Sweet Scopes is a Sweet July series in partnership with Amber the Alchemist. Each horoscope season, we bring you tarot readings specific to your astrological sign, with beauty and wellness tips tailored to help you be your best self.
I’m here to let you in on a little secret: the New Year *technically* starts now. We’re accustomed to creating our vision boards and planning our goals in preparation for the first of January every year, but the astrological New Year doesn’t kick off until the Sun moves into the sign of Aries during the spring equinox. When you think about it, it actually makes perfect sense! As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries energy represents an initial spark and the desire to charge towards that spark with great force and power, like the ram itself. This is the time to really cement your 2022 intentions with drive and tenacity. It’s not too late to revisit your January goals and audaciously pursue them. In fact, this is the recharge you needed. (Anyone else totally neglect their aesthetically pleasing to-do checklists?!) Pace yourself, though; burnout is only one “yes” away.
The beginning of the astrological New Year can have us doing the most, so be intentional with each door you open and create for yourself. As the fire burns, the spirit of impulsiveness floats in those embers and just because you can doesn’t mean you should. While new responsibilities and projects fall on your lap, lean on grounding practices that help you stay focused on your goals so you are pouring your energy into things that will pour back into you. This begins with your morning routines and rituals, so make it count! There is nothing out of your reach this season—there never was, but this restart is the *razzle dazzle* we needed to uplift our vibrations. Embrace your primal instincts and authentic forms of expression. Oh, and don’t forget the affirmation playlists! Intro song? “Formation” by the Queen herself.
Get your tarot readings below! (Read your sun, moon, rising, and Venus astrological signs for the most accurate guidance.)
Aries | The Fool
New Year, new you, boo! You’re always ready to reinvent yourself around the time of your birthday, but it feels different this time around. This isn’t one of your spontaneous life changes. In fact, it feels like this is something that’s been weighing heavy on your heart for a while now. If anything or anyone was holding you back from making a change, you’re entering a more flexible time in your life where you have the freedom to follow those instincts and do as you please without considering what other people think. This is why you feel so sure embracing this new beginning, because it isn’t really new to you, more like a curiosity that’s been lingering, such as a screen capture of a hairstyle that’s been in your saved photos for years. For those who recently experienced a sudden breakup (romantic, professional or platonic), you’ll feel even more inspired to take that leap of faith and take a peek into what this next chapter of your life will look like. Though you’ll be exploring uncharted territory, the familiarity of these changes feels stable and long-term. Some of you will explore beauty methods and wellness rituals that make you look and feel more youthful, while others will be doing the exact opposite. Your birthday feels like the perfect time to embrace your age and wisdom! Youthfulness is a spirit, something that just is—it doesn’t matter if you’re 23 or 53. Since you’ll be celebrating all season long, this Sangria infusion kit will be the life of the party. Cheers to another year around the sun! *Clink clink*
InBooze Red Wine Sangria Infusion Kit
Taurus | 5 of Pentacles
Saucy Santana’s “Material Girl” may be your everyday mood but the Universe says, keep your purse close to you this month! Aries energy tends to feed into our impulsive behaviors, so don’t get caught slipping…or swiping! Hone in on your spending habits to ensure you’re managing your finances in a way that serves both your present and future. This is not a time to splurge out of convenience on *cough cough* UberEats and delivery services. If anyone can create luxury experiences without breaking the bank, it’s you—exquisite taste flows through your veins! Your guides want you to be resourceful in how you invest your time, money and energy. Don’t be afraid to ask for support when you need it. Consider asking for help: Even if you don’t know how to get a job done, you may know someone who does. Be resourceful in your pursuits; it may actually save you money with results that catch you by surprise! Before throwing your coins into high-end items, consider local, vintage and refurbished options. What you initially see may not be exactly what you want, but channel your inner alchemist and turn coal into gold. This will flex your creativity and keep some money in your pocket. Exchange your monthly spa treatments for at-home spa day—don’t forget to add your CBD bath salts to the mix!
Gemini | The Lovers
There’s lots to consider this month, as this season shoots new connections and opportunities your way like a cannon. Fresh connections seem to be falling into your lap, which can be both exciting and overwhelming as you pull emotional tug-of-war in your relationships. Who and what deserves your energy and attention? Spirit enforces quality over quantity and tuning into your heart center to determine what feels right versus what looks right. With you showing up as yourself (the Lovers card is ruled by Gemini), you may be confronted to choose between two completely opposite situations. With duality, choice and identity being big themes this month, Life, I Swear is something to add to your wishlist. You’re also being guided to instill and review vows you’ve created for your personal well-being. What commitments have you made to yourself since the New Year and have you honored them? Aries season is your check-in point to determine if these pledges are still aligned with your journey or if modifications are needed. By the end of the season, you will face a crossroads where you’re forced to choose between two things, and your guides want to make sure you are choosing a path that lights your soul on fire. Many of you will be choosing yourself, and there’s nothing more liberating than that!
