Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

Winter Solstice 2020 – Yule

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The Winter Solstice is today! This holiday is (in essence) the Pagan equivalent to Christmas. Fun fact… when Christmas was placed on December 25th, the church chose that day to coincide with the pagan holiday of Yule (because as most know, Christ was actually born in the spring, not in December).

Although many of us have been feeling like we’ve been in it for months, the Winter Solstice is the “official” first day of winter, and marks  its spot on the calendar not by its date, but by being one of only two days each year where the daylight and darkness are equal.  In my path, this holiday marks a day of hope for the future, and candles are lit to celebrate the return of the sun as it begins to now become more and more prominent with each day that passes and every day becomes longer as the nights decrease.

Winter Solstice Tarot Reading - Light Seer's Tarot, The Green Wheel Oracle, The Spirit Animal Oracle

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 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 upcoming Imbolc at the beginning of February.

Theme of the Season – Midwinter, Cold Moon, Owl – The Midwinter card in this deck is also titled as “The Hunter” and it speaks of the hunter bringing anarchy and chaos that is then followed by a time of restoration and regeneration. It is impossible not to note that this is the same pattern that you go through in the six weeks leading up to the Winter Solstice, as the chaos of the holiday rush abuses the body and mind and brings you to the point of needing to then rest, restore, and recuperate.

The Cold Moon encourages generosity and the connection and reaching out to others. It is a time when families gather and huddle together, communities support each other, and the cold winter months are survived through interconnection and the uplifting strength in numbers.  In order to stay connected with nature, people bring nature indoors during this time of the year when the elements do not allow as much time among the outdoors in order to decorate our homes with the beauty of nature even in the darkest of seasons.

The Owl in this deck is also known as an “Arrow in the Darkness” and references the owl’s keen senses and focus while hunting even in the darkest of nights.  The Owl is a reminder to stay focused on your goals and not allow yourself to become distracted by the darkness, doubts, or turbulence.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is a reminder that it is time to set the chaos behind me and stay focused forward into the goals for healing and self care that I’ve set forth, and connecting with those that hold importance in my heart and my life. Now is a time to reconnect with my feelings, including the compassion I feel for others, and allow it to guide me out of the dark and into the light.

Earth – Six of Swords – The spoils of war lie at your feet and now is a time to take stock of what you’ve won with your hard work, dedication, and ambition. As things slow down, take what you’ve won and move forward into a new and better place.  Don’t run away, but make wise decisions that will continue to move you in the right direction.  Don’t look back and rehash what is done and over, look forward.

Air – The World – You have the opportunity to do things differently this time around. Every year you fall into a horrible funk in the handful of weeks that follow the holiday rush.  This is a time when you cycle back to start again and try again to find a better way forward.  Focus on the light and not the darkness. Keep your head up and your eyes forward.

Water – Eight of Pentacles – As you move into this new cycle, remember all that you have learned before and carry that knowledge forward with you.  Returning to a healthier way of doing things and an exploration mindset toward your emotional growth will go much more smoothly if you tap into the knowledge, techniques and abilities you have already gained over the past year.  You are not starting from scratch.

Fire – Knight of Cups – Apologize and be kind to yourself.  The abuse upon yourself this last few weeks has been pretty extensive, and over the handful of weeks ahead you need to turn towards making that up to yourself and being kind.  There’s no harshness needed.  Make helping yourself and loving yourself a priority for a bit.

Waning – Panther Spirit – It’s time to let go.  You’ve mustered every shred of power and strength you have to make it through the last five or six weeks.  Now it’s time to ease that grip and let that go.  You do not need to continue holding on so tightly.

Waxing – Groundhog Spirit –  An echo of the waning Panther Spirit, the Groundhog Spirit also encourages letting go. All that tension and all those unhealthy tendencies allowed to go on during the rush are now no longer serving you and it’s time to let them all go and return to something healthier and that will serve you much better for the weeks (and months) ahead.

Take Away –  Like the theme of Yule itself, this reading is about seeking the light and moving forward into it.  It’s about new beginnings and finding hope while making healthy choices and connecting with loved ones.

DECKS USED:  LIGHT SEER’S TAROT, THE GREEN WHEEL ORACLE, THE SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points Redux

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Last week we identified something in our lives that might be approaching its most extreme point in the absence of the sun, and how that thing is currently affecting us. This week, let’s revisit that same thing and go a bit deeper.”

Frosty the Snowman Playing CardsWhat do I need to do to prepare for the change that is coming?
Four of Diamonds

Rest.  You need to rest.  You’ve been going full-bore for nearly six weeks now.

As the holiday rush comes to a close, it’s time to rest and recover so that you can turn your gaze back to the “rest of the year” and other things with fresh eyes.

