Tarot Decan Walk: Virgo III ~ 10 of Pentacles

by StillSmallVoiceTarot | Sep 15, 2024 | Decan Walk 2024/25

Decan: 20°-29° Virgo

Dates 2024: 13-22 September 2024

Ruling planet/luminary: Mercury

Zodiac sign : Virgo ~ Mutable Earth 🜃

Tarot card: 10 of Pentacles

Golden Dawn Title: Lord of Wealth

Associated Major Arcana:

The Magician (Mercury) & The Hermit (Virgo)

Health, wealth…

The 10 of Pentacles is the ultimate card of manifestation. The ‘last’ card in the deck. This card resides in the 10th Sephira on the Tree of Life in the most earthly and tangible realm of Assiyah. It represents our achievements and our accumulated “wealth’.

The 10 of Pentacles embodies the idea of groundedness and security, health and wellbeing. Real, stable, accomplished and complete. Responsibility and family values. Being present and rooted in daily life.

Messenger of the Gods, Mercury rules the flow of information and intelligence and guides the way we process and communicate thoughts and ideas. Mercury is exalted in faithful, hardworking Virgo, one of the planet’s two home signs (the other being master communicator, Gemini), therefore, the mercurial energy is working at its best here! The current is in full flow.

If this energy could be likened to an electrical current, then The Magician is a superconductor. Carrying, and transmuting energy into effect. Thoughts, words, and actions in the real world.

In this Decan we see the perfect manifestation of Virgo energy as the 10 of Pentacles highlights the well-deserved results of hard work, diligence and planning: wealth, stability, health and happiness.

As for The Hermit, another Magician (or Wizard), he is on a journey within, a quest for wisdom and understanding, seeking to integrate the full human experience in the physical realm and create lasting spiritual and material wealth. The Hermit is searching for the meaning, the why, the purpose of the accumulation of wealth and asking what we should do with it for the benefit or the highest good of all.

As with previous Decans, I have found it useful to look at some keywords to see what ideas they may spark about the current Decan of Virgo III

… and happiness

What is happiness? Happiness is a state of being, not having. It is a highly communicable state of being, able to be passed from one to another in community.

“Happiness comes from spiritual wealth, not material wealth… Happiness comes from giving, not getting. If we try hard to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also. To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter it. ”

~ John Templeton, Philanthropist & investor

Prompts for 10 of Pentacles ~ Venus in Virgo

When you consider who you are, what you do and what you have in life…

Ask yourself:

• What grounds you? Where is ‘home’?
• Who or what supports you in your life?
• Who are you supporting?
• In what other ways are you rich apart from money and things?
• How are you manifesting health and wealth in your life right now?
• How are you sharing that wealth?
• How are you sharing happiness?

Observations and synchronicities ~ on Virgo III

I’m making space here to return to over the coming days of Virgo III to add any thoughts, ideas and synchronicities as they arise…

Examining Virgo III and the 10 of Pentacles has led me back to something I posted almost 3 years ago…

Notes on the Decan Walk 2024/25

For more information on Decans, Astrology and Tarot and how they all synchronise please read this Substack article by Rebeka Kulcsar-Kurdi and T. Susan Chang’s 36 Secrets: A Decanic Journey through the Minor Arcana of the Tarot.

And, if you care to join me for this continuing solar return, you’ll find me on Facebook and Instagram hanging out on the corner of #decanwalk2024 and #decanastrology And I will be following @astroco_op and @tsusanchang

Here’s to another trip around the Sun!

Tarot Decan Walk: Virgo II ~ 9 of Pentacles

by StillSmallVoiceTarot | Sep 4, 2024 | Decan Walk 2024/25

Decan: 10°-19° Virgo

Dates 2024: 3-12 September 2024

Ruling planet/luminary: Venus

Zodiac sign : Virgo ~ Mutable Earth 🜃

Tarot card: 9 of Pentacles

Golden Dawn Title: Lord of Material Gain

Associated Major Arcana:

The Empress (Venus) & The Hermit (Virgo)

Independent, self-sufficient, accomplished

The character in the 9 of Pentacles is very much in her element. Comfortable, contented, grounded, connected. She’s simultaneously arrived at her destination and continues to enjoy the journey. A proper grown-up channelling the strength and beauty of the Empress as she stands sovereign and solo in her beautiful garden.

Self-sufficient, she is perhaps guided by an inner light – The Hermit – and no longer has to follow all the rules laid down by society. She has the confidence and the resources and has earned the right to follow her own path.

Or isolated, self-conscious, alone

Yet, Venus is in her fall in Virgo. There may be some discomfort here even if it is not immediately visible.

Safe in her garden the 9 of Pentacles has her defences up, not unlike the battle-worn 9 of Wands, who stands on guard at her boundaries, protecting herself and all she has fought for against intruders real or imagined. Except that, our lady of Virgo II is presenting a perfect front – no wounds or bandages to see here. She has gone beyond brandishing a stick to protect herself and has built a garden wall.

