Unfortunately, the tarotscope updates for the week starting January 9th will be delayed. I apologize that this is unavoidable. The weekly tarotscopes will be back by January 16th for sure.

Relatedly, I have had some requests for yearly Tarotscopes, but I don’t know if I will be able to provide those this year. If that changes, I’ll post an announcement (and the ‘scopes, naturally).

The thing is…health issues and other challenges in my personal life require that I limit my tarot offerings. Since this website is free from ads – and therefore not a money-maker for me but free for you – I can only provide weeklies at this time.

Maybe you will be able to think of me as a positive role model for self-care and good boundaries. Thank you for understanding!

Across cultures, generation after generation, people come together at this time of year to remind each other that no matter what the sky looks like now, the sun will return.  We reach out to each other in the dark and the cold, and together we call out to the light.  No matter what you celebrate this time of year, it’s likely to be associated with sharing joy and hoping for a better future.

• Many neolithic and bronze age societies (the builders of Stonehenge, for one example) created observatories in rock to observe the path of the sun on Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. 
• Sol Invictus, the ancient roman celebration honoring the triumph (or rebirth) of the sun god, was celebrated as sun’s power grows in the days immediately following the solstice.
• Based on beliefs central to Zoroastrianism, in Iran Shab-e Yaldaa has been celebrated for centuries as the birthday (or re-birth-day) of the Sun.
• Christmas celebrates the birth of the Light of the World, aka Jesus of Nazareth.  Many biblical scholars believe that the historical Jesus was born at a different time of year, but his birthday was moved to the compete with the other rebirth gods like Osiris, who was celebrated on December 21st in ancient Egypt, and Dionysus, who also had a midwinter festival.
• In 7th century Japan, Amaterasu (the Sun Goddess) was tricked by the other gods to come out of her cave and bring back the light.
• And of course there’s Hannukah, the Festival of Light.  In a fight for religious freedom, the Temple had been taken by the enemy and the sacred flame was extinguished – until Judah the Maccabee reclaimed the temple and relit the flame.  Although there was only 1 day’s worth of consecrated oil, the flame kept burning for 8 days.
• Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day on December 8th (or the closest Sunday to it) which marks the day the Buddha gained enLIGHTenment.
• Koleda was the midwinter holiday for ancient Slavic and Saramatian peoples.  Families would light big fires and invited their personal gods to join in the festivities.  Children would visit their neighbors and sing songs.  Yule was a similar holday for some Germanic tribes, wherein a yule log was lit and partying continued until it extinguished. Other Germanic peoples participated in Perchta rituals in honor of the goddess Hertha (sometimes Bertha).  She joined the party through the smoke of the hearth, giving chosen members the ability to fortell the future.
• The ancient Incas celebrated Inti Ramyi on the Winter Soltice, which is a festival for the Sun god wherein the priests would “tie” the sun to a hitching post.  

This is just a sample of some of the midwinter celebrations that we know about.  Do you see any recurring themes? 

I submit that this is the essence of the Star card in the tarot: the future will be brighter.  

No matter what you celebrate this time of year, may you become abundantly aware of ever-increasing light and a future full of promise.

Taking snaps of some tarot bags I’ve crocheted, I was inspired to update the header photo on this site.   If you’ve visited before you’ll remember that gorgeous old bridge photo that came as a default.  It was such a stunning metaphor for how I like to use the tarot, but I’ll try on my own photos for a little change. 

So, currently the header displays some cards from the Zerner Farber deck.  The version of their deck that I use came with the The Instant Tarot Reader: Book And Card Set (which is a fantastic resource for beginners).  I am a big fan of the work of Amy Zerner and Monte Farber – all of their decks and metaphysical tools are so lovely and inspiring, but I especially adore their Tarot set.  (Naturally!)  You’ll see the images from time to time in my Tarotscopes, the artwork is luscious collage with soft drawings and rich tapestry. 

Enjoy!

Think of the Tarot like a map. Maybe your dream destination is just around the bend, or maybe you need to replot your course.  Or maybe you’re not sure if you want to go to that place anymore.  The map won’t tell you if you “should” or “shouldn’t” go to that destination, nor precisely how long it will take you (especially if you are good at getting lost on the back roads or taking long siestas at the rest stops.)  But our reading will illustrate which parts of your life are on point and which areas are off the grid. You will receive advice on changes you can make to better align with your choosen trajectory and/or tips for dealing with roadblocks, detours, dead-ends, traveling companions and crazy locals.

It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

If you’d rather hear a pretty story about how all of your dreams come right to your doorstep without any effort on your part, if you expect a long laundry list of awesome predictions…please find a nice lady with a big neon palm in her window, she probably clears curses and reunites lost loves too.

Otherwise, find a tarot reader with at least one foot on the ground.  If it’s yours truly, please bring an open mind and an open heart and trust that the message on the table can help guide you towards the epiphany you seek.  (You’ll still have to take steps towards that which you seek.) 

Change begins within you.