Beltane 2022

This Sunday 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.

Beltane Reading with the Sabbat Themed Art Card, Pagan Underworlds Tarot, Compendium Of Witches Oracle, Healing Herbal Cards Vol 1 & 2

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 Litha in June.

Theme of the SeasonBeltane, New Moon, Viola tricolor

Beltane is a holiday permeated with themes that have to do with being in the peak of spring, fertility, and the growth and bounty of the summer to come. It is a holiday filled with the energy of anticipation and abundance.

The New Moon is a time of beginnings, where the seed of new energies are presented and the spark of energy for growth is sparked. It is a time to embrace new beginnings, set intentions, and launch new projects.

The Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor) is a beautiful wildflower that is also cultivated as an ornamental. It is a diuretic, as well as having been used to treat respiratory issues caused by inflammation, as well as certain skin issues like eczema. Metaphysically, the wild pansy represents represents purity, love, and death, and is often used in spellcraft surrounding these themes, as well as in easing grief from separation and loss.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is about letting go of expectations, and starting fresh.  This feels never more true than in this moment, in this time when I am between sickness… and recovery and wellness. My body purged clean.  A new start approaching.

EarthThe Devil – You are currently embroiled in a battle with your addictions and addictive impulses. Continue the good fight and keep a diligent eye to make sure that this battle doesn’t cause further disruption to your finances and home life.

AirThe Hermit – Take a moment to reflect on where you are and where you are going. Alone time might not be feasible at the moment, but reflection upon yourself and your path is. Consider who you want to be, and who you want to become.

WaterSix of Cups – You had a serious backslide this week in the area of your emotions. Acknowledge it, but don’t dwell on it. You can’t undo what has been done, but you can carry your mistakes with integrity and make sure they do not end up repeated again.

FireThe Chariot – Seize control and make sure things are going in the direction you want with your business. When things are running smoothly here, the rest of your life often feels as if it’s easier to get it to fall in line.

WaningThe Explorer and Autumn – It’s time to stop allowing your melancholy and disrupted energy to hold you down and keep you stagnant. Allow the fresh air of spring to swirl through and sweep away the cobwebs.

WaxingThe Shaman and Standing Stone – Self exploration and laying yourself bare is a part of the process at this time in your life.  It’s frightening, and it can be painful, but this is how you become who you want to be, by taking yourself apart and then putting yourself back together again better than before.

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

Temptation’s Consequences

Today’s meditation was spent at the bottom of the bathtub with the shower running (at around 5:30am). I spent some time there after a marathon of spewing from both ends to let my body warm and ease my nerves, as well as wash away the sweats.

Lunalapin Tarot - The DevilToday’s draw is The Devil card, which is traditionally a representation of temptation, addictions, and self inflicted hardships.

You were really sick last night, you need to make sure that you treat your body well today instead of eating junk or being impatient with your body and its needs. There’s always a chance that the nausea and vomiting could come back, and you need to make sure that you do what you can to mitigate those risks instead of just eating whatever you want.

The message in today’s card is to be conscious of what temptations pull at you today, for they have potential to be disastrous.

DECK USED:  LUNALAPIN TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheAprilTarot Animal Guide Challenge Prompt
Questions for Beyond The Journey – Day 28 to 30

Cat Wisdom CardsWhere do I find myself right now at the conclusion of this month’s Journey?

Patience – You find yourself now at a place of self-awareness that will allow for more patience with yourself moving forward. You know where you are pushing too hard, and where you need to treat yourself more kindly, and can practice the patience to keep that balance.

What am I asked to leave behind moving forward? Why?

Alarm and Take Action – Alarm without action creates anxiety. But, when you seize control and begin to do something about it instead of staying stagnant and letting it wash over you, you are able to turn alarm into healthy results. Keep this in mind and it will help you in leaving behind the anxiety that’s been niggling at you over the past few months.

In what direction am I asked to take these teachings as I move on past April?

Fear – Use this month’s lessons to conquer your fears instead of giving into them.

DECK USED: CAT WISDOM CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 29th
: What do you need to focus on for self-care for tomorrow’s new moon?

Lunalapin TarotReading Summary: Down times (Ten of Swords) don’t mean that you lose sight of your goals (King of Wands), just that you save the battle for tomorrow (Seven of Wands).

Take Away: As violently sick as I’ve been so far today, what I need tomorrow is some down time and recovery.

I’m sure just as much as I feel like crap today, my stomach and throat will feel raw tomorrow and my muscles are going to hurt as if I’d gone through a triathlon or something.

