Numerically The Moon is 18 and IV Cups is 44 = 4+4+1+8=1+7=8

“And now my beauties, something with poison in it I think, with poison in it, but attractive to the eye and soothing to the smell . . . poppies, poppies, poppies will put them to sleep.” —The Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard of Oz (movie, released 1939)

Goodness, what a heady mix! I’m already drowsed. The Moons power is tripled (sort of) with our shadow card Four of Cups here today (4C Moon in Cancer). All manner of unknowns are being refused here today, perhaps if this this rejection is made out of fear, the querent shall remain stagnant, still fearing fear itself. This hazy refusal of reality, which is indeed the scariest unknown of all, is all powered, triple distilled, and doused in lunacy today. No matter the cause for the delerium (lack of sleep, worries, anxieties, alcohol, days long bender etc), the fog it induces is unmanageable.

Most basically the 4C card is about refusing to grow & evolve emotionally. Being too afraid, or selfish too attempt true intimacy, vulnerability, or a Loving connection at a deeper level with another. So he sits stagnated, only knowing the shallow partying fun of III Cups. Now this is all sad enough as 4C card by itself is depressing, however combined with XVIII Moon here today, this adamant refusal to grow & evolve extends to knowledge of one’s self. Exploring our inner recesses, and what makes us tick, finding out who the hell we really are?

Only when we know ourselves better than anyone else, the good parts and the not so good, and then accepted these parts of self, can we explore the Moon’s confusing deceptive realm, deepening our inner knowledge & relationship with ourselves. Then we should be able to freely give ourselves the Love and nurturing that we each individually require from ourselves.

The refusal shown in our Shadow card 4C is appropriate for consideration today, perhaps best wait for the collective fog to lift, prior to decision making today. This watery recommendation applies in any/all areas, but especially consider situations today, when we do not have all the facts, or information at-hand is murky at best. With our Moon card today, all matters to do with romance, or fear inducing decisions being asked of you should be avoided, in fact should be flatly refused (as recommended in our 4C shadow card).

Crowley’s Thoth deck refers to The Moon, and Piscean associated backwaters, as ‘Gateway(s) of Resurrection’  and is aligned with midnight. Midnight being the only neutral amongst the enormous real-time mania, swinging from extreme to extreme, highest to lowest and back again. Midnight referees fairly, completely unbiased, giving either equal sway, but not in real time (4 of Cups). The 4C is extremely out of place beside the Moon (everything is extreme in the Moon’s realm), considering time has no power or existance in the Moon’s glow, it might also explain the ‘being stuck’ message associated with this card 4C. The absolute refusal of what is being offered in this card, could be motivated by absolute terror when found beside The Moon. The cross-legged and distracted fellow we can see in this card (RWS) not only looks mighty uncomfortable, possibly this figure is actually paralysed by fear, and unable to extend his hand and accept that 4th Cup being offered. The 4C figure has only emotionally known 3D and material gratifications thus far, and a life governed by time. The part I cannot understand with this card, is why he supposes he knows everything that there could be to know, and refuses anything new? Possibly hung-over? Eh…

Only Fools are ever certain….

Many decks associate the Moon card with evil, the shadiest among shady, backyard/backroom/backwater, together with all sorts of perversions, deceit, lies and falsehoods etc So I’m sure it’s hardly shocking when I advise this is one of my favourite cards! It can point to some scariness in spreads, like mental illness and a range of other unfriendly behaviours, that’s just the shadowy confusion associated with 18 Moon.

Only those that self-deceive, avoid truth, fear themselves, and fear the unknown, then in-turn, fear this glorious card, and the wonders it may unveil, XVIII The Moon.

Inlakesh