Tarot, Sex, & Hoodoo: A Black Girl’s Guide to the Underworld

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The Moon. La Luna.

When the moon is full, I do not have to wear fuzzy socks. The feel of wood, carpet, or crisp sheets beneath bare skin does not send electricity up my spine, through the soles of my feet. I rub the soles against my legs and feel naked. I honor my senses and do not push past them to become normal. I am not a normal girl. I am a feeling one.

I make offering and the nectar of a peach drips down onto my fingers and clings to my wrists.

The fan blows noisily in the background. It reminds me of summer visits to the city, far away from my Grandmother’s swirling quilt. Its patterns are printed like diamonds of acid trip. Red, yellow, green, black… that melt into hands steepled into a roof praying her children will never leave. There are far too many monsters beyond church walls and rows of planted greens.

On the road, two men are barking like dogs and blocking the path.

Sometimes, when the tide is low, I am afraid of loud men.

I take a bite of collard-soaked cornbread and it warms my body, like liquor, causing me to finally drop my shoulders. Was I holding them tightly all this time?

The Sun. El Sol.

Floodwater. Stained cement. A challenge: one I often only meet when there is something bigger, or at least more luxurious, than the fear.

A hug, the hair on a peach, an ice cream cone, or a song pulls me back inside and demands the attention of the nerves on my skin, the taste on my tongue, the pressing of my lips, the need for my gaze.

I take the senses and walk to a woman at the edge of a forest glowing in Sun.

I ask her “Why is it so hard to love me? And why can’t I stay inside of my skin?

The card turns to an image of a man riding a white horse dressed in black, like a shadow touching flesh as dark as my own.

Death. La Muerte.

Women like me love the question: “Why?”

Like, “Why did you wrap my body inside of your country’s flag and call it love?”

Ace of Swords.

I’m in love with a boy I made in my dreams. When I turned sixteen, I traded imaginary friends for lovers.

There were no pink skirts or dances with my Father.

The Devil. El Diablo.

I closed my eyes and left my body when he made love to me.

The worst part was, he thought the sex was good.

Queen of Swords.

Sometimes, I wish that I was the kind of pretty that the world thought worthy of protecting.

I try not to sweat out my edges when we dance and I do not sigh too loudly when you touch me. I check my makeup and prepare myself for a money shot that never comes.

The truth is, the sex is better ugly.

Seven of Swords.

Dear God, please do not tell my secrets. They pour from the knot in my throat when your lips linger across my breasts and when my dark nipples roll softly between your teeth. Love me until the lies I tell are real. They are merely a wish.

Just reach between my legs and pretend you are surprised when you find a cock.

Los Enamorados. The Lovers.

Where are you?

Temperance.

A band of men cut a tightrope.

I fell to Earth with black wings on a dance floor.

One of my feet touches a sacred lake, the other is blessed with dirt of the First to walk it.

Judgment.

God answers.

Page of Cups.

You listen to God, but like a dream, the words recede when you wake.

Three of Swords.

A person can never seduce you if they are too afraid of becoming you. Do you remember what it felt like to be seduced? Has anyone ever tried?

“No kissing.” He holds hands over his lips as a ransom of human, something that maybe he will give back to you if you meet him in secret. The lines between his hands and mouth form a border, like countries, between “you” and “woman.” “Only humans may cross.” Women who are not real shift back into hunger and many more reaching hands.

Do you remember seduction with love on the other side of it, instead of fingers through a gate? When it wasn’t you doing all the work to be loved, like a promotion for bleeding? Do you remember what it is like to be sexy, instead of missing parts reserved for human?

The Fool and the Knight of Wands.

I search for the missing parts, until I find a man with a big voice who promises me the world if I dress in the right pair of shoes. He is inside, tying my mouth closed with the corner of a white flag and waving the other end of it across the window in surrender.

There are others outside shouting for demands from criminal bodies on bullhorns. “Step outside of the bathroom with your hands up! You are in the wrong body.”

I search in books for the terms of engagement within the hostage situation between my own pleasure and the fetish the world wants to dress me in.

There is a cliff.

I jump.

The High Priestess.

What is behind the curtain of shame and names that no longer belong to my shedding skin?

I pull this veil and find pomegranates seated behind a door to the Underworld and a book with the secrets of how to travel back from Death & fetish to “woman.”

La Reina de Copas.

“Emovere.”

The water finally stops rising and swirls into glass.

There is a reflection in the mirror and I stare until she moves. Now the girl humiliated into quiet is trapped inside with the man who thought he could pull her into Hell. He holds onto her doll-like limbs as she drowns him in the current of leaving flood.

I fix my hair and I laugh at the things on the other side of glass.

The World. El Mundo.

I paint a mask with monsters and stitch feathers to my hips.

I stitch the beads into a prayer I wear to hide the knot in my neck & throw it to your lover in the crowd.

I dance and when people call my dead name, I spin in place of turning, because the memories they have of me were never my own. They belong to the wrong side of a mirror the world tried its best to trap me in.

To them I leave their nations and pass beneath the garland of my Mother’s crown, naked…

A Lenten Summer. A needle in an arm. A text message. A carnival release.

A Hot Girl Summer.

A woman, or something like it, breathing fire as she lifts her wings from Hell.

Tarot 101: A Beginner-Friendly Exploration of the Major Arcana’s Three Lines

This post features cards from the Next World Tarot by Cristy C. Road.

When diving into the major arcana of the tarot, that classic Fool’s Journey of 22 archetypes and teachers and pivotal moments, it can be overwhelming to look at these larger-than-life figures and begin to unpack what they might mean for you. Each of these cards offers endless depths of meaning, tradition, and associations — and especially if you’re just getting started, you may worry that you’ll never be able to read without multiple books or sources by your side.

Fortunately, tarot cards have been around for hundreds of years, and in that time a lot of brilliant scholars and thoughtful researchers have given us a variety of methods for working with this tool. There are a lot of different ways to dig deeper into the major arcana, like looking at astrological and numerological correspondences, paying attention to elements and energies, or simply working with the cards one at a time. Analyzing the majors as one giant, winding story may feel like an immense undertaking — but if we start to break this journey into smaller chunks, taking these archetypes one line at a time, it becomes a bit more manageable. And in grouping the cards together in a few different ways, we can understand the full story more clearly, and can also find new levels of nuance and magic within our tarot readings.

The major arcana is made up of 22 cards, but the very first archetype, the Fool, is assigned the number zero. Zero is the number of beginnings and endings, of infinite potential and boundless freedom, existing everywhere and nowhere all at once. When we translate that energy to the Fool, we find a figure that exists outside of the rest of the majors; an archetype that, as Rachel Pollack says, serves as “the animating force giving life to the static images” of the other cards. The Fool begins the cycle that is the major arcana, serves as our avatar though this cycle of evolution, letting us follow along on their strange and wondrous adventures. The journey cannot exist without this figure, yet we can find this energy dwelling between every card in the major arcana, intertwined throughout every shift and choice. At its core, the Fool is the energy and intention that propels us forward.

Because the Fool is so distinctively different than the rest of the deck, in looking at the major arcana as a whole it makes sense to let this card stand apart. And in setting the Fool to the side, we are left with 21 archetypes: 21 figures, 21 stories, 21 energies.

In laying out these 21 cards, we can immediately sort them into two different groupings: three groups of seven cards each, or seven groups of three cards each. By looking at each of these sets of groupings, we can start to note similarities and patterns, and tug on the collective threads that link these archetypes together.

Traditionally, the three phases of the major arcana are defined as such:

1. The Self / Personal Awareness (Magician through Chariot, cards 1-7)
2. The Collective / Personal Influence (Strength through Temperance, cards 8-14)
3. The Cosmic / Personal Evolution (Devil through World, cards 15-21)

In viewing individual cards through this lens, you can dig more deeply into definitions and interpretations, and find personal meaning in each of these cards. Traditional understandings of these cards are important, but the ways that you identify and connect with these cards also hold a lot of value — and if you’ve been struggling to understand how each separate archetype contributes to the full story, this can be a useful place to begin.

In the first line, we take time to understand who we are, what we want, the things that drive us and the dreams that inspire us. This is a time of self-discovery, of personal awareness, that helps us find our place and purpose in the world.

• We begin with the Magician, a figure of rich potential and boundless opportunities, who celebrates the Fool’s big idea and shows them all of the resources they can access, all of the magic they carry, all of the paths forward they can follow.
• The High Priestess helps the Fool practice discernment, listening to their intuition and inner wisdom as they choose between these various paths, giving themselves space for reflection and awareness before acting.
• Once the path has been identified and selected, the Empress offers joyful abundance, creative expression, rich manifestation as this idea begins to become tangible and take up space in the world.
• The Emperor (known as the Teacher in this deck) takes all of that raw goodness and helps to clarify and refine it, introducing structures of safety and foundations of stability that help us continue to build with intention and ambition.
• The Hierophant (known as the Messenger in this deck) introduces the Fool to traditions and history, showing them what kinds of ideas have come before, encouraging them to be a student and collaborate with others even as they expand and explore.
• The Lovers urge freedom, giving the Fool access to rich partnership and reminding them that they are allowed to break free of the old ways, that gathering information and personal experience has deep value.
• And the last card in this row, the Chariot, shows us breaking free of established boundaries with intention, protecting ourselves even as we shift into a new method of growth and creation.

In the second line, we begin to tap into a deeper understanding of how our actions, choices, and ideas impact the people and systems around us. We recognize our place in society and the world, understand the influence we can have, and learn to navigate different methods of belief, movement, and change.

• Strength reminds us that speed is not always the most valuable thing, that sometimes we need to take time to ponder and plan before moving forward rather than letting ourselves get swept up in the opinions of others.
• The Hermit shows us the value of stepping away from the collective at times, gives us the ability to ask ourselves the hard questions and prioritize self-discovery even when surrounded by brilliant, inspiring people.
• The Wheel of Fortune taps into collective cycles, reminding us that we are a small cog in a large machine, that what goes up must come down again.
• Justice helps us recognize the need for equality, fairness, ideals, and shows us the difference between believing something will work and seeing how it actually plays out in the world.
• The Hanged One (known as Suspension in this deck) is us coming up against a roadblock that we cannot navigate, forcing us to stop and surrender, to give up any illusions of control even as the world keeps moving around us.
• Death brings loss, a permanent shift, a natural and inevitable end to a relationship, dream, situation, or belief, forcing us to grieve and grow.
• Temperance, our final card in this line, represents a time when we are learning to find moderation between what we want and what we need, establishing our place in the world in a way that sustains and nurtures us.

The final line becomes more spiritual, less clearly grounded in the world we live in and more concerned with our evolution on a cosmic scale. These cards feel larger than life, broad and deep: they push us to consider the ways that we embrace transformation, the times that we allow ourselves to grow in response to our experiences.

• The Devil pushes our limits, asks us to consider the destructive behaviors and indulgent choices we make that challenge and stimulate us, forces us to identify how much control we really have over anything.
• The Tower (known as Revolution in this deck) is a grand collapse, the recognition that the old foundations we established for ourselves are no longer functional or useful, a breaking free from old constraints or beliefs or ambitions.
• The Star is hope and healing, a new perspective on our future, an opportunity to leave the rubble of our old life behind and begin to pursue something that is in deeper alignment with who we are.
• The Moon represents dreams and fears, illusions and fantasies, the wildness that we so rarely allow ourselves to explore and the ways that our imagination alters our perceptions of the tangible world.
• The Sun is celebration, abundance, the integration of the brightest and deepest parts of ourselves, a sense of powerful contentment in our present even as we sense the change on the horizon.
• Judgement offers true awareness, forgiving our mistakes and misunderstandings, being willing and able to fully step into a new, evolved version of ourselves and leave that old self behind without regrets.
• And the World, that complex and elusive archetype at the end of the major arcana, is a full and complete acceptance of who we are, a release of fear, a celebration of all of our gifts and magics.

People spend their entire lives studying these archetypes and still find new things to uncover and unpack, so if this feels overwhelming, don’t fret — you’re not alone. But in seeing these distinct lines as phases within a larger cycle, as beats in a complex and joyful evolution, we can find new meaning within them. If the Lovers feels out of reach, put it into the context of personal awareness, of the ways that partnership and community and information-gathering help us understand who we are and who we are not. If the Hanged One doesn’t resonate, remember its place in the cycle of personal influence, and consider how stopping when the rest of the world keeps moving around us changes the course of our work, play, and growth cycles. If the Moon leaves you baffled, think about its role in personal evolution, the ways that our fears and fantasies help us expand our vision of what is possible, the comfort and discomfort that collectives have with the things we cannot fully define or understand. Placing these archetypes in the context of their line in the majors gives us a new lens to view them through.

In the same way, laying the major arcana out in these rows of seven also creates groupings of three, each of which have fascinating commonalities.

• The first group of Magician / Strength / Devil shows us potential: potential for expansion, potential for steadiness, potential for destruction. What we choose to do with that potential is up to us.
• High Priestess / Hermit / Tower are all moments of choice: will we reflect, will we isolate, will we flee chaos or will we find freedom within that chaos? How do we handle multiple options, and when are we forced to adapt?
• Empress / Wheel / Star are moments of deep awareness and hope, as we understand how we show up in the world, and allow ourselves new perspectives on what we have to offer. Each of these cards gives us a glimpse of abundance, of possibility, of connection.
• Emperor / Justice / Moon examines existing systems, challenges what they can be, and asks what happens if we leave them behind entirely. How do systems protect us, and when do they stifle us? How much power do we really have over the foundations we use?
• Hierophant / Hanged One / Sun asks us to be entirely present, and to consider how growth, stagnation, and celebration occur in moments of awareness. What do we learn about ourselves when we simply observe?
• Lovers / Death / Judgement represents times of permanent shift, when our consciousness evolves and we begin to see the world through an entirely new lens due to connection, loss, or forgiveness. Each of these cards offers us a different kind of freedom.
• Chariot / Temperance / World, our final trio, shows us what can happen when we’re willing to learn from what we have endured and experienced, the deliberate choices we can make when we take everything into consideration and honor boundaries, balance, and self-love.

Again, you might find different threads that connect these groupings — or you might not resonate with what I’ve written here at all, and instead have different keywords, definitions, discoveries that link these cards together. But in giving yourself the chance to play around with these different groupings, to find the similarities and differences between them, you can begin to create meanings that resonate with you, and understand what these different archetypes may be able to offer.

Which of these types of groupings do you resonate with the most? How do putting the cards together in different ways help you find similarities between them? What does the act of separating the major arcana by phase or line emphasize for you? Which other grouping systems do you like to use to understand tarot in new ways? Do any of these groupings feel hard to relate to or not make sense? Let me know in the comments!

Let’s Get Grounded: A Tarot Spread and Reading for Finding Our Footing

This post features cards from the Modern Witch Tarot.

Grounding can be both incredibly simple and wildly complex. It’s usually shorthand for getting in touch with our physical senses, reconnecting with our bodies, and finding a sense of safety and calm in the present. But in a broader, more spiritual sense, grounding can mean giving ourselves gifts of compassion, grace, gentleness, self-love, and awareness of what we truly need. In tapping into our energetic centers, in giving ourselves the space to acknowledge where we are, we can step more fully into ourselves, and honor the people that we truly are.

For me, grounding acts as a sensation of being tethered to a place, a practice, a purpose — the certainty that we are wholly present in our bodies, not lost in thought or swept up in passion or drowning in emotion. It’s feeling every inhale and exhale, feeling our bodies sit in stillness, feeling our hearts pumping blood through our veins to sustain us. We feel peaceful, powerful, certain of who we are and what we are doing. At its core, grounding is a sense of true balance, the knowledge that we are safe and supported, the awareness of the roots that tether and anchor us.

Yet there are so many ways that this deceptively simple idea can get derailed. When we start out on a new journey, leaving old comforts behind, it can feel both exciting and confusing as we stumble along an unfamiliar path, looking for tethers to keep us safe. When we hit a bump in the road, experience loss or lose our way or discover that what we wanted is not actually possible, it can leave us feeling like we’re floating in space, not knowing what we can grab on to. And even when we do meet our goals, even exceed them, sometimes the lack of movement or the feeling of finality can feel draining, as we wonder what is next for us.

And while there are plenty of exercises that can help us find our center again, from meditations to yoga to exercise to sleep to sex to a great meal, tarot cards can be a brilliant tool for grounding. Readings and time with our intuition can offer us insights into what has us feeling lost or unsupported, and can remind us of the strength and magic that we already carry. If you’ve been feeling aimless, confused, uncertain of your next steps, my latest spread can help you find that sense of calm purpose to get you back on track, to remind you of your resilience.

For this reading, our wonderful editor-in-chief Carmen has graciously agreed to let me share pieces of her reading with the Autostraddle community. My hope is that in seeing how this spread can work for her, you feel empowered to use it for yourself.

Where have you felt lost or insecure?

Ace of swords

Aces always represent beginnings, the start of a new cycle — but they also speak to the full potential present in a suit, the magic and energy and possibility inherent within this particular element. Swords are tied to air, which represents the mind, communication, truth, authenticity, wisdom, knowledge, and information, so this ace helps us to recognize just how much power our perceptions can hold. With the ace of swords we consider the ways that a flash of intense insight or awareness, a brand new understanding of a particular challenge or situation, can change everything about where we are — and can also alter what we believe is possible for our future.

As you look forward and consider all that stretches before you, all of the changes and joys and struggles and uncertainties, the number of pieces that you don’t fully understand yet may be throwing you for a loop. This card asks you to take strength and power in the clarity that you do feel, to honor the endless potential that is crackling within you, and to trust yourself to figure it out as you go.

What helps you feel solid and confident?

The Hierophant

An archetype of tradition and history and the only major arcana card in this reading, the Hierophant represents a sense of purpose and power, the knowledge that we are following a path that was carved long ago. This is a teacher, a mentor, someone with wisdom greater than their own experience — they help us tap into collective knowledge, a past that is anchored by a deep system of roots and practices. In this position, this card indicates that you are likely someone that finds comfort and a sense of empowerment in connecting with larger traditions, tapping into personal magic and wide-spread practices that allow you to feel like you are communing with energies larger than yourself.

Where do you find your strength?

Ace of wands

It’s so lovely to see another ace here, indicating that you are indeed at the beginning of an important and transformational journey. Wands is the suit of fire, connected to the soul, passions, desires, willpower, creativity, movement, creation, and drive. And as you sit here crackling with fire, burning with potential, this ace wants to remind you that you find your strength in your creativity.

How often do you give yourself space to play, to seek joy, to embrace pleasure? What captures your imagination, stimulates your senses, activates your inspiration? Whether it’s a hobby, a talent, something you do for fun or something that you have turned into a career, your sense of natural fire and passion is something that motivates and sustains you, something at the core of who you are.

What is a first step you can take towards grounding?

Seven of pentacles

Our last card in this reading, the seven of pentacles is connected to both celebration and assessment, an opportunity to step back from movement and consider where we are, and where we want to go next. Pentacles is the suit of earth, a particularly appropriate element for this reading as it is tied to the physical body, health, wealth, career, finances, sensuality, pleasure, family, home, and the world we inhabit. And when we talk about grounding, we often think about our feet planted firmly on the earth, about the people and places and objects and habits that help us remember who we are, and where we belong.

This card wants you to remember the power that you wield, the effort that it’s taken, and to take time for reflection and pleasure in where you are now. But the seven of pentacles also gives you space to adapt and change, if you need to. When you think back to the goals you originally set, the dreams that you have been working towards, your path may have had to shift or bend or even go in a completely different direction at times. How do those initial intentions match up with where you actually are right now? Do you feel behind, ahead, or right on track? Have you adjusted your goal, perhaps even fully changed it? And how does it feel to recognize the ways that you have adapted along the way?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments! What practices help you feel more grounded? Which rituals allow you to tap into your inner strength and deep personal magic? What has reading with this spread helped you recognize and celebrate about yourself? Let me know!

Queer Tarotscopes for Gemini Season 2021: What Do You Have to Learn about Choice and Connection?

This season’s tarotscopes feature The This Might Hurt Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

After the fiery burst of inspiration and ambition from Aries, after the focused determination and sensual drive of Taurus, Gemini season brings a spirit of exploration, expansion, and discovery. The sign of mutable, adaptive air, Gemini is the social butterfly, the connector, the “onward and upward” energy that encourages us to embrace a sense of freedom, magic, and authenticity. By indulging our curiosity, by being willing to stand on our own two feet, Gemini invites us to ask questions, take chances, and gather as much information as possible. And in this rigorous process of joyful seeking, we often learn more about ourselves, and the things than drive us, than we ever thought possible.

Like all mutable signs, Gemini is known for their flexibility, their ability to dance and weave through new obstacles, their willingness to compromise and adjust and learn as they go. Adding the element of air to the mix gives this sign an intellectual fluidity, a sense of creativity and development that encourages investigation and experimentation over solid, sure-footed movements. And while we needed the strength and deliberate movement of Taurus to get us onto a steady path, Gemini allows us to take that foundation and begin to brainstorm where we can go next. Once we have a safe place to land, we can soar even higher, test out new patterns and procedures, learn everything we can about all of the possibilities at our fingertips.

When we keep these ideas about Gemini in mind, it helps us see the Lovers through an entirely different lens. An archetype typically associated with partnership, balance, and choice, the Lovers follows the Hierophant’s sense of tradition and community learning, but takes it in a new direction: one that lets us begin to blaze our own trail. After honoring our roots, establishing personal rituals, and making space for the unknown alongside a figure of knowledge, with the Lovers we allow ourselves to wander more fluidly through those lush mysteries, to find those that we connect with most deeply and imagine what we could create together. There are decisions to be made, ideas to be tested, desires to tap into — yet in making space for the love that we crave, for the truths that we know in our bones, we can celebrate who we are as individuals instead of conforming to the world around us. How do you want to be seen? What matters to you, and how does that impact your choices?

Love is not as simple as a crush, as romance, as happily-ever-after. The Lovers do not represent a perfect fairytale, two soulmates that live in a dreamy wonderland of perfection and beauty. Instead, this understanding of love speaks to the ways that we define community and connection for ourselves, the power in owning the full depth and breadth of our identities, the vulnerability in allowing ourselves to be exposed to people we trust. There is freedom in the choosing, in the paths that we explore, in the space and weight that we allow love to hold. And rather than simply accepting whatever we are given, Gemini and the Lovers want us to interrogate our desires, to recognize what is truly driving us forward, to celebrate the spaces and places and ambitions and communities that encourage us to be our full, complete selves. What does it feel like to be seen, truly recognized for the person that we are? What does it mean to stand with confidence in our present, to be open to whatever future may be on the horizon? How do we create our own path? And in what ways does love inspire us, helping us imagine bigger and brighter opportunities for ourselves?

As we consider our cards for Gemini season, keep both the archetype of the Lovers and the significance of the number six in mind. In numerology, sixes are connected to harmony and movement, healing and solutions, acceptance and joy. What do you truly love about yourself, and how does that love manifest in your work, your play, your relationships, your ambitions? Where do you find pleasure in your present, and how is that shaping your dreams for the future? Nearly every card this season sits in the middle of a cycle, urging us to consider where we are and what we are pursuing. Where did you begin, and what have you achieved? How are you finding joy in process? Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, planet of information and communication, so if you know your placement for this planet you can also include that for a more complete picture of your season.

After a six-month hiatus I’m open for custom tarot readings again, so head to my website to book your reading with me. I’ve also recently published a single-card study on the Fool, part of an ongoing series, and am working on my first class. Check out my daily writing and card draws on Instagram, and you can get my latest tarot writings and updates delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my newsletter. Lastly, head to my website for larger spreads, writings, and to purchase my four original e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Happy Gemini season!

