Monday, October 19, 2026
Waxing Moon
Neptune, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Venus Retrograde
The month keeps accelerating, doesn’t it, in spite of the retrogrades? Pluto went direct on the 15th, which gives us momentary new direction until Mercury goes retrograde this week on the 24th, and will remain there until Nov. 13. Back up your technology, remember there may be delays in travel plans, take a breath and make sure you are clear when you communicate, not just reactive. Try to avoid large purchases or signing contracts. Always read the fine print.
We are using The Halloween Tarot, by Karin Lee, with art by Kipling West. You can buy the deck from US Games here.
This deck has different names for the suits.
Pumpkins = Pentacles
Ghosts = Cups
Bats = Swords
Imps = Wands
This is one of my spreads, that I call The Elemental Spread. It is very similar to many of the Medicine Wheel spreads I’ve seen, but I made a few tweaks to the way I use it over the years.
We start in the center, with Spirit/Self. This is the overall energy of the week, and how we relate to it.
We move to the position above, with is North/Tangibles, connected to the element of Earth, advice on how to deal with the week on a tangible, materialistic level.
We move clockwise to the third position, East/Thought, connected to the element of Air, advice on how to intellectually deal with the week.
Then we move down to the bottom of the spread, the 4th position, South/Passion, connected to the element of Fire, advice on how to deal with the week from a place of passion and identity.
Then we move up to the left side of the spread, the 5th position, West/Emotion, connected to the element of Water, advice on how to deal with the week from a place of creativity and emotion.
We wind up where we started, at the spirit center, integrating all the information for the week.
These interpretations are mine, based on my experience, intuition and responses to the artwork.
You may have a different experience. This is an overview of the week as it stands now; every decision we make from the moment of the reading can change the outcome. If there’s something in the reading that worries you, you have the information ahead of time so that you can plan, make better choices, or handle it differently than predicted for a better outcome. Tarot sets out possibilities, which you change through your choices and actions.
All readings are for entertainment purposes only, and do not constitute legal, medical, psychological, business, or financial advice. Choices and decisions made based on the tarot reading are your responsibility. The tarot reader is not liable for any actions or decisions you make as a result of the reading. That is true of this reading, and of past and future readings.
Center – Spirit/Self: The Chariot
The Chariot is about moving forward, driving your own destiny. The pumpkin-headed figure driving the car looks pretty happy about it, as does the black cat beside him. This card is the central driving energy of the week. What roads, physical and metaphorical, are you ready to explore? What dream do you drive toward? It’s a positive card of you being in control of your own destiny. It’s also the only Major Arcana card in this reading.
North – Earth/Tangibles: Four of Ghosts
The equivalent to the 4 of Cups, the 4 of Ghosts shows a figure who looks discouraged. Some cards tilt it more toward boredom or restlessness, but this figure looks discouraged. However, the ghosts around them are friendly, offering a cup of something warm, sharing cookies, even the pumpkin hanging from the branch and the Moon smile down. In this case, with this deck, you might feel stuck and isolated. Take a deep breath and look around. There’s more support than you realize. There are times to withdraw and ponder in solitude, and there are times to accept what’s offered. This card suggests accepting support. Since it’s in the North, it’s on a tangible level.
East – Air/Thought/Intellect: Page of Ghosts
This card relates to the Page of Cups in other decks. It’s about creative curiosity, and it’s in the position of thought/intellect. Try something creatively new this week. See if you enjoy it. There’s no pressure. It’s about playing with possibilities rather than fully committing to a new path.
South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Seven of Ghosts
Similar to the 7 of Cups in other decks, the 7 of Ghosts is about daydreaming and possibilities. It’s often negatively interpreted as “make a decision already.” However, when it comes up for me, I find that it encourages me to carve out time to dream about different possibilities and explore them through imagination. It also warns me not to let anyone push me into a decision that serves them rather than serving me. Since it’s in the position of identity, this is a time to imagine the different ways you want to show up in the world, and see which persona serves you best and is the real you.
West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Knight of Pumpkins
This is similar to the Knight of Pentacles, which is someone who goes out into the world and may not reach the destination quickly, but through steady forward motion. With the line drawn from this card through the Chariot through the Page of Ghosts, it suggests taking your time and enjoying whatever new thing you try. Slow and steady – you are in charge, you get to set the schedule and explore the possibilities.
No bats or imps this year. Just a Major Arcana, ghosts, and pumpkins. It’s about creative explorations one step at a time.
Did anything resonate, or do you have a different interpretation. Please share!