Tarot Sushi

September 2020
By Lalia Wilson

Greetings for September. This month is the turning of the seasons. For the northern hemisphere, the weather is cooling and we are heading into fall. Here in eastern Tennessee the weather cools, leaves start to turn, spider webs appear everywhere, and we start to have heavy fogs many mornings. Astrologically, the turning of the seasons means that we have either a solstice or an equinox. This month is the Libra Equinox, the moment when the Sun enters Libra on September 22^nd. The other big story in the sky in this year of big stories is that Mars turns retrograde on September 9^th U.S. (the 10^th for Australia, Asia, Africa, & Europe). Mars will remain retrograde until after the U.S. election, until November 13^th. Barbara H. Watters explains in her book Horary Astrology and the Judgment of Events, "…all action is delayed [when Mars is retrograde], or hampered, tempers grow short, people become impatient, resentments deepen, acrimonious arguments aggravate dissension, [and] ill feeling[s] long-suppressed comes to the surface." She goes on to recommend that you not buy a car, undergo elective surgery, begin a love affair [initiate a sexual relationship], or get married. Further, it is a time when the advantage goes to the person aggressed upon, so do not start a war, including a legal war by suing someone. Mars is retrograde for about two months every two years, so this is fairly easy for anyone knowing astrology to avoid. It does not bode for a peaceful time in the United States as we move towards the November 3 election.

The area of your life most impacted by the Mars retrograde is mentioned below for each sign.

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 repeated card, The Fool. Well, that is an ambiguous card for sure. It can mean we are hopelessly naïve, or novices. We are starting something new and need to be as forgiving of ourselves as we are of others. It suggests that we all can benefit this September from “beginner’s mind.”

This month the Fire signs are depicted by The Golden Universal Tarot (2013), art by Roberto de Angelis, published by Lo Scarabeo. The Earth signs are shown by The Wizard’s Tarot (2011) by Corinne Kenner and John Blumen, published by Lewellyn. The Air signs are represented by the Hobbit Tarot (2012) created by Peter Pracownik, artist, and written by Terry Donaldson, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. The Hobbit Tarot references a series of stories by J.R.R. Tolkein, primarily The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. This deck is more true to the Tolkein stories and less easy to read as tarot. For that reason, it is recommended for more experienced tarot enthusiasts. The Water Signs are shown by the Chakra Cards for Belief Change (2020) by Nikki Gresham-Record, published by Findhorn Press, this deck is reviewed elsewhere in this issue.

I choose various decks to illustrate each month's drawings 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.

Aries: The Devil and the Five of Wands:

Dear Aries, you have a repeated card from last month, The Devil. This points to your public reputation and your career (sometimes a woman's marriage), areas of focus in recent years. There is such a focus on this area of your life that everything else is on maintenance-only mode. Your diligence will pay off, but you have some months to go. Separately, Mars is going retrograde, always a problem for Mars-ruled Aries, and it is going retrograde in your sign of Aries. Read the cautions above for how to conduct yourself. Avoid initiating arguments, fights, lawsuits, and any elective surgeries. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

Taurus: The Hanged Man and the Ten of Cups:

Dear Taurus, your emotional and family life are working well. Life may seem to be paused, due to the coronavirus. Your friends are unable to get together with you, and this waiting time seems endless. Then we add the Mars retrograde into the mix. In your case, Mars impacts the part of your solar chart that is related to institutions such as hospitals, monasteries, and prisons. If you or a family member works in or is a patient or prisoner, expect some difficulties with their (or your) situation. In spiritual matters, be reserved and do not "go it alone." These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

Gemini: The Fool and the Two of Swords:

Dear Gemini, oh, decisions, decisions! Expect some focus on your spiritual life and any institutions such as monasteries, prisons, or hospitals. Any of these could be the source of a sudden shock which disrupts your life for a while. Your friends are the area of your life hit by Mars retrograde. You usually associate with a group of active people, those who are athletic, competitors, hunters, and so forth. For the time period indicated your friends are not going to be reliable leaders for you. Don't follow them "anywhere," when normally it would just be a good adventure. It won't be this time. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

The Fool card shows Bilbo Baggins beginning his journey as told in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein. The Two of Swords depicts Bilbo’s two acquired elven blades that he named “Biter” and “Sting.”

