divination

Last Harvest 2020 – Samhain

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Coming up on October 31st is the third and Last Harvest of the 2020 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 not just as the day before the Day of the Dead when the veil is at its thinnest between our world and those that have passed.

In my path, the last harvest is not just a time to remember our loved ones that have passed on, and 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 as a whole. The earth has gifted us with her abundance throughout the spring, summer, and fall and now settles in to rest through the colder months ahead.

Samhain Tarot Reading - The Last Harvest

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 Season – Samhain, Owl, Singing Moon – Samhain is a time when the veil is at its thinnest. It is a time to reconnect with and honor the earth and her stories. As the land gives up the last of her bounty and prepares to rest in the cold months ahead, it is important to honor all that has been offered.

The Owl is a warning of struggles to come and a reminder to keep our eye on the prize.  It’s with the owl’s keen hunter’s instinct and sharp precision that the owl leads you forward through chaos, and is there to keep you on track along the way.

The Singing Moon is a reminder to examine your path and your goals, and evaluate if they are still what you want or if there is a better opportunity you’ve been neglecting for goals that no longer suit you. You can stay the path if that’s what works, but don’t be afraid to roll the dice if it isn’t.  Just keep in mind that small changes in the present can have far reaching repercussions.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that is seen here is one of chaos and focus on one’s values and goals.  Don’t allow the chaos to steer you off track, but at the same time, make sure that you are on the path that is right for you and not an empty echo of some past goal that no longer applies.

Earth – The Empress – You’ve done pretty well over the past few months at taking care of yourself, but in the months ahead you’re going to have to make a more focused effort at providing yourself with what you need.  That means making sure you’re getting out for walks in the woods and feeding yourself healthier food so that you can physically withstand what’s coming.

Air – Six of Pentacles – Share and share alike applies to more than just the spoils, but also the work load. Make sure you are mapping out and planning what needs done and who is going to do it so that you don’t end up shouldering too much on your own shoulders. Good planning will help you better distribute the weight of responsibility you feel.

Water – Knight of Cups atop High Priestess – You’ve done really well at going after what you want concerning the new emotional growth you’ve been fostering over the past few months.  To keep that alive on the path forward through the next couple of months, make sure that you are allowing you intuition to lead.  Don’t tuck it away and let it get rusty, but instead actively participate in keeping it in the loop, and your emotions as well.

Fire – Ace of Wands – Vroom Vroom baby. Pick up that torch and set fire to the world.  The girls need your inspiration and fiery spark to set their own enthusiasm ablaze.  Show them just how infectious your enthusiasm can be using creative ideas to get them involved more.

Waning – Nightingale Spirit atop Badger Spirit – Don’t be so damned pushy right now. It’s good to involve the girls and to find ways for them to take their share, but you need to do it from a place of love and light, not through stress and demands.  A little more honey, a lot less vinegar.

Waxing – Flamingo Spirit – Creativity is rising and opportunities are on the way.  The Flamingo is here to remind you to be fully in the present.  Learning from the past and planning for the future is all well and good, but it’s the present that needs your full attention right now. Trust that the future will be there for you to deal with later on. This includes needing to get your ass back into daily meditation, as that meditation helps you to more easily stay grounded in the present.

Take Away – There’s a hint of kudos in how I’ve done at accomplishing my newfound goals this year.  The key here is that chaos is coming and in order to move through it smoothly I’m going to need to make sure I keep my gaze unerringly on the prize.   Not by looking forward into the future, but by bearing down on the present and taking everything one day at a time, one hour at a time.  There is also a reminder that I’m the one in the lead between the three of us, and in order to make sure things go smoothly concerning distribution of the responsibilities, I need to make sure I lead with kindness and inspired enthusiasm.

DECKS USED:  LIGHT SEER’S TAROT, THE GREEN WHEEL ORACLE, THE SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

New Moon in Libra – October 2020

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De Brigh Black Tarot - New Moon in Libra Tarot Reading

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

1. What is my sensual side craving?

Queen of Swords – Control without harshness.  Guidance without sharp edges.  Just pretty much exactly what I’m been getting from Gideon.  This is not surprising, because Gideon and I are often in sync as to the “flavor” of intimacy we’re delving into.

