tarot journal

Last Harvest 2024 – Samhain

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Today is the third and Last Harvest of the 2024 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 as the eve of the Day of the Dead when the veil is at its thinnest between our world and those that have passed.

pumpkins

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. Like a number of times this year, I’ve chosen to deviate from my regular spread this Samhain, and am doing the Tarotholics’ Thinning Veil spread instead.

The Thinning Veil Oracle Reading with the Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Prompt for October 30th : Do the Thinning Veil Spread

What Spirits have come to visit and walk with you while the veil is thin?

Coming of Winter – Remember that not everyone who comes to you when the veil is at its thinnest has your best interest at heart. This is the easiest time to break through, which means even those that are undeserving of your attention will try to do so.

How are these Spirits assisting in keeping you safe?

Spider – Although this is not their intention, those that are undeserving that come forth through the veil present you with an opportunity for growth by confronting your fears head on instead of trying to avoid them.

What should you offer to the spirits that are watching over you?

Wolf – Gather close and connect with those that you know can be trusted, and leave the others behind in your dust. If there are those that don’t deserve your attention?  Don’t give it to them.  Give it, instead, to those that do.

What cycle from the past do your Ancestors hope that you will break?

Bat – Trying to avoid change instead of embracing it holds absolutely no benefit for you, and is a habit that it’s time to put some energy and effort into discarding.

What do you know deep within your bones?

Healer – Deep in your bones, your calling is to help others through your own personal strengths and fostering empowerment. It may not always feel like you are providing any help to others, but these inclinations will rise again and again throughout your life during times when you have the energy to fulfill this calling.

What do the Spirits and Ancestors need for you to learn?

Broom – It is time to remember and relearn gift of cleansing that fresh air brings. You’ve done a lot of avoiding this year in concerns to getting outside among the trees, and need to reestablish with that connection.

A message for you from the Spirits and Ancestors.

The Underworld – Again, stop fighting change and surrender to it instead.

DECK USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH SAMHAIN ORACLE

🌕 Full Moon in Aries – October 2024

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Tomorrow morning 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 courtesy of @HermitsMirror.

Full Moon in Aries Oracle Reading with the Mausolea Oracle of Souls

Fuel: Where have I let my intuition gently guide me that my instincts wouldn’t go?

The Morrigan – How you judge others to be trustworthy has far more to do with your intuition than with instinct or logic. You are not good at reading “tells” and your brain tries too hard to be fair and kind, but your intuition steers accurately despite these obstacles.

Magical peak: How can I celebrate what I’ve completed to keep charging ahead?

Set – Allow yourself to be a bit self-centered now and then. It’s okay to have some pride in your accomplishments.  The boost of self-confidence that celebrating your accomplishments (even the small ones) generates for you will help in motivating you to keep moving forward.

Purging: What latest passion is just a flash in the pan?

Thanatos – Goals and end games come and go. Instead remember that it’s the journey that’s important. This card is a reminder that the future is not promised to us.  Only the present.  Thus, its important to make sure you don’t focus so hard on your goals that you lose sight of all that you can enjoy in this moment.

Clear mirror: How do I use bold action to avoid dealing with what I can’t face?

Arthur – You try too hard to lean into fairness when the world cannot always be fair. Nor is fairness and what’s right always equal. Remember that there will be times when you need to let go of that deeply ingrained urge to make everything fair and balanced, and lean into what’s right instead. This shift in motivation and focus can come off as a sudden divergence from your nature to others, and even to yourself at times.

Dancing luminaries: What does anger teach me about my capacity for love?

Abraham – There has to be balance for love to thrive. That means when anger gets the better of you, you have to apologize and atone.  It’s in your ability to sincerely apologize and atone that you truly display the depths of the love you feel for others.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Arawn – It is time to rally for your own “great hunt”. Don’t shy away from the challenge.  Even if the holiday rush is not as busy as it normally is, it will be busier than you’ve been in some time. Rise to the challenge and lead those helping you forward into the fray with confidence. In doing so, what you will gain will help even out your losses in the end.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Hoya Leaf for Inward Exploration
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Carnelian Agate for Warmth and Courage
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MAUSOLEA ORACLE OF SOULS

🌑 New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Libra – October 2024

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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 courtesy of @moonandcactus.

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra Oracle Reading with The Haunted Manor Oracle

How can I surrender to what comes and let go of resistance to change, trusting the process?

Lineage – Acknowledge and then release your unreasonable self-imposed expectations, as well as the assumption of others expectations. Don’t allow them to hold so much sway over your actions and thoughts on what you “should” be doing with your time and energy. You need to accept that these expectations are an illusion created by your past and not reality.

