What rises, must fall. What falls, must rise.

Some cards carry an energy so strong, it ripples off the deck — and The Wheel of Fortune is one of them.

At first glance, it may look like a strange old wheel surrounded by symbols and creatures — but make no mistake: this card is a powerhouse of universal movement, divine timing, and the mystery of fate.

When The Wheel turns up in a reading, something is shifting.
Cycles are completing. Doors are opening. And the Universe is at work in ways you might not fully see — yet.

🔄 The Wheel Itself – The Ever-Turning Cycle

At the centre of the card is the wheel — symbolic of life’s cycles: birth, death, rebirth. Fortune and loss. Expansion and contraction. It reminds us that:

• Nothing is permanent

• What’s down will rise again

• There’s always a bigger picture in motion

The Wheel doesn’t ask for control — it asks for trust.

When this symbol appears, you may be:

• In a moment of karmic return

• At the end or beginning of a major cycle

• Being asked to surrender to divine timing

✨ The Creatures – Wisdom, Guidance & the Four Elements

Look to the corners of the traditional Rider-Waite card and you’ll see four winged beings — representing the four fixed signs of the zodiac:

• 🦁 Leo (Fire) – Strength, creativity

• 🐂 Taurus (Earth) – Stability, embodiment

• 🦅 Scorpio (Water) – Transformation, depth

• 👼 Aquarius (Air) – Intellect, clarity

They’re also echoes of the four evangelists, the four elements, and the four suits of tarot — suggesting balance, protection, and sacred design.

These figures read from open books — symbolising that even amidst chaos, wisdom is always available.

🐍🦓 The Side Figures – The Rise, The Fall & The Mystery

Around the wheel, you may find three key figures (depending on the deck):

• The Sphinx – Crowned with a sword, symbolising mystery, riddle, and higher knowledge

• Anubis or a similar figure rising – Evolution, growth, the soul ascending

• A serpent descending – Shedding, descent, transformation

Together, they show the motion of fate — what ascends, what descends, and what holds the centre. It’s not about right or wrong — it’s about movement, rhythm, and sacred unfolding.

🌀 Keywords Behind the Symbols

When The Wheel or its related symbols show up in your reading, they may carry messages of:

• Timing – Something is about to shift

• Karma – You’re reaping what’s been sown (good or otherwise)

• Cycles – What chapter is closing or opening?

• Trust – Even if things feel chaotic, something larger is holding it all

• Destiny – You’re in the right place at the right moment — even if it doesn’t look like it yet

Working With the Wheel in Readings

When this card or its symbology (wheels, spinning, serpents, rising/falling, zodiac signs) appears, ask:

✨ Am I clinging to control — or willing to flow with change?
✨ What cycle is repeating — and what’s my role in it now?
✨ Can I trust the timing, even if I don’t understand the plan?

The Wheel doesn’t promise comfort.
But it does promise movement, evolution, and ultimately — alignment.

Because even when the wheel spins wildly…
You are the still point at its centre.

With deep roots and an open heart,
Sarah x

Nature’s language woven through the cards

Sometimes, the most powerful symbols in a reading aren’t the figures or actions — they’re the background.
The roots, the vines, the blossoms clutched in a hand.
The ancient oak. The falling leaf. The lone rose. 🌿🌳🌺

In divination, trees and plants are everywhere — and for good reason. They are more than visual elements; they are archetypes of growth, healing, and sacred relationship with the Earth.

Whether they appear on a card, in your ritual space, or through intuitive imagery, plants carry messages that speak to the soul in a quiet, rooted way.

🌳 Trees – Strength, Lineage & Deep Wisdom

Trees are pillars between the worlds — their roots in the earth, their branches reaching skyward. When a tree appears in a reading, it may symbolise:

• Strength and endurance over time

• Ancestral wisdom or family legacy

• A connection between the seen and unseen

Specific trees carry unique meanings:

• Oak – Stability, power, ancient strength

• Birch – New beginnings, purification

• Yew – Death and rebirth, spiritual guardianship

• Willow – Emotional depth, flexibility, intuition

• Ash – Protection, connection between realms (think Yggdrasil)

Ask: What roots am I tending? What legacy am I growing?

🌸 Flowers – Beauty, Transience & Emotional Messages

Flowers are symbols of the heart’s language — beauty, vulnerability, and the sacredness of timing. They bloom, they fade, they return.

