Urgent Tarot Messages From Your Shadow Self (According To Your Birth Month)
When engaging with shadow work, remember that all of your feelings are valid – even the ‘darker’ ones. It’s what we do with that emotional energy that ultimately builds our character.
April
Your Card: Ace of Wands. You’re feeling particularly inspired, and it’s made you aware that there’s a lot of opportunity for growth and renewal if you engage with your shadow self. Continuing to ignore these aspects of yourself wouldn’t work in your favor, so it’s a good time to consider taking on a new shadow work process, and start integration work. If you find your inspiration flagging, examine where – and why – the block exists for you, and trace it back. Give yourself grace.
May
Your Card: Ace of Swords. You’re possibly experiencing a lot of inner confusion and chaos, and it’s highly likely that you need to take a big step back and notice what you’re projecting into the world. Be thoughtful about how your feelings are manifesting, and try to become more aware about what you’re putting onto others, especially when it comes to their motivations. You may be surprised just how much it mirrors some of your negative thoughts about yourself. Be compassionate towards yourself.
June
Your Card: Ten of Swords. There’s nothing easy about an ending, even when we know it’s the best thing for us. But that time – when your dream is newly dead and you can’t yet see the dawn – is some of the darkest for us to experience. It can birth a lot of negative thoughts about yourself, and start to write negative narratives we’ll weaponize down the road. Stop yourself, and instead be compassionate and loving. Mistakes, failure, and despair are part of our lives. They don’t define us, unless we let them. Let yourself feel the grief, but feel the warmth of the dawn. Forgive yourself first and foremost.
July
Your Card: Two of Wands. You may have felt at one time like you were making progress but are now feeling stagnant. It’s time to take a pretty fierce inventory of where you stand vs. where you want to be. Is what you’re working towards actually in line with your goals and values? Or are you smashing speed records as you head down the wrong road? Or – are you making an excuse to toss the table and start again out of fear of success? Be kind to yourself as you examine which part of you may be holding you back, and why.
August
Your Card: Knight of Wands. It is fitting that this card, linked with your birth month, has a message from your shadow self for you. It’s easy to be frustrated, it’s harder to try and get to the root of it. Have you been centering your passions and values in the choices that you’ve made? Or have you been dedicating your energy to suppressing your emotions, hoping that they will transform into something else? Refocus your mind’s eye on what it is that you’re really looking for.
September
Your Card: Ace of Cups. The key is your emotions, and that’s not always your most comfortable truth. Approach yourself and your shadow with compassion. It can be challenging to accept all parts of ourselves, especially when we’re told there are some pieces that are ‘rejectable,’ but ‘negative’ emotions and feelings have just as much to teach as the positive ones. Be as kind to yourself as you are to others as you work through your feelings.
October
Your Card: Knight of Pentacles. Balanced, yet passionate. Patient and perservering. That’s what you have to channel right now. Instead of losing patience with some of your shadow aspects, understand how they impact who you are and the patterns through your day. Instead of rejecting them and working against them, understand their causes and sympathize with yourself. Be compassionate and gentle.
November
Your Card: Justice. In seeking fairness and balance, it’s important to acknowledge all parts of yourself. You are no stranger to the darker side of life, but you’ve been struggling with the traumas of continued injustice, and the emotional flashbacks to feelings of helplessness and betrayal. Anger is justified when you’re being hurt and it’s ultimately how we use that energy that determines who we are as people. Don’t invalidate your feelings – work through them and with them. You deserve the clarity that comes after such efforts.
December
Your Card: The Hanged Man. Change your perspective. The shadow aspects of yourself are not there to frustrate you or get in your way – they ultimately are mechanisms meant to protect you, built from your past. Spend some time re-evaluating your relationship to those aspects. Your shadow self can be a powerful teacher, pointing you to the path that can heal your wounds. Your resilience ultimately depends on your ability to shift your perspective, and open your heart.
January
Your Card: Four of Cups. Are you really bored, or are you attempting to reject the world before it rejects you? Normally I’d tell you to center your gratitude, but it’s hard when it feels like nothing is worth the effort, and your expectations are worthless. Instead of framing your situation by marking your frustrations, lean into what you’re actually looking for that you aren’t getting. Denying yourself happiness isn’t accepting who you are. Take some time off, and think about how you can realign yourself on a path towards gratitude.
February
Your Card: Eight of Cups. You hold on tight, especially once something or someone has worked their way into your routines. Just because something has always been present in your life doesn’t mean that it’s helpful to you, and it’s time that you consider what you can and can not carry forward. If you don’t let go, you’ll end up filled with resentment and will start to self-sabotage. It’s hard to walk away, especially if you’ve experienced abandonment, but sometimes there’s simply no other choice. Give yourself the love you deserve, so you can choose a path that honors your values and supports the person you’re becoming.
March
Your Card: Six of Wands. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating your wins and setting your ambitions among the stars. But be wary of the timing and the root of your ambitions. Don’t celebrate too early – be certain that you’ve crossed the line before you invite everyone over. Also take care that you’re actually celebrating your win, and not just seeking validation and energy from everyone around you. You don’t need to prove your worth. You’re worthy of their attention and time regardless, and more importantly you’re worthy of your own respect.