Decan: 0°-9° Libra

Dates: 23 September-2 October 2024

Ruling planet/luminary: Luna

Zodiac sign: Libra ~ Cardinal Air 🜁

Tarot card: 2 of Swords

Golden Dawn Title: Lord of Peace Restored

Associated Major Arcana:

The High Priestess (The Moon) & Justice (Libra)

Holding balance

The autumn equinox brings us to the 2 of Swords in Libra I.

This is a time for reflection before we transition from summer into autumn and longer nights in the Northern Hemisphere. A moment of balance between light and dark, equilibrium of opposites.

The 2 of Swords also suggests a moment of pause, balance and weighing of options. It is often interpreted as a decision or a crossroads. And that so often seems to play out in readings, but my thinking is slightly shifting towards the idea this it is about more than just the choice itself – between one path or another path – but also about the way in which we approach the choice.

In this card we see someone holding space, holding the peace. Taking their time weighing the intuitive response with the rational response – internal wisdom, as represented by the High Priestess, vs external wisdom/systems that we see in the Justice card.

Here we might see someone balancing right and wrong. A moral dilemma. Perhaps questioning the righteousness and authority of the very systems that society has put in place to ensure ‘justice’. Could it be more Libra?

When you put these cards together visually, it seems so obvious that this person is holding the balance between their inner wisdom and outer wisdom (however righteous that may be)… following intuition or accepted wisdom.

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 Libra I

Holding space for others

That’s a phrase, isn’t it? We hear it a lot and I’ve recently come to a deeper understanding of what it might actually mean. I guess I’ve understood it on an intellectual level (it’s what a good therapist, reader or enlightened, loving friend does, right?), but, in terms of holding space myself, I’ve gained a greater personal sense of it quite recently.

And because it’s personal, I won’t go into it all here.

The 2 of Swords, will now hold this meaning for me. The idea of holding space – allowing someone to speak and be heard, without judgement or the quick offer of advice – impartial (relatively). Having the wisdom, intelligence and the heart to simply listen. Holding back on making a personal judgement and allowing another to go through that process in your presence, with you as their witness. And making that space safe for them to move through their thoughts and feelings – go from one end of ‘the thing’ to the other and back again – as they try to discern the way forward for themselves. All of that.

Eventually, of course, in a personal situation (rather than a therapeutic one) you may eventually be called on for your opinion and advice. You may be asked to take sides. But this is about being able to hold off on that for a while.

Holding space for yourself

And so it follows that the 2 of Swords is the card of holding space for yourself. Opening up to the emotions and thoughts that may come, giving them some space and allowing them to just be for a while… without judgment.

The 2 of Swords is about allowing for all of this before you have to make up your mind, speak your mind or take action.

Prompts for 2 of Swords ~ The Moon in Libra

When you consider a dilemma or the path or paths ahead…

Ask yourself:

• What decision might you be facing right now?
• How are you approaching that decision?
• How do you weigh your intuitive wisdom with the accepted wisdom and systems of your world?
• How do you keep the peace? Should you keep the peace?
• Is there a choice you must make even though it may disturb the peace?
• Who or what are you holding space for?
• Are you able to do this for yourself too?
• What truths about yourself and your situation do you need to face with open eyes?

Observations and synchronicities ~ Libra I

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

Ok, so I’m feeling the whole Libra I-2 of Swords thing very strongly in my life right now. And the fact that this #DecanWalk2024 is calling on me to consider all of this at the very moment in my life when I need the wisdom that this card brings? Well…

That’s Tarot.

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!