Author: Cerridwen

Monday, September 29, 2025
Waxing Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus Retrograde

Welcome to another week, as we slide out of September and into October. The nights outweigh the days right now, and the desire is to get cozy and turn inward. Although, where I live, it is unseasonably warm for late September.

We are still in five retrogrades, so life can feel stalled and frustrating. Deep breath, and take time to reassess. Over the coming months, Pluto, Neptune, and Saturn will go direct, although Mercury and Jupiter will go retrograde. So take as much time as you can now to line up ducks, because they will do their best not to stay in their row.

This month, we’re using the Tarot of the Owls Mini Deck by Pamela Chen, with art by Elisabeth Alba. You can learn more about Pamela Chen’s work here, about Elisabeth’s work here, and the deck is available from Llewellyn. This deck was a gift (back in March, for my birthday), and I’m excited to spend the month with it.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.

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.

Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort

The Collective Energy for the Week – King of Pentacles
The King of Pentacles knows how to manage his resources. There is plenty, and he knows how to distribute these resources for the good of his people. The owl wears his crown, and is calm and focused on his stone throne. He has a gold coin with his likeness, and the throne is nestled in an abundance of grapes that are ready to be harvested. The energy of the week is abundance with an eye to using it well.

The Week’s Challenge – 10 of Cups
The 10 of Cups is about an abundance of love, creativity, and inspiration, all within a sturdy, grounded foundation (the earth of the card). The reason it is the in “challenge” position is that it’s sometimes hard to believe that this abundance exists and that we deserve it. This week, whenever you start to worry about “lack” in the arena of cups, call up the beautiful, joyful image of this card and remember that it’s all there. You just have to remember to tap into it.

The Week’s Opportunity – The Moon
This card in this deck came up in the September 8th reading as the Energy for the Week. This week, it’s in the Opportunity slot. You will have the chance to trust your intuition and let it carry you to the abundance indicated by the King of Pentacles and the 10 of Cups. Your logical side might argue, but trust your intuition.

 

 

The Week’s Stretch – Five of Wands
The five of wands is about challenges in the realm of passion and/or identity. It doesn’t have to be an argument; it can be a lively discussion, especially if it’s with people whose opinions and motivations you trust. Be careful not to be reactive and take offense. Really listen and think about the layers of every discussion. There’s something of value there.

 

 

The Week’s Comfort – Four of Cups
This is an unusual card to be in the Comfort slot, but the artwork on it clarifies it. The 4 of Cups is often about feeling bored or disassociated. The owl looks off to the right of the card, ignoring the three full cups on his other side, and not even noticing the cut that’s being offered to him. What are you taking for granted? What’s being offered that you aren’t yet seeing? This ties directly into the King of Pentacles (material abundance), the 10 of Cups (emotional/creative fulfilment), The Moon (trust your intuition to see WHERE this new opportunity is offered), deeply listen and absorb the lively discussions, and remember to look at what you already have/have achieved, instead of feeling lack. You’re in a much more positive position than you realize!

Did anything in the reading particularly resonate with you? Or did you get a different interpretation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

The next time we meet, it will be on the Full Moon, and in October, which means a new deck!

Have a wonderful week.

Monday, September 22, 2025
Waxing Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Saturn, Uranus Retrograde
Autumn Equinox (Northern Hemisphere)

Happy Equinox! It’s the Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the Spring Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. Whichever way your light is tipping, may it bring you peace and joy.

You may well have an eclipse hangover today. Be kind to yourself. We don’t have to worry about eclipses again until mid-February of next year.

Whatever blooms at this time of year that makes me sneeze and my eyes itch and run, it is out there! Phew! We have drought conditions where I live right now. Hopefully, there will be some rain soon and some relief on multiple fronts.

This month, we’re using the Tarot of the Owls Mini Deck by Pamela Chen, with art by Elisabeth Alba. You can learn more about Pamela Chen’s work here, about Elisabeth’s work here, and the deck is available from Llewellyn. This deck was a gift (back in March, for my birthday), and I’m excited to spend the month with it.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.

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.

Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort

The Collective Energy for the Week – Six of Cups
The 6 of Cups is about generosity, especially between generations. There is plenty, and when we share, we can help each other. The older owl is sharing with the younger owl. Each cup holds something different, and the four cups in the foreground of the card each have a color correspondence to an element. There is bounty enough to share. In the current climate where those who have a lot continue to take from those who have a little, it’s important for us to remember to share. Sharing in community makes us all stronger.

