Full Moon Astro-Tarot; resistance and innovation

The full moon in Aquarius, exact late afternoon on August 3rd here in the UK, awakens and energies the dynamic between individual self expression, how we let ourselves shine, and collective action, how we sacrifice our personal needs and desires for the good of the whole. Ideally, we can use our unique individual skills and talents in collaboration with others and for the good of others. This full moon reminds us that where our personal passions and what we are able to offer the world intersect, there is our Work. This innovative full moon calls us to celebrate our differences, to find ways to come together and create something which is greater than the sum of its parts, to experiment with new ways of being in the world. Each of us has our own contribution to make, to enhance collective growth and diversity and well as finding personal fulfilment.

With the full moon in forward-thinking Aquarius, we are asked to focus on the new, to stop going around in circles with what's wrong with the world and focus our energy on creating the world we want to live in. It may not be easy but this is a fixed energy - there is determination and persistence here which we can harness. Of course, there might also be resistance, especially with a waning square from Uranus, ruler of Aquarius and currently transiting Taurus, the sign of fixed earth. We might want to dig our heels in, settle down into our comfortable rut and insist that "that's just the way it is". And that, right there, is our message that something needs to change. That we are burying our power instead of letting it inspire our growth. There's also an awkward connection between the full moon and Venus in Gemini so that once again we need to watch out for pretty words which lack substance, those voices (all too often the ones "in charge") who are all talk and no action. Or whose words are a cover for the opposite action, or for their own failings, or are an attempt to deflect blame. We seem to get all of these daily but the full moon might bring them even more into the spotlight.

So, some tarot wisdom for this full moon, from the Embroidered Forest tarot - because stitching and tarot together, how exciting is that?!

Sun in Leo - What are we creating? - King of Cups

Hmm, some creative mastery here and definitely a need to engage with the feeling self, without letting it rule us. Actually what this card makes me think of is the family of swans on our local river, the adults gliding up and down followed by si now almost fully grown cygnets. You can tell where they are along the river because they always have a crowd of people around them, taking pictures. And they take it all as their due, as the most regal birds on the river. So this card says, create what is yours to create. And then own it.

Moon in Aquarius - How can we serve the collective? - Knight of Cups

Here we get more movement in the water, a little more turmoil to paddle through (and the deck was very well shuffled, for the record!). There might be less security, less experience but taking action is what counts, doing our work even if we lack confidence. For ourselves, we can create comfortably and be the King but now we trust the process, move out of our comfort zone. The power is in the trying, in the devotion to the ideal, in the getting out of our own way in pursuit of the greater good.

Aspect to Uranus - How can we transform resistance into empowerment? - Five of Swords

There's a need to sit with uncertainty here, so allow ourselves to be uncomfortable. This card often highlights a lack of clarity, a need to take our time in making choices and taking action. To make sure it's meaningful. Rushing ahead might bring a hollow victory, we need to go deeper. There's also something here about looking for patterns, not just how they fit together but also where something is missing, where the pattern isn't quite right.

Aspects to Venus - How can we communicate authentically? - King of Pentacles

Another King, fitting for Leo season. The King of Pentacles asks us to communicate in a way which keeps us grounded in reality as it actually is, focused on what is tangible. He brings order from the more chaotic energy of the Five of Swords. He doesn't just want ideas, he wants to know how we are applying them and making them work.