Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

Beltane 2021

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Tomorrow is Beltane, which is also my sister and I’s birthday. Like Halloween is a time when the veil between the land of the living and the realm of the dead is thin, this holiday is the time when the veil between our world and that of the Fae is at is thinnest.  I personally often find myself amped up with extra energy around this time of year, which I most often use to spend more time playing in that thinning veil as much as possible.

Faylander Art Card, Pagan Underworlds Tarot, Compendium of Witches Oracle, Healing Herbal Cards Vol. 1 & 2

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 Litha in June.

Theme of the Season – Beltane, Waning Gibbous Moon, Chrysanthemum parthenium (Ornamental Feverfew) – The energies of Beltane are those of celebration and anticipation, fertility and abundance.  This holiday is about the plentiful and fruitful peak of the spring season.   As “April showers bring May flowers” here we now celebrate the arrival of may and the wealth that the rainy season and warming weather have prepared to bestow upon us all.

The Waning Gibbous Moon is the first slow decent from the Full Moon’s burst of power. In that decreasing power, we pause now to take a moment to reflect and focus on gratitude.  Introspection is an important part of growth, and to do this it’s important to take time now to look at the goals that were set when the moon was new and that you have worked toward with the rising energy of the moon towards full.

Chrysanthemum parthenium (Ornamental Feverfew) is a fever reducer and anti-inflammatory that is used to treat fevers, migraines, arthritis, tummy troubles and even bug bites. It’s a common herb used for a wide variety of inflammatory responses in the body, and metaphysically it is commonly used in the prevention of accidents of all kinds as well as drawing pain from the body.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is about pausing to enjoy.   Enjoy the spring and be grateful.  Enjoy the abundance… and be grateful.  Allow things to calm within yourself and within your life, and give yourself time to enjoy and relax.  Things will take care of themselves while you give yourself a bit of extra time to just savor and smell the roses. Don’t push so hard right now.

Earth – Ten of Pentacles –  You may be feeling a little tight in the wallet the past week or so, but you’re doing just fine.  All your bills and expenses are covered and you have the money you need for the security and stability you are constantly craving.  So take a breath and enjoy.  Yes, some weeks are tighter than others, but for the time being you are beyond worrying about where your next meal or bill payment is going to come from. You’ve worked hard to get to this point. Enjoy it.

Air – Six of Wands – Keep in mind that it’s okay to enjoy the approval and appreciation of others.  Yes, it’s important to take pride in yourself and not base your self-worth on other’s perceptions of you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy when people praise or admire you. Due to the upbringing you went through this can sometimes be hard to accept, but it really is okay to get that “warm fuzzy” feeling when someone gives you a compliment.

Water – The Devil – The imagery in this card brings to mind the Sidhe King Dagda in Peadar O’Guilin‘s books The Call and The Invasion. Sometimes are hearts desires call to us even beyond the reality of the realm we live in.  There is a longing for more and more, no matter how good the current moment might be.  Don’t get so caught up in that pursuit of more that you lose sight of the present and all the good that’s there to be enjoyed.

Fire – Ten of Cups – You’ve become sinking back into the pleasure of creating and enjoying it again, something that you haven’t had a lot of over the past year or so.  Having L and Z there to share the joy and enjoyment with is finally becoming something comfortable instead of something you struggle against.  Make sure you take time to truly appreciate what you all have together in your mutual endeavors.

Waning – Ruins atop Oath – Stop worrying so much about dropping the ball on your responsibilities and obligations.

Waxing – Bee atop Sprout –  Over the next few weeks, new ideas and endeavors are the flavor of the season. Put your effort and energy into giving these new sprouts what they need to flourish and grow strong.

Take Away – Lots of advice about gratitude, and lots of reminders about savoring what you have in the present.  Although this is a time of reflection and healing, it also is providing the opportunity to explore new things and get new ideas off the ground and running.  Just make sure that you choose wisely what you want to put that energy into and don’t overwhelm yourself in the process.

