May 2025 Tarot

 The Tower 

"I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster" - Catherine The Great

It's been a turbulent two months! As represented by The Tower card both March and April gave us some profound and far reaching events. We do seem to have been in a very intense energetic cycle for the last five years  but that cycle's now entering it's final phase. We 're seeing the effects of that, with events such as the emergence of a charismatic new world leader- which I mentioned in my Tarot of March 2025 - as a new Pope is elected in Rome. There could be more new leaders emerging in two or three other nations- one of whom will be very unexpected. However, just like the last aftershocks that gradually decrease in strength after an earthquake, the energies of our world are calming down for a while. Nevertheless, much damage will need to be addressed and repaired in the aftermath.

The Tower card's message isn't just about collapse or catastrophe. It 's appearance in a reading can bring us a sudden awakening or revelation, like that moment when a huge bolt of lightning illuminates a dark landscape. That light represents the sudden mental insight that can cut right through beliefs and opinions we may have held for ourselves -or been convinced of by others. For a moment, entire nations and whole societies can seemingly be in a state of frozen disbelief. However, hard on it's heels comes the reckoning- reality kicks in. People will realise that they've made false assumptions or seen illusions but the big message is- things can now be mended...

The Six Of Swords
"When ...it seems that you cannot hold on for a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."~ Harriet Beecher Stowe

The Six Of Swords here mirrors a universal desire to embrace change, recovery and to move into the future. There is a feeling of longing in the air, a true longing for both freedom and peace. This is going to bring forth- is actually bringing forth as I write this - a great turn of the tide. Collective consciousness is reaching a new level and May 2025 will see some dramatic actions from those who are so ready to discard fear and throw off restriction. Some of these may manifest as radical events like revolutions or regime changes in some nations. Others will involve profound social, political or legal reforms to the policies of other nations, Some of these actions will be huge- and possibly shocking to some- but they may also gain a much vaster amount of popular support. 

Even with this rapidly growing wave of people power, the Six Of Swords is still a card that asks us to pay attention to challenges that may lie ahead. The individual in this card is looking far into the distance,  although they still do so with hope in their heart. This figure has learned  the hard way that they need to prepare, to plan and remain aware that even obstacles overcome may return later. We must be likewise. However, this card also asks us to consider what we can do to further open up our individual worlds. The Six of Swords encourages us to dream bigger and to keep on pushing past limitations.

Strength

"Force has no place where there is need of skill." Herodotus

Our Strength card speaks to us about the human spirit and it's ability to overcome trial and test. When the Strength card appears, we're reminded that if we'd lost a sense of resilience, we'll get it back now. It's also a card which seeks to encourage us to and remind us of our own power. It's so very easy to feel disempowered when you're being blindsided or gaslit, either by those around in your own life or by those in power. In the face of fear it can actually be easier-and more primal-to lash out than to reach across. This card urges us to resist the former and seek to do the latter. This is now a time when the world will begin to embrace diplomacy and discard force.

Strength can be embodied by those who have the willpower to turn away from old narratives of revenge or violence. No-one's suggesting we ignore the plight of our fellow humans. It is just the opposite. This is the card that advises we use calm words and kind actions to charm and disarm, instead of harsh anger and aggression. The personal message to all of us here is that it's now a time to be more conscious of this basic aspect in all of our natures and try to reconnect with the grace that also lies within us all. Try to detach- as far as you can- from those sources of anger or fear. Practice more mindful activities. Begin each day by focusing on something in life that brings you gladness. The more energy that we all put into cultivating  our inner strength, then there's far more chance that our outer world will change...

 The King Of Swords 

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find the strength." 

~Marcus Aurelius 

Here's our King of Swords, standing in his power and facing down whatever life wants to throw at him. The sword in his hands represents the rational, conscious mind and even truth itself. What this card means for us is that this May we can expect an even bigger rise in open, public debate about what constitutes truth and reality- and what does not. There's an unassailable, inspiring strength and fearlessness in our King here and this is going to be echoed this month in the kind of words and actions we 'll hear and see from people in both the public eye and in everyday life. These are the people ready and brave enough to speak out to the whole world and we shall all be made bolder by these examples of courage. There's about to be a mass movement that wants to embrace and fully express truth.  In our world. one real life King in particular may be called upon to show his strength -and he will...

As mentioned earlier in our reading when discussing the Six Of Swords card, the appearance of the King Of Swords also reinforces that this month could bring a strong worldwide focus on -and reform of- organisations connected to the justice system. We can expect to hear of widespread investigations or much deeper scrutiny of governments and judiciaries worldwide. Where the law is shown to be unfair or proven to be wrong it'll be swept aside!  In the tarot, the suit of Swords is very much about truth and intellect, so great vigilance will needed and also awareness of those who may try to influence or to nudge our very thought processes. Be mindful there may be many vested interests at work. There'll still be challenges for us- but a great amount of people are now very ready to stand firmly on the side of truth and conviction.