August 2024: Tarot spread for the full moon in Aquarius

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

The August 2024 full moon falls in the sign of Aquarius. The independent, free-thinking Aquarius archetype encourages us to examine our inner wild self and celebrate everything that makes us unique. It is the archetype of the reformer, the idealist who strives for tolerance, unity, and a better and brighter society. And despite these rather lofty ideals, the Aquarius archetype isn’t afraid to get in there and get its hands dirty.

Spiritually, the Aquarius archetype teaches us how to be true to our own voice, to listen to and follow the calling of our own heart and soul. By learning how to tune in rather than out, by being true to the things that make us unique, we undertake the journey to individuation.

This full moon also highlights our standing in the world, and with it, our personal power. It lights up our role in society and the ways in which we contribute to the world. Some of us contribute in big and bold ways — through social activism, teaching, sharing of wisdom and knowledge – others in gentler, smaller ways — among our families and communities. Both ways of being in the world are equally valid and needed.

This Aquarius full moon also asks us to take a closer look at our vocation, and to see if we are in right relationship with it. To ask ourselves what we want to focus on, to determine what role our vocation — which I see as somewhat different to a career, though a career can be a vocation — plays in our life.

Astro-tarot influences for the August 2024 full moon in Aquarius

To throw some more light on this full moon, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Aquarius full moon falls in decan 3, which is represented by the 7 of Swords. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Star, which is associated with Aquarius.

I often think that the way we view and live our lives depends, to a large extent, on the stories we tell ourselves about the world and our place in it. Put a pair of siblings into the exact same situation with all things being equal, and more often than not, they will both have a different perspective and even divergent ways of navigating through that situation.

Which means that at most times, we have the opportunity to view our lives and what’s arising for us in the moment in numerous different ways. We can stick to the familiar script we’ve used all our lives, or we can try and change it.

Depending on what is going on for us, though, changing the script can be difficult. But perhaps it isn’t completely impossible?

If you’re reading this, chances are that you are reasonably secure and in a relatively decent place, all things considered. And from this place, most things are possible. Not in a Pollyanna “think it, believe it, and it will happen” manner, but rather in an imaginative, expansive, exploratory way.

As an example, I’ve been stuck in a loop of financial worry recently, imaging doomsday scenarios of my savings running out because everything I try to do — from teaching art to giving professional tarot readings to turning on paid newsletters to offering freelance services — fails. This, despite the fact that I have a decent little savings basket that, with very careful budgeting and no major indulgences, can last me at least 3 years before it runs down to zero. And 3 years is, one would imagine, enough time for something to work out.

Despite running the math multiple times, I would find myself wide awake in the middle of the night playing all of my doomsday scenarios on a loop in my mind.

Until one day a friend asked me — well, what if you were Claire from Outlander? And you passed through the stones and found yourself living a life where you had no job and very little money? What would you do then? Shrivel up in a ball of fear, or embark on perhaps the grandest adventure of your life?

That question, and the playful, imaginative story I wove for myself, helped me break the doom and gloom loop that had been playing in my mind and view my situation through a more optimistic and proactive lens.

So if this full moon illuminates some of your own fears, try a bit of role play. Imagine yourself as a character from a favorite story and see how you would approach your situation differently. Often, just breaking the doom cycle in our minds gives us a fresh perspective or a sense of ease that our anxious mind obscures.

And with Saturn active during this Aquarius full moon, we have the impetus and power to step into our personal authority and into the next level of maturity. Instead of clinging to old stories, this is the time to boldly forge a new story, a different path. The Moon square Uranus could make it somewhat difficult for us to make a bold change, but we have action-oriented Mars on our side, giving us the impetus we need to take action on our dearest dreams.

Sabian Symbol for the August 2024 full moon

The Sabian Symbol for Aquarius 27 degrees is A Tree Felled And Sawed To Ensure A Supply Of Wood For The Winter.

This symbol indicates not just forward planning, but taking actions to secure our immediate future. How can we use the resources that are available to us to the best advantage? It isn’t always wise to let things stand as they are. Sometimes, our resources are put to better use when we can imagine innovative ways to use them.

As Linda Hill writes in 360 Degrees of Wisdom: The Sabian Oracle, “There’s a need for putting in time and effort to ensure comfort, security and hope for the future. Gather your resources when you can, don’t wait for the last minute when supply might not be so readily available, or harder to put your hands on. Ensuring that things are in order for the ‘Winter’ can allow you, and yours, to be sure of warmth and love during more difficult times.”

Tarot spread for the August 2024 full moon in Aquarius

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

We’re going to use the cards to reframe a story that is keeping us stuck.

{Tip: Use a deck that you’re comfortable with. This spread will work with both tarot and oracle cards. Mix decks up if that feels good!}

First, write down a story or limiting belief that you want to work with at this time.

Next, shuffle and pull some cards to answer the following questions:

1. Veiled: What am I not seeing in this situation? This gives you a clue to your inherent power that you’re not trusting
2. Inner self: What aspect of myself needs to come forward and maybe be given more air time?
3. Empowered: How can I reframe this story in a way that empowers me? {Choose up to 3 cards}
4. Mamma moon says: This is always a supportive message

If you share your spreads on Instagram, please tag me @moderngypsy.in so we can connect with each other.

Journaling questions for the full moon in Aquarius

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

1. What stories and patterns keep you stuck, confused, or blocked? Make a running list.
2. Choose one that feels more urgent at this time to dive a little deeper with it.
3. Can you think of where this story stems from? Is it something you heard growing up, or did you absorb it from life circumstances or the world around you?
4. List out all the ways that this story or belief you hold about yourself is untrue.
5. Imagine that you are a leading character from one of your favorite novels or series. How would you act in this situation, this story that you’re working with?
6. What one small decision can you make that will help you move in a more empowered direction right now?

Also take a look at this post for some thoughts and suggestions on reframing your stories.