1st: Lughnasadh
9th: Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius
21st: Festival of Hecate
23rd: New Moon in Virgo, Vulcanalia
The taste of August is that of a ripe, delicious fruit–a heavenly Palisada peach that is sweet, soft, and divine. By sunrise, fields upon fields of sunflowers enthrall the senses and by evening we are intoxicated in revelry of the sweet wine of the self. The first of the month brings us Lughnasadh, the first harvest of all the light unfolding before us–the beauty of our inner and outer world. The Celtic god Lugh, for whom the day is named, guides us to push beyond limited identities, and explore every interest that holds our attention, so that we experience and create in the most expansive way possible. On the 9th, we welcome the Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius, in which we explore our deep inner seas as we engage with the collective. On the 21st, the Festival of Hecate offers us further insights on Self that waxes and wanes–our desires and identities ever changing, and how we might best honor the present self as we approach the crossroads. As the month draws to a close, the New Moon in Virgo overlaps with Vulcanalia. This energy helps us to gain clarity on how to actualize our chosen path through practical detailed steps, and stokes the fire of our vision. We must enjoy the year at its fullest point, with gratitude, by staying in the present and enjoying the aspects of our lives that are in their prime.
The spread below is an adaptation of a 6-card New Moon Spread.
What am I releasing? Reverse 9 of Swords
In August, we are releasing ourselves of the mental prison of our own making. An awareness dawns upon us that the internal criticism, and the neural pathways that cause us to continually seek out stress for stimulation (drawing from past and future anxieties as well), keeps us trapped in voice and action. We have existed in a state of paralysis, of limited growth in which we could not truly bloom because we were in a state of surviving instead of thriving. In this state, we deprive ourselves of one of the most powerful tools, for our mind can help us shape our reality. The crisis we have been presenting to ourselves is rather like a Chinese finger trap–the harder we pull, the further we find ourselves from a solution. We turn things over and over in our minds for answers we do not have. The key is to relax and to release. In August we are ready to step beyond this circular pattern, into a new life. In truth, we want to control so much more than we truly have claim over. Ultimately this comes as a relief–our only charge is ourselves. What can we do to stay grounded and adhere to our values? This is our path towards wisdom - a commitment to values and purpose. If we take hold of the hilt of our sword--focusing on the power of our mind and actions over the troubles we find ourselves in–then we can reclaim our personal power.
What are my intentions moving forward? Reverse King of Swords
Our intentions moving forward have to do with fitting ourselves into a Western capitalist version of success. What we ultimately want is for others (and ourselves) to recognize our labors and accomplishments, and this is the most straightforward and universal way of doing so. We intend to armor and shield ourselves from any hurt or criticism that we or others might direct our way. Traumas of how we’ve been perceived in the past and fears of how we might be perceived in the future influence this. This idea comes to us in the intent to make the wisest choice for ourselves, but we are being distanced from true wisdom by social convention and things we have been programmed to believe have value. The reverse King of Swords asks us: What do we truly want? What is our version of success, pride, recognition, and wisdom, and how might we adhere to these values?
What is surfacing? The Hermit
The true wisdom that can guide us from our 9 of swords and reverse King of swords state is surfacing this month in the form of the Hermit. The Hermit works much in mystery, cloaked by intuition, with only the wisdom of their years and the light of their personal values to guide them. They cannot see too far into the future, and can only take a few actions at a time as such. Much like the Hermit, we are not granted the well worn path, easily following in the footsteps of another. The uncertainty in this path gives rise to the sword tendencies above, which give us a false sense of control. We are asked to have faith and surrender to the process, never forgetting that we are in constant communion with spirit. This is what will guide us when our footing becomes unbalanced. In August, a spiritual pilgrimage lies before us. We think we seek a destination, but it is the journey that will allow us the silence needed to connect with our personal wisdom. The energy of the Hermit will become heightened during the festival of Hecate and the New Moon in Virgo, as well as the Vulcanalia. This will be our chance to protect the flame of our sacred fire, like the vestal virgins. Ultimately, we are being guided to forge our own path.
How can I expand? Reverse 10 of Swords
We may enter August with a sense of depletion, as a result of the fretful anxieties we’ve been looping through in the reverse 9 of Swords, and the conformity we intend to seek via the reverse King of Swords. The Hermit arising this month signifies that we will have a different path to go on, and the best course for our expansion can be found in the reverse 10 of swords, a symbol for surrender. Letting go of former ways of thinking and former visions can be painful, but it can also serve as a great relief, for we have reached the conclusion of our battle. We no longer have to devise ways to force dysfunctional patterns forward, or present a certain image of ourselves and our lives to others. There is no growth to be found in the reverse 9 of swords and the reverse king of swords any longer–we are at our wit’s end, having analyzed every possible angle. There is nothing left to maneuver. If we can still our thoughts through such means as meditation, then at least we will allow space for a shift in point of view, and provide room for new things to grow that had previously been stifled. Perhaps we were never meant to have a perfectly landscaped garden, and we were meant to have something wild, vibrant, overgrown, and alive.
How can I take action towards my goals? The Emperor
The Emperor suggests that stepping into our full, expansive personal power is the best way to take action towards our goals. We are in a prime, optimal period of our lives in which we can affect great change and move mountains in our lives. Through the eyes of the Emperor, we see both the big picture that we envision for our lives (the Full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius and the King of Swords), as well as the daily actions and practices necessary to get us there (New Moon in Virgo). Taking on the energy of the Emperor will allow us to have a secure and confident reign over our personal realm, enjoying it in all its richness. Our every step is ennobled, and we feel the freedom to defend our vision. Per Tarot of the Holy Light, the Emperor corresponds with Jupiter, and therefore expansiveness and multiplication. We should consider all avenues to our goals and work on fostering several of them in order to reach our goal (rather than limit ourselves to just one way of doing things). When a path presents a door, we can walk through it.
What resources do I need for this new month? 3 of Swords
The 3 of Swords indicates that we need resources for mental growth. Per Tarot of the Holy Light, this can look like challenging preconceived limitations of what is possible for us, thereby opening ourselves. Alternatively, we can challenge negative belief systems, learn to better express and communicate, and proactively maintain our boundaries. Communion with nature offers a salve for heartache, grief, and negative cyclical thinking patterns that keep us from healing. We can learn to redefine who we are, apart from our traumas–as healthy, vibrant beings in this type of environment. Rather than work to dispel the thick tapestry of hurt found in the reverse 9 of Swords, we are encouraged to go back to the root, to the original fracture resulting from trauma. This is a more manageable point to work with, and our matured mind is more than capable of handling it, if we are willing.