Tag: Tarot

Easy Does It

A story by Calista Moon on .

Welcome back, my darlings! The last couple of weeks have been about embracing change and the extremes that can affect us. Today, I want to talk to you about moderation. The ideal state of being is balance, and this next card shows up to tell us to keep ourselves level in upheaval type situations. Temperance is the fourteenth card in the Major Arcana, and calls for emotional level-headedness,

Upright, Temperance demands patience and moderation. Even when stressful situations arrive, temperance wants us to maintain an even keel. Consider all perspectives and walk the middle of the road. Bouncing to extreme ends of the spectrum won’t help you or anyone else. If others are creating friction, being a peacekeeper and combining the diversities to create something new that is even more valuable than the individual ideas. It can also be a sign that you are at peace in whatever situation you find yourself, and may be learning a lot about something that interests you.

Reversed, this card is a warning. You’ve been straying from your long term vision and found yourself at one end of the spectrum. You know you need a moderate approach to reach this goal, so restore balance as soon as possible. Once you do, the stress and tension will melt and you’ll find the flow once again. As you realign, you may encounter tension from others, especially if alignment demands you change living arrangements, relationships, or careers to achieve the moderation that will help you succeed. This can even open the door to deep self-healing in a private way. Focus on your long term plan, and align your daily activities with your higher purpose.

This is one of the few cards, in my opinion, that follows the “understood” idea that upright cards are good and reversed cards are bad. Usually the cards don’t follow that formula, but there are a couple that do, and Temperance is one of them. When this shows up, check your emotions. Are you being level headed and objective? Or are you responding emotionally and irrationally? Everything in moderation, my darlings!

All Things Must End

A story by Calista Moon on .

Happy Tuesday, my darlings. I know I just posted yesterday, and we changed our perspective about the scary sounding Hanged Man. Well today we’re going to get back on track and look at another scary sounding card. This one may well be scary in the moment, but is a natural part of the wheel that perpetually turns. We’ll be learning about the Death card. Again, scary sounding, and sometimes emotionally painful, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t necessarily mean that someone or something is going to die soon. Death is a representative of change, and for something new to begin, we need to let what came before end.

Upright, Death is a harbinger of the ending of a major phase of your life that is no longer serving you. We may know what this is or we may not, but if we resist this necessary change, it could result in emotional and physical pain. This can be sudden or unexpected change, so you might feel like you’re getting sucker punched, but if you can maintain a sense of flow with this transformational energy, you’ll mitigate a lot of unnecessary suffering. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t grieve what is lost, but losing ourselves to what is being taken from us can stagnate our progress and blind us to unexpected opportunities that are suddenly available to us. Letting go of our unhealthy attachments and cutting out unnecessary excess will ease our journey to our Highest Self. Old memories, belongings, and baggage are weighing you down on your path. It may be painful to let them go, but it will strengthen you for the good that is to come.

That being said, it would make sense that the reversal says we’re resisting the major shift that is trying to take place. Maybe we don’t want to let go yet. Maybe we don’t know what we need to let go of to relieve the distress we’re feeling. You will create more distress by resisting, so make an active effort to embrace change. You can break up your normal routine, add an affirmation about positive change to your daily sayings if you use them, and keep your mind open to opportunities you wouldn’t normally take. If you’re going through a personal transition, keep it to yourself for now. This is your journey to travel, and the opinions of others may shake your resolve. Wait until the transition is complete before you share your metamorphosis with others.

Ultimately, the Death card can bring pain. Change isn’t always easy, but if we accept it instead of fighting it, we can lessen the suffering that we endure. I know that seems like common knowledge, but when the emotions of loss and grief are involved they can cloud our better judgment. Changing your mindset from “this is happening to me” to “this is happening for me” can be the difference between an extended painful release, and a gentle flow forward, my darlings. Be open to change. Believe in the good things coming. I’ll see you next week!

The Hanged Man’s True Nature

A story by Calista Moon on .

Welp, I entirely missed Tarot Tuesday last week, my darlings! Honestly I’m appalled with myself because I’m excited for today’s card! Most people see this one as a negative, but really, it’s all about breaking stagnation! I’m getting ahead of myself. Today we’re talking about The Hanged Man. See? See how ominous that sounds? But it’s not, I promise. The Hanged Man isn’t at the gallows, but he is stuck. Let’s get into it!

