Your Personal Tarot Card for 2021

I was going to make a video for my YouTube channel about this, but thought that a blog post might be better suited to this subject, as you can look up and refer to your yearly card. 

First I will show you how to calculate it, and then what each card means for your year. 

How to Calculate Your Card

Its actually pretty simple to calculate which major arcana card will be yours for the year. Take the digits of your birth month and day and add them to the current year. For example, my birthday is August 15, so I would add

8+1+5+2+0+2+1 = 19 

Card number 19 in the majors is the Sun, so that is my Tarot card for 2021. 

Any result that is over 22 you will have to reduce further. For example if your birthday is September 29 

9+2+9+2+0+2+1 = 23

As this is over 22 you would add

2+3=5

So your Tarot card would the Heirophant, which is number 5 in the major arcana. 

Please note that you are never going to get 1 (Magician) or 2 (the High Priestess) as a result so I’ve included them in other cards whose digits reduce to the numbers 1 or 2 when added together. You will also never get 0 as a result either, so we assign the Fool to number 22.

Card Meanings for Your Year

3 the Empress - A year of abundance,creativity and fertility. It’s a great year to have a baby, get a pet, or start a creative project or a business. The danger of this year is either taking for granted the abundance that is coming your way, or in spending so much time nurturing others that you forget to care for yourself. 

4 the Emperor - A year of taking control, getting organized and taking a leadership position. You are taking command of your life and taking your power back. The shadow side is trying to control others instead of focusing on your own life. 

5 the Hierophant - This is not a year to rock the boat or go against traditions. This is a time to learn from those that have gone before, from institutions and the more experienced.  The shadow side is going along with convention just for the sake of it, or rebelling thoughtlessly. 

6 the Lovers - A year of following the heart over the head. Choices will be presented to you and romance has the potential to flourish. The challenge is to take others into consideration when making decisions and not to avoid making difficult choices. 

7 the Chariot - Determination and focus are the themes this year. You can get a lot done in a Chariot year, and may even travel. Avoid being so hyper focused on a goal that you neglect other aspects of your life. 

8 Strength - This can be a challenging year as it asks you to settle in for the long haul. Consistent gentle effort over time will yield better results than trying to force things. It’s a year that can test you and exhaust you so get lots of rest and practice self care. 

9 the Hermit - This is a year to turn inward. Don’t worry about what others think, you need to consult your own soul. It’s a quiet year of inner growth. The challenge is it can be lonely so make sure you reach out to others. 

10 the Wheel of Fortune (1 Magician) - A year of change and good luck. Opportunities come your way but you have to act on them. The danger is to let them pass or to think you are not ready for it and procrastinate. You are so ready for this!

11 Justice (2 High Priestess) - This is another year of decisions but one where you must balance your head and your gut. You must make choices that take fairness and justice into account. Legal issues can arise sometimes. The down side is losing your balance and forgetting either your rational or intuitive faculties. 

12 Hanged Man - A year of waiting where not much seems to happen. You are being asked to look at things from a different perspective and develop patience. You may have to make sacrifices now for something greater in the future. 

13 Death - Loss can be a theme during a 13 year, but also transformation. This is a year of letting go and discarding the old and unworkable to make way for new and better things. It is not the easiest year but it is a profound one. 

14 Temperance - If you are coming out of a 13 year, this one is a blessing. Emotional balance is restored and you learn how to integrate the changes of the previous year. You may feel divinely inspired and guided. While it’s not the most active year, it is a more positive one. 

15 the Devil - You are asked to examine addictions, manipulation and any areas of your life where you don’t feel in control. You are forced to confront your limitations, which is never fun, but offers you an opportunity to get real about your circumstances and potentially break free. 

16 the Tower - Upheaval and change come this year whether you like it or not. If you haven’t done the work of the previous year, you might get the rug pulled out from under you. Anything on a shaky foundation will fall. But you may also receive life changing inspiration or insights. Be open to change.

17 The Star - A year of hope and optimism. Good news comes and there is hope for a better tomorrow. It’s a great year to make plans and set goals for the long term future. Also a good one for making connections and expanding your social life. 

18 the Moon - Uncertainty is the theme this year. You can’t see where you are going so you have to just put one foot in front of the other. Use your intuition as it is quite sharp. Any mental or emotional issues can be more active so practice good self care. 

19 the Sun -  A year of joy, optimism and renewed faith in yourself and the world. This can be a year of big successes, or a time of rest (or even both). Don’t waste any opportunities that may come your way this year. Soak up the good vibes. 

20 Judgement - It’s time to answer the call of your heart. The Universe is pushing you to grow, so don’t resist the changes it is bringing. It’s time to step up and meet the challenge. You’ll be glad you did. 

21 the World - You are at the end of a big cycle in your life. World years can be times where we graduate, or retire or move away. But they can also just be a time of internal shifting and growing. Look back on all you’ve accomplished  with pride. 

22 the Fool - Its a brand new start! Time to take a leap of faith and go for it! It’s a great year to start a business, apply for the dream job or move to the other side of the world. Or you can just change up your look, or outlook on life. Anything is possible this year. 

This year is a Sun year for me so I’m looking forward to a more optimistic and energizing year after the uncertainty of 2020 which was a Moon year for me. What is your card for 2021? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the coming energies for you. 

If you’d like a full reading to see what’s ahead for you in 2021, you can book one with me 

here

January 2021 Astrology - Shaking it Up!

As we leave 2020 behind, many are hopeful for a better year ahead, including myself. The overall astrology for 2021 looks more hopeful, but there will be a few challenges as we adjust to the new energies of Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius, which will dominate this year. And we won't have to wait long, as Mars moves into Taurus on January 06, bringing conflict and challenges. 

