August 2026: Tarot spread for the solar eclipse in Leo

Plus an astrology and tarot forecast and grounding ritual for the Leo new moon solar eclipse.

Tarot spread; astrology and tarot forecast; and grounding ritual for the August 2026 solar eclipse in Leo

The August 2026 new moon falls in the sign of Leo. The bold and dynamic Leo archetype infuses us with a passionate zest for living. It is the archetype of the fiery creative who is confident and unafraid to stand in the spotlight. But this infectious dynamic can also succumb to its shadow aspects of overbearing pride, drama and arrogance.

Spiritually, the Leo archetype teaches the principle of creative manifestation. Clarity of thought and focused energy, which points to the spiritual principle that your beliefs about life tend to shape your life. You can see this spiritual principle at play with a regular gratitude practice. When you cultivate an active gratitude practice, you tend to experience a shift in your life and circumstances. And while your life may not change dramatically, your outlook to life can certainly shift.

This new moon also kicks off eclipse season, with a total solar eclipse that will be fully visible along a narrow path crossing Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, a small part of northeastern Portugal, and northern Spain. A partial eclipse will be visible across much of Europe, northern Africa, and parts of North America.

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In my Victorian era: The unexpected challenge of learning to live slowly after early retirement

I thought early retirement would naturally lead to a slower, simpler life. Instead, I spent over a year unlearning productivity, redefining my relationship with leisure, and figuring out who I was without work.

Adjusting to life post retirement; slow living

When I quit my highly stressful, soul-sucking job 2 years ago, I had a deep desire to live a simple, slow life. I called it my Victorian Era, with romantic notions of long stretches of leisure time and the ability to do the things I love for no reason other than the fact that I enjoy them. A way of moving through my days that wasn’t entirely shaped by urgency or the constant pressure to perform or produce.

Then I spent a little over a year untangling myself from corporate, capitalistic ideas of productivity, figuring out how to structure my days now that I was no longer living my life based on external routines, and finding out what makes me tick without external deadlines or the need to pander to anyone else’s needs but my own.

Turns out, trying living a Victorian life — or rather, a slow life — can be surprisingly difficult, and I feel like no one really talks about it.

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July 2026: Tarot spread for the full moon in Aquarius

Plus an astrology and tarot forecast, journal prompts, and Womanrunes reading for the Aquarius full moon.

Tarot spread and astrology and tarot forecast for the July 2026 full moon in Aquarius

The July 2026 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 marks a time of endings and new beginnings. It can bring up old issues, patterns, or blocks for another go-around or a final resolution. Healing work — be it therapy or self-healing techniques — will be helpful during this time. Spend some time to review where you have been focusing your attention and decide where you want to go from there.

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July 2026: Tarot spread for the new moon in Cancer

Plus an astrology and tarot forecast and new moon ritual for the Cancer new moon.

Tarot spread; astrology and tarot forecast; and ritual for the July 2026 new moon in Cancer

The July 2026 new moon falls in the sign of Cancer. The Cancer archetype is emotional, intuitive, nurturing and healing. It also symbolizes “home” and all the things that home represents – not just our physical home, but also our emotions, energy, body, and the spiritual hearth of our souls.

Spiritually, the Cancer archetype is one of compassion, of recognizing that people, in general, act to the best of their abilities, limited by their education, upbringing and current awareness. The Cancer archetype knows that love and forgiveness, where possible, are the best way to respond to destructive behavior – along with firm boundaries, of course.

This new moon can also usher in a new cycle of change, encouraging us to release old patterns, blocks, and goals that may be going nowhere. That is the only way to let in some fresh energy and vitality — and this new moon definitely encourages that. What excites you? What feels vital and juicy at this time? Focus on that, letting anything that is holding you back from following those clues fall away to the wayside.

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June 2026: Tarot spread for the full moon in Capricorn

Plus an astrology and tarot forecast, journal prompts, and Womanrunes reading for the Capricorn full moon.

Tarot spread and astrology and tarot forecast for the June 2026 full moon in Capricorn

The June 2026 full moon falls in the sign of Capricorn. Symbolized by the mountain goat, which maintains perfect balance while it climbs over precarious rock ledges, the Capricorn archetype is one of disciplined and dogged determination towards the attainment of our worldly desires.

