Rooting Through the Winds
Tarot Reading for October 2026 by Pratishtha Natarajan
15 minutes reading time
Welcome to your ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ October tarot reading. We have just moved into the balancing energy of Libra and the Justice card. After a period of intense stillness and pause, we can finally start to feel the winds of change happening around us. These shifts may not look exactly as you expected, but this season is actively asking you to surrender the pieces that no longer serve you and tap into the profound beauty of who you authentically are.
We are doing a pick-a-pile style reading this month. First, we will have a collective message intended to find whoever needs to read it.
From there, set your intention or ask a question you would like to receive guidance on. Take three deep breaths, make sure your intention is clear, and then choose a pile! Take your time, but do not overthink it. If you find it impossible to choose, you might be drawn to two: simply see how those messages connect for your unique situation.
As this is a collective reading, please note that not every piece may resonate right away, or in its entirety. Take what aligns with your spirit and gently leave what doesn’t. Feel free to revisit this piece at the end of the month, or journal after your reading to anchor the messages you wish to hold on to. I sincerely hope you find insight and magic in these words.
The Collective Message
- The Literary Companion: One Race- Greg Dreise
- The Decks: The Dream Tarot
- The Crystals: Smoky Quartz and Red Jasper
- The Essences: Jasmine and Chamomile
- The Mud and Earth: Yellow Clay
As we step into the collective energy for October, we are called to observe our environment with a grounded presence and a steady, mindful breath. The collective atmosphere currently carries an incredibly turbulent wind. It is the sense of Justice that aligns with Libra. People angry and causing outrage. Asserting their pain that was not taken seriously. As the page from One Race reminds us, “Yet there are still some people who throw out awful words like mace”. It is incredibly easy to be swept up in the harsh storms of other people’s projections, but this month calls for you to root down deeply, much like an ancient, unwavering oak tree holding firm in the soil.
The cards pulled for our shared journey are: Strength, Judgement, the Eight of Coins, and the Nine of Cups. These weave a powerful story of inner fortitude and personal mastery. The Eight of Coins asks you to tend carefully to your own garden. Focus deeply on your individual responsibility and doing your part with quiet dedication. Like a lotus blooming gracefully in murky waters, your role is simply to blossom, regardless of whether others witness or understand the purity of your intention. People will not always see your true heart, but Judgement and Strength call on you to rise above the fray. Instead of mirroring the chaos, we are guided toward a higher vibration of the future which the next page from One Race reminds us: Let’s communicate with empathy and resist the urge to get all up in someone’s face.
To anchor this intention, I am reminded of my favourite prayer“Hum ko man ki shakti Dena.” This prayer a sacred plea for the strength and clarity of mind. Here are what this beloved Hindi poem means in English:
Give us mental strength
For our minds to be victorious
That we do our own work before we judge others
Please help me erase any negativity from my mind
Please help me forgive people who have made mistakes
Please help me stay away from lying and fill me with the spirit of truth
That we do our own work before we judge others
Give us mental strength
If I encounter hardships please support me
If we walk together on this path of dharma we will definitely reach it
Please give me the strength to have faith in myself
And to not be afraid of the mountain.
Give us the strength to do my own work before we judge others
Give us mental strength
When the winds of misunderstanding howl, we must retreat to this inner sanctuary. It is a time to offer grace to those who are struggling with their own thorns, while actively choosing a path of compassionate communication.
Mother Nature provides us with the perfect allies to support this energetic work. Keep Smoky Quartz close for a sturdy foundation of protection and strength, and let Red Jasper fill you with the vital courage to stand tall. When the outside world asks too much of you, allow the soothing botanical essences of Jasmine and Chamomile to wash over you like a gentle, healing river. Let their calming presence relax your nervous system, extending deep love to yourself and reminding you that the emotional fulfillment promised by the Nine of Cups always begins within.
Okay, now pause here, set your intention, and scroll to the pile that you chose!
Pile One:
- The Literary Companion: Politics- Mary Graham and Morgan Brigg.
- The Decks: Angels and Ancestors, Dirt Gems, and Wise Earth Medicine
- The Crystals: Clear Quartz and Amethyst
- The Essences: Tangerine and Sandalwood
- The Mud and Earth: Pink Clay
The Mountains card calls on you to honour your stillness. Like a dormant volcano or a deeply rooted forest in winter, stillness does not equate to a lack of movement. Ground yourself firmly before you reach upward, and acknowledge the powerful, subtle currents shifting beneath the surface.
The Hunter reveals that you are both the seeker and the survivor, the hunter and the hunted. Your fears and insecurities are not things to be judged or pushed away; they hold the key to your deepest desires. The text from Politics reminds us that human beings carry both “survivalist” impulses (to compete and protect) and “relationist” impulses (to care and connect). You have a choice in how you navigate these energies. Tune into your innate fearlessness and allow the pain you have survived to become the catalyst that makes a true difference in the world.
