Just Reporting It Out
Even When It’s Unsettling
I mentioned the other day that I thought I might pick a card for the Full Moon in Scorpio we just experienced on Friday (1 May 2026). Consequently, a few moments ago I sat quietly, closed my eyes, and blew my query softly into the cards I was shuffling:
“What do we need to know or contemplate over the coming week?”
I’ll admit it: my first reaction was feeling a bit crestfallen when I saw the main card I pulled. And before I had a chance to recalibrate myself, I looked to see what was on the bottom of the deck and, quite honestly, felt even worse.
But I do not see my role as solely a fair-weather messenger. Rather, I personally value honesty and integrity as two of the most essential aspirations in my life; thus I see holding to those values as my highest responsibility as a messenger. And that means telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable. Or calling the shots as I see them, even if I’d rather hide my eyes.
Without further ado, here are the two cards I chose for us to contemplate this week:
Shadow of Wands / Shadow of Cups
Just looking at the two of them side by side, it sure feels self-evident that it’s all just going to feel like too much this week. It almost feels like these cards are picking up on my feelings of last night. Or perhaps they’re a confirmation that my feelings were picking up on what we’re going to face this week. (Although, to be honest, I don’t see any overt, logical reason why this week would be any better or worse than any other week under the regime of HWWBK/E. So who knows?)
The Shadow of Wands ~ Wasteland
My power is blown My strength has faltered
And my influence Is burnt to ash
Only the indestructible
Remains
In the Wasteland, a barren, burnt outland and a vague, closed face are all that remains of a Magician who once created living worlds. Shadows are a harsh reality check. Power can be destructive and you can get caught up in that part of it. In the Wands, Spirit has become deadened, withdrawn. Maybe the effort was too much; maybe the goal was impossible; maybe the passion was too personal. Now effort, goal and passion are gone. Forgotten were body, heart and mind in your endeavor and you lost their balance and support. Your bridges are burned. You are left with yourself, so take a good look at what survives. And rest. Until you do, the only place to go in the Wasteland is deeper.
My take: Good grief, this card hits home too hard, particularly when it comes to our country’s standing in the world. Bridges are actively being burned (literally and metaphorically – we all know it and we all see it happening. Why this card is bringing all of it to the forefront (and telling us we’ve essentially created a wasteland) now is a mystery. Choosing this card now, to me, suggests that we don’t see what’s coming.
Shadow of Cups ~ Drowning
All I feel Is all I am
And I am No more
A naked figure hangs unmoving in dark waters. Shadow in the suit of Cups is drowning and dissolution. A powerful emotion has flooded all boundaries, broken down all solid ground. Your behavior may or may not be passive at this time, but your soul is. Inside you are sinking, accepting obsession, heaviness and darkness. Allowing one thing to comprise your entire life and denying yourself a separate identity. It could be it’s time for this and you need to rest here until some understanding is found. Just take care you don’t lose yourself in this forever.
My take: Well, for personal reasons, I sorta kinda loathe this card. Then again, it does accurately describe a flood of emotions that breaks down all solid ground. And there is always the dark possibility that in the act of withdrawing in order to recalibrate yourself, one can lose yourself.
It sounds to me as though we’re finally going to start reaping what we’ve sown. And that depresses me; I’m not gonna lie.
THEN AGAIN! As I’ve said many times already…I truly believe that in order to move forward as a country, we’re going to need to ‘rip it down to the studs’ as Sherrilyn Ifill stated recently in this great interview with Nicolle Wallace. I thought that might not come to pass until mid July or so, but hey - it’s also possible that whatever unfolds this week is only going to be a dress rehearsal for the impact of what’s to come.
All we can really and truly do is support and love each other as we walk through it together.
Ugh. I have been feeling all this.
Ooof! But makes sense. And appreciate your integrity.