Beltaine: “The Fire Tends to All”
When the topic for this blog-hop round was announced, the Ace of Wands from the Druid Craft Tarot immediately sprang to mind.
“Here, the wand is offered to us from the heart of the sun – the source of creative fire, initiative and energy.” (pg. 44)
Balefire’s were often lit from a fire created especially for the Beltaine celebrations. They were called a “need-fire”. What better source of a “need-fire” than the life-giving, earth warming, burning sun?
The Lord (Emperor) as my cotd message:
You may need to make some unpopular decisions today, but you know what has to be done, when and how. You see the bigger picture where your naysayer’s cannot. No one said it was going to be easy or fun.
I decided to take it a bit further and drew two cards to answer the question, “what area or way, will I be called on to possibly make an unpopular decision or otherwise make my position clear?” and turned up the Three of Wands and the Four of Wands for my answer.
The Three of Wands I see quite often where enterprise and business are concerned, especially self-employment. There has been quite a bit of discussion and speculation, in the context of enterprise, going on around here. Here being home, (including family members) which is represented by the Four of Wands. Several good prospects and ideas have been floating around, but not all are that feasible. At least not atm. It seems it will fall to me to play the antagonist, just to keep things grounded in reality.
It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it.
*images are from the Druid Craft Tarot by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gromm. Illustrated by Will Worthington. First St. Martin’s (edition) Press 2004
Today’s lesson/reading is with the Druid Craft Tarot by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and illustrated by Wil Worthington. Today’s reading is about my husband, he is the King of Cups. Lately he has been going through a bit of an inner struggle and has been beating himself up. To make a long story short, he is in need of strength. Strength from me in particular, as well as from himself. He knows deep down that I have his back, I always do. I support any decision he makes, or endeavor he undertakes. He knows I trust him and in him. He has to believe in himself though, more than he says he does. It’s just a rough patch, and will not last forever. But while it does, he knows I’m here and I believe in him.
The last card I turned over is the Five of Swords. It clearly is about his beating himself up, and will not help the situation but will only make it worse. Beating yourself up does no one any good and only adds to the negative. Stop blaming yourself for things that are out of your control. Believe in yourself Dear, as I do, and know that it’s always darkest before the dawn.
The “Why is That” Tarot spread was created by Storm Cestavani of Psychic Friends Live, using a formula developed by co-host Jacki Smith, of Coventry Creations. The full post and information for this spread can be found at Psychic Friends Blog.com. It was a lot of fun and very informative as well. Check it out and give it a try.
Before I had a chance to really work on this spread we left on a camping trip. I drew my cards using the Druid Craft Tarot-a deck I have just purchased and have not worked with yet. I took the cards with me on our mini vacation, but was way too busy to even look at them. Having said that………
I chose Cernunnos (XV-Devil) as my significator. (meaning: The Call to Awaken to Responsibility) The Devil has been my ‘year’ card for the past twelve months and as it turns out, he has certainly been riding in my back pocket all year. In traditional decks the Devil is associated with dependencies, over indulgence, etc. On my birthday last year I quit smoking. Again. That’s a good thing, right? Yes and No. I, like so many, replaced smoking with food and other things. People ask me, “but, don’t you feel better?” NO! I felt much better smoking than I do now with the 40 lbs. I gained in the last year. No, I’m not going to start smoking again but I am looking forward to my Chariot year. I’ve got to turn this ride around.
Card two, Ace of Wands. Aces are gifts, potentials, beginnings. This particular Ace’s qualities are enthusiasm, vitality, intuition, initiative – taking responsibility for an idea and putting it into practice, with optimism and a firm belief in its successful outcome. What I see here is the stag in the image as, Cernunnos-The Horned God, is poised on one side of a rocky chasm and he knows he must leap across to the other side as a symbolic gesture, that first step to starting a new year. The wand hangs there ripe for the picking. All he (I) has to do is take that leap, resolve to make a fresh start and turn things around.
Why is that?
Card 3, Queen of Pentacles. I always think of this Queen as the ‘hostess with the mostess’. But more than that, she to me seems to have it all together. Who I aspire to be more like. A woman that is everything in balance. For me, she has all the qualities of the other queens, both positive and negative, but they are all proportionately in balance and expressed in the same manner. I have never been much of a goal oriented person but, if I have to have a goal this is it. To balance everything in my world, this starts with me. Balance, moderation, tolerance, graciousness, and humility are just some of the characteristics I strive for. By taking the initiative of the Ace, and being more goal oriented and in balance like this Queen, my Devil year can be left behind.
Why is That?
Card 4, King of Swords. This King looks like a Grumpy Gus, but appearances can be deceiving. He is a man of ideas and action. Attention to detail and his inability to be swayed by his emotions make him a good friend to talk to if you want an honest, objective opinion, or if you want to bounce ideas around. By many of my friends and family I am often referred to with these qualities. I think the message here is to practice what I preach. It’s easy to give others your honest and objective opinions when asked, but not quite as easy when applying this to yourself.
Why is that?
Card 5, 2 of Swords. Procrastination is what stands out here. No, really? You are wavering in your resolve, or are protecting your feelings by deliberately not facing the problem. For me this card often means an inner conflict, like an angel on one shoulder whispering in my ear, and a devil on the other. This card certainly touches on many levels, especially in this situation. Choices, conflicts, dilemma’s, — take the blind fold off, call a spade a spade, it is what it is. Shit or get off the pot!
Card 6, 10 of Pentacles. The way out. Blessings, Prosperity, Legacy. (from the book) We can lead a full, abundant, sensual life and be of value to the world and to others, and draw nourishment from our spiritual source. Our time on earth can create a legacy for future generations. Life is essentially magical, and even difficult circumstances can carry hidden benefits. Most of us have created barriers that prevent us experiencing all the blessings life bestows, but this card gives us the chance to count our blessings – and thus discover that they are too numerous to count.
What a beautiful card and message. The message is one I am already aware of, and it has been repeated to me time and time again. This is where the procrastination/laziness comes in. A deliberate and conscious effort has to be made. To consciously open to the blessings offered by our ancestors, our tribe, the spirits of time and place, our own soul, and the gods or deity.
The way out is to be found by being more spiritually aware and to actively seek guidance; be more in sync and aware. With this everything else will fall into place more easily.