August 2023 Tarot Stories
Tarot Stories are horoscopes divined by the Tarot. They can be read as guidance or inspiration. Read for your Sun & Rising signs. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't. Live your life! Check out the specially curated playlist for this month’s Tarot Stories at the end of the page!
LEO: 7 of Swords x The Chariot
Being asleep to your own talents, skills, and personal power is the biggest lie you can tell, it is the biggest, and most detrimental betrayal, you can commit Leo. What are yo0u lying to yourself about? How have you been your own mental undoing with the thoughts and inner conversations you have with yourself? A lie has been told, by you or another but only you will absorb it as poison if you cannot choose a path forward. The Chariot encourages you to leave your old weapons behind, thoughts, truths, paths and values you perhaps relied on before are rusted and dull now; they bare no relevant wisdom now, no signs of justice, only untruths and injustice. The Chariot is the way forward: the path of (perhaps) most resistance, but the road is longer, more sustainable and based on values, your updated ethics of care and reflect a long dwelled over choosing. Now is the time to commit to what you've been brewing and stewing over. Stay on the road, don't forget to take others with you sometimes; this will not be a physical act, but rather, in the true Leo way, your self-expression, your CREATIONS, and taking action on your own behalf is a unthanked beacon of light for others to follow, a fortune of example. Solar Return Blessings, courageous heart. Play "pour up" by Yaya Bey.
VIRGO: Prince of Wands x The Lovers
Love in the Sun, Virgo. This August I invite you not to hide. If you live in country or state where it is safe to do so, have sex in public! I invite you to interrogate what is to be fully seen, not just for your healthy hands, you logician's mind or green thumb, seen not only for what others may see you as, need to see you as for themselves, but who you believe yourself to be. This August, I invite you to be in relationship with others in a bold and unmitigated fashion. The Prince of Wands is a healthy young fire that warms the feet and hands of weary travelers while also meeting it's own need to burn. The Lovers signifies that this month you will be part of a Grand Union, one which allows you to be fully present, in your own body while connected in the mind with another, human/entity/creative project/job/extra-terrestrial etc… Allow yourself to be seen; embrace a mirror when you come upon one. This mirror will not be silent or devious, it'll talk to you in your own language and their touch or impact on you will be as tender as leaves in a breeze, and as fiery as the Sun on a hot (Global Boiling) day. You will feel alive and understood. Meeting a mirror or a soul mate may not be seamless at first; expect vertigo at first glance, but hold down your morning tea long enough to sink into the feeling of shining your whole light and someone/something/somewhere not turning away. Play "Banho de Folhas" by Luedji Luna (dare you not to break out in intuitive ancestral dance).
LIBRA: Prince of Swords x The Magician
Mental course corrections: take the time between now (august 1st) and August 23rd when Mercury goes Rx to make decisions, choose and commit to a course of action. To may thoughts, actions or external opinions could be leading you astray. Less is more! Less. Is. More. The Magician says you already have all of the knowledge, tools and skills you need to execute the first phase or first draft of a strategy or spell! Don't worry this upcoming Mercury Rx will give you much time--until early October-- to edit, tweak, or modify. You just have to initiate now, ask questions later. Be careful of distractions or misaligned plans in your periphery; you can know they are there without letting them derail you. But the Magician is about new beginnings, working simply and often independently with your bare essentials. Clear a space in your home, as large as you can manage, maybe this is a single page of an entire wall. I invite you to create a clean slate for yourself, and bring only what you need to do the work to the table. You will see your plan assemble before you eyes and under your hands it will begin again and again. You are the Magic. Play "Shawty" by Midnight Phunk, Jamilah Barry.
SCORPIO: 6 of Wands x 6 of Swords
Tek win! Six is a very stable number across various schools of thought. In Tarot the sixes break the spell of strife encountered by the fives. With the sixes we move on from mental (swords) agony of the previous step, and overcome the obstacles or competition (wands) of the recent past, as we arrive at our own victory party. I invite you to enjoy August in a way you may not have allowed yourself to enjoy your life up until this point. Stand in the lime light. Be broody AND courageous, you've earned it. You may still feel the shadow of what you've passed through but the more you see yourself as an integral part of this parade called life, and your wounds as embodied knowledge, the more you will believe and behave that you deserve to be in this new, brightly lit and hopeful phase. I invite you to pay attention to numbers this month, synchronicities, signs, repetitions and twins, things occurring in twos. Look for harmony in all matters and events in which you wish to endeavor. Disharmony is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong, but if you cannot easefully and mindfully navigate to harmony then better things are just around the corner for you; don't give into the quicksand of instability. Your way out is saying yes to moving (forward) by accepting praise, compliments and even leadership responsibility. You could cut a check for sharing your story or by simply showing up! Don't back down or hit reverse this month, at least until Mercury Rx rolls around and makes you pause a rework in real time. Play "Success" by Beautiful Chorus.
