Reflections on My 40th Year Around the Sun (A Tarot Reading)

 

My 41st birthday is in a few days! I thought I would write a personal post today and share with you all a tarot spread I made up to reflect on the previous year. This is my reflection on my 40th year around the sun. 

1. What is one highlight from the past year that I should be proud of?

Seven of Swords - I knew when I was being emotionally manipulated. I cut off toxic relationships and let go of people who weren't good for me. I no longer went back to people that were harming me. I took my power back. This is true as I ended my two year relationship with my on again-off-again long distance boyfriend. I realized we were stuck in an emotional loop of emotional manipulation. We manipulated each other. And I broke that cycle.

2-3: What challenges did I face and how did I grow from it?

Two of Cups, Eight of Swords - I faced challenges in my relationships with others and with myself. I grew by realizing I was putting limitations on myself. In my relationships with others, I grew by freeing myself from relationships that held back my growth.  Yes, my relationships with myself and others were challenges this past year. I felt lonely. And of course, things with my romantic relationship were skewed and amiss. I also struggled with limitations and expectations I had placed on myself, as well as society had placed on me, being an autistic and bipolar woman. This is still a work in progress, freeing myself from limitations and expectations, especially the ones I place on me. I think I grew from it by accepting my limits and breaking from some limitations that were just that. I also broke free from relationships with others that seriously held back my growth.

4. What is a habit or mindset I have outgrown?

The Emperor - I've outgrown seeking external validation, and I've let go of needing to control and micromanage every little thing. I no longer seek validation from anyone outside of myself, and I've learned to go with the flow instead of controlling everything and worrying about the future. I no longer seek validation from others. If I seek validation, I remind myself it is just an opinion and not a fact. I've also slowly learned how to just go with the flow and try not to worry about future outcomes or how to make things happen.

5. What am I close to understanding and learning?

Queen of Wands - I'm close to understanding that I need to be my biggest fan. My biggest support. I'm close to understanding that I am fine by myself and I don't need a man to complete me—I am already complete as I am. I am close to learning self-confidence and self-reliance. While I'm not at 100% confidence with myself, I am getting close! I would say I'm at 70-80% there. A lot further than where I was 30 years ago, 20 years ago, 10 years ago, even. I consider myself my biggest fan and cheerleader because I keep pushing myself to keep going even though I have wanted to throw in the towel several times for my tarot business and my writing. But I enjoy these things. They are passions of mine. And all that matters is that I love doing what I do.

6.  What advice does the tarot have for my 41st year?

Six of Wands - Own your wins. Don't downplay your victories, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Also, when you believe in yourself, doors will open for you. Confidence = magnetism 🧲. Let yourself be seen. Share your talent and gifts. You are good enough! Share your progress, your wins, your growth. Let your people and community uplift and support you. You don't have to do everything alone. And last, keep going. You might want to quit, but it's really important that you keep going and believe in yourself! This is perfect advice for stepping into my 41st year. I'll be keeping this card on my desk I think, to always remind me of this advice.

Overall, I've advanced, and I'll keep going into my 41st year. I must persist and remain my own supporter. I need to stop minimizing my successes. I've stopped trying to control every aspect of my life and am learning to adapt, while also gaining self-assurance.

Cheers to 41 🥂Let me know if you try this spread for your birthday or end of the year!

Birthday Reflections Tarot Spread

1. What is one highlight from the past year that I should be proud of? This can be anything that comes to mind with the card you draw. You can select a card at random, or consciously choose a card.

Cards 2-3: What challenges did I face and how did I grow from it? Again, this can be anything that comes to mind with the cards you draw. Place them next to each other in the next row. One card is the challenge area and the other card is how you grew from it.

4. What is a habit or mindset I have outgrown? Place this card in the next row. This can be a card you consciously draw or draw at random.

5. What am I close to understanding and learning? Place this card in the next row. This card you draw at random. This is what you're close to learning and understanding (such as confidence, managing money, health is wealth etc).

6.  What advice does the tarot have for my upcoming year? Place this card next to card 5. Let your mind wander with the advice. The advice can be as cliche as "Keep going" or esoteric and unique as you gather from your guides or higher self.