Tarot Reflections
April 2018

April 2018
By Lalia Wilson

April is when spring gets real in the northern hemisphere. In order to read the cards for each sign, I used a different deck of cards for each of the four elements. All cards were randomized before drawing the cards. Only one card was repeated: The Ace of Wands. This Ace is truly about new starts. Where can you initiate a helpful action in your life? 

By suit, we have no Pentacles, the cards of the earth element. There are only two court cards, the King of Swords and the Queen of Wands. It looks like the public’s eye will be on powerful figures as depicted by these two cards, dynamic women, and thoughtful men. The King of Swords can also represent judges and prosecutors.   

The cards used for the fire signs were the Viceversa Tarot, by Massimiliano Filadoro and Lunea Weatherstone, with art by Davide Corsi, published by Lo Scarabeo. For the Earth signs, I used The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Representing the Air signs is The Wheel of the Year Tarot by Maria Caratti with art by Antonella Platano published by Lo Scarabeo. For the Water signs, I used the Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert, published by Schiffer.  

Mercury is retrograde from 8:19 PM EDT on March 22^nd through 5:21 AM EDT on April 15^th. Mercury is the ruler of communication and commerce among other things. Use care and double check important purchases and communications during this time. The two signs ruled by Mercury, Gemini, and Virgo, usually feel the most out of sorts during Mercury retrograde.

May April bring you spring flowers and a feeling of joy!

Aries:

The World and the Four of Swords: 

Dear Aries, you are full of energy and ready to get going. You have high ambitions. People in positions of power are calling on you. Yet you are getting signals to delay big moves and to retreat from social situations. Mercury’s retrograde for the first two weeks of April, tells you to review all documents carefully and make sure of what you are agreeing to. Maybe delay is the best idea after all, especially since Mercury is retrograde for April’s first two weeks. 

These images are from the Viceversa Tarot, by Massimiliano Filadoro and Lunea Weatherstone, with art by Davide Corsi, published by Lo Scarabeo. 

Taurus:

The Empress and the Queen of Wands:

Well, Taurus, the Empress is full of magic just for you. She is correlated with Venus, your ruling planet, and Venus is in your sign this month spreading her charm, beauty, and financial largesse. Not only the Empress is on your side. The Queen of Wands, representing dominate and charismatic women, is backing you behind the scenes. Women are powerful for you this month in all your activities. Choose wisely and move ahead with your plans. 

These images are from the The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.


Gemini: 

Judgment and the Six of Swords:

Dear Gemini, you are focused on some issues having to do with organizations, groups, and friends. Your best assistance seemingly makes little difference early in the month. Do what you can. Eventually, things will move in a better direction. All manner of joint and organization finances command your attention. Follow the letter of the law. This month is one where many of your usual clever ideas can really trip you up. Instead of being brilliant, just do things the way normal people do. It is a good time to review your legal documents and insurance plans.   

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


Cancer: 

Lightning (The Tower) and the Eight of Fire (Wands):

Both cards for this month suggest quick action in your life, dear Cancer. Forces outside you are pushing to get busy and get going. Your public is calling. You have more responsibilities this month. You may also pick up more things to do on account of your spouse or partner… who is really busy. Just when you would like to take things slowly, you are being asked to move faster than you like. These changes are ultimately beneficial, but your present perspective sees them as a nuisance of the first order.

These images are from the Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert, published by Schiffer.  


Leo:

The Star and the Five of Cups: 

Dear Leo, there is an interesting interchange between your sign and that of Aquarius, your natural partner. You drew The Star, Aquarius's trump, and Aquarius drew Strength, your trump. It looks like major relationship issues for you both. The first lesson is to be considerate of your partner. Put yourself in your partner's shoes. How would you change if you were looking for relationship harmony? Home renovations, improvements or redecorating is still favored through most of 2018. If your project’s not already underway, work on ideas for now and plan for rapid action in the late summer, early fall.

These images are from the Viceversa Tarot, by Massimiliano Filadoro and Lunea Weatherstone, with art by Davide Corsi, published by Lo Scarabeo. 


Virgo:

The Moon and the Four of Wands:

Dear Virgo, the Moon and the Four of Wands seem to indicate more focus on partnership and your social life. While you are definitely wanting more friends and a suitable partner, watch what is going on behind the scenes. Make sure your legal documents are in order. If you are looking at marriage, consider a prenuptial agreement. If your job requires confidentiality, be sure to keep things quiet. Any indiscretions will be used against you. 

These images are from the The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.


Libra:

The Fool and the Seven of Cups:

Dear Libra, it looks like that Aries energy is going to your partner’s head. There is a lot of excitement in your life being generated by other people. Yet this will all make significant changes for you as well. Expect some new perks at work and more happy faces. Your partner is undergoing a big change that has been years in the making. All of this will create many new opportunities in every realm of life for you.

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

Scorpio: 

The Sun and the Nine of Water (Cups):

Dear Scorpio, this particular pair of cards shows you breaking through into new and better territory. The Sun shines on you now—especially at work where there is a lot happening. You are emotionally full of good will, letting the good feelings flow out to those around you. Artistically and creatively you are at a personal peak. Use this time to your benefit. Double-check doctors’ appointments and medical matters, as they may be mis-recorded or deleted. 

These images are from the Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert, published by Schiffer. 

Sagittarius:

The Hanged Man and the Nine of Swords:

Okay Sagittarius, life has been tough recently. Uncharacteristically, you may have been depressed. For sure someone in your household or family of origin is likely to be having problems with depression or dependency. If it is you, take action. If it is a loved one, you can only encourage, they have to do the work themselves. This particular Nine of Swords clearly shows that better days are ahead. Have faith.

These images are from the Viceversa Tarot, by Massimiliano Filadoro and Lunea Weatherstone, with art by Davide Corsi, published by Lo Scarabeo. 


Capricorn:

The Hermit and the Ace of Wands: 

Dear Capricorn, April finds you mostly at home rather than at work or abroad. Your international project is temporarily on hold. The action is on fixing up your home for the summer and removing all damage from the winter. Be careful to sign contracts after April 14^th and check when you can safely paint the outside of your house, usually, you need nighttime temperatures above 50°F.

 

These images are from the The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Aquarius: 

Strength and the Ace of Wands:

Dear Aquarius, there is an interesting interchange between your sign and that of Leo, your natural partner. Your partner drew The Star, your trump, and you drew Strength, Leo’s trump. It looks like major relationship issues for you both. The first lesson is to be considerate of your partner. Put yourself in your partner's shoes. How would you change if you were looking for relationship harmony?  The Ace of Wands is pointing to some new community involvements and weekend travel. It looks like fun. 

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


Pisces:

The Wheel of Fortune and the Elder of Air (King of Swords):

Okay, dear Pisces, the Wheel points to foreign travel or benefits from other countries. You have a lot of activity in your income sector this month. It looks like the money for travel is available. Someone’s envious though and may be nattering behind your back. Go ahead and take the vacation you have earned. You will be called back to work soon enough.

These images are from the Gaian Tarot by Joanna Powell Colbert, published by Schiffer. 

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.