Sun in Leo reading

Just before midnight of 23rd July (past eleven pm of 22nd July), the Sun returned to its home sign, Leo, this year. As a Leo, this is very exciting for me. A solar return this year, just before my birthday, promises to bring good tidings.

I downloaded an app called AstroMatrix. I love it. It uses minimal ads, and the paid version is not too expensive. If I get extra money, I'll be happy to pay for the no ads version. I'm not very literate in the art of Astrology, and so this app is a huge help.

I am trying its Sun in Leo spread (yes, it integrates Tarot, too!). Here goes the reading.

What are some ways I can connect and live more with my heart? Five of Swords, reversed.

At a Zoom meeting with my family last weekend, we followed a Bible study led by my uncle using a guide sent to him by the church I used to attend. One of the discussion questions was "What I must stop doing, start doing, and improve upon?"

I turned to my wife and asked her what I must start, and stop, and improve. She avoided answering, but my mom piped in right away. "Let me answer the question. Manage your anger."

To keep the peaceful and cheerful mood of the Zoom meeting (we don't join very often), I gave my mom a thumb's up sign of assent. But by Wednesday, during meditation, an insight bubbled up in me. I don't have too big of an anger issue. I do get angry, and when I get angry, I have a reason to be angry. I am not afraid of my anger. True, I have hurt loved ones with my anger before—and that's something I have repented of in the past. But I don't get angry that way anymore. All things considered, I think my mom's comment was way off.

I think she only notices me when I get angry. That's when I cause a bleep in her radar. Not so much when I'm going about my everyday life being a good person. And again, I don't get angry for no reason. It's usually human rights issues that gets me riled up. Truth issues. Matters that matter to me.

So, getting the five of swords reversed here as a way to connect and live more with my heart is a lesson for me not to deny any negative emotions and "make nice," but to fully accept my anger, and see to what light at the end of the tunnel its pointing at. Issues of injustice do bother me, and there are creative ways to express my indignation at this: and to my mind that involves writing. Healthy activism. Stuffing anger down to be a good Christian is simply not healthy, nor honest.

What are some ways I can feel more confident expressing my true self? Ace of Wands, reversed.

Again, a reversed card. The Ace of Wands is the beginning of something one is passionate about. It's a spark of inspiration. The reversed meaning is tricky. Perhaps it also involves not just embracing and accepting my passionate self, but also the moments I am dejected, depressed, or lonely. All parts of myself compose my true self. Nothing is to be rejected or swept under the rug.

So here goes. Yes, I am a passionate, creative, individual, and I am also depressive, lonely, and at times despondent. I am all these, and I love and accept all these facets of me. The blazing  fire of me can inspire and illuminate and also singe. The coal embers of me can dampen the mood in a room and make it somber, but it can also warm and invite quiet introspection.

By embracing all sides of me without judgment, I can be a more honest and empathic listener to my friends, whether they are sharing a triumph or a tragedy.

How can I develop my inner strength? Three of Cups, reversed.

Another reversed card! Heya, what's up, Patch Man? Why are you showing me all reversals? 

Three of cups is friendship and sharing. The energy is outward. Perhaps, drawing this card in reverse, the Three of Cups is showing me that I must revert the energy flow, from outward, to inward. This means asking my friends for help when I am down, connecting with them, admitting vulnerabilities. I understand I am almost always there for my friends when they need someone to speak with (and I don't mind that at all!). But the Universe is telling me to reach out to them when I need help, when I need an encouraging word, when I need a bit of wisdom out of confusion. Asking for help is a valid way of developing inner strength!

What are some ways I can welcome in more playfulness? Ace of Cups, reversed.

This one got me stumped for a bit. Is it possible the card is telling me to tip the cup and let its contents flow? Cups are emotions, the element of water. As I get in touch with my emotions, I must let them flow. And when its emptied, the heart is open to receive again. 

It's also allowing for more of the unexpected curveballs of the Universe to just happen. Not to resist these, or blame myself. Just allow. Cleansing my Consciousness Cup can be a healthy game, which I can do with the practice of morning pages.

How can I be more courageous with my inner passions? Ace of Cups.
I half-expected to draw another reversed card for this question, but ta-dah! I drew the Ace of Cups, upright this time. I interpret this as an encouragement to cultivate my feelings, my emotional life, by being comfortable with what I feel first deep within.

Let the storms brew inside me, if they want to. If my emotions settle, then let them settle. What is, is. From this space of self-acceptance and non-judgment, I can be more compassionate towards others. I can create from a more authentic place, instead of always running away from what I feel, or trying to put a mask on my emotions.

Where or how is my ego blocking me? Eight of Wands.

I read this as a card of impatience. I am able to manifest, and have been told in the past that I manifest desires almost instantaneously—to everyone's wonderment. I must recognize that such a remark can feed the ego. That I must accept that yes, I am able to manifest desires, that is grace. That is a gift from the Universe. I can be talented in so many ways, and passionate over diverse subjects. But I must respect the natural order of the Universe by allowing desires to manifest at the perfect time, and giving my senses ample rest when needed.

The next time I try some Manifestation Spells, I must be careful to not come from a space of ego.

A lot of Minor Arcana cards here. Aces and cups appear more than once. I am grateful for this reading.

If you want to book a reading from me (online now, as quarantine restrictions limit face-to-face meetings), message me here.

Watch out for the next entry on Venus in Virgo reading!