Samhain Spirits Spread 2022

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 & 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: 

THREE OF WANDS (Fair Brow)

In the Italian fairy tale “Fair Brow,” a young man paid the debts of a dead man to assure a proper burial. The message in this story, as described by Lisa Hunt, is the importance of communication and cooperation with others, which could lead to new enterprises. It is this spirit of communication and cooperation with others that dances around and around me on this Samhain.

(2) This Spirit brings a hidden memory: 

THE HIGH PRIESTESS (Enchantress-Sibyl)

The Sibyl “interweaves the energies of past lives and future events.” She encourages me to listen to my inner voice and intuition, to access my inner wisdom through a hidden memory as I prepare to continue along my path.

(3) This Spirit carries a light in the distance: 

EIGHT OF CUPS (Der Schimmelreiter)

There is a sense here that I may be refusing to accept the inevitability of something, refusing to move on, lingering where there is no reason or purpose to doing so. This Spirit carries a light in the distance that I may turn and focus on that light and move towards it.

 

(4) This Spirit waits for me on the bridge: 

THE HERMIT (Dryads)

As described by Lisa Hunt, the dryads “are one with the trees and elements. They participate in the mysteries of the forest and feel connected to the organic matter that is swirling with magical energy.” This is the Spirit that waits for me on the bridge – a Spirit that beckons to me to enter the forest and spend some time in seclusion, where I can release the clutter and debris my mind has accumulated, so that I may acquire new clarity and vision.

(5) This Spirit passes by the bridge and me: 

SEVEN OF PENTACLES (Canterville Ghost)

In spite of his efforts to frighten away a family at Canterville Chase, the Canterville Ghost was unable to scare them away. The only famly member to take him seriously was 15-year-old Virginia.  It was Virginia who eventually helped the ghost find salvation and peace. This Spirit passes by the bridge and me, moving on at last to a better place. The traditional 7 of Pentacles card often refers to pausing to assess and evaluate everything we have accomplished, and perhaps to decide that we have done our best and accomplished all that we can. 

I do love that The Hermit and The High Priestess, two of my favorite Major Arcana cards, both make an appearance in this Samhain Spirits reading. The cards (and Spirits) have given me much to contemplate. 

Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain to all!

A Poetic Reading for All Hallows Eve 2021

 A few years ago, I shared “A Poetic Reading for All Hallows Eve” based on some rhyming lines that I wrote. I thought it would be fun to do this reading for 2021 using The Forgotten Tarot by Siri Soderblom.

Here are the rhyming lines (positional definitions):

Something that stands on the threshhold

Something that waits within

Something I need to banish

Something I need to let in

Something I need not fear

Something I need to begin

The layout looks like this:

……1…….

2………..3

4………..5

…….6

(1) Something that stands on the threshhold: THREE OF CUPS

I love seeing this card here, as it typically signifies camaraderie, celebration, and joy shared. The photo reminds me of myself and my two closest friends from elementary school on through high school. We are still in touch, interacting on Facebook. I feel this card may also be alerting me to avoid a falling out or miscommunication between close friends and myself.

(2) Something that waits within: KNIGHT OF CUPS

With Cups being the suit of emotions and intuition, it makes sense that a Cups card would be “something that waits within.” This could refer to the most desirable qualities of this Knight, such as intuitiveness, imagination, charisma, and kindness, or it could be a caution that perhaps some of his less-appealing qualities “wait within,” such as immaturity, moodiness, jealousy, or a disconnection from reality.

(3) Something I need to banish: QUEEN OF SWORDS

I love that the suit of “Swords” (Air) in this deck is represented by a fountain pen (“the pen is mightier than the sword”). This Queen will not take kindly to the idea that she should be “banished” – but it is really her most unhelpful or negative qualities that need to be discarded, such as a tendency to be cutting or cruel, to suppress or bottle emotions, and being too wrapped up in other people’s emotions. There is a feeling of deep sorrow associated with this Queen, and I may need to explore how that applies to me. (I don’t know about you, but this image reminds me a bit of “Miss Gulch” in The Wizard of Oz…)

(4) Something I need to let in: PAGE OF SWORDS

In contrast with the Queen of Swords, the Page reaches for the sky, awash in new thoughts and ideas. He is optimistic and exhilerated, ready to expect the best of everyone and everything. This fresh, new way of looking at things or approaching things is something I need to “let in.”

(5) Something I need not fear: THE WORLD

“I need not fear The World.” That’s one heck of a sentence, with some pretty profound implications. In any case, The World represents a major turning point in life, the end of one phase or stage and the beginning of a new phase or stage. The World can also represent a sense that “all things are possible” or the end of a period of difficulty.

