Your Sad Girl Tarotscopes - January

this month’s tarot reading focuses on giving us information about how to pace ourselves for the new year.

image @kit snicket

by Abygai Peña.

Our new staff of writers at Sad Girls Club has been tasked with the theme of (un)manifest destiny. Our January tarotscopes will be a meditation on this theme as we dive into formidable ways we are allowed to authentically show up for ourselves during these next twelve months. January is typically the month where we all run out and sign up for gym memberships, join new dating apps, and add on new side hustles. January has historically, in many ways, been a period of scarcity. Crops were rationed from the big harvest in the fall, there’s limited sunshine, and the earth around us is frozen in hibernation. Yet, our society is refusing to pay heed to our environment. The marker of a new year forces a lot of us to feel like our hard work this year wasn’t enough. I started a successful and awesome project, but it didn’t make me enough money this year.

If we were taking lessons from the earth, winter would be a time of pacing yourself and not overextending your limited resources. Even though most of us are no longer tending to land we are tending to social obligations during the holiday season that harbors mental and financial strain. This month’s tarot reading focuses on giving us information about how to pace ourselves for the new year. In this reading I am using Kit Snicket’s The Witches’ Insurrection Deck which redefines many elements from the Smith-Waite deck with anarchy in mind to avoid the binary and classist nature of such a “classic” deck. You can definitely interpret your reading through different aspects of your chart.

Let’s say you’re looking for your love forecast for this month as it pertains to pacing yourself, check the pull for your venus sign.   

Aries
6 of roses, Upright

This card is a reminder to share when we are overflowing with resources. Keeping your treasure to yourself is not as rewarding as you’d think, Aries. In this deck roses are a similar suit to pentacles which embodies “earthly themes” like wealth and career. In this reading the 6 of roses is asking you to pace yourself when it comes to stockpiling up your wealth. You are in a place to help ease others by rationing out your abundance.  Taurus The Fool, UprightFunny enough Taurus, you’ve drawn The Fool. New year, new you? With The Fool it's more like new beginnings and opportunity. When I think of this card I think about the benefits of having a beginner’s mindset. Moving forward into the new year knowing that you know nothing has the potential of true freedom. Starting fresh is a mindset you can pull out of your toolkit to pace your expectations or assumptions about how your new year is supposed to go. Good luck on your new endeavors and remember to come to situations and circumstances with a beginner’s mindset.

Gemini
8 of roses, Upright

This card is one of motivation. There is a skill you are learning a skill that you should continue to develop into the new year for desired results. This a very positive card if you are learning a new craft, starting an apprenticeship, or just expanding your professional repertoire. The is a practice makes perfect type of message. The challenge with pacing here comes from gratification. We know you love simulation Gemini but, this card is calling you to feel the Capricorn season vibes and remember that slow and steady wins the race.    

Cancer
10 of roses, Upright

Congratulations on your year Cancer! The 10 of roses is a celebratory card that often signifies success or achievement. We should all be taking a page from your book as this card points to sustainable success that has taken into account the future. Your nurturing and stable nature has made practicality rewarding. Now whether or not you’re able to see the strides you’ve made this past year just know that your practical mindset is the magic we’re looking to embody in 2020.   

Leo
3 of Roses

Teamwork makes the dream work Leo. You’re an amazing leader. You have your loyal subject’s best interests in mind. However, this card is asking you to focus on collaboration rather than just giving orders. Pace your ego. A project does not have the best possible result just because you’ve imbued it with all of your fabulousness. In fact, when you are able to identify, utilize, and value the contribution of your collaborators you will find the most success. Even being a leader consists of being on a team. You should feel empowered to bring your vision and charisma to a team of uniquely skilled individuals. Collaboration will reap rewards for you, Sunshine.    

Virgo
3 of Knives

Block whoever sent you that “Hey bighead” text. The 3 of knives reveal a temporary period of grief and sadness. This card advises that you focus on releasing your emotions and finding acceptance. Although there’s no accurate timeline to reach acceptance this card also serves as a reminder that the pain you are feeling is a passing pain NOT the universe's attempt to deter you from your goals or plan. In the meantime, focus on what makes you feel better. Be mindful of your people-pleasing nature because during this period of grief you owe no one your time and energy. Remember that self-care is not selfish.  

Libra
The Moon

Anxiety is blocking you from following your intuition. The Moon card points to a time of feeling like things aren’t going well or that you are in the midst of anxious thoughts. Luckily, our thoughts and feelings are not reality. This card is about things feeling off NOT you or your life actually being off. You have to take a step back and look at the big picture. The closer you inspect makes it that much more likely that the struggle is all you can see right now. This card advises that you shift your focus to your intuition and pay more attention to your subconscious mind. Keep a dream journal, meditate, and look to the moon cycles for structure on achieving your goals. And, if you can, relax girl. Everything will be okay.

Scorpio
The High Priestess

You are in your witchy element right now. The High Priestess moves through liminal spaces like the subconscious mind, psychic realms, and intuition. This card is a vote of confidence to continue your investigation to the occult or spirituality. Your pacing comes from looking inward for answers. Trusting yourself and believing you’re on the right path will help you flow into the new year with ease. Bright blessings Scorpio. Your P.I like investigative skill will help you on your quest to better understanding your spiritual self.

Sagittarius
The Sun

Bright and radiant, just like you Sag. This card is a sign of strength and happiness. An interesting aspect of this card is that it suggests that the strength, happiness, and abundance is coming from within you not outside of yourself. If you’re starting out this year in not the best place this card is letting you know that things are about to change. January is forecasting to be an energetic and exciting month. Just keep in mind that this vitality comes from within and is a perception.

Capricorn
Justice

Decisions, decisions, decisions. The Justice card is not exclusive to the law. More so, this card is about your personal ethics and beliefs. However, if you are facing legal proceedings this is a favorable card. In other cases, this card points to a decision you are making this January where you must check in with yourself and truly evaluate what decision aligns with your moral compass. Pace yourself by allowing space and time to align your decision with your ethics. This is not a time to act hastily. 

Aquarius
The Conspirator of Roses

Manifestation and prosperity through teamwork. You’ve had your eye on the prize Aquarius. The Conspirator of Roses is a card signaling opportunity and the start of new creative endeavors. Seeking out teachers, mentors or collaborators is the way to go! The pacing here could come in the form of mental preparation. Taking time to be clear about your goal through meditation and manifestation rituals like vision boards. Additionally, focus on being open and ready for opportunities can be fruitful for you.   

Pisces
The Whore

You are feeling yourself this January. And, who can blame you? The Whore card is synonymous with The Empress card. Both are about tapping into the divine feminine and creating beauty from a creative and sensuous place. This card is a sign that you are enjoying the fruit of your labor or are in a growing stage, either way, this card asks you to enjoy it. Lavish in it. In fact, practice mindfulness while you take in your newfound abundance. Pace yourself by stopping and smelling your luxurious roses and bubble bath. 

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Abygai Peña is a Manhattan-bound feminist filmmaker and writer who contributes to BUST Magazine and Sad Girls Club while serving at the Deputy Editor of arthouse film magazine Cinema Skyline and Managing Newsletter Editor of Bluestockings Bookstore. Abygai Peña’s work lives at the intersections of cinema, gender, activism, and the occult. Abygai Peña is utilizing her expertise to soon launch a new publication called Banshe Magazine which aims to deconstruct and decolonize femme images in media.