My birthday is in the fall, so once again I thought I’d do my birthday spread for myself.
This reading covers the year from one birthday to the next and the intent is to discuss various areas of growth and development. So we’ll start by looking at the three significator cards, then the three challenge cards, and finally the four life message cards.
Here is a view of the spread for your entire reading.
First Operation Method
The following cards were pulled from the Panda Tarot based upon the calculations described below.
Significator Cards – Mastery through Change via Wit
These first three cards are based upon your birth date and together represent the core of your identity. Throughout the reading, they will illuminate various aspects of yourself.
1: Personality Card – The Tower
The date of your birth added up to 16.
Sudden Change, Revelation, Chaos
This card represents how you tend to respond to the world around you as well as how others are likely to perceive you. Based upon your birth date, the card assigned to you is the Tower.
You tend to respond to the world by breaking down walls and challenging the old. While you might resist change at first, once it’s begun you will clear the path for the new wholeheartedly. You tend to be dismissed at as an upstart, considered as a visionary, or regarded as disruptive by others.
2: Soul Card – The Chariot
1 + 6 = 7
Action, Hard Control, Will-Power
This card represents your inner drive and motivation. It shows the core of what makes you tick deep inside. Based upon your birth date, the card assigned to you is The Chariot.
Constantly in motion, you are an individual driven to action. However, the high speed of the Chariot requires a firm hand at the reigns in order to get anywhere safely due to the opposing forces that pull it. We’re talking about the concept of yin and yang here. This means you walk the constant line of light and dark, good and evil, chaos and order, masculine and feminine, aggressive and passive, etc. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to flip the cart, run in circles, or drive yourself off a cliff on occasion. When your skills are on point and your internal opposing forces are in balance though, nothing stops you from victory.
You tend to be driven to bring change by your own means.
Looking at the Tower and The Chariot together, this means you tend to be driven to bring change by your own means. When you are in control of yourself, this change is revolutionary in your life. Unfortunately, when you lose control this change brings nothing but chaos.
3: Sun Card – Queen of Swords
September 12 – October 12
Astute, Witty, Experienced
This card represents your inner light and it’s what makes you unique as a person. Since the Queen of Swords houses the Sun at the time of your birth, this is the card assigned to you.
Been there and done that, you have a sharp mind and sharper tongue. Not one to play games, you tell it like it is exactly as you see it. Even though you come across as cold at times, you still have a sense of humor to appreciate the lighter side of life.
Care must be taken to prevent the chaos from overwhelming you.
Looking at this card with the Tower and Chariot in mind, care must be taken to prevent the chaos from overwhelming you. Otherwise it will cause emotional turbulence and cloud your judgment, making it challenging for you to maintain control of the internal opposing forces that drive you.
Second Operation Method
The following cards were pulled from the Panda Tarot based upon the calculations described below.
Life Challenge Cards – Transformations through New Beginnings and Creativity
These next three cards are also based upon your birth date and together represent the core developmental needs of your personal growth for this year’s cycle. Throughout the reading, they will illuminate various aspects of how this growth will occur.
4: Growth Card – Death
Your birthday for this year adds up to 13.
Transformations, Endings, Transition
This card represents how you need to grow during this year’s cycle. Based upon your birth date, the card assigned to you is Death.
According to this card, you will experience a great deal of change during this birth year cycle. Expect to see a major phase of your life come to an end and undergo a serious transition as a result. This process may even require you to transform your current lifestyle or how you perceive yourself and the world around you.
Don’t be surprised if this year becomes a cascade event.
Your personality stemming from the Tower’s changing core will intensify the transformative growth that Death brings. Don’t be surprise if this year becomes a cascade event, with one change leading to another with you feeling like a brand new person by the end.
Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll need to keep your inner conflict in check to keep your forward momentum going.
Looking at The Chariot and Death together suggests that your spirit’s drive to action will likely make this transformative year feel urgent to you. You will feel equally drawn and resistant to these changes. It will be up to you as to which ones you race towards and which ones you steer away from, but you will need to choose in order to make progress. Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll need to keep your inner conflict in check to keep your forward momentum going.
You know where you’ve been and who you are, so it’s time to transform what you don’t want in life into something that you do.