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Aries

Nine of wands

Your natural fire may feel like it’s in overdrive this season, as ideas keep tumbling forward, bolstering all of the progress you’ve made towards your biggest goals. You’re so close to reaching that big finish line, yet your attention may feel a little bit scattered, your energy starting to wane even as your enthusiasm stays blazing. How do you care for yourself during stressful times? What helps you find balance, support, restoration? The things that you want are within reach, but it’s not worth completely burning out in order to achieve them. Perseverance is an admirable quality, but not when it comes at the expense of everything else.

It’s likely that you have resources available to you, community help or powerful encouragement that can give you what you need to keep going. Where might you benefit from an outside perspective to help you get organized, manage your time and energy in a way that sustains you? As you work to overcome any final obstacles, how are you prioritizing restoration?

Taurus

The Sun

Your season may have brought a rich sense of transformation, as you shed an old identity or pattern and leaned fully into whatever is next. And on the heels of that beautiful and necessary transition, Gemini season offers a new sense of clarity, purpose, and joy, asking you to take pride in where you are and recognize the deep clarity that you are experiencing. What has been revealed to you, and how is it shifting your perspective on your dreams, wishes, and hopes for the future? What have you learned about yourself, and how can you give yourself permission to let your needs take up space? Chase pleasure this season, exploring the activities and communities and ambitions that bring you a pure sense of delight. What do you really value, and how can you continue to prioritize it? How are you reorienting yourself towards the things that matter most? What are you acknowledging within yourself for the first time, and how does that allow you to leave old shadows or fears behind?

Gemini

Three of wands

Happy birthday, Gemini! It may feel this season that brilliant creative ambitions are beginning to clarify, as the ideas and planning that you’ve been working on start to manifest in tangible, exciting ways. Yet you may feel impatient for growth to happen more quickly, wishing for the things that you want to achieve to appear overnight. Anticipation can help us to understand what it is we really desire, to hone in on what is most important — so as you look towards that far-off horizon and dream of all that is ahead, pay attention to the emotions that bubble up, to the longings that reveal themselves. What are you really hoping to create? How does this particular dream intersect with and build upon previous accomplishments, or contribute to future ambitions? The track that you’re on is a brilliant one, and the things that are clicking into place can help you figure out exactly what will be best for you. How can you use your skills of collaboration and community to bolster your own joy? Where might combining your sparks with those around you build all of your flames to greater, more sustainable heights?

Cancer

Three of cups

You have so much to celebrate, and this season may find you sharing your joy with the people that matter most to you. Cancer is so often associated with boundaries and protection, yet when you share your heart, the love and intensity within you is beautiful, expansive, and powerful. What points of connection have you established, and how can you allow those relationships to continue to grow and flourish? What do you give to those you love, and how do you receive those gifts in kind? After the challenging growth you experienced last season, this is an opportunity to be deeply, perfect present. And in the process of connecting more deeply with others, pay attention to how your energy shifts and amplifies, to the ways that reciprocity creates sustainable flow. What about your life do you love? How do you feel seen by the people you trust, the ones that know your heart and soul? Where have you received encouragement, and how can you continue to give support to those who need it?

Leo

Eight of cups

Last season may have felt particularly stable and safe, as you reveled in the community you’ve built and celebrated the successes that you’ve found along the way. But sometimes in recognizing all that works, we also identify the pieces that don’t quite fit, the dreams that no longer resonate, the relationships that may be doing more harm than good. And this season, you may find yourself preparing to walk away from something that once felt intensely important, something that is now holding you back.

If this idea scares you a little, that’s okay — endings can be challenging, and after everything that you’ve put into this particular ideal or connection, you may want to keep trying, keep pushing. It may even hurt your pride to think of leaving this behind. But when you’re really honest with yourself, when you think through all the ways that you’ve twisted yourself up in order to make something work, what are you still trying to accomplish? Sometimes the healthiest, most productive thing that we can do is to choose ourselves, to prioritize our needs rather than catering to someone else’s. How can you show yourself love, grace, and compassion? What is it time for you to do?

Virgo

Page of pentacles

In this season of flexible energy, you may find yourself craving a beginning, longing to make a shift or explore a new passion. Perhaps you’ve been imagining something new, dreaming about making a change or expanding your experience around a certain topic. And while time spent in reflection can be great, this season wants you to actually begin building the things that you want, instead of just planning them. How often do you give yourself full permission to experiment? It’s not necessary for you to have every single detail ironed out before you get started – instead, taking this opportunity to open multiple doors, peek through windows, to wander and question and even get a bit lost. What might you discover if you stop limiting yourself to specific kinds of progress? How can you learn by doing? There can be so much joy in the process of seeking, particularly when you are open to many kinds of discoveries. What sensations do you trust? How can you make space for new experiences?

Libra

Seven of pentacles

You may have found yourself wrestling with some new insights recently, seeing a challenge, relationship, or ambition through a new lens. And while that kind of internal shift can manifest in a number of ways, this season may give you opportunities to evaluate where you are in a more grounded way, recognizing the process that you’ve made and the resources that you’ve created for yourself. How do you measure success?

Sometimes we get so fixated on our end goal that we overlook the slow evolution that happens during the building process — and Libra, you in particular can fall victim to the trap of wanting to make sure everyone around you is satisfied, trying to keep everything in balance at the expense of your own wants. If you have spent a lot of energy recently on movement, this may be an invitation to slow down, assess where you are, and consider if what you’ve been working towards is something that you still want. How have your ideas, your dreams, shifted? What new clarity may be impacting your ambitions? There’s no shame in making a change, so give yourself room to unpack your emotions and sense of authenticity. How can you be true to yourself?

Scorpio

The Fool

You are standing on the precipice of something exciting, new, transformational. What dreams have been bubbling up within you? What has captured your attention, demanded your focus, teased your desire? If you haven’t been able to stop thinking about an ambition, wish, or need, then this season may the moment to finally take that leap of faith and start moving in a new direction. Even if you aren’t sure exactly how you’ll get there, even if you don’t know precisely what that end goal would look like in reality, this is a moment to trust your intuition, listen to your heart, and start going after what you want.

You are someone that isn’t afraid to dig into the shadows, to explore the unknown — yet the Fool is bigger than just acknowledging the mysteries of the world. What parts of yourself have you never truly acknowledged? What longings, desires, needs, are you ready to finally address? How can you take the time and space to go after those most intimate wishes, instead of keeping them locked up inside of yourself?

Sagittarius

Six of swords

If last season left you feeling a bit cut off from community or support, this season may find you moving away from old challenges and embracing a new path forward. Sometimes we have to navigate choppy waters before finding that golden horizon, have to work through difficulties and overcome obstacles before we can see a clear path stretching out before us. And if you’ve been a bit discouraged with your progress, a bit frustrated by where you are, lean into this new sense of movement and power with joy.

Sometimes leaving a bad situation behind can bring up complex truths or unexpected emotions, from guilt to frustration to anger to grief. As much as you’re able, give yourself opportunities to actually process these sensations, instead of pressuring yourself to let them go as quickly as possible. Better things are ahead, but you have to choose, and keep choosing, to see the possibilities that are available to you. You’re so good at recognizing truth, at allowing yourself to pursue and inquire and explore — where are you ready to take a path less traveled? How can you move with authenticity, towards something that will serve you?

Capricorn

Ace of cups

You might not always think of yourself as particularly emotional, Capricorn — so often you are recognized for your ambition, your drive, your intentional efforts towards building a life that you can be proud of. Yet you are so much bigger than your work, than the ways that success is typically measured. This season, Gemini wants you to consider the relationship that you have with your heart, with love, with connections and communities and collaboration. How do you allow yourself to lean on others? What does it mean to be vulnerable, and how do you separate that from a feeling of exposure or weakness? There is an endless well of potential springing forth this season, inviting you to open yourself to new relationships, both with others and with yourself. And if you’re willing to engage on a richer level with your own endless depths, you may be surprised by all that you discover. How can you fully embrace a sense of hope, magic, intimacy? What delights you, and how can you make intentional space to explore those pieces of yourself?

Aquarius

Four of pentacles

Last season may have brought a heightened sensation of joyful movement, powerful creativity, and expansive collaboration — yet as you step into curious, flexible Gemini season, you may find yourself dragging your heels. As high as you’re capable of soaring, something may be keeping you tethered to earth, worries about having enough resources to keep yourself safe. You may even find yourself feeling a little stingy, reluctant to care for your physical needs and risk not having enough for the future.

Let me assure you, Aquarius, that there’s nothing wrong with being intentional about how we spend money, how we save, how we budget. And beyond finances, resources help provide comfort, pleasure, joy, security — all things that are necessary for our health and well-being. But in putting so much energy into protecting what you have, you may be forgetting the joy that comes from indulgence, from sharing and partaking, from treating yourself. How can you give yourself permission to live in the world, instead of protecting yourself from it?

Pisces

Page of wands

It may feel like you’re bursting with energy this season, with ideas coming faster than you can write them down and a desire to start as many new things as possible all at once. And after the hesitation that you may have felt last season, this will likely feel like a welcome change, an opportunity to leave sticky feelings behind and embrace a spirit of transformative creativity. This is a moment for courage, for experimentation, for finding joy in exploration and fresh starts. What is capturing your attention, exciting and uplifting you? Where are you eager to plant seeds, to collaborate with others, to brainstorm and play and celebrate everything new? Give yourself permission to pursue whatever feels like it has potential this season, but take care not to stretch yourself too thin — this is a time for fun, rather than for setting high expectations or committing yourself to too many projects. Where are you discovering magic? What is lighting your fire?

Queer Tarotscopes for Aries Season 2021: What Is It Time to Say Yes to?

This season’s tarotscopes feature The Gentle Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

The Gregorian calendar begins with January — but in astrology, the first season of the new year is now, with cardinal fire and Aries. This is a time of power, independence, fierce courage, intense focus; a season where we take all of the dreams and mysteries and rich emotion that we explored with Pisces and begin to build real plans around all that we have discovered. As we honor the spring equinox and Ostara, as we step fully into this time of planting and renewal, Aries is ready for us to jump into action and adventure.

It may feel like a jolt to get pulled from swirling, adaptable water to determined, flickering fire. The shift from Pisces’ compassionate, heart-forward connections to Aries’ bold, confident ambition can be jarring if we take it too quickly. But consider this: you’ve spent the last few weeks sinking into yourself, paying attention to the hopes and wishes that dwell within you, allowing yourself to fully feel all that your heart contains. You’ve made space for your longings, walked through your shadows, explored the rich mystery of your subconscious. You’ve identified the things that you crave, that you desire, and allowed those wants to take up space. And as we move into Aries season, you now have the chance to take those blurry, liminal visions and give them clarity, direction, purpose. You have the opportunity to make them tangible.

Aries is associated with the Emperor, an archetype of discipline and organization, boundaries and rules. It’s easy to feel frustrated with this card, to see it as an outside force that wants to block and restrict us, that demands that we play by rules that we have not created. But as I wrote last year, “Your plans, your dreams, your desires — they are allowed to expand and grow, to be something you devote time and energy to. By creating a real strategy for implementation, by thinking through how exactly you are going to achieve everything you want, you are demanding space for those goals, insisting that they are invaluable. The Emperor asks us to trust ourselves, to step into our destiny and our power and put our energy into manifesting the life we want for ourselves.” The Emperor doesn’t want us to cut ourselves off from the passions and desires that make us who we are — instead, the Emperor wants us to take those dreams seriously, to build ourselves structures and plans that allow them to come to fruition.

What dreams do you keep putting off? When you imagine the life you want, what excuses snap into place, keeping you from actually creating it? Sometimes the limits that we are struggling against are our own fears and doubts, restrictions that we are forcing ourselves to live within that cut us off from our biggest and brightest ambitions. What if you let yourself create your own rules? What if you openly and enthusiastically chased those big dreams, instead of giving up on them without even trying to make them real? What if instead of always telling yourself no, you believed that you are worthy of the things you want?

Aries marks the beginning of a new year, a new cycle, a new opportunity for growth and release and evolution. Who do you want to be this year? When you imagine yourself at your most confident, your most brilliant, your most courageous, what does that person look like? When you envision the life that you crave, the life you’ve been dreaming about, why do you think you can’t have it?

Our cards for this season all speak to being deeply present, to seeking balance, to not holding onto things too tightly. The Emperor may seem like an archetype that urges us to be in control of all things, but it’s important to remember that no one has power over every single aspect of their lives. How are you letting your thoughts, your concerns, hold you back? Where are you being called to surrender to the moment? In this season of Aries, believe that the things that you want are truly possible, and that you are worthy of them. Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Aries is ruled by Mars, the planet of ambition and determination, so if you know your Mars placement you can include it in this spread for a more complete picture of your Aries season.

I’ve done some recently writing that I’m very proud of, about grief, about difficult readings, about self-love. Check out my daily meditations and card draws on Instagram, and get my latest tarot writings delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my Substack newsletter. I’m still taking a break from client readings, but you can check out my website for larger spreads, writings, and purchase my three original e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Happy Aries season!

Aries

Eight of thunder

Happy birthday, Aries! Your season is all about embracing your boldest, most courageous and ambitious self — yet it may feel like you’re stuck, uncertain of which way to go, feeling like you are out of options. The good news is that you have far more power than you realize, and that the things that you’re tangled in are more powerful in your mind than they are in reality. The trick now is in untangling yourself, and for that, you’re going to have to be brutally honest.

What are you afraid of? What do you believe is holding you back? Why do you think that you have no options, or that the ones that have revealed themselves somehow aren’t real or accessible? You have as much power, as much freedom, as you want — you just have to believe that it’s real, and then reach out to take it. What truths have you been avoiding? How can you change your perspective?

Taurus

Four of stones

Last season was all about generosity and reciprocity for you, celebrating what you have and sharing with those around you — but this season you may find yourself wanting to retreat a bit, pulling back and feeling concerned about the amount of resources you have access to. There’s power in knowledge, and giving yourself the space to assess your finances, health, stability, and safety is a valuable thing to do. But isolating yourself from community, being stingy or even hoarding resources, will only make you feel more insecure about what you possess.

Balance can be a difficult lesson to learn, so be gentle with yourself as you consider the ways that you are protecting your body and your assets. Where are you being overly cautious, and where could you stand to create a few more boundaries? How are you in control, and where are you letting fear take over?

Gemini

The Lovers

You’re someone that is constantly generating new ideas, new dreams, new aspirations, so the focused determination and joyful ambition of Aries may feel extra potent for you, Gemini. Your birth card of the Lovers speaks of freedom in partnership, the ways that we discover and celebrate parts of ourselves through collaboration, exploration, and creativity. What new interests, passions, goals have revealed themselves during dreamy Pisces season? Which pathways or opportunities have been capturing your imagination? By teaming up with people you trust, by working in harmony with those that bring out the best in you, this can be a season of real progress. But bigger than that, this is an opportunity to stand in your truth, to recognize and honor all of the different parts of yourself. How are you utilizing your energy? Where could structures or boundaries help you find powerful creative flow?

Cancer

Ace of thunder

Pisces season may have felt especially lovely for you, with new dreams coming forward and powerful connections deepening in joy and intimacy. You’re someone that is fierce in your devotion once you let people past those walls, and it may be through one of these beautiful relationships that you find yourself stepping into a new phase of understanding. Shifts in perception or powerful insights can feel like heavy thunder and crackling lighting, illuminating truth in a new way, forcing us to stop what we’re doing and reconsider our plans based on this new knowledge. And while it can be hard to carry that experience forward, it may be that those around you will be able to help you navigate this new awareness with grace.

How open are you to receiving new insights? Is your mind unobstructed, ready to receive truths and information? It may feel that things start to look a bit different, that goals or relationships or patterns that once felt comfortable begin to shift in unexpected directions. Pay attention to your instincts, and honor challenges that come forward. How can you be fully true to yourself?

Leo

The World

You have undergone so many powerful shifts and essential transformations over the last few seasons, creating a stable and beautiful life for yourself, honoring your intuition, and embracing the things that you want. And after all of that work, for you Aries will be a season of celebration, magic, and rest. You are an evolved creature, someone who is able to stand fully and authentically in their power, and this is a time to reflect on just how far you’ve come. Did you ever think you would get to where you are? How have you learned to see yourself as whole, complete, beautiful? In what ways are you in tune with yourself? How does the life that you’ve built reflect the most powerful parts of who you are? This card does not necessarily mean that your entire life and self feel perfect — instead, this is an opportunity to recognize the work that you’ve done, the progress that you’ve made, the shifts that you’ve moved through. The universe is supporting your next step, so what will it be? Where will you go next?

Virgo

Temperance

After the flexible, transformative energy of Pisces, you may find yourself ready to jump head first into Aries season, creating structures and establishing patterns for how to move forward. But in your eagerness to achieve, don’t neglect the lessons that you’ve learned about balance, patience, and joy in the present. How do you make space for nourishment, rest, harmony? Where are you being called to exercise restraint or moderation? After the difficult choices that you may have needed to make last season, this is a chance to recenter your own needs, wishes, and desires, honoring all that is within you in a way that makes you feel strong. You may be discovering new aspects of yourself even as you move through familiar patterns, find new interests or intersections in passions that surprise and delight you. What magic are you discovering within yourself? Where might you need to give yourself more space to dream? When you stop putting all of your energy into controlled perfection, what new depths can you begin to explore?

Libra

The Tower

A major transition may be on its way, forcing you to adapt to changing circumstances more quickly than you may want. These kinds of shifts are rarely comfortable, and may feel painful or frightening — yet when the Tower arrives, it’s important to remember that all is not lost. The things that may be breaking, that may be changing or moving, are things that have needed to break. And while it may feel that you are in the midst of a storm, powerless and uncertain, this can be a necessary and even beautiful event.

The best thing that you can do for yourself is to stay calm, be gentle with yourself, and not fight the inevitable. There can be freedom in change, so let your intuition guide you, and try not to force something to happen that doesn’t feel right. What have you been fighting against? What have you been clinging to? You may find that the act of letting go feels better than you expected, and even gives you a chance to grab a new opportunity with both hands. How can you be open to growth? What does release give you the chance to explore?

Scorpio

Wheel of Fortune

You’ve been keeping your head down, focusing on your work and your goals, and it may feel that things are starting to fall into place for you. Call it luck, karma, good fortune, or fate, but the energies of the universe are coming into alignment, moving in a way that will give you energy, joy, and strength. What have you been working towards? What are your bigger ambitions, your most brilliant dreams? The magic that you’ve been creating is building towards something important, so keep going. When this card appears, it’s a sign that you are on the right path.

If something new manifests, an opportunity or possibility, pay attention — it’s possible that this is the thing you need in order to take that next big step. Potential still requires action, so this may be the right time to take a chance. What risk are you willing to take?

Sagittarius

Seven of thunder

So much of what you chase is truth — you want to understand, to explore, to experience. You crave knowledge, insight, awareness, always up for adventure if it brings you closer to clarity. But after last season’s new beginnings, you may now find yourself doubting all that you have discovered, wondering if someone is being deceitful or if you’re missing important clues. Where is this fear coming from? If you’ve been isolating, pulling back, afraid to confide in anyone, you may want to consider what is driving that behavior. Are you basing your actions on true perceptions, or is anxiety coloring your judgement? There’s no shame in being cautious, in wanting to protect yourself, but try not to get so caught up in fears of betrayal that you lose sight of what is real. How can you be honest with yourself?

Capricorn

Seven of cups

Aries may have you ready to spring into action, starting new projects and firing on all cylinders. And after working through complex truths and pushing past mental boundaries during the watery exploration of last season, you may now find yourself faced with a number of paths forward, a variety of options that you can pursue. It can feel exciting to consider different futures, to indulge in visions of all of the many possibilities ahead — but spend too much time daydreaming and you may find some of those options slipping through your fingers.

If you find yourself overthinking, getting tangled up in fantasies or losing track of what you really want, take a step back and release any pressure that you’re putting on yourself. Look at the pathways that stretch before you and listen to your intuition. What truly resonates? Which option makes you catch your breath in excitement, has you ready to spring into action? You likely already know what you want to do, so stop letting yourself get distracted and give yourself permission to go after your most dazzling dream. What are you ready to put your whole heart into?

Aquarius

Root of stones

Your ability to look at the big picture and imagine new worlds is a brilliant gift — but this season, you may find that you’re most effective when focusing on the details and putting in the hard work of building. Ideas and plans are necessary and important, but they require follow through and dedication to actually happen. For you, Aries season will be about taking all of those imaginative ideas and putting them into concrete action. How are you balancing dreaming with dedication? What are you putting your energy into, and how are those acts contributing to your bigger goals? If you feel yourself getting obsessive over small details or like you’ve lost the connective threads of what you’re doing, make sure you take a well-earned break before jumping back in. Work is important, but it isn’t everything. How can you keep yourself in alignment?

Pisces

Three of wands

As we shift from your season into the powerful, ambitious energy of Aries, you may find that movement and action feel exactly right. All of the dreams and wishes that you’ve been cultivating have space to grow, to manifest into something real. And if you’ve been itching to get started, this is the time to start putting those big plans into place.

Aries and the Emperor want us to be thoughtful about how we move — it’s not just about accomplishing as much as we can in a short period, but instead is about being deliberate in our actions, about planning and executing steps that will bring us closer to our goals. When you think about your ambitions and then look to the horizon, what do you see? What path will lead you there, and how can you follow it with purpose and intention? What and who can help support you along this journey? Don’t be afraid to think big, to keep your gaze forward — this is a time for listening to your heart, for honoring your biggest and boldest desires. What are you ready to pursue?

Let’s Get You Some Perspective: A Tarot Spread & Reading to Close Aquarius Season

When we look at the archetype of the Star, associated with Aquarius and this sign’s ruling planets of Uranus and Saturn, we find an energy of restoration, healing, awareness, and control. After the shifts from Death and the adjustments with Temperance, after the heightened awareness in the Devil and the chaotic freedom created by the Tower, the Star helps us make sense of the new world that we find in the aftermath. As the dust settles, as our heart rate comes back to normal, as we assess all that we have endured and consider what our next steps should be, the Star gives us permission to heal in the ways that we need, to leave behind the broken bits of our past and step into a new, more hopeful kind of future.

It’s not easy, this transition. We often talk about healing like it comes naturally, like it’s effortless, like it’s something that we always welcome with open arms and anticipate with uncomplicated joy. Yet grieving and acknowledging loss, walking away from the wreckage, believing in a better future — these are not simple, straightforward calls. Healing rarely happens without work and intention, and is not something that can be rushed through or glossed over. Sometimes we don’t want to heal, not right away, instead preferring to cling to our hurts and suffering. It can take time to recognize all that we need to release, to be willing to say goodbye to those things that have already been lost. When we finally get to the place where we can unfurl ourselves, release the tension in our bodies, stand up and begin slowly moving towards a new kind of future: well, the effort is nearly always worth the cost. But that doesn’t mean that the cost is always low.

The process of doing this can be framed in many ways, but to me, this shift from the Tower to the Star requires a massive change in perspective. It’s a slow, incremental adjustment from looking backwards or feeling trapped in the present to gazing forwards; the transition from analyzing a concrete past to dreaming of a flexible future. Again, this is rarely easy, and can require us to engage with a different part of ourselves, to amend the ways that we approach and analyze problems. But opening ourselves up to a new kind of perspective can change everything, and giving ourselves permission to leave old ways behind can help us become the kinds of people that we have always dreamed of being.

