Wordsmithing Magic from the Crossroads

Calm, Thoughtful Vision Offers a Second Chance

Waite Smith tarot seven of pentacles young man in garden gazing at vines with pentacles

May 18-24, 2026
Seven of Pentacles Encore

Take a rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
Ovid

After multiple rounds of shuffling, cutting, and then using my new (only a decade old), improved pull method today, I was honestly kind of shocked to see this card turn up again. With everything going on? It would appear so. Here we go, dear readers. We have an encore visit from the Seven of Pentacles.

As I’ve discussed many times, including last week, seven is a number of magic, spirituality, and initiation into a deeper level of Mystery. But this week, let’s change the focus just a little.

For here we again see the young grower as he pauses and gazes at the ripening disks on the vine. He seems thoughtful, evaluating what he has already worked to achieve, considering what may come next. As we all know, what he reaps will depend upon what he has sown. As vigorous as his vines are, what if he’d meant to grow tulips or apple trees? Oops.

Like him, if we are not clear from the start as to what our goals are, how can we possibly know if we are successful

Thus, this card speaks to that most important first principle of making magic: know your intention. Desire alone is not enough. If you cannot clearly visualize and articulate the result you are seeking, you are not ready to begin a magical working.

Earthy Pentacles show us the practical steps we need. By working steadily over time, the young man is seeing the beginnings of a promise fulfilled. He has played “by the rules” of Nature and now evaluates the ripening results, looking forward to the wealth, security, and abundance that this suit promises.

Harmony Between the Astrology and the Tarot Continues

After a nearly all-day Moon void on Monday, the Moon enters Her own sign of Cancer at 9:46pm (Eastern time). The wise and adept Elisabeth Grace explains what, exactly, a Void of Course is and then tells us that late on Monday, “MARS — screaming through the last degree of ‘do something!’ Aries finally arrives at the sign of the Bull.”

What does this mean? She explains:

While the energy of Mars may be frustrated by the Taurus need for patience, planning, and solid ground, Mars in Taurus has staying power and is determined to create structure and form no matter how long it takes. Mars will stay in Taurus until June 28th.

Patience, planning, and staying steady are certainly hallmarks of our young man in Pentacles. Then, also Monday night —

At 9:05 PM ETVenus leaves Gemini and enters Cancer, now seeking comfort and caring in social expression, as opposed to newsy chatter.

[And] Moon enters Cancer at 9:46 PM ET, joining Venus in its mission to build and maintain emotional security in the family and in the home/homeland.

Moon and Venus will both sextile Mars at 9:49 PM ET and 9:58 PM ET, respectively. For better or worse, we are likely to see remarkable cooperation and communication in Cancerian concerns — and probably relationship dynamics between the sexes, too.

Those Cancerian concerns usually revolve around issues to do with homeland, nurturing, and security. Which is what our card is all about. Plus, the waxing crescent Moon in Cancer is an ideal time for planting Summer annuals and crops. Obviously, our young farmer planted quite some time ago, but all matters to do with aiding that which feeds us will be supported at this time. But that’s not all.

Elisabeth explains this sextile in more detail, describing how, as Monday night gives way to the wee hours of Tuesday:

The remarkable cooperation and communication is a reflection of the rare harmony–a sextile–between Venus and Mars, exact at 1:37  AM ET. If it’s news involving women, money, values, the arts, and social graces, it’s likely to be exceptionally attention-grabbing…

“Remarkable” may be seen as inspirational, idealistic, or delusional, reflecting the sextile between Mercury (how we need to think) and Neptune, exact at 12:04 AM ET. Rose-colored fog is supported by the Moon’s square to Neptune at 3:48 AM ET. All in all, last night could be an enchanted evening in your own personal world–make the most of these simple pleasures, whatever is nourishing for you–and take note of your dreams this week

So is our contemplative young man dreaming in a rosy fog, or is he studying the status of his crop?

But Elisabeth cautions that later in the week, this gentle lineup will be changing, and the Sun conjunct Uranus on Friday points to a possible shock or upset. Whatever may come, our card encourages us to lean on the methods and activities that keep us grounded and calm. Step away from the screens, go outdoors, get close to Nature, and pay attention to your visions.

Like this pensive farmer, we may dream of prosperity and success. But how do we ensure that our labors are bearing the fruit Man at bench hammering eight pentacles W-S Tarot Eight of Pentaclesthat we desire? And are we willing to toil as steadily for the riches we seek?

Perhaps we might remember that this card naturally leads to the Eight of Pentacles, in which a similar young man is hammering away at his creations. It is much more active than this quiet card, so busy days do lie ahead. But for now, we are given a chance to stop, consider, and then prepare for a period of successful, creative toil.

There is Still Time to Adjust

This week, you are given a rare second chance to stop a moment and look at what you’ve been up to in the realm of the material world you are part of.

Is this something in your job you are reconsidering? Perhaps you are still waiting for an important health update.

Observe the results you are getting. Have you been clear about your intentions from the start? And now that you begin to see what is coming to fruition, is it what you wanted?

If so, be willing to do whatever hard work and follow-through may be required. Take your time, for it is also likely that you may need to exercise patience. Allow the natural flow of growth and change to progress in harmony with you.

If you are not happy with the end now in sight, there may still be time to make some changes. But the fundamental nature of the outcome is already set. Whatever you have started is nearing its completion, for better or worse.

For those who have chosen their intentions and laid their groundwork wisely, the steady movement of Nature’s rhythms will be an ally, not an enemy. Cultivate and nurture what you are creating, knowing that sometimes, the most important work is to simply rest and wait for the fullness of time.


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