Hello, Creatives!
Today, August 1st, is Lughnasadh, or Lammas, one of 8 Wiccan sabbats celebrated by many pagans. At the halfway point between the summer solstice (Litha) and the fall equinox (Mabon) it honours the harvest, grain in particular. In times past, if grain wasn’t harvested on time, or the bread itself not baked, families would starve. Timing was important too. Harvesting before Lammas suggested the previous years crop had run out before the current was ready, meaning farmers had failed to provide for their community. This day also celebrates the Celtic god, Lugh, a man skilled in craftsmanship. Lughnasadh celebrations therefore follow traditions that include making crafts for the home and harvest rituals. Gratitude is an important theme for this season, along with sharing—especially with those who may not have harvested a bounty.
For this week’s Tarot for Creatives, I have a shorter version of a 6-card Lughnasadh spread which delves into themes of harvest. It asks: What are you harvesting? What can you share with others? What continues to need nurturing?
The balance of Temperance opens our reading this week. The card of patience and purpose, it speaks of maturity, of coming to a point where moderation has brought calm to your life. You may have discovered a new found perspective in the last while, and you’ve now got a good grip on managing your affairs and keeping a positive outlook. With this balance comes the ability to envision long-term, and now you know how to moderate your pace, it will all come together nicely. This inner calm will spread to those around you. You may already find you’re working more harmoniously and enjoying better co-operation. Continue to harvest this wonderful blend of talent, experience and skill for yourself and others. Remain patient and trust the Universe will allow things to evolve at the pace intended.
"The mind that opens to a new idea, never returns to its original size." - Albert Einstein
The Princess of Swords brings a mental restlessness that stirs curiosity. Sharing this with others can take the form of reaching out to peers for their experiences or advice, and perhaps offering your own in return. This is an energetic energy, and therefore almost contagious, so if others are drawn in by your enthusiasm, welcome them! The synergy of shared talents and abilities has the power to create amazing things, so spread your giddy, curious energy around, and see what it might draw in.
The Princess lacks the maturity of the Queen, so don’t be afraid to say ‘I don’t know’ and follow it up with finding out. With strong themes of communication, ideas and sharing, ensure you speak and act with positivity while working with this influential energy.
The 8 of Swords is the card of isolation and self-imposed restriction. Appearing in the What Needs Nurturing? position, it indicates a need to overcome negative thought patterns that can make you feel trapped by circumstance.
Take a look at your self-belief. Have you an unshakeable conviction in yourself, or do you feel as if life, people, and everything else around you really controls the game, and that you just have to hang on for the ride? If the figure in the card was to pull down her blindfold, she’d see that what she needs is right in front of her; the swords to sever her binds, and to her rear, the future she dreams of, waiting.
Who or what have you surrendered your power to? Are you content to remain a victim, waiting to be rescued, or will you take personal accountability and see what’s right in front of you? It demands courage, and to get there, you’ll need to nurture your self-belief. Consider your achievements, your skills and talents, the hard work and effort that has yielded results. That deserves recognition, and until you acknowledge that, and take your power back, you’ll be blind to what waits for you. There are always options, and while you may not like them, they’re yours to take, so don’t allow others or situations to constrain you any longer.
This deck always delivers a to-the-point read. With Temperance at one end, and the 8 of Swords on the other, it brings a message of ‘you’re doing great, but there’s more to be done!’ The strength and positivity of Temperance is great to see, but that pesky self-doubt indicated by the 8 of Swords is definitely an energy that needs banishing. With the season of gratitude for the harvest now upon us, take some time out to really honour your achievements, and with that boost to your confidence, you’ll nurture your self-belief and shake off the metaphorical blindfold.
Have a wonderful, my creative souls!
Deck: Illuminati Tarot (Lo Scarabeo) Illustrated by Erik C Dunne
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