Second Harvest 2025 – Autumn Equinox

Today 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 thus 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.

Mabon

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.

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) at the end of October.

Mabon Tarot Reading with the Jahreskreis Orakel Der Keltischen Feste, Pagan Underworlds Tarot, Compendium of Witches Oracle, Healing Herbal Cards Vol 1 - 3

Theme of the SeasonMabon/Abundance, New Moon, Dill (Anethum graveolens)

Mabon is a holiday filled with abundance. As the Second Harvest begins, we reap the rewards of all our hard work, stockpiling a cushion of abundance for the months ahead when scarcity will have the opportunity to step in and influence our lives. Remember that celebrating your hard work is important. The work done during this season builds up for us the strength needed to get through the sparse cold of the winter to come.

The New Moon is a time of beginnings, when we take the ideas we have been fostering in the back of our mind and bring them forward to prioritize and begin to encourage to grow.  Planning is the first step to acting on one’s dreams, and the new moon encourages us to plot and plan to our heart’s content concerning those things most important to us, and that we want to accomplish or achieve.

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is truly a jack-of-all trades kind of herb. Oh, did I say herb? Are you aware it’s actually considered a weed? Regardless, it’s not just delicious, but also possesses a swath of medical benefits and magical uses.

As a medicinal herb, dill is a spectacular choice for treatment of a variety of stomach ailments, bad breath, gas, and even hemorrhoids. It is also been shown to help lower blood sugar levels, is full of antioxidants, and high in flavonoids which are known to help in protecting the heart due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may help lower cholesterol. It’s essential oil is also antibacterial.

Metaphysically speaking, dill is an herb with many various uses from love and abundance to luck, protection, fostering adaptability, attracting money, and even hex removal and binding magic. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, for you can find a myriad of spells for all sorts of purposes that use dill as an essential ingredient.

When looking at these three cards together, what I see here is an encouragement to focus on the things that you -can- do and be grateful for all you’ve accomplished.  Even if in life you are struggling right now, work on staying calm and use this time to appreciate all that you have instead of focusing on what you don’t have or can’t do.  Calm and ground yourself as best you can, and focus on taking care of yourself and your health right now.

EarthPage of Pentacles – Be open to learning new things, but at a slow pace. Don’t push, but instead contemplate and savor. Roll new methods and skills needed around in your head and practice at them. You’re gonna feel like a novice for a good while longer, so be sure to use your spiritual practice to help bolster your confidence and foster patience as you move forward.

AirAce of Swords – Communication is key right now, as is information gathering. New ideas are coming, and you’re not going to want to just listen to them, but share them with others as well. This open communication will encourage new ideas and creative thinking.

WaterEight of Swords Rx – It’s really difficult right now for you not to bury your head in the sand and hide, but a part of the communication mentioned above is also about listening. Make sure that you are keeping your eyes, ears, and mind open. What you glean from doing so will help remove barriers that are currently in your way.

FireFive of Swords – The mentality of defeat is just that… a mentality. A choice. You can stand strong to weather the storm and come out on top, or you can lay things down and walk away defeated with your tail tucked between your legs. Choose to fight, and you choose to win.

WaningThe Healer and Sickle – You cannot heal or adequately attend to others when you yourself are unwell. Step back from investing so much of yourself in others well-being on your path and practice right now. You need to be focusing this energy on yourself instead, at least for the time being.

WaxingThe Unbound and Roots – Reconnect with your roots by getting out in nature and doing those things that help you to feel that you are thriving. Connect with the wild, and let it lift you up into a better and healthier mindset as it fosters within you the grounding that you need right now.

Take Away – This season is all about taking care of yourself and your own needs. Make sure that you are getting the outside time that you’re craving. Even if it feels inconvenient; you still need it.

Don’t allow yourself to fall into the pit of despair, or hold yourself apart and hide away. You need to be open and aware and thinking clearly, so that when opportunity to begin learning anew arises, you’re able to step in and start right away. The learning curve on what’s coming is going to be a steep one, and you need to be ready to start as soon as possible, communicate openly with others as you go, and listen with an open mind to their feedback and ideas.

