January 2023 Tarot Stories
Tarot Stories are horoscopes divined by the Tarot. They can be read as guidance or inspiration. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't. Live your life.
Capricorn: Queen of Cups x 10 of Disks x Ace of Disks
Let the wisdom of your emotions guide you this month. Awareness of your own and others' emotions will get you far, and specifically, get you paid. Expressing or sharing your feelings (which may or may not feel risky most of the time) is an inroad into your bag this month! Together the 10 of Disks x Ace of Disks represent an opportunity that may arrive and bare fruit quickly, a cheque, a deposit, payment for work done, a reward, repayment of a debt, access to needed or desired resources or investment!
This is especially useful energy for entrepreneurs, solo creatives and any other workers. A resource or an opportunity will be made available to you that will increase the abundance of your material life, but closed mouths don't get fed! It's not a technical skill, "book smarts", or a physical attribute that you need to share or display, but something like a belief, or a feeling about a particular topic or matter that is central to the work you are trying to do or create. Someone may book, hire or invest in you based on a point of emotional intelligence.
The Queen of Cups calls for being transparent about your emotions, while not letting them take over or run your life. Don't be afraid to storytell a little bit in a pitch or a proposal, humanize yourself; it's not all about the numbers all of the time. A benefactor will respond more positively to you because of expressed compassion, intuition, being able to understand and work well with others, your capacity for care, inherent creative gifts or talents, your artistic "eye" and your ability to express your *felt* point of view. The Queen of Cups does not overshare, they are not overwhelmed; the are articulate, poised yet passionate, what they express rings true because it is deeply FELT. Can you create more balance and deep understanding in your emotional landscape so that you can better express yourself towards a pay day?
Aquarius: 3 of Cups x Death x 6 of Cups
Rebirth or reinvent the way you do joy and pleasure! You may not actually have a choice and discomfort may begin to abound in the socially intimate spaces of your life because Death has come to reap an outlived dynamic. Relationships (platonic or romantic) not giving as much comradery, joy, or pleasure as they used to? Something is up for a transformation in this area. Who do closely socialize with, have sex with and how do y'all usually do these activities?
Sex and physical pleasure is worth highlighting here because of Death & the 6 of Cups (both Scorpionic cards.) If this point resonates reflect on what literally gets you off, new interests in how you want to be touched (or not), new arousal strategies, unexplored kinks; maybe you change your appearance or outward expression is some way!
Generally, this may not be a complete removal of connected persons from your life, rather, how you are in relationship with them will be called to evolve at this time. Venus the planet of love, attraction, beauty, and pleasure moves into Aquarius on January 2nd, and these cards make it clear she has a lesson to teach you as she transits your natal Sun (or Ascendent!). It may be unexpected, involuntary, uncomfortable but you and your intimate folks will be all the better for these needed changes. With the 3 and 6 of Cups this speaks to some of your closest relationships, inner circle, partners, oldest friends, confidants, folks you already share a deep love/connections, and important parts of you life with. Maybe you or someone has moved, recently birthed offspring, married--some big social life change-- and now how, when and why you are in relationship with them needs to change, because that's just it… life is change. The more you hold on to old relationship behaviors, dynamics, old expectations and requirements, the more painful this will be. Have a honest conversation with folks about what is needed to stay in each others lives now, in the current circumstances, if that is what you desire.
Pisces: 7 of Cups x 5 of Cups x Princess of Disks
Resourcefulness, curiosity, and a will to explore and learn will keep you from cycles of disappointment and stagnancy this month, Pisces! As represented by the 7 & 5 of Cups: overindulging in toxic substances, narratives, thoughts, not knowing when to drop a grudge or leave the party (physically or metaphorically) will keep you trapped in emotional landscapes you don't want to be in. Engage your healthy (sometimes overactive) imagination in generative and explorative thoughts and activities. Don't let emotional overwhelm derail you from your very real and achievable goals.
Embody the Princess of Disks who is full of life, potential and hungry to create their world! Get our of your physical and emotional comfort zones. This can look like short distance travel, going back to school or taking any type of course of study; basically putting yourself in a position to learn and experience new things! The Princess of Disks is really supportive of students, small business owners and makers of all things; cooks, artists, writers, people of who work with their hands, and alchemise information/ideas into a material entity or lived experience. Definitely pack a notebook but this is an active story. You are being called to use the resources-- knowledge, skills, emotional intelligence, creativity, your own past experiences(!)-- that you already possess to take you towards the future, that next project, opportunity, or destination!
Take into account what you know didn't work, left you in lack, feeling depressed, overwhelmed and broken hearted. Patricia Hill Collins (Black Feminist scholar extraordinaire) said that the difference between knowledge and wisdom is experience! So mobilize your experiences and integrate them in a way that transforms what you just 'know' into wisdom that works for you! Processes of elimination may be useful in forging the path ahead. Get up, go, do, try- trying alone produces more results, & opportunities for movement! Don't look back, especially don't *feel* back into old stories or states of being. Forward!
