Sacred Days of Yule

This is a spread done over the period of the 12 days of Yule. From Dec. 20th- Dec. 31st, one card is pulled per day. The thread on Aeclectic can be found here. I chose the Tarot of Dreams with the intentions that this will be the start of a year of discoveries, growth, and dreams of what I want to achieve. It is a year that will require creativity for me, and I think that's where it all starts-with my dreams.

1. Mother Night of Dreams - Dec 20th: This card reminds us to look for a particular message in our dreams tonight. The ancients believed that our dreams on this night foretold some of the important events in the coming year.

My card for this evening is the 4 of Swords. A knight lays at rest, his sword safely beneath him, his helmet behind his head, his cloak covers him. The night is dark, there is a multitude of stars behind him.
Saturn in Libra-the planet of responsibility, work, ambitions, comes to rest in the sign of balance. This card is a reminder that while achieving your goals and working hard is admirable, but there is a time to put it aside. A time to rest the mind, allow it to wander(to dream).

How apropos that I should draw this card first-so many ties to dreams-as uppermost on my mind right now are my responsibilities, work, finances, and accomplishing the things I need to do yet this week. Tonight the 4 of Swords and a nice piece of Amethyst will be under my pillow, a notepad and pencil near my head, in hopes that I remember my dreams(a problem for me).

~Monday morning-I don't remember any dreams, but when I woke up the first thing I thought about was the word: Shoes. Not an image of shoes, but the printed word. I am not really a shoe person-I've got maybe 10 pairs, counting seasonal sandals and boots. I have no idea what this means. Thoughts anyone?

*12-23-09 Correction. The planet on the card is Jupiter not Saturn. I've got to re-evaluate this interpretation....

*01-01-10 After careful consideration, I'm leaving this alone, these are the things that are upppermost in my mind. And the only thing I could come up with for the Shoes is the journey of learning I'm embarking on this year.

2. Yule - Winter Solstice: - Dec 21st. This card shows us how best to connect to the Light within and without - it symbolizes the Birth of the Sun.

~My card for this evening is The Empress. Deep in the forest, she is clothed in a dark green robe, trimmed in gold. As you follow down her body, she becomes a tree trunk, her roots reaching out around her. An abundance of fruits, grains and nuts are piled in front of her. In her hands is a glowing infant, a representation of(I can't believe I drew this card!), for me, the Sun's return on this day.
Her message is of birthing, growth, nurturing, whether it is a human child, an idea or project, or even care of yourself/Self.

What needs the chance to grow in my life in the coming year, what needs attention/nurturing?

3. The Time of Beth: - Dec 22nd. This card points to the inner blocks and resistance that is holding us back from following our dreams.

~My card this evening is the 10 of Swords. A naked man crouches on his knees covering his head with his arms. A red circular tattoo on his back is surrounded by the ten swords, their tips just piercing his skin. This card speaks of anguish and pain. Is the tattoo a manifestation of where his mind has led him? Has he been branded by his inadequacies?

It is time to re-examine some of my own thinking processes, redefine my priorities, figure out what isn't working and ways to move in a forward direction.

4. Hopi Time of Renewal Dec 23rd. This card indicates the best way for us to seek purification and renewal, and to build tolerance for others.

~Tonight I drew the 8 of Swords Rx. I see a nude woman in a crystal bubble/globe, facing away from me. Her arms are raised with her hands on the globe's surface. The crystal globe is held up by a circle of eight identical swords. The globe has a crackly design. I get the impression that she feels closed off from the world and is searching for a way out. Yet, if the bubble were to break, would she fall on the swords?

So, how does this apply to the focus of today's draw? Is the best way for me to find purification and renewal to seclude myself(remember this is a reversed card), and spend more time listening to what my spirit/mind/self is saying? Or is this a message for me to take a chance/risk to break out of the ways I've umm....closed myself off? Jupiter in Gemini-I'm not very familiar with either the planet or sign. I'll have to go do some reading on them.

5. Feast of Mothers, Christmas Eve: - Dec 24th. This card shows how we can connect with the spirits of our ancestors for communion and to ask for wisdom and guidance. It is also a time for Christians to reflect on the birth of Christ.

~I drew The Tower card tonight. Lightening rips across the tallest spire of a palace with several levels. This is an indication of sudden, sometimes violent change. There are, however, several shafts of sunlight streaming in from the upper left. The shafts of sunlight represent hope, new possibilities.

Today was a day of fairly sudden changes-the financial situation has changed for the better, good news from unemployment for my brother, my paycheck arriving a day early, all brought relief, allowed me to focus on other things with less worry. While not 'earth-shattering' in a Tower sort of way, it brings peace of mind that the hardships of winter will be less so, and that I can focus on things I need to for myself, and that the long weekend will be less of a struggle. One would hope that it isn't an indication of sudden changes occuring too often throughout the coming year. Maybe a reminder to not worry too much before the actual situation's time comes.

