November 9-15, 2026: The Thief’s Belief

A thief believes everybody steals.
E.W. Howe (1853-1937)

On this New Moon morning, I was still a bit floaty from last week’s stunning victories. So, pulling this card, it felt like my big blue balloon was slowly deflating. But upon more consideration, perhaps it’s not that surprising. As we now arrive at this darkest period in the dark of the year, we are being visited by the Seven of Swords.

Remember that Swords are ruled by the element of Air, so they represent communication, perception, thought, opinions, and the mind. And although Sevens are often lucky, they are also focused on the individual experience of the moment.

This card features a young man sneaking away from a military camp. He looks rather delighted with himself, whether for better or worse. Most importantly (and Seven-ishly), he is acting alone, counter to the group that is gathered in the background, which is why this is sometimes called “The Lone Wolf” card.

He is holding five swords in the most unlikely way, for it appears that he must inevitably slice his fingers. Behind, he leaves two stuck in the ground.

He is smiling—some would say smirking—and the way that he looks over his shoulder, he seems to be acting in haste and stealth. Mid-stride, he does not look to see what lies before him.

Here is another of artist Pamela Colman Smith’s “stage” cards, meaning that there is a double horizontal line going across the width of the card like a theater stage, instead of the uneven ground of a meadow or road. This is a hint that whatever is playing out here is some kind of act, or that there is more going on than you, the onlooker, may know.

As mentioned, in the background on the left, the soldiers of the camp are encircled around a fire. Who are they? What are they planning, and who are they fighting? Although the man in the foreground is clearly tiptoeing away with most of their weapons, you do not know who he is, how he got inside, or why he is stealing from them. And why do you suppose he is leaving two swords behind?

This could be a spy or a deserter. Maybe he is a pacifist trying to prevent bloodshed.

Even Arthur Waite’s commentary is contradictory. “Design, attempt, wish, hope, confidence; also quarreling, a plan that may fail, annoyance. The design is uncertain in its import, because the significations are widely at variance with each other.”

Hmmm… A bit vague, even for Mr. Waite, wouldn’t you say?

Whether the man’s intentions are noble or not, it appears he is about to get away with the loot. Perhaps that is why, unlike all the other more gloomily colored Swords, the Seven is dominated by a bright yellow sky.

Despite its disturbing premise, this hints that the scenario is definitely hopeful and optimistic in some way, at least for someone. The thief? Or is this where the thief is about to get his comeuppance, to the delight of whatever audience is observing?

Welcoming the Lunar Samhain New Moon

This week kicks off with the Scorpio New Moon. Many of us observe this as Lunar Samhain, for it is the astrological threshold of the New Year in the Celtic calendar. In the dark of the Moon, we now enter the deepest dark of the year.

The wise Elisabeth Grace informs us that—

A New Moon in Scorpio plants seeds for reaching heights and plumbing depths, armed with knowledge obtained for the sake of power and control. From the perspective of the United States, this New Moon falls in the 3rd house — of communications, information, transportation, and neighboring countries. Mars, the ruler of this New Moon, is on the cusp of the 12th house — of secrets, hidden adversaries, and activities conducted behind the scenes. Mars is applying to a conjunction with Jupiter (expansion) and the South Node (toxic release) in regal Leo, suggesting that power struggles may escalate, even as questions arise about how much power can be maintained.

First, however, Mars will sextile Venus. Mars represents action, assertion, and the pursuit of desire. Venus represents attraction, diplomacy, and the art of getting what we want without necessarily having to fight for it.

So here we have a person stealing swords, tools whose sole purpose is for fighting. Power struggles and secrets? Getting what we want without fighting for it? Voilà!

