Star Power

Tarotscopes that SLAY: Get your Pride month astrology read for filth

Hi everyone. I’m Brandon and I’m your new queer Tarot reader and energy healer. My goal with this fresh-to-death monthly offering is to make esoteric wisdom accessible AF, so that you can use Tarot and Astrology to heal your heart and expand your life. Each New Moon I’ll be coming to you with Tarotscopes that will hopefully encourage you on your path with some specific messages for each sign. Above all, these are written to inspire and empower you!

You’re wondering WTF is a Tarotscope. I got you. It’s like a horoscope, but instead of tuning into just your Astrology (ie. the planets’ influence is on your life), I pull a Tarot card for each sign and through that lens we see what your moonth has in store. I say moonth, where do you think the word MONTH originated from? Yeah, from the moon herself. Did I just blow your mind?

Think about it, our Gregorian calendar is totally arbitrary and an outdated holdover courtesy of the patriarchy, okur? Which is why I’ll be releasing these Tarotscopes in concert with the New Moon– so that we can start to become aware of what a natural cycle feels like.

Maybe you’re also wondering what the hell is a New Moon but you don’t want to seem basic; again, I got you. A New Moon, which happens thirteen times throughout the course of a year, is when the moon is wholly invisible to us. This happens because the Moon situates itself between the Sun and the Earth, her illuminated side facing away from us.

New Moons ask us to start over so that we can start better. Think of it as a mini New Year’s Eve that happens every moonth. It’s a great time to make resolutions, start up projects or simply forgive yourself and start anew.

NEW MOON IN GEMINI

Gemini rules over communication, creativity, ideas and exchange of information. It’s a flirty air sign that can talk on the phone for hours without taking a breath. So the invitation for all of us this cycle is to take an honest, objective look at how we communicate with others but MORE IMPORTANTLY with ourselves.

Do you whisper sweet nothings in your own ear? Or is the voice in your head a cruel mistress? If it’s the latter, don’t panic; we’ve all got a monster (or two, or twenty) in our heads, but this moonth is the time to release them back into the wild where they belong. I would even venture that you’ve got a couple different voices that you use to speak to yourself. So here’s your challenge, should you choose to accept it: Turn the radio up on the songs you like and turn the radio all the way off for the songs that sing your shame and guilt and self-sabotage.

The words we use with ourselves are like spells. We need to become masterful with them. Pay attention to the phrases you repeat all the time, they might be outdated… all tea, all shade, they probably are. I’ve got a dear Gemini friend who has a habit of saying: What is wrong with me? And I’ve told her to cut that shit out, because there is nothing wrong with her. You keep saying that enough, you start to think you are always the problem. You see what I’m saying? Watch your words, because every single one matters.

Remember this golden rule from Kindergarten? If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say it at all. Well, why the hell are we not using that for ourselves? Stop throwing yourself so much shade all the time. Start a new habit of being kind with yourself.

While you’re at it, maybe throw in an affirmation or two. I would start with: I love myself. I accept myself. I am a fucking goddess. Say it three times out loud in the mirror, every morning, and mean it! It is pride month after all. So get proud about being you, because you are a unique, never-to-be-duplicated, masterpiece of spirit and flesh. Puff out your chest this moonth, not because you’re full of bullshit and bravado, but because your heart is so full of self love.

COLLECTIVE CARD FOR THE MOONTH
Eight of Cups

Before I get to your personalized Tarotscopes and read you for filth (I kid, I kid), I want to share the card I pulled for all of us this month. This is not a card for basics, so beware. Eight of Cups is some serious shit, but it wouldn’t appear if we weren’t ready for it.

When the Eight of Cups shows up in a reading, it walks us through the scary territory of letting go of those things that are kinda working, so that we can receive a new, more aligned version of our lives. At its core, it’s empowering us not to settle. This moonth, you are being given permission to abandon the relationships, jobs, and ways of navigating your life that only bring you partial fulfillment. You are entitled to 100 percent satisfaction of your experience on this earth plane– so if shit’s been rough, cut it loose.

