reading tarot

Imbolc 2021

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This evening through ’til tomorrow evening 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 it 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.

Imbolc 2021 Tarot Reading

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.

Theme of the Season – Imbolc, Waning Gibbous Moon, Aesculus Hippocastanum 

Imbolc is a time of life reawakening and the sweet stirrings that are not yet seen but will soon come forth to greet the sun. It is a time of hope, rest, and awakening, and is considered the very first whisper of the spring to come. 

The Waning Gibbous Moon is a time of decline.  This is the time when one rides the peak of the full moon’s power into it’s decrease.  Spell craft done on the full moon will stretch forward into the energy of the gibbous moon, providing  it the power needed to begin influencing those things we set to change on that full moon night.  Now is a time to reflect on your achievements with gratitude for all that has been gained and accomplished.

The Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) are a magical representation of the fertility of the divine masculine, and are often used in spells that have to do with luck, especially of the monetary abundance sort.  It is an astringent, an anti-inflammatory, and contains saponins, which means that it can be used to make soap and other cleaning products.  It should not be ingested, though, as this nut is toxic to humans, causing stomach upset, kidney problems, muscle twitching, weakness, loss of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis, and stupor when ingested. In other words… don’t eat the soap, dumbass.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here has to do with taking this time of rest and quiet to purge out the negative and that which is not serving you with practices of gratitude and self care. Acknowledge your accomplishments and allow a little bit of pride to flourish as you wash away the negativity with positive reinforcement and an attitude of gratitude and hope.

Earth – Nine of Swords – In the darkness of the depression you find yourself in, you twist and turn restlessly and seek release from the chains darkness has bound you in.  Remember that even the seed must spend time in the dark before it can emerge to greet the sun.  Don’t fuss so much.  Pause and allow yourself to take a breath. Adding extra worries and anxieties to the experience won’t make it any more pleasant, nor usher it to move on more quickly.

Air – Three of Swords – This darkness you find yourself in naturally drags forward feelings of disappointment and damning thoughts of degradation.  Look up and allow the rain to wash you clean.  You are going through a trial and you need to work at keeping the negative thoughts from taking over.

Water – Nine of Wands –  Don’t close up. Don’t close off.  These things will not serve you well and aren’t healthy.  The depression always makes it tempting to put up walls and go on the defensive but you’ve been doing well at keeping those unhealthy habits in check. Better to allow the air to flow in and your breath to flow out.  Your emotions need an outlet to help things stay on an even keel.

Fire – Knight of Wands –  Following the theme of the other cards in this reading, this Knight has arrived to tell you what not to do. Do not charge forward.  Do not bear down in your focus and end up closing out the outside world and the influence of others as a result.  Do not allow yourself to find escape in work… for that escape is not going to foster you in any ways that matter in this moment when it is your mental health that needs your focus… not your work.

Waning – Light – You’re not going to be getting a lot of clarity this week, and hope might be a bit of a challenge. Feeling as if you are at a standstill is a natural part of what you’re going through right now, and that can create a sense of hopelessness. 

Waxing – The Stargazer – Patience is going to play an important role in moving forward over the next few weeks. Not everything can be taken on like a warrior charging into battle, sometimes it is about patiently working towards where you want to be one small step at a time.  The cake still gets eaten whether you nibble at it and savor each bite, or wolf it down on a gluttonous inhale.

Take Away –  Don’t worry. Don’t thrash.  Don’t fight too vigorously or try to charge through the abyss with force.  This moment in your journey is about patience and slow progress.  It’s about gratitude and doing what you can to foster hope within the darkness.   Have patience with yourself… you’ll get there in time.

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

Full Moon in Leo – January 2021

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Leo Full Moon Spread - Tarot Noir

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 moving beyond the shadows, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

1. What medicine does the Leo Full Moon offer?

Eight of Cups  – The Leo full moon offers you the strength and opportunity to leave behind you the things that are no longer working for you.  You’ve been drug down and disappointed, struggling with your emotions, but this full moon is offering you the energy needed to begin the climb back out of that dark place and towards the light.

