Monday, October 26, 2026
Neptune, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus, Venus, Mercury Retrograde
With both Venus and Mercury in Retrograde until November 13th, we need to move gently through the world in the upcoming weeks.
We also have a full moon in Taurus today, so take a deep breath and hunker down.
This coming Saturday is Samhain, and the Days of the Dead. If you are interested in the ceremonies I use to Tend the Dead, you can read about them here.
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 Hanged Man
The Hanged Man is our central energy this week, encouraging us to look at things from a fresh perspective and not rush into making any decisions. With all these retrogrades, it’s time to reflect, not make massive changes. Take your time, and don’t let anyone push you.
North – Earth/Tangibles: Three of Ghosts
This week, you will have to chance to celebrate a creative collaboration in a very tangible way. The 3 of Ghosts, similar to the 3 of Cups, in the position of the North, says this is a good time to celebrate one of your creative projects with others, that includes others. The three ghosts are braided together and joyful. Savor the celebration!
East – Air/Thought/Intellect: The World
The World came up in the South during the October 12 reading. This time, it’s in the East, the position of thought and intellect. Take time this week to daydream. Use the Hanged Man energy in partnership with the World energy to dream the world you want to create.
South – Fire/Passion/Identity: Nine of Pumpkins
The equivalent to the 9 of Pentacles in other decks, the 9 of Pumpkins in the position of identity assures us that we are enough just as we are. We are sovereign. We are fulfilled. From this position, we can dream the dreams of the World and the Hanged Man.
West – Water/Creativity/Emotion: Five of Imps
This card came up in the very same position in the October 5 reading. Enjoy some creative debate. It’s not a serious, deadly argument – it’s passionate people arguing their position, and the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Enjoy the discussion!
Did anything resonate with you, or did you get a different interpretation? I’m always interested in your comments.
Next week, we will have a different deck for November, and a new spread for the coming year!