Are you taking time to “dream the dark” during these waning days of the calendar year? We are all busier than usual, yet Mama Gaia Herself is calling us to slow down, go within, dream, and let new visions arise for the year to come.
Take some quiet “me” time between now and the end of the year to do a reading like this one. Share your reading in the comments, if you like, and I will too. Blessed be.
1. What do I leave behind in the Old Year?
2. What do I open up to in the New Year?
3. Key Opportunity of the New Year
4. Key Challenge of the New Year
5. Hidden concern (pull from bottom of the deck)
6. Deep Wisdom / Advice from God/dess (pull from middle of the deck)
7. Key Theme of the New Year
If you keep records of your readings, the last card (#7) could become the first card (#1) in next year’s spread.
(From the Gaian Tarot companion book.)
I was really looking forward to doing this reading and finally got a chance to Christmas evening. As I’ve gotten to know this deck, I tend to read the light and shadow together to connect to the card in a deeper way. Reversals (to me) are the cards way of yelling “PAY ATTENTION!” I may post this in the GTC to see if anyone else has some insight on these cards. With that said here’s I pulled:
1. Leaving behind in 2010: Temperance. the struggle to combine seeming opposites and trying to find balance. The overall themes of 2010 have been ‘healing’ from my mom’s sudden departure to the other side of the veil in August 2009, and learning a new kid of ‘balance’ as I stepped into the role of matriarch as my siblings now call me more often than they did when mom was alive, guiding my daughter through her deep grief, and doing all of this keeping things together at home while my husband has been deployed . It’s been a long hard road trying to own both the shadow and light this journey has contained. This was the only major in my reading.
2. Openning up to in 2011: Ace of Water. I love the salmon in this picture as they use their inner wisdom to guide them downstream and to return again when it is time to be reborn. As I move through 2011, I’m more open to listening to my heart…that inner wisdom that can guide me. I also get the feeling this relates to heart health for me so I’ll be getting a check up as soon as possible.
3. Key Opportunity of 2011: Guardian of Fire. I’ve got some creative projects that were tiny seedlings that I’ve been tending and nuturing the last few months and they are just about ready to be launched into the interwebs. So the key opportunity is to keep the realization that ‘what I have to offer is of worth’ burning as I move forward.
4. Key Challenge of 2011: Guardian of Air. I looked at this as guarding myself from negativity being transmitted; stinkin’ thinkin’, ‘well meaning’ advice, or any nonesense that keeps me from launching those seed. If not monitored, air can put out a fire or spread it uncontrolably. So being mindful with what’s being transmitted on the air waves in going to be important for me this year.
5. Hidden Concern: Guardian of Earth (r). Lots of big changes are happening in the new year; our daughter will be graduating from high school, going on a foriegn exchange trip to Japan and starting college, my husband will be returning home from Afghanistan. All of this entails financial changes and some times with financial changes comes increased stress. So to balance that stress, I really need to be a good steward my earth temple using all my tools; daily movement, meditation, good nutrition & plenty of water, healing techniques, and community support (whether in person or online).
6. Deep Wisdom/ Advice from God/dess: Five of Earth (r). I’ve had this card in several other personal readings and it screams at me every time that ‘I AM ENOUGH’ right now…not after I take one more class or get one more degree, but right now. So with all the challenges 2011 will bring I acknowledge that I am strong enough to ask for help from God/dess, Spirit guides and Ancestors and I have what it takes to weather any storm.
7. Theme of 2011: Explorer of Water. I looked to the overall themes of the Explorer cards and the one that struck me was ‘driven by a quest’ because the Ace of Water (card 2) is also a questing card. So what I’m openning up to and the overall theme for this year is the Quest; the quest to explore how I can express deep feelings through art, music and dance, the quest to have courage to honor my own boundaries while honoring others, the quest to move upon Mama Gaia with grace, the quest to replenish my energy well with the mystical arts (yoga, meditation, etc), the quest to challenge myself to imagine things as they could be, the quest to ride the deep waves of joy and peace. The words that most stood out for me with this card was ‘finding that sweet spot where all is effortless’. That really resonates with me. I want to live in that sweet spot not just in this new year, but for the rest of my life.
Thanks for posting your reading, Dionne. I *really* love your interps of the last two cards especially. I definitely encourage you to share the spread on the GTC – I plan to make a post there myself and I hope others do as well. Brightest Blessings on the year ahead for you!
Hello Joanna! I just did the New year’s Spread and would like to share it with you. I wonder if you agree that I have a very special and Spiritual year ahead. I love your deck as always!
1. What do I leave behind in the Old Year? JUSTICE
2. What do I open up to in the New Year? FOUR OF AIR
3. Key Opportunity of the New Year EXPLORER OF EARTH
4. Key Challenge of the New Year BINDWEED
5. Hidden concern (pull from bottom of the deck)ACE OF EARTH
6. Deep Wisdom / Advice from God/dess (pull from middle of the deck) THE HERMIT
7. Key Theme of the New Year TWO OF AIR
Bliss and Blessings! MommaWhiteCougar
Indeed, indeed! It looks like you have a year of introspection and incubation coming up, with forays into dealing with the physical realm, and being challenged there (perhaps health and/or finances). Hold the Hermit’s lamp of wisdom aloft, and listen listen listen to your heart’s song (2 of Air). Hugs & Blessings to you!
It is so true for me. I am already looking within to better that which is without. Health is an issue (I’m fat, 67 and arthritic!) Finances too, are always on my mind, being retired and on a fixed income, but I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food to eat. That is a gracious plenty in my book. I will indeed hold the lamp aloft and always, always sing my Heartsongs! Bliss and Blessings to you, dear Joanna!
As always,
MommaWhiteCougar
Great spread. I have used it two years in a row. However it would be really helpful for me if you could expand a little on the meaning of the card positions. What is the difference between the key challenge and the hidden concern?
Thanks Henrietta. To me, the Key Challenge is something that you are probably already aware of, or at least it’s not a surprise. The Hidden Concern is just that — hidden — until it suddenly pops up and is in your face. Or it might be something that you are just not looking at, but it is hovering just below your awareness. That card is meant to bring your attention to whatever issue is represented by the card. Hope this helps.