I intended this months cards would have messages for everyone who comes to read this blog or email. I also intended it to be what to focus on as we start the year this January and the theme for the year 2014 ahead.

I was drawn to use the Mary El deck this month for the reading for you.

The card for the month of January is 2 cups.

The card for the year as a whole is Death.

Lets look at the year as a whole first – Death. This card is not something to worry about, as most people know the death card very very rarely means physical death, instead it refers to physical change of circumstances and a rebirth in some way in your life. Very often this is extremely positive. As we let go of old ways of being internally (often seen as the Tower) so the external world changes to match our new internal state. We might move house and so attract a new set of friends who more accurately reflect our inner being, we might change jobs having outgrown the old one, we might change our lifestyle through having more space and time as children have reach an age to allow us more freedom.

So in this year ahead there is likely to come before us a chance to make quite big practical changes in our world. If we approach this in a conscious way and allow ourselves to let go of the things and activities we have outgrown the process can be empowering and affirming to our deepest and truest selves. We might find ourselves feeling some sadness as we let go of people or places we have been attached to in the past, however the aspect of rebirth follows very quickly and there will likely be a strong sense of rightness to the ending, in the situations we are being asked to let go of. If you don’t feel it is time for things to change in a particular area then it isn’t.

The death card comes when we have done the inner work of change, it is merely the external situations that are catching up with us. Consequently that inner knowing of whether something needs to transform or be left is accurate and can be trusted. There is no need for worry.

So in this year ahead allow yourself to let go, to feel the sadness of loss and to allow the universe show you what you are being re-birthed into. This year marks the dawning of a new age in your life – one that will bring more fruitfulness and renewal than you can imagine.  Old stagnant situations are either rejuvenated or released and we experience the change we have been waiting for.

Looking to the image on the card we see an elderly woman with an expression of peace on her face – I get a sense of wisdom and knowing from her. It is like she has seen so much in the world and gained so much knowledge and wisdom from her experiences now she can allow things to progress as they do without resisting change, but with a deep peace in her heart knowing that when we lose something it is to make way for something new. She understands the natural order of things and how when we are true to our spirit then nothing is ever wrong, change simply brings more chances to deepen our connections with ourselves and our spirits. We can allow external transformation to help continue to heal us and help us grow.

The flowers, leaves and nature spirits depicted here show to me an image of autumn and the beauty of the change that happens as we sink into winter and the time for rest and rejuvenation. We can approach the changes in our world with this perspective, there will come again spring, but as we surrender to the changing process itself we can gain from the very journey itself. Staying with the feelings that come to us whilst change happens helps us gain the most from it. In winter as we go inside physically and emotionally we comfort and love ourselves, give ourselves the rest we need, the warmth of the winter fire and the sleep of the longer nights. When spring comes we are renewed and refreshed and excitement returns as we embrace the possibilities of life with a clear head, and inspired thought.

So through this year make the changes you have had in mind – it is time to take action to create your life as you would like it and to make your dream a reality. It might be a case of planning to leave your job and set up in business doing something you love, it might be having the courage to leave a relationship that no longer serves you, having worked with it for a long time in the past to try and rescue it. It might be taking the risk to move abroad and follow your hearts calling. Allow yourself to feel the process and make the internal and external preparations needed and then make the transition. The rebirth you experience with renew and regenerate your passion for life.

2 Cups: Then if we look a little nearer to now in time scale we have the guidance of how to approach the start of the year. What do we need to focus on as we enter this year of change and transformation. What should we be doing first? The card that gives us this guidance is the 2 of cups. This is a card of great love and connection with others.  Our focus needs to be on who and what we love, on our one self love as a spring board for the connections we make with others. Through January look at who is important to you in your life and spend time energy and intention on these people and as a natural consequence those you are less drawn to will figure less in your life. The start of you creating the life you have dreamed in this year gone past.

Relationships of all sorts are figured here – particularly those where we meet with another on a one- to- one basis. It may be a partnership of two friends exploring the world together, or a romantic relationship, or a business partnership between two people or two companies. Which ever it is the similarities and differences between the two parties make the connection strong and fruitful and it is the energy of love that binds the strongest and also allows the greatest freedom.

As we focus on sharing our love with others so we also find love coming back to us. If you are looking for a romantic partner as the year begins, look to how you give love to others, as you see what you are offering, know you will be able to attract someone who can offer you the same loving respect, openness and attention that you want to give to them.  Notice also that as you treat yourself in this loving way it helps you attract those who will be able to love you.

As I look at the card I see the union of passion and innocence within ourselves creating a magical (unicorn) result. The more we unite with our own drives and passions in life and be with our innocence and truth the more we will find this mirrored to us externally.  Others hide less of themselves as we are vulnerable, others seem engaged and excited by life as we are engaged and excited by life and so we find our match.

Love is the force behind all connections. To love doesn’t mean to agree with someone, but to respect them for their differences and their experiences as much as we respect ourselves for our own. We listen and bear witness to another’s life path, not diminishing or judging it, nor trying to fix it – we simply stand alongside and be a witness. In this way we share our love, we offer the person the faith in them to fix themselves in the way that is right for them, rather than trying to rescue them out of something in the way that would be right for us.  To connect deeply also means to be able to stand back as separate. The red and the white horse are together and sharing – but if they were to merge we could imagine their colour pink – something totally different without the strengths of each of the colours alone – the white white the rich red, would be lost. Their merging would diminish the qualities each had.  So as we love we need to stand our own ground also – be true to ourselves and allow the other person to be true to themselves, in this way our union can be interdependent, and each will continue to have something to give the other.

So through January focus on what love means to you and how you express love with yourself and with others. Perhaps you can spend time just with the intention to love all those around you more fully, more honestly, standing by your own truth whilst also respecting theirs, then allow the miraculous to happen.

Have a wonderful start to the year.