I pulled tarot cards for this coming summer season and surrounding the revolution that is happening within and all around us. I am using the Linestrider deck by Siolo Thompson.

I’ll go through each position and the reading, drawing connections to the other cards, then give some bigger picture insights from this reading as well.

Intention: tell me Hekate, Spirits, what is going on? What do we need to know about this revolution?

Let’s start with the cross and the wheel, where we can see events on a timeline from left to right as well as from unconscious to conscious awareness from bottom to top.

The first card in the very middle is the 7 of Cups. This card represents the present environment, the primary factor, the heart of the matter. This is a card all about illusions, particularly when it comes to emotions. Be very skeptical of anyone who is using emotion to sell you something - be that a material object or a belief. Misinformation is rampant and we must question everything. Our subconscious world needs to be explored. We are seeing human relationships being called into question - what is an illusion? Where is it all talk, all emotion, and no action, no change? Pay close attention to your feelings, your intuition, your emotional motivations right now. The truth will set you free.

But this won’t be a one and done process. Because right on top of this card lies The Devil (reversed). This position is the opposing factor or the factor for CHANGE. Our good old friend The Devil often represents bondage, being held back by toxic attachments. We are being held back by not facing the deep and complex ways that toxic masculinity/white supremacy/the patriarchy is woven into our history, our bodies, our identities. The Devil card is often showing us self-imposed limits, like where we are afraid or addicted to feeling pain. Right now, we are all in a world of illusions and we can change that by breaking free from the bondage of toxic masculinity. With The Devil in the reversed position, it indicates that there is urgency in this break, it must happen now and keep happening. The revolution is now. Wake up or be lost to depression and despair. The 7 of Cups and The Devil are the central cards.

To the left of the central cards is the Three of Pentacles (reversed) in the past position. For hundreds of years, folx at every intersection have been taken advantage of. People have been oppressed and exploited. This time is coming to an end, as is evident by the weeks of protests in every single state and around the world, the people are taking a stand.

To the right of the central cards is the Three of Swords (reversed) in the near future position, the approaching influence. Note that both the past and the future cards are Three’s which represent relationships, creation, and growth. Both cards also have images of birds on them, bringing up the issue of freedom as it relates to flight. Both reversed showing the lack of freedom in creation, growth, and relationships. In the past, the Three of Pentacles speaks to the materialistic nature of colonization and capitalism which characterizes the relationships and growth of our country that led to the creation of the revolution we are in now.

Swords represent the truth or facts and ambition. Ambition to know the truth, to expand the mind, to be curious in our growth and relationships. Instead of taking and owning, we are learning and understanding. We are responsible for the future we create. Judgmental attitudes, lack of compassion, anger, and arrogance will be barriers. Separation is the downfall, as the Three of Swords so painfully illustrates. The darkness has gone on for too long, we cannot remain in cycles of self-harm. This card is again reinforcing that NOW is the time to take action, to have compassion, to break free of white supremacy. In The Linestrider’s Journey Siolo Thompson says, “Pull out the swords and mend yourself. You can still breathe; you can still embrace the light.”

I can still breathe.

Just below the central two cards is the root cause, the deeper meaning, the unconscious factors. The Chariot (reversed) speaks to struggle between passion and intellect, between emotion and logic, between nature and nurture. Collectively, we have a history of tunnel vision and ignoring long-term efforts for immediate achievements. Look at the environment, how long have we known it wasn’t sustainable to use the resources at the rate we are? We see this short-sightedness with every social issue in the U.S. Most of us have experienced a time when someone said something that to them was unconscious, a belief they were barely aware they were expressing, and yet it stuck with us forever. Maybe it caused a lot of pain and maybe it caused a lot of motivation. We must become more aware of our unconscious beliefs. We all make mistakes and that is part of the process of learning. By consciously checking when you become too emotional or too logical, you can reduce the harm caused to others.