No work. No pushing. Just rest and recuperation.

DECK USED: LUNALAPIN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Gatorade. Pedialyte. Nauzene. Imodium. Vanilla ice cream. Nap time. Early bed time.

Put Down the Shovel

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Forest Enby Tarot - Ace of CupsToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity.

On my emotional journey, I am still at the beginning of things and I am still learning. Everything is still very new, and sometimes it’s hard not to revert back to old habits of burying my emotions instead of dealing with them and allowing myself to experience them.

This is how I’ve done things for the majority of my life, but it is only recently that I’ve moved into a place where I can start to explore my emotions more fully. Today’s message is a reminder that emotions are not the enemy, so I need to make sure that I’m not treating them as such (the cup raised high).

DECK USED:  THE FOREST ENBY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for April 28th

Oracle of Light and DreamsRevisit ThisWoodland – Take some time to examine what is negatively affecting your patience at this time. Remember that a part of your emotional journey is how unfamiliar it is to be constantly bombarded by emotions you used to naturally and immediately silence so that they never had a voice. Stillness within chaos, as well as the patience to wait things out and watch instead of act, can help you.

Steer Clear of This Toyland – Play without purpose has its place in life, but right now you need to make sure that the play you partake in furthers your goals. This doesn’t mean that you have to forsake play altogether, only that you need to find it and enjoy it in places where it can benefit you in other areas.

A New Way Forward Forget-Me-Not – “Every small act of kindness is an opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of others.” (From the deck’s guidebook.)

Small acts of kindness hold just as much value as larger ones. Spread your kindness around in small pieces, and it will go far.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF LIGHT & DREAMS

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 28th and 29th

The Forest Enby Tarot and Oracle of Light and DreamsI have accomplished this.

Five of Pentacles, Five of Cups atop Seven of Pentacles – I am able to see and acknowledge how negative experiences contain a boon within them. And, I understand that looking at negative experiences from a positive perspective instead of a pessimistic one can assist in my long term growth.

So I can?

Peony – Take time to process and heal from the negative experiences in life without worrying that I’m less than or weak for needing that time. If the growth is long term, it means there is plenty of time to tend to those wounds, and no reason to rush through the healing process.

Because of the above, I am better equipped to…

The Tower and Justice – Deal with chaos and repercussions that decide to rest heavily on my shoulders.

So I Can?

Shadow – Better understand the process of growth and healing through the collected experiences I gather over my lifetime. Each experience is a lesson, and each lesson helps you grow.  It is a continuous process that never ends.

DECK USED: THE FOREST ENBY TAROT AND ORACLE OF LIGHT & DREAMS

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t get a nap in today, but even though it was orders day, I did take some time to take a breather now and then, and made sure to eat on a schedule so that my blood sugar didn’t drop.

🌑 New Moon & Solar Eclipse in Taurus – April 2022

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 the medicine within, and brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot by the Moon series.

New Moon & Solar Eclipse in Taurus Reading with the Curious Travels Tarot

What is blocking my prosperity?

Queen of Swords Rx – Negative inner narratives that beat you down and emasculate you emotionally and physically are blocking your prosperity not just in aspects of monetary wealth, but in the abundance possible in all areas of life. These are echoes from the past that pierced the skin and burrowed deep, and still require more healing.

Where am I playing too small?

Ace of Wands – You should be encouraging that inner spark of creativity and the joy it gives you to set it free. Stop smothering it.

What past financial situations do I need to forgive myself for?

Six of Pentacles – Taking help when it is offered is a bruise on the ego, but you need to allow yourself understanding in this area. Those that helped you when you needed it have forgotten all about it, so stop holding it over your own head.

What untapped well of wealth have I been ignoring?

Eight of Pentacles – You’ve spent a very long time honing your skills when it comes to your craft, specifically in the creation of beautiful jewelry. You have the ability to not just make money at this, but to truly enjoy the process as well.

Where can I be more fiscally responsible?

The Star Rx – Self-medicating through spending may make you feel good in the moment when your hope is depleted and you’re feeling down and disconnected, but it creates a bigger problem in the process.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

The High Priestess Rx – Your connection with your intuition is taking a hit lately while you were going through your depression. It’s time to start reconnecting.

DECK USED: THE CURIOUS TRAVELS TAROT

Reflecting On Gratitude

Today’s meditation was skipped, although I did have a shrink appointment.

