🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘

Pile 1

cards: king of wands; surrender (light gray)

The King of Wands in this deck is quite literally glowing - a brightly shining presence that uses the light from within (in the form of ethereal lions) to pursue their goals. As the ruler of Wands (governing in particular creative ideas and passions, but also willpower and intuition), you might feel called upon this week to put some plans into action you've been thinking on for a while. Combined with the card of Surrender, to me it looks like there might be a project you finally decide to delve deeper into, going with the flow of your creativity and work. If you don't see yourself in the King of Wands, but someone else in your life fitting the description, I wonder if you might feel resistance to their "aura" and like you have to give in to their ideas and - possibly - demands.

Pile 2

cards: 7 of wands; mystery (warm purple)

The 7 of Wands usually speaks about wanting (or having) to fiercely protect something - in the case of this card it is a mother fox shielding her cubs from a badger. Since we're in the realm of ideas, willpower and creative pursuits, I think the Mystery in the Oracle card could symbolize your "fox babies". The society we currently live in has a tendency to weigh down on us with its incessant material and practical demands, so the childlike wonder we still might conjure in more favorable circumstances often gets undermined, dismissed and ignored. The message here is to make sure that despite what the world throws at you, you don't lose that spark and guard your creations and awe.

Pile 3

cards: the devil (15); balance (grass green)

The Devil in Tarot often speaks of addiction, feeling trapped, bad influences and deception; in classic depictions it is also juxtaposing the Lovers card (6 vs. 1+5=6) and in its imagery mirrors the Lovers, previously free but now chained down in a dark environment. In this deck, the trapped person is alone, whilst the Devil figure dances upon the enclosure, weaving webs around a small heart. The thing is, though, that it looks like the trapped person can easily reach the key to unchain themselves with; they're just not looking, too afraid of whatever the Devil above is doing. You might have given your vices and unfavorable habits too much leeway recently or convinced yourself that you're too powerless to act anyway, which is why there's a call to return to balance. The Balance card depicts two sides of a whole, which just have to be puzzled together accordingly again, before one side tips over.

Pile 4

cards: 3 of swords; reflection (pale blue)

Pile 1

cards: knight of cups/5 of cups (jumpers); pisces - sensitize (12)

Your week looks to be quite heavily focused on emotional matters, with not only two cups cards jumping out at once, but also the intuitive and dreamy water sign of Pisces joining the mix. The Knight of Cups could signify you, a person in your life (or coming into your life) or a situation that is characterized by, well, aspirations of romance, idealization or generally a feeling of being swept off your feet. The 5 of Cups, on the other hand, is associated with disappointment and depicts someone pondering a fish in a bowl, like they're wondering whether to let it roam free in the waters around or keep holding onto it. There could be a sign here to contemplate a situation, before diving into it head-first like the knight might do; or possibly it's time to take a step back and thoroughly evaluate whether what the knight (in whatever form) seems to offer you is really a good fit. In any case, I think there's a call to listen carefully to your intuition here.

Pile 2

cards: 5 of pentacles; taurus - cultivate (2)

The 5 of Pentacles is (unfortunately) not a stranger in my recent readings and speaks about a - perceived or real - poverty in your life. In the illustration, we see someone weeping (with 1 pentacle), held back by thorns and physically separated from a more bounti- and colorful area (with 4 pentacles). Not all hope is lost, though; a single small butterfly seems to fly to the person's side, as if to console them. The number 5 in numerology is also associated with freedom and change, which I think the Taurus card here with the keyword "cultivate" could encourage. It's tough, if you're not connected to the stability of the 4 of Pentacles and have to stand on your own; but Taurus as one of the steadiest signs (and an Earth sign, on top of that) signifies the importance of cultivating your own sturdiness, talents and abilities. There will be a way out of this.

Pile 3

cards: 6 of pentacles; sagittarius - expand (9)

Both of the cards here have the theme of growth at its core, pertaining to the elements of Earth and Fire. The 6 of Pentacles symbolizes someone (usually you) using their resources to support and stabilize another person or a cause; it reminds me of donating, especially with the meaning of the number 6 as a harmonizing factor, so that could be something you have considered recently. Interestingly, putting these two cards next to each other, the person in the 6 of Pentacles drops their resources (their coins watering a plant) downwards and to the right, while the Centaur in the Sagittarius card is looking and aiming upwards and to the left - as if their gazes meet or as if they're working with each other in tandem (the 6 of Pentacles with material resources and the Sagittarius with sparks of inspiration and ideas). Therefore this could signify you and someone else collaborating or two parts of you or your life intertwining more than before (e.g. bringing more of your personal ideas into the workplace or making a small business out of a hobby).

