Tarot Reflections
August 2018

August 2018
By Lalia Wilson

Most of August the Sun travels through the sign of Leo, hence several cat-themed decks used this month. For the northern hemisphere, August is the hottest and most difficult month of the summer. This year Mercury is retrograde until the night of August 18/19, so that suggests a time to stay indoors occupied with re-doing and revising things, like finally getting to organize that crafts closet. Mars, the planet of action, is also retrograde until the end of the month, 8/27. Certainly if you live in a hot area, this is another caution to limit outside activities during the hottest part of the day. 

In order to read the cards for each sign, I used a different deck of cards for each of the four elements. All cards were randomized before drawing the cards, three cards were repeated: the Chariot, the Hanged Man, and the World. Collectively we would say that our lessons and experiences in August 2018 will have to do with vehicles, travel, waiting, and accomplishment. 

By suit, we have five Swords, four Pentacles, and only two Cups and one Wand. The Swords show a focus on thinking, thoughts, and air travel. The Pentacles are an indication to be practical, pragmatic, and thrifty. The few Cups and Wands suggest that our sense of emotional connection and enthusiasm is low this month.

There are four court cards, the Knight and Page of Pentacles, the King of Cups, and the Page of Swords. Our attention to details is good. Our emotions are on target. We are learning about travel and the intellect.   

The cards used for the Fire signs were the Mystical Cats Tarot, by Lunaea Weatherstone and artwork by Mickie Mueller, published by Llewellyn. For the Earth signs I used the Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake, art by Elizabeth Alba, published by Llewellyn.  Representing the Air signs are two decks as the Tarot for Cats deck is only a Major Arcana deck. Tarot for Cats is by Regen Dennis, illustrated by Kipling West and published by MacMillan U.S.A. For the minors and court cards I used The Golden Age of Hollywood Tarot, produced by Lorelei Douglas and available from gamecrafters.com. For the Water signs I used the Viceversa Tarot by Massimiliano Filadoro and Lunaea Weatherstone, artwork by Davide Corsi, published by Lo Scarbeo.  

Aries: 

The Chariot and the Earth King (King of Pentacles): 

Dear Aries, Your focus is still mostly on your career and income, not at home. That said, things at work are moving very slowly. Although you will come out with more money in the long run, it may be months away. Things with your significant other are going well. He or she is perceptive and accommodating, as they have the diplomacy and attention to relationships that you think is silly or overlook. Be thankful! Any hard days this month will be soothed away by your loved one. If you are car shopping, wait until after noon on the 27^th to sign agreements.

Images are from Mystical Cats Tarot, by Lunaea Weatherstone and artwork by Mickie Mueller, published by Llewellyn.

Taurus: 

The Star and the Three of Pentacles:

Well, Taurus, you have some ideas about using video to promote yourself or your business. Yes, it will work. Yet think of this as something starting out small scale this summer and only reaching full power a year from now. You will benefit from individuals or products that come from foreign shores. Yes, you can be the Star, and yes, it will be a step at a time. Attend to your health and watch (and sidestep) sugar cravings.

Images are from the Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake, art by Elizabeth Alba, published by Llewellyn.

Gemini: 

The World and the Six of Wands:

Dear Gemini, there is some focus on siblings and neighbors this month. You have recently accomplished a lot, and been recognized for it. Now do your ancestors proud by living up to the promise of their sacrifices on your behalf. Along the way include siblings, cousins, and neighbors. Spread the goodness and fame around. This Six of Wands card with its Oscar image is inspired by the song and musical Puttin’ on the Ritz.

Images from the Tarot for Cats is by Regen Dennis, illustrated by Kipling West and published by MacMillan U.S.A. and from The Golden Age of Hollywood Tarot, produced by Lorelei Douglas.

Cancer: 

The Magician and the Knave (Page) of Swords:

Dear Cancer, you can make it happen. Money, your income, and home, are on your mind this month. You may be self-taught about money management and home improvements, but you are a good student, seeing ways to save money and get exactly what you want. Yes, it will work! Get busy.

Images are from the Viceversa Tarot by Massimiliano Filadoro and Lunaea Weatherstone, artwork by Davide Corsi, published by Lo Scarbeo.

Leo: 

The World and the Ace of Sky (Swords): 

Dear Leo, the vibes for getting together with female siblings, cousins and neighborhood friends are very favorable. This is the good stuff for the month. Your primary relationship is either nonexistent, or your partner is away or preoccupied. You may have a health issue that needs attention. If anything seems “off” see a medical practitioner. Better an extra visit to the doctor than ending up in the ER.

