🌑 New Moon in Capricorn – January 2022

On Sunday is the first new moon of the new year, 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 the medicine within, and brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot by the Moon series.

New Moon in Capricorn Reading - Golden Constellation Oracle

Where do I need to stand strong?

The Altar – Responsibility to the forefront. Now is not the time for frivolity.  You can have plenty of fun, but don’t indulge in yourself and behaviors that will pull your focus away from your responsibilities.

How can I challenge myself in 2022?

Cannis Major – Work on leaving the past in the past where it belongs. You made good strides in this towards the end of the summer and throughout the fall of last year. This card indicates that this year is a good time to pick this effort back up and expand on it further through the year.

Where in my life requires more sensitivity?

The Eagle – Your moral compass and in following your truth. You don’t have to be so cruel to yourself when self-correcting.  There is also encouragement here in this card to approach your connection with (and reaching for) the divine with a less aggressive approach. This doesn’t mean avoiding or ignoring, but to consider Almathea’s approach with an open mind and heart. You’ve hedged long enough… but neither do you need to dive in headlong.

What long-term goals and plans need my attention?

Virgo – Getting organized and sorting out priorities. You want shelves for your decks.  This is a long term projecr that needs to be worked toward instead of “diving in” and expecting to complete it quickly. Don’t be afraid of the chaos. There’s always chaos before things fall into order.

What is the next best practical step forward?

Andromeda – Take in the big picture. Look at what lies on your plate and be realistic with the expectations you set for yourself.

DECK USED: GOLDEN CONSTELLATIONS ORACLE

New Moon in Sagittarius – December 2021

On Friday 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 about the medicine within, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

Sagittarius New Moon Tarot Reading - Dancing In the Dark Tarot

1. What medicine does the Sagittarius New Moon offer?

The Emperor atop Knight of Pentacles – You’ve got this and can stay on top of things, even when it feels like you aren’t moving fast enough.

2. What visions should I follow and not ignore?

Six of Cups atop Ten of Cups – Work harder to focus on the good memories and set the bad ones aside.

3. How can I connect with the Element of Fire to help me manifest my New Moon intentions of the next 28 days?

Five of Cups – Don’t allow dejection and negativity to rule you right now.

4. Where should I look for inspiration when I don’t feel passionate or lack the motivation to follow my dreams?

Queen of Cups – Lack of passion and inspiration mean that you are shutting down your emotions. Focus on opening up and being receptive. Those walls aren’t helping anyone, and especially not you.

5. What type of higher learning or self development training should I pursue in the new year to help me expand spiritually?

The Empress – In the new year you need to take time for self care and make sure you are getting out in nature to replenish your energy and reestablish struggling roots.

6. Message from the Ancestors.

The Fool – Have more fun, you’re too damn serious.

DECK USED: DANCING IN THE DARK TAROT

Lunar Eclipse in Taurus – November 2021

Tomorrow is not just the Full Moon, but there is also a Lunar Eclipse!  In celebration of that upcoming event, I decided to do a reading geared towards the eclipse and the energies surrounding it. This spread is brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

Lunar Eclipse in Taurus - Surrealist Tarot

1. What do my guides want me to know during this time?

The Wheel – Ups and downs are part of life. Make sure you’re focusing on the good and not becoming hyper focused on the bad.

2. Where is it best to focus my energy at this time?

Two of Cups atop Four of Pentacles – Resolving differences and creating sense of community between those nearest and dearest to you. Union and harmony is going to be extremely important in the weeks ahead, and these themes can only be established when people feel safe and secure.

3. What mask do I need to drop?

Strength – You can’t do everything yourself no matter how much you want to believe that you can. Stop pretending. You’re not fooling yourself or anyone else. Allow others in to help you.

4. What needs to be reigned in?

Eight of Wands – Slow down. You’re starting to get ahead of yourself again. Don’t allow yourself to fall back into that horrible churning place where you feel like you’re spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere.

5. How can I be more gentle with myself during this time?

The Hermit – Make sure you are getting the extra (and yes, healthy) alone time that you need right now. This means allowing yourself time in nature whenever possible, and getting back into your meditation practice on a regular basis.

DECK USED: SURREALIST TAROT

Full Moon in Taurus – November 2021

Coming up on Friday is the Full Moon! I’m a bit early, but 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 being rooted in prosperity, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

The Edvard Munch Tarot

1. What self-imposed beliefs connected to money do I need to release?

Page of Swords / Traumatized Child – You need to let go of the idea of that money is the key to everything. Although you acknowledge this intellectually and readily accept there is more to life than money, you still focus on monetary gain as if it is. It’s time to begin letting go of this mentality and allow yourself to learn to act in accordance with what you believe, instead of what you’ve been taught.

2. How can I use the energy of the Taurus Full Moon to break unhealthy patterns that are blocking my flow of prosperity?

Strength / Wound – Acknowledge the pains from the past, and absorb their lessons instead of allowing the wounds to sit on the surface and dictate your behavior. You do not gain additional strength by letting these wounds remain open or allowing them to fester, but you can gain strength by helping yourself to heal instead.

3. As an earth sign, what can Taurus teach me about creating a safety nest of abundance for a rainy day?

The Fool / Beginning – You are already far too rooted in this idea, and you need to loosen up. That said, banging on again and again at old methods will not produce new results, just more of the same. Sometimes, for growth and expansion beyond your current limitations, you have to break out of old habits and try something new.

