O c t o b e r Collective Tarot Reading

D a r k n e s s. 

Here in the northern hemisphere, in beautiful Colorado, the leaves are changing quickly, deepening into golden shades and dark crimson tones. The mornings are so much more crisp, and if you walk outside, the air greets you with soft kisses on your skin that leave a trail of goosebumps. But most importantly, the daylight is slowly giving away earlier and earlier to the darkness of night. Our evenings arrive more quickly, and last longer, moving us closer toward the cold darkness of winter. 

In Nature's garden, we see busy energy, but it moves slowly. There is a sense of preparation in the air for what is to come. Plants are moving away from producing fruit, but instead are producing seeds, giving way to the next generation that will arrive to meet us in the Spring. Plants are starting to furl inward, their energy starting to move downward, back to their roots, and into the soil from whence they came. 

On the Wheel of the Year (A C+A post coming on this very soon, witches), we are soon to celebrate the final of the harvest festivals, and the time of the year that was actually recognized as a beginning versus an end. We soon celebrate Samhain, a time of deep liminality, a time in which the veil of our world is thinnest and we may pass through and better connect with the Mystery and the Otherside. It is during this time we recognize and honor those who have walked before us, and no longer are with us on this mortal plane. We feel more sensitive, perhaps energetically and psychically at this time as we are called upon to deepen into this liminality. We are also called to explore the idea that darkness is not something to be feared, but instead something we embrace as deeply sacred. 

In Nature's garden, the darkness represents a state of almost intense self-awareness. The mightiest of trees have roots that grew from Below, shrouded in the darkness. It is this foundation from which we grow, and to which we return. We often are taught to fear states of deep introspection, but it is with knowing ourselves fully that we have the most power and can pursue the greatest growth. 

As Nature moves to dance with the darkness, we too can align with the energy of this time by turning inward. We can shift our focus away from what is happening around us, and instead focus on what is happening within us. Who are you at your most authentic self? From where does your root experience the most nourishment? Who is our shadow, and how do they shape your actions? 

I encourage you to explore why you might have a fear of the darkness. I also encourage you to contemplate how you might dance with the darkness as you do in the light. 

How might you see the darkness of this season as a beginning? 

A c e  of  W a n d s  |  Y a r r o w 

Beautiful Autumn Rest, we welcome you. We invite you to teach us the lesson of introspection, and exploring our deepest self. 

Autumn is a time in which we explore the concept of Sacred Death. While it may seem that the trees shedding their leaves are the end of a cycle, it is actually the opposite. The trees shed that which no longer serves them, so that they may begin freshly anew. It is this time in which we may feel called to explore Sacred Death the same way. Perhaps it is not the end of a cycle, but the beginning of one. It is a time in which our energies return to the Earth, reconnecting with that which connects us all, so that the next chapter may begin. 

How might our collective ToVA Community dance with the sacred darkness and this seasonal shift in October? ​

Affirmation: "I am a child of the universe. I embrace the illuminations revealed." 

Ace of Wands: A hand emerges from the clouds, embracing a wand and a sprig of yarrow. The life-force of the Spirit is fully acknowledged and accepted. The shafts of light are the inner illumination that one can experience. It is time for revelation and enlightenment. Be willing to face the truth, whatever it may be. The card also represents triumph and success of an endeavor or project. All one needs to do to be assured of success is to learn the power of consistency in endeavor, to pace oneself accordingly, and to follow an enterprise through to completion. 

Yarrow: Yarrow has the capacity to open the mind and the seventh chakra to inspirations and revelations from Spirit. It is cleansing to the body and the aura and will offer protection against invasive thought forms. One will hear one's own internal music more clearly as the blockages are cleared.

S h a y l e ' s  Thoughts: 

It makes me smile that Yarrow appeared to us when we asked this question of how to deepen into the liminal. She feels to me as though she is presenting the answer as being her, herself. Yarrow is a plant of deep mystery and is a guide to help us explore that which we may not understand. She holds our hand, and walks beside us as we seek intense truths, and can hold us and help us feel safe as we explore this within ourselves. 

I feel called to also give a reminder of nourishment. As we lean into sacred darkness, we should also lean into nourishment of our root. If we do not have a firm foundation from which to build upon and grow, we feel chaotic, unrested, and are prone to dis-ease. As the plants during this time shift their focus to roots, we too should seek ways in which we may feel firmly grounded. We can do this by taking more time to breathe, and finding moments of presence. We also do this by working with deeply nourishing herbs, particularly nourishing root herbs of this time such as Burdock or Dandelion roots.

We also may choose to let go of that which no longer serves us - taking a lesson from our eldest teachers, the trees.

Yarrow also reminds us that we, ourselves, are the Healer. By turning inward, we not only identify our deeper truths, but we learn who we are and what we most need. We identify our own personal root, but also the root of what might cause the greatest disturbances in our life, so that we may be able to address them at their source. 

You are so powerful, my loves. Happy dancing.

As Above, So Below, 

S h a y l e


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