The connection between tarot and our closest celestial body is varied and deep.

Most overtly, The Moon card illustrates the portal into shadow–that which is hidden in the subconscious and is revealed through reflection and exploration. As the moon reflects the light from the sun, its understated brilliance is an illusion, one that we seek to demystify by engaging with the tarot’s archetypes.

So too do we cleanse our tarot decks by the light of the full moon–this phase is regarded as heavily potent and energetically powerful, so this “moon bath” is said to re-energize the cards and remove any lingering energy that might interfere with subsequent readings.

For those of us “moonbabies” out there, the moon phases are an important time to focus intention, to manifest, to reflect, and to release. 

The Magician archetype is a beautiful representation of the period between the new and full moon phase, illustrating the confidence and willpower needed to bring dreams into reality. The nine of swords and the three of swords exemplify our wounded heart and the need to forgive and release (a process commonly begun during the full/waning moon phase).

The ways in which tarot archetypes reflect a given lunation is nearly endless, and their full exploration is another post for another day.

Today, I want to offer a few tarot spreads that can help you connect with lunar correspondences.

Who knows? You may dig them so much that you become a bonafide moonchild too!

The New Moon Spread

At the start of each lunar month, I sit down and write a spread in correspondence with a) the task of intention-setting, and b) the astrological sign assigned to the new moon of the current lunation (lu-na-tion: term for a lunar month). Each sign exemplifies different traits and characteristics, therefore a moon in a specific sign corresponds to certain areas of focus.

That’s a bit of a tall order, especially if you’re not an astrology whiz and your not particularly keen on writing tarot spreads. Here’s the general new moon spread I use as the bones of the designs of my monthly ones.

1. What intentions can I set to strengthen my finances?
2. What intentions can I set to strengthen my spirit?
3. What intentions can I set to strengthen my creativity?
4. What intentions can I set to nurture my relationships?
5. What intentions can I set to inspire others?
6. What intentions can I set to improve my overall wellbeing?

The goal here is to get clear about what you want to accomplish in the coming month so you can set workable goals for achieving those ends. This spread is designed to consider our holistic experience; if it doesn’t jive with you as-is, simply drop some positions or switch the last few words to something that resonates more deeply.

The Full Moon Spread

This is a spread for the gloriously witchy and magickal and the woo-woo-curious. The Full Moon is the perfect time to do spell work and to put in the last big push before the moon begins waning and we begin reflecting on the efforts we made in the past two weeks. I designed this spread specifically to tap into the high-vibe wonder of the divine feminine in her strongest aspect–be prepared to feel electric and empowered.

The Fountain Tarot, Self-Published, 2014

1. Where your power resides.
2. Advice on how to harness and channel that power.
3. An intuitive message to guide your workings.
4. What to release as you move into waning moon phase.
5. A lesson to inform your future manifestations.

The Four Phases Spread

Here’s one for the less moon-wild among you–those who are new to tarot, those who are new to lunar astrology, or those who want a quick and simple overview for the lunar month ahead.

The Wild Unknown Tarot Mass-Market Edition, HarperElixir, 2016

The general idea is to pull a card for each of the four main phases–

1. New
2. First Quarter
3. Full
4. Last quarter

–to get a sense of the energies you can channel/work with during each. Regardless of astrological correspondences, this is a good way to check in with yourself throughout the month to make sure you’re moving in the right direction and maintaining balance as you do so.

Whatever you believe or don’t believe, working with the moon is an amazing way to get organized and stay focused.

When we’re stuck in a rut or we lose track of what we want and where we’re going, lunar correspondences can give us the structure we need to get back on track and back in the driver’s seat,

Happy Cardslinging,

Jessi

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