This new spread hones in on this idea of perspective, giving us space to explore where we might be feeling stuck or trapped, locked into a path that no longer feels quite right. This is an opportunity to try to look at things a bit more impartially, to be honest with ourselves about what is working, and to thoughtfully consider what we may want to pursue instead. As you prepare to read with this spread, remember that there can be a necessary coldness to the energy of Aquarius, as the strength required to pull back and assess things objectively can often only be done if we sharpen our mind and protect our hearts. But that doesn’t mean that while channeling it, we can’t still show ourselves grace and kindness, that we have to be harsh and ruthless, picking apart every single flaw or failure in our existing systems. We can recognize where growth is required, where change is needed, without abandoning the good bits. We can honor where we are still evolving, without disparaging mistakes that we may have made in our past.

My new spread can be used in a more general way, or you can tweak the language slightly if needed to suit a more specific question or challenge that you’ve been working through. To help you see how this spread can function in your own rituals and personal work, the brilliant Rachel has generously allowed me to share some pieces of a reading that I did for her using it. She chose the Next World Deck by Cristy C. Road for this reading.

Where have you felt foggy or unclear?

The king of wands is a fiery ruler, one who trusts their instincts and creative vision, who is always juggling a wide variety of projects and helping people collaborate in new and exciting ways. Yet in this position, this card indicates that you may feel burned out, uninspired, lacking ideas or inspiration or joy in what you’re building. Have you been feeling discouraged, irritable, unfocused? Are you blaming yourself for a lack of productivity or inspiration? When you aren’t creating new things, do you worry that your creativity has somehow been lost?

What system or structure have you felt trapped in?

Mirroring some of the insights from the first card in this spread, the Fool is an archetype of trusting the self and taking a leap of faith, beginning down a new path even if there isn’t a clear plan in place for how to achieve all of the dreams within your mind. And while this is generally representative of a new beginning, here it speaks to you feeling the need to constantly take chances, generate new pathways, open doors and explore new avenues for creativity, collaboration, and potential. Have you been worrying about the details of how you will achieve something? Have specifics on what you are working towards been hard to grasp or define?

What is ready to be broken and rebuilt?

Called the Emperor in more traditional decks, the Teacher represents structure and foundations, plans and organization. This card often speaks to rules and boundaries, to the things that can help us focus our energy and intentions — but it also speaks to mastery, to being an authority, to being able to make hard decisions and clarify our intentions around our work and dreams. This card may feel like an obvious answer, especially in this position — breaking down restrictive, traditional structures can feel really good, especially when they’re ones that feel deliberately harmful or clearly bring negative results. But the Emperor often represents rules or limits that we ourselves have created, speaking to a plan that we’ve made with the intention to follow. What old structures have you been working within, and how might they be limiting your growth? Where have you been afraid to challenge your old assumptions or rules, and how could shifting or even breaking them down completely give you space to evolve in new directions?

What is a first step you can take towards evolution?

The ten of swords is a card of victimhood, of giving up, of being so locked into one way of thinking that we have fully surrendered to the despair in our minds. It’s so dramatic as to be laughable, generally — when this card arrives it’s often a wakeup call to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and instead make an effort to get ourselves out of the situation we’ve surrendered to. But this can be a painful experience, and if you’re feeling this low, the cards are asking for you to be gentle with yourself, even as you work to escape your own mental limits. What assumptions are you working under? Where have you boxed yourself in? How might you be able to allow yourself freedom, and what old stories do you need to discard in order to do that?

With two cards of expansive movement and joyful freedom followed by two cards of boundaries, mental traps, and deliberate inaction, this reading is powerful but clear. Often we put limits or rules in place to protect ourselves, to give us a clear path to follow and a deliberate target to shoot for. But whatever old structures that you are still working within need to be adjusted, or perhaps even broken. Where do you feel restricted, suffocated, frustrated? Where have you let yourself get stuck, and how can you grant yourself permission to seek freedom? How are internal or external limits holding you back from new, exciting growth?

I hope that this spread and reading help you expand your own perspectives, prioritize healing, and find new ways to evolve. What old limits are you breaking? How can you move towards a new kind of future? If you use this spread, let me know how your reading goes in the comments!

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Queer Tarotscopes for Aquarius Season 2021: It’s Time to Find Your North Star

This season’s tarotscopes feature The Fountain Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

Friends, we now sit firmly in a new year. And as exciting as that flip of the calendar can be, in many ways we may still feel stuck in 2020, in the same broken systems and cycles that we’ve been struggling against for some time. We may be moving through a shift in political administrations here in the United States, we may be able to embrace 2021 with all of its intensities and imperfections as something new, but there is still much to do. Our work is not yet finished. As hard as that may be to hear, my hope is that in moving into this new astrological season, we can also invite in some fresh energy, find new outlooks, and consider this next year from another lens.

Our recent time of Capricorn encouraged us to consider where we exercise control and where we may be trapped by our own desires, to be honest with ourselves about what is driving our choices and shaping our actions. We’ve spent time considering our individual goals, our definitions of success, our long-term plans and the ways that we hope to make them tangible realities. And now that we have released an old habit or destructive pattern, whether by choice or necessity, we can step into the observant, perceptive, forward-thinking energy of Aquarius.

This fixed air sign has a reputation for being independent, unique, even eccentric. They’re often called the weirdos or aliens of the tarot, described as outsiders. But this oversimplification of Aquarius energy ignores so many of the pieces that make this sign brilliant, potent, and empowering. Aquarius dares us to dream of bigger futures and brighter ideas, to look carefully at our existing structures and consider how we can break and rebuild them, the ways that we can make them work for us. This is an energy that is objective and authentic, seeking truth, honoring both the reality of what is present and imagining all that is possible for the future. And while there can be a necessary coldness here, an ability to emotionally distance ourselves from what all that is happening, Aquarius allows us to think beyond the individual to the collective. What serves all of us? How do our personal dreams contribute to bigger networks, systems, communities?

Our archetype for Aquarius season is the Star. And in the fool’s journey, after the warnings of the Devil and the chaotic destruction of the Tower, the Star is a card we link to healing and recovery, to gentle awareness, to fresh starts. It’s a chance to view the world through new eyes, to take the lessons that we have learned about ourselves and our gifts and put them to new use, to set goals and dream dreams that reflect the people that we now are, rather than the people we once were. But after such a tumultuous, complicated, impossible year, the Star feels like it’s an opportunity for something bigger than individual, personal healing. We are being called to reimagine the collective, to consider what our larger future entails, to not be afraid to dream big and reconsider all of the broken things that have been revealed. What is really possible, not just for us but for all? What kind of world can we imagine for ourselves, if we release existing structures and cycles and allow ourselves to build something new? In the wake of the Great Conjunction, as we consider this new 200-year era of Saturn and Jupiter in air signs and the restorative energy of the Star, this season asks us to face our fears while taking a leap of faith, to be willing to innovate and think outside the box, to consider what we could be if we weren’t constrained by old ideas and priorities. What is essential, and how can we build around those pieces? What do we want to center, and what can we leave behind? What is our north star, and what does following that brilliant light really look like?

Collectively, our cards urge deep awareness, asking us to take our time and assess what is really happening, what we really have access to, what we really want. How do we untangle our own biases and perceptions from the truth? What helps us take a more objective viewpoint, and how often do we step back to evaluate the bigger picture? In this season of Aquarius, consider the ways that you facilitate healing for yourself, and the ways that that healing can be extended to broader communities and collectives. How do you show yourself care? How often are you fully honest with yourself, and how does that honesty give you space to grow in ways that are richly authentic? Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Aquarius is ruled by both Saturn and Uranus, so if you know your placements for these planets feel free to integrate one or both cards into your spread for a fuller picture of your Aquarius season.

I recently shared an essay on the numerology of 2021 here at Autostraddle, worked with Valerie Anne to explore the queerest moments of Critical Role in 2020, and I’ll have a new piece on negative card pairings up at Astrology Answers tomorrow. Check out my daily writing and card draws on Instagram, and you can get my latest tarot writings delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my Substack newsletter. I’m currently taking a break from client readings, but you can check out my website for larger spreads, writings, and purchase my three original e-books for learning tarot, including a brand new PDF of my popular Unlocking Archetypes major arcana card study.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Have a magical Aquarius season.

Aries

The Magician

For you, Aquarius season may feel like it’s bursting with ideas and inspiration, with your confidence flowing and a beautiful sense of purpose and energy manifesting in powerful, amazing ways. If you’ve been working towards something big, if you’ve been waiting to make a big step forward or take a big chance, this is the moment. Consider this the sign that you’ve been looking for, whether you’ve been consciously seeking it or not: the Magician is a big yes from the universe, a reminder of all of the resources at your fingertips, of all of the infinite possibilities that are stretching out before you. You have everything that you need to get started, even if you don’t completely realize it yet. What do you want to see, to do, to make, to create, to pursue, to become?

Taurus

Ten of coins

After the steady, comforting structure of Capricorn season, you may find yourself feeling stable, secure, and content in both your home and places of work. The choices that you’ve made, the ways that you have prioritized your energy and resources, are finally paying off, and this season will bring opportunities to celebrate everything that you have achieved.

In the midst of your joy and contentment, take some time to consider ideas of legacy. What have you been building? What do you want to be known for, remembered for? What ideas or projects or philosophies do you want to be associated with you, to endure beyond you? You often look to the past for anchors and inspiration, but Aquarius is all about the future, considering what is coming and what we want to build. How do you think about your personal footprint? What do you want to be known and remembered for? And how can you begin to establish those through-lines for yourself here and now?

Gemini

Three of wands

It may feel that the vision you’ve been building, all of those dreams that you’ve been clarifying and imagining, will finally start manifesting in the world this season. Inspiration has been flowing, new ideas building and collaborations bringing out new layers of magic and power — and as incredible as that sensation can be, as intoxicating as working with others to create complex projects and powerful ambitions is, don’t get so caught up in what you see in your mind that you forget to put it out into the world. What are you going to do with all of those ideas? How can you make them real?

Even if what you initially create doesn’t perfectly match the vision in your mind, try to cut yourself some slack. Right now your purpose is not to create something flawless and ready to share — instead it’s a time to see how it feels to make your dreams tangible, to let others interact with and experience them and provide new insights, new feedback, new suggestions. How can you celebrate every step of the process? How can you allow others to see all of the brilliance within you?

Cancer

Ace of swords

You’re someone that’s deeply connected to your heart center, but who doesn’t always allow others to see all that you’re feeling. Your emotions, your relationships, guide your choices and actions, shaping the world that you are building for yourself. But this season, you may find yourself thinking a bit more objectively, seeking truth in a way that relies more on perception and instinct rather than intuition and emotion. What has been becoming clear for you, and how does that impact the ways that you view your world? What changes have you been thinking about, and how would they shift both your everyday life and your future ambitions? Sometimes it’s tempting to ignore flashes of understanding or truth, to bury them deep and hope that we don’t have to deal with them down the line — but this is an opportunity for you to be honest with yourself, to recognize fully what it is that you need to do moving forward. How do your mind and heart work together? What do you need to address, and how can you do it in a way that honors all that you are?

Leo

Five of coins

With your independent nature and fiery confidence, you’re someone that isn’t afraid to stand out, to let your brilliance and magic and courage be seen by the world. But you may feel this season that you’re stretched a bit thin, perhaps lacking some of the resources or assets that you need to truly shine. As difficult as this sensation can be, and as hard as it is to be without something important, there’s a good chance that the things you believe you lack are actually available to you, if only you’re willing to accept them. Where is help being offered? Why are you reluctant to take it?

The urge to “go it alone” may feel overpowering, but in this case, stubbornly clinging to ideas of self-sufficiency may cause you to be making things harder for yourself than they need to be. Is it more important for you to do something by yourself, or for you to do it well? Pay attention to what you have access to, to the people that are extending a helping hand. What do you really need? And what do you already have?

Virgo

Seven of coins

For you, this will be a season of evaluation and awareness, for digging into the nitty gritty and carefully analyzing those details and processes in that way you do so well. Go back and review the plans that you made weeks or months or even years ago, reviewing your original visions and ideas, the objectives and ambitions that have gotten you to where you are now. Are you where you expected to be? Are you ahead of schedule, behind schedule, or have you shifted in an entirely different direction? Going off course is not a bad thing, but make sure that if you’re moving away from your original goals, that you do so with intention. Instead of giving in to panic or frustration if you aren’t where you wanted to be, take a beat to celebrate the progress that you have made. How are you showing yourself grace? What are you excited about? What didn’t work the way you thought it would, and how did you adapt? What do you want now, and how is that dream different than the one you started with?

Libra

Four of swords

If last season brought a flash of insight and truth, allowed you to see your world through new eyes and with a clearer perspective, Aquarius season may urge you to slow down on progress and instead take some time to process and recover. Where have you been pushing yourself? How has that work and the revelations that have come forward impacted you? This may be a season where you need to take some time to reflect on all that you’ve discovered, on the ways that you are already evolving, and create the space that you need in order to truly rest. You’re someone that naturally seeks out balance and harmony, that appreciates beauty, so give yourself permission to indulge your senses, to find places of comfort and pleasure, to reconnect with the activities and communities that make you feel happy and safe. How can you take care of yourself? What helps you treat yourself gently?

Scorpio

Ace of cups

It may have felt like last season revealed a lot of harsh truths, forcing you to look at yourself and your circumstances through a particularly sharp lens. And as comfortable as you are parsing through the shadows, sometimes it can be painful to have so much come forward so quickly. For you, Aquarius season may feel like a return to center, as you get more in touch with those intense emotions and consider what it is your heart may be trying to tell you.

A new connection, emotional journey, relationship, or revelation may be coming forward for you, urging you to open yourself up to possibilities and exploration. Where have you been curious? What has been captivating your imagination? This card is often an invitation to be more vulnerable than you typically allow yourself to be, to peel back a few layers of your natural defenses and allow yourself to be fully seen. What would it take for you to feel safe enough to show yourself completely?

Sagittarius

Ten of swords

Perhaps you’ve been wrestling with some difficult truths, or perhaps you’ve been getting caught up in spiraling negative thoughts — but whatever has been coming forward for you, it may feel like you are consumed by it this season. Sometimes we get so tangled up in our own ideas, in our perception of a challenge or situation or relationship, that we completely ignore the reality and instead become obsessed by our worst fears. On the plus side, things aren’t nearly as bad as you believe them to be. But the harsh truth here is that you need to pick yourself up, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and find a more objective viewpoint on what’s really going on.

There are many ways to deal with destructive thought patterns, but for most people, bringing in a trusted friend or therapist to help you get your head on straight can be the best way to understand what you need to do next. What are you really afraid of, and why are you letting those fears consume you? What side of the story have you been ignoring, and how does that shift the narrative that you’ve been clinging to? Get yourself a reality check, take some time for self care, and make a new plan for how to move forward. You’re going to be okay.

Capricorn

The Devil

As lovely and auspicious as it feels to have your birth card come up for you in this new season, especially on the heels of your own season, seeing the Devil may indicate that you have some unresolved business that still needs to be addressed. What came forward for you during Capricorn season, and did you actually deal with it? Or did you check it off the to-do list without doing the real work necessary to clear and consider where you may need to make adjustments?

We often think of this as a card of flashy addiction and obvious vices, but the Devil is subtle, quiet, slow-moving. It creeps into the spaces that we think are safe, slides into the shadows and whispers and taunts until we’re so wrapped up in those murmured words that we take them for truth. What are you tangled up in? Where is your grip so tight you’ve lost track of other, potentially more important things? What have you surrendered without even realizing it?

Aquarius

Page of cups

Happy birthday, Aquarius! As you move into your season, you may find yourself making a new connection or deepening an existing one, recognizing an opportunity to pursue something with an open heart. You’re someone that can sometimes be perceived as cold or overly rational, who’s able to be objective in a way that can cut you off from your deeper emotions or more powerful intuitive drives. And as useful as that can be when you’re making plans and breaking structures, sometimes it can make it hard to connect or feel understood. How can you tap into those deeper feelings, and give your heart room to speak?

Relationships and emotions and connections aren’t always things that you can plan and control, so consider how you can give yourself some leeway, a chance to be artistic and expressive and creative. What fils you with joy and contentment, helps you feel like you’re tapping into your deepest purpose? How often do you let yourself be a beginner, and what can you learn about yourself and your partnerships by being open to growth?

Pisces

Two of coins

Capricorn season may feel challenging for you, with the emphasis on structure and boundaries perhaps feeling a bit confining. As you move into airy, forward-thinking Aquarius season, you may find renewed energy and confidence, a desire to run towards your dreams head first. And as brilliant as that new sense of movement may feel, pay close attention to just how much you’re taking on, to the responsibilities and tasks that you are taking ownership of. Planting seeds is a powerful process, and if you’re in the midst of a new beginning you may find yourself with a lot of irons in the fire, juggling multiple jobs and trying to keep everything in balance. Do you have to do everything yourself, or are there things that you can delegate? For you, Aquarius season is an invitation to prioritize your energy and your resources, to closely consider how you are spending your time. How can you reorganize and restructure in a way that allows you to place more focus on the things that really matter? What might you be able to let go of, that will free you up to pursue what you truly want?

What Will You Keep; What Will You Build? 2021 Is the Year of the Hierophant; Here’s What That Means

Last year was one of the Emperor numerologically, though it felt more like a Hanged One year emotionally — structures butting up against sacrifice, a necessary mingling of control and surrender. And while this year will likely carry a bit of that Hanged One energy forward, our numbers for this new year offer opportunities to change our thinking. As you reflect on the discipline that you found in 2020, the rules and objectives that you created and clarified, the foundations that you established towards broader goals, I hope that you’re also able to think about your past, present, and future through a new lens. What are you leaving behind, and what are you carrying forward? What have you built and solidified, and what you have abandoned? Where did you invest time and energy, and how did that serve you?

Following the same simple exercise that we used last year, by adding the digits of 2021 together (2 + 0 + 2 + 1) we get a total of 5, our number for this new year. Fives in tarot connect to the Hierophant, an archetype that is often seen as a priest, religious leader, or keeper of knowledge. Austere and set apart, authoritative and powerful, Hierophants are usually associated with traditions, rituals, history, information, and education, figures that by their very nature are tethered to the past. In the fool’s journey through the major arcana, the Hierophant encourages us to begin looking to others for spiritual guidance, inspiration, and teachings, as well as to consider the ways that we let those with more experience or knowledge guide our actions. Which beliefs feel personal and internal, and which feel like they exist outside of us? After the intensive restructuring demanded of us in 2020 from the Emperor, 2021 calls us to consider where we have found comfort in shared heritage and connective rituals, and where we have allowed ourselves to be restricted or held back by placing too much value on tradition. What rules are we ready to break?

If, like last year, this particular archetype feels deeply tied to the kind of heteronormative patriarchal structures that so often harm, it may feel difficult to fully embrace this energy. For many queer folks, especially those of us with religious trauma or conservative upbringings, the Hierophant can bring up a lot of pain, sorrow, guilt, and anger. Yet there are so many ways we can interpret this archetype, methods we can use to redefine and reclaim what this figure means for us. Some see the Hierophant as a singular mentor or teacher, spiritual or otherwise, while others see them as a representative of a broader learning community, a group of students that are committed to studying and growing together. Still others view the Hierophant as someone that encourages us to establish rituals of our own, personal traditions and sacred practices that connect us to ourselves or to others. Instead of seeing this card as one that pushes us to rigidly cling to the old ways, consider what traditions in your spiritual, physical, or emotional life offer you a sense of grounding, stability, and comfort.

What are we ready to learn? How has our collective past helped us find grounding and community, and how have we been clinging to rituals that are inherited instead of intentional? How do you understand your own roots? What parts of your personal history feel healing and secure, offer you a sensation of peace and shelter, give you hope and comfort? Rituals can be as simple as a quick morning affirmation or as complex as an elaborate Passover seder, but what’s important is how these practices anchor you, connecting you to both past and future.

Looking beyond the Hierophant, fives in the minor arcana also have much to teach us. These cards deal with tension, friction, necessary conflict or grief. The five of wands demonstrates what happens when we try to light multiple fires at once, losing our larger direction and feeling a deep, frustrating restlessness. The five of swords is a charging forward, a determination to win at any cost, a willingness to do harm simply so we can feel a brief, fleeting sense of triumph. The five of cups explores loss and sorrow, a focus on what we no longer have that separates us from the good things that still remain. And the five of pentacles holds space for a lack of resources, a grief over what we are without paired with an unwillingness to accept the help that has been offered. These cards all sit between worlds, vibrating and straining, feeling constrained by what has come before yet uncertain of how to move forward. Yet they also speak of breakthroughs, of the moments that we see things clearly or feel things deeply, that we recognize how necessary a change or leveling up is for us to continue making progress. What is cracking, shifting, revealing itself? What is being exposed, both within us and around us?

The Hierophant can be an anchor to the past, yes — but when we give the past all of the power, when we find ourselves so attached to how things have always been that we cannot see the ways that they could be, we can get trapped in tradition, held back by a sense of rigid obligation. After spending 2020 evaluating structures and creating new rules, 2021 will challenge us to keep pushing ourselves to grow and expand, to consider what we are allowing to restrict us and why. Evolution is not easy, transformation is not simple, and giving ourselves the freedom to play and grow, to leave old things behind, is easier said than done. We speak so often of leaving behind that which no longer serves us, of new beginnings, yet the actual process of doing so is messy, can be painful or confusing. Fives in major and minor arcana live in this tense, in-between space, acknowledging the ways we stretch and push, the struggle to create new spaces that we can inhabit.

Where are you ready to break free of old tethers? How have you been holding yourself back? If the Hierophant feels like more of a gatekeeper than an invitation, consider why that is. Where have you restricted yourself? Where have you established rituals of limitation? What have you not allowed yourself to explore, and where does that tendency come from? What voices from the past are you still allowing to dictate your present, or even to influence your future? This archetype can be a skeleton, a foundation, a place that we find comfort and anchors and stability — but it can also be a key, a doorway, an opportunity for rich growth and powerful exploration. What are you seeking this year? And how can tapping into the dualistic nature of the Hierophant help you make a plan to find it?

As you find your footing in 2021, as you consider all that you are leaving behind and all that you are stepping into, this new spread can help you look at these connective threads through a new lens. Look at this new year as one of opportunities for both expansion and contraction, for doubling down on the rituals that serve you and releasing old traditions, thought patterns, or practices that have been limiting your growth.

A tradition to keep: Something already established that is solid, worth holding on to. What makes you feel grounded, strong, protected? Where have you created containers that support your work, your loves, your dreams?

A new ritual to build or expand: Something to introduce into your personal cycles, a practice or habit or question to explore. What have you felt drawn to? What’s something you can add to your world that could encourage or stimulate new growth?

A topic or idea to learn more about: Something to explore, a place to indulge your curiosity or desire. Where can you expand your knowledge? What have you always wanted to learn or understand? Where can you challenge yourself?

An obstacle you may encounter: Something that may create a sense of conflict, frustration, grief, or loss. What might push you to reflect or evolve? What is your relationship to friction or discomfort? How do you navigate challenges?

As you reflect on your past, enjoy your present, and set intentions for your future, pay attention to the personal and collective traditions that you are upholding. What value do they offer? Where might you build something new, something unique, that gives you new opportunities for expansion and exploration? Where is your own sense of rigidity or stubbornness limiting your options, and how can you open yourself to possibility? Where are you ready to innovate, and what is worth preserving?

Queer Tarotscopes for Capricorn Season 2020: Who’s in the Driver’s Seat?

This season’s tarotscopes feature The Slutist Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

With 2020 drawing to a close and a new calendar year on the horizon, with so many opportunities for reflection and awareness and intention-setting present, Capricorn season brings a sense of ambition and productivity, one that you may or may not feel prepared for. This sign of cardinal earth is known for success and brilliance, an energy that sweeps in and sets goals, pushing hard to reach whatever new tier of excellence is in front of them. Hard-working and unafraid to set boundaries, Capricorn has so much to teach us about our value, our focus, and our confidence. If Sagittarius’ fire has left you feeling lost, if you’re still reeling from the losses and shifts that you experienced with Scorpio, Capricorn is here to help you make sense of where you have come from, and make a structured, detailed plan about where you want to go.

