Iris X Reading of the Week/Week beginning on 2/16/26:

It's been so dark and cold, and so the Black Tarot felt most appropriate for a reading. I shuffled the cards and asked for a reading for someone who will see this post. I don't know who the reading is for, so feel free to share so that the right person is found. Has it happened across your feed? See if it's for you. I never know until it's posted, but it's Always for someone.

The reading begins with the VIII of Swords. If this is your reading, there is something that you feel trapped in. You are in a situation that is not good for you, but you don't really know how to get out of there safely. There are many reasons to leave, but you feel like you can't. You have outgrown the cage that you are in, and you need to focus your mind on solutions to get to the other side of the cage, because it is not a healthy place to be. Every time you think you can get out, there is another reason that you have to stay.

The Knight of Wands appears next, showing that you have Almost left before. This card can have a lot of stop/start energy to it, and very often .. the fire dies out. You have been wanting to go for a while but you have lost momentum at the last moment- and you have stayed. You focus on leaving, and then you find yourself running out of energy and then you stay, and have to start again.

The Two of Wands shows the need to come up with a clear plan. The goal that you have to leave is attainable, but you need to know what is going to happen. The Two of Wands asks you to look at what you have working with you already, and then to take the walking stick offered and get out of there. The world is bigger than the trap that you have been in. You need to have a clear and concise plan.

The key to this reading is The World. This shows the successful completion of a challenging cycle. You have potential to end the constant circle that you have been going in, and to break the pattern that has caused you harm. You have learned a lot along the way, and it has been a beneficial journey. But it's time to start something new.

Here's what I see. You have been in a trap for so long that you have talked yourself into having to stay where you are. You have tried to leave, but you tend to wane in energy, ultimately staying still. You are not happy, and you feel like you are being trapped into a situation that is not good for you. You have known for a long time that you have reached the end of the cycle and you need to get out of a situation that is not working for you. You have to stop finding reasons to stay. The World tells you that you have reached the end of the cycle that you are in, and there are times that walking away and completing the cycle is the answer that is needed. You have been successful in many ways; but there are times that success is about knowing when to walk away and start something new. You have a new beginning that is coming up- but first you have to get out of the cage and trap you are in. Coming up with a solid plan will help you to maintain momentum to leave in a way that makes sense for you. What is sure is that it doesn't make sense to stay trapped, you have to maintain your energy and focus on leaving and come up with a plan. It's been a long walk to get to this place. It's time to actually cut the tie and go.

If you need a reading this week, I have openings starting on Wednesday. Send a message to irisxtarot@gmail.com. Have a great week!