By Judy Jennings
© Copyright 2015
Now that we’ve established
the basic theme of our reading with the first three cards, we move into a different
realm with the fourth. The next four
cards offer an overview of the shape of the year. This view offers a look at where we’ve come
from, where we’re going most immediately, and the best direction to head in the
current situation.
The 8 of Pentacles represents
the long past, the state in which we began 2015. There’s a strong work ethic in this card. In the biggest view, it signifies the building
of civilization, perpetually in process.
On a personal level, it reflects the satisfaction of an honest day’s
work, and of creating something tangible in the world.
The 8 of Pentacles is
strongly grounded in the natural world.
Still, there’s a spiritual side to this card as well. The pole on which the Pentacles are being
attached is essentially a Wand, and Wands signify the desire for a connection
with higher power. This might be seen as
a sort of totem pole.
Still, there is no denying
that this has been a devastating time in many ways. The Five of Cups presents here as the action
card, and it’s no easy thing the cards are asking of us with that.
The Five of Cups as the action
card makes the point that there is simply no way around the grief we’re feeling
about some of the events of this past year.
This is a time to acknowledge that, to cry for what’s been lost, and to
let go of whatever has become empty to us on a personal level. This is a state that will pass before long,
and with that will come clarity and a fresh outlook for the new year.
That’s a promise that is
implicit in the next card, which is in the position of the near future. Death sits there, looking toward the future,
leading to both loss and opportunity. As
we head into the new year, we’ll continue to witness the demise of old ways of
thinking and doing business. As those
outdated ways pass, there will be the possibility for an explosion of creative
growth.
The Death card doesn’t mean
physical demise. Rather, it discusses
the idea of ebb and flow, rise and fall, decay and rebuilding. So don’t let this card in the near future
scare you. Thus far, other influencing
cards are the prosperous Pentacles, the rather introverted Cups, and the Wands that
show blocked energy, which suggests that the Death card in this reading is specifically
about social and personal processes. Be
assured that this card is not predicting any acts of violence.
This portion of our reading
encourages us to focus on the community-building efforts of the past year, and
at the same time, to conduct a personal vigil of sorts. This is a time to remember those who have
suffered and been lost to us. In this moment,
we have the ability to experience our grief without losing sight of the
connections that have also been made. Without
losing sight of hope.
Going forward, expect to see
some significant changes taking place, and soon. This will be your chance to be a part of
them!
The final part of this
reading will be in my next post, where we’ll be looking at the attitudes we’re
bringing into the coming year, and of course, we’ll see the outcome.