Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

Imbolc 2024

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The time between February 1st and 2nd is Imbolc (also known as Candlemas, Imbolg, and Brigid’s Day), which marks the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and signifies the transition from winter into the first stirrings of spring. This holiday is about life renewing, but in the hidden darkness of cold months and dark earth. Deep in the darkness seeds stir and roots begin to feel the warming of the earth as the days grow longer and nights shorter. Life awakens, invisible in its infancy.

imbolc

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. Usually I use an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, but focused on progress and my path. For this year, I’m using the #DiscordTarotholicsFebruary2024 Imbolc Spread instead.

Imbolc Oracle Reading with the Seasons of the Witch Imbolc Oracle

What seeds need planted in my life right now?

Kulning – Homecoming. There is a theme of appreciation for hearth and home rising in your life right now. It is a time to view home once again as that place of refuge, rather than just a place of work and toil. You can get through any obstacle in your path as long as you have that steady foundation of home and family to lean into.

What preparations do I need to begin making to prepare those seeds for growth?

North Star – Work on strengthening your connection with your “true north”. It is through aligning with your own personal values that you set the stage for growth in in the areas mentioned above in the Kulning card.

What in my life is beginning a phase of reawakening and renewal?

Snowflakes – You have an opportunity at this time to reconnect with more appreciation and gratitude for all that is around you and all that you have accomplished. It’s through this mindset of appreciation that you are able to take pride in what you have instead of constantly pushing yourself for more.

How can I best foster that awakening?

Dawn – Slow down and become more of a witness instead of an actor in the situations and activities around you. Pause more to appreciate, rather than constantly focusing on moving forward.

DECKS USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH IMBOLC ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from January to February

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Month End Check In Tarot Reading with the Tarot of Sacred Feminine

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

The Moon Rx atop Strength – You are struggling within your uncertainty and the vulnerability it breeds.

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

Queen of Coins Rx atop Page of Coins – The instability involved in trying to advance your position needs to be set aside for now. It’s time to pause. If you push to advance it will only cause disruption to your stability.

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

Queen of Cups Rx atop Seven of Wands Rx – You seek less violence and intensity in your emotions, including less reactivity to perceived threats.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Death Rx – Stagnancy. Just because you’re not charging forward doesn’t mean you need to stay still. Don’t let stagnancy sneak in and drag you into the mire.

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

The Hermit Rx atop Ten of Coins Rx – It’s okay to need time to yourself, just make sure that it is healthy time that won’t insert a wedge between you and your support system.

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

The High Priestess – Remember that you may not always like the results of following your intuition. That doesn’t mean that you turn away from it, but rather that it’s giving you what you need instead of what you want. This isn’t a bad thing.

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

Six of Cups atop King of Swords – Use the past to steer things in the direction you want them to go. Using nostalgia as a tool, you can hit your target cleanly.

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

The Devil – Deception is afoot. Stay alert and watchful for cracks in the masks of others.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Four of Swords – Rest and restoration needs to be your focus right now. You have the opportunity to recuperate at this time and need to take it while you have it.

Message from the Spirit World – Instead of forcing yourself to spend time with others, and risking their machinations influencing your stability and mental health, spend some time recuperating and push them to do their own thing.

Message from the Mind’s World – Lean heavily into learning instead of doing when it comes to your uncertainty right now. You’re not in a place to handle the aggression needed to do more than sit back and watch at the moment.

Message from the Physical World – This is an echo of the Nostalgia position further up in the reading.  Overcome the temptation towards stagnancy by digging into your memories for past experiences that were beneficial to you. (Restock good sellers!)

DECKS USED: TAROT OF SACRED FEMININE

🌕 Full Moon in Leo – January 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 Owl and Bones Tarot.

Full Moon in Leo Oracle Reading with the Fairy Tales Metaphoric Cards

What is your reason to roar?

The Watchful Wolf – Protecting what’s yours. Whether it’s people or spaces… pack or den.

What makes you crave the spotlight?

The High Tower – You like to be admired. (Who doesn’t?) It lifts you up.

How can you share that light?

The Sad Prince – Stay humble and allow your vulnerabilities to show.