And who can blame her? It’s not always easy being strong, independent and self-sufficient as a woman in a world that was built for men by men. But holding up that front of perfected isolation must be hard work at times and lonely.

As with previous Decans, I have found it useful to look at some keywords to see what ideas they may spark about the current Decan of Virgo III

The rise of the single Cat woman

Single, childless women who live alone (or aspire to) and present as happy, independent, and successful are somewhat threatening to some. Perhaps because it makes them question their own choices. And, if she has a cat… well that’s all the more reason to ridicule, harass or even persecute her.

Hmm, ain’t that an age-old story?

Happily, the rise of the single/childless Cat Woman is a thing right now. The comfortable truth is that calling someone and Crazy Cat Woman just isn’t the insult that it used to be.

I’d love to put a cat in this Tarot card somehow… perhaps I will.

Prompts for 9 of Pentacles ~ Venus in Virgo

When you look around you, at where you are and what surrounds you…

Ask yourself:

• What have you achieved that you can be proud of?
• How do you honour and acknowledge how far you have come?
• Are you taking good care of yourself, mind and body?
• What acts of self-care and love could you show yourself today?
• How can I better parent myself in my current situation for the best outcome?
• How do you foster supportive relationships in your life?

Observations and synchronicities ~ on Virgo II

I’m making space here to return to over the coming days of Virgo II to add any thoughts, ideas and synchronicities as they arise…

So, at the time of writing, the New Moon is in Virgo. The message that I am getting loud and clear is to get my house in order: finances, health, work. I definitely need to recommit to the healthy routines I was attempting to establish before the ‘disruption’ and general ‘luxury’ of summer.

And what better poster girl could there be for focussing on self-care and getting one’s life on track than 9 of Pentacles in the 2nd Decan of Virgo?

It also happens to be my big sister’s birthday on 3 September. Happy birthday, Dom Dom. My favourite of all Virgos and a long-time supporter and defender of mine.

Update: Saturday 7 September

I stumbled across this today.

Now, Helen Mirren. She’s a pretty perfect Poster Goddess for the 9 of Pentacles right there and her advice is to “Make your own rules”.

Notes on the Decan Walk 2024/25

For more information on Decans, Astrology and Tarot and how they all synchronise please read this Substack article by Rebeka Kulcsar-Kurdi and T. Susan Chang’s 36 Secrets: A Decanic Journey through the Minor Arcana of the Tarot.

And, if you care to join me for this continuing solar return, you’ll find me on Facebook and Instagram hanging out on the corner of #decanwalk2024 and #decanastrology And I will be following @astroco_op and @tsusanchang

Here’s to another trip around the Sun!

Tarot Decan Walk: Virgo I ~ 8 of Pentacles

by StillSmallVoiceTarot | Aug 23, 2024 | Decan Walk 2024/25

Decan: 0°-9° Virgo

Dates 2024: 23 August – 2 September 2024

Ruling planet/luminary: Sol

Zodiac sign : Virgo ~ Mutable Earth 🜃

Tarot card: 8 of Pentacles

Golden Dawn Title: Lord of Prudence

Associated Major Arcana:

The Sun (Sol) & The Hermit (Virgo)

Focussing your Sun energy on the details that matter

The 8 of Pentacles speaks of diligence, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of mastery through focused effort and attention to detail.

In the Rider Waite Smith, we see a person diligently working on crafting pentacles, symbolising the meticulous effort required to hone a skill, perfect a craft, or achieve mastery in a specific area of life. The card is about showing up and putting in the necessary work, often through repetition and refinement, to achieve excellence.

The Sun in Astrology, and indeed Tarot is associated with the ego, identity, and the core essence of who you are and how you express yourself and shine in this life.

In contrast, The Hermit, ruled by Virgo and Mercury, relates to introspection, inner wisdom, and solitude. The Sage archetype relies on an inner light, his lantern, for guidance rather than external influence and validation. If the Sun is the outward expression of the self, the Hermit symbolises the inward journey, where one retreats to seeks truth, understanding, and enlightenment.

In the context of the first Decan of Virgo, I see The Hermit as taking all the glorious love and light of the Sun (ruler of the previous Decans of Leo) and focussing it, through a lens/his lantern, on the one small area that that needs dedicated attention (to refine and perfect) right now. That one small thing is the stepping stone to the next.

This positioning of the Sun and the Hermit in this card suggests the need for balance between external achievement and recognition and internal growth and development. The Sun energy here encourages you to pour your heart and soul into the task at hand, your current creation, and to strive for mastery and perfection as a way to shine in the world.

Such diligence is in itself soulful work.

As with previous Decans, I have found it useful to look at some keywords to see what ideas it may spark about the current Decan of Virgo I

I love a Virgo & I love this card

I’ve got to say I love a Virgo. In my experience they show up and they do what they say they are going to do… but, my goodness, there will only be one way to do it and that’s ‘the right way’.

