predicting the future
turning to tarot to reflect on the year ahead
I am an amateur tarot reader—more of a novice, really. But in the brief time that I’ve been reading tarot, I’ve found it incredibly useful in facing challenges and navigating questions in my life. Tarot inspires new ways of thinking, helping me to slow down and approach my anxieties with curiosity.
As we enter 2024, I’ve found myself equal parts scared and excited about the year ahead. I tend to get caught up in what my brother would call The Grind. Maintaining productivity (perhaps at an unhealthy, unsustainable level) is my impulse whenever we transition from one year to the next. So, in the spirit of trying to slow down—which my therapist has strongly recommended—I’m turning to tarot once again. I often think of reflection and introspection as backward practices, but it’s equally important to reflect on what’s to come. Until I can manage to do that on my own (and maybe even after I can!), tarot is a practice that serves the purpose of reflection well.
The tarot deck I use came from a fundraising Kickstarter by Brink Literacy Project, a nonprofit with education programs, an online resource center, and a publishing division—all with the aim of improving worldwide literacy rates and empowering underserved communities.
All of the cards in the deck are paired with a literary work to add some storytelling flair to the meaning of the card. And, in keeping with the theme, the four minor arcana were renamed—but still have the same meanings.
Ink—traditionally Wands in Italian and Spanish decks, corresponding with passion, willpower, and inspiration; our intellectual world
Light—traditionally Cups in Italian and Spanish decks, corresponding with emotions, imagination, and intuition; our emotional world
Quills—traditionally Swords in Italian and Spanish decks, corresponding with logic, conflict, and communication; our interpersonal world
Parchment—traditionally Pentacles or Coins in Italian and Spanish decks, corresponding with material concerns, health, and wealth; our physical world
With that extra bit of context provided, let’s get on with the readings!
Okay, actually, one more note before we start: apologies in advance for the poor quality of the spread photos. To be completely honest with you, I couldn’t be bothered to take better photos.
How should I use my creative energy in 2024?
Situation: Ten of Quills—reversed
Inspired by Heart of Darkness
Themes: survival, improvement, healing, lessons learned, despair
Hubris has led me to the current moment; I should accept the outcome and learn from it.
Challenge: Death—reversed
Inspired by Dracula
Themes: fear of change, repeating negative patterns, stagnancy, decay
Resisting change will cause distress; I should be wary of staying in the darkness, replaying old patterns and stories.
Guidance: The Hierophant—reversed
Inspired by Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Themes: rebellion, new methods, unconventionality, ignorance
The cost of conformity isn’t worth it; I should break from tradition to avoid sinking into despair.
Focus: Four of Ink—reversed
Inspired by The King of Elfland’s Daughter
Themes: instability, feeling unwelcome, transience, home conflict
I may feel distant from loved ones and rootless.
Outcome: The Tower—upright
Inspired by The Outsider
Themes: disaster, destruction, upheaval, trauma, chaos
Isolation and introspection can’t prepare me for what is coming, which can only be endured.
Reflection
I feel a lot of intense, unfulfilled creative ambition—I plan big projects but often struggle to finish them. I think I’ve always had a sense of importance (dare I say, hubris?) about my artistic practice, both because it is important, if only to me, and because I want to make art that affects people in a meaningful way. Sometimes, I start too big, unprepared in some way to complete the project as it exists in my mind’s eye. It sounds like I need to spend some time interrogating that pattern; clearly, it isn’t serving me. Breaking from tradition seems like it’ll be key here—but isolating, too. And I have to admit, ending with the upright Tower is intimidating. Perhaps, though, this year will bring a new perspective to my creative practices, or a new purpose: for personal healing instead of productivity, maybe?
How will my relationship evolve in 2024?
My Role: Nine of Quills—upright
Inspired by Macbeth
Themes: panic, worry, terror, anguish, gloom
I have to face my past and be honest about my actions.
My Love’s Role: Six of Quills—reversed
Inspired by The Metamorphosis
Themes: stuck in the past, running away from problems, trapped, obsessing
He is feeling locked away and should focus not on what is lost but on what has been learned.
Past: Queen of Ink—reversed
Inspired by Pride and Prejudice
Themes: demanding, jealous, selfish, vengeful, temperamental
In facing obstacles, it has been better to rely on the emotional truth.
Present: Three of Light—reversed
Inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Themes: isolation, loneliness, solitude, gossip, scandal
We might need a return to balance and harmony.
Future: Page of Ink—upright
Inspired by The Magic Mountain
Themes: exploration, excitement, fresh ideas, energetic, fearless
Curiosity will overcome fear of the unknown. We will find the courage to live our lives fully.