In divination, flowers may represent:

• Emotional expression or relationship dynamics

• The delicate nature of something new or healing

• A message from spirit, the heart, or the divine feminine

Symbolic meanings vary by type:

• Rose – Love, devotion, passion or grief (depending on colour)

• Lily – Purity, peace, the otherworld

• Sunflower – Joy, hope, vitality

• Poppy – Dreaming, remembrance, release

• Daisy – Simplicity, innocence, truth

Ask: What is blooming in me — and am I willing to honour its pace?

🌿 Herbs & Plants – Healing, Magick & Everyday Wisdom

Herbs carry centuries of spiritual and medicinal symbolism — and when they appear in divination, they often speak to what’s needed to restore balance or empower action.

Some examples:

• Lavender – Calm, clarity, rest

• Mugwort – Intuition, dreamwork, the liminal

• Basil – Prosperity, protection

• Rosemary – Memory, cleansing, honouring ancestors

• Mint – Fresh perspective, movement, breath

These may show up as literal plant imagery, be mentioned in a card name, or even come to mind intuitively. Trust that.

Ask: What medicine is being offered here?

Green Language in Your Readings

Plants teach in cycles. They offer subtle, grounded insight.
They remind us that growth takes time, that beauty is sacred, and that healing often begins in stillness.

Next time you notice a tree, flower, or herb in your reading, ask:

• What is this plant symbolising for me right now?

• Am I in a season of rooting, blooming, or shedding?

• What can I learn from how nature moves — slowly, gently, with purpose?

Because plants don’t shout their wisdom.
They simply grow — and invite you to do the same.

With deep roots and an open heart,
Sarah x

Symbols of stillness, soul-searching, and sacred illumination

In the quiet of a reading, there’s often a flicker — a candle, a star, a lantern — some small light guiding the way.
And just as often, there’s the shadow — not to fear, but to explore.

In divination, the dance between light and darkness is more than mood — it’s message. The imagery we see, the colours, the contrast, even the posture of figures in the cards all tell a story of inner vision, hidden truth, and quiet power.

At the centre of it all stands The Hermit — cloaked, still, and holding a single lantern. Not to light the world… but to light just enough of the path ahead.

🕯️ The Symbolism of the Lantern

The lantern is a beacon of personal wisdom, quiet clarity, and internal guidance. It doesn’t blaze — it glows. It suggests:

• Going inward to seek your own answers

• Trusting the path even when it’s only lit one step at a time

• A time of spiritual retreat or reflection

When lanterns or similar light sources appear in readings, they may be saying:
✨ Look inward. The light you’re seeking is within you.
✨ Go gently. Let clarity come in its own time.
✨ This is a pause, not a stop.

🌑 The Sacredness of Darkness

We’re often taught to fear the dark — to rush for clarity, seek light, avoid shadow. But in spiritual practice, darkness is holy.

It is the womb.
The cave.
The space where seeds take root before they sprout.

In readings, darkness might represent:

• The unknown (not as a threat, but as potential)

• Shadow work and truth beneath the surface

• A call to rest, retreat, or reflect

• Energies still forming, unseen but alive

Cards heavy with black, grey, or twilight tones often hold mystery — not as a warning, but as a reminder: you’re not supposed to know everything right now.

Light vs. Illumination

Not all “light” is helpful. Sometimes, seeking too much clarity too quickly can overwhelm or distract.
And not all “darkness” is absence. Sometimes, it’s where the most profound insights live.

The key in divination is to notice:

• Where is the light focused?

• What’s being revealed — and what’s being protected?

• Is the darkness fertile, or is it hiding something from fear?

This nuanced dance invites you to read with both your eyes and your soul.

Reading with the Hermit’s Energy

When you feel The Hermit’s Lantern in a reading — whether in an actual card, a visual element, or a gut feeling — pause.
Ask:

• What inner truth am I being invited to sit with?

• What am I ready to illuminate — softly, gently, without force?

• Where might I need to honour the dark and trust its timing?

Because not all magic is bold and bright.
Some of it lives in candlelight.
And some of it lives in the quiet, sacred dark.

With deep roots and an open heart,
Sarah x

Snakes, flames, and wings of change – the signs that growth is underway

Transformation is at the heart of every spiritual path — and every good reading.
Whether we’re shedding, blossoming, rising, or releasing, we’re constantly moving through cycles of becoming. And in divination, those shifts don’t always come with words… sometimes, they come in symbols.

