Uranus goes Retrograde on August 3, 2017, at 28’32 Aries! It remains retrograde until January 2, 2018. This will be a time for deep introspection, especially concerning the decisions we make that either allow us to feel great and go with the flow, confident in our new ideas and the paths they lead us down, or those that make us feel foolish, like running home to hide, like really needing to rethink how to approach starting over yet again.The tarot card for Uranus is 0 – The Fool, reversed for the Retrograde, and the numerology adds up to 15, card XV – The Devil. This retrograde will find us thinking about choices to be made surrounding our sense of personal success on a grand scale, and will in turn set in motion important new trajectories where it comes to feeling like we are thinking in line with our soul’s purpose. This is a good time to seek the support of others, especially where you’re struggling to release harmful patterns: Uranus Retrograde will provide opportunities to break free from the past through being confronted with it head-on. This will be a time of rebalancing indeed!

The following reading is an example of what’s included in the $45 Planetary Retrograde/Direct Readings Reward tier on my Patreon page, which includes 3-card readings each time a planet goes retrograde/direct (~2/month), one-card reading when planets change signs, 3-card readings for the New and Full Moons, a 5-card reading when the Sun sign changes, and a One-Card Monthly Kick-Off Reading on the first of each month. For this reading, I drew from the Art of Life Tarot, Astrological Oracle Cards, and The Sorcerer’s Tarot. To maximize connection with Uranus’s electric energy, I laid out a crystal grid around a blue agate slice, placing magnesite for out-of-the-box thinking and tiger’s eye for ultimate creativity and “thinking on your feet.” I also considered the Shadow and Higher Self cards (the cards at the top and bottom of the deck after shuffling) for further insight.

Shadow Cards: I – The Magician + Aries + 7 of Wands

You have finally started something you’ve wanted to do for a long time, that you know you’ll be good at — no matter what challenges Uranus Retrograde throws your way, know that you have the energy and spiritual strength you need to persevere against any obstacle that comes your way. Can you feel your personal power swirling? Proceed with confidence, knowing you’ve fought long and hard for what’s in the works Right Now. You have earned it!

Oracle Cards: Pisces + 2 of Cups | “I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

This is a time to be totally open to others, especially those you love, and to look for ways to adapt to accommodate everyone’s feelings so you can keep swimming smoothly together. Love is in the air lately, with “love”-related cards turning up in just about every reading for everyone, so trust that your support system will hold you, and make it clear that you’ll return the favour! Aquarius energy is pretty cool and emotionless, so make a point to keep in touch on that level so nobody feels like they’ve been flushed out of the picture. Sensitivity will serve you well moving forward — this Uranus Retrograde, be your best self and watch even more love in many forms flood in. You’re sure to be surprised!

Tarot Reading: 3-Card Uranus Retrograde Spread

Card 1: “Evolutionary” challenge to focus on this Uranus Retrograde: 7 of Cups reversed

You have actually done a ton of flexing and re-flexing in order to get on top of everything that has been overwhelming you, especially “themes from the past” — you’re doing a fantastic job!! Your main challenge this Uranus Retrograde will be staying on top of things, maintaining your balance, learning from the past and remaining upbeat moving forward. Your Inner Child was thrown for a loop lately, so perhaps try getting back “in touch” at that level over the next 5 months, in order to find yourself carrying forward a child-like joyfulness once the retrograde period is all said and done!

Card 2: Main “point of innovation” -> how to change your thinking to welcome new ways of being: Page of Wands

Yes, let yourself “think like a child,” in a mode of discovery where you’re ready to get down and figure out how everything works. You’re like a student learning a new trade, preparing to take your upcoming career by form, fueled by the forces of magic and passion, inspired by the beauty to be found in every stage of this exciting process! Phew, that’s a lot of enthusiasm — but that comes with Uranus territory no matter which direction you’re headed, so keep sparking and prepare for your flame to leap, finding you quite transformed!

Card 3: Outcome: What fresh things to expect from Uranus Retrograde: 8 of Swords reversed

If anything, Uranus Retrograde will provide ample opportunities to examine “new ways out” of the situations that appear to hold you back from truly enjoying your life, and feeling like you are the shining star that you are at this point in time. You will be forced to be honest with yourself and with others, as the new perspective you are about to gain throws what was causing you to get overgrown and bushy into sharp relief. Enough of what makes your head spin — listen to your discomfort, and follow to answers to what “freedom” means to you, which are becoming impossible to ignore.

Higher Self Cards: 7 of Wands (again!) + Libra + XV – The Devil

The cards couldn’t be clearer: this is the time to persist in your pursuits. You are coming out on top, as a result of taking action towards doing what’s right for yourself and the people closest to your heart. You are growing, you are on fire! Keep your ego in check and continue to strive to do what’s Right — it’s always good retrograde advice to check and re-check, to make sure you’ve crossed all your t’s and dotted all your i’s! Important decisions are being made now so you must keep a level head and an open heart. Stay grounded and resist the temptation to take the easy way out — there is no easy way, so take the time to figure out the best way!

Uranus Retrograde promises to bring huge changes, ones that shift the scales of balance! Hold on tight to what is valuable to you, especially non-material things, and fight this battle with all of your valour. You are learning, and you are already well-prepared for the lessons to come. Stay on task, and forge ahead with full confidence in your drive and passion!

Art of Life Tarot. Charlene Livingstone. Stamford, CT: U. S. Games Systems, Inc., 2012.

Astrological Oracle Cards. LWB: Lunaea Weatherstone. Artwork: Antonella Castelli. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2012. © Lo Scarabeo Italy.

The Sorcerers Tarot. Antonia Castelli. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2014.

Tarot Mucha. LWB: Lunaea Weatherstone. Artwork: Giulia F. Massaglia. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2014. © Lo Scarabeo Italy.