One card turned up for three different signs this week, and one suit ran the table. Yes, I shuffled. I always shuffle.
You have a lot to decide this week, and a fair bit to look twice before you commit. Some of you are being handed the lead. Some of you need to check what you’re being sold. And romance is in the air for a couple of signs, with a word of caution attached.
I’m doing something different for the next four weeks. All four decks I’m using are based on the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot (RWS), the classic deck most people picture when they think of tarot.
This week’s deck, the Before Tarot, shows each scene one moment before it happens. Next week I’m pulling from the original RWS deck, so we get the scene itself. The week after, the After Tarot shows what comes next. In the fourth week, a panoramic deck pulls back to show what was outside the picture all along. So keep in mind that whatever your card shows this week hasn’t happened yet. What comes next is still up to you.
This one covers Sunday, October 11 to Saturday, October 17, 2026. The decks are the Before Tarot, with the guidebook by Corrine Kenner and artwork by Eon and Simona Rossi, and the Soul Coaching Oracle Cards by Denise Linn, illustrated by Scott Breidenthal. Each Before Tarot card has its own title in the guidebook, and you’ll see those in the readings.
Scroll down to your rising sign first, then your sun sign, and see how the two fit together.
♈ Aries
9 of Swords and Action
Aries, did last week's temptation from The Devil end up creating a nightmare? If it did, you may not know it yet. Your 9 of Swords is called “Stuff of Nightmares,” and the guy on the card is still sleeping, unaware of the blood dripping from the swords hanging over him. That’s you this week. Whatever last week left hanging over you, you haven’t woken up to it yet.
That’s where Action comes in. It’s time to wake up and focus on taking action this week. Action is what you do best, Aries. Deal with it before it gets any bigger. Don’t let negative events or outcomes deter your week, so the Stuff of Nightmares stays just a nightmare, not reality.
Your words for this week: “I open my eyes, and I deal with it.”
♉ Taurus
King of Swords and Miracles
Taurus, this week you have the power to make firm decisions and lead with confidence and authority. Your King of Swords is called “Live by the Sword,” and on the card the sword is still being handed to him. The power is on offer, and it is up to you to take it. Once you make up your mind, Taurus, nobody moves you, so use that power wisely.
Miracles, your oracle card, depicts navigating rough waters that lead to pleasant surprises. A firm decision is how you get through the rough part, so make the call and keep an eye out for a surprise or two.
Your words for this week: “I make my decision, and I stand by it.”
♊ Gemini
The Lovers and Embracing
Gemini, new or rekindled love and romance are in the cards this week, and you pulled your own sign’s card to go with it. The Before Tarot’s The Lovers is aptly named “You Had Me at Hello,” and that’s the start of something beautiful. But this is the Garden of Eden, and in the garden we have to make choices. You have the Tree of Life burning on the right, which is passion, and the Tree of Knowledge on the left, with the forbidden fruit. You’re of two minds at best, Gemini, so remember choices have consequences.
With Embracing as your oracle card, you have the green light to start something magical and embrace the emotions and feelings stirring in you. Last week was all about changing your environment and being true to yourself. Well, look what happens on the other side of the window. Embrace the change to something wonderful.
Your words for this week: “I embrace the change, and I choose with care.”
♋ Cancer
7 of Swords and Sanctuary
Be careful, Cancer, you might have a thief among your ranks. Be vigilant this week, as someone might be trying to steal your idea. The 7 of Swords is named “To Catch a Thief” for a reason. On the card, he’s only reaching for the swords, so nothing has been taken yet. That means you still have time to catch it, so watch who you share your plans with.
Your oracle card, Sanctuary, reinforces that what is yours belongs to you, and who you are is sacred and worth protecting. You’re good at looking after your home and the people in it, Cancer, so look after your ideas and your work the same way this week.
Your words for this week: “What’s mine is mine, and I protect it.”
♌ Leo
King of Swords and Surrender
Leo, like Taurus, you're being given the power to make firm decisions and lead with the confidence and fire you already possess. Be the leader and be the authority as you move through the week. The card is titled “Live by the Sword,” so live by it. The sword is still being handed over on the card, but I can’t see you needing to be asked twice, Leo. You got this.
One thing most leaders forget is to surrender, which is your oracle card. Don’t let the power and intelligence that come with the sword go to your head. You love being in charge, Leo, and you’re good at it, but a good leader also knows when to let something go and let someone else have a say.
Your words for this week: “I lead with confidence, and I know when to let go.”
♍ Virgo
10 of Wands and Freedom
Virgo, you like to plan every detail, and this week is no exception. But do you plan things out so vigorously, right down to the last detail, that you bite off more than you can chew? Your 10 of Wands is titled “Best Laid Plans.” Remember, this is the Before Tarot, and we all know what happens in the original 10 of Wands. That’s right, taking on too much and going blindly towards your plans, goals or tasks. On this card, the wands haven’t been picked up yet, so you can still decide how much you take on this week.
The Freedom oracle reminds you that you're free to relax this week and not overexert yourself. You know what they say about all work and no play.
Your words for this week: “I take on what I can carry, and I make time to play.”
♎ Libra
Knight of Wands and Enthusiasm
Libra, this week is all about riding with fire and enthusiasm. Look at the salamanders on the knight’s cloak. They are creatures of fire, untethered, walking through the flames unscathed. The Knight of Wands is a spiritual wanderer, traveller, adventurer and fighter, and this knight embodies the card’s title beautifully: “Fight Fire with Fire.” The question is, before you ride off on your next quest, do you know who or what you are fighting for? You like to weigh every side, Libra, so settle on yours before you saddle up.
