NEW: Week Ahead Spread!

I'm going to start posting a Week Ahead spread at the beginning of each week here with a link to my Facebook page, rather than a daily card, though I may also post one of those from time to time. The spread will likely vary each week as well as the deck used. Today I used the lush Tarot Illuminati (one of my favorites) and chose a 3-card spread with the following positions: Opportunities, Challenges, and Potential. What I drew surprised me and puzzled me just a little: Temperance, The Emperor, and The Devil! Can you guess why I was surprised? (Pause here for you to think about it ).

Ok, well first, there are 3 Major cards - unusual to pull 3 in a row out of a deck of 78. And yes, I did shuffle well and cut the deck too. So what does this mean just by itself? Well, major cards indicate big issues rather than smaller ones; usually they are about life choices, not daily choices. So, it would seem that there will be some important situations, decisions, or changes coming up for all of us this week; perhaps it's even referring to situations on a national or world level. This is quite possible since there is so much going on everywhere right now - the volatile Middle East situation with (unfortunately) the US considering some sort of involvement, the violent group in Africa, ongoing violence in other unsettled regions, natural disasters, and the list goes on. I won't get political here but the just mentioned is enough for us to work with alone. So back to the tarot.

Temperance is our Opportunity card, so what does this suggest? Well, in light of greater world situations, it could be suggesting peace talks and mediation are possible in the very volatile situations we are watching, rather than further escalations of violence and destruction. Temperance urges balance, patience, a blending of options to create new solutions and reach compromises; it also promises healing, recovering, and harmony if the above is followed or allowed to take shape. So this week, either on the world or personal level, peace and harmony is possible if we slow down and listen with patience and an open mind, rather than insisting on our way alone. So wherever it is harmony is needed, whatever feels out of balance, this week is the time equilibrium can be achieved.

For Challenges, there's The Emperor. Now, I wonder, why is he a challenge? Well, The Emperor signifies the need for order, structure, restraint and discipline. So, actually, his appearance here makes sense when considering him following Temperance. If agreement is reached with opposing sides/people, etc. this week (Temperance), then order, leadership, direction, law and order, and structure is needed to successfully implement the details and create and carry plans through - in other words, Emperor energy. This is never easy, hence it is our challenge of the week.

The Devil in the final position as the Potential of the week is a puzzle. Any ideas what his appearance is trying to tell us? (another pause). I had to think long and hard about this one! For many, the appearance of The Devil is mostly a negative indication; here he appears as a potential. Looking at the previous 2 cards, The Devil  here seems to be a warning. He is indicating a potential for failure - that is, falling back into bad habits, negative mindsets and/or behavior, self-indulgence, delusion, acting on impulse and passions rather than a conciliatory more rational approach. Temperance, as we have seen, is telling us peace and harmony is possible this week - go for it! The Emperor is telling us what must come after any agreements - the building of structure, the implementation of plans, the discipline and order to carry them through.  The Devil is warning us to watch out for the pitfall of giving in to previous behaviors and returning to conflict and disharmony if there is no Emperor energy applied. It is usually easier to return to what we know and are accustomed to than to create and follow-through with change, regardless of what our good intentions may be. It is usually easier to give into negative habits than to let them go.  So, in a nutshell - we've got great advice and an open road to harmony this week if we consider what is needed and keep a cool head!

I'd love to hear what you think about these cards. Any and all alternative interpretations are welcome, as well as any additional insights!