An Intuitive Reading for the Pisces Full Moon
A story of surrender.
Yesterday, I shared a new reading method I learned during a workshop at the C.G. Jung Institute in Los Angeles. I fell in love with the Jungian approach to tarot not just because I love Jung's philosophies, but for how seamlessly it flows with and supports the framework of narrative therapy. This therapeutic approach encourages us to be the authors of our own narratives—the stories that shape our lives and human experience.
In this method, we draw four cards and choose one from the four to be the significator. We then arrange the three remaining cards to create a storyline. The idea is that this story arc we created will reveal things about ourselves we may have otherwise overlooked through traditional methods of self-inquiry.
When we read the cards through an archetypal lens, we use an image-first approach. This means that before we consider the deeper meaning of the cards (the astrological association, the suits, the numbers, etc.), we must first consider the somatic response that arises within us after witnessing the artworks presented on the cards. After we explore this, we may consider the deeper meaning.
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I pulled the cards above this morning and found that they revealed a profound sense of helplessness that has characterized much of my life in recent months. The Hanged Man, with his hands tied and his world now upside down, is at the mercy of his situation. He has no choice but to hang helplessly, and furthermore, he must rely on others to untie him, revealing a deeply ingrained sense of victimhood. After speaking with friends over the last several weeks, I know this to be how many of us feel, particularly in the light of such political unrest and the election looming ahead. People are getting laid off and having difficulty finding new jobs. Industries that were once booming have plateaued. The world feels unkind and uncertain. We are, more than ever, at the mercy of greater forces—or, it appears that way.
In the wake of this loss and uncertainty, we seek comfort in extremism. We tighten our budgets, cut out everything unnecessary, and force ourselves to subsist on the mere essentials. Temperance implores us to proceed with caution, warning us of the detriment we may encounter if we refuse to move forward. This extremism creates unnecessary tension within our lives, grinding everything to a halt and stopping the energetic flow stimulated by thoughtful action. In order for our stories to move forward, we must take action of some kind. This isn’t a free pass to disregard your circumstances entirely—but our instinct to cling to things to secure them in our lives is counterintuitive and only works against us. This is true of most things: relationships, careers, money. The tighter our hold, the more frantic their attempts to escape. Temperance is here to remind us that whatever action we take must be balanced and considered.
The Ace of Swords is defined by quick movement and decisive thinking. The card depicts a disembodied, floating hand confidently brandishing an upright sword. It comes to us from the clouds, almost as if from a dream, like the hand of God. The crown and laurel leaves hanging from it suggest respect or recognition, and the fact that it encircles the active sword insinuates that this decisive action, forward movement, and sharpness of mind brought us this success. The suit of swords is ruled by air, associated with action, ambition, force, and, if misused, oppression. This reminds us that the ambition and quick thinking we have once been rewarded for has the potential to undo us if misused or relied on solely without the balance of something else. Temperance preceding this card makes this all the more apparent.
The Empress, in all her power and glory, sits confidently on her stone throne, scepter in hand. Her expression is not explicitly kind, but neither is it cruel, exuding the neutrality to make the necessary decisions and bring peace and prosperity to her empire. The Empress is associated with the archetypal figure of the mother, which brings to mind fertility and abundance. She embodies an essential duality, one of compassion and motherliness, while also understanding how to wield her power. She is seen as the feminine counterpart to the Emperor, but to me, in association with the prior cards, she feels self-contained, possessing the qualities of both yin and yang necessary for good leadership. She understands the teachings of Temperance, and she understands that her maternal instincts must be balanced by the force and action of the swords.
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Revisiting the significator card with this new knowledge allows us to see the Hanged Man in a new light, and this card’s association with the sign of Pisces makes this all the more relevant for tonight’s Pisces full moon. The ivy vines encircling his ankles and wrists are binds of our own making. The spread before us tells a story of surrender—of the possibilities that unfold when we release the limitations we impose on ourselves and shed the beliefs that stifle our growth. The Hanged Man’s emotional, intuitive, and fluid nature mirrors where we stand now, under the influence of the Pisces full moon and lunar eclipse. It reminds us gently that the obstacles in front of us, though they seem daunting, may simply require a shift in perspective.
Some Rituals & Suggestions:
Get some gentle, restorative exercise. If you are able to, get outside for a gentle walk or hike in nature. If that is unavailable to you, create a cozy environment for yourself at home where you can do some self-led stretching, yoga, or pilates.
Call your friends. If you lean more extroverted, this might be a great time to call up some friends or family and chat about any feelings coming up for you. I personally love to call my friends or family while I’m cooking.
Do a quick tarot reading. Try using the narrative approach above! It’s a wonderful way to help make meaning and see things from a new perspective.
Cleanse your home. Wash your bedclothes, vacuum the dust bunnies, and put away the dishes. Burn some incense or palo santo. Make your home as stress-free as possible so you can spend the rest of the night with ease.
Take a long, luxurious bath. Light a candle, add your favorite essential oils or herbs (I love Dr. Singha’s Mustard Bath or magnesium flakes), and give yourself a good twenty- to thirty-minute soak. Don’t rush this.
Cook a nourishing meal. When I’m feeling depleted, I love to make this ginger fried rice recipe (Olivia Towning has the best recipe inspiration), or kitchari.
Go screen free. Try to go screen-free tonight, if possible. Instead of ending your night with television or doom-scrolling, consider meditating, writing, or reading before bedtime. Get a full eight hours so you can wake up tomorrow feeling restored.
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Until next time. <3
I loved reading this and I can't wait to try out this new tarot spread!