Monthly Tarot for October 2019
October is here and it’s time once again for Monthly Tarot! After this is posted, the Monthly Geomancy reading will be published next, so look for that as well. I’m using the Haindl deck, a significator for the entire month, as well as one card for each week. The Haindl deck includes additional divination information on the cards with Hebrew, astrological glyphs, and runes on the Major Arcana cards, as well as I Ching hexagrams on the Minor Arcana cards. The Aces are the only cards that stand alone.
Haindl changes the Court to reflect cultural icons as well as gods and goddesses from antiquity. So, this non-traditional deck is a departure from the Morgan-Greer deck that I typically use for the monthly reading and it’s something I feel inclined to continue. But we’ll begin first with the Ace of Swords, our significator.
Significator — The Ace of Swords
The Ace of Swords is our significator for October. A card of Elemental Air, divine thought manifests into form while waves suggest change and new beginnings. That they also part indicates disturbance by Spirit as it actively invokes awareness, a triumph if you will over ego’s illusion.
Week One — 7 of Stones (Pentacles)
Haindl changes Pentacles to Stones, at least in my opinion, to emphasize the foundational nature of the suit and its element, Earth. However, in the 7 of Stones, the boulders are disheveled and of varying sizes, as they appear in front of a damaged tree. Standstill is the hexagram in the upper right-hand corner of the card describing the wisdom of restraint when things are out of balance or control.
Seven, itself, describes balance, the resting point, and the scales as well as magick and divinity. So, it seems this week the opportunity to re-balance will arise and if it does, we should embrace the new direction that comes. However, avoid rushing in and take a more observational stance to find the clarity that may have been missing.
Week Two — Father of Stones (Pentacles)
Our foundation continues to take center stage this week with the Old Man, Haindl’s depiction of the King of Stones. He positions this man in the West and we see with the footprints on the card, both animal and human, that he’s traveled far with many in his charge. He feels the weight of the world and assumes full responsibility to manifest Spirit into his daily life. He is industrious and self-disciplined and embodies tradition to those in his tribe.
Relating to the Ace of Swords as the significator and the overall suggestion of the beginning of new thought, we may either seek out someone wise this week or provide wisdom to others. A sense of responsibility is felt as well and we may be called upon to lead others through a difficult time or provide a perspective that no one else has.
Week Three — The Magician
Duality is expressed by the two faces of The Magician representing dark and light. Crystals emit from the Magus’s eyes suggesting the purity and clarity found in Source Vision. Ritual tools appear in the front of the scene, the flame-tipped spear (Fire, will) rises upward through the chalice (Water, emotions) as the sword (Air, intellect) pierces the stone (Earth, physical form) depicting the elemental energies integrated with creation. A card of Mercury, The Magician represents the alchemical balance between wisdom, will, and the word.
This is a week for new manifestation. Again, the energy of the Ace of Swords is contained within the Magician as we not only experience but also create the new awareness we embrace over this third week of the month. We stand in our own power and maintain our self-control as new ideas drive our path forward.
Week Four — 10 of Wands
Flame-tipped spears prevent the movement of three small cats as a bat transforms into a large predatory bird targeting its prey. Haindl considers this to be a realignment of power. He includes the 54th hexagram from the I Ching titled The Marrying Maiden in the interpretation of the card describing how we interact with others on a mundane level. And in this case, the cats have realized that the predator is a matter of perspective and in this situation, the predator becomes the prey.
During the last week of October, we should remain open to the perspective of others to inform our choices. We often get into a flow where we consider only our own perspective and sometimes that doesn’t serve us well. This week, we’ll want to leave room for the unexpected, especially regarding our relationships. In other words, be ready for anything, including a shift in power.
Final Thoughts
October appears to be a month of new beginnings and not only having to do with its one numerology. A chance at rebalancing self and relationships exists this month with a shift in power possible, perhaps involving a leadership position. Regardless, it’s clear that the energy for self-assertion is in play and we may find that our perspective shifts as well.
Overall, respecting the views of others doesn’t necessarily require that we change our own, so remain open to the ideas of others. They may unlock potential as yet unrealized.
Until next time…
Blessings to all!
Originally published at https://www.imsteppingaside.com on October 1, 2019.
