Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

Last Harvest 2024 – Samhain

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Today is the third and Last Harvest of the 2024 autumn season.  Although this holiday (which is also known by most as Halloween and by many as Samhain) is celebrated around the world by those that embrace the rich history of many traditions that originated in Paganism, most don’t realize that is what they are doing… or that this holiday carries special significance as the eve of the Day of the Dead when the veil is at its thinnest between our world and those that have passed.

pumpkins

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. Like a number of times this year, I’ve chosen to deviate from my regular spread this Samhain, and am doing the Tarotholics’ Thinning Veil spread instead.

The Thinning Veil Oracle Reading with the Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Prompt for October 30th : Do the Thinning Veil Spread

What Spirits have come to visit and walk with you while the veil is thin?

Coming of Winter – Remember that not everyone who comes to you when the veil is at its thinnest has your best interest at heart. This is the easiest time to break through, which means even those that are undeserving of your attention will try to do so.

How are these Spirits assisting in keeping you safe?

Spider – Although this is not their intention, those that are undeserving that come forth through the veil present you with an opportunity for growth by confronting your fears head on instead of trying to avoid them.

What should you offer to the spirits that are watching over you?

Wolf – Gather close and connect with those that you know can be trusted, and leave the others behind in your dust. If there are those that don’t deserve your attention?  Don’t give it to them.  Give it, instead, to those that do.

What cycle from the past do your Ancestors hope that you will break?

Bat – Trying to avoid change instead of embracing it holds absolutely no benefit for you, and is a habit that it’s time to put some energy and effort into discarding.

What do you know deep within your bones?

Healer – Deep in your bones, your calling is to help others through your own personal strengths and fostering empowerment. It may not always feel like you are providing any help to others, but these inclinations will rise again and again throughout your life during times when you have the energy to fulfill this calling.

What do the Spirits and Ancestors need for you to learn?

Broom – It is time to remember and relearn gift of cleansing that fresh air brings. You’ve done a lot of avoiding this year in concerns to getting outside among the trees, and need to reestablish with that connection.

A message for you from the Spirits and Ancestors.

The Underworld – Again, stop fighting change and surrender to it instead.

DECK USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH SAMHAIN ORACLE

🌕 Full Moon in Aries – October 2024

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Tomorrow morning is the full moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is courtesy of @HermitsMirror.

Full Moon in Aries Oracle Reading with the Mausolea Oracle of Souls

Fuel: Where have I let my intuition gently guide me that my instincts wouldn’t go?

The Morrigan – How you judge others to be trustworthy has far more to do with your intuition than with instinct or logic. You are not good at reading “tells” and your brain tries too hard to be fair and kind, but your intuition steers accurately despite these obstacles.

Magical peak: How can I celebrate what I’ve completed to keep charging ahead?

Set – Allow yourself to be a bit self-centered now and then. It’s okay to have some pride in your accomplishments.  The boost of self-confidence that celebrating your accomplishments (even the small ones) generates for you will help in motivating you to keep moving forward.

Purging: What latest passion is just a flash in the pan?

Thanatos – Goals and end games come and go. Instead remember that it’s the journey that’s important. This card is a reminder that the future is not promised to us.  Only the present.  Thus, its important to make sure you don’t focus so hard on your goals that you lose sight of all that you can enjoy in this moment.

Clear mirror: How do I use bold action to avoid dealing with what I can’t face?

Arthur – You try too hard to lean into fairness when the world cannot always be fair. Nor is fairness and what’s right always equal. Remember that there will be times when you need to let go of that deeply ingrained urge to make everything fair and balanced, and lean into what’s right instead. This shift in motivation and focus can come off as a sudden divergence from your nature to others, and even to yourself at times.

Dancing luminaries: What does anger teach me about my capacity for love?

Abraham – There has to be balance for love to thrive. That means when anger gets the better of you, you have to apologize and atone.  It’s in your ability to sincerely apologize and atone that you truly display the depths of the love you feel for others.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Arawn – It is time to rally for your own “great hunt”. Don’t shy away from the challenge.  Even if the holiday rush is not as busy as it normally is, it will be busier than you’ve been in some time. Rise to the challenge and lead those helping you forward into the fray with confidence. In doing so, what you will gain will help even out your losses in the end.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Hoya Leaf for Inward Exploration
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Carnelian Agate for Warmth and Courage
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MAUSOLEA ORACLE OF SOULS

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Different Scenarios

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Prompt: “The purpose of this activity is to practice interpreting small spreads by combining card meanings, symbols and intuition. We will all interpret the same cards based on a few different (imaginary) situations. A 3 card spread will be posted together with 2 more specific scenarios. It’s your choice which scenario you’d prefer to use, or if you’d rather do a general reading of these cards as for an imaginary querent.”