The Houseplant Tarot - Nine of CupsToday’s draw is the Nine of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of feelings of satisfaction, contentment, emotional satiation, feelings of gratitude, and occasionally… gluttony.

Look how the top left vessel almost strays off the page. This card’s imagery seems to say that it has so much that it is barely contained in the card at all. It echoes to the phrase “my cup runneth over”.

Today’s card is a reminder that having a mentality of gratitude is important. It’s important to look at how much you have in your life, how much it means to you, and how lucky you are to have all that you do. It’s important to recognize these things and appreciate them, for in doing so is where you find a sense of contentment and satisfaction with life.

DECK USED:  THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2022 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question
: What is Divinity?

Mara Lunne TarotReading Summary: Divinity lives in the direction we choose to go in our lives (Three of Wands), the people that we connect with along the way (Three of Cups), and how those connections help in carrying us forward and lifting us up (Eight of Wands).

Take Away: Divinity lies within us. Within the energy we are made from and how that energy connects and flows together with others. It’s about moving forward and growth, and about all of the small “inconsequential” things that help connect us to each other and the world around us.

DECK USED: MARA LUNNE TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 27th

The Houseplant TarotI will work toward actualizing my dream to…

The Magician and Ace of Wands – …connect my ingenuity with my inner creative spark. Over the last few years I’ve struggled with disconnection in this area, and as a result struggled with motivation in most areas of my life. These cards indicate that it’s time to get back on top of this and focus on working towards fostering that connection again.

By?

Eight of Pentacles and Seven of Pentacles – Focusing on the work, and on taking my time. This isn’t so much about blindly plowing forward, as it is about knowing where my skills and talents lie, and that it’s going to take time to reconnect with them in a way that will foster my creative inner spark instead of trying to smothering it.

DECK USED: THE HOUSEPLANT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I confessed to Gideon about my overdose. Along with this is admitting that it wasn’t an accident… more of an act of desperation when the pain level got to the point that it took over everything. I… really didn’t want to tell him, and have been avoiding coming online because I didn’t want to.  I know… I hurt him so fucking bad. The self kindness in the confession is that it needs to be out in the open, no matter how much I want to hide what I did.

Don’t Overreact

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Fable Hedgehog Tarot - Nine of SwordsToday’s draw is the Nine of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of themes surrounding worry, anxiety, nightmares, and insomnia.

When I pulled this card this morning, I heard the words “Don’t overreact”.  This fits with the theme of the card, and especially with the imagery here in this specific Nine of Swords. All of the swords in the card point inward toward each other instead of the figure in the bed.  There is nothing to fear, and yet the little hedgehog worries anyway.

A lot of times when we anticipate a problem, it gets blown out of proportion.  What might be a little hiccup, when left to stew over it, can become a mountain of obstacles. The message in today’s card is to take things in stride and don’t blow them out of proportion.

DECK USED:  FABLE HEDGEHOG TAROT

The Self Appreciation #STCTarotChallenge for April Prompt
Questions for April 26th

The Joyseeker OracleI will stop negativity here.

The Eagle atop The Horse – Your attitude towards work needs to shift to something more positive. You focus too hard on the things that you aren’t enjoying and don’t wanna do, instead of looking at the bigger picture and allowing yourself to enjoy those parts of your work and your responsibilities that bring you pleasure and joy.

By?

The Koi and The Bat – Focus on how adept you are at adapting, and how you are able to always turn even the worst situation around into a boon for you. In other words… You have been falling into old unhealthy habits. Remember that you have the tools to look on the brighter side, and don’t focus so hard on the negative.

DECK USED: THE JOYSEEKER ORACLE

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for April 26th

Fable Hedgehog TarotWhat lie have I been telling myself?

The Sun atop Five of Pentacles – That success is bred through hardship.  The belief that in order to succeed, you must suffer (sort of like that saying “no pain, no gain”).

How can I start being more honest with myself in this area?

The Hanged Man and The Fool – Open yourself up to new experiences and allow yourself to believe in the goodness in life. Not everything has to be horrible for the results from it to be worthwhile.  If you see life as a joyous adventure, you can help that perspective to spread through your life.

Take Away – Like the previous reading earlier today, this reading again reminds me that I am slipping when it comes to leaning into optimism and positivity, and have instead been allowing my natural habit towards pessimism and negative internal narrative to have the reigns.

DECK USED: FABLE HEDGEHOG TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m doing everything I can to try and mitigate my pain today. My pain level is extremely high and I’m struggling with it.