SAGITTARIUS: Adjustment (aka Justice) x Knight of Wands
Actions that you take this month are karmic; they will either be wrapping up a sequence of events in a matter, or story, up or beginning a fresh sequence anew. I invite you to consider behaving with the concept of Justice in mind; not just about what is "fair" for you, but also for others. What goes around comes around. Stories/situations/matters which you are particularly passionate about or activated by --creative projects, sex, a big goal, ambition--will be central here. Initiations, activations… It's giving: someone wants to see you get active, burn your fuel, wear yourself out over some provocation or another. Will you let them? Conserve your energy for the precise moves you *need* to make without harm. Pentanjali's 8 Limb Path of Yoga are describes as the eight aspects of yoga as limbs of a tree with one purpose: to grow towards enlightenment. The first limb, yamas, referred to as outer observances includes Brahmacharya (energy conservation), and Ahimsa (non-violence, non-harming, compassion for self and other). I invite you to research these more and integrate these limbs of yoga into your decision making around all important actions and subsequent behaviour. The Adjustment card in the Thoth Tarot is the same archetype of Justice. I appreciate the renaming because in implies to me that Justice requires constant adjustment in order to be upheld. A ballet dancer or an experienced yogi may look graceful and effortless in their postures, like standing bow/dancer, but I assure you, every muscle in their body is engaged in a constant push and pull through minor imperceivable adjustments. What adjustments do you need to make to your actions/behavior in order to maintain Justice, Sagittarius? Play "What Goes Around /Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake
CAPRICORN: Strength x The Hermit
You're the goat and the G.O.A.T. of the zodiac, but you may have to be reminded of the following this month: don't be afraid to be alone, to operate independently! The Hermit encourages you to retreat with your bare necessities, ideally into nature, and let your own heart/mind/inner light guide you. This is a card of the entrepreneur, the herbalist, the masseuse, the freelance writer, the artist, the independent worker of some fashion or anyone who needs to do the 'work' alone at some point. No one else has answers for you now, and probably little substantial or effective help to offer you. You may be burnt out, considering giving up in some small or large regard, but resist; the Strength card encourages you to persist, to show up, to erect your boundaries and defend them until your work is done. This may not be the best time for collaborations or partnerships on matters around career or personal healing. You have all the answers you need right now, even if they require more energy to be excavated and applied. There's something deeply and obviously protective here. Safeguard yourself, your hopes and dreams and your inner workings. It's okay to keep your cards to your chest right now; this will enable you to get more done, in an illuminated and successful way. Play "Don't Wish Me Well" by Solange.
AQUARIUS: The Hanged Man x Princess of Disks
Okay, stop for a second. Do you have all the information you need right now? What may be you missing? The Princess of Disks is youthful, and full of life; surely accomplished and knowledgeable but still not fully developed. There's something green about them, like you now. Being green or a novice of something, a study or a craft, is mostly a good thing because you don't know what you don't know; you have no concept of failure, or what is 'right' or 'wrong' yet in that context because you haven't gained experience yet. Yet! But it's inevitable; you will set out this month to travel, learn, study something about or in your material world. You will expand your horizons. However, before you run off make sure you have the tools you can both logically and intuitively imagine you will need. I assure you, you will need something for notetaking, i.e. a sustainable recording mechanism. You'll need other things on this impending expedition, no doubt. The Hanged Man is inviting you take a pause to learn what those tools are; to lean into delayed plans, to embrace observations even if from an uncomfortable or less ideal vantage point. This card is inviting you to find a new perspective, a fresh point of view; one that may only be attainable from a location of discomfort. You will be transformed this month by a perceived inconvenience or not getting your way; but through it, you will find your feet, your map, your tools and know exactly how, when and where to start your journey to lived experience, to development, to wisdom. Play "Didn't Cha Know" By Erykah Badu
PISCES: The Universe (aka The World) x Luxury
Everyone loves a happy ending… but sometimes the quality of the ending depends on *when* it occurs, i.e. a timely ending can make a positive impact, whereas a prolonged ending may end up causing more grief later. This is a 'know when to leave the party' situation. By staying on, you are missing out on something valuable to you elsewhere. This is not about fomo, this is about not being in the right place at the right time to experience, receive, claim, or see something you actually need because you stayed too long at the previous spot. The 4 of Cups initially offers rest, respite, a beautiful and comforting vantage point from which to recuperate, but it's only a plateau; there's limited comfort/luxury/resources here for you. One phase of your task/work/mission is complete, but you have to move on, restart the engine before it rusts over, before boredom, stasis and complacency kick in. Damn. I get it; it feels good here. Often comfort zones, and even familiar yet unhelpful behaviours or circumstances feel good to continue because it's what we know. But dear Pisces, you will miss out on much you desire, need and deserve. You need to begin again from where you currently are. The Universe is the very end and the culmination of The Fool's journey in the Major Arcana. There's nowhere else to go but onwards to another beginning. There's joy here, there's success and completion, there's self-fulfillment and satisfaction here at the end of The World. There will be celebrations, ceremonies, and anniversaries this August; but the party can't last forever. They mark that new seeds have been sown. In your case, they've likely already geminated, so back to them now, and begin the new phase of growth. You're so ready! I love you, fellow fish. Start listening to "How to Survive the End of the World" podcast by adrienne maree brown and Autumn Brown.
