The nine of wands & the four of wands from the Rider Waite Smith tarot deck
Chiron retrograde in Aries from July 26-December 29, 2024, is a powerful time for healing and self-discovery. This period encourages the collective to reflect on old wounds and unresolved issues, particularly those related to our sense of self-identity, our voice and personal power. This is a highly charged time as the astrological dark feminine archetype, Black Moon Lilith accompanies the South node, in the opposite sign of Libra – which represents justice, laws, contracts, marriage and partnerships.
How interesting as during this transit, we appear to be witnessing key core unresolved societal attitudes and power dynamics from the past, currently being brought back up front and center for reevaluation and reassessment.
Chiron “the wounded healer” retrograde in powerful Aries can be a bit triggering as it is a “in your face” type energy. The motto for Aries is “I am” after all. So do your best to be patient with yourself and others as we are all feeling a bit on edge. But on the positive side, the collective is being strongly invited, to witness the events transpiring, that before were hidden behind closed doors and smiling faces, and carefully observe, reflect, and assess your own feelings and thoughts about what you are being shown.
On an individual level, look up your personal natal chart online and find the house where 23 degrees Aries is located. This is the area of your life that will be most personally impacted by Chiron’s retrograde, highlighting where you may need to confront and heal past wounds or challenges to foster your own empowerment, personal growth, and your soul’s evolution. Black Moon Lilith is currently at 3 degrees Libra, so you may find it helpful to include this aspect as well, for additional insights.
If you all would like me to do a post in the future on the astrological aspects of Black Moon Lilith, and how she impacts our natal chart, let me know in the comments! If you would like to schedule a private reading to delve into these energies further, please contact me through my website: www.firemoonalchemy.com
The tarot card corresponding to the new moon in Leo is the Six of Wands
The upcoming new moon in Leo on August 4th, is a beautiful time to set intentions in the areas of your life related to creativity, self-expression, romance, and confidence. Leo energy is big and bold, and encourages you to tap into your passions and let your unique talents and individuality shine. As new moons symbolize new beginnings, whatever your goals are, a Leo new moon is an auspicious energy to collaborate with, to increase your chances of a successful outcome.
As this new moon is well aspected to Mars and Jupiter, which are both in the sign of communicative Gemini, innovative ideas or a surge of creativity may inspire you to take a bold step in a new, positive direction. However this resonates for you, this new moon supports your decisions and efforts to do what you need to do, to have a life that you are excited to get out of bed for!
In love, Leo energy encourages grand gestures and heartfelt connections. If you are in a relationship, tap into Leo’s romantic side by engaging in activities with your partner that will rekindle the spark as you both have fun together. Don’t be afraid to let loose and be a little silly! If you have been wanting to try something new in the intimate department, Leo energy is more than happy to support your passionate endeavors! For those who are single, fix yourself up and put yourself out there! Go out with friends, laugh, and have fun! Your positive vibes will naturally sync with the Leo new moon energy to attract someone to you who will be captivated by your unique style and carefree attitude. If you are a Leo sun, moon or rising, your charms may be amplified during this new moon cycle. So be discerning, but kind, and try not to break too many hearts
As a final note, I do want to mention that this new moon coincides closely with Mercury retrograde, which occurs on August 5th. This astrological combination is conducive to introspection and second chances. Don’t be surprised if a missed opportunity from the past comes back around, or if you have the chance to amend, reconcile, edit, redo, or complete something in the next 30 days. You will feel satisfied and/or relieved that this is done, as it allows you to move on or move up, however the case may be.
OK, so how do we tap into the energy of this dynamic new moon?
Leo’s planetary ruler is the sun. Its element is fire. Keywords are confidence, beauty, love, passion, romance, fun, creativity, self-expression, charisma, luck, vitality, strength, success, & leadership.
Self-love (or couples) activities such as getting a massage, manicure/pedicure, getting your hair done, etc. Pamper yourself a little bit! Consider starting a new creative endeavor and/or try something that requires courage and expands your comfort zone. Journal and/or make a vision board, spend time outside with people, children, and pets that you love, challenge yourself by setting a new personal, professional or fitness goal for the next 30 days, wear items that make you feel outgoing, confident, and attractive.
For my magically inclined people, candle magic and “glamours” are just the ticket for a Leo new moon!
Colors: gold, yellow, orange, purple, red, white.
Leo crystals:
1. Carnelian: This vibrant orange stone boosts courage, motivation, and creativity.
2. Sunstone: As its name suggests, Sunstone is all about harnessing the power of the Sun. It promotes self-confidence, joy, and a positive outlook on life.