You may be feeling exhausted from continuously pouring from your cup. Having to put energy out, much like the Trader, without receiving enough in return. Your ancestors are stepping in to remind you to walk your path with integrity. A locked heart charm appeared in your pull as a direct plea: do not lock your heart away. The Strength card reinforces the collective message of fortitude, but a delicate flower charm resting here reveals a beautiful secret: true strength does not require you to harden yourself. Like a vibrant blossom, you can remain soft, open, and colourful without sacrificing an ounce of your power.
The 8 of Wind indicates that the cage you feel trapped inside is entirely mental. While the pain you endured was never your fault, identifying perpetually as a fragile victim keeps you bound. You are a resilient survivor. When the 4 of Water appears with a circle charm, it is a reminder that healing happens in spirals, not straight lines. If you feel like you are back at square one, do not judge yourself. You are simply revisiting a familiar lesson from a higher vantage point, still moving upward.
Root down like an ancient tree, retreat into your shell like a turtle when you need sanctuary and observe your surroundings with the silent wisdom of an owl. By doing this, you will step into the triumphant, recognised energy of the 6 of Fire.
Nature’s apothecary steps forward powerfully for this pile. Aconite (often called the scorpion’s tail) acknowledges that violence and suffering exist, but turning toward your depths can spark a massive, transformative fire that burns away what no longer serves you. Poison, when understood, can become medicine. Because you are deeply driven by pathos and fire, Aloe Vera offers necessary cooling relief, helping you retain your joy and love. Blue Vervain grants you permission to let go, rest, and finally feel safe in your body, while Red Root clears your system so you can stand tall once more.
You may feel as though you are adrift in a metaphorical desert landscape, surrounded by dry, windy conditions that demand immense courage. Finding your internal oasis is vital here. This journey heavily echoes the story of The Alchemist: wandering through a vast desert to uncover your personal legend, realizing the treasure was within you all along.
To support this deep energetic work, use pink clay to gently draw out toxins and soothe the heart space. Keep Clear Quartz and Amethyst nearby for ultimate protection and mental clearing. Finally, anoint yourself or your space with Tangerine and Sandalwood to remain fiercely grounded while keeping your vital, creative energy flowing.
Pile 2
- The Literary Companion: The Amazing Generation- Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price
- The Decks: Pop Art Tarot, Unstable Unicorns, and What would Beyoncé do?
- The Crystals: Brazilian Amethyst and Citrine
- The Essences: Oregano and Lemongrass
- The Mud and Earth: Brown Clay
For Pile Two, we return to the collective medicine of Jasmine essential oil. Allow its soothing, botanical embrace to relax your nervous system so you can tune out the chaotic noise of the world. However, your energetic toolkit is expanding here. Bring in Oregano oil to clear out any energetic “colds” and fortify your immune system against the harshness of external opinions, along with Lemongrass to provide that bright, zesty burst of energy you need for this final push.
You are currently experiencing a beautiful wave of success and progress, confirmed by the bright, uplifting energy of the Achievements, Inspiration, and The Lovers cards gracing your spread. Yet, instead of basking in this well-deserved glow, you are feeling intensely overwhelmed by the opinions, envy, and mean comments of others. There is a persistent anxiety humming in the background, making you feel jittery and restless, much like the Caffeine Overload card. You are calling in grounding and stability (represented by Stable Artillery), but you feel antsy because you sense massive change approaching, and you are terrified that the “other shoe is going to drop” because of the negative energy you feel like you may be attracting.
To anchor your energy, look to Brown Clay. It represents ultimate earthing and stability, reminding you that you are laying down solid bricks for a secure foundation that cannot be easily toppled by the changing winds. Mother Nature also offers specific crystal allies for this duality: Brazilian Amethyst, which brings a lighter, gentler energy than regular amethyst while remaining fiercely protective of your peace; and Citrine, a light, transparent, happy crystal to amplify the joy of your current achievements and keep you focused on the light.
The Amazing Generation steps in here with a profound message about how our minds process these experiences: things are not inherently “good” or “bad.” The exact same chemical mechanisms that help us form positive, survival-based habits (like dopamine rewarding us for finding sweet raspberries) are the very same triggers tech wizards use to hook us to our screens and the negativity of the collective. The passion and sensitivity that fuel your positive feelings are the same mechanisms making you hyper-aware of the painful noise you wish you could ignore.
The advice for navigating this is clear and empowering: “Make sure you’re the one telling your story”. To borrow from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s profound concept of the “danger of a single story,” true power lies in anyone’s ability to make a single narrative the definitive one. You may feel like you are hitting a glass ceiling right now, but you are being called to be the exact change you wish to see. As another card in your spread boldly asks, “Records are made to be broken, so why not break them yourself?”. Just start. As the cards promise, “Once you’ve started something, you’ll be amazed by the heights you can reach”.
