Nine of Pentacles – Happy Lughnasadh /Lammas

Yesterday I have received the Llewellyn Tarot in the mail. It was a belated birthday present from M. This deck has been on and off my wish list for such a long time because I wasn’t sure if I needed yet another Rider Waite Smith based deck in my collection. It was the artwork that convinced me that I indeed wanted this deck. When I flipped through the cards for the first time I was amazed by the rich palette the artist has used. As always in real life, the colors are so much more vibrant than in the online pictures. Because it is Rider Waite based, the deck is easy to read but has also more than enough new symbolism and layers to stir my curiosity and to let me dive deep into this deck and the beautiful guidebook filled with Welsh history and myths.

Today it is Lammas or Lughnasadh, the festival which marks the beginning of the harvest season with the first wheat harvest. For this day I picked the Nine of Pentacles. Not only because it is one of my favorite minors but more so because it illustrates beautifully how the time of reaping what we have sown has begun. The lady in the card is fortunate: she has worked hard all Summer and her harvest is abundant. The first wheat has been bound into a sheaf and I am positive that a lot more will follow.

I am planning to bake a loaf of bread today and fill my heart with things I am grateful for. All the things  I have sown myself but perhaps even more important: everything which  I have received as a gift from others.

The Wheel - Carving out Space and Time

Question to draw a card with: How can I take care of myself during the last days of this year? And I got The Wheel from the DruidCraft Tarot.

Some keywords for this card are Completion  and beginning of a cycle.

For me this is a perfect card for the last out breath of this year. A time to  recuperate from the stressful Christmas season. Only one festivity to go and then the new year will begin. The priestess is drawing a circle with her wand, while holding a symbol of the wheel of the year in her other hand. The circle is almost completed. It is a symbol for a completed cycle but it is also a sacred space, out of time out of place, where we can recharge and/or ground ourselves and where we can connect with Spirit. It is so essential to carve out space and time for ourselves this time of year to withdraw from everyday distractions. This way we can reflect on what has been and what may come. This is the perfect time to set new intentions and let go of outdated beliefs.

I hope you will all be able to give yourself the gift of Space and Time these last few days of the year.  

My cards for the Autumn Equinox

For this year’s Autumn spread I’ve used the Ravens Prophecy Tarot. This deck is quite the opposite of the Tarot of the Hidden Realm because while that deck is mostly about people and faces, this deck is all about symbolism. I was surprised by the amount of Court cards I got in this reading but fortunately it was easy to relate  to them.

By the way, getting reacquainted with my  Autumnal decks after so long, makes me very happy! It feels like coming home: warm, cozy,  familiar but also completely new. 

What have I sown? The World:

The potential to become and achieve whatever I want and cope with whatever comes my way

What have I reaped? The Queen of Wands:

I feel so much more confident to express myself in words and images and I’ve learned that art is not only something I like to do but maybe even more a way of taking care of myself. It feeds and fulfills my soul. I always feel so much better after I’ve created something.

What should I be thankful for? The Queen of Coins

I am grateful for taking better care of my body and I am also grateful to be able to be a caring mother not only for my family but most of the time for myself as well. 

Where do I still need to focus my efforts? The King of Cups

I would like to try to really listen what others have to say; at least give them a chance to let them finish their sentence. Also I think it is important to  become more aware of my own emotional currents.  

How can I achieve balance? The page of Swords

I need to find clarity in all aspects of my life especially about my emotional well being and for me the best way to do this is journal, journal, journal!

Oil pastel of Brigid

This year I wanted to celebrate Imbolc by making an oil pastel painting of Brigid, a Celtic fire goddess of poetry, smithcraft and healing. 

Brigid is also sometimes called Mary of Eire. The similarities between Brigid and Mary has been the cause of my renewed interest in her. Both are benevolent protective aspects of the Divine Feminine. Especially Brigid’s aspect of Hearth goddess and her inspirational creative fire are both very appealing to me.

After some more study I’ve discovered that that Brigid was also revered in the southern parts of The Netherlands. Just a few kilometers from my home town, in a small village there is a St. Brigida church with a statue of Saint Brigid. They also have St. Brigida school and a St. Brigida street  You can imagine I’m going to visit that village any time soon now.

By sharing this painting with you I want to wish you all a blessed Imbolc or St Brigid’s day.

