Author: Cerridwen

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.

Monday, July 28, 2025
Waxing Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Mercury Retrograde

Happy New Week! We’ve survived Mercury Retrograde so far, and have 15 more days to go.

Chiron goes retrograde this week, on the 30th, until Jan. 2 of next year, giving us a chance to heal old wounds.

Lammas is next Friday, the first of the harvest festivals, starting to pull us farther out of the light portion of the year towards the darker half.

Last week, I definitely used lots of basil for just about everything!

We’re using the Herbal Tarot for July, from herbalist Michael Tierra and artist Candis Cantin. I’ve had this deck since the mid-1990’s, and just love it. In fact, I used it during the month of June for ancestor work. In addition to the meaning of a particular card, it pairs with an herb that you can use to navigate the card, and, in general, with which to expand your herbal knowledge. You can learn more about Michael here and about Candis here. You can buy the deck here.

This is our last week with this deck. We will switch to a different deck for August with next week’s reading.

Since I am not a certified herbalist, I will focus on the spiritual meaning of each herb rather than the medicinal. If you are interested in the medicinal properties, which are discussed in THE SPIRIT OF HERBS guidebook that goes with the deck, I encourage you to invest in that book, research the herbs in other reliable texts, or consult with a certified herbalist.

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 – Knight of Pentacles
The Knight of Pentacles makes progress, but it’s slower and more methodical than many of the other knights. He takes his time, considers every angle, and makes measured decisions. Reliable, loyal, and patient, he takes longer to get where he’s going, but it’s worth it. After last week’s Eight of Wands quick-moving energy, a slower energy this week is a welcome relief. It allows us to enjoy the energy of the herb Elecampane, which keeps us grounded and reminds us of our inherent worth and beauty.

The Week’s Challenge – The Lovers
This is an interesting card to have in the “challenge” position. The Lovers often demands a decision. The previous card, the Knight of Pentacles, reminds us not to make hasty decisions that may bring regret. Look at both sides of the issue (taking both of the Lovers into account) and make a balanced decision. Don’t allow a partner to push you into a decision before you’re ready. Parsley is the herb associated with this card, balancing yin/yang energy. If you’re eating with others this week, add a little parsley to the food to keep things in balance.

The Week’s Opportunity – The High Priest
The High Priest is about traditional, institutional structure. It’s about teachers, both inner and outer. This week, there’s a chance to learn something from someone who has a traditional background, but you can funnel it through your own inner teacher to process it. Maybe use some sage for this, the herb connected to this card. Whether you burn some sage or sprinkle fresh or dried sage on your food, connect with the herb as you process new information slowly (Knight Pentacles) and don’t rush into a decision.

The Week’s Stretch – Eight of Pentacles
The 8 of Pentacles is about showing up and doing the work, whatever that work may be. Take pleasure in your skills and your craft. With the new knowledge you gain this week, and the time you want to take to process it properly, you still have to show up for your commitments. Enjoy the work this week. You may be distracted and feel like you just want to sit and think. Build in “sit and think” time, but also do the work you have to do. The herb associated with this is ginger. Ginger’s warmth will help fuel the fire in your work. It’s also considered a money-drawing herb (cinnamon gets more attention for this, but ginger works, too).

The Week’s Comfort – Five of Cups
Again, an odd card to turn up in this particular position. The 5 of Cups indicates loss and grief. However, although two cups are spilled, three are still intact. Grieve the loss, acknowledge your feelings, but also look to what’s left and what you can create out of what’s left (cups are creative vessels as well as emotional). Horsetail, the herb associated with this card, makes room for the grief, and also helps it flow through. The loss you might mourn this week may be an old one, not necessarily something that occurs this week. Give yourself the time and space for that mourning, while also looking ahead to the creation of the next cycle. Take your time, look at issues from different angles, be willing to learn from others and process that learning through yourself, show up and do the work, and integrate the grief and loss and you prepare for the next cycle.

Did anything in particular resonate for you in this reading? Or did you get something else? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Monday, July 21, 2025
Waning Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Mercury Retrograde

We are in Mercury Retrograde, and, with the other retrogrades, it’s making us slow down. A lot. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Check and recheck everything.

I have more thoughts on Mercury Retrograde and how it often affects me in last week’s post. I’m also seeing a lot of astrologers online gleefully telling us how much the next few months will suck, with the retrogrades.

Here’s a thought: How about if they don’t?

Yes, things will be more complicated. But what if we choose not to buy into the hype and panic? What if we are more careful in thought, word, deed, and slow everything down? When we hit a challenge or an obstacle, we say, “okay, not thrilled with this, but this is how we’ll deal with it” and then we do?

I have no idea if I will succeed in this intention, but I at least want to set it and try!

I took great enjoyment in both the Star and the Moon last week, even though there were some obstacles in the week.

