On August 7, we have a powerful Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius! Aquarius is the sign of humanitarianism, of innovative thinking, of finding a way to refresh what’s become outdated. A Lunar Eclipse from an astrological standpoint involves a bright spotlight being thrown on your “Shadow,” leaving it with nowhere to hide — and you with no choice but to decide what to do about it. This is a good thing, because it effects change — Eclipse-style changes play out over years, so hope for the best! The tarot card for the Moon is II – The High Priestess and the card for Aquarius is XVII – The Star, suggesting that this Lunar Eclipse will represent an opportunity to get in touch with your intuition, to “listen to your gut,” in such a way that you are inspired by something that you can’t ignore. This in turn leads you to pop up and into action, starting out towards making something of it, applying the knowledge you’ve already accumulated along the way. Following this urge will lead to your total happiness: you really are headed for the light! You could choose to turn back, knowing it would mean more of the same darkness that you know like the back of your hand — but aren’t you ready for the fresh and new?

The following 3-card reading (with an extra tarot card because LUNAR ECLIPSE) is an example of what’s included in the $25 New and Full Moon Readings reward tier on my Patreon page, which also includes a 5-card reading when the Sun sign changes and a one-card Monthly Kick-Off reading! For this reading I drew from The Cook’s Tarot, Crystal Reading Cards, and Chakra Wisdom Oracle Cards. I laid out a crystal grid of a blue agate slice to match Aquarius’ “electric blue” power colour, moonstone for understanding of our personal cycles, tiger’s eye for quick thinking and creative protection, tourmalinated quartz for intuitively finding the “silver lining” in any situation, and rutilated quartz for loyalty and support through difficult times via spiritual connectedness.

Oracle Cards: Calcite | Relaxation + Insecurity

The cards couldn’t be more clear: it’s time to “relax” your “insecurity.” Put it to rest by allowing yourself to, well — relax! You have come so very far, too far to let the little devils on your shoulder get in your ear and take it all away. As if they could: what you have now is all yours, and at this point, it really can’t be taken away from you — maybe physically, but nothing can take away the feeling of knowing you’ve accomplished something that you always pictured achieving for yourself. You did it, you did it!

Tarot Reading: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius Spread

Card 1: What “Shadow” will be cast by this Lunar Eclipse in order to show where change needs to occur?

King of Wands: Your greatest test this Lunar Eclipse will be examining how you deal with being in control of great, passionate power. Are you a warm leader, or an angry tyrant? Meet your public with a smile over a frown during this Lunar Eclipse — your attitude towards what you’re making happen will make all the difference. This is not a time to be keeping track of fiddly details — your team helped you get where you are, don’t forget to keep meeting them at eye level!

Card 2: Where will you be able to start to pour your energy most consciously this Eclipse?

7 of Cups: You will be presented with many options, and your best course of action will be to spend time with them all, flirting with each possibility, making sure you know what each choice will turn into in the future. Take your time here — if nothing “feels” right, maybe now is a time to choose not to choose, however disappointing that may be for the other people involved. You know by now that there are always more opportunities floating around — your passion seems to draw them to you like magnets! Keep dancing and know that you’ll be able to decide easily when the time is right. Focus on trusting yourself to know what to do!

Card 3: What will this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse help you finally release for good?

King of Pentacles: You’ll be able to release the sense that you need more than what you have to be considered a “success.” You have had your loyalties challenged, you have lost your money, you have felt so tired you thought there was no way you could go on — but you did. You’re still here, and you will always have the resources you need to get by, one way or another! Release that cemented picture of what “rich” looked like when you were a child, and find it instead in the groove in your spot on the couch, in the loving eyes of your pet or your darling, in the food in your cupboard and the warmth of the sun outside.

Card 4: What future breakthrough will this Eclipse set in motion?

7 of Swords reversed: The Jupiter/Pluto square forced you to be honest with yourself about what’s working and what isn’t, and now the Lunar Eclipse is plunging you into full-healing territory, whether you’re ready to go there or not! The rug is being ripped out and you can no longer hide — what’s been done, what’s being done, and what needs to be done next to confirm your resolution. Let nothing more be taken from you, let go what left of its own accord, and focus on the sweetness to come once the emotional currents tied to what recently sent you running have calmed down. Honesty will always save the day, eventually, and it’s time to focus on the presences in your life who are loyal — they’ll still be by your side when everything is said and done!

Yes, this Eclipse will mean big things in the long-term, and what you are going through now is strengthening you and the people closest to you for something very important in the long haul. Stay connected with those you know support you, and take this intense opportunity to cut ties with those who you know do not. It’s time to make plans that you know will benefit you, and to release the old patterns that you created, but that you found to be holding you back — anyone who resents you making personal improvements is not worth the New You. Slow and steady wins the race, so think only of success and don’t let those who entertain failure cloud your disposition!

Decks used:

Chakra Wisdom Oracle Cards. Tori Hartman. Illustrated by Gretchen Raisch-Baskin. London, England: Watkins Media Ltd., 2014.

Crystal Reading Cards. Rachelle Charman. Sterling Ethos, 2016.

The Cook’s Tarot. Judith MacKay Stirt. Schiffer Publishing, 2015.

Tarot Mucha. LWB: Lunaea Weatherstone. Artwork: Giulia F. Massaglia. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2014. © Lo Scarabeo Italy.