Tarot Sushi

By Lalia Wilson

Welcome, February! It is the middle of winter here in the northern hemisphere, the middle of summer in the southern, and just another day in equatorial latitudes (Margaritaville). 

This month we are using four different tarot decks in very subdued color pallets, verging on all black and white. For the Fire signs, we have the Healing Light Tarot (2017) by Christopher Butler, published by Lo Scarabeo and distributed in the USA by Llewellyn. For the Earth signs, we have the New Era Elements Tarot (2018) by Eleonore F. Pieper, Ph.D., and published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. For the Air signs, we have the Visionary Path Tarot (2019) by Lucy Delics, published by Park Street Press. For the water signs, we have the HooDoo Tarot deck (2020) created by Tayannah Lee McQuillar, artwork by Katelan V. Foisy, and published by Destiny Books. 

We have one repeated card this month, the major arcana card number 13, Death (called Ancestors in the HooDoo Tarot). The Death card means endings. Things are final. The End. The two adjoining signs Libra and Scorpio both had the Death card. For this reason, and also because Mercury is retrograde from January 30^th through February 20^th, i.e. most of February, it is not the best month to start something, unless you are starting something over. Look to each sign to see how the Mercury retrograde will work out for you. But one clue to how Mercury retrograde operates is that people change their minds when Mercury goes direct. For this reason exercise caution when signing any contract.

January was a month of strife and tumult in much of the world. February’s Mercury retrograde, plus an easing off of the intensity of January’s divisive and conflict inducing aspects, will calm things down. May the forces of love and reason prevail.

I choose various decks to illustrate each month's drawings to show the versatility and variety of tarot, to emphasize a particular season or sign, and because some are my favorites. 

Aries: The Magician and the Ace of Cups: 

Dear Aries, seemingly all the action this month is in your friendship circle and inside any organizations, you are affiliated with. Very long term indications highlight your leadership abilities. Listen to your dreams and your intuition. Plan to move forward on your insights after February 20^th. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your friends, friendship groups, and any groups or clubs that you belong to. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Taurus: The Hermit and the Four of Fire/Wands:

Dear Taurus, your creativity is high at this time. Particularly in the first three weeks of February, it is time to finish old creative projects and go back and use some old ideas that you never fully actualized. Times of celebration are on the horizon. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your public image, career, and reputation. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Gemini: Temperance and the Knight of Swords:

Dear Gemini, you have a lot of focus on the significant other in your life at this time. One of you is a warrior of words. Make sure you have the facts to back up all your assertions. With your ruler, Mercury, retrograde you can easily be impervious to the real facts and just repeat what you’ve heard from the loudest voices around you. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting philosophy, schooling, and travel. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Cancer: Empress and Ten of Knives/Swords:

Dear Cancer, you have a repeat of The Empress from last month. The Empress is associated with the planet Venus, now transiting your Eighth house of intense emotions. Venus here can be very sexual, but it also relates to shared resources, joint financial accounts, and inheritances. As always, be careful with money matters, and make sure the sex is worth any possible downsides from the affair. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your intense personal interactions, including your sex life. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Leo: The Hanged Man and the Seven of Swords:

Dear Leo, the Hanged Man is an indication for you to rest, meditate, and think. If you don’t take the time to do this, the Universe may give you a “time out.” The Seven of Swords is about theft and chicanery. Are you using someone else’s ideas or material? Or is someone trying to steal yours? Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your significant other, who seems to be out of touch with his/her mission. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Virgo: Judgment and the Daughter of Water/Page of Cups:

Dear Virgo, if you are a writer or artist you are dealing with intense subjects these days—subjects like abuse, exploitation, and death. If you aren’t an artist, you may want to do something creative this month to work with that intense energy. Either you willingly embrace it, or you are forced by circumstances to do so. The gentle energy of the Daughter of Water gives you rewards for your emotional work at this time. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your daily routine, health regimen, and co-workers. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Libra: Death and the Three of Swords:

Dear Libra, you are in a state of creative flow. Any work with children or artists is favorable at this time, however, both the Death card and the Three of Swords suggest that you are going through some emotional hard knocks. One of the most constructive ways to deal with difficult emotions like sadness and grief is through creating art or facilitating your process through art. If you are not an artist, challenge yourself to find the best popular song, movie, painting, story, or poem that expresses how you feel at this time. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your children and creative life. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Scorpio: Ancestors/Death and the Nine of Knives/Swords:

Dear Scorpio, either you have been working too hard, hard enough to endanger your health, or you may already be suffering from a health issue. All the action is at home, with your family, or at work if you work in constructing or remodeling homes. No matter which of these apply, you can work off the energy by making improvements to your living space. This “making improvements” must be within your physical and financial capabilities to avoid even more complications in your circumstances. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your home and family. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Sagittarius: The World and the Six of Pentacles:

Dear Sagittarius, you have the greatest urge to travel of all the twelve signs. This time of covid has been especially difficult for you. Both some money issues and travel are opening up soon, though initial travel will be less expensive and closer to home than your desire.  You are reminded that if you have money or time to donate to those less fortunate, now is the time to do so. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your siblings, cousins, and neighbors. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Capricorn: The Star and the Nine of Earth/Pentacles: 

Dear Capricorn, you are focused on money, income, and personal possessions this month. Your current status is good and the careful management of your money matters will ensure that your future finances are assured. Since you are naturally gifted in these matters, it won't be difficult as long as you figure in the Mercury retrograde precautions. Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your income and personal possessions. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions (and big purchases) entirely until after February 20^th.

Aquarius: The Hierophant and the Four of Pentacles:

Dear Aquarius, home, real estate, and family matters are your focus this month. Working to improve your home will help with any pent up emotions or cabin fever. Not only will you use some extra energy and make a better future in your home, but you will also save money! Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting you personally. Normally you float along in your mental world with your acute intelligence keeping you out of trouble, but that system will not work this Mercury retrograde. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

Pisces: Strength and the Father of Sticks/King of Wands:

Dear Pisces, you may have some health concerns this month, which are likely no big deal but consult and follow the advice of your healthcare professional anyway. Your vitality is up and you are eager to take on projects. Choose wisely and avoid overcommitting yourself.  Mercury retrograde is mostly impacting your friends, friendship groups, and any groups or clubs that you belong to. Check everything twice, or avoid big decisions entirely until after February 20^th.

 

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. If you get bored seeing my favorites, I’m open to suggestions and gifts.