The Week’s Challenge – The Lovers
This is a reminder to work from a place from love, and that, this week, remembering that and acting from it, could be a challenge. The pair of owls are nuzzling each other, nestled within abundant branches. This ties back to the previous card. There is enough. Operate from love and abundance this week, even when it’s a challenge.

 

 

The Week’s Opportunity – Knight of Swords
Ideas and fresh approaches have been percolating long enough and formed sharply enough that it’s time to take them out into the world. You will have a chance to do so this week. Be alert for the opportunity and take flight. The world needs your ideas.

 

 

The Week’s Stretch – The World
The World is about coming to the end of a cycle in order to build on it as the start of a new cycle. The eclipses we’ve just survived support that. The World is open to you. Take your ideas out into it, from a place of generosity, kindness and abundance (tying into the previous cards). Remember there is more than what is directly in front of you. We’re in this for the long game.

 

The Week’s Comfort – Nine of Swords
Yes, the 9 of Swords is very odd to have in the “comfort” position. For me, the 9 of Swords comes up when I am mired in my own anxieties and lose perspective. The way I interpret this card coming up in the “comfort” slot this week is that it is a reminder that we often trap ourselves in our own anxieties that are more about us and less about what is actually going on. Take a deep breath. Lean heavily into the generosity of the community and the love and abundance around you, and know there is more good in the situation than you currently see. Look at the owl in the artwork: the owl has the swords behind them, and the shadows make the owl feel trapped. But that’s what they are — shadows. The owl is in a green patch amongst the snow., and can take flight whenever they choose.

Did anything resonate with you in particular? Or do you have a different interpretation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, September 15, 2025
Waning moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus Retrograde

We are still between eclipses this week. We had a lunar eclipse on the full moon of September 7th. We will have a solar eclipse with the new moon on Sunday the 21st (part of this week), leading us into the Autumn Equinox on Monday, September 22, the day of our next reading (it will be the Spring Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere).

And we have five retrogrades going.

Deep breath, one foot in front of the other. Be aware of what’s around you, look for opportunities, but don’t let anyone rush you into anything.

This month, we’re using the Tarot of the Owls Mini Deck by Pamela Chen, with art by Elisabeth Alba. You can learn more about Pamela Chen’s work here, about Elisabeth’s work here, and the deck is available from Llewellyn. This deck was a gift (back in March, for my birthday), and I’m excited to spend the month with it.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.

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.

Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort

I found last week’s reading helpful in navigating several situations. Looking at this week’s cards, I see lots of opportunity. There are three Major Arcana cards here, which means, yet again, some big energies in the week.

The Collective Energy of the Week – The Chariot
Take the reins, my friends, and take control of your own destiny. I love that the owl is in a chariot pulled by two cats, symbols of Freya, and often associated with the chariot even more than horses. You have all the elements represented here – green for earth, yellow for air, red for fire, blue for water. The stone bridge on the chariot indicates a firm foundation, and there’s a lush landscape all around. Go for it!

 

The Week’s Challenge – Six of Wands
The Six of Wands is a card of victory and honor. Why is it in a challenge position? It could mean that you have to speak up to get credit for something you deserve. Or, it could mean that you are being overly modest and SHOULD take the credit you deserve. In either instance, it’s a positive card, encouraging you to spread your wings. Tying it to the chariot, it indicates you will succeed on the path you’ve embarked on with the chariot.

 

The Week’s Opportunity – Ace of Cups
The Ace of Cups is about fresh ideas, emotions, creativity, opportunity. The little duck (or perhaps a swan) has broken out of its shell and nuzzles the cup. It’s in a sheltered space, and there’s water visible outside of the sheltered space, indicating it is safe to try something new creatively or emotionally. On a personal level, I’m happy to see this card this week; it speaks directly to a new opportunity for me. The Chariot and the Six of Wands indicate support.

The Week’s Stretch – The Wheel of Fortune
There will be times this week when we wonder, “when will things turn in my favor?” It may feel like you can see it, but you can’t reach it yet. The Wheel of Fortune encourages you to stretch – possibly with this new creative opportunity supported by the Chariot and 6 Wands. Accepting the Ace instead of putting it off will make the wheel turn for the better.

