Tarot Sushi

August 2020
By Lalia Wilson

Happy August to you. May the warmth of Leo increase your enthusiasm and zest in life. In homage to Leo, we have two cat decks and The Golden Age of Hollywood deck used as examples. The sign Leo, where the Sun now sits, is related to felines, Leo is a lion the king of beasts, and Leo is also related to performing and stardom. 

When drawing from tarot I do a collective reading from any cards that are duplicated (something that is possible since four different decks are usually used). This month has only one duplicated card, Death. Death is the card of transformation and major change as well as literal death. What does it mean this August? Worldwide, and especially in the United States we have an out of control virus causing many deaths. In the USA we also have more deaths from people delaying other medical treatment or from being afraid to go to a hospital or a doctor’s office. The individual transformations are for each person to figure out. However the social and political transformations that are called for are not yet realized, and not yet agreed upon. However, the positive news is that Death is the card for the sign Scorpio, also called the November card. We can look to November to make our way towards positive changes.

This month the Fire signs are depicted by The Golden Age of Hollywood deck (2013), created by Lorelei Douglas and available at The Game Crafters website.  The Earth signs are shown by The Cat Tarot (2019) by Julie Smillie, illustrated by Megan Lynn-Kott, published by Chronicle Books. The Air signs are represented by the Gemstone Guardianship Cards & Your Life Purpose (2020), by Margared Ann Lembo, published by Inner Traditions. (This deck is reviewed elsewhere in this issue.) Water Signs are shown by the Mystical Cats Tarot (2014) by Lunaea Weatherstone, illustrated by Mickie Mueller and published by Llewellyn.

I choose various decks to illustrate each month’s drawings so as to show the versatility and variety of tarot, lenormand, or oracle cards, and to emphasize a particular season or sign. Also because some are my favorites. This month, since the Sun transits Leo most of the month, I chose two cat decks and the Golden Age of Hollywood. For the Hollywood deck the movie or actor that inspired each card is indicated. The fourth deck is reviewed in this issue.

Aries: The Devil and the Four of Swords: 

Dear Aries, the emphasis of the month is towards your career and public image. You are in the middle of a long term once-in-a-lifetime career change or highlight. Yet the Four of Swords is urging rest and relaxation. With the Sun in Leo, your fifth house, lovers, performing, children, games and gambling, there are lots of positive recreational pastimes to give your spirits a lift.

Movie inspiration for The Devil – The Graduate (1967). This Four of Swords was inspired by Madame X (1966).

 Taurus: The Emperor and the Seven of Fire/Wands:

Dear Taurus, there is a lot going on behind the scenes and without your conscious awareness. Any legal issues may be very serious and have major consequences. Are there negotiations going on behind your back? This may be a time when you need your own separate attorney if this is a major case with multiple defendants or plaintiffs, depending upon which side you are on. So, if this is not a legal matter it could relate to the travel industry, or your travel plans, which are stalemated for the time being, or it could relate to higher education, another social institution with current stresses due to covid-19 and protecting students and faculty and staff. For any of these three, relief may be six months in the future. 

Gemini: Intuitive:

Dear Gemini, in the seven years since Neptune, the planet of intuition and altered consciousness, has entered your solar 10^th house you have had the opportunity to expand your consciousness and awareness of the subtle realms. By this time you ought to be able to perceive much more than you could a decade ago. It is time for you to allow yourself to rely on this new awareness.  

Cancer: Death and the Ace of Earth/Pentacles:

Dear Cancer, you miss socializing and chances to meet new people. Your social prospects will brighten by late October. In the meantime you have so many opportunities to improve your home, yard, garden, and tweak your finances. All these are things that have the green light now. As things shift in late fall, social life will improve, but your opportunities on the home front will be diminished.

Leo: The Star and the Six of Cups:

Dear Leo, The Star is an interesting card for you. It simultaneously calls up your natural partner, Aquarius, and at the same time indicates who you are, the center of your universe. Needless to say, here the emphasis is on fostering a positive relationship with your partner, allowing yourself to shine, and having fond memories of times past. Another meaning of the Star card is “hope.” Yes the crazy world is going to get better. 

