If you're not familiar with the practice, tarot is a form of divination that uses a deck of cards to provide us insights into the past, present, and future. While there can be readings personalized to each individual, we're going to be using this modality to give us a collective pull that will offer more general insights for the year ahead.
We sat down with Sarah Potter, a tarot reader, professional witch, and color magic practitioner based in New York City, for a collective 2023 tarot reading to help usher Refinery29 readers into the new year and beyond. Spoiler alert: The very first thing she told us after the cards were pulled? "It's going to be a good year."
Queen of Wands
As Potter looks at the spread before her, she says she's picking up on a lot of themes for the year ahead, namely confidence, creativity, and new opportunities. "I'm seeing obstacles as opportunities... the importance of rest, and I think there's a lot of leaning into relationships," she says. "What I'm seeing overall through these cards is that this is the year we prioritize feeling good."On that note, the very first card pulled by Potter for our collective reading was the Queen of Wands. "What I love about the Queen of Wands is that it's allowing ourselves to dream, it's allowing ourselves to go big, go bold, expand, and really lean into potential creativity," Potter says.
This card is all about lifting our own self-imposed blocks and limits from our unfulfilled dreams of 2022. Next year, we can really work to make those forgotten goals happen.Photographed by Joel Arbaje.
Eight of Swords
Next up, the Eight of Swords. What Potter says she's seeing in the cards is that although we can dream as big as we want, we often get in our own way — whether that be giving into imposter syndrome or feeling as though we're not worthy of the things we dream of. This year, Potter says that we must set the tone for ourselves. "If you don't feel as vibrant, as creative, as bold, or as big as possible, [your dreams] will not happen," she says. We will get a lot of clarity on our dreams from last year, and to move them forward we must remember to not let ourselves get in our own way."I'm getting the sense that a lot of the obstacles and things that were stuck this past year, that's going to be lifted," she says, "Let's all do our part to also clear the way. What do you need to dismantle about your own personal beliefs in order to make these big dreams happen?"Photographed by Joel Arbaje.
Seven of Cups
Potter says that the Seven of Cups presents us with a lot of opportunities. "It kind of goes back to that idea of, when do you discern that there's been enough dreaming and fantasizing and when are we going to choose something, go with it, and make it a reality?" she says. "A lot of opportunities are being presented especially when we allow ourselves to expand, but we have to do something about it. You have to do the real world work in order to make the big dreams and goals manifest."Don't let another year go by without making things happen. "Let's not waste any more time. There's a lot coming together to really make magic happen and make things come true," Potter says, adding that this is the year to ask for more money. Whether that's a raise at work or raising your own rates as a freelancer, now's the perfect time to know and own your value and worth.
Besides money, Potter says this energy can be applied to all aspects of life, including romance — this is the year to speak from your heart, let people know how you feel, and ask for what you want in love.Photographed by Joel Arbaje.
Four of Swords
Although we'll be going big this year, Potter says that the next card, the Four of Swords, reminds us that resting and taking breaks will be of the utmost importance in 2023. "We can't hustle all of the time," Potter says. "We need to replenish, rejuvenate, restore. How we feel is just as important, if not more important, than the number in our bank accounts."This year is filled with big dreams and even bigger actions, but we can't fulfill them without taking care of ourselves and our wellbeing first. "Maybe the dream is to have time to yourself, and that may mean a schedule that celebrates or is conducive to that," Potter notes.Photographed by Joel Arbaje.
10 of Cups
Remember when we said this was going to be a good year? Potter points to this card pulled, saying that the 10 of Cups embodies the energy of the rainbow. "This is the card of emotional satisfaction, of contentment, of feeling good," she says. If you're making your dreams come true this year, Potter advises us to also recognize that it is a privilege to be able to do that and give yourself that gift.At the end of the year, we'll be able to reflect on our accomplishments and truly enjoy them. "There's a lot of work that goes with [fulfilling your dreams]," Potter says. "This is just a reminder to enjoy and to also celebrate the people who helped you along the way, who supported you, who have been there for you."
There's also a bit of good luck in relationships peeking out of this reading, Potter says. "I feel like this past year has been kind of rough for relationships and it's been hard to ignite love or start. But seeing this 10 of Cups, if you just focus on people who you feel good around, I feel like there's a lot more potential for connection and love and even friendships. If people want to fall in love, it's going to be far better this year than last year."
Overall, this is a year of transformation. If we don't get to enjoy the changes we've made, what are we doing? "Life can look and feel quite different by this time next year," Potter says. "There's a lot to be excited and hopeful and optimistic about."Photographed by Joel Arbaje.
The Magician
For our last card, we have the Magician — what Potter calls the "ultimate manifester." This is the year to manifest a new reality and honor your talents and abilities. It's an excellent year for transformation and manifestation, she says. "You make it happen. We're not waiting around for someone else to do it — you're doing it. This is your year."Photographed by Joel Arbaje.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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