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

First Harvest 2025 – Lammas/Lughnasadh

Today is 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).

Wheat Field

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.

Lughnasadh / Last Harvest Reading with the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot, Compendium of Witches Oracle, and Healing Herbal Deck

Theme of the SeasonLughnasadh, First Quarter Moon, Grass Lily (Ornithogalum umbellatum)

Lughnasadh is a harvest festival of Celtic origins with a theme that has to do with competition, hard work, and bounty.  Lammas (aka. Loaf Mass Day) is a Christian festival that centered around gratitude and blessings.  The themes are different, but in my practice they are combined, which is why I prefer to call this holiday the “First Harvest”, as I feel it connects to both the gratitude and abundance, as wel as the hard work that this part of the season involves.

Half way between the New Moon and upcoming Full moon, the First Quarter Moon is a time to look at the intentions we set and began working toward with the New Moon’s cycle, and reassess how things are going. This is a time of action and adaptation as we apply determination to our goal and move forward, pouring our energies into those things we are working to accomplish during this moon’s cycle. Energy is building as we move toward the Full Moon, and at this time utilizing that energy is the name of the game.

Metaphysically speaking, Grass Lily (Ornithogalum umbellatum) symbolizes innocence, purity, honesty, hope, and forgiveness; and can be used to help in dealing with the shock of loss.  In medical circles, it has been researched for use in heart medication to lower blood pressure, strengthen the pulse, and discharge excess fluid in those that struggle to tolerate digitoxin based treatments.

When looking at these three cards together…

EarthTemperance atop Eight of Wands Rx – Times of rushing and pushing need moderation, but so too do times when things are moving slow. Otherwise, these slow times turn from slow but healthy movement into stagnancy and decay. Don’t jump the gun, and don’t freeze in place. You need to breathe through the uncertainty, and “thread the needle” between the two extremes one step at a time.

AirQueen of Wands – Direct your focus to the things that you were passionate about, and you have influence over. There’s no point in worrying about the things that you have no ability to change or influence, instead work on those things that you can and do.

WaterFive of Swords Rx – It really isn’t surprising that you’re feeling a sense of defeat at this time. With everything that’s going on in the world right now and how much of it affects you personally, it can be a struggle to keep your head above water and not just give up. This is understandable and these emotions absolutely influence your spiritual well-being. Take time to reflect back upon the Earth position (above) in this reading and keep going anyway. There is grounding to be had by reaching for the shore.

FireAce of Swords – It may take some clever thinking (and possibly some clever doing) to keep things on track right now. This can be helped by communicating what you want to happen to others and listening to their ideas as well. All ideas are good ideas when it feeds your brain, and can possibly give you a new perspective and shake something loose that could be useful.

WaningThe Seer and Moon – Ungrounded divination is not the way to go right now.  Make sure you are getting the grounding and centering you need before flirting with the veil.  Natural affinities need strong foundations too.

WaxingThe Veil Walker and Distaff – It is time to claim your power by beginning the process of establishing boundaries in your mediumship practice. Moving further along this path, you will need protections in place in order to help in bolstering your strength.

Take Away – Much of what’s said in this reading are an an echo of my month’s end reading, which isn’t surprising since they are overlapping a bit in the issues I’m running into in life right now. The advice here is to make sure you are staying on top of balancing your need to fix things and your need to retreat from the unknown. The anxiety in this tug of war is causing you to be vulnerable in your spiritual practice in ways that you usually aren’t.  Make sure you are taking care to uphold your boundaries, and let yourself get lost in the things you enjoy for a bit of relief from the stress.

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

Beltane 2025 – May Day

The last evening of April through the first day of May 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.

May Day

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 Midsummer celebration in June.