Hugs Ellen

May Queen Tarot Spread for Beltane

This lovely tarot spread is created by Christine Jette for Beltane and is found in her book “Tarot for all Seasons”, which I’m using this year for every turning of the wheel: “May is a time of fertility and high spirits. By Beltane, the dark time of the year is a distant memory and the possibilities of life seem sweet. Use the May Queen spread to regain or confirm a sense of abundance and safety”

For this spread I will be using The Joie the Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy 

  

1: Safety. Emotional security.  Page of Swords

What do you need to feel safe. Where are you secure in yourself?

This is one of my favorite  court cards. He cuts to the chase. He is direct and refreshing. His hair is blowing in de the wind and clouds are clearing. His mind is full of new and exciting idea’s and he is eager to follow his desire to learn. It makes me feel safe, I can always rely on the insights and clarity of my mind.

2: Abundance. Feelings of plenty. Eight of Cups

Abundance may encompass monetary prosperity, but it also describes the emotional breath of your life that is full and sweet.  

Abundance can also come from the feeling of emotional fulfillment and the longing to broaden your  horizons. The possibilities are numerous. There is always room for emotional growth. The beauty of this card is that he's taking his cups with him instead of leaving them behind. Spiritual journeys are not always taken because of dissatisfaction with your current situation. Sometimes you just want to explore and feel free.

3: Regeneration. Exploring the possibilities. The Fool

The bold action needed to grow and flourish.

It couldn't be more bold than this. The Fool encourages us to take the leap and go for it. The little spider on her staff is reminding her she is the weaver of her own life. She wants to discover and experience. The fool is also about trusting your inner voice. Deep down you know you are on the right track. See the world with childlike eyes and look for new opportunities but don’t ignore your little bat

4: Emotions and relationships. All forms of love, The World

Apparently my relationships are doing well. The last couple of weeks I've been painfully  aware of the fact how much I love both my daughters. My other relationships are quite easy going. But when I look at the winged Merlion and how careful he is holding his world between his paws, I realize love is never to be taken for granted but to be cherished and respected. Love and relationships are dynamic forces which are asking for our constant attention

5: The Future. The present conceivable outcome. The Six of Cupsok how confident thes three are on ther way.

Look how happy and confident these three are on their way. They are strengthened by their happy memories and emotional contentment. From this stability they can move forward to seek out new possibilities. Al the cards in this spread are talking about moving forward and trying new things. It is obvious I am emotionally in a safe place. Perhaps it is good to acknowledge I am strong enough to expand my horizons and not to be afraid because I can always rely on my wits J

Beltane Contemplation with The Wildwood Tarot

Time is flying too fast for me. Beltane is already the beginning of Summer. Where did Spring go? This is a time of fertility for the animal and plant kingdom. Animals are procreating and flowers are pollinated so they can bear seeds and fruits. It is a lusty season for the wild and the free.

In the Wildwood we move from the period of the Arrows to the period of the Bows. This is a time of high energy levels which will reach their peak at midsummer. Bows represent willpower, creativity, spiritual pursuits and other “fiery” aspects of life J

The two Major Arcana cards which are representative for Beltane are The Forest Lovers (The Lovers) and Balance (Temperance).

We are invited to the handfasting of the Forest Lovers. They are speaking their vows and begin their commitment to each other. A new relationship is born. From two energies a third one comes into play, whether it is their child or the energy of this constant fluctuating togetherness. It is giving and taking, again and again; always changing, never the same. Each moment the Forest Lovers are creating their relationship over and over again. They are continuously seeking Balance which is the second card of this post.

Here we see two snakes intertwined. They’re coming together but they’re keeping their own identity/color. Always seeking the balance of life always moving and adjusting.  Together they look like the shape of the double helix of human DNA, the building block of life. The face carved in the rock at the bottom of the tree reminds us that in order for light to shine there has to be darkness to. In this darkness our greatest treasures are hidden which will restore the balance once again.

For me personal The Forest Lovers also represent the balance between the masculine and femine energies in every human being and in the Divine as a whole. Jung explains it as follows: “In the unconscious of the male, this archetype finds expression as a feminine inner personality: anima; equivalently, in the unconscious of the female it is expressed as a masculine inner personality: animus. The anima and animus can be identified as the totality of the unconscious feminine psychological qualities that a male possesses or the masculine ones possessed by the female, respectively”.

Maybe this year Beltane for me will be all about acknowledging and embracing my masculine aspects: my animus. Besides that I also want to create a more balanced image of my Gddess: to affirm She is feminine, masculine and probable so much more which I don’t know yet J

Beltane Issues

The Lovers

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about the Divine again, after reading a blogpost by Kerry from Neopagan Priestess about incorporating the male aspect of divinity into your practice. 