The Queen of Swords combined with Death this year offers your experience from the past and sense of humor. Keep your wits about you so as to not become overwhelmed and allow what you already know to serve as a road map for the changes ahead. You know where you’ve been and who you are, so it’s time to transform what you don’t want in life into something that you do.
The challenge you face this year is making positive choices throughout the year to make sure your movement in life is in the direction you want to go.
The synergy of the Tower, Chariot, Queen of Swords, and Death together heralds a year of dramatic change driven by you and your experiences. The challenge you face this year is making positive choices throughout the year to make sure your movement in life is in the direction you want to go. Based upon these cards, you have the drive, ability, and experience to achieve this so remember to look at the brighter side of things when the going gets rough and keep pressing onward.
5: Mentor Card – The Fool
13 + 9 = 22
New Beginnings, Faith, Pure Potential
This card represents this year’s teaching spirit for you. Based upon your birth date, the card assigned to you is The Fool.
This card is all about taking a leap of faith and embarking on a new adventure. As your mentor, you are intended to learn to have faith in yourself and in the universe. Perhaps you are even meant to learn that you still have what it takes to begin new things this year. Keep this in mind as you journey throughout the year and be open to the opportunities that come your way.
All chapters end with the start of another.
With Death comes endings, transformations, and transitions but The Fool wants you to remember that this is also a new beginning. All chapters end with the start of another. As long as you still breathe, your story isn’t over. Have faith in yourself that you will get through this cycle in your life.
The Fool encourages you to take a hard look at your life to find where you need a fresh start.
The Tower is quick to bring change and since it’s a core part of your personality, you’re likely to embrace the need for change but question which changes are necessary. The Fool encourages you to take a hard look at your life to find where you need a fresh start. Any place that is stagnant, holding you back, or is toxic should be cleared away this year for something better.
This year you will have a sense that now is the time for you.
Your spiritual drive to be on the constant move from The Chariot will greet The Fool’s call to adventure with relief and excitement. This year you will have a sense that now is the time for you. The only question is, where are you going to go? Your Tower personality will clear the path before you so you only need to hold firm the reigns and move forward with faith that you’ve got this.
Use what you have and know to keep you moving down the path you choose.
The Fool encourages the light within your Queen of Swords to rely more upon your past experience, sharp eye, and wits. You have come this far for a reason. Use what you have and know to keep you moving down the path you choose.
Trust in yourself and the universe to make the leaps you need to make.
The Fool wants you to remember always that you have everything you need within you for any grand adventures you wish to take in life. You have the experience, the drive, and the will to get you through the roughest of roads. You know where you’ve been. You know where you’re going. Trust in yourself and the universe to make the leaps you need to make.
6: Compass Card – The Empress
13 + 17 = 30
3 + 0 = 3
Nurturing, Abundance, Creation
This card represents this year’s guiding spirit for you. Based upon your birth date, the card assigned to you is The Empress.
As the great mother archetype, The Empress is your compass for the year to guide you through the growth you need to undergo. This year you are being called upon to seek out the abundance in your life. You are also asked to nurture yourself, not just those around you. Finally, you are pointed in the direction of creating outlets of self expression. Give yourself the opportunity to be your true self here. Not only will it nourish your soul, but it will enrich the lives of those around you.
Nurture the Self during this transitional phase of life.
The Empress points to nurturing the self during this transitional phase of life from the Death card. Self care is critical since if you are unable take care of yourself, then you are unable to take care of anyone else as well.
Find something you truly enjoy doing and start doing it for you.
The Empress also points to the need for new ways to express yourself through The Fool. There are many ways you could do this. Find something you truly enjoy doing and start doing it for you. Remember the advice about self care. Doing for others is all well and good, but you also need to do things that spark and recharge your soul to remind yourself who you are and why you do the things you do for everyone else.
If you make a point to make some changes just for you along the way, this year will be invigorating for you.
As long as you always remember to take care of yourself while you take care of others, this new adventure of transformation will not be too overwhelming or frightening for you. If you make a point to make some changes just for you along the way, this year will be invigorating for you.
