A Tarot Year in Review: 2021 in a Single Card

Perhaps I’m blaspheming the sacred, oracular function of the Tarot by consciously choosing a card instead of pulling one at random, but I thought it might be cathartic to reflect on the year that was through a single Tarot image. So many of the figures on the Major Arcana, as well as the scenes on the Minors, represent familiar archetypal images and events. Over the years, I have come to appreciate the representations on the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck more deeply, repeatedly awed by their power to externalize our inner landscape in pictorial form.

As I write this, Jupiter has ingressed into Pisces — a much-awaited celestial event. I don’t know about you, but I’m not feeling the relief yet. The Greater Benefic may have been liberated from Saturn’s restrictive hold, but the seemingly delayed trickle-down effect from the heavens means that I’m still sensing the weighty Saturn in a few areas of my life.

In the summer of 2021, as COVID-19 infections declined commensurate with increased vaccination rates, I was lulled into a false sense of security. I put the third Saturn-Uranus square (slated to perfect in December) from my mind, focusing instead on the areas of life that I hoped would come into full bloom. It’s early days and I can’t lose hope of the inspiring changes portended in 2022 based on Uranus turning direct and passing over my natal Mercury.

As I look back on the year, I have a lot to be grateful for, regardless of the tenor of this post. Our trials and tribulations are…