Weekly Tarot

December 2-8, 2024
The Sun

The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Following The Moon, which challenged us just the week before last, this week’s card is a powerful indication that on some level, we have passed an initiatory test. Although there are still potential obstacles and difficulties (especially when considering this week’s astrology), there is deep goodness ahead for those who know how to access it. Therefore, let us allow this week’s card, which we haven’t seen since 2022, to speak for itself.  ~ Beth

How auspicious that you are now engaging with me as your Guide, for I am one of the most joyful cards in the Tarot. It is clear that you have endured much testing and tribulation, but now, you are invited to bask in the great fulfillment I offer you.

Come Closer. Let Me Show You Who I Am.

In the R-W-S deck, I show you a smiling baby carrying a crimson banner and riding a white horse. A huge sun shines down from a blue sky. Behind the child is a wall bedecked with four sunflowers, which some suggest represent the four suits of the Tarot.

The red banner is certainly one of victory, and the human-faced Sun is depicted with twenty two rays (one is hidden behind the Roman numeral of the card). These have been interpreted as the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana, which so vividly correspond to the twenty two paths of the Qabalah Tree of Life.

The rays of my Sun alternate between straight and wavy rays. This is an ancient way of representing the “philosopher’s Sun,” and illustrates the Sun as the source of light (straight rays) and heat (wavy rays) – illumination and warmth, the life-giving energies. It may also represent the combination of male and female energies.

For indeed, the child is androgynous, as the Child of Light in many esoteric traditions often is.

You will notice, too, that the baby is wearing a wreath of flowers with a single red feather crowning it, which connects it to the Sun in the sky. It is no coincidence that it is identical to the jaunty red feather that The Fool wears. Less obviously, Death also wears a similar red feather, but it is tattered, wilted, and pointing downward.

In many cultures, white horses are benevolent, protective spirit guides, or even the beloved and powerful Epona, horse Goddess of Gaul and Rome. The absence of reins or saddle resonates with many ancient carvings of Epona and indicates a complete integration of will and surrender.

The happy child also suggests that after all is said and done, the mystical journey of the soul requires a return to childlike innocence. Like the open and upward-facing posture of The Fool, the little child rides with arms open wide in trust.

And isn’t this precisely at the heart of the great dance of your life? Knowing when to push, and when to surrender? Here, the baby embodies both — in perfect love, in perfect trust.

Returning from the Underworld Journey

In the sequence of the Major Arcana cards, I am placed right after The Moon card.

Although modern interpretations offer much more nuance, The Moon is typically considered a difficult part of the Fool’s journey because it is the final test of the “nighttime cards.” As you may recall from its recent visit here, the shadow side of The Moon calls you to face your deepest illusions, fears, and terrors.

So when I arrive in the Tarot story of the Royal Road, you have emerged from that darkness and your work with the shadow-self. You are ready to make the transition to liberation.

I am here to declare that some important component of your journey is now triumphant. Life is about to, or else has already become clear, simple, and straightforward. I often shine with news of a wedding, the birth of a beloved child, success, or a happy chapter of life now beginning.

And could the timing be more perfect? Here’s a hint: yes, maybe. Only if I’d arrived the actual week of Winter Solstice.

Because how can you not see this Sun Child as the Child of Promise, the Shining Gift whose birth many thousands around the world are preparing to welcome?

This week

Our brilliant astrologer friend, Elisabeth Grace, cautions that this week’s astrology could be formidable. For instance, she tells us that, “Mercury squares Saturn on Friday, so be on the lookout for heavy news!!” And on Wednesday, there is:

…an exact challenge — a square — between the Sun in Sagittarius and Saturn in Pisces…Such a challenge can be seriously sobering. For some it is an opportunity for advance. For others, it may be an encounter with a brick wall.

Hmmm. Is that a brick wall behind the horse and baby? Meantime, Mars turns retrograde starting on Friday, for a very prolonged period. Elisabeth explains:

Mars is the planet of ACTION! Moving backwards is not comfortable. Thus, many people find themselves more irritated, impatient and frustrated than usual when Mars is retrograde. They feel like a truck spinning its wheels in the mud. There is a temptation to JUMP into action — recklessly — and one should be mindful of these reckless urges.

