2015 is wrapping up and, as I often find myself doing at this time, I am thinking a lot about how I want to build my 2016. By blending a couple of tools, specifically numerology and tarot, I came up with a three card set to give me some insight on what energies lie ahead and where I should be putting my focus. In this practice, I am trying to ensure that I look at not just the rosy, happy aspects, but also the shadow side of the cards too so that I can get an idea where my pitfalls may be. If you have a tarot deck, I encourage you to explore this setup as well and share your findings with me on Facebook or Twitter.
For the first card, I took the numerological (is that a word?) value of next year and came up with the Hermit card (2+0+1+6=9, 9=Hermit). This is the overall energy that the year has in store for all of us. On the upside, this brings about a time for me to really reflect on the lessons I have learned so far and sort out the real from the illusion. This is not likely to be a year for me to be actively seeking out new teachers, education, or grand life lessons. No, this is going to be a great opportunity to retreat back in my head and figure out what has been working and what has not. Time to capitalize on the productive and tell the time wasters to hit the road.
The challenge that comes in with this energy presents me with a problem that I have faced my entire life. As an introvert, I seek solitude to recharge and refresh myself. The Hermit is warning me that 2016 may be a year that I find myself hiding more than just retreating. Yes, I will need to maintain my alone time, but I can’t use that as excuse to hide from the world, my goals and my problems. After all, the most important part of taking some “me time” is coming back out and re-engaging with those around me.
The next card was drawn out with a traditional method of finding my personal year in numerology.
By combining my birth month and day with the current year, I came up with the Hierophant (1+1+0+3=5, 2+0+1+6=9, 5+9=14, 1+4=5, 5=Hierophant). Great,this guy and I have had a challenging relationship for quite some time now. This card is showing me where I need to focus my energies in order to succeed within the universal energies of the Hermit. In blending with the messages of the first card, this is not a year for me to be pushing the boundaries and trying new methods to gain success and prosperity. This is going to be a year of focusing on tried and true methods to move forward. By working within established structures and guidelines, I will be able to move along the well worn path with greater ease.
My difficulty comes in with the fact that while I know the set and established practices are effective, I often find them boring and tedious. My desire to set myself apart from my peers leaves me with lofty goals that my lack of energy and motivation don’t always allow me to reach. If I can reset my focus onto following a path of successful ventures from the past, I just might be able to replicate those and make them even more beneficial in the future. There will be time for wild innovation again, but not right now. Simmer down and work with what works, dude.
Lastly, I took a more tarot based approach to see where I am on my own Fool’s Journey. By equating my birth year with the Fool, I cycled through the Major Arcana and 2016 turned out to be The Star. This card is bringing to light the strengths and opportunities that I have inside me to be the most successful throughout the year. In a good balance to the restrictive Hermit and Hierophant, The Star is reminding me that throughout all that I do, I need to be my most authentic self. No facades, no illusions, no pretending to be something I am not to please others. 2016 is my year to pick up the pieces and say “piss off” to all those that have tried to tear me down or hold me back.
This is likely to be a rather vulnerable year for me as I will need to expose myself in ways that I may not have felt comfortable with before (not that kind of exposing, get your minds out of the gutter!). There will be a need to filter out people, feelings and situations that have held me back regardless of how long I may have held onto them. I will need to be brutally honest with myself if I am to be successful and prosperous. Time to bring all those lingering shadows out into the light.
Overall, it would seem that I have my work cut out for me in the year ahead. While I will need to focus on being the best version of me that I can, it is good to see that I can do that while taking a more established route to prosperity. No need to spread my energy between innovation and authenticity. The coming year will be my year to walk proudly alongside the masses knowing that I am where I need to be.
If you are interested in finding out more about your coming year, you can order this spread or my New Year’s Spread at www.personaltarotwithmatt.com.