With Enthusiasm as your oracle card, there is nothing stopping you on your quest. Go for it. Let the adventure begin.
Your words for this week: “I know what I’m fighting for, and I ride with fire.”
♏ Scorpio
King of Swords and Flow
Scorpio, you’re the third sign to be handed this sword this week, and yes, I shuffled. You are being given the power of intelligence and the authority to make informed decisions. Like the king on the card, receive it graciously. “Live by the Sword” is this card's motto, and action is needed. With that intellect comes truth, and truth is a double-edged sword. It’s also heavy and hard to hold upright, so hold it with confidence.
Your oracle card is Flow, and it reminds you that brains and brawn are not all it takes to be a good leader. Like the water flowing through the stream, emotional intelligence is also in order. You feel things deeper than most, Scorpio, so that part should come naturally. That's something to behold in an authoritative leader.
Your words for this week: “I hold the truth with confidence, and I lead with heart.”
♐ Sagittarius
6 of Swords and Miracles
Sagittarius, this week comes in one of two ways. Your 6 of Swords is titled “All Aboard,” and there are three figures on the card. Are you the ferryman, helping those who are struggling and guiding them to calmer waters? Or are you the woman or the child, with struggles of your own this week, needing some guidance to help you navigate to calm waters? Nobody has left the shore yet, so you still get to pick your seat. You’re the traveller of the zodiac, Sagittarius, and whether this voyage is a real trip or a figure of speech, it’s time to get on board.
Either way, Miracles is your oracle card, with a ship to help you navigate to calm waters. Whatever struggles you're facing, or those of others, there's hope the situation can work itself out.
Your words for this week: “I help where I can, and I accept help when I need it.”
♑ Capricorn
10 of Cups and Transformation
Capricorn, a lot is coming down on you and your family this week. “When It Rains, It Pours” is the title of your 10 of Cups, and it fits the scene. But the 10 of Cups is the card of family unity and joy, and the funny thing is, our happiest moments tend to catch us by surprise. This is the moment before, and we all know what shows up in the original card once the rain stops. That’s right, the rainbow. Nothing beats family unity to get you through anything, no matter how much rain comes down.
To complement this, your oracle card is Transformation. Just when you think nothing more can rain on your parade, the rain may be the start of a change for the better. You’re used to holding it all together, Capricorn. This week, lean on your people too.
Your words for this week: “Rain or shine, my family and I get through it together.”
♒ Aquarius
10 of Wands and Purification
Aquarius, you might have the best-laid plans this week, but are you biting off more than you can chew? Like Virgo, you pulled the 10 of Wands, “Best Laid Plans.” Look at the deal being made over those wands. You haven’t started your project or plan yet, so maybe pause this week and think it through. Be a smart shopper. Ask questions, don’t believe everything you hear, and don’t let anyone sell you a bill of goods. If a big purchase or investment is in front of you, know what you’re getting into before you pay. You fall for a good idea fast, Aquarius, especially a new one.
With Purification showing up beside the 10 of Wands, those best-laid plans may not be what they seem. Rethinking them and starting from scratch might be the best course of action for you this week.
Your words for this week: “I ask my questions first, and I’m not afraid to start over.”
♓ Pisces
Knight of Cups and Impeccability
Pisces, romance runs high this week, and that could be a good time to pause. The Knight of Cups is the “Romantic Hero,” as this deck calls him: an adventurer and idealist who falls in love with every beautiful woman who crosses his path. We often fall into the trap of loving the ideal of the person we are offering our cup to, not the person themselves. That’s called limerence, and when this card shows up in a reading, it is a warning sign. You see the best in everyone, Pisces, so watch for a little hero worship. If limerence is new to you, I did a Spirit of Dating episode on it.
It’s ironic that Impeccability follows this card. It’s time to gather your discipline and integrity. Keep your strength, your intent and your focus, and pay attention to the details, including who is romancing you, or who you are romancing.
Your words for this week: “I keep my eyes open, and I see the person for who they are.”
Wrap Up
Now that you’ve read yours, here’s what stood out to me. Half of you pulled a Swords card, six signs out of twelve. The King of Swords alone showed up three times, for Taurus, Leo and Scorpio. I shuffled. I promise I shuffled. Virgo and Aquarius both got the 10 of Wands, Miracles came up for Taurus and Sagittarius, and Gemini pulled The Lovers, which happens to be Gemini’s own card. Not one Pentacle all week.
Swords are about thinking, deciding, communicating and telling the truth, so the week has a point to make. Use your head, make the call, and look twice before you commit. Cancer is watching for a thief, Aquarius is checking what they’re being sold, and Gemini and Pisces are both being told to keep their eyes open in love. Venus has been retrograde since October 3, which is a good time to look twice at matters of the heart anyway.
A tip of the hat to Corrine Kenner for the card titles. “To Catch a Thief,” “When It Rains, It Pours” and “You Had Me at Hello” did half my work for me.
The timing fits too. The new moon in Libra lands on Saturday, October 10, so the whole week sits under a growing moon, which means manifestation time. Write down what you want to manifest at the new moon, and keep at it while the moon grows. Pluto turns direct on Thursday, ending its five-month retrograde and moving forward again. What you’ve been working through on the inside can start to show on the outside. It’s a week for getting things started, which suits a deck about the moment before. And to my fellow Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving!
Next week it’s the classic deck, where these scenes actually happen.
That’s the week. Take what fits and leave the rest. These readings are guidance and something to think with, not predictions.
If you’d like a reading of your own, you can book one here. You’ll find everything else I do at dustarot.com.
See you next Friday.
George