Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

📆 Transitioning from November to December

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Month End Check-in Reading with the Southern Gothic Trilogy Decks

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

The Panther – The fire within you is rising, and along with it, your strength and perseverance. You are starting to feel in control again in ways that you haven’t in quite some time; in healthy ways that help create drive and balance, instead of the unhealthy ways that create stagnancy and sickness.

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

Nest of Wasps – Although you usually don’t realize it in the moment, when you’re in the depression, you have a sharper tongue, and your words have a tendency to sting, even when you don’t mean them too. Now that the depression is easing off, that sharp stinger is fading as well. Taking time to be conscious of your tone when communicating with others will help you shed this sharper edge quicker.

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

Uncle Monday – You want to be stronger in both your mundane abilities as well as your magical ones, and are seeking to develop better adaptation abilities than those you currently possess.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Hazel the Mummy – The things that you hold onto too tightly will in time turn from stagnancy to decay and crumble away. Make sure that those things that you want so badly to hold onto aren’t actually holding you back from something better.

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

Alligator – Take time to explore the self. Digging deep instead of just skimming the surface will help you in connecting and prioritizing those things that are most important.

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

Hydrangea – It can often be difficult to be grateful for things that happen in life. Especially when they hold a negative consequence instead of an obvious boon. You’ve very recently acquired a whole new set of inner scars, and have yet to find and really appreciate the boon involved.

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

The Dog – Take some time to reflect upon and appreciate those that you trust to be by your side, no matter what. Some love is unconditional, after all, and needs to be recognized as such and appreciated.

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

Cornbread – Make sure to take some time to connect with the roots of who you are so that your ego doesn’t get in the way moving forward. Remember that being a “basic bitch” isn’t necessarily a bad thing it keeps you humble and helps you connect more strongly with others.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Abandoned Plantation – There’s a great deal of opportunity in the deconstruction of things. Make sure that you aren’t just letting these opportunities go to waste.

Message from the Spirit World – Self reflection may cause you to find you’re not as generous as you could be.  Harsh judgements can be destructive. Instead of indulging in those negative veins of thought, use your mindfulness and self awareness to shift toward a kinder and less harsh frame of mind.

Message from the Mind’s World – People depend upon your dependability. They follow you because yo tu provide them with a sense of stability and strength that allows them to actually enjoy the activities (even the work) that you do together.

Message from the Physical World – Those friends that are worth a damn will persist through though thick and thin.  Those that aren’t worth a damn?  They’re temporary, and because they have no gratitude in their heart, they always eventually show their true colors.

Take Away – Things are beginning to turn around, and there’s a good deal more energy (and hope) rising in you as you transition from one month to the next.  Focus on practices that encourage a mindset of gratitude, and lean on those that you trust.

Other elements included in this reading:
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Foraged Norway Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Dried Grand Fir Sprig for Help in Finding One’s Natural Rhythm
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and Drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: SOUTHERN GOTHIC ORACLE, SOUTHERN BOTANICAL ORACLE, THE HAUNTS ORACLE

Elements in My Practice

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The prompt for this reading came from one of the Discord servers I’m a member of.

Prompt: Rank the elements based on how often you use them in your practice/how much you connect with them.

elements

This answer differs depending upon which aspect of my practice that we’re speaking about.  For this reason, I’ve split this post into three different aspects.

Affinities and how I connect to the elements:

earth – This is the element that I’ve always connected with the strongest. Soil and trees, forests and mountains. Plants and growing things. Grounding and stability.

water – I find comfort here, but not stability. As I crave stability over all else, comfort comes in second. There is an emotional attribute here, but not the sharp emotions that survived the eradication during my childhood years. Instead the emotions here are soft and welcoming.

air – Adaptability lives here for me. I can connect to it and bend to it, but I can’t say that it’s exactly comfortable.

fire – Destruction lives here. This is the element that facilitates the changes that hurt the most and make the most room for new things to come in and grow. Being someone who connects with and constantly craves stability, fire and I don’t have the greatest of relationships.

How often I use the elements in my magical practice:

In my magical practice, they all have their place, and each element is included in one manner or another for all of my spellwork. They are a foundation that requires each of them to contribute to create a “whole” spell.

In this magical practice, there is a fifth element that is not present in my list for affinities, for the element of “spirit” is me. Spirit is the spark within me and the spark within others. It’s the individuality that makes each person different, and makes up the threads that connect each and every living (and not living) thing together.

How the elements present in my divination practice:

In divination, the elements represent different aspects of life.  I’ve ordered these in this post in the order of what element is most under our control to what element is least under out control.

earth – The earth element relates to the Pentacles suit in the tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation in divination of the physical world. This includes things like health, hearth and home, money and resources, physical labor, concepts of stability, etc.

air – The air element relates to the Swords suit in the tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation of one’s thoughts, strategies, ambitions, and education. Although our thoughts sometimes run away with us, our plans and strategies are under our control. We choose what we want to learn and plan where we want to go.

water – The water element relates to the Cups suit in the tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation of one’s emotions, intuition, and imagination.  Emotions aren’t really something that we have a lot of control over, and our imagination has a tendency to run wild sometimes, seeping through the cracks just like water has a tendency to do.

fire – The fire element relates to the Wands suit in the tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation of one’s “inner spark”.  This is our quality of inspiration and enthusiasm. We like what we like.  Deep inside we feel what is right or wrong for us.  It’s the home of our values, our motivations, and our passions.

spirit – The “spirit” element relates to the Major Arcana in the suit of tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation of the spiritual. It’s about our life journey, the larger picture, and how elements in that larger picture affect us.