Although the God of my childhood is a Father, nowadays in my spiritual practice God is Feminine; a Mother. But sometimes I wonder if perhaps I am forgetting or neglecting a major part of my God(dess).

Since it is almost Beltane I am not surprised this subject is asking my attention now. I've always struggled with this Sabbat, because I never knew what to do with a god and goddess in love. It feels strange to me,  although I  know it’s just a myth, but still ….

How could I research this aspect of the Divine in a creative way without diving to deep in all sorts of mythologies, which can be ever so confusing. Although I love to read them, in my opinion the gods are described often as being too human, to really satisfy my quest for understanding Divinity on a more spiritual level.

The Hermit

I had suggested Kerry to name the masculine aspect of the Divine using the tarot, the same way as I have done with the femine aspect.

Trying this out for myself I came to the conclusion it didn't really matter which personal pronoun I would use in these naming exercises. Even if the character in the depiction was male or female; it didn't make any difference for me:

The Hermit: The Keeper of Knowledge, who comes to me in silence and sheds his/her light over my hidden wisdom

or

The Light Bearer, who takes me by the hand and illuminates my way in the darkness

Strength:The One who perseveres and is strongly committed to protect those who are in need

or

The Patient One, who teaches me to reach deep within for my own inner strength 

Strength

God can be as nurturing, gentle and creative as Goddess and Goddess can be as fierce, militant and lustful as god. They are all the same. Every Goddess is an aspect of the Divine and every God is an aspect of the same Divine too. Since I don’t feel comfortable with aggressive warlike Gods, I turn to Kali or Sekhmet who are both fierce goddesses to defend and protect me in times of need. So we are free to reach out to the Divine in whatever form we feel comfortable with. Recently I've started calling Her Amma (thank you Sycamore). With this name, which sounds a lot like “mama” (Dutch for mom) I can see Her as all encompassing and at the same time very approachable to build a personal relationship with. She is every God and Goddess for me. She is Spirit. She is Nature, She is Everything. I just choose to call upon Her as female instead of male

For me this was another step closer to what I belief to be God(dess). More and more I come to realize that All is One and the freedom which emerges from this is so liberating.

I am even looking forward to Beltane now J

(The cards are from the Druidcraft Tarot by Philip Carr-Gomm and Will Worthington)

Our home baked Easter wreath

I wanted to share our traditional Easter baking. It is a roll of yeast dough filled with cream raising, hazelnuts syrup and apple  and formed in the shape of a wreath. We have just had our first serving and it was delicious!

The card says "Happy Easter!"

A Rebirth tarot Spread for Ostara

I’ve found an amazing small tarot spread for this Holiday on Chloe’s blog “InnerWhispers”.There you can read how she was inspired by the Rebirth card from the Druidcraft Tarot to create this spread.  I love three card spreads because I like my spreads to be small and concise. I love to be able to see in one glance what the cards are telling me.

The questions for the Rebirth spread are:

1 What darkness am I leaving behind?
2 What new hope is approaching?
3 What can help me find my bearings at this time?

For this spread I've used my brand new Original Rider Waite Tarot for the first time. I was so happy to finally find the time to work with it. Al the gardening and shopping for flowers and plants and fertilizer has taken up a lot of my time and energy. So here are the cards I’ve drawn for this spread:

The Original Rider Waite Tarot

1 What darkness am I leaving behind? – Ten of Swords

Well I don’t think it can’t get any clearer than this. I am leaving behind the darkness of my despair and anxiety, which has been trying to take root these last few weeks. But dawn is slowly breaking, so there is hope; there is always hope.

2 What new hope is approaching? – Four of Pentacles

This was quite a confusing card but I can read it as my growing awareness of letting go of material desires to ease and numb my pain. These kind of “treats and presents” don’t sustain or heal me but rather they encourage my cravings for more.

3 What can help me find my bearings at this time? – The Fool

The Fool couldn't be a better guide for my rebirth in this season.  I love the way the dawn in the Ten of Swords has changed in a bright new day. The energy of this card is fresh, careless, free and  a bit naive. I can hardly remember when I have felt like that: without worries or fear. Perhaps when I was a lot younger and the world was at my feet. Life could be so much more adventurous and fun if I would let The Fool take me by the hand and let him walk with me step by step; moment by moment

Ostara Contemplation with the Wildwood Tarot

In two days we can already celebrate the Spring equinox also known as Ostara. She is the Goddess of Spring and is also called Eostre. The hare is her scared animal (yay!). It seems like time is passing more quickly these days or is it just because I’m getting older?

