A couple of weeks ago, I confessed that it’s been difficult putting aside my mad deck crush, The Illuminated Tarot by Caitlin Keegan (and published by Clarkson Potter), to work with other systems for the weekly readings.
Well, after being a good boy and working with both Lenormand and Kipper, respectively, in this space, I’m rewarding myself for my good behavior and picking up The Illuminated Tarot once again for this week’s reading (hopefully you’ll find this rewarding too).
As it’s still so dang spot-on in my daily draws, I’m really excited about what it could share with us this week.
Taking the deck in hand, I’m shuffling the cards, and asking the general question, “What do we need to know about the possibilities for the week ahead?”
This week’s video reveals the cards for our reading:
If you prefer to read the post, here it is:
After shuffling the deck, I pulled three cards for this week’s reading.
The first card, opening the reading up for the week, is the 8 of Hearts/The Moon.
The 8 of Hearts can suggest going on a spiritual quest, a search for meaning in one’s life. This can mean literal travel, but most often, spiritual quests are taken by going within.
Either way, this means that you’ll be “going it alone,” that it’s a trek for you and you alone. You may be moving into unfamiliar territory, into spaces and places you have never gone before.
This journey will require you to leave the past behind–and with that, some people, places, circumstances, and conditions that no longer serve and support you–in fact, those very things may now be draining you (the 8 of Hearts warns of “toxic” people, environments, and circumstances that may be having an effect on your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical well-being).
The 8 of Hearts is also known as an emotional choice card, sometimes called “a change of heart” card. We sometimes have to get to a point where we think, feel, and say that we’ve had enough and that it’s time to move on—even if we don’t know where we’re going or what lies ahead. Because what is familiar is no longer working for us.
When we can do this for ourselves, we’re taking the steps to reclaim our personal power (the number 8 is a number of power). When we stand in the power of who we are, we’re standing in, what spiritual teacher Gary Zukav calls, our “authentic power.”
In some circles, this card is also known as “the Amethyst Rose.” When the 8 of Hearts crosses your path in this regard, you’re going through a time of “spiritual purification.”
To aid in this process, you’re encouraged to either wear or carry on your person a piece of amethyst. Doing this will cleanse your energy, and allow a spiritual awakening or enhancement to possibly occur.
This is a time of release that will help to improve your overall well-being, which is a nice lead-in to the other aspect of this card, The Moon.
The Moon is a card of heightened sensitivity, so be aware of how people around you may “trigger” emotional reactions and responses from you.
Should you have these types of experiences this week, you’re being encouraged to react and respond to these triggers differently than you have in the past. If the way you’ve been reacting and responding hasn’t produced the result you want yet, it might be time to try something different.
The Moon can also suggest that emotional issues may come to the surface, and if that should be the case, they’re coming up to be healed.
Things come up to be acknowledged, and awareness is the first step toward healing and clearing issues that create all sorts of blocks in our lives.
The 8 of Hearts and The Moon share something in common: Both can indicate phases of the moon, and we’re going to be experiencing a full moon this week (July 9th), and full moon phases are said to be excellent for releasing.
Moving to the next card, we have the 4 of Clubs.
The 4 of Clubs is a card of celebration; it can mean that you’ve reached a stage of completion in your endeavors, and you’re being encouraged to take things to the next stage or level, now that a firm foundation has been set (the number 4).
An enterprise or endeavor has reached a successful stage of development, and it’s time to celebrate that achievement! You can enjoy the initial fruits of your labors (Clubs being the suit of work, enterprise, and business) before beginning the next round of work.
The 4 of Clubs, being a card of celebration, can suggest a special ceremony or ritual that marks a rite of passage (this card can be seen as a “stage of life” card), acknowledging the achievement of one stage of development as we embark on a new one.
So, for this week, look at the progress you’re making in your life and find a way to acknowledge or celebrate that progress. What ritual or ceremony could you come up with?
The 8 of Hearts and the 4 of Clubs have a connection: The 4 of Clubs can represent the home (the 4 alluding to the 4 walls of a structure), but can also represent real estate and property—and moving, keeping with the moving on aspect of the 8 of Hearts; a nice and subtle way to reinforce that particular message.
And did you notice the path on the image of the 4 of Clubs?
Moving on to our final card for this week, we have the 10 of Clubs.
The first thing I notice is that two of the three cards this week are from the suit of Clubs, reinforcing the possibility of focus and concentration on our working lives, or on issues needed to be worked on or worked out.
The 10 is a number of transition, but also of success; the implication here could be working on bringing something to a successful completion this week.
In the image on the card, a person “eyes” a load in his or her hands. This visual warns you of having too many responsibilities—and being burdened by the load you’re carrying.
The 10 of Clubs asks: Do all those responsibilities belong to you, though? If not, this card is asking you to consider allowing other people to be responsible for themselves. You’re not supposed to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders!
You may be thinking you’re being helpful, but are you really? The 10 of Clubs warns that you may be enabling other people not to take care of their own situations in life—especially when they are able and capable. If that’s true for you, why is that?
In working environments (Clubs being the suit of work and business, remember), the 10 of Clubs can suggest having new job duties and responsibilities (also remember that bit about career advancement and moving up the ladder?). It can suggest you’re in a position where a lot of work is put upon you.
The 10 of Clubs says that people around you could even be considering you a workaholic. You may also believe you have to do it all yourself. If this is true for you, the 10 of Clubs is cautioning you: If you’re not careful, you’ll experience exhaustion and fatigue, and put yourself on the road to burnout.
It’s not too late to learn the art of delegation—which is really learning to let go of control. Not everything has to get done by you—whether you believe it or not. It’s a matter of acknowledging that things may not get done the way you would do it—and that’s because not everyone works the same way you do, or has the same motivations about the work as you (Clubs being about motivation).
Sometimes we think holding on to everything gives us control. But does it? It may very well be that those things we are holding on to are really controlling us.
The 10 of Clubs, like the 8 of Hearts, can suggest a journey, so that message about moving on is being carried throughout the cards this week. And that reminds me of this saying by Lao Tzu: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
What will your “one step” be this week? And will you take it?
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life of HIMM 
James,
Last week I was shaken up about how people felt about my ability to be at work and if I would be promoted. I was very upset about the things that came up. I brought them up because I felt I needed confirmation about why I was not promoted. I was very upset for a couple of days. Then I realized that I had to release the hurt I felt. After all there is truth in the situation. I told Glenn I had to pray for direction. Your reading for next week has helped me a lot. I can move on and not know where I’m going. I have been on a great and interesting journey and I have always had what I needed.
Thank you God! Denise
Denise,
First, I want to say how sorry I am to hear about the promotion situation. I am so proud of you for allowing yourself to feel what came up for you in those first few days, as you sought confirmation and prayed for direction. I’m so happy you didn’t do what I call “spiritual bypass.”
And I’m happy the post was able to help you; that alone validates and confirms why I do what I do. So, thank you for sharing that.
I love your resolve about moving on without knowing where you’re headed. That is something I’ve been learning over the past year, so I can relate. And I join you in your knowing that you will always receive what you need.
Thank you, God!
Much love and blessings,
James