We’re using the Herbal Tarot for July, from herbalist Michael Tierra and artist Candis Cantin. I’ve had this deck since the mid-1990’s, and just love it. In fact, I used it during the month of June for ancestor work. In addition to the meaning of a particular card, it pairs with an herb that you can use to navigate the card, and, in general, with which to expand your herbal knowledge. You can learn more about Michael here and about Candis here. You can buy the deck here.

Since I am not a certified herbalist, I will focus on the spiritual meaning of each herb rather than the medicinal. If you are interested in the medicinal properties, which are discussed in the THE SPIRIT OF HERBS guidebook that goes with the deck, I encourage you to invest in that book, research the herbs in other reliable texts, or consult with a certified herbalist.

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 Eight of Wands
This card was the collective energy card back in the July 7 reading. It’s about things in motion. Once they start, their momentum accelerates, and things move quickly. Other decks have all eight wands flying in one direction. This deck has four and four pointed toward the center, which means things are moving fast, so focused attention is required. Sassafras connects to the throat chakra, helping with communication (always a good thing when Mercury is retrograde) and protection from negative “thorns” coming your way.

The Week’s Challenge – Two of Wands
The two of wands is about planning with purpose. The figure holds a globe, looking for their place in the world. Why would this be a challenge? Because planning with purpose takes time and focus, and the previous card suggests things may be happening quickly that want to pull our focus from this planning. In other words, we may have to deal with something happening quickly when what we want to do is sit down and make a plan (either on what’s happening quickly or on something else). However, this is a two, which is a card of balance. Basil is also the herb, an herb of love, prosperity, healing, and harmony. A chef with whom I studied once said, “no one ever sends back a dish for having too much basil” so liberally use basil in your cooking and around your home this week!

The Week’s Opportunity – King of Swords
The King of Swords ends a cycle, by rationally cutting away what is no longer necessary. This week contains the last few days of the waning moon, with the moon turning new on Thursday, the 24th. What do we need to cut away, once we’ve analyzed it and decided its purpose? The herb associated with this card is St. John’s Wort, one of my favorites. It aids in calmness and clarity, and protection. Somewhere in this week’s challenge of wanting to plan while things are moving swiftly, we have the opportunity of clarity and cutting away something that is no longer needed to make room for better as the moon turns from dark to new.

The Week’s Stretch – The Hermit
We are in the Year of the Hermit, so this card comes up frequently. This indicates that, with all of the three previous cards demanding our attention, it will be a stretch to build in the quiet time we want and need. But we should do it anyway. We can’t light the path for others if it’s still murky to us. Licorice is the herb with this card. I, personally, am not a fan of licorice and rarely use it in my own work, but it’s another calming, clarifying herb. If you enjoy it, make some time this week to sit on your meditation cushion and chew on a stick of licorice as you think things through.

The Week’s Comfort – Ten of Wands
Another wand card. How can the 10 of Wands, a card of carrying so many sticks, be a comfort? Because it indicates nearing the end of a cycle. Just hold on. You’re almost there. I know, in my case, I have to soldier on until Aug. 2, and then I can finally rest for a day or two, before picking up my next batch of sticks! Stick to priorities, avoid distractions, and keep on keeping on. We’re almost there! Prickly ash bark helps one transition from feeling like an overburdened victim to a rooted sense of responsibility and coping. I’ve used this herb as a tea, and I’ve also sat in meditation with bits of the bark in my hands.

This week’s reading has three wand cards, a court card, and one Major Arcana. The focus this week is on the daily details with passion and commitment to your true self. The Hermit demands that you block out some time to sit and think, but the rest of it is about balancing priorities and making decisions as things move quickly.

It has the potential for being the good kind of busy!

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

Monday July 14, 2025
Waning Moon
Pluto, Neptune, Saturn Retrograde

Happy new week!

In addition to Pluto and Neptune Retrograde, Saturn joined them yesterday. Saturn is the planet of life lessons. It’s about direct responsibility for action. If you keep making the same mistakes without growth, Saturn retrograde is when you will get a good slap about it to make you pay attention. Saturn is a strict teacher. Saturn demands you pay attention, learn, and then APPLY what you learn moving forward. It’s less about what you want than what you need.

On Friday, Mercury goes retrograde. It’s been in shadow for a couple of weeks already, and has been kicking my ass. I generally try to ignore the shadow period of Mercury Retrograde, or else there would be six months of the year going cattywampus, and who has the time or energy for that? This time around, though, I’ve been struggling since the pre-retrograde shadow began.

