issue.  You’re unwavering integrity and strength will serve you well.  There are big forces at work against you, for example, societal expectations, stiff competition, perhaps your own lack of faith in yourself.  By facing up to this challenge, you will refine your principles, gain courage, develop your character, and be ready to achieve mastery.  Ask yourself what you truly believe.  If you are confident in your perspective, then don’t back down!  You may even be required to be aggressive or defiant.

You may feel a nudge to do something different today.  Follow that feeling.  By expanding your world in new ways, you allow the universe to bestow new blessings upon you.  With the Wheel of Fortune reversed, it is likely that forward movement is halted.  It could be that plans to travel or proceed with a project are delayed.  You may feel like the same thoughts are spinning endlessly in your mid.  You are not making progress, and may even be moving backwards.  Alternatively, this card may be indicating that you are moving too fast.  Slow down and take the time to consider your next move carefully.  If you are considering an investment right now, this card indicates that you ought to reconsider.  No gambling at this time.

Today is a great day for creative play and for spending time with people you love.  You have a lot of love and passion flowing through you, so find ways to share it.  It isn’t a great day for big decisions, however.  The dreamy energy surrounding you today could make something seem better than it actually is.

Something in your life is harmful and you know it.  Today it is time to let it go.  It’s going to hurt, but this release is also going to create beautiful space for something better.  The sooner you can let go, the sooner you’ll be able to heal.  This is a difficult loss.  Whether it is an end to a relationship, the loss of trust due to betrayal, rejection, losing your job, the end of some sort of ailment through surgery, or letting go of some sort of way of thinking that has ceased to be useful, the loss will not be easy.  However, this release will make room for further growth and maturity.  It is difficult to be optimistic when we are in pain, but pain is a strong motivator to change.  When you feel pain and do something to fix it, you grow.

As you can see by the image on this card, the figure is depicting sadness, mourning, disappointment, regret, and perhaps suffering and emotional adjustment …. and so, these feelings might be working on you today.  If you’re feeling sad or down today, honor those feelings.  Don’t try to push them away.  Whatever loss or disappointment you’ve experienced lately deserves to be felt.  When you take the time to really feel your feelings, you can process them, learn from them, and then move forward with greater self-awareness and wisdom.  The loss suffered is of something dear to the heart, whether a relationship, a loved possession, or a cherished dream.  It may be a loss voluntarily taken, but that doesn’t make it any less painful.  The lesson to be learned here is that with loss also comes change … and with change, opportunity.  We can avoid loss if we avoid pursuing our heart’s desire.  But, if we have the courage to risk loss, we may also gain true fulfillment.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.