The following is a communal tarot reading for understanding and direction during the month of August, 2020.
This month brings a move from learning and observing into doing, an urgent request for us to attend to our own needs as a basis for being of use to the world, and calls to action with merciless demands of accountability—even from ourselves. The universe is supervising us.
I hope you’ve rested up.
It’s clear to all of us by now that we’re living in a world fundamentally changed from the one that existed at the turn of the new year. Most have realized by now that there is no going back, not entirely, not really.
The Chariot is central to this reading and brings with it the lessons of decisiveness. Hopefully by now we’ve gained a bit of clarity on our lane in life: where we can be of the most use. And now we are required to start down the road, swiftly, and without looking back. It also points out with glaring accuracy the untenableness of colonizing and conquering attitudes.
The charioteer is determined, but does not run on their own two feet. Rather, they are pulled by horses, rolled along on wheels, carried. The effort is internal, and in essence managerial.
How are we managing our momentum?
This month doesn’t allow for a lot of trepidation. “Hesitantly” isn’t an acceptable adjective for anything we do right now. It’s time to trust that we will be able to change, course-correct, evolve, and adapt on the run—rather than trying to perfect ourselves before taking the first step. And in order to be ready for the journey, too, we have to be nourished and strong in our bearings.
Giddy up.
For a deeper dive, please read on for a break-down of the spread.
A Closer Look
I like to start with the top and bottom cards, which represent what is needed—what we need to grow cultivate with effort—and what we can already rely upon as our supportive, protective grounding and root system.
Our foundation, what we can rely on happening without us putting energy into it, is represented here by the Two of Wands. Is there some creative daydreaming bubbling up for you right now? Perhaps a new project, collaboration, or an entirely new vocation is whispering to you. This could also represent a new dimension of sexual opening or revelation. Many of us currently have a little bit more time on our hands, or have reassessed our priorities, desires, and the realities of a changed world. There’s no need to put specific efforts into setting aside the time or mental space for these considerations, plans, or fantasies—they will take up the space they need all on their own. Trust.
Conscious cultivation this month comes in the form of Arcanum XX (20), Judgement. What a whopper. We don’t get to keep floating, wavering, and endlessly considering possibilities. Judgement calls us forth into startling new territory and insists on our involvement. Now is a crucial moment of intent, intense, listening to what is being asked of us, along with the absolute best follow-up we can muster. Now is a time to set aside fear, discomfort, and fear of discomfort in order to build and birth the world we want to exist.
The Seven of Swords is representative of where we’re coming from, our recent past, the latest phase from which we are emerging—and which we’ve hopefully learned from. It is a phase of energetic - if a little frantic - mental activity, teaching, and learning from each other. This is a paradoxical card of active receptivity in the interest of bettering the world. We take everything in, perhaps too much at times. We are laser-focused on what needs to be dismantled as well as constructed, but also steadfast in an approach to both that maintains compassion at their centers.
The Chariot —also a seven, mind you— is representative of our present, and our essence in this moment. The number seven shared with the card showing us our past, shows that we are closer to where we’ve been than where we’re going, AKA, we’re just now starting out on a new part of the journey. In this particular deck, the Chariot is even looking to the left, to their past. Whereas the seven of swords called for active receptivity, the Chariot asks for active activity. Act! Our new journey is hard and fast, and asks us to move decisively on what we’ve learned toward a new future.
The Queen of Pentacles is representative of the oncoming phase, where we’re heading. She comes with a boon to offer as well as a warning. This queen reminds us that in order for movement to be sustainable, we each must be sustained. She begs us to check in with ourselves and our well-being. Are we taken care of? Has our oxygen mask been put on first? Are we forsaking our basic security on an altar of martyrdom? Who does this serve? The queen suggests that giving everything you have away only brings you to a place where you can no longer give, and ruthlessly holds up a mirror to ask if our motivation for doing so is to be relieved of the duty to continue giving.
Major Messages
I tend to view major arcanum cards as holding more weight in a reading than the others, the messages might be more urgent or primary, or their warnings more fierce.
In this reading, our cultivation card (Judgement) and central card (Chariot) are the major messages. This puts the emphasis on acting. As we saw with the two of wands, planning and ideating don’t need our effort. Those things will hum in the background no matter what we do. It’s acting that requires our acute dedication.
You’ve dreamed up the work, learned what the work is, talked about “doing the work,” but have you gotten to work yet?