 

The Week’s Comfort – Justice
I find the Justice card very much cause and effect in immediate ways, whereas the Judgement card is about longer life patterns. Since we have Justice here, if we take the reins, take credit where it’s due, accept a new creative opportunity that turns the wheel in our direction, the justice card tells us we will see tangible results in the short term, not just way down the road. That is our comfort.

This week is about paying attention to OUR roads and following that path, not being pushed off the path or pushed down a road for someone else’s convenience.

Did anything in particular resonate with you in regard to these cards? Or did you get a different interpretation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, September 8, 2025
Last Day of the Full Moon (and after the Lunar Eclipse)
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron, Uranus Retrograde

You may have a lunar eclipse hangover. If so, be extra kind to yourself. It’s not something you can just shake off. However, we have a waning moon between now and the next eclipse on the new moon of the 21st. All that stuff that you decided to let go of during the eclipse? Time to sweep it out, box it up, take it away. Make room in these next two weeks, physically and emotionally.

Uranus is now retrograde, which often brings up self-doubt, since Uranus is about our individuality. Instead of doubting yourself, look at how you’ve evolved over the past months.

This month, we’re using the Tarot of the Owls Mini Deck by Pamela Chen, with art by Elisabeth Alba. You can learn more about Pamela Chen’s work here, about Elisabeth’s work here, and the deck is available from Llewellyn. This deck was a gift (back in March, for my birthday), and I’m excited to spend the month with it.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.

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.

Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort

The Collective Energy of the Week – The Moon
With yesterday’s lunar eclipse barely in the rearview mirror, this makes a lot of sense. The collective energy of the week is about discerning reality from illusion, and trusting your intuition to help you find the difference. The small creatures in the card look to the owl for guidance, and the smiling moon has the owl’s back in every sense of the word. Trust your intuition.

 

The Week’s Challenge – Ten of Swords
Ouch. There’s a good likelihood someone is going to stab us in the back this week. Be careful. Rely on the intuition aspect of the moon rather than the illusion to protect yourself. I also find that the 10 of Swords comes up for me when other people are trying to get me to adjust my needs/schedule/priorities to fit their agendas, rather than taking what I need and want into consideration. At least it’s a 10 and not a 3; you’re almost done with this person/these people. Stay strong. Hold boundaries.

The Week’s Opportunity – The Devil
This is a really interesting card to come up in the “Opportunity” slot because of the negative associations with the card. The Devil is about being bound by physical concerns. This devilish owl, complete with horns, holds a pair of rodents in his claws. But if you look closely, at least one of them is in the midst of being dropped/escaping. Where are you hiding behind bonds, and where can you let go? What serves you best right now, especially in light of the previous two cards? There’s an opportunity in feeling “bound” by something. It might give you the reason you need not to agree to someone else’s agenda (10 Swords) because of a previous “bond” or promise denoted by this card.

The Week’s stretch – Queen of Pentacles
This week, you might fall into scarcity mindset, between the Moon, the 10 Swords, and the Devil. The Queen of Pentacles reminds you there is plenty around, there is an abundance. It doesn’t have to be about scarcity. Other people might try to create scarcity, but use the opportunity of the Devil to outmaneuver them to return to the self that honors the Queen of Pentacles.

 

 

The Week’s Comfort – The Empress
This is another card of bounty, abundance, comfort, and feminine power. Between the Queen of Pentacles and the Empress, it’s assured that the negatives presented by the 10 of Swords and the Devil are illusions. Peel back the veil, let moonlight and intuition guide your powers and you will find comfort and abundance.

In other words, be aware of others trying to manipulate and mislead you this week for their own purposes, and don’t accept it. There are three Major Arcana cards out of the five card reading, which means big energy this week. Trust yourself.

Did any of this resonate with you? Or did you interpret something differently? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, Sept. 1, 2025
Waxing Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron Retrograde

Welcome to a new month! We’ve got that lovely Virgo energy supporting us in getting things done, in spite of all the retrogrades.

Uranus joins the retrograde parade on Sat. the 6th this week, making us question our individuality and where we fit in the collective. On Sunday the 7th, there is the full Harvest Moon, along with a lunar eclipse.

Last week’s reading was so incredibly relevant in my life that I had to laugh. But at least I had information with which to navigate the week, which helped.