A more appropriate use of Mars retrograde is to treat it as a lengthy strategy review and planning session. Think of a coach calling a timeout on the playing field. Mars retrograde is a good time to huddle…and talk about a strategy for an appropriate and fulfilling application of creativity and willpower, given that Mars starts its retrograde in Leo, which is born to shine, shine, shine! On January 7th, Mars retrogrades back into Cancer, where it refocuses our strategic planning on matters of defending the home, family and homeland. Mars won’t be back in Leo until April 19th…and won’t exit its shadow phase until May 2nd…

During Mars retrograde, it is suggested that one avoid:

• Planning a marriage
• Starting a love affair
• Getting divorced
• Scheduling surgery
• Taking title to property
• Buying a car
• Hiring a new employee (unless it’s a temp)
• Starting a new job
• Starting a lawsuit
• Signing a contract
• Starting a war!! (the one who starts it won’t win)

Okay, then. So while this period might not be ideal for these activities, I can be your ally while you are planning for sunnier days.

In addition, our wise friend Lorna Bevan also tells us that:

Since Great Transformer Pluto entered futurist Aquarius on November 19^th, it’s becoming more and more obvious that the centre is not holding……that the old is no longer working……. that all our old tricks have no effect whatsoever. This applies to everything and everyone-none of us is exempt.

Making absolutely certain that we get the message that change is no longer an option, this week a 5 (!) months period of extended planetary retrogrades starts– a long season of necessary adjustment, reflection, remembering and release of what no longer works.

Hopefully, by now, we have learned that nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know……that you can hide your head in the sand or run as far away as possible but you can’t escape reality.

Instead, I would recommend the opposite of hiding or denial. Like this child, dare you hop upon the steed of your desires and dreams? Stripping away all pretense, as Lorna suggests, it’s time to travel unencumbered by the failing paradigm. For, coming towards the end of the Major Arcana’s journey, this child is not naive. Indeed, I am your shining self in all your power and beauty, unharmed and revealed to all.

Shine With All Your Brilliance

My gift to you is that despite whatever dark times and sorrows you encounter, your inner soul self is ever-renewing and eternal. Approach life in harmony with Nature and an open heart, and all blessings and fulfillment are yours.

What darkness is now receding for you? What shadows do you want to see vanishing? What longs to see the full light of day? What might “happily ever after” mean in your own life?

You can shed the blankets of defensiveness that may once have seemed necessary. How can you encourage your ecstatic soul to open up and thrive? What would change if you were direct, honest, and always acting with full authenticity?

Although the Northern Hemisphere is making its final descent into the deepest dark of the year, and Winter is on the way, look more closely. There are people all over the world, busily preparing to celebrate the Divine rebirth. What hopeful sign do you yearn for?

When all is said and done, your truest self simply wants to shine. Bring your bright gifts of happiness to others and celebrate how they so divinely return to you.

What new vigor and growth could you tap into, if you were to simplify things? Why not invite more laughter and innocence into your daily routine?

I know it may seem a little too good to be true. What if, you might ask, right at this moment there are fears, shadows, and hardships plaguing you, like poisonous mosquitoes? Like parasites that need darkness to thrive, I can defeat whatever is hiding in the hidden corners. My light is a well-known antiseptic and will cleanse any stain that may trouble your heart.

Therefore I ignite you, that you may sparkle with your clearest brilliance. Align now with the shining Sun which is always within you, as well as all around you in Nature. I call on you to glow with your true beauty, your most stunning inner light, even if — especially if — you have found yourself in bleak places.

You have endured adversity. But Nature always, always offers a power that never vanishes, never deserts you, even at night. It is infinite and forever available. I am the messenger of that truth.

Good wins the day when you go forth in perfect love, in perfect trust. Hoist up your banner, my darlings. Here comes the Sun.

My card of the week is always a labor of love, but if you’d like to make a donation, it would be very helpful and I would be profoundly grateful. Thanks.