Sage Leaves: The Wheel of Fortune and the Heroine's Journey
Healing Ancestral Wounds Through Tarot
Welcome, wise ones, to another turning of Sage Leaves. The fields are heavy with promise, and the air hums with the songs of cicadas and distant thunder. We are in that liminal stretch between the first harvest and the slow golden decline of summer, where sunlight still reigns but shadows stretch longer in the late afternoon. This is a time for ripening—of fruit, of insight, of intention. In this week's reading, we listen for what is ready to be gathered, what is nearing its arc, and what whispers from the edge of becoming. Pour a cup of something herbal, take a steady breath, and settle in. The cards are on the table.
Here’s a special skincare recipe for the hot and sunny month of August. I personally use pure mango butter for caring for my frail elder’s skin as it absorbs readily.
Whipped Mango Butter for Sun-Kissed Skin
~ A luxurious, skin-loving balm for high summer hydration ~
Yields: ~4 oz (enough for one small jar)
Ingredients:
2 tbsp mango butter (rich in antioxidants & fatty acids)
1 tbsp shea butter (deeply moisturizing, calms inflammation)
1 tbsp jojoba oil (lightweight, skin-balancing)
1 tsp rosehip seed oil (supports skin regeneration)
4 drops lavender essential oil (soothing, gentle)
2 drops frankincense essential oil (restorative, grounding)
Instructions:
Bring mango butter and shea butter to room temperature. Add jojoba and rosehip oils.
Using a single beater on a standard hand mixer, begin slowly beating the ingredients together. Increase speed as ingredients are combined, whipping air into the butters.
When the butters and oils are light and fluffy, add essential oils and continue whipping until fully incorporated.
Spoon into a clean 4 oz jar. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Shelf life: ~3 months.
To Use:
Massage a fingertip’s worth into warm, damp skin after bathing. Especially lovely for dry shoulders, shins, and elbows—or anywhere the summer sun has kissed.
Purchase mango & shea butter and essential oils from a quality retailer such as Mountain Rose Herbs, From Nature With Love, or The Bulk Apothecary.
The Role of The Wheel of Fortune in the Heroine’s Journey
In the Heroine’s Journey, the tarot card The Wheel of Fortune represents a turning point—one that often arrives suddenly, sometimes even without warning. This card doesn’t belong to you or your choices directly. Instead, it shows up when life itself takes the reins. The universe shifts the gears. Something greater than your own will begins to move.
That’s the power of The Wheel .
At first glance, The Wheel of Fortune may look like fate. It is a reminder that we are not always in control of what happens to us. But on the Heroine’s Journey, this moment is not about luck alone. It’s about alignment. It’s about timing. The Wheel reminds you that you are part of a much bigger story, and your role in that story is about to change.
In myth and literature, heroines rarely have smooth paths. They often face unexpected events, twists of fate, or strange calls to action. These moments can feel like accidents—or even curses—but in truth, they are signs that the Wheel is turning. Something essential must shift so the journey can continue.
The Heroine’s Journey is different from the classic Hero’s Journey. It doesn’t just focus on outward battles or slaying dragons. It focuses on inner transformation. The heroine must leave behind what no longer serves her. She must discover her true voice and power. Often, The Wheel shows up right before that discovery—or just as she’s about to resist it.
Imagine a moment in your life where everything changed overnight. Maybe you lost something you thought you couldn’t live without. Maybe an opportunity came out of nowhere. Maybe your heart broke, and the world suddenly looked different. That is The Wheel in action. It doesn’t ask permission. It turns when it’s ready.
In the context of the Heroine’s Journey, this card can also represent the part of the story where the old world begins to collapse. The heroine may be cast out of her comfort zone. Relationships shift. False beliefs begin to fall apart. She may feel lost or uncertain. But even in this chaos, something sacred is happening. The Wheel is opening a new door.
In ancient mythology, the spinning wheel is connected to the Fates. These were the goddesses who spun, measured, and cut the thread of life. Their message was clear: no one escapes the cycles of life. Fortune rises. Fortune falls. But the soul endures.