How can you better integrate feedback or criticism?

The Warty Toad – Don’t allow criticism or constructive feedback (even the badly phrased kind) to dim your heart’s glow. Process it with your mind, not your emotions.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

The Slave’s Cave – Home doesn’t have to be a place of only toil and work. It can be cozy too.

DECK USED: FAIRY TALES METAPHORIC CARDS

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – King of Wands

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Prompt: “Pull the King 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?“

Joie de Vivre Tarot - King of WandsJoie de Vivre Tarot – The energy of the charge harnessed for a purpose, this king doesn’t just charge forward with enthusiasm, he does so with a plan and invites you along for the adventure.  “Come with me,” he says, “and experience all the possibilities life has to offer!  Seize the day!”  This is the energy that this card brings into a reading, whether it’s through indicating a person in the reading or the spirit/energy of the answer the querent seeks.

King of Wands in the Witch Sister Tarot, Tarot of the North Atlantic, and NYC Tarot

Witch Sister Tarot – The stag is king of the forest not through being an apex predator, but through his strength and commitment to family. He represents nobility and integrity, and stands fast for those under his care. He is passionate about family, and passionate about his role among them. He heads their family, protects them, and guides them forward… and they follow because he instills loyalty within their hearts with his strength and passion.  Seeing the stag asks where you can step up and lead with integrity while sparking the passion of others through their trust and admiration?

Tarot of the North Atlantic – The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales, with a maw that opens impossibly wide. Although males are solitary other than in  youth and mating season, they return and are welcomed back each mating season, again and again. Where do you need to pursue your dreams independently, with the occasional support and cheering on of your support system at your back to bolster you?

NYC Tarot – The Hedonist. This card echoes the energy of the Joie de Vivre card most strongly. The rock star stands on stage and performs, and the crowd screams their cheers, sings along with his songs, and idolizes him.  This king is afloat on the pleasure of success, glowing bright in the light of admiration from others, and eager to grow his following. This card asks two questions on either side of a single coin. Where has success gone to your head? Where do you really shine, and how can you best share this with the world?

DECK USED: JOIE DE VIVRE TAROT, WITCH SISTER TAROT, TAROT OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC, NYC TAROT

Oak Song Oracle Reading

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Oak Song Oracle Reading with the Oracle of the Seelie & Unseelie Fae

The Whole of Myself

Cat Sidhe – You are a homebody through and through and feel most at ease, contented, and blessed at home.

My relationship to my voice.

Fear Liath – You struggle to communicate with others. There is always a measure of uncertainty (and sometimes fear) involved that you will trip over some faux pas and offend them, like a bear trap hidden in the tall grass ready to make you bleed with one wrong step.

What’s holding me back from expressing myself?

Ogre – You don’t want to come off as an ass, unfair, incompetent, or egotistical. You essentially fear making a bad impression.

How can I practice using my voice?

Hobgoblin – When you lean into helping others, you really shine. Just keep it small.

What do I have to say?

Mallt-y-Nos – You need to say you’re sorry… most especially to yourself.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF THE SEELIE & UNSEELIE FAE

🎨 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.”

Spacious Tarot - Six of Pentacles, Wheel of Fortune, Child of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles

Scenario 1 – Kim has an ongoing conflict with their older brother and wants some guidance on how to approach this in a better way.

Although you have gone in different directions, you both come from the same shared beginnings (Six of Pentacles). Life has treated you both differently and guided you each to learn what works best for you to persevere and keep moving through the ups and downs (Wheel of Fortune). Take time to consider what is behind these conflicts rather than just the conflict itself. Where is the root?  How can it be fostered to grow into something healthier moving forward? (Child of Pentacles)

Scenario 2 – Stacy has a sneaking suspicion that her friend has a crush on her mom, and it’s been making things awkward. She wants to know what she should say whenever she brings it up.

Start by talking about the past and how much they’ve meant to each other (Six of Pentacles), then segue into how weird life can be and the odd twists and turns it takes along the way (Wheel of Fortune).  Take things slow and be open and supportive.  Don’t fly off the handle or push too hard. (Child of Pentacles)

DECK USED: SPACIOUS TAROT