Protecting Tender Growth

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It’s such a joy being back and writing these forecasts, dear readers. Sure, it’s only been a week off from the usual schedule, but these offerings have been the consistent backbone of my public life as a tarot reader. I started the Weekly Forecasts along with my website; throughout the years they’ve been an anchor for Incandescent Tarot, the business, as well as my personal practice.

So it’s apt to have the Ace of Wands leading us into the next seven days. It’s the refreshing feeling of coming back from vacation, invigorated and ready to spring to action. I can’t help but note that this is an echo of our card of the month, the Ace of Swords. What are we ready to put into action this week? How can we translate our ideas into tangible gestures?

There’s some controversy surrounding these questions. We have two knights doing battle, quite literally clashing into each other. The Knight of Pentacles serves as a natural outgrowth of the Ace of Wands. The environments of both these cards meld into each other seamlessly. Fields of green giving way to freshly plowed dirt.

I love the hands-on practicality of the Knight of Pentacles. This is a card that knows how to get things done, or at least knows that they want to get things done. They don’t have the polish of a King or Queen, but they have the bravery and energy to get there, eventually.

This week we’re being given the opportunity to make something real for ourselves. It’s an instance where the general inspiration is dictating the path forward. Don’t expect to have a thorough map guiding you; rather, look for sparks of excitement, interest, or passion to light your way. The Ace of Wands is delightfully energetic. It doesn’t speak in thought-out sentences like the swords, or through meticulous blueprints like the pentacles. It’s all about zest, verve, and the frisson of excitement that shows we’re onto something: hair pricking up on the back of your arms, a fast-beating heart around a new crush, a pull forawrd in your chest that has you taking a risk before you can stop yourself.

But let’s talk about the other knight on the scene - the Knight of Wands. This character represents a cautionary tale. We all know fire is a pivotal, essential element (Prometheus didn’t end up chained to a rock for nothing!) but it’s also massively destructive. A small dose of fire is more than enough to light the way. Too much and we’re dealing with a conflagration.

While things start out briliant and delightful at the beginning of the week, and we start to make slow and steady progress towards translating our impulses into something sustainable, the end of the week has us wanting to rush, rush, rush. I talk a lot about how delicate the aces are. While they represent the purest form of their group’s energy, it’s mostly potential. The work we need to do in order to actualize this potential? It’s hard and requires dedication, steadiness, and follow-through. No other card is better at this than the Knight of Pentacles. But guess who’s impatient, hot-headed, and impuslive? The Knight of Wands, that’s who.

It’ll be especially important to make sure we don’t sabotage our small, promising new thing with overeagerness. Slow and steady is just what we need right now. Picture planting the sprouting Ace of Wands into the rich, freshly plowed soil of the Knight of Pentacles. That seems like a good idea. Now look at the hot desert in the Knight of Wands. Not so hospitable for tender growth, is it?

I’m also wanting to highlight an older tarot association with court cards. While they can be representatitve of attitudes - ways of being in the world - they can also show up as real, living people in your life. Be mindful of who you’re sharing your tender and exciting Ace of Wands projects and ideas with. Supporters and collaborators who value consistency, practicality, and hard work will be helpful and understanding. There is a chance, however, that some more intense personalities will want to charge in and insert their vision. Protect the sancitity of your creative space. It doesn’t have to be an aggressive action, but you can decide who gets an audience with your ideas. Not everyone needs to know what you’re up to. Not every seedling can handle the bright and fiery sun before it gets established.