Pile 4

cards: 4 of pentacles; progressions - journey (56)

The combination of these two cards is very interesting to me ... On one side, we have a dragon hoarding its wealth in the 4 of Pentacles, not leaving its nest, holed up, defensive and stagnating; on the other side, there's a mountain range to cross and the theme of progressions and journeys. Laying these cards next to each other, we also get the number sequence of 4 - 5 - 6, underlining the meaning of the progressions. In astrology, a progression chart is created by moving the sun one degree for each lived year (e.g. in my chart from Aquarius at 27 degrees to Pisces 28 degrees) and looking at the new chart of that day (e.g. roughly a month after my actual birthday). It's supposed to give a new perspective on how your personality develops over the course of your lifetime and which aspects could be highlighted along that journey. In the context of this reading, then, I think there could be a reminder here to evaluate what you've been holding onto - maybe unnecessarily - and take the courage to develop in ways you haven't dared to yet. Time will go on anyway and change is inevitable.

The topic of Pentacles

An observation I made in this general reading is the focus on Pentacles (3 out of 4 groups have a representative card) and I don't think it's too out of place for this to happen. With the recent turbulent political and economic events, the topics of finances, work, health and basically making sure we're somewhat well off is heavily on the forefront of many people's minds, especially in the short-term, as suit cards often speak more about everyday occurrences rather than life themes. Several of my friends are struggling to find jobs these days and the prices for everything just keep on rising.

With that said, I also want to point out that the Pentacles don't have to be strictly defined in material manners, but can also be seen as a bridge between the material and the spiritual; personally, I think they can represent a more grounded counterpart to the energy of Wands, which are also often associated with (the more spiritual side of) jobs and life work.

Pile 1

cards: anxiety; the box (44); the jester of cups; 5 of cups; 9 of pentacles dice: number 8; 7th house/pisces/mercury

It looks like you might be ignoring - or downplaying - anxieties about the structures/constraints you find yourself in. We have a literal box here, with its borders multiplying and closing in on themselves more and more until there is almost no more room to move. But in the center something is still glowing, like a mini sun. What is it your keeping in? What is trying to shine but not being given enough room?

The number 44 - or 4 in itself - is also speaking of stability and rules and therefore alluding to the authority of the Emperor in Tarot, a figure that in a negative position can feel oppressing and overwhelming. You might feel like you can't live out your emotions in the way you want. Whether imposed on you by circumstances and upbringing (which it looks more like to me, with the bats attacking the flowers from outside in the anxiety card), or perpetuated by yourself now, any worries or negatively perceived emotions you might have are being shut down. Alternatively, if you're already aware of those limits, you might feel anxiety about how to deal with them, or how to deal with a balance between that restriction and what could be sensed as a threatening outpouring of emotion.

The Jester of Cups represents the water element and all water signs, and as a person stands for someone who is emotionally open, sensitive and playful. Perhaps there is a disappointment - or a sort of apathy, if you look at the cat's demeanor in the 5 of Cups - that you are quite literally looking away from, that you're maybe not allowing yourself to fully process. Some kind of hurt or loss could also contribute to the shutting off of emotions, if it feels like you could protect yourself through that. I think, though, that if you acknowledge your more emotional side in a healthy way again (or learn do that) and manage to nurture it and give it space - with the water and earth energies present here - you'll see that it will only lead to making your life richer in all regards.

Pile 2

cards: joy; the ring (57); ace of wands; 8 of cups; 9 of swords dice: number: 15; 8th house/capricorn/saturn

It might be time soon to wake up from your slumber and light a little fire in your life - joy is just around the corner! My personal association with the Ring card is the reminder that you have support from a friendly soul - whether in the material world or from somewhere else (or both!), depending on what you believe in. In the guidebook the ring speaks about interconnectedness and eternity, but also repetition. With the ring being so intertwined in itself and in connection with the Joy card, I think you're getting a notice here that positivity and a love for life will keep coming back to you again and again. You know the belief about how the love you pour out in the world will always come back to you (even multiplied)? That's what it's reminding me of.

Unfortunately that reminder might be very needed - you could recently have had a hard time dealing with fears and worries (9 of Swords), that left you feeling immobilized and isolated from that very world, and now you could be trying to find your way back in. If you're not out of your nightmare phase yet, there could also be a warning here to not keep falling into the same destructive cycles over again.