Reflection
Ah, the past! Jo and I are like any other people: we’ve got some baggage. It sounds like we’ll be working independently on interrogating our pasts and figuring out both what they mean and how we’ll move forward with them. Bringing that individual work together is how we’ll find a new sense of balance and harmony. If we approach our future with curiosity, it seems like there will be a lot of exciting things in store for us. And what could be better than living our lives to the fullest?
How will my ambition affect me in 2024?
Present: Page of Ink—reversed
Inspired by The Magic Mountain
Themes: hastiness, impatience, laziness, boredom, distraction
I resist or avoid my own dreams and the pursuit of them.
Past: Ace of Light—upright
Inspired by Carmilla
Themes: love, new feelings, emotional awakening, spirituality, intuition
I was ready for the unseen and unknown, open to an emotional awakening.
Current Influences: The Hierophant—reversed
Inspired by Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Themes: rebellion, new methods, unconventionality, ignorance
Go beyond tradition and break from conformity.
New Influences: Knight of Light—upright
Inspired by Tom Jones
Themes: idealist, charming, artistic, tactful, diplomatic
My passion for others, especially those in distress, may lead to excess—but also to love, which will guide me to happiness.
Big Picture: The Fool—upright
Inspired by Don Quixote
Themes: freedom, creativity, idealism, vision, exploration
I give the whole of my heart, daring and dreaming, but can get lost with my head in the clouds unless I have someone to help anchor me.
Reflection
This question, I think, ties into my first—about my creative energy—but it also speaks to other areas of life in which I experience wanting. I was open to new possibilities in the past, but right now, I’m feeling more closed off. I know what I want, but I’m not chasing after it. I can think of a few things that fit the description. It sounds like my ambition will direct itself—or I will direct it—toward helping others. That’s what I hope to do in some small way with this newsletter: to build a space for thinking and talking about our humanity and ways we can care for one another. Leaning into that with earnestness will be good, as long as I have someone to give me the occasional reality check. Isn’t that what marriage is all about?
How will I experience “stretch” in 2024?
Situation: Wheel of Fortune—reversed
Inspired by Vanity Fair
Themes: bad luck, lack of control, unwelcome changes, delays
I will always be subject to fate. Something isn’t going my way, but my luck will change someday.
Challenge: Knight of Parchment—upright
Inspired by A Princess of Mars
Themes: practical, reliable, efficient, hardworking, committed
I need to commit to my obligations and go one step at a time. I should devote myself to the people I care about and face challenges with determination; but I need to choose my battles.
Guidance: Five of Ink—upright
Inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel
Themes: conflict, competition, aggression, tension, rivals
Confrontation is everywhere; I should be prepared for competition—but with an optimistic, sharp-eyed approach.
Focus: The Tower—reversed
Inspired by The Outsider
Themes: retreat, avoidance, resistance, denial, rejection
Refusing to face my fate is a choice I can make, but it means staying stuck in place.
Outcome: The Hierophant—upright
Inspired by Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Themes: tradition, conventionality, conformity, knowledge, beliefs
Following the rules and traditions before me will bring me deeper into a new world and help me find answers.
Reflection
“Stretch” is a word that came up in my art therapy session this week; my therapist wants me to think about what it would mean for me to stretch myself, especially in a time when I feel bogged down by depression. I’m definitely familiar with unwelcome changes and delays right now—there’s a weight dragging on my mental health right now, and it’s forcing me to move slowly. It’s no wonder the challenge is to move with deliberateness. Conflict and retreat, aggression and avoidance, tension and resistance: the work will be difficult, it seems. It’s interesting, though, that the third appearance of the Hierophant in my spreads is the first time it’s been upright—the first time the emphasis has been on conformity and tradition. That isn’t necessarily the past, though. If old patterns aren’t serving me, maybe it’s time to rewrite the rules.
I’m tempted to apologize for the delay of this week’s newsletter, but my therapist wants me to put less pressure on productivity and output when I think about creative practices. Yes, I’m skirting around their suggestion by telling you I want to apologize, but baby steps! It technically isn’t an apology.
State legislatures across the country are in session. Jo and I have been feeling pain and grief as we hear about the terrible anti-trans bills being introduced, especially in Florida—the home to which we might never be able to safely return.
’s independent journalism is fantastic, and I strongly encourage you to subscribe to and support her work so that you, too, can stay informed. As you do, I remind you to look at what’s going on everywhere in the United States—not just in Florida, not just in the south. Everywhere.Beyond the U.S. borders, the Zionist genocide of Palestinians in Gaza is entering its fourth month. Settler violence is increasing in the West Bank, as is escalating violence in Lebanon. There is always something you can do to support a permanent ceasefire as the first step toward Palestinian liberation. Just a phone call to your representative a day makes a difference, I promise. Movements are made up of many small actions, of many voices joining in a rallying cry. Now and always, we must say, Free Palestine.
Hold your loved ones close and tell them how dear they are to you. I’m holding you close in my heart, too.