ARIES: Prince of Disks x 9 of Swords
You're a go-getter; you have the right tools, resources with you but you are still learning how to use them to your best advantage this month, Aries. The poison may be in your own mind, saturating your thoughts will heavy feelings of self-criticism, sabotage, worthlessness etc… The medicine is movement, to drive through the night, to speak back to fear and intimidation with determined progress. It doesn't have to be, nor should be, a fast progress, but it needs to be steady. The Prince of Disks has much to gain, to inherit, to earn, and receive; a true bounty of material things, experience, knowledge, a type of 'wealth' surely awaits you. You could be moving towards reclaiming your time and energy (both important resources) but thoughts of 'do I deserve this?' may obstruct your course. The 9 of Sword signifies a phase anxiety and/or stress you'll need to ride through and out of. Ailments related to these may arise, like fatigue, insomnia, confusion or feelings of powerlessness, isolation. Whatever tangible/felt/material goal you are working towards is valuable and necessary. You want it and it wants you. Play "Brother Anubis" & by Beautiful Chorus.
TAURUS: Fortune x The Priestess (aka The High Priestess)
August brings intuitive expansion and the expansion of your intuition. Fortune rolls in via waves of intuitive intelligence. There's serendipity and good luck. Circumstances align for your benefit and are aided by the guidance of your own interior wisdom. The Priestess invites you to veil yourself so that you have space and quiet to listen to what your intuition--your inner knowing-- is telling you. For these cards to appear together means that the universe is actively co-creating with you at this time; collaborate with her! You may find that your words have magic this month, making people and things appear by just mentioning them. Imagining your reality as you desire it to be can be fruitful; but/and fate is a funny thing. The mechanics and specifics of our lives don't always "just happen", our fates are our own responsibility to craft and mold through choice, adaptation and no little amount of trust in yourself. Certainly, the Wheel of Fortune indicates many things will be out of your hands (not under you direct and exclusive control) details or large happenings may be unexpected, but your intuition, regardless of what happens, is your compass in navigating it all. This month could bring surprise abundance. I invite to buy a lotto ticket, and let your intuition guide you the numbers you select. Extra produce from a friend, finding cash on the ground, an application you did being approved, payment for work previously done. This is not just about acquiring more resources; this is about a turn of events that brings about expansive and positive change to the matters you care most about… IF you engage and trust your intuition. Think about surprise abundance as appearing in the quotidian, in the mundane all around you. Play "God's Work" by IAMDDB ft iLL BLU.
GEMINI: Death x 10 of Swords
An inevitable ending may dominate this month. I invite you to not resist this or other significant conclusions. The fall out may be unexpected, shocking and involuntary but it is certain and definitive. You will make it through, not entirely unscathed, but certainly with an opportunity and the energy for rebirth. This is a time of deep transformation, emotionally and mentally, not just in the manifestations of your material world. This ending releases you from certain responsibilities, relationships, agreements or circumstances that are no longer serving you, no longer sustainable as they are. You will be free to make new agreements, and establish new, more beneficial behaviours and connections. The 10 of Swords is a minor arcana card associated with the Sun in Gemini. This is screaming at you Gemini Suns and Gemini Risings to accept closures and move forward. New ideas, new narratives and relationships, new modes of communication with self and others are implied; mental burdens evaporate with enormous change. In a way Death is simple because it is so complete; it's hard to fight it, argue with it, and impossible to undo. We understand that energy never truly dies, it is only transformed; this month's transformation heralds the start of a new phase. Your medicine is to focus on what you are about to create, not on what you have lost. Play "Search & Rescue" by Drake.
CANCER: 3 of Swords x The Hierophant
What can you learn from or about sorrow, grief, heartbreak or disappointment this month? These emotions, or rather the experiences connected to these emotions, may be your biggest teacher of all right now. Pain offers us an advanced education in survival. What does loss teach us about we possess? What does grief teach us about joy? What does betrayal teach us about trust? These or other dualistic dynamics may arise for you to contend with. The aim is to not ignore what is uncovered and as difficult as it may be, take these events or revelations as instructive. Rule setting institutions, with fixed belief systems or codes of conduct are likely to be involved. The breaking of agreements and relationships is implied. Does a marriage, higher education or a university play a primary role in your life? There may be punishments for being perceived for 'breaking the rules'. In a partnership or marriage, there could the revelation of infidelity or some kind of betrayal; broken engagements. In any circumstance, you may gain knowledge of difficult truths or hard to swallow pills. Again, extract from the wreckage the information and the lesson that you need to absorb and integrate. You won’t be able to undo the harm caused, and it will be difficult to forgive, if that is even an option for you. It will be difficult to ‘fight the system’ or repair the betrayal. Old rules or laws which cause harm instead of protecting could potentially be changed or dissolved, but old institutions are often patriarchal and unforgiving, so when challenging them be prepared for a loss or disappointment. Your medicine is Play “No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige.”
