the WHAT'S UP tarot spread

Sometimes I groan internally when people ask me “what’s up.” I don’t know how to answer. “Same old, same old!” Or, the tongue-in-cheek “just living the dream.” Side note: I saw a post somewhere on the socials recently that said something to the effect of: if you ask a Millennial ‘what’s up’ and they respond with ‘living the dream’ know they are on the verge of a mental breakdown.

We all have phases in life where things just… are. You wake up, you read horrific news on your phone, you opine over the state of the world, you work, you take care of pets and family, you sit on the couch and scroll some more, and the cycle continues. A lot of the times this is actually okay. It’s better to be in something of a rut than to be in, well, an actual full-blown crisis.

Ly de Angeles has an interesting take on the Wheel of Fortune related to all this. In Tarot Theory & Practice she says:

This card suggests motion, backward and forward, over and over, up and down, a roller coaster ride, the daily round, day to day, continuous. …it can be the routine or cyclical maintenance of anything. Very often there is a sense of simple routine or sameness. This, for some clients, can be disconcerting (depending on the situation), whereas for others it is comforting.

This struck me because I usually see the Wheel of Fortune described as big sweeping changes. But I like this idea of it representing day to day cycles. Because of course, even when it seems like we’re just lather rinse and repeating, change IS always present. Sometimes it is just more subtle.

Inspired by all this, I’ve created a Wheel of Fortune inspired tarot spread to invite some more curiosity around the inquiry of ‘what’s up.’ Maybe you’re in a comforting routine, or maybe the repetitiveness is disconcerting. Either way, I hope this spread will nudge you to you step back and see your patterns in a new way, maybe even give you the inspiration to consciously create a new cycle. Here it is, and I’ll share a sample reading too.

I'm using my Pastel-Waite tarot to do this spread for ~the collective~ so take what resonates and leave the rest. And also, try the spread yourself for your own unique circumstances.

Strength is our hub here, our stable support, and this is beautiful to see. Although our unique circumstances vary, it’s safe to say we are all dealing with some unruly and even scary stuff (the lion). But if you’re here reading this, it’s probably also safe to say you are someone who values integrity, love, patience and compassion. It’s essential for all of us to nurture the KIND part of ourselves.

The part that sees the horrors of our personal lives and of collective reality and continues to show up. To show tenderness in times when it would be easier to hide or run or give up.

And generally, hopefully, when you’re the kind of person who embodies the energy of Strength you receive that back. When you’re the unruly lion there’s forces who show up to give you love and understanding. Forces that assist you in calming your nervous system. These could be friends and loved ones; or gods, spirit guides; or the archetypal energy of the Strength card itself.

For ‘what’s good’ we have the Queen of Pentacles. Such a fitting companion to Strength. The Queen of Pentacles has a ‘chop wood, carry water’ vibe. You know, the Zen proverb. What’s good is bringing PRESENCE even to something you’ve done a thousand times and will do a thousand times more.

She looks at the pentacle, presumably the same one she’s always been holding, but she really looks. Observes. Admires, even. Noticing each crevice. Noticing how the gleam changes as the light shifts.

It is good to find a grounded clarity about what is. To see things as they are. Not with judgement, but with curiosity. To consider your limits around what you can realistically change and what is beyond your reach.

The reversed Four of Pentacles shows up for what’s not so good. Ha. Ahaha. Tarot is funny sometimes. In a spread about repetitive cycles we have a card about clinging, to show what’s not so good. The reversal of this card also gives a sense of disconnect. It’s somehow clinging to the way things are while also not really being fully present with how things are. A contrast to the Queen of Pentacles, for sure.

Maybe the core message here is that it isn’t good to cling to a belief that the way things are now is the way they will always be. For better or for worse. In our personal lives, and in the broader world. Hell, especially in the broader world. It would be a lot easier for The Powers That Be if we all gave up hope and just accepted living in a hellscape. So, let’s not.

Our Pentacles streak continues. The reversed Page of Pentacles represents what is outdated. The phrase ‘lack of self-trust’ flew into my mind here. It’s another contrast to Strength and the Queen of Pentacles, both of whom show a level of empowering yourself to be as embodied as you can in this cycle.

As the Page is the metaphoric youngest of the court cards, they can be seen as a beginner. Fumbling, not at full competency. We need to let go of that way of seeing ourselves. This doesn’t mean getting a superiority complex or being perfect. But we need to trust the experience that we’ve gained. Especially if you are someone on the margins of society in any way.

Practice catching yourself when you doubt your abilities. Consciously shift into your Queen of Pentacles/Strength energy. It’s not about perfection, but constant practice. Give yourself grace.

For what’s fresh we have the reversed Seven of Cups! I like this as a contrast to the previous card. Instead of feeling insecure about what you don’t yet know or can’t yet do, this card feels like it’s saying WOW! I have so much more to learn! Life can be so much weirder and more enchanting!

With the Seven of Cups you may not have a clearly ability to say “this is precisely what is fresh or new.” Maybe it’s not one specific thing like, “I got a new job” or “I moved.” It’s more a vibe shift. What’s new? My cells are continuously turning over! I saw a cloud float across the sky! I came across some completely baffling and confusing information!

Life is always fresh when you are open to small, unexpected wonders.

That’s what I have for you, but I do hope you’ll give the spread a whirl yourself if you are so inclined.

Ever in motion,

Carrie