Aries: 3 of Disks, 9 of Cups x Queen of Wands
Build a small team and lead them to help create your vision! These collaborations will fill your cup and bring once thought out-of-reach dreams to fruition! Be a benevolent leader, not a tyrant. Team work (3 of Disks) is essential to your success this month, which may not be on paper or in the bank but can be deeply satisfying emotionally, bringing in abundance in places you didn't expect and really amplifying your "Midas Touch".
Allow others to make suggestions, run contacts, networks or ideas by you. They may bring with them gifts, specific talents and general good fortune. The Queen of Wands confirms you're in charge. Be the fiery change maker, initiator, passionate instigator you know that you are, but don't completely forget about other's voices as you whirl in your creative storm. People are and will be attracted to you, they want to be around your energy, and share in your ideas; they will follow you so don't give them a reason not to. January stands to be an abundant, fulfilling month for you if you can balance your leadership, passions, determination and confidence with a drop of cooperation!
Taurus: The Universe x 9 of Swords x 5 of Wands
Completion, satisfaction and joy will flow through matters in your world this month, Taurus! Pre-existing matters that caused strife within your own mind, and in your environment will come to a peaceful conclusion. The Universe is a powerful 'wrap it up' card as the final archetype of the Major Arcana. Self-loathing, negative thoughts, cruelty, competition, gossip, arguments with your own self or others will come to a close. A lesson of the Universe card is: water your own garden! Nurture yourself with wholesome food and self-love. Surround yourself with beautiful aesthetics, and as much comfort or luxury you can cultivate in your home and other intimate spaces.
January will be a time to have blinders on to any conflict threatening to penetrate your energy field. If you can focus on nourishing what's right in front of you, starting with your own mind, body, and home you'll have no need to seek validation or peace from external forces. Wrap up any unfinished matters this month, get unfinished projects or unresolved disputes off your desk and off your mind. Don't beat yourself up about the past; please remedy negative thoughts about yourself with compassion, grace and self-forgiveness. Consider how cutting your losses in a conflict with another person or entity may free you quicker and easier than indulging in never ending battles.
Gemini 8 of Swords x 10 of Wands x 8 of Disks
Miscommunication and overwhelm may feature heavily for you this month, Gemini. Don't overbook yourself socially or with career/work related responsibilities if you can help it. Simplify your life by focusing on one or two ideas (max) or one or two projects at a time. You are inherently generative and that gift is a blessing but don't let the temptation of one thousand options, ideas, or dates wreck the experiences you are trying to create for yourself. The 8 of Swords advises that you aren't really stuck, trapped or locked into a situation like you may feel. Feel free to reschedule or cancel plans if you are at the end of your rope. No is a complete sentence!
The 8 of Disks dictates the soothing medicine of routine and repetition. Pick one idea, one project, one date to focus on at a time, and see what productivity and gains that one path yields. Practice makes perfect! And it seems that you can yield the most mental capacity and physical energy by sticking to one tried and true source/narrative/practice. Urgency may not be your friend at this time; be more methodical and slow down and edit your communications for best results.
Cancer: 2 of Wands x the Tower x 6 of Disks
When making choices about how to best manage big foundational life changes, consider asking for or receiving offered help. The 6 of Disks speaks to gifts or resources that fill a void or deficit you may be experiencing. Choose the path where you know love and support is. Sometimes it pays (literally) to take the path of least resistance, especially in the face of absolute destruction and rebuilding represented by the Tower. Before taking an enormous risk alone, consider what other resources you may have access to, and also what resources you have to offer in return or exchange. If you don't know, you better ask somebody! This will certainly help you if you find yourself at a crossroads and in decision making, especially regarding a course of action.
Whatever you lack wants you to receive it; at the same time, you may find yourself in a position to help those who are less fortunate than you, experiencing a rough patch/ going through their own 'Tower' moment. You can make a decision to help them or not. Be open to giving and receiving assistance in all ways this month, particularly if big change, endings, or temporary chaos seem to be ruling the day. It's necessary foundational shifts but you don't have to do it alone.
Leo: 3 of Wands x The Magus x Fortune
Now is the time to live a value-driven life, Leo! Research, reflect and really get to the bottom of what motivates you to live your life and how you life that life. What are you core values? Can you create a kind of checklist of criteria by which you run decisions, people, places, actions? 'Does it fulfil XYZ? Great, let's go.' Or: 'So this experience doesn't fulfil XYZ? No thanks!' Your are the Magus, you are the most powerful decision maker, change maker, and plan initiator in you life, or in any significant matter consuming you this month.
