Old, New, and Hope

I am a member of the Gaian Tarot Circle. It is a lovely place where those of us who invested in Joanna Powell Colbert’s Gaian Tarot gather to study and talk. Joanna shared a spread from the book. It’s specifically for the New Year. I wanted to share that here.

Gaian Tarot New Year’s Spread

1. What do I leave behind in the Old Year?

8 of Wands — Interesting since I’ve just completed my last move (bought my own place). When Joanna first posted this card, I commented, “Favorite part of this card? Not all the comets are heading in exactly the same trajectory. Some are closer as well. I like the freedom that gives me as a reader. 🙂 Don’t know if you meant to do it, but that’s what it does for me.”

I think this means that I’m leaving behind some of my faster-paced living (and that’s a very good thing.) Maybe it is that I will leave behind the scattered focus on this past year.

2. What do I open up to in the New Year?

Justice (11) — I love this card a lot. All of the endangered species-he stands guardian to them. I love the feather and the heart symbolism as Ma’at has always been an intriguing Goddess to me. Joanna, in her blog, says, “Justice asks us, with each choice that we make, to consider the consequences of our actions.”

And I think this is about me recommitting my compassionate self to helping others. It is about making sure that my heart remains as light as a feather. I need to open up to the idea of myself in my role as daughter of the Universe. Justice calls me to focus on karma as well.

3. Key Opportunity of the New Year

Tree (12) — What a lovely response to my 8 of Wands year. My opportunity is to breathe, take a moment, take love and life into me and grow from it. I remember when I used to just cringe when I saw the Hanged Man. Waiting? That’s like getting Isa in a rune reading. I never wanted to wait. Now I am so content to let things unfold. Plus my holiday gift this year was a beginner Yoga kit. Joanna’s comments on the site are profound for me. “In our version, the dreamlike figure is suspended in the yoga posture called vriksha-asana — the Tree. Her grace, serenity and balance is a mirror of her inner being. She is able to stay centered even when her world is in upheaval, when the horizon is off-kilter and all things are topsy turvy.”

Sounds like I will have a chance to practice my balancing act, yes?

4. Key Challenge of the New Year

Ace of Water— Oh how lovely this is. I am just beginning to explore the idea of a relationship. From the website “Seeking your heart’s desire on a pilgrimage or quest. Following your intuition. The gift of wisdom and a full heart. The journey begins.” Smile. I need the lion’s courage and the tin man’s heart for this journey. I’ve been single for nearly five years (a 7 wk dating event notwithstanding). Now there is someone in my life. We are at the very beginning–just emailing and now texting. It’s always interesting to start this exploration, but also terrifying.

I identify with that fingerling’s “do I have to go out there” expression. That water is so deep. I might go too far. I might get overwhelmed. I might totally lose my new baby self.

Full Disclosure–when I pulled this, I saw the 10 of Water not the Ace. 😐 I think my mind is wrapped up in the idea that I will never have a “good” relationship. That is not a true thought, mind.

5. Hidden concern (pull from bottom of the deck)

Canoe (7) — HA! 🙂 Yes, I think there is a concern about where I’m going. I turn 50 this year. It seems somehow monumental to me. The whole “going on a Journey” as Joanna puts it in one of her discussions about this card. It’s huge to me. Am I in charge? Is someone/thing else pushing/paddling/stalling me out? Will I get where I’m going. Do I know where I’m going? And so my mind circles back to the first question.

When I see this card in a challenge spot, I tell my clients, “Who is in charge of your life? Are you driving or is someone else?” It is a challenge for me to step up to my own complacency. sigh. Well…it is a concern, right? 🙂

6. Deep Wisdom / Advice from God/dess (pull from middle of the deck)

Gardener (3) — I smiled when I picked up the deck. It seemed to split so naturally and the card just slid right out. And there she is, the beautiful, fecund Empress. Cradling her belly. Relaxing. My first thought was “nurture me”. It goes in line with my slowing down. And I like that I see a cityscape in the far distance. This is about getting back to a more natural rhythm, I think. About enjoying the seasons for themselves. I see 2011 as a year to just slow it down.

7. Key Theme of the New Year

I did this two ways. I used MKG’s Quintessence to get 42 which, of course, is the meaning of life. I’ll just go get my towel. 🙂 But it is also 6, The Lovers. I can live with that. 🙂

8 of Earth is the card that I drew. This is a theme of student and teacher–a familiar one to me from other readings that I’ve done.

When I combine that with the Lovers, I am seeing a pretty powerful message about love as a vehicle of learning.

I found this to be a very profound reading for me. It took me places I needed to go–regardless of the fear. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this reading. Any insights?