2. How can I harness the potent medicine of Leo for activating what my heart is yearning to manifest?

Ten of Wands – Don’t overwhelm yourself.  It’s okay to take things a little at a time instead of trying to pile it all on and deal with it all at once.  Responsibilities can sometimes feel like they are just too much of a burden, but they can be manageable if broken down into smaller bite sized pieces.   Yes, this means it will take more time, but it will help keep you from feeling the overwhelm that can drag you down and hold you back from that climb into the light.

3. How can I embrace Leo’s shadow medicine?

Six of Wands – Listen to those that cheer you on.  It’s okay to accept praise.  It’s okay to feel good when people say that you’ve done well or say that they admire you.  It won’t make you a lesser person to allow these good feelings when you are given compliments or praise.

4. What shifts will emerge after the Full Moon?

Ten of Coins – A return to a sense of security and good fortune is on the horizon as the moon’s energy begins to wane.  The healthier you begin to feel, the more that sense of well-being in your situation will improve.  It is all about your perception… and your gratitude, which is much easier to get in touch with as you begin to feel better.

5. Message from the Ancestors.

Seven of Wands  – Stand up for what you believe in and follow that moral compass so intrinsically embedded in how you think and feel.  As the energy of the full moon peaks and its waning begins to lead the way out of the darkness you’ve slid into, make sure that you keep your focus centered on those things that are worth fighting for and what you need to do to protect them and allow them to flourish.

DECK USED: TAROT NOIR

Personal Emotions and Reading Tarot

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So, I had something else planned to post today, but then this topic kind of came up the other night in my mind while I was reading on the Philosophical Question about pleasure and evil. The thing is? I really did think that the answer was going to be a yes… and it wasn’t. It got me to thinking about how we all sometimes invest our own thoughts, opinions, or emotions into tarot reading. The “good readers” realize this when it’s happening, and are able to then step back from it and let the cards speak for themselves.

Usually, when people discuss times to take a break from reading tarot, at the top of that list is times when you are emotionally imbalanced. And I agree with this. When you are dealing with depression or anger, grief or other intense emotions, it’s not usually a good time to be reading tarot because your inner turmoil can influence your perspective on the cards and what they say.

This can, in turn, can create problems if you’re reading for yourself or others by causing the reading go awry from the intended message in the cards, or not be delivered in the healthiest ways.

In thinking about this topic after that reading I mentioned above, I was thinking about why it is that I’m still doing readings during this time when I’m dealing with my own depression. Shouldn’t I have stepped away from the cards? That’s what I have done in the past during these times, and it’s the safest thing to do usually.

But, I haven’t stepped back. I’ve cut down a bit with how many readings I’m doing, but I haven’t stopped entirely or cut back to just my “Positive Message” card of the day practice.

The thing is, though, although I am not reading for others right at the moment, because I’m going through a depression and need to make sure my delivery to my clients remains the caring and understanding tone that it always should be… I am continuing to read for myself.

This is not something I recommend, because of the reasons I already mentioned. That said, I am trying to see if I can level out my ability in reading even during these emotional times. Not just in this particular issue, but more… across the board whether happy or sad, depressed or upset, etc. I would like to grow to a point where my intuition and “reader’s voice” are not warped by my emotional balance and struggles, but instead continue to be objective and unbiased through these times.

This doesn’t mean that I would at some time in the future begin reading for others during these times when I’m struggling… but I think that even in just reading for myself this is something I can work on to become a better reader over all.