Do things and be with people that uphold the values you choose to live by. In doing so, Fortune is sure to find you. Fortune comes when least expect it, a surprise gift or raise, a grant you thought you wouldn't get, an extra free pastry at the café, finding money on the floor of the club, something you lost/ misplaced being found or returned to you after you have given up hope. Be open to receiving unexpected gems [read jahmzz] from the Universe. As they say, "fortune favors the brave" and if there is any sign that could epitomize this it's you, Lionheart!
Virgo: 5 of Disks x 2 of Disks x Ace of Wands
The medicine for worry about material resources (including your physical body, and health) is change, especially when it comes to your work/life balance. Especially in the Covid WFH era, you getting enough separation between the home as a site of work and one of rest? A rebalancing act may be required to erase any worries about lack: lack of time, lack of money, lack of energy (all of these things are 'resources'). Think about adjustments to your schedule that can enable you to work smarter, not harder; or that allow you to sleep in one day a week, or schedule in activities or down time for rejuvenation.
Chances are, the change that you need is something you are already passionate about but haven't created or put into action; it's still a small flame in your heart and it wants to grow. Feed this specific yearning and it will produce the opportunity for you to relieve the aches of not having/being/doing 'enough'. This passion represented by the Ace of Wands is the beginning of a passion project, side hustle or a just for fun creative hobby that could either give you a few extra bucks or change the way you view lack, and your relationship with all of your resources entirely.
Libra: The Hierophant x The Emperor x Art
You may want to follow the rules this month, Libra. Whose rules? Well, the rules of whoever is in charge, in leadership and responsible for establishing how the parameters for how an organization, program, course of study, contract (including marriages) etc must be executed. This month may be filled with dealings with large scale institutions and their conventions. Governments and their agents; universities; or people like bosses/mentors and spouses, folks that you in someone have a legal or otherwise binding agreement with to follow certain rules and not do other shit. Of course, if you find yourself closer (or at the top) of any of these traditionally hierarchal institutions or dynamics then you'll have an easier time of it, because you are in charge. Congratulations.
For all you other mere mortals , don't worrying the result of sticking with convention this month will serve you well in the long run. The Art card is an invitation to practice some temperance and care in all matters. Don't be quick to rock the boat or rattle someone's cage. You will inevitably get what you want/require by using a soft hand and kind of being a 'yes man'. Personalities and/or circumstances may be a little volatile if you draw to far out of the lines. There's protection to be had in flying under the radar when it comes to dealing with certain institutions-- as we well know. Go along to get along for now, even if as you say yessuh, you are plotting a revolution in your head.
Scorpio: 5 of Swords x 9 of Disks x The Empress
These are ALL Venus ruled cards, so the position and movement of Venus is going to be really significant for you this month. Pay attention. On 2 January Venus moved into Aquarius (5 of Swords); this means open your eyes right now to possible betrayal or theft or loss of some kind but know that it's alright. Recent conflicts of the mind or heart that may have left you feeling a bit defeated, the victim of some theft or betrayal will quickly be eased, especially by the New Moon in Aquarius (21-22 Jan) when Venus makes a conjunction to Saturn [read my piece on the Venus/Saturn conjunction in the next post]. If you shared something with someone and left with all of it, let them have it! If someone took something precious from you, also let it go!
You are being called to look at the abundance around you that you still possess, especially that which you have created for yourself. The 9 of Disks wants luxury for you this month, specifically in the home and any intimate spaces you inhabit. You may be drawn to do some Interior decorating, small or large design projects around the house, nesting for a special arrival, or just buying flowers, anything that helps make the space you inhabit more comfortable and beautiful for you.
These preparatory actions of care and aesthetic around the home should also boost your motivation and inspiration to create or produce in larger external aspects of your life. The Empress, Venus herself, ensures that this month is both easeful and generative. Create the environments and feelings you wish to inhabit in your space, in your presentation, in your body; surround yourself in colours and adornments and items that sooth and inspire; the magnetism of that energy will just pull more abundance and beauty to you. Abundance, like charity, starts at home.
Sagittarius: Knight of Disks x The Priestess x Strength
Long term career and resource goals are on your mind, and heart, this month Sagittarius. If not, they should be a focus point because you stand to gain a lot in this area of life. Investments, inheritance, family businesses, real estate and the involvement or management of these matters could dominate. Best to give any weighty decisions to your intuition! The Priestess is your inner voice, your higher knowing and will be an essential guide in your material life, especially when circumstances become sticky, you grow weary and consider throwing in the towel.
Now isn't the time to walk away from work, steady income, investments or long-standing tradition of business if it exists. Persevere! You want changes to be made in your career or how your organization does business? Then stay onside and initiate those changes yourself. This energy is supportive of junior folks stepping into positions of authority, being visionaries, looking towards the future, and efficient resource management. You'll be learning skills that could help build generational wealth and/or how to provide materially for others. Remember, keep you intuition on speed dial this month; it'll be your greatest strength and source of motivation.