For the heroine, The Wheel of Fortune teaches surrender—but not the kind that gives up. It’s the kind that releases control over what cannot be controlled and focuses her energy on what can be changed: her own response, her own voice, and her own readiness to rise.
“You may not have chosen the shift. But what you choose next is everything.”
It’s important to remember that The Wheel does not turn for no reason. On the Heroine’s Journey, it often turns because you are ready. Even if you don’t feel ready yet.
This card also reminds us of the importance of rhythm and timing. You cannot rush your becoming. The seasons turn. The moon waxes and wanes. The Wheel teaches patience. It teaches trust.
And sometimes, it teaches humility.
You may not have chosen the shift. But what you choose next is everything.
In the end, The Wheel of Fortune marks the point where the heroine’s old path ends and a new spiral begins. She doesn’t go backward. She spirals upward, deeper into her truth. The Wheel spins, the world shifts, and she remembers who she is becoming.
That’s the magic of the turning.
That’s the power of the Wheel.
Reflection Prompt:
When in your life did the Wheel turn without your permission? Reflect on a time when unexpected change disrupted your path—and ultimately revealed something essential about who you are becoming. What did that shift require you to release? What truth did it quietly begin to offer?
Sage Leaves Weekly Tarotscope: August 5-11, 2025
This week opens quietly under the watchful sky of a Moon in Capricorn, whose square to Neptune in Aries blurs the line between duty and dream. On Tuesday, the 4 of Swords urges you into stillness, asking for rest before the rise. By Wednesday, Mars strides into Libra and the call of Judgement sounds—a moment of reckoning where truth seeks voice and balance demands response.
On Thursday, an inspired trine between the Moon in Aquarius and Uranus in Gemini brings a gentle blessing through the 9 of Cups, hinting that wishes are not just for wishing. Friday brings a shift: The Star appears again, radiant and resolute, even as Mars opposes stern Saturn while dancing with Uranus, highlighting both promise and pressure.
Saturday’s 8 of Wands rides the wave of the Aquarius Full Moon, accelerating everything you've set in motion. But Sunday draws a sharp breath: 10 of Swords falls beneath the trine from Mars to Pluto, signaling a necessary ending and the piercing clarity of finality. And on Monday, with Mercury finally stationing direct in Leo, The World turns upright in your hands. Completion, at last. A cycle ends—but it does so with dignity and momentum.
Tuesday: 4 of Swords – Rest, Reflection, Retreat
The Moon in Capricorn squares Neptune in Aries today, creating mental fog, emotional dullness, or confusion around responsibility. The 4 of Swords asks you to pause and restore yourself. This isn't the kind of day to push forward; it's a moment for recalibration. You may feel emotionally heavy or physically tired, and that’s not a failure—it’s a signal. You're being invited to step back, breathe, and gather your energy before the rest of the week ramps up. Allow solitude to be sacred. Today is about preparation, not production.
Wednesday: Judgement – Awakening, Reckoning, Renewal
Mars enters Libra today, pulling your attention toward balance, justice, and partnership. The Judgement card arrives with a trumpet blast—it’s a moment of truth. You are called to see things clearly and respond with courage. A decision that’s been simmering under the surface may suddenly rise to the surface. It’s not just about the external world, though. Something within you stirs. A piece of your past asks to be released. Forgiveness—whether for yourself or others—might be the key to moving forward. Let go of guilt. Rise renewed.
Thursday: 9 of Cups – Contentment, Emotional Fulfillment
The Moon trines Uranus in a burst of inspiration. This is your wish card day. Something clicks into place—a small joy, a personal success, or a heartwarming connection. It may not be loud, but it’s deeply satisfying. The 9 of Cups reflects emotional reward, the kind that comes from trusting yourself and staying aligned with your values. If you planted a seed of intention earlier this year, you might glimpse its first bloom now. Enjoy it. Let yourself feel proud. This is a day to celebrate what’s working.
