diviation spread

New Moon in Leo – August 2021

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Yesterday was 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  taking back your power, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

New Moon in Leo - Tarot de el Dios de los Tres

1. Where do I need to call back my power from?

Temperance atop Ace of Cups – Again, the cards are indicating that it’s time to rest and relax, and not worry so much about your emotional growth. Soon, preparation for the holiday rush will begin as you need this time to get yourself moderated and rested, aligned and ready. The only way to do this is through moderation.

2. How can I lovingly stand in my fierceness?

Four of Swords and Strength – Taking stock of where you’re at and practicing a mindfulness of gratitude are the key to making sure that you are able to remain both kind and fierce in good measure.

3. How can I hold sacred space for my inner child to flourish and convey a light-hearted energy?

Nine of Pentacles – Again, this is a time for you to rest and it’s in this rest. The inner strength that you will gain through this time of rest will provide space for the inner child to flourish within, and allow the more playful side of their nature to emerge.

4. How can I express my love and generosity to those in my kindred circle?

The Sun – Make space for fun. Encourage it not just in your time with them, but in their own lives as well.

5. Message from the Ancestors.

Five of Swords – You’ve got this. Don’t give up.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE EL DIOS DE LOS TRES

First Harvest 2021 – Lammas

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August 1st was Lammas, which is known as the First Harvest of the year. This day marks the transition into the harvest season of August, September, and October (of which there is a Second Harvest and Last Harvest that correspond to these months).

This holiday is often called Lammas, Lughnasadh, or Lugh, although I usually just refer to it as the First Harvest. On my path, it celebrates the beginning of Summer’s decline and ramping up of the busy season where we begin to reap in the abundance that the bounty of summer’s energies has encouraged to grow and flourish.

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 Second Harvest (aka. Mabon, Autumnal Equinox) in September.

First Harvest Tarot Reading - Lammas

Theme of the Season – Lammas, Last Quarter Moon, Symphytum officinale (Comfrey) – Lammas, which is the First Harvest of the year, is a time of evaluation. It’s a time when you want to ascertain what you want to accomplish before winter has arrived, and make sure that all those things you’ve done so far this year to get you there are still on track and moving in the correct direction.

The Waning Crescent Moon is not a time for planting new things, but for cutting out the chaff, weeding and thinning, pruning, mowing, and cutting timber. It is a time for freeing up space for growth by clearing out what isn’t working. As the moon’s energies decrease towards the new moon to come, it is a perfect time for cord cutting and cleansing practices that are used in discarding those things and people that no longer serve us, or have never served us and need to be let go.

Although Symphytum officinale (Comfrey) is used as a medicinal herb for anti-inflammatory purposes and is used in healing for a variety of purposes from bumps and bruises to sore throats, digestive issues, menstrual issues, and more. In metaphysical workings, it’s an herb often used to ensure safe travels, as well as promote peace and well-being.
[Cautionary Note: Comfrey contains poisonous pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be absorbed through the skin in simply handling the plant. Caution when using this plant for either medicinal uses or metaphysical ones is important.]

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is not so much about reaping, but about making room.  It’s about letting go, which is a theme I’ve been dealing with a great deal this summer. The message here is about making sure that I am making room in my life for what’s working and what I feel is important.  Making room for what’s healthy and right… and letting go of what isn’t.

Earth – King of Cups – You’re feeling all kinds of comfortable with yourself and your situation at the moment. You’re also getting enough time with Gideon to make yourself feel safe and happy. You’ve finally gotten over the stagnancy feelings you struggled with earlier in the year and are in a place where eddies and shifts in the currents of life are once again feeling natural and comfortable.

Air – King of Swords – Hard work is starting to pay off in the area of your mind and thought processes and clarity is on the rise as the fog you’ve been experiencing begins to clear. Direction, confidence, strategy, and the written word are all in your court at the moment. Don’t let them go to waste.