3. Tiger’s Eye: Known for its protective and grounding properties, Tiger’s Eye boosts confidence and courage inspiring us to take bold steps and tap into our inner power.
4. Citrine: Attracts success, joy, and prosperity. Enhances creativity.
5. Amber: Promotes a sense of wellbeing. Its “warm” tone helps to maintain a joyful, optimistic outlook.
6. Peridot: Helps to balance emotions, reduces stress, and supports gentle, personal growth.
7. Pyrite: A powerful stone for manifestation and abundance. It also offers psychic protection, grounds & balances the mind, body & spirit, helps clear negative patterns and enhances willpower.
Christine Mann (Fire Moon Alchemy) is a gifted intuitive that specializes in tarot, astrology & numerology. She is available for private readings and public & private events. She can be contacted through her website:www.firemoonalchemy.com.
Four of Pentacles & Four of Cups from the Rider Waite Smith tarot deck
This is a special full moon, as it is the second consecutive full moon in the sign of Capricorn in the last 30 days! The previous one was on June 21st. Having two full moons back to back occur in the same sign is quite rare. Consider this a second chance for us to address the Capricorn themed areas of our life. As this moon occurs on the 29th degree of this sign, this is your message to make those final revisions and/or get moving to implement plans or goals that were put into place last month. For some of you, this full moon may coincide with, or urge you to, make an important decision or have the final word, such as in a conversation or this could be your signature on a document or contract.
Let’s discuss the tarot cards associated with this transit to see what insights they have for us!
First, we have the Four of Pentacles which represents the Moon in Capricorn. There’s a strong focus on your responsibilities and ambitions with this card. Often it comes up in my readings when the message is to be frugal with your finances and to be mindful of where your resources are going.
Fours in the tarot represent stability, and the element of earth speaks of physical, tangible things that are pertinent to our survival, such as our health, money, career, home, etc. More than ever nowadays, it is important for everyone to review their goals and spending to be sure you are building a solid foundation for the future. But be careful of becoming overly rigid with your finances (i.e., pennywise and dollar foolish). The energy of Capricorn encourages us to be disciplined and responsible, but to also maintain a healthy balance between frugal and “cheap”.
The Four of Cups corresponds to the Sun in Cancer. This card has a cynical vibe to it. You could be feeling a bit stuck or dissatisfied, even though most likely, you have good things around you. With the Sun in the sign of Cancer opposite this full moon, collectively, we might be feeling more sensitive than usual. If you have been feeling bored or unfulfilled lately, this is a reminder to look within and see why you are feeling that way. Your intuition may be nudging you to make some changes.
So, how you balance these energies to make the most of this Capricorn full moon? It’s a great time for reflection and planning. Take a moment to appreciate what you have now and what you’ve achieved in the last 30 days (it’s probably more than you realize), and to think about what your next steps should be on a goal, plan or project. Budget funds to take care of routine maintenance and small repairs to cross them off your “to do” list and to prevent larger problems in the future.
The Four of Cups can indicate burnout. Remember to balance your hard work with self-care. Try to break up your routine once a while to freshen up your mental outlook. Be on the lookout for opportunities and blessings that appear in unexpected ways, and try to practice an “attitude of gratitude” whenever possible.
As full moons can signifiy a time of completion, it may be time to let go of things that no longer serve you or that have become an energy or financial drain. This will give you some peace of mind and make space for the aforementioned opportunities and blessings to come in!
For my crystal loving friends, below are some excellent crystals that resonate with the Capricorn energy:
1. Garnet: Known for both its grounding and energizing properties, garnet helps us to stay focused on our goals and enhances our vitality.
2. Black Onyx: This stone protects us from negative energy and fosters emotional stability.
3. Smoky Quartz: A grounding stone, smoky quartz helps us connect to the earth, and helps us stay focused on our ambitions. It also is effective at dispelling negative energy and promotes a practical, yet positive mental outlook.
4. Fluorite: Known for its ability to enhance mental clarity and focus, fluorite can help us stay organized and efficient. It also supports decision-making and problem-solving.
5. Black Tourmaline: This protective stone can help shield us from negative energy, helping us stay grounded. Wearing or holding black tourmaline promotes a feeling of security and security. This stone can be too “heavy” for very sensitive people, so you may need to experiment with this stone.
6. Hematite: A grounding and balancing stone, hematite is very effective at keeping us focused on the task at hand. It also enhances strength and endurance. This is another “heavy” stone, so if you are sensitive, just like with black tourmaline above, pay attention to how you feel when working with it.