When we look around us we can see how the Spring goddess Ostara is covering the land with her unbridled energy: trees are blossoming and flowers and leaves are budding, birds are nesting and singing and it feels like the dark veil of winter has been lifted for good. This is also the time when the seed is starting to sprout. So most Easter festivities were held to stimulate growth and fertility. 

The Wildwood Tarot

On our journey in the a Wildwood, we encounter The Archer. In the unconscious mind of The Wanderer we've met at Imbolc, some sparks of intellect and focus are beginning to dawn. They will blossom into idea’s and goals. So now the time is right to pick up our arrows of desire and aim them into the right direction. We do have to be aware of the consequences of our actions. We can’t just do as we please. The  Stag is slowing us down and reminding us of our responsibilities He is not about man made laws but more about the primal principles like “as you sow so shall you reap” or the karmic balance of life. The Stag is reminding us not only to pick up the ax to build  and cultivate but also the shield to defend the land and its inhabitants; both plant and animal.  

Both the equinoxes are times to take stock of our actions and their consequences: Are you on the right path? What do you do to keep the balance, either in your own personal life as well as for the land; the ecosystem?

So back to the garden it is. I wish you all a  Happy Ostara!

Some snapshots from our spring garden

Imbolc Tarot Spread: Brid’s Wheel

This spread for Imbolc, I have found in Christine Jette’s book “Tarot for all Seasons”. I've bought this book to accompany me on my journey around the wheel of the year with the Wildwood Tarot, I've started out last Yule

For this spread I've used my brand new Morgan Greer tarot.

Brid's Wheel from "Tarot of All Seasons" by Christine Jette with The Morgan Greer Tarot

1.    Strength.  This card shows where you are strong. 

*    The Queen of Rods: she is a strong, outgoing and creatively inspired. She is always warmed by her inner fire. She is confident and resilient. It pleases me to see her as my strength card

2.    Heart’s Desire.  You deepest desire.  What do you really want? 

*    King of Cups: How lovely it would be if I could master my emotional ups and downs and become more balanced. I want to be able to reach out to others and help them without getting emotionally drained

3.    Healer. What needs to be healed if you are to be strong?  Note whether or not there is a relationship between position one (strength) and this card. 

*    The Chariot: I have to acknowledge I am my own person, live my own life and I can set out my own direction and try to keep my insecurity and anxiety under control.

4.   Creative Inspiration.  When healing energy is released, creative inspiration is the result.  What are you inspired to do?  What creative activity fires you up?

*    Six of swords: That was a difficult card for me. But then I drew the sun as clarifier. I think I can interpret this as a creative spark in my communication abilities. The six of swords is about sorting out idea’s, looking for new ways of thinking and communicating; leaving behind idea’s which, although comfortable,  aren’t helpful anymore; or sometimes it could mean a spiritual journey or a quest.  In this sun card two people are coming together in the light of the sun which brightens and reveals everything. So I will use my creativity to communicate my thoughts clearly (writing?). Perhaps it is also a hint to put some effort in my Dutch blog.

5.   Making Plans.  Based on the creative information of position four, what plans can you now make? 

*    Nine of Pentacles. I always love this card.It is so easy to identify with this woman. It strikes me this nine of pentacles is very purple unlike many other cards in this deck. I can interpret this to use my inner wisdom in my spoken and written words. I’ve pulled the eight of swords as clarifier and it tells me to be aware of my limiting beliefs. So I see the Nine of Pentacles also as an advice to look after myself and be aware of maintaining my self-worth; Try to relax and be confident and believe in myself. This woman likes to be alone and that is okay too. In her so loved solitude she can find the peace and quiet to listen to her own thoughts and put them in writing

6.   New Growth.  What is the promise of spring that lies just beneath the snow? 

*    Nine of rods. Another nine. This card is all about vigilance. I am going to watch out for distracting influences (like procrastination!!!) which might make me forget my creative goal. (it happened before J) I will go on even when I get insecure. This card will be my defense against my inner critic.