Upright, this poor man looks to be upside down. He’s hung by the legs, and encourages us to look for new perspectives on the situation in question. Take the time to pause and let go of old mental models or behavioral patterns that have got you going in circles, and essentially heading nowhere. If you decide not to slow down, the Universe will most likely put things on hold for you, so don’t keep pushing forward hoping brute force will get you where you want to go. Surrender to the opportunity to reevaluate where you’re at. I’m always reminded of the movie Big Hero 6 with this card. If you haven’t seen it, it’s criminally underrated and you should absolutely take the time. But! Near the beginning of the movie, Hiro is facing a creative block and can’t think of how to invent something wonderful and new. So his big brother, Tadashi, picks him up and shakes him around, ultimately turning him upside down and says “Shake things up! Find a new angle!” That’s what the Hanged Man wants us to do. Break the routine and try out different approaches and ways of thinking. This could be really inconvenient, or cause you to put important projects on hold, but it will absolutely be worth it.

Reversed, the Hanged Man denotes resistance and indecision. You know you need to hit the pause button but you’re resisting it by keeping yourself tasked and busy to avoid the issue that needs your attention. The Universe will only force you to pause and you may end up crashing. If other people or circumstances have left you on hold unexpectedly, ease into the period of rest. If you’ve been spinning your wheels for a while, this can be a positive sign that you’re ready to move forward. You’ve got a new mindset and renewed energy to change direction. If you’re stalling due to indecision, take the leap! Make the decision to move forward before the Universe drops you in head first!

See what I mean? This card is about changing up your perspective and breaking out of the stagnant rut. Like we said a couple of weeks ago, change is the only constant in this world. The wheel keeps turning, and we turn with it. So take a break when it is given, and move forward when prompted. Staying in tune with your intuition will help you know when to do what, my darlings. Look to other cards in your reading if your gut doesn’t lean one way or another, and trust yourself. You know what you need. The answers are within!

A Short and Sweet Verdict

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello my darlings! Welcome back to Tarot Tuesday. Today we’ll be diving deep into the Justice card. While the word justice generally evokes a feeling of legality and courtrooms, this card can be applied to any level of confrontation, as the core of Justice is about searching for the truth in an objective and unbiased way.

If you’re seeking justice for a wrongdoing and the Justice card arrives upright in your reading, it’s a positive sign that justice will be served. Beware that if you haven’t acted in alignment with your morals and the overall good of all involved, you will be called out and forced to face the consequences of your actions. However, if you’ve stayed aligned with your Highest Self, you have nothing to worry about. A verdict will be passed down soon and there will be no appeals or second chances. You must accept the decision made and move forward. It can also mean that you are at the crossroads of an important decision that may have long term effects. If you can’t stand by your decision and effect the consequences, continue sifting through your morals and your alignment until you fine the place where you can confidently stand by your choice with integrity. Nothing is as clear cut as we think. Confront your beliefs in what is fair and ethical as you explore new territories that challenge your belief system.

The reversal of the Justice card is just as it sounds. You know that you’ve done something immoral, and you’re deciding to either cover it up and hope no one finds out, or to own up to the mistake and responsibly try to resolve the problem. Whatever you choose will bring consequences, so listen to your conscience and do not try to blame others. You must accept your place in what has happened. The appearance of Justice reversed can also mean the opposite. Your inner critic could be coming down too hard on you for inconsequential mistakes, micromanaging your every decision. If this resonates, start addressing the critiques from a place of forgiveness and self-acceptance. Deciphering which meaning is intended is up to you, so take some time to sit in your feelings and assess the objective truth of what is taking place. If you’re making an important decision that will impact more than just yourself, make sure you have all of the information necessary, and that you aren’t harboring bias that could sway you. These will complicate your ability to find the truth and slow the delivery of justice.

Justice is a card that demands self-awareness and the ability to detach yourself from the situation emotionally. You must dig deep into your own truths to find the good that serves everyone, not just yourself. This can be a difficult journey, especially if you’re trapped in a victim mindset. Self-pity won’t serve you or anyone else in this situation. Quiet your emotions and try to look at what is happening from an objective viewpoint. Often the hardest journeys are the most rewarding, my darlings. Do the work, take the time, and consider everyone’s perspective as valid as you search for the universal truth of a situation, and you’ll find justice.

Big Wheel Keep On Turnin’

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, hello again, my darlings! I hope everyone had a lovely Ostara and is thriving in the growth of the earth! What a perfect time to talk about the next card in the Major Arcana! The Wheel of Fortune is up today. No, not the game show, this card is all about the constancy of change. We all know it. Most of us don’t like it, but you can’t fight change. It will happen whether you’re ready or not.

