September arrives in a sombre mood. The Mantegna deck is back in full force with Theology, the Emperor, and the Artisan. Moreover, as the Theology card indicates larger forces take prime position. However, the stage is set for a resolution. This card is a call to be humble, accepting and to keep the faith. Have the belief that things will go according to plan. It’s a call to release and surrender. Theology as a discipline is a discussion concerning deity. It begins with the assumption that the divine exists in some form. And Theology is not a fatalistic or a pessimistic card in any way but a way of understanding experiences and concepts; interpreting real life. On the contrary, as it happens with September, we are all thinking about harvest in its real and in its symbolic meaning. An indication that we have done all the work. Mentally, we can let go of worry. Rewards are to be expected. They relate directly to our own authenticity. We enter the season of completion. It’s been a long and intense summer. Yet, it’s not over. Now collecting is starting. Throughout September things, events, people are coming to us. We have to be strong in ourselves because it’s not all going to be as we at first thought – for sure. A larger than us plan is materialising. Harvest is going to be long and busy.

Clearly this is better defined by the next card – which is in many ways a controversial one. One that is so expansive and full of contradictions and conflicting views that this short blog does not allow us to develop. But, here’s the thing: an overtly patriarchic card, The Emperor, dominates present time. It asks the question, could it be a definition of self, a situation, a male figure or an approach? Will a teacher, a friend or artist, dominate and influence our decision making process? Is this the time of the year when organising and planning takes all? Are we perhaps obsessing with alphabetising our collection of objects, and building a structure with hierarchical method of prioritising our business? This is a card that asserts authority whatever the right answer. It’s about conformity, protection and systems organised in order to retain maximum control. It’s a power card. And it’s about change. Inevitable change that will put us on a path of growth and advancement as events, themes or ideas initiated in the summer (and even much before then) materialise into concrete projects, relationships and things, financial viability and stability. Absolute confidence and demanding focus will take us straight to our goals. It’s not easy but it can be fun, though to be sure logic will prevail. We will enjoy the self confidence and assertiveness associated with the Emperor card as we forge ahead with concrete actions towards tangible results.

We already had a spiritual card, Theology, and a card of logic, The Emperor. Finally, The Artisan comes to complete the picture, contextualising through a materialistic and pragmatic approach. It is technical skills and our ability to work through these situations as they have developed and are unravelling that ultimately will bring about a resolution. Keep the faith, be logical and use your skills. One last point to make: these are all esoteric, highly personal, individualistic cards. Even if you want others to succeed, you’ll have to take care of the self first. September is building up this way. The focus is on the singular person. The winds of change are blowing. But protection and success, will come through leadership and authority. Technical skills will embed the outcome.

Flavia

July is turning out to be a complete and complex month of everything. We left the end of June in a rather subdued if contented mood. Rewarded for our troubles but still left the month in a veil of secrecy. There is anticipation for bigger things to come. Revelations haven’t started to unfold yet. The mood is one of modest enjoyment. When Temperance arrives she tells us to keep it this way. She’s the Goddess of self control over excess. She’s depicted in traditional iconography with two vessels pouring water from one to the other. Let us follow her. As one of the six virtues in positive psychology, together with wisdom, courage, humanity, justice and transcendence, puts us in charge. We are the masters of our own destiny. And we have to be cool and calm about it. A moderation in action, thought and feeling is called for. Temperance represents our own restrain and self discipline over rash emotions such as anger, harmful desires of overindulgence, and negative thinking of revenge. Our powers are ever stronger and they come from within. Use them wisely, prudently, and lovingly.

And here is how it can be achieved. Temperance is followed by Poetry. Poetry is what we all know as a form of literature we are more or less familiar with. We’ve probably read grand poetry at school, we had our own favourite poetry books and sang songs. Hopefully we still do. Some of us may have even written some poetry of our own. We all now need a bit more of this for our well-being. In ancient Greek the word has its roots in the term ‘making’. And indeed poetry has a long history and may predate literacy. So we can open up and think of poetry in a wider sense of creative activity of making things that can involve aesthetics, rhythm, repetition, memorization and structuring. We can manifest the best of us by engaging in doing and making. This is truly an action month of high purpose.

Now with a good measure of Temperance under our belts and our selves put in the making motion, noble causes call for our attention. We will be handling unfinished business with care. The past has not gone away. ‎Unexpected events and sudden changes will remind us that we must defend our values and others that are vulnerable and need our help. We will run to their aid with a sense of urgency. Energy will be amplified by the months end. Emotions will run high throughout the month and action will be in the making and in manifesting. We will all find ourselves in a cliffhanger before August arrives. Love, money, materialising ideas are in the making but not ripe yet. The change however from one to the other will be sudden and staggering. The Knight, whether on foot or on horse, arrives full of energy and ready for action.

P.S. Remember that July is a complex month. To survive it and triumph at the end, we need Temperance (self-discipline) and Poetry (making)‎ throughout. The Knight although not important in himself, (he’s a servant, he’s here to help us) he will bring with him the energy and support we need. Ask for help and you will get it. Keep cool, take it easy, and keep making, to prepare for a more dramatic August around the corner.

Flavia