Monday, May 4, 2026
Waning Moon
Welcome to a new week, a new month, a new deck!
We had a full moon on Beltane on May 1 (last Friday). Pluto goes retrograde this Wednesday, May 6, meaning what was hidden comes to light. We will have another full moon/blue moon on the last day of the month.
Pluto is the only retrograde this month, and for most of next month, until Mercury goes retrograde at the end of June. This means we can really work on the Pluto retrograde revelations, without other retrogrades offering distractions. Pluto will turn direct on the 15 of October.
This month’s deck is The Forager’s Daughter, with book and art by Jessica Lei Howard. This is an absolutely gorgeous deck, and feels wonderful in my hands. I’m excited to share readings with you from this deck. You can learn more about Jessica’s work and buy the deck here.
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.
Center – Spirit/Self: Page of Swords
The Page of Swords is quick-witted and curious. The nettle and the sword warn not to speak without thinking, because it could cause hurt. In many decks, there are clouds in this card, which often warn me about gossip – either telling me to watch my mouth and make sure I don’t gossip, or warn me that someone is telling tales about me out there. I also use nettle for protection, or in spells to stop gossip. The central driving force this week is to watch and temper our words. What we say and to whom we say it will have consequences. Think before you speak, and maybe keep some of your thoughts close to yourself.
North – Earth/Tangibles: The Tower
Every time I see this card, I think, “uh oh.” Because for me, it shows up when I’ve procrastinated on something, and now there are consequences. It’s about sudden, drastic change, and since the card is in the northern position, it has to do with tangibles. This is not a card I wanted to see this week. I feel as though I’m on top of many things, and not procrastinating on much (I need to step up the spring cleaning), but as far as work and other things, I feel like I’m in a good place. So now I’m wary to see what rug will be pulled out from under me. And, caring for an elderly parent, this card turning up also becomes worrisome.
East – Air/Thought/Intellect: The Emperor
The stag and the pine tree are both symbols of strength and protection. The Emperor, to me, often means being part of something larger than oneself. Tied to the previous cards, it makes me hope that the change indicated by the Tower card is more on a national, collective level than on a personal one. Still tangible, still affecting me, but with the community supporting each other, there’s a positive way through, and that it’s the positive aspects of the Tower making way for something better.
South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Knight of Wands
Apologies for cutting off the caption for this card in the photo. The Knight of Wands is about going out in the world being charismatically oneself. It is at home in the South, the position of passion and identity. A garter snake climbs up a wand in a clump of forsythia. I love forsythia, and it is in bloom where I live right now. This card encourages me to be myself this week.
West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Ace of Wands
This is about a new, passionate path of the self, and it is in the home of creativity and emotion. It’s building on the new projects and possibilities that have been offered in the past weeks, and encourages us to tap into our creativity and honor our emotions (especially with the Tower energy).
I was hoping for a calmer batch of cards this week, but looking at these, I can now make more measured decisions and be more aware of everything going around me.
We have two Major Arcana cards in the spread, two court cards (a page and a knight) and an Ace. There’s potential for disruptive energy and big chances, but the Emperor, the Knight, and the Ace suggest there’s also a lot of positive potential in this change.
Did anything resonate with you? Or did the cards speak something else? I always love to hear from you.