Tarot Reflections
February 2017     

February 2017
By Lalia Wilson

Getting ready for Valentine’s Day? Read on to see who is going to have the most fun and/or romantic times this month. I used a different deck of cards for each of the four elements. All cards were randomized. There were three repeated cards: Judgment, The Page of Swords and the King of Wands. I see Judgment as THE Karma card in the tarot. So, to generalize for all of us, we reap what we sow. Let's be mindful of creating positive karma for ourselves and to do good deeds to (we hope) burn off the negative karma we may have accumulated.

The two Pages of Swords suggest a focus on learning, mental development, science, engineering, and math. Perhaps we can all watch a science-based television show like PBS's Nature, or visit a museum that looks at the history of science or engineering? Kings of Wands repeat from January. They are dynamic and compelling men. Maybe this quality is one to seek out or cultivate in yourself. Instead of looking to others for inspiration, the King of Wands generates his or her own inspiration.

Cards used for these readings were as follows. Fire signs: The Twisted Tarot Tales Horror Comic Deck created and conceptualized by Christine Aguilar and drawn by James Battersby available from http://www.jamesbattersby.co.uk/. (This deck is available as a standard 78 card or a 106 card deck with multiple alternative cards so that you can customize it for yourself.) Air signs: The 78 Card Carnival—Cirque du Tarot illustrated by 82 artists and available at Etsy.com. Earth signs: The Housewives Tarot available at www.housewivestarot.com/ and many usual outlets like Amazon. Water signs: The Cook’s Tarot by Judith Mackay Stirt and published by Schiffer Publishing; available at many retail outlets.

Aries: 

Temperance and the King of Wands:

You have strong indicators for business travel. You could be a little "wild" on the road as you certainly will be tempted. Your male companions invite you to novel experiences. This is your month to be confident, strong, inspiring, and original. Temperance tells us to up our game if we are normally the quiet type and to tone it down if we are usually too exuberant. Have fun, but avoid any negative consequences.

Image is from The Twisted Tarot Tales created and published by Christine Aguilar and James Battersby.

Taurus:

The Lovers and the Seven of Cups:
 
Sisters and friends are positive supports and companions for you this month, dear Taurus. You will be able to reciprocate their love with gifts as your income is going up. Perhaps this is the month for a raise and a more prominent position. You are feeling that your money situation is positive and you have enough to spread around through entertainment and gifts to those who have stood by you in the past.

Image is from the Housewives Tarot by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum published by Quirk Books.

Gemini:

 The Star and the Page of Swords:

 Travel is highlighted this month, especially foreign or long-distance travel. Or perhaps you are dealing with people or objects from far away. The spirit of different realities and far-away places is around you. You have an incentive to learn that is especially prominent this month. You are even more curious than usual, which is saying a lot for a Gemini, and want to learn and understand everything around you. I’m thinking of a pre-schooler always asking "Why? Why? Why?" Alternatively, you could be surrounded by children who are curious and wanting you to answer all their questions. This should be incentive enough for you to dust off your internet skills and help them find the answers.

Image is from the 78 Card Carnival—Cirque du Tarot illustrated by 82 artists and available at Etsy.com.

Cancer: 

The Emperor and the Three of Cups:

Back for the second month in a row, dear Cancer is your demanding boss (or someone who bosses you around) The Emperor. All the action this month is your work life and a (beach?) vacation. Things look sexy at work. Could it be that sexual tension is part of the contretemps with your boss? You are emotionally sensitive and healed by water. Time at the beach would be ideal. You have good friends who want to support you. How about a beach party?

Image is from the Cook’s Tarot by Judith Mackay Stirt and published by Schiffer Publishing.

Leo: 

Judgment and the Page of Swords:

Whew, dear Leo. We usually think of you as being a creature of the shining lights, but with Judgment this month, some aspect of your work is rather grim. Grimmer than normal if your usual could be described that way. I'm thinking to identify the dead, hearing disturbing testimony, needing to comfort the dying. Are you traveling to any funerals this month? Meanwhile, the Page of Swords says that your ability to communicate logically what needs to be said is highlighted. Aren't you lucky? You may have been tapped to deliver bad news.

Image is from The Twisted Tarot Tales created and published by Christine Aguilar and James Battersby.

Virgo: 

The Hanged Man and the Ace of Wands:

In tarot, this is a mixed message, a stop sign—the Hanged Man—and a go sign—the Ace of Wands. With the astrological connections, though, it clears up. The Hanged Man is associated with Pisces, your partner. It does not necessarily mean that your partner is lazy or immobile, it just identifies your partner. As you already have reason to know, Pisces individuals have a tendency to just “space out” at the most inexplicable times. The Ace of Wands is a happy new concept, ready to start something new. In the meantime… the indications for romance and sex are substantial. You've got the public fooled that you never get down and dirty, however, you know better, and so does at least one other person. Let's keep it private.

