1st - Crone Day
4th - USA Independence Day
14th - New Moon in Leo
21st - Witch’s Day
29th - Full Buck Moon in Aquarius
In July, the Wheel of Fortune brings us into a state of “easing in.” Last month we learned to pursue our desire, while this month we’re learning to gently build it over time and progress it at a steady pace. This desire is more than a fleeting passion. It’s a tree that’s maturing into a long-term practice that we’ll develop over a lifetime, that will give us delicious fruits over the years in sustainable perpetuity.
From the first of the month, the Crone steps in to show us her seasoned ways that she’s relied on through the generations. In the United States, the Fourth of July comes soon after, bringing with it the spirit of independence. Per Sarah Vrba, astrology YouTuber and Patreon artist, this is a time of releasing rotten foundations and stepping into new beginnings. She asks: What happens if we free ourselves from our inner tyrant and oppressor that demands we break ourselves to produce? What happens if we tinker and play and create?
Halfway through the month, we experience the New Moon in Leo, which is a great time to courageously express the desire we’ve worked towards all year. Witch’s Day comes on the 21st, a day to reflect on ourselves as magic cocreators working in tandem with the elements. Finally on the 29th, there is a Full Buck Moon in Aquarius. New antlers grow in to replace the old, and bring us a revisioning for the future. How do we want to move forward to create the world we want to see? What sharpened gifts will we employ to make it happen?
Below, we’ll use an original spread called “Summer Sailing.” It considers the key elements involved in dinghy sailing, which is used as a metaphor for easing into our practice.
Wind at My Back: What Blows Easily In My Favor? ~Six of Cups~ Kids Go Down by Chinese American Bear
We are most easily pushed along by the wind when we operate from the Six of Cups. When we activate our inner child, we can shake off all our worries and troubles by playing and hopping on the merry-go-round. No longer operating from a space of “should,” we indulge in simple pleasures and fun activities because we like them. That is reason enough. This mindset of ease both heals and enlivens us. It’s where we’re replenished and where we flower. This month especially, whenever we find ourselves in choppy waters, encounter stagnancy or energy blockage, we’re encouraged to tune into the Six of Cups as much as possible. We can release any shame, fear or doubts we have around not “doing” anything, because restoration–a crucial part of the process–is happening behind the scenes when we relax and when we play.
Me: What Elements Are In My Control? ~Queen of Wands~ Mystified by Fleetwood Mac
Since the beginning of the year, we’ve chosen which desire to become enamored with, enraptured with and mystified by. We chose to latch onto it, bring it into our hearts, and fiercely protect it. Our passion has ennobled us, caused us to flourish and shine with the same splendor as our inner fire. We’re glowing, and taking on the same alluring qualities as our desire. This in turn attracts people and opportunities that support the goals that stoke our excitement even more. Over the course of the year we’ve been very intentional and proactive with cultivating our inner fire, and we’re empowered to keep doing so in July. We get to choose how much we want to lean into it, or whether we want to sit down and rest. Rather than worrying about how we “should” pursue our passion, we can tune into our energetic levels and our own enjoyment. There’s no “wrong” way to go sailing, and there’s no “wrong” way to fulfill our ambitions. Thus we can rule our fiery kingdom and direct from our throne with perfect confidence.
Sail: What Allows Me to Be Propelled? ~Death~ Lux Prima by Karen O, Danger Mouse
Death is the force that allows us to be propelled by the wind. Death to the old ways, to that which no longer serves us. We’re free to cut clean and start anew, to take a scythe to our old identities and the elements of the past that keep us stuck in harmful patterns. This frees us to enjoy the present fully with a childlike wonder and leap into play. It allows us to take in the sunshine and make the most of it. With it, we can cast off the heavy burden of what others think or expect of us, who they thought we were or might become. We can even release ourselves from what we think is required of our perceived identity. When we release form, we can freely pursue pleasure, and watch ourselves with awe as we light the sky with powerful bursts of our fullest expression. We can even allow others to observe us with marvel, shaking off the notion that we have to hide or obscure ourselves. When we release what might become of us, we can shine with everything we are.
Sun: What Do I Enjoy About My Practice? ~Six of Swords~ The Vagabond by Air
As we ease into our practice, we find ourselves enjoying the warmth and freedom it offers us. In a flow state we can lose ourselves, forget about the pressure of time and regrets. True, we might feel lost and weary with worldworn worries, but all that melts away when we engage in our vocation, our calling, in something greater. Our passion invigorates us, fills us with joy that increases in length and frequency the more that we pursue it. Under its influence we feel ourselves flourish.Our practice is as instrumental to our happiness and wellbeing as the vitamin D we absorb under the heat of the sun. It activates our centers of play and pleasure, offers six cups as balms and replenishment for each of the six swords or traumas we carry. Slowly, we learn to release each blade into the water and lighten our load so that we can sail with ease.
Vessel: What Carries Me? ~Four of Wands~ I Just Want to Celebrate by Rare Earth
The ground on which we stand, which carries and supports us, is represented by the Four of Wands. Our foundation rests not in others’ approval, nor fleeting time or money. Instead, we derive stability from reveling in the sun and the ecstasy of being alive. This month, to celebrate life and ourselves is to powerfully root us into the viriditas from which all grows and heals. Whenever we tire, need a break, or want to coast, we can “rest on our laurels” that we’ve earned in the past half year. Spirit wants us to know that every now and then, even for a full month if we desire, this is okay. Spirit validates that we HAVE done enough and we ARE enough to do this. It’s okay to enjoy the fruits of our labor. After all, isn’t that what we’ve worked so hard for? To profit from and enjoy what we’ve accomplished? We don’t strive so we can punish ourselves with an endless succession of to-dos. Rather we seek to nourish and provide for ourselves so we can feel happy and fulfilled.
Water: What Is My Medium? ~Ace of Cups~ L’eau by Walter Astral
Our medium, or the element we work within, is our true desire. That thing that makes our heart sing, that refills our cup again and again. In building a lifetime practice around it, we “crown” ourselves. That is to say, we become our highest, noblest form. This month, we show up as the Queen of Wands. Our Ace of Cups or Holy Grail is our church and our steeple, that through which we experience Higher Power and can channel its force. Our Ace of Cups is our unique expression of the primordial waters of the ancient Egyptians, from which all creation is possible. From it, we hatch the Cosmic Egg, a microcosmic world shaped and delivered by the brilliance of our being.