Beltane Tarot Reading with the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot, Compendium of Witches Oracle, and Healing Herbal Cards

Theme of the SeasonWelcome the May, Waxing Crescent, Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

The phrase “Welcome the May and the Greening of the Land” speaks of the change of season that happens around May Day / Beltane.  Finally, the trees are budding with new leaves and the world is turning green again. The deciduous trees and bushes are once again leafing, the evergreens are sprouting new tips, and wildlife is stirring to life, coming out to enjoy the sunshine.  It is a time of awakening, where those plants that have been stirring to life since March finally begin showing the fruits of their labors invisible ways.

The Waxing Crescent Moon is a moon phase that is often considered a time of growth and determination, associated with making plans on what you want to accomplish and taking those first steps in that direction. It is a time when the moon’s energy is building, and with it we can use that energy to our advantage in strengthening our own resolve.

The herb Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) is often seen as a weed, but exhibits antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties that has had it being used in folk medicine around the world to treat a wide range of maladies that span from diarrhea to diabetes, from skin disorders to inflammatory conditions, as well as many forms of menstrual and gynecological issues. The last of which connects with its metaphysical properties as well, where it is seen as an herb used to connect with feminine energy, create flow and growth of the feminine within us, and encourage creativity.

When looking at these three cards together, the message seen here is that now is a time in your spiritual path when reawakening your “feminine” side and setting goals in that direction is in its prime.  Take time to connect with your creativity and intuition, as well as those softer and warmer sides of your personality. Remember that it’s okay to be vulnerable, and that this vulnerability does not make you weak, but merely stronger in a different way.

EarthAce of Cups – A lot of your focus right now is on learning how your emotions affect your body and the physical world around you. It can be hard sometimes to look outward when something new and confusing is trying to draw your focus within, but it’s a part of the process of learning about your emotions to understand in what ways they influence your body and the world beyond yourself.

AirSeven of Wands – Take care not to let others bait you into going on the offensive. You are susceptible to this right now. Remember that there is no need to defend yourself, your beliefs, or your values to others. As long as you are secure in them yourself, that’s what matters. 

WaterKnight of Pentacles – Don’t twist and turn trying to fight against the slowness of your progress. Just taking things as they come is enough. Pushing for more is just putting a great deal of unnecessary strain on you that doesn’t need to be there and won’t help.

FireQueen of Cups – Instead of continuing to pick apart and berate yourself for what you’re doing wrong or isn’t working, try a little more radical self-acceptance and encouragement.

WaningThe Crossroads and Light – Stop looking for a guiding light to lead you out of the darkness. That’s not what this lesson is about.  Although we aren’t speaking of “embracing the dark” here, what is needed is acceptance rather than banishment. Understanding rather than rejection.

WaxingThe Comforter and Standing Stone – By giving yourself that acceptance and understanding mentioned above, you create a space of strength within you that you can lean on when needed and others find safe and secure.  It’s something that has to come from within.

Take Away – You are in a vulnerable place right now where emotions are taking the center stage. If you feel like you are twisting in the wind? It’s because you are in fact doing just that. It’s in connecting with your values and finding the strength to accept and be kind to yourself that you will build the inner strength needed to carry through.  This is a time of growth and vulnerability, not a trial or a test.

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

Ostara 2025 – Spring Equinox

Today is the Spring Equinox, which is considered by many to be the first day of Spring, and is one of only two moments in the year when the sun is exactly above the Equator and, as a result, day and night are of equal length. After this day, the brightness of daylight begins to overtake the dark hours in the sky as the days continue to longer and longer, and the nights shorter and shorter.  This transition is the basis within the celebration of the holiday itself, as we celebrate the warming and awakening of the earth as she prepares to share her abundance and generosity with us all.

spring_tree

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 Beltane at the beginning of May.

Spring Equinox Ostara Tarot Reading with the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot, Healing Herbal Oracle, and Compendium of Witches Oracle

Theme of the SeasonOstara, Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus), Last Quarter Moon

Ostara is a time of rebirth, with nature awakening from the slumber of the winter months as the days become longer and warmer. There is a promise of fertility and abundance in the air as the world warms and thaws from the cold of winter’s grip, breaking free with renewed energy and new beginnings.