How will this change affect me emotionally?
Nine of Diamonds

The end of the holiday rush comes with a period of drop and anxiety.  A sort of “freak out” that the sales are slowing down and, with it, the money flow is as well.  Although this is a natural transition out of the holiday rush, it always feels a bit like you’re failing at something and it causes a “flailing” sensation as you try and find your footing on the changing landscape under your feet.

How will this change affect me physically?
Two of Clubs

It’s time to plot and plan ahead to where you want to go this year and what you want to accomplish. Preparations need to be made, not just for the business (plotting sale dates, etc), but also with your own physical well-being in the form of making sure you’re getting your nutrition back on track, getting out into nature as needed, etc.

How will this change affect me mentally?
Queen of Diamonds

You have a choice in this moment where you can turn toward what makes you feel secure and project that out to others to help them feel secure as well… or allow your inner voice to eat you up inside.  You are on a teeter-totter at the moment and you are going to need to lean one way or the other.  Make sure you lean into the good and healthy side of things.

How will this change affect me spiritually?
King of Hearts

Now that the holiday rush is ending, keep in mind that you now have the opportunity to reconnect spiritually both with those around you and also with nature itself.  Gideon needs your time and attention, and will help encourage and guide you toward those things that you need to stay healthy, happy, and spiritually connected. Allow his nudges to align with your needs and find that re-connect on a spiritual level that has been frayed and broken by the chaos of the holiday rush.

DECK USED: FROSTY THE SNOWMAN PLAYING CARDS

Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Winter Solstice is approaching– only a couple weeks to go! This week, we begin looking toward one of the two most extreme points of the year– the longest night– and the upcoming return of the sun. ”

Christmas Playing Cards by US GamesIn the current absence of the sun, what is something in your life that may be approaching its most extreme point?
Eight of Hearts

The need to run away from the chaos and find a balanced  and safe place of refuge.  As the Solstice approaches, I find myself more and more ready for the end of the holiday rush to arrive.

How is this affecting you emotionally right now?
Seven of Hearts

I’m scattered and struggling, confused and having a hard time. There’s so much to do and so much going on, and I’m feeling overwhelmed.  The more overwhelmed I get, the more eager I am for the approach of that change to come.

How is this affecting you physically right now?
Three of Diamonds

I’m needing help from others to keep myself physically healthy right now. It’s hard to remember to eat, and it’s hard to stay on track with even the normal things like getting in regular showers, let alone other self-care things, exercise, and time outside for fresh air.   There’s just so little time.  Those that live with me help with the work, and they help with keeping me on track in other ways to keep me healthy and well.

How is this affecting you mentally right now?
Seven of Spades

I feel like any time I spend even a few minutes away from keeping up with my work and the holiday rush, I’m stealing that time from what really needs to be done. Stealing something I can’t afford and is undeserved.  I know that isn’t true, but that is the guilt that whispers through my mind whenever my hands aren’t filled with wire and pliers, or other things that need to be done.

How is this affecting you spiritually right now?
Six of Diamonds

I’m regressing into old (and unhealthy) habits.   The longer the holiday rush goes on, the more I am regressing.  I understand that I will be better able to return to my healthier new habits more easily this time, having done it before in the past… but at the same time?  I am aware that I’m regressing and feel helpless to keep it from happening in the moment.

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS BY US GAMES

Morning Bonus Read – A New Month

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This month I want us to focus on our goals. I thought this would be a great tarot spread for the rest of this month :)”

Tarot of Light and ShadowYou at the beginning of this month.
Ace of Serpents atop Eight of Cups

At the beginning of this month you were preparing for the holiday rush and all of the bounty that I was hoping would drop into my lap with extra orders rolling in.  Because of the pandemic, I was uncertain (water in the Ace of Serpents) that I would manage to draw in the orders and income that needs to come in at this time of year to make sure that the rest of the year runs smoothly.  At the beginning of the month I had become to realize that abundance is smiling upon me and diving headlong into the alternate reality that the holiday rush holds me within for six weeks or so out of each year.

Three defining events of this month.

Ten of Wands – Overwhelm and potential burn out.  This is the result of that six month race of too many orders and too little time.  It is inevitable, but can be mitigated a bit to ease its effects by trying to fit in some self care.

Judgement Rx – Am I doing well enough?  Is it going to be enough? Am I going to be enough? Am I doing enough? This time of year is filled with these worries and doubts. There is no way to tell while in the middle of the fray, but these worries drive me forward to work harder and harder, push more and more.

Two of Serpents Rx – There is no balance.  None. It’s something that is struggled with even when things are quiet and smoothly running.  But now is not a time of quiet and smooth, but chaotic and overwhelming.  There is no balance, just as there is no balance every year for these six weeks.  All you can do is do your best to keep moving forward, and eventually restore that balance once the rush is over.

Three defining characteristics of this month.

Six of Swords – A constant focus on the fact that this won’t last forever.  A constant focus on moving forward and riding the wave. A consistently repeated reminder over and over again that this stress and strain and overwhelm is not forever… just for this moment, and that it will soon be over.

