Sage Leaves: Justice and the Heroine's Journey
Healing Ancestral Wounds Through Tarot
Welcome, wise ones, to another turning of Sage Leaves. Summer’s brilliance softens now into the measured clarity of autumn, when the fields are gathered and the air carries both cool edges and the promise of change. Shadows lengthen, asking us to consider what is fair, what is true, and what balance we must strike as we step further along the heroine’s path.
This season sharpens wit and steadies resolve, and so I offer you a September Wit Sharpening blend—an aromatic companion of palo santo, sandalwood, orange, cinnamon, and chamomile—to center you in discernment while softening the shift from warmth to crispness. Pour a cup of something herbal, roll on a touch of brightness, and let us listen together for what Justice calls forth in this turning of the wheel.
September Blend
Bottle: 10 ml amber glass rollerball bottle
Base: Fractionated coconut oil (or jojoba for a slightly richer glide)
Essential Oils
Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens) – 4 drops
Grounds the mind, clears stagnant energy, and enhances focus.Sandalwood (Santalum album or spicatum) – 3 drops
Adds warmth and depth, softening mental chatter while keeping you centered.Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) – 1 drop
A spark of stimulation, hinting at autumn’s spice and sharpening attention.Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) – 5 drops
Brightens mood, refreshes the mind, and brings playful sparkle to the blend.Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) – 2 drops
Soothes tension, supports steady focus, and comforts as daylight wanes.
Carrier Oil
Fill the remaining space in the rollerball with fractionated coconut oil (or jojoba if you prefer a slightly slower absorption).
Instructions
Add essential oils to the rollerball bottle in the order listed.
Fill the bottle to the shoulder with carrier oil.
Cap tightly, then roll between palms for 30 seconds to blend.
Allow to rest 24 hours before first use to let the notes marry.
How to Use
Apply to temples, wrists, or behind the ears before study, writing, or meetings.
Use in the morning to set a tone of clarity, or in the afternoon when energy dips and distraction creeps in.
Roll onto a scarf or collar to carry its subtle autumnal brightness with you.
Safety Notes
Cinnamon oil is a strong dermal irritant. One drop is sufficient; do not increase.
Perform a patch test before first use.
Avoid eye area and mucous membranes.
Not recommended for children under 12.
Purchase essential oils from a quality retailer such as Mountain Rose Herbs, From Nature With Love, or The Bulk Apothecary.
The Role of Justice in the Heroine’s Journey
In the Heroine’s Journey, the card of Justice does not arrive at the beginning of the story, when the heroine is full of dreams and longing, nor does it stand at the very end, when wisdom and transformation have already been earned. Instead, Justice appears as a pivotal moment in the middle of the path, asking the heroine to look honestly at everything she has done, everything she has believed, and everything she has allowed to be true about herself and the world around her.
Unlike the Hero’s Journey, which often celebrates outward conquest and the slaying of dragons, the Heroine’s Journey is inward, spiraling, and cyclical, involving repeated reckonings with the self. Justice plays a crucial role in this spiral by forcing the heroine to pause and confront the truth, not just the facts of her experiences, but the deeper truths that she may have ignored, denied, or distorted in order to survive. It is not a card of punishment, though it can feel harsh. It is a card of accountability and clarity, which can feel like standing in front of a mirror with no filters, no excuses, and no one to blame.
In many depictions, the figure of Justice sits with a sword in one hand and a scale in the other, and this duality reflects the task at hand. The sword represents discernment, the ability to cut through illusions and speak with precision, while the scale reflects the need for balance, not just between opposing forces in the world, but within the psyche itself. The Heroine must ask herself: What parts of me have I cast aside in order to belong? What truths have I silenced to stay safe? What must be restored for me to move forward with integrity?
Often, the Heroine arrives at Justice after confronting betrayal, loss, or disillusionment. She may have left behind a false identity, a broken relationship, or a worldview that no longer fits. Now, she must assess what is left and determine what kind of life she wants to build in its place. This part of the journey is not about vengeance or emotional reactivity, but about thoughtful and courageous self-examination. Justice asks her to stop running, to stop hiding, and to ask herself the hardest questions without flinching.
One of the most important aspects of Justice in the Heroine’s Journey is that it restores the heroine’s sense of moral agency. She is no longer a passive character in someone else’s story, or a victim of the past, but a woman who claims her power by naming what is true and fair and refusing to pretend otherwise. In this way, Justice is an initiation—a rite of passage that signals the heroine is ready to step out of illusion and into wisdom. It does not fix everything, but it does reorient her compass, allowing her to proceed with more clarity and grounded purpose.
