Tarot Reflections

February 2018
By Lalia Wilson

What does February have in store for you? February has the Valentine’s Day celebration on the 14^th, and for 2018, has a New Moon/Chinese New Year on the 16^th. I used a different deck of cards for each of the four elements. All cards were randomized before drawing the cards. Only two cards were repeated, both trumps: The Chariot and The Devil. Interestingly these represent the opposite zodiacal signs of Cancer and Capricorn, and thus an inherent conflict between the home and public life. In tarot, they indicate travel and means of transportation (car trouble? New car purchases?) and materialism and/or lust. Particularly with the Devil card, it is so easy to experience the low road and to ignore the lesson of self-discipline and greater awareness—remember that in many Devil cards the chains binding the couple are loose enough to escape! Since these two cards are repeated, this message is universal this month. Specifically, you ought to investigate and fix transportation problems and to avoid falling into self-defeating behaviors.

By suit, we have about an equal amount of Pentacles, Cups, and Swords, but only one Wand. This may mean that we lack the fire to make big changes. This message is somewhat repeated in the numerology of these cards. We lack Fives (five being the number of change). Fives in tarot are seen as cards of conflict. Those of us who are conflict-adverse may not like this, but we know deep inside that some amount of conflict helps the collective "us" move forward in life. We also lack Nines, the number of completion. It appears that we will still be at work through the month, without getting to the finish. Finally, we lack Kings. The Kings are the masters of their elements, so this may again indicate that we do not get to the end of the project. Another meaning of a lack of Kings is a lack of men of power taking a stand in public life or in your personal life.

The cards used for the fire signs were the Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. For the Earth signs, I used the Shapeshifter Tarot by D.J. Conway and Sirena Knight, art by Lisa Hurt, and published by Llewellyn. Representing the Air signs is the Sirian Starseed Tarot by Patricia Cori, illustrated by Alysa Bartha, and published by North Atlantic Books. For the Water signs, I used The Healing Light Tarot created by Christopher, published by Lo Scarabeo, and available at your usual tarot retailers.  

May February bring you a lighter heart and more love!

Aries: 

The Magician and the Eight of Cups: 

Dear Aries, it looks like you are spending a lot of time with your consciousness-raising friends this month. You are setting aside family concerns, housework, and financial affairs. We all need some time with our friends, and you are indulging yourself this month. One cautionary note: your friends will have big life changes in 2018. By next year this time, they will be different people. Listen to your dreams and maybe write them down. You are getting guidance that will increase your income, spirituality, and health.

These images are from Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Taurus: 

The Star and the Goddess (Queen) of Water:

Career and public reputation are your focus this month, dear Taurus. You may have unexpected publicity, especially on television and social media. The setting is ripe for positive PR and advertising. Your efforts to help others, whether for profit or not, will be right on target. Your friends are in a dream world of their own. This can mean they are overindulging in legal and illegal substances, but the meaning can simply be that they are deeply into meditation, poetry, and fantasy. Love them.

These images are from the Shapeshifter Tarot by D.J. Conway and Sirena Knight, art by Lisa Hurt, and published by Llewellyn.

Gemini:

The Chariot and the Ten of Orbs (Swords):

Dear Gemini, you have been spending a lot… perhaps on a new car or foreign travel. Now you look at your finances and see a big zero. You will need to focus more this month on generating income. If you haven’t yet bought that car, consider all the financial ramifications of your purchase. Can you economize? If necessary, foreign travel (which calls to you) will require creative budgeting. There is a lot you can learn by traveling, but let’s not let that learning be about money insufficiencies.

These images are from the Sirian Starseed Tarot by Patricia Cori, illustrated by Alysa Bartha, and published by North Atlantic Books. 

Cancer: 

The Devil and the Six of Wands:

It looks like a positive month regarding career, public events, money, and work. But the focus, dear Cancer, is on partners. (Partners can mean a spouse, long-term friend, business partner…) Your partner is the "heavy" in your relationship. That person has been flexing his/her ability to command others and make things happen. In your relationship, this can be too much for sensitive Cancer. Furthermore, your partner is not going to change their behavior because of your sensitivities. Can you live with it?