This card signifies a time in your life when you are ready to expand outside of your comfort zone, to go after that thing you really want. To up your flow. Maybe you don’t feel ready. That’s ok. I don’t think we ever feel ready to take a big jump. We get ready as we’re falling. So trust yourself and trust your heart– it’s ok to ask for more. And it’s really ok to walk away from the things that just don’t cut it anymore.

The other aspect to this card is that it is considered to be a gate card. This is a mystical concept introduced by Tarot Priestess Rachel Pollack. She suggests that there are ten or so cards in the deck that, when gazed upon for some time, reveal deeper secrets. This is one of those rare gate cards. Take some time and let your eyes unlock the hidden meaning of this image. Those broken cups served you well, but you no longer need them. The mountain is imposing, so why not change your course? Some landscapes invite us to tame them, to conquer them– others request that we simply walk the other way.

Below are personalized Tarotscopes for each sign. Read your sun sign, and if you know your rising sign you can read that too.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

GEMINI: CHOOSE JOY
Five of Cups (reversed)

As a fellow air sign, I get you Gemini. It’s not that you’re two-faced, or even duplicitous– it’s that you are literally of two minds. You have access to both your Yin and Yang energies, your sacred masculine and divine feminine. When most people come to a fork in the road, they have to make a choice. But when you come to a fork in the road, you take both paths– I’m not sure how you do it, but I know that you do.

So how does this all relate to the five of cups? Well, the five of cups invites us to look at how we make emotional choices. And it challenges us to be brutally honest with ourselves. Do we use the fear-based mind or the faith-based mind? Generally, this card appears when we are choosing to be negative, living in a glass-half-empty worldview. But this card came in upside down, so I think it’s going to be easier than usual to release this tired old habit of always looking for problems. I think this month is going to be a sweet release from all the double-think that usually plagues you.

Put yourself in the card. This sad little horse has his head in the dark, willfully ignoring the five full cups above him. And horses want nothing more than to be free and run wild. For some reason, this guy feels stuck. Cups rule over things that flow, so if you find yourself wallowing in self-pity, grief or just general depression this moonth, remember that no one can take your freedom away without your permission.

Choosing to be happy is hard as fuck. Especially when you have every excuse in the book not to be. The truth is, it’s your life and you have to live it. So, wouldn’t it make more sense to choose joy, grace and pleasure over bitching and moaning? That’s your mission this cycle, whirling Gemini: to pick up your power in any situation and choose to look at the good stuff. Not because it’s moral, or makes you a better person– simply because it will make your life easier.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

CANCER: CLEAN OUT YOUR HEAD
Ten of Swords (reversed)

This cycle has you living in your head a little more than you’re used to. But remember that all things are temporary and this too will pass. Here’s the deal: Ten of Swords is some PhD-level medicine– and you are ready for your dissertation, okur? Swords represent the stories we tell ourselves, our mental patterns and energy habits. When the ten shows up, it means we cannot hide from any of the voices in our head anymore. It’s time to look at every story you tell yourself, so that you can start to notice what’s preventing you from fully stepping into your authenticity.

Brilliant writer Anne Lamont says: “My mind is a bad neighborhood I try not to go into alone.” And you may be feeling a little scared to enter into your mental landscape. But with the energy of the Ten of Swords, it’s as if a giant spotlight has been turned on, and you can see the truth of every inch of your mind. Nothing is hidden from you, not your strengths, your weaknesses, or anything in between. These moments only come around every so often, so take advantage of all the light!

When we look at this card, we see a bull, stabbed to death. That’s the old you, she’s dead. It’s not a bull randomly– it’s a bull, because all your old ways of relating to yourself are bullshit. And you are worth so much more. Take this cycle to clean out your head, and if there’s a guest in there that you are not fond of, show them the door.

