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| 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:
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| 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.
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| 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