My mantra for Mercury Retrograde is, “Stay low, stay quiet, go thrift shopping.” For me, I need to be even more careful in listening (it’s a time for miscommunication). It’s a time to be simpler and clearer when I speak (for the same reason). It’s a time to stay quiet unless what I have to say matters in the moment (for the same reason). Travelling somewhere? Give yourself lots of extra time on both ends of the appointment, because travel tends to get messed up. Don’t stack appointments. Back up all your tech. Confirm and reconfirm appointments and meeting plans. WHEN they get messed up (and it will be ‘when’), take a deep breath and start over. Don’t snap at someone for getting confused. If they get grumpy with you, this is a time to let it go and let it flow. When it comes to shopping, it’s a great time for sales and thrift shopping. It’s a terrible time to buy any big ticket items, tech toys, a car, a house, a washing machine, a computer, etc. Try not to sign any contracts. If you have to, take extra time to read the fine print. But try to put it off until after Aug. 11, when it turns direct.

Mercury is in Aquarius in the first house of my birth chart, so when it goes retrograde 3-4 times a year, things really go haywire. I try to clear my calendar as much as possible, put my head down to work, and isolate. I can’t this year, because I have commitments that require creativity, communication, short travel. So I just have to adjust.

Last week’s reading resonated. Things happened fast, I had a small victory, there were multiple frustrations that needed to be looked at from a different perspective, so I didn’t chafe about someone else’s control, and I felt, in some respects, that I was building a solid foundation. How did it shake out for you?

We’re using the Herbal Tarot for July, from herbalist Michael Tierra and artist Candis Cantin. I’ve had this deck since the mid-1990’s, and just love it. In fact, I used it during the month of June for ancestor work. In addition to the meaning of a particular card, it pairs with an herb that you can use to navigate the card, and, in general, with which to expand your herbal knowledge. You can learn more about Michael here and about Candis here. You can buy the deck here.

Since I am not a certified herbalist, I will focus on the spiritual meaning of each herb rather than the medicinal. If you are interested in the medicinal properties, which are discussed in the THE SPIRIT OF HERBS guidebook that goes with the deck, I encourage you to invest in that book, research the herbs in other reliable texts, or consult with a certified herbalist.

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 Star
I’m always happy to see the Star in a reading, because of its message of hope. Energies are flowing, and they’re doing so in harmony. Red denotes vitality and blue receptivity, so our figure contains both. She sits on earth near the water. The star in the sky illuminates the work, leads the way, and promises hope for the future. This deck encourages meditation for inspiration in connection with the Star. Skullcap is a calming herb, and can aid in meditation. This card gives me a sense of peace and purpose. For the collective, we could certainly use some hope this week, so let’s be on the lookout for it!

The Week’s Challenge – Two of Pentacles
The 2 of Pentacles is about balancing the inner and outer worlds. Dance to integrate them (either literally or figuratively), and let them flow to feed each other within the infinity symbol in which they rest. That’s a more holistic choice than having the inner world in conflict with the outer world. Don’t get so caught up in one that you forget the other. Even though this is a pentacle card (earth), there is water in the art, tying it to the earth, water, and flow of the previous Star card. The challenge this week will be to dance with the flow, rather than to get stuck either in your head or in the practical details of the day-to-day. Give yourself room for both.

The Week’s Opportunity – The Moon
The moon is about understanding the difference between intuition and illusion. I’ve seen far too many interpretations over the past months focusing on the negative side of the card and illusion. Illusions can serve as inspiration, as long as we stay grounded, and don’t let those put on us by others be used to manipulate us. Moonlight illuminates differently than sunlight, and we can see things from a different perspective. Moonlight can also create illusions that come from our subconscious; understanding and interpreting them can be useful. The moon is also deeply connected to intuition. Intuition has come up in these readings time and time again over the months, with the message: Trust your intuition. Our opportunity this week is to understand the root of our illusions, use them for inspiration, and then trust our intuition above what others try to impose on us. The herb associated with the moon is lemon balm, which is one of my favorites. I love to have it growing because of its calm beauty, and I enjoy lemon balm tea. It’s good for getting back into emotional balance.

The Week’s Stretch – Queen of Wands
The Queen of Wands is confident without being arrogant. She knows who she is, and she creates from a deep place of passion and identity. The white cat approves! White cats often symbolize positivity. Raspberry leaf is a wonderful, gentle herb, and makes a beautiful, restorative tea. It’s also tied to intuition, supporting the previous card. The reason it’s in the stretch position this week is, with Saturn going retrograde, there will be times you need to remember who you are. Stand in your power unapologetically. That will help you while inspiring those around you.

The Week’s Comfort – Knight of Cups
The Knight of Cups brings joy, compassion, and creativity out into the world. It’s time to move forward to bring dreams into reality. The warning of this knight is to avoid getting caught up in immature relationships that will pull you off course (lean into the Queen of Wands energy to help with this). When you start to feel overwhelmed or unsure this week, dig into the creative, compassionate energy that makes you uniquely you, and find comfort in that. On a spiritual level, Sarsaparilla allows you to clear emotional energy and express your feelings.

Two Major Arcana cards, two Court Cards, and only one Minor Arcana card, the latter of which encourages balance. It’s definitely a week to enjoy the positives of retrograde energy, which is about slowing down and paying attention.

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