As you can see, although the answer differs depending on the aspect of my practice that we’re talking about?  There is a theme throughout each element that connects them. That is what makes them a foundational part of my practice as a whole.

🌑 New Moon in Scorpio – November 2025

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Tomorrow night 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 @joinamandasophia

New Moon in Scorpio Tarot Reading with the Unofficial Shel Silverstein Tarot

What am I ready to welcome into my life right now?

Four of Coins atop Eight of Swords – You aren’t feeling particularly ready or welcoming to anything right now. Honestly? You just want to stick your head in the sand and pretend everything is at status quo.

What no longer feels aligned with who l am becoming?

Ace of Wands – You’re feeling particularly uninspired recently, and as a result are worried that that inner spark of creativity within you is sputtering out. You don’t want this misalignment to create a situation where you end up diverted off your chosen path.

What habits or beliefs am I ready to shift or release?

Five of Cups – As you recover from your recent depressive episode, you are trying to shed the dark inner narratives and pessimism that have managed to continue to linger on.

Where do I feel called to begin again?

The Star – You feel the need to connect more strongly with your positivity work, and use it to make the rungs on the ladder less slippery as you climb out of depression’s pit.

What does my soul truly desire in this next cycle?

Seven of Wands – Your soul craves the freedom to stop worrying over how your decisions and actions affect others, believing that you will then be able to be even more authentically yourself.

How can I stay open to possibility and expansion?

Ace of Swords – Communicate your needs. It’s easier to be open to growth and change when your needs are clearly communicated and heard.

Where am I being asked to trust more deeply?

Ace of Coins Rx – It’s okay to pass new opportunities by now and then. Trust in what you already have begun and are working with. No new opportunities are needed for you to have all that you need and live a happy life.

How can I be more intentional with my time, energy, and attention?

King of Cups – Stop giving yourself such a hard time about your mistakes, and be supportive instead.

What would it look like to honor the whispers of my intuition right now?

Queen of Cups – “What he said,” as the Queen glances to the King beside her.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Eight of Wands – Now is the time for movement and action. No dawdling. Success lies in your ability to catch and ride the wave.

Other elements included in this reading:
Goat Figurine as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Tree of Life Raku Medallion for fostering Balance and Harmony
Dried Lavender Bundle for Calming and Comfort
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE UNOFFICIAL SHEL SILVERSTEIN TAROT

🌕 Full Moon in Taurus – November 2025

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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 @thewitchsfix

Full Moon in Taurus Tarot Reading with The Lantern of the Sage Tarot

Where in your life needs sealing; the cracks where energy and warmth escape?

Knight of Swords – You often worry about speaking up too quickly, or sharing your opinions and then having to shove your foot in your mouth after. Past experience has told you that to move quickly with what you want to say means that you may end up backtracking instead of moving forward. Your lack of confidence in this area is depleting to your energy, and takes up too much of your time and concern.

What simple acts of maintenance could make your days gentler?

Five of Discs Rx – You spend a lot of time worrying about what you don’t have and need to do rather than just reaching out and asking for help. You would do better to ask for help regularly (even when you possibly don’t think you need it), which would allow you the space to be kinder to yourself and help establish a practice of letting others contribute rather than taking it all on your own shoulders.

Where have you mistaken constant effort for care, when true care might be rest?

Two of Batons – You don’t have to have everything planned out. It’s okay sometimes to just wing it.

What are you ready to protect, to keep safe through the wintering ahead?

Ten of Batons Rx atop The Magician – Protect yourself from burn out. Every year, the winter months are a struggle of overwhelmed and encroaching burnout as you work your way through the holiday rush. This year, with everything in the business much slower, you have the opportunity to treat yourself better and avoid the ugly repercussions of a more chaotic holiday season.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Six of Batons – Work on being more self-aware when you are people pleasing, and why.

Other elements included in this reading:
Goat Figurine as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Cream Quartz Stone for Amplifying Intentions and Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:THE LANTERN OF THE SAGE TAROT

📆 Transitioning from October to November

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Tarot of Haunted House

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

Two of Swords – There are lots of choices to be made right now; many of them concerning things that you don’t really want to deal with or acknowledge.

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

Knight of Cups – Impulsiveness spurred on by emotion. This is something you need to work on. Your emotions often dictate your actions these days, now that you have allowed them to have freedom outside the graveyard you used to bury them in. It’s time to focus on putting them in their place without denying them their freedom.

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

Seven of Wands Rx – You are tired of fighting the good fight and are looking for respite. You don’t want to have to fight so hard all the time, but are struggling to figure out how to let go without sacrificing your values in the process.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Judgement – It’s time to examine if you are worrying too much about what others think, or have lost sight of your own path due to the influence of other others.

