Autumn Equinox – Embracing The Dark Season

A friend of mine told me recently that she found the transition from summer to autumn hard.

The falling leaves make her feel depressed, and she was dreading the unavoidable approach of the long cold winter months ahead.

To a certain degree I understand her sentiment, but once you consciously decide to tune in and embrace the light and dark of all the seasons, you discover the magic and beauty of all of them.

Just like the trees shed their leaves in the autumn, so can we shed old stuff that is holding us back.

The shedding of leaves is preparation for new life and growth in spring, and we can do the same in order to pave the way for new experiences and growth.

Today is Virgo’s (The Hermit) last day in the sun until Libra (Justice) takes over tomorrow.

Over the past four weeks, the influence of the Hermit's energy has guided us inward, urging self-reflection and exploration. 

This period has inspired us to identify new skills to develop and knowledge to acquire, paving the way to transform these insights into wisdom that will not only enrich our own lives but also serve others meaningfully in the future

The New Moon in Libra tomorrow invokes the energies of Justice, encouraging us to create and appreciate harmony in life, especially in relationships, including friendships that need building and nurturing.

So there is much we can do, and the approaching darkness will help us focus on what we need to do including planning and implementing.

Perhaps today at the time of the Autumn Equinox, or over the coming weeks until Samhain, you may want to consult the Tarot to explore some of the following questions to help you gain focus and direction:

1.What is holding me back right now that I need to let go of?

At this time of year with the energies of Libra/Justice, explore your options rather than making a decision. It’s about weighing up the pros and cons, so you can make your final decision by Samhain (31 October).

2. What new skills do I need to learn to help me reach my goals?

Depending on the card/s you draw, these could relate to

• leadership and creativity (fire, wands),
• emotions and relationships (water, cups),
• mental challenges and conflict resolving (air, swords), or
• hands-on practical skills and money management (earth, pentacles)

3. What can I do to strengthen my relationships with people that are important to me?

Remember that important people in your life are not restricted to your partner or close family, but also extended family, friends, co-workers, professional networks… Explore how you can build bridges, overcome conflict, encourage solidarity and teamwork, bring people closer together etc.

And here are a few other practical ideas to get you started:

• make a to-do list
• declutter your bookshelf to make room for new knowledge
• network with people and see what you can do for them
• when it comes to friendships, it’s not about quantity but quality. Only two genuine friends are worth more than a large bunch of acquaintances, who don’t care about you.
• get your finances in order
• avoid drama and the people creating it
• enrol on a course

Wishing you a Happy Equinox and a magical autumn season ahead.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Connect with me on:

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Medium - Simplify your Life

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Tarot Readings - Asking The Right Questions

 

When clients approach me for a reading, they are often tempted to ask questions like

• When will I find new love?
• When will I get a new job?
• Does he still love me?
• What does the future have in store for me?
• Will my business be successful? etc...

Although I don't rephrase questions and aim to answer them as best as possible, I also include some additional insight clients may not have thought about, which are meant to provide opportunities for personal development and growth.

It is important to ask the right questions, which put you in control and empower you. Strive to "know thyself" with the help of Tarot.

Through self-exploration you will find the answers within you rather than hoping to find them elsewhere.

"An empowered life begins with serious personal questions about oneself. Those answers bare the seeds of success." - Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

Here are some personal questions you can explore with the Tarot, which you can also adapt to a specific issue:

• "Who am I?"
• "What do I need?"
• "How do I function best?"
• "How can I achieve my dreams?"
• "How can I fulfil my potential?"
• "What are my strengths and weaknesses?"
• "What is blocking me?"
• "What do I need to pay attention to at this moment in time?"
• "What do I have to give?"
• "How can I help and support others?"
• "What’s the next step I can take right now?"

Self-inquiries like these help you

• stay true to your values and principles
• pursue your dreams and desires
• take responsibility and make the most of what life throws at you
• recover from setbacks
• grow through challenges and adversity
• set and maintain healthy boundaries
• learn from your mistakes
• accept and embrace change with confidence and resilience
• add value to others and the world around you

"At the end of the day, the questions we ask of ourselves determine the type of people that we will become." - Leo Babauta

The right question should encourage you to take action rather than sitting back waiting for something to happen or surrendering to fate.

The right question should also discourage you from regarding yourself as a victim, and instead inspire you to step into your power in order to heal from any negative experiences.

For more information on asking the right questions, you can also check out relevant posts here and on my journal blog.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Connect with me on:

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Medium - Simplify your Life

Ko-Fi - Creative Tarot Journaling

The Meaning Of The Pages in the Tarot

The Pages in the Tarot are the children of the court card family.

They symbolise new beginnings, inexperience, youth (and the young at heart), enthusiasm, playfulness, naivety, curiosity, immaturity and potential.

They are similar to the Aces, but whereas the Aces represent the purest energy and root of their suit, which can turn into anything, the Pages are trying to get a handle on the energy of their particular suit.

For example, in the Pentacles suit, the Ace might symbolize an opportunity for money coming your way (without specifying how), while the Page would represent efforts to make more money, learn a new skill, or find a new job.

Unlike Aces, Pages also tend to indicate personality traits and more practical advice, which is reflected in their association with the element Earth.

Astrologically, just like the Aces, the Pages are also each assigned to a mix of zodiac signs indicating their individual traits and potential.

Pages can represent people, events (often appearing as messengers), energies surrounding a situation or personality traits.

For my Tarot deck, I have chosen flowers to represent the Pages to symbolise their link to the element Earth. Also I feel that flowers express the fragile nature and vulnerability of the Pages.