2. Where can I be more romantic?

Ten of Swords atop Eight of Cups –  Yield instead of running away.   Don’t avoid the submission you crave.  Enjoy it for as long as you can, because soon the holiday rush will not be allowing for any dropping at all… which means no drowning/subspace will be possible either.

3. What needs rekindling?

Ace of Swords – Our communication. Okay so this is just something I’ve noticed lately, but a big part (not in its entirety of course as there’s also a good deal of mental health stuff and teaching going on here, as well as the fact I’ve turned to using it as a digital tarot journal)…. right.  Digression.

Anyway, a big part of the reason for the existence of my blog is to allow Gideon to look into what’s going on with me.  What’s up with my thoughts and worries, my concerns and my feelings. To give him the ability to see what’s going on.    And the thing is, it does that.  But it feels like… I dunno.   I feel like there’s just a quick skim and then a quick “I love you” or other brief response to like one tiny thing that catches the eye.

So it kind of makes me wonder…. is he reading the whole thing?  Or is he just reading a bit of it?  Is he really reading?  I guess I kind of feel that way about the Gid’s Challenge posts sometimes too. They are just for him, but sometimes it feels like… there’s barely any response to them at all.

Maybe it’s not our communication that needs rethinking at all, but rather my clarity concerning why I’m writing in this blog in the first place and the expectations placed upon it and upon him.

4. How can I be more tender with myself?

Four of Swords atop Five of Wands – Meditation over conflict is the message in these cards. I need to start meditating more regularly again, as it will help me in taking control over my inner conflict and allow for a calmer and more centered energy in my day to day.  This calm and centered energy is going to be extremely important as the holiday rush takes hold and turns my world upside down.

5. Where can I best direct this new moon’s energy?

Seven of Swords atop Five of Cups Rx – Strategy is going to be important in order to avoid personal setbacks as I move into the end of the second half of this month.  Be sure that I have my strategies in place for how to deal with the things I need to get done, and don’t deviate from them.

This is an echo of a reading I did a week or so ago that stated “start as you wish to continue on”.  Now the cards speak of that “continuing on” by sticking to the plan.

DECK USED: DA BRIGH BLACK TAROT

New Moon in Libra – October 2020

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New Moon in Libra Spread - Halloween Deck

1. What is being called into realignment in my relationship with myself?

Ten of Clubs  – I am in the process of learning a new way of balancing my work, self care, and life in order to ensure that I am not overwhelming myself and overburdening myself into a burnout.  With orders picking up and the holiday rush only a couple weeks off now, I’m being tempted again and again by the old habits I’ve discarded that will allow that overwhelm to take hold.  I need to make sure that I’m taking care to stay true to my new purpose and new methods, and not allowing myself to dive into those old habits that will only lead to yet another return to premature burnout.

2. What is being called into realignment in my relationships with others?

Six of Hearts – Harmony with loved ones.  This is about making sure that I’m asking for help and not carrying everything myself.  In order to create harmony between myself and my sister (and Z), there needs to be a more even share of the work distributed between us.

3. Where do I need to surrender to allowing more support from others?

Queen of Spades – My habit of taking on the lion’s share of work for myself is not going to help me at all right now.  Yes, I have the experience, and I have the ambition.  I know where I’m headed and how to get there.  But that doesn’t mean I have to shoulder all the work.  I need to steer my ship more from the helm, and not quite so much from the decks.  You can still mingle and “harmonize”, but don’t take every little task on yourself.

4. Where do I need to surrender to allow more support from Spirit?

Queen of Clubs – My passion for my work is important to me, but in order to foster that passion I need to allow myself to let others in. Not just others that live and work with me, but the energies and entities around me that want to help support me through my struggles.

5. A card to support me in returning to and living from my heart-centre.

Two of Hearts -A reminder that I’m not alone.  This entire reading is that reminder, and it is fitting that it would conclude with the Two of Hearts. This new moon is definitely about the pace picking up in my work and the preparation for the holiday rush…. but in that it’s reminding me that I need to share the work load instead of taking it upon myself.  I need to remember that if I want to succeed at this new path of growth and balance, I can’t do everything myself and need to allow others to step in and carry some of the responsibility.

DECK USED: SWABBED DECKS’ HALLOWEEN DECK PLAYING CARDS

Full Moon in Aries – October 2020

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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 Aries Tarot Reading

1. Where do I need to relax?

Eight of Cups – This is about choice and about my worries about having to set aside my emotional development and progress in order to dive into the holiday rush.  Gideon and I have spoken about this at length, and I understand that I don’t have to abandon that progress.  Instead, I need to find a way to ground it so that I can carry it with me instead of closing it away.

