Sabbats, Seasons, and Tarot Spreads

Today we wrap up this week’s “Weekly Reading” by looking back at the cards we’ve drawn and then looking forward — focusing our thoughts on what lessons we’ve learned over the last few days.

Today’s card is my favorite from the Yuletide Tarot. It is the beautiful Ace of Candles. In a more traditional deck, this would be known as the Ace of Wands.

I find this card incredibly beautiful. I love its traditional look. I love the simplicity of a single candle burning. Earlier we saw the 8 of Candles — lots of glowing lights — and now, it’s as though all those ideas have been brought together, all the love we’ve been talking about through this week have come together to create this one single, glowing flame.

Let’s quickly review the cards from this week’s reading.

• Page of Canes
• 5 of Candles
• 8 of Candles
• 3 of Gifts
• Ace of Candles

“Pay attention to the important things. Don’t be distracted. Avoid petty arguments and don’t worry about unimportant little things. This is meant to be a season of love and beauty. It’s easy to lose lose of what the holidays mean when we’re rushing about, trying to do too many things. It’s about love, and most of all it’s about what we can give to others.“

Now, with this glowing candle, let’s embrace these ideas, pull them together into a bright, meaningful message. The Ace of Wands is a symbol of the fire element — our passions, our desires, the spark of inspiration that gives purpose to our lives. As the first card in its suit, it represents beginnings. It may be a burst of new energy, an idea for a creative project, the start of a new relationship.

But the card is much, much more. It’s a matchstick that lights the flames. It’s a symbol of hope. It’s quite truly “the birth of a new light” — and this beautiful card is a fitting illustration for all that the winter holidays can be, and a promise that the love and joy of the season doesn’t end in December.

Take what you’ve learned from this week’s cards and think of how you can keep this spirit of love and giving alive throughout the coming year.

Be sure to visit on Monday for the start of a new Weekly Reading. featuring card illustrations from the gorgeous “Vintage Christmas Tarot” by Hattie Thorn.