Decan: 0°-9° Gemini

Dates 2024: 21 May-30 May

Ruling planet/luminary: Jupiter

Zodiac sign : Gemini ~ Mutable Air 🜁

Tarot card: 8 of Swords

Golden Dawn Title: Lord of Shortened Force

Associated Major Arcana:

The Wheel (Jupiter) & The Lovers (Gemini)

But it looks good on paper, why all the interference?

My first thought about Jupiter in Gemini, as the Decan represented by 8 of Swords, is “but it looks good on paper”.

Surely, expansive Jupiter in sociable, communicative, open-minded, adaptable Gemini suggests positive exploration of new ideas, situations and people and expansion of the mind.

But, I have been reminded, Jupiter is in its detriment in Gemini. What might look good on paper doesn’t quite sit right with the Tarot card associated with interference, mental overwhelm, limiting beliefs, victim mentality and feelings of helplessness and being trapped. In the 8 of Swords, we see someone bound and blindfolded, trapped in a bog – they cannot see a way out nor move in any direction.

Being of the suit of Swords, and the element of air, this represents a mental trap, mental overwhelm, mental paralysis even.

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 Gemini I.

8 of Swords ~ When the signals are jammed, all we can hear is static

Jupiter expands and fills. In this case this gas giant fills the mind and overwhelms it so you can’t think outside it.

As the Wheel of Fortune (Jupiter) turns, the figure in the 8 of Swords is in a downward spiral. They are victim to the flip side of abundant, expansive Jupiter, which can be excessive, overwhelming, overshadowing.

For the enquiring, analytical Gemini mind this triggers overthinking, overanalysing and ultimately an inability to choose any course of action. This mental overload leading to inertia must feel very uncomfortable in the restless Gemini mind.

When the signals are jammed, all we can hear is static. And we feel alone, isolated, disconnected.

And what of the Lovers? Ruled by Gemini, this Major Arcana card represents relationships and the deep need for connection as well as balance, self-love and the importance of make healthy choices and setting good boundaries in our lives, work and relationships.

The 8 of Swords is not a conducive environment for any of that. There are boundaries in this card, but not the good, healthy kind. They are more like constrictions – set by self or some other.

What is the antidote?

Perhaps Jupiter is both the poison and the antidote.

Ruler of free-thinking, freedom-loving Sagittarius, Jupiter calls us to think bigger – outside the mental box of our own making – to look beyond the confines of our own circumstances. The jobs, families, relationships that sometimes overwhelm us.

There is a need to expand your thinking, step outside of yourself to take a look at the situation objectively. Stare down the truth, no matter how challenging that might be to the ego. Shine a light in those dark places. Then step into that light.

And, perhaps most importantly, to ask for help.

Prompts for 8 of Swords ~ Jupiter in Gemini

When considering predicament, when you feel stuck, trapped, overwhelmed, helpless, not enough, powerless…

Ask yourself:

• What negative beliefs do you hold about yourself?
• Where do they come from? Whose voice is that?
• How do these beliefs serve you?
• And how do they damage you and hold you back?
• How can you conquer and banish these thoughts in order to move forward?
• How can you ‘think outside’ your mental box?
• How can you be brave and be your own hero, everyday?

Observations and synchronicities ~ on Gemini I

I’m making a space here to return to over the coming days of Gemini 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!