Since this card is coming in reversed, I’m gonna wager that even if you’ve tried to shed some of these fuckers in past, and failed, this month you will succeed. It will actually be easier for you to do this than ever before. Reversals can soften some of the harder energies in the deck; and this is definitely a hard card. Level up your self-care and especially your self-compassion as you tackle your mental demons and send them into the light.

I have a feeling you are going to be visited by some old ghosts in the next few weeks, not to scare you, but to show you how far you’ve actually come. Remember that you hold the ultimate power over your body, your heart and your mind. So release those inner demons in whatever witchy way makes sense to you. Give your sabotaging voices names, write them on a piece of paper, and burn that fucker. Or let your birth element of water cleanse them from you. Get to the ocean, or just take a ceremonial bath. But let the water teach you how to release and renew your mind; you’re more than ready for this re-birth.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

LEO: EMBRACE THE GRACE
Ten of Wands (reversed)

You have many gifts and many skills. But sometimes, that’s not a gift, it’s a curse. Here’s the deal: Ten of Wands is a warning that you are in danger, gurl. It shows up when we are approaching burnout– and I want to help you avoid that. If this moonth has you feeling like you’re tiptoeing into the territory of a complete meltdown, see if you can release your burdens one at a time. You don’t have to do everything all at once. I know you want to, you want to be a super-star (newsflash: you already are a super-star), but one step at a time.

I can feel how fired up you are about all your projects, but in order to complete them, you are going to have to find the path of least resistance. Follow the grace. If one piece of your symphony has you stuck, move on to something else. At its essence, the Ten of Wands wants us to learn how to become masters of our own energy. And you have a lot to accomplish. If something isn’t working, don’t keep banging your head against the wall– let it go.

All of the tens are bridges to bigger challenges. What you are learning right now isn’t going to go away. It’s going to show up again and again. But consider this current cycle a training ground for even bigger opportunities on the horizon, if you can utilize your large social network to help you, even better. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, you’ll still get the credit– and maybe you’ll finally get a good night’s sleep as well.

Life is too short to be constantly struggling. If you feel your natural fire starting to fade, put down the paintbrush and take a fucking break already. Just because you’re good at everything, doesn’t mean everything has to happen right now. Perhaps there are some hidden pauses in your day calling out for you. Maybe your deadlines aren’t as firm as you think. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a little more space for you than you realize. And in that space, you’ll find the recharge you’ve been looking for.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

VIRGO: HEALING THROUGH LIVING
Son of Cups

Last moonth had you 20,000 leagues under the sea. It was deep and it was sacred and you may not have the words to describe your last four weeks. And that’s ok. You may be feeling like you’re coming out of a dream, or a nightmare. But help is on the way! This next cycle is going to assist you in bridging the gap between your inner landscape and the world at large. Consider that you are slowly coming up to the surface, but your anchor is still firmly planted in the depths of your experience.

The Son of Cups unites the elements of water and air, emotion and intellect. You are being asked to hold a dual awareness this moonth, to observe your emotional reality without completely disappearing into it. Do you see the cup of colors that sits entirely within the swan’s chest? That’s you, holding space for your own emotions. You are maturing into a self-sufficient human who can self-validate and self-soothe. But this swan is on the move and so are you. The time for sitting still and navel-gazing has passed; this moonth is about forward movement, but don’t leave yourself behind.

Your challenge this month is to stay attuned to your heart while still living in the “real” world. Take little breaks throughout your day, and make sure you are still in communication with your emotions. If they become overwhelming, move on to something else. This is a dance you are learning, so be gentle with yourself if you fuck up the choreography. No one gets it perfect on their first go and no one is supposed to… except maybe J. Lo, so fuck her… just kidding, she’s a goddess of perfection and I adore her.

