The Moon XVIII

Keywords & phrases

• Illusion & delusion
• Confusion
• Secrets & lies
• Subterfuge & deception
• Lack of vision & clarity
• Path ahead unclear
• Waiting & indecision
• Cycles & timing
• Feminine energy & power
• Power of dreams

First impressions

A dramatic shadowy scene reminiscent of the classic scary movies I saw as a child involving moonlight and monsters.

What is happening in the card?

The full moon in her splendour shines down casting shadows on an eerie landscape below. In the illustration we can see her face and there is an indication of some of her many phases – new, waxing, gibbous, full.

Yods fall down from the shimmering orb like flecks of moon dust. Magical.

In the foreground we see a pool of water with its surface disturbed by a crayfish crawling onto the shore. On the ground beyond the pool are two creatures howling at the moon – a dog and a jackal. They stand on either side of a path that leads through a meadow, between two white towers and on to shadowy mountains in the far distance.

The towers each have a single window at the top but with no visible door.

How can we relate to this card?

WTF is going on here? It’s like a dream sequence from a film. 

Confused by this card? Could that be the intention here? Confused by life, relationships and how to be yourself? We’ve all been there.

So often things are not really what they seem and at these times we may need to focus less on what we see with our eyes and think with our conscious mind, and more on the messages that we receive from our intuition.

The Moon is about allowing what’s in your subconscious, below the surface of you conscious mind, to emerge – no matter how confusing and anxiety-inducing that experience may be.

The Moon also relates to the phases of womanhood and the natural cycles of life on earth.

Message & affirmations

Today, I look within to find my authentic self and I choose to accept and project that self to the world whether in gentle moonlight or the full glare of the sun.

My personal experiences of this card

I am often stumped when The Moon appears in a reading. Writing this page has been hugely helpful in creating a better understanding in my mind of this card.

I have just spent a week on holiday with five of my oldest and dearest friends. My first holiday since before the Covid lockdown. We spent much time lounging under beach umbrellas or poolside just chatting (and drinking), reminiscing and looking forward. The conversations centred on work and family, children, pets, life stage, health, and how we cope with the changes and challenges that come with age. The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual stuff of getting old.

We all came to the beach with our issues and physical insecurities. But what we all ‘know’ now is what a waste of time it has been to worry so much about our physical imperfections over the years. We are as beautiful now as we were in our 20s… more beautiful in my opinion.

My friend wisely said “I understand that I will never look as young and as beautiful as I do right now”. 

So, whatever stage you are at The Moon calls on you to embrace it and accept yourself. That kind of confidence when expressed outwardly is beautiful and powerful and it can only come from within. 

Events, situations & readings

In a relationship spread:
The Moon may speak of deception or self-deception in a relationship. 

In a work, business or finance spread:
In a work setting The Moon may indicate a situation where all is not as it seems. Caution and patience may be recommended before making any big decisions. Shedding more light on a situation is needed.

In a health and wellbeing spread:
The Moon encourages you to key into the natural rhythms of life and, more specifically for women, feminine cycles – birth, childhood, puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, middle and old age, death and rebirth.

Tuning into, understanding and accepting where you are in that cycle is an important part of creating health for yourself and living an authentic life.

People & interaction with other cards

The Moon and The Hermit are linked by the number 9 and together they encourage you to look within for the answers that you seek. The Hermit lights the path through the mountains.

When The High Priestess, whose planetary ruler is the Moon, joins with this tarot trump the message to tap into your intuition is amplified.

With the Tarot 9s, The Moon prompts you to pay attention to your dreams… with the 9 of Swords we see the long dark night of the soul and The Moon serves to remind us that we should wait until the morning comes before making any decisions.

The Moon and The Empress speak of the feminine principle and the natural cycles of womanhood from menstruation to menopause and beyond. Together they might indicate that hormones are at play especially if you are experiencing confusion (brain fog) or a lack of balance in areas of your life.

Questions, prompts & insights

Where are you facing confusion in your life? What decisions are you facing and how can you make your choices and remain authentic?

Are you a deceiver or being deceived? Do you feel like you are being kept in the dark? Are you deluding yourself in some way?

Where are you in life – what stage or phase? How do you feel about that? Are you accepting or in denial? 

Featured decks:
Main image from The Rider Waite Tarot.

The other featured image of The Moon is part of an ongoing creative Tarot project by Still Small Voice Tarot combining digital collage and AI generative art.