Samhain Spirits Spread 2019

Samhain – [pronounced sah-win]

I enjoyed doing this spread for past Halloweens on Tarot Notes, so I’m giving it another go. To set the stage, I am quoting from The New Encyclopedia of the Occult by John Michael Greer (Llewellyn Worldwide):

“Samhain. The beginning and end of the year in the old Celtic calendar, falling around the beginning of November in modern terms. Samhain is the oldest documented festival of Celtic Paganism. . . Samhain was traditionally associated with the spirits of the dead, who were believed to walk the world at that time. After the arrival of Christianity, the feast of Samhain became All Hallow’s Day. The evening before it, the modern Halloween, retained much of the same symbolism.”

The positional definitions for this spread are inspired by the hauntingly beautiful song “All Soul’s Night” with words and music by Loreena McKennitt. You can listen to the song _HERE_.  You can read the lyrics of the song _HERE_.

This year, I am using the Ghosts and Spirits Tarot by Lisa Hunt (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.) The layout is in the shape of a pentacle.

I stand in darkness at the entrance to the graveyard on All Hallow’s Eve, on Samhain, when spirits walk the world…

(1) This Spirit dances around and around

EIGHT OF CUPS (Der Schimmelreiter)

I have to say this is a troubling card to see today, as heavy rain and storms continue in my part of the country. As I write this, I listen to the steady downpour outside my window and rumbling thunder in the distance. The spirit of “Der Schimmelreiter” dances around and around – the ghost of a dyke builder named Hauke Haien, whose dyke gave way during a severe storm flood. It is said that his ghost appears, on horseback, during storms to check the integrity of his dyke.

Read the story of this spirit here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rider_on_the_White_Horse

(2) This Spirit brings a hidden memory 

THREE OF SWORDS (The Phantom Rickshaw – Mrs. Wessington’s Ghost)

A hidden memory is brought by the ghost of a rejected lover who hounded the man who abandoned her until he went mad. Although this memory is heavy with tension, pain, and broken promises, it is brought to me now perhaps to help me put it behind me and move on, if I can.

Read more about this Spirit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_%27Rickshaw_and_Other_Tales

(3) This Spirit carries a light in the distance

EIGHT OF SWORDS (The Flying Dutchman)

A phantom of the unforgiving sea, the spirt of a Dutch captain sails for eternity in the rough waters around the Cape of Good Hope. This Spirit carries a light that I can see in the distance any time I have to navigate turbulent seas. This Spirit’s light is not meant to guide me, I think, but to act as a warning that I may need to let go of my need to control a situation and listen to what others have to say. Digging in my heels and refusing to give up may not be the best approach at all.

Read more about this Spirit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Dutchman

(4) This Spirit waits for me on the bridge

ACE OF SWORDS (Poltergeist)

A “noisy ghost” waits for me on the bridge, ready to lead me into something new, to begin a new cycle of activity or a new idea or concept or way of looking at things. I love the idea of this energy waiting to accompany me “across a bridge.” However, it behooves me to remember that poltergeists are mischievous and disruptive – and in fact, could actually be made of displaced energy from my own subconscious or unconscious mind. This may not be a smooth, calm passage.

Several movies were made in the “Poltergeist Film Series.” If you are interested, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergeist_(film_series)

(5) This Spirit passes by the bridge and me

SEVEN OF PENTACLES (Canterville Ghost)

The Spirit of Sir Simon de Canterville passes by the bridge and me, eternally destined to float between worlds, belonging to neither the land of the living nor the land of the dead. Ultimately, this Spirit is saved by a young girl named Virginia, who listens to him, accepts him, and helps him pass on to the next world. There is a sense with this card that “This, too, shall pass,” even if my efforts do not show desired results at this moment in time. Patience will bring me to my reward.

Read more about this Spirit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canterville_Ghost

The three Swords cards may represent an emphasis mental activity as well as conflict that needs to be resolved. Emotions play a part (Cups), as does the physical, material realm (Pentacles). Plenty of messages for me to consider this All Hallow’s Eve.

Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain to all!

“Is this relationship worthy of my efforts?"

A sample reading using

Tarot of the Animal Lords

by Angelo Giannini (Illustrator)

(Lo Scarabeo)

QUESTIONS 

“Is this relationship worthy of my efforts or is it time to let go and move on?” 

"Is he my soulmate or do I move forward and never look back?"