At its core, Son of Cups invites us into being our heart’s best friend. You can’t expect everyone to understand what you’ve been going through, you can’t expect your bff, or your husband to read your mind. You have to be the one who can claim what you are feeling– and then it’s up to you if you want to share it, or just keep it for yourself. Don’t shrink away from the darkness you find. You’ll discover the more you pay attention to it, the more it begins to sparkle and shine. Above all, this cycle, keeping moving forwards– let your emotions move through you like the flu, don’t hold on and don’t hold back. This is how we process and heal and still live our lives all at once. Consider that you are HEALING THROUGH LIVING.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

LIBRA: HEAL YOUR HEART
The Star

This is one of my favorite cards and not just because it rules Aquarius (which I happen to be). It’s my favorite card because it invites us to step away from our busy lives, and travel to the outer reaches of the cosmos. No longer are we looking through sunlight or even moonlight– now we are in the realm of starlight, where everything sparkles with meaning and mystery. When we pull The Star, we are transported into deep, sacred, and long overdue healing.

Now that’s not to suggest The Star is easy medicine, because you’re busy AF and this card is asking you to step away from your professional and personal obligations. But in tending to your soul obligations, you will return to the “real” world with a new luminescence. Everyone is gonna be so jealous of your shine.

When I pull The Star, I immediately try to clear my schedule. I double down on my yoga and breathwork. I make sure to not skip my therapy appointments. I put on face masks, and drink green juices and basically get really LA. But maybe that’s not how you heal. Take some time this cycle and see if you can pay attention to what wounds in you still need some salve. And then ask those wounds what they need to heal. It might be the perfect time to pick up a new book on spirituality– or just read one of the many you’ve bought in the past. Is there a place that always nurtures you– the desert, the ocean, the Baccarat hotel? Can you take a day trip or even plan a vacation there? Maybe it’s as simple as turning down a few dinners and date nights, so you can deeply tend to yourself.

What is healing? For me, healing is about remembering our natural state of perfection. We are sovereign and spiritual beings, that come into this world pure and then get annihilated by culture and society. At our core, all of us are perfect exactly as we are. Healing is about shedding all the shit that keeps you from feeling into your own cosmic brilliance and divinity. You are magnificent, sparkling and sacred– take this cycle and visit with The Star so she can remind you of your inherent worth and value. When you return, you can spend your Summer shining more brightly than ever before.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

SCORPIO: FEEL YOUR OATS
Son of Wands

Are you feeling yourself, sexy Scorpio? You should be, because the Son of Wands is the literal dynamo of the deck– think Grace Jones, Prince or Freddie Mercury. Now to be fair, you’re a Scorpio, so that sexual charisma is an energy that you naturally embody, but this month you are being invited to really let it move through you.

When I tune into you this cycle, I feel an inferno, crackling and popping and smoking up the place. Have fun with your power! Get after the things you want shamelessly, claim them with just a glance and watch things fall into place, or into your arms. You hear me? This is your month to make your wishes come true, so start wishing!

The suit of wands rules spirituality, sexuality and inspiration– essentially, things that spark. Set yourself on fire this moonth and let your passion overtake you. You have the confidence, you have the charm. Seek out the new adventures that light you up and move you forwards on the path of your soul’s true purpose. Our desires aren’t random, they are clues to our deeper destiny– the work we came to Earth to do. If you want something from your soul, don’t deny yourself. It’s your karma wanting to engage with you. Don’t be afraid to own what you want. Be your own hype man. Throw yourself a pride parade. These next few weeks should be fun and fast moving and as sensual as a bubble bath with Nick Jonas (or whoever you’re hot for… have I said too much?).

The only caveat to all this va-va-voom is remembering that your actions have consequences. That’s not to say you can’t get in trouble, hell, you should get in a lot of trouble this cycle– that’s part of the fun. But don’t give off mixed signals or be dishonest in your intentions. If you’re looking for drugs, own it. If you’re looking for love, own it. Don’t let your shame ruin the game. Whatever you are after is after you too– so speak it out loud, and have a blast being the life of the party, even if it’s a party of one.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

SAGITTARIUS: OWN YOUR STARPOWER
Daughter of Swords (reversed)

Last moonth had you stepping into your authority and speaking your truth. This moonth builds on the progress you’ve made, by further inviting you into your most authentic self. Daughter of Swords welcomes us into owning ourselves in the world at large. This is a card that is learning to give no fucks and stand in her authenticity as fully as she can. She is literally a Pride flag all to herself, with rainbow lights sparkling behind her.