Image is from the Housewives Tarot by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum published by Quirk Books.

Libra: 

Fortuna and the King of Swords:

Things look bright for you dear Libra. There is opulence, good friends, especially female friends and artists, and maybe people in the fashion industry. It looks like a fashion show, bridal or baby shower, or other similar feminine social event. Everyone is dressed up and the surroundings are warmed with flowers, crystal, and pink. Now to the King of Swords. He’s too mental, too smart, and too logical for most…but he’s just right for you. There is plenty of romance and this man may be a keeper.

Image is from the 78 Card Carnival—Cirque du Tarot illustrated by 82 artists and available at Etsy.com.

Scorpio: 

Death and the Nine of Swords:

For eleven out of twelve people the Death card is hard to deal with. For you, Scorpio, it’s you. You have mastered courage, emotional endings, separations and partings of ways. So we have a card lifting you up and speaking to who you are; another card that says that you are creating, or amplifying, your current problems. Specifically, you have worries about your home, family of origin, father, husband, and/or adolescent children. Though you appear to be a cool operator, inside you know how emotionally driven you are. When you get a problem, an emotionally reactivating problem, you have great difficulty letting it go. So, let's parse it out. Do you have your renter's or home owner's insurance up to date? Have you had your furnace maintained for the cold season? If having work done at your house, do you have an adequate contract? Now, on to the people. Your father is independent and set in his ways. He is not going to listen to your advice. Similarly, if you have a husband, he, too, is independent and hard-headed. Adolescent children are programmed to explore their limits. Make sure the limits are clear. Now, let go of the worries, as you have done all you can.

Image is from the Cook’s Tarot by Judith Mackay Stirt and published by Schiffer Publishing.

Sagittarius:

The Sun and the Eight of Pentacles:

You have a couple of life areas to attend to this month. There is some concern, justifiable concern, for a sibling. Give what comfort you can. Your work life and income are coming under positive influences. A long-term project is close to fruition. Your money looks to be arriving in a larger quantity. Your partner is feeling better these days and whatever was bothering him/her is gone—for the time being. In any event, his or her issues can only be resolved by him or her. You “understanding” the issue, if you do, should be kept to yourself. Your significant other needs to realize this for himself/herself.

Image is from The Twisted Tarot Tales created and published by Christine Aguilar and James Battersby.

Capricorn:

Judgment and the Six of Swords:
 
You have big changes going on, Capricorn. Some of them have been in progress for almost a decade, some are more recent, and some will surface this month. Judgment, the Karma card, is your lot this month. Have you been sowing good things that will come back as welcome gifts? The Wiccan tradition says what we put out comes back to us Three-fold. What you give out returns to you, magnified. This is juxtaposed with the six of Swords, a card of travel, frequently sorrowful travel. This particular Six of Swords is a clear “I’m leaving” message. For you, dear Capricorn, there is a potential of a spouse, lover, friend, or employee taking your money and running. I’m hearing Peter, Paul and Mary singing, “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”

Image is from the Housewives Tarot by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum published by Quirk Books.

Aquarius: 

Strength and King of Wands:

Plenty of romance for Aquarius this month. Strength is the major arcana card associated with your fated partner—Leo. And the King of Wands is your ideal partner—open, straightforward, warm, passionate, courageous… He also represents your spouse or committed partner. [You got this King last month, too!] We have you favoring the Leos and you pairing with a prominent person. However, these cards can also mean you need to build up your internal Strength and your internal Animus. Your best course for February—your birthday month—is to accept the love and good intentions and invitations of those around you.

Image is from the 78 Card Carnival—Cirque du Tarot illustrated by 82 artists and available at Etsy.com.

Pisces: 

The World and the Queen of Wands:

You have The World again this month. It's time for deserved rewards, fame and recognition. Is the Queen of Wands you, or a significant figure in your life? Either way, it is time to live more like a Queen of Wands, kind of a tough assignment for the normal Pisces wallflower types. It is time to be bold, wear bright colors and ask for what you want. And let's not overlook the Queen of Wands' reputation as the sexist woman in the tarot. There is plenty of sex and emotional bonding available, dear Pisces if you can be bold enough to take it.

Image is from the Cook’s Tarot by Judith Mackay Stirt and published by Schiffer Publishing.

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 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.