It's a hopeful sign to me, though, that the cat in the 8 of Cups card is sleeping so restfully, in comparison to the 9 of Swords. The traditional "walking away from disappointment" meaning of the 8 of Cups in Tarot is somewhat subvered here; whatever has happened throughout the cat's day, she's leaving it behind with a sound and guiltfree mind, resting as she deserves. So, it's time to walk away from what doesn't serve you and to find your peace - in order for you to gather the energy to kindle the flames of what you want to bring light to the world with, and find your spark of joy again.

Pile 3

cards: voice; the mother (1); 7 of wands; king of wands (aries); ace of pentacles dice: number: 5; 6th house/sagittarius/pluto

Whatever it is you're trying to do (whatever it is you're burning for even), there's a strong message here to keep going for it. The repeating 1s - in the Mother card, the Aries mention as the first sign in the Zodiac, the Ace of Pentacles - and fire - the 7 and the King of Wands - can often speak about manifesting energy or bringing something completely new into the world out of nothing. So, the reminder here might be to not fall into the temptation of putting your goals and passions on the backburner.

The Mother card represents the theme of manifestation quite literally - but I think she also warns to not get too cozy in her nest and rather become the manifestor yourself. The King of Wands is also a great representative of this kind of thinking and acting, as he's a master of transforming sparks of inspiration and ideas into tangible results and creations, of building something out of it. As a represent of Aries (the first sign, but also the first house) he is also all about action and being guided by your truest self. Getting into his mindset as well as embodying the 7 of Wands - protecting your creations - as a visualized goal should help a lot.

There is also quite literally visible growth; as you speak, as you find your authentic, genuine voice and live your truth from the heart, you will make something grow and speak it into the real world. Simultaneously, you are encouraged to plant the first seeds in the tangible matters of earthly successes to get the ball rolling.

Pile 4

cards: imagination; the mentor (6); 3 of cups; 8 of pentacles; 4 of wands dice: number: 9: 11th house/pisces/mercury

The cards here are actually making me wonder if you're a student or have been thinking of getting back into studying something. There's definitely a more youthful energy in this pile with the childlike skull in the Imagination card and a Mentor figure mentioned. The party themes of the 3 of Cups and the 4 of Wands, which speak about getting together with others and celebrating something, also remind me of initiation/graduation or college parties - friendships (3) are being built or strengthened, whereas the stability (4) of an endeavor is honored, maybe even ceremoniously.

On the other hand there's the stack of books in the 8 of Pentacles. It looks like it belongs to someone who's studying hard and probably will be returning soon to continue doing so. I do think there might be something you're currently dedicating a lot of time on in order to be able to perfect it eventually.

Pile 1

cards: the moon (jumper), 4 of cups (jumper); confidence

So, what stood out to me in this one from the get-go is 1. how the tarot cards came out very quickly, 2. the lack of colors in all the cards and 3. the significance of the moon. Of course, we have the Moon card in and of itself but the exact same moon shape and placement in the picture is repeated in the 4 of Cups in this deck; they only differ in color (one is gold, the other black), so that is quite striking. The illustration on the Confidence card also reminds me of darkness or darkened vision with the sunglasses, just like the Moon card can be associated with not seeing things clearly or in low light. Even the 4 of Cups often speaks about literally looking away from what's offered to you; in this depiction, though, we see a rat climbing over the four cups in the protection of night. All in all, this could be seen as a warning to not be too self-reassured and take a closer look or bring light to a situation before taking a metaphorical sip.

Pile 2

cards: daughter of cups; movement

The daughter (or page) of cups can speak about an actual young person or child, or about the traits of an inner child. As such, this card is also associated sensitivity, intuition, maybe soft-spokenness and naivity. Pages can also mean messages coming to you as intuitive insights, or their subject matters/the way they're formulated could have these cups-like, emotion-heavy traits. Interestingly, this card is coupled with the (green) Movement card, the imagery reminding me of the 8 of Wands in tarot. So, this could mean something is moving swiftly - or maybe someone reaching out to you and what they have to say to you is moving you emotionally and strongly.

Pile 3

cards: death (jumper), 6 of wands; rejection

This combination of cards is really interesting, because of the polar opposites in meaning, specifically regarding the 6 of Wands and the Rejection card. The Death card came out first, depicting a decaying bird, followed by the 6 of Wands (victory) which shows a blue butterfly rising from a pile of branches. To me, it looks like a direct follow-up to the Death card, showing the reincarnation into a new being. Now, for the (orange) Rejection card I could see multiple possible options in interpretation. Maybe a recent rejection is prompting you to go through a transformation and reinvent yourself; maybe your new self is someone who can strongly hold their ground and reject what they don't want in their life; something (internal or external) could still be blocking you from this change in yourself, or make you feel rejected once you present this brilliant reincarnation; or all of the above, of coure x) My personal advice is to stick to your guts (a classic wands theme) and keep standing up for yourself either way.

