New Moon Reading: Protecting the small flame

For this cycle, we have quite a watery reading, with three Hearts cards and one Clubs card.

The low numbers and combination of Hearts and Clubs tells me this is likely to be a more introspective, domestic cycle, that focuses more on internal processes than on external achievements. The 6♥, called The Castle, usually speaks of a familiar place where we can find healing and rest and, being in the Head position, it lends its atmosphere to the reading as a whole.

However, the inner waters won't necessarily be still, with the 5♥ as the only upright/odd card and in the Throat position! And it's interesting how Fata Morgana seems to be holding the Chalice (2♥) upside down, and 'pouring' onto the Moon Fire (2♣). In the Doors of Somlipith book, Ana Cortez describes the 2♣ as "the light of quiet discovery as we encounter new facets of our own being" (p. 59). It's like a small fire or awareness is trying to be born, and I must be careful not to let the excess of Hearts (or illusory emotions) drown it.

The Chalice (2♥) is also in a dignified position, but it's reversed, showing its 'helmet' aspect. Ana also writes in the book that the 2♥ can offer "the ability to advance under guardianship, but also potentially a way to deflect those things that would ultimately serve us" (p.60). Deceptive emotions might be feeding certain defence mechanisms, which might keep one safe but also blocks new forms of insight and communication.

Lastly, I like how the rocks seem to be supporting the naked woman in the 2♣. Although she is a Clubs card, I see a subtle connection to the Earth element, reinforced here by the position of this card in the spread (Foot). The small fire needs some connection to earth, to what is real and palpable, to keep burning and not be extinguished by Morgana's spell.

On the other hand, the card is undeniably upside down, and the combination of Hearts (Water) and Clubs (Air) makes for a shaky ground. I feel like the two missing suits – Diamonds (Fire) and Spades (Earth) – are potential tools to help balance the excess of Hearts in the coming cycle.

In a nutshell: The past cycle helped us to come into contact with certain truths about ourselves and our lives that were hidden. This can awaken emotions within us that can confuse or deceive, causing us to misinterpret the insights gained, or even to abandon them out of fear. We must be careful not to believe our emotions to such an extent that we lose sight of everything else. We will also need to confront the emotional defences that prevent us from growing. A cup can be filled – a helmet cannot.