August 2023: Tarot spread for the full blue moon in Pisces

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast and an exploration of the Sabian symbol for the full blue moon in Pisces.

The August 2023 full blue moon falls in the sign of Pisces. The Pisces archetype is highly intuitive and very open to the flow of creative imagination. This is the sign of creative dreamers and mystics and visionaries, which makes this full moon an excellent time to flex your intuitive and creative muscles.

Spiritually, the Pisces archetype teaches the principle of unity, of recognizing the divinity within you. One way to understand this principle is by looking at creation – the creator {God, Universe, Source, however you wish to name it} created this earth, the rivers and seas, the trees, birds, insects, animals, man. Similarly, man has the ability to create – and to create consciously. It is this ability that points to the spiritual truth of Pisces, that we are spiritual beings having a human experience {with the emphasis on our humanness in all its frailty and beauty}. It is by accepting responsibility for consciously creating – which isn’t always easy – that you connect most deeply with the creator. Needless to say, empathy and compassion are the cornerstones of the Pisces archetype.

This full blue moon also highlights our fears and the ways in which they hold us back from achieving our bold and beautiful goals. Once we understand the ways in which we allow fear to control us, we can take more strategic action to move towards our goals. It would be helpful to carve out some time for stillness and reflection, to see how you can improve your inner world — your mental chatter, any old beliefs or patterns that are holding you back or preventing you from seeing what is working.

This blue moon is also a good time to focus on taking better care of our health — fitness, eating well, scheduling any overdue health checks, are all encouraged during this lunation.

Astro-tarot influences for the August 2023 full moon in Pisces

To throw some more light on the August full moon astrology, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Pisces full moon falls in decan 1, which is represented by the 8 of Cups. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Moon, which is associated with Pisces.

Our emotional landscape has a very direct connection with our perception of the situations in which we find ourselves in life. When we are going through an emotionally stable phase, we tend to not get so easily — for the lack of a better word — triggered. But when we are emotionally unstable, the smallest of things can send our thoughts into a spiral. This is when a lot of our fear monsters and inner demons can have a field day, convincing of us of things that might be patently untrue.

This August blue moon could stir up our emotions so that we can peer into their depths, find the lies swirling beneath the currents, and gently release them. This can be through a simple write-and-burn ritual, a visualization, or if it is a deeper, more complex issue, through therapy.

Whatever method we choose, this Pisces blue moon gives us a chance to loosen some of the knots that bind us.

The things that come to light during the second full moon in August may also link back to the events that were unfolding around the previous full moon at the start of this month. If you were working on something particularly significant, this blue moon could bring closure or further insight into that situation.

Sabian Symbol for the August 2023 full blue moon

The Sabian Symbol for Pisces 7 degrees is A Girl Blowing A Bugle.

This symbol is a signal, a call to arms, a summoning to wake up those around you, or perhaps to be woken yourself. It points to a complex situation you may be dealing with, or a cause that you are passionate about or rallying around.

But the bugle is also a war cry, a rallying cry, which means that it should not be used mindlessly. Which is to say, this symbol reminds us to be mindful of how much “noise” we are making. Are we allowing our causes to overtake us? Alienating people when we could be looking for ways to build bridges? Those are all ways to ensure that people pull back from you or just become disinterested in what you have to say.

As Lynda Hill asks in 360 Degrees of Wisdom: The Sabian Oracle, “Does everyone around want to hear the message that’s being trumpeted, or are they trying, or fighting, to cover their ears? Using simple, receptive innocence will get the situation on track.”

Tarot spread for the August 2023 Pisces full blue moon

Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this full moon.

1. Stormy seas: This card represents an emotional state or thought pattern that has you stuck in a loop. Consider how this card shows up in various parts of your life.
2. Harnessing the sails: This card offers you a fresh perspective. A different way of looking at things. A way to, perhaps, ease the turmoil caused by the previous card.
3. Peaceful skies: This card represents a way forward. How can you take the messages from the previous two cards and actually craft a way forward? Use this card to create some practical, actionable steps for yourself.
4. Mamma moon says: This is always an encouraging message

If you share your spreads on Instagram, please use the hashtag #moontarotstories or tag me @moderngypsy.in so we can connect with each other.

Journaling questions for the blue moon in Pisces

Not a cardslinger? No problem. Here are some journaling questions for you instead.

What does your emotional landscape look like currently?

Identify one or two areas of that landscape that could use some work

Make a split-list — a list of grief/problems/hurt and a list of healing/reparation — around those areas