Now upright, the Wheel of Fortune represents good luck and karmic destiny. You are feeling the abundance in your life or will be feeling it very soon! Opportunities you never fathomed are presenting themselves to you, and you can choose to take an entirely new direction with your life. In the same vein, if things have been going well lately, they may be about to return to “normal” soon as the wheel turns. As long as you go with the flow, the outside factors influencing the situation will resolve themselves. Stay open to the idea that the Universe has your back and will take care of whatever is happening. You may not want the good times to end, but change is the only constant in this world. Fighting it will only cause strife.

Reversed, the Wheel of Fortune speaks to just the opposite; bad luck and resisting change are either on their way to you or are already here. You may be feeling helpless or you could be stuck in a bit of a victim mindset right now, but remember that changing your destiny starts with accepting where you are now. You had a role in getting here, and while sometimes things are out of your control, that doesn’t mean that everything is out of your hands. If you’re feeling that this change was forced on you, it makes sense that you would be resistant to it, but accepting the inevitability of change can make the transition smoother and save you from unnecessary distress. There are a couple positives to this reversal, though! One being that, if bad luck and change have been plaguing you for a while, the wheel is about to turn, so this may be coming to an end soon. The second positive aspect could be that you are finally breaking a negative cycle that has followed you through life! Sometimes this can happen naturally and gently after a time of introspection and soul searching. Other times, specifically if other cards of upheaval are present in the reading, such as the Tower, it can mean that you need to hit the absolute bottom before you are able to accept and release to the change that is staring you down.

We’re all familiar with the phrase “life is full of ups and downs”, right? That’s the embodiment of this card. Sometimes, we are on top of the world, others we feel like a bug crushed beneath the boot of life. Either way, the wheel keeps on turning. We can’t be on the top all the time, but neither can we be on the bottom all the time. Nothing is forever, and we can either fight change or flow with it. Which one will you choose, my darlings? Let me know down below, and I’ll see you next week!

A Hermit’s Wisdom

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello again, my darlings! I hope you’re all getting through the Ides of March safely and are ready for Ostara in a few days! I’ll be posting a blog about the Spring Equinox in a few days, but today is Tarot Tuesday, so let’s have a short talk about our next card; The Hermit. He’s a straight to the point kind of guy.

Much like his name implies, The Hermit is all about solitude. Upright, he urges you to take some time for yourself to consider your motivations and get to know yourself in an authentic way. If you’re feeling a little lost, this introspection can help shine some light on the path you walk. It may not show you the end of the road, but sticking to your values can help show you where to step next when you’re feeling uncertain. Remember that the answers you seek can always be found inside you. That is where you will find your own integrity and motivation.

Reversed, The Hermit still speaks to solitary contemplation, but from an isolated or withdrawn perspective. You’re out of balance, either taking too much time alone and shutting out friends and family, or you aren’t taking enough time alone and are struggling to focus on what is important to your innermost self. All life is about balance, and your ability to strike out on your own is just as important as staying connected with others. When we are out of balance in this way, we can feel chaotic and uncertain, or even so lonely at times that it can lead to delusions. Figuring out which way you’re leaning is the first step. The second is taking action to remedy the imbalance.

Trust yourself at this time. You know what you need, whether that is time alone or connection to community. That desire for community is part of the reason we started this webpage! It helps bring us all a little closer to each other, our crafts, and to any passersby that want to join our cyber adventure here. Do what you know is right for you, my darlings!

It Lives In You

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello again, my darlings! Can you believe we’ve had 2 months of Tarot Tuesdays now? I have to say, writing all these posts has really brought me closer to my own witchcraft practice. It is deeply fulfilling to be sharing my knowledge with you and has certainly helped me flesh out my own grimoire! So let’s keep going, shall we? Today we’re going to talk about Strength in all its forms.

Upright, the 8th card of the Major Arcana speaks about physical, emotional, and psychological endurance and how this is rooted in our belief of our own capabilities. Your strength gives you the confidence to overcome growing fears, doubts, or challenges. You are fueled by your inner strength, personal power, and determination now. Your strong will allows you to control a situation quietly and without excessive outward force. Instead you guide gently knowing you will persevere. If you have been feeling burnt out, stressed, or drained, now is not the time to lash out at obstacles that appear in your path. Take your gut reactions, and channel the raw emotion into a constructive response. Note your instincts, but bring them into balance with your goals. The strength is in you to do so. Reach deep for your resolve.

