The third quarter of the moon is all about letting go of what no longer serves you. During this phase, we reflect on the lessons we have acquired since the new moon. We identify which old habits, patterns, and energies no longer serve us and should be released as we approach a new moon cycle. As usual I am consulting the tarot cards for guidance, using the same spread from previous moon cycle readings. 

For "The Problem", we have The Emperor. The Emperor card represents someone in power, someone in control, and someone who is confident enough to rule a whole country, as kings do. This card reflects my struggle with my sense of responsibility and my efforts to improve. I recognize that life is an ongoing work in progress, and we always strive to be the best version of ourselves. However, I tend to give in to my old habits, which hinders my improvement over time. I find myself inconsistent with my motivation and drive for excellence.

"The Root Cause" card is The Two of Cups. The Cups suit in the tarot card is all about emotions, and this card represents the root cause of my struggles with self-discipline. I feel as though there are always two versions of me in conflict. The first version is the disciplined and hardworking self, which prevailed during my elementary and high school years. 😁 However, I began to experience my "other self" during college, as I struggled with self-discipline, motivation, and consistency. Fast forward to now, the other version of me—the more laid-back and emotionally-driven side—often wins. 🥲 This creates a continuous inner battle within me. This inner conflict is also the cause of some self-sabotaging processes that occur internally.

The two cards that "describe the surrounding circumstances" are the Five of Wands and the Wheel of Fortune. The Wands suit represent the skills and talents we have been given in this lifetime. I interpret this card as the competition of the different versions of myself. I struggle to consistently be my best self. I recognize the lessons, but they do not always stick, and I unfortunately return to my old mistakes. I tend to judge myself the harshest, which feeds the arguments being made by the voice of my self-critic. For the Wheel of Fortune, this represents my desire to control things in life, which adds on to my daily struggle. Well, these are accurate as indeed these are factors that contribute to the root cause of the problem.

"The Solution" is The Magician. The Magician card represents a person who recognizes the skill set that has been given to him and utilizes all his talents effectively to give back to the community. This is why others find him incredible; he uses magic to make impossible things possible. For my situation, the solution involves knowing what I want, always planning to succeed, and being consistent about it. Supporting this card is the Page of Swords. The Swords suit can represent politics and relationships with others. This card emphasizes trusting myself, having confidence in the skills that have been given to me, and recognizing that I can also embody the role of a magician within the circle of people I interact with.

"The Obstacle" card is the Four of Wands. I interpret it as my struggle to find balance in dedicating my energy to productive activities while also ensuring I also step back to relax. It involves balancing tasks that need to be done alongside activities that I find leisure with. Before, I had this notion that one must choose between being a good student or enjoying life as a party person. However, as I grew older and met more people in my life, I learned that this is not really the case all the time. A person can be both responsible and at the same time enjoying life to the fullest. I need to strive to strike a balance between these different energies, as being overly focused on just one aspect will not yield positive effects in the long run.

"The Outcome" is the Four of Cups. This aligns well with The Obstacle card, which is also a Four of a suit. The Four of Cups represents emotional balance and stability, as well as an awareness of what I truly deserve and what I am fighting for. This understanding will lead to a greater sense of fulfillment in the long run.

For "The Future" card, it is the King of Swords. This card also aligns nicely in parallel with the first card, The Emperor. The King of Swords illustrates my triumph over my obstacles. I will be able to accomplish many great things because swords represent the skillset that we possess. This is a good card to symbolize the future of what I can achieve with this specific problem. 

"What others see" is the Ten of Swords. Other people might find it obvious that I am struggling with something, and they may perceive that I am being too hard on myself due to my challenges. Because of this, they may empathize with me, even take pity on me, recognizing that I am making efforts to improve myself. It may also be that I am sending out energy for them to help me. As I have learned from previous readings, it is important to know when to reach out for help. With this specific journey, I will be able to signal to others that I need assistance, and people will be willing to support me in my self-improvement journey.

This is a very good message for me, and I am very much willing to let go of those habits that no longer serve me. 🙏✨