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October 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

Swan

ARIES: The Swan

Your card this month — the Swan (Temperance card) from the Animal Wisdom Tarot, describes a need to go with the flow and to bring the conflicting desires of your being back toward the center.

With your ruler (Mars) getting ready to cross its shadow point, you can put some of your recent setbacks to rest, and focus on bringing balance and harmony back into your life.

This card is called the Angel of Alchemy in this deck. And it certainly looks like an angel. Its beautiful wings are spread wide and welcoming and it’s snow white feathers glisten above the surface of the lake. It glides just inches above the water (feelings, emotions, the unconscious, etc.) — not so far removed that is detaches completely, but not so close that it allows itself to become immersed.

We could all take a page from the Swan’s book in our dealings with others as well as the ways we treat ourselves. Getting just enough altitude to see things from a clearer perspective without neglecting what lies beneath.

The Temperance card refers to bringing the opposing facets of your personality (or your relationships, or your desires) into alignment by finding the perfect middle ground. It represents peace and harmony, synthesis and equilibrium, moderation and restraint.

As you can see from the glorious Swan in this card, nothing needs be sacrificed in attaining that balance. Just remember to rise above whatever situations in your life that are pulling you down, without rising so high that you neglect them or fail to take advantage of opportunities to learn from or grow from them.

 

September 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

Magician

ARIES: The Magician

This month — with the full moon in your sign and Mars moving into Aquarius, you may feel like you can accomplish anything! This is a time for being innovative and dynamic and for creating your own personal magic, through the proper use of energy, action and initiative.

The Magician in this card — from Vanessa Decort’s gorgeous Sun and Moon Tarot — is seen delineating an astrology chart in heavens. An Ouroboros (world snake, known for devouring its own tail and swallowing itself, only to be born again and again) is placed around the chart wheel’s circumference.

In the center of the wheel are the Magician’s tools — a wand, cup, sword and pentacle. Esoteric symbols (yin-yang, a lemniscate, eye of horus and horse-head talisman) are also seen inside the wheel.

The Magician stands on a beach with waves lapping at the shoreline. Stars twinkle in the night sky while a fire blazes to his left and a monkey gazes out from a pile of rocks on his right.

But the figure in this deck is not your typical Magician. He marches to the beat of his own drum. The Monkey in the foreground is also fitting as monkeys are known to be clever and playful creatures who embody the spirit of the Magi.

Take some time to this month to think about what makes you unique and what skills you and you alone possess. Every one of us has something that we’re so passionate about — and properly channeled, this passion can become your calling.

It’s all about making the best and most powerful use of that thing that makes you YOU. Like the Magician in this card, you’ll want to remember that all of your resources are right there at your disposal, and will only need to be accessed in order for you to create something “magic.”

August 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

Nine of Cups

ARIES: Nine of Cups

Take some time this month to look around you, and see how many of your dreams and wishes have come true.

The Nine of Cups is a called ‘Happiness” in this deck (the beautiful Röhrig Tarot). It’s a card of contentment and fulfillment. It speaks of being more than just satisfied with your lot in life, but also feeling truly blessed and grateful for where you are.

The Nine of Cups is known as the Wish card; in this sense it’s about manifesting your heart’s desires. Nothing is taken for granted and nothing is left to chance. It’s about aligning yourself with the universal laws of attraction and getting what you deserve.

Along with being the “Wish” card, it’s also a card of Miracles. As there’s so much more focus on what one has than what one lacks, it’s easier to notice small miracles and in even the smallest things.

Be careful though that you don’t become too complacent: one of the potential pitfalls with this card is getting exactly what you wished for, only to discover later on that it wasn’t what you wanted in the first place. Because of this, you want to be very mindful of what you ask for — and what you  “put out there” — this month.

Think about what makes you happy and chances are good it’s the simple things in life. Home, family, friends, health, material comforts and peace of mind. This is what the Nine of Cups is all about and if you’re not where you want to be just yet, think of ways to change that.