All three earth signs are known for being grounded and responsible, organized and stubborn, patient and focused on their goals. But while Taurus tends to look to the past for guidance and Virgo adapts to whatever is in the present, Capricorn is very aware of what they’re building to, allowing their future to be something that motivates and empowers their choices and movements. And after working with the bold fire and exploratory flexibility of Sagittarius, Capricorn can help us focus all of that power into something specific, something attainable. How have the things you’ve learned this year caused your goals to shift or change? What do you feel responsible for, and how does that impact your decisions? When you think about the future you want, does it feel within reach? And what would you need to do in order to make those big ambitions possible for yourself?

As well as being a sign associated with determination, affluence, and success, Capricorn is also known for their sense of control, which is where we find the bridge to our birth card for this season, the Devil. An archetype of addiction, vices, and destructive patterns, the Devil is an energy that can quietly creep up on us, slowly pulling us into bad habits or difficult positions that we swore we’d never find ourselves in again. Sometimes this card asks us to be honest about where we are getting too obsessive about control, while other times it pushes us to pay closer attention to the places where we may be losing it. Whatever the Devil reveals, it’s something we need to pay close attention to. These energies remind us not let things get too far out of balance, to not get so fixated on what we want and the plans we have made that we find ourselves unable to adapt or grow. What do you feel you can never say no to? Where are you afraid to surrender? When you think about control, is it something you crave, or something you fear?

Our cards for this season emphasize assessment, encouraging us to give weight to what we know, and to be deliberate about what we want to do next. What did you begin exploring with Sagittarius that you’re ready to take more decisive steps on? What do you need to evaluate? In this time of Capricorn, remember the lessons and warnings of the Devil, and pay close attention to your ongoing relationships with control, power, and ambition. What has been driving you, and what may need to shift? Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of discipline and structure, so if you know your Saturn placement you can also plug that into this spread for a more complete picture of your Capricorn season.

I recently shared a new piece on “Iris” and Temperance over on Pop Tarot, have had several new spreads go up on Astrology Answers, and also published an exclusive tarot spread here at Autostraddle as part of our A+ 13 Days of Holigays section. Check out my daily writing and card draws on Instagram, and you can get my latest tarot writings delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my Substack newsletter. I’m currently taking a break from client readings, but you can check out my website for larger spreads, writings, and purchase my two original e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Have a safe and brilliant Capricorn season, and happy new year to those that honor it!

Aries

Eight of coins

If last season felt celebratory and comfortable, get ready for Capricorn to sweep in and urge you to get back to work. There is a time and a place for joy, for resting, for honoring how far we’ve come and all that we’ve accomplished — but for you, this season will be about getting your hands dirty and going after the things that you want. What are your skills, your talents, and how do you utilize them in your daily work? Where are you eager to improve, willing to learn, ready to put into the effort to get better?

As ready as you may be to harness all of your fire and jump head-first into chasing after your goals, the eight of coins is a card of methodical progress, of intentional growth and powerful practice. No matter how intense our desire may be, no one becomes an expert in something overnight. Instead, abilities improve with steady striving, as we move from beginner to expert. How can you continue to challenge yourself? Who can you learn from? What are the ways that you are investing in yourself?

Taurus

Two of swords

Capricorn season may feel both comfortable and challenging for you, as you balance the ways you prefer to work with new opportunities for growth and ambition. But after spending last season reflecting on where you’ve been, the roots and systems and communities that have helped to ground and support you, this new season may bring a sensation of uncertainty. There is so much potential for new ideas and new expansion, Taurus, but you have to be willing to make the first move — and even if you feel stuck trying to decide between multiple pathways forward, remember that not choosing will not necessarily make your situation feel safer or more within your control. What is holding you back from progress? Where do you feel trapped, hesitant, or afraid? If you find yourself unwilling or unable to move forward, give yourself some space to breathe, and listen to your instincts. What feels right for you? And how can you create feelings of safety and confidence in your next steps?

Gemini

The Crone

It may have felt like you’ve been alone with your ideas and dreams, Gemini, pushing forward towards a vision that only you seem to be able to fully understand and appreciate. But if last season left you feeling frustrated or pulled in too many different directions, you may find comfort in Capricorn season, as this is a chance for you to reconnect with yourself, your desires, and your deepest ambitions. What resonates deeply with you about the goals and ideas that you’ve been working towards? What do you see in your future, and which possibilities excite you the most?

Take some space for yourself this season, stepping back from whatever routines you may have established and instead giving yourself room to explore, to wander, to reflect. You are someone that isn’t afraid to experiment, so be intentional about listening to your instincts and allow yourself to explore those hidden parts of yourself that you may not always acknowledge. What feeds and nurtures you? How can you take care of yourself? In your eagerness to build and create and succeed, where have you perhaps lost your way?

Cancer

Six of cups

You’ve been moving towards something big, Cancer, enjoying the sensation of inspiration and creativity that’s been burning through you. And while the focused and disciplined energy of Capricorn may help you find renewed strength for those important goals, you may also find yourself feeling even more reflective than usual. Pay attention to your personal roots, the people and places that have shaped and influenced you, the experiences and dreams that still impact your present life. Who have you been? Who have you left behind? Who are you becoming?

Last season offered you a variety of paths forward, encouraging you to harness your creative fire and spend time planning your next moves. You’re moving at a good pace, so work to be steady in your progress. And while this season may feel quieter, don’t get so comfortable reflecting on the past that you lose sight of the magic in your present, and the potential in your future. What have your experiences taught you? What lessons will you carry forward?

Leo

Prince of wands

After a Sagittarius season bursting with emotions, connections, and intuitive experiences, Capricorn season may feel incredibly stimulating, pushing you to identify your goals and pursuits with a single-minded focus. Your courage and stamina are brilliant aspects of the person you are, and skills worth celebrating — but rather than throwing every single idea you have at this new ambition, take a lesson from Capricorn and try to balance intention with inspiration. How can you make a real plan for success? Where might you need to brainstorm, collaborate, experiment? Your joy and passion are palpable, and are feelings that will help you maintain your energy and excitement as this work goes on. But remember that you will likely not succeed overnight; that this is a journey that will take organization, discipline, and awareness. How can you pace yourself?

Virgo

Three of coins

For you, last season included a lot of internal exploration and deep awareness of emotions. And while that isn’t always a comfortable realm for you to inhabit, the lessons that you learned will likely be ones that you will carry with you for quite some time. As you step into Capricorn season, be aware of opportunities for collaboration and cooperation, particularly as you think about your long-term ambitions. Who in your orbit might help you see your work through another lens? How can you bring your natural adaptability and grounded nature to larger projects?

As you continue to build towards your personal goals, keep your eyes peeled for ways that you can allow your work to develop, or even grow in unexpected directions. How might your personal work fit into broader collective efforts, or more expansive spaces? Who can you partner with that may offer new insights into what you’re building?

Libra

Ace of swords

If you’ve been moving through a rough patch, if it’s felt like you’ve had to push through some intense emotions or difficult realizations, Capricorn may bring a sensation of welcome relief and promise. You’re someone that is able to look at things from multiple perspectives, that can easily consider different angles and viewpoints — and while it may have felt like that ability has been tripping you up in the past few weeks, as you move into this new season pay attention to the things that ring true, the ideas that feel both clear and powerful. How is your awareness, about both yourself and your ambitions, shifting? What are you realizing about who you are, about the life you have built for yourself? Be gentle with yourself as you undergo this shift, particularly if you feel yourself releasing old narratives or beliefs about who you are, and who you may be able to become. What new truths are becoming clear? And how could a fresh perspective help you grow in an important new direction?

Scorpio

Prince of swords

You may find yourself beginning a new intellectual journey this season, researching and learning and expanding your understanding around a specific topic, idea, or project. What is coming into focus? Where are you being challenged, and how can you rise to meet this new objective? After spending so much time exploring the spiritual realm last season, this is a chance to look at your work with clear eyes, to embrace the practical ambition of Capricorn and consider what your next steps need to be. What truths are you exploring? What rituals have you been establishing, and how can they support this new work that you’re feeling drawn to?

You’re someone that isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, to examine things closely, to dig deep and wander through the shadows. You aren’t afraid of the dark, even when exploring it may reveal some truths that challenge what you’ve known to be true. This season, put that curious nature to good use, and consider ways that you can challenge yourself, particularly when it comes to information and academic connections. What assets can you explore more thoroughly? Where do you have more to learn?

Sagittarius

Princess of swords

Your natural fire and talent for exploration have been put to good use over the last few seasons — and as you move into Capricorn season, pay attention to the ways that you internalize and understand your experiences, to the information that you are processing and the truths that you are discovering. How are you balancing the work of your mind with your heart, your body, your soul? Your own season of fire may have brought up some powerful revelations, forcing you to confront some long-held beliefs or deeply buried emotions. Be gentle with yourself as you move forward, giving yourself time to internalize and understand the new things that you have been discovering. And if you find yourself tempted to cling to a particular fact or plan, if you struggle to adapt to shifting information or changing directions over the next few weeks, take a deep breath and try to loosen your grip, just a little. How can you be open to new ideas? Where can you keep expanding?

Capricorn

The Tower

Happy birthday, Capricorn! For you, Sagittarius season was about taking risks, starting a major new journey, and listening to your intuition. And while you may be starting to see some real progress towards those big goals and sparkling ambitions, this may be a season of sudden, intensive change. Depending on how in touch you’ve been with your instincts and emotions, you may have already felt cracks forming, felt the foundations that your world is built upon shifting beneath your feet — but being aware that something may be about to change is not the same as truly preparing for it. You likely already know what needs to change, so instead of trying to hide from reality, channel your courage and get ready for some important shifts. What are you ready to leave behind? What needs to break, so that you can rebuild it?

Change is not always your favorite thing to navigate, but there may be opportunities here to play with your relationship to control. What are you being asked to release? And how could this change help you to see your personal goals and ambitions through a new, clearer lens?

Aquarius

The World

Things likely started to click for you in a big way last season, with creative energy running freely and inspiration seeming to be around every corner. It may feel like you are evolving into someone new and powerful as the sun moves into Capricorn, with intensive transformations and necessary revelations helping you step fully into your power. What have you overcome, endured, and understood over the past few seasons? How have you changed and adapted? What do you love about the person you are, and the place that you are in? Take time to celebrate, to give yourself opportunities for healing and reflection, and to find real pride in all that you have accomplished.

You may be tempted to immediately jump into the next big idea, to start dreaming and planning for your next cycle, but it will be important for you to pause this season, to look at how far you’ve come and to fully internalize the lessons you learned along the way. How can you prioritize stillness, awareness, recovery? What do you need to do in order to find real rest?

Pisces

Temperance

This last season may have felt particularly challenging for you, as you worked to balance your emotional side with a more rational, objective viewpoint. And as you shift into conservative, traditional Capricorn, you may continue trying to figure out how to integrate your head and your heart, working to honor your desires and wishes with your needs. As tempted as you may be to push forward towards your bigger goals and most exciting ambitions, be intentional about slowing down this season, being deliberate about what you devote your energy and creativity towards. What is your intuition asking of you? How are you finding harmony within yourself? If you feel pulled in different directions, uncertain of what your next steps are, give yourself permission to step back from movement and instead prioritize healing, recovery, and awareness. What has been resonating with you, even if you don’t have a rational explanation for it? How can you get more deeply in touch with your personal truth, and how can that work help you to find deeper meaning in your long-term objectives?

Finding Magic After a Difficult Year

“Finding Magic After a Difficult Year” is part of the 13 Days of A+. From December 13 through December 25, we’re celebrating the people who literally keep our lights on, who believed we could make it through 2020, who invest and participate in this community through challenges and growth and change — that’s YOU. It’s truly magical to have so many guardian gayngels looking out for this space, and we’re so delighted to be able to do something a little special for our queer fam to close out the year. Some of what we publish for the 13 Days will be cozy and familiar, like Into the A+ Advice Box and Some Answers to Some Questions You’ve Been Asking Us. Some of it will be a twist on regulars; we have Malic White as a guest editor for two installments of the erotica series S L I C K for one… and the rest? We’re going to keep those pieces all boxed up in scissoring-patterned wrapping paper until they publish. We’re looking forward to spending some time with you. 

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This post features cards from the This Might Hurt Tarot.

When we talk about magic, it’s often the positive, shimmering, brilliant sort: the magic of connection, of creation, of starting something new or discovering our purpose or feeling that delicious sensation of being in the right place at the right time, doing what we’re meant to be doing. Even if we can’t describe it exactly, we often know it when we see it: the magic within us, between us, that holds together relationships and communities, that inspires works of creativity and power, that motivates us to keep pursuing the things that we desire. In tarot, for this kind of magic we turn to the Magician, the Empress, the Chariot, the ten of cups, the three of wands: cards about sparks, movement, joy, triumph, personal power, rich community, a vision for the future that is bright and exciting. And these types of magic are beautiful and uplifting, curling around the edges of our hopes and dreams, beckoning us forward in a way that feels nurturing and fulfilling.

But there are other varieties of magic, ones that are just as important: opaque, transformative, building and shifting beneath the surface. Mysterious and strange, sometimes so quiet that we don’t even recognize them, these magics have the capacity to change the core of our being, to alter us permanently, to allow us to leave an old version of ourselves behind and step into someone new. The High Priestess, the Hermit, Judgement, the six of pentacles, the four of swords: these cards oversee the magic that happens in times of rest and reflection, the power that builds when we stay focused on our goals even through difficult stages, the ways that we shift when we forgive ourselves or accept a long-denied truth. These are the magics of true, lasting evolution, permanent growth, and powerful metamorphosis.

This year has been one of the hardest of my lifetime, and I know I’m not alone in feeling that way. We’ve endured loss and loneliness, been struggling through a pandemic without support or guidance, have watched the current administration blatantly dismantle and destroy as many things as possible, have marched in the streets and screamed for justice, have grieved and suffered, have compromised and adapted. Many have lost loved ones, relationships, communities, homes, jobs, businesses, gathering places: the things that sustain us, the connections that inspire us, the people that remind us of who we are. So many feel abandoned, forgotten, ignored. So many more feel desperately, heartbreakingly alone.

Yet for nearly all of us, whether we realize it or not, seeds have been planted this year. My therapist likes to remind me that things are always developing under the surface, taking root and stabilizing; that by the time we can see tender green shoots finally cracking through the soil, so much has already had to happen to reach that point of visible, powerful growth. Magic has been quietly present this year, working in places that we haven’t been able to see, perhaps so slowly and subtly that we haven’t yet noticed what is changing. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by crashing Towers and painful Deaths, the big changes and shifts within and around us, the endings and releasings and restructurings. But even when we aren’t sure what the fruits of our labors will be just yet, that doesn’t mean that nothing is happening. Sometimes we shift and change in the darkest spaces, hidden from the world and even ourselves, slowly adapting until we are transformed from within.

You might not know what seeds you’ve been nurturing this year, what has been brewing within your heart, the ways that your soul has been changing. Sometimes that tender ace of pentacles is an obvious and intentional planting, but other times things take root without our knowledge, happening quietly. Real transformation is not an overnight thing: instead it takes time and energy, persistence and gentleness, patience and awareness. The ways that this impossible year have impacted you may not reveal themselves for awhile, weeks or months or years; and yet that growth is real, lasting, important and necessary. What patterns have you broken, opinions have you shifted, truths have you recognized? Where have you felt the ground slowly shifting beneath your feet? When you think about where you want to go, who you want to be, do those dreams look the way they did a year ago?

For me personally, this year has upended nearly everything I had, everything I thought I was. My life has transformed completely, continues to change in seemingly endless ways. And like so many, I have had many dark moments, been lost and alone, felt abandoned and forgotten. I have had to be stronger than I thought I could ever be, have had to admit weakness and ask for help, have had to stand up for what I need and what I want. And as difficult as it’s been, as many times as I’ve stumbled, the pain has been worth it. The new life that I am beginning, the ways that so many of my essential relationships have shifted and evolved, the things I have lost and the things I have found: they are brilliant, and beautiful, and overflowing with potent, personal magic. I didn’t know I was capable of being this person, of living this life, yet here I am. And while there are still so many problems to solve, so many pieces to put together, so many dark corners to explore, I know that this year and its transformations have been a long time coming. They have shaped me into a person I love and respect, someone I’m proud to be. And they wouldn’t have happened without those periods of uncertainty, of grasping, of wondering. They wouldn’t have happened without magic working under the surface.

I imagine that we will spend the rest of our lives reflecting on everything that’s happened in 2020: the ways that we found connection in spite of suffering, the things that we learned and endured in order to survive. This year has brought so many Towers crumbling to the ground, has forced us to acknowledge the flaws and cracks, the broken pieces, the things that have long needed to be torn down and rebuilt. But I also imagine that we will be able to trace powerful lessons, essential beginnings, surprising revelations, from the experiences that we have had this year. All of those bittersweet moments of awareness, times of patience with the Hanged One and stillness with the four of swords, reflection with the Hermit or recognition with the six of pentacles: these shifts have been essential, formative, offered powerful beginnings alongside the dramatic endings. Throughlines have been established, truths are being explored, cracks and friction points will still continue to be recognized. And I promise that even if you aren’t sure what they are yet, even if you can’t see the magic that is being generated, it’s still there, slowly building beneath the surface.

Whether you have been aware of this magic for months or are only now beginning to believe that it might be present, this tarot spread can help you acknowledge it, understand it, even tap into it. What seeds have been planted, either intentionally or accidentally? What is starting to take root? What is stirring within you, growing and changing, helping you to evolve into another version of yourself? What strength has been building, fire has been burning, wisdom has been growing? What kinds of magic are you discovering within yourself?

As we prepare to shift into another new year, consider what you are carrying forward, and what you can leave behind. Where are you ready to explore something new, something unexpected? What can you set down, release, honor and grieve? What are you now moving towards? How can you harness the magic that you have been cultivating? And how will you allow that magic to continue to transform you?

Let’s Get Balanced: A Tarot Spread & Reading for Sagittarius Season

This post features cards from the Moonchild Tarot and the Vindur Deck.

2020 is slowly crawling to its end — and if you’re like me, any hopes or dreams of balance went out the window long ago. In many ways this has been a year for survival, for endurance, for finding ways to stay safe and informed in the midst of seemingly endless trials and struggles. Balance has at times felt impossibly out of reach as we work to stay both isolated and connected to community, to be active but also rest, to expand our knowledge while simultaneously clinging to the truths we are certain of. It’s been exhausting, and draining, and I know you’re likely just as tired as I am.

And yet. As we shift from the shadowy depths of Scorpio to the bright, energetic fire of Sagittarius, as we move from the release of Death into the light and joy of Temperance, I want to offer a new tarot spread, one that will hopefully help these ideas of harmony, moderation, and yes, balance, feel a bit easier to grasp. After all, Temperance is not simply about holding back, patiently waiting, stifling all of our creative urges or desires: instead this is a chance to fully honor and examine every facet of ourselves, to see how all of our parts come together in sacred alchemy, to understand how our perceived contradictions and paradoxes actually work in beautiful harmony to make us the people that we are, and the people that we will one day become.

This is a season of freedom and expansion, of leaving behind what was limiting us and making space for all of our dreams and ideas, for the desires of our heart and the needs of our soul. What gives you a sense of calm purpose and a passionate need for movement? What inspires hope for the future and a rich celebration of the present? What makes you feel seen, understood, appreciated in your fullest and truest capacity? Sagittarius is begging you to ask questions, to explore, to indulge your deepest curiosity and recognize that sometimes, the pieces of ourselves that we don’t understand can offer us the most strength, power, and magic. Sometimes we have to believe in ourselves, even if we aren’t completely sure how or why. We are all tangled, delicious mysteries, and Sagittarius wants us to both enjoy all that we do not understand about ourselves and take the space we need to investigate and consider, to find joy in flexibility, to wander and dream and transform.

What does this have to do with balance? As exciting as it can be to travel and gather information and search for meaning, we cannot simply run away from our lives and throw everything we know into disarray in our quest for understanding. Sagittarius is fire and heart, passion and magic, endless and brilliant searching — and Temperance has joy and space for all of those sparks and flames and embers. Temperance knows the creative power of that fire, and offers something in return with cool, flowing water. Insights and intuition, trust in the self, relationships that ground and soothe and comfort, communities that encourage and support: water’s depth and emotion, vulnerability and faith, helps to offset the raging heat of fire, offering it control, creating both freedom and boundaries. Passion without depth can fizzle, exploration without intention can get us lost, but fire and water together create lasting, sustainable, goal-oriented growth.

Our spread this time around focuses on how to activate balance in your life, on honoring a need for movement and growth while also carving out space for healing, reflection, and comfort.

1. What has been changing or growing? Where have you sensed something shifting or evolving? What is taking up more space in your mind and heart lately? Are there transformations that you’ve noticed, either internally or externally, and what are they opening up within you?
2. Where have you been craving exploration or movement? What feels stagnant, dull, frustrating? Where are you finding friction? What dreams or fantasies have been coming forward?
3. What new magic has been revealing itself? What areas of your life have felt more vibrant, exciting, or captivating? What personal power has been manifesting?
4. How can you embrace the joy of the unexpected? Are there structures that you’ve been struggling against lately, and where could you soften some of those rough edges? Where could you allow yourself more freedom for emotion or expression? What is holding you back?

To give you an example of how to use this spread in your own work, Laneia has graciously agreed to let me share part of her reading with you, giving you some insights into how you can use your own cards to dive deeper into your own needs, desires, and cravings this Sagittarius season.

What has been changing or growing?

You may have been feeling like examining your options is all that you’re doing, to the point that it’s made you feel stuck, lost, or doubting everything you know about who you are and what you want and where you hope to go. The truth revealed by the two of swords is that you have choices, real opportunities, but by refusing to choose a path forward, you instead are allowing yourself to remain stagnant. What are you afraid of? What is holding you back from progress? How are you limiting your own growth? This card wants you to find movement and freedom, to put real energy and intention into going after what you want. And while recent truths and insights may have you rethinking everything, trying to find new layers of clarity and purpose within all that you do, you may be going so far to the analytical side that you’ve forgotten how to listen to your instincts. Which path forward is resonating with you? Which blade feels right in your hand? What have you been afraid to let yourself want, and what would happen if you embraced that desire and went after it?

Where have you been craving exploration or movement?

A child of water and heart, the page of cups is just beginning their journey into their next phase of growth. Emotional and intuitive, creative and artistic, eager to connect with others but holding a deep capacity for understanding their truest self, this figure is curious and insightful, unafraid of what they may find within. The heart can be a mysterious thing, sometimes desiring things that we do not fully understand or even recognize, but it’s likely that your heart has been craving something, has been wanting to move in a particular direction. Are you listening? Have you been giving your intuition room to speak, or have you been too afraid to hear what it might have to say? What would it look like to prioritize your own emotional and relational needs, and how can you make space for that kind of growth?

What new magic has been revealing itself?

A card of wishes fulfilled and new dreams being revealed, the nine of cups speaks to a time when we feel content and satisfied in what we have found, yet still recognize that we may have a desire for more. It’s possible to be both satisfied and yearning, to be grateful for what we have while recognizing what we still want. It’s also possible that you’ve been discovering new layers of magic within the places that you thought were stagnant, and it’s left you feeling a bit shaken, uncertain of what it all might mean. This has been a year that has challenged all of us, and whether you’ve found new kinds of magic or familiar places of friction, give yourself some room to explore what you love, and what you still long for. What makes you happy? How often do you experience those times of bliss? What magic lives in those moments, and how can you celebrate them more fully?

How can you embrace the joy of the unexpected?