Pile 4

cards: 10 of pentacles; anxiety

This pile also has a seemingly contradictory message, as we have what looks like a lush happy ending with the 10 of Pentacles on one side and the theme of (a sickly yellow) Anxiety on the other. 10s speak of the completion of something - with the Pentacles this often pertains to material/financial matters or projects. And I think, it's not too uncommon that once you finish something, anxiety can creep in about how to proceed from now on, right? Of course, you might also feel anxious about keeping or losing this very success or about not being able to attain it in the near future, which is fair. I think another possible reading, though, is that these cards are here to remind you that even when you fall into a bit of a spiral (I've just been there, too), there is still some sort of valuable support and stability you can fall back on.

Pile 1

cards: the hierophant; god; connection

The Hierophant is associated with hierarchy, authority, mentorship, churches and institutions of higher education, such as universities; but especially in conjunction with 'connection' and 'god', I think you might feel more of a pull this week to reflect upon your beliefs, religious/spiritual and otherwise, and look to others to educate yourself. The connection card depicts literal nerve connections between the brain, heart and gut, so it could be a good time to practice your intuition as well.

Pile 2

cards: 5 of pentacles; voice; reward

The 5 of Pentacles visits us again this week 😅 So, especially if you got this card last week, too, there might still be a more pronounced awareness of something lacking, in the material sense or when it comes to your accomplishments. This time, though, we also have the keywords 'voice' and 'reward' guiding us, which I see as a sign to speak up and ask for help (or for more in general!) where necessary. Particularly when we feel down in the dumps, it can feel difficult, but the message ist that voicing your needs is worth it.

Pile 3

cards: king of swords; joy; friendship

This combination of cards is very interesting to me, because the King of Swords is not normally associated with lightheartedness. It is related to Libra, though, which reminds me of the 7th house and connections to other people. The combination of the swords/air element with beauty-loving Venus could bring upon an intellectually stimulating friend hangout or, alternatively, balance to a previously tough interpersonal situation.

Pile 4

cards: 4 of wands; worship; union; (jumper cards: fire; life)

The 4 of Wands is also a card that showed up last week, so if that was your pick then, maybe the festivities are still ongoing? Although this time, it looks a lot more 'union' than family based, which obviously reminds me of a wedding/wedding announcement, or maybe an anniversary coming up. All three cards also depict pairs, so the energy of 2-as-1 (The Lovers/2 of Cups) is very strong here, as well. If you're single and looking not to be, it could be an indicator that something might align for you soon.

Pile 1 – the sleepy duck

cards and numbers: the sheep and blackberry (devotion); growth; death; the hermit; 8 of swords; 4 - 7 - 6

I find it very interesting that you chose the sleepy duck and these cards come up for you! Because, like the duck retreating into the pocket and resting, it looks like for you the next few months of spring are going to be a time of looking inwards and nurturing yourself, so you can come out of that period newly transformed.

You might just come out of or still be in the energy of the 8 of Swords, which is about feeling (or believing yourself to be) trapped and helpless. In the illustration, a person is literally bound and blinfolded and surrounded by the swords. But the crux of sword cards is that they speak first and foremost of the mind, not so much of practical circumstances. The number 8 is often associated with abundance; and in terms of the swords, we're looking at an abundance of thoughts, leading to a feeling of being overwhelmed, not knowing left from right, and eventually being immobilized.

That is why I believe, the next three months should allow you space to find your inner footing again, which can be helped by some downtime in the energy of the Hermit. The hermit in the illustration is shining a light, looking downwards, as someone who can observe the world with some distance and make up their mind without outside influence. Here, you can listen in on yourself and make sense of your own thoughts in peace.

In this advantageous position, you should find the clarity and energy again, to understand where to place your devotion – the theme of the sheep and the blackberry. The sheep here is something soft and precious to be protected by the blackberry thorns – that could be about your loved ones or your chosen purpose in life, but I think especially in conjunction with the Hermit, here it speaks to devoting your time and energy and love to yourself.

Eventually, this would culminate in the death and growth cards. The death in Tarot often speaks about transformation, a new beginning, the end of a cycle coming to its natural conclusion, and as the sun rises in the illustration on the death card, it encompasses the beautiful flower in the growth card. I really believe, that by the end of these few months you could emerge as a new person, having blossomed into a new, lighter version of yourself, ready to take on the summer.

