New Moon Reading: Back on track... but slowly.

For this month's reading, I decided to try out what Ana Cortez calls the "Reading Method Checklist," which involves objectively exploring the various layers of the reading and weaving them together coherently. It strikes me as a good exercise, especially when we feel like we are really struggling to understand a spread.

Layer 1: Foundation – The Living First Impression

(Overall Impressions, Colours, Suits, Numbers)

A rather black spread, but the fact it's mostly Clubs/Air lends it a certain lightness. The single red card at the bottom almost feels like a heroic reaction to all the black! There is mix of low numbers and high numbers, pointing to an oscillating energy. The lack of Hearts/Water seems significant, like this is a cycle in which the waters of emotion won't flow as easily. Even its complementary suit, Spades, seems weak and uncomfortable here, even though it is the top card!

Layer 2: Meanings and Positions – Fleshing Out Detail

(Meanings & Illustrations, Positions)

The reading opens with the 3♠, the Beggar, a card for me that always speaks of a lack, either real or perceived. Here, it strikes me as something carried over from the past cycle, which was very... Spade-y... but it is already losing its prominence. Nevertheless, the period begins under the sign of a certain emptiness or lack of vitality.

We then enter into Clubs' realms, and Leah is a powerful presence here! The mood remains 'sombre', but a new energy is at play. The Q♣ is dignified in the Throat position, and her place on top of the 4♣ (East Wind) makes me think of a sorceress, controlling the air itself! That said, 4♣ is a slow moving wind, so Leah's influence, while powerful, will only be felt gradually throughout the cycle.

Then we have the only red card in the Foot position, the 9♦, Gawain. I feel like he's being inspired by Leah, as if her Air-magic is 'filling' him, priming him for action. Because Diamonds and Clubs are compatible, I see this energy interplay as positive. Gawain seems to be the perfect knight for a mission that will require the willpower and vitality of Diamonds... But first, he needs to be duly inspired by the imaginative powers of Clubs.

Layer 3: Esoteric Studies – Hidden Correspondences
(Geomancy, Layouts as Pictures, etc.)

The Geomancy for this spread starts a bit dark. We have Carcer + Cauda Draconis = Caput Draconis. Now, I have been getting a lot of Cauda Draconis over the last few months! In fact, my July New Moon reading had these very geomantic figures, but in an inverted order! So whatever got 'messy' July will straighten itself out in the coming cycle!

Focusing on the layout as picture, I see the Beggar (3♠) approaching to ask Leah (Q♣) for help. There is something he must accomplish, but he doesn't have the resources (or perhaps he cannot perceive the resources he has). So as the Queen of her element, Leah stirs up the potentialities of Clubs – imagination, knowledge, patience, plus the mental energy needed for studies, plans and dreams –, and summons a knight (9♦) that can help the Beggar materialise what he needs. And maybe the Beggar finds out that there is a knight within him, after all... all he needs is patience, and the right influence!

Final Step: Coherence and Contemplation

I believe this reading highlights that a larger cycle – one involving many limitations and hard work – is finally coming to an end. Sure, the process is slow (both Carcer and the 4♣ give me this impression), and I need to mentally prepare myself for the battles ahead... but a new door, represented by the Dragon's Head, will open when the mission at hand is completed.