Tarot Reflections
January 2018

January 2018
By Lalia Wilson

What does the New Year, especially January, have in store for you? I used a different deck of cards for each of the four elements. All cards were randomized before drawing the cards. We had two repeated trumps: Fortuna (twice) and The Tower (twice). Because these cards repeat they suggest that the message should be more broadly applied to all of us this month. Fortuna is the luck of the draw, pure chance, with hopes for a positive outcome. The Tower is a catastrophic event or a stunning change of consciousness; both or either results in big life changes. We had no sixes and no Knights, so this January we are not working on exploration and action, nor celebrating our progress. We have three of the four Pages which signify “beginner’s mind.” Therefore we are advised to approach our lives as if we were seeing everything new (with the idea that we can change our situation by becoming more conscious about it).

By suit, we have four Pentacles, four Cups, three Swords, and one Wand. Here we are prompted to be practical, secure our emotional ties, and think before acting. The low number of Wands says that we lack motivation, energy, or simply heat this month.

The cards used for the fire signs were The Healing Light Tarot created by Christopher, published by Lo Scarabeo, and available at your usual tarot retailers. For the Earth signs, I used the Wheel of the Year Tarot by Maria Caratti, art by Antonella Platano, and published by Lo Scarabeo. For the Air signs, I used the 78 Tarot Astral by the Tarot Global Art Collaboration available at www.78tarotcards.com. For the Water signs, I used the Gaian Tarot created by Joanna Powell Colbert and published by Schiffer.  

This January we have a super stellium in Capricorn, from the 14^th to early the 17^th we have the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Saturn, Pluto, and Black Moon Lilith there. Six planets plus Lilith. This will strongly impact everyone. See more below.

January marks the start of a new year and an opportunity for all of us to resolve to become our better selves. (Though we also have a personal new year that starts with our solar return on or near our birthday.) Let us hear the calling to become our better selves. To your health, happiness, and prosperity in the New Year!

Aries: 

The Hanged Man and the Seven of Wands: 

Dear Aries, as you have for more than seven years, there is some focus on your personal transformation. The Capricorn stellium puts the spotlight on your career and reputation. This can be good or bad, depending on whether you have been naughty or nice. There is a lot going on behind the scenes, too. This could be you doing the needed inner work, or it could be others trying to keep you out of the information loop. There are some things you don’t need to know, it could even be dangerous to know them, but does that apply here? Meditate on it.

These images are from The Healing Light Tarot created by Christopher, published by Lo Scarabeo.

Taurus:

Temperance and the Princess or Page of Swords:

Dear Taurus, there is still the strong suggestion that you are assuming responsibility for other’s finances. This could be an official capacity as a guardian, or as a friend or sibling helping out. You are working on efficiency at home, such as easier maintenance or cleaning. When you find the answer, please share. The Capricorn stellium is activating your chart in the department of religious studies, travel, and foreign affairs. Events from far away will be important to you this month and for some time to come. Be open to change, your least-favorite word, this month.

These images are from the Wheel of the Year Tarot by Maria Caratti, art by Antonella Platano, and published by Lo Scarabeo.

Gemini:

High Priestess and the Page of Pentacles:

This is a month for some internal, psychic, or spiritual work. It’s also a time to assume responsibility for shared finances. However, another meaning of this Capricorn stellium is a very active sex life, in which you are seeking the deep connection between partners available by no other means than through sexuality. The sexual vibes are strong. Be aware, dear Gemini, that you are usually more of a flirtatious lover than an intense one. When the planets rearrange themselves, you may change your mind. 

These images are from the 78 Tarot Astral by the Tarot Global Art Collaboration.

Cancer:

Awakening (Judgment) and the Two of Earth (Pentacles):

Dear Cancer, it looks like the whole month is about other people, especially your life partner. There is an element of karmic payback going on. This may be other people making you atone for past sins, or you forcing them to make good. In the long run, forgiveness works better than revenge, but forgiveness does not mean opening a vein for that person or in any way allowing future harm to yourself by that person. Forgiveness is for yourself. In the meantime, you are hustling to manage at least one prima donna, if not several. Be kind to yourself!

These images are from the Gaian Tarot created by Joanna Powell Colbert and published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 

 Leo:

The Wheel of Fortune and the Page of Cups: 

Dear Leo, you have great potential to renovate or redecorate your home this month. If you go with the flow, things will come together easily. You also have a greater intuition and psychic sensitivity this month. You are getting important intuitive messages (or hunches). To the extent you listen to them you will navigate this month and months to come with aplomb. Be careful with your health. Follow the universal advice of eating right, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Take any health concerns to your medical professional right away.

