Hey Beautiful! Welcome back to the Café!

This week I’m giving you a layered energy reading for the month of July, looking at the universal numerology, some notable astrology, and potent tarot correspondences.

You know by now that my debut book comes out this month on July 7th!! We’re just ONE week away, and I’m beside myself 😅. Here are a few upcoming events this month to celebrate this special occasion.

July’s numerology is a universal 8 month. Because the shape of the number 8 is symmetrical on the top and the bottom, it symbolizes “As Above, So Below.” The figure 8, the infinity symbol, and the lemniscate are all labels for the same shape, sometimes standing vertically or laid on its side. As a symbol for infinity, we can already connect 8 with the idea of limitlessness, reflecting the infinite nature of the universe itself, and the limitless possibilities that exist at all scales of the cosmos.

The figure 8 also symbolizes the law that “What goes around, comes around,” and thus relates to karma, justice, or karmic justice. If you can picture an ice skater making a figure 8 on the rink, they will go around and come around again and again.

What this means for the universal numerology of July is that this new month contains a focus on our spiritual power of creation and the capacity for our thoughts, words, and actions to create the reality of the world around us. This happens at all scales, individually and collectively.

This is why I discussed the need for resting in our 7 month of June, because moving now into an 8 month, we need our energy and strength to fuel our creative power.

Speaking of strength, in most tarot decks, the number 8 is the Strength card, traditionally depicted with a lion and a woman who has the lemniscate (figure 8) above her head, representing her connection to divinity and illustrating that her strength is spiritual strength. The 8 is really about “self-contained power,” that allows us to be a creative force in the world without having to dominate or destroy others. I’ve included an example of this tarot card from the Michelle Knight - Waite tarot deck. Knight’s depiction is unique in portraying a pregnant woman, which emphasizes the power to create and manifest something new into reality, out into the world.

The Strength card, in addition to being number 8, is also one of the Leo cards. July brings the start of Leo season, and it’s our first full month with the planet Jupiter in the sign of Leo. Creativity and Confidence, which we can also see as a form of strength and power, are big themes of the Leo archetype.

With Jupiter entering the sign Leo tonight, July will begin a process of amplifying and growing our creativity and confidence in some area of our lives, if we’re open to aligning with that energy. Over the next year we might observe that tapping into our creativity and our confidence as a form of power could expand our luck, blessings, or wisdom in a particular aspect of our lives.

Jupiter in the sign of Leo is represented in tarot by one of the most exciting cards in the deck, the Six of Wands, the victory and success card! Even though it’s technically a 6, the idea of success is extremely tied to the number 8 in numerology. What I found fascinating in my research for this week was that this is especially true for 17-8. This year, July isn’t just a universal 8 month, it’s specifically a 17-8, because we’re in a universal 1 year in the 7th month (1+7 = 8). What Lawrence says about 17-8 is, “There must be success. The 17 has great hopes for the future.” So for this 17-8 month to also carry with it the tarot signature of success (the Six of Wands) because Jupiter is in Leo, July has a lot of layering and weaving of supportive energies.

What we each individually experience in July depends on our personal numerology, personal astrology, and our personal choices. So make time now to reflect on your intentions for this new month and the second half of this calendar year. What do you want to align yourself with and align yourself toward? Use the journal prompts and affirmations below to support your reflections.

I cite several books in my book. One in particular has been foundational in my personal journey and in my public work around colorism. Harlem Renaissance author, Wallace Thurman’s 1929 novel The Black the Berry is an excellent fiction companion to my narrative nonfiction book, Colorism: The Politics of Skin Tone and How We Get Free. Part of me believes Thurman’s spirit has been supporting my work all these years. He was truly a pioneer, and I want to honor this literary ancestor as my book continues to carry the torch forward. Your work endures, Brother Thurman! As a Black author, I stand on the shoulders of giants. Order both books today!!

These are affiliate links that support independent bookstores. If you use my links, I get a small percentage of anything you purchase, not just the books I recommend.

I first heard this song, “Reach” by Gloria Estefan in the 90s on my brother’s basketball highlight tape. It immediately resonated with me and still does.

It’s a great song for an 8 month, corresponding to the Strength card in tarot, a Leo card, while Jupiter is in Leo, corresponding to the 6 of Wands victory card in tarot.

Or you can just think of it as an inspiring song, lol.

Sincerely,
Dr. Sarah