Friday: The Star – Hope, Clarity, Healing
Mars trines Uranus again, but also opposes Saturn. Here’s your moment of paradox. The Star shines, a beacon of healing and inspiration. You feel clarity returning, and your dreams seem possible again. But there’s tension, too—Saturn reminds you of the hard work ahead, of limits you must honor. Don’t be discouraged. You’re being asked to hold both vision and discipline. The Star encourages you to believe even in the face of delay. Let your future self be your compass today. Stay inspired, stay grounded.
Saturday: 8 of Wands – Acceleration, Movement, Momentum
Under the light of the Aquarius Full Moon, everything speeds up. The 8 of Wands marks the quickening—sudden messages, swift shifts, and a sense of being swept up in motion. Don’t resist it. This is liftoff. If you’ve been waiting for a green light, here it is. Stay alert and nimble. Communication is key, and opportunities may come from unexpected places. There’s electricity in the air, and it wants to move through you. Take inspired action.
Sunday: 10 of Swords – Ending, Surrender, Closure
Mars trines Pluto today, offering transformation—but it may sting. The 10 of Swords is a hard stop. Something must end. And while that sounds dramatic, it’s often relief disguised as defeat. You may realize a belief, plan, or relationship has run its course. Let it go. The knives in your back don’t define you—they free you. This card doesn’t predict pain, it honors the pain already endured and makes space for the dawn. You’ve reached the limit. Now the healing can begin.
Monday: The World – Completion, Mastery, Integration
Mercury goes direct in Leo, and clarity returns. The World marks a moment of full circle, the closing of a chapter, and the integration of all that’s come before. This is your graduation. Whether big or small, something is complete—and you’re ready to step into a new phase. The sense of accomplishment is real. You’ve passed through fire, found your footing, and emerged whole. Today is not the end. It is a beginning, built on wisdom and courage.
Themes, Patterns, and Numerology:
This week features three Major Arcana—Judgement, The Star, and The World—indicating that deeper, soul-level shifts are in motion. These aren’t just weekly whims; these are long arcs of your personal evolution. You are being asked to wake up (Judgement), believe in what’s possible (The Star), and integrate your lessons (The World).
Two Swords—4 of Swords and 10 of Swords—appear as bookends to your emotional process. You begin in stillness and end in surrender. This is the pattern of spiritual detox: rest, revelation, release.
The Star repeats from last week, which tells you this theme of hope, healing, and long-range vision is not finished. You’re still calibrating your internal compass toward your true north. Keep your eyes on the horizon, not the rubble at your feet.
Also repeating: 10 of Swords and 4 of Swords, indicating that emotional exhaustion, burnout, or mental overwhelm have not fully resolved. You are still being asked to take care of yourself, even when the outer world demands performance. Set boundaries with energy vampires—both people and projects.
In numerology, the eights, nines, and tens this week show a process of wrapping things up. The 8 of Wands accelerates. The 9 of Cups fulfills. The 10 of Swords ends. And The World confirms: you are crossing the threshold into a new landscape.
Final Reflection:
This week is a spiral, not a straight line. You rest, you rise, you dream, you move, you fall, you finish. That’s the rhythm of transformation. You’re not lost, you’re in motion. And motion, as you know, is sacred. Let this arc guide you toward grace
Lammas has passed, and now we turn our gaze toward the coming equinox. The sun begins its slow arc back to the south, and though it is still high summer—cicadas buzzing in the trees, herbs drying on the windowsill, stone fruits ripening in the heat—we can feel the shift. The light lingers a little less each day. Harvest has begun.
This is a season of both ripening and release. Let the warmth sink into your bones, even as you begin to notice what must be gathered and what must be let go. May your days be steady, your breath deep, and your intuition keen as grain. May the cards offer clarity, the herbs give ease, and your own inner knowing rise to meet the turning of the wheel.
Take care, stay grounded, and until next time—
With warmth from the edge of what’s coming,
—Dr. Winkler