Butterflies. Snakes. Phoenixes. Spirals. Fire.
These images are more than pretty metaphors — they’re archetypes that speak to the soul. When they appear in your cards, your spreads, your dreams, or your energy work, it’s often a clear sign:

✨ Change is happening — or it’s about to.

Let’s look at some of the most powerful transformation symbols and what they might be saying when they show up in your readings.

🦋 Butterfly – Metamorphosis, Joy, Fragility & Emergence

The butterfly is a universal symbol of transformation, especially the kind that begins in darkness. It speaks of:

• Personal growth through time and patience

• Letting go of who you were to become who you are

• The beauty and vulnerability of showing up as your true self

In readings, butterflies often symbolise the final stages of a cycle — the becoming after the breakdown.

Ask: What am I ready to emerge into?

🐍 Snake – Shedding, Rebirth, Healing & Power

The snake carries deep, primal energy. In many traditions, it represents sacred knowledge, sexuality, death, and rebirth. When a snake appears:

• Something is being released at a core level

• You may be invited into shadow work or deep healing

• A cycle of shedding and rising is underway

Snake energy doesn’t rush. It coils, waits, and strikes when the moment is right.

Ask: What skin am I outgrowing?

🔥 Phoenix – Death, Resurrection, Purpose & Sacred Fire

The phoenix doesn’t just change — it burns to change. This legendary creature dies in flame and rises from ash, stronger and wiser. When the phoenix shows up:

• A full spiritual reset is near (or already in motion)

• Old beliefs or identities are falling away

• Your soul is ready for something far more aligned

It’s a symbol of destruction as initiation — and rebirth as destiny.

Ask: What am I being asked to rise from?

🌀 Spiral – Cycles, Deepening, Evolution

The spiral is found in shells, galaxies, fingerprints — and our own spiritual growth. Unlike linear paths, spirals invite us to revisit familiar places from a deeper level of awareness.

When a spiral appears:

• You’re evolving through experience

• You may be in a repeating cycle with new insight available

• It’s time to go inward, again — and then move outward, anew

Ask: What’s changed within me, even if the pattern looks the same?

💫 Fire – Purification, Energy, Initiation

Fire transforms. It devours what’s dead, refines what remains, and energises the new. In divination, fire might be:

• Literal (candles, flames, heat in the body)

• Symbolic (suit of Wands, fiery colours)

• Emotional (passion, anger, urgency)

Fire calls for boldness. For release. For reclaiming your power.

Ask: What needs to burn away — and what is being forged in its place?

When Transformation Symbols Appear…

…you are not being told to “fix” yourself.
You are being shown that you are in motion. You are in process. You are becoming.

These symbols may appear:

• In the art of tarot or oracle cards

• As repeating motifs in dreams, visions, or journaling

• Through animal signs, altar pieces, or intuitive flashes

They are signposts.
Reminders.
Invitations.

To surrender. To rise. To keep becoming.

Because transformation isn’t always neat or linear.
But it is sacred.

With deep roots and an open heart,
Sarah x

The objects that hold our intention, focus our energy, and link us to the unseen

When we light a candle, ring a bell, or burn incense before a reading, we’re doing more than setting the scene — we’re opening a doorway.

Ritual tools have always played a role in spiritual and divinatory practices. They ground us. They raise energy. They help us shift from the ordinary to the sacred. But they also carry deep symbolic meaning, woven from centuries of magic, prayer, and presence.

In this blog, we’re exploring how some of the most common ritual tools — candles, incense, and more — function as symbols of connection, not just in ceremony, but within your divination work.

🔥 Candles – Light, Focus & Elemental Fire

Candles represent illumination, transformation, and intention. Lighting a candle marks the beginning of sacred time — a symbolic spark that opens the way for spirit and self to meet.

In divination, candles can:

• Represent clarity, truth, or spiritual presence

• Be colour-coded for intention (e.g., blue for truth, green for growth)

• Serve as a physical anchor while you journey through a spread

The flame also reminds us of the element of fire — the energy of action, willpower, and divine spark.

🌫️ Incense – Prayer, Atmosphere & the Breath of Spirit

When incense rises, it carries your intention with it. Across cultures, smoke has been used to cleanse, bless, and create a bridge between worlds.