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

Justice Rx – Remember the law of cause and effect. You can realign yourself with your values and path, but be prepared for it to displease others when you do. They’ll get used to it if you stand your ground, but it’s not going to be a pleasant experience in the interim.

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

The Empress Rx – Lack of self-care is a serious issue with you. Remember that if you continue along that path, the consequences can be quite heavy (reflecting back to the previously pulled Justice card). You need to work on being more conscious about when you are using self-neglect as a punishment so that you can begin shifting this tendency in another direction.

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

Strength – Your greatest strengths are those that you acknowledge within yourself. When you’re feeling powerless, look in the mirror and seek out the strength that lies within.

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

Knight of Swords – Take care not to act rashly at this time, even if you feel you are prepared. Keep your mouth shut and do nothing. Just watch.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Seven of Swords Rx – You have the opportunity to avoid the repercussions of your actions by not doing the thing that could create those repercussions in the first place. Take the path of the straight and narrow, and you’ll be just fine.

Message from the Spirit World – Opening your mouth too soon will give away your secrets and result in you getting caught up in negative consequences as a result. Don’t be so eager to share.

Message from the Mind’s World – Make sure when you go on the defensive that you’re doing so over something that matters, and not just being impulsive. Take time to take off the blindfold and really look at your motivations before step forward into the fray.

Message from the Physical World – At this time helping others leaves you at a deficit. You need to be focusing on taking care of yourself and your own needs instead.

Take Away – Lots of warnings about keeping your mouth shut and not jumping the gun. There’s a message here about needing to prioritize self-care, and not worrying so much about others right now. Make sure you’re making choices that lean into this theme.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

Last Harvest 2025 – Samhain

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Today is the third and Last Harvest of the 2025 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.

Samhain

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 the upcoming Winter Solstice (aka. Yule) in December.

Samhain Tarot Reading with the Jahreskreis Orakel Der Keltischen Feste, Pagan Otherworlds Tarot, Compendium Of Witches Oracle, Healing Herbal Cards

Theme of the Season – Anderswelt (Otherworld), Waxing Gibbous Moon, Evening Primrose (Oenethera biennis)

Anderswelt (Otherworld) is a reference to the thinning of the veil during this time of year.  It is during Samhain when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, and many of the traditions and activities practiced during this time are based in either protecting us from the negative spirits that might come through, or welcoming in those of our loved ones that come to visit.

This Samhain, we are on the cusp of the Waxing Gibbous Moon. Metaphysically speaking, the Waxing Gibbous Moon is a time of preparation for rebirth. Soon, the full moon will be upon us, and its power at its peak. During this time, power is building and condensing, and we must be active in planning what we are going to do with that power when it reaches its peak in another few days. Do we want to siphon off of that growing power a little at a time? Or do we want to let it build into something bigger and greater that we can utilize all at once?

Evening primrose is a symbol of rebirth, helping us to release old wounds and other emotions that weigh heavily on the heart that have been carried with us from childhood.  This release opens us up to allow for a rebirth of joy and enjoyment.  Medicinally, this plant’s essential oil is used to also release us from pain and discomfort to make room for healing, as it is used in folk medicine to treat skin conditions, menstrual cramps, and labor pains.

When looking at these three cards together, what I see here is a reminder that when we allow ourselves to explore our past, it provides us with the healing needed to become stronger and better moving forward. This healing releases us from the weight and pain we carry in old scars and long-standing wounds, giving us a new lease on life. In the same way, working with one’s ancestors and loved ones that come to visit during this time can heal generational trauma as well, if we’re open to the experience of working with them in this way.

Earth – Eight of Wands Rx – Slow your roll. Taking things easy right now is the best course of action for you. There is too much activity going on with the veil being thin, and you don’t want to get so caught up in the whirlwind that you lose your footing.

Air – The Tower Rx – There is currently a lull in the chaos. It’s temporary, but it’s giving you the opportunity to rise a bit before the next plummet begins. Use this time to bolster your inner dialogue and get your head on straight… or a straight as you can get it.

Water – Five of Swords Rx – Again, we see a message encouraging slowing down and holding back. Now it’s not the time to leap forward into battle. You’re not emotionally ready for it right now.

Fire – Knight of Swords – Focus your energy in the past, and seeking restoration through healing past wounds. Now is the time to deal with these issues; while the veil is thin, and those from your past are here and present to assist you.

Waning – The Memory and Briar – There’s smooth sailing when it comes to dealing with your past at this time. You won’t end up tangled up in the ways that you normally would be, because during this time you have the assistance needed to make changes and heal.

Waxing – The Oracle and Ruins – Lean into your ancestor work and mediumship abilities right now, and do a bit extra to honor the past and those who are long-standing at your side.

Take Away – There is a lot of advice here on slowing down in forward growth, your future goals, and aspirations. Instead of growth and the future, during this last harvest while the veil is thin, you are encouraged to dip into the past and work with your ancestors and guides. Be open to their guidance and focus in this direction rather than on advancement..

DECKS USED: JAHRESKREIS ORAKEL DER KELTISCHEN FESTE, PAGAN OTHERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 – 3