Life, I Swear: Intimate Stories from Black Women on Identity, Healing, and Self-Trust
Cancer | King of Wands
With people expecting you to wear your heart on your sleeve, they’ll be in for a rude awakening when they cross paths with you this season. Now, this doesn’t mean that you’re faking the funk, but it does mean that you’re not allowing your personal feelings to get in the way of what you’re determined to make a reality. There’s a vision you’re holding that you’re recognizing only you can fulfill, so it’s your time to put your crown on and reign over your kingdom. Wear red to channel that visionary energy and wear yellow to activate your solar plexus chakra—the energy center that revolves around your personal power and confident expression. With fire being your power element, keep candles around your workspace to boost your productivity. Your power mantra is “I can’t compete where I don’t compare.” Many of you will be taking on leadership and entrepreneurial roles, which can be intimidating or even triggering for your imposter syndrome. Consistently remind yourself that even if what you’re creating has been done before, it hasn’t been done by you—and that is your magic!
Leo | 4 of Swords
This is your season for switching the autopilot mode off and focusing on rest and rejuvenation. You may have recently hit a milestone or completed a project, but before you jump into your next venture, the Universe wants you to embrace stillness in your life. This will be quite a challenge as a fire sign in a fire season, but there are so many ways you can quiet your mind—a mini staycation, a new meditation method, returning to consistent prayer and reflection. Grounding yourself will look like prioritizing time for yourself to simply be, making you feel more hermitty than usual. Take this time to reflect on your journey and the new tools of life you’ve acquired over time. If new ideas begin to flood your mind, jot them down on paper so they don’t take up too much mental space and revisit them when you’re recharged and have a clear mind. What responsibilities can you afford to pause? Take a day, a week, an hour…whatever you can spare so that you are not feeling defeated by lingering anxieties and stress. Reclaim your energy by reclaiming your time! You owe it to yourself to retreat to your sanctuary or create a new one to crawl into when the outside world feels overbearing.
Cloth + Paper x SJ Message Pad
Virgo | Page Cups
Unexpected plot twists and waves of creative inspiration are flowing your way. As a sign ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, it’s in your second nature to intellectualize, but if you spend too much time making sense of the miraculous experiences in your life, it may pass you by. When you surrender to your intuition, you’ll be able to recognize that not all is black and white. And, speaking of, don’t shy away from color, either. Get outside of your comfort zone and go with the flow this time around! You have an invitation from the divine to acknowledge aesthetics, observe your surroundings and nurture your creative instincts. By the end of the season, you may have an entirely different outlook on life and what you want to pour your energy into. I see some of you will be especially interested in photography, the arts and creative outlets that get you out of your head and into your heart, like making floral arrangements. Don’t feel guilty for wanting to surround yourself with pretty things that may not be the most practical. Wear different style earrings and introduce yourself to statement pieces. Switch things up and see how the world around you responds to this unabashed version of yourself. Unpredictability looks sexy on you!
CanDid Art Lola Necklace
Libra | The High Priestess
“To know yourself is to trust yourself.” This is a season of looking within and sharpening intuitive gifts. Your spirit will be yearning to learn more about the esoteric arts, like tarot, astrology, energy healing, psychic and other modalities that peak your interest. This may even be your first time reading something like this, so welcome! When it involves your connections, you are wanting people to see you for who you are instead of your physical appearance. Because of this, your approach to style and artistic expression will be on the modest side, especially towards the end of the season as you handle your business and sign those deals. Feed into your mysteriousity, and those who are interested in cultivating a connection with you will make their move. As your subconscious mind expands, you’ll be gathering new information, which could be a secret that you’re required to honor, forcing you to turn inward. This may be an NDA agreement or something you’ve learned about yourself or your sexuality that you’re still trying to understand. Start a new journal to record new findings, prophetic dreams, spiritual wisdom and intuitive downloads. Spirit will be very loud, so start paying attention to the signs that point to divine communication.