In a reading, incense might:

• Clear the energy before and after divination

• Help set the mood or align with a specific element (e.g., frankincense for air/spirit, sandalwood for grounding)

• Symbolise the presence of ancestors or guides

The element of air lives here — in the breath, the scent, the invisible movement.

🧿 Other Ritual Tools – Symbols Made Tangible

✨ Chalices – The womb of the divine, representing water, emotion, and receptivity
✨ Athames or Wands – Tools of direction, focus, and energetic intention
✨ Bells or Chimes – Sound used to clear, seal, or signal sacred space
✨ Crystals & Stones – Anchors of earth energy, chosen for their symbolism and vibration
✨ Cloths, statues, feathers, salt, bones… — Every item you choose carries a story and an energy

Each of these tools is a living symbol, helping you hold space, shape energy, or invite in specific support. They don’t have to be fancy or traditional — they just need to be meaningful to you.

Ritual Objects as Symbols in Readings

Even when they’re not physically present, ritual tools show up symbolically in readings. Think:

• A card featuring a chalice, flame, or incense burner

• A client mentioning a candle they lit before your session

• A sudden desire to pick up a specific tool during your reading

These aren’t just aesthetic or coincidental — they’re messages.

Ask:
What is this tool inviting me to pay attention to?
What element or energy is asking to come through right now?

Everyday Ritual, Everyday Magic

You don’t need a full ceremonial setup to honour the symbolism of ritual tools. A single candle. A breath over your deck. A soft cloth laid down with care. These small gestures say: I am here. I am ready. This moment is sacred.

Because in divination, the ritual tools are never just props —
They are companions, catalysts, and conduits.

With deep roots and an open heart,
Sarah x

Sacred shape, grounded wisdom, and the fivefold path of spirit

The pentacle is more than just a five-pointed star within a circle.
It’s a symbol of balance, embodiment, and protection — a visual prayer carved into countless tools of divination and spiritual practice.

You’ll often see it on tarot cards, altar tiles, pendulums, and jewellery… but its meaning runs far deeper than decoration. When the pentacle appears in your readings or rituals, it’s calling you to connect with earth energy, honour the whole self, and remember that you are already held.

What Is the Pentacle?

At its core, the pentacle is a five-pointed star enclosed within a circle. Each point of the star represents one of the five elements:

• 🔥 Fire – Will, action, transformation

• 🌬 Air – Thought, clarity, communication

• 💧 Water – Emotion, intuition, connection

• 🌍 Earth – Grounding, stability, the material world

• ✨ Spirit – The divine spark that flows through all

The enclosing circle symbolises unity, wholeness, and protection — it binds the elements together, reminding us that nothing exists in isolation.

When used in divination, this shape becomes an anchor — a reminder to stay balanced, grounded, and attuned to both the physical and spiritual realms.

The Pentacle in Tarot

In the tarot, the suit of Pentacles (also known as Coins or Disks in some decks) is linked to the element of Earth. It deals with:

• Physical health

• Work and money

• Home and security

• Sensory experience

• Growth over time

Cards from this suit often carry the image of a pentacle, stamped onto coins or floating in the air — and each time it appears, it’s a reminder of practical magick: the everyday sacredness of tending to your body, your resources, your roots.

A single pentacle might symbolise a gift or opportunity. A group might suggest shared resources or legacy. But always, it carries the steady hum of Earth beneath it.

Pentacles as Protective Symbols

Beyond tarot, the pentacle is often used as a symbol of spiritual protection. It acts like a circle of intention — keeping your energy safe, your tools aligned, and your space sacred.

You might:

• Place a pentacle on your altar to hold space for grounded magic

• Use it as a focal point during readings to create energetic boundaries

• Visualise a pentacle beneath your feet to root and protect you before divining

In some traditions, the pentacle is also drawn in the air as part of a spell or ward — a seal of intention and sovereignty.

Reclaiming the Symbol

Despite centuries of misrepresentation, the pentacle has always been a symbol of harmony, protection, and sacred alignment. It connects heaven and earth, spirit and form. And when it shows up in your divination work — whether in cards, charms, or intuition — it asks:

✨ Are you grounded in your practice?
✨ Are all parts of you being honoured?
✨ Do you feel safe to open to guidance right now?

The pentacle doesn’t just guard — it reminds.
You are already whole. You are already sacred.

With deep roots and an open heart,
Sarah x