Tarot of the Abyss - Page of Pentacles, Five of Pentacles, Wheel of Fortune

Scenario 1 – Kayla is having a hard time getting along with her teacher. She’s a little shy, and the presentations they do in class make her anxious. She wants to know how to just get through the school year.

Look at these presentations less as a trial to get through (Five of Pentacles) and more as a skill to be learned and honed (Page of Pentacles).  Remember that you are not the only one that is nervous about doing their presentations.  Because of that, when it goes badly, others are going to be supportive… and when ti goes well they will celebrate with you (Wheel of Fortune).

Scenario 2 – There’s been some changes in Martin’s life and he’s trying to figure out the best way to tell his mum about them.

Ease into introducing your mother to these changes in your life instead of dropping them in her lap all at once (Page of Pentacles).  If she’s not given enough time to adjust, she won’t take the news well (Five of Pentacles).  Timing is also an important factor, for her reactions will be different depending on not just how you present these changes to her, but also when you do so (Wheel of Fortune).

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE ABYSS

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Differing Perspectives

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Prompt: “Pull the Queen of Wands card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?“

Queen of Wands - Tarot of Mystical MomentsMystical Moments Tarot – She stands tall and holds steady a beacon for others to follow. The moths are drawn to that glowing beacon, inspired by her presence and her holding the sunflower aloft.

This card speaks of those that inspire us, and how that inspiration can draw is in like moths to a flame. It asks us where is inspiration sparking for us right now?  If you aren’t seeing that light to follow, maybe it’s time to start looking.

Queen of Wands - Cthulhu Mythos Tarot, Diabolik Tarot, Lost Hollow Tarot

Cthulhu Mythos Tarot – Surrounded and embraced by tentacles from below, this Queen holds within her an orb of energy that glows at solar plexus level.  This card speaks of being strong in one’s leadership of others.  Sometimes when we inspire others, its important to keep them on track rather than letting them just go off and do their own thing.  This card asks the question… where in your passion projects are you in need of more focus?

Diabolik Tarot – What would you do for her? To be her… or to possess her? The femme fatale has been an inspiration and motivation to many a thief, criminal,  and hero alike. She inspires them to leap forward and dive into the fray, to break the law and do amazing things.  This card speaks of being not just inspired but motivated by someone else.  It warns that you need to remember to make the choice to act based upon your own character, or whoever is motivating you will take those choices out of your hands.

Lost Hollow Tarot – Dark and mysterious, this Queen walks among a field of sunflowers at night. She is a beacon of light in the darkness, the sunflowers behind her speaking of hope and success within the encroaching darkness, if you are willing to brave the dark to follow her lead. This card says that sometimes finding inspiration is not easy or for the weak of heart, but takes courage and an intrepid spirit.

DECK USED: TAROT OF MYSTICAL MOMENTS, CTHULHU MYTHOS TAROT, DIABOLIK TAROT, LOST HOLLOW TAROT

🌑 New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Libra – October 2024

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Today is the new moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is courtesy of @moonandcactus.

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra Oracle Reading with The Haunted Manor Oracle

How can I surrender to what comes and let go of resistance to change, trusting the process?

Lineage – Acknowledge and then release your unreasonable self-imposed expectations, as well as the assumption of others expectations. Don’t allow them to hold so much sway over your actions and thoughts on what you “should” be doing with your time and energy. You need to accept that these expectations are an illusion created by your past and not reality.

How can I learn to make peace with those around me?

Winter – Stillness is an important part of growth as well as healthy communication with others. When you pause, not only do you give yourself a bit of a rest, but you  give yourself a moment of thought and reflection. People that want you to react in their favor may not like that moment in the cold outside of your attention as you look within, but that makes it that much more important that you do it.

How can I establish a sense of order and create harmony in my environment?

