Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

🌑 New Moon in Virgo – September 2024

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Tonight 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 @Ethony.

New Moon in Virgo Oracle Reading with the Healing Heart Oracle

Where should I focus my energy this season?

Co-Creative Heart – Look for opportunities to involve others in your work, whether that is having them help you with whatever you are working on or teaching them new creative skills that can help you out along the way.

What needs re-evaluation?

Trusting Heart – You are trusting another to have your best interest at heart way too much. Instead of just blindly allowing this other to lead you, use your intuition to guide yourself in these situations.

What is just a distraction that I need to ignore?

Trapped Heart – Make sure you don’t get so wrapped up in feelings of restlessness that you end up taking unnecessary chances with your safety.

Where do I need to get more organized?

Curious Heart – Make sure that you are planning ahead when you decide to go off on an adventure. Combined with previous card in this reading, this is a reminder that due to safety issues that have come up in the past you aren’t always particularly safe when you’re out alone, and thus need to bring someone with you instead of just going off on your own on a whim.

What project would benefit from my full attention?

Rebellious Heart – This answer is an echo back to the second card in this reading. It encourages making sure that others are not being allowed to make decisions for you, and that you’re not yielding just to make things easier for yourself and/or others.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Unavailable Heart – Stop trying to avoid triggers and trauma reactions. You need to instead acknowledge them, and work on healing these things, so that they are no longer an issue.

DECK USED: HEALING HEART ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from August to September

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Month End Tarot Reading with The Spore Tarot

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

Eight of Swords / Rosehips (Rosa canina) – Just like those in the world that don’t know the medicinal properties of rosehips or the joyous flavor of rosehip tea… you are missing something important. It’s not being hidden from you, but rather you are hiding from it through willful ignorance. No one can tell you what it is. Rather, you are going to have to figure it out for yourself, preferably before it’s too late to act.

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

Five of Pentacles / Thyme (Thymus vulgarus) – In order to get things around you and energies moving freely again, you need to let go of your feelings of scarcity. They aren’t helping you, but instead these feelings are gumming up the works.

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

Knight of Wands / Ginseng (Panax ginseng) – Energetic focus on your passions and goals. You have felt less that your best over the past bit of time, and the zing of energy and clarity you have felt over the last few days is something you hope to carry forward with you into the future.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Judgement / Giant Puffball (Calvatia gigantea) – Grudges get you nowhere and hold back your personal growth. Instead of holding onto past slights, it’s okay to let the emotions involved go. It doesn’t mean forgetting or being doomed to repeat the lesson again, just that you release the experience’s ability to control your emotions.

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

King of Swords / Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) – There is stability in knowledge and experience. This stability is your friend, whether it’s your own that you are sharing with others, or that of an elder that they are sharing with you. In the latter case, take in all that they have to share, even if it may not be something you agree with at the time. That information will become useful to you later on.

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

The Hermit / Agaricus (Agaricus blazei) – Healthy alone time is a wonderful thing, but keep in mind the damage that can be done by indulging in the unhealthy alone time that isolates you and lets you wallow in stagnancy. It’s time to explore healthy alone time again. Get out in the forest among the trees and revel in the solitude of quiet places under the canopy.

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

Four of Swords / Moringa (Moringa oleifera) – Tying into the previous card, you are encouraged to focus on the healing energy that being in nature provides for you. Breathe it in. Stretch out in the moss and listen to the crunch of the pine needle and cedar carpet under your feet. Immerse yourself in the healing energy of nature.

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

Four of Wands / Suma (Hebanthe eriantha) – Take care not to delve too deeply inward right now. You need to connect to the outside world and let its energy revitalize you, not linger in the energies of stagnation and stillness. Get out of the house and move your body.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

The World / Fairy Ring (Marasmius oreades) – You currently have the opportunity to connect to a healthier cycle, leaving the unhealthy one you have been struggling with behind in the process. Seize this opportunity to step through to the other side.

Message from the Spirit World – Turn over a new leaf with your loved ones at home by embracing this energy of transition and stepping into it instead of retreating.

Message from the Mind’s World – A mindset of scarcity is keep you blinded to the exciting potential currently before you. Make sure you are looking beyond it instead of allowing it to put blinders on you.

