Welcome to #MagicMondays! Every Monday, I will post an article exploring All Things Witch. I often receive texts about witchy practices and answer emails about symbols and talk ritual over shared meals. I decided to compile all that knowledge into one place and share the hell out of it. I am currently drawing tarot cards on Instagram for the rest of October if you want to follow @flashreads for #dailydraws. I also offer tarot readings for $25 – $75 sliding scale out of my home in PHL or over video. I love giving tarot readings so if you are interested, we can set up something IRL or on video chat. We are all capable of magic because magic is within us! Now let’s get to work!
I hope the witching season was kind to you! Did you instantly feel the effects of the New Moon Solar Eclipse in Scorpio on Nov 3? Or perhaps you are still deep within her energetic field? Likely we are all experiencing the ripples of this astrological event because of its intensity and at this particular time of year. In brief, the new moon was also a solar eclipse which only amplifies the impact of rebirth and regeneration associated with this moon phase. In the sign of Scorpio, while the Sun, Mercury (retrograde until the 10th), and Saturn rest there too, this is precisely about rebirths and regenerations of some deep shit in our lives, as Scorpio is symbolized by the phoenix from the flames or a snake shedding skin. It’s time to go deep into the darkness and let go of what negative or shadow forces you carry there. Scorpio’s potency now will likely clarify issues of money, deeply felt emotions, control, addictions and mysteries or discrepancies in relationships. Change is imminent. Truths are unfolding. The stars just want to remind you that only you can write the narrative of your life. Here are some links from some of my favorite astro-experts on this subject:
Cafe Astrology This Week in Astrology
Mystic Mamma: Solar Eclipse New Moon
Like astrology, Tarot is used as a tool for divination. Reading cards can be helpful for navigating astrological moments, answering personal questions or checking in spiritually with an aspect of your life. It is believed that variations of Tarot emerged prior to the 14th century in Egypt. Cards arose in Europe shortly thereafter. The first documented decks were created in Northern Italy by 1450. The word “tarot” is believed to be derived from the Italian word “tarocchi” which has no referent in English. The first intention of the decks were purely for the game, whose rules were similar to something played on what we know as a deck of playing cards today. By the 18th century, tarot became associated with mysticism and magic. This interpretation of the game is what we understand to be tarot today. The cards each relay a particular point in a narrative or journey, like in telling a story. This is depicted with signs and symbols that relate to the story or meaning of the card. It is understood that the narrative is about the Fool, the first card in the deck, 0. In some interpretations the Fool is a Christ-figure. In the purpose of many witches’ work, the Fool is the soul (or you) who follows your own particular path through life. Each teaching point on that path is outlined by the Major Arcana, cards 0-21 in the deck. The particularities of that narrative or lesson are detailed by the pip cards, or the Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana consists of 4 sets of 14 cards which align with the four elements: Fire, Water, Air, Earth. These include:
Keys/Wands/Clubs – The fire, energy, and talents suit
Bottles/Cups/Hearts – The emotions, feelings, and love suit
Feathers/Swords/Spades – The communication, feeling your feelings vs. saying them suit
Bones/Pentacles/Disks/Coins/Diamonds – The wealth, work, and support suit
In total there are 78 cards to know. Each has a certain point in the story to tell. When you lay the cards in a spread, you interpret the signs and symbols on the card as well as the position of the card in the reading. It’s a journey in and of itself to get to know all 78!
I’ve always heard you should be gifted a deck, do you believe that?
Nope. I think tarot is deeply transformative experience and you should personally connect with your deck. Often that means buying a deck by and for yourself. It’s important to like the way the cards feels in your hands, to take comfort in the size and to recognize the signs and symbols. If you think someone understands you enough to get you a deck, by all means try it! What a nice gift! I just know that for me, my best decks are the ones I got for myself because they spoke to me in some way that just made sense. After all, your intuition is the first tool you’ll need to access with your new deck in hand. Choose one that calls to you.
What the best way to get to know your deck?
Hold the cards in your hands a lot. Feel them. Touch each one and look at the signs and symbols. A good way to order the deck to reset their energy is to follow: Major Arcana, then the suits Fire, Water, Air, Earth. When I first began tarot, I read one card a day. If I felt particularly insightful, I pulled 3, indicating Past Present Future or Mind Body Soul. These short reads became helpful to tease out more meaning from the cards. Keeping notes about your readings helps you remember card meanings. It’s good to safeguard the cards by wrapping them when you aren’t using them. You can cleanse their energy by saging the cards, placing a dish of salt on the deck or holding them in meditation as you imagine white light shining from the sky to your cards. Keep using them. Open your intuitive channels and write the story of your life with help from this divination tool.