Justice is not the sword; it is the mirror. In the Heroine’s Journey, she does not strike—she reflects. She faces what is true, even when the truth is tangled in contradiction, and dares to re-balance the scales with eyes wide open.
This archetype also helps the heroine navigate the tension between personal truth and collective responsibility. The journey is never just about her. It is about how she chooses to respond to what she sees and how she decides to use her voice. When Justice appears, the heroine is often called to act not only on her own behalf but also on behalf of others who have no voice, who have been harmed, or who are still caught in systems of imbalance and oppression. This part of the journey is where personal healing becomes collective healing, and where truth-telling becomes a sacred act of service.
In short, Justice is not a final destination in the Heroine’s Journey, but a vital turning point. It is the moment she reclaims her inner compass and stops pretending. With sword and scale in hand, she learns to weigh her life with honesty, speak truth without cruelty, and move forward—not with vengeance, but with clarity. It is the beginning of her becoming truly whole.
Reflection Prompt:
What truth have you been avoiding because it would require you to change the story you've been telling yourself?Sit with this question without rushing to answer. Let Justice invite you not into judgment, but into honest equilibrium. What becomes possible when you release the need to be right, and choose instead to be clear?
Sage Leaves Weekly Tarotscope: August 26-September 1, 2025
The Cards of the Week
Tuesday: 5 of Swords – Venus in Leo sextile Uranus in Gemini
Wednesday: King of Swords – Venus in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius
Thursday: 10 of Swords – Uranus in Gemini sextile Neptune in Aries
Friday: 4 of Pentacles – Moon in Scorpio trine Jupiter in Cancer
Saturday: Queen of Swords – Moon in Scorpio trine Jupiter in Cancer
Sunday: The Devil (Major Arcana) – Moon in Sagittarius trine Venus in Leo
Monday: Page of Swords – Saturn enters Pisces
Tuesday – 5 of Swords
You begin the week walking into a field of tension. The 5 of Swords is rarely gentle. It speaks of conflict, of winning that comes at too high a cost, and of words used as weapons rather than tools for truth. With Venus in Leo sextile Uranus in Gemini, the day carries a charged electricity. Uranus seeks disruption and Venus in Leo insists on being seen, so arguments or disagreements may spark quickly. You may feel the urge to defend yourself or to prove a point, but the question lingers: is the fight worth the fallout? On Tuesday, the lesson is to step back and ask whether victory will bring peace or only hollow pride.
Wednesday – King of Swords
The atmosphere sharpens into clarity. The King of Swords enters like a stern judge who will not entertain excuses. Venus opposing Pluto adds depth and intensity, forcing hidden truths into the open. You may feel pressure to take a definitive stand, to analyze a problem with absolute reason rather than emotion. The King of Swords cuts through illusion with a keen edge, but he can also become aloof, refusing to acknowledge pain in favor of intellectual dominance. On Wednesday, you are called to wield discernment without cruelty. You must remember that truth, though cold, must be balanced with humanity.
Thursday – 10 of Swords
The week reaches its nadir. The 10 of Swords is the moment of collapse, the breaking point where the old story ends. It is not a subtle card; it is final, dramatic, and uncompromising. With Uranus sextile Neptune, revelations may arrive suddenly, perhaps through dreams, insights, or the crumbling of an illusion you thought would hold longer. You are reminded that endings clear space for renewal, but the pain of loss cannot be denied. On Thursday, you may feel the weight of exhaustion or betrayal, but the message is clear: this cycle has run its course. What falls now was never built to last.
Friday – 4 of Pentacles
From collapse comes contraction. The 4 of Pentacles shows a figure holding tightly to coins, a posture of control and containment. After Thursday’s ending, the instinct is to guard what remains, to cling to stability. The Moon in Scorpio trine Jupiter in Cancer deepens this impulse, rooting you in emotional caution while hinting at hidden reserves of resilience. On Friday, you may find yourself drawing inward, consolidating resources, and refusing to let go. The lesson is to recognize that security is not the same as stagnation. Holding too tightly to safety can prevent the flow of renewal.
Saturday – Queen of Swords
A shift occurs. The Queen of Swords rises to meet the contraction of Friday with wisdom sharpened by lived experience. She does not soften her words, but she speaks with integrity and honesty. The Moon in Scorpio trine Jupiter in Cancer once again lends emotional depth, but now, instead of clinging, you are asked to articulate boundaries. The Queen of Swords balances intellect with a hard-won sense of independence. On Saturday, you may find yourself naming truths you were once afraid to voice. Her presence empowers you to see with clarity, but also warns against cynicism.