Take some time to think about what you really want — and don’t forget to be grateful for what you already have. There’s an intricate balance between gratitude and personal fulfillment, so make sure you’re putting enough energy and effort into both.

July 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

page of swords

ARIES: Page of Swords

This month should be loaded with opportunities for you to go back and clear up some unfinished business. With your ruling planet (Mars) still retrograde, you may be dealing with a sense of urgency to tie up loose ends and put the past behind you.

An important part of this is going to be acknowledging and then learning from your mistakes.The Page of Swords — this version from the Tarot of Trees —  is all about clearing the air and cutting to the chase. It’s about seeking out the truth and being honest with yourself,  even when it hurts.

It’s also about communications, ideas, information and news. The Page of Swords is generally very curious, a good judge of character, quick to size up others and able to see through ulterior motives and agendas.

Like all the Pages, it’s a messenger card so you want to pay attention to any messages you receive. You want to remember that things are not always as they seem. And while it’s not the time to take things at face value, although you don’t want to be so focused on ferreting out hidden information that you become paranoid.

The Full Moon lunar eclipse this month is going to be exactly conjunct that retrograde Mars. This should make for some high energy days; just be sure you choose your battles wisely as it can also manifest as impulsive or irrational behavior. You may uncover a deception or meet with someone whose motives prove to be disingenuous. Or you may have to be the bearer of uncomfortable news yourself, in which case you find yourself needing to deliver it carefully and diplomatically.

June 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

ARIES: Seven of Swords

The question you’re going to have to ask yourself this month — with your ruler (Mars) turning retrograde — is how much are you willing to give up to attain what you desire?

The Seven of Swords requires you to evaluate all the different sides of a complicated situation, and arrive at a solution that causes the least amount of distress.It can refer to a moral dilemma or one with no easy answer, such as a decision that favors head over heart.

This is a tricky card that relates to an equally tricky dilemma. Do you risk letting go of the thing you treasure most just to save your neck? Or do you hold on for dear life, knowing that what you lose may be a far greater sacrifice in the end?

The imagery in this card — from the Mary-el Tarot — portrays this quandary perfectly. The Raven holds onto the jewel, and risks being devour by the serpent. Does he let go of his treasure in order to save his life? or does he hold on for dear life and risk losing everything?

Traditional interpretations of this card speak of cunning, duplicity and deception. And there is some of that here. The Serpent could have easily coiled himself around the raven and tightened his grip already, but he takes his time taunting him with his hypnotic gaze.

Mars retrograde can see you shifting gears and struggling with motivation. It can make harder to know what you really want, and how far you’re willing to go to hold onto to it. It can force you to have to “choose” even if that means having to choose the lesser of two evils.

Just as the snake encircles the raven and systematically tightens his grip, so must you weigh the consequences of holding too tightly to what you value, especially if it means giving up something far more precious.

May 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

japaridze star

ARIES: The Star

Now is the time to acknowledge your dreams and aspirations. The Star card — this version from the beautiful Japaridze Tarot — is a card of Hope and faith in the Universe. It tells you that in spite of all your trials and tribulations,everything is as it should be, and in the end everything is going to be alright.

You could be feeling a renewed sense of hope about a goal that is now starting to feel more reachable. Or you may be feeling inspired to explore your intuition and psychic impressions.

The Star is all about Universal harmony and synchronicity. It’s about being one with the Universe and feeling connected to every single other living thing.

The Star card is associated with Aquarius as the Water Bearer archetype. It is a card of compassion, inspiration, intuition and faith. It also represents a sense of rebirth and renewal. As it follows the Tower card — which is associated with disaster and destruction — it can serve as a welcome refuge or a beacon of hope.

It’s the sense we have that everything will be alright — even if we have to push past our own doubts and fears. It’s also about transmuting those fears and finding a productive outlet for them. Art, music, poetry, dance, creative self-expression are all very meaningful manifestations of the Star card’s energy.

