Moonology Oracle Reading: Supermoon in Libra

I intend for this to be the start of a new series of posts here on Tarot Notes using Tarot with the Moonology Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland with artwork by Nyx Rowan (Hay House).

This wonderful deck spoke to me from the Hay House website during their big sale, and I knew right away I wanted to work with it.

Today we are seeing a “Super Pink Moon” – full moon in Libra. Although the moon won’t actually be pink (it gets its name from the pink flowers that bloom in April), it will be super-bright and super-shiny. A Supermoon takes place when the Moon is at its closest point to the Earth during its monthly orbit.

Three cards from the Moonology deck can be used for this event:

Using each card to ask a separate question, I will pull three cards from Tarot of a Moon Garden by Karen Marie Sweikhardt (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

(1) In what area of life do I need to surrender to the Divine? (Full Moon)

THREE OF PENTACLES

The area of life represented by the suit of Pentacles is the physical, material realm as well as the realm of values and that which makes us feel secure. The number Three can represent the initial completion of something, along with an opportunity to expand, develop, or grow. I need to surrender to the Divine concerning an area of my physical, material world – as well as my sense of security and my values -- if I wish to expand, develop, or grow in that area.

(2) How can I best handle emotions that run high? (Supermoon)

KNIGHT OF STAFFS

I sort of expected to draw a card that advises control of emotions that run high. However, the Knight of Staffs is just the opposite of that. He is “a brash young man of fiery nature… idealistic and adventuresome” (Sweikhardt) I feel I am being encouraged here to let my emotions fuel a journey into the unknown or some other bold action. Not that I should “run amok” or be careless and impulsive, but this is not the time to hold back or be super-cautious, either. The challenge will be to direct those high-running emotions towards a goal.

(3) How can I improve the chances of a win-win outcome? (Full Moon in Libra)?

PAGE OF STAFFS

The energy of Libra involves balance and relationships. The Page of Staffs can represent an exuberant, loyal, young-at-heart nature – a willingness to let youthful optimism prevail, to learn new things, and to be open to invitations or proposals that may arise. Staffs represent the element Fire and the sign Libra is an Air sign. Fire and Air are mutually supportive and together can create great success.

Listen to the Animals: CROW

For this Tarot Notes feature, I pull one card from an animal-themed deck to represent an important message from that animal.

If you are interested in finding out who your own Animal Guides are, you can get an Animal Guides Reading through my _Etsy shop_ or my _Web Site_.

It’s been a long time since I did a “Listen to the Animals” post! As it happens, I have a new animal-themed deck in the house: Animal Kin Oracle by Sarah Wilder (Hay House).

From the guidebook: “Sarah combines her love of nature and design to intuitively create symbolic talismans, tools and teachings for self-reconnection which help focus the mind and reconnect people to their true nature; incorporating symbolism, animals and plants in everything she does.” You can learn more about Sarah HERE. https://sarahwilder.co/

This “Listen to the Animals” entry features the CROW. The keyword provided by Wilder is “magick.” She writes that the “Kin Essence” is “Divine messages are gifts for your future self.”

Animal Kin Oracle / Sarah Wilder

Most of us know that crows are considered to be very intelligent creatures. They have been known to use tools, solve complex problems, and count. Their color – black – commonly symbolizes power, mystery, and (sometimes) death. Wilder assigns all of her animals to an element – Fire, Water, Earth, Air, or Spirit. The Crow’s element is Spirit. All the creatures of Spirit advise us to do more of what makes us happy, listen to our intuition, and get more sleep.

Wilder tells us that the Crow shows us “to look deeper into our own reality to find hidden messages, keys, and signs in order to move beyond what we feel to be a comfortable and safe place to dwell, and to look deeper into the things we don’t see (but trust are there).”

How you feel about crows (and ravens) might depend on where you were raised or where you live. In Europe and India, this species is often a negative omen, representing war, death, solitude, evil, and bad luck (Quoth the raven: “Nevermore!”) In contrast, American crows are often presented as positive, even heroic, in native mythology. Crows are viewed as guides or prophets in Greek and Roman lore.

COVID-19 Reading with The Playing Card Oracle

A lot of tarot readers and astrologers are weighing in on the coronavirus pandemic. I wanted to do something here at Tarot Notes, but wasn’t sure exactly what. I don’t do much mundane astrology (well, none, really) so I won’t get into any of that.

In terms of tarot, during a brief meditation, the Playing Card Oracles divination deck by Ana Cortez and C.J. Freeman (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.) came through loud and clear, announcing itself as the deck that should be used for this reading. If you are interested in reading my review of this deck, click HERE .

