More often than not, the tarot surprises me with new insights into a particular card. Most recently, the card with a card up it’s sleeve is the Emperor, my year card.
First off, let me explain the concept of the year card and show you how to find your card, as well. All you have to do is add the numbers of your birth month and birth date to the current year. I was born on September 2, so the formula works like this:
9 (my birth month)
+ 2 (my birth day)
+ 2009 (the current year)
=2011 Next, add the digits together for your total. So, 2+0+1+1=4
Then find the major arcana card that your number corresponds to and voila! You have your year card.
Your year card shows the energies (for the current year) that will push you along that lifelong road to success and happiness. With 21 cards to choose from, the power represented in you card may not come along for a while. For example, the next chance that I’ll have to work with the energy of the emperor is in 2018. So, it would be wise for me to harness his energy while I’ve got it around!
The Emperor from the Intuitive Tarot
I found out that the Emperor was my 2009 card at the Reader’s Studio and my instant thought was about building power and confidence. The creator of the Voyager Tarot, James Wanless (a man who embodies the notion of the Emperor card!), walked us through several exercises working with the card. At the time, the atmosphere of confidence and achievement mixed with my preconceived notions of the Emperor, gave me an innacturate picture of the role the card’s energy would play in my life.
Now almost half-way through the year of the Emperor, I can safely say that this card is about more than just muscle and confidence. I’m finding the energy to be more patient and meticulous. As I go through my year, success is a concern (isn’t it always?), but the bigger concern is laying new groundwork for my life. I am thinking things through; getting rid of clutter; starting projects with lasting value; and forming newer, healthier habits. The Emperor and I are (re)building and, I now see, that this is one the Emperor’s fortes.
The Emperor is about building things that endure. As a result, he is very good at clearing away those things that don’t work anymore. The Emperor makes change happen, but it’s different than the big changes, like the Tower or Death. The change is more subtle and, as a result, lasting. There are not many flashes of insight, but there are moments when I look at what I am creating in my life–for the first time ever–and I realize I’ve come a very long way in a very short time.
In the light of this realization about the Emperor, I am also revisiting the notions of masculine and feminine. In communities like that of the tarot, we often value the feminine quite highly. It’s all about being creative, birthing yourself, and following your intuition. But the masculine is equally important. It provides stability, structure, organization, and clarity in reasoning. This year, I am finding that the two can co-exist and it’s a wonderfully grouding realization.
What is your year card and what do you think about it? What have you experienced this year that reflects the nature of your card? Are you preconceived notions about the card being changed, too? Feel free to share your experience!
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Hi Cathy,
Nice blog
I was very drawn to this post because of my interest in Numerology, but particularly because of the formula you use to calculate your card for the year, the Emperor.
I would have done it slightly differently, but we would still have came out with the same result:
9 for September
+2 for the day of the month
=11
+2009 for the current year
=2020
=2+0+2+0
=4
I also wondered if you have explored the possibility of adding the current years numbers to gain your Tarot card for the year?
It also provides the same result, but throws up some interesting things for you personally.
9 for September
+2 for the day
+11 for 2+0+0+9 (11 being a master number & not therefore reduced any further)
=22 which is also a master number & not therefore reduced, however, in tarot as you know, there isn’t a card numbered 22 so we have to reduce in this instance
=4 – The Emperor!!
What I found interesting was the adding up your numbers for this year. 11 as you may know is a master number, one of illumination and inspiration – it’s also the number for this year making it a particularly spiritual year.
Adding your numbers up gave us 22 – another master number! This one is the master builder, as you may know. So for you personally, a great year of leading, building and inspiring others! Perhaps time to take your Tarot practice to the next level? If you had something you were thinking about doing this year, I would say based just on those numbers, this is the year to do it, you should go for it!
What a lovely exercise this morning, so thank you for your inspiration
Catherine
Hi Catherine,
Thanks so much for the feedback and the inspiration! I am currently studying numerology and I find it fascinating. I didn’t even realize that this year was a master number for me..! It makes sense, though. I’ve been going through many changes and they are all focused around restructuring my life in a lasting way to help others.
Thanks again!
Cathy
Hi Cathy,
I find Numerology fascinating too and plan to write more about it on my blog – when of course I can find the time amongst the million other posts I plan on writing…
2009 is in fact an 11 year for everyone. Your 11 comes in the adding of your birth month and day – which is special all by itself; but coupled with the 11 of this year and it really does make it a monumental year for you!
It seems we have a lot in common too, apart from the name
we’re both born in September, and I too feature 11’s in my core numbers.
Do you teach mainly in person, or do you teach or mentor online? Curious because I’m considering the mentoring – the comparisons seem to keep on coming…
Warm wishes,
Catherine
Hello again!
I never considered online mentoring, but that is a great idea. Something to think about!
My husband also has a lot of 11/2 in his profile. Much of mine consists of 9s and 10s, which I find interesting. I am often amazed at how right-on the numbers are about a person. I love meeting someone and thinking, “They must have a 4 in their profile,” and then finding out it’s true.
Have you found numerology affects your reading style?
Thanks for taking the time!
Cathy
Hi Cathy,
Glad I inspired you – it’s obviously that number 11 of mine
I don’t use full on Numerology in a reading, unless it’s a related exercise, like the one you did for yourself. I have looked at my Core Numbers and checked the corresponding Tarot cards; it was interesting and something I plan writing about after I finish my current Celtic Cross Mini Series. As with most things with me, it got a little complicated (you’ll see why soon) and so it’s requiring a little more input than I anticipated. Also being a Virgo (as you will appreciate), it has to be just right or I can’t publish it!
In a reading I do check the numbers; the Minors and the Majors, as there are often interesting patterns or anomalies. Common factors are two or more of a number; and also the progression or regression in number sequences throughout a spread. It can get a little complicated, but a quick glance is often all that is necessary once you’ve practiced a little and got used to checking the numbers.
I have often thought of mentoring online as I have been, and in some ways still am mentored. I’m a great believer in education and self-improvement (or betterment?) and so openly embrace the learning process – it’s something that never ends, particularly on this path; and so I believe we can and should all help each other.
Personal mentoring though is a stage further and one I wholeheartedly recommend, I just have to decide if I want to be on the other side of it in future.
I’d love to know what you decide, and of course how you proceed with it.
Warm wishes,
Catherine
[...] Here, the tarot is challenging my perspective a bit. First of all, I feel like showing us both as major arcana cards makes the issue a little more distant. These are just two tarot cards–two people–representing different phases of life. Neither one is better than the other; though this is hard for me to accept. I, of course, value the hidden secrets of the High Priestess over the Emperor’s blatant phallic potency. But, the fact that they are both powerful cannot be denied and, I have found the Emperor to have a unique value, as you can see in my Year Card Post [...]