tarot ritual

🌕 Full Moon in Aquarius – August 2022

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

Full Moon in Aquarius Reading with the Dare to Shine Oracle

What possibilities are being offered to me right now?

Be the Reason Someone Believes in Goodness of People – Inspire others through leading by example. You can show them it’s possible to be good and kind and fair, no matter the circumstances. When you nurture others, it helps them see the world in as a better place and in a better light.

What area of my life is craving freedom and experimentation?

True Self-Discovery Begins Where Your Comfort Zone Ends – Stop letting fear and anxiety dictate what you do and where you go. Getting to know yourself on a deeper level involves moving past those fears, or moving through them.

Where can I be more open-minded?

To Activate and Open Your Third Eye is to Live a Most Awakened Life Rx – Instead of always searching for more and better, stick with where you’re at and learn to better appreciate what you have in the now.

What old habits/beliefs need to be released under this full moon?

Take Time Out to Reconnect with Mother Nature; We are One and the Same – You haven’t been able to get as much time out in nature as you usually need over the summer. Take a breath and release your expectations in this area. Self recrimination doesn’t help anything. Blaming yourself for not getting the time you need out in nature doesn’t solve anything. Just accept that reality hasn’t allowed for it right now, and look forward to times in the future when you can.

Where do I need to go with the flow?

It’s From the Deepest Wounds that Light Finds a Place to Shine – Don’t let disappointment set you back or tie your hands. Sometimes shit hurts, just because it’s supposed to. Even in these times of trouble, you will continue to grow if you allow yourself to go with the flow instead of resisting.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Harness Your Sexual Energy For it is Your Vital Source – Don’t avoid those things that make you feel good just because you feel like you want or deserve to feel like shit.

DECK USED: DARE TO SHINE ORACLE

First Harvest 2022 – Lammas

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Today is Lammas, which is known as the First Harvest of the year. This day marks the transition into the harvest season of August, September, and October (of which there is a Second Harvest and Last Harvest that correspond to these months).

Lammas

This holiday is often called Lammas, Lughnasadh, or Lugh, although I usually just refer to it as the First Harvest. On my path, it celebrates the beginning of Summer’s decline and ramping up of the busy season where we begin to reap in the abundance that the bounty of summer’s energies has encouraged to grow and flourish.

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 Second Harvest (aka. Mabon, Autumnal Equinox) in September.

Lammas Tarot Reading for the First Harvest with the Pagan Otherwords Tarot, Compendium of Witches Oracle, and Herbal Healing Oracle Deck Vol 1 & 2

Theme of the Season – Lammas, Waxing Crescent Moon, Elder (Sambucus nigra)

In this card a woman dances among sunflowers, celebrating in her harvest with the product of her labors cradled close under one arm and boline in the other hand ready to reap what she’s sown. There is pride in the angle of her jaw and tilt of her head, strength in her posture, and voluptuous elegance in her form.

The Waxing Crescent Moon is a symbol of growth, creativity, and attainment and welcomes the energies of positivity and expansion into one’s life.  It is a time for welcoming in new habits, new themes, and for leaning forward into changes that you wish to control the direction of with your actions and will.

The Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a tree of transitions and change, guarding liminal spaces and providing purification and protection within the transitional places that we travel between. The dried bits of this plant can be used for spellwork involving physical and emotional healing, as well as hex breaking, purification, and protection.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here is one of healing through progress.  You are at a place in your life and upon your physical path where you have choices to make and these cards encourage you to lean hard into positivity and optimism.  Don’t allow yourself to step out of the light, but instead take an active role in making sure your harvests this year are abundant and plentiful.

Earth – Four of Wands – You are comfortable and relaxed in your path forward at this time. You know what needs done and have a solid plan as your foundation.  Use this energy to carry you toward your goals rather than wallowing in the comfort in more languid ways.

