Druid Plant Calendar 14th Feb - 15th March Vervain Moon

So, we've had a few Moons already now..
Madder Moon,
Chamomile Moon,

and I know Im lack of this current Moon - but I've been super busy and super tired to even get 10 mins to pull a card and blog about it. I love having a full life, but its been rather overflowing. That spell of flu I had delayed lots of stuff... although I did get to kick back and dose myself up on herbal teas and good books during the flu - very good Chamomile energy! hehe

So.. this moon, already in its first quarter I know.. but the DPO says it is the Vervain Moon
I do like this... Vervain is a plant of power, of connecting to the energies and in doing so sharing energies. As this moon grows I can spring growing into its fullness, and as it does our spirits grow also. It starts with spring cleaning, with feeling that mad 'march hare' energy, bits of chaos but love and fun within it :)
A time for problems to be overcome, and love to spring forth says the book... nice one :)

New Moon Spread

From Eowyn's post Ive decided to do her New Moon Spread as we at that time between waning and waxing - we are still, we are at the darkest part of the Moon's cycle. And within that darkness is the unknown, and yet the potential of everything. Like the cauldron of Annwn, like Ceridwen's cauldron, like the darkness of the womb where life is created or else we bleed. Here there just IS, stillness, the void, the moment before the big bang but yet every moment there ever will be.
I love dark moons :D


***3***
***2***
***1***
***0***

1.- What lays on your dark depths. What is unseen. What we stumble against in the dark nights - Heather
Theres an undercurrent of change. Theres the obvious stuff that is clear, but theres that deep energy shift. I have been sleeping really well recently (which is not normal for me) and I think its because of my being on all kinds of levels changing and forming something new... all those winds of change.
And in that, yes there is a feeling of not 'belonging' because in life we are our own persons, our own life paths and sometimes that means going to this weird inbetween place - were we become a stranger amongst friends, or that process of when we try to make new ones. We stumble and fumble... or bumble (bumble bees!)
I think this also refers to my deep concern, yet perhaps inevitable reality that I will drift away from people. Thats sad, but at the same time I'll be drawing closer to new people. Swings and round abouts.

2.- What will begin to show, to arise.- Woad Another friend.. I think I've done a lot of work on being clear in directing my energies.. now its time to see what the 'offshoots' are from this stalk of woad. I've got my freedom, now its time to explore, time to play, time to roam around the forest like the Wild Boar, king of his lands. Although I hope I dont go bull in a china shop like the Boar does lol.
I also feel that this is where I will be tested.. all the prep work done, now its to see if I really mean business. Will I be found wanting?

3.- What will illuminate the dark path. The key in the night.- Primrose And another friend.. the nearest card the DPO has of love, of deep love of what you do and who you are. Its usually something we only experience for someone else, i.e. loving how your partner because so inspired by a book or an idea and watching them chase their tail making it 'work', and we rarely appreciate that in ourselves. Well I do very much. I have a deep love of my path, of my relationship with the Gods and provides me such trouble and joy. Im one dedicated puppy lol, but as Woad shows, a determined one too.

0.- Yourself. Shadow card, from the base of the deck - Agrimony Ohh and another friend. This is a fabulous gathering of plants.
I've also got some Agrimony burning in an incense I've made. I'm preparing for a load of new beginnings that will happen in this moon phase. Not just the thinking, the planning, and even the prep to be 'ready' is nearly all but done. Now Im ready for the new sight, and for the inevitable new shit that is going to come and mess up my nice clean headspace LOL.
Just remember to take it one step at a time :)

So overall I have a reading that highlights energy shiftings in the darkness, my own energies changing and now I'm ready to play. But my guiding light will be that Im listening to my heart, to what is wanted of me. Which is what I have been carefully listening to and defining over the past few months. Now its going to come to fruition :)

I love it when a plan comes together. Very much a lover of a plan.

Lady of the Hunt spread

Someone on AT mentioned doing the Lady of the Hunt spread from Tarot for all Seasons (Christine Jette, who by the way I think is a brilliant tarot author so you dear reader should go and buy her books!) and it inspired me to do the same.
I feel theres a new phase, a new energy thats around me that wants me/needs me. Of course I have no idea what this is, so Im hoping to find out more about this new energy! And as darkness falls outside and the moon is rising, that Bent slither shining brightly with Orion keeping Her company, now is the time to do it :)

Forgive the spread lay out not looking very rounded-cresent-ish, but its hard to do a semi-circle in numbers and dashes LOL.

--1-----------
-----2--------
---------3----
--------------
---------4----
-----5--------
--6-----------

And card 7 is the base card.