Being a new month, we are also using a new deck. This month, we’re using the Tarot of the Owls Mini Deck by Pamela Chen, with art by Elisabeth Alba. You can learn more about Pamela Chen’s work here, about Elisabeth’s work here, and the deck is available from Llewellyn. This deck was a gift (back in March, for my birthday), and I’m excited to spend the month with it.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.

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.

Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort

The Collective Energy of the Week – Hanged Man
The Hanged Man is about looking at things from a different perspective, as our owl does, upside down. It’s also about not rushing into anything. Take your time in looking at the different angles. Don’t be pushed into anything. I love that this is the very first card of our September readings, with the autumn foliage.

 

 

The Week’s Challenge – Two of Pentacles
The Two of Pentacles is about keeping things in balance and in flow. The owl stands, one foot partially raised, as though about to take flight. The two pentacles are above him, evenly spaced, and within the infinity symbol, indicating a need to keep things in balance and in flow. This is in the challenge position, so there may be pressure to focus on something to the exclusion of everything else. Remember that you can have periods of intense focus, then step back, catch your breath, and keep everything else that needs attention in flow and in perspective. Since this is the suit of pentacles, it’s also about tangibles. I find the 2 of Pentacles often warns me to keep the tangible and the intangible balanced, and not tip too far into one or the other.

The Week’s Opportunity – Nine of Pentacles
The 9 of Pentacles is about achieving abundance, security, and pleasure on the physical plane. You have plenty. It is yours, it is secure, it is not a negotiation. You can take a breath and enjoy it. Look for that this week, as part of looking at things from different angles, and keeping your life in balance.

 

 

The Week’s Stretch – Judgement
In this position, the card builds on the three cards prior to it. Look at things from a different angle, keep them in balance, take a breath to enjoy what you’ve achieved, and use your own good judgement this week. Judgement is close to the end of a Major Arcana cycle. Tie up loose ends. Don’t leave things unfinished. The are doors that need closing, chapters that are done in our lives this week. The previous cards indicate that things are ending on a positive note. The owl in the picture is blowing a horn at the other, smaller owls below to shake them up a bit, and make sure they are alert.

The Week’s Comfort – The Fool
This makes sense, coming after the Judgement card. The Fool is about new opportunities, and taking a chance. The comfort is knowing that the closing chapters of the previous card make room for something new and wonderful. Whatever is ending, it’s time to let go, and step off the branch into something new.

Did anything in particular resonate with you? Or did you find something different? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, August 18, 2025
Waning Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron Retrograde

We are in the waning days of summer, here in the Northern Hemisphere. There will be a New Moon on Saturday, the 23rd.

It’s been hot and humid and uncomfortable where I live, but this week should give us some relief.

This month, we are using the Tarot de Marseilles. This particular tarot is one of the earlier decks, with these designs becoming popular in the 18th century, with the Marseilles name coming into use around the middle of the 19th century. There are various versions of the history of this deck, and I encourage you to read as much about the history as you can.

The minor arcana decks focus on the suit and the number, rather than creating illustrated scenarios, the way many other decks, especially modern ones, do. Some people prefer this more ascetic version of the Minor Arcana. Others find it easier to interpret and find meaning in more detailed scenes. Play with different decks, and see what works best for you. I find I am drawn to different decks depending on what I need in a reading, so sometimes one type of deck works better than another for a specific question.

The deck I’m using was a gift, and is published by Fournier, in Spain. You can learn more about their decks here. This deck does not have specific artists credited.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.

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.

Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort

My overall sense of the week is that it’s about practicality and dreams. Note I do not say “vs.” I do not believe the cards are in conflict for those. I believe the week is about using the energies of each to support the other. Let’s dig in!

The Collective Energy of the Week – 6 of Pentacles
Last week, this card was in the “Opportunity” slot. This week, it has moved into the Collective Energy for the week, which to me means that we welcomed the opportunity offered last week and are using it for collective generosity and success this week. That’s a lovely progression, and an indication that our individual positive actions do make a difference.

 

The Week’s Challenge – 8 of Pentacles
Show up and do the work. This card keeps coming up regularly, no matter what the month or the deck. Show up. Do the work. Take pleasure in your skills. Let’s face it, we’re all tired. But consistency will feed into the success and generosity of the 6 of Pentacles.

