We can realize anything

As I wrote in my Midwinter Review; over this last year, I've been going through a process of integrating and reclaiming sides of myself that I haven't been able to fully embrace until now. And a part of this process is more openly daring to share such skills and areas of interest that I've kept hidden for most my life, such as divination and magical practices.

So in this newsletter, I decided to share a tarot reading I did for looking ahead to the upcoming year of 2026.

I mainly use tarot as a kind of mirror or lens that reflects my own view back to me. The cards provide me with additional perspectives, but it’s my own interpretation of the cards that gives me the most interesting information, because they show me how I relate to the statements that the cards provide. That said, I do believe there is also the possibility that the cards can communicate something that comes from deeper levels; the subconscious, the soul or the spiritual realm. But what that communication means for you could still differ from how someone else (including me) sees these cards. It could also be that your soul is using them in a different way to share a personalized message.

Due to this, I implore you to first contemplate the images of the cards and see what they bring up in you.

And then you can read my descriptions as a way to access further interpretive layers that you can relate to. But as I said, my interpretation is based on my view, so feel free to tune into your own knowing first and foremost. These cards might mean something totally different for you.

In this reading, I am using cards from the Rider Waite-Colman Smith tarot deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith.

For this reading, I used a simple five-card spread that has a central card as a focal point, with the other cards adding further nuance to the whole.

The central card I often see as the central theme of the reading. It is the heart of the reading, and something that all the cards connect to.

In this reading, the central card is the Knight of Wands.

Fittingly, The Knight of Wands brings the energy of embarking on a new adventure, an adventure ignited by the flames of inspiration and guided by intuition.

I always found it interesting this knight is actually going backwards (to the left) instead of forward, which I interpret as highlighting the importance of integration: this new adventure is fueled by what we have learned so far, and instead of denying where we came from, we are bringing the wisdom of our life experiences with us. As a personal reference, when I get this card I often start hearing the song Knight of Wands by Au Revoir Simone playing in my mind. The lyrics to that song are simple, but deep. For some reason, I feel like including them here.

On the left from the knight, we have The Star. This left position of the spread is something I often read as giving us advice for how to work with the theme or energy of the central card.

From all of that which we carry with us, we can now start sharing our wisdom with others. And so The Star encourages us to courageously step forth, sharing (even outpouring) our gifts with the world, whatever shape they take. Here, the words from the song above feel resonant “we can realize anything”. This begs the question; what do you want to realize (make real) in the coming year?

As a personal note, coming from my parental leave (which will end in Spring), I resonate strongly with the Star card on multiple levels. It has come up for me before during this last year, but then, more as a way of reminding me to consider whether I actually have enough resources to draw from in order to pour forth energy. But this is a theme that will be discussed more deeply in the next card…

On the right side of the central card is the Nine of Wands. I usually read the card on the right side of the central one as a possible outcome or future direction from taking action as suggested by the previous card. But it can also simply be something to take note of, that adds nuance to the first two cards. Together, these three cards tell their own little story.

A warning can be seen in the Nine of Wands, urging us to be mindful of how we use our energy. If we continue on the theme of the song lyrics, it almost feels like this card wants to answer: “Yes, you can realize anything. But that doesn’t mean that you should. Or need to.” Going too far in the direction of outpouring (or outpouring something we actually can't afford to share right now) can lead to exhaustion, and resentment. Generosity can only be practiced when sharing something you have enough of, that you have such an excess of, that you can share it without harming yourself in the process. Ask yourself, What inner well needs to first be nurtured, that I actually can NOT share from, at this time? And what is the thing that wants to naturally flow out of me? Listen to the body, and follow the flow.

After reading the horizontal cards, it is time to look deeper, at what lies at the root of the matter. Below the other cards we find the Six of Swords.

At a deeper level, this reading is like a miniature for life itself: it is a journey into the unknown. And this card reminds us about the importance of balance, and of integration, while we embark on this journey. This was already hinted in the Knight, in that initial spark, but is further emphasized in the Six of Swords. Here we are taking our thoughts and beliefs (symbolized by swords) with us and bringing them into a communion with the deep waters of our emotions and the unconscious. But the thoughts (swords) do not blend into the waters. Nor do they weigh down the boat, as one would think. They are kept safe in their container (the boat), together with the passengers who can be seen as symbols for different aspects of our psyche (or external individuals if that resonates more for you). There is something poignant about how these are all just passengers traversing the oceans of emotions and the unconscious realms. It feels like a reminder that, in the end, there's so much in this vast world that is unfathomable, that we cannot control, so best to surrender to the journey. But at the same time, we don't need to completely dissolve. And we are not alone. Within us, there is space for out thoughts, beliefs and our humanity, in all its aspects. And seen externally, we could think of this card as a representation for how, at the deepest deepest level, we’re all in it together, no matter how separate we may seem on the surface. We’re all in the same boat, as we travel on, into the unknown.

I’ve always found this card quite mysterious. I believe the key to understanding it lies in contemplating what the characters and the waters mean to you.

A final card brings an overview and a higher vantage point above the others. Here we find The Hierophant.

Above this scene, the Hierophant, the Spiritual Teacher or Leader, is watching over it all. To be honest, I have had some challenges connecting to this card in the past, because it reminds me of dogmatic, authoritarian religious leaders. But with my introspective focus, I have come to understand this card as a representation not so much of outer authorities, but rather a quality of Spiritual Ownership and Leadership that we can all have access to, in our own direct experience. In the context of this reading, the Hierophant feels like a punctuation to the message that, now is the time to step forth to acknowledge and embrace your own inner knowing. You can be your own spiritual leader. You know enough to share your wisdom with the world. But in order to not burn out as you do so, you are urged to check in with yourself. To traverse between the mental and emotional realms requires self-awareness. And it’s a process that takes dedication and practice, so it’s time to learn to discern how best to use your energy. The external outpouring needs to be balanced with introspective and integrative practices.

And in this subversive, introspective interpretation of the Spiritual Leader, it is you that best knows what these practices are. Or maybe this is a year for you to figure out what works for you, and then share what you learned.

A practical action step that follows from this reading is to take up some kind of a contemplative practice in your daily life. Depending on your interests and ways, this could look very different from person to person. Some suggestions include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Try out meditation

• Start a journaling practice

• Connect to your body in whatever way feels good for you

• Allow yourself more space for just Being, where you try to minimize external stimuli (digital detox days, or just taking small pauses throughout the day for being present in the moment) so you can better hear your inner knowing.

• Bring your awareness to your breath. It is a physical manifestation of the dance between the inner and outer that you can rely on and tune into wherever you are. It creates a subtle rhythm in the background, though we’re most often not aware of it. In and out. Introspection and externalization. Taking in, and sharing outwards. And on and on.

If you feel like it, I would be curious to hear what came up for you in connection to this reading.

Wishing you a inspired start to the year of 2026!

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