The Actress Marilyn Monroe, who lived from 1926-1962, is the inspiration for The Star. The Six of Cups movie inspiration was The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939).

Virgo: The Wheel of Fortune and the Sky King/King of Swords: 

Dear Virgo, just like for most of us, the Wheel has turned to a time of serious contemplation of mortality and public welfare. But you know that the wheel is always turning and this super-sobriety and grim time will change. Use your abundant common sense to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Times will get better.

Libra: Comedian: 

Dear Libra, the Comedian card is telling us to lighten up. You are naturally a bit formal and even stuffy. Now that we are all home in our pajamas, perhaps you can see the humorous message the Universe is sending. Do what it takes to lighten your mood and that of your loved ones. Consider watching funny movies, funny videos, joking more. Life is serious enough without succumbing to the dark mood of the times.

Scorpio: The Hanged Man and the Eight of Cups:

Dear Scorpio, you are feeling losses, whether personal losses or those of your profession, friendship-circle, state or country. Your natural emotional sensitivity is usually not visible to others, but there is a cost to concealing your deep feelings. For August, as you are able, spend daily time near water, allowing your thoughts and feelings to wander. This will allow some of the emotional angst to dispel itself, and leave you feeling lighter and more “yourself.” 

Sagittarius: Transformation/Death and the Three of Swords:

Dear Sagittarius, on their faces, these cards indicate emotional losses and heartbreak. Yes, the pandemic is bringing lots of loss and heartbreak to many people, however, in your case your fears may be far worse than your reality. One way to cope with these morbid thoughts and fears is to engage in some art form and to express your negative concerns there, and not in your daily life. If not that avenue, then consider some vigorous exercise on a regular basis. We know that exercise brightens people’s outlook.

Movie inspiration for Transformation – Max Shrek in Nosferatu (1922). The movie inspiration for the Three of Swords was The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Capricorn: The (High) Priestess and the Fire Tom/Knight of Wands: 

Dear Capricorn, during this time of isolation and relative quiet, the focus for you is on a significant other. In addition to an emotional connection, the sexual connection is positive. The only negatives have to do with home renovations and repairs. If you hire someone to fix things you may find that arguments ensue. Should the matter be delayed into the second week of September, they will get worse, as the indicator of home repairs and home issues will be retrograde for about two months (9/9 to 11/13) creating opportunities for major snafus concerning home repairs and renovations. (For other signs this effect will be different and discussed next month.)   

Aquarius: Actor:

Dear Aquarius, just like Leo, your natural partner, got your card, you get Leo’s card. This is a double emphasis this month on the Leo-Aquarius partnership. It is time for you, Aquarius, to be more expressive, even to over-act your part, so that you get the message across to your audience. Allow yourself to be more self-revealing and passionate. The results are worth it.   

Pisces: The Hierophant and the Fire Queen/Queen of Wands:

Dear Pisces, everything looks good for romance, enjoyment, games and artistic pursuits this month. Allow yourself to passionately enjoy the now, this present moment. Allow yourself to fully enjoy your senses: touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. A Taurus neighbor, sibling or cousin can help you, as they are always in touch with their senses and the natural world. Enjoy this month, everything looks good right now.  

 

You can use these Tarot Scopes to read your Sun sign, Moon sign or Rising Sign (also called your Ascendant). You can determine these by using free or low cost apps, or internet sites, and inputting your time, date and place of birth. The Rising sign indicates your entire life; the Sun sign is about your ego and creative forces, and the Moon sign is about your reigning needs, emotions, and flexibility.

The tarot cards used as illustrations for this column are ones that I or the editor, Terri Clement, admire and want to share with you. Note that decks have subtle differences of meaning as they are reinterpreted by a new creator/artist, and, of course, the tarot reader. Enjoy that flexibility of meaning and the artwork of these various decks. Reading articles with illustrations like these will help you determine the tarot decks that most fit you