I was shuffling my deck in preparation for this reading and kept on noticing the cards at the bottom of the stack: The Devil, the Ten of Pentacles, Temperance. I even had a spark of inspiration for a future post talking about these cards as “little messages,” quick and digestible shouts from the tarot deck. And I’m also especially happy to have one of these cards make an actual appearance in our reading since its energy has been missing for some time now. Enter: Temperance.
The structure of this week’s reading is, as I look at these cards, fairly straightforward. Temperance sees us actively balancing two energies. It invites us to step into our power (with some help via good fortune, our higher self, and/or divine forces… however we choose to define it, there will be a boost pushing us towards balance) by choosing to accept our ability to moderate intense viewpoints. On the menu this week is the harsh and, at this point familiar, material suffering symbolized in the Five of Pentacles and the fantasy of the Seven of Cups.
That we start with Temperance seems important. Take a moment now to see how you’ve reached a place of inner peace around some thorny issues. I can’t help but think of our recent “swords streak,” during which we had to contend with harmful messaging and respond to it by embracing our agency and writing our own narratives. Let the victory in this accomplishment sink in as you begin the week. Temperance is a Major Arcana card, and I’m seeing it as a manifestation of our ability to thrive in the in-between, acting as our own personal alchemists. We can adjust our mixtures as we go, finding the right amounts, and remaining nourished and peaceful all the while.
Yes, this week may bring up some challenges, especially around scarcity and how we deal with it. Try to tap into the placid inner current you’ve been cultivating. Let the systems you’ve built work for you. I’m thinking self-care, mindfulness, and plenty of rest. There’s no hurry this week, though some parts of the world might have us thinking otherwise.
Recognize when you get off-balance, using our two Minor Arcana cards as points of orientation. Feeling bogged down by logistics and pessimistic about your ability to care for yourself financially? Lighten up and embrace the positive facets of the cups suit: joyful imagination, connecting with others, and meaningful practices. Noticing yourself detached from your reality and careening into potential futures, what-ifs, and other people’s visions? Ground yourself with the positive aspects of the pentacles suit: daily rituals, tending to your resources, finding solace in work.
Again, Temperance is the central energy this week, and its presence is ultimately very affirming. We’ve been able to enshrine our ability to hold space for ourselves and moderate our at times intense energy in an enduring and central part of our personality, ethos, and approach to life. This week we just need to practice! And, most importantly, enjoy our lives, resisting the constant temptation to catastrophize or detach. What if we were just here? What if being present in the moment, trusting in our ability to adjust as we go, is all we need to do? Staying with ourselves as we move through this week, and life as a whole, keeps us grounded in our integrity and joyfully alive.
This week, embrace:
Practicing mindfulness, presence, and trust in yourself
Confidence in your ability to navigate life as it comes
Rest, peacefulness, the long game
Turning away from extremes (are they really that interesting or enticing?)
This week, avoid:
Seeing yourself as a failure or your life as something to escape
Other people’s metrics for happiness and success
Rushing decisions
Abandoning yourself, your path, your choices
Oh man… when I first saw the Five of Pentacles I thought NOT AGAIN!!! 😩 But your insight provided the much needed balance. Thank you!!
Also, The High Priestess keeps showing up in my personal readings. Like, to the point that it’s kinda starting to freak me out. What does it mean?? HALP! Might be time for a persona reading with you again ❤️
Gina, thank you for all of your weekly readings. They truly have helped me feel seen, supported, validated, and guided over the past year – my most changing and tough of my existence. This week's reading feels especially on point for me. Thank you for reminding us to stay present, patient, and rested even during times that feel familiar in not great ways. With diligence, dedication, and consistent maintenance of self and our surroundings, may we all continue to rise. Sending you grace, peace, love and joy ✌🏻