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

Leo: 

Judgment and the Ten of Pentacles: 

Dear Leo, your focus this month is on daily activities, employees, and personal health. Any sins you have made against health advice will be coming to get their payback. If you have been smoking, eating wrong, ignoring regular habits and exercise, this month the bill comes due. But wait, you can be a late convert! Start slowly tweaking your habits to the healthy ones your medical practitioner advises. 


These images are from Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Virgo: 

Initiation/Fool and the Three of Swords:

Dear Virgo, you have a lot of attention on joint finances, which will work out if you pay attention. You are preparing for some new ventures in education, beliefs, or travel. Most of the activity this month, though, is centered around your children and creative efforts. Here the news may be disappointing. You may be disheartened, but if this is your child, you need to step up and provide comfort and consolation. You need to strike a balance between tough love and being a helicopter parent.

These images are from the Shapeshifter Tarot by D.J. Conway and Sirena Knight, art by Lisa Hurt, and published by Llewellyn.

Libra: 

The Shadow/Devil and the Four of Orbs/Swords:

Family secrets may come to light this month, dear Libra. You may also find valuable items in your home or a family home. Creatively, you need a rest this month. Take note of your sudden insights and ideas. Please write them down. But let yourself rest so that you will have the strength to proceed with those brilliant new moves at a later time. Remember that taking time to restore yourself can prevent big health problems in the future. 

These images are from the Sirian Starseed Tarot by Patricia Cori, illustrated by Alysa Bartha, and published by North Atlantic Books. 

Scorpio: 

The Sun and the Six of Cups:

Dear Scorpio, you are finishing a busy time with a focus on family matters and home improvement projects. Breathe a sigh of relief. Now you will turn to your creative side and your children. You have a very romantic view of children this month based on your fondest memories of your own childhood. Avoid confusing the needs of your children with what you needed as a child yourself. Times change and people are different.

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

Sagittarius: 

Death and the Page of Cups:

Your life this month, dear Sagittarius, is focused inwardly. Your meditation experiences are superb. Your sense of connection with the All-Mighty is greater than ever. You are making small changes in your personal environment—home and office—to aid you in meditation and inward seeking. Are you setting up a meditation room or an altar? If you focus on simplicity, muted pastel colors, and soundproofing, you will create the space that works for you.

These images are from Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Capricorn: 

Courage/Strength and the Two of Swords: 

Dear Capricorn, this month is about your income and your joint budget and finances. It is about what’s yours and what is not. It is thus about what you can change—what’s yours—and what you need to encourage others to change. You are a splendid organizer and manager. Unfortunately, you need to refrain from interfering into the lives of your nearest and dearest. They need to make their own decisions and take appropriate action. (But you can incentivize their behavior if you are clever.)

These images are from the Shapeshifter Tarot by D.J. Conway and Sirena Knight, art by Lisa Hurt, and published by Llewellyn.

Aquarius: 

The Great Wheel/Wheel of Fortune and the Knight of Crystals/Pentacles:

There is a spotlight on you, dear Aquarius, this month—your personal self, not your public self. You are relishing the attention and being more fashion-forward than ever. Your public life is going quite well. At home, you have the possibility of a smart new item, such as a smart TV, or smart speaker, being added to your life. What along that line do you want? Could it be a Valentine’s Day or birthday gift? Happy birthday!

These images are from the Sirian Starseed Tarot by Patricia Cori, illustrated by Alysa Bartha, and published by North Atlantic Books. 

Pisces: 

The Chariot and the Seven of Pentacles:

Dear Pisces, you have been so focused on other matters that you have neglected your children and your creative process. You are keeping company with a group of very powerful movers and shakers. Might this be social climbing? The message this month is to always provide care to your inner self, the source of your health and creativity. This is necessary for the life you want to live.


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

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.