Zodiac Card Pull Using Iris Sacra and the Thoth Interpretation - What’s Your Sign?

ARIES: II of Swords:

Traditional associations: Stalemate, choice, a decision

Thoth Traditional associations: Equal and opposite forces, balanced mind and heart, stalling, passivity

Oh Aries, you fiery little sign, you, this card is all about opposing forces at work, and, you coming to a place of a greater perspective about those forces. Take a breath at this time and truly consider the aspects surrounding you, your choices, and the people surrounding you. I know, I know, you may want to just jump – wait for just a beat first before you make your decision. It’s okay to really consider all of the perspectives before you move forward.

TAURUS: IX The Hermit

Traditional Associations: Earth, Mercury, Virgo, wisdom, mentorship

Thoth associations: Retreat, self-reflection, hidden wisdom, soul-searching, and, insight.

Taurus, you are a principled, loving, and loyal sign. It’s all too easy for you to contribute yourself and your energy to those you love. The Hermit serves as a reminder to take some time for you and yourself; this allows you to recharge, and, to quiet your spirit so you can listen to your own inner voice and intuition. It’s important for you to do this, dear Taurians – we all need time to ourselves sometimes to regroup, and the people you love who love you will understand this need and support you in it. At the same time, remember that those same people are ready and eager to show you the same love and compassion you show them – it’s okay to accept that love. I know, I know, you’re like, “No it isn’t, they’re weird for liking/loving me.” No, Taurus, they’re not, and you don’t always have to do everything solo. Just a friendly reminder.

GEMINI: XV The Devil

Traditional Associations: Earth, Saturn, Capricorn, bondage, temptation, seduction,

Thoth Associations: Independence, spiritual freedom, shadow self

I won’t lie, Gemini’s, I’m a Gemini moon, and I can understand the absolute aversion to The Devil card – especially when we’re addressing it in the Thoth tradition. In Thoth, The Devil doesn’t precisely bind, it’s more of a shadow we’re chained to, something that we need to address that we’re avoiding in ourselves. If you’re a Gemini sun, this card is saying that there is something you’re not facing. Something that is acting like a bit of a dark shadow around you, something you are avoiding dealing with. Hey, I totally understand that. I can list right now the things I’m actively avoiding as I write this (did I mention I’m a Gemini moon?)  but instead of boring you in such a way, I’m going to share that in the Thoth tradition, The Devil also encourages compassion for those shadows, and/or how you might address them. You can do it, Gemini, face the shadow and seek to grant it compassion so you can move forward. Or, you know, don’t. I won’t judge you either way.

CANCER: Queen of Wands

Traditional Associations: Queens have an association with water and emotions, while wands are associated with fire, this card also has associations with self-assuredness, feminine energy and naturalism.

Thoth Associations: Transformation, Independence, honor, passion

Cancers, you always have a lot going on in my experience. You get big feelings, and can find yourselves drained pretty easily when you don’t take care and get overstressed. In a way, this is sort of the perfect card for you in a reading – in the Thoth tradition, the Queen of Wands is a lot like you, Cancer. She’s a little contradictory, being in essence both fire and water, both emotions and actions. She’s a gentle reminder to acknowledge the big feelings when they happen, and to call upon the energy you have to proceed forward. You, like her, are a little contradictory – use that tension! Let it move you forward with that fire from wands, you may find that you’re heading toward something awesome.

LEO: The Magus – Special shout out to my favorite little Leo, Maverick, who is definitely used to the spotlight on him, being treated like the king he is, and just celebrated his birthday with treats, toys, and a tiny customed bacon cheese burger with fries made by me. Spoiled? Him? No way…

Traditional Associations: Earth, Air, Mercury, power, creating change

Thoth Associations: Willpower, activity, impulse, self-direction, manifestation

Leo, you are going to be pleased to learn that this card is all about how you are capable of molding and creating the future you want for yourself. The Magus is all about capability, and having all of the tools necessary to achieve your goals. It’s a very good card, and can indicate that you are taking actions toward your goals in your life. The one big caution with this card is the understand that it won’t all be roses, as they say. You’re making good steps, but be wary about the downsides. Don’t let them stop your progress, but be aware of them, and allow them to show you where you may want to polish up your plans.

VIRGO: VIII of Wands

Traditional Associations: Action, vigor, fire, wealth after due process

Thoth Tradition: Sudden movement, progress, rapid completion, going with the flow

Virgos, you are traditionally the planners – give you a problem, you’ll research and deliver a well written essay complete with a detailed works cited page. So, this card may be a teensy bit anxiety-inducing. It’s okay, I promise, sudden movement toward the things you’ve been putting into progress is a good thing! In fact, it’s most likely indicative that all of that effort and energy you’ve been putting into your goals, is rapidly coming to fruition. Even though it might be scary, it’s okay to go with the flow when the universe is showing you love. Don’t let your brains talk you out of the good things happening right now, just because they may not have manifested in the way you had planned for them to come to be.