New Moon in Capricorn – January 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 about drawing in stability, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

Dark Days Tarot - Capricorn New Moon Tarot Reading

1. What medicine does the Capricorn New Moon offer?

The Hermit – The ability to look within and truly ascertain what’s working for you and what isn’t. Other readings I’ve done lately have been saying much the same thing.  It’s time to reevaluate methods and modalities, toss the ones that aren’t working and go with the ones that are going to further your goals not just in projects or material ways but also in your spiritual path and emotional growth.  In order to make that move, you have to take the first step and open your eyes.  Now is the time to start paying attention and really looking into these things and examining what’s working and what isn’t.

2. What aspect of my life do I need to restructure and shift?

Knight of Swords – Less impulsivity.  Slow down. Everything doesn’t need to be done right now and you need to stop barraging yourself with recriminations for not going at top speed all the time.  It is only your own expectation of speed that is causing that constant shove to go faster and do more.

3. How can I hold space to align with my TRUE purpose?

Page of Swords – Keep your mind open and don’t allow negative thinking to stab you in the back. You know it’s coming.  You know that those negative thoughts are sneaking up and trying to whisper in the background.  Be aware of this and do what you can to keep their volume as low as possible so that your mind is open and receptive to new methods and ideas.  After you have identified what isn’t working, after all, it will be time to discover what to try instead.

4. How can I create the security that I need in order to thrive?

Ace of Cups atop Judgement – Remember that you are just starting on this particular journey and stop judging yourself so harshly for the small mistakes that you make a long the way.  You’re learning and growing, mistakes will happen.  Backsliding will also happen.  That’s okay.

5. What resources am I overlooking that I need to bring into my awareness to help sow new seedlings for the Capricorn New Moon?

Knight of Cups – Instead of looking at what you should be doing, try looking through the lens of what you want to do and what will make you feel happy.  If there’s stuff that you want to happen or to change that will make you happy, you need to take these things into consideration rather than setting them aside as frivolous or immaterial.  Give them weight and allow them a seat at the table.

6. Message from the Ancestors and Guides.

The Magician – You can do it!  Your ultimate and eternal cheerleaders are on deck and rooting for you.

DECK USED:  DARK DAYS TAROT

Full Moon in Cancer – December 2020

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Tomorrow is the last full moon of the 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 brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

Full Moon in Cancer Tarot Reading - Naked Heart Tarot

1. What spiritual lesson was I learning this year?

Nine of Pentacles – How to be grateful for what I have instead of constantly striving for more.  This was actually a side product lesson that came from my efforts to allow my emotional growth room to do its thing throughout the majority of the first part of the year.  What I have come to realize is that it actually -is- possible for me to “wallow a bit” in my good fortune and the results of my hard work.  That it’s okay to enjoy the now instead of constantly pushing for what’s next.  It’s not always easy, but the more that I’ve been able to look at things from this angle, the more I realize that a good portion of that slave driver in my head has nothing to do with a desperate grasping need for security as it has to do with my father’s voice in my head drilling home that nothing will ever be “enough” and thus I must try harder.

2. How can I integrate it into 2021?

Nine of Swords Rx – By focusing on worrying less and stressing out less about the things that “need to be done”. The only deadlines in life are the ones that you are setting for yourself.  I used this same line a couple of days ago in a reading and it fits very well here as well.  No one else is setting deadlines on me, not for my goals or for the things I want to happen.  The only one setting deadlines and demands on myself… is me.  I need to take ownership of this and understand that I’m doing this to myself… and that I have all of the control needed to change things to be less stressful.

3. What do I need to let go of now?

Two of Wands Rx – Indirection. You don’t need to control every step, but you don’t need to feel like when you’re not controlling every step that things are going awry either. Last year after the holiday rush, I went through a few months of feeling completely rudderless and adrift.  Lost.  I need to let go of the idea that this is going to happen again, and instead make moves to make sure that it doesn’t.  This isn’t about filling my plate with things to do or about leaving room on my plate either, but rather it’s about dealing with the emotions and decompression that needs to be cared for instead of fighting against it.