Water – Four of Cups Rx – You’re not doing as good as you could at getting the rest of reflection time that you need. Focus more on getting in that meditation every day, even on the days when you don’t feel like you really want to do it. The avoidance isn’t about time, and you know it. Forcing might make it feel like a chore, but not doing it at all isn’t working either.

Fire – King of Wands – If you take a minute to really look and see where you’re at, you’ll find that you’re better off than you think you are. Stop looking ahead so much, and instead look at where you are now.

Waning – The Unbound – There’s been a lack of structure in your life through a good part of the summer, so much so that it’s been a struggle for you to find direction. This lack of structure and direction is now coming to an end and, as the brain fog lifts, you are finding purpose once more.

Waxing – Briar – Make sure you are paying attention to the world around you and taking precautions.  Cleansing, caution, spacial awareness, and a watchful attitude will help steer you through any dangers coming your way.  Set good boundaries including protections and wards, and make sure they are steady and firm.

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

Full Moon in Aquarius – July 2021

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

Full Moon in Aquarius Tarot Reading with the Tarot of Trees 10th Anniversary Edition

1. What possibilities are being offered to me right now?

Six of Cups -The potential to choose your own path, especially in your emotional growth and how it relates to the rest of your life. This lies in the opportunity to let things go that do not belong as a part of the present. In spilling these issues from the Cups of your present and leaving them on the floor of the past, you allow yourself to open up to more freedoms, choices, and potential for growth.

2. What area of my life is craving freedom and experimentation? (check the suit of this card for big clues)

Eight of Cups – Emotionally, you are ready to move on from the shit that isn’t working. Let’s not stand still. Begin shedding those things that are not working for you and leaving them behind. Related:  I think it’s time to take the stuff I’ve been trying to get rid of on eBay for the past year to charity.  They’ve been listed long enough and remain unsold. I’m tired of having it all sitting around, waiting to leave.

3. Where can I be more open minded?

Roots – Be open to grounding in different ways and keep your mind open to the sharing of others (including your mother). Nurture yourself and others by digging deeper. Deeper into what is being said. Deeper into the thought process, the assumptions, and the perspectives that are shared with you.  Dig deeper into these things and open to what you make uncover within those depths.

4. What old habits/beliefs need to be released under this full moon?

Five of Pentacles – It’s time to acknowledge that your feelings of scarcity are an echo from the past and have nothing to do with your present reality.  This reflects back to the first question in this reading, and reaffirms the message that it’s time to leave the past in the past, acknowledge that’s where it belongs, and that these feelings have no relevance in the present.

5. Where do I need to go with the flow?

Queen of Swords – Don’t be so stuck on how things should be that you forget to look at how they could be. Allow others to broaden your horizons.

DECK USED: TAROT OF TREES 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

New Moon in Cancer – July 2021

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Tomorrow 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.

Radiant Scales Tarot - New Moon in Cancer Tarot Reading

1. How can I bring more balance to my home?

Page of Water atop The Devil – Don’t allow your emotional vulnerabilities to stir up your tendency to self medicate through addiction. Just because you’re not addicted to drugs doesn’t mean you don’t have addictions that can become unhealthy if left unchecked.

2. What old family beliefs need to be healed?

Ten of Air – When you fuck up, you fuck up. End of story. There is no try again, there is no second chance. This mentality perpetuated my “never enough” issues that you still struggle with to this day.

3. What old family patterns need examining?

The Emperor – Issues with authority due to the way that authority over you was abused throughout your formative years. Not all authority figures are your enemy or someone to butt heads with.

4. How can I be a more impactful community member?

Nine of Fire – You are already doing enough.

5. Message from the Ancestors.

King of Air – You’re a strong and resourceful, and with the right strategy you can do anything you put your mind to.

DECK USED:  RADIANT SCALES TAROT (TRIMMED BORDERLESS)

Full Moon in Capricorn – June 2021

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On Thursday 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 how words are magick, and brought to you by Ethony.

