A Compassionate New Moon in Pisces

Pisces energy is fluid, it’s gentle, it’s intuitive, and it’s artistic. Pisces is the dreamer, the poet, and the spiritual seeker. With Mercury retrograde in the sign of Pisces, along with the Sun and Neptune, there is a deep current of emotion running through our lives at this time. There is a need to surrender to what is, to allow, to accept, to be one with the Universe. Forces outside of our control are shifting the elements of our lives, but we get to decide how to adapt and shift our mindset to accommodate these new circumstances. Be careful to draw the line between fantasy and reality, dreams and goals, and truth versus sweet nothings at this time. We want to be able to float, but we don’t want to get swept out to drift aimlessly.

Here are the tarot cards to help guide our intentions for the month ahead:

I intend to be more compassionate and listen to my inner guidance.
How can I be more compassionate and listen to my inner guidance?- 

V of Wands: It's time to release conflict in order to be a more compassionate person. This could be either inner conflicts that you have within yourself or interpersonal conflicts you are engaged in with others. Either way, or quite possibly both ways!, the tension needs to ease. So how does one go about easing conflict? Well, the first step is to acknowledge that conflict exists, that you are perpetuating that conflict, and then deciding that you actually want to let it go. Oftentimes, we won't even admit that we are holding a grudge or grievance, and even if we do, we think it's an essential part of us that we must hold onto. We think by holding onto a grievance we will eventually "win" and the other person will accept "defeat". This isn't how thing usually go, though.

I intend to be more compassionate and listen to my inner guidance.
How can I be more compassionate and listen to my inner guidance?- 

V of Wands: It's time to release conflict in order to be a more compassionate person. This could be either inner conflicts that you have within yourself or interpersonal conflicts you are engaged in with others. Either way, or quite possibly both ways!, the tension needs to ease. So how does one go about easing conflict? Well, the first step is to acknowledge that conflict exists, that you are perpetuating that conflict, and then deciding that you actually want to let it go. Oftentimes, we won't even admit that we are holding a grudge or grievance, and even if we do, we think it's an essential part of us that we must hold onto. We think by holding onto a grievance we will eventually "win" and the other person will accept "defeat". This isn't how thing usually go, though.

To ease conflict, one must forgive. That doesn't mean you excuse or condone what someone else did. It doesn't mean that you must forget or reconcile or pardon someone.  It does mean that you accept what happened and decide that you aren't going to carry the past around with you. You put down the negative thoughts, you leave behind plans for revenge, and you stop poisoning yourself with replaying the offense over and over in your head. Forgiveness is when you stop eating the poison and expecting the other person to die. Your inner guide wants you to put down your poison, put down revenge, put down negativity. All of this is compassion in action.

I intend to express myself creatively and follow my artistic vision.
How can I express myself creatively and follow my artistic vision?- 

III of Pentacles- There is so much to learn! You really need to continue to develop your skill sets and talents in order to express yourself creatively and follow your artistic vision. The best thing to do is practice, practice, practice. Whatever it is that you want to create, get started creating it now, even if you don't think you're ready and will only produce crap. It's time to get making a big pile of crap and learn a lot in the process. Unless you are incredibly lucky, you're not going to be perfect at your desired art without putting in the work. Start that work now, intend to develop and hone your craft this month. Any progress is better than continued hesitation waiting for the perfect moment when you'll be ready.

You will also really benefit from working with others or with a team in this coming month. Pisces energy loves friends and connections, sharing and caring. Even if your specific project is one that you want to create alone, find other creative people to talk to about your progress and get interested in their goals as well. If you can take a class, do research, find a mentor, or in some way learn from someone who knows more than you do, that will be of great benefit in meeting your intention to be more creative this month. Everything becomes much more compassionate and beautiful when we decide not to live our lives alone.

I intend to see through delusion and fantasy and root myself in reality.
How can I see through delusion and fantasy to root myself in reality?- 

VIII of Cups- Check in with your emotions right now and notice what is causing you pain, isn't in alignment with your highest values, and hurts your heart. Perhaps you are engaging in work that makes you feel like you're contributing to negativity in the world. Perhaps you are indulging in  addictive or numbing behaviors that are cutting you off from your highest self. Perhaps you feel trapped in relationships, be they romantic or friendship relationships, that are holding you back or damaging your self esteem. It's time to take a good look at what you're deluding yourself about and realize that true happiness lies somewhere else. It isn't in your work, or your happy hour cocktail, or your relationship. Happiness comes from a compassionate heart, a calm mind, a trust in your inner guidance to bring you the experiences you need in life to grow and develop into your best self. Happiness is accepting what is.

The VIII of Cups can be a sad card of letting go. The V of Wands can be a frustrating and difficult card of letting go. The III of Pentacles can be a challenging card that tells you that you have to act, you have do something, you can't manifest your dreams while sitting in the shadows. When we set intentions for the month, we can't just say them once and then expect amazing results. We have to work at these things. We have to wake up each morning and strengthen our hearts with the intention to be compassionate. We have to schedule time into our days to work on our art. We have to repeatedly remind ourselves to see reality and not avoid our pain and suffering. Suffering is here to remind us that we are alive and learning and growing. It is the undercurrent of our lives, pointing us towards happiness. Work towards your intentions this month with a gentle vigor appropriate to Pisces energy and you will be able to look back at the next New Moon and see yourself growing and expanding as a human being.