 

 

The Week’s Opportunity –3 of Pentacles
You/we don’t have to go it alone! In fact, we make stronger progress when we work together. You’ve honed your skills, you keep honing them, you share the wealth, and you show up. This week will give you an opportunity to make a leap of progress with others that will strengthen the work, the success, and the generosity for everyone. Go for it!

 

 

The Week’s Stretch – The Ace of Cups
Again, I will mention how much I love this card. The castle of dreams is supported by the solid base of the cup. This is one of my favorite Ace of Cups depiction in any deck. It was in our reading last week as the Challenge. This week, it’s moved into the Stretch position. You may need to do work that is not directly connected to your castle of dreams this week with others, in order to forward a collective good. But carve out some time, every day, to envision your castle of dreams. There’s something wonderful forming around it, even though it’s not quite ready to manifest yet.

The Week’s Comfort – L’Ėtoile (The Star)
The Star is a beautiful card of hope and inspiration. It heals, it turns dreams into reality. There’s a balance between the flows of the two vessels and the river. The week may require a lot of work, both personal and collective, but it will be worth it in the end. Maybe not by the end of the week, but it will have a fortunate result further down, while giving us a sense of hope and accomplishment within the week.

Did anything in particular resonate with you? Or did you get something different out of the reading? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Monday, Aug. 11, 2025
Waning Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Chiron Retrograde
Mercury goes Direct TODAY

Hello, and welcome to another week!

Mercury goes direct today, which means some of the chaos will lessen. Today may still be a little tumultuous. I find the day Mercury goes retrograde and the day it goes direct often throw curveballs. But know that things get easier when it comes to travel, communication, tech, and clarity of thought.

This month, we are using the Tarot de Marseilles. This particular tarot is one of the earlier decks, with these designs becoming popular in the 18th century, with the Marseilles name coming into use around the middle of the 19th century. There are various versions of the history of this deck, and I encourage you to read as much about the history as you can.

The minor arcana decks focus on the suit and the number, rather than creating illustrated scenarios, the way many other decks, especially modern ones, do. Some people prefer this more ascetic version of the Minor Arcana. Others find it easier to interpret and find meaning in more detailed scenes. Play with different decks, and see what works best for you. I find I am drawn to different decks depending on what I need in a reading, so sometimes one type of deck works better than another for a specific question.

The deck I’m using was a gift, and is published by Fournier, in Spain. You can learn more about their decks here. This deck does not have specific artists credited.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.

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.

Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort

The Collective Energy of the Week – 2 of Cups
The collective energy of the week is all about partnership! It could be romantic or creative. Whatever it is, it brings joy and strength to both involved, and is a cause for celebration. Make time to create, discuss, visit, dream with someone else. Since it’s in the “collective” position for the week, it indicates to me that there’s a collective desire to create something wonderful and beautiful out of all this chaos.

 

The Week’s Challenge – Ace of Cups
Having the Ace in conflict with the Two is interesting. It may mean that each of you from the earlier card has a different new project you want to prioritize, and you may need to discuss it and compromise. It may mean you come up with something on your own that you don’t want to share yet, or something that you want to work on as a solo project. Nurture that, but give it some time to percolate while you work on a group project. I love the colors in this card. I love the castle perched on top of the cup, encouraging big dreams. I love that the base of the cup is strong and wide enough to support the castle, so the dream won’t tip over. The dream is wonderful and meaningful. It might not be the week to act upon it, given that it’s in the challenge position. Nurture it, let it grow, but don’t let anyone talk you out of it. This card is one of my personal favorites in this deck, and I love to meditate with it.

The Week’s Opportunity – 6 of Pentacles
This card is about sharing the wealth. It doesn’t always mean money (although it can). It means any sort of tangible resource. Maybe you have extra notebooks or zucchini or sunflowers and can share with those around you. It will feel good to share, and it will help someone and make them happy without making them feel indebted to you. It’s a genuine sharing with no strings moment. Take pleasure in it.

 

The Week’s Stretch — Roy de Deniers (King of Pentacles)
The King of Pentacles reminds us that there is enough for all. We don’t need to hoard. Although he can sometimes fear taking risks, he also knows how to equitably distribute wealth and goods. There may be times when you worry about your resources, and the King is here to reassure you that there is enough for everyone. The Kings in this deck look self-satisfied and a little smug, which makes me laugh.

