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 UxI 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 UxThis 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)
PuffballAwww 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 BanesOh 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
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