Scorpio | 3 of Swords (Reversed)
Finally, the storm is clearing! After facing some emotional wounds or being triggered by long-lasting traumas, you can finally breathe easy. Pisces season took your emotions for a spin and the astrological New Year is the fresh start you need to revisit all the plans, goals and ideas that you put on ice while you faced those abrasions. You’re coming out of this situation with forgiveness and compassion in your heart, allowing you to take steps forward to reclaim your joy and rewrite your story. As the clouds dissipate, clarity awaits you. What’s next? You have the bandwidth to pour into your desires and the options are limitless—now that you’re no longer feeling hindered by the weight of the past. You are creating from a place of desire and aspiration instead of lack, which exposes you to even more abundance! As you come out of hibernation, intentionally plan ahead and create systems that nurture your ideas and encourage you to stay persistent. Finding a firm balance between your core responsibilities is key. Don’t jump into anything that makes you question if you have the time or energy for it; use your Scorpionic psychic senses to guide you! The pyramids weren’t built in a day—who knows how long it took our Kemetic ancestors to build them! And here they are still thriving and standing thousands of years later. Let that be a testament to the time it takes to build a secure foundation. Adorn yourself with this talisman as a constant reminder to never stop building on your dreams, and wear yellow and gold to feel like royalty!
Omi Woods Necklace – The Pyramid Bar Coin Pendant
Sagittarius | The High Priestess
Your metamorphosis this season comes from a place of recognizing that now is the time to care and nurture yourself internally instead of overvaluing your outer appearance, career path and matters of the material world. In fact, a facet of your shadow self may overcompensate in those areas to distract you from what you’re feeling internally. Making the decision to embark upon a healthier lifestyle will clear away the blockages in your energetic body and strengthen your intuitive guidance. As a visual being, you’re prone to cheffing up dishes that are both beautiful and life-giving. Check out new cookbooks for fresh inspiration. If you’ve been trying to make changes around your beauty, health and wellness routines, you’re encouraged to reframe that narrative and consider how it will make you feel, rather than how it will make you look. The radical change happening in your life will be easily recognizable through internal signals, and the physical change will follow behind it. You strike people to be this insanely confident person, which you are, but they have no idea what you’ve been struggling with beyond the surface. By the end of the season, you will genuinely embody all of the things people, including yourself, expect you to be. This is growth.
One Pot: Three Ways
Capricorn | The Devil
Being an earth sign has its pros and cons. On one hand, it’s a natural instinct to conjure up a game plan, including who’s involved and what their roles are, but what happens when your friends and family don’t fall in line? There’s a vision that you’re holding on to that you believe is in the best interest of your community, but the hesitance on their end could be frustrating to you. Your greatest lesson this season is detaching from what you feel would make other people happy and leaning into your own joy and inner peace. Liberation is your driving force. Your higher self is challenging you to conduct yourself in a way that is self-serving, not constructed around outer perceptions or people-pleasing. It’s time to do what’s best for you.
Drastic changes are on the horizon, such as moving away from your core support system, changing your physical appearance or taking on an opportunity that’s outside your comfort zone! As you detox yourself from limiting habits, beliefs and plans, you’ll come out on the other side as your own muse. Be your own source of inspiration!
Aquarius | The Sun
What a time to be alive. You set your sights high and now the Universe is responding in ways you could only dream of. Prepare to be astounded and thrown into the limelight, receiving public attention for your accolades and accomplishments. Some of you will be promoted, gain new financial opportunities, buy a home, get engaged, prepare to have a baby… all the good stuff! The outpouring of love you’re walking into points towards your foundation. Things may have felt shaky in the past as you planted your feet in a new environment, but you can rest in the sureness that you’re safe and secure. Big breaks are amongst you, especially if you’ve been creating compelling digital content or working in the beauty, fashion and entertainment industries. With all eyes on you, you definitely have to give them something to look at! Intentionally make yourself more visible by wearing brighter colors (like a bold-colored nail polish), unique beauty looks and showstopping ensembles. Prepare to be camera-ready!
Pisces | 4 of Wands
Unsettling feelings around your environment and where you stand in your creative endeavors have been heavy on your heart, but you’ll be so much more grounded by mid-April. New opportunities and propositions are placed on your path from your spirit guides to remind you that your hard work is not in vain! Your gifts are valued and you will be compensated for your continued determination, but you have to know your worth before allowing someone to determine that for you. Constantly remind yourself of the stepping stones and self-investments you’ve made to get you where you are today. Everything that came before this season was a prerequisite for what’s to come. As an innovator, you must accept that your journey will look different than your peers because you’re embarking upon a journey that hasn’t been paved yet. As you gain more momentum, new opportunities will unveil—some more alluring than others. But remember, all that glitter isn’t gold. What’s best for you may not be the first opportunity that excites you the most. Weigh your options carefully and exercise discernment before making any commitments, especially when it comes to home ownership, renting an office or apartment, or deciding on a new place of business. In the meantime, make your home your sanctuary and prioritize feeling grounded in your current environment! Incorporate foods and drinks with ingredients like ginger, turmeric and cinnamon for that boost of energy as you consider all your options.