It stands to reason, then, that its reversal shows us being vulnerable to self-doubt and lacking self-confidence. If you’ve been pushing hard to achieve a goal or dedicating yourself to others, you may feel sluggish. Strength reversed invites us to take stock and restore energy levels through withdrawal and others for a short time. You must take care of yourself if you wish to take care of others. If you neglect your own needs, you may find yourself prone to explosive behavior. Perhaps you’ve already lashed out at others and have acted without thinking. Beware your animalistic instincts. They can drive you to do or say something you will come to regret.

Strength is much like bravery. Even when you feel weak or scared, the ability to push ahead is where your real strength lies. The Strength card isn’t about forceful brawn. It’s about endurance and confidence, whether you’re lacking, or full to the brim. Use these qualities constructively and avoid reactive behavior where your primal, raw emotions are involved. While those feelings are valid, they won’t help further you toward your goal. Stay focused and in control of your faculties as best you can, my darlings! Let me know some calming techniques that work for you when you feel the animal aggression rising, and I’ll see you all next week!

It’s About Drive, It’s About Power!

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello again, my darlings! Welcome back to Tarot Tuesday, where I break down each individual tarot card for our own edification! Today we’ll be looking at the 7th card in the Major Arcana, The Chariot. I know I can be long winded in these deep dives, but this card is straight to the point, so this will be a quick read today. Traditionally a vehicle for war, the Chariot maintains the feel of ambition and drive toward a goal. Action is key to remember with the chariot. You don’t want to fiddle around. The course is plotted, and you can either go forward or turn back, but staying in one place is going to result in failure. 

Upright, The Chariot is a sign of encouragement toward your goal. Stick to your path, regardless of the challenges that arise, and there will be challenges. Remaining confident, assertive, and focused on what is essential to you will lead you to success. Don’t flounder and don’t cut corners or you will not reach the finish line. Use your willpower to lay down boundaries and hold the line as you advance. Display strength and courage now. You have the ability to reach this goal, but you are responsible for your level of determination and perseverance. Build the habits and disciplines necessary to help you succeed.

When The Chariot arrives reversed, it’s time to retreat. You’ve been hell bent toward your goal, but take a moment or five to re-evaluate the path and see if you need to change direction. If you find that you’ve deviated from that which matters most about reaching this goal, realign yourself with your values before changing tact. That deviation may be why you’re facing more obstacles than necessary. Look at what you can and cannot control, and focus on that which IS in your power to change to improve the situation. If you find that you’ve become consumed with detailing every moment of every day, try loosening your grip and letting the days pan out on their own. Remember, that accepting help is not weakness, even if it doesn’t align with exactly how you wanted to proceed. Do not burn yourself out unnecessarily on a solo path. 

Whether you’re meant to plunge ahead through whatever stands in your path, or rein in the horses, the Chariot wants us to look at our dedication, values, and self-discipline. These must all be aligned to find success in our endeavors, whatever they may be. There will be days that motivation is nowhere to be seen, but on those days, we strengthen our resolve and lean on the disciplines we have created to continue forward. Inner strength and willpower are our greatest tools, my darlings. Exercise them regularly and they will remain healthy and ready for battle!

The Lovers; More Than Romance

A story by Calista Moon on .

Happy Tuesday, my darlings! We’ve talked about balancing masculine energy, we’ve talked about balancing feminine energy, and now we talk about where they meet and balance against one another. The Lovers card is the 6th in the Major Arcana and represents harmony, balance, relationships alignment, and oddly enough, love. Who would have guessed! While it generally refers to romantic relationships, the Lovers can also speak to any close relationship where love, respect, and compassion flow.

In a relationship reading, the upright Lovers show that you have a beautiful soul tie connection with a loved one. It’s a sign that if you communicate openly and honestly with those you care about, you can create a healthy vibrant relationship that is built on trust. In a personal reading, it represents figuring out what you stand for and living authentically. Staying true to yourself is paramount in establishing what is, and is not essential to you. Clearly set your values and beliefs about who you want to be in this lifetime and how you want to connect with others, as well as on what level you wish to connect. Choice is the core of this card. You may be facing a moral dilemma, and choosing love will not lead you astray. Love for yourself, others, or the universe at large. Choosing love, choosing to unite forces, even outwardly opposing forces, can create something whole. Accepting the duality of a situation or of differing peoples will let you build a relationship or foundation from which love can flow.