Message from the Physical World – Get your ass outside and spend some alone time in nature without prying the eyes that tend to make you feel “off” about it all.

Take Away – The uplift of energy and clarity you have been feeling lately is an opportunity to move into a better place both emotionally and physically. Don’t let the chance to revel and enjoy life pass you by. Connect with others when needed, let go of grudges weighing you down, and get out in nature to really celebrate that connection and recharge.

DECKS USED: THE SPORE TAROT

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Differing Perspectives

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Prompt: “Pull the Queen of Swords 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?“

Terra Volatile - Queen of SwordsTerra Volatile – She has a decapitated head dangling from one wrist and blood on her sword.  The Queen of Swords in this particular imagery is clearly going to not just be judicious, but deal with issues quickly and with precision.  There is no room for sentimentality here, and the situation the querent finds themselves in is going to need to be dealt with in much the same manner.  Don’t worry if you come  off seemingly cold-hearted, every harvest requires the chaff to be removed, and now’s the time to get that done.

Queen of Swords in the RTEXT Tarot, Stunning Tarot, and Zoomies Tarot

RTEXT Tarot – This deck has an interesting take on the Queen of Swords, blending her in with the Queen of Wands to draw in an element of fire and creative spark. It speaks of using your mind in creative ways, to think outside the box for solutions you can use to help and guide those around you. Experience resides in the blue cloak she wears, and it is through her experience that this Queen is strong in her leadership of others, guiding the way forward in what might possibly be considered unconventional and surprising ways.

Stunning Tarot – How often do our thoughts come without emotions attached to them?  Not often. In this card we see the queen as a mermaid, submerged within the water with her sword drawn, but held with a touch of restraint.  She wants to listen first, hear what you have to say, and hold off on judgement until she’s had time to sort through both her emotions and her thoughts and come to a solid conclusion. It is this energy that needs to be brought into the situation you find yourself in. Don’t react impulsively and take the time to sort out your emotions from your thoughts, weighing what you’ve learned and your internal reactions to it prior to speaking out or taking action.

Zoomies Tarot – “At the dogforsaken swingers club.” Dogs are playful and fun. If dogs are forsaken, it doesn’t sound like it’d be that much fun of a club, and the bored look of the frog on the swing seems to agree.  Take time to examine what is missing from the picture before you step forward to try and offer advice or perspective to others.  Something is missing in the situation, and until you figure out what that is? Your advice isn’t going to get through and land as you hope it would.

DECKS USED: TERRA VOLATILE TAROT, RTEXT TAROT, STUNNING TAROT, ZOOMIES TAROT

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Relating to the Cards

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Prompt: “Shuffle your deck of choice, then pull out every ninth card. Of the eight cards now sitting in front of you, which card do you relate to most strongly and why? Of the seven remaining cards, which card do you relate to the least and why? With the six cards left, assign a real person in  your life, a fictional character, a movie, a book, or a song to each of these six cards and then tell us why you made the choice you did for each.”

The Hilda Tarot - Four of Pentacles, Four of Swords, Ten of Swords, Two of Cups, Four of Wands, Three of Wands, King of Pentacles, The Sun

Relate to the Most – King of Pentacles – I might not always admit it, not even to myself, but I have done well at creating a stable foundation for myself and my life, as well as to help provide a sense of stability for others that look up to me for help and guidance.  I may motivate myself with fear and a fixation on scarcity… but in truth? I’m doing better than I often allow myself to acknowledge.

Relate to the Least – Three of Wands – There’s so much going on in my life right now, and it feels like there’s a lot of uncertainty and a lot of things that are up in the air. As I struggle with these issues, I find myself freezing in place and stalling out far more often than I am moving with direction and purpose.

Four of Pentacles – S lives alone, her children living thousands of miles away and showing no interest in her or her well being. She spends her days helping others, driving the elderly to their appointments while she, in her 80s, keeps trucking on.  She wears plain clothing and no jewelry, a discount cane helps her balance on days when she needs it. She drives an old car with many dents that is immaculately clean inside, but at least twenty years old.  And yet, in a box in her crowded little condo, sitting on her dresser beneath an old lamp that’s seen better days is a hoard of secret treasure.  Jewelry glitters in gemstones and gold, tucked into each drawer of the box, the contents neatly itemized and every once in a while? A new piece added.

