Loved One on the Other Side - Tarot Reading

Today I’m doing a reading that I came across on Jeanne Mayell’s website at https://www.jeannemayell.com/

This spread is designed to explore a possible connection with a loved one who has passed on. It's called _LOVED ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE_.

It seems appropriate to use David Corsi’s Ghost Tarot (Lo Scarabeo) for this reading.

Jeanne Mayell does not provide a layout, so I decided to use a simple “diamond” shape, as follows:

…………….1………………

2……………………………3

………….…4………………

(1) How is my loved one doing?
(2) Anything my loved one wants to say to me.
(3) What's it like on the other side?
(4) How can I best support you?

Let’s begin…

(1) How is my loved one doing?

THE CHARIOT: I get the sense here that my loved one is moving forward towards a destination. I am not certain if he is the driver of the chariot or a passenger, though. The driver guides the horses along the road, sure and steady. This is such an interesting image. The “death coach” is part of the folklore of north western Europe. It is particularly strong in Ireland but is also found in British and American culture. It is said to warn of imminent death or, in some cases, to collect the souls of the dead.

(2) Anything my loved one wants to say to me.

TEN OF SWORDS: There are thoughts, conflicts, and perceptions that I need to release, to let go. I may need to even “let myself go” in the sense of focusing less on my own anxieties and insecurities. My loved one has let go of his earthly form and existence, and perhaps I need to release some of the things that tie me down or limit what I can do and what I can be.

(3) What's it like on the other side?

THE LOVERS: On the other side there is union and harmony. I get the sense here that those who have passed make choices or decisions about where they will go and what they will be on the other side.

(4) How can I best support my loved one?

THE STARS: I can look towards the sky and keep hope always in my heart. I can seek the world of the spirit, of “the heavens,” to maintain a link to my loved one and to all who have gone before me.  In a way, it is strange to think about “supporting” someone who has passed, but that is what we need to do in order to smooth the way for them – as opposed to refusing to let them go or causing them unrest with our attitudes and actions.

This is a compelling group of cards, with three from the Major Arcana – appropriate when dealing with such a substantial subject. The Ten of Swords also has a lot of meaning and weight here.

Death and Grief Reading for Helen and Mr. White

Today I am sharing a spread I adapted from one that was posted by Barbaras Ahajusts on Aeclectic Tarot Forum back in 2006. I am doing the reading for my dear friend Helen, whose cat Mr. White recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. White when I traveled to Helen’s home in Australia a couple of years ago.

Mr. White

Here is the layout, with positional definitions.

.........9........
.....7......8....
.....5......6....
.........4.........
.........3.........
.....1......2.....

1. Mr. White
2. Helen
3. What united them?
4. Under which sign did their union stand?
5. What is now gone?
6. What remains for Helen as the gift of their union?
7. Which force is protecting and accompanying her during this period?
8. Which force accompanies Mr. White?
9. Which force helps Helen to let go and to keep going, gives her new courage, and benefits her?

I am using the Cat’s Eye Tarot by Debra M. Givin, DVM (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)

1. Mr. White

NINE OF SWORDS (Worry, Guilt, Anguish)

This card does seem to relate to Mr. White’s life for some time before he crossed the Rainbow Bridge, as he was in poor health and it had been decided that there was nothing else that could be done for him. We can’t know what he experienced for certain, but it is not hard to imagine a state of worry or anxiety might have accompanied his illness and approaching death. An animal knows when things are not right in his physical body. Cats are quite stoic. Their instinct is to maintain a strong appearance to keep a possible predator from seeing any weakness. We would not necessarily see any obvious indication of worry or anguish.

2. Helen

THE SUN (Enlightenment, Greatness, Vitality, Assurance)

Even though she mourns the loss of Mr. White, Helen embraces and expresses the Sun’s positive qualities. She feels sorrow and loss, but is not devastated beyond repair. The core of her bright personality and warm nature are still strong. She knows that the sun will shine again even after the darkest, stormiest night.

3. What united them?

EIGHT OF WANDS (Quick Action, Conclusion, News)

What we see in this card is not simply “quick action” but a mother cat saving her kittens from a fire. It is Helen’s nurturing, “mothering” quality towards Mr. White that united them, along with her desire and willingness to help him with his health issues as much as she could, for as long as she could.

4. Under which sign did their union stand?

TEN OF SWORDS (Bottoming Out, Victim Mentality, Martyrdom)

I wonder if perhaps this points to a situation or circumstances that Mr. White was in before coming to live with Helen? Perhaps he was a stray or neglected in some way. Another possibility is that the card refers to ways in which Helen lifted Mr. White out of a bad state or what would have been a hard life had she not been involved.

5. What is now gone?

THE STAR (Hope, Inspiration, Generosity, Serenity)

It is true that with Mr. White’s passing, we do see an end to hopes and wishes for his recovery. This would have been especially keen as his passing drew nearer and became unavoidable. It is also true that whatever inspiration or serenity that Mr. White brought to Helen while he was alive is now gone or, at the very least, changed to a different form.

6. What remains for Helen as the gift of their union?

TEN OF CUPS (Joy, Peace, Family)

This is where we see that the loss of “The Star” is temporary, as Helen retains a beautiful gift of her union with Mr. White – fond memories of experiences and perhaps even an otherwordly connection that transcends physical existence.

7. Which force is protecting and accompanying her during this period?

SEVEN OF PENTACLES (Affluence, Permanence, Convention)

This card conveys a sense of security, stability, and well-being, the fact that Helen continues to live her life much as she did before Mr. White departed. She still has much in her life that brings her joy and contentment.