Cancer: Sacral Chakra, Instinct:

Dear Cancer, you are a psychic sign anyway, so a reminder to listen to your inner voice seems redundant. But let me point you towards listening to your intuition regarding your partner. Mars retrograde will affect your public life and career. Avoid any new initiatives in your public life during this retrograde period—things like a major ad campaign, opening a new business or branch of business or buying real estate. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

Leo: The Lovers and the Nine of Swords:

Dear Leo, you are concerned about a friend or friends this month. You are also worrying about your health and public health. Take reasonable precautions and make sure your employees and family do as well. That's about all you can do regarding your worries, other than the standard: exercise regularly, get enough sleep and de-stress. Mars retrograde will relate to your solar ninth house of foreigners and travel. Needless to say, during this time period avoid foreign travel and avoid partnering with foreign businesses or hiring those from foreign lands, as all of these are likely to be troublesome. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

Virgo: The Sun and the King of Cups:

Dear Virgo, your focus this month is on your income and possessions where things look good. Your spouse or significant other has some lingering illness or weakness. Support that person in recovery—you are the expert on good health practices. Mars retrograde says that matters of joint or combined finances are problematic. You could find yourself unexpectedly responsible for someone’s estate. You may need an expert CPA, attorney, or financial planner. If so look to a King of Cups. However, avoid doing any permanent change until after mid-November. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

Libra: Strength and the Six of Cups:

Dear Libra, just like the rest of us, you are missing your friends who are a singularly prominent and powerful group who are fun to be around. You find yourself with too much "me time" and not enough party time. And just to make things more difficult, the Mars retrograde affects your significant other, spouse, or business partner. He or she will be greatly disadvantaged during this time. Avoid making any permanent decisions that will depend on this person, as they are unaware of their own mind. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

The Strength card shows Thorin Oakenshield, a prince of the dwarves, a leader of great strength, and Bilbo's companion in the Hobbit. The Six of Cups shows Gollum, in his years of possessing the One Ring before Bilbo arrived on his adventure and "tricked" Gollum out of it.

Scorpio: Crown Chakra, Consciousness:

Dear Scorpio, just as many of your fellows are in isolation, so are you. This is a good time for spiritual techniques such as meditation. All is ripe for you to progress spiritually. Mars retrograde has to do with your health. You are liable to accidents, angry encounters (with possible injuries), and a rise in your blood pressure. Keep your temper under control. Some kind of gentle exercise or work around the home or yard will work off your anger. Avoid using power tools, or if you must, be very careful with them. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

Sagittarius: Death and the Six of Swords:

Dear Sagittarius, you have Death repeated from last month. One spiritual practice that may be effective for you at this time is meditations in which you contemplate death. What would be your personal experience when you die? What would happen with your loved ones? Is there any action you should take now to ease either situation? Mars retrograde will impact your children, your creative efforts, and any love affairs. Avoid new creative trends, keep on with the old. Let your children come to you for advice, don’t offer it gratis. Finally, no new love affairs. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

Capricorn: The Initiate/Fool and the Seven of Swords:

Dear Capricorn, hmm, you can be a fool for love this month. Or one of your children can do something stupid that requires your intervention. Be watchful that you don't think yourself too wise or too smart to be fooled by others, as even you, wise one, can do foolishness. Mars retrograde impacts your home, family, and real estate. This is not a time to buy a house or apartment or any other real estate, during this Mars retrograde. Similarly, any home renovations are likely to be problematic. Give yourself lots of time and a large budget, or wait until Mars is direct. Your family of origin may cause some conniptions. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

Aquarius: The Magician and the Three of Swords:

Dear Aquarius, your career and public reputation are looking good this month. Foreign matters are positive, as is travel. Mars retrograde will impact your siblings, especially younger siblings, close cousins, and neighbors. Each or any of them may be what seems to you to be totally unreasonable about something. Be wise and don’t engage. Aquarius can be very stubborn about politics, in particular. Let it be. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

The Magician depicts the wizard Gandalf, Bilbo's, and then Frodo's companion in all four volumes of Tolkein's masterwork about Middle Earth, called The Hobbit and The Lord of the Ring (trilogy). The three swords, all elven-made, are Bilbo's Biter and Sting, plus "Beater," Gandolf's sword, known in the elven tongue as Glamdring.

Pisces: Root, Abundance:

Dear Pisces, thanks to powerful friends, your life seems to be going well. In the last five years or so you have had a spiritual or artistic calling, this could be something that is not your day job. The good vibrations are still there and will be for some years to come. If instead of answering the call to grow in spirit, or in artistry, you have had vague or diagnosable health problems, this is a clue to open to your creative side and express yourself. This Mars retrograde can bring troubles with personal possessions and personal finances. It’s best to not rock the boat. It is not the time to buy or sell valuable personal items, you will have more customer satisfaction and a better price after mid-November. These cautions are in effect from 9/9 to 11/13.

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 the 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.