Iris X Reading of the Week/Week beginning on 4/14/25:

This week's reading was done on The Black Tarot by Da Brigh. I like the darkness and shadow of this deck; showing what would be only reflected in moonlight. I shuffled the cards and asked for a reading for someone who will see this post. I never know who it is for until I post it- read on and see if it's for you! 

The reading begins with the Queen of Swords. If this is your reading, you are a wise and knowledgeable person. You are good with words and using your mind in a really clever way. The Queen of Swords can also be quite sharp. The Swords suit is the suit of education, but it often shows the more challenging ways that we can be educated. As you will see in this reading, this Queen has been through a lot and they are trying to stay up and on top of it. It's not an easy suit to preside over. You may often wish to be Less wise and resilient. You have been formed by your circumstances. 

The Ten of Swords appears next showing you at the end of a very difficult time. You have been through an incredibly hard journey to get to this place. While things are improving, you can't help but look over your shoulder for the next challenge that will come up. You are exhausted and you feel like you have been hit by one thing after another. You are waiting for the other shoe to drop- but things might just be improving for you. 

Temperance appears next telling you to stay tempered and calm. Try to not be hard on yourself. You can't make changes immediately- these things take time. Try to stay in the center- not pulled towards either extreme. Find a sense of harmony in your life and avoid black and white ways of thinking that will further exhaust you. You really need for everything around you to calm down so that you can rest. You are trying to heal one thing at a time. Changes are happening- just not fast. 

The key to this reading is the Eight of Swords. You are trapped right now- but it is your mind that is trapping you. You feel like you don't see a way out of a challenging situation, but it is possible that you have not looked at all options. You feel like you don't know which direction to walk in or what to do. You have to get out of the situation that you are in- but first you have to believe that you can. 

Here's what I see. If this is your reading, you have been sharpened by the experiences that you have had. You may be defensive and hard to reach or get close to. You hold a sword as a defense and may use words well so that people are not aware. You have been through a hard time for a Very long time. You have walked through the Swords suit. Things are looking better- you may make it out of the suit! The key is to make changes one degree at a time. You don't have to go from black to white immediately but shifting one thing every day will get you to where you need to go in a way that feels balanced and comfortable for you. You are not as trapped as you believe yourself to be. There is a way out, and you can find it. You have been feeling a bit frozen, and now it is time to get out of the trap that has held you back. Use the powers of your mind for solutions and clever ways to think around corners. You have all the wit and wisdom that you need. Start expecting things to change for the better instead of wondering what the next bad thing to happen will be. 

If you need a reading this week, send a message to irisxtarot@gmail.com And if you are interested, I am teaching a 2 hour Zoom class on Village Witchery this Friday! Let me know if you are interested!