You want to steer clear of negativity this month — yours and anyone else’s. Focus on what is right in your world rather than what could possibly go wrong. if you can do that you’re bound to come out on top.

April 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

Wild Unknown Emperor

ARIES: The Emperor

With your ruler (Mars) exalted in Capricorn and conjuncting Saturn this month. You should be thinking more about taking charge of your life and achieving your goals and ambitions.

This is the Wild Unknown Tarot’s version of the Emperor card, in this case a stark and mighty tree stretching high into the heavens.

Notice the New Moon in this card too: it’s in your sign this month (on the 16th) conjunct Uranus, the planet known as the great awakener.

This card symbolizes worldly acclaim and ambition. No matter how high you want to climb, you can know that there are possibilities available to you if you only you set your sights on pursuing them.

You may be asking yourself whether you want to be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond. It’s all about gaining perspective and establishing priorities.

As the Emperor also relates to the “Laws of the Land,” some of the less pleasant manifestations of this card include things like being on the receiving end of legal or professional disciplinary actions, dealings with the IRS or government, or having to deal with an oppressive boss or coworker.

The message behind this card is one of taking care of business. Hard work, perseverance and determination are all required: nothing will come to you through sheer luck or wishful thinking. It’s not the time to be passive or wishy-washy. It’s all about stepping up and taking control of a situation that requires a firm hand and authoritative presence.

 

March 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

The Priest

ARIES: The Priest

This month you may be thinking about all that you’ve gained through the trials and tribulations in your life, and how you can pull from those experiences to help others.

You may be coming out of a period of soul searching and personal reflection, which when filtered through the impulse to consider the welfare of others, can act as a powerful conduit to heal those who need healing and acceptance — now more than ever.

This is the Samurai Tarot’s version of the Hierophant card. It’s called the Priest in this deck, and as you can see from the imagery in this card, the focus is as much on helping those who need assistance as it is on spiritual enlightenment. But perhaps the message here is that these are one and the same.

This card references the ability to bring comfort and guidance to those who need it, even if you’re still struggling to heal your own wounds. And as you can see in this version of the card, the Priest must rely on his own walking stick to reach the stream he’s guiding the thirsty woodland creatures to.

In this respect they may be healing him as well. We all know how powerful the idea of being useful is, and we all know important it is to feel that we’re making a valuable contribution.

The Priest card comes as a reminder that there’s always something to learn and always something to teach. There’s also always something to give, knowing that what we get back in often far greater in the end. We just need to step outside of our own biases and preconceived notions, and be willing to lend a helping hand.

 

February 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

Two of Wands

ARIES: Two of Wands

Be on the lookout this month for opportunities that are available to you, even those that may not be so readily apparent from your current vantage point.

The Two of Wands — this version from the gorgeous Shadowscapes Tarot — speaks of having put an initial plan into action (with the Ace of Wands) and seeing it starting to gather momentum. It means that something has started to happen — something that’s big enough to assure you you’re on the right track, but not yet well-thought out enough to ensure that it’s a go.

This could be something that was once just a dream or half-formed vision about where you see yourself “down the road.” You may be thinking of going back to school, or looking for another job or approaching someone you’re interested in and asking them out to dinner. It doesn’t have to be something big. But it can lead to something huge.

The Two of Wands asks, “What are you waiting for?” and “why are you holding back?” It tells you that there’s no time like the present to put yourself out there and take at least the first steps toward pursuing your goals.

You may not have fully fleshed out your ideas. And that’s perfectly ok. The Two of Wands speaks of putting something into action that will gather momentum over time. It encourages you to expand your horizons and reach for broader vistas. It speaks of taking a look at your long-term goals and acting on them with courage and conviction.

If you’ve been hesitating due to fear or uncertainty, now is the time to put those worries aside. You’re already seeing how some moves are paying off, and are now in a position to take things to the next level. The Two of Wands says that all you aspire to is now within your grasp; you only need to gather up the courage and confidence to go after it.