The four of cups speaks to moments when it feels essential to guard ourselves from vulnerability, to make sure that no one is able to harm us — but in doing that, we may also suck some of the sparkle out of those experiences, leaving us feeling flat, uninspired, or bored. And while creating methods for work and play that protect us can be an incredibly useful skill, when it comes to matters of the heart, we can end up isolating ourselves when we build those walls too high. In trying to protect your heart, you may also be cutting yourself off from new experiences, from the joyous mess of living and learning. Where can you open up? How can you give yourself permission to soften some of those boundaries, to see what may be waiting for you on the other side?

Queer Tarotscopes for Sagittarius Season 2020: What Options Can You Open Your Eyes To?

This season’s tarotscopes feature The Lumina Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

The transformative energy that we’ve been working with this year has been nearly overwhelming, start to finish: from intensive structures with the Emperor to the endless sacrifice and surrender of the Hanged One, from rich insights into Justice to deep, permanent transformation with Death, 2020 has had so much to teach us. And on the heels of Scorpio’s powerful release, Sagittarius season is here to help us expand, explore, and begin a new chapter. Bursting with energy, radiant with curiosity and passion, Sagittarius offers opportunities for growth and awareness, for questions and potential, for beginning brilliant, necessary new journeys. As we step into this new season of mutable fire, as we prepare to fully leave behind all that Libra and Scorpio have excavated, Sagittarius urges us to open our eyes wide, to take in the world as it is and as it could be, to look for possibilities around every corner.

After so much heaviness and contemplation, we now have a chance to spread our wings, to trust our instincts and passions, to see where the wind and fire can take us. If the last few months have felt like being inside a pressure cooker, Sagittarius brings a much-needed release of steam and power, rapid movement outward and upward. This is a season of freedom, of new magic, of recognizing all of the ways that we have been changing and growing underneath the surface. What did you release last season, and how are you lighter, freer, more open to possibility? What is capturing your imagination, igniting your fantasies, urging you towards dazzling new heights? What has your inner fire been refining and exposing?

Temperance may seem like too calm and quiet an archetype for this explosive Sagittarius energy, connected as it is to moderation, balance, and stillness — but a deeper dive into this card can make some of those connections a bit easier to understand. Traditional imagery for this card features a figure combining water and fire, two elements that seem completely incompatible. In the tarot, water is connected to the heart, emotions, faith, and relationships, while fire represents the soul, passions, inspiration, and creative pursuits. Both are wildly intimate, intensely personal elements, yet in combining them we find balance between what we want and what we need, what we crave and what sustains us. Temperance encourages us to experiment and play, to be open to new kinds of magic, to see the brilliance and wonder that curls around the edges of our experiences and insights. There is magic to be found everywhere, unexplained moments of beauty and power, if we simply open our eyes and look for it. This archetype offers a quiet kind of confidence, a sweet assurance that everything will work out, that this new beginning alongside an ongoing evolution will allow us to become the fullest, most authentic version of ourselves — and we see that same desire for authenticity with Sagittarius, a need to express who we are with clarity and passion, a drive to understand the depths of our being as well as the world we inhabit.

Many of our cards for this season ask us to reflect, to move consciously, to be intentional about our choices and actions. When we select a certain path, when we embrace a particular future, what do we leave behind? How do we make our decisions? Are we choosing stability and discipline, or are we allowing ourselves freedom, options, a chance to get messy and make a few mistakes along the way? In this season of Sagittarius, remember the balancing harmony of Temperance, the opportunities to blend heart and soul together in a unique personal alchemy. What parts of yourself are you honoring? How can you celebrate the pieces that are still revealing themselves, the aspects that are unfamiliar and beautiful? Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. And if you know your Jupiter placement, you can include that as well for a more complete picture of your reading for Sagittarius season.

I have a new tarot piece coming out soon here at Autostraddle, and have also been creating spreads connecting tarot and astrology over at Astrology Answers. Check out my daily writing and card draws on Instagram, and you can get my latest tarot writings delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my Substack newsletter. I’m currently taking a break from client readings, but you can check out my website for larger spreads, writings, and purchase my two original e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Have a joyful and safe Sagittarius season.

Aries

King of pentacles

As we move into another season of fire, you may feel your energy swelling, with desires to explore and grow and evolve bursting forward in a new and exciting way. And as joyful as that process can be, keep in mind the security and stability that you have been working towards, the resources that you have been gathering, the patient progress that you have been making for so long. The king of pentacles is a figure of strength and solid awareness, someone responsible and generous, who is content with all that they have achieved and isn’t afraid to celebrate all that they have built.

Last season may have brought some heartache or frustration, so remember to temper any blazing fires that may be emerging within you with this slower-moving earth energy. Remember that as brilliant as you can be when you’re on the move, there can be wisdom in assessing options, in remembering the foundation that you have already created for yourself and your ambitions. What makes you feel safe, respected, appreciated? How do you share all that you have? Where can you put your fire to good use, protect those you love, build places of safety and pleasure?

Taurus

Six of cups

Last season brought a sense of community and celebration for you, as you prioritized connections while also examining your own needs, desires, and ambitions. And with the arrival of Sagittarius season, you may find yourself feeling even more reflective than usual, considering the ways that your personal history, your family, your roots have impacted your present, and may be influencing your future. You’re someone that deeply values history and tradition, that holds an authentic appreciation for what has come before, for the ways that things have always been done — yet sometimes spending too much energy looking backwards can make it hard to recognize opportunities in your present. Take care not to romanticize the past, to not overlook moments of hardship, truth, or challenges in your desire to understand the journey you have taken. What have you learned from where you’ve been? What sustains you, grounds you, makes you feel connected to both past and present? How does this influence the future you are imagining for yourself?

Gemini

Seven of wands

You may find yourself right at home in Sagittarius season, dear Gemini, with this flexible and curious energy encouraging you to ask questions, to gather information, to learn and connect and create. And while you’re so good at collaborating and brainstorming, at looking at endless possibilities and considering all the roads ahead, this season may find you needing to stand alone, to defend your ideas or desires in an unexpected way. The seven of wands is a card of fiery independence, of believing in the self, of being willing to speak up and speak out for what you know to be true. What is it that you really want, and what is driving that desire? What ambitions have you been nurturing, fires have you been feeding, that have been inspiring and motivating you? Consider exactly what it is that you’ve been fighting for, and the ways that any conflicts that come up feel different than they may have last season. If what you believe is being challenged, if you’re running into road blocks and obstacles, consider where your unique voice can help create spaces for change and evolution, for progress. How can your personal sparks contribute to a larger blaze?

Cancer

Two of wands

After last season’s deep insights and new ideas, you may find yourself eager to keep moving, to build and create and begin investing in something brilliant and exciting. There can be such joy in a new journey, in choosing a direction and running towards it, and you may find yourself quickly caught up in a whirlwind of motion and enthusiasm. You’re someone that has such a gift for nurturing, and this season, you have an opportunity to turn that gentle caretaking energy back on yourself, to slow yourself down and interrogate your true intentions. What dreams and desires have been coming forward for you, that you’ve possibly been afraid to act on? Where have you been rushing forward, and what have you been pushing to the side? While Sagittarius may feel all about action and movement, about freedom and expansion, sometimes we have to take a beat to make a plan, to clarify our objectives, to give ourselves space to understand what it is we’re really working towards. How can you set yourself up for success? Where has passion been taking over, and how can you balance anticipation with focus?

Leo

Maiden of cups

Shifting into another time of fire is usually a powerful experience for you, Leo, and Sagittarius season is no exception. You may have found some powerful new insights and ambitions last season, assessing your resources and letting your imagination expand in brilliant and inspiring new directions. And as you prepare to move forward into this new time of freedom and exploration, keep a close eye on your heart. Whether a new connection is on the horizon or you’re diving deep into a new kind of spiritual work, whether you uncover new emotions within yourself or find yourself trusting your intuition in new ways, your movement this season may involve more personal investigations. Where has your heart been expanding or opening itself? What desires or longings have been coming forward? Vulnerability is not always an easy thing for you, but if you’re able to honor your more tender side, a whole new world may open up for you. What have you been hiding from, and where are you ready to explore?

Virgo

King of cups

If last season pushed you to new intellectual pursuits or a shift towards truth and knowledge, Sagittarius may be encouraging you to shift your focus inward, to consider what your heart has been learning and moving through. You may find yourself in a position this season to help others expand their own understanding of themselves, to build new connections or interrogate their own spirituality — and if the opportunity arises and you’re ready to take it on, trust in your intuition and move forward with grace and courage. Your natural desire to understand and perfect things may make emotional work more challenging, as feelings and intuition are often messy or confusing, tangled or hard to define. Show yourself kindness as you move through this season, and consider how your perspective and experiences may make it easy to connect with others in unexpectedly beautiful ways. What have you learned about your own needs and desires? How can you help others do the same?

Libra

Ten of swords

Dear Libra, this may be a challenging season for you, as your natural desire to hear all sides of the story and take a balanced approach leaves you struggling to understand what you truly believe about where you are and where you’re going. Sometimes we get ourselves so tangled up mentally that we have trouble finding real truth, that we struggle to recognize possibilities for freedom and movement and instead limit ourselves to what we can see. But the good news is that you have more options than you realize — you simply have to shake off the victim mindset and instead consider the opportunities in front of you, the facts that you’ve been afraid to acknowledge. What has been holding you back? What have you been reluctant to examine? How is fear impacting your decisions, and what practical steps can you take to leave that fear behind? Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, and work to remember the intuitive work that you put in last season. What is your heart telling you? What feels right?

Scorpio

The Hierophant

Your last few seasons have been about movement and assessment, about taking stock of desires and drives and setting intentions around what you want to create and protect. And after a season of planning, Sagittarius urges you to continue that deep personal work by digging into your spiritual transformations and traditions, by paying attention to the ways that your inner work has been evolving. Where do you cling to established rules and rituals, and where are you creating your own? How do you understand philosophy and faith, and where have you been reluctant to ask hard questions about expansion and exploration? You’re not typically afraid to dive deep, to revel in the unknown, yet the mysteries you find within yourself may feel complicated to interrogate. Remember the wisdom of Temperance, the magic that dwells in those grey and in-between spaces, and the ways that you yourself have carved out your own path forward. What traditions have you established for yourself? How can you invest in those personal rituals, and work to expand your own forms of magic.

Sagittarius

Judgement

Happy birthday, Sagittarius! For you, Scorpio season was about grounding and being present, about honoring desire and need, about taking charge where you can and releasing the responsibilities that no longer feel essential for you. And as powerful as that transformation has been, your season will be one of internal understanding, as the shifts that you’ve been moving through come to a head. Judgement urges us to consider what we have been carrying for so long that we hardly notice it, the burdens or emotions or intentions that feel like they are part of us, that cannot be stripped away. How have you been growing, and what have you outgrown? Where has expansion stopped, and why? You’re so good at asking questions, at indulging curiosity and pushing for deeper layers of meaning, but there may be something within yourself that you’ve been reluctant to imagine, or afraid to fully release. Where are you being called to forgive yourself? And wouldn’t it feel good to leave that old version of yourself behind, to make space for someone new?

Capricorn

The Fool

You’re someone known for your persistence and focus, for your ability to work hard and make plans for success that resonate deeply with all that you want to build and become. Yet this season, you may find yourself consumed with longing for something new, something different, something unexpected. There may be people in your life that don’t understand this new desire, that try to talk you out of it or point out the logical inconsistencies of this new dream — yet if your intuition is buzzing, if your imagination has been fully captured, if everything in you feels drawn to this new path, spend some time considering what it would look like to take a leap of faith and trust yourself and just fucking go for it. What would change? What would the risk mean? How would it change you? Try not to get tangled up in detailed structures or long-term plans, and instead let yourself imagine all of the beautiful possibilities that walking through this door would open up. What have you been dreaming of, in your heart of hearts? What would it mean to make that dream real?

Aquarius

Four of wands

After a season of rich creation, abundance, and celebration, Sagittarius season may feel like the cherry on your sundae, an opportunity to keep expanding and dreaming of the future. You’re so good at thinking forward, at looking at the big picture, and this season you may find new opportunities to build beautiful things, to work with brilliant people, to create the kind of world you’ve always wanted to create. It’s not always easy to protect your energy and sense of personal magic, especially these days, but do your best to honor your creativity, to make space for recharging and collaborating, to let people that you trust help you keep moving forward. What energizes you, allows your magic to build and expand, helps you clarify your ideas in surprising new ways? How can you find joy in your present work, and what possibilities are emerging? Where are you discovering new kinds of freedom, and how is that impacting your vision for all that is ahead?

Pisces

Justice

Scorpio season may have brought a sense of real triumph for you, as you did the hard work to unpack some buried secrets and moved forward in a way that felt both empowering and inspiring. As you continue looking forward, as you shift into this new season of fire, take all that you have learned and consider how you can apply it to greater communities, to the world that you inhabit. Who can you help? What gifts do you have to offer, and how can you care for both yourself and those you love in the process of connecting with new areas of need? You’re someone that may prefer the emotional, the theoretical, but your talents of insight and perception can give you deeply valuable understandings of where people are struggling or suffering, of places that are flawed or broken. How can you use your intuition for greater impact? What do you see, that others have been missing?

Queer Tarotscopes for Scorpio Season 2020: What’s No Longer Serving You?

This season’s tarotscopes feature The Vindur Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

We’ve finally made it, friends: it’s Scorpio season; a time of transformation and power, of magic and intensity, of releasing the old shit and making space for the new. After a tumultuous, impossible, terrifying year, Scorpio is here to get real, honor intuition, and recognize our deepest and most personal desires. And in the wake of Libra’s airy beauty and balance, after sitting with Justice and these essential themes of equality, fairness, and moral responsibility, we now have a chance to slow down and be brutally honest with ourselves about what we want, what we have learned, and what we can leave behind. If Libra is about how we move through the world, how our values manifest in the life we are building, Scorpio is about what is most important to us, and the ways that we allow ourselves to evolve.

Scorpio is known for mystery and intensity, a sign of fixed water that is always eager to dive deep and explore what lurks in the shadows. After navigating ethics and justice with Libra, after understanding what truly matters to us and what shapes our decisions and choices, Scorpio urges us to leave behind those old versions of ourselves that we’re still clinging to. What is no longer serving you? What seeds are you still feeding, that stopped growing long ago? How can you shift your energy into the people, goals, and dreams that truly matter? This is a time for powerful authenticity, for acknowledging truth, for embracing necessary change. We cannot keep carrying everything that has ever mattered to us and expect to still have energy for new growth — sometimes we have to let things go, or acknowledge what has already gone, before we can truly transform.

Our card for this season is Death, an often misunderstood archetype connected to release, loss, and change. Unlike the Tower’s chaotic destruction or the Wheel of Fortune’s cycles of luck and karma, Death has a sense of slow inevitability. This is not a sudden, shocking shift that pulls the rug out from under us or has us scrambling to find our footing — instead this is the culmination of a long journey, an awareness that something that once seemed so essential is no longer necessary, and may in fact be holding us back. Death is a natural end, a necessary progression, an opportunity to reinvent ourselves in a way that is deeply authentic. With this archetype, we say goodbye to something, and open ourselves up to new possibilities. That’s not to say that this loss is necessarily small, quiet, or easy — on the contrary, the fear that many feel when working with this card is wrapped up in the fact that we cannot avoid or escape it. There is no way to control what is happening; we must receive and endure this transition in our own way, and process on our own timeline. Even small losses can be difficult, particularly in such a frustrating and destabilizing year, so remember to be gentle with yourself, and to show yourself both grace and compassion. And if instead of sorrow you feel relief, allow yourself to celebrate what you have moved through, and to recognize the growth that is allowing you to let go with a sense of peace. Death can sometimes bring powerful, transformative freedom, offering us new paths forward, new open doorways. There’s no shame in celebrating true and permanent progress — instead, allow yourself to move into a new place of genuine joy and magic.

Our cards for this season speak to assessing where we are, paying attention to what is resonating and inviting in new progress. In this season of Scorpio, remember the lesson of Death, and the power and purpose that endings can bring. Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Scorpio is ruled by both Mars, the planet of fierce focus and righteous anger, and Pluto, the planet of regeneration and personal power, so if you know your placements for these planets you can plug them both into this spread template for a fuller perspective on your season ahead.

Check out my daily writing and card draws on Instagram, and you can get my latest tarot writings delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my Substack newsletter. I’m currently taking a break from client readings, but you can check out my website for larger spreads, writings, and purchase my two original e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Have a safe and transformative Scorpio season.

Aries

Three of swords

You’re someone bursting with fire and energy and passion, and while a lot of the time your independent spirit and powerful drive help you accomplish a lot in a short amount of time, you may find yourself struggling to accept a painful truth this season. Scorpio can be an intensive and emotional energy, and during the process of excavation and examination, you might uncover an unexpected insight or revelation that catches you off guard, bruising your heart or your ego. Last season brought a lot of boundaries, goals, and defined objectives for you, so this may feel like a setback, causing additional frustration or irritation. If you can, work to be patient with yourself, to tend to your feelings and give yourself time to recover before pushing forward.

Everything might feel terrible for awhile. But this is not a card of failure or impossibility — instead it’s a reminder of how strong you are, of how much you are capable of handling. It’s okay if you don’t feel ready to keep going in this exact moment, but take heart, because you will eventually. This is something that you will overcome, and eventually even be proud of moving through. What can you learn from painful moments? How and when does your strength manifest?

Taurus

Three of cups

After a season of building and intentional collaboration, you may now be in the mood to celebrate, connecting with friends and chosen family in a way that feels both expansive and deeply personal. For you, this season will be about honoring the life that you have built, the ways that you are generous and vulnerable, the people that allow you to thrive and evolve. You’re someone that isn’t always comfortable with big changes, that values tradition over innovation — yet with people that you trust by your side, you may find that it’s a little bit easier to embrace transitions or be open to new opportunities. How are you staying connected to those you love?

If the lessons of Scorpio are coming through in an intense way and you find yourself moving through a shift of some kind, rely on your community to give you support, and be particularly conscious of ways that you can hold space for others. Sometimes being able to extend aid or kindness can be just as important as asking for help, so pay attention to reciprocity, and be open to both giving and receiving. Who do you love? How does that love reveal itself?

Gemini

Five of swords

Last season made a lot of space for assessment, for checking in with yourself and looking for ways to grow and change. If you found yourself unsatisfied with where you are, with the progress you’ve been making or the goals that you’ve been working towards, it may feel tempting to burn it all down and start over. But throwing a million new ideas into the mix may only further cloud your mind, leaving you scrambling for purpose and uncertain of your footing. For you, Scorpio season may feel scattered or disorganized, as you work to win at a game that may not have clear rules. What are you fighting for? What is your real purpose? As you work to solve problems and move forward, pay attention to what is motivating your choices, and consider if you’re just getting caught up in the drama of friction.

If you find yourself wanting to stir things up or simmer in conflict, give yourself a break and take a step back from the action. Scorpio season can feel like a good time to burn things to the ground and start over, but don’t get so focused on destruction that you miss out on a real opportunity for progress. What outcome do you want? And where could slowing down help you find what it is you’re looking for?

Cancer

Knight of swords

This season may feel quick or even frantic to you, as new ideas come rushing forward and you find yourself scrambling to keep up. A goal that you’ve been working towards may feel clear and achievable, giving you a new sense of purpose as you chase after those big ambitions — and if last season brought a fresh idea or a more precise objective, this is a great opportunity to keep moving towards that vision of the future. Enjoy this sense of movement and power, but don’t get so caught up in following one particular path or method that you refuse to innovate. Knights always ask us to consider how we are balancing their element, so pay particular attention to your mind this season, to the ways you perceive and process information. Where do things feel clear, and what could use more investigation? Where are you feeling confident, and where can you spend more time considering your options? There can be real power in finding solutions and running with them, but make sure that what you’re doing resonates, instead of just giving you a way to escape something else.

Leo

Magician

Libra season for you was about taking a break, giving your mind a chance to heal and recover, and carefully considering your next move. And after that much-needed pause, Scorpio season is inviting you to dream big, to embrace your vision for the future, to pay attention to the longings and desires that are making themselves known. What kind of life do you want to build for yourself? What roads have been stretching out before you? How are you expanding? What feels possible?

While Scorpio is so often associated with endings and transformation, it also clears the way for new growth and rebirth, and the Magician is a figure that embraces that energy wholeheartedly. Take time to assess the resources that you have access to, particularly those that you may not tap into as frequently. Where can you make some changes, try some new things, consider the opportunities that you’ve turned down in the past? This is no time for limits or hard boundaries; instead give yourself room to explore, to let your imagination run wild, to tap into your deepest and most powerful magic. Who do you want to be?

Virgo

Page of swords

You may enjoy a rush of energy and visions this season, with a mind brimming with potential and a sensation of endless, brilliant possibility. Although this may feel like a season of conclusions, for you something new is beginning: and as you consider your options and let your mind expand, give yourself space to explore instead of worrying too much about outcomes. Last season gave you a chance to tap into history, traditions, and the roots that you’ve put down over the years — but now you have an opportunity to look forward, to consider new ideas and fresh insights, to look at the world through another lens. And while you’re someone that likes to pay attention to the finer details, this is a time for you to think big, to make some mistakes, to get a little messy. Instead of worrying about having a clear purpose or focused goal, allow your mind to wander and explore. Indulge your curiosity. What have you always wanted to learn? How can you release assumptions and instead gather information with a fresh perspective? What new ambitions are revealing themselves?

Libra

High Priestess

It may feel that in the wake of your season, you’re eager to keep running forward, to find ways to put your new lessons into place and keep tweaking all of the plans and ideas that you just started. But after making a powerful new connection or enjoying your expanding community, the High Priestess asks you to check in with yourself, to pause and enjoy the sensation of solitude and quiet stillness. There may be a choice at hand, but instead of pushing forward, give yourself some time to reflect. What are you doing? What options do you have? What decisions have you made, and which ones are you in the midst of making? Are you hesitating to act or choose, and if so, what is holding you back from movement?

You’re someone that is so good at balance and collaboration, who is passionate about allowing all voices a chance to be heard — but sometimes that can make it difficult to honor your own personal truths, to recognize what it is you really feel or crave. Take some time to listen to your intuition, to check in with yourself instead of letting those around you call the shots or weigh in first. Are you doing something you love? Are you passionate about what you’re creating? And if not, what changes can you make that will reflect your desires more authentically?

Scorpio

Two of wands

Happy birthday, Scorpio! A new idea or fresh challenge may have recently manifested, making you feel like you’re on the cusp of something brilliant and revolutionary — but before you dive in head first or allow obsession to take over, give yourself a beat to make a plan. What needs organizing? Which path forward do you want to take? After such a rush of movement last season, it may feel that you’re moving backwards, being asked to slow down or reconsider what it is you’re creating. But rather than feeling discouraged, remember that this is a moment to decide what is feeding your spirit, what is inspiring and motivating and captivating you. How clear is your vision? What questions do you still have?

You’re someone that knows how to get shit done, that can give something the full weight of your focus and desire. Make sure that the project that you’re putting so much time and energy into is something that has real roots, that can stand the test of time. You’re not afraid of change or transformation, so look at your work with fresh eyes, and consider what is really resonating with your spirit. How can you give true authenticity to this work? What can you do to help this fire burn with powerful longevity, instead of just enjoying a quick spark of inspiration?

Sagittarius

Queen of pentacles

For you, this is a season for being fully present, for indulging, for taking care of yourself. You’re constantly gathering new ideas, sharing your fiery energy with so many and keeping people motivated, excited, and inspired. Yet in this time of Scorpio, make sure you’re also prioritizing your own needs, giving yourself space for rest and leisure. What do you need in order to thrive? What physical pleasures or comforts help you relax, allow you to get the healing and recovery that you need to keep going? How often are you getting fresh air, turning off your phone, spending time enjoying your home and community? The seeds that you have been planting for the last few seasons are showing real growth, so remember that you can continue nurturing them while also feeding your own spirit.

