Samhain Tarot Card Reading!

Halloween, Samhain- my favourite holiday of the year. It always has been, even before I recognized my "pagan" or "wiccy" tendencies. Something about the spooky magickal time when as a child anything seems possible. As I'm not well versed in traditions or history, I thought I'd just share a Samhain tradition with you! (ugh, 10 swords!)

While in grad school I began to read tarot. I have to admit that initially I was quite skeptical. I am an academic afterall. A hopeful academic though... and I secretly loved the idea of "magic".

So it was a surprise to find out that in four daily readings I pulled similar cards from the 78 in the deck. With increasing fervor they were indicating that a heart ache was to occur, and to get on with it. That very night I broke up with my two year boyfriend. I pulled the three of swords each time...

After a few crazy years in Montreal, I bought my very own deck, pretty wooden container and some protective and clearing stones. I don't read every day and I've only recently begun to understand the broader or more deeper meanings of the cards for myself. I find they are a nice, ritualistic way for me to take a few moments of self-reflection, centering myself and asking some questions that I may have been keeping tucked away. They typically never "tell" me anything that I don't already know, but allow me to consider some aspects of my question or life as it is, confronting a few realities. (my set up with the little "witch" handmade birthday card H. and K. gave me!)

Samhain is a nice time to read the Tarot, as the veils between the spirit and 'here' world are thin. I'll be reading my tarot again tomorrow night and perhaps Andrew's as well, if he wants.

Here's a general overview of my reading tonight. I set three candles on the table- Brown and Red as they are Autumn colours and white beeswax for purity. Usually I read on the floor, there's just so much more space, but I figured that might make for awkward pictures... lol.

I held the cards in my hands and breathed deeply, imagining my energy moving from the Earth up through the cards. I always feel the most silly when other people are around and I do this. However, I'm a firm believer in energies and how we affect ourselves and others... so there you have it.

I spread the cards out and slowly build the celtic cross reading, thinking of the meaning of each card position and moving my hand over the "rainbow" until I feel it tingle.

One by one I turn the cards and review their meanings with my trusty Tarot book (what you thought I just "know" each card?? lol, I totally read the book). There are four suits and 22 major arcana (I think of them as "power" cards). I have a general feel for the meaning of each suit and some major arcana are more familiar than others, mostly because I tend to pull the same set each time.

Tonight I asked about my future-job life. Pretty general and very obvious, it's up in the air right now. As you can see (hopefully) I pulled mostly swords (not so great) and four major arcana. Here's the breakdown:

Influencing factors: Justice (upright)

past influences: 10 swords (up) Question: Nine of Wands (up) Future: 8 swords (rev)
Obstacle:The Chariot

Root of issue: 5 swords (rev)

How I see myself: Temperance (rev)
Others see me: Wheel of Fortune (rev)
Hopes/Fears: Ten of Pentacles (up)
Final outcome: Page of Pentacles (up)

What I "saw" was a preparation for a difficult situation (job interview coming up?), with some purpose and willingness to help me along. Of course there's an indication to be patient as I hate not knowing my future, with a sense of balance wanted/needed in myself as well as others seeing my life as paused... with a hope for security and a message of "keep on truckin'"!

A few cards are slightly embarassing, the 8 of swords reversed, Temperance reversed and the 5 of swords... but then I knew I was out of balance and it's a gentle reminder to be patient and open to the change that will occur. I'll finish by sorting and cleansing (by gently fanning them) the cards and placing them back in their container.

Hope that was fun for you :)

Many Blessings to everyone this Samhain!

article and photos by EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com