Tarot Reflections
October 2017

October 2017
By Lalia Wilson

Will October be a bit less hectic than September? Let’s hope so. What does October have in store for you? I used a different deck of cards for each of the four elements. All cards were randomized before drawing the cards.

This month’s numerology of the cards has no fives, but all other numbers are covered. In tarot, fives are cards of strife. In numerology, fives have to do with changes. Having zero fives suggests a ramping down of the hyperbole surrounding recent events in the U.S. and abroad.  We have two Queens, one Knight, and three Kings. This says that powerful figures, men, and women, will be highlighted this month. 

Looking at the cards that are absent, there are no Swords at all. Here we may infer that our decisions will be impulsive (Wands), emotional (Cups), or practical (Pentacles). Logic and detachment will be absent. 

There are four repeated cards: The Empress, The Wheel of Fortune, The Tower, and the King of Pentacles. These suggest a wider application of the meanings of these four cards. The Empress is abundant, fertile and nurturing. The Wheel of Fortune reminds us that our luck is always changing. The Tower speaks of dramatic downturns in our luck. Finally, the King of Pentacles saves the day. Looking at these repetitions from the perspective of post-Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, The Empress is the forces on the ground providing necessary supplies. The Wheel and The Tower speak of the hurricanes themselves. The King of Pentacles is the reputable contractor who will be working hard, working his employees hard, and getting paid well. 

The cards used for these readings are all Halloween or Horror themed decks. The Fire signs are from The Halloween Tarot, created by Kipling West and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. The Earth signs are The Ghost Tarot created by David Corsi, illustrated by Pierluca Zizzi, and published by Lo Scarbeo. The Air Signs are the Twisted Tarot Tales, an 83-card (or 107-card, for the full version) tarot deck inspired by vintage horror comic books. It is a joint effort of artist James Battersby and his partner Christine Aguilar, and available directly from them at http://www.jamesbattersby.co.uk/. The Water signs are The Deviant Moon Tarot created by Patrick Valenza and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Aries: 

The Tower and the Six of Ghosts or Cups: 

We are still focusing on your health and your job. A big project has you working hard for most of October. You have the opportunity to get a lot accomplished. Beware, though, getting angry at your partner because he or she is having an easier month. You are much more in touch with your emotions, what has been hidden from you or hidden by you, and your sexual needs. Together these trends will open up your sexual expression if you allow this to happen. Listen to all messages from your subconscious self, dreaming self or higher consciousness—important messages are coming through! The two tarot cards suggest that you are caught between responding to urgent matters and waxing nostalgic. Find your balance, dear Aries.

The images are from The Halloween Tarot, created by Kipling West and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Taurus: 

The Empress and the Queen of Cups:

Dear Taurus, you have no shortage of work this month. This will result in a good money stream and good future business. Women will be helpful to you in all your endeavors this month. Listen to your intuition. Take some time for recreation mid-month. Is there some kind of local festival or fair? Be sure to attend as you will benefit in many ways from participating. If you have any health issues, one of your friends has some good information for you, listen!

The images are from The Ghost Tarot created by David Corsi, illustrated by Pierluca Zizzi, and published by Lo Scarbeo.

Gemini: 

The Tower and the King of Wands:

Dear Gemini, you’ve spent September and will spend October fixing things up at home. We hope that it is not because of hurricanes or wildfires, but The Tower surely could hint at that. Whether by choice or duress, home improvement is your current venture. Your relationships have been a bit "meh" with your intimate partner being so serious, while friends, siblings, and neighbors are all somewhat occupied with their own affairs. There is, however, some brightness to your life: a creative project, a child, or a lover… or all three! Work is starting to pick up by mid-month, and the next year will find you very busy, but enjoying it. 

The images are from Twisted Tarot Tales, a joint effort of artist James Battersby and his partner Christine Aguilar, and is self-published.

Cancer:

The World and the Two of Cups:

You have been working hard, dear Cancer. If you haven’t already done so, please pay attention to your health. Regular habits will help you keep going for years to come. In the meantime, if you want to have a baby and aren’t already pregnant, the chances are good for the next 12 months. If you don’t want a baby, take precautions. Your creative impulses are at a twelve year high. If you are an artist, the next year will be highly productive. Love is in the air.