After last season’s careful and methodical efforts, pay attention to balance this season, giving yourself equal time for both work and play. Be intentional about prioritizing satisfaction and fulfillment, about taking time to laugh and connect and rest. Exploration is so important for you, so make sure you’re creating daily rituals around both curiosity and pleasure. Where can you simplify? What makes you feel good, and how can you prioritize that sensation for yourself?

Capricorn

Strength

You are known for your boundaries, your focus, your ambition, your drive — and last season, those skills were put to good use as you evaluated your options and were logical and intentional about choosing the best path forward. But this season, you may be called to practice a bit of patience, to listen and learn instead of jumping straight in with your ideas or desire to be in charge. It’s no secret that you’re competent and capable, but what happens when you take a step back and look at the bigger picture? Where have you been so focused on the end goal that you’re missing potential for new progress? Which of your skills or resources have you been overlooking, and how could changing your strategy open up new possibilities?

This card asks you to balance your natural wildness with your brilliant self-control, paying attention to how often you lean on both abilities. There’s power in knowing the self, in practicing maturity and being willing to wait, but sometimes you may need to loosen those internal reins a little and give yourself the freedom to roar. Where have you been restrained? How are you holding back? Where could a little wildness help you evolve?

Aquarius

Empress

Your work and dreams have been building and building, and this season you may feel a sense of rich movement, creation, and abundance as things begin to come together in a new and powerful way. This is a moment of joy and pleasure as your work begins to take real, tangible shape, so celebrate what you’re accomplishing and honor what is being built. How are you seeing yourself in what you’re making? What does it mean to let your ideas take up space in the real world?

You tend to be someone that is always looking forward, that wants to understand the bigger picture — yet this is a moment to be fully present, to appreciate where you are and how far you’ve come. And while last season may have left you feeling frustrated or afraid, uncertain of your perceptions, Scorpio season will bring a new sense of confidence and joy, an opportunity to leave some of those shadows behind and instead look forward with eagerness. How can you slow down and enjoy the moment? What is changing right now, and how does it feel to recognize and appreciate that movement?

Pisces

Six of wands

After a period of dreaming and reminiscing, for you Scorpio season will be about a rush of drive, creativity, and forward movement. If you’ve been feeling stuck or frustrated, you may enjoy a bit of a breakthrough in the coming weeks, as obstacles seem to fade away and your energy is both high and positive. Enjoy this feeling of victory and triumph, the sense of purpose and accomplishment that you may find alongside a new understanding of freedom and personal power. And while it may at times feel a bit sad that a few of your older ideas are fading away, the new ones that are moving into place will be more in line with your long-term vision for the future.

While this kind of action-oriented focus may not feel as comfortable as your time in the fantasy world, remember the lessons you found last season, the people and events that have shaped you into the person you are today. What have you learned from your past? How can you bring those lessons into your present, and allow them to help you impact your future? What are you rushing towards, and how can you trace your progress back to your roots?

Let’s Get Real: A Tarot Spread & Reading for When You’re Ready to Stop Avoiding Self-Awareness

Sometimes it feels simpler to hide. There’s an ease in it, a sense of purpose and tidiness in pushing strong emotions into a quiet corner of our souls, in vowing not to look at them again until we’re ready. Fear, anger, frustration, desire, need, insecurity, loneliness, heartbreak, anxiety — the stronger the feeling, the harder it can be to process and understand all that’s within us. And dealing with heavy shit? In 2020, when it feels like literally everything that could go wrong has? It’s no wonder we’ve all found creative ways to protect ourselves, to force our longings and dreams into strong little boxes that we tuck into the darkest of places. Right now, for many of us, avoiding examination feels like a matter of survival.

And yet. We’ve just moved through the season of the Hermit, with Mars still in Aries, as the world around us burns, and we cannot permanently hide from what is real. We cannot live in an endless period of waiting, cannot stunt our own growth and call it a real and lasting solution. The Hermit urges us to be gracious with ourselves, to retreat with intentionality, to pull back from the physical world so that we could begin to examine our own internal landscape. And while it might feel terrifying to dig into our own secrets with so many other things to worry about, the Hermit invites us to carve out space for patient exploration, for deep introspection. What have you been hiding from? Where have you been longing for freedom, and what has been holding you back? What dreams are you ignoring, wishes are you downplaying, desires are you deflecting from? How can you safely step into your shadows, understand how fear is impacting your opportunities? And what powerful emotions are shaping your choices, perhaps in a way that you aren’t even fully aware of?

Look, I know you’re exhausted. This might be too much for you right now; might feel too heavy or overwhelming on top of everything else that’s happening in the world. I’m not pushing you to forcibly unpack every single fear and concern and uncertainty, to rip out your beating heart and tear open old wounds; I’m not ordering you to dive recklessly into all of your trauma and pain. But the things that you’ve been refusing to look at closely, to deal with, always reveal themselves in the end. And if you can find the courage to open your eyes, to pull out even one of those little boxes and slowly examine the contents, you may find a bit of weight lifting, a sense of power and control gently returning. You may be able to rediscover a bit of your own magic.

Remember that while the Hermit asks us to dive deep, there’s also space for protection and care – and that even though we’ve now moved into a new astrological season, this archetype still has much to teach us. Like Virgo, the Hermit is patient and deliberate, adaptive and conscious, fully present and intensely detail-oriented. Rather than pulling out everything at once, this is a chance to be methodical, intentional, to step into a space of self-examination with care and caution. And although the tarot can be brutal in its honesty, this spread isn’t designed to leave you sobbing and scared in the corner. Instead it’s an opportunity for you to be truthful, to gently consider the secrets that you’ve been keeping from yourself. The Hermit wants you to be safe and comfortable even as you dive deep, wants you to balance protection with growth. And by making space for reflection, by prioritizing your own needs and longings and desires, you can start to figure out your next steps, to uncover where you really want to go.

1. What are you ignoring? Something you’ve been unwilling to face, either consciously or subconsciously. What have you been overlooking or avoiding? What are you hiding from yourself? What have you been unwilling to face?
2. Why are you hiding from this truth? Something that’s been holding you back from examining this truth more fully. Is it fear, anger, frustration, uncertainty? What has been stopping you from learning more? Why are you afraid of seeing clearly?
3. What resource have you not fully tapped into? Something that might help you find stability or purpose in dealing with this issue. What people, communities, energies, ideas, or assets could you be utilizing? Who wants to help you?
4. How can you overcome this blockage? A next step, idea, or solution to your current challenge. What haven’t you considered? What new perspective might help you see new possibilities? Where can you start?

To help you see how this spread can be used, my dear friend Heather Hogan has graciously agreed to let me share a reading that I did for her using Cristy Road’s Next World Tarot. While I’m just including a small portion of her reading, I hope that this helps you find the courage to use tarot for some personal exploration, to understand how you can embrace a spirit of awareness and work to move forward with strength, power, and magic. The Hermit can push us hard, but ultimately this is a chance to show ourselves real love, to make space for healing, to understand what is motivating us.

What are you ignoring?

A card of courage, independence, and powerful progress, the seven of wands speaks to an intense belief in the self, a clear and searing vision of the future that is on its way, a reminder of the kind of life that you are actively building. Don’t underestimate the fortitude and magic it has taken to get as far as you have. This is a moment to keep going, and to stop overlooking how much you’ve achieved. Are you afraid to see yourself as brave? Does being seen as independent make you feel proud, frustrated, or just really fucking tired? What about this identity feels like something you aren’t connected to, and how can you combine your personal insights with a broader and more authentic perspective on who you really are?

Why are you hiding from this truth?

The six of swords comes after fighting and struggle, after conflict and confusion, after a harsh realization that has caused some complicated shifts. Sometimes truths can force us to reevaluate where we’re going, or grant us certainty that we are moving towards our goals with clarity and purpose. It’s possible that your ideas around what it means to be independent may be shifting, or that you’ve been so ready to move forward that you’re not fully examining your reasons for escape, and the pain that those challenges have caused. What have you been afraid to acknowledge about your own movement? What have you left behind, and what are you reaching for? How can honoring what you’ve moved away from help you understand where you want to go next?

What resources have you not fully tapped into?

A card of balancing elements, Temperance asks us to ground ourselves in our needs and wants, to pay attention to what our instincts are guiding us towards. Sometimes we get so caught up in movement, in the need for measurable progress, that we end up pressing on towards things that don’t ultimately matter. Temperance as a resource reminds you that you already know how to guard yourself, how to advocate for yourself, how to balance work and rest. Yet that knowledge may still hold opportunities for growth, and there may be ways that you can find harmony between all the things you’re juggling that you haven’t fully explored. Where are you being too hard on yourself? How can you put structures in place that help you move and grow at a pace that is sustainable for the long term?

How can you overcome this blockage?

The Star is an archetype of quiet and gentle healing, of sitting in stillness, of believing in the possibility of hope. In spite of chaos and destruction, in spite of pain and grief, in spite of all that has been lost, the Star is a moment of rebirth, a glimpse of all of the possibilities that are visible now that the dust from the Tower’s fall has cleared. As you sit in this moment of healing, as you reflect on how far you’ve come and how far you still have to go, pay attention to the ways that you are reinventing yourself. What new dreams are emerging as possible futures? How can you give yourself space for reflection rather than immediately pushing towards a new goal? What clarity are you tapping into, and how have your struggles shifted your understanding of what truly matters?

Queer Tarotscopes for Libra Season 2020 Ask What Justice Really Looks Like

This season’s tarotscopes feature the Tarot of the Divine and the Compendium of Constellations.

After a season of introspection and awareness, after sitting with our secrets and digging into the wants and needs and fears that shape us, we now move from Virgo’s mutable earth into Libra’s cardinal air. The shift from the Hermit’s intentional, focused reflection to Justice’s powerful, expansive movement is a major one, urging us to switch from internal processing to external collaboration. And whether you spent time in recovery or pushed yourself to higher levels of truth-seeking, this new season offers a chance for us to put our fresh discoveries about ourselves into practice, to see how our theories play out in the real world. Welcome to Libra season.

Ushering in autumn here in the northern hemisphere, Libra is most often associated with art and beauty, collaboration and harmony. Eager for different perspectives, this is a time of listening and learning, of expanding the mind, of exploring new ideas and viewpoints. After the Hermit’s slow and deliberate movement, with Virgo’s eagerness to wrap up projects ensuring that every detail is perfectly finished, Libra is ready to start something fresh, to stretch and search, to be open to dazzling new possibilities. As light and brilliant as this energy can seem, Libra also has a deep capacity for awareness, carrying the thoughtful intentionality of the Hermit forward into a sharp perceptiveness that allows for tranquility and equilibrium. There’s a real sense of grace here, the ability to quickly shift and adapt, honoring different approaches and inviting everyone to participate in decisions.

Our card for this new season is Justice, an archetype of equality and balance, ethics and integrity, truth and fairness. And while this is always an intense card to work with, in 2020 it holds so many additional layers of meaning. After months of revolution and riots, calls for equality and reparations, demands for police reform and abolition, it may feel that justice as a concept is still so far from reach. And yet in the tarot, this archetype asks to consider how our personal ideals and morals play out in the real world. What do we truly believe in, and why? What has shaped our values, influenced our understanding of what is truly right? What seems correct in theory, but never quite plays out the way we think it should? It doesn’t seem like it should be complicated to understand justice as a concept, yet particularly in the United States, so few things are truly equitable. Libra wants every voice to be heard, every need to be met, for the most vulnerable and marginalized to be lifted up and protected. And as we shift into this new season, Justice demands that we carefully consider beliefs, that we pay attention to the systems that impact us, that we push back against the limits that are harming us. How are you standing up for your community, for those whose voices are so often silenced? Where are you fighting back against injustice? What can you offer?

Many of our cards for this season urge contemplation and focus, asking us not to get distracted by the many demands on our energy, resources, and ideas. From choosing our path forward with care to staying grounded with regard to our long term goals, Libra is a season of balanced work and purposeful decision making, offering opportunities for deliberate growth and careful consideration of our options. This kind of collaborative energy is not pushing you to make space for everyone’s ideas at the expense of your own voice or needs — but it is asking you to consider what you may be missing, where your own perspective is too narrow or limited. How can you stay open to new ideas? Where can you innovate? In this season of Libra, remember the lessons of Justice, and choose your battles carefully. You have an opportunity for rich growth, both internal and external, but it’s essential that you know what it is you’re fighting for. Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Venus is the ruler of Libra, bringing beauty and a spirit of love to this season, so if you know your Venus placement you can also include that card reading in your spread for a more complete picture.

For more on working with the energy of this season, I recently published a new general spread for Libra season over at Astrology Answers. Check out my daily writing and card draws on Instagram, and you can get my latest tarot writings delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my Substack newsletter. I’m currently taking a break from client readings, but you can check out my website for larger spreads, writings, and purchase my two original e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Have a safe and beautiful Libra season!

Aries

The Emperor

After the quiet reflection and purposeful stillness of Virgo season, you now have an opportunity to press on, to pursue your goals in earnest, to make a detailed and structured plan for your future. The Emperor is your birth card, Aries, so you may find yourself feeling extra motivated to carry that organized Virgo energy forward and create comprehensive milestones for your ongoing work and your broader goals. Your natural independence and desire to be constantly moving forward can both be powerful assets, but don’t forget Libra’s balanced energy of awareness and insight, of collaboration, of paying attention to multiple perspectives. There may be a tendency for you to insist on doing things alone, on choosing a path forward and sticking to it no matter the cost, but there can be real value in listening to the ideas and opinions of those you trust and respect. How can you learn from those around you? Where can you take charge, and where might it be useful to delegate?

Taurus

Three of coins

It may feel like things are starting to come together in an important way this season, as new collaborators join your work and fresh ideas help you gain traction. The old adage that many hands make light work will be an important one to remember, as you tend to be someone that prefers to do things yourself, in your own way — keep in mind that allowing others to weigh in, and being willing to delegate tasks that don’t come as naturally to you, may help you keep your eyes on the prize and remember what you’re working towards. After the dramatic shifts and powerful realizations that you moved through last season, embrace Libra’s diplomatic and innovative energy and be open to new opportunities. You are building something important, but as you well know, sometimes the biggest projects take consistent effort and long-term planning to execute properly. Be patient with yourself, and don’t rush this process — with care, attention, and a solid team behind you, you’re well on your way to success.

Gemini

Seven of coins

As you continue to make progress towards your long-term goals, you may find yourself settling into a comfortable rhythm, balancing your creative sparks with a more grounded and patient approach to movement. This will be a good season for you to pay attention to the direction that you’re moving in, to see if the vision that you began with still feels like something you want to achieve. How have you shifted and grown throughout this process? Where might you need to adjust, evolve, or even shift your progress towards a new goal? Last season’s restless energy may feel more focused and intentional now that we’ve entered airy, harmonious Libra season, so give yourself some space to breathe and explore, to see if you’re moving towards something that you still want. With reflection and conscious attention, you may find that what once seemed so important no longer is holding your interest in quite the same way. Don’t abandon old projects just because you’re eager for the rush of a new beginning, but do be thoughtful about changes you can make to your process that help you find fresh energy and innovative insights. Where are you going?

Cancer

Page of swords

This season may bring a new opportunity, truth, or insight, something that encourages you to explore and expand in an intellectual, intentional way. You may find that a new style of learning or a new perspective on an old subject helps you understand the ideas that are coming forward for you, allowing you fit together existing pieces in unexpectedly brilliant ways. How has your perspective been shifting? What new viewpoints are changing the way you think about the world around you? If things felt stagnant last season, if it seemed like you were trapped in your own mind and unable to find your way forward, this time of Libra may feel particularly exciting, with new possibilities around every corner and brilliant ideas buzzing through your mind. Temper all of this quick, powerful air with your own natural water, balancing that sensitive intuition with the new insights that are capturing your attention. What are you learning about your own curiosities and impulses? Where are you ready to learn more?

Leo

Four of swords

If Virgo season felt like a time when your heart was open and vulnerable, when you were called to connect and collaborate, this next chapter is one of rest, recovery, and new awareness. You may be known for your courage and boldness, for your love of independence and adventure, but Libra season offers a chance for you to slow down and give your mind time to catch up to your heart. As new truths and insights become clear, we sometimes need to take a breath, to give ourselves space to process and adjust to the world we are discovering. And you may find as Libra season continues, you discover new strength within yourself, a new sense of purpose for what you want to achieve and pursue. How much time do you spend in reflection? What came forward for you during the time of the Hermit, and what new questions are now emerging? Listen to your mind and body and take rest when you need to — it may be that you have to schedule it in, so that you don’t just collapse when the day is over. Make a point of giving yourself a break, and see how it allows your mind to sharpen. Who are you when you stop moving?

Virgo

The Hierophant

It may feel that you’re caught between worlds this season, as you transition out of your comfortable season of precision and into a time of partnerships, evolution, and examining multiple perspectives. This archetype often calls us to analyze our histories, to consider what rituals we have developed, to pay attention to the routines we’ve established and what they say about the things we believe. And with Libra’s airy energy pushing us to honor what resonates on a personal and ethical level, this will be a season of attention and awareness, a chance for you to consider how the things you feel and know manifest in your daily life. How do you make decisions? Where do you invest your resources, energy, passions? What rituals mean something to you, and where are you simply going through the motions? If you find yourself constantly falling back on the way that things have always been done, give yourself a break and let the brilliant innovation of Libra shift your perspective. How can you create patterns and rituals that resonate on a deeper level?

Libra

Two of cups

Happy birthday, Libra! As you step into your season, you may find yourself balancing your intellectual needs with a craving for more intense personal connections, wanting to be seen on a more personal and sensitive level. Whether you’re deepening friendships, falling for someone new, or putting more effort into business partnerships, this will be a time of community and vulnerability, when you are asked to share your heart with someone in a more intimate way. Sometimes these connections are made quickly or in unexpected places, so stay open to possibility, and pay attention to the ways that you respond to those around you. Last season reminded you of how independent and powerful you can be, of all that you’ve achieved and accomplished in your life — so allow your season to be one of chosen family and important relationships, a time when you invest in the people you care about. What kinds of people are you drawn to? What do they reveal within you? And how can you be more intentional about the community that you are building?

Scorpio

Four of wands

After a period of difficult choices and careful reflection, for you this season will be about forward movement, celebration, and stepping into your own power. It may feel like your creative work is really taking off, as things click into a new gear and you’re able to create strong foundations for your future vision. Enjoy this feeling of momentum and joy, and remember what it is you’re working towards. What new kinds of magic are revealing themselves? You’re someone that tends to keep so much private, preferring not to show your hand too soon, but don’t get so obsessive about keeping your work secret that you miss out on opportunities to collaborate and gain valuable feedback on the things that you’re building. Sometimes getting an outside perspective can bring a fresh burst of energy and inspiration, so trust your instincts and bring someone in if it feels right. What might you gain from letting yourself expand? How can you create solid structures that inspire you to grow, rather than restricting your movement?

Sagittarius

Eight of coins

It might be tempting to spend all of your time with intellectual pursuits this season, enjoying the spirit of exploration and collaboration that air seasons so often bring. But rather than expanding outward and starting new projects, Libra is a time for you to stay focused on your larger, more established goals, to work to improve your craft, to continue investing in the ambitions that you’ve been chasing. What have you been building? What are you working towards? How can you gain knowledge, skills, additional resources? After last season’s rush of inspiration and magic, work to slow down and move with intention, to create something that will last and reflects the person that you are. You are skilled in so many brilliant and powerful ways, yet when you put your head down and really do the work, you may be shocked at just how far you can go, at just how much you can accomplish. Where have you been spinning your wheels? What fresh insights from last season can you apply to your current work?

Capricorn

Two of swords

You may find yourself at an important crossroads this season, choosing between different paths. Sometimes you’re picking between two things that you want to pursue, and will have to figure out where you most want to put your energy, insights, and assets — but other times neither option will feel particularly exciting, and you simply have to make up your mind so that you can begin to make progress. Whichever situation you find yourself in, stick to the facts, and work to keep your perspective clear and honest rather than getting caught up in too many hypotheticals or anxieties. Which path feels the most logical, the most true? What is stimulating your mind? Which sword is giving you a more profound sense of purpose? After last season’s explorations, it’s time for you to double down and decide what it is you want to grow, where you want to expand and innovate. Where can you charge forward, and what are you willing to leave behind?

Aquarius

Nine of swords

Ideas and worries may feel a bit tangled for you as you move into Libra season, particularly if you’re someone that rarely relies on the opinions of others to help you find clarity and insight. You’re known for your independence, your forward-thinking; yet when you begin to doubt yourself it can cause you to twist reality into unrecognizable shapes, losing sight of what is real and reacting to challenges before you have all of the necessary information. In the wake of the major shifts that you were working through last season, it may feel like you’re trapped with no way forward, unable to rebuild after a profound loss or transition. But you have more options than you realize, so embrace the balanced insights and collaborative energy of Libra, and allow those that you trust to help you get your mind back on track. There’s no shame in asking for help, so resist the impulse to go it alone and instead give yourself a chance to adjust your perspective, to find a more authentic viewpoint. Where can you seek truth? How are you getting stuck? What old mental patterns are you falling into, and how can you end that cycle for good?

Pisces

Six of cups

After a season of exciting shifts and powerful movement, your Libra season may feel dreamy and introspective, a chance to reflect on your personal history, roots, and connections. There can be something so lovely about remembering simpler times, about exploring the paths that you’ve taken to get where you are, the events and relationships that have helped you reach this particular point. But take care not to romanticize the past too intensely, to overlook any challenges or struggles that shaped you. You may find opportunities for pleasure, comfort, and generosity this season, reconnecting with old friends or finding safe places to rest and relax — yet sometimes when we dig deeply into our own histories, we also reveal old wounds. Be gentle with yourself and honor your intuition, particularly if thinking about your past brings up vulnerabilities or painful memories. What can you learn from the places that you’ve been? Which experiences have been formative, and what are you still understanding about all of the previous versions of yourself?

Queer Tarotscopes for Virgo Season 2020: Are You Ready to Do the Hard Work with Yourself?

This season’s tarotscopes feature The Spacious Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

We’re still moving forward through this impossible year, trying to adjust to new information even as we hold fast to our communities and chosen families. How are you doing, friends? How have you adjusted, evolved, transformed? What have the challenges and struggles of this year been teaching you about yourself, your goals, your dreams, your fears? In some ways it feels like introspection and awareness is an unfair request, that any additional processing in 2020 is something we cannot possibly participate in — yet we are all undergoing major shifts and changes, discovering which parts of our lives we cannot do without, and noting what pressures or burdens have slipped through the cracks, abandoned or deemed unnecessary. As we shift from a season of movement into one of stillness, as we consider what more we have to learn about ourselves, you have an opportunity to give yourself space and time to think about where you have been, and where you are going next.

This past season was one of brilliance, inspiration, personal power. And after all of the fire and heat and magic of Leo, after embracing our wildness and honoring our capacity for patience with Strength, Virgo season is now asking us to slow down, to assess, to consider. There can be so much freedom in movement, in blazing new trails, in allowing ourselves to recognize and celebrate the things that make us unique and powerful — but after all of that forward motion, after chasing what we want with both hands outstretched, we begin to slow down, to catch our breath, to consider our surroundings and think about our next steps. We have managed to capture some of the things that we hoped for, have found satisfaction and pleasure in achieving some of our dreams, but there is still more to do. And now that our confidence has been built up, now that we have a better handle on our gifts and talents and skills, we can dig into the next phase of work.

