I did three tarot readings over the course of the Dark Moon: one preceding each of my rituals, and one to give me an idea of what I need to look forward to over the next month.
The first reading, concerning my performance of Lon Milo DuQuette’s banishing/invocation, was reasonably clear and positive.
1/2 – Present position and current influence – 3 Disks “Works” / 2 Wands “Dominion” – Taking concrete steps, translating ideas into reality. Crossed by willpower and a willingness to take risks.
3 – That which crowns it – Ace of Wands – New beginnings, willpower, decisiveness, opportunity for self-development.
4 – It rests upon this – 10 Disks “Wealth” – Becoming aware of one’s circumstances. Awareness of one’s inner and outer wealth.
5 – That which is going out – 10 Swords “Ruin” – Chaos, confusion, pain. Mental implosions and collapse. Who doesn’t love to see this on the outs?
6 – That which is coming in – 9 Cups “Happiness” – Meaningful experience, quiet happiness, joy that lets the heart overflow.
7 – The Querrant – VIII Adjustment – Objectivity, balance, karma, sober perception.
8 – Inner Influences – II the Priestess – Inner guidance, deep spiritual experiences.
9 – Outer Influences – VI the Lovers – The Chemical Wedding, duality and union of opposites, division and decisions.
10 – Conclusion – 6 Swords “Science” + XV the Devil – Perception, progress, openness, insight, thirst for power and encountering the Shadow.
The second reading I did concerned my performance of the Rite of Jeu. The reading was less clear, but I chose to interpret it as a green flag nevertheless. Looking back at the reading more closely, after the experience itself, I definitely feel like I made the right call.
1 / 2 – Current position and influences – XIX the Sun / XIV Art – Bliss, joy, new birth, success, and self-development. Crossed by the balance of powers, finding the right proportion, harmony, and healing.
3 – That which Crowns it – I the Magus – Activity, resolution, willpower, vital force, having the highest perceptions.
4 – It rests upon this – Knight of Swords – Discernment, flexibility, intelligence, striving toward new goals.
5 – That which is going out – 10 Swords “Ruin” – An intriguing repetition, and one which I could only view as auspicious.
6 – That which is coming in – 6 Disks “Success” – increase, favorable interplay of forces,
7 – The Querrant – III the Empress – Growth, creative potential, intuitive power, renewal, insight into the internal cycle.
8 – Inner Influences – XXI the Universe – Joy of living, being in the right place at the right time, resting in one’s center, being one in the beginning and the end.
9 – Outer Influences – 2 Disks “Change” – Change, mutual fructification, insight into the vital rhythm of growth and regression. In a sea of big-mover cards, this one seemed a little strange.
10 – 9 Swords “Cruelty” + XX the Aeon – Worries, panic, nightmares, primitive fantasies of violence. Transformation, new beginnings, spiritual development, being captured by the spirit of the new age.
The final reading I did over the dark moon was my usual monthly—switched to the Dark Moon for the various reasons discussed previously. I might have done the reading at the depth of the moon, but I though I’d give the Stele of Jeu rite at least 24 hours to ripple out before looking to the future.
I had actually considered performing the rite again on Monday, but ultimately concluded that I was too exhausted to pull it off. In fact, I didn’t actually give the monthly reading more than a cursory glance the night I laid them out. Instead, I proceeded to promptly fall over.
1st House – Self, Viewpoint, the Mask – Queen of Swords – Wealth of ideas, presence of mind, independence, and quick-wittedness.
2nd House – Finances, Communication – IV the Emperor – Willingness to take responsibility, initiative, pragmatism. Clear structures, consolidation, realizing plans, perfectionism.
3rd House – Daily Experiences & Immediate Influences – XIV Art – Finding the right proportions, balance of powers, harmony, overcoming differences. Resolving conflicts, joyful and productive work,
4th House – Home-place, Family, Land & Roots – Knight of Disks – Firmness, sobriety, perseverance. Responsible position. Enjoying what has been achieved.
5th House – Pleasure, Hobbies, & Lovers– 4 Swords “Truce” – Sham peace, temporary retreat, calm before the storm, isolation, building up one’s strength.
6th House – Work, Illness, Duty, & Routine – Prince of Swords – Good ol’ P of S is fighting himself. He’s working too hard. Unlike the other knights and the other princes, his chariot is drawn by no noble steed: rather, it is drawn by miniature versions of himself. He is at odds with himself, unable to choose a direction, unable to focus. He is the proverbial chicken running around with his head cut off. He needs to focus.
As I write this, I am skipping class in favor of nursing a cold. I have been putting off homework in favor of other homework. I’m fighting the urge to play social dominance games with one of my professors, and not quite sure that I’m keeping up on the long-term projects I should be working on.
Not good. Need to turn this shit around.
7th House – Partnership – Queen of Wands – Healthy sense of self-assurance, initiative, impulsiveness, independence. Equality, mature relationship, the Tantra of love, heartfelt warmth.
8th House – Taboo, Crisis, Sex, Death & Taxes – 2 Swords “Peace” – State of balance, relaxation, serenity, compromise. I’m really not sure how to read this except as “no worries”.
9th House – Higher Perception, Journeys, & Movement – Knight of Swords – Versatility, discernment, flexibility, intelligence. Steering toward new goals while inspired by ideas.
10th House – Recognition, Career, Ambition, & Status – 8 Wands “Swiftness” – “Ahah” experience, sudden resolution to problems. Innovation, electrifying ideas, favorable developments, foreign business deals, advanced education, taking quick action.
11th House – Friendships, Groups, & Social Activities – 5 Disks “Worry” – Helplessness, fear of loss, frustration at nothing working out. Having a negative influence on each-other.
12th House – Secrets, Hopes, & Fears – XIII Death – Parting, natural end. Confronting transience. Beginning of a fundamental change.
+2 – XXI the Universe / 0 the Fool – Completion, joy of living, being in the right place at the right time, resting in one’s center. Crossed by original potential, creative chaos, new beginnings, starting off into the unknown.
So … that’s five Major Arcana, five court cards, and four minor arcana. Four swords, three disks, two wands, no cups. (Seriously? No cups for my doulble-Scorpio ass?)
The World and the Fool at the heart of things tell me that although it may not look like there’s much going on at first, there’s some big shit afoot. This impression is reinforced by the Death card (even if it is in the 12th House).
I feel confident that XIII, XXI, and 0 must be related to my resumed and escalated magical practice. In particular, these are all things that are supposed to happen when you invoke the agathos daimon. And I’m going to keep doing it: I want to die and be reborn: I want another initiatory experience.
The overwhelming presence of the court cards tells me that people are going to be very significant this month. Not terribly surprising, given the nature of academia.
The only “bad” card I see is 5D in the 11th House, though the Prince of Swords isn’t one of my favorites. I’m a little concerned about that 5D, actually. I’m always nervous about things going awry in my very small circle of friends: I don’t’ have any to loose.
I’m also concerned about 8 Wands in the 10th House. That could be really good. Or it could be “shit goes crazy”. Not that these things are in any way mutually exclusive. One wonders how it relates to IV in the 2nd House. I hope this means that I’ll manage to get my hustle started up.
2 Swords in the 8th House confuses me, of course. I don’t really have taboos. But how can “peace” be a crisis? Or does my more optimistic interpretation above actually float: that there4 is no crisis this month?