In addition, our sage magical friend, astrologer Diotima Mantineia cautions:

On the public stage, I expect the next four weeks will bring the exposure of scandals and major transformations of people, situations, and the planet itself. There’s a current of violence running through the month, but also a call to productive action. On a personal level, we have more leeway to work with and guide the transformations happening within us and around us…

She drills down into the details, including this:

Mars is doing a lot in this chart. It’s in mutual reception with the Sun. It rules all the planets in Scorpio and Aries, including Saturn, with which it’s in a close sesquiquadrate. This aspect concerns me. In a mundane chart, it speaks of hot-headedness, abuse, and outright violence, as well as wars based on impulsiveness instead of strategy.

How well do you think our Seven’s thief planned his escapade here?  Is he stealing the swords as a strategy to mediate violence? Or is he enabling it through an of sabotage?

Beyond how this New Moon sets the stage for the rest of the month, there is lots more from our two favorite astrologers’ posts for this week, including updates for both Mercury and Venus stationing direct on Friday the 13th. Please be sure to check them out.

And join Elisabeth tomorrow night (Tuesday, Nov. 10) for a deep dive into “After the Midterms, What Now?” Her “Chart Fest Q & A” offerings are captivating—even for those of us who are not actually astrologers. To join, you only need to be a paid subscriber, or you can request a one-time purchase.

The Information Highway Robbery

Theft is something that everyone experiences eventually. From the adamant “MINE!” of a four-year-old caught red-handed, to pilfering from the office supply closet, to the widespread plagiarism and unlawful use of copyrighted material on the Internet, stealing is often tolerated in our culture. With the advent of AI, which Nobel Laureate Noam Chomsky calls “high-tech plagiarism,” it is becoming institutionalized.

But remember that the Tarot Swords are not material, physical objects. They represent thoughts, perceptions, and the intellect.

So this robbery is most likely to do with words, ideas, plans, or visions. It could be someone taking unfair credit for a project or unethical methods of gaining status within a group. Maybe this is an identity theft or a data breach of some sort.

The CEO of Nvidia’s honeytrap scandal comes to mind. Or the OOP (old orange ped) shrugging on 60 Minutes as if he couldn’t care less how many billions he had thieved since his inauguration. And smirking that, “You should have had stock.” Let them eat cake much?

I also sometimes consider the Swords suit to represent the concept of time. If this is the case, then tread carefully, for as the proverb reminds, “Procrastination is the thief of time.” Perfectionism is the killer of creativity. Even if they are a bit unpolished, act on your plans and dreams before it is too late.

Possibly someone is gossiping or telling lies (or, as by leaving the two Swords behind, partial lies). The two swords left are just enough truth to give this sneak credibility or even an alibi.

As the Seven of Swords shows, withholding all but a grain of truth is deadly to integrity. This is especially the case if no one will care enough to dig deeper or examine who is proclaiming the “truth,” and why.

Protecting Integrity

Pay attention to the actors on your own personal stage. Who, in the events that involve you at this time, has real integrity, and who is faking? Is someone attempting to take what they have not fairly earned, or what rightly belongs to someone else?

This may be a warning about your willingness (or not) to scrutinize someone or something that does not possess the honor you would have hoped. It is often the most true-hearted that are the least willing to realize they may have overestimated the trustworthiness of another.

For, just as a thief believes everybody steals, good people have a hard time believing in the nefarious motives of others.

Confrontation is no fun, but it’s particularly tough if you must face down someone who has no qualms about causing pain or subverting the truth.

Is there a chance that someone else is showing you a false persona? What glamour spell may they have cast, which deceives and deflects the real truth? What unsavory energy has been allowed to enter your camp?

Who is the traitor? Who or what is about to make off with your valuable idea, project, or reputation?

And what are they leaving intact so they can cover their tracks?

What can you do about such situations? Should you defy this behavior, or do you just wait and hope they will trip themselves up? When people seem to get away with unethical behavior, where will they stop?

At least keep asking yourself—what is being shown to you? What is kept hidden?

Just as Diotima warns us about the hidden currents over the next month, starting with this Scorpio New Moon, we must have the courage to seek the unsullied truth in the dramas we are facing.

If you or those you care about are in doubt or in danger, it may well fall to you to sound the alarm: “Halt! Who goes there?” and “Why?”