What does it mean to be proud? It means that you have an unshakable belief in your own divinity. Who you are, your weird quirks, your fetishes, your personal style and your unique passions are your true gift to share with the world. You don’t have to change who you are to be accepted as yourself. All you have to do is turn your shame into celebration.

Because this little birdy came in upside down, I’m going to wager that you are feeling a little insecure this month. You are measuring yourself against others and that is the quickest way to find yourself in a deep, dark funk. So cut that shit out. When you start to doubt yourself, nitpick yourself, or just outright shade yourself– remember that you are perfect, exactly as you are. And maybe cut out some of your constant Instagram scrolling, because the more you obsess over others and their success, the more you are ignoring your own calling.

Here’s the deepest truth I know: there is no one like you, and there will never be anyone like you. So why in the name of the great goddess are you trying to change yourself? Don’t make yourself more relatable, don’t make yourself more socially acceptable. Fuck that shit. Use this month as a laboratory and experiment with your authenticity. Challenge yourself to bring more of your unique genius into the office, the kitchen, the dancefloor and the bedroom. And if other people don’t like it, that’s their problem. Don’t you dare let other people dim your light, not for one second. You are a sparkling Sagittarius and you have every right to blaze bright.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

CAPRICORN: LEVEL UP YOUR LIFE
Two of Pentacles (reversed)

Hopefully you took the last moonth to enjoy yourself, badass Capricorn, because this cycle has you back to work. But don’t be mistaken, it’s not business as usual. This is an opportunity to change up your executive realness and find some more balance in your life. The Two of Pentacles invites us into transformation around our physical reality. Get ready for some ch-ch-changes.

Whenever a two shows up in the deck, it’s asking us to work with our duality. This means your sacred masculine and divine feminine, your dreamer and your CEO, your passionate heart and your cool-as-a-cucumber vibe. Perhaps you are feeling a little out of balance– too much work? Too much play? Too much Twitter? Pay attention to the extremes in your life and start to discern where you can become more measured.

Since this little butterfly came in upside down, it means you are feeling some resistance to change. Welcome to being human. And you might be thinking: why should I change when things are going swimmingly? Just because everything is working out doesn’t mean you can’t do better. I would caution you against the old maxim: If ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Of all the signs, Capricorns need to keep growing– and we should always keep growing. Because if you’re not growing, you’re aging– and who the hell wants that? Don’t resist this window to level up your game.

This moonth can be a lot of fun for you, as you challenge yourself to be even more of a boss bitch. Expand your empire. Learn new skills. It’s ok to be a little cut-throat, when it comes to releasing the old tired shit that no longer serves you. Since pentacles rule our bank account, bodies, homes and careers, perhaps this is a good month to get rid of clothes you don’t wear, or the gagets you no longer use. Maybe it’s time to get a new gym routine going, start a new diet, or just stop spending time with your basic party friends. If you are ready for expansion, this is the card for you– pay attention to what’s keeping you feeling contracted and then set that fuckery on fire.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

AQUARIUS: HAVE A FUCKIN’ KIKI
Three of Cups

Are you ready for some fun? Because that’s what’s coming your way this cycle. As a fellow Aquarian, it thrills me to tell you (and myself) that the Three of Cups is about celebration with your community. I mean, is there a better suited card for Pride month? These three birds are sisters and they are sipping tea and watching the sunrise– can you relate?

Who is in your tribe? Who are your soul brothers? Have you been coming together with them regularly, or has your busy life intervened? This moonth is asking you to make your social life your priority, but make sure you are only attending the events that sing your heart’s true song. If the invitations aren’t piling up in the mailbox, maybe it’s time you threw a party of your own– and only invite the people that light you up.