2. Where should I focus my fiery energy?

Eight of Coins – Get to work!  I’m running out of time to get my holiday preparations done and I’ve really slacked off on it this fall more than I should have.  I need to focus my fiery creative streak into the task of getting my work done and building up what needs prepared to make the holiday rush run smoothly.

3. Where do I need to take immediate action?

Justice –  This hearkens back to the last question and has to do with cause and effect. This card stresses the urgency of righting this imbalance quickly before the pendulum swings back in my direction and I am unprepared for it.  Right now the scales are not balanced, and there will be consequences to not getting the preparations done that need done.  The longer I put it off, the more that imbalance will grow and the larger the consequences will be.

4. Where do I need to retreat?

Three of Swords – Stop worrying so much. Stop allowing your mind to influence and freak out your emotions. Take a step back and don’t allow yourself to be so reactionary to the inner dialogue going on.  You know that bastard in your head is a jerk, so just stop listening and move on.

5. Where do I need to charge ahead with?

The Magician – Again we are back to what needs to be done and doing it.  I have all the tools and skills at my disposal and am more than capable of doing what needs done.  Stop procrastinating and put those formidable skills and wealth of tools and knowledge to work.

DECK USED: MADAM LYDIA WILHELMINA’S TAROT

Second Harvest 2020 – Autumn Equinox

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Tomorrow is the Autumn Equinox.  This is considered by many to be the first day of Autumn, and is one of only two moments in the year when the sun is exactly above the Equator and day and night are of equal length.  Like Halloween is a time when the veil between the land of the living and the realm of the dead is thin, this holiday (as well as its cross-point in the spring) are times when the veil between our world and that of the Fae is at is thinnest… and it is when I personally experience more interactions with them than any other time of year.

In my path, the Autumn Equinox is also known as the Second Harvest (also called Mabon), and is a day that marks the transition of the growing season into full harvest.  After this day, the darkness of night begins to overtake the sun’s reign in the sky as the days continue to grow shorter and shorter, and the nights longer and longer.  The earth is winding down its abundant generosity and beginning to close up shop for the year.

Autumn Equinox Tarot Reading - Mabon

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 third and Last Harvest of the year (aka. Samhain, Halloween) in October.

Theme of the Season – Mabon, Harvest Moon, Wood Mouse, Pony – The second harvest of the year is a time of preparation for winter’s call. There is still much work to be done, but as cold weather creeps in, the last of the crops are now beginning to be gathered up for the year.  The theme of the imagery on the Mabon card is the Forest Lord, who stands for truth, integrity, compassion, and death.

The Harvest Moon is all about liminal spaces and one’s intuitive voice.  It speaks of the importance of paying attention to one’s perceptions and what our senses are whispering to us. With awareness, this moon welcomes an expanded view of not just the unknown that surrounds us and the bridges offered to us through liminal spaces, but also the world at large.

The appearance of the wood mouse in the cards drawn today is a carry over from the reading done during the previous Sabbat.  In my Lammas reading, the story of the wood mouse card was interpreted as a story about thankless work done behind the scenes and the unsung hero. This card is a representation of that energy and purpose that comes with doing the work that is mostly unseen so that the larger work that needs done can be done.

In relation to my life, during Lammas the Wood Mouse card was thought to be in reference to those small ripples of happiness and positivity that I create with each piece of jewelry I make for others.  At this time, however, I see this card as more of a representation of the preparation work that needs done prior to the onset of the holiday rush.

The Pony card emerged with the Wood Mouse card in this instance, and is about the wildness within us all.   It is an indication that I need to look more closely at these things that feel like restrictions in my life.  Combined with the Wood Mouse card, there is a suggestion that I need to take my work and make an effort to delve into it with an open heart and adventurous spirit.

When looking at these four cards together, the theme that stands out to me here is about finding pleasure in my work again and seeking it through the spark of adventure that I find in my creative process, which includes a good dose of intuition when I’m in “the zone” of bringing my creations from ideas into reality.   It’s about connecting to that inner self, that inner voice that whispers encouragement and exciting ideas, and following it’s lead into an enjoyment of the process.