7. Tiger’s Eye: Known for its ability to enhance willpower and courage, tiger’s eye can help us stay determined and confident when pursuing our goals.
8. Malachite: This stone of transformation can help us release negative patterns and encourages us to flow with positive change. It is also an effective stone for protection, it’s green color corresponds with money and abundance, and it fosters emotional balance and personal growth. Malachite is one of my favorites!
This full moon is particularly interesting because it marks the beginning of a unique lunar cycle. It is the first in a pair of consecutive full moons in the sign of Capricorn, with the second one occurring on July 21st. Another interesting aspect is the precise astrological positioning of these moons. This full moon occurs at 1 degree Capricorn, while the next one will be at 29 degrees.
As Capricorn is a cardinal sign, the first degree signifies new beginnings and fresh initiatives, whereas the 29th degree, also known as the anaretic degree in astrology, signifies completion. It often carries with it a sense of urgency to conclude matters before transitioning into the next phase. Together, these two full moons bookend the entire spectrum of Capricorn’s influence, from initiation to culmination, offering a profound opportunity for reflection, release and growth within a 30 day cycle.
The tarot cards that correspond with this full moon are the Two of Pentacles and the Two of Cups.
The Two of Pentacles is linked to Capricorn and is about balance, adaptability, decisions, and handling multiple tasks or responsibilities at once. I’m sure all of you out there can relate to this card!
The Two of Cups represents the Sun in Cancer and signifies emotional connections, partnerships, and harmony in our relationships. This card encourages us to network with others as well as reminds us to nurture the relationships that foster mutual respect and support our well-being. This can be romantic or otherwise.
This full moon is highlighting the question of what constitutes a healthy work and personal life balance for us. The prevailing theme suggests that there are decisions to be made regarding practical matters, and this may involve a discussion on the home front (depending on your circumstances). Full moons typically symbolize a time of release, and this one aligns closely to the summer solstice, which denotes a change in the season. Have you detected a “change of seasons” in your home or work life that is inspiring you to make a change or to let some things go?
Let’s look at the two of pentacles card. If the two of pentacles image is a temporary situation for you, such as working and going to school, working multiple jobs or overtime for some extra cash, etc., you know that this is temporary and you’ve got it handled.
However, if on the other hand, you feel as if you are treading water just to stay afloat and are not gaining traction despite your efforts, this full moon in Capricorn is asking you to put pencil to paper, and to reflect on how you can implement beneficial changes that support financial sustainability while also taking into account the overall health and well-being of yourself and those you care about.
As Capricorn is a practical energy that likes to have a plan, I thought journaling prompts would be an excellent way to work with this auspicious moon. Here are a few to get you started:
1) What manageable, initial steps can I take in the next 30 days to get the ball rolling on a beneficial change, long-term plan or goal?
2) Where have I made progress (personal or professional) in the last six months? What have I learned from the experience? How can I integrate this wisdom for success in future endeavors?
3) Is my current life pace sustainable? Do I need to set boundaries, say “no” more often, or implement a more structured daily routine that supports my objectives as well as helps me to maintain my focus and productivity?
4) Do I have items that I no longer use that I could sell for extra cash or donate to make space for my current goals?
5) Which personal relationships would benefit from my increased presence and effort? How can I enhance these connections?
6) What steps can I take to improve my financial situation? Is it time to make a change, cancel or renegotiate services, create a budget, or develop an investment strategy for the future? What do I need to do to foster the self-discipline required to stick with the plan?
A few crystals that you can wear or carry with you that may help to ground your energy as you solidify your plans or goals are: smoky quartz, garnet, tigers eye, red jasper, rose quartz, aragonite, black obsidian, black tourmaline, lepidolite, snowflake obsidian, malachite, hematite, sodalite.
The Nine of Swords is the tarot card theme for the new moon in Gemini 6/6/24
New moons generally signify new beginnings. This new moon is in the sign of Gemini, which invites us to explore our communications and thought processes. The tarot card associated with this transit is the Nine of Swords, which signifies anxiety, stress, and overthinking.
While this tarot card theme might seem less than positive (hang in there with me), it addresses the need of having open, honest conversations with others as well as ourselves, to get what is bothering us out in the open so it can be addressed and cleared.
The numerology on this date is interesting as it is a “6/6” frequency portal, which aligns this new moon nicely with the themes of harmony, love, beauty, relationships, decisions, and communication. The number “6” corresponds to The Lovers card in the tarot major arcana, which is a Gemini card that reflects these same themes.