The images are from The Deviant Moon Tarot created by Patrick Valenza and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Leo: 

The Moon and the Seven of Pumpkins (Pentacles): 

Dear Leo, there seems to be a lot of focus on your money and your money prospects this month. You are fine with your own income stream. The money you are expecting from others is moving very slowly. Don’t count on money you are receiving from a legal settlement, inheritance, or a slow-paying customer. It will come—sometime. Don’t count on it arriving this month. There is some kind of restructuring going on in your job, a long-term change, that will permanently revise your work process. Luckily, your career smarts and strategy are working well. Listen to your own counsel, as you have the best ideas this month. 

The images are from The Halloween Tarot, created by Kipling West and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Virgo:

The Wheel of Fortune and the Eight of Pentacles:

What goes up, must come down, dear Virgo. Look for improved luck in matters that have languished recently. For those life areas that are doing well, be watchful, as luck changes. This particular Eight of Pentacles suggests the need to learn the lessons from an old relationship in preparation for moving on. Don't linger too long over relationships that are dead. Profound changes to your creative life are in process. Also, new ideas from education or work events will stimulate progress for you. Keep an eye out for new (to you) ideas that will dramatically improve your life.

The images are from The Ghost Tarot created by David Corsi, illustrated by Pierluca Zizzi, and published by Lo Scarbeo.

Libra:

The Empress and the Three of Pentacles:

Libra has the card of Venus this month, The Empress, though perhaps this particular Empress is scary. The most circumspect, fashionable, and socially reliable of all signs, this is your month dear Libra. Whether you are redoing your wardrobe—a wonderful and enjoyable task for Libras—or negotiating peace, you are exactly the right person in the right place to be effective. The only cautions are to listen to your intuition, your inner voice, your dreams. Usually not too biased towards the unseen, you will benefit by paying attention this month.

The images are from Twisted Tarot Tales, a joint effort of artist James Battersby and his partner Christine Aguilar, and is self-published.

  

Scorpio:

Death and the Ace of Cups:

Jupiter has just entered your sign, Scorpio, and you may find yourself unusually exuberant. Your energy levels are up, your mood is up, and, if you don’t watch out, your weight will be up. While there is (as always) a lot going on behind the scenes, you will be out in the public eye this month and most of the next year. You only have a narrow window for non-work-related travel this month, in the first half of the month. If you need some time, take it then. You have an uncanny insight into people’s motivations, especially the negatives; this month finds you even more psychic and not always about bad things.

The images are from The Deviant Moon Tarot created by Patrick Valenza and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Sagittarius: 

Judgment and the King of Pumpkins (Pentacles):

Dear Sagittarius, once again we need to look at your income. Big systemic changes are coming regarding your earnings. Keep informed. Stay up on the technology regarding your income, your automatic deposits, your bank accounts, and so forth. This could even mean converting to a (new?) personal computerized accounting system. You may travel for work this month, and you definitely would like to travel. Foreign women will be lucky for you. Use your smarts in accomplishing your daily chores and to-do list, there is an easier way.

The images are from The Halloween Tarot, created by Kipling West and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

Capricorn:

The Emperor and the Queen of Wands: 

There is a lot of focus this month on your home and family. It is time for you to be more hands-on in managing your home life, and your relationships with family members. Listen to your dream messages and take heed. Your sex life will be very comforting and health-promoting this month. You have a general temptation, accentuated this month, to live your life as a public person, to always be on stage, and to neglect your personal life and associations. This month the public and your career role will call, but keep some attention on promoting the private life that feeds your spirit.

The images are from The Ghost Tarot created by David Corsi, illustrated by Pierluca Zizzi, and published by Lo Scarbeo.

Aquarius:

The Wheel of Fortune and the Knight of Pentacles:

Dear Aquarius, your public image, reputation, and career are beginning the high cycle of the last twelve years. This time your luck is going up. Enjoy the ride and take advantage of this cycle, as the cycle will change in about 12 months. Keep track of money in all your accounts, particularly any joint accounts. Your sex life may see a lift, enjoy. Profound changes have been happening within you, maybe changes you don't even realize since you’ve been busy in your dreams and higher consciousness taking positive steps.

The images are from Twisted Tarot Tales, a joint effort of artist James Battersby and his partner Christine Aguilar, and is self-published.

Pisces:

The High Priestess and the King of Pentacles:

Dear Pisces, you long for some creative projects, possibly a child, but the universe is giving you other joys instead. You are focusing on your partner and your social connections this month. Your sex life is looking up. Money due you will be coming in. You will have many opportunities in the next twelve months for travel and learning. It is time for you to grow, so if you don't grow in mind or spirit, expect to grow in the body. Your friends have profoundly changed your views on life. This trend will continue for years to come. Bless them for their contribution to you. 

The images are from The Deviant Moon Tarot created by Patrick Valenza and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

 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.