Candle Part Two

Earlier in the week, I took part in the first Tarot Blog Hop.  Jumping from post to post, there were so many interesting ideas and spreads, as well as moving takes on the subject of How to be a Better Candle.  I just couldn't resist trying out some of the spreads for myself.  The one that called to me most was Barbara Moore's Imbolc Spread.   I decided to stick with the Watcher Angel Tarot for this spread, as it speaks to me, and as it was the deck I worked with for the Blog Hop.

1) Purify: what I need to wash away, let go of, or make right - XX - Judgment - Archangel Michael.

Ha, as soon as I turned this card over it made perfect sense to me.  Last week in my video reading with this deck, I got the King of Swords as the action to avoid, and I see these two cards being closely related.  I need to stop judging myself, to stop seeing the world and my actions in a very logical, rational and critical way. 

In the Watcher Angel Tarot, the author (Michelle Belanger) chose Michael for the Judgment card because, as she says, sometimes we need spirit to let us know that we need to get back on the right path.  So, perhaps I need to do a meditation on Archangel Michael and ask him to help me cut the ties that are holding me to patterns I no longer want.  Rather than just feeling bad about these things, I need to ask for help in clearing them away. 

2. Prepare: what I can focus on and re-establish (or strengthen) in my life and that will serve me in months ahead - IV - The Emperor - Azazel.

Again, this is a bit of a *d'oh* card.  To prepare myself for the future I need to do some planning, to create structures which support me in making the changes I want.  It's all well and good to decide I want to do things differently, but unless I actually set the ground rules, I won't know what to do or be able to assess how I'm doing.

Bringing some Emperor energy, some clarity and structure, to my life, will serve me in the months to come as I try to implement those changes, and live a better, brighter life.

3. Shine: how I can gently shine in my everyday life and that will be of service or inspiration to others - Three of Pentacles - Craftsmanship.

This is a beautiful card, and one I blogged about during the week.  That post was a bit different to my normal writing - I felt transported into the card.  The Three of Pentacles generally has been speaking to me a lot recently.

I feel the need to be more creative, to focus on doing something that honours the Goddess in her imaginative, inventive aspect.  This fits very well with an Imbolc Spread, as it was designed for Brighid's Day, with Brighid being a Goddess of inspiration, of expressing our divine spark.

On a less esoteric note, I am currently reading a book called "Finding Flow" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.  He says that rather than just trying to be happy, we need to engage with life in a way that he calls being in flow.  It's what athletes call being in the zone.  Csikszentmihalyi defines it as those times when we are doing something challenging and enjoyable, when we lose track of time because we are so in the moment.  Being transported into a place of creativity is definitely this kind of flow.  Being thoroughly engaged in something is a great way to break out of negative patterns, and is certainly a way to shine my own gentle light.

So, I need to ask for help in letting go of bad habits, rather than just feeling guilty and stuck.  Planning and setting ground rules for myself which give me a structure for the months to come will stand me in good stead.  And in the everyday, I need to tap into my creativity, producing something that feels worthwhile, that takes some dedication, and that will stimulate and engage me.

I am grateful to Barbara Moore for this simple yet deep spread.

Demeter

This week I will be drawing from my favourite Goddess deck, the Goddess Oracle (U.S. Games, 2006) by Amy-Sophia Marashinsky and Hrana Janto.

For this first draw we meet Demeter.  The story of Demeter and Persephone is well-known: how Persephone was abducted by Hades and how Demeter refused to let the earth grow until her daughter was returned to her.  Demeter represents a mother's love, but also someone whose strong emotions fuel and drive her, who won't give up, and who trusts her instincts.

I love the symbolism here.  Not only does Demeter have corn decorating and growing from her dress to represent her earth mother aspect, but she also holds a pomegranate - allusion to Persephone and the importance of seasons.  She also grasps a flame, a light in the darkness for when she retreated into a cave, refusing to come out until her daughter had been returned to her.  For me, this symbolises the strength of her spirit and passion, but also the need for retreat to connect with our feelings.  Finally, a snake wraps around her neck, symbol of transformation and healing.  When Demeter's emotions were respected she healed the world.

I take this card today as a recommendation to spend some time in silence, getting in contact with my emotions and honouring them.  In the bustle of the work week it can be hard to make time for silent contemplation.  However, the situation yesterday, which I was able to resolve well, reminded me of the importance of meditation.  I vow to meditate today (it'll be the first time this year - slacker!)


I am grateful for the clarity of mind and emotion that comes from meditation.

Weekly Goddess Oracle Reading

Here is another weekly video reading, this time using the Goddess Oracle (U.S. Games, 2006) by Amy-Sophia Marashinsky and Hrana Janto.  Once again, I used the Pathway Spread (Ryan & Matthews, 2011) to look at what energy is coming into our lives and recommendations on what to do about it.  I'll also be blogging with this deck all next week - it's my favourite goddess deck!

Taming Angels

So, it's our last day with the Watcher Angel Tarot (SpiralFire Studio, 2010).  It's a deck I've really gelled with, so don't be suprised if it shows its face again :)

Here we have Strength, represented byTuriel, whose name means Rock of God.  I see the chain here as being very metaphorical - what could chain a strong angel to the earth?  His love of a human woman, her passion and gentleness.  He is naked, indicating his vulnerability, while she wears a diaphonous dres, suggesting seduction.  Still, I am surprised that he looks away from her.  Perhaps, despite the fact that he has allowed himself to be tamed, he still sometimes thinks of all that he could do and be if he stood up and pulled away from her.

And what of the woman.  How does it feel to have subjugated a mighty angel?  Does she worry that her love and gentleness will not always be enough, that his desire will wane?

Today, I need to do some role negotiation, which definitely fits with this card.  I'd also like to get some control over my eating.  One may help with the other, as the role issue has been stressing me out.


I am grateful for the Strength to talk things through.

A Visionary?

As we approach the end of the week, the Watcher Angel Tarot (SpiralFire Studio, 2010) gives us another Court card to examine.

This time it is the turn of the King of Wands, subtitled The Visionary.  There's something about his pose that I don't like, it seems indecorous and arrogant.  All that fiery power and authority, and he treats it so casually.

Yet the keyword gives quite a different, far more positive, perspective on this King.  He is someone with vision: he wields power because others have seen that his ideas work, and that he is confident leading them.

Perhaps I am only uncomfortable with this image because it feels so far from my own experience.  I prefer to work freelance because I dislike others having authority over me, and definitely don't want to be the boss either.

My Dear One can sometimes be a bit of a moral absolutist, and that's something I see in this card, also. So, perhaps today this card is about acknowledging his point of view, accepting that it's how he deals with things, and then figuring out how I can make things okay for me, too.


I am grateful for a man who, while absolutist, is also loving and supportive.