As you clear away the old to make room for the new, keep a close eye on the bigger picture of your goals to ensure your changes are the ones you actually need to make.
The Empress also represents the archetype of Mother Nature and fully understands the need for pulling weeds, removing rocks, digging irrigation systems, and doing whatever else is required to make a good garden grow. As you clear away the old to make room for the new, keep a close eye on the bigger picture of your goals to ensure your changes are the ones you actually need to make.
Sometimes a gentle, nurturing hand is more appropriate to get things done and back on track.
The Empress indicates that you need to remember this year that you don’t need to use force all the time to make things happen. Sometimes a gentle, nurturing hand is more appropriate to get things done and back on track.
Your experience will also lend you a great deal of assistance in handling matters as they come.
The Empress reminds you that you have a sharp eye to quickly assess the situation at hand and strongly encourages you to use it to not only determine what others need, but also what you need. Your experience will also lend you a great deal of assistance in handling matters as they come.
Use your knowledge and abilities to nurture yourself and others as you find ways to creatively express yourself.
The Empress beckons you to use your knowledge and abilities this year to nurture yourself and others as you find ways to creatively express yourself. Doing so will enrich your life and you will find increased abundance.
Third Operation Method
The remaining cards from the Panda Tarot were shuffled and selected randomly for the rest of this reading.
Life Message Cards – Analyze the Home, Be Curious at Work, Manage Your Resources Socially, and Be Enterprising with Your Health
The next four cards in this spread are the life messages for you in the four areas of your life: Home, Work, Social, Health. Each message covers what to keep in mind throughout the year in terms of your significator and challenge cards.
7: Home Life Message Card – King of Swords
Master of the Mind, Analytical, Just
This card represents what you need to know about your home life for this year’s cycle. The card that came up for you is the King of Swords.
The King of Swords is the Master of the Mind and as such is analytical, just, ethical, and clear of thought. You’ll need these traits this year within the home as you interact with your loved ones and go about your day.
Be fair and clear minded when you consider which changes are truly needed within the home before you bring them about.
Your personality resides within the Tower and prefers change, but the King of Swords cautions you to analyze what changes are truly needed within the home before you bring them about. Be fair and clear minded when you consider this since it’s likely you aren’t the only one affected. Not everyone will be happy with revolutionary upheaval.
Your loved ones might not always share your energy and need to be in constant motion.
Your drive for action is found within The Chariot and needs to be directed by the King of Swords at home. Your loved ones might not always share your energy and need to be in constant motion. Be considerate and make sure that you aren’t plowing them over with your enthusiasm this year.
Balance clarity of thought with your experience and wit.
Your inner light from the Queen of Swords syngerizes well with the King of Swords. Use your sharp eye to temper your analysis. Balance clarity of thought with your experience and wit. In this way you can assess and meet the needs of everyone within your household.
Look for what will improve the lives of everyone in your home and aim for that.
Change and transformation heralded from Death can be frightening and disruptive, but using your intellect from the King of Swords you will be able to see it for what it is: an opportunity for better things. Look for what will improve the lives of everyone in your home and aim for that.
Where in your home have you become too rigid?
The Fool calls for spontaneity while the King of Swords calls for analysis. Where in your home have you become too rigid? Perhaps it is in these areas of the home you need to let go of some control and have faith that things will remain just fine on their own.
Where in your home needs more love and expression? Who needs more time with you?
The Empress calls for nurturing and creative expression while the King of Swords calls for analysis. Where in your home needs more love and expression? Who needs more time with you? Who needs more space to express themselves? Make the needed adjustments this year to address everyone’s needs.
8: Work Life Message Card – Page of Swords
Promise of the Mind, Curiosity, Mental Restlessness
This card represents what you need to know about your work life for this year’s cycle. The card that came up for you is the Page of Swords.
The Page of Swords represents the promise of the mind with its curiosity and mental restlessness. This year it brings this energy to your work life and encourages you to explore new skills. It may even herald a new job or career for you.
You are cautioned not to rock the boat just for its own sake this year.
Your personality within the Tower demands change and the Page of Swords calls upon you to explore this with curiosity and an open mind at the work place. You are cautioned not to rock the boat just for its own sake this year. You must do so with a clear purpose, so consider and weigh your options carefully before you act. You do not wish to find yourself in ruins without a solid foundation to build a future upon.
Learn and develop new knowledge and skills this year to blaze new trails for yourself.
The restless energy driving you forward from The Chariot is encouraged by the Page of Swords to boldly go where you haven’t gone before this year within the work place. Learn and develop new knowledge and skills this year to blaze new trails for yourself. Ever onward and upward, it’s time to diversify and advance yourself.
Your sharp eye will be more than enough to guide that restless mental energy forward if you keep your wits about you.
The light within the Queen of Swords synergizes well with the Page of Swords. Allow your experience of the past to spark your curiosity of the now. Your sharp eye will be more than enough to guide that restless mental energy forward if you keep your wits about you. Once you have an idea of what you want to do, you’ll have everything you need to learn all you’ll need to know to get the job done.
Ask yourself how you can make these changes work for you rather than struggle against them.
Death heralds transitions and transformations, so the Page of Swords calls you to address this cycle with curiosity Ask yourself how you can make these changes work for you rather than struggle against them.
Explore the possibilities with an open mind.
The Fool calls for new beginnings and spontaneity this year and the Page of Swords asks you to explore the possibilities with an open mind. Explore possibilities within the work place and look for opportunities to seize as they come to you.
True happiness is found when work doesn’t feel like work.
The Empress advises nurturing and self expression while the Page of Swords calls for curiosity this year. Care must be taken that you are not pushing yourself too hard at work this year, so explore ways to find a good work-life balance. True happiness is found when work doesn’t feel like work. One way to do that is when your work expresses your values and personality. Explore ways in which you can do this in your work place.
9: Social Life Message Card – Six of Pentacles
Equivalent Exchange, Sharing Wealth,
Resource Management
This card represents what you need to know about your social life for this year’s cycle. The card that came up for you is the Six of Pentacles.
At the very heart of the Six of Pentacles is the concept of Equivalent Exchange. In order to receive, you must give. In order to create, you must destroy. Every benefit in life has a cost. How you perceive that cost is up to you, however. This rule holds true even in our social lives with time being our most precious of resources. Who you invest your resources in foster and nurture a relationship with that person, so be sure you are investing in the relationships that matter to you the most. Otherwise, you’ll be losing the people you can’t afford to lose because the relationship withered away due to lack of resource investment.
Are you spending time with the people that really matter to you or are you giving space to toxic people in your life?
The Tower shows your personality calls for change while the Six of Pentacles asks you to examine where you are investing your resources socially. Are you spending time with the people that really matter to you or are you giving space to toxic people in your life? Be really honest with yourself here and make the appropriate adjustments this year.
Be sure you’re giving your time to those who aren’t hindering your forward movement and those you want along on your journey.
The Chariot shows you are driven to be on the move constantly while the Six of Pentacles asks you to examine how you are investing your time socially in particular. Since you’re always busy, time is precious. Be sure you’re giving it to those who aren’t hindering your forward movement and those you want along on your journey. People that sabotage your wheels don’t deserve your time and energy. Stop investing these resources into them.
You know who drains your resources and it’s time to set firm boundaries to limit their access.
Your past experience shines within you from the Queen of Swords while the Six of Pentacles asks you to use this knowledge to assess which people in your life drain your resources unnecessarily. You know who they are and it’s time to set firm boundaries to limit their access.
It is important to communicate clearly to be sure everyone feels the trade off is equivalent.
Death heralds transition and transformation while the Six of Pentacles calls for an assessment of your social resource management. Are you giving enough? Are you receiving enough? Who needs what? During this turbulent cycle, it is important to communicate clearly to be sure everyone feels the trade off is equivalent. Otherwise someone will end up feeling drained and depleted.
Give to those you wish to return in your life, but allow them to come and go as they please.
The Fool calls for having faith and spontaneity while the Six of Pentacles asks you to share the wealth with those you wish to foster relationships. Loosen up this year and give more freely with the faith that it will come back to you eventually. Give to those you wish to return in your life, but allow them to come and go as they please. Trust that they will know how and where to find you.
Share the wealth with those you wish to foster relationships.