 

January 2018 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

ARIES: Transformation

With Mars and Jupiter moving through your 8th house this month, you may be thinking about closing the door on one chapter in your life and opening another.

The Transformation card is the Vision Quest Tarot’s version of the traditional tarot’s Death card.

It speaks of putting certain things to rest — whether that be a relationship that you’ve been holding onto for far too long, a belief system that no longer serves you, or material possessions that you’ve accumulated but no longer have any use for.

The Death card is scary for some. Because it represents having something we’ve grown accustomed to taken away. But this card focuses on the transformative effects of “Death” in that all that you release will not only be replenished, but will get you one step closer to your own evolutionary potential.

It reminds us that energy never dies and that nothing we’ve lost is ever really gone. It’s simply transformed and renewed, like the spirit of the owl overseeing the remnants of a tribal monument on this card. The animal’s carcass may be old and weathered, but the Moon in the sky is new, reminding us that endings always lead to new beginnings.

Sometimes the Universe shows us just what we don’t need by removing it from us forcefully from our grip. In this sense the “death” can be a painful undertaking. But if you choose instead to cooperate, it can be an incredibly liberating experience.

You may have to accept that the very thing you so desperately cling to is the one that’s holding you back. In this respect, it’s more about leaving behind something that probably wasn’t working for you anyway and moving toward something that you’re naturally more aligned with in the end.

December 2017 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

The Wanderer

ARIES: The Wanderer

This month may see you developing a renewed interest in travel, adventure and personal expansion. The Wanderer card (the Fool, in traditional decks) fits in beautifully with this dynamic, as it relates to being open to new experiences without regard for where they may ultimately lead.

In the Wildowood Tarot’s version, we see a young woman striding toward the edge of a cliff, barefoot and unburdened by material possessions. Her arms are wide open and her gait is purposeful, even knowing that the path before her is partially obscured by clouds.

There’s a waterfall on the other side and a shimmering rainbow bridge leading to it, but if you look closely you can also see the rocky terrain far below.

A fall would be treacherous but somehow you know she’s not going to fall. Her faith and her optimism and her willingness to seize the day will see her safely to the other side.

This is the essence of the Wanderer card; It’s about taking a leap of faith and being open to going wherever the moment takes you. Pay attention though to the clouds that may be obscuring your path.  And keep in mind Ithat there will be some things you need to surrender, as a necessary part of taking that leap of faith.

You want to think about these concepts, especially as they apply to opportunities that present themselves to you today. It’s not the time to fret about details or focus on what could possibly go wrong.

You do want to keep your wits about you, and unlike the woman in this card you do want to watch your step. But immersing yourself fully in the journey — rather than thinking too hard or focusing too much on the destination — can open up a whole new world of possibilities for you that you won’t want to miss.

 

November 2017 Tarot Scopes by Melodie

Two of Swords

ARIES: Two of Swords

With your ruler (Mars) moving through its polarity sign (Libra) this month, you may need to look at things from a different perspective. You might feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, or you could be struggling with a decision that’s not going to be easy to make.

Perhaps this is why you’ve held off in the first place, as the the Two of Swords refers to not just feeling torn between two options but wanting to avoid making a choice between them as well.

The figure in this card — from Rome Choi’s Dreaming Way Tarot — is blind-folded and holding up two sharp swords. She may be leaning towards one but she’s not taking any steps to act on it.

In this respect the Two of Swords can refer to inaction and immobility. Sometimes this is due to fear: “What if I make the wrong decision?” But it’s just often related to a desire to not have to choose at all.

Alternately you may have come to an impasse with someone and are actualizing this energy through passive resistance. This isn’t a better solution and it won’t solve anything:  while you may need some time to pause and reflect, you’re going to have to take a stand whether you like it or not.

The inertia that comes from choosing not to choose can prevent you from moving forward. It’s going to be critical to weigh your options, make your decision and then stand by it in the end.