Pluto is one of the three modern planets discovered in 1930, and it was later added to the Tarot as the ruling planet for Judgement.
Together with Mars, it is one of Scorpio’s ruling planets, so in the Tarot it is also linked to Death, the zodiac card for Scorpio.
Pluto in the Tarot is not associated with any Minor Arcana cards, which have all been assigned to the traditional seven planets.
While all planets represent gods, Pluto is the God of the Underworld, so it makes sense that it is now linked to Scorpio and Death.
The energy of Pluto is that of transformation, regeneration, letting go as well as the unconscious.
It is associated with sexuality, physical and spiritual birth, with death and resurrection.
Pluto nudges us to confront our – and nature’s – darker, more instinctive side.
Pluto energy offers us psychological insight and the ability to heal and regenerate.
On the other hand, it can generate obsessive compulsive tendencies.
So what does this all mean for Judgement and Death in the Tarot?
“I was dreamin’ when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray But when I woke up this mornin’, could’ve sworn it was judgment day The sky was all purple, there were people runnin’ everywhere Tryin’ to run from the destruction, you know I didn’t even care…” – Prince, 1999
Pluto’s influence on Judgement suggests the ability and necessity to let go of old patterns and baggage in order to move on.
After all, a change of direction is an ending, just like putting closure on a situation by having learned a lesson or practicing forgiveness.
Pluto’s influence on Death suggests the need for detachment, a rite of passage, an emotionally painful transition, resurrection.
Both cards remind me of the rise of the Phoenix from the ashes, endings and new beginnings, but while Judgement’s ending feels more upbeat and the rise is imminent, Death’s ending is lingering and comes together with Scorpio’s sting in its tail – ouch.
If both cards were present in a reading, it can suggest the transformative nature of Pluto intensified and a sense of upheaval, life being turned upside down as a result of external events or decisions being made.
If you would like to learn more about how to combine tarot with astrology, check out my course.
The Tarot Love Match Reading is a fun and insightful way of exploring the dynamics of your relationship (or a potential relationship you are thinking of pursuing).
As the twelve zodiac signs are assigned to twelve cards in the Major Arcana, you can pick the two cards that relate to you and your (potential) partner and explore your compatibility.
Here are the Tarot cards with their associated zodiac signs and elemental attribution:
Before you start interpreting the cards, note the ruling element of each zodiac as the combination of the elements offer you a first impression of the potential harmony of your relationship:
We also tend to have more in common with other signs in our own element group, e.g. Earth/Earth, which would also be a friendly combination.
Please note that if the zodiac card combination of your current relationship is an “unfriendly” one, don’t worry!
The Tarot Love Match Reading gives you an insight into how your personalities may interact, and there will always be individual exceptions, which can be explored further by taking into account a full birth chart and associated Tarot cards.
People who are already attracted and connected to each other may well have other planets in compatible signs.
On the other hand, an “unfriendly” match could indicate challenges arising in your relationship, which could result in having to put a lot of effort into making it work long-term.
But being aware of this possibility empowers you to being more mindful about your relationship and explore it on a deeper level.
Examples:
1. Taurus – Cancer
Friendly earth/water combination.
The Hierophant likes structure, routine and tradition; he is patient, practical and faithful.
The Chariot is dedicated, protective and emotionally resilient; both enjoy comfort, security, and even accumulating material possessions.
Together they have the potential for lasting love and to build wealth and success in a long-term relationship.
2. Leo – Virgo
Neutral fire/earth combination.
Strength loves being the centre of attention and perseveres with the object of its desire; passionate, energetic, enthusiastic and optimistic.
In contrast, the Hermit is down-to-earth, introvert and modest.
Whereas Strength enjoys Hermit’s need to please in a relationship, Hermit’s critical nature can be a turn-off.
Likewise, Hermit may be amused by theatrical Strength but put off by Strength’s lack of empathy.
Both need to be more tolerant of each others quirks to make this relationship work.
3. Libra – Capricorn
Unfriendly air/earth combination.
Justice likes an ordered and serene environment; diplomatic, attentive listener, striving for balance in a relationship.
The Devil is ambitious, hard working and loves to be in control; he is often serious and reserved.
Justice can be irritated by the Devil’s tendency to be overpowering and ruthless at times, and overall there doesn’t seem to be a strong mutual attraction.
This relationship could well be a non-starter, or it may need a lot of hard work on both sides in order to succeed.
Tip:
When you look at the card pairs above, take a look at the position of the figures in the images and how they relate to each other.
What does their body language tell you about the dynamics of their relationship?
Now move the cards in each pair around, e.g. from Strength/Hermit to Hermit/Strength; what further insight do you gain from this swap?
If you enjoy this exercise, you can go deeper by adding the matching court cards, which have also been attributed to the zodiac signs:
Aries – Queen of Wands
Taurus – King of Pentacles
Gemini – Knight of Swords
Cancer – Queen of Cups
Leo – King of Wands
Virgo – Knight of Pentacles
Libra – Queen of Swords
Scorpio – King of Cups
Sagittarius – Knight of Wands
Capricorn – Queen of Pentacles
Aquarius – King of Swords
Pisces – Knight of Cups
So, using the examples above, we would be looking at the following card combinations:
1. Hierophant/King of Pentacles – Chariot/Queen of Cups
2. Strength/King of Wands – Hermit/Knight of Pentacles
3. Justice/Queen of Swords – Devil/Queen of Pentacles
What additional information do the court cards offer?
I hope you enjoy doing the tarot love match reading for yourself or even for your friends.
If you love journaling, you can also find this article in my Cosmic Faery’s Journal workbook together with a funky journaling sheet and lots of other tarot spreads and journaling ideas.
And if you want to learn more about how to apply astrology in your tarot readings, please check out my Starlight Tarot Astrology course.