4. How can I root myself to the magick of the Earth to draw in prosperity?

Seven of Pentacles / Longing – Patience. Prosperity grows over time and it’s not immediate, therefore expecting immediate gratification only leads to feelings of failure and self-flagellation.

5. Message from the Ancestors.

Knight of Cups / Connection – Do not forget that you have others in your life (both physically and spiritually) that are willing to support you in not just your day-to-day work, but also your happiness.

DECK USED: THE EDVARD MUNCH TAROT

New Moon in Scorpio – November 2021

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 brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

New Moon in Scorpio Tarot Reading - Lux Ex Umbra Tarot

1. What do you need to face that you’ve been avoiding?

Knight of Swords – Your reckless energy expenditures. Where are you putting your time and energy that is not paying off? Here, we return to something that came up in a reading done yesterday.  That is to say… it’s time to stop wasting time playing games on your phone.  They aren’t giving you the rest you need, nor are they relaxing you at the moment.  They’re just allowing you to retreat when it would be far healthier to spend your time in other ways.

2. What secrets need to come into the light?

King of Coins – It’s time to go some financial reorganization. You’ve put it off for too long. Things that need to be attended to need to be actually dealt with. This includes telling L it’s time to get a job again (okay, so not until January, but it needs to be brought up so she has time to prepare), instead of pretending you’ve got that shit under control without her help.

3. What conversation needs to be had?

Two of Cups – More appreciation of loved ones, more “I love you” for Gid. You’ve slacked off in both of these of late. Although it’s true that your love and appreciation is there whether you express it openly or not, it’s something that they need to hear.

4. What do I need to forgive in myself?

Temperance – Moderation does not come easily to you in so many, many different ways.  If you enjoy it, it can become addictive. If you can punish yourself with it, it can also become addictive. It doesn’t really matter what it is as long as it can fill one or both of those prerequisites. You need to remember that it’s natural to slip up now and then. Just keep trying.

5. What shadow aspect requires integration?

Three of Coins – Why is asking for help so difficult for you? This is not the time of year for shadow work for you, but it is something you struggle with and need to be aware of, as not asking for help can easily become a form of self sabotage at this time of year.

DECK USED:  LUX EX UMBRA TAROT

Last Harvest 2021 – Samhain

Coming up on October 31st is the third and Last Harvest of the 2021 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.

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

Theme of the SeasonSamhain, Waning Crescent Moon, Berberis vulgaris (Barberry) – In my path, Samhain is not just a time to remember and pay our respects to our loved ones that have passed on, as well as reach out to them more easily… it is also a day that marks the end of the harvest season as well as the year’s cycle of seasons as a whole. The earth has gifted us with her abundance throughout the spring, summer, and fall and now settles in to rest throughout the colder months ahead.

Magically speaking, the moon’s waning crescent phase is a time of purging, severing, or otherwise cutting free things that need released and let go. This theme carries over into farming and gardening, where the waning crescent is a time of pruning and trimming, weeding, cutting timber, and other purging practices. This is the phase that the moon will be on during the night of Samhain, and as children reap in candies and treats, the magical and spiritual worlds will be in a phase of letting go and saying goodbye to those things that are no longer serving us.

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is primarily a digestive herb that is used to treat a wide variety of ailments that have to do with purging waste and toxins from the body.  This includes not just treatments of the gastrointestinal tract, but also the liver and kidneys. In magic, it is used in spellwork that has to do with release, creating barriers, protection, and atonement.

When looking at these three cards together, the overarching theme that I see here is that this Samhain’s theme is all about releasing what isn’t working and letting go of the things that are holding you back.

EarthQueen of Pentacles – The queen is a nurturing soul at heart, and is here as a reminder that you don’t need to beat yourself up over your mistakes.  Just fix them.  So you slipped on your self care.  It happens. Now it is time to get back on track. Self flagellation will only exacerbate the problem.

AirKnight of Wands – A breath of revitalizing fresh air is needed.  Take some time before you leap forward into the fray, to ascertain what you want out of the next few months.  Sit with it and work it out in your head before charge into action. Things pan out better when there’s strategy involved.

WaterKing of Cups atop Seven of Pentacles – Seek out help from Gideon to help you better deal with slow growth as you move forward. Your patience sucks, but with his encouragement, you are better able to weather the “long game” a great deal better than you do on your own.  Whether it’s his encouragement, or his providing you with a bit of distraction, in either both cases, it makes the slower growth of… well damned near all of your goals and desires… far more tolerable.

FireSeven of Wands – Once you’ve taken the time to figure out where you want to go and how you’re going to get there, stand strong on those goals. It’s hard to not get distracted, especially when there’s mental health issues involved like what you’ve been dealing with recently.  Push back against obstacles instead of letting them trip you up.

WaningFamiliar – Stop ignoring the advice coming your way from your loved ones and spirit guides.

WaxingRest – You are going to have to take some time to get some true rest. Not the restless rest that you’ve been getting, but actual guiltless rest that will help recharge and recover before the holiday rush really swings into gear.

Take Away – It’s time to let go of self abuse and self sabotage.  It’s time to allow yourself true rest, as well as the recuperation  you need.  Stewing and spinning  your wheels is getting you nowhere and will tank everything you have been working for and want to happen. Use the tools and help that you have at your disposal to get you back on track.

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