Y’all. It’s HOT out!

Without fail, August is the month where I realize I STILL haven’t finished that summer project, I also plan all my travel in August because I wouldn’t be bogged down with project responsibilities (insert laugh-cries), its the Month of Chaos(TM), and the time one can let go of all irrational expectations you had in spring about summer and just be, its the bitter sweet realization that summer is at its end,and holy hell, why is it so friggen hot?

These past two days have been like living on the surface of the sun outside so I guess that’s good because I can finally get to publishing my August decks!

Starting left, clockwise: The Light Seer’s Tarot (Mass Market), The Golden Journey Tarot (Luxury/Light Edition), Tarot of the Golden Wheel, The Enchanted Tarot (30th Edition). Middle: Baba Studio’s The Bohemian Fortune Telling Cards (Traditional/Smaller Edition).

I won’t lie, my choices this month were all over the place. I really wanted to focus on using the only AI created deck I own (The Golden Journey), and to bring some well-loved decks that I’ve never used together, the Light Seer’s, the Golden Wheel, and the Enchanted Tarot. I also picked the new Bohemian Fortune Telling Cards for an oracle deck.

I will say, that though the back of the cards don’t really seem to match together all that much, I DO really love how saturated and bright all the colors look together once flipped over into a proper draw!

For the monthly theme I drew Love, followed by the Ace of Pentacles.

I really enjoy the juxtaposition of card shapes and sizes together. The Bohemian Fortune Telling Cards, like all Baba decks, are very lux with metallic overlay, but they are also quite small, barely palm size. They remind me of fine jewelry, in a way. I recognize the heart cushion as a grandmotherly object! I’ve seen these small pillows filled with fragrant dried herbs and flowers, embroidered with a loved one’s name, have a ribbon for hanging! It’s a very nostalgic, old-fashioned image of love, one of fondness and “absence makes the heart grow fonder” in my mind! What old-fashioned kind of love am I in need of this month? Well, taking things slow for starters! I feel like I’ve been in a race all summer and gosh darn, am I tired! I also haven’t given the time I’d like to, to my dearest one and this is a good reminder that I need to attend to this. Cultivate the world you want to see.

I know a lot of people hate the massive borders, and also find the size cumbersome, but I really love the giant-ness of The Enchanted Tarot. I find much of the tapestry imagery often too busy to be able to use in more than three card spreads, but I also love that it’s easy to really fall into a card and get lost in all the details. A comparatively plain card in the deck, the Ace of Pentacles immediately brings to mind the inner star of an apple core where the seeds are stored. I’ve been quite upset this summer upon learning that our much beloved apple trees are sick and need to be removed this fall. It’s been hanging over my head, and I’ve been doing my best to not think of it. But, being the Ace of Pentacles, this is a card that reminds me that there is a new beginning at hand, a new opportunity to plan and plant something new. What can I put in the tree’s place that will bring me excitement and new opportunities?

The Golden Journey, and AI created deck from images created by people for specific use in THIS deck (rather than grabbing images willy-nilly) is a very beautiful and strange deck. It’s haunting but also does feel “off” at times. Without a doubt it leaves an impression. I drew the Ace of Swords (another Ace–I guess new-ness is afoot this month!). Doesn’t it look like The Tower?!? But the obelisk cuts through the organic overgrowth and shines like a beacon rather than crumbling. A break through is here! It’s time to leave an old thing behind that isn’t serving your mindset and set forth clearly in the direction you want to be taking! Time to de clutter so you can think clearly ahead and make future goals. A strong idea will cut through that which tries to hold it back. Also, perhaps this card is telling me that not only do I need to say goodbye to our dying trees but maybe it’s time to weed too.

I love this Knight of Wands in The Light Seer’s Tarot. It may be my favorite Knight of Wands of all my decks, even if the “follows the beat of her own drum” is a bit cliche. Doing what you love will light a fire in you and free you from restraints (like that dancing horse). It asks “What sets you free? What make you feel like your best self?” You have the energy, confidence and motivation to face the world when you are aligned with your passions.

And the wonderfully precarious Ten of Wands from the Golden Wheel. What a challenge this person faces, blindfolded, carrying ten batons, trying to cross a precarious river. It’s not easy being true to yourself and cutting through the bs and continuing to grow as a person. It’s a lot of work! Expect to slip and fall, expect to have to give up for the night on occasion, and expect to ask for help. You have a lot of responsibility and demands, but it is possible to manage even if you don’t exactly do everything perfectly at the first try. Keep at it.

This months reading comes across to me as very “stay true to thyself” and roll with the punches sort of draw! All I can think of is SNAP! The Power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm6DO_7px1I . Life isn’t always easy, but you can do yourself a favor by asking “what opportunity does this challenge/disappointment offer?” Sometimes it can be difficult to see, especially if there is a problem or you are particularly emotionally attached to an outcome. But, sometimes you have no choice but to be resourceful and find the opportunity!