So many questions can be asked about this confusing, distressing event. This reading will not attempt to predict the future or address health issues. Instead, I am hoping to receive insight into what might help me (something to seek or embrace) during this pandemic, what might harm me (something to avoid), and finally, an overall message to keep in mind.

(1) what might help me (something to seek or embrace)

MARDOC THE HEARTLESS (13 of Spades)

In this deck, Spades is the suit of material form and physical being. Mardoc (a Court card somewhat comparable to the King of Pentacles in traditional Tarot decks) exemplifies mastery over earthly affairs. Well, this COVID-19 pandemic is certainly an “earthly affair” with enormous impact on the physical, material world.

Industrious, efficient, and stubborn, Mardoc can also have a cold, unforgiving nature and assume the role of “terminator.” According to Ana Cortez, “His throne is the deathbed, the inevitable final stage of all Spade manifestations.”

For me, as something that might help me during this pandemic, I can see where the energy and fortitude represented by Mardoc might useful, whether coming from within myself or from other people or entities trying to overcome this crisis. This is not a time to be overly emotional or weak-spirited. However, it is difficult for me to see how the “heartless, cold, unforgiving” aspects of this card could be helpful.

(2) what might harm me (something to avoid)

DEJA (12 of Hearts)

Comparable to the Queen of Cups in traditional Tarot decks, Deja represents emotionally mature energy, a sensitive and empathetic nature, a quiet knowing and internal focus – yet she can also be withdrawn or reserved. It seems strange that she has appeared in this reading as something that “might harm me” (something to avoid). I can only deduce that an excess of her qualities could create a problem as I cope with the pandemic. With her eyes closed, she could be withdrawn in a harmful way, unable or unwilling to see things the way they really are.

As with all Court cards, it is possible that this card refers to another person in my life whose beliefs, attitudes, behavior, or tendencies could interfere with my wellbeing. 

(3) overall message to keep in mind

SOUTH WIND (4 of Diamonds)

The number Four often represents structure and organization. In this oracle deck, each Four represents one of the cardinal “winds.” For the suit of Diamonds (Fire), it is the South Wind. The suit of Diamonds is comparable to the suit of Wands in the Tarot, so we need not be surprised to find that the Four of Diamonds can bring disturbances, unplanned circumstances, confusion, and misunderstanding. Things are certainly “abnormal” these days, and we don’t seem to know exactly what to expect from day to day. The key message here, then, is: “Plan on the unplanned.” Things will go amiss; lines will get crossed. This card also can represent a sense of humor, an ability to joke – something that almost always improves a situation.

It is interesting to me that the first two cards are Court cards, pointing to the importance of my own personal traits or tendencies and/or those of other people who might have an effect on my life. It really is all about people – acting both as individuals and together. The South Wind is something of a “wild card” (in more ways than one), and its energy is likely to be prevalent for quite some time to come.

Tarot Card of the Year: 2020 and 2021

One interesting way to use Tarot cards is to calculate which Major Arcana card represents a particular year. As you might guess, this involves adding the individual numbers of the year to arrive at a total that matches the number of a Major Arcana card.

Here are my calculations and thoughts for the years 2020 and 2021.

Card of the Year for 2020

2 + 0 + 2 + 0 = 4 = THE EMPEROR

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

To see versions of The Emperor from other decks, 

along with astrological associations, click HERE.

As an American, my first thought upon seeing this card was that it represents Donald Trump and the authoritarian type of government he seems to want for this country (with him as “the authority,” of course). He wants to be “The Emperor.” And that influence in both a personal sense and larger sense is going to continue to affect, infect, and infuse not only American life but life around the world.

Another way to look at this card for 2020 is to think of it as representing a struggle for control, which we are certainly seeing not only here but elsewhere in the world. Who will be “The Emperor”? Who will be in charge? Who will rule? An individual? A select group of people? The masses?

When we look at the number FOUR, we can see a variety of meanings. I explored the number FOUR in detail HERE.

Card of the Year for 2021

2 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 5 = THE HIEROPHANT

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

To see versions of The Hierophant from other decks, 

along with astrological associations, click HERE.

I typically see this card as representing organized religion and/or established entities, methods, and traditions. On one hand, as an American, I might see this as encouraging because it suggests that the “traditional” operation of government is going to prevail, in spite of efforts to create a government in which the Executive Branch has more power than any other.

At the same time, I can see The Hierophant as an indication that organized religion -- particularly the “conservative Christian right” – will continue to increase pressure and build power in order to try to bring society at large in line with their beliefs.

As for the number FIVE, I presented a detailed discussion HERE.


I feel these two cards definitely show areas of focus for 2020 and 2021.