Card 1 - This begins the new phase (what brought you here, what you have already prepared thats important now). Flax Ux
I love this card, Im a spinner both spindles and on a wheel. It was also a meditation that a friend ran years ago that got me into herbs and plants. We walked through her garden and randomly picked a plant that we feel a connection to. Without knowing what it is we then went on a meditation to connect with that plant. I later found out mine was Flax (thinking it was Vervain and obviously failed miserably in my ovate herbal 101 LOL).
So, Flax to me speaks of that moment, of really connecting with the plants. And this connection to the deck, to the outside world and the wild plant kingdom.
The book talks about communing with spirit, feeling part of the web of wyrd and just feeling connected to the universe. And I do feel that now. When I started this blog as part of the PDR (Primary deck reflections) project from the Aeclectic tarot website, I was very honest about it all. I didnt know how much I was able to commit to it, how long I'd be able to do it for etc. I didnt even know what I'd talk about! But I've been inspired. Going to the OBOD gathering last solstice really ignited a flame in me that had been fading and then that spark caught with all this food for thought from the DPO. This blog has been that little change/tweak I needed to get my focus and feel the magic.
And I feel so much more connected to my druidry, my healing path, my tarotoholic and seeing path. Flax shows how all parts of me are weaving together (think back to Betony on my lack of facebook page reading!). Definitely got the right 'head' on now :)

Card 2 - This shapes the new phase (outside influences, events and people)Borage Ux
Ah that old friend :) The warrior part of me has been creeping in again. I dont think I need any borage tea to get myself feeling brave at the moment! I think Borage is just saying that I have a very resilient personality, I tend to keep going. I planted Borage a few years ago and it still grows in the pot/planter whilst all the other plants in it have died (I did warn you I was a rubbish gardener!).
The book mentions forgetfulness and I never really understood what that meant - but I think I do now. I get so bogged down in the details, in the how and why I just fail to move. When I say 'hey i'm going to do xyz whatever the weather' it tends to happen! Like me driving to glastonbury, like me starting this blog, like me announcing to the world I am going to the 2010 Tarot Conference in London in October. I have no idea how to get there, where it is and I wont know anyone there (OK I know folks from the AT site but not actually physically met them before).
So, jumping head first can be good :D
I feel it also suggests that I need to just let go and forget whats been and gone, dont let the ties drag you down.

Card 3 - The centre (the main theme, opportunity or challenge, this is the focus of the spread) Bramble Ux
This seems odd, the 2 previous cards have been very inclusive, very open and receptive. Now we have Bramble that has a fence... I feel like there should be sign on here saying 'do not pass'.
I feel here is that now I am aware of the connections (Flax) and my independence to jump around the place (Borage) that I need to preserve this 'mobility' I now have. I've had a feeling like this before, to celebrate my Maidenhood. OK so its not *THAT* maidenhood (I hear ya giggling as you read this), but Im at a time of my life that has no big attatchments, no huge responsibilities. Course I have my nursing studies, my tribe, my family etc, but they are expressions of me, none of them bind me, none of them make me feel trapped or have to explain myself. Perhaps this reflects my singledom in that, for now, a bloke in my life is just not where my energy should be right now.
I have freedom, I have time to explore all of what Spirit has instore for me and that needs to be protected, by me and by THEM. Although I imagine THEIR thorns are a bit bigger than a bramble's lol.


Card 4 - This is what is needed to succeed ( the elbow-grease to make it materialise, the follow up to magical workings etc) Puffball
Awww I love this froggy friend. Frog is an energy I feel very connected to, and was important to me on my Bardic journey :) The Frog card in the DAO has mushrooms on, so its only fair these Puffballs have an amphibious friend too.
The book echos Flax but on the Inner Realms. I've done the physical stuff to make connections, to find my place on the Wyrd and make myself 'known' again. Now Puffball suggests I need to do lots of work on the Inner Realms, with THEM and with Spirit. I did a ritual last night for the first time in ages that was just for me, and I felt so nourished and connected. I need to make time to be out under the stars and calling on their names as I call on the elements, I need to toast to the rising moon and the setting sun. Its not easy with shifts, with REALITY, but I need to make that time. Its important, its necessary.
This could also be why Bramble has appeared and spoken of my 'Maidenhood' because its hard to be dedicated to ritual and personal practice when someone wants you to pop over for coffee 'sorry hunny Im too busy outside freezing my arse off talking to Ursa Major tonight for coffee and cuddles' doesnt go down well - plus I feel guilty saying no to people!
But this all needs to be grounded in humility and service to Spirit. Not to make me feel 'holier than thou', which isnt very me anyways, but can happen to anyone. Plus work will balance me out. No finer way to feel humble and grounded than dealing with wee and poo LOL.