Hide and Seek – Stop ignoring your needs and hiding from the activities that will help fulfill them. This is especially important in keeping your home organized. Either get the housekeeper in more often or start doing more of the work yourself.

(Obviously, the housekeeper is the healthier answer here, as so many of my personal readings are reminders to involve others in getting things done instead of taking it all on my own shoulders.)

If possible, how can I avoid making major decisions until the energy stabilizes, and instead focus on planning and reflecting?

Graveyard – Don’t fret so much about the inconsequential things that aren’t being done. Work instead on the long standing unpleasant ones that need doing whether you like them or not. (Taxes… hello.)

The eclipse will tip the scales toward our relationships. Encouraging us to reassess our interactions with others. How can I trust that whatever surfaces is helping to restore balance?

Black Mirror – You have a habit of ignoring what is unpleasant or gives rise to your feelings of vulnerability, which only gives these things more power over you. Face them instead and their power will lessen, their contributions to your life shining through instead.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Sword – Stay alert and on the look out for those that are trying to manipulate you into going against your good sense, intuition, or inner compass.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosehips for Releasing Stress and Negativity
Foraged Red Alder Cones for Support in One’s Endeavors
Red Jasper for Awakening and Motivation toward Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE HAUNTED MANOR ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from September to October

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Ostara Tarot

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

King of Swords – You are a good leader, cunning and clever, but you are holding yourself too far apart from others in an effort to protect yourself from getting hurt. Allowing yourself vulnerability won’t wrest your power from your grip, but will instead only make you stronger.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Page of Cups – This specific card has a tendency to come up for this question around this time of year. It is a reminder that with the holiday rush right around the corner, your time to explore emotions and work on your emotional intelligence is coming to an end for the year. Time flies, and soon it will be nose-to-the-grindstone with the holiday rush.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Ten of Wands – This card indicates that “ideal states” are like perfection, they don’t really exist and are overrated. You -want- to take on everything, put it all on your shoulders, and deal with it with alacrity and grace. This card is a reminder that that vision in your head is a lie.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Tower – Chaos is not your friend right now. Work on staying organized, and when things don’t go exactly as planned, relax into the fall instead of tensing up.

(Note: “Relaxing into the fall” is a term used in tight rope walking and areal gymnastics to encourage going boneless when falling in order to minimize injury. Much in the way drunks often have serious mishaps without injury.)

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

The Magician – You are independent, strong willed, and well rounded. You have all that you need to not just “make it through” but to accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Make sure that you are tapping into these qualities when they are needed.  You are far from helpless.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Page of Swords – Sometimes, like a kid running with scissors and someone gets hurt, people say things without thinking and carve a piece out of you in the process. Just like that kid with the scissors, it’s not intentional and not meant to be malicious. Make sure that you are looking beyond the injury to see the motivations of others clearly. Remember… accidents happen.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Knight of Pentacles – Sometimes the hard work isn’t worth it… but not often. When you continue to stubbornly push forward even when conditions are horrible, the rewards are nearly always worth the effort put in and then some. And, in the glow of accomplishment afterward, it’s easy to forget just how horrible the journey was now that it’s behind you.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Three of Wands – Watch out for the feeling of moving forward when you’re really just circling the drain hole. Keep your eves open for opportunities for real progress instead of just the illusion of it.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

King of Cups – Look to Gideon for support when you need it. He can help you in finding emotional stability if you let him guide you and follow his lead.

Message from the Spirit World – We take pride in your efforts to learn more about and understand your emotions instead of continuing your ignore them. It may feel sometimes like your running in circles, but you are in fact developing lifelong skills that will help you with future goals.

Message from the Mind’s World – Make sure that you don’t let your inner dialogue’s sharp tongue push you into taking on so much that you buckle under the weight. Loved ones are there to help. Use your freshly learned interpersonal skills to diversify the load.

Message from the Physical World – You’ll make things far harder on yourself than they need to be by not taking care to acknowledge where you are still learning and in need of help or guidance. Lean into those that can give you guidance when you need it instead of stubbornly insisting on going it alone.

Take Away – You are not abandoning your emotional intelligence journey by focusing on the holiday rush that approaches. That journey will still be there for you when you return to it after the rush is over.

Make sure you are delegating your work load instead of taking it all on yourself.

DECKS USED: OSTARA TAROT