 

The Week’s Comfort – Cavelier de Deniers (Knight of Pentacles)
The Knight of Pentacles reminds us that even if we feel pulled in several directions this week, staying the course will get us where we want and need to go. He’s got his eye on the prize, so to speak, facing the Pentacle in front of him. Slow and steady wins the race, and if you feel like progress isn’t happening fast enough this week, comfort yourself knowing that you are on the path, and as long as you keep going, you can do it.

Did anything resonate particularly with you, or do you have a different interpretation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Monday, August 4, 2025
Waxing Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Mercury, Chiron Retrograde

Hello, and welcome to a new week!

We’ve survived the first two weeks of Mercury Retrograde. Next Monday, the 11th, when we reconvene, Mercury will go direct.

Last Friday was Lammas, the first harvest. We are moving towards autumn.

This month, we are using the Tarot de Marseilles. This particular tarot is one of the earlier decks, with these designs becoming popular in the 18th century, with the Marseilles name coming into use around the middle of the 19th century. There are various versions of the history of this deck, and I encourage you to read as much about the history as you can.

The minor arcana decks focus on the suit and the number, rather than creating illustrated scenarios, the way many other decks, especially modern ones, do. Some people prefer this more ascetic version of the Minor Arcana. Others find it easier to interpret and find meaning in more detailed scenes. Play with different decks, and see what works best for you. I find I am drawn to different decks depending on what I need in a reading, so sometimes one type of deck works better than another for a specific question.

The deck I’m using was a gift, and is published by Fournier, in Spain. You can learn more about their decks here. This deck does not have specific artists credited.

If you’re new to the weekly readings, this is a spread of mine. It’s read from left to right, 5 cards. Any card that needs more interpretation can be built into further, above and below, with either more tarot cards, another tarot deck, or an oracle deck.

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.

Left to right, the positions are as follows:
1. The Collective Energy of the Week
2. The Week’s Challenge
3. The Week’s Opportunity
4. The Week’s Stretch
5. The Week’s Comfort

The Collective Energy of the Week – Roy D’Épée
This is the equivalent to the King of Swords in other decks. This week’s energy is about looking at things clearly and rationally, and cutting away what no longer works. There’s a bit of a clinical eye to this card, rather than an emotional one. The collective energy of this week is ruled by the head, not the heart. (I’m not sure why it’s spelled “Roy” rather than “roi” but whatever).

 

The Week’s Challenge – 4 of Swords
The 4 of Swords is about the need to rest in order to recalibrate and regain one’s strength. There will be demands this week which make that difficult, and it’s important to carve out the time to rest, even if it seems impossible.

 

 

 

The Week’s Opportunity – Valet D’Épée
This is the Page of Swords. The Page of Swords offers intellectual curiosity that can clash with authority. As you cut away what you no longer need, you make room for new curiosities, and follow some of those passions. Just make sure you get enough rest! (Tying these three cards together). I often find the Page of Swords warns me there’s gossip in the air, so keep an eye out for gossip, and don’t get caught up in it. If there’s gossip directed at you or about you, be the King of Swords and cut the offenders out of your circle.

The Week’s Stretch – La Roue de Fortune
The Wheel of Fortune is upright, which means things are turning for the better. Again, this ties to cutting away what is no longer necessary to make room for something new, and, in this case, better. Because this card is in the “stretch” position for the week, it may not be obvious at first that things are getting better. There might be a glitch (hello, Mercury Retrograde) as it turns to bring around a more positive cycle. Hang in there. Use your intellect to make decisions this week.

The Week’s Comfort – Valet De Deniers
For all the headache-inducing thought we need to put into the week, the Page of Pentacles comforts us that diligence pays off. There’s relief coming in very tangible ways.

Every other card in this spread is a court card (called “honeurs” in this deck). Intellect leads to tangible results. There’s a single Minor Arcana, telling us to carve out rest and recouperation time, and a Major Arcana, the Wheel of Fortune, telling us things are getting better, although there might be an obstacle or two in the way still.

This week, leading up to Saturday’s Full Moon, is about steadiness and careful thought. Lead with your head, not your heart this week, in spite of the Venus placement in Cancer, that makes us want to go squishy. Make sure the place you rest is a beautiful, tranquil bower, and leave the other emotions for another week (Venus will be here until August 25).

Does anything in this interpretation resonate? Or did you get something different? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.