Overcomplicating Clarity

This week features a visit from a pivotal card in our monthly forecast: The Devil. While it’s a frightening image, its appearance in both of these readings could be positive in that it shows an opportunity for us to understand an issue (or issues) that we’re primed to overcome in the following weeks. So while this card is our final one, it’s where we’ll start. Our task this week is to prepare ourselves to face what’s bedeviling us.

The thing about The Devil is that it represents established patterns. How did the two people become chained and imprisoned? Some tarot scholars have noted that their restraints are quite loose; theoretically, they could easily slip them over their heads and escape, but they don’t. Why?

Before we explore this question, it’s important to highlight the fact that we’re already somewhat familiar with The Devil. That is, whatever is limiting us is something that has been doing so for quite some time. Sometimes just acknowledging this brings down the intensity of the card. As frightening as it looks, it’s been present in our lives - a regular feature not some new boogeyman jumping out from behind the bushes. What places do you usually tend to get stuck in? Which ones have been starting to become more present in your life recently? And how can you work to avoid this in the coming days?

Because it’s a Major Arcana card, The Devil shows a longer timeframe. We’re not going to vanquish these issues this week! But we might have a chance to transform them over the month, so the work we do now is timely and important. Don’t be afraid to lavish yourself with care and attention. Small gestures of presence and love will add up to something powerful, a sign that you’re devoted to your growth and always on your own side.

Thankfully, our first card, the Ace of Swords, shows that we have some good luck on our side. At the beginning of the week be on the lookout for surprising ideas, bursts of inspiration, or mental breakthroughs. They’ll feel new and strange; aces are ethereal hands popping out of clouds, after all! It won’t feel normal, but it will be enticing and attention-grabbing. Our issue will be keeping this clarity with us so that we can use it to sever the chains of The Devil as they become more evident.

We've been going through a lot of swords cards in recent months, and I can’t help but see this moment as a time of response. What questions have you been posing to the world? Which hard topics have you been wrestling with? The Ace of Swords may be representing a breakthrough or response to these issues that’s as much a sign of good luck as it is a response to your dedication to figuring things out with bravery and commitment.

Murkiness makes an appearance in the beginning of the week as the Seven of Cups comes into focus. Our feelings are leading us on some imaginative wild goose chases! Try not to project too far into the future, even if it feels fun. The Devil requires presence and savvy. We might get untethered from our goals if we follow our feelings and project into our empty cups willy-nilly. Watch out for dissatisfaction, striving, and flights of fancy, especially if you notice them taking you away from your present moment and true self.

If we navigate the choppy waters of this week wisely, we’ll be approaching The Devil with the Ace of Swords in our hands. Precision is key here (and the Seven of Cups is trying its best to distract us!) so don’t let your immediate feelings talk you out of what’s important to you in the long run. A well-aimed blow can help cut the chains that have been binding you. Focus here and the week could end triumphantly.