Transformation and Renewal~ Tarot for 1 Feb 2017
On this snowy Imbolc I chose the DruidCraft tarot deck for today’s reading on transformation and renewal. I like to observe most of the Sabbats but mainly I’m more of an Esbat observing witch. What can I say? I love the Moon. Imbolc is considered a major Sabbat in that it’s Goddess oriented. Beltane, Lammas (or Lughnasadh), and Samhain are the other three. Four others are related to the Sun and its position in the sky. They include Ostara, Litha, Mabon, and Yule.
Imbolc is the time when the Crone gives way to the Maiden as Spring approaches. On the High Desert, however, we’ve been inundated with snow since early in December. And after 36 years we finally bought a snow blower for our 800 foot driveway, relegating the snow shovel for lesser tasks. It arrived today and needless to say, my husband is thrilled.
The DruidCraft tarot blends Druid practice and philosophy with traditional witchcraft or Wicca. My leaning is toward Druid practice and rune magick and I’m not one of those witches who is Wiccan having always been solitary in my own practice. And I’ve always viewed being a witch as something I am, not something I do. But all that aside, I dearly love this tarot deck. It’s larger than my other decks and sometimes I have trouble shuffling it when my hands hurt, but today they were fine so I thought using it would be perfect for an Imbolc reading. Two cards are from the Major Arcana
Beginning with The Fferyllt, we see a young witch pouring red liquid into a container radiating the golden light of alchemical transformation. Smoke rises from her large ornate cauldron, an alchemist blending fire with water and air to renew and transform. Herbs hang from the rafters along with what appears to be hides stretched using hag stones. Sigils appear on one of the hides, a pentagram and ogham runes visible. Her besom stands against a post where a snake is carved symbolizing fertility and renewal as it reaches with its mouth toward an egg inscribed with a hexagram or merkaba. The fourteenth card of the Major Arcana, this card denote alchemical change. As a rainbow appears over the water in the distance, the witch as alchemist combines together elemental energies in transformation and renewal.
The Hanged Man is another card from the Major Arcana which appears in today’s reading. Any time a Major card presents it indicates archetypal influences or messages, and for two to appear is significant in that today is Imbolc. The 12th card of the Major Arcana, The Hanged Man‘s numerology is 3 or mastery of mind/body/Spirit reinforced by the mistletoe growing on the tree. A sickle appears over by a field of grain as if the man has taken a break to surrender to the moment, align in Source Presence, and achieve enlightenment. His left leg crosses behind his right reinforces the symbolism of triple aspects and mastery. The card seems to depict the Green Man, but I prefer to see this card as Odin, receiving enlightenment as he hangs from the World Tree of Ygdrassil. The presence of the underworld is felt with this card as the man lets go of any preconceived notions and surrenders to Source Presence within.
In the final position, the Queen of Cups stands serenely at water’s edge, the toes from one foot in the water, her other foot on dry land, a beetle on the ground next to her robe. She holds a golden chalice in both hands in supplication to the Full Moon above. She is a natural witch, intuitive and healing. She is the Goddess as Mother guiding her family with loving wisdom and grace. An empath, the Queen’s emotional resonance is felt with this card as she aligns within and knows.
Clearly we’re experiencing change in our world which doesn’t seem likely to end any time soon. But with Spring around the corner, transformation and renewal are coming. It’s time to clear out the clutter from the winter and make plans for the future. Before long many of us will be outside cleaning up winter’s effect, planning new projects and new experiences. And with garden season approaching that’s going to take precedent over any nonsense from the new guy in this witch’s world. Priorities, after all.
The numerology of the reading is 14 and 12, reducing from there to a final numerology of 8 or structure, protection, and discipline. It’s easy to become caught up in the drama that’s happening. But the running theme with each card is to continue on with who we are and what we know to be true. Spending time in meditation is helpful as is doing something. At some point, we have to be disciplined enough to get on with our lives and let the new guy implode, because rest assured, he will do just that. Continuing to work for a better future is something each one of us can do, even if it amounts only to random acts of kindness. Those small, seemingly insignificant kindnesses can change another’s life. A little nudge in a positive direction can have such a profound effect.
Remaining focused on the antics and chaos brought by the new guy and his minions will only keep us from moving forward and that’s the last thing any of us needs. The surrender depicted by the Hanged Man doesn’t suggest that we surrender to oppression; rather, it suggests that we surrender to our inner truth of love and compassion. See past the division and hate brought by others, viewing each person as the Creator personified, perfect in all ways.
We began in oneness and to that truth we shall awaken.
Blessed Be
Originally published at www.imsteppingaside.com on February 1, 2017.