Earth – Ten of Cups – Seek satisfaction.  My self care reading for this week was also about satisfaction, although ran more to the lines of feeling dissatisfied and the methods to help in finding that satisfaction that is lacking.  Here in the longer term reading of progress and my path, the encouragement is to make sure I keep my eye on the prize.  Namely the prize of finding satisfaction in my home life and resources.  There’s no reason for feelings of scarcity, so make sure you’re focusing on furthering those positive emotions and satisfaction over these things.

Air – The Devil – Temptation is in the air… literally. This is a carry over from the Earth position of this reading in that it indicates that there is an element of mental influences involved in my dissatisfaction.  These elements drive my addictions, which are used to self medicate the feelings of dissatisfaction and scarcity that whisper in my ear.  The Devil card in this position warns that this cycle is a hurdle that will need dealing with over the next handful of weeks.

Water – Ace of Wands – There is so much potential right now to allow your emotional growth to remain strong and steady.  Don’t allow all that’s going on swerve you from your dedication to this purpose.  Keep that spark of intention and inspiration bright and alive concerning keeping all that you’ve accomplished so far this year thriving and healthy.

Fire – The Fool – This card and it’s position relates back to the Pony card above and the theme of this Mabon reading as a whole. It is about finding that youthful enthusiasm for my work and through that process, sparking up your enthusiasm for your work to instill into your work, your business, and the preparations to come.

Waning – Turkey Spirit – Again we find that this reading echos the Self Care Saturday reading that was done a couple of days ago.  The Turkey Spirit card in the waning position indicates that now is a time to pull inward. Now is not the best time to let your generosity of spirit fly free.  If you want to get on track with your life and goals this season, it’s time to think of yourself for a while.

Waxing – Porcupine Spirit – Foster or playfulness and curiosity and allow them time to stretch and grow.  Dive in and have some fun with not just your work and business, but seek the spark of excitement in the “beginner’s mind” in all that you do and let it spread throughout your life in order to find joy and enjoyment in all the different elements of your life.

Take Away –  This Mabon reading is all about instilling joy and enthusiasm into the process of work and life.  It’s high time I begin looking at life and my work with fun loving pleasure rather than through the weight of responsibilities. Use this sense of enthusiasm to feelings of scarcity and discontent at bay, and instead focus upon what you have and where you want to go from here.

DECKS USED:  LIGHT SEER’S TAROT, THE GREEN WHEEL ORACLE, THE SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

New Moon in Virgo – September 2020

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New Moon In Virgo Tarot Reading

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.

1. Where to focus your energy this season?

Page of Pentacles – It’s preparation time.  The holiday season is coming, and now’s the time to work on preparing for what’s to come.  Soon enough it’ll be all fast paced crazy, and there won’t be any time for much of anything but work, including no time for sleep and food.  This season is the chance to get ahead on the things that you will need for the holiday rush that’s soon to come.

2. What needs reevaluating?

The Lovers atop Five of Swords – I’ve received this message a few times lately, but the advice here is about choosing your battles wisely.   I have not yet run into whatever it is that this advice keeps referring to, although I am consciously watching what impassioned disagreements I feel the urge to dive into lately and making sure to evaluate each before I decide whether or not to step forward and engage.

3. Where do I need to get more organized?

Nine of Cups – My deck collection needs some love.   The Nine of Cups here is a reflection of the very emotionally sated and gluttonous feelings I have towards my deck collection.  And it is absolutely very true… I need a better organizational system than what I currently have.  Unfortunately?  There’s only so much I can do without more space to spread out into.  Still, it’s possible I may re-evaluate my current system again and see if  I can come up with something better.

4. What is just a distraction that I need to ignore?

King of Cups – I need to make sure that I’m not allowing my accomplishments this year concerning my emotional growth to get in my way or create the opportunity for a setback.  Although I’ve done very well with my journey, it is nowhere near complete.

5. What project would benefit from my full attention?

Ace of Cups – Again we are looking at that emotional growth I’ve been fostering over the past few months.   As I said in the previous question, the journey is nowhere near to over… in fact, I am still just in the budding beginnings of the process. With the holiday rush coming, I have to ease out of this growth process for a bit and slide it onto a back burner, but at the same time?  I need to make sure that I’m doing this in a way that allows that growth to continue to stay healthy during the wait to be brought forward again.   No backsliding allowed.

DECK USED:  20TH CENTURY TAROT