Sunday, January 1, 2017

Year ahead spread: January - Nine of Swords and Teiwaz

Wild Unknown Tarot Runes Nine of Swords Teiwaz Tir
This year was the first time I did a Year Ahead Spread for myself.  For this kind of spread you basically pull a single card for each month as a theme or an energy you may want to explore for that month. The first card you pull is your  theme for the year. I also added rune to each card to give the reading  an extra oomph. I intend to post my card of the month in the beginning of each month. For this spread I’ve used the Wild Unknown Tarot but I might want to use the version of one of the cards I pulled from another deck instead. Or I might even take the card from several decks for comparison. We’ll see were this journey will lead me.

So for January I pulled the Nine of Swords which in this deck is a very disturbing looking card and it is definitely not a very uplifting theme to start the new year with. The Nine of Swords is all about anxiety, bad dreams, guilt and regret, destructive self-talk etc.
Luckily I got the rune Teiwaz (Tir) to go with it. Teiwaz is a warrior rune but also one of order, justice and rationality . You can compare this rune with the Emperor card.
I often am prone to this kind of behavior when I let negative thinking get the best of me.  The worst things could happen if you would believe my internal gibberish. So I feel the energy of Teiwaz can be quite helpful. It is the rationality of this rune which speaks the most clearly to me in this context.
This rune awakes the inner sentinel which will defeat my Fear by showing me what it really is: False Expectations are Appearing Real. Such a clarity bomb often works a lot better than trying to ignore these thoughts or pushing them away. Both of these methods will often make our negative thinking even more persistent and intrusive.
I believe working with this pair could be a very interesting experience.  

Motto: Since I do not know how not to think I want to be mindful of what I think.

10 comments:

  1. A challenging card to start off the year with, but it's good you have some encouragement with your rune draw. I hope it turns out very enlightening.

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    1. Thank you, It already did. it is amazing how much this spread makes sense
      I also like the structure it is adding to this year

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  2. I did a new year spread too. Found it on Pinterest.

    Twelve cards - one for each month and then a thirteenth card that is placed in the centre as the theme for the year. Perhaps try it? Draw one more card and see how it mediates all the monthly cards in the surrounding circle?

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    1. That was my spread too! I didn't draw a mediating card though but for me that could als be the theme of the year card: one them which ties it all together

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  3. Putting one in the centre better for seeing multidimensional connections.

    I m being bossy now but 9 of swords as a thread for 2017 too linear. And what's the point of Feb to Dec if it is all a bit January? I got Star for Jan but your post left me less than smug/complacent about that. Feel free to put me back in my box:)

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    1. Thinking out side the box is the best way to start the new year:D
      in my opinion each card has shadow and light; challenge and opportunity. It all depends on what we need to learn form a card in this particularly moment in time.

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  4. That rune makes me think of a spiritual warrior, committed to keeping one's heart open and filled with compassion for others and oneself no matter what. I can totally see you in this role, Ellen!

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    1. Yes it does have that Nine of Wands energy.
      Thank you for seeing me in such a positive light Bev. I haven't been feeling well lately (a bit feverish and feeble) so your kind comment is much appreciated

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  5. That is one messed up Nine of Swords. Don't let it keep you up at night in worry. From blogging with you this last year I think Life has thrown all kinds of things in mix at you and you have come through. Just look at that nine of swords as all the things that have been challenges to you and you have thrown them in a big pot. Now put a lid on that pot and put it away and enjoy the New Year.

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    1. Yeah, letting go of all those nasty worms might be the best idea. So much better than have them crawling through my mind

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