Card 5 - The Direction you are headed (future outlook)Mandrake
Hmm well the beginning of romantic love isnt really appropriate here.. the coins in the card seem right but not right at the same time. I feel perhaps its just a card of good luck, of a good omen for this fertile period.
The stuff about relief from pain is interesting, but I dont know how it can relate.
This is obviously a card I need to meditate on :)
I do see that is has a warning though - of obsession. Whilst I LOVE working with the DPO I can see that it needs to be carefully balanced. So, like last weeks big reading, theres that suggestion that it needs time to amplify, to settle, to be processed and digested. Not just lots of random spreads for the sake of playing with the DPO.
Hmmmm.
Card 6 - Advice card (what you need to do next). The Banes
Oh Im excited to see the Moon in this card! Granted its a full moon, but I can live with that LOL. Perhaps thats a very obviously symbol to do a next big spread or magical working at the full moon, keep the power and momentum going?
The book talks about the unexpected. And the unexpected brought me to this place, the PDR threads, going to glasto and even my break up. Whilst it was very unexpected and random, I can see that it was obviously for reasons that aren't meant for me to know just yet. So theres that slight surrendering continuing, that the unexpected occurs, we experience the love, the joy, the tears and the turmoil and then we process. Gods I make it sound like an initiation of some kind... oooh goosebumps as I type that.. interesting!!!!

Card 7 - The base card Juniper
:) I do love this card. I have all the 'know-how' in my bag of tricks (the cranebag in the card). Its in me, in my heart, in my head, and now its the time to just see and feel what happens. I've done this with working with Horse, and now it seems Im to do it again with the plants.
Juniper has a common ally with the Justice card in the DCT, of spider. Thinking about it Flax too is associated with webs and spiders. oooooh. One thread has gone, another is made, the scales have tipped and something new is here in my life! How fantastic!
One of the keywords to Juniper is Magic :D Whilst is only magical if you accept the wonder, dont poke at it, dont demand to know why or feel threatened when you are put on a path without your full 'consent' before hand.

On another note, I haven't physically met a juniper tree/bush before. Perhaps i need to get my hands on one :) Of course, all I'll want to do is put on a long beard and shout at people for eating my juniper berries (Life of Brian reference, is you havent seen it, I demand you watch it!).

What a spread, lots of stuff going on, lots of positivity and a new perspective of what I have been randomly connecting to recently. See, there is a great synchronicity in the universe! There is also so much blue! I need to ponder this further, what blue and the plants could mean. Hmmph


Oh and I would like to thank Guided Hermit from AT for finding me that 'why me' processing end of relationship spread :) Its a fab spread and I have used it, but I've decided to not share it here as I felt the plants were trying to kick me out of focusing on whats been and severed and focus on this new energy, this new 'purpose' the Gods have planned for me :) But I do thank you! Taking Juniper to heart, Ive dealt and processed stuff and to post it up would just rehash it for me, infect the wound etc. Plus, it keeps things honourable and above board.

And last random note, Sulis on AT is making me a bag and reading cloth for my DPO. If you'd like to see her work, please look at her website Tarot Sulis for her bags, her cloths and for readings. Its been a pleasure walking the creative process with her and I look forward to showing off my bag and cloth when it appears! Of course, piccys will be taken and here for you all to see :D

Blessings from the serenity of the moonlit Garden
/|\

Moons and Druids part deux

Image of the cresent moon taken from this astronomy site

Did you see the moon last night? That very thin slither of the cresent? That shiney silver blade high in the sky? It was just stunning! I had to go out and do a bit of ritual and celebrate the Bent One, with a Silver Birch and and milk based beverages. It was very illuminating and a very nourishing and empowering experience :D I feel I've connected to that wildness of Heather (see previous post about why Im waffling about Heather), of community, and there was a message for me as well! Those bees are interesting critters huh!

So, Im back to having a loopy lunar moment, and dug out all my 'druid something' cards - the Druid Animal Oracle (DAO) my DPO and the Druidcraft Tarot (DCT) looking for moons in all their glory.

Now, I do have a confession to make. I really never got on with the DAO. Sure its pretty and sure it's nice, but I just saw pretty pictures. I never felt the animal energy spring from the deck, when I know others prefer the DAO to work with than ANY tarot deck out there (yes its SLIGHTLY sacreligious, but I like them and so I forgive them lol). But doing this has made me connect to something in those animal cards so maybe I'll play with them more with the DPO.

So... waxing moons (apologises to those in the southern hemisphere but I gotta call it like I see it here from the UK).
DPO - Mistletoe
DAO - Hare
DCT - Moon (i know its got the whole moon, but the only shiney bit is the first cresent), High Priestess, Prince of Cups

Full Moon
DPO - Mugwort, Ivy, The Banes
DAO - Owl, Crane
DCT - Queen of Cups

Waning Moon
DPO - None.
DAO - Blackbird
DCT - Seven of Swords, Star, Ace of Cups, Hermit

Dark Moon
OK this is a bit speculative because obvious these are just night scenes without a moon, which I think would be good dark moony cards
DPO - None
DAO - Bear
DCT - Ace of Pentacles, Death and possibly the Queen of Pentacles.

