Iris X Reading of the Week/Week beginning on 11/3/25:

When I was new to Tarot, I had one deck that I used. It was a Universal Waite Tarot deck, and I used it for many years. It was gifted to me by my adopted big sister. 10 years later, I was with a friend at a shop in downtown Brattleboro- and I saw the Visconti Sforza Tarot. This is one of the oldest decks that you can get in print; from the mid 1400's. The Minor arcana is not illustrated in a way that can be read. The imagery is old, and often hard to understand the meaning of. But I have always had a fascination for finding the roots of Magic and divination and so.. I had to have it. 

My friend and I both got the deck. It was not an easy Tarot deck to learn as my second ever deck. We both worked really hard at it, giving each other countless readings on the floor of a drop in center for youth. I am not sure if I have my friend's deck or mine at this point. They were both used so often and interchangeably. He died in 2008. I often hope that the last time we used these decks, his ended up in my posession. But I don't know. I have tried to find the deck he had. I have asked around, and even dug into the ground in places that I thought it may be. I have never found it. But, I have this deck- and it is quite close to my heart. 

Every Tarot deck has a story- first, by the creator. And then, everyone who shuffles the deck adds to the story. I love old traditional imagery, but I see Tarot as a living tradition that continues to grow and change as it weaves our stories in. I shuffled the Visconti Sforza, and asked for a message for someone who will see this post. And to my old friend- I do hope you are still kicking around somewhere in the universe. I will always remember your laugh- deep and contagious. For everyone else, read on- see if these old cards have a message for you or someone that you know. 

The reading begins with the IV of Pentacles. If this is your reading, you may be feeling stuck or blocked. You are not sure how to move forward. You have been building a foundation and future for yourself, but now you feel like you don't know what to do next. You feel like there is something in you that is being held back. You don't feel like you can do what you want to do. You have been practical and logical, building up all that you have slowly and through hard work. 

The Fool tells me that you are considering kicking the foundation that you built down. You are feeling the winds of change and pondering new beginnings. You don't have a plan or a way to go. But you have a free spirit and a desire to wander and figure it out as you go. It's important to maintain your freedom while making decisions that are wise. There is a difference between being a Fool and being foolish. 

The VI of Cups appears next, showing you making a change. You are crossing a bridge, and you are not sure where you are going. You know that you are meant to have a big transition. You are pondering your past, and what to take with you as you cross the bridge. You are feeling both nostalgic and like there are things that you are meant to leave behind as you go. You are growing and changing- and feeling a bit apprehensive about what is next.

The key to this reading is Temperance. First- breathe. It isn't wise to go to extremes of black and white. Temper it down and stay calm. Try to remain in balance; in the center. Don't get yanked to one side or the other. Keep one foot on the ground and one foot in the water. Be in this world and not of it all at once. If you are considering an extreme change, you may be able to find a middle ground. While it is important to change when the instinct is there, it makes sense to pause and think about what you are doing so you don't make an emotional decision. 

Here's what I see. If this is your reading, you have been doing what is expected of you. You have been building up a solid foundation for the future. You feel a bit stifled and held back, but you are slowly and practically building the ground under yourself. But I am not so sure that this is making you happy. You are feeling the winds of change. The Fool is the absolute opposite of the IV of Pentacles. It is the card of the free spirit who moves forward with no plan at all. The ground under the Fool doesn't matter so much, because he doesn't stay in one place for long. You are considering running away and escaping. You are working to leave your past behind so that you can move towards a goal instead of away from something. You are bouncing back and forth with your nerves leading your life. You are going to extremes of practicality and freedom. You feel like you just want to escape. This is because you can tell that changes are coming. But it doesn't have to be as black and white as it may feel. Temperance as the key says to make decisions from a place of peace and balance. Don't go to extremes. Consider this- is there something in the center of the practical path and freedom and formlessness? Can you be The Fool while still building on things that you have been working on? Do you have to make an extreme decision, or can you temper it down a bit? You are choosing between running away and slowly building what you are going to do in the future. What's in the middle of that? Consider using your mind to help you make the most grounded and beneficial decision that you can make moving forward. Mix up the logic and freedom- and see where it takes you. 

If you need a reading this week, send a message to irisxtarot@gmail.com. Have a great week! Stay peaceful and grounded.