August is finding ease in transition

The energy of August, according to our monthly Tarot reading

Thanks for another fantastic Tarot + Tea Party, folks! These events have become a highlight of my month, and I can’t wait for the next one. Below you’ll find the collective reading for August, exploring the themes, blessings, challenges, and allies of this month. We also explored individual questions, but for access to that, you’ll have to join us in person! It’s a lot of fun and I hope to see you there later this month.

August Tarot Reading

August is going to be a BIG month for many of us. With two Major Arcana cards in the spread, there’s no doubt we’re moving through some major chapters right now. Below, we’ve got the various sections of the reading, but as a whole we’re seeing a month of big transitions, of coming into ourselves more fully, and of deepening our relationship to Spirit. All in all, it’s a month of getting comfortable with the in-between as we move from one chapter of our lives into the next.

Theme

In the “Theme” position, we have two cards: The Emporer and Ace of Swords.

The Emporer is the King of Kings in the Tarot. They are someone who is deeply comfortable in who they are and wear their power with comfort and confidence. They know what they stand for and aren’t quick to cede ground when challenge knocks on their door. Notice the shining armor under their robes; they have decided to take a seat and lead from the throne, but they are ready to return to the battlefield whenever needed. Their power is one that has been earned by fighting through the muck with the rest of us.

Now, the Ace of Swords brings an interesting context to the Emporer placement here. The Ace of Swords is a card of initiation. Aces in general come up when you’re beginning a new journey, and swords deal with our voice and mind: what we stand for, believe in, speak into the world, ecetera.

What this is telling me is that in August, a lot of us are learning how to step into our power. We’re exploring the Emporer energy, but it’s not necessarily something we’re comfortable with yet. We’re claiming our power, but we aren’t fully living it at this point. This is a month of learning how to stand up for yourself and what you believe. It’s a month of learning to speak your truth and honor your boundaries. It’s a month of big transition and big growth as we step out of the small, wounded shells of our past and claim unwavering confidence in who we are and how we show up in the world.

Challenges

A week after the Tarot + Tea Party and I’m still fascinated by the cards we have in our “Challenge” position. Traditionally, Two of Wands and Three of Cups are pretty light, happy cards to pull in a reading. But placing them in the position of challenge brings a new energy that I find really interesting.

The Two of Wands is someone who is planning their next move. They aren’t on the path yet, but are standing above it, charting where they want to go. In the position of challenge, I feel like the message here is to stop thinking about the thing and just do it already. The Ace of Swords / Emporer pair is one of quick, decisive action. In many ways, it is the antithesis to Two of Wands. In a lot of my 1:1 readings lately folks have been asking about changes they’ve been mulling over, new hobbies they want to try, relationships they are curious to explore, etc, and I keep pulling the same message for them: stop thinking and start acting. The message of the Two of Wands in our position of challenge, in context of our August theme, seems to be saying the same thing. We can’t really move into our power if we aren’t willing to take the next step. It’s okay if every move isn’t planned. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly how this will end. Take the leap and see what happens.

As for the Three of Cups, I think this speaks to some of the social burnout I’ve been seeing in a lot of the folks I’ve been reading for. Three of Cups is a card of gathering in celebration. Of drinking with friends and enjoying community. It’s major summer energy, and I think in August the challenge will be knowing when to say no. A lot of us have been moving at 1.5x speed (myself included), and this reading is suggesting we may be feeling a little frustration or annoyance with our friend groups at the moment. But it feels like small stuff, and like the answer is simply to take a break. There will still be many opportunities to gather in community this month, and the challenge of August is discerning when to say yes, and when to stay home.

Blessings

In the “Blessings” position, we have Temperance and Five of Wands. Another interesting pull, as the Five of Wands is often one I associate with challenge. I often think of the Five of Wands as the card of pointless battles. This card shows five people swinging big sticks at eachother, but their stance and the energy of the card feels like a bunch of big-headed bros peacocking to prove they’re a Real Man™. In the placement of blessings, I feel like August is giving us an opportunity to continue the work we explored in July (this card was in the challenge position in July), when we asked the question: Are there actually hurdles in our way, or do we just keep tripping on pebbles and telling ourselves they’re boulders?

The Five of Wands in the blessings position tells me we are going to have an opportunity to realize we’re fighting an uphill battle when there’s a clear, hurdle-free path to our left if we could simply put down the stick and choose a different direction. We can still get where we’re trying to go without throwing ourselves against a wall. It doesn’t have to be this hard, and the Five of Wands asks: Where are you making things harder for yourself than they have to be? What isn’t working? What might happen if you tried something different?

When we pair this with Temperance, we bring the conversation back to our Three of Cups chat before, but on a larger scale. The blessing of Temperance is one of balance. Of saying no to some things without going full hermit mode. Of taking care of yourself as much as you’re taking care of others.

Temperance is also a card of getting comfortable with the in between. Our theme pairing of a Major Arcana with an Ace tells me that we’re making big strides on our journey this month, but we are very much still in the middle of the path, rather than approaching the end. Temperance in the blessing position invites us to see this as a gift. The transition period between where we were and where we’re going is sacred, and it’s where some of the most potent learning happens. Temperance asks for patience as you move through the in-between. Temperance asks us to pause in the transition and explore how we might find comfort and ease, even when the future remains uncertain.