The Page of Wands is a red poppy. The red poppy is a bold, vibrant flower first appearing in Spring, which is the season linked to the suit of Wands based on the Golden Dawn tradition.

In magickal tradition, the red poppy symbolises creativity and imagination.

In the blandness of a wheat field, poppies stand out with their bright red colour, which represents the personality of the Page of Wands - confident, energetic, courageous, a bit noisy, seeking attention.

Esoteric Title: Princess of the Shining Flame; the Rose of the Palace of Fire; Princess and Empress of Salamanders

Astrological attribution: Cancer, Leo and Virgo

Elemental association: Fire of Earth

Characteristics and personality traits:

Energetic, eager, sociable, fun loving, restless, creative, courageous. Can be impulsive, reckless; sometimes finding it hard to concentrate and focus; short attention span; over-confident.

The quote chosen for the Page of Wands reflects her pioneering urge to explore new territory, get-up-and-go attitude and love for adventures.

The Page of Cups is a water lily. The water lily is an elegant and fragrant flower growing in still waters in temperate and tropical places around the world.

Water lilies flower in the Summer months here in the Northern Hemisphere, the season linked to the suit of Cups in the Golden Dawn tradition.

Water lilies are associated with spiritual enlightenment and symbolise purity, pleasure, peace, celebration and sexuality.

Esoteric Title: Princess of the Waters; the Lotus of the Palace of the Floods; Princess and Empress of Nymphs and Undines

Astrological attribution: Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius

Elemental association: Water of Earth

Characteristics and personality traits:

Sensitive, gentle, shy, quiet, artistic, dreamy, introvert, affectionate, loving, intuitive. Can be over-emotional at times, vulnerable, gullible and escapist.

The quote chosen for the Page of Cups reflects her urge to explore the emotional realm and trying to make sense of the vast array of mixed and confusing feelings and emotions.

The Page of Swords is a Dandelion. The yellow flower of the Dandelion transforms into a seed ball that blows into the air.

Dandelion grows from Spring right through to late Autumn, the season linked to the suit of Swords.

It is often regarded as a weed due to its profusion, but it is actually a very useful plant and entirely edible.

The yellow flower of the Dandelion symbolises communication, clarity and intelligence, whereas the white seed ball symbolises cleansing, space and new beginnings.

Esoteric Title: Princess of the Rushing Winds; Lotus of the Palace of Air; Princess and Empress of Sylphs and Sylphides

Astrological Attribution: Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces

Elemental association: Air of Earth

Characteristics and personality traits:

Alert, intelligent, rebellious, truth-seeking, independent thinker, innovative, detached, argumentative, cutting, rash, defensive

The quote chosen for the Page of Swords reflects her urge to explore and discover the truth, cutting through deception and being honest without fear of conflict.

The Page of Pentacles is a snowdrop. The snowdrop is the only bulbous flower amongst my Pages.

Ornamental bulbous plants like the snowdrop used to be prized possessions and therefore symbolise wealth and status.

The snowdrop flowers in winter, the season linked to the suit of Pentacles. It is a symbol of new growth, hope and resilience, because it thrives even in the coldest conditions.

Esoteric Title: Princess of the Echoing Hills, Rose of the Palace of Earth, Princess and Empress of the Gnomes

Astrological Attribution: Aries, Taurus and Gemini

Elemental association: Earth of Earth

Characteristics and personality traits:

Practical, dependable, nurturing, loves nature, eager to learn new skills and crafts, building and making things, getting hands dirty, sensual, hedonistic, stubborn, obsessive.

The quote chosen for the Page of Pentacles reflects her willingness to invest time and effort into work and learning new skills in order to create security and abundance.

I welcome your views and opinions on my cards. Please feel free to leave your comment below.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Connect with me on:

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The Meaning Of The Chariot in the Tarot

Tarot of Quotes

The Chariot is all about moving forward into uncharted territory, leaving your comfort zone behind.

When this card comes up in a reading, is your personality or year card, the emphasis is on growth and self-development, so be prepared to make some decisions that can be seen as risky or perhaps uncomfortable.

It's never easy letting go of what you know in favour of the unknown and pursuit of distant dreams and goals.

But this card may be a sign that you simply have to get off your favourite armchair and out into the fresh air of possibilities and opportunities.

Whether it's turning a business idea into reality, sorting out your love life, moving home, improving your fitness, or tackling any other lifestyle issues—harness the energies of The Chariot for progress and positive change.

The Chariot in the Tarot suggests forward movement, momentum, travelling, action, change, conquest, control, determination, overcoming challenges and victory.

Victory and achievement are within your grasp, but the Chariot is also a reminder that it won't be easy, and you may well encounter struggle and tension along the way.

But it is exactly the hard parts of your journey that will help you grow and live the life you want to live.

You may need to 

• learn to balance opposing forces, just like the coachman has to lead two horses into the same direction. It's your time to lead
• develop resilience, self-discipline and determination to succeed. It's your time not to give up but persevere
• learn to assert yourself and take control of situations or aspects in your life, which need resolving

Astrologically, the Chariot is linked to the zodiac sign Cancer and the element water. 

There is a strong link to emotions, so you may have to learn to control negative emotions such as anger, jealousy or other aggressive impulses.

What to avoid: fear of change, apathy, impatience, recklessness

If you’d like to learn more about the Chariot and all the other cards in the Tarot, please check out my ebook The Cosmic Faery Tarot Guidebook.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

Connect with me on:

Substack - Live more Magic

Medium - Simplify your Life

Ko-Fi - Creative Tarot Journaling