This transit squares the planet Saturn, which adds a serious tone to the conversation. Saturn’s influence might feel heavy, but it reminds us to keep our emotions in check, so that we can think critically. Oftentimes, we can be our own worst enemy, if we let our imagination and “worst case” scenarios continue unfettered in our mind. The nine of swords tarot card often indicates a lack of information or facts, or that the truth of a matter is not being addressed. Note how her hands are covering her eyes…
Saturn’s influence brings us back down to earth with a dose of reality and practicality. Saturn paired with the new moon in Gemini, invites us to clear the mental cobwebs and focus on what is within the realm of our control instead of what is not. It asks us to explore practical solutions and after considering our options carefully, decide on the best course of action to take.
Think of Saturn as the wise mother or grandmother that shakes us out of our “funk” and tells us to get up and get moving!
To lighten things up a bit, since I mentioned The Lover’s card previously, I would be remiss if I did not mention Venus’ influence as she is closely aligned with this new moon! Her presence adds wit and charm to this transit, balancing out Saturn’s cold practicality.
Venus in Gemini loves to communicate, and with Saturn’s influence, she will want to get to the heart of the matter. So if you have had something on your mind lately, perhaps it’s time to communicate your thoughts and/or feelings, call someone you haven’t spoke to in a while, or reach out to mend a strained friendship or relationship.
This new moon is also an opportune time for fresh starts and collaborations with others! Endeavors that align with this energy are reconciliations, spending time with a romantic partner, starting a business or creative project, participating in community activities, taking a class, making an announcement, seeing the local sights, launching a website or social media platform, or forming/joining a network or group, just to name a few. Money matters and gambling are included as well, so if you are feeling lucky, pick up a lottery ticket or two! If you win, consider donating a percentage to a local charity that you resonate with.
For my magically inclined people, this new moon is a powerful time for self-reflection and divination. Take some quiet time to jot down your thoughts and intentions in a journal or notebook. Scrying, automatic writing, meditation, working with tarot & oracle cards, creating sigils, etc. are a few ways you can tap into those mental magic vibes! As Gemini is a mutable energy, if you set intentions or goals, trust in your ability to go with the flow, and to make slight course corrections as needed.
To connect with the energy of this new moon, below are some correspondences that you may find helpful:
World Tarot Day is celebrated annually on May 25th
Happy World Tarot Day everyone!
World Tarot Day, celebrated annually on May 25th, is a day dedicated to the appreciation and understanding of tarot cards and their rich history. Originally used as playing cards in the 15th century, tarot decks have evolved into powerful tools for divination, self-reflection, and spiritual growth. Tarot decks are comprised of 78 cards, and each one, holds a unique meaning that can offer guidance for life’s questions and challenges.
Whether one seeks guidance, personal development, or a deeper connection with the mystical aspects of life, World Tarot Day serves as a reminder of the profound impact tarot can have. It’s a celebration of both the art and the intuition that make tarot reading a cherished tradition across cultures and generations.
~Fire Moon Alchemy
#worldtarotday #tarotcards #tarot #tarotreaders
Christine (Fire Moon Alchemy) is a gifted intuitive that specializes in tarot, astrology & numerology. She is also available for private readings and public & private events. She can be contacted through her website:www.firemoonalchemy.com.
Tarot cards for the Sagittarius full moon: Eight of Swords & Eight of Wands
The full moon on May 23, 2024 is in the sign of Sagittarius. This zodiac sign is represented by the archetype of the archer, a symbol of our soul’s sense of adventure and thirst for knowledge.
Typically, full moons signify the culmination of a cycle. These are undeniably challenging times, and many of you have experienced significant changes over the past few months. The previous new moon in Sagittarius was on December 12, 2023, so this particular full moon is wrapping up about a five month Sagittarian moon cycle.
This may be a significant time marker for some of you. What valuable insights have you gained about yourself during this time? Where have you held yourself back, and where have you made progress?
Let’s delve a little deeper into the energetic signature of this full moon through the tarot:
The tarot cards that correspond with this transit are the Eight of Wands (Moon in Sagittarius) and the Eight of Swords (Sun in Gemini). As seen in their imagery, these cards represent quite opposite ends of the spectrum.
The Eight of Wands signifies forward momentum, the arrival of important messages (often good news), as well as travel, learning, and inspirational insights. This card represents Sagittarius’ adventurous spirit and the higher mind, reminding us to be open to new opportunities and philosophies.