Images are from Mystical Cats Tarot, by Lunaea Weatherstone and artwork by Mickie Mueller, published by Llewellyn.

 

Virgo: 

Judgment and the King of Cups:

This month, dear Virgo, you may receive a luxurious gift from a neighbor or family member. Perhaps this will be a big check. At any rate, past good deeds will be rewarded. At the same time, intensity and deep emotions are part of your current creative life. You may have a new lover that feeds this new emotional depth.

Images are from the Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake, art by Elizabeth Alba, published by Llewellyn.

Libra: 

The Chariot and the Ten of Swords:

Dear Libra, your unfailing politeness, civility, and sense of decorum will bring rewards this month. If you are involved in fashion or anything related to art and beauty, so much the better. One caution, though. For artists, your temporary focus is on very unusual themes for you—separation and detachment. You may be working out some psychological material in your art. This Ten of Swords card was inspired by the movie Psycho.

Images from the Tarot for Cats is by Regen Dennis, illustrated by Kipling West and published by MacMillan U.S.A. and from The Golden Age of Hollywood Tarot, produced by Lorelei Douglas.

Scorpio: 

The Sun and the Ace of Cups:

Dear Scorpio, you probably have the best fortune of the month. Everything having to do with your career and public life is going well. You also may be entering into a new love relationship. You are a source of strength and positive vibrations to everyone around you. About all you can complain about is that you are not “invisible” as you usually prefer to be. For a Scorpio, this is difficult.  

Images are from the Viceversa Tarot by Massimiliano Filadoro and Lunaea Weatherstone, artwork by Davide Corsi, published by Lo Scarbeo.

Sagittarius: 

The Floating Cat (Hanged Man) and the Five of Sky (Swords):

Dear Sagittarius, It looks like a good month to spend at the beach. Unfortunately, if you require air travel to get there, expect that you will need to cultivate flexibility and serenity. Your good nature and humor are called for to avoid arguments. People around you seem to be making your life “exciting” in terms of human interactions. Avoid engaging in fights and quarrels, as there is no winning these. Your immediate environment seems filled with people spoiling for a fight. Keep out of it.

Images are from Mystical Cats Tarot, by Lunaea Weatherstone and artwork by Mickie Mueller, published by Llewellyn.

Capricorn: 

Moon and the Knight of Pentacles: 

Dear Capricorn, things at work look great, especially if your work has to do with fashion, beauty, art, or interior design. You are in the spotlight, but remember that the spotlight can reveal things that you would prefer to keep private. Think over just how much you want to make public before it is all on the table. Fortunately, you are in good health and strongly connected to your creative expression. 

Images are from the Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake, art by Elizabeth Alba, published by Llewellyn.

Aquarius: 

The Emperor and the Two of Swords:

Dear Aquarius, the most friend-focused sign, this month finds all your friends hard at work—work-work, or their creative projects. The most positive part of your life this month is a long trip. All looks good in anything having to do with travel and study of foreign culture. Even reading a couple of books or seeing a couple of films about another culture will positively impact you; don’t miss the opportunity. This Two of Swords card was inspired by the movie Great Expectations.

Images from the Tarot for Cats is by Regen Dennis, illustrated by Kipling West and published by MacMillan U.S.A. and from The Golden Age of Hollywood Tarot, produced by Lorelei Douglas.

Pisces: 

The Hanged Man and the Seven of Pentacles:

Pisces, you have the strongest message to “wait for it” of any sign. Nothing seems to be making its way to you as it should. The message is to enjoy the wait. Everything will happen in its own time. Your inner life has never been better. Please keep notes on all your ideas. No matter what endeavor you pursue, your intuition is at its best. Listen and be patient.

Images are from the Viceversa Tarot by Massimiliano Filadoro and Lunaea Weatherstone, artwork by Davide Corsi, published by Lo Scarbeo.

You can use these Tarot Scopes to read your Sun sign, Moon sign or Rising Sign (also called your Ascendant). You can determine these by using free or low cost apps, or internet sites, and inputting your time, date and place of birth. The Rising sign indicates your entire life; the Sun sign is about your ego and creative forces, and the Moon sign is about your reigning needs, emotions, and flexibility.

The tarot cards used as illustrations for this column are ones that I or the editor, Terri Clement, admire and want to share with you. Note that decks have subtle differences of meaning as they are reinterpreted by a new creator/artist, and, of course, the tarot reader. Enjoy that flexibility of meaning and the artwork of these various decks. Reading articles with illustrations like these will help you determine the tarot decks that most fit you.