Tomorrow is Beltane, which is also my sister and I’s birthday. Like Halloween is a time when the veil between the land of the living and the realm of the dead is thin, this holiday is the time when the veil between our world and that of the Fae is at is thinnest. I personally often find myself amped up with extra energy around this time of year, which I most often use to spend more time playing in that thinning veil as much as possible.
Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of Litha in June.
Theme of the Season – Beltane, Waning Gibbous Moon, Chrysanthemum parthenium (Ornamental Feverfew) – The energies of Beltane are those of celebration and anticipation, fertility and abundance. This holiday is about the plentiful and fruitful peak of the spring season. As “April showers bring May flowers” here we now celebrate the arrival of may and the wealth that the rainy season and warming weather have prepared to bestow upon us all.
The Waning Gibbous Moon is the first slow decent from the Full Moon’s burst of power. In that decreasing power, we pause now to take a moment to reflect and focus on gratitude. Introspection is an important part of growth, and to do this it’s important to take time now to look at the goals that were set when the moon was new and that you have worked toward with the rising energy of the moon towards full.
Chrysanthemum parthenium (Ornamental Feverfew) is a fever reducer and anti-inflammatory that is used to treat fevers, migraines, arthritis, tummy troubles and even bug bites. It’s a common herb used for a wide variety of inflammatory responses in the body, and metaphysically it is commonly used in the prevention of accidents of all kinds as well as drawing pain from the body.
When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is about pausing to enjoy. Enjoy the spring and be grateful. Enjoy the abundance… and be grateful. Allow things to calm within yourself and within your life, and give yourself time to enjoy and relax. Things will take care of themselves while you give yourself a bit of extra time to just savor and smell the roses. Don’t push so hard right now.
Earth – Ten of Pentacles – You may be feeling a little tight in the wallet the past week or so, but you’re doing just fine. All your bills and expenses are covered and you have the money you need for the security and stability you are constantly craving. So take a breath and enjoy. Yes, some weeks are tighter than others, but for the time being you are beyond worrying about where your next meal or bill payment is going to come from. You’ve worked hard to get to this point. Enjoy it.
Air – Six of Wands – Keep in mind that it’s okay to enjoy the approval and appreciation of others. Yes, it’s important to take pride in yourself and not base your self-worth on other’s perceptions of you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy when people praise or admire you. Due to the upbringing you went through this can sometimes be hard to accept, but it really is okay to get that “warm fuzzy” feeling when someone gives you a compliment.
Water – The Devil – The imagery in this card brings to mind the Sidhe King Dagda in Peadar O’Guilin‘s books The Call and The Invasion. Sometimes are hearts desires call to us even beyond the reality of the realm we live in. There is a longing for more and more, no matter how good the current moment might be. Don’t get so caught up in that pursuit of more that you lose sight of the present and all the good that’s there to be enjoyed.
Fire – Ten of Cups – You’ve become sinking back into the pleasure of creating and enjoying it again, something that you haven’t had a lot of over the past year or so. Having L and Z there to share the joy and enjoyment with is finally becoming something comfortable instead of something you struggle against. Make sure you take time to truly appreciate what you all have together in your mutual endeavors.
Waning – Ruins atop Oath – Stop worrying so much about dropping the ball on your responsibilities and obligations.
Waxing – Bee atop Sprout – Over the next few weeks, new ideas and endeavors are the flavor of the season. Put your effort and energy into giving these new sprouts what they need to flourish and grow strong.
Take Away – Lots of advice about gratitude, and lots of reminders about savoring what you have in the present. Although this is a time of reflection and healing, it also is providing the opportunity to explore new things and get new ideas off the ground and running. Just make sure that you choose wisely what you want to put that energy into and don’t overwhelm yourself in the process.
Twisting the Leaf 