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) is used in various countries as an astringent, laxative, diuretic, mild tonic, blood cleanser, for easing spasms and convulsions, and bile production agent.  Metaphysically, it is often used to assist in releasing emotions that are tied to the past and anxiety those emotions can cause. It can also be used to clear boundaries between inner and outer spaces.

The Last Quarter Moon is a time for reflection on what has been accomplished (and what hasn’t) over the past moon cycle, identifying and releasing those things that it’s time to let go of, and forgiveness of self and others.

When looking at these three cards together there is a prevailing theme of allowing emotions to move through you and onward past you rather than holding onto them or letting them bog you down. This time of year is invigorating and filled with fresh energies that you can only take advantage of by letting go of and leaving behind those things that don’t serve you.  Process… and release.

EarthTen of Cups – Your cup runneth over when it comes to stability and the anchoring in your life needed to follow your path. You know what you are good at, you know what you want to do, and you know where your strengths lie. This creates a sense of pleasure and emotional security that you’re happy to share with others through those practices that intersect with others in your life.

AirKing of Wands – You are on track in your spiritual path, with a comfortable and stable balance between your past experiences and  your future growth. Your plans and ideas are falling into place, and you are finally learning that growth and progress doesn’t always have to be made in leaps and bounds.

WaterTen of Pentacles – You have reached a point where emotional stability is the reward for awareness of not just yourself and what’s going on with you, but what’s going on around you as well. This awareness allows you to react generously, but without going overboard and giving too much of yourself in the process (which would then disrupt that stability).

FireAce of Pentacles Rx – Now is a time of rest and enjoyment. Don’t worry about your progress, nor about new projects or opportunities.  Let yourself enjoy the stability you are experiencing in this moment. Nothing lasts forever, and savoring the moment is important.

WaningThe Guardian and Thaw – There is no need to be at the “head of the pack” at this time. Take a step back and allow others to leap forward to fill that empty space you leave behind. You can still enjoy the journey while remaining in the eaves.

WaxingThe Reconciler and Teeth – Allow yourself to experience moments of pain and anger, and seek out how to process them instead of pushing them away. Look for the boon in the situation instead of reacting by lashing out or burying away what’s bothering you.

Take Away – This spring is a time to savor and enjoy.  No pushing needed, you’re on the right path for your practice and spirituality, and just need to stay aware of what’s going on around you and protect your peace of mind and sense of stability with awareness… as well as stepping back when needed instead of forward into the fray.

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

Imbolc 2025

The time between February 1st and 2nd is Imbolc (also known as Candlemas, Imbolg, and Brigid’s Day), which marks the half way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, and signifies the transition from winter into the first stirrings of spring. This holiday is about life renewing, but in the hidden darkness of cold months and dark earth. Deep in the darkness seeds stir and roots begin to feel the warming of the earth as the days grow longer and nights shorter. Life awakens, invisible in its infancy.

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 Spring Equinox at the end of March.

Imbolc Tarot Reading with a Sabbat Themed Art Card, Pagan Underworlds Tarot, Compendium of Witches Oracle, and Healing Herbal Cards Vol 1 & 2

Theme of the SeasonImbolc, Waxing Crescent Moon, Elder (Sambucus Nigra)

Imbolc is a new beginning, when candles are lit to beacon in the warming light of the sun and the very first stirrings of seeds and bulbs beneath the soil are yet unseen but begin to awaken.  It’s a time of new beginnings and rebirth.

The Waxing Crescent Moon is about intention setting and refining one’s goals. The moon has emerged with fresh energy, and it’s time to to connect with our new ideas, dreams, and goals. 

Sambucus Nigra is used to treat both influenza and the common cold alike, this herb is a Kickstarter to the auto immune system. Caution is needed, though, as the stem, leaves, raw and unripe berries, as well as the rest of the plant contains cyanogenic glycosides which breakdown into hydrogen cyanide in the body. This toxic chemical can cause nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhea. Cooking has the ability to neutralize these toxins.