Air – Nine of Swords – Careful that you don’t let your worries become hurdles that hold you back.  Negative thoughts and a pessimistic inner dialogue won’t help you in making progress at this time.  Better to set these things aside so that you can move more freely and continue to charge forward toward your goals.

Water – The Moon Rx – Moments of uncertainty can feed into negativity. Make sure that you are not giving uncertainty the chance to grow and thrive in your life. If you have to “fake it ’til you make it”?  Do so.

Fire – Knight of Pentacles – Business is slow right now and that’s a good thing.  Don’t become restless during the lull, but instead use this time wisely on other things.  It won’t last forever and you want to work on what you can get done now so that when things pick back up you can feel a sense of accomplishment from the slow season.

Waning – The Memory and Pruning – It’s time to set aside self reflection and deep exploration of inner thoughts and feelings. Action is needed, and you can’t stand in stillness and mull things over, and -also- act at the same time.

Waxing – The Explorer and Mirror – Movement and knowing yourself.  This is the theme you need to lean into at this time.  You know what you want and need, and it’s time to take the steps and action to reach the fulfillment you seek.

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

🌑 New Moon in Leo – July 2022

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

New Moon in Leo Oracle Reading with the Normal Tarot (oracle deck)

What do I need to purge in my life?

The Summer Knight III – Righteousness. Keep in mind that warm and understanding connects you with others far better than righteousness and indignation.

What is draining my energy?

The Book of War – You are too focused on victory, when you need to be focused on the moment at hand. Spend more time doing, and less time planning.

Where do I need to spark play into my life?

The Autumn Queen – Into the every day. Fun and play doesn’t have to be something that’s a special occasion, but instead can be incorporated into your life and activities as part and parcel of the things you do each day.

What relationships need examining?

The Waning Crescent atop The Sorceress – This is not about one particular relationship but rather about making sure that you pay attention to what has happened in the past and remember that people often don’t change, they just appear too. Look to the past for the knowledge you need to know what’s going on in the present.

Where do I need to speak my truth?

The Book of Secrets – You have a clever mind, and it and it would benefit yourself and others to share this more with others rather than keeping these thoughts to yourself. Don’t worry if your ideas are good or not, because they are.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

The Summer Lady atop The Caretaker – You need to put more focus and passion into taking care of yourself. Self-care is a learning process for you. You can do it. You just have to pay attention to your needs and make sure they are being met instead of punishing yourself by denying yourself those things.

DECK USED: NORMAL TAROT (ORACLE)

🌕 Full Moon in Capricorn – July 2022

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

Full Moon in Capricorn Tarot Reading with the Heavenly Bloom Tarot

What long-term plans are calling you?

Four of Cups – More meditation is needed. It’s time to commit to adding it into your practice in a more dedicated and permanent manner.

What foundations do you need to lay to succeed?

Five of Coins – Don’t sink into complacency when things seem lacking. Instead, try exploring your feelings of scarcity and rooting out the problem.

Where do you need to apply patience?

Ace of Cups – Your emotions are often still new and alien. Be kind, understanding, and patient with yourself where they are concerned.

Where do you need to think BIGGER?

Eight of Cups – You need to examine the things in your life that are frustrating you and not working, and look for opportunities to not improve in some way, but to actually replace these things with something better.

Where do you need support?

Queen of Laurels – You need reminders to make sure you are treating yourself as well as you treat others.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Seven of Laurels – Be sure not get frustrated just because things are moving at a slow pace. Everything will sort itself out in its own time.

DECK USED: HEAVENLY BLOOM TAROT

🌑 New Moon in Cancer – June 2022

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

New Moon in Cancer Oracle Reading with the Golden Light Oracle

How can I bring more balance to my home?

True Self – Look at the things that you pressure yourself to do, and connect with the motivations behind these things. Are you driving yourself on using others expectations? Or your own?

Take time to reconnect your motivations to your own personal values, principles, and the goals that match who you truly are instead of what others want you to be.

