Monthly Tarot for June 2019

Now that the geomancy reading is complete, I’m turning my attention to the monthly tarot reading. Although I use the Rider-Waite deck for the Somewhat Daily Tarot and Rune readings on YouTube, for the monthly reading, I normally prefer the Morgan-Greer deck given its colorful appearance. It’s a lovely deck and I recommend it highly. But for this reading, I’m using the beautiful Wild Unknown deck by Portland artist, Kim Krans and I’m using a different spread as well. Four cards in the center represent each week along with one card at the top representing Spirit as well as one card at the bottom representing physical form. I like this spread, so I may use it going forward.

Let’s look first at the breakdown of the cards. We have an overall numerology of seven or the balance between the shadow side of self and Spirit along with divinity and magick. Wands (2), Cups (1), and Swords (2) are represented along with one card from the Major Arcana (The Devil) and one from the Court (Son of Swords). I’ll look at each week’s card first followed by the as above so below cards at the top and bottom.

Week One

The Devil begins the first week of June depicting a horned goat with its hooves on fire. A inverted pentagram appears on the goat’s forehead suggesting a focus on ego. The deck’s creator draws this creature with one eye looking at the observer, a knowing expression that suggests instinct and a primal sense.

Materialism, a misuse of control, and a feeling of self-imprisonment are among traditional interpretations of The Devil. But as the fifteenth card from the Major Arcana, it has a numerology of six, or harmony and Higher Self focus, so what it really suggests is that we allow Spirit to inform ego so that our reactive side doesn’t overshadow our creative side.

Additionally, The Devil can suggest that a change in attitude is in order. Are we focusing on the illusory nature of ego, or are we able to see the larger picture? The Devil is about power and control. Are we imprisoned by that experience, or within it do we find our liberation?

Week Two

I love the 7 of Swords in the Wild Unknown deck. Here we see a small fox curled up on a sword while six more, all different from each other, appear above. The fox takes a defensive posture with one eye open, watching the environment around it.

Deception is a common theme of the 7 of Swords and the suspicious look in the eye of the fox appears to acknowledge this theme. Insight and strategic thinking may be necessary to out fox others who may be deceiving us during the second week of June.

A sense of futility is also felt with the 7 of Swords, but the question is, to whom does that belong? Will futility be experienced by the owners of the six swords above, or the sly fox below?

Week Three

Branches are strewn about in disarray with the background itself a chaotic display of lines. The 5 of Wands depicts competition and struggle. Given that the branches aren’t broken or placed over any of the others suggests at least the potential for order but it’s clear that the balance is off and that cohesion is no longer present.

Five indicates both change and fulfillment while Wands represents Elemental Fire so this week may focus on the creative realignment of will. Restraint may be necessary so that order returns to the situation.

The 5 of Wands may also be indicating an impasse of some kind this week that may require some creativity to break through. A card of Saturn in Leo, the 5 of Wands suggests perseverance that is both measured and steady.

Week Four

Eight broken cups appear at the bottom of a large mountain in the 8 of Cups. In traditional decks we typically see a cloaked individual leaving the scene and beginning an ascent up a mountain path. But in this depiction, all we see is a mountain blocking our view. We don’t know if a path exists, only that we can go no further.

But irrespective of the deck used, the 8 of Cups signals that we’ve gone as far as we can with our emotional state. It’s like after having a good cry. We feel spent, but relieved as well, and now we’re ready to think about something else.

Whereas the direction is fairly defined in traditional decks, the choice in this deck is completely ours as to the direction we take. So this week, if emotions are in flux, consider letting them go entirely. Allow for the possibility of a new perspective to lead you in a new direction. And given the practical and responsible influence of the number eight, that direction may result in a leadership role.

As Above, So Below

The 8 of Wands is dynamic in any deck, but in the Wild Unknown deck, we see eight branches arranged in a fairly balanced, their tips meeting in the center where a lightning bolt strikes. We see all elemental colors contained within the lightning’s energy, Fire giving way to Air, and from there to Earth, and finally, Water. All elements of creation expressing harmony and unified consciousness.

In the position of as above or Spirit, the 8 of Wands suggests energy exploding in all directions from an aligned state. Synchronicity of energetic expression, or conversely, a decision made quickly are also interpretations of the 8 of Wands. But at the heart of this card is the notion of center, align, and then act.

Kim Krans has not only changed the setting and content of the cards, but she’s also changed the names of the Court Cards to Daughter, Son, Mother, and Father, mirroring other non-traditional decks. Also using wildlife instead of individuals, Krans creates a personal connection with this amazing deck.

In the as below section of the spread, an owl carrying a sword in its talons swoops into the fray expressing courage and passion. Standing in his own power, the Son of Swords acts with integrity as he fearlessly meets any challenges he encounters.

Elementally, we have Fire versus Air, will/creativity versus intellect and we might be tempted to suggest that there may be conflict between the two. In week one, we experienced the Devil within and the need to allow Higher Self to keep our reactive side in control. Week two involved deception and a feeling of futility, but at that point, it was within our control to determine to whom that futility belongs.

Then, in week three, it became apparent that although an impasse may occur, we should overcome that through perseverance and a measured approach. Finally, week four has us choosing to end a volatile emotional state, now ready to move on to a more balanced perspective.

So, it’s not a conflict between will and intellect that we experience, but the synchronous use of both that will carry us through the month of June.

Well, that was an interesting reading to interpret. I like the spread I’m using and I think I’ll use it for the foreseeable future. I’m not sure if it’s one that others use or not. I started laying down cards and went from there.

So, thanks for stopping by and we’ll do this again next month! Be sure to check out Somewhat Daily Tarot and Rune over on my YouTube channel for more tarot and rune interpretations!

Until next month…

Blessings to all!