When looking at these three cards together there is a reminder that in order to keep one’s feet on a healthy path, you need to take care to do your due diligence in the area of preparation and planning. This time of year offers lots of opportunity for refining one’s path and goals, but once you have your eyes set on what you want, there’s more to getting there than just keeping that in your sights. There has to be a plan, a sustainable one, that you can stick to which nurtures growth and progress.

EarthSeven of Coins Rx – There is a feeling of having stalled out at the moment. The perception of stagnancy makes it feel like you’re not making any progress towards your goals right now. This isn’t necessarily true, as sometimes you must pause and wait for other things to move into place prior to acting. That means that this moment of stillness is also progress.

AirSix of Cups – You feel like you’re spinning your wheels at the moment, and like you need to be doing something in order to get things to progress in the way that you want them to go. The problem is that there are so many options at the moment that any movement you make could be in the wrong direction. It’s better to sit still, wait, and watch where things go, rather than try and push them in one direction at this time.

WaterSix of Wands – Make sure that you are touching base at home and savoring your time there, as well as with the people that matter to you. It’s okay to want to please those you care about. Not everything has to be about moving forward. Sometimes, it’s about lingering in the moments of goodness with others and enjoying it (and them).

FireThree of Cups Rx – Make sure that the time you are spending with others is time that you are enjoying. Do not invite them in on your spiritual journey right now, though. They will have nothing to contribute to your efforts of getting yourself back in focus in this area.

WaningThe Scholar and Light – You have been feeling lost and struggling with clarity for a while now, and this trend looks to be continuing for a bit longer.  Don’t despair if you feel lost or as if you are in a holding pattern at the moment.  Use this time to rest instead of pushing yourself to find a way to move forward.

WaxingThe Weaver and Distaff – Here again we see mention that now is a time of stillness and planning, rather than action. Take charge of your urges and don’t fidget or stress that things aren’t moving at a pace you’re used to or would normally aim for.

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

Second Harvest 2024 – Autumn Equinox

Today 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 that 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.

rosehips

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 with the Orenda TarotAmber – Where do I need to work on my emotions to create more balance in my life?

The Empress – Being nurturing takes kindness. You’ve got the disciplinarian side of things down pat, but your skills at nurturing kindness is in need of some work… especially when directed at yourself.

Cedar – How can I use my present day fortitude to strengthen my future protection?

Six of Cups– Retain what you learn today to help you in picking and choosing your battles down the road. Not everything needs or deserves your attention, and the information on discerning which things do and which don’t need that attention and energy lie in what’s happening in the present. Pay attention.  Gather information for later.

Marigold – Where should I focus on my health in order to develop a happier outlook?

Nine of Pentacles – Instead of focusing on what hasn’t gone your way, focus on what has. Where do your successes lie concerning your physical health? Take time to appreciate these things instead of discounting them as inconsequential. Give yourself some credit.

Walnut – How can I be more discerning in picking positive friendships?

Ace of Wands – Watch your enthusiasm and make sure it isn’t getting out of control. When things feel new, there’s a lot of “extra” emotion and excitement involved, this is true whether it’s friendships or anything else that’s new in your life.  Just make sure you’re not so enthusiastic that it’s blinding you to new people’s faults and flaws.

Sapphire – How can I discern between logical thought and true wisdom?

Seven of Swords atop Six of Swords – Logical thought has no direction but is about gathering knowledge and using it. True wisdom, on the other hand, encourages forward movement toward something better. (Ie: A better you, something better for you/ somewhere better than where you are, etc.)

Yarrow – How can I move from a place of trauma into a place of healing?

King of Pentacles – Focus on how your stability supports both yourself and others. Your past trauma is all about instability.  Instead of constantly striving for more and more of what you already have, take time to really look at that stable foundation that you’ve already built.  There are places where you can improve upon what you already have without gathering more and more in the process.

DECK USED: ORENDA TAROT