What old family beliefs need to be healed?

Coronation – You will never earn the “Atta Boy” that you crave from members of your family. Stop looking to your mother to give you the validation you desire. Your family is never going to give you that, and there are other places and people in your life that will.

What old family patterns need examining?

Kindness – A lack of kindness within your own family does not mean that you cannot be kind to yourself. Treat yourself as you treat others, as you deserve that much at the very least.

How can I be a more impactful community member?

Relax – There’s nothing more you need to do at this time in this area. Instead, your relationship with the community could be improved if you relaxed a little more.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Baptism – Cleanse yourself of negativity and step into the light. You need to focus more on the good in life and the positive, allowing optimism to flourish. Step out of the dark and wash away it’s cloying touch.

DECK USED: THE GOLDEN LIGHT ORACLE

Summer Solstice 2022 – Midsummer

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Today is the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year and one of the eight holidays that I celebrate throughout the year. This day marks the ‘official’ transition into summer and a shift from days that become longer and longer through the spring into days from here on out will grow shorter and shorter for the next six months.

summersunrise

This holiday is often called Midsummer or Litha, although I usually just refer to it as the Summer Solstice. On my path, it celebrates the turning point of summer, where the build-up of creative energy from the spring crests into a time of abundance as we travel into the depths of summer in much the same way that the growing energies of the full moon crest before beginning to wane each month.

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 on 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 First Harvest (aka, Lughnasadh, Lammas, Lughnasa, Lugh) on August 1st.

Summer Solstice Tarot Reading with the Pagan Underworlds Tarot, Herbal Healing Deck, and Compendium of Witches Oracle

Theme of the Season – Summer Solstice, Last Quarter Moon, Grass Lily (Ornithogalum umbellatum)

This year’s Solstice card shows an explosion of verdant growth under the nurturing rays of a radiant sun. It speaks of the abundance of the season and all of the growth that goes on during this time of year while the sun is shining bright and the earth is warmed into fertile ground.

The Last Quarter Moon is a phase that is dedicated to the energies of release and letting go. It is a time for gratitude, generosity, and for cutting ties with those things (and people) that are no longer benefiting you and your life.  As the moon has waned, we have examined what these things (and people) might be and it is in this phase of the moon that we now take action to cut those ties loose.

The Grass Lily (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is associated with themes that have to do with innocence, purity, honesty, hope, and forgiveness.  The flowers and bulbs contain cardiac glycosides, which make them toxic to humans and livestock. Although toxic, in certain regional areas they are (in moderation) eaten and/or used in homeopathic remedies.

When looking at these three cards together, the theme that I see here strongly echoes the phase of today’s moon and making sure that when you let go of those things that are no longer suited to you that you truly -let go- and don’t secretly cling on some internal level.  Make it a clean break so that you can foster the growth of new and better things.  These new and better things need room in which to flourish that can’t be cluttered with regrets or clinging to what’s being cut loose.

Earth – The Empress – With all that’s going on in your life and all you have plans to accomplish, make sure that you are not losing sight of what is really important. Take care of yourself. Take care of others. These things should come first.

Air – Justice – What goes up must come down and what goes down will bounce back up. Don’t let the ups and downs of life in the process of seeking balance frustrate you. Ride them like ocean waves instead.

Water – Three of Pentacles – “That penis didn’t erect itself, it had help.” (Quoting the voice in my ear.) A relationship is a group effort, not a solo mission. Take time to appreciate all that you and Gideon have accomplished together.

Fire – Ace of Wands Rx atop Page of Cups – No entertaining new ideas or inspirations right now. Explore what is already before you more thoroughly instead.

Waning – The Scholar and Goat – Your time of intellectual contemplation and stewing on plans in the background has come to an end. It’s time to start acting instead of thinking about it.  Movement is your friend.

Waxing – The Preserver and Pomegranate – Begin reaching for those things you value and moving into making sure that they are being cared for properly.

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