How can I learn to make peace with those around me?

Winter – Stillness is an important part of growth as well as healthy communication with others. When you pause, not only do you give yourself a bit of a rest, but you  give yourself a moment of thought and reflection. People that want you to react in their favor may not like that moment in the cold outside of your attention as you look within, but that makes it that much more important that you do it.

How can I establish a sense of order and create harmony in my environment?

Hide and Seek – Stop ignoring your needs and hiding from the activities that will help fulfill them. This is especially important in keeping your home organized. Either get the housekeeper in more often or start doing more of the work yourself.

(Obviously, the housekeeper is the healthier answer here, as so many of my personal readings are reminders to involve others in getting things done instead of taking it all on my own shoulders.)

If possible, how can I avoid making major decisions until the energy stabilizes, and instead focus on planning and reflecting?

Graveyard – Don’t fret so much about the inconsequential things that aren’t being done. Work instead on the long standing unpleasant ones that need doing whether you like them or not. (Taxes… hello.)

The eclipse will tip the scales toward our relationships. Encouraging us to reassess our interactions with others. How can I trust that whatever surfaces is helping to restore balance?

Black Mirror – You have a habit of ignoring what is unpleasant or gives rise to your feelings of vulnerability, which only gives these things more power over you. Face them instead and their power will lessen, their contributions to your life shining through instead.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Sword – Stay alert and on the look out for those that are trying to manipulate you into going against your good sense, intuition, or inner compass.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosehips for Releasing Stress and Negativity
Foraged Red Alder Cones for Support in One’s Endeavors
Red Jasper for Awakening and Motivation toward Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE HAUNTED MANOR ORACLE

Second Harvest 2024 – Autumn Equinox

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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

🌕 Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse in Pisces – September 2024

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Tonight 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 courtesy of @lightningwildflower.

Full Moon in Pisces Oracle Reading with the Between Worlds Oracle

What lessons are you being asked to learn?

Valley of Annihilation – How to let go of the past. You are being asked to learn how to set it down, walk away, and let it be finished. You have a tendency to try and carry the past forward with you instead of learning from it, setting it aside, and moving on.

What will help you be more in tune with your intuition?

Rage – Acknowledging your anger, affront, and pain will help you in becoming more in tune with your intuition. Make efforts to connect with your moments of anger and disquietude, rather than trying to bury it, hide it, or hold onto it. Sometimes anger is of no use, and doesn’t need to be put to use, just acknowledged and released.

What is being illuminated through your dreams?

Humility – You are being shown through your dreams how much you still don’t know and have yet to learn. This is a reminder to stay open to new ideas, new experiences, and new perspectives.

How can you find greater meaning in your life?

Creativity – Continue to explore your creativity and indulging your curiosity. Indulging in these pursuits opens you up to greater meaning and greater possibilities in life. You thrive in creative spaces, and it’s important to not let that part of yourself dwindle or starve.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Community – Don’t forget that you are not alone. You have the care, love, and support of others not just emotionally, but also on a very practical and physical level as well. Make sure you are not ignoring or diminishing their offers to help.

DECK USED: BETWEEN WORLDS ORACLE

🌑 New Moon in Virgo – September 2024

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Tonight 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 courtesy of @Ethony.

New Moon in Virgo Oracle Reading with the Healing Heart Oracle

Where should I focus my energy this season?

Co-Creative Heart – Look for opportunities to involve others in your work, whether that is having them help you with whatever you are working on or teaching them new creative skills that can help you out along the way.

What needs re-evaluation?

Trusting Heart – You are trusting another to have your best interest at heart way too much. Instead of just blindly allowing this other to lead you, use your intuition to guide yourself in these situations.

What is just a distraction that I need to ignore?

Trapped Heart – Make sure you don’t get so wrapped up in feelings of restlessness that you end up taking unnecessary chances with your safety.

Where do I need to get more organized?

Curious Heart – Make sure that you are planning ahead when you decide to go off on an adventure. Combined with previous card in this reading, this is a reminder that due to safety issues that have come up in the past you aren’t always particularly safe when you’re out alone, and thus need to bring someone with you instead of just going off on your own on a whim.

What project would benefit from my full attention?

Rebellious Heart – This answer is an echo back to the second card in this reading. It encourages making sure that others are not being allowed to make decisions for you, and that you’re not yielding just to make things easier for yourself and/or others.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Unavailable Heart – Stop trying to avoid triggers and trauma reactions. You need to instead acknowledge them, and work on healing these things, so that they are no longer an issue.

DECK USED: HEALING HEART ORACLE