(6) Something I need to begin: THE MOON

As a Major Arcana card (like The World), The Moon indicates something significant or far-reaching in my life that I need to begin. To me, The Moon suggests that I need to begin to see things more clearly than I have before, to illuminate deep areas of myself so that I can perhaps see something in a new way. The Moon is always one of my favorite cards in any deck, so I tend to get a positive vibe from the card, even though it can represent illusions, ignorance, or fear of the unknown. 

Samhain Spirits Spread 2020

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 Ghost Tarot by Davide Corsi (Lo Scarabeo) 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: THE HIEROPHANT / The Sustenance of Faith

Although I have trouble picturing the guy on this card “dancing around and around,” it’s not hard to imagine “faith” doing that. Faith is hard to pin down, hard to quantify or qualify. It is everywhere around us, yet we cannot see it as it dances through our lives. Different people have faith in different things, and in the Tarot, The Hierophant does often refer to traditional expressions of faith (for example, through organized religion). Yet my experience is not limited to that expression, and I see this card as an affirmation that some expressions of faith are not regimented or limited by the views of historical figures or even by human understanding in general. 

(2) This Spirit brings a hidden memory: KNIGHT OF COINS / The Spirit of the Defender

The Knight brings a hidden memory of patience, careful consideration, and steadiness but also a memory of a time when self-discipline was especially needed. Bringing such a memory into my conscious mind can help me with something I am involved in that is not going as smoothly or moving as quickly as I would like.

(3) This Spirit carries a light in the distance: THE EMPEROR / The Government of Experience

As an experienced leader and unquestioned authority, The Emperor carries a light to help me make my way forward through the days and months to come. I keep my eyes on him as he leads the way.

 

(4) This Spirit waits for me on the bridge: QUEEN OF COINS / The Spirit of the Mother

Waiting for me on the bridge is the Queen of Coins, who protects, nurtures, and nourishes all her children, including me. At the same time, I am asked to fulfill her role towards others or perhaps even myself.

(5) This Spirit passes by the bridge and me: FIVE OF CHALICES

It is fitting that the Five of Chalices passes by the bridge and me, as its meaning often points to the need to let things go, set them (and myself) free, and move on. I am encouraged to contemplate what things I need to abandon in order to start anew.

 

The dominant elemental energy in this collection of cards is Earth – representing the material, physical world. I may benefit from focusing my attention on matters such as finances, health, and work – on the aspects of my life that offer security, stability, and continuity. With The Hierophant dancing around and around, the Knight of Coins bringing a hidden memory, The Emperor carrying a light in the distance, the Queen of Coins waiting for me on the bridge, and the Five of Chalices passing by the bridge and me, I have much to consider and evaluate at this significant time of the year.

 

Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain to all!

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!

A Poetic Reading for All Hallows Eve

I decided to write some rhyming lines that, for me, evoke the spirit of Halloween:

Something that stands on the threshold

Something that waits within

Something I need to banish

Something I need to let in

Something I need not fear

Something I need to begin

I am pulling a card for each line/position. The layout looks like this:

……1…….

2………..3

4………..5

6

I am using Black Cats Tarot by Maria Kurara (Lo Scarabeo).

(1) Something that stands on the threshold 

QUEEN OF SWORDS

The energy I typically pick up from this Queen is that of mental clarity, decisiveness, and intellect balanced with emotions. Her less desirable traits might include being critical (including self-critical) and harshly judgmental. If this Queen is “standing on the threshold,” she wants me to pay attention to those characteristics and ways in which I might be influenced by them (or people who exhibit them).

(2) Something that waits within

QUEEN OF PENTACLES

To say that this Queen “waits within” suggests that I already embody her characteristics, which include a desire to nurture (including self-nurture), generosity, and a down-to-earth, resourceful nature. Less desirable characteristics might include a tendency to be overly focused on the material world, overly concerned about my health, or insensitive and stubborn. These traits wait for me to enlist them as I choose.

(3) Something I need to banish

STRENGTH

I need to banish any effort to use cruelty or force to “tame” or control the “lion” – the instinctual aspects of my nature, the passion or “life-force” that some might feel the need to repress or suppress in order to appear “civilized.” Instead, I need to seek balance and integration between instinct-passion and intellect, and to do so with quiet courage and inner fortitude.

(4) Something I need to let in

THE HANGED MAN

I need to “let in” a completely different perspective or way of looking at things, to give myself time to pause and reflect, to be still and wait and watch. I need to “let in” the spirit that encourages me to question and challenge preconceived ideas or beliefs and perceptions foisted upon me by others. I need to “let in and let go.”

(5) Something I need not fear

TEN OF SWORDS

In the Black Cats Tarot, this card does not depict the typical character with ten swords sticking out of his back. Instead, we see a cat considering whether to go through a door. He is on the brink of attaining what he has always desired, but is overwhelmed by fear. I need not fear taking the next step, moving forward through the door to embrace whatever awaits. From outside, it appears that the door opens on a stone-brick wall barricaded with swords – but that image is the product of fear. In order to find out what is actually on the other side of the door, I must go through.

