New Worlds Unfurling

What does it feel like when the world opens up? This week we’re blessed with the final card of the Major Arcana, The World. It’s a beautiful image - a nude figure peacefully dancing in the center of a wreath fastened by a red ribbon. Four images surround them, taking up position in each corner of the card. The human, eagle, lion, and ox represent the four apostles and the four fixed signs of the zodiac. We’ve reached a conclusion to a chapter, achieved a sense of wholeness, and gained newfound peace and perspective. Like the central figure in The World, we’re framed by our success and held in a celebration of our victories.

To return to the question posed above, this week our achievement and expansion feels a little less comfortable than we might hope or assume. And also more potent. On either side of The World we have two Minor Arcana cards that represent advocacy and protection (the Knight of Swords) and wise balance (the Six of Pentacles). I love this combination. It feels dynamic and grounded; we’re poised to really do things from our experience of The World card. What would you like to make of your newfound confidence and perspective?

The achievement of The World is not about ego, money, or fame (though sometimes, even often, these come along with it). It’s the conclusion of The Fool’s journey, after all, and it represents a spiritually meaningful synthesis of our talents. What have you learned about your calling? Your duty to others? The roles that allow you to share your light with the world? This week is a time when the answer to many of these questions can come into focus. Be open to what’s becoming clear and look out for moments when you feel as free, held, and fortunate as the main figure in this card.

Have you noticed that there’s a shoutout to the card of 2024 in The World? Yes, a lion is peeking out from the bottom right of this card. Strength, it seems has something to tell us this week. I’m sensing that we’re poised to tie up loose ends we’ve been living with for quite some time now. What’s more, many of the skills we’ve been honing are thoroughly integrated into our sense of self. This would be an amazing time to give yourself a coronation of sorts. How can you honor and commemorate the personal achievements you’ve made over the past eighteen months or so?

The Knight of Swords shows us feeling galvanized and inspired. This is a time to be bold with communication. We may also need to be more outspoken; the Knight of Swords appears to be rushing outwards from The World card. How can we speak from our newfound sense of self, advocate for what we know really matters, and stand up for a world that supports us all? This is definitely not a passive experience of The World card, s notice where you feel called to action and how your personal growth is fueling a sense of bravery that’s taking you into real and complex situations.

I keep on thinking about the concept of the higher self, another tie-in to the Strength card. If our motivations are true and connected with our values (that is, operating from the higher self with a capital ‘S,’ not the ego-driven small ‘s’ self) then our communication will be swift, clear, and necessary. However, the Knight of Swords can sometimes get overzealous, resulting in brusque, rude, or damaging words. To avoid this, take a breath and check in with which self you’re operating from before you speak!

Our final card, the Six of Pentacles, shows a drive to establish balance in our lives when it comes to material resources, time, money, and attention. Why is this so delightful? Because often we can get overzealous when we experience The World card, wanting to parlay our moment of wholeness into something concrete and epic. Our achievement addicted society pushes us to optimize and make the most of any situation, especially one that has us feeling empowered, capable, and confident. Yet this week encourages a different path. Try to do less, soak in the joyful feeling of The World card, and direct your attention to the small things you can do to adjust your expenditures.

Take note of any projects and plans that have you working with your resources. Now that you’ve seen how much you can achieve and you know what the fulness of The World card feels like, these decisions come easier. Reallocate however you need so that you can preserve your bandwidth and increase your availability. This is an excellent time to look back and see how you can help others, especially those who struggle from the issues you’ve successfully healed from, grown bigger than, or transcended. Overall, bask in the joys of The World card and let yourself fully feel this moment of completion.