Imbolc Reading
Today I saw “Judgement” while I was wandering the internet looking for an Imbolc spread, and I remember thinking, “I have no idea what that card stands for.” And yet, my deck provides me a nice little opportunity to learn, he said, through clenched teeth. At least we are finally off the swords train. Every pull in January had a sword card. Let’s get to it.
There are four cards in this internet spread.
Lessons from the Depths of Winter
What to Cleanse and Burn Away
How to Prepare for Spring
What to Look Forward To
Lessons from the Depths of Winter
The Ace of Mugs, by Cat Rocketship, reversed. It turns out I read reversals now. Once you dip your toe into the reversal pond, you never come back. The Ace of Mugs, per Jessica Dore, indicates a certain receptivity to your emotions, combined with the understanding that your emotions can come from anywhere, and there is no shame in feeling them. Your job is to make space, receive, and ask questions about them. Reversal is a simple block. I make a point of compartmentalizing them, and when I do that, I cannot investigate or ask questions. Thus, the lesson is beginning to ask what I am feeling and what that means.
What to cleanse and burn away
Judgement (a traditional illustration by AceLion), reversed. Judgement nears the end of the Fool’s Journey. It is a card of rebirth, choices, and a call to adventure. Every day, we stand at the crossroads and get to choose, especially in a world that is falling apart around us. How do we still live in our physical bodies and choose to live ethical lives? We only have so much time, energy, money, and space to live that life. A reversed Judgement focuses on the self and ignores our ethical responsibility to others: a failure to choose. It is time to burn that away, engage with the world, and make that choice.
How to prepare for spring
Three of Mugs, by Rocketship. It’s time to party. I love the three of cups as drawn by Cat Rocketship. Time to reap our harvest and take a moment to enjoy life. The card also represents the support that people give and receive. Those dancing are only able to do so because they worked together and supported eachother through the harvest. Time to build a support network, help, and accept support from others.
What to look forward to
King of Wands, reversed. Again, by Rocketship. Wonderful. The King of Wands is a passionate leader, combining passion with all of the King archetypes (social responsibility, power, etc). His passion can become overbearing and create an intolerance for mistakes and his “lessers”. A reversed King of Wands, per Rachel Pollack, shows that the King’s initial intolerance for weakness becomes tempered. He becomes more respectful and tolerant of others, but more severe in his attitude toward life.
Bringing it all together
You could probably write a book about this reading, but the meanings are clear. I have been asleep, metaphorically. Readying for spring, I need to reach into myself, investigate my emotions, and engage with the world. There are choices to make about this current social climate, as well as building networks of mutual support (and enjoying our harvests!). Part of my growth is understanding that life is much more difficult than I assumed, and showing grace to others, especially those who make mistakes and are still learning.
