A p r i l Collective Tarot Reading

A  R e t u r n i n g.

We are awakening sweet ones. 

While we may have a bit of snow and cold days yet ahead of us, we are re-emerging. A returning is happening. Color is returning to the landscapes. Hardy seedlings are returning to the surface after having spent time in the energy of the Underworld. Bird song is returning to our ears. Glorious sunlight is returning to kiss our face. 

We have surpassed the Spring Equinox on the ever-turning wheel of the year, and we are now in the throws of the early spring. Brighid has returned to us as the Maiden, blessing the Earth with the promise of the fruit that awaits us.

Inspiration is the word on my mind as we embrace the energy of this time. 

Our natural world reminds us that we are cyclical beings, and that it is always okay and welcome for a new cycle to begin. I feel inspired to allow what does not continue to serve my authentic journey to simply go, and step forward into new way of being. And, this does not have to be as jarring as taking a leap - it can look as simple as an awakening; as a sprout re-emerges in its fresh new form after spending time inward, so might we too awaken - taking a step forward as our authentic self, taking up space, or adopting a new way of believing. 

I feel inspired by nature, and the buzzing, yet slow energy with which she moves in the early spring. She inspires me to go slowly, for if we move too quickly we miss the smallest of details that are so prevalent this time of year. We might miss the subtle shifts that accompany such power. It is the small details that sometimes create the most beautiful art. I feel inspired to see how these energies are working within myself - in my soul, my mind, and my body. 

What small details do you notice? In what ways are you awakening? 

​The  M e d i c i n e  Wheel | Slippery  E l m

I also feel called to speak about hope as we enter April, and as we step fully into the transition of Spring. It does not seem as though we are moving away from a world that is in a state of disarray and in so much pain, and in need of deep medicine and healing. But Nature does remind us, in her gentle and quiet way, that we always come out of darkness. Spring is an example of this, for we always know we can celebrate the returning of the sun, and that the snow will melt away. Warmth always returns. We do not have to have blind faith that spring will come, Nature proves to us that it does. Nature tells us to not lose our sense of hope, because we do always find a sense of balance. And with a period of unbalance, we awaken a little more, we remember a little more, and we heal a little more. 

What might our collective ToVA community need insight on for the month that lies ahead? 

Affirmation: "Through all the changes that Life brings, I feel the center of stability which is within me." 

The Medicine Wheel: The medicine wheel is the Native American's sacred symbol honoring the four directions and the cycles of life. Medicine wheels have been found atop mountain peaks throughout the world, attesting to the universal reverence for this symbol. They are used for prayers and meditations and as symbols for bringing down to earth the sacred power of heaven. Usually a large stone representing the Great Spirit is placed in the center. The outer stones represent the four directions and the cycles of the seasons and life. On this card, the slippery elm tree is placed in the center and is used to symbolize the Great Spirit that  gives strength, energy, comfort, and nourishment to all. 

Ruled by Jupiter, the benevolent planet, the Medicine Wheel card depicts cycles and turning points in our lives. The medicine wheel asks us to be open to changes and, if we should lose our way, to move back to the center of the wheel where there is stability and spiritual nourishment 

Slippery Elm: Slippery Elm will give the strength, nourishment, and soothing encouragement needed to move through the cycles of life. It softens our resistance to changes and allows us to feel more internal unity and centeredness.


S h a y l e ' s  Thoughts: 

Sacred change is upon us; and Nature once again calls upon us to deeply contemplate the energy of a seasonal transition - particularly one that which embodies growth. How might we celebrate this change, while also deeply nourishing ourselves? We are moving out of a period of deep inwardness and now we are being asked to begin to extend that energy outward. We balance this by tending to our root, always working on remaining grounded so that we may rise up strong. Change is less jarring when we have strong foundations, and can instead be a welcome energy. 

As was aforementioned, the shifts right now are subtle, but we must pay attention. Notice the conditions that allow for a sprout to rise above the soil. Notice the way the sun moves in the sky, and how this change is welcome. Notice how the birds rebuild their nests for a new season. 

In what way to do the small subtleties allow you to embrace, versus fear change? 

I wish you all the happy shifting, dear ones. I wish you the happiest of spring joy - Are you seeking to embrace change? Let's support one another - feel free to share in the comments below. 

Blessed be,

S h a y l e

In the spirit of this post, and having drawn the Medicine Wheel card, I would like to take the time to respectfully acknowledge that I am writing this post on the now occupied ancestral and traditional homelands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute nations and people. I would also like to take the time to acknowledge that we owe a great deal of gratitude to, and want to honor, Indigenous wisdom to both spirituality and herbalism, and how much of this knowledge has been colonized or wrongly claimed without proper credit or acknowledgement. I pledge to continue to actively pursue opportunities educate myself on this, and extend deepest gratitude to the wisdom of the people who are original stewards of this land.

Tarot Deck: The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin