Decan: 20°- 29° Aquarius

Dates: 9-18 February 2025

Ruling planet/luminary: Luna

Zodiac sign: Aquarius ~ Mutable Air 🜁

Tarot card: 7 of Swords

Golden Dawn Title: Lord of Unstable Effort

Associated Major Arcana:

The High Priestess (The Moon) & The Star (Aquarius)

Avoidance

I’ve been avoiding writing this leg of the Decan Walk. Unsurprisingly, as this is one of the most confusing and challenging cards in the deck. Also unsurprisingly, while I’ve been avoiding writing about it, the 7 of Swords has been popping up all over the place. In readings for myself and for others.

Apparently, there is no avoiding it. No getting away with it. No ‘7 of Swordsing it’ in fact.

Am I the arsehole?

The High Priestess and the Star, ruled by the Moon and Aquarius, might suggest a deep connection to your inner wisdom combined with a hopeful dose of idealistic humanitarianism. But, this doesn’t sound like the 7 of Swords we all know and fear.

The 7 of Swords speaks of deception, manipulation, double-dealing… all that sharp practice and machiavellian chicanery – the dark side of the Moon. This card might well be describing an individual’s narcissistic traits such as abusive, manipulative behaviour and ‘gaslighting’. And it often raises the question: who is being deceived and who is the deceiver in the current situation?

So, am I the arsehole?

One thing I think we all know about a narcissist is that they are not looking for feedback. They don’t tend to question themselves deeply (or tolerate being questioned by others). Self-reflection is not really their thing. So if you are asking yourself that question, perhaps you are not the arsehole. Just a thought.

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 Aquarius III.

If not the arsehole, then what? The antihero?

Sometimes we just have to do what’s best for us, and not what’s best for others. And sometimes, that’s ok.

There are occasions when we have to do stuff to protect ourselves and others, that might not sit comfortably with us under normal circumstances. Needs, must… and all that. And back to Machiavelli.

There are even circumstances where doing something slightly underhand is for the greater good. Here is a brilliant substack article from Katie Grimm for Astrologers’ Co-op relating the 7 of Swords to the legend of Robin Hood. She says:

“An archetype I can’t help but associate with the Seven of Swords is Robin Hood. I mean, come on, men in tights? This seven of swords dude is definitely giving 14th century Robin Hood. A classic antihero, Robin Hood is accompanied by a host of outlaws who take from the rich to give to the poor. Something about that screams Aquarius.”

And just like that, another level of this deeply mysterious card is unlocked for me. Even if the whole ‘steal from the rich to give to the poor’ story is not quite the whole truth in Robin Hood’s case, the idea of redistribution of wealth in a society where much of the wealth is accumulated off the backs of the many to be controlled and benefited from by the few is both rebellious and virtuous.

And if that’s what the individual in the 7 of Swords is up to, then more power to them.

Prompts for 7 of Swords ~ The Moon in Aquarius

When you find yourself questioning your own motives or those of another…

Ask yourself:

• Who is acting with integrity? Who do you trust?
• How in tune are you with your own motives?
• What part are you playing in this situation?
• What’s going on on your watch?
• Is it ok to look out for number one?
• If you are unhappy in a relationship or situation, can you you explore what you are bringing to the table rather than what you are getting out of it?

Observations and synchronicities ~ Aquarius III

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

…

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!