After a year that we are all very aware was “unprecedented,” the lines between home and work-life have been irreparably intertwined for many of us. While we continue to “Stay At Home” and remain isolated we need new ways to cope, to connect, and to maximize our self-care.
Enter a centuries-old divination tool that may be more popular than ever: Tarot Cards. No longer just seen among new age mystics or occult-leaning circles, tarot decks come in a wide array of styles for varied uses. Personally, as a second generation tarot card enthusiast, it’s great to see mainstream culture embracing the wisdom and healing benefits of tarot. When I read for people I always explain that even if you don’t believe in magic, synchronicity, signs and energetic connections (I do!), the traditional card meanings can offer a fresh perspective on a problem or internal struggle. Because the themes and archetypes in tarot deal in core human characteristics and emotions, we can all relate. It is their broad, symbolic insight that kindles a unique personal introspection for the recipient. TLDR: You can be 100% skeptical and still be shook by a good reading.
The idea behind a ‘year ahead spread’ is to choose 12 cards, one for each month of the new calendar year, and a final card as an overall guiding theme. I was particularly excited to do this reading for the Editor and Founder of jeawok.com, for two reasons. First, because I have a long-time close friendship with Joaquin (J-Walk), I felt the reading would be finely attuned to his energy despite the fact that it was virtual. Secondly, we were pulling cards for the year ahead in his personal business– as a map for the continuing growth and expansion of this lifestyle and news online magazine you’re reading right now.
Like all the good tarot card sessions, it was a mix of prosperous and daunting cards. But we soon discovered, there is very little separation between our personal life and our business and creative ones anymore, especially when you’re an entrepreneur. Strength, love, betrayals, prosperity and even a big secret all affect the business of making Jeawok Media evolve in 2021.
After tailoring Joaquin’s question to divulge the best imaginable outcome for his business while shuffling the deck, I pulled all 13 cards to fill out the spread. I laid them faced down, revealing their individual messages chronologically. The complete picture had a flow that unsurprisingly mirrored the seasons. Like Spring follows Winter, victories come after the strife.
Kicking off with a stark January, (has anyone ever had an easy January?) the Nine of Swords, is a discomforting image that evokes conflict and change through struggle. But the following months bring high cup cards, reflecting the site’s mission to promote artists and create a uniquely energized collective. In a rhythm echoed across the full reading, after a challenging card in January, February’s Mother of Cups inspires new collaborations. Next, the 8 of Cups in March reinforces the lesson, reminding Joaquin to filter out that which is broken and sweep clean his old, outgrown processes. Only when we clear away the blockages can new prosperity flow freely to this company.
A new big division sets apart April in the 10 of Wands, signaling an obstacle and blockage. As usual, as soon as we gain some forward footing, a new problem pops up to make us fight again. But we also have the choice to walk away, to let go, and to conserve our energy in these scenarios. Following with a second punch in May, the first card of the Major Arcana appears, the Devil. Joaquin’s reading is dominated by ‘higher’ cards (8 and above), as his business has ascended it’s beginning phases and grown into a strong, dynamic lifeforce. But the cards of the Major Arcana particularly speak to the universal cycles in our lives, the completions and beginnings of epic journeys and true transformations. Like the Death card, the Devil has an obvious bad rep, but it is an extremely powerful message if you are open to receiving the warning. After all, we can only change what we first fully acknowledge and accept. And by June, the Son of Swords card swoops in to reward hard-won internal conflicts in the form of a new addition to the network of colleagues. One of action and intellect, this forceful new energy will elevate the content and be the change Jeawok needs to see in the second-half of the year.
July is a very major month in Joaquin’s lineage, and the cards came through with a very apropos sign, the Emperor. Another of the Major Arcana, this card represents a paternal and ancestral influence supporting all the growth achieved thus far. Signaling he is on the right path, and the tools he needs to ascend to this next level are already within him: stability, clarity, decisive action and authenticity. August and September both bring prosperous cards with femine energies to balance things out. The Mother of Pentacles encourages Joaquin to nurture his home, not just inside his dwelling, but through the lens of his place on the planet. By staying grounded and healing his spirit in nature, he will be aligned to attract greater prosperity. September is all sunshine and celebrations for our Jeawok Media with the 10 of Cups symbolizing big goals being realized and radiant help coming to him in unexpected, uplifting, numerous ways.
As the temperatures traditionally start to drop in October, the fate of Jeawok Media continues to climb. The Chariot card comes, another Major one, to basically carry our Editor on it’s back towards dreams coming true, new opportunities, and total bad-assery. This is a card of triumph, victory and inner-confidence. In November, as holidays begin to color the days, another card of prosperity ushers in completion and fulfillment in the Ten of Pentacles. Coinciding with the third anniversary of Jeawok Media’s launch, this means J-Walk can focus on giving back to his community, while providing guidance and mentorship from a place of hardwon professional knowledge. December concludes the 2021 year with a cautiously optimistic 8 of Swords. This card invites Joaquin to evaluate his year’s progress and see clearly the outer forces that influence his perception. The card shows us a butterfly in a cocoon ready to burst, only the sharp judgments of others pose a threat to taking off on an exciting, successful flight.
The final card to give overall guidance and theme to the year pulled is a tricky symbol, one that always confounds me as a reader. The 7 of Swords indicates deceit, trickery, or a secret. The fox is tightly curled up, keeping one eye on you, while he sleeps atop the seventh sword. Either some secret is hidden or some lingering doubt is disturbing your alignment. Since the suit of swords relates to internal struggles, communication, intellect, and logic, this is an arena a self-made entrepreneur and Editor in Chief has a lot of control. Check in with yourself when you are struggling. Ask yourself, why are you resisting? Is this truly aligned with where you want to go? Only you can decide.
For additional context and expansion, I pulled a clarity card to further color the meaning of the year’s theme. And wouldn’t you know it; it was the highly sought after 9 of Cups. The card of good health, happiness, and all your wishes come true! Seriously, that’s the official meaning. By doing the conscience and continual work of the deep introspection the 7 of Swords calls for in 2021, the Jeawok Media empire will reach new heights and truly prosper as predicted by the 9 of Cups.
Every reading is personal and it’s my belief that the most important and influential aspect is in how the cards’ images and meanings resonate for the recipient. The new or different connections and ideas discussed hopefully stay with the person, planting seeds to help them heal, face obstacles and attain their desires. With so many different tools for spirituality abundantly available, we’re able to expand beyond the basics of “self care” and into more enigmatic, creative forms of ritualizing our self exploration. This deck, The Wild Unknown, is created by writer and artist Kim Krans. Krans offers a variety of tarot decks and accompanying guidebooks, children’s books, and incredible journals that include her visionary artistry and brilliant writings. Her striking and natural artwork gives an earthy grounding to the lofty mystical ideas she writes and draws. They are fabulous tools for anyone interested in practicing tarot or learning more about spirituality, art, and mysticism.
If you are interested and would like to order their cards, here is their link on AMAZON.
Their WEBSITE
and INSTAGRAM