These images are from The Healing Light Tarot created by Christopher, published by Lo Scarabeo. 


Virgo: 

The Emperor and the Seven of Pentacles:

Dear Virgo, your focus this month is on practical things, especially shared finances, budgets, and debts, as you move into the New Year. You want control over the purse! With the Emperor at your back, you are likely to run over the feelings and sensitivities of others. Be careful of setting a family budget that gives you all the small luxuries and neglects the favorite activities and items that others in the family prefer. Your single-mindedness will seem to be ruthlessness in other’s eyes.

These images are from the Wheel of the Year Tarot by Maria Caratti, art by Antonella Platano, and published by Lo Scarabeo.

Libra: 

The Wheel of Fortune and the Eight of Cups:

Libra, you are focused on matters of income and personal possessions. There are new resources so you can splurge a bit. Remember, though, that the Wheel of Fortune can also take things away when it inevitably turns again, so set some aside for a rainy day. Seek medical advice for any health concerns. Things at home, or with your family, are unusually prominent this month, and with Saturn also now in Capricorn, likely to require more responsibility on your part for the next several years. 

These images are from the 78 Tarot Astral by the Tarot Global Art Collaboration.

Scorpio: 

Teacher (The Hierophant) and the Guardian (Queen) of Air (Swords):

Dear Scorpio, life is going along at a good clip, with you feeling pretty good about yourself, your life, your sexuality, and your luxuries. This is not all of your life, though. You are missing a partner, or s/he is missing in action or preoccupied. You have a demanding day-to-day schedule and lots of responsibilities in your neighborhood. When you put yourself first things seem rosy and the only danger is overeating or an STD. When you include the people around you there are many more concerns—none of them is thriving the way you are these days. Have compassion.

These images are from the Gaian Tarot created by Joanna Powell Colbert and published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 

Sagittarius:

The Sun and the Ace of Swords:

This month looks busy with financial matters and purchases, Sagittarius. Did you come into a large amount of money? It looks like you are setting up finances for years to come. But isn’t this a nice feeling of abundance? You will be paying more attention to finances and possessions for the next several years. You can do this the easy way, figure out a plan now and stick to it, or the hard way. You get to choose. The Universe is on your side, but you need to cooperate with the good vibes to make the most of it.

These images are from The Healing Light Tarot created by Christopher, published by Lo Scarabeo.

Capricorn: 

Magician and the Nine of Swords: 

Dear Capricorn, it looks like an active month for you, and a few active years. You are the prime motivator in your life, the star of the show. Now is the time to take charge. You have only two cautions to be aware of. First, use a partner for budgeting and money management while respecting that person’s abilities. Second, avoid cosmetic surgery for a couple of years. It’s a good time to lose weight, but a lousy time for enhancements, especially any work on your face.

These images are from the Wheel of the Year Tarot by Maria Caratti, art by Antonella Platano, and published by Lo Scarabeo.

Aquarius:

Tower and the King of Cups:

Dear Aquarius, it looks like you are getting promoted or additional responsibilities because of a sudden illness or other matter with your boss—a calamity involving your boss. Has he or she crossed the line of the law or public censure? Has he or she been injured or worse? With the Tower, one person’s cloud is the other person’s silver lining. This time around, it is your silver lining, Aquarius.


These images are from the 78 Tarot Astral by the Tarot Global Art Collaboration.

Pisces:

Lightning (The Tower) and the Ten of Water/Cups:

Travel and faraway places are still highlighted for you, dear Pisces. This year, especially this month, are good for going places you have never visited before. Your door of opportunity will close soon, so either pack your bag or be prepared to never see that destination. Similarly, you have exceptional opportunities to learn more about any subject you might be interested in. This applies even more to subjects having to do with religion, philosophy, or the law. You either need to step up and do it, or spend the rest of your life regretting what you missed.

These images are from the Gaian Tarot created by Joanna Powell Colbert and published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. 

You can use these Tarot Scopes to read your Sun sign, Moon sign or Rising Sign (also called your Ascendant). You can determine these by using free or low-cost apps, or internet sites, and inputting your time, date and place of birth. The Rising sign indicates your entire life; the Sun sign is about your ego and creative forces, and the Moon sign is about your reigning needs, emotions, and flexibility.

The tarot cards used as illustrations for this column are ones that I or the editor, Terri Clement, admire and want to share with you. Note that decks have subtle differences of meaning as they are reinterpreted by a new creator/artist, and, of course, the tarot reader. Enjoy that flexibility of meaning and the artwork of these various decks. Reading articles with illustrations like these will help you determine the tarot decks that most fit you.