Fantastic Being Oracle - Full Moon in Capricorn

1. What long-term plans are calling you?

Manatee (Heart-Center) – Putting yourself first is an important step to finding inner peace and true happiness.  You’ve been daydreaming a lot about taking a longer break/vacation and struggling with the hurdles it might cause.  The manatee is a reminder that sometimes it’s not about changing external factors, but about changing how you view things from within. It’s time to look at getting in touch with your inner self and finding those things that stir you up and bring you peace…. even when you’re not taking days off.

2. What foundations do you need to lay to succeed?

Elements (Complete)  – Balance is needed.  Take a look at the different aspects of yourself and your life.  Which parts are being underrepresented or neglected?  Which are perhaps getting too much attention?  Take some time to redistribute and find a better balance, seek out what’s missing and what needs a bit more attention and make sure that you’re finding a balance between the different elements of your life rather than leaning too far one way or another.

3. Where do you need to apply patience?

Platypus (Evolution) – When we grow and change, it’s something that takes time. As the card back says, “The evolution of the heart, mind, and soul is measured.”  It takes time and sometimes?  That in itself is so frustrating.  That slow pace can drive you nuts and frustrate you to no end, but it’s a slow change for a reason and it’s important to acknowledge that personal growth sometimes need to move at a slower place whether we want ti to or not.

4. Where do you need to think BIGGER?

Sphinx (Awe & Wonder) – Smelling the roses along the path is an important part of life. Don’t wait for the “time to be right” to enjoy the little, wonderful things in everyday life.  Enjoy them now and create space in your life to do that.  It can’t be serious, nose to the grindstone work all the time. Be kind to yourself and let yourself enjoy life.

5. Where do you need support?

Komodo Dragon (Powerful) – We all have parts of ourselves we’re not proud of or don’t want to accept.  The Komodo Dragon card encourages us to work on accepting these parts of ourselves as another part of the whole that makes us who we are and unique from others.  In allowing ourselves to accept these aspects, we can turn weaknesses and perceived faults into strengths.  Sometimes? We need a little help and support from others to find the positive aspects of these parts of ourselves, though.  Don’t forget you have people in your life happily eager to boost you up and support you.

DECK USED: FANTASTIC BEING ORACLE

Summer Solstice 2021 – Midsummer

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Yesterday was the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year and one of the eight holidays that I celebrate throughout the year. This day marks the ‘official’ transition into summer and a shift from days that become longer and longer through the spring into days from here on out will grow shorter and shorter for the next six months.

This holiday is often called Midsummer or Litha, although I usually just refer to it as the Summer Solstice. On my path, it celebrates the turning point of summer, where the build-up of creative energy from the spring crests into a time of abundance as we travel into the depths of summer in much the same way that the growing energies of the full moon crest before beginning to wane each month.

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 on 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 First Harvest (aka, Lughnasadh, Lammas, Lughnasa, Lugh) on August 1st.

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

NOTATION:  I did not finish interpreting this spread here on the blog.  I got some of what I needed from it at the time of the reading, but I just never got around to writing it all down.   Regardless, I want to place this on the blog to make sure I have a record of it to look back on.

Theme of the Season – Summer Solstice, Waxing Gibbous, Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)  – Break down each card individually, then…

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is

Earth – Nine of Cups – I’m feeling very secure emotionally I’m really enjoying a quiet time with less stress in the area of the home and health and finances.

Air – King of Swords – Focus on taking ownership of your thoughts and directing them where they need to go. Now is a good time for strategizing and solidifying your knowledge and ambitions.

Water – Six of Cups atop Ten of Wands – Watch out for feelings of overburden in the area of familial responsibilities.

Fire – The Devil – Don’t retreat from those overburden feelings by turning to work and trying to bury yourself, as is your usual habit of dealing with things that are unpleasant. Now is not a time to be burning yourself out with these things.

Waning – The Dusk Child atop The Priestess –

Waxing – Offering –

Take Away –

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