ANSWER

Before I continue with your reading, I would like to share with you my understanding of what a soulmate is. I believe that the soul has many facets. A soulmate is a reflection of one of the facets -- a connection to something in yourself that connects to the same thing in the other person. Thus we can have (and usually do have) more than one soulmate in a lifetime.

For your 3-card reading I am using Tarot of the Animal Lords. This intriguing deck by artist Angelo Giannini uses humanized animals to represent traditional Tarot card meanings. I drew cards to represent (1) strengths of this relationship, (2) obstacles or problems in the relationship, and (3) what will be most helpful to you in making a decision about the relationship.

1. Strengths: KNIGHT OF PENTACLES (Wild Boar)

This card suggests that the relationship has had a certain sturdy, stable, secure quality to it. The boar usually represents fidelity and strength. The suit of Pentacles is the suit of Earth, associated with practicality, material matters, physical condition or experiences, finances, security, family values, and domestic issues.

2. Obstacles or problems: EIGHT OF PENTACLES (Chimpanzee)

The obstacles or problems with the relationship seem to be in the same area as the strengths (Pentacles / Earth). With this card there is a suggestion of "rough edges" or "work needed." Chimpanzees are self-aware, social creatures. They can also frequently use deception to get what they want. The 8 of Pentacles calls your attention to a possible unwillingness to work on the relationship, to resolve differences in an open, honest manner.

3. What will be most helpful to you in making a decision: DEATH (Crow)

In this position, the Death card suggests change -- an end and a beginning. It points to the fact that life is made up of cycles: birth, life, death, and rebirth. The crow is black, the color of night -- but it is out of black darkness of night that the new day is born. This card indicates that something "new" is needed. Something old and outworn needs to be set aside so that something new can be born. Does this mean you should end the relationship? Not necessarily. You must also consider the possibility that the relationship can be improved if both of you are willing to make changes and discard behaviors, attitudes, or circumstances that are no longer useful or beneficial. It is clear, however, that the relationship will probably not thrive if things remain the way they are

It is my hope that the insight gained through this reading will help you make decisions and take action in line with your best interests. Always remember that your future lies in your hands.

Is She Being Truthful? A Sample Reading.

A sample reading using 

The Animals Divine Tarot

by Lisa Hunt

(Llewellyn Worldwide)

QUESTION

“Is T---- being truthful with me about what she wants with me?
What is my future with this woman,
and will she ever love me?"

ANSWER

I don’t want to disappoint you, but I need to let you know that I cannot read people’s minds or tell you what they are feeling. Also, I do not predict the future or "tell fortunes." Your future is not predetermined. You and T---- have free will, and are constantly making decisions and choices that affect your future. What I can do is ask the cards what you need to understand about your relationship with T----. For your 3-card reading, I am using the Animals Divine Tarot. Below are the positional definitions I used, the cards I drew into those positions, and my interpretations.

Position 1. Situation: EIGHT OF WANDS (reversed) - the Ant

This card suggests confusion and delays, lack of cooperation, and failure to maintain individuality. This looks like a one-sided situation to me. It doesn't seem like you and T---- are on the same page, singing from the same songbook, or whatever expression you choose to employ to indicate two people who are not progressing toward the same goal. 

Position 2. Challenge: TWO OF PENTACLES (reversed) - the Panda

The challenge is to achieve a balance between seemingly opposing choices. You seem to be between a rock and a hard place (sorry -- these expressions just keep coming to me, and they actually seem to be appropriate!) Making a sacrifice or compromise now may or may not result in a more harmonious situation in the future. You can't tell right now. That's the dilemma.

Position 3. Opportunity: TWO OF WANDS (reversed) - the Dragonfly

This is another card referencing a choice (the number Two). You have the opportunity to see past potential illusions and choose how you will direct your energies. You are being encouraged to flow with your intuition and make a decision based on your gut instinct. Don't be deceived by appearances or what may seem immediately attractive. Look at how things might evolve in the long term and plan carefully.

The way you have phrased your questions tells me that you already suspect that T---- is not being truthful. The cards do not seem to dispute that suspicion. Only you can decide what you want, who you want to be, and where you want to go -- with or without T----. I have known people in relationships who are aware that they are being deceived, yet they want to be with the other person so much, they are willing to accept that. 

As I said above, I cannot read T----'s mind and I do not predict the future. I can only hope that the insight provided by this reading will help you make choices and decisions in line with your best interests. Always remember that your future is in your hands.