Fall Forecast: Chaotic Storm Warning

August 2024

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” --Alan Watts

We are almost two weeks into August 2024 (it is August 12 as I write this) and the energy is rapidly shifting. The leaves are beginning to turn, the mornings are a reminder that fall is approaching, and the world around us continues to plunge into chaos.

August is the month where the chaos starts to intensify, and things become very unstable in our environment. The events in August will set the stage for the "weather" in the months to come. We should prepare for a challenging end to summer, a difficult fall, and the possibility of an even harder winter. The key is to remember that despite chaos, life can still be lived, dreams can still be realized, and opportunity for a better way of life can still be found... but it will require us to help and support one other.

This month, the cards for the US collective do not appear overly bleak at first glance; but that doesn't mean we are challenge free -- in fact that five of wands can get pretty sticky. It is going to be a very difficult, chaotic ride over the next year or so, however, what these cards also suggest is that we will find ways around these challenges and despite any discord and division; overall, we will find a way back to each other, and that is the silver lining as we navigate the incredible shakiness of our country and of the world.

The cards that make up this tarot forecast are: ten of pentacles (the favor or what is working for us), five of wands (our challenge and what is working against us) and two of cups (our theme/environment). There is so much to unpack with these cards. Let's begin with some keywords for each card, we will look at a quick summary, then dive into the deeper nuances of each card for those who want to read how it applies to our real world. Note:there are difficult topics and messages covered in the five of wands and summary.

Ten of Pentacles: Legacy, family, heritage, culture, shared money, home, community, generational wealth, marketplace, lineage, established/establishment, values, inheritance, history, build over time.

Five of Wands: Confrontation, conflict, destabilize, disagree, chaos, working against each other, battle of the ego, scattered energy, discord, mob.

Two of Cups: Alliance, Partnership, Union, Unite, Harmony, Meeting half way, seeing another as they are, help, support, connect, agreement.

The Summary: What this means...

Our challenge card is a challenge without the added insult of being in the challenge position, so to me, that intensifies the energy of it, making something that is "bad" even worse, however, because the five of wands is sandwiched with two very positive cards, I am optimistic that despite the intense division, disruptions, and discord we will endure, we will somehow find a way to work through or around strife and conflict to come back together in a very unified way.

There is a strange duality playing out in the cards. There is this breakdown and chaos, but there is also this coming together in alliance and community. If you look at the figures on the cards, there are clearly those who are contributing to the problems, chaos, and dysfunction; and those who are coming together to help, support, connect, and find solutions. Ultimately, we will all come together as it the story ends with the two of cups. With that said, however, what I do not see in these cards, is help coming from our leaders, politicians, or government based systems. This implies we will need to help ourselves because "help" at the individual and community level will not be coming from anywhere else, (at least for some of what we experience). This is a time when we will really have to learn to rely on our ourselves, our neighbors, and those we have built connection and community with.

The advice for August forward: unite, align, and ally with people, places, and things that provide or support harmony, meaning, value, compassion, cooperation, understanding, and peace. Create meaningful connections, and come together to celebrate the generations before us, but work together toward the sustainability for the future generations that come after us.

The Challenge: Five of Wands: The Storm

Let's start with the storm. The five of wands is generally not a terrible card. However, since fives in tarot are naturally challenging, AND the position is also the challenge spot... this is like pouring gas on fire and it intensifies the energy of this card.

The Five of Wands alludes to discord, upset, disagreements, and a disruption to the status quo. Wands represent fire. Fire is action oriented and full of passion. It can move fast, be aggressive, and it can be angry. Wands deal with the ego, our drive, motivation, our identity, leadership, power, and our desires. This card shows there will be escalating struggles in these areas, and can represent people becoming quite nasty especially with matters they strongly identify with. Additionally it can foretell of that moment when of sh*t hits the fan, so we can expect big disruptions.

To me, fives represent the "breakdown" of the suit they are representing. The five of wands lets us know that August is a turning point where things will start to break down. Considering the position, this could be around the second half of the month. This can be a very combative energy where sparks fly, and can be seen in multiple areas and in multiple ways, but some themes associated with this could be: power struggles between people and the establishment, more division and fighting between people regarding identity or things they are passionate about, mob violence (social chaos or rioting), attacks against each other or within the country, getting involved with conflict, a breakdown of laws/rules/structures (a degree of lawlessness), and "anarchy". Because it is next to the ten of pentacles, there could be internal issues with the establishment (fighting within corporations, issues with banks, government institutions, or chaos within parties). Fire is usually fueled by Mars, this could also translate to intensifying violence, war, wild fires or fires in general, and more instability in the world. Unfortunately, it feels like conflict, violence, attacks, and chaos could involve or come to the US.

We can expect multiple events happening at once that will make our heads spin.

Again, with the ten of pentacles next to the five of wands, I question if there are not conflicts within our own country between certain groups of people that have strong attachments to opinions and identity (ex: LBGTQ, BLM, women's rights, citizen vs non-citizen, climate change, Harris vs Trump, Democrat vs Republican, etc etc). There may even be conflict within the workings of these groups.

At a world level, I do expect there to be great intensification of unrest, war, natural disaster, and violence. We must support each other through these times because it feels like leadership will have its own set of problems and might be unable to do so.

Although very challenging, the energy of the other two cards suggests there will be two realities playing out. Some people will get caught up in the dramatic events and conflict in the environment around us (thereby contributing to the worlds problems) and there will be others (found in the two supporting cards) that will come together to find and create solutions, harmony, peace, and community. Some lives will fall apart, and some lives will fall together during this time.

Favor: Ten of Pentacles & Theme: Two of Cups

Although these are separate, I feel the should be read together. These cards show there is a strong pull between people who lead with the heart and have outgrown the need to identify conflict, problems, or with "groups." They can see past the chaos of the world to recognize the importance of aligning with each other based on compassion, understanding, and deep values while respecting what makes each other different. This shows a community vibe, where people build an alliance to cooperate in harmony, and we could see local communities becoming more supported and self sustaining-- local small businesses, and marketplaces etc. We could also find this happens within our country also (keeping goods and services within the country). This could also represent a focus on heritage, history, and generational alliances (younger and older generations coming together) to share ideals, knowledge, and skills foundational for our future survival. This also shows that the old was built on old systems and order of earthly pursuits and materialism (10 of pentacles) and now there is a need to start over from place of connection, compassion, and concern for each other (2 of cups). A place of true support. Getting back to our "roots" so to speak where we work in harmony for the highest good of all. I feel this will be the theme at a national and local level (10 of pentacles has a local marketplace and community vibe).

At a global level there will be conflict in the world and it will escalate, but there will be others that will want to cooperate and try to restore or bring harmony. This may suggest that there will be some new alliances forming in the world while others are engaged in conflict.

Locally, this means our communities may experience instances of disruption and discord, but will also experience people coming together to create stronger or closer community ties. Again, I do not feel solutions necessarily coming from our leaders.... I feel solutions coming from each other.

Personally, I think we can expect that there might be shakeups and disturbances in our own lives, and as it happen around us or to us, we will pull closer to those who align with our values, morals, and shared vision for the future for support. We could see many people exit longstanding careers, leave longstanding relationships, and abandon what we once called "home" for a new, simpler, more meaningful and aligned way of living, connection, or partnership.

Ten of pentacles also tells us that we will focus on family, values, nature, our legacy, and what we are doing with our lives, spending time with others, enjoying or appreciating what we have. We may be staying close to home or within our local community instead of traveling as we enter the fall season.

Two of cups can suggest we align within ourselves, with other people for healing. It is alignment within our relationships. We will follow our hearts to where we feel welcome and received. Where we are met half way, and appreciated and valued. Where people have the best of intentions and accept each other as they are.

Additional (Intuitive) Insights

Some intuitive insights I received while working with these cards:

• Some banks, markets, or businesses may close their doors or shut down causing unrest or uprising

• The word "lockdown" came to me as I focused on the 10 of pentacles.

• I question if there is not a government shut down or something to that effect. Lockdown could also mean we may "lock down" at home to feel safe. I am not sure of the exact pieces involved with this. That may come some time in the fall.

• Country borders may be "locked down" due to some internal or global crisis

• Supplies may become limited or unaffordable in some instances

• Natural disasters... may include more wild fires volcanos/earthquakes, and a possible significant water event

• Lawlessness will happen in some parts of the world, I do feel we will see it in the states. "Free for all" energy.

• Lack of emergency services or help in times of need, we have to support each other

• Creation.... some people will create amazing concepts, arts, businesses, and organizations during this time of chaos and breakdown. These people are the ones who can separate from the noise to find opportunity, hope, and inspiration.

• Organizing... people will really start to organize and develop parallel societies navigate to the decaying world.

• War will intensify greatly, but it is my hope it does not last long.

• Relationships, partnerships, unions could struggle during this time. Alternatively, those that begin during these times are more genuine and and aligned.

• There will be issues surrounding this election. If a winner is declared, there will likely be a dispute of the results. There may be some type of an instance where we do not know who is "leading" this country for a window of time.

• Could be a focus on health, women, children, and the elderly during the last part of the year.

• We could be facing personal chaos. Some areas may include: personal family life, issues with our homes, issues with personal finance, chaotic schedule, confrontation with others, or a scramble to keep things together.... it suggests overall we seem to find support from others.

Summary

In summary, we are about to encounter a massive influx of chaotic energy that will seem almost surreal. We are living in a time when biblical prophecy and most conspiracies seem to be coming true. We are going to learn things, experience things, and witness things we will have not understand. These times will test our inner strength, our endurance, and our faith.

We are going to experience the absolute worst and the absolute best of human behavior. It is imperative we show up as our personal best during these times.

As we enter the dark night of the soul for the collective, those of us who have already been through personal dark nights of the soul will need to be a guiding light for those who have not.... at times this will be hard to do. It will be hard to remain optimistic, and it will be hard to see the light, but as we push through, we must continue to remind ourselves "In the midst of chaos there is also opportunity," and the opportunity that is being presented in all this chaos is for us is to come together in harmony, build a new way of existing for us personally and for each other, while paving a more hopeful future of our children.

The only way out is through, and the only way through is together.