(6) Something I need to begin

FIVE OF SWORDS

I need to begin a battle or fight – probably within myself – between conflicting ideas, thoughts, or perspectives. For too long, perhaps, I have been complacent, allowing the “strongest” of the competitors to be in charge without challenge. It is time to push back.

Samhain Spirits Spread 2016

[Samhain is pronounced sah-win]

I really enjoyed doing this spread last year at this time, 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 at this link.

This year, I am using the Ghost Tarot by Davide Corsi (Lo Scarabeo). 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

KING OF PENTACLES

Well, I have to say if I were going to list possible cards that might “dance around and around,” the King of Pentacles would probably not be one of them! He strikes me as stable, steady, and secure. I think of the planet Saturn when I see this card, a “father” symbol with an energy similar to this King. However, perhaps at Samhain this Spirit of the Father – provider and caretaker – lets loose and kicks up his heels for a change. Good for him!

(2) This Spirit brings a hidden memory

TWO OF SWORDS

This hidden memory seems to involve conflict but also negotiation and taking different viewpoints into consideration. The spirit on this card seems to stand on her toes atop a body of water, splashing the water but not sinking into it. This hidden memory involves a time of reliance on intellect or rationality, of touching the surface of deeper emotions but not surrendering to them.

(3) This Spirit carries a light in the distance

JUDGMENT

With Judgment representing “In the End, the Beginning” the light this spirit carries could be seen as “the light at the end of the tunnel.” Although something is ending, something else is being born as I move toward the light.

(4) This Spirit waits for me on the bridge

EIGHT OF SWORDS

For this card, the booklet for this deck says: “Freedom is born from within.” The spirit is blindfolded and her hands are bound, but the wings on her shoulders tell us that once she removes the restrictions and hindrances that constrain her, there is no limit to the places she can go or the things she can experience. She waits for me to cast off whatever I have allowed to blind or bind me and take flight with her.

(5) This Spirit passes by the bridge and me

FIVE OF CUPS

The spirit on this card raises his hand in farewell as he passes by the bridge and me. He represents emotions that need to be released, set free, or abandoned if I am to experience the freedom of flying with the angel from the Eight of Swords. Three cups lie on the ground, empty, but two remain upright. These I will carry forward on my journey.

Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain to all!

Samhain Spirits Spread

Samhain Spirits Spread

[Samhain is pronounced sah-win]

To set the stage for this seasonal spread, 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 at _this link_.

Fittingly, I think, I am using the Ghosts and Spirits Tarot by Lisa Hunt (U.S. Games Systems, Inc.) for this reading. 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

FIVE OF CUPS

A handsome knight named Guntram dances around and around with his bride, the corpse of a castle owner’s daughter who seduced him when he took shelter in the castle [_The Legend of Falkenburg_]. The daughter slipped a ring on Guntram’s finger before revealing herself as a corpse. Even though Guntram hastened back home to marry his true love, the beautiful Liba, that marriage could not be. The ghost-bride materialized at the wedding, and Guntram embraced Liba as he lay dying. Their dance is a sad one for Guntram, as he can only seem to focus on what he has lost. I must confess, I might do the same if I were in his shoes. Fortunately, I am not in his shoes, and I choose not to focus on what I have lost.

(2) This Spirit brings a hidden memory

EIGHT OF SWORDS

_The Flying Dutchman_ sails into my mind, bringing a memory of a time when I felt a loss of control in a difficult situation, primarily due to my own stubbornness and refusal to see a way out. He invites me to hop aboard his ship, to live in that memory forever. I must decline.

(3) This Spirit carries a light in the distance

SIX OF SWORDS

The Babylonian demi-god hero Gilgamesh holds a light in the distance, as if beckoning me to follow him along the path he travels. He reaches out to his friend Enkidu after summoning his ghost from the grave to ask him about death. I need to think and reflect on my journey thus far, and consider where I want to go before moving forward.

(4) This Spirit waits for me on the bridge

TEN OF CUPS

Perfect. The ghosts of people from around the world gather on the bridge to receive honor from their descendants. The living and the dead join together through merriment, feasts, dances, rituals and parties. It is indeed the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos), and those who have passed over wait on the bridge for me to celebrate with them, to remember them, and to experience their presence while the veil is thin between worlds.

(5) This Spirit passes by the bridge and me

PAGE OF WANDS

The ghost of a girl known as Acheri descends from the mountains, passing by the bridge and me on her way into the valley. I watch her pass, knowing that she brings disease and devastation. In Native American folklore, it is said that she flies through the valleys at night spreading a shadow of illness over sleeping children. She respects all who wear the color red, and children are given necklets of this color to protect them. My challenge is to try to understand the message this Spirit has for me this Samhain season. What is the story she wants me to hear? How can her message benefit me or help me assist others?