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.
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.
Twisting the Leaf 