6. Festival of Life, Christmas: - Dec 25th. This card shows us how to connect directly with Spirit.

~Tonight's card is Death. Reversed. A hooded figure with a gaunt smooth skinned face, looks directly at me with his mouth open as if he's about to say something. Bare tree branches are illuminated by the full moon that rides behind him. A golden snake bearing(11 of the 12) zodiac sign glyphs rises out of the leaf covered ground in front of him. This figure is not frightening or intimidating in any way to me. More of an elder, ready to share his wisdom, if I'm ready to listen/learn.

Death usually represents the need for something to die/leave in order for something new to grow-the cycle of life. The reversal, I think indicates resistance to allowing that change to occur, that I'm holding on to emotions and thought processes that are hindering my growth spiritually. It certainly appears to be time to examine things carefully, as my spread so far has contained only Majors and Swords. Perhaps the message he's about to reveal to me is advice to pay closer attention, to open my awareness to Spirit. To let go of hesitance and fears that are no longer serving me.

7. Yuletide, Kwanzaa: - Dec 26th. This card shows us how to express nurturance, to attend to our families and to express the protective energy within us towards others.

~Tonight I've drawn the Devil. This card shows the Fool in a cage(with the door wide open), crouched naked, hugging himself, head down in a pose of fear, or possibly defeat. His devil stands above and behind the cage, his head held high, arms outstretched, holding the chains to the cage, although loosely. Inverted pentagrams rim the bottom of the Fool's cage, and another ringed in fire is between the Devil and the cage. Very faintly, you can see a larger upright pentagram in the background. So, what is preventing the Fool from jumping out of that open door?

My question is what does this card have to do with nurturing or expressing protective energy toward others? In my understanding of the Devil, he represents a side of myself that is rather self-indulgent, the inner critic, the holder of my deepest secrets and regrets, my 'shadow' self. While I'd like to administer swift kicks in the ass to my 'roommates'(brother and nephew) for their negligence of billpaying, and possibly myself for letting them get away with it, I see no connection. They don't need nurturing, they need money management classes(my inclination is to let them fall flat on their faces). Further investigation is required here.

*The only thing I'd add to this is that I do have an overactive sense of responsibility, thinking that it's my job to sacrifice so that others are taken care of, or able to do what they "want to".

8. Birth of Freyja: - Dec 27th. This card points to issues of love, luck, artistic and creative expression and female wisdom.

~For this position I drew the Knight of Coins/Pentacles(Rx). This knight is in full armor, his green and gold standard flies above his head and his shield is behind him. His helmet's face shield is down and it has antlers. His mount is dressed in it's finest green and gold, a unicorn style horn on it's face mask. He's rearing-as if saying I'm ready to go! They're in a field, perhaps awaiting their turn in a joust or the beginning of a battle. In the distance are reddish brown mountains, the blue sky behind shows the zodial wheel with the glyph for Aries on top.

I rarely draw Knights, so my knowledge is scant. From what I do know, he is ready for action-not one to sit on the sidelines, but in the thick of things. He pursues tangible results-pentacles being earthly in nature. He's not afraid of the work involved in his endeavors, doing the job to the best of his ability.

The reversed position, here, could be looked at two ways, I think. Either that I won't get past the thinking/intellectual stages(remember all the Swords I've drawn so far) of my works, or it will be an uphill battle for me. Persistence and hard work is required. As far as the love and luck go, a reversed card does not surprise me.

How'd I do? *I'll have to read up on the knights*

9. Feast of Alcyone: - Dec 28th. This card gives us a personal inner message - one that speaks directly to our heart and spirit.

~Tonight I've drawn the Page of Swords. She is a fair-complected, blond with blue eyes. She wears a neckpiece of silver and blue with a large central cabachon(blue) and blue beads along the neckline. Her gathered headpiece is also blue and silver with the same style of cabachon in the center front. It also has white feathers attached with a star-shaped brooch. Behind her in the night sky are clouds and 4 swords that show neither point or hilt. She has a solumn, rather knowing, expression.

Again, my lack of knowledge of the court cards is showing. I do know that Pages represent beginnings, messages, and for the rest I'm referring to the guidebook. Hmm...it says she's quick-witted and mercurial, curious about the world around her, but rather flighty in her thirst for knowledge. The white feathers indicate the airy qualities of her mind. The swords depicted, show that her thought processes are not grounded or complete enough to see the whole. Her message is that I have the basics, but need to focus on gaining knowledge/learning more.

It looks like I'll be spending the next year with my head in the books, struggling through my studies of Tarot and my spiritual growth.(At least she wasn't Rx'd)

10. Day of Nymphs - Dec 29th. This card encourages us to connect to our playful side, our inner child and how best to cultivate this aspect of ourselves.

~Queen of Swords(Rx)-A beautiful, very young queen, her long blond hair loose, wears a mesh headdress that encircles her eyes and has inverted wings over her ears. Her dark blue gown is made of rich fabric(a queen would wear velvets), has beaded trim, with gathered cap sleeves that have white gauze extensions to a tight cuff that loops around to her middle finger. