As I type this, “One September Day” by Nina Simone plays in the background.

This month’s tarotscope is a bit different than previous ones. Instead of guidance for the month of September, these messages focus on what to harvest, clear, and make space for in your life during the Autumn Equinox. Whether you’re engaging in this work on a personal or community level, we’re being called to speak up and take charge of what is rightfully ours. We cannot expect to engage in (and live) revolutionary lives if we haven’t yet done the internal work required to fully show up for ourselves and those we care about. We’re being called to dismantle old systems that no longer serve us as individuals or communally. We’re asked and encouraged to have faith in our abilities. Control is an illusion, but if you open yourself up to the messages being shown to you, to the lessons and work being brought up internally, we can have a bountiful harvest to sustain us through the winter.

For this month’s reading, I used the Collective Tarot. Unfortunately no longer in print, this deck was illustrated by a collective of QT/POC artists. The illustrations feature dis/abled, Black, brown, Indigenous, trans, and fat bodies as well as animal imagery. Some of the Major Arcana and court cards are different than those found in traditional decks. The cards will still have a similar energy to its traditional counterpart, though the illustration and interpretation are done so in a non-gendered and non-hierarchical way. The court cards are Seeker, Artist, Apprentice, and Mentor. These cards occupy knowledge-based positions instead of power-based positions (ie. queen, page, king, etc.). The suits are also changed to be more relevant to items we are familiar with today: Keys (instead of Wands), Bottles (instead of Cups), Feathers (instead of swords), and Bones (instead of Pentacles).

For your Autumn Equinox forecast, I’m pulling one card for each element: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Read the element that corresponds to your sun sign, and rising sign if you feel called to. Below is the element that corresponds to your sun sign. To find out your natal chart information, CafeAstrology has a pretty comprehensive chart interpretation.

Earth: Capricorn, Virgo, Taurus

Air: Libra, Aquarius, Gemini,

Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagitarrius 

Each card interpretation also lists the numerological energy of the card and ways to channel the energy of the card. For cards that are double digits, you add to get a single digit. For example, card #13 has #4 vibrations (1+3=4). 

Hold onto that which resonates. Share this with those who come to mind as you read this.

A performer jumps through a flaming hoop. Their costume catches the light as the audience watches with bated breath. She doesn’t even know if she’ll land properly on the platform beneath her. She is flying through the air on faith. This Fall, you’re the star of the show. Have faith in yourself and your abilities. If you find yourself off-put by the concept of faith, perhaps it’s time to take a look and redefine it on your terms/ideals. You’ve been here a thousand times before. Have faith in your skills and practice– you will stick that landing. Faith provides us with the strength to face the unknown. While external faith and trust are important, if you’re not affording that to yourself then you’re going to keep disappointing yourself. Have faith in those who want you to succeed, but protect your energy. Beware of any Mal de Ojo (evil eye). Spend time with a fire sign. Let their passion, enthusiasm, and confidence encourage you. This cycle you’re in is almost complete.

Have faith in yourself to finish: a breakthrough is near.

The drag mother on this card is a strict teacher who’s created her own institution. She takes elements of culture that have been discarded and repurposes them. Her knowledge and insight are passed down to her pupils. If you’re currently in a mentor/student dynamic, revisit your positionality and power in this relationship. If you’re contemplating entering one, take a hard look at the ways in which you respond to and/or exert authority. Alternatively, take a look at the traditions you cultivate and practice. What’s been working for you? What hasn’t it? What can be reconfigured or discarded? Be dominant but not rigid. This card is asking you to refresh how you navigate life, especially with the vibrations of the # 5: this is a major turning point. What outdated modes/ traditions/ ideals/ trends are you holding onto? How does this intersect with your spirituality? How will you educate and share with others? What institutions will you tear down? Traditions and cultural remnants are sacred. Spend some time with a Taurus (or any earth sign, really).

Reclaim what is yours.

Speak up! This Fall, you’re cultivating your voice. Don’t be afraid to say what’s on your mind. The baby bird on this card commands the attention of the others. Have you been unsure of the power of your voice? Maybe you’re exiting a period in your life where you felt powerless and silenced. This isn’t the dominant narrative anymore! Be mindful of how you’re spreading information or sharing your thoughts and feelings, but know you have a right to speak up. As you’re exercising the newfound power of your voice, remember that some folx will vibe with what you’re saying and some won’t. The point is to speak up when you feel the need to. When we think of the role of an Apprentice, they’re usually learning to master a craft. In this case, you’re learning to express what’s going on in your head and your feelings on a whole new level. Spend some time with another air sign. Chat it up. Drink lots of warm, soothing liquids.

Be gentle and patient with yourself as you develop this connection between your mind and speaking aloud.

Set forth and sail babe! The Conductor on this card is the captain of her ship. Her fiery red hair points to her passion. The feathers on her signify her quick wit, she has a tremendous ability to articulate herself. You are the captain of your ship. You’re leveling up on so many levels: creativity, power, and communication. But be humble, captain. Don’t lose sight of the course or your goal, beware of crashing your ship.

This Fall, having a fully formed plan, control, movement, and strength is of the utmost importance before springing into action. At this time, your ability to affect a situation through your will is strong. What you speak into existence is likely to cross your path, so make sure you articulate (and manifest) wisely. Think it through. The universe is imparting you with all the confidence, determination, and faith in your abilities. If you’re feeling like you need a boost of support in this arena, spend some time with a fellow badass water sign.

Use the power of planning and your skills to make sure everything is set up for success.

Leo Abbott is a nonbinary Caribbean bruja whose interpretations come from a trauma-informed, queer, Caribbean Latinx, anticapitalist, non-Eurocentric perspective, weaving in astrology and numerology. Much of our struggles and hardships come from oppressive hegemonic systems/energies. Their work aims to heal the effects of these energies, all while uplifting and empowering those who are most marginalized in our communities.⁠

Follow Leo on IG @glorytarotdaily. You can book your next tarot reading with them through the link in their bio. Leo always has sliding scale pricing for QTPOC and also accepts donations on cashapp $leoariel and venmo @neoleoz.