July 2026 Horoscope

The Sword and the Chariot

"Magick is an action-based declaration that we can manipulate and change our reality"

Today I introduce another of my divination tools to you: my angel cards. They’re not my typical go-to tool, but they called to me quite directly today.

They are connected to the traditional tarot cards found in the Rider-Waite deck, but they also include context on the angels themselves and what they represent.

Overall, the symbolic imagery of each angel comes from Christianity. But I absolutely find influences from Judaism, Jewish mysticism, and Islam. I was raised Christian but have shed that belief system. However, I believe that nothing is without purpose, and the symbols associated with the Abrahamic religions remain important to me. More on that another time, perhaps.

It should be noted that Enochian magick, which is my primary deck, is an angel magick associated with summoning such entities, and my name in Hebrew means “my angel” or “my messenger.” Angels are an important symbol and entity to me.

I feel a personality radiate from each angel card. I am not only asking, “what wishes to be spoken to the Inglenook readers?” but also: “who wishes to speak in this moment?” as if I’m addressing a crowd of individuals.

Today, Archangel Michael rose from the deck, inverted. I believe angels have no gender, but will be using he/him pronouns, acknowledging many of the stories of Michael. As a warrior and action-oriented figure, he is associated with the magickal energetic symbol of the masculine (which anyone can hold, regardless of gender, like yin and yang).

Michael represents the Chariot tarot card, so we will look to that first. Because the Rider-Waite deck holds so many possible meanings even within a single theme, I ask my Sapphomanteion for guidance on what, specifically, we should be looking at.

On my die I rolled, 3-2-4: “for her dress when you saw it stirred you”

Now it is exceptionally clear: we are talking about our desires. What are we pursuing in our chariot? In the context of the reversed card, this specifically means our desires being impeded.

We have the foundation. Now we research: why Michael?

The reason Michael is associated with the Chariot tarot card is the Christian symbolism seen in Revelation 12:7-12. Michael is portrayed as a warrior angel fighting on God's side at the end of the world. In the artwork for this card, we see Michael as the warrior, standing atop a chimeric monster, likely the “Great Beast” in the Biblical Revelation. I am a chimera lover, a champion of monsters. I see the beast Michael stands on as a symbol for an obstacle. In Judaism, Michael is seen as an advocate for the Jewish people. In Islam, he is only a messenger, specifically one to other angels.

The chariot does not need to be a chariot of war. It could be a chariot of someone leading the people as a beacon, or a chariot of someone shouting announcements along the streets.

When we dive deeper into Michael's symbolism, we can ask ourselves: Do we want to be a warrior? An advocate? A messenger?

A key component of this card are the words: “Who is like God.” That is not a question. That is a statement. Michael is akin to God.

When studying with my energy work teacher, she taught me that though I had released Christianity, all aspects of religion contained morsels of truth about the universe, and as we ascend our consciousness, we can engage with any aspect of religion without animosity and with clear vision of the truths that have been clouded by power and oppression. When I read, “Who is like God,” I read a statement about ourselves.

WE are like God. We are the creators of our reality and our universe. Magick is an action-based declaration that we can manipulate and change our reality, but you do not need ritual spells or ingredients to shape your life. (Though they can be exceptionally useful when you completely believe in them.)

Michael acknowledges that you have power over your life while also showing you that obstacles stand in the way of realizing your goals and desires. We have what it takes to navigate obstacles. We are the sword. We are the chariot. We are the message. We are our own advocates.

Perhaps you know exactly what you want and what stands in your way. If that is the case, spend time with “The Sword” questions below to support your battle. If you need to clarify what you want and/or what is in your way, go to the “The Chariot” section at the end.

Before engaging in such questions, set your intention and name a protection. Be intentional in this work. Here is a suggested protection: I am safe and secure, always, as I move forward with discernment to release and transform all that does not serve my journey and my highest good. Through questioning all things and integrating with clarity, I grow in wisdom and am fortified against being swayed by forces that seek to extract from me and harm me.

The Sword:

• What is the earliest root or memory that connects to what you desire?
• What contributed to you having this desire? Where did it come from?
• What stood in the way of realizing this desire? Was there anything you could do about it then? What did you do?
• How did your desire develop over time? It could be helpful to draw a literal timeline marking down important memories and experiences. Take the time to mark what obstacles stood in your way over time.
• Is there a pattern to the obstacles you encountered, or to how you handled them?
• What patterns would help you reach your desire?

The Chariot:

Sometimes it's hard to know what your purpose is. Believe me, I can relate. Desire without purpose, though, is ultimately aimless. But you aren't alone in that journey. Let this horoscope be a reminder.

Malachi Lily, also known as The Magick Artist, is Inglenook's Transformation Features Writer, with over a decade of experience in the art of divination.