Monday, October 5, 2026
Waning Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Venus Retrograde
Welcome to a new month (and the monthly deck switch). I’m always confused when a month starts in the middle of a week.
Venus went retrograde on the 3rd, and will remain so until Nov. 13. She retrogrades in Scorpio, which intensifies everything. It’s a re-examination of relationships and what we value. It’s not a good time for major makeovers in the looks department. Play with ideas, but don’t take action until Venus is direct.
We have a new moon on Oct. 10, this coming Saturday. This is a great week to cut away anything you no longer want in your life. Cord cutting and banishing spells are especially strong leading into the dark moon/new moon.
This week, we switch decks. As we did last year, we are using The Halloween Tarot, by Karin Lee, with art by Kipling West. You 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: Seven of Bats
This is similar to the 7 of Swords, which often means that someone is lying to you, or that you need guile to get what you want. Be clear on your own agenda, and ethical in how you work to achieve it. Are the risks worth the result? It can be a warning on your own behavior, or a warning that someone is trying to manipulate you. Since it is the driving force of the week, be cautious. Since we are in Venus retrograde, which asks us to re-examine relationships, that will add additional influence to this possibility.
North – Earth/Tangibles: 4 Bats
This is the equivalent to the 4 of Swords in other decks, and warns you that, on the tangible plane of your life, you need extra rest. Do not push yourself too hard (in spite of the 7). Make time for extra rest, no matter how pressured you feel. Let the cat sit on you and soothe you, as the moon peers down on you. Your body needs rest.
East – Air/Thought/Intellect: Page of Pumpkins
Similar to the Page of Pentacles in other decks, this Page is curious and willing to learn. It’s tied to the east, the are of intellect, so if an opportunity to learn something new comes your way this week, enjoy it. It can also indicate money coming your way, which is always welcome! Since it’s in the East, if it’s about money, it’s in exchange for something you did with your intellect.
South – Fire/Passion/Identity: The Emperor
In this position of identity, the Emperor reminds us to stand in our own integrity. It’s a strong line up through the noise of the 7 of Bats to the 4 of Bats. Put your foot down and take time to rest. Both your body and your soul need it. Actions have consequences. If you’re exhausted, you will not make the best choice.
West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Five of Imps
There’s a chance for creative debate this week. The five imps (wands) each have strong opinions and aren’t always in agreement. But they are not threatening each other. Each is so excited about their own position that they are trying to persuade. This has something to do with emotional or creative life, being in the West. It doesn’t have to be a nasty argument. It could be a mildly uncomfortable conversation that talks things through and gets them resolved.
In typical Venus Retrograde fashion, a lot of this week deals with how we relate to each other and the world. The single Major Arcana card encourages us to stand in our integrity, and make choices from there. Be curious, engage in creative debate, be careful with whom you share what information, and, most importantly, rest.
Did this resonate, or did you get something different? I always like to hear about it!