Pile 2 – the busy bee

cards and numbers: the quail and the gooseberry (anticipation); caution; 7 of swords; 4 of cups; 8 of pentacles; 12 - 8 - 1

It seems like there's something you're currently looking forward to for the timeframe of the next three months, as the quail and the gooseberry speak to anticipation. At the same time, an element of caution is coming into play – after all the quail is hiding in between the thorny bushes of the gooseberry, keeping an eye out for predators. Is there something you have to pay more attention to? Are you fully aware of your circumstances? What could possibly blindside you, if it turned out different than expected?

The 7 of Swords is also warning of betrayal, trickery and thievery, in the most basic of senses. Someone might not be as truthful as they present themselves to be. The number 7 can also point to the search for a deeper meaning, though, and in terms of the swords – the mindspace – some also see this card to mean that one should take their valuable abilities and skills to a new, more fitting environment. In any case, there seems to be a need to find out the truth of a situation or come to see the truth of it in the next three months.

Curiously, we also have the 4 of Cups here – maybe in the laser focus of what you would be looking for and anticipating, there could be a tendency to not see what you already have in front of you. Possibly this perspective comes up as a consequence of the 7 of Swords, which after a veil of illusionment having been lifted, distracts you of what you still have, especially in the terms of closer relationships and emotional fulfillment.

To come out of that apathetic energy, it could be useful to turn to the 8 of Pentacles. Turning your attention to the mastery of some practical achievement, might it be in your work or your more hands-on hobbies, could ground you back into the present and give you a better sense of what you do have control over, as the development of your skills translates directly into tangible successes.

Pile 3 – the playful baby goats

cards and numbers: the marten and foxglove (mischief); intuition; ace of swords; 3 of pentacles; queen of cups; 3 - 2 - 12

The mischief card coming out when looking a picture of baby goats made me chuckle a little ... After all, baby goats (or baby animals in general) exude the same kind of playfulness that is associated here with the marten, who is said to play tricks on other animals, and the foxglove, as home of fairies. As such this card could serve as confirmation for you, if you already see yourself as this kind of person, or it could point to you embracing this energy in the next few months more.

Intuition as a theme fits here as well, since it is also a spontaneous, innate energy that is possibly stronger in child- than adulthood. Maybe in the coming months you will be able to rely or to learn to rely on your gut feelings more and explore the sparks of insights you get. The Ace of Swords, as a well of newfound mental energy, reasoning and confidence to speak your truth, fits very nicely here; and, as a traditionally more yang card, generally perceived somewhat colder, clear-cut, active and direct, it gets promptly balanced out by the Queen of Cups, which is very yin, soft and – you guessed it – incredibly intutive.

This could mean that both of these energies accompany you in these coming months, and that you might flip-flop between them or try to find the balance in between. The Queen of Cups could also be another person coming into or already being in your life, though, who embodies this very nurturing and emotionally mature energy and could serve as a counterpoint to your brazen, mischievous type of intuition.

Pile 1

cards: 4 of wands, growth of energy

It looks like it's time for a little celebration this week! The 4 of Wands speaks of stability in the creative and actionable realm, but also of weddings or family parties as is visible on the illustration. The Growth of Energy card also depicts a few eggs in a nest, which adds to the meaning of a celebration in the family, particularly a birth or maybe a pregnancy announcement (that could pertain to you or someone else you know). At the same time, I absolutely think these cards could also speak about a "spiritual" birth, such as of an idea or a creative project someone's been working on.

Pile 2

cards: the chariot, safe travel

The Chariot and Safe Travel being drawn together is a strong indicator to me that 1. either you might be going on a (bigger) journey this week, 2. you could finally start realistically planning a big trip you've been wanting to go on or 3. see an opportunity to bring those travel wishes to fruition. Very curiously to me, both cards depict large bodies of water and wings which also points to travel by plane, possibly intercontinental. The Chariot is also a good indicator that things might be moving a lot faster from now on!

Pile 3

cards: 5 of pentacles, divine guidance

With the 5 of Pentacles, we're usually confronted with a challenging financial or material situation (which in the current economical climate ... unfortunately isn't too uncommon). This week there might be more of a personal focus for you on that issue or something might come up that makes you notice it more than normally. The Divine Guidance card here speaks about listening in on your intuition first, before taking another step. It is advised to be patient and wait for another sign.

Pile 4

cards: knight of cups, mindfulness