Four of Swords – Recently injured, he couldn’t wait to get back on his feet and be able to drive again.  J’s experience left him with his arm in a sling and delegated to the passenger seat for two weeks, and every single moment of that time he was in recovery? He was chomping at the bit to be in the drivers seat again.  He gave himself the rest he needed, though, and is healing up well.

Two of Cups – Forty years of marriage and they spent every single day of it together. They worked together, they played together. They didn’t even run to the store or the post office without the other along for the ride.  Forty years with no more than an half-an-acre between them at most. You could see how well they worked together, even when they bickered at each other.  You could see the love in every look, even when one or the other of them was in a mood or being “impossible”.

Ten of Swords – Then one day, forty years ends. One passes away and leaves the other behind. They becomes she, and she is alone. Aching and alone. Heart torn open, left bleeding in the dirt and wishing she could follow him on into the dark, but she is left behind. Lost in the dark and feeling as if there is nothing left to live for.

Two of Wands – Plans are made, but it’s not time yet to jump in.  Lots and lots of plans are made, and eagerness reigns.  Yet? Still, it’s not quite time.  It’s a holding pattern for the girl in the dark red gown with the matching cap on her head. She bounces on her toes, the future before her bright, as she smiles brightly while a small folder is handed over.  Soon… plans will be put into action, and she has so many plans.

The Sun – Toad the Wet Sprocket’s song “Walk on the Ocean” makes me think of summer days filled with nothing but time and the pursuit of laughter and enjoyment. It’s the daydream of summer vacations that I never experienced, but knew others were enjoying.  It is a reminder of the joy of finally getting to experience and enjoy time off myself.

DECK USED: Hilda The Tarot

🌕 Full Moon in Aquarius – August 2024

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Today 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 @Lionharts #theaugusttarot.

Full Moon in Aquarius Tarot Reading with the Little Bird Tarot and Animal Spirits of the Sacred Isles Oracle

How can I embrace my inner rebel during this Full Moon?

The High Priestess and Toad – Don’t allow irritation pull you off your intuition’s voice.  You need to listen to that inner knowing and do what -you- know is right rather than allowing others to badger, bug, or otherwise harass you into taking a path you know in your gut is not right for you.

What steps can I take to break free from restrictive patterns?

Eight of Cups and Snake – When something doesn’t feel right, don’t stick around just because others expect you to or you expect yourself to bear it out. Instead, look for those toxic things in your life, and as they come to your attention get rid of them… even when those might actually be people.

What change is necessary to pave a new path that aligns with me?

Eight of Swords and Salmon – You need to open your eyes and start working on seeing your environment with more clarity, rather than hiding from the harmful things that are right in front of you that you are choosing to willfully ignore.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

The Star and Mouse – Make sure you are leaning into positivity and optimism, so that the threat of depression stays in the background instead of coming to the fore.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Soothing Energies and Calm during Transitions
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Ceramic Pine Tips Impression for Protection
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Picture Jasper for a Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
Hand Crafted Goat as sympathetic representation of Amalthea

DECK USED: LITTLE BIRD TAROT AND ANIMAL SPIRITS OF THE SACRED ISLES ORACLE

🎨 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.”

Slavic Legends Tarot - Nine of Swords, Six of Cups, Page of Coins

Scenario 1 – Illona is a constant prankster, but realized that one of their recent pranks went too far. They want to know how to make up with their friend.

The prank you played on your friend has left some lingering uncertainties and fears behind for them that they’re struggling to get over. To effectually reconcile with your friend, you will need to show them how much you value your past with them and that connection between you that was build over time, and allow them to see how bereft you feel with this change in your relationship. They need to feel valued.

Scenario 2 – Grey just got out of a situation where he felt trapped for years. He’s been riding the high of being free, but wants to know what to do with himself now that it’s finally over.

You struggled with feeling trapped for a really long time and it’s absolutely natural to be feeling that high of freedom now that you are free of that situation.

These cards suggest tapping back into old friends and loved ones that may have been left in the rear view over the past few years. There will be times in the future where you’re going to struggle with being alone. Start rebuilding those past connections now to help in mitigating those feelings later on.

DECK USED: SLAVIC LEGENDS TAROT