Now, above the central cards are the conscious attitudes and beliefs and two cards came out of the deck: a beautiful combination of Death (reversed) and the Queen of Cups. What do we want? CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW! Yes, Death is speaking to deep transformation, like death and rebirth, a major change of state. The Queen of Cups is the queen of emotions, I love this image of her holding the fish as a metaphor for being able to watch and observe our own emotions without being sucked in by them. The goal is to transform our society, our culture, our collective mindset to return to the divine feminine characteristics that we have abandoned. A nurturing, intuitive, creative, introspective kind of power. Where our thoughts can be original instead of imposed on us by external forces. Where we are compassionate and empathize with each other. We connect in genuine community, where imagination and creativity are celebrated instead of censored. This is a possibility for our future.

Shifting to the staff of the Celtic cross gives more context for these issues.

At the bottom of the staff is the Three of Cups (reversed), this is how we see and present ourselves. Notice, another Three, again pointing to our relationships and creation. The way we see ourselves and our relationships right now is divided emotionally, as well as physically. With a pandemic still present, we are even more distrusting of others than usual. Add to that a civil rights revolution and we create the idea that we are more separate than ever. Remember the primary factor: illusion. Separation is an illusion, as the Three of Swords warns, while Death and the Queen of Cups demand we care more for ourselves and others.

You can still breathe.

Moving up the staff is the Queen of Pentacles, representing the outside environment and expectations. We are seeing within this revolution the strength of the feminine, of being practical, secure, wise, and comforting. If you look for negative you will find it, but if you look for all the queens you will find them. We care for our family fiercely right now, and there is no limit to the amount of comfort you can give. In fact it is often said that whatever you put out, you get back threefold. We all have the capacity to care for people, we just need to expand our definition of “family”.

Moving up again we come to The Hierophant (reversed) in the key factor position, for guidance, and showing our hopes and fears. The key factor in this revolution will be our belief systems, learning, organizing, rituals, and community. Our ultimate hope is for a community where every basic need is met, where we respect one another and our shared humanity. Our fear is that there are belief systems that will prevent that from happening, as we have already seen. If you are looking for guidance, speak to your guides. To whatever you speak to- the universe, plants, Hekate, any goddess or god- and remain open and committed to learning. Organize groups, talk to your community, and meet with people you wouldn’t normally. Set up rituals in your life to make time to get quiet and listen to your intuition. Use this guidance to break free from the toxic attachments in your life, to seek space where you are seen and heard, and to make space for others too.

Finally, at the top of the staff is the overall outcome, the cause, and the effect. Again, two cards came out. The Sun (reversed) and the 8 of Wands. Overall, there will be acceptance, there will be happiness, there will be friendship! IF - this is a big if - there is action taken now. This entire spread cannot emphasize enough the importance of doing the work now to break these illusions, to come together in true community, to reform not one, but all of the systems that exist to oppress us. The police and “justice” systems, political system, education system, the economy, access to food and water, treatment of our beloved Earth mother. The list goes on. It is not one but all, it is intersectional and interconnected. It is ingrained, entrenched, and embedded in our society. This revolution is the time to break free. It will not be easy, but looking at both Death (reversed) plus the Queen of Cups and The Sun (reversed) plus the 8 of Wands it is clear the transformation is happening. Those who take action to transform and align with the Queen of Cups and her self-awareness and compassion will come together. Attitudes and actions that are superficial, shallow, and irresponsible will create resistance to this change. Shallow breath will not help us to breathe.

We can still breathe.

If you’re still with me, wow, thank you. There’s a little more. :)

There are only three cards that are not reversed in this entire spread, indicating a lot of change and transformation and at times negative energy surrounding us. Both of the Queens are not reversed, emphasizing the importance for divine feminine energy right now. A relaxed, inward focus, embodying water and earth. Cups represent religion and spirituality while Pentacles represent science. This is another indication that our long-standing divisions (like religion/spirituality and science) need to be broken down and we must come together for change. There will be two women, one from a more religious- or spiritual-based community and one from a more science-based community, who will be crucial for this revolution. These queens are the true leaders, seek them out. The other card that is not reversed, 8 of Wands, is the exclamation point on this entire reading. Saying, go now! Take initiative!

Breathe with me… deeply in… holding… and release out like releasing the cork on a bottle.

Keep breathing, keep questioning, keep loving.

Please feel free to add your thoughts below, I can only see what I know!