8. Which force accompanies Mr. White?

FIVE OF CUPS (Loss, Bereavement, Regret)

I think this is about the separation of Mr. White from Helen, a loss that they both felt (and still feel) keenly. We cannot know what Mr. White feels or experiences on the other side, but I don’t find it impossible to believe that there is a remnant of sorrow or regret that remains with the spirit of one who passes on. I have no trouble believing that Mr. White misses Helen, just as she misses him.

9. Which force helps Helen to let go and to keep going, gives her new courage, and benefits her?

QUEEN OF SWORDS (Honest, Astute, Forthright, Witty, Experienced)

Well, it is very interesting to me that the Queen of Swords is often interpreted as a woman who has experienced loss and grief but remains strong, allowing her experience to further strengthen her. If we pair this with The Sun (position 2, above), we get a picture of someone who can weather loss and disappointment and emerge with dignity and grace intact, and wisdom gained.

------------------------------------

HELEN'S RESPONSE TO THE READING

Thank you for this reading Zanna, all the cards express my relationship with my lovely boy. The Ten of Swords is spot on, Mr. White was abandoned and not in a very good state when I took him in. Of his 16 years he has spent 10 of those with me. The pain of losing him is great as he spent a lot of time by my side, but I know that as your cards express, in time the pain will dull and the memories will make me smile again. 
~ Helen

Death and Grief Reading

I recently experienced the death of a dear friend and colleague of many years. Her funeral is today.

In her honor, I am sharing a spread I adapted from one that was posted by Barbaras Ahajusts on Aeclectic Tarot Forum back in 2006. I hope this provides an example of how Tarot readings can help us cope with death and grief in our lives.

I am using Tarot of the Spirit by Pamela and Joyce Eakins (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.)






Death and Grief Spread
(my version)

.........9........
.....7......8....
.....5......6....
.........4.........
.........3.........
.....1......2.....

1. The deceased:

EARTH MOTHER (Queen of Pentacles)

How true this is! My friend and colleague was a mother-figure to so many people, including and especially (of course) her own children. She mentored younger colleagues (and me, even though we were close to the same age), and her compassion, creativity, and joy in life were noticed by everyone who encountered her.

2. I (the bereaved):  

TEMPERANCE

An interesting draw, considering that this is the card associated with my Sun sign, Sagittarius. I really like what Pamela Eakins writes about this card: "The trials and temptations you currently experience will lead you toward integration, the 'middle way,' the path of moderation." That is a very accurate portrayal of how I have become the person I am. This card also suggests spiritual (inner) growth and "a period of profound realization."

3. What united us?  

WATER BROTHER (Knight of Cups)

Indeed, I believe we were linked through subconscious influences that brought us into a heart-to-heart relationship. The connection was deep and powerful.

4. Under which sign did our union stand? 

THE HIEROPHANT

I don't know for certain what the creator of this spread meant by "sign" but I am interpreting it as "zodiac sign." In the system I currently use, The Hierophant is linked with the sign Taurus (my Moon sign). Taurus is an Earth sign, which suggests an union in the physical, material world. We were brought together initially by our jobs in an institution ("the establishment" sometimes represented by The Hierophant). Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet that rules relationships, love, and appreciation. Venus also rules Libra, my friend's sun sign. The Hierophant is sometimes associated with the astrological 9th House, the house of philosophy and religion (and the house linked with my sun sign, Sagittarius). All of this makes sense to me.

5. What is now gone?

DEATH

How would someone's death mean that "Death" is now gone? I am reminded of the Biblical verse that reads, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" The spectre of death that had hung over my friend since her diagnosis of cancer in April is gone. That threat, that uncertainty about the upcoming transformation is no longer of any concern for her. Her death is over.

6. What remains for me as the gift of our union? 

THE MOON

Here I also find myself turning to the words written by Pamela Eakins about this card: "At your darkest hour, you will find that you hold your own light. . . Shedding light on your fears will propel you toward self-understanding, strength and self-confidence. Through this process you will heal and move forward into happiness."

7. Which force is protecting and accompanying me during this period? 

THE HANGED MAN

The force that protects and accompanies me during this period is the power of retreat, withdrawal, and contemplation. I am called to enter a meditative state in which I will experience the silence I need to see and hear deeper truths.

8. Which force accompanies the deceased? 

SEVEN OF WIND

Titled "Many Tongues" in this deck, this card represents the importance of letting go of old systems or things in which you once believed. As the winds of change sweep over and through my friend, her spirit will learn to express itself in a new language and in new ways.

Edited to add: How interesting that the following lines were sung at my friend's funeral:

"Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above..."
(from the hymn Come Thou Font of Every Blessing by Robert Robinson)

Not only that, my friend loved animals, especially reptiles. During the funeral service, her husband shared more than one anecdote about her involving snakes.

9. Which force helps me to let go and to keep going, gives me new courage, and benefits me? 

THE SUN

A powerful force indeed, The Sun illuminates my path as I enter a new stage of life, one that my friend does not share. Unlike some Sun cards, this one has two people on it, holding hands. I feel this refers to a connection between my friend and me at a high level, under the Sun's brilliant light.

I am awed by the power and significance of these cards. I feel that the large number of Major Arcana cards (6 of the 9 cards) reinforces my belief that my friend and I had a soul mate or past life connection. The reading is a comfort to me. It helped me express thoughts and feelings, enabling me to come to terms with my loss.