In contrast, the Eight of Swords brings a message of isolation, restriction, as well as mental & emotional confinement. It reflects a limited perspective or can denote a lack of adequate information. Both of which can trap us in fear and denial, preventing us from seeing all our available options.
So, I ask you, which tarot card do you currently identify with?
If it is the Eight of Swords, give yourself some credit. How many times in the past have you faced your darkest fears and risen to the challenge of being the hero/heroine in your own story? That version of you is still there! Sagittarius is all about freedom. As we navigate the upcoming waning (decreasing) moon cycle, this is an opportune time to take the steps required to overcome those doubts and move forward with confidence.
More information may be required, so do your research if this is indicated for you. Reach out, an outside perspective from a trusted friend, family member, support group or professional consultant, will help to put your mind at ease. The first step is a doozy, but it gets progressively better with every step you take.
If it is the Eight of Wands, congratulations! Use the waning moon cycle during the next two weeks, to purge whatever is not vibing with your plans or goals! It’s difficult to soar like an eagle when you’re surrounded by turkeys as the old saying goes. You’ve been there done that and are moving forward. You may be traveling, moving, or going for an exciting new personal or professional opportunity.
As the Eight of Wands often denotes communication, be sure to check your voicemail & emails regularly, and don’t forget the spam folder! Just as quickly as good news or an opportunity comes in, it can leave just as quickly, if you do not respond in a timely manner.
In closing, the full moon in Sagittarius on May 23rd, may close a door, but at the same time it opens a window. Believe in yourself and say “yes” to opportunities that expand your horizons personally or professionally. Tap into your sense of adventure and go for it!
Know that you deserve to be where you can thrive and grow.
The Six of Pentacles tarot card from the Rider Waite Smith deck
The Taurus new moon this week invites you to be kind, and to pursue opportunities that enhance your overall long-term stability.
The tarot card associated with this transit is the six of pentacles. A few key words for this card are generosity, investment and reciprocity.
This is an interesting card as depending on the situation, you may be the one giving or receiving. For those that are doing well, you are reminded to appreciate what you have and to offer assistance to others or a good cause when you are able. For those that are going through rough times, the six of pentacles upright in a reading is an auspicious sign that your luck is about to change for the better.
What goes around comes around and the karmic wheel of life is perpetually in motion. More often than not, an act of kindness, no matter how small, circles back to its source bringing a blessing with it at a later date. If you are presented with an opportunity to do a good deed that is feasible for you in the next two weeks, consider it.
We are all capable of giving in ways that cost very little. Hold the door for someone, offer a listening ear, give someone a compliment, thumbs up a friend’s post and/or write a review for their business, let someone in front of you in line, tip an extra dollar, etc. You get the idea.
On the flip side, the six of pentacles card invites you to examine situations where you may be over-extending your resources to the point of tipping your own scale out of balance. You should not have to deplete yourself to satisfy or help others.
If the above paragraph resonates with you, the new moon in Taurus encourages you to recognize your inherent value as you prioritize self-care as well as your own sustainability. Invest wisely. Not just financially, but also when it comes to your well-being and happiness.
Pluto goes retrograde in the sign of Aquarius today. Collectively and individually, we are encouraged to examine past and present narratives, and explore if they still hold the truth for us.
When a planet goes retrograde, its effects are more internalized and/or intense. Pluto is already an intense energy, and being in the sign of Aquarius, its effects will be amplified and focused on exposing long-standing, not so pretty hidden truths, to the collective. What we do with this information is up to us. Do we turn a blind eye? Or do we hold the responsible parties accountable?
On an individual level, Pluto’s energy will be much more internal. As it reveals the shadow aspects of ourselves, by mirroring them back to us through situations or people. Helping us to understand where and why, we may be susceptible to unbalanced power dynamics. Your feelings, thoughts and perceptions will encourage you to ask questions. As the saying goes, “when you know better you do better”. This is your invitation to take back your autonomy in areas of your life where you may have unwittingly given your power away to a false narrative.
Pluto remains in retrograde until October 11th , however it does not leave the shadow zone until February 2nd. Individually, this allows transformative insights to be recognized and worked through over several months. The world stage however, will be quite interesting to say the least during this time!
If you would like to delve deeper into this energy via your personal natal astrology chart, please contact me through my website www.firemoonalchemy.com to make an appointment. ❤️
You may find yourself motivated to begin a new project or finish tasks that you have been putting off, as Mercury went direct last week, and Mars enters the sign of Aries this week.
Venus moved into her home sign of Taurus today, so after the work is done, be sure to make time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