DECKS USED:  FAYLANDER ART CARD, PAGAN UNDERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 & 2

Morning Bonus Read – Throat Center

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Brugel Tarot

My Throat Center Energy Right Now

Ten of Swords – You’re on the cusp of a transformation concerning how you communicate with others. But right now it just feels like you can’t say a damned thing right. It’s sort of like Mercury Rx, except that you’re learning from your mistakes and will use them in that transformation to adapt to a better method as you grow.

Tension I’m Currently Holding In This Area

The Sun – There’s been a good deal of pressure from the cards (and spirit guides through the cards) to be happy and really sink into the feelings of joy you experience, as well as to express that joy with others. The thing is, you’re not quite there in your growth yet, so this pressure feels a bit premature.

How I Can Release This Tension

King of Pentacles atop Queen of Swords – Suit yourself.  Take the advice being given as just that, advice.  Take it as a heads up on what’s coming instead of a push for the change to happen right this minute.  Do your own thing, work at it a little at a time.  There’s no rush.

How I Can Better Express Myself

Eight of Pentacles – You’re on the right path. Just keep working at it. Communication and it’s different avenues and intricacies takes time and practice to improve at.  Some people are more natural at it at others.  You’re one of those that needs to work at it.  To others it might seem like one of your strong suits, but in truth it’s something you’ve worked hard at all your life, and will continue to struggle and learn as you go, perfecting and adjusting with each step along the way.

Something I Must Accept As Truth

Knight of Wands atop Death – Organic change is something you can always see coming if you’re paying attention, but you haven’t been paying attention. You’ve been off in your own little world doing your own shit and not watching where you’re going. Be present and pay closer attention to what you’re doing and where you’re going, and as a result the changes and adaptations you go through as you move forward will go a lot more smoothly.

How Can I Follow My Life’s Purpose

Four of Pentacles – Focus on staying grounded and on steady footing as the world moves around you, like a tree stands still and strong in the winds and seasons of the years that pass.  You can revel in those seasons, in the storms and the wind, the sunlight and the rain… but stand strong and stand tall.  Stay rooted.  Everything else will flow and you will adapt as you go.

DECK USED:  BRUEGEL TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Spring Love

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Prompt: Draw up to three cards and use them to share with us a real or fictional  springtime walk outside. Feel free to daydream and go into detail!

Foresight Tarot

Fresh air whispers over bare skin as we walk hand in hand in the darkness of spring’s twilight. Fingers laced and palms pressed close and warm, one against the other as sweet scents of cooling asphalt blend with salty sea air and evergreen’s crisp bite in the nose.  (The Lovers)

Turned from their path your steps turn big body into smaller and crowd close. Feet stumble backward as hands reach to steady surprised clumsiness. Hands that touch cheeks and throat, shoulders and hips. Brick to back and tension high, kisses are taken instead of given, devoured in a moment of possession and gluttony.  (The Emperor)

A long fingered tug on belt loop. “Lets go home,” he says.  (The Devil)

DECK USED:  FORESIGHT TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Future Self

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Anna K LenormandMy Present Self

Bear – Large and in charge, you feel like you have everything (or the things that matter anyway) under control.  You accept that not every aspect of the world is yours to control, but the parts of it that are your responsibility are feeling well in hand.

My future self will thank me for…

Tower – Keeping an eye out for trouble and anything that might require foreknowledge in order to defend against. Be prepared.  Make sure that you’re wards and other protections are in order, including those of the physical variety.

My future self tells me to focus on…

Fox – The day to day mechanics of making sure everything is running smoothly and will continue to do so. Now isn’t a time to drop the ball. Stay on top of things and settle into a steady routine that’ll keep everything moving at a comfortable pace from one day to the next. This is about what allows you to provide for yourself and those that depend upon you, and finding a balance and routine in that area that’s not overwhelming or going to flirt with burnout, which will then disrupt that “steady as you go” rhythm.

My future self tells me to cut off…

Coffin – Cut off the pessimism and negative inner narrative that can drag you down and cause you to lose your stride on life’s path.  When you feel it sneaking up, cut it off immediately. Don’t allow it to wreck changes that will be unhealthy for you in the end.