As intellectual and innovative air signs, we can easily get trapped in our heads. Sometimes (most of the time) an Aquarius mind is bustling with ideas and innovation, occult studies and alien technology– but every once in a while, it gets kinda lonely in there too. So get out of your head and into your heart. Reach out to the people you really care about. Don’t wait for your real friends to reach out to you, organize a weekend getaway with them. Or throw a fire ceremony in your backyard. Or a muthafuckin’ walk off. Get creative in how you bring your chosen family together.

When we come together with our true community we are empowered to be more authentic. When we hear from our brothers and sisters about their struggles, we feel less isolated in our own. Take this next cycle and tear down the barricades that protect your heart. Invite your besties into your sacred space. Lock the doors, lower the blinds, and have yourself a moonth long kiki– because you deserve it, and life is too short to not be having a motherfuckin’ ball.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

PISCES: JUST KEEP SWIMMING
Ace of Pentacles (reversed)

Welcome to Summer and your brand new life. Yes, that’s what I said. There’s a brand new you coming though and it needs a new wardrobe, a new home and a new hairstyle to match your new attitude. That’s what the Ace of Pentacles wants to gift you with this cycle: a new start, that you can hear, see, taste, touch and smell. Pentacles clue us into the physical reality of our lives, ie. our bodies, our bank accounts, our jobs and our homes. And Aces themselves are the pure energy of the suit itself, in this case Earth. So put that together and you’ve got yourself a recipe for some very strong beginnings.

When I tune into you Pisces, I can feel your excitement about this new endeavor, this new offering, but there’s some doubt there too. Well, listen, nothing good comes easy, and whatever wants to come through you is going to require a little extra effort so DON’T GIVE UP. It will happen. It wants to happen. There’s gonna be a little struggle and that is just fine, because the best things in life make us earn them.

There are times in our lives when we are asked to follow the flow, to let grace lead us forwards. This is not that time. You are being tasked with swimming upstream– but you’re a fish after all, so you can do that more easily than most. If someone tells you no, fuck ‘em and find someone who says yes. If the funding drops out, don’t panic, don’t take it personally and above all DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM. It’s a good dream, a really brilliant dream actually. So your tendency to give up on yourself, or discount the dream, needs to stop now– right now. Instead, pick up your power and just keep swimming. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, and I know you are, then just doing one thing, every day, will start to birth this new reality.

Think of a seed, growing underground, hour after hour, in the dark, in the silt and the soil. Above ground, no one knows that anything is happening. But this is the birth process, many hours in the void and then one sunny day, seemingly out of nowhere, that little seed shoots above the surface. This is you, right now. Keep growing. Keep watering yourself. Get plenty of rest and nourishment– and I promise you, before the next new moon, you’ll be sprouting above the surface. You’ll be feeling mighty proud of yourself, having claimed this new beginning, and you’ll be having the last laugh. And babies, nothing, and I mean NOTHING feels better than that.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

ARIES: RECLAIM YOUR ENERGY
Five of Wands

Last month had you learning how to ground your energy. Which I hope you took advantage of, spicy Aries. Because this month is your masters program in energy maintenance. The Five of Wands is a contraction of our spiritual, sexual and inspirational energies, so that we can become even more expansive in the long run. But right now, you gotta pull it all the way in. You gotta stop giving yourself away so easily and cheaply, or else you will have nothing left for yourself.

If we look at these wands, we see that they are going in every different direction. There’s no focus here, and so all the energy dissipates. Is this feeling like your daily existence right now? Are you allowing yourself to be pulled in lots of different directions? Are you trying to do too much? If so, this card is a powerful portal into reclaiming your energy for yourself. Let some people get disappointed; it’s ok to say no. You need to use this next month for yourself and yourself alone.

