Happy New Year!
I’m happy to have you here with me, because I’m so excited to be doing this week’s reading. Just as last week’s reading was the last one for 2015, this one is the first reading for 2016.
I already knew the deck I wanted to assist me this week, and it’s the Archangel Power Tarot Cards by Doreen Virtue, Radleigh Valentine, and Jeff Bedrick (I even put it on the table where I shoot my videos with a Post-It note re-minding me to use it after shooting last week’s video).
The reason is that I once heard Radleigh Valentine say that working with this deck is like working with the angels as if they are acting as our personal life coaches, as the theme of this deck is self-empowerment (although, I tend to see any Tarot deck as serving this purpose, as that is my reading style with the cards). Having been trained and certified as a life coach myself, this facet really had me bond with the deck.
And, in my work as a coach, I tend to see an increase in clientele in January of every year, as this is the time when people tend to either make resolutions or set intentions to create positive changes in their lives.
So, with that in mind, I thought it would be cool to see what the angelic life coaches wanted to offer, as far as guidance, direction, and insight, for the week ahead. Taking the deck in hand, I’m shuffling the cards, asking, “What do we need to know about the week ahead, in terms of potentials and possibilities?”
This week’s video reveals the cards for our reading:
If you prefer to read the post, here it is:
After shuffling the deck and pulling the three cards for this reading, I turn the remainder of the deck over to look at the card at the bottom, which I consider the foundation for the week.
The card is 9 of Ariel.
When 9 of Ariel gallops in, the message is that your accomplishments have created a rich, safe, stable, and secure life.
The woman on the card represents a self-made person; she is self-sufficient and financially independent. If you think or feel that is not true for you at the moment, the symbolism of the woman riding the galloping unicorn tells us we all have the ability (the suit of Ariel represents our resourcefulness) to strive toward attaining (the number 9) this level of independence.
The appearance of this card represents the teaching, training, instruction, and guidance we need to learn—and apply (the suit of Ariel also being about practical application)—to create that type of life.
This card says it will take dedicated training, discipline, hard work, and self-mastery to attain the life that many see as an alluring dream.
9 of Ariel is telling you that life, right now, is quite good. You’ve worked hard for what you have. You have every right to appreciate, enjoy, and indulge in all the wonderful things you have accomplished and attained.
On the other side of the coin (in some decks, the suit of Ariel is called “Coins”), since this card is associated with gain, as you go through the experiences of this week, ask yourself what you’ve gained from each one–for that will be the value of those experiences–and making them valuable lessons.
Moving now to the three cards I pulled: the first for the beginning of the week; the second for the middle of the week; and the last to round out the rest of the week.
For the beginning of the week, we have King of Ariel.
The King of Ariel is asking us to consider the value we place on things this week. The suit of Ariel can pertain to the value system of money, but also to our inner value system.
We place a certain value on all the things in our lives–whether it be people, things, or events and circumstances. This King, for me, is assigned the astrological sign of Taurus, which is the sign of ownership and possessions. Everything we possess has a value and worth to us, or else we would not have them in our lives. If it was something we purchased, we agreed on the value (cost) of the item when we bought it. If it was something given to us, it holds a sentimental worth and value.
In some cases, the things we hold on to appreciate in value; in other cases, they depreciate.
With this card starting off the week, we’re being encouraged to look at what we have in our lives (from a place of being abundant, as the King on the card is dressed lavishly and in a “rich” environment) and consider—or re-consider—its value. Does it enrich us—or does it rob from us, which no longer serves and supports us?
The King of Ariel also encourages us to consider our personal sense of value and worth this week. Are we getting our sense of worth and value externally (based on the people and things we have in our lives), or are we bringing out the richness within ourselves to everything we come in contact with (The King of Ariel is known as having the “Midas Touch”)?
Moving to the card for the middle of the week, we have 10 of Raphael.
If your life were a story (and I have a little secret for you: it is!), 10 of Raphael would be that last sentence written in most fairy tales: “And they lived happily ever after.”
When 10 of Raphael blesses you with its presence, your happy ending may be on the horizon.
10 of Raphael centers on life’s emotional rewards. This is known as “the marriage and family card,” and, as such, is more about the people in our lives, those that we have chosen to form bonds and create relationships with. Some we are born into—but most we choose.
This card is also about community. Being a card that indicates spiritual growth, this could be a nod to your spiritual community, the people who have played either an active or passive role in your spiritual development.
If you’re the esoteric or metaphysical type, this card is known as the “soul family” card. From this perspective, you understand that there is a bond—a sort of contract–you have agreed upon with your birth family to learn certain lessons designed for your own soul’s growth.
Looking at things in this way, what lessons have you learned (a nod to 9 of Ariel) from the members of your family of origin? My own growth came from looking at the challenging relationship with my mother from this perspective, and played a major part in my spiritual growth and direction.
So, this week, 10 of Raphael asks you to look beyond the material things you have—or think you need to have to make your life better (referencing the Ariel cards before it). 10 of Raphael, instead, asks you to look at the ways life makes you feel satisfaction and a sense of peace.
I also want to offer an alternate possibility. All the cards in Tarot have a positive side, as well as a challenging side. With 10 of Raphael, there is the possibility of feeling a sense of emotional overwhelm, as the 10 can sometimes represent being overwhelmed and overburdened (I’m hearing Kylie Minogue, a popular singer in the UK, singing her song “Too Much of a Good Thing” in my head).