Spiritually, the Capricorn archetype teaches us about integrity and helps us to harness the ability to plan our work, and stick to it, no matter what. In these times of 24×7 consumption culture, it’s easy to give in to shiny object syndrome and forget about our goals and plans. Capricorn teaches us about the meaning of integrity: to align ourselves with our highest ideals and actualize our potential.

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June 2026: Tarot spread for the new moon in Gemini

Plus an astrology and tarot forecast and new moon ritual for the Gemini new moon.

Tarot spread; astrology and tarot forecast; and ritual for the June 2026 new moon in Gemini

The June 2026 new moon falls in the sign of Gemini. The Gemini archetype is very curious, an excellent communicator, and a disseminator of knowledge. It is the sign of the writer, of those who tend to think deeply, are highly perceptive, and prefer to learn from experience.

Spiritually, the Gemini archetype is about courageous conversation, be it with another person or with the Universe. Gemini adds its vibration to the advancement of culture and civilization through dialogue, be that via books or blogs or letters.

This new moon is a potent time to plant new seeds, nurture cherished relationships, and potentially enter into collaborations or partnerships.

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May 2026: Tarot spread for the full blue moon in Sagittarius

Plus an astrology and tarot forecast, journal prompts, and Womanrunes reading for the Sagittarius full moon.

Tarot spread and astrology and tarot forecast for the May 2026 full blue moon in Sagittarius

The May 2026 full Blue Moon falls in the sign of Sagittarius. The freedom loving Sagittarius archetype is in a constant search for inspiration, new avenues of exploration, and adventure. This is a sign that gets bored of the status quo easily, and needs the rush of a new quest to keep them on their toes.

Spiritually, the Sagittarius archetype teaches us to cultivate our own personal relationship with the divine. Contrary to what most religions and a lot of spiritual teachers say, you don’t need an intermediary between you and Source/God/the Universe. You have that connection available to you at all times. Learning to tune in and trust that connection is where a lot of us seem to stumble, though.

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May 2026 reading wrap-up

Woman lying on a blanket holding an open book over her face. The text reading Reading wrap up for May 2026.

Books are a uniquely portable magic. A well-written book, plot lines that sink their hook into you, characters that make you care for them, they can all transport you into another world for a time. It’s a magic that you can carry around in your pocket or handbag. It’s an escape portal from a doctor’s waiting room, a boring work meeting {I won’t tell}, a long commute.

And this month’s reading gave me a lot of magical portals from escaping into fantastical worlds, to the homes of the ultra-rich, traveling back in time to 1800s New York, straddling a fairy tale world and reality, crashing through threatening forests, and even to outer space!

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Beyond the symbols: Pairing 5 tarot cards with the books that embody their essence

Stack of books. Text reads: Beyond the symbols: Pairing 5 tarot cards with the books that embody their essence

Tarot archetypes and stories share a connection — both are mirrors that help us make meaning of the strange, beautiful, painful experience of being human.

Recently, I found myself wondering: If I could hand each tarot card a book, what would it be?

Not books that simply match the surface symbolism of the cards, but books that feel like them…that embody the emotional and archetypal essence of each card.

It’s an exercise in understanding the cards more deeply. And while most stories embody multiple themes, I distilled them down to their core essence to create these unique tarot card and book pairings for the 5 cards from the Major Arcana.

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May 2026: Tarot spread for the new moon in Taurus

Plus an astrology and tarot forecast and new moon ritual for the Taurus new moon.

Tarot spread; astrology and tarot forecast; and ritual for the May 2026 new moon in Taurus

The May 2026 new moon falls in the sign of Taurus. The Taurus archetype is grounded and steadfast, calm and composed, firm and also somewhat stubborn. This is a sign that is practical and earthy, and is associated with material pleasures, desires, luxuriousness, and abundance.

Spiritually, the Taurus archetype teaches the principle of belonging through presence…our presence as sacred human beings…honoring the body temple…honoring the flow of life. This can be difficult given the society we live in, which praises the hustle over reverence and treats time as money rather than a finite resource that should be used wisely in the pursuit of the things that give us meaning.

The May 2026 new moon also brings into focus the ways in which we communicate and the power of owning your voice. It isn’t an easy to speak your truth. There’s a lot of anxiety that it can bring up, around how you are perceived; how your words translate; and what people may think of you. It can lead to fears of being “found out” or ostracized, neither of which is a rational fear!

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