4. What spiritual lesson will I be moving into in 2021?

Knight of Chalices – The spiritual lesson in the year ahead will involve learning how to better seek out those things that I really enjoy and make me happy instead of just focusing upon the things that I need to get done. This goes beyond making things more fun or my life happier, but rather by making things more fun and my life happier I will be able to elevate my energy and my spiritual self into a better place.

5. What can I do now to set myself up for success?

Six of Wands Rx – Look inward for encouragement and accolades instead of thinking about what others (namely those voices of your parents in your head) would think or feel. Again we are back at that inner narrative and the negativity of my parental influences on how I treat myself within that narrative.  This and other readings I’ve done over the past week or two are making it clear that finding a way to circumvent or “put in its place” that inner narrative is going to be a strong and prevailing theme throughout the next year, and that needs to start now.

DECK USED:  THE GREEN WITCH TAROT

Must Haves in Reading Tarot for Others

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Today’s post is inspired by a prompt from the Tarot Discussion channel on the Tarotholics Discord Server.

What personality trait/skill do you think are needed to do readings for others?

I very much do believe that there are a variety of skills and qualities that a tarot reader needs to develop and possess in order to branch out into reading for others. That isn’t to say that all tarot readers that read for others have these qualities, but rather what I consider to be qualities important in a tarot reader worth going to for a reading.

In order to read for others, I feel that what is needed above everything else is a Sense of Responsibility. Reading for others isn’t a silly game and the messages you convey to a querent have far reaching repercussions. Serious damage can be done in just a few words, because while the querent is in a reading they are wide open to suggestion and trusting you not to abuse that trust. They are seeking guidance, and many querents will take what you give in a reading at face value with blind trust. This means that you need to take care with your words and messages… which leads me to the second quality.

Empathy. This is not to say someone needs to be an empath, but rather that you need to be able to listen and understand where your querent is coming from so that you can fashion your response in a way that will benefit them and not break their will, damage their hope, or take away their autonomy. This includes being able to deliver bad news in an empathetic and empowering way.

Communication Skills. It is important to have a way with words and expressing yourself that is clear and understandable to others. If you cannot properly convey your meaning and get to the point of the reading, as well as fashion your words in a way that helps the querent be receptive to what you (and the cards have to say), then the reading is going to end up a flop no matter how accurate or well meaning you may be.

Knowledge. You need to be able to read the cards and do so accurately. If you don’t know what they cards on the table mean, how can you possibly read them for someone else? I see readers now and then that don’t read the cards at all but lay them out then proceed to give their querent advice not based on the cards at all but on their own opinions. That is not giving a tarot reading.

Confidence. This is something that comes with practice, but what I am referring to here is confidence not just in your skill as a reader and your knowledge of the cards, but also in knowing what works for you, what fits for you. Trial and error and long hours with the cards help in building this confidence over time and is why many aspiring tarot readers continue to only read for themselves long after they’ve learned the card meanings… they are still growing into these methods and different techniques, and finding works best for them.

Humility. You need to be able to accept you’re not going to be right all the time. You need to be able to say “I’m sorry that this didn’t resonate for you. Maybe this was a one-off reading, or maybe it will come into fruition in the future. Sit with it a while, and keep in mind that I may have read the cards incorrectly in this case.” No one is right or accurate 100% of the time. That’s just the way it is.

The Ability to Take Criticism, and not just the constructive kind. People don’t always hear what they want to hear in a tarot reading, and some will react badly to the news no matter how empathetic or empowering you are in your delivery. Some people react in extreme ways, which can include by lashing out. Be prepared to have these clients show up from time to time… because if you read for others (especially strangers) often enough, they are going to appear before you eventually.

Some of these qualities are things that come naturally to different people. Others are qualities that one has to work on or that develop over time through life experiences. The thing is, though. I see reading for others as a responsibility, and whether you are reading for others casually or in a formal setting complete with an exchange of money, I think these qualities are important to develop and utilize in reading for others in order to make it a safe and happy experience for everyone involved.