Mutable earth may seem paradoxical — we tend to think of earth signs as focused and patient and disciplined, while mutable signs are flexible, diplomatic, and a bit restless. But Virgo’s combination of logic and adaptability make them a brilliant energy for finishing projects and moving into a new phase, for seeing what is still possible and creating a plan to make it happen. This is a season for getting shit done, for easing places of chaos, for organizing and delegating and prioritizing. Gemini season brought new ideas, Cancer season helped us focus on the ones that matter the most, and Leo season allowed us to put our magic and energy into making them happen. And as Virgo season begins and we enjoy this last season of summer, you may feel a new drive to complete tasks that have been hanging over your head, to clear out junk and get your affairs in order. What can you finish up, smooth out, resolve? What still needs refining?

In a similar vein, Virgo’s birth card of the Hermit asks us to take a critical look within, to begin peering into all of our darkest corners and most hidden places. A card of retreat, introspection, and awareness, the Hermit requires a step outside of the familiar, taking us away from our usual routines and instead asking us to explore our own internal wilderness, our deepest depths. What have you been hiding from yourself? What have you resisted examining more closely? What desires, fears, needs, wants, expectations, or shifts have been coming forward? And how can spending time understanding these aspects of yourself more deeply help you know what to pursue next? The Hermit is not simply about seeking rest and solitude, though that can be important — it’s instead demanding that we stop hiding from the things that scare us and instead learn to embrace those secret shadows. If Strength and Leo season was about finding confidence in the face that we show to the world, Virgo and the Hermit ask us to shine that light inward, to recognize all that we are and all that we are capable of becoming. The Hermit requires deep and constant patience. Just as Virgo is deliberate and thorough, double-checking and making adjustments so that every line is clean and perfect, the Hermit cannot be rushed. This is hard work, as we make a commitment to uncovering what we have been hiding from ourselves. It requires time, dedication, and a tremendous amount of patience with the self.

So many of our cards for this season involve slowing down and being conscious and deliberate about our decisions. Even if it feels like you’re still high on energy and power from Leo season’s fire, be thoughtful about your choices, your movements, your ambitions. In this season of Virgo, be intentional about the ways that you show yourself love. Powerful new realizations may come forward, and instead of being hard on yourself for what you are just now discovering, instead celebrate this new sense of awareness, this new kind of magic. Remember the wisdom of the Hermit, and take your time exploring what has been hidden away. Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Virgo is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and movement, so if you know your Mercury placement you can also read for that sign to receive a more complete picture of your Virgo season.

Check out my daily writing and card draws on Instagram, and you can get my latest tarot writings delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my new Substack. I also offer personal, custom readings through my website, along with larger spreads, writings, and two e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Have a safe and productive Virgo season.

Aries

The High Priestess

The fire and magic of Leo may have felt extra energizing to you after so many months of isolation and quiet, but as you shift into patient, focused Virgo season, you have an opportunity now to look deeper within. You know yourself well, Aries, understanding what drives you and what gives you purpose — but how often do you actually take time to ponder all of your choices? Being led by instinct is a powerful and useful tool, but this season you may find that sitting in stillness for a time, giving your intuition a chance to speak and offer wisdom, may be even more important. You’ve been working with the heart for the past few seasons, and this is a chance to introduce some thoughtful, insightful air to the mix. Think of the High Priestess as the big breath you take before signing a contract, starting a pitch, making a big ask, knocking on an important door. Instead of always letting your inner fire call the shots, instead of pushing forward at all costs, take a beat to check in with yourself, to make sure that what you’ve been pursuing still feels right. How can you honor the voice that whispers within you? Where can you exercise patience?

Taurus

The Tower

You’re generally right at home in earth seasons, enjoying a sense of stability and comfort as you work on the things that matter most to you, and continue to chip away at your bigger personal goals. But there may be some upheaval that you find yourself working through in this time of Virgo, a sense of chaos or even destruction that throws things out of place and forces you to reevaluate some things that you were taking for granted. As destabilizing as this may feel, especially in a year where so few things have been predictable, remember that what is breaking has likely been fractured for a long time, and that this is something that is absolutely essential for you to work through before you can continue making progress.

After the stillness and contentment of last season, it may be frustrating to feel that you now have more to do, more repairs to make, more tasks to complete. But instead of viewing this season as a time of failure, allow yourself some freedom to explore and roam, to consider new pathways forward, to assess all of your options. What have you been overlooking? What new opportunities are revealing themselves? How can you see your options through fresh eyes, and what are you feeling drawn to?

Gemini

Five of wands

Your ability to create, learn, and grow is inspiring, Gemini, and the wide variety of ideas and interests that you so often bounce between is a great way to keep yourself busy and entertained. It’s a gift to be engaged in so many different projects and possibilities, something that not everyone is capable of doing — and yet you may find that as you move from fiery Leo season into quiet, grounded Virgo, you feel a bit lost in your own plans. The big ideas that captivated you last season may now seem overwhelming or overly complex, leaving you uncertain of what to do. While you usually know where you’re going, this lack of focus may be unavoidable, and force you to slow down, consider what is really exciting to you. You may feel that it’s best to shelve some of the other ideas that aren’t yet fully formed, giving yourself permission to return to them at a later date. How can you focus on the things that bring you joy? What future excites you? Remember the energy of the Hermit and spend time in reflection, exploring what has you mentally tangled up. Where is your fire eager to go? What stagnant ideas can you leave behind?

Cancer

Eight of swords

You have a natural instinct for boundaries and protection that has served you well many times, allowing you to honor what you know and trust that you will act in a way that resonates deeply for you. And while knowing your limits and being willing to say no has often helped you stay safe and confident, you may find yourself a bit isolated, even trapped, during this new season of earth. Last season may have encouraged you to check in with yourself more often, giving yourself freedom to explore and understand what you’re longing for, so pay attention to what emotions may have shifted, or where doubts may be creeping in. Sometimes we get so focused on our own plans and perspectives that we lose sight of the big picture, missing key details that shift what we know to be true.

If you find yourself struggling to move in any direction, feeling like you have no options, there’s a very good chance that you have simply blocked yourself from recognizing the way forward. Consider asking for new perspectives, pausing to assess, or even giving yourself a break in order to look at your situation from a new angle. What is holding you back? What have you not considered? What options may you have dismissed too quickly? And how could you ask for help?

Leo

Two of cups

As we shift out of your season and into a slower time of awareness and patience, as you begin to assess the progress you’ve made and evaluate your options, you may find yourself seeking out richer, more intimate connections. Whether you are deepening friendships, getting caught up in a new romance, or discovering a more powerful capacity for community and partnership, for you Virgo season will be about opening your heart to new possibilities. And even if love is the last thing on your mind, this card indicates that a new connection may help you find joy, pleasure, or comfort in something unexpectedly beautiful.

If you spent last season looking for clarity and truth, choosing which path forward to follow, it may feel that you now have another decision to make — how brave to be with your heart. You’re not afraid to be bold and open with what you want, to seek adventure or rise up to challenge, but make sure you take time to check in with yourself, to pursue a person or situation because they truly appeal to you and not simply because they are present and available. There is a powerful opportunity here, but make sure it’s the right one for you, and not simply a way to distract yourself from your bigger ambitions and dreams. How vulnerable are you willing to be?

Virgo

The Devil

Happy birthday, Virgo! This year has been an incredibly difficult one, and as we move from a season of passion and magic into your time of stillness, reflection, and awareness, you may find yourself desperate to control anything that you can. This isn’t necessarily a bad instinct, and your capacity for organization and details have come in handy so frequently that it may feel comforting to slip into familiar roles and patterns — yet if you cling to control too tightly, or allow those old habits to take over, you may find yourself getting lost in destructive behaviors. And after wrestling with this on a smaller scale last season, you may be particularly tired of dealing with this particular struggle.
Consider what you’ve had trouble saying no to, the aspects of your life that feel completely out of your control. Even the healthiest, most positive behaviors can be harmful if we let them restrict our choices, so consider how you can maintain a more balanced perspective. And if you find yourself regressing into cycles or habits that you’d thought yourself free of, pay careful attention to what is driving your behavior. Where are you being called to let go? What needs to be recalibrated? What are you holding on to too tightly?

Libra

Nine of pentacles

This earthy season may be more comfortable for you than the passion and courage of Leo, offering you opportunities for balance, connection, and deep personal awareness. As you move forward into Virgo season, take stock of how far you’ve come, of all that you’ve accomplished, of the ways that you have grown and flourished in difficult circumstances. What have you learned about yourself? What can you celebrate? You tend to be someone that works well with others, that always has the needs and desires of those around you in mind — but this is a chance to celebrate yourself, to recognize the independent spirit that you possess and the hard work that you’ve been putting in. After working with the eight of pentacles last season, the nine urges you to celebrate your successes and share the abundance that you’ve found with those that have helped you along the way. How are you enjoying all that you’ve built? Where does your pride manifest? How can you give back?

Scorpio

Two of swords

You’re right at home in seasons of introspection, and as we move from Leo into Virgo, you may find yourself anticipating an opportunity for reflection, exploration, and personal awareness. But take care to move with deliberation and thoughtfulness, rather than jumping straight into the deep end — you may find yourself at a bit of a crossroads, with no obvious right answer presenting itself. The heartbreak of last season may still be lingering in your subconscious, and it’s understandable that you would want to jump into movement, to create distance, to give yourself over to something new. There’s an important opportunity here to carve a path forward, to decide how you want to approach a particular problem or situation. And rather than getting caught up in what is correct, give yourself a chance to listen to your intuition, to honor your insights and pay attention to what resonates for you. What feels clear, and what is still out of focus? What choice feels like the best move for you?

Sagittarius

Ace of wands

Last season may have felt slow and frustrating, even painful, as you assessed your resources and found yourself wanting more. This period of earth and reflection may have you feeling restless or anxious, and with good reason: you are a child of fire, Sagittarius, and you may find yourself moving into Virgo season with a brilliant, intoxicating new idea. If you’ve been feeling held back recently, worrying that inspiration isn’t flowing the way that it used to, this season may bring a new wave of fire, magic, and confidence, pushing you to explore the world in new ways. Enjoy this rush of sensation and power, but remember too the wisdom of the Hermit, the power of awareness and reflection and solitude. Rather than rushing straight into work, consider what you want this to become, the seed that you’re planting, the spark that is growing. How can you remain in control of your fire? What feels abundant, and how can you channel that energy into something beautiful and tangible? What do you need to keep this spark from burning out too quickly?

Capricorn

Child of swords

Virgo season may bring a profound and important new path forward for you, a chance to see things from a new angle and begin exploring a project, challenge, or ambition in an unexpected way. After working with your heart last season, after opening yourself to new connections and possibilities, this season may feel more focused on the mind and body as you get organized and assess your options in a logical, pragmatic way. You are someone that likes to have a plan, to know where you’re going, and the energy and power of Virgo will serve you well as you consider your next steps. But instead of holding back until you have every single detail plotted out, leave yourself space for innovation, for the unknown, and allow yourself to be creative with the ways that you approach these goals. Where might a fresh idea help move things forward? How could collaboration, new insights, or a different perspective shift the possibilities you are seeing? What happens when you allow yourself to think on your feet?

Aquarius

Death

In many ways, Leo season was a time of reckoning for you, as you allowed yourself to expand beyond one narrow perspective, to consider the variety of options that have been available to you. And with this shift into practical, pragmatic Virgo season, you may find yourself leaving something important behind, allowing yourself to release an old idea, dream, relationship, or situation that is no longer serving you. All of the fire and earth swirling around you may feel challenging, with calls to be present when you would prefer to be focusing on what’s ahead, honoring what you are building. But give yourself space to process this shift that you are moving through, to be fully present for the transformation that you are in the midst of.

Even if this ending feels painful or unexpected, resist the urge to rush past your grief so that you can start something new — it’s important that you sit with this loss, that you process your emotions, that you allow yourself to start to heal. Try not to isolate yourself too much, as you may find that the insights of others allow you to take a broader view of what is happening. How are you being set free? What new possibilities can you now see for your future?

Pisces

Explorer of wands

This new season of magic and introspection may feel right up your alley, Pisces, comfortable as you are with dreams and intuition and visions of what’s possible. And particularly in the light of last season, which had you processing heavy emotions and perhaps feeling a sensation of loss, this new time of grounding and personal exploration may allow you to open some new doorways. But as you look inward and take stock of all that you find within yourself, you may find that you feel eager to move, to start something new, to pursue an adventure or challenge or line of thinking that feels both unexpected and inevitable. Sometimes this manifests as inspiration, but it can also look like restlessness, an inability to focus on any one project or idea for too long, What is coming forward for you? What has been capturing your imagination, your fantasies? Where are you feeling led? Be cautious not to rush yourself, not to burn out too quickly or brush past the planning stages in your eagerness to express yourself creatively. How can you protect your inspiration? How can Virgo’s earth temper this exciting sensation of fire and magic?

Queer Tarotscopes for Leo Season 2020: What Are You Fighting For?

This season’s tarotscopes feature The Next World Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

With retrogrades, eclipses, and uprisings, Cancer season has been intense and challenging for many of us. It’s been a time of sensitivity and heavy emotions, of caring for ourselves as well as those around us, of learning how to maintain community in the midst of so much upheaval and uncertainty. But after these weeks in cardinal water, we are now stepping into Leo season, a time of fire, independence, and personal power. This transition can feel dramatic or disorienting for many, as Leo’s bold courage and desire for adventure has a very different vibe than Cancer’s quiet intuition. Even if it feels like we are still in a place of stagnation and frustration, like we haven’t made as much progress as we would like towards our personal and collective goals, this season of fixed fire is all about courage, boldness, and taking charge of our future.

We are moving into a time of growth, of action, of independent movement and expansive ambition. And while Leo is often reduced to a dramatic energy that craves attention and accolades, this is a sign known for loyalty, playfulness, leadership, and joy. Although this year has felt impossible in so many ways, Leo wants us to celebrate where we can, to honor our accomplishments, to recognize where we have persevered and conquered. Even if you feel utterly discouraged, this season brings an opportunity to take pride in the things we do well, the unique aspects of ourselves that bring pleasure and satisfaction. What sets you apart?

Our birth card for this season is Strength, an archetype of patience and maturity, restraint and thoughtful action. After the momentum and determination and victory of the Chariot, Strength asks us what lessons we have learned from our recent success, urges us to slow down and pay attention to all that we have achieved. Leo’s fiery passion and fierce independence may seem at odds with the quiet resolve that we so often experience in Strength, yet to only see this as an archetype of control and stoicism does it a disservice. Strength is about more than quiet awareness and the willingness to wait for the perfect moment to act: this is also a card of deep pride in the self, of understanding the power and value in all of our facets. Sometimes we must be calm, still, waiting for the perfect moment to strike — but other times we must bare our teeth, reveal our rage, stand up and fight for the things that matter.

What is giving you purpose, shape, energy? What are you fighting for? As this administration continues to ignore the realities of the pandemic in favor of stripping away our rights and freedoms, as the streets continue to flood with citizens crying out for justice and change, what is lighting a fire inside of you? Leo and Strength ask you to take pride in the things you excel at, to celebrate where you can contribute. None of us can take on every single thing, but each of us have an essential role to play — and learning what yours is, harnessing your personal magic and recognizing when and where to use it, is what Leo season is all about.

Many of our cards for this season speak of either awareness or intention, urging us to be conscious about our actions and movements, to be deliberate about what we are working towards. Strength’s power is in where it’s wielded, and if we can be attentive about where our energy and magic naturally flow, if we can balance our cravings and our needs, deep and lasting progress can be made. Some may find themselves grieving this season, experiencing feelings of loss or sorrow. And in such difficult times, Leo asks us to remember our power, to recognize our courage, and to not overlook the magic that we hold. What inspires you to keep going? What is your bigger mission?

In this season of Leo, remember the lessons of Strength, and pay attention to how and when you act. What makes you unique, distinctive? How is your magic different, and how can you play to your natural strengths? What dims your light, and what feeds your fire? Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Leo is ruled by the sun, a planet of consistency and celebration, so pay extra attention to the card reading for your sun sign.

I’ve had pieces published in both Astrology Answers and Witchology Magazine recently, and also appeared on an episode of Bad Astrologers with Amelia Quint. Check out my daily studies and card draws on Instagram, and you can get my latest tarot writings delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my Substack newsletter. I also offer personal, custom readings through my website, along with larger spreads, writings, and two e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Have a safe and inspiring Leo season!

Aries

Page of cups

What is the full spectrum of your experience, of your emotions, of your intuition? How often do you let yourself fully trust the insights and wisdom that well up within your spirit? Dear Aries, you had the same card last season, which indicates that you are at the beginning of a powerful new journey of the heart. And while this may feel frustrating for you, as someone that so often prefers to be in control of both the journey and the destination, who likes to call the shots and march to the beat of their own drum, this page is asking you to expect the unexpected. For you, Leo season will be an opportunity to shine that powerful light inward, to make space for a new beginning that invites expansion and emotion, creativity and magic, love and connection. What have you been learning about yourself with regards to your partnerships and communities, the ways that you relate to others? What has been bubbling up within you? What are you dreaming of? Pay attention to where you find wonder, joy, and curiosity, and allow those desires for exploration to propel you forward. What parts of yourself, of your world, inspire awe?

Taurus

Ten of cups

Last season may have felt a bit restless for you, as you struggled to focus your ideas and energy into specific goals rather than just sinking into frustration. But as you step forward into Leo season, you may find yourself enjoying a sense of victory in the everyday, honoring the magic and community and beauty that you’ve found in your life. What are you celebrating? How have you created spaces of safety, joy, and comfort for yourself? What connections inspire you to keep going, and how has your chosen family brought love and wonder into your routines? Even if your world isn’t flawless, there is so much to be proud of, to honor. What and who are you grateful for? Where have you triumphed? How do you share energy, creativity, inspiration? Take time to show yourself and those around you love this season, to recognize how far you’ve come and take pleasure in the life that you’ve built for yourself. What does fulfillment look like, and where have you already found it?

Gemini

Page of swords

It’s been several seasons of new beginnings for you, Gemini, and you may find that your mind is racing with even more ideas than usual, urging you to start new projects and pursue ambitious goals. It can be exciting to dream of new possibilities, to follow your inspiration and see where it leads. But rather than slipping into familiar patterns, consider where you can innovate, push the limits, cut through existing boundaries. You’re someone that loves your freedom, but there may be places that you’ve been avoiding exploration, subjects or concepts that have felt off limits until now. Where have you accepted restrictions, and how can you stretch yourself beyond those limits? When you make space for your highest, most authentic truth, what comes forward? How can you use that sharp mind and brilliant ability to gather and process information for the greater good? Leo wants us to be proud of the people that we are, to celebrate the things that make us unique — what do you love most about yourself? And how can you put it to good use?

Cancer

The Lovers

As we shift out of your season and into a time of fire, you may find yourself releasing some of the heavy emotions that you were working through and embracing a new sense of joy, pleasure, and freedom. You’re so good at creating spaces of protection and safety, at establishing boundaries that give you space for creativity and connection, but this season may push your understanding of love, community, and intimacy to a new level. How have you survived, and where has it required evolution and change? What kinds of connections and magic have you found within yourself, and how has that experience invited a new understanding of all that you are capable of? This is an archetype of balance and harmony, and while it often holds special significance for those that are partnered, in reality this card urges us to learn to love ourselves in all of our facets, strengths, and weaknesses. How does love shape you, and what is it teaching you? Where do you need to trust yourself more deeply? What is your intuition pushing you towards?

Leo

Two of swords

Happy birthday, Leo! You have been moving through a time of powerful transformation and release, and this season may find you at a crossroads, working to choose between two paths. There isn’t necessarily a right answer for you, an obvious choice or easy solution — yet the process of making this decision can teach you a lot about who you are, what you want to pursue, and where you hope to go. Sometimes, it’s easier to refuse to make a choice, to stay quiet and hope that in ignoring this shift, the need to speak up will pass. As you move into your season of fire and magic, don’t lose your natural sense of courage, adventure, and independence. It’s okay to be cautious, but in trying to protect yourself, where might you be limiting your own progress? A problem or decision doesn’t go away simply by avoiding it, and although denial can feel freeing, in reality the act of not choosing is in itself a choice. What truths have you been avoiding? And how might grabbing a blade and stepping onto a new path help you remember just how powerful you truly are?

Virgo

Four of pentacles

Last season found you enjoying a sense of movement and momentum, powering forward towards a clear and exciting goal. And as you move into Leo season’s fixed fire, it may feel that you’re making excellent progress, staying focused and determined, ready to keep moving. You are someone with a brilliant ability to stay on task, to mind the small details as well as the broader vision — but this season, you may find yourself getting so fixated on success that you forget some of the joy in the work that you’re doing. There can be great pleasure in checking off items on a to-do list or gathering resources for your next step forward, but try to remember where these goals came from, what you are building for your own future. How can you balance work with play? Are you finding yourself in a scarcity mindset when you actually have everything you need to thrive and succeed? How tightly are you holding onto your resources, and where might a bit of release help you find pleasure in your progress again?

Libra

Eight of pentacles

Cancer’s sensitive emotions and powerful creativity may have left you feeling a bit scattered, uncertain of which goal to pursue or path to choose last season. But as you soak in the heat and brilliance of Leo’s fire, you may find that this new season brings a fresh sense of security, vision, and focus on your broader ambitions. You are someone that has such a gift for balancing beauty with substance, and as you consider the dreams that have been driving you, take some time this season to pin down the details, to clarify what you’re working towards. What about this process gives you pleasure, inspiration, satisfaction? What mastery have you found in your work, and where do you still have space to evolve and grow? How are you devoting yourself to your vision? There’s a real opportunity for success in what you’re pursuing, so take your time and enjoy this process. How can you incorporate all that you’ve learned into everything you’re building?

Scorpio

Three of swords

You’re not someone that’s particularly comfortable in the brilliant, relentless fire of Leo, and this season may bring some harsh truths or powerful insights that catch you off guard and cut you to the quick. You are a seeker of truth, but sometimes that pursuit can lead to painful revelations that force you to reevaluate relationships or situations. Yet as painful as this process may be, there are some important lessons to be learned about your strengths, your challenges, and your ability to heal. Give yourself time to lick your wounds and process what’s happened, rather than pushing yourself to recover on a specific timeline. Be cautious, too, that instead of ripping that wound open over and over again, finding a complex pleasure in your own pain, you take your time and allow yourself to heal fully. What does restoration look like for you? How can you grieve and recover without sinking into despair or self-pity? And how will you turn this painful lesson into something useful moving forward?

Sagittarius

Five of pentacles

After a season of assessment and consideration, transition and growth, this new shift into Leo season may feel like a bit of a setback. This may be a time of wanting, of disruption, when the resources that you’ve always depended on or the communities you’ve come to rely on feel out of reach. There is loss and turmoil in this card, but try not to despair, sweet Sagittarius — your natural fire and ability to imagine endless possibilities for yourself will help you pursue new avenues for growth, power, and magic. Things are changing, and you may feel uncertain for a time, but remember the things that are solid, the routines and boundaries that you have already established for yourself. If you need time to grieve, take it — but be aware that there are solutions within reach, that there is help available to you. Where do you turn when things feel hopeless? How do you keep your natural optimism in tact? What resources have you perhaps forgotten, and how can you establish new places of safety and security for yourself?

Capricorn

Two of cups

While Cancer season was in many ways about maintaining boundaries and seeking personal truth, as you move into fiery Leo season you may find yourself making some powerful and important new connections. This is a card of love, and whether you’re partnered or single, actively looking or intentionally avoiding, something new is blossoming. But after working so hard to build up walls and protect yourself last season, you may find that this need for vulnerability and openness doesn’t come as easy as you may like. Capricorn, you are not someone that easily gives up control, yet the act of sharing parts of yourself with another person requires it. Be gentle with yourself as you explore this tender new relationship, whether it’s one of romance or friendship, and celebrate how magical it is to be seen and appreciated by another person. What do you need to feel safe in relationships? Where can you be more open, in a way that feels right for you? How are you allowing yourself to be loved?

