(Tarot Prompts for Writers)
Here’s a compilation of my notes on reading The Moon as a card of the day or in a spread.
If you’re just learning tarot, use the deck that most appeals to you, and spend some time looking at your card. What does it say to you? (See my description of The Moon as I see it.)
Tarot is personal and open-ended. There are traditional meanings — and yes, you should know them if you want to read tarot cards — but it really only “works” if you follow what the cards mean to you personally. Your moon and my moon may not mean quite the same thing.
Number
Some say the number 18 incorporates the meanings of its components, 1 (independence and beginnings) and 8 (balance and fortune). Others add the digits to make a “9,” meaning wisdom and initiation. The Moon has nuances of both. It’s a card of warning. The light is dim and the path is dangerous.
Name
The Moon orbits the earth, and while it’s always the same old moon to itself, it’s continually, rhythmically changing from our point of view; it waxes and wanes and seems to disappear. It only ever turns one face to us and hides the other side. It seems like part of the heavens, though it’s very close compared to everything else up there. From our POV, it’s not much smaller than the sun. The moon is deceptive. It’s barren, just a cold dark rock, but it doesn’t feel like that from Earth. It feels like company. We look up at a full moon and think of think of love. Or werewolves.
Placement
The Moon comes near the end of the major arcana, before the Sun and the World. Not everyone gets this far, and not everyone who gets this far continues. The card is not for the shallow-minded or the immature.
Traditional interpretations
The Moon card warns you that you’re vulnerable and alone, going down a badly lit path. Stay calm and surrender to your inner light. Follow the path to a higher self.
The Moon can represent the life of the imagination, but it’s dangerous if not balanced by realism. The time you’re about to face will test your character and your grasp of reality. Intuition can carry you forward through uncertainty. You may feel lost and confused, facing the unknown. But your hidden abilities will be revealed in the path as you walk it.
Don’t walk blindly and don’t follow false guides. Protect yourself. Address anxiety. Use your gifts. Work in harmony with forces pulling you onward. There are perils ahead but you have the ability to face them, deep down.
Above all, this card warns of danger: hidden enemies, darkness, terror, deception, calumny, and “illusory situations.” It can foretell a crisis of faith. But it also foretells the emergence of hidden or latent parts of yourself.
Reverse interpretations
Reversed, the Moon warns of instability, inconstancy, uncertainty. There’s no one to help you right now; you’re on your own. There may be confusion, chaos, even madness – but don’t be scared. Patience and rest will heal you. Be content with small achievements. Choose what is in preference to what will never be. You’re losing yourself in worries; practice conscious optimism.
You may be misunderstanding things or repressing what needs to come to light. Tread lightly. Don’t take big risks now. The card warns of a failure of nerve and a fear of stepping beyond safe boundaries. Secrets will out; a mystery will be revealed; weaknesses will be exposed.
Thematic readings
- In love, don’t sacrifice too much of yourself for appearances. You may tell yourself that your sacrifice is for your partner, but it’s not; it’s for appearances. Stop this. Live authentically. Really feel your feelings; stop hiding them.
- In work, see through illusions and smokescreens. Don’t let appearances deceive you. Don’t think you know everything.
- In general life, the card warns you not to jump to conclusions. You may not be seeing things clearly. Be watchful; don’t act in haste. Wait till the situation reveals itself clearly. Pay attention to your inner voice.
Specific positions
- Current situation: You’re in a place of danger. Follow the path your instincts dictate, even if you must go alone. Trust only yourself, and don’t be too trusting even of you. Your emotions are charged and fluctuating. Gut feelings are strong. A choice needs to be made that will determine your happiness for a long time.
- Past influence: You’re going through life with two different faces: one you show others, and one you keep hidden. You must confront your repressed self and bring it into the light. Move on as the person you really are.
- Outcome: You will need courage. Don’t stray from the path or linger here. If you pass through this uncertain phase, you’ll emerge into the light of a new day. There is real danger of delusion, of being misled by wishful thinking or by someone you trust. Watch out for deceptive people. Someone’s ulterior motive will be brought to light or your own illusions will be exposed.
- Blocked: Your insecurity holds you back. Your judgment may be unsound. Don’t kid yourself. Reality is the only thing that can build confidence and get you through.
Questions for the Querent
- Do you have any reaction at first sight of this card? What do you focus on?
- What do you see in the landscape?
- Does the card strike you as menacing? (I have a hard time seeing dogs as dangerous, though I’ve met dangerous dogs.)
- Do you feel alone on your path?
- Are there distractions or false guides? Are you pulled in a direction?
- Do you have a strong intuition? Do you heed it?
- Are you in danger in some way now?
- Do you see yourself as brave?
- Do you want to get to the other side of this path?
Keywords to aid Memory
- Illusion
- Danger / Exposure
- Faith / Intuition
- Mystery / Speculation
Images on this page are by the following artists: Banner, left to right: Marseilles deck engraved by Nicolas Conver; Dragon Tarot illustrated by Roger and Linda Garland (also shown in box); Tarot Balbi by Domenico Balbi; Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti; Radiant Rider-Waite deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith; Druid Craft deck illustrated by Will Worthington.
Catherine Austen 