Now what does that mean? I dont know LOL. But its really interesting. Why is there no waning moon or dark moon in the DPO? And So many Cresents in the DCT and only one true full moon in the whole deck?

And one random thing Ive noticed is how similiar Yarrow and the Adder cards are so similiar! And ya know - I never liked those elemental dragon cards.

So, loopy lunar stuff continues. But that Bee in the Heather card really got me wondering about bees so thats why I picked up my DAO again.

Its tempting to get bogged down in the thinkery of it all. Why do I seem to go lunar loopy, what does it mean etc But I remember the reading I did previously here and I just need to be brave and go with it and see where the journey takes me.

Inspiration firing, Brilliant!

But I did have a look in Herbcraft (Franklin and Lavender) and saw a list of herbs to the phases of the moon - which I think would be interesting to note here,although again, knowledge that as yet is not yet fully digested.
Waxing herbs white rose, camphor, lily, cinquefoil, mugwort, aloe, ox-eye daisy and poppy
Full moon herbs cinquefoil, red rose, mugwort, dandelion, frankincense, marshmellow and poppy
Waning herbs garlic, myrrh
Dark moon herbs garlic, parsley, willow and forget-me-not

Now I dont completely agree with that list, but its an interesting place to start from eh?!

Moons and Calendars (Happy New Year!)

So new years eve is not only new years eve, but it falls on a new moon... that is also a blue moon (second full moon in a calender month) and it is a partial lunar eclipse.

OMG! or really? I mean. Its a full moon yes, but its only a blue moon according to the calendar that we use, which is just a fluke really, and its a lunar eclipse that isnt visible to the UK.

However, I have been a bit moon-crazy (or loopy-lunar!) for a while. I had this random thought in the night a few weeks back about moons and druids.

What would a phase of the moon mean to an ancient druid? What does a phase on the moon mean to a present-day druid, that isnt just a diffusion of knowledge spread from Wicca to Druidry in recent times. I mean, why do we see the Moon as Female? Is that something druids have picked up from the Wiccans and just not questioned it? Many cultures at male moon deities - and would the druids really have associated Gender to the luminaries?! I mean stars dont have gender assigned to them.

So the only bit I could link between ancient druids and moons were as a method of counting time, in a calendar. However, I dont like the Graves Celtic Moon calendar idea (which he later admitted was complete forgery!).

So perhaps part of my DPO project is to pick a card for the lunar month as a guide? Or just to be aware of the plant happenings as we move throughout the solar year?

But would that start at a full moon? Or would it be at the new moon, the point of void, the death/rebirth moment. Hmmph stuff to ponder indeed!

To go through these thoughts I've drawn 3 cards, Comfrey from the top of the pack, Woad from the middle of the pack and Ivy at the bottom of the pack
Well, two very day time cards and the Ivy with the full moon lol. Maybe thats suggesting how the moon and sun are linked, that there is no real seperation, as the the moon is only the light of the sun reflecting from a rock floating around the earth? lol

Comfrey is about union, it is BoneWort and knits together skin and bone, spirit and body.Woad is about being brave and defending what is yours to defend - ie my idea that the druids didnt do moons lol, well at least not in the way that modern druid types do - and the moon/gender thing really doesnt feel appropriate to me at the moment. So I'm not going to be going ga-ga over how She is beautiful, no She, just the Moon. The Ivy though is reflecting that whatever we THINK the druids might or might not have done, we cant escape that deep pull we have as human beings, as beings of water, of just primal instinct that the moon is sacred.

Perhaps the idea here is for me to link sun and moon together? Working with the solar and lunar festivals? My friends Sue and Jake spoke to me of their awareness of how the solar festival is boosted by the power of the moon. For example, May day might be on 1st, but the hawthorn, the big indicator for the celebration of Beltane to most folks, may not be in bloom till May 15th which happened to be around the time of that full moon. So, it could be something to be aware of and see how it unfolds.

I do feel though that once again the DPO is asking me to not just think and analyse the cards, my spirituality etc but just to have the stillness to feel and experience why I am lunar loopy, by being with the Moon at its times and seeing what unfolds within me (theres that Ivy ya see).I think its also asking me to just sit and FEEL what is flowing. To not THINK about what might have happened, but what I feel is right to happen and seek to be receptive to the ideas that come to me at the moon.

Ivy again in so many days... ooooh.

SO... that is why I havent done a big New Year Full Moon/Blue Moon reading. Too much in my head and what feels right for me now is that years and months, the 'calendar' is based on moon cycles. You cant have blue moons when you have a calender based on months of the moon cycles! Plus I already had a reading done on my birthday for my year ahead and it seems daft to do it twice. Birthday years seems to click better with me than the calendar turning a number type of year.

But I do keep having this connection to the Moon. I'll have to ponder and see where it is taking me :)