#samhaintarot

Happy Halloween and Samhain’s Greetings! I created a spread in honor of the holiday called The Gravekeeper. I shall be premiering this spread at @kindredbrewing tonight for Kreep Fest!

While friends and family were over on Samhain Eve, sitting and chatting of our loved ones and of every topic under the sun, I was shuffling my deck I use for public readings. At one point, my neighbor suddenly told me to stop shuffling and pull a card for the group. This is what came out: Major Arcana XIII The Death The Death symbolizes the ending of a cycle, an ever-changing and rotating aspect of life. It is a very fitting card to pull on Samhain, and each of us in the group felt its power and appreciated its lesson. We must learn to let go of things and to change accordingly, or we will never grow. It is not a sad or depressing card- sometimes it might be filled with anger, but whatever the negative emotion, we are capable of letting it go, letting it pass into the old year as we move forward into the new.

Samhain Tarot Spread by marigoldwitch here on Tumblr- first, thank you for the layout. It is wonderfully done.

Reading for Samhain Eve, 10-31-18/11-1-18 Cloudy, last quarter moon

General inquiry

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The Past, or what you’ve learned: 3 of Wands There has been a positive pattern of progression for you, and much of what you’ve started has been successfully undertaken, though it is far from finished. You have seen the completion of the first needed steps in these endeavors, and your initial goals have been realized. The 3 Wands symbolizes progress and planning, and the potential forward-moving energy needed to continue being successful. Correspondences: Aries, March 31- April 10; it was around this time the past year when I was in the process of changing programs in graduate school. Reflection on the past year: The last year has certainly been one of constant movement and an inundation of projects. In education, I have made the decision to change programs and delve into what truly makes me happy as a historian and writer/researcher. I’ve revitalized my nonfiction writing and put more work into that aspect of my creativity. I have not regretted any moment of it, though it has certainly been difficult with everything else. Related to both education and work, I began a new assistantship, technically for the second time, the first being about four years ago. I began working part-time as a paid intern at my local archives, which is in line with what I want to build my career upon. Positive changes moving forward there. In my personal time and creativity, I’ve successfully completed four novel-length manuscripts of fiction and fantasy novels. Although these are only in the early draft stages, I feel the accomplishment of having written the stories from start to finish. As the 3 Wands indicates, initial goals have been realized in all these aspects of my life, but yet still more must be done for the endeavors to be completed to the end.

The Future in Love: Ace of Pentacles Like with all Aces, the Ace of Pentacles indicates new beginnings, the start of something new. The suit of pentacles is related to the body and physical nature, career, finances, and sometimes education. To see this card in this position confuses me somewhat, as this position relates to love and relationships within the reading. As the position is a future one, this card indicates there will be a new start of something coming- that I am destined for major gain, whether financial, emotional, or personal. Reflection on recent events: I have never had luck with relationship or love focused readings. The cards almost never give me anything to work with in that sector of my life. No matter how hard I try! I have always said how much I love my work, and I do, though lately this has been less the case than ever. I am hoping this card indicates good fortune and a renewed love for the work that I do, but my romantic heart hopes that perhaps there is something in store for me in the romance department, as well. As the Ace is the symbol of new beginnings, as well as represented by the earth element and their associated zodiac signs, I am wishing for something very specific to come out of this. I am very happy to see this card in the love section, and for being a card not generally related to romance, it is a positive one to see here. Hopefully this will bring good news if I can survive Venus retrograde and the immediately following Mercury retrograde!

The Future in Work: 5 of Cups At least this card did not show up in love! The 5 Cups is one of the more negative cards in the deck, representing extreme emotional disappointment. Like with most negative cards, however, there is the theme of future hope. There will be a period of regret and betrayal, and you will feel as if your emotions are completely out of control. Associated with Scorpio, Oct 23 - Nov 2; it is fitting this card appeared when it did, although it indicates to me a much more present-tense reading than that of future-tense. At least, I hope it’s more present than future because frankly I can’t handle another year of this depressive period concerning my workplace, not when I’ve been in a job for more than 5 years and have loved it up to this year. Reflection on recent events: This past year I experienced this very exact thing; around Jan-Feb I had a falling out with a close work colleague, and while we’ve been acting as if it never happened, it still follows me in the back of my mind. Take into consideration the constant changing of management causing no end of disruptions and changing, I can’t keep up. I have been feeling betrayed by other work colleagues, not in a direct or underhanded sense, I truly feel like most of them do not realize how their actions are affecting me, and I understand that it is as much my responsibility as anything. However I’m not a confrontational person, and would just rather let everyone else do their thing and deal with my emotions on my own. Yesterday I had a breakdown at work, hiding in the back office where no one would see me, for about an hour or so. It was hard to deal with, because as much as I’ve always truly loved my job, it has become more work than fun, and I’m not sure how to deal with it. In this way, I sincerely hope this card is less future of work and more present mindset. I want things to get better, because I want to love my job again.

The Present, or what you’re learning: IV The Emperor The only Major Arcana to appear in this reading, which normally would indicate the presence of major outside forces are not as strong, however, the number symbology makes me rethink this. The Emperor is the fourth Major Arcana, and its position in the fourth position of this layout doubles the strength of its meaning. The Emperor is often represents financial stability, ambition, authority, and achievement. Decisions are being made more on facts than by emotions, and promises progress for business and career matters. You are in a good position to achieve your goals. This card appears opposite the past- in which the goals are being created and worked on, through to the present tense when the goals may still not have been completed but it shows me I am on the right track, that the decisions I’ve made in the past are coming to fruition and I have made the right choices for me when I needed to do so. This card also represents a powerful masculine influence. Reflection on the current situation: Frankly, the powerful masculine influence hits me the most right now, as in recent months such an influence has made an appearance in my life, specifically through work. His support has been exceedingly wonderful in helping me with the problems I’m facing at work as well as other personal matters. Removed from its association with a person, however, I am really happy to see this card where it is. It reassures me that I’m doing what I need to be doing as I need to be doing it.

The Future Self: 6 of Wands Wands play an influential role in this reading, and I love the numerological sequence from 3 of Wands in the beginning to 6 of Wands in the end. (I love picking apart the numbers in Tarot, if you haven’t noticed). Once again we see a card heavy with achievement- but specifically, the recognition of achievement. You’ve been working hard, wondering if your efforts would pay off, and you will see that recognition soon. You will feel a sense of satisfaction and furthermore, others will be pleased for you. This type of success is well-deserved and you have every right to feel pleased with your efforts so far. This means all the projects you have begun and have been working towards will be realized in the coming year if you continue to work hard. This card is in Leo, from Aug 2 to Aug 11, so perhaps I should mark that on my calendar! Reflection on the future: While I am not on track to finish my graduate program in the coming year, I will be nearing its completion. I will also be nearing the completion of my assistantship in the coming year, and with any luck, a relationship I’ve been hoping to cultivate will be solidified. I am a very impatient person, but I’ve been trying to learn how to go slow at tasks, and it is downright infuriating. I’m a Gemini! I need movement! I need change! I need constant stimulation! I’m learning from a very earthy person how to be slow and steady. It’s hard, but not impossible. In the creativity sector, I’m nearing the completion of one of my many manuscripts, and it is my hope and goal to begin sending out inquiries for publication in the following year. I am very happy to see the 6 Wands here- it is not without hard work, but it makes me feel as if my hard work will pay off, and gives me hope that it’s not all in vain.