According to the cards, this April is a good month to make needed changes in our lives. It’s a time to dismantle old structures of existence and make space for something new. As we enter April, our efforts are aided by a Mercury Retrograde period, another bringer of change, if we embrace its forces instead of fighting against them. Very appropriately, last month’s reading ended with the Nine of Pentacles, and that energy for finishing old things and moving on to what’s new carries over this month with our theme card, the reversed Tower, which warns that resisting change is dangerous. It encourages us to let go of what no longer serves and to openly discover whatever is next.

As mentioned in the description of this month’s theme card, the Tower, events in the Major Arcana are followed by the brightness and inspiration of the Star. While we don’t have that exact card in our spread this month, we do have a similar burst of inspiration and positivity with the Ace of Wands, a card that indicates an imminent fresh start. A card of desire, will, and creation, the Ace of Wands guides our first steps toward embracing new opportunities. Where I am in the Northern Hemisphere, fresh energy abounds as spring unfolds in green sprouts and colorful flowers. In the Motherpeace Tarot’s depiction, a child bursts forth from a cracked egg, also very fitting for this season of emerging life. How can we use this energy to propel us into the future instead of falling back into old patterns? The current Mercury Retrograde reminds us that letting go of the past before beginning something new is helpful. We should continue to take advantage of its energy for sweeping out the corners while we prepare to launch full-force into whatever is next. Change incorporates aspects of finishing and beginning, the perfect combination of our Tower theme card and the Ace of Rods.

Exercise for this week: Recognizing opportunity

Look back at this month’s exercise with the reversed Tower (or complete that exercise now if you haven’t yet). It will help you see where opportunities may be available. Choose one aspect of your life you want to change, and visualize possible outcomes. What are the first steps to making it happen? Begin acting on that in any way you can. This does NOT have to be a complete overhaul; even one simple action is taking advantage of the current energy for dismantling and rebuilding. Let’s say you determined you need a change of scenery and would like to relocate. Moving is overwhelming, and not something you can necessarily just do, or do quickly. Choose one thing that is a barrier toward that progress and dismantle it. For example, go through all your drawers, getting rid of anything you no longer need and making what you do need more accessible. Though this is a small step, it is making use of the retrograde energy for letting go and is a symbolic gesture that encourages your mind to continue toward your goal of a larger change.