The Empress reminds you there is abundance in your life as the Six of Pentacles asks you to share the wealth with those you wish to foster relationships. Nurture these people with your time and energy. Give them what you have whenever you are able. Nurture and give to yourself as well. Foster a relationship with yourself. You are your greatest resource. Serve it well so that you may serve yourself and others.
10: Health Message Card – King of Wands
Master of the Soul, Entrepreneur, Visionary
This card represents what you need to know about your health for this year’s cycle. The card that came up for you is the King of Wands.
As a Master of the Soul, the King of Wands is an entrepreneur and a visionary. In regards to your health this year, you are being called to boldly take charge of it for yourself. You know what you want in terms of your emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical health. This year it’s time for you to sit down with your care providers and build a solid plan to make it happen.
Speak with your care providers about your goals and come up with a clear idea as to what changes need to be made.
Your personality from within the Tower demands revolutionary change and doesn’t really care how you make it happen, but the King of Wands requires a clear plan before you begin. For something like your health, it’s strongly advised that you speak with your care providers about your goals and come up with a clear idea as to what changes need to be made.
Once you have an idea of what changes need to be made regarding your health, speak with your care providers to determine how you will reach your desired goals this year.
Your internal drive to act now in found within The Chariot, but the King of Wands requires a clear plan before you begin. Once you have an idea of what changes need to be made regarding your health, speak with your care providers to determine how you will reach your desired goals this year.
Use your past experience to devise a plan with your care providers that is most effective for you.
Your inner light from the Queen of Swords is more than capable of assisting the King of Wands with building a plan for improving your health. You know what has worked and what hasn’t in the past. You know what it constructive and helpful and what isn’t. Use this knowledge to devise a plan with your care providers that is most effective for you. Be your own advocate.
Having a plan for your health allows you to face change without feeling like you’re flying blind throughout the year.
Death heralds transition and transformation while the King of Wands demands a plan of action. By forming a plan with your care providers, these changes with your health will be more manageable and you will be more likely to be successful – especially if you have been your own advocate, or if you have an advocate speaking on your behalf, regarding your health goals. Having a plan for your health allows you to face change without feeling like you’re flying blind throughout the year.
Which of these new options has the greatest potential benefit with the least potential cost?
The Fool asks you to try something new with your health this year while the King of Wands demands a plan of action. Speak with your care providers about your health. Discuss with them about what’s working and what isn’t. Ask them about other options available and the risks involved. Consider the cost-benefit of these options in relation to you. Which of these new options has the greatest potential benefit with the least potential cost? Remember that here, cost isn’t just money. Cost is in terms of all resources. So it could be your time, your energy, or some side effect as well. Think about the big picture in terms of your overall health as well while you speak to your care providers while building this plan.
Be sure you include self care in your health care plan.
The biggest thing The Empress has to say to you in regards to your health and the King of Wands is to be sure you include self care in your health care plan. Make sure you see this as part of your big picture and add it to your health goals. Don’t be afraid to speak to your care providers for ideas if you have no idea how to do this. It really is that important for your well-being.
Special Message Card – Be Bold, Adventurous, and Daring this Year
0: Special Message – Freyja
Bold, Adventurous, Daring
This card is a bonus card, at no cost to you, and serves as a special message for you at this time. I drew this card from the Goddess Oracle Deck and the card that came up for you was the Freyja card.
Freyja’s message to you for this year is to just get out there and start doing whatever it is you need to be doing. Opportunities and adventure only comes to the bold. Don’t hold yourself back this year, it’s time for you to stretch those wings and start reaching.
Thank you for taking the time to read my birthday reading this year. If you found it interesting, please let me know in the comments below. If you’d like to receive a personalized birthday reading of your own, you can order one at Tode’s Tarot.
~ Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti (Illustrator), Barbara Moore (Author) © 2015
~ Goddess Guidance Oracle by Lisa Iris (Illustrator), Doreen Virtue (Author) © 2004
~ Credit for 3D model and assets used in renders can be found here.
In certain jurisdictions, a tarot professional is required to disclose to you that tarot readings should be for entertainment purposes only, and if such a law applies to this reading, then you are hereby on notice thereof.