Aquarius

Eight of swords

You’ve been in a place of comfort and stability, prioritizing resources and generosity, honoring your own needs and caring for those around you. But with this shift into Leo season, you may find yourself doubting your own insights, becoming uncertain about where you’re going and what might be possible. You may know what you’re working towards, what you want, but are you getting in your own way? Have you created internal boundaries that are actually preventing you from moving forward? Sometimes self-imposed limits or intensive control can be necessary, but too much of either may have you tangling yourself in knots, causing you to overlook the possibilities and opportunities that might offer just what you’re craving. How are you restricting yourself? What healing have you been avoiding? If you find yourself getting in your head this season, overthinking or spiraling into anxiety, consider any possibilities you may have dismissed too quickly. How can you protect yourself without stifling your growth?

Pisces

Five of cups

Cancer season brought a sense of calm and self-care for you, and with your natural sensitivity and awareness of the emotions around you, that quiet balanced rest hopefully allowed you to recover a bit. Leo season may bring a sense of isolation or loss, a dream that you have been longing for slipping through your fingers or a relationship you’ve been investing in taking a difficult turn. It’s important that we let ourselves fully acknowledge and feel our grief, that we don’t push ourselves to recover too quickly or force ourselves to move on before we’re ready. But at the same time, spending too much time lingering on our losses or blaming ourselves for where we are can lead to a complete lack of hope — and in this case, the situation is not actually hopeless. Be gentle with yourself as you process your feelings, but don’t lose sight of everything that is still around you, the communities and friendships and connections that are willing to support you through this shift. How can you care for yourself? What new truths is this loss revealing?

Queer Tarotscopes for Cancer Season 2020: Make Way for Essential Healing and Deep Shifts

This season’s tarotscopes feature The Antique Anatomy Tarot and the Compendium of Constellations.

As I write this, the United States sits in the midst of not only a dangerous pandemic but a necessary, powerful uprising against police brutality and white supremacy. And in the midst of this revolution, we are also moving through three intense eclipses, which offer opportunities for evolution and revelation, helping us learn more about ourselves in ways that may surprise or challenge us. Today marks not only the start of Cancer season and summer but also includes a new moon and solar eclipse in Cancer, making way for essential healing and deep, personal shifts. If the energy swirling around has felt chaotic, confusing, and complex, it’s because we’re moving through some challenging astrological aspects and retrogrades. And while there are so many powerful ways to grow and evolve, to learn, to contribute, I hope that these tarotscopes offer you some more personal wisdom and insights for this shift into Cancer season. Take some deep breaths, unclench your jaw, loosen your shoulders, and let’s begin.

Cancer marks the first water season of this new astrological year, landing as always on the summer solstice. After endless collaboration and necessary communication during Gemini’s season of mutable air, we now move into a time of cardinal water, giving us an opportunity to slow down, check in with ourselves, and pay attention to the intense emotions that are moving within us. Cancer is known for boundaries and a need for security, but we also see within this sign a desire for success, a sense of determination and focus that encourages reaching for goals with power, courage, and intention. Cardinal water isn’t afraid to get things to started, to be bold and decisive, but when we combine that energy with the intuitive, heart-forward element of water, we find a time of awareness, purpose, and compassion. There’s a deep, sensitive flow to Cancer, an acknowledgement of how much is moving underneath the surface, and now is the time to dive deep into these waters and see what can be found through careful, intentional exploration.

When we look at Cancer’s birth card of the Chariot we see ambition, movement, a drive towards victory and success. But it’s important to note that this energy isn’t necessarily open to any and every possibility — instead this is an archetype that is moving towards a very specific goal. After finding personal freedom within the Lovers and Gemini, the Chariot knows what they want to pursue, and puts everything they have into making it a reality. And armed with this new self knowledge, it’s easier to set boundaries, to move with purpose, to prioritize what really matters. This archetype is able to move freely and joyfully because of the comfort and safety that they have already established. It’s so much easier to explore, to roam, to dream, when you know that you have a secure place to return to, somewhere to go when you’re tired and hungry and in need of rest. Cancer protects their home and life because that gives them the strength to push forward, allows them to focus completely on victory.

Cancer can help us find our home within communities, within chosen family, even within temporary created spaces that manifest as needed. Where do you feel safe, cared for, cherished? How can you protect yourself without limiting your own potential for growth? The Chariot can move with such speed and power because they know that they are moving towards something important, something necessary, something real. What are you pursuing? How have you been evolving, and how have those changes impacted your longer-term goals? In this season, we learn to open our hearts in specific, calculated, careful ways, allowing others to see our joy and our hope, our dreams, our ambitions. We begin putting our intuition and awareness into those objectives, taking calculated chances, weighing the risks. We balance stillness and movement, make space for growth as well as stability. And if we feel safe, if we can set boundaries and move with care and purpose, we can reach those goals with ease, can find the success that we’ve been craving and celebrate with the people that we’ve loved along the way. How open is your heart? How are you balancing vulnerability and determination?

Our cards for this season, unsurprisingly, hold an abundance of transitional energy. We see a lot of pages and fives and sixes, cards that speak of uncertainty and loss, shifts and necessary change. But we also see a few queens, cards indicating strength and boundaries, creativity and insight. There’s rich power and potential in this season, opportunities for growth and awareness, for learning more about ourselves through challenges and victories — but we must be brave enough to seek it. In this season of Cancer, remember to pay attention to your intuition, your emotions, the things that you might be extra sensitive to. Experienced tarot readers or astrologers can plug the cards I’ve drawn for their sun, moon, and rising signs into the spread below to create a custom reading for this season. Cancer is ruled by the moon, so pay particular attention to the card reading for your moon sign.

I recently published a piece on exploring eclipse season through the lens of tarot, and you can also hear my thoughts on tarot and astrology in an upcoming episode of Bad Astrologers. Check out my daily writing and card draws on Instagram, and get my latest tarot writings and exclusive spreads delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for my Substack. I also offer personal, custom readings through my website, along with larger spreads, writings, and two e-books for learning tarot.

As always with these tarot readings, take what you need and leave what you don’t. Have a safe and powerful Cancer season!

Aries

Page of cups

After the emotional beginning you were moving through last season, you may now find yourself experiencing a powerful new sense of your own intuition and creative expression. What have you been dreaming about? Where has your subconscious been leading you, and how have you been listening to those feelings, those ideas? You have a natural passion for movement, an ambitious drive that allows you to lead and inspire and motivate — but in this season of Cancer, make space for stillness and quiet too, for recognizing what your heart may be longing for underneath all of your personal fire. What is calling to you?

It might feel like your emotions have been out of control lately, like you don’t know what to do with all of the feelings and desire that have been welling up within you. But rather than trying to ignore them or push them to the side, be intentional about making space for whatever is expanding. Allow yourself to experience moments of creativity, joy, connection, and wonder, without putting pressure on yourself to turn them into a new goal or objective or dream. What comes forward when you simply let yourself be? Where are you being asked to take a chance?

Taurus

Five of swords

For you, Gemini season had you working through some powerful new emotions and connections, listening to your heart in ways that may not always feel instinctive or comfortable. But as you shift into sensitive Cancer season, you may find yourself a bit restless, a bit frustrated, pushing against the boundaries and restrictions that have defined the last few months for so many of us. You may even feel tempted to create a conflict, arguing just for the sake of it when you can’t find a way forward that gives you everything you want. If you feel yourself slipping into a place of anger or frustration, find emotions welling up within you without an outlet, take a step back and give yourself some space to breathe and process. What feels cathartic in the moment could end up causing more harm than you realize, and chances are that there’s no real way to win this particular battle anyway. What are you trying to prove? What are you working to accomplish? Instead of focusing on winning or on getting your own way, instead try to get out of sticky situations with the minimum of damage. How can you be sensitive to not only your own shifting emotions but also the needs and limits of others? What are you really fighting for?

Gemini

Page of coins

As we shift out of your season, you may feel yourself still on a bit of a high from all the fire and air energy that you’ve been exploring. But this season asks you to slow down and focus on grounding yourself, on thinking more long-term, on being able to listen to your heart and body instead of just letting your mind and soul call all of the shots. What work has been deeply resonating with you, inspiring you to push harder and go further? How do you see the projects that you’ve been beginning contributing to your longer term goals and dreams? What kind of life have you been building for yourself, and what next steps need more time and consideration to fully realize?

You’re always brimming with ideas, but this is the time to begin bringing them into the physical world. Choose something to focus on and take those first big steps towards creation, establishing a path forward. What have you been learning about yourself? What new discoveries are shaping your personal plans? How can you be intentional with your growth, and where do you need to be more patient with yourself?

Cancer

Five of cups

Happy birthday, Cancer! This season may feel heavier than normal as you process your own intense emotions as well as the transformational, sensitive feelings of everyone around you. After moving through a season of loss and release during the time of Gemini, you may still find yourself in a place of grief or sorrow, not quite ready to move forward just yet. Honor those emotions and give yourself space for healing and rest, resisting any temptation to push yourself before you’re ready. You know your heart and your limits, so set boundaries as needed and prioritize comfort, pleasure, and safety.

You may discover that as your season continues, you find yourself beginning to feel a bit more empowered, ready to start reaching for goals again, eager for connections and community support. Move slowly through this shift, and give yourself permission to rediscover pleasure, intuition, dreams. What has been waiting patiently for your attention while you’ve been healing? What relationships and communities are ready to welcome you with open arms? Don’t let those boundaries you’re so good at upholding keep you too distanced from the people that you love, that love you. Allow others to support and care for you, and you may find new ways of healing and restoration in the company of those you trust.

Leo

Death

After two back to back seasons with the same card, you may feel ready to leave heavy emotions behind and instead surge forward with passion, power, and adventure. Instead, for you Cancer season will be a time of release and transformation, a period of saying goodbye and moving forward into a new phase. Whether this shift brings a powerful sense of relief or a sweeping feeling of grief and loss, give yourself the space and time to process, to let go. This is not an undertaking that can be rushed, so remember the lessons of Cancer and lean on those that you trust, those that care for you. How can you continue to find community even through times of loss or sorrow? What connections have meant the most to you, and how can you allow them to continue to expand?

Trust your intuition when it comes to healing, and pay attention to any impulses demanding movement. You may find that throwing yourself into a new project or goal helps you move forward, but don’t let your natural fire smother any emotions or needs that bubble to the surface. How could the lessons that you’ve been learning over the past few seasons help you move through this important shift? What have you learned about your own needs and desires? How can you put that new knowledge into practice?

Virgo

Six of wands

The work that you’ve been focused on for the last season or two is continuing to build and grow, and you may find yourself celebrating a few important successes this season. There’s a sense of building momentum for you, with new opportunities emerging and a confidence in your vision that may feel exciting and powerful. Be proud of how far you’ve come, of the achievements and accomplishments that you’ve worked for — this is no time to feel guilty for your success. But in your joy, remember that your work is not yet finished, and that you may need to be intentional about setting boundaries, clarifying details, and conserving your energy over the course of this season. This will be an important time to check in with your heart, to make sure that you still feel whole and present and connected to these goals that you’re pursing. Are you still excited about what you’re creating? Or is the momentum itself becoming your main focus? Don’t lose sight of those longer-term goals in your enthusiasm for progress. How are you transforming through this work? Who are you becoming?

Libra

Five of wands

For you, Gemini season may have brought out some complex or frustrating emotions, possibly causing you to distance yourself from the communities and relationships that are usually an important part of your life. As you shift into this new time of Cancer, it may feel that your instincts and your intuition are at odds, pulling you in different directions and leaving you frazzled or confused. You may be craving movement, eager to leave hurt feelings or a sense of isolation behind — but which way to go? If you’re pushing yourself past your limits, trying to force progress even if you don’t have a clear sense of what you’re doing, you may find yourself even more confused. Release any irritation with yourself or others, any petty bullshit that you’ve been clinging to, and instead resolve to move with a clear head and an open heart. You may find that if you can stop taking things quite so seriously, you can find the balance and direction that you’re craving. Where do you want to go? And is there really anything standing in your way?

Scorpio

The Hermit

As you move out of Gemini’s free-moving air and into a more familiar intensity with Cancer, you may feel yourself needing more space to process your emotions, craving privacy. You’re a sign known for their intensity, for their desire to keep dreams and desires and longings close, and this season you may find it even easier than usual to move into a space of solitude and retreat. But don’t use this as an excuse to hide — instead, this is an opportunity for reflection and personal exploration, to consider what you’ve been moving towards and how your dreams or goals may have shifted in all the upheaval of the last few months. What have you learned about yourself, and what are you still discovering? How can you take a step back from chaos and drive, and give yourself space for contemplation and awareness? What shadows have you been avoiding, and how could taking time for understanding help you find renewed confidence? Some truths can only become clear when we are intentional about looking for them. What will you allow to reveal itself?

Sagittarius

Seven of coins

Last season brought some powerful and intense truths, causing you to look at the world through fresh eyes and new perspectives. And as you move into sensitive, intuitive Cancer season, you may find yourself slowing down, feeling a desire to be more present and thoughtful. You have an opportunity now to evaluate how you’ve been growing and changing, the progress that you’ve been making towards your long-term goals, the things that you’ve been learning about yourself and your world. Do the ambitions that you’ve been chasing still feel right? Or have you felt a sense of evolution, a desire to move in another direction? There’s no shame in changing your mind, in adapting or adjusting, but make sure that you take your time in this choice rather than just moving to something that feels more exciting or inspiring.

This card can also indicate a need for rest and evaluation, for finding little ways to treat yourself and find pleasure. How can you care for yourself? What might allow you to catch your breath, honor your needs, and reconnect with the fire and passion that drives you?

Capricorn

Queen of swords

Gemini season may have brought some important emotional realizations and revelations, forcing you to slow down, make space for healing, and reevaluate your options. Cancer season will help you find a sense of strength and truth, encouraging you to set important and necessary new boundaries for yourself as you begin to move forward in pursuit of your goals. Approach any conflicts or decisions with an eye for truth, giving that sharp mind of yours a chance to weigh in.

While you tend to find comfort in structure and limits, try not to completely abandon the sensitivity and empathy that can be so beautifully heightened during this season of cardinal water. There is so much that you can learn about yourself when you allow your heart to speak freely, so in your desire to make progress towards your goals and clarify your ambitions, make sure you also pay attention to your intuition. Work to balance the needs of your head and your heart this season, as you’ll find that both clarity and compassion are needed for true success.

Aquarius

King of coins

You may find your energy stabilizing a bit this season, with a new sense of patience, responsibility, and abundance manifesting. Take some time to celebrate your achievements, the hard work that you’ve been doing, and remember to share your success with those around you. There is value in being generous, especially if you are in a position of leadership, to make a point of sharing what you have and encouraging others to do the same. After the rush of ideas and the powerful new beginning that you started last season, give yourself permission to enjoy where you are, to honor the connections you’ve created and the community that you’ve built. This is a time to be present and aware, to connect with your physical self instead of letting your mind wander and soar. You’re so good at looking forward, but how often do you take time for conscious, intentional awareness, of fully enjoying the moment? How can checking in with your physical self, with your surroundings, help you gain a better understanding of your goals and wishes for the future you’re building?

Pisces

Queen of coins

Last season’s rapid pace and powerful, fiery inspiration may have energized and motivated you, but as you shift into another season of water, allow yourself to slow down and reconnect with your heart and body. You have a gift for compassion and intuition, for dreaming and exploring the subconscious, but this season you’re being called to be powerfully present, to move with purpose, to weigh decisions carefully and focus on slow, purposeful growth. What is manifesting within you? How can you keep yourself safe as you explore and expand? What wisdom can you offer to those around you, and how can you share kindness and resources with those that are in need?

If you find yourself feeling particularly drained, make sure you take space to rest and heal, to honor those physical needs. Emotional work can be exhausting, and someone with your sensitivity may find themselves drowning a bit during this heavy time of year. Stay connected with your body, and take care that you are showing yourself the same compassion that you give so freely to others.

Queer Tarotscopes: Gemini Season Asks Us to Find a New Kind of Freedom

Aries

Ace of emotions

Taurus

Queen of emotions

Gemini

Page of inspiration

Cancer

Death

Leo

Knight of emotions

Virgo

4 of inspiration

Libra

4 of emotions

Scorpio

5 of materials

Sagittarius

Ace of voices

Capricorn

5 of emotions

Aquarius

Page of voices

Pisces

2 of inspiration

When the Emperor Becomes the Hanged One

This post features cards from the Muse Tarot and the Vindur Deck, with images created by Meg Jones Wall.

At the top of 2020, I wrote a piece about how this would be the year of the Emperor: a chance to take control of our narratives, build foundations for our future, clarify our goals and step into our power and decide who we want to be. And I still believe that all of those things are true — but it’s also true that a global pandemic has drastically changed daily life for just about everyone, that goals and ambitions have shifted, that the dreams that felt within reach a few months ago may now seem completely impossible. This may be a year to harness the energy of the Emperor and embrace a sense of focus, discipline, and intentional forward progress, but what happens when we must intentionally limit this movement? Where does all of that fire and energy and momentum go?

Many tarot readers are talking about the Tower these days, about how so many cracks are being revealed and systemic shortcomings are being exposed. But for those of us that weren’t in the dark about that, that have always seen and struggled against the flaws and weaknesses in the societies we live in, this is less of a Tower moment and more a time of the Hanged One, of forcing ourselves to sit in uncomfortable stillness for an uncertain amount of time. In many ways these two archetypes feel like opposites, with the Emperor’s need to control and build contrasting sharply with the Hanged One’s ability to yield, to give in, to wait. But there are beautiful lessons we can find when we look at these cards together, ways that we can deepen our understanding of both archetypes in our current context. With the world at a standstill, with so much uncertainty and powerlessness in the air, how can we understand the intersection of these two energies? And how can we harness both to find new strength and power?

The Hanged One is a card that sits within the second cycle of the major arcana, between Justice (or Strength, in some decks) and Death. On the heels of clarity around personal morals and ethics, after making some big decisions or adjustments, after prioritizing balance and equality, we find ourselves in a place of quiet stagnation. Often this lack of movement is something that we choose intentionally — putting ourselves in a place of discomfort, while knowing that it will lead to important progress and growth. At its simplest this is like a difficult yoga pose, one that is a struggle to hold but ultimately helps us build strength, flexibility, and a sense of deep pride in perseverance — but on a bigger level, it can be about fully giving up our power in a situation, letting someone or something else call all of the shots. We commit completely to waiting, to seeing what will happen when we stop trying to force movement and instead let things happen around us. We give something up in the hopes that we will gain something greater, something necessary, something beautiful.

But in this case, many of us are frustrated and frightened with our current forced surrender. We’re trying to find ways to survive, to thrive, within the confines of small homes, new responsibilities, limited resources. Many have lost employment, health insurance, a sense of security. Many others are shouldering additional burdens, caring for loved ones without the usual, necessary resources. And even the most introverted among us are struggling with the lack of connection, the fear for the future. It can feel impossible to dream right now, to imagine what the world looks like on the other side of this.

If you’re someone that was particularly thrilled to work with the Emperor this year, to embrace personal power and take control of your narrative and make some real moves towards those clear, focused objectives, it may feel that you’re in free fall right now. But the Hanged One is not giving everything up just for the hell of it — they are making a conscious, deliberate choice to be quiet, to wait, to be patient. There’s a grief in this card, certainly, a sense of loss; not only because the card that follows the Hanged One is Death, but also because choosing stillness is itself a sacrifice. Knowing that the world is shifting and changing around us, even as we stay motionless, can be painful. But if we can resist the impulse to dwell on what we’ve lost and instead anticipate what is to come, what this patience could accomplish, it can help us find some healing even in the midst of discomfort.

Choosing to stay inside, to socially distance, to restrict contact with the world and the communities we live in, is technically optional. But it’s something that we’re deciding to do, because it ultimately protects us and the people around us in the best possible way. It contributes to a greater good, even though it requires deep and profound personal sacrifice, forces us to be uncomfortable. And while this isn’t something that anyone really wants to do, by choosing it anyway, we are absolutely stepping into the energy of the Hanged One. We are prioritizing the health of the many over our personal comfort. We are giving up some of our freedoms in the hope that it will create a world that is more stable, more safe. And in letting these establishments break, in watching these structures of capitalism and greed and the power of the few collapse in on themselves, in seeing how others are starting to discover how deeply broken some of these systems are, we can begin to imagine another kind of world, the possibility for new growth, balance, and safety.

When we look at the Emperor and the Hanged One together, we still see the power of choice and decisive action. We see a clarity of purpose, a personal intention, a willingness to focus on what matters and leave the rest behind, and recognize that both cards understand what they’re working towards. We tend to see the Emperor and Aries as being full of fire and power, as needing to be in charge, but remember too that for goals to be clear, for objectives to be focused, we must first know ourselves intimately. This rich sense of intention did not come out of nowhere — the Emperor asks us to dig deep, to be honest about what we want, to love ourselves enough to focus those desires and make plans to build the future that we need. And although the Emperor represents stepping into power while the Hanged One asks us to give that power up, both cards offer us a path forward, a way to reach the goals and ambitions that we hold in our hearts. The Emperor may be craving movement, may reach their goals by pushing ahead in an orderly way, but the Hanged One trusts that things will fall into place even if they aren’t there controlling every step, every breath, every shift. We can clarify our purpose and then step back, letting our humility and submission provide new strength and magic. We can breathe deeply, find power in patience, and see what the world looks like when we open our eyes again. And after letting the Emperor help us understand what we need and crave at our deepest levels, the Hanged One can give us the freedom to surrender, to release the pressure of needing to do everything ourselves.

The Emperor has not disappeared. There is still so much rich potential in the air, but it requires us to make some adjustments, to consider new pathways forward. Even if the way you reach those dreams is evolving, the dreams themselves likely have not left you. And while the Emperor may not burst with creativity in the same way that we often view the Magician or the Empress, there is still a deep sense of innovation and power, of cutting through the bullshit and focusing on what really matters. We may be sacrificing a lot right now, but you still have control over some aspects, have the ability to choose where you’re putting your energy. And even in setting small goals, in making sure you shower at least once a week or eat more than one meal a day or keep your kids from tearing the house to pieces, you are still harnessing that Emperor energy. You are still taking control where you can, and giving it up where you must.

This combination of archetypes is inviting us to truly be with ourselves, to honor our most powerful urges and needs and desires, to listen to the wisdom that emerges in this period of stillness and stagnation. And while the Hanged One asks us to wait quietly instead of pushing hard, to surrender to the experience instead of fighting against what we cannot control, this is also a chance to understand what drives us, fulfills us, inspires us. What are you dreaming of? What has become more important to you, and what have you realized isn’t worth your energy? What are you learning about yourself, your partner, your community? What longings and desires are becoming even more clear?

I know that this reframing doesn’t necessarily make your daily lives any easier. So many of us are lonely, angry, feeling powerless or helpless or hopeless. I’m not pretending that diving deeper into a challenging tarot archetype will change the circumstances that you’re in, the choices you’ve felt forced to make, the anxiety you’re wrestling with every day. But in recognizing what we are choosing to surrender, in giving ourselves credit for the difficult decisions we’re making and the ways that we are working to adapt, we can find a bit of satisfaction during this impossible moment in time. In remembering why we’re making the choices that we’re making, we can find strength of purpose, pride in generosity, connection even in challenges. And I hope that in embracing the power that comes with stillness, you can find a bit of hope for a new kind of future.