Saturn (the World) and Jupiter (Wheel of Fortune) in Aquarius (the Star)

Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius

Jupiter is represented in the Tarot by the Wheel of Fortune, bringing luck and opportunities to whatever house and sign of the zodiac he occupies. For most of the year he is in Aquarius, represented by the Star, a symbol of hope and optimism. We also have Saturn in Aquarius for the next two and a half years, represented by the World, showing us with hard work and dedication we can attain our hopes and dreams. 

Mars (Tower) and Uranus (the Fool) in Taurus (Hierophant)

Mars and Uranus in Taurus

 As positive as Jupiter and Saturn moving into Aquarius are, its not without its challenges as we adjust to the new energies of 2021. In January Mars, the planet of action, competition, drive and also fire and war moves into Taurus after a long six months in Aries. This was unusual as he usually spends about two months in a sign, but last year the length tripled as he spent two of the six months in retrograde. This brought frustration and a sense of sluggishness to the later months of 2020. The good news is that he now moves forward at his regular pace, however he is going to bring challenge and disruption to our hopefulness this month. 

Mars is represented by the Tower, he shakes things up, activates and brings change, even if it isn't welcome. He asks us to change things or have change forced upon us unwillingly. He is in Taurus as represented by the Heirophant, which is about tradition, order and the establishment. It seems the old guard does not want things to move forward in the new way (as represented by the Aquarius planets). those who favour old ways, may rebel against new technologies or social movements. 

The other disruption is that Uranus as represented by the Fool is also in Taurus. Uranus brings inspiration, new technologies, sudden change, and chaos. In Taurus this can mean new technologies in food sciences, the environment and farming. He can also bring disruption to these areas. This is a long term transit as he will be in Taurus until April of 2026. When Mars meets up with him this month, it will activate the some of the tensions between the Taurus and Aquarius planets.

Some dates to watch for 

 January 13 - Mars square Saturn Conflict between the old ways and collective rules crop up today. Look for tension between anaologue and digital, between individual rights and the collective good, between nature and technology. 

 January 17 - Jupiter square Uranus Tension between wanting to make changes, expand, and move forward for the collective good, and new technologies. Watch for sudden developments heping us to make positive changes, even if it makes us uncomfortable. 

 January 20 - Mars conjunct Uranus This aspect traditionally heralds a disruptive event of some kind. This can be for good or ill, but it shakes us up and forces us to look at things in a new light. 

 January 23 - Mars square Jupiter This one is challenging as it amplifies tension, and makes conflicts more explosive. If you have to have a difficult conversation, wait for another day. Avoid fights, and wait for conflict to simmer down. 

This month sets up some of the major challenges and conflicts that will be themes in our own lives and the greater world in 2021. The good news is that as January is one of the more challenging months of the year, it tends to get easier as we move forward. The best thing you can do this month is lie low and observe the patterns that are emerging this month. It will show you where you need to put in work, and what needs to change this year. 

If you want more astrology, you can sign up for my free New and Full Moon Horoscopes on my Website 

I also have detailed weekly astrology reports and tarotscopes on my Patreon

Top Tarot Myths Debunked for Beginners

While Tarot may be more popular than ever now, and more people are learning about it, unfortunately, there are still some misconceptions floating around out there. Every so often I get questions from people that show me there are some false ideas that continue to make the rounds for those looking to get into learning tarot. Below are the top 5 ones I hear most frequently. 

1. Your First Tarot Deck Must be Given to You. This false idea is probably the one I come across most often. The idea is that you can't buy your own deck, that someone has to give it you as a present. If you are interested in getting into tarot, please don't wait around hoping someone will intuit that you want one. Go out and buy yourself that deck! I think this idea came from in the past when tarot wasn't as common or acceptable. That way someone who knew how to read would pass on their knowledge to you. It was also a way of gatekeeping and controlling who had knowledge and who didn't. I personally do not believe in gatekeeping. If you want to read cards, please go out and find yourself a deck you love and a book or other resource to guide you. Don't hold yourself back.

2.You Must Take a Specialized Course or Certification to Read Cards. This is nonsense. Its said by those who either want to control who has access to tarot or want to sell you their course. That being said there are some great courses out there, and some people learn better from guided study than on their own. But you don't HAVE to take a course. There are plenty of inexpensive books, and free online resources to learn from. And if you want to take a course, do your research, find someone you trust, and avoid overpriced scammers.

3. You Must Store Your Deck in an Oak Box, Silk Scarf, Facing North etc. Of course if you want your deck to last a long time, storing it where its safe and protected from damage is sensible. But you will come across people who say that you must store it in particular fabrics, woods, facing a certain direction etc. or they won't work. This is just not true. Your cards will work just as well whether stored in a elegantly carved box or a cookie tin. 

4. You Can Only Read For Others and Never Yourself. I'm really not sure where this idea came from, as the way almost everyone learns is by starting by reading for themselves, then slowly branching out to read for family and friends. Its a great way to learn the cards. I often suggest starting with pulling one card a day, looking up its meaning and making note of how it played out for you. Or you can do a weekly reading and again make notes to refer back to. When you get more comfortable you can move on to others who are open to you practicing on them.

5. Tarot Cards are Portals to the Spirit World/Hell/ the Devil etc. This one comes from horror movies and poorly researched paranormal TV shows. It has no basis in fact and is based on superstition and fear. I even heard someone claim that each deck was a portal to Hell and opened the user up to demons. If so there would be a hundred demons in my house right now! After 26 years of reading cards, and owning dozens of decks, I can assure you, no demons have appeared. Tarot cards are a tool to help you access your intuition and are nothing to be scared of.

I hope that this post encourages you to pick up the cards, if you are interested in reading them, without fear or worrying about barriers. What other ideas have you heard about tarot? Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about getting started.