The Tarot Moon Journal 2017 has finally hit the virtual shelves, waiting to become your trusty companion for the new year.
Since its first edition in 2013, it has come a long way, slowly growing and evolving.
The latest edition includes a mini tutorial on how to include the pip cards in your moon readings.
Each pip card is linked to a zodiac sign, and I show you how you can take the next step and dive a little deeper into your readings with the help of the zodiac and the moon.
If you are new to using astrology in your tarot readings, then the Tarot Moon Journal can help you make a start and take your readings to the next level.
Regarding the lunar phases during 2017, there will be no New Moon in Capricorn (which will happen this year on 29th December), but we will enjoy two New Moons in Leo (July and August).
Each year when I adjust the changing moon phases in the journal, it is fascinating to watch the shifting cycles and energies.
The Tarot Moon Journal 2017 is still priced at only £5.00 (GBP) and also includes a 20% discount voucher for my Tarot Astrology Self-Study Course.
For more information and to grab your copy, click here.
But there is more…
Tell your friends and website visitors about the Tarot Moon Journal, and earn 20% commission on each sale you make.
It’s quick and easy to register as an affiliate. Simply click on the following link, and you will be approved within 24 hours:
The 12 signs of the zodiac are linked to 12 Major Arcana cards in the Tarot.
We all know our sun signs, but an astrological chart based on your date, place and time of birth also reveals your moon sign and ascendant (rising sign).
Once you have determined your zodiac signs’ corresponding Tarot cards, you can explore the dynamics of the different aspects of your personality by using the visual cues of your cards rather than just astrological glyphs.
If you are new to combining tarot with astrology, then my Zodiac Tarot cards journaling sheets will help you make a start with your self-exploration and learn to include astrology in your tarot work.
Even if you only know your sun sign at this stage, the handout will still prove useful to explore personality traits and work out your zodiac lessons.
Originally published on my Journal Blog last year, the zodiac card information is now collated in this handy document.
It also contains images of 12 cards of my Tarot of Quotes and extra space on each page, so you can add your own notes.
You can access this 13-page PDF handout on my Patreon.
As a patron supporting my work you will have access to oodles of creative tarot resources from just $1 a month – a small price to pay for all the freebies and benefits you get in return.
For me organised religion represents dogma, tradition and rules you have to comply with.
If you don’t, then you will be in trouble.
Thankfully, nowadays you no longer will be burned at the stake, if you disagree and try to bring about changes and reform.
My Hierophant (Stonehenge) captures a more tolerant, open-minded interpretation.
For me this card symbolises guidance, education, ethics, philosophy, tradition, conformity and organised religion, but all these aspects of the Hierophant need to flow, move and change over time according to the needs of people.
Flexibility is a necessity to avoid being stuck in the past and fall into decay with a false sense of security. Nothing lasts forever.
Currently, organised religion is only reacting to change. It would be refreshing to see religious institutions take the lead in the process of change and come up with new and innovative, progressive ideas.
Astrologically, the Hierophant is connected to Taurus.
Whilst Taurus displays positive traits such as stability, determination and dependability, its vices include stubbornness, complacency and inertia – quite fitting for the Hierophant.
When the Hierophant comes up in a reading, this card may ask you to add something new to an established area in your life – home life, relationship, job/career – or make some adjustment to avoid staleness and feeling stifled.
Consider re-writing some rules, start a debate or gain new knowledge to broaden your horizon.
You can live according to rules and within boundaries set by society, but ensure this is in accordance with your individuality and integrity.
2012 is also the Year of the Hierophant. Read more about how to make use of the Hierophant’s energies this year HERE.
If you’d like to learn more about the Hierophant and all the other cards in the Tarot, please check out my ebook The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook.
The court cards in the Tarot represent personality types, and in a reading they can relate to people, energies or personality traits that need either to be applied to a certain situation or avoided.
If you use the Tarot to deepen your self-knowledge, you can explore your personality (and that of others) by identifying your persona card and its opposing shadow card.
First of all, find your persona card from the list below; this card relates to your sun sign:
Aries—Queen of Wands
Taurus—King of Pentacles
Gemini—Knight of Swords
Cancer—Queen of Cups
Leo—King of Wands
Virgo—Knight of Pentacles
Libra—Queen of Swords
Scorpio—King of Cups
Sagittarius—Knight of Wands
Capricorn—Queen of Pentacles
Aquarius—King of Swords
Pisces—Knight of Cups
The Pages are not included in this list, but if you feel more like a child-like Page rather than a Knight, Queen or King, then choose the Page of the suit that relates to your sun sign, e.g. if you are Gemini (Knight of Swords), you can choose the Page of Swords instead.
Next, identify your opposing card by taking the following two steps:
1. Select the opposite role of your persona card, e.g. if you are a King, select Page:
King – Page
Queen – Knight
Knight – Queen
Page – King
2. Select the opposite of your suit, e.g. if you are Cups, choose Wands:
So, for me this means that my persona card is the Knight of Cups (I’m Pisces), and my opposing shadow card is the Queen of Wands.
Your persona card relating to your sun sign reflects your outer personality and your strengths; personality traits you openly express and feel comfortable with.
Your shadow card on the other hand indicates hidden elements of your personality, weaknesses, and character traits and behaviours you prefer to keep hidden, are unconsciously suppressed, or may need to be developed.
In my case, the Knight of Cups reflects my introvert, dreamy and intuitive personality, and the Queen of Wands indicates a need to be more social, take action and feel more confident about my abilities.
Have you worked out your persona and shadow card? What do they teach you about yourself?
Try this exercise with family members, colleagues and friends. This way you can explore and identify people’s strengths and weaknesses and develop good judgement of character over time.