As for the 8 of Pentacles, when I was a teenager practicing endless Tarot spreads at my best friend’s kitchen table we tended to skip over many of the earthy Pentacles. We preferred the drama and romance of the Major Arcana, the Swords and the cups.

Now, it’s a completely different story. I love this card when it shows up in a reading or a daily pull, reminding me to focus on the details and to let the big picture take care of itself. To surrender to the process and let the rest unfold.

Prompts for 8 of Pentacles ~ The Sun in Virgo

When it is time for you to show up and do the work…

Ask yourself:

• Where do you need to focus your energy right now?
• Have you found joy in your work?
• Do you see the divine in the detail? 

Observations and synchronicities ~ on Virgo I

I’m making a space here to return to over the coming days of Virgo I to add any thoughts, ideas and synchronicities as they arise…

The end of summer and the holidays is approaching. It feels like it’s time to get serious and knuckle down to all the projects that need my attention. I’ve got quite a lot on and I could do a lot worse than channel this Sun in Virgo energy of the 8 of Pentacles and to embody the Virgo drive to improve, and to perfect and make manifest my potential in the work that I do.

Notes on the Decan Walk 2024/25

For more information on Decans, Astrology and Tarot and how they all synchronise please read this Substack article by Rebeka Kulcsar-Kurdi and T. Susan Chang’s 36 Secrets: A Decanic Journey through the Minor Arcana of the Tarot.

And, if you care to join me for this continuing solar return, you’ll find me on Facebook and Instagram hanging out on the corner of #decanwalk2024 and #decanastrology And I will be following @astroco_op and @tsusanchang

Here’s to another trip around the Sun!

Tarot Decan Walk: Leo III ~ 7 of Wands

by StillSmallVoiceTarot | Aug 18, 2024 | Decan Walk 2024/25

Decan: 20°-29° Leo

Dates 2024: 13-22 August 2024

Ruling planet/luminary: Mars

Zodiac sign : Leo ~ Fixed Fire 🜂

Tarot card: 7 of Wands

Golden Dawn Title: Lord of Valour

Associated Major Arcana:

The Tower (Mars) & Strength (Leo)

A hill to die on

When I see the Rider Waite Smith 7 of Wands the phrase ‘a strange hill to die on’ often pops up in my head. This is a military reference (which fits with the influence of Mars – sometimes known as the Warrior planet) that describes the practice of capturing or holding high ground, regardless of the opposition, the cost or the benefit in doing so.

It takes great Strength, confidence and self-belief to stand up for what you believe is right, regardless of the cost or benefit. These are the traits that Leos (fixed fire sign) seem to have in abundance. But when I look at the Tower I can’t help but think that the figures falling from the burning building have picked a disastrous hill to die on and they are paying the price.

With these thoughts in mind, the advice of the 7 of Wands could be to be brave and defend your position, or protect yourself and your own, when you are sure that you are standing on the ‘right hill’. Pick your battles wisely.

And, just as importantly, have the Strength to give up that position, even if has been long held and defended, if you come to realise that you have been mistaken. It takes courage to admit when you’ve been wrong – not something that sits very comfortably with your average Leo, if indeed there was such a thing as an average Leo 🤣

As with previous Decans, I have found it useful to look at some keywords to see what ideas it may spark about the current Decan of Leo III.

Of fear and bravery

The Tower has long been a card to evoke fear and dread. Fear that the world you understand, the life you know, may be under threat, and dread of what might replace it. A brave new world.

The very definition of bravery is having the mental or moral strength to face danger, fear or difficulty. Hence, the Golden Dawn title for the 7 of Wands – Lord of Valour.

Prompts for 7 of Wands ~ Mars in Leo

When it is time for you to take a stand…

Ask yourself:

• Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?
• Where are your obstacles coming from – within or without?
• Will you keep going in the face of opposition?
• How far are will you go to defend your position?
• Have you picked the ‘right’ hill to die on?

Observations and synchronicities ~ on Leo III

I’m making a space here to return to over the coming days of Leo II to add any thoughts, ideas and synchronicities as they arise…

There seems to me to be such a clear sequence or story in the progression of the Leo Decans as we see depicted in the Tarot. The story is one of victory and triumph after competition followed by the persistence and strength required to hold the hard won ground. It’s action-packed!

Notes on the Decan Walk 2024/25

For more information on Decans, Astrology and Tarot and how they all synchronise please read this Substack article by Rebeka Kulcsar-Kurdi and T. Susan Chang’s 36 Secrets: A Decanic Journey through the Minor Arcana of the Tarot.

And, if you care to join me for this continuing solar return, you’ll find me on Facebook and Instagram hanging out on the corner of #decanwalk2024 and #decanastrology And I will be following @astroco_op and @tsusanchang

Here’s to another trip around the Sun!