When this reversal appears in a personal reading, it speaks to self-love and respect. Do you accept yourself and the value you have in the world? Are you envious of qualities that others possess? If you can see these desirable qualities in others, remember that you already have them within you. You could also be facing a tough choice with significant consequences, or perhaps you’re punishing yourself for something you’ve done or that you consider yourself responsible for. Look inwardly and align yourself with your Highest Good, no matter how difficult the path may be. Forgive what has come to pass, and focus on specifying your personal beliefs and values now. Aligning yourself with detailed goals will help guide you in making decisions you’re proud of next time. If the Lovers are reversed in a relationship reading, it signifies imbalance in the relationship, whether romantic or not. Communication may feel strained, or perhaps one of you is more emotionally invested than the other. You may know that you love this person unconditionally and that this moment will pass, but be mindful that if the imbalance persists for too long, this can lead to disappointment and insecurity later on. Take the time to address miscommunications or the imbalance of emotional efforts if you wish to maintain a healthy open foundation.

Remember that communication is the core of any strong relationship. Whether you are communicating your ideals to yourself so you stay clear on your path, or making yourself vulnerable with another person by communicating honestly to maintain a healthy relationship, honest communication is always going to lead to resolution. Sometimes we don’t want to talk about the relationship, or look at how far we’ve strayed from our path. It’s hard. It’s scary. It’s tiring. But it is so worth it to know that you have given the top efforts toward yourself and those you care most about. So take a deep breath, sort your thoughts out, and stay authentic to yourself, my darlings! The hard work is the most rewarding!

The Hierophant’s Sagely Advice

A story by Calista Moon on .

Happy Tuesday, my divine darlings! Today we continue our journey through masculine energy with the Hierophant, or The High Priest. Sixth in the Major Arcana, he is the counterpart to the High Priestess. Where she is divine feminine, the Hierophant is our divine masculine. He is a sage, filled with spiritual wisdom and a well of knowledge in tradition and institution. This echoes the systematic structure that The Emperor thrives on and uses to resolve issues that land at his feet. The Hierophant is more intellectually inclined and represents a set of spiritual values and beliefs that are often correlated to formal religious structures. He is often associated with the zodiac sign Taurus.

 
(Now this isn’t exactly relevant, but I feel compelled to share that I found issue with this association when I first started my journey. Taurus? Stubborn, loving Taurus is associated with the search for knowledge? That didn’t seem right. I struggled with it, wondering why it wasn’t associated with more intellectually based signs or planets. But eventually I realized that Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus, the planet of love and beauty. Taurus, known for being practical, determined, artistic, and resistant to change in combination with the love and beauty of Venus makes sense when you apply it to tradition and religious beliefs. The core of most organized religion is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” “Do what ye will and harm none.” These are inherently loving rules. Be kind. Be understanding. Be patient and compassionate. With Venus’ love as the foundation of most spiritual institutions, given time to form tradition and formalize religious practice, these systems become rigid, stubborn, and resistant to change, much like the earth sign Taurus.)


Now back to the task at hand. Upright, The Hierophant encourages you to learn the fundamental principles of your preferred field of study from a trusted source. If you are returning to school, the Hierophant is here to confirm that you are on the right path. If you have already mastered an area of study, he may be asking you to consider becoming a teacher or mentor. Regardless, he says you are following convention and staying within the bounds of a tried and true system. He may also be reaching out if you have been lacking ritual or tradition. He could be calling you to honor familial traditions or sacred rituals that have long laid neglected. He may even be a sign that you are ready to create a regular practice such as daily prayer or meditation. If you have these practices set up in your life, but are feeling disconnected, he can represent membership of an institution. You may find comfort being surrounded by those who have well established beliefs and values with whom you can identify and that will prompt further learning.


Adversely, the reversed Hierophant reminds you that you are your own teacher. All wisdom comes from within. Now is the time to divert from blindly following others and to go against tradition. They may question your choices, but if you are feeling restricted and have lost the sense of freedom that learning brings, now is the time to make your own rules. Challenge the status quo and find whether the beliefs of the many align with your values. Flexibility is necessary in education. As we learn our opinions and perspectives change. When change is stifled, so too is the pursuit of knowledge. Strike out on your own and seek the knowledge that’s being kept from you so that you might draw your own conclusions.


Much like the Emperor, the Hierophant walks a fine line. His is between blind obedience in organized systems and the disobedience of leaving the “approved” realm of knowledge to align with your own values and interests. The needs of the Hierophant can change from day to day. One day we may need community and support, the next we could need the solitary introspection of lessons with which others in the community don’t agree. The wisdom of the Hierophant is that you cannot write off community and institutions. Stay open to all courses of education. Bring in all the knowledge and counsel you can, but at the end of the day, make up your own mind. Don’t lose your curiosity, my darlings. Never stop learning, and know that if and when your outlook changes, it’s not because you were wrong before. It’s because you learned!