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.
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.
Theme of the Season – Welcome 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.
Earth – Ace 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.
Air – Seven 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.
Water – Knight 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.
Fire – Queen 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.
Waning – The 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.
Waxing – The 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.
Twisting the Leaf 