Spiritual Remediation

I can’t say I’m surprised Ancestral Veneration appeared in this reading. In my experience, this conversation always comes up around this time of year. Those of us who work closely with our Ascended Ancestors, Good Spirits, and Guides know that the dead get louder in the fall, and that noise, at least in my experience, starts to pick up around August. When the dead get close, it gets easier to see who among them needs our help.

I’ll probably write a whole newsletter about Ancestral Elevation soon, as it’s big work that deserves a deeper conversation than I can provide in this (already very long) newsletter. But the gist of the matter is that Ancestral Elevation is a ceremony to help our unhealed ancestors find peace and rest. You can learn more about the practice, and the ritual I use, in this free guide.

I love that Devotion is accompanying Ancestral Elevation here. To me, this is a reminder that when the dead draw near, so do the Good Spirits. It’s a request that we not only tend to our unhealed ancestors, but that we give love and offerings to the Spirits on our team; the ones who watch over and care for us every minute of every day. Often, I find we are pulled away from our spiritual practices in the summer. I, for one, spend way less time at my altars in June and July. However, in August, I always feel the pull to return. To start leaving offerings and saying prayers again. The Devotion card invites you to do the same. However you practice devotion; however you connect with your good spirits; now is the time to start that practice up again.

Allies

Once again, our allies are incredibly seasonally appropriate. Beets, which are in season through mid-summer to late-fall, are our herbal ally of August. Practically, this means that working with beets (eating roasted beets, drinking beet juice, trying a homemade dye project with beets) is a great way to find support this month. The word paired with Beets is Passion, which tells me that as we’re on this journey of stepping into our power and moving ahead even when the path is unclear, our guiding light is our passion. Let your passions drive your choices, and trust that what you love will lead you where you’re trying to go. When you’re stuck in the in-between and unsure of where to go next, move toward your passions and see where they take you.

Then we have the Dragonfly. I’ve been floating the Truckee River a lot lately, and the dragonflies are everywhere, landing on our knees and zipping around our heads. The message of the Dragonfly is “take new directions”. This brings me back to the coversation we were having with the Five of Wands. This ‘new direction’ energy feels less about changing the goal you’re moving toward and, rather, reconsidering the route you’re taking to get there. Does it have to be this hard? Is there a way you can approach the same end goal with less effort and more ease? Look around. What other directions are available to you? Maybe try a few out. The first direction might not be right, but you won’t find the one that is unless you try something new. The beauty of resting in the in-between is the opportunity to explore all the different ways of getting from “here” to “there,” and you’re being invited to try a way you haven’t tried before.

That’s all for August! More to come next month. If you want to experience the reading in real time, get deeper interpretations on the spread, and bring your own questions to the Tarot, make sure to join us on August 29th at Spirit Rebel in Truckee, CA!

August Events with the Mystic Auntie

Want to join me for some Tarot events and magical workshops this month? Check out my August calendar and sign up below!

🔓 August 6th - Unlocking the Tarot

Join us for our monthly community class, giving you the tools to read Tarot with confidence! This month, we’re exploring the Court Cards. Learn what it means when the Page, Knight, Queen, or King shows up in your reading and get hands-on practice reading the Tarot with expert guidance from me along the way!

6:30-7:30pm at Spirit Rebel, Truckee
Donation-based: sign up here

🦉August 9th - Intuition Unleashed

Deepen your connection with your inner wisdom in this powerful 2-hour workshop designed to help you strengthen and trust your intuitive abilities. In this workshop, I offer practical exercises, insightful discussions, and take-home techniques to empower your intuitive journey. Get hands on experience with methods you can use in your daily practice to unleash your intuition!

5:30-7:30pm at The Yoga Room, Tahoe City
$30-50 sliding scale: sign up here

🕯️ August 11th - DIY Spell Candle Crafting

In this workshop, I will guide you through the art of making your own spell candles. You'll learn how to choose the right colors, intentions, anointment oils, herbs, and adornments to craft candles that align perfectly with your desires. I will share my expertise on enhancing the potency of your spell candles through ritual, ensuring you get the most powerful impact possible. Come connect with your inner magic in a casual, friendly, and creative environment, and leave with your own handmade spell candles designed to bring your intentions to life!

2:00-4:00pm at Good Anya, Truckee
$55: sign up here

🫖 August 29th - Tarot & Tea Party

A favorite monthly affair, join us as we gather in magical community and consult the wisdom of the Tarot. Together, we’ll sip tea and look at the energy of the month ahead, pulling a collective reading for the Theme, Challenge, Blessing, Spiritual Remediation, and Allies of the month ahead. Once we’ve explored what September will bring, we’ll open the floor for individual questions, pulling cards and offering channeled readings for anyone who wishes to consult the oracle!

6:30-8:30pm at Spirit Rebel, Truckee
$25-60 sliding scale: sign up here

🔮 August 17th & 31st- Tarot Reading @ The Maker’s Market

Stop by and say hi at the Maker’s Market this month! I’ll be there from 3-7p on August 17th and 31st, offering Tarot & Mediumship readings. There’s live music, food trucks, and artisan vendors from all over Tahoe… it’s a lot of fun and I’d love to see you there!

3:00-7:00pm at Tahoe Backyard, King’s Beach
Free to come, readings available all afternoon: learn more here