These are the cards associated with the New Moon in Gemini.
So, right away my eye is pulled towards the Eight of Swords. This is a card of self-imposed limitations. “Stuck in our heads” so to speak. Illusionary thoughts that hold us back. The New Moon in Gemini is reminding us to go within and evaluate where these limiting beliefs and thoughts about ourselves are coming from.
The zodiac sign of Gemini is represented by The Lovers in the tarot. This is a card regarding decisions, balance and choices. The energy of Gemini (the twins) is all about the mind and balance. Gemini is “air” mental energy, it is associated with the swords suit. When I think of Gemini energy, an image comes to mind of the Gemini twins as attorneys in a courtroom. Each presenting their side in an intellectual, analytical format. This is how Gemini operates. There are always two sides to every situation to consider.
Gemini is a “get down to the facts”energy. It is not interested in all the minor details. Too many details just muddle things up. They are a distraction from the situation/decision at hand.
As we examine some of the beliefs about ourselves, the Gemini Moon encourages us to ask some questions and look at the facts. Is this true? What are the facts supporting these statements that I am telling myself? Is this information relevant at this present time? Could these limitations I place on myself be an illusion based on fear instead of facts?
Sometimes it is a good idea for us to step outside of ourselves and examine things impartially. Be your own attorney. Argue both sides from an outside perspective. This is where a lot of people find making a “pros and cons” list is helpful. Because it breaks things down in a written format. Pen to paper. It gets the emotions out of the way. To quote Joe Friday “Just the facts ma’am”.
As we move on, we see the Knight of Swords rushing in towards the Eight of Swords. This is a reminder, to slow down and think. If the Knight of Swords does not pull his horse back, both the knight and his horse will be sliced up by the eight swords that are surrounding the woman. In his haste to “rescue” the woman, The Knight of Swords can potentially severely harm himself, his horse, and the woman that he is rushing in to “save”. Are you making decisions based on facts, or are your emotions causing you to act erratically? You could end up making a situation worse, instead of better. The horse looks a little worried here, don’t you think?
Look at these three cards again, and ask the question. Am I self-sabotaging myself with my own mental limitations? And look at the Eight of Swords as it is positioned over The Magician. Perhaps these thoughts are not real. Are my emotions (see the water at her feet), keeping me stuck in this “trap” that in reality is simply a mental “illusion” of my own making?
The Magician on the bottom of the deck holds a few key messages in this reading as well. The Magician represents Mercury, which is the ruling planet of Gemini. Mercury is a dual natured energy as it represents both Gemini and Virgo. It corresponds to communication, thoughts, information, logic, reasoning, intellect, awareness. It can represent the communication of truth and lies. Mercury is the messenger of the gods. Interesting don’t you think? Media, television, the internet, radio, would all fall under Mercury’s jurisdiction. This is something to keep in mind.
A small detail that I noticed as I glanced at the Eight of Swords and The Magician is the blindfold. Notice in the Eight of Swords the blindfold covers her eyes. The Magician is wearing a headband. In this reading, I interpret it as his blindfold pulled up over the eyes. The Magician sees clearly.
The Magician stands alone. This is a reminder for us not to rely on others to “save us”, nor to take information at face value. Remember, Mercury communicates both truth and lies. This goes for the lies we tell ourselves, as well as the lies that we are told by others. Gemini as I mentioned above, looks at both sides. Checks out the facts from multiple sources and/or viewpoints then makes an informed decision based on what Gemini knows for itself to be true. This is what we see in The Lovers card. One must look at the facts, and then make our own choices based on what is true for ourselves.
New Moon in Gemini encourages us to take off the blindfold! All is not what it appears to be. Taking action before understanding the truth of an issue is self-sabotage. This goes for us individually as well as collectively.
Slowing down, utilizing critical thinking (is this true? does this make sense?) and using your inner truth as a compass are the keys that will allow the woman in the Eight of Swords, to walk out of her prison to meet the Knight of Swords. Both unscathed, they will then ride on the white horse (truth) and thus transform into the balanced energy of The Lovers.
“A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.” ― Saul Bellow,