So, if you find yourself feeling “in over your head” in the middle of the week, call on the angels (the rainbow on the card can symbolize the angels), especially Archangel Raphael, to assist you in moving through that sense of overwhelm–because, the 10 is also a number of transition and moving to another stage or level—a higher one.
Coming to the card for the end of the week, we have 5 of Michael.
5 of Michael is known as “the price of victory” card–which means that a victory can come with a price or cost (a pun on the monetary aspect of the suit of Ariel) to you. In that vein, 5 of Michael asks this question: Are you willing to pay it?
This may be the week where you draw your line in the sand and set some much-needed boundaries. With King of Ariel and 10 of Raphael coming before this card, the issue may involve a family member, or a member within a spiritual community.
The suit of Michael is associated with communication, and this card suggests being mindful of getting into quarrels and arguments with others this week. There are better ways to get your point across than bickering. Saying things to embarrass and humiliate others will not win them over.
It may be the better part of valor to walk away from a fight than to remain engaged. Pick and choose your battles carefully–because you won’t win every time.
The 5 is a number of change; when others are involved, though, you have to realize that you can’t change another person. You can only change you. This card suggests looking at the way you’re thinking and believing about the situation, and consider re-thinking things. Sometimes, the greatest change can come when we are first willing to change our minds.
The suit of Michael is also about problem-solving and decision-making, so consider this possible reframe: What would you be willing to forfeit to create a win-win for everyone involved?
If you find yourself needing to change things up and set some boundaries, or to walk away from a situation that is not serving or supporting you (the suit of Ariel, in this regard, is about your self-worth, and that you matter), call on Archangel Michael to help you vacuum away any fears you have about taking action, as well as cutting the cords energetically connecting you to those people and environments.
To round out this reading, I’ll take the numbers on all the cards, reducing them to a number between 0-22, seeing what Major Arcana card will be the Lesson card for the week.
Adding 14 (for the King) + 10 + 5, we have a total of 29. Since there are only 22 cards in the Major Arcana, I’m taking the 2 and adding it to the 9, for a total of 11.
The 11th Major Arcana card, in this deck, is Strength.
When Strength appears, we’re being encouraged to consider our self-esteem and self-confidence. Strength urges us to be bold and stand in our personal power.
As we see in the image of the card, Archangel Ariel (she really wants to make her presence known this week!) touches the lion resting beside her. She has tamed the beast, which is a demonstration of how we, at times, need to curb our own natural, instinctual tendencies.
In order to do this, Archangel Ariel is indeed using strength—her name means “lioness of God,” after all–but not the brute force typically associated with physical strength; instead, she is using the gentle—yet extremely powerful—ability to love unconditionally.
In most (if not all) spiritual teachings (Ariel being an angel symbolizes the connection to Spirit), unconditional love is said to be the most powerful force there is.
And, just as those teachings encourage us to love others unconditionally, we must also love ourselves in the same manner—especially in those moments when we let our wild and untamed side come and roar its head.
So, this week, there may be experiences where our self-control will be tested. We’re being encouraged to identify our problematic habits and unhealthy tendencies (Strength is also a health card) and to weigh their overall impact on our lives.
It will be in those moments that we will choose to be confident in our power to be strong and capable—and show ourselves that we are up to the test.
I typically don’t reduce the number of this card again, but in traditional numerology, the 11 is known as a “master number,” and can also be written as 11/2.
With that in mind, I’m presenting a secondary Lesson card, and that is The High Priestess, the 2nd Major Arcana card of the deck.
The High Priestess (depicted as Archangel Haniel) asks you to trust your intuition. This is a week to listen to the still, small voice that speaks from within. This is a week of inner guidance and wisdom.
If you find throwing around the word intuition a bit too “woo-woo” for you, then, with the symbol of the lion on the Strength card, let’s say “trust your instincts” or “go with your gut.” It’s really the same thing, just said in a different way.
If decisions need to be made this week, The High Priestess is a card that suggests waiting (she adopts a “wait and see” approach) for further information. You don’t have all that you need to make a well-informed decision.
And speaking of information, this is a card of news and messages. This can be news or information of a “sensitive” nature, information that’s on a “need to know” basis, or that requires some level of confidentiality.
All of that could suggest information coming to you. On the other hand, The High Priestess can suggest that you have information that maybe you should be holding on to, and be selective as to who you share it with. It’s kind of like not giving out unsolicited advice—let people come and actually ask for the information or knowledge you possess, which is a clearer signal to share what you know. In this vein, just because you know something doesn’t mean everyone you know needs to know it.
Not all information is for public consumption.
Also, The High Priestess can represent the deeper study of metaphysics and esoterica. If you are a student of the intuitive arts (astrology, numerology, palmistry, dreams, Tarot), how might you be able to deepen your studies this week?
On the other side of the veil, The High Priestess can indicate a state of independence (which was mentioned with the card that started things off, 9 of Ariel). She is stationed between two poles, which can suggest polar opposites. So, if you are a bit too dependent on others, consider how you might practice being a bit more independent this week. If you find yourself being fiercely independent, how might you allow others to assist and support you a bit more this week?
The High Priestess is a card about balance and being between the two extremes.
And that wraps up the first weekly reading of 2016! I want to thank you for stopping by, and I wish you a Tarot-tastic week!
And, I’m hoping that 2016 will be your best year ever!
To schedule a personalized Tarot reading to see what the coming year holds for you, please visit my Tarot Consultations page for all the details.
life of HIMM 