There’s another deeper meaning in this card. When the Five of Wands shows ups, it’s asking us to remember our own divine timing. Just because other people are blowing up, doesn’t mean you aren’t going to blow up too– it’s just not your time. So if you’ve been comparing yourself to others, or feeling extra competitive, see if you can release all that striving. Your only responsibility in this lifetime is to your heart’s purpose. So stay in your lane, gurl. And if you don’t know what that lane is, this moonth is the time to call all of yourself back so you can figure out what it is.

I have a really simple visualization that I do when I start to feel scattered. I close my eyes, and as I inhale, I imagine all of my energy coming back into my body. From any place or any time that I have lost some of my energy, I call it back. I see it, like little gold specks returning to me. As I exhale, I visualize all the energies that don’t belong to me, draining out through the souls of my feet, back into the Earth. I know this is a little hippie-dippie, but I swear, if you try this, just for a few minutes each day, you will be feeling more aligned, energized and powerful than you have in a long while.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

TAURUS: REFLECT ON YOUR STRUGGLE
Four of Swords

Whatever you have been struggling through is over. The worst is behind you. If you’ve been waiting to exhale, the coast is clear– let yourself go, babies. You are out of the woods now. But that doesn’t mean full steam ahead. Four of Swords is inviting you in the safe space of reflection. This card comes to us, when it’s time to look back at the trauma we’ve survived, and mine the gifts of the experience. It’s truly the darkest, most challenging experiences in our lives that are our greatest teachers.

When we look at this card, we see the four swords hovering above the little lamb. No longer a threat, likely these swords are only in her mind, hence the illuminated third-eye. But just because the threat has passed doesn’t mean we should ignore the encounter entirely. On the contrary. Have you ever heard the expression: What we resist, persists? Basically it means you can’t escape your karma. You can’t avoid learning certain soul lessons, no matter how clever or crafty you are. Take this cycle, and look back. What gifts, in ugly packaging, are still waiting for you to claim them? What will you do differently next time? If you don’t take the medicine from this last chapter, unfortunately you will be doomed to repeat it– and ain’t nobody got time for that. Can I get an amen?

Here’s the deal, sweet Taurus, we can’t always process our trauma in the moment. Usually we are just trying to survive it, and that’s ok. In fact, that’s how humans are hard-wired. Once we clear the threshold of suffering, the sooner we can process the damage, the better. For example, let’s say you’re grocery shopping and a song comes on that reminds you of your ex. And right there, in aisle seven, you start to feel a complete emotional meltdown coming on. But you quickly pull it together, because it’s not safe to come unhinged in Albertsons on a Tuesday afternoon. (Am I being too specific here? Am I giving too much away?) The point is, as soon as you can, whether in your car in the parking lot, or once you unpack your groceries at home, you need to get the root of what that little episode was all about. There is a present waiting for you at the bottom of all that emotional debris. And I have a feeling that whatever you discover underneath the trauma, is going to launch you forwards in an exciting and energized way.

It’s a precious power to be able to see into the future. It’s no less precious a gift to be able to see into the past. These next few weeks will give you the clarity to see your past like never before. They are magic glasses, but they won’t wear themselves. Put them on. The library is open. Read your past and learn, henny, learn.

***Schedule your own one-on-one with Brandon here and follow him on Instagram @thebrandonalter and on Twitter @thebrandonalter.***

BRANDON ALTER is a queer healer, teacher and writer living in Los Angeles. He is passionate about sharing spiritual tools that REALLY WORK and helping others reconnect to the wisdom of their hearts.

Brandon’s mom took him to his very first psychic when he was seven, and since then he as devoted himself to the study of Tarot, Yoga, Pilates, Reiki, Astrology and Shamanic Skills. Above all, he believes that a spiritual life should be FUN; if wounding hurts like hell, healing should be a pleasure to experience and behold.

Visit www.brandonalterwellness.com to learn more. And to sign up for his twice-monthly newsletter, click here.

Listen to Brandon and husband Angel’s new podcast THE SPIRITUAL GAYZ, which explores the wide reaches of spirituality without pretending it all makes sense.

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