Advice from my future self

Child – Have a little fun.  This is advice you recently received in another reading as well.  Don’t be so damned serious and aloof all the time.  It’s okay to invest yourself in the things you like and enjoy, and it’s okay to smile and laugh more. Working on incorporating more of this attitude in your life will breath fresh air into your life and refresh the energy that surrounds you.

DECK USED:  ANNA K LENORMAND

Full Moon in Scorpio – April 2021

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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 about delving into shadow alchemy, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

Seasons of the Arcana Tarot

1. Scorpio is extremely intense, emotional, and highly intuitive. As a water sign, what old wounds will be illuminated for cleansing and healing with this full moon?

Seven of Swords – Feelings of betrayal that have been buried and left to fester beneath the surface will be given the opportunity to rise to the surface and be dealt with. There have been a number of these instances in your life, and although you cannot heal them all at once, remember to take the opportunity when it is offered instead of shirking away from the old pain that might still be lingering there.

2. What aspect of my life is undergoing a potent transformation?

King of Swords – How you view your business and deal with the constant drive to demand more from yourself. In order to bring about new transformations, the old must be shed and allowed to fall away. Remember not to try to hold onto both.  You can only have one, and will have to choose between the “feathers” you are shedding or the progress towards something better.

3. How can I magnify my sense of pleasure?

Nine of Cups – Saturate yourself in it when it happens.  Allow yourself to sink in and wallow in your pleasure rather than giving in to the need to stay “composed” and aloof.  It’s okay to let yourself go and really embrace and enjoy the things that bring you pleasure without inhibition.

Seasons of the Arcana Tarot4. What illusions do I need to break through?

Knight of Cups (combined with the adoring gaze from the card to the right) – Not every “Knight of Cups” is a user that’s completely out for themselves. That outreached hand isn’t always going to bite you if you reach for it.  It’s okay to reach for the things you want, and offering to help others can be rewarding in and of itself.

5. What suppressed feelings will surface to provide insight this full moon?

Page of Pentacles – You long to be more like the Knight of Cups.  Withdrawn and watching from afar, you see others seeking their joys and enjoyment with abandon, freely going after their hearts desires, while you sit back and hesitate, seeking instead to take your time learning and taking things slow.  You long for the freedom from these restraints and to be able to just go with the flow of your curiosity without restraint.

6. Message from the Ancestors and Guides.

The World – Life is about balance between gentleness and ferocity, between dominance and submission, between responsibility and unrestrained freedom. If you lean too far one way or the other, everything tips off kilter and things start to fall apart.  You are learning how to open up to the softer side, the more impulsive side, the more hedonistic side.  This takes time, but you are making progress.

DECK USED: SEASONS OF THE ARCANA TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – The First Planting

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“In a couple weeks, it will be Beltane, the days we traditionally celebrate the first planting of the season. This week look to what you need to prepare to plant in your life.”

Art of the Patent Playing Cards Famous Patents EditionWhat goals or ideas should I prepare to cultivate this year?

Goals – Four of Hearts atop Jack of Hearts – More balance between my times of exhaustion and apathy, and my times of enthusiasm to go after my desires and dreams.

Ideas – Five of Hearts – Take a second look at the rejects in your idea book. You might just find hidden gold among those pages.

What special preparation should I give the soil of my life in order to better cultivate these?

Goals – Six of Hearts – The key here is in harmony, and in finding the things that stir your pleasure, inspire your desire and your dreams… and yet don’t send you over the edge into fevered exploration.

Ideas – Nine of Hearts – Gratitude is the key to preparing the soil of my life for what I might find among those notes in my idea book. Instead of judging everything with my head, I need to look over them with an open heart, and let wants override logic and practicality.  Although this isn’t always easy for me, focusing on personal pleasure and satiation will give me a different perspective.

What actions should I take to ensure a fertile year?

Eight of Spades – Pay attention to what is said by others and make sure to read between the lines. Not everyone is able to communicate plainly and clearly, but that doesn’t mean what’s said isn’t of value.  There will be times when your ability at reading between the lines will be imperative in order to bring this year to a fruitful end.

DECK USED:  ART OF THE PATENT PLAYING CARDS FAMOUS PATENTS EDITION