Sunday – The Devil
The only Major Arcana card of the week arrives like a shadow at the threshold. The Devil speaks of entrapment, temptation, and illusions of power. With the Moon in Sagittarius trine Venus in Leo, there may be seductions that appear joyful or freeing, yet carry hidden chains. The Devil asks you to examine where you are bound, whether by fear, desire, or attachment. This is not a simple warning; it is an invitation to look unflinchingly at what holds sway over your spirit. On Sunday, the question is whether you will remain in bondage or acknowledge the chains for what they are and begin to loosen them.
Monday – Page of Swords
The week ends not with certainty but with curiosity. The Page of Swords is young, inquisitive, and restless. Saturn’s entry into Pisces emphasizes discipline entering a realm of intuition and dreams. You may feel a push to learn, to question, to observe from a new perspective. The Page looks back toward the Queen of Swords, separated by The Devil, as if to say that before wisdom is fully integrated, the shadows must be faced. On Monday, you are invited to become the student again, to pursue truth with a fresh mind. The Page reminds you that even after endings, inquiry continues.
Overarching Themes
Swords’ Dominion
Five of the seven cards this week belong to the suit of Swords. This is a week defined by intellect, conflict, and the realm of the mind. You may find yourself caught in sharp conversations, difficult decisions, or relentless inner dialogue. The repeated appearance of Swords suggests that mental clarity, truth, and the navigation of conflict are unavoidable themes. This is not a week of cups and emotional ease, nor of wands and passionate drive, nor of pentacles and steady growth. Instead, it is a week of thought, challenge, and confronting the sharp edges of reality.
The Courtly Trio
Three court cards appear: the King, the Queen, and the Page of Swords. Together, they form a family of authority, maturity, and new beginnings. The King stands in the center of the week, ruling with reason but ignoring the pain flanking him. The Queen steps in later, balancing clarity with experience. The Page closes the cycle, reminding you that wisdom must always be renewed through learning and inquiry. The presence of this progression shows that the week is not just about conflict but also about how you grow in your ability to handle truth.
The Devil’s Interruption
Only one Major Arcana card appears, and it is The Devil. Its singularity makes it heavy. In a sea of Swords, The Devil reminds you that thoughts alone cannot free you if you are still bound by shadow. Between the Queen and the Page stands the figure of enslavement, demanding that you reckon with the patterns and illusions that keep you tethered. You cannot reach the fresh curiosity of the Page until you acknowledge The Devil’s hold.
Numerology and Cycles
The numbers tell their own story. The 5 of Swords opens the week with conflict. The 10 of Swords doubles it, marking finality and closure. The 4 of Pentacles offers a pause, a contraction that follows collapse. The presence of 5 and 10 underscores the theme of cycles ending. The courts suggest that endings are not without purpose; they guide you toward growth.
Saturn Enters Pisces
The astrological movement of Saturn into Pisces on Monday seals the week’s lesson. Saturn brings structure and discipline, while Pisces dissolves boundaries into intuition and compassion. This transition mirrors the Page of Swords’ invitation to balance rational inquiry with openness to unseen realms. The discipline of Saturn may ground the fluidity of Pisces, teaching you to hold dreams responsibly.
Conclusion
This week is a story of the mind tested by conflict, sharpened by truth, and shadowed by bondage. You begin with discord, meet stern judgment, and collapse under the weight of an ending. You then cling to what remains before rising into wisdom, facing your shadows, and finally turning toward fresh curiosity. The repeated Swords emphasize that clarity must come even through pain. The courts remind you that growth is a progression, from judgment to wisdom to inquiry. And The Devil, standing alone, insists that you cannot bypass your shadows if you wish to reach renewal.
It is a week of endings and reckonings, but also one that clears the way for disciplined curiosity as Saturn enters Pisces. The story asks you to hold truth with courage, to face bondage without flinching, and to step forward with the openness of a learner ready to grow.
Final Reflection:
This week challenges you to face conflict, endings, and the shadows that bind you, yet it also invites you to claim clarity and curiosity as guiding lights. The dominance of Swords shows that truth must be confronted, while The Devil reminds you that liberation begins with acknowledgment. By week’s end, you stand ready to learn anew, tempered by experience and open to growth.
As we close this week’s tarotscope, let Justice walk beside you as both mirror and measure, reminding you that each choice tips the scales toward growth or stagnation. Autumn’s approach asks for clarity, not haste, and for courage in letting go of what no longer serves your ripening self. May the September Wit Sharpening blend be a gentle ally, steadying your hand and quickening your insight as you move through endings and beginnings alike. Until next time, may your balance be true, your steps sure, and your path lit with the crisp light of the season.
Take care, stay grounded, and until next time—warmth from the edge of what’s coming.
—Dr. Winkler