The Wheel – There is a lot of uncertainty that comes with the month of December, and a lot of ups and downs because of that uncertainty. In this case, though… things are looking good and the upswing is a beautiful thing.  Needed.  Sooner or later what comes up must always come down tho, so watch out for the downswing that will eventually show up.  Probably next month.

Ace of Wands – The holiday rush is very literally the “seed” of my passion and drive. The business is my drive, my intent, my focus, my goal, and the white hot spark of my ambition.  The holiday rush funds necessary aspects of this endeavor, giving my goals and drive the funds needed to continue forward into the next year.

You at the end of this month.
Ten of Cups

Contentment and relief at having made it to the end.  Pleasure and a breath of fresh air for my emotions now that I can bring them back to the surface once again.  A chance to enjoy the good stuff in life again, including all those things that make me happy and connect again with Gideon and my loved ones. And a bit of an opportunity for some rest (the cup tipped on its side).

DECK USED: TAROT OF LIGHT AND SHADOW (LIGHT CARDS ONLY)

Morning Bonus Read – Distractions

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“A fun one for this week! But be aware, accidental shadow work can be done with this one 😅”

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Playing Cards1. Ten of Clubs atop Seven of Diamonds – Your habit for piling on too much responsibility on yourself and too many projects makes it difficult to stay the course without getting distracted. There’s always so much to explore and to do, and you always seem to think you have a bigger plate to pile things on than you actually have.  It’s hard to “stay the course” with the long term projects sometimes with so many different things trying to tug on your attention at one time.

2. Four of Hearts atop Six of Diamonds –

One of those things you need to make sure you are staying focused on is your meditation practice. Every time you skip this practice, you facilitate bad habits perpetuated by your past.  Instead of allowing your past and the bad habits that have grown from there to dictate your life and your well-being, work harder on staying focused on the things that help you to be better.. feel better… and be healthier.  Your meditation is at the top of this list and should not be ignored.

3. King of Spades – All that crap that you want to put on your plate but have no room for isn’t as important as you think it is. Strategizing can only take you so far.  Let it go… let the task master that demands more of yourself every single day ease up a bit. You’re not allowing yourself enough time to breathe.

DECK USED: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER PLAYING CARDS

Fairy Rings and Liminal Spaces

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Today’s prompt comes from one of my Discord servers. It was really interesting to me that when I tried to answer this question, I found myself almost at a loss for words and I decided to dig a little deeper and see if I could more fully express myself on this topic.

Prompt: Has anyone seen or had any experiences with fairy rings? I’ve always been really curious about them. Any experiences would be interesting to me! I’ve never found one myself, but I’ve always wondered what the energy around them feels like? Is there something in particular you do when you see one?

So first, I should explain what a Fairy Ring is. Essentially, it is a naturally formed ring of mushrooms, as seen above. They are most often found in fields and forests, sometimes in gardens and people’s lawns, etc. There is a huge amount of folklore involving Fairy Rings which describe then as everything from good fortune to bad fortune, something to be excited in seeing to something to be avoided at all costs.

My personal experience with these rings is primarily in the forests. And, at least for me, they have a very similar feeling to the liminal spaces in the forests and I would not be surprised at all to find out that they were also a form of liminal space for the Fae to pass through from their realm into ours and back again.

It is generally considered a bad idea to stand in the center of one of these rings, as it is considered to be trespassing. I personally have done this, and I can confirm that there is definitely a very liminal-like energy within the ring. In my case, though, liminal spaces that belong to the Fae are often a draw for me. They pull upon my energy, seeking to entwine with it, and it is through that pull that I find them in the first place.

Because the rings feel so very similar to how the liminal spaces of the forest Fae feel to me in general, I treat them in much the same way. That is to say that I usually greet and acknowledge Fae rings and those liminal spaces by allowing that pull I feel to draw my energy towards it, and connect my energy to the energy of that space.

That connection threads my energy with that of the ring/liminal space in much the same way a rope is made by the twining of multiple strands of string. It both energizing and pleasurable for me, almost like the joy of a warm and welcoming homecoming.

When I am connected to these spaces in that way, I then often begin to get a stronger sense of the Fae in the area including being able to more strongly feel their energy and often hear them whispering, tittering, and giggling in an effort to draw me into their games. Sometimes I give in and play with them for a bit, and other times I move on after sending some warmth of love their way. Regardless of if I linger or not, I come away feeling more contented and usually also happier and lighter after that energy connection has been made.

Where connecting my energy to the earth is very calming and grounding, creating a centering peace and solid core of energy within me… connecting to the energy of the liminal spaces of the Fae is energizing, crystallizing in how it can create clarity and lighten the heart and lift the senses. When I go into the forests, I may seek one or the other… but ultimately? I usually end up with both, which is perhaps why I find my time in the forests far more beneficial than simply connecting to the earth through farming or gardening.