LIBRA: XX The Aeon – Traditionally called Judgement

Traditional Associations: Fire, Water, Pluto, awakening, spiritual realization, rebirth

Thoth Associations: Liberation, renewal, rebirth, revelation

Libras, The Aeon (called “Judgement” in traditional decks) is all about a spiritual awakening. Fire is central to this card, and the thing to remember about it, is that the fire may burn, but what’s left comes away stronger. This card is about that rebirth from the fire; you may have emerged from something insanely difficult, you may be at the end of a long journey, but now, finally Libra, you are on the other side of it. Peace, understanding, and even revelation is on its way.

SCORPIO: Queen of Disks  - Traditionall called Queen of Pentacles

Traditional Associations: Water, earth, charity, nobility, opulence

Thoth Associations: stability, sensuality, kindness, practicality

Oh Scorpio, to quote a Scorpio friend of mine, you all are the spicy water sign – you’re like tea that is brimming hot and ready to burn and boil, should the need arise.  This actually works really well with the Queen of Disks, who is grounded and soft – she’s firmly based in the pentacle associated earth element, but as a queen, she is balanced feminine waters, and in a way, that’s a perfect fit for you, Scorpio. She’s a sign of material comforts and security, but she’s also prone to staying comfortable. This can be a sign of good things to come, with the accompanying reminder to not stay too long in your comfort zone, Scorpio, don’t be afraid to keep pushing for more. But also? You’re Scorpios, so I’m not here trying to tell you what to do.

SAGITTARIUS: Princess of Swords – Traditionally Page of Swords

Traditional Associations: Earth, air, ambition, communication

Thoth Associations: Bluntness, aggression, bluntness, manifestation

My dear, dear Sagittariuses. Sagittariei? I don’t know. What I do know is that you all like to tell it like it is, and if people don’t want to listen, welp, that’s just not your problem. This energy is powerful, and it is something that protects you and serves you well more often than not. Saggitarius, this card is a lot like a mirror to who you are – you’re a fire sign, and though this card isn’t associated with fire, the combination of air and earth is a powerful one. The princess is all about moving forward with a vengeance, putting ideas into reality, and making things happen. The flip side to this, is being mindful that you may offend people along the way – that might not matter in the moment to you, but it may be something you find you regret in the future. Much like Scorpio, I’m not going to tell you what to do (you’re going to do what you feel is right and I respect that), I’m just telling you what your card says. It’s up to you to do with that what you will, and really, that’s what you’ll do anyway

CAPRICORN: Ace of Swords

Traditional Associations: Conquest, valiance, beginnings, power

Thoth Associations: Insight, clarity, breakthrough, cutting to the heart of the matter, sudden inspiration.

Capricorns, today, the cards grant you the Ace of Swords – traditionally, this card can mean accomplishments leading to a new journey, increasing power given to ideas, etc. In the Thoth tradition, this card is much more about cutting through whatever has been holding you back, whether it’s proverbial red tape, or a mental block – whatever the case may be – this card is about slicing through it and beginning the journey you’ve been wanting to take. It’s an exciting time for you, Capricorn – good luck on your way!

AQUARIUS: XI Lust – CORRECTION: Traditionally Justice, not Strength - I was clearly not focused yesterday!

Traditional Associations: Air, Venus, Libra associations - equilibrium, Fiarness, and legality

Thoth Associations: Vitality, passion, lust for life, harmony with animalistic nature, intensity

Oh Aquarius. I’ve heard us described as the Florida of the zodiac, and honestly? I can’t argue with it. We are chaotic, distractable, and it can be difficult for us to find peace with our individual dualities. I definitely feel this – while I’m fascinated by research and science, I also love the supernatural and the spiritual (hence why I do things like this). This card in the Thoth tradition is about our relationships with our baser selves and our higher selves.  Lust is about reaching a place of understanding and acceptance with those more baser, animalistic parts of ourselves. The parts we try to pretend don’t exist. It's okay that they do, my fellow Aquarians. It’s okay to make peace with those parts of ourselves and to allow ourselves to grow from the experience. Or, you know, be like me, and keep watching YouTube instead. Look, there’s a hurricane in my Aquarius brain today, and we’re lucky I’m finishing this particular project today. And no, the answer is not for me to drink less coffee. No.

PISCES: IX of Swords

Traditional Associations: Haunted, grieving, insomnia, troubled

Thoth Associations: Aggression, lack of compassion, inflicting pain, shame, guilt

Pisces, I’m sorry, I know this is a really tough card. It can indicate that you’ve recently experienced hurt that has caused you to turn inward. That pain may draw you into a hole of self-aggression (something I admit that I know all too well), and thusly a lack of compassion for others. You may even feel strongly tempted to inflict pain, or to manipulate others, just so you can feel powerful and in control again. I encourage you to instead allow yourself to feel what you’re going through, to experience that pain, and then to release it. The wheel of fortune will turn in your favor again, but for it to do so, you will have to push past this difficult, painful time. Please do not think you have to go through what you’re going through alone – you have people who love and want to support you, let them if you can.

Sources for this reading were the Iris Sacra Tarot Deck (click the link to see it on Labyrinthos), the Labyrinthos app for Thoth definitions, and, The Holistic Tarot by Benebell Wen.

If you liked this reading - let me know! Was I on point or entirely off about where you’re at? And of course - what’s your sign?