Imbolc Contemplation with the Wildwood tarot

The Ancestor

In two days the wheel of the year will turn to Imbolc. The first Holiday of the new year. This is the time when nature is stirring beneath the frozen earth. Slowly but undeniable Spring is working her way through the cold of winter. It hasn't been that cold this year in Holland so perhaps Mother Nature may still have some surprises up her sleeve. Bulbs are pushing their green shoots up and I've already seen some purple Crocus buds. Imbolc is the holiday of new beginnings and the returning of light and fertility. It is custom to burn a lot of candles with Imbolc and eat a dish with milk as ingredient, like pancakes or porridge. The latter is done to celebrate the beginning of the lambing season and the lactation of the ewes.  

The Wildwood tarot has assigned two Major Arcana cards to Imbolc: The Ancestor and the Pole star. The suit of stones, which was the winter suit, has made place for the suit of arrows. This is the suit of the East and of Spring: Everything starts with a thought.

The Ancestor is a mythological figure who is half human and half reindeer. She is dressed in reindeer skins. She is summoning us with her drum to start the journey which is set out by a  row of Birches, leading us into the forest. The new moon in the skye is also a sign of a new beginning; a new challenge

The Pole Star

The ancestor figure is inspired by Elen of the ways, a ancient British goddess with antlers, whose name means light and who travels along the old migratory paths from the reindeer. She knows the way and if we stray she will find us with her light

And it isn't a great surprise The Pole Star is the other Major Arcana Card. This star is leading the way when we enter the forest which was in the background of the Ancestor card. It is a card of spiritual knowledge, hope and inspiration.  We know on a deep level our journey will be successful if we follow this star. What  a wonderful compass to carry within

These cards are very timely for me.  As is the careful beginning of Spring with Imbolc and the second new moon this month. I am feeling rather excited by my quest for the Goddess. I see new ways of getting to know Her and I feel  more free to develop my own understanding of Her and also to create my own practice. I thought the drum of The Ancestor which is adorned with the triskele, is very appropriate, since this has become the symbol of my journey. I wish you all a very happy Imbolc.

Yule contemplation with the Wildwood tarot

The Hooded Man

About two months ago I’d decided to observe the turning of the wheel according to The Wildwood Tarot. I have the feeling this deck can teach me a lot about the hidden influences of, and help me find deeper, more spiritual and psychological meaning in the seasons and the holidays. I've tried before to be more structured in observing these yearly changes but as with so many things I am passionate about in the beginning, I have the obnoxious habit to let things slide and worse forget all about them.

This is one of the main reasons I've bought this tarot deck. To have a structure, a backbone to rely on when I am a little bit lost in the Woods J

So the first holiday  to study with this deck is Yule or Midwinter. The time of the shortest day and longest night, my favorite holiday (in combination with Christmas). I feel  a bit like The Wanderer starting my journey into the unknown….

The first archetypal energies, associated with midwinter, I encounter are:

The Great Bear

The Hooded Man (Hermit): A healing silence, withdrawal, inner light and wisdom. He is just about to enter through the door into the illuminated inside of the oak tree. There he will find the most  profound knowledge. This is a time for stillness, for listening, for regaining strength for the coming year. The light of his lantern will cast away the darkness, the fear.

 The great Bear(Judgement):  you reap what you've sown, rebirth , new beginning. This card represents a time for further waiting, transforming and contemplating but more focused on the coming spring

The Moon on Water (The Moon): reflection, intuition, the unconscious,  initiation, potential, creative energy, darkness. This is the major theme for the dark half of the year. The energy is inwards and full of possibilities waiting to be injected with intent and action.

The Moon on Water

Only by looking at these three cards I can understand why I have such a deep love for this time of year. The blues and grays are just stunning. I love the silent peaceful energy and the relief of letting go of old and outworn habits and idea’s. I love to reflect and write down my findings and feelings. For the first time in my life I have evaluated this year which has almost come to an end and I am going to write down my intentions and goals for the coming year too. In doing so I think I can connect better to The Great Bear card. And I must say it is so much fun to make these lists. I have subdivided them in all sort of categories: personal, financial, spiritual, creative etc. In whatever way you like, you can write everything down which comes to mind.

I know there are lots of workbooks on the market which are excellent, but I've just opened a Word document and started typing; Easy does it J! Perhaps I will add pictures of tarot and oracle cards which represent the intentions and goals I can think of. When I have finished them I will print them all out and put them in my journal.

My midwinter ritual will be small and simple. I will light one white candle, visualize my circle and meditate with these three cards. Nothing less nothing more.

I wish everybody  a very happy Yule and a merry Christmas