The Kiss of Life card is a beautiful reassurance that you are divinely supported; the universe has your back, and the powerful cards you play right now “cannot be Neighed” or blocked by anyone else’s negativity. Stick to what you know and trust your foundational wisdom, a message echoed by The Hierophant. The song coming up is Energy Vampires by Shanin Blake.
What is meant for you is yours, and no amount of external chatter can take it away. Tune out the unhelpful voices, lean into the solid bricks of your foundation, and focus solely on your individual responsibility: communicating with empathy, extending grace, and leading by beautiful example.
Pile 3
- The Literary Companion: Dear Ijeawele: A feminist manifesto in fifteen suggestions- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- The Decks: The Light Seers, That’s what she said, and Jane Austen’s Plight
- The Crystals: Obsidian and Green Fluorite
- The Essences: Lemon Eucalyptus and Ylang Ylang
- The Mud and Earth: Green Clay
Welcome to Pile Three. The energy here is cloaked in deep, grounding green, connecting you directly to Mother Earth. To support this reading, bring in Green Clay and Green Fluorite to anchor you, while Obsidian offers fierce, uncompromising protection against outside noise. Anoint your space with Lemon Eucalyptus for vibrant clarity, and Ylang Ylang to encourage the deep rest and intuition connected directly to the energy of the High Priestess.
Your reading opens with a narrative of passion, propriety, elegance, and etiquette, setting the scene in “The Assembly Rooms”. Historically, these rooms were places to gather in high society, but they were also where the most intense drama, judgment, and rumors brewed. Though you may be surrounded by a crowded room of voices right now, you are being asked to rely solely on yourself and perhaps one trusted peer. The world, much like this “Jane Austen’s Plight” game, is handing you clues, offering an envelope of “Hints and Answers”. The choice is yours: do you want to lean on universal help? Or do you want to figure it out yourself? Both are incredibly valid choices but know that you can change your path and seek help when you need it. This is a powerful moment of hidden words now seen (the clue on this card). The truth that was once obscured in the background is coming into clear view, and it is up to you to use these hints to solve the puzzle. If you feel stuck, ask yourself if you have a mental block preventing you from acknowledging the hidden words right in front of you.
The repeating 2s and 9s in your Tarot spread: the High Priestess (2), 2 of Wands, 9 of Pentacles, and 9 of Wands, signal a powerful energetic threshold. You are making your last stand, making decisive choices around travel and intuition, and moving toward a beautiful wish fulfilled. Notice the breathtaking range and diversity of the women depicted across your cards. You contain multitudes; you embody all of these contrasting, powerful vibes, from the deeply intuitive mystic to the self-sufficient, triumphant visionary.
This pile also addresses a very specific, deeply felt pain: the unique sting of other women upholding patriarchal norms. As Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes in Dear Ijeawele, experiencing “smoldering hostility” from other women when you make an independent choice can be incredibly isolating. People may try to strip your power through exhausting, circular arguments. For example, if you keep your name, they might argue it is still patriarchal because it is your father’s name. Your advice here is to refuse this exhausting chicken-and-egg debate. As Adichie asserts, it is simply the name with which you have answered to life’s milestones, the name you have traveled with since kindergarten. Simply saying: this is what I prefer, is argument enough. Do not let others drag you into philosophical debates to invalidate your lived experience.
Your spread also brings a refreshing dose of humour and unfiltered realness. Sometimes, the most genuine intimacy and kindness do not happen in a polite ballroom; they happen in unconventional, seemingly rude ways, like hearing someone whisper a supportive truth from the next bathroom stall.
You are being challenged to rebel against the consensus. One of your cards reads, “four out of five scientists agree that…” paired with “I’m perfectly happy in the backseat”. Even if the “scientists” or societal structures agree that someone of your intersecting identities belongs in the backseat, do you? Question who these scientists are. Question who they studied. Question the systems before you blindly accept that their rules apply to you.
The ultimate message for you is clear: “once you pop, you can’t stop!”. When you finally unleash your authentic truth and refuse to sit in the backseat, you will be unstoppable. Use this immense, untamed power for good.
Conclusion
As you navigate the shifting currents of this season, remember to give yourself immense grace. Your 100% does not need to look the same every single day: some days your strength will look like breaking boundaries and standing tall in your power, and other days it will look like resting, retreating into your shell, and simply catching your breath. Both are whole, sacred, and necessary. You do not have to weather the storm alone; lean on your trusted circle, reach out for support when you need it, and trust that the seeds you are tending with quiet integrity are taking root. I hope these messages have offered the clarity, comfort, and gentle direction you were seeking as you step forward into your own authentic light.
