Ronan's personal compass

For today, your Santa considered a number of different spreads to use for Ronan. Since Santa doesn't know Ronan well enough to know what he would ask (although Santa suspects Ronan would not be very interested in having his cards read to begin with), instead of asking a specific question, I chose the personal compass spread. It's a favorite of Santa's. This spread gives an overview of where the querent is in their life and some advice they can use to move ahead. If later you have a question you'd like me to read instead, I'd be happy to do another spread!

Santa apologizes in advance for uneven photo size and poor picture quality. It's hard to get good light in the North Pole sometimes!





The Knight of Wands: The first card in the spread I'm showing without its covering card first. This represents Ronan as he is now. The Knight of Wands is a bold adventurer. He is someone who may fail frequently. Maybe he doesn't understand that he fails more than others because he dares more too. He charges forward recklessly and without foresight, which can be foolish. It can also lead to glory. He may not see himself this way, but the Knight is a champion. Even with all the risks he takes, he's a huge asset to any cause he chooses to take up.


4 of Wands: The cross card rests over the first card. This is a very interesting one because it tells us about what Ronan carries with him. While this could be a positive thing, I read this card as a burden that currently weighs him down. What makes it so interesting is that the 4 of Wands is usually a very positive card. It speaks to well-earned celebration. The 4 of Wands is a reminder that there's more in the world than the day-to-day life. Maybe there's a part of Ronan that wishes his life were a little more ordinary. Another implication of the 4 of Wands is remembering the past through ritual, which is a clearer burden. If he's carrying his past with him like or through ritual, then that's a heavy weight indeed.


The Hermit: Underneath the first two cards sits the Hermit, who tells me that the basis of Ronan's background and what brought him to become the Knight of Wands is a history of solitude. As with the Hermit, this may be largely or entirely self-imposed. The Hermit prefers to be alone and studies and learns entirely for her own sake. In following her own pursuits, however, the Hermit carries a lantern that may draw others to her for the things that she can teach. Like the Hermit, there's a light inside of Ronan that pulls others to him, despite his desire or intention to remain solitary. Others see that they can learn from him and that he can help them to grow.


The King of Cups: To the left of the Knight, we have a past influence which is now leaving or has left Ronan's life. The King of Cups has so much faith in humanity and, fully in touch with his emotions, has deep compassion for the world. He has a spiritual calling to make it a better place. For one reason or another, that faith in and love of others has left Ronan, which helps to explain why he's coming from this place of self-imposed solitary confinement.


The Empress: Luckily, on the right, we see a new influence entering or newly arrived in Ronan's life. This is the Empress and she's a great force for good. The fact that the Empress is one of the Major Arcana suggests that her arrival in Ronan's life is a very big deal. She marks a huge occasion in his life, something genuinely life-changing. She brings care into his world. Something has arrived to nurture him in a way he's been lacking. Trusting his intuition will help bring forward a bright period of prosperity and creativity for Ronan.


The cards come bearing advice for Ronan and reminders of the resources that remain to him. To be honest, a lot of this is advice I have received frequently as well! It can be tough to follow. Hang in there, Ronan.

5 of Cups: Stop dwelling on mistakes that can't be fixed. Through personal error or circumstance, you may run into problems that drain you in one way or another. If you focus too much on these losses, you'll forget what you still have going for you and everything that remains in your corner.

The Lovers: This card may in fact refer to a lover, but it means so much more. The Lovers is about choice and trust. Give your trust and faith to another, share your secrets, and that honesty and faith will reward you.

10 of Wands: You stress yourself out. Share your burdens. You can't carry all of this alone. You shouldn't have to. There are people who want to help.


Last of all, we have advice and direction.

5 of Cups: The cards strongly repeat the advice given by the 10 of Wands. It is important to know your own limits. There are times when, to make it through, you have to be able to let someone else carry you. It's okay to allow others to steer the boat. In fact, you need to let them once in a while. It might be the only way to get across the waters of change.

Knight of Swords: How interesting that Ronan starts as a knight and ends as one. This final card suggests a direction in which Ronan can head. As the Knight of Wands, he is driven by action. The Wands are fire and the Swords are air or intellect. It suggests that maybe some of that hotheadedness may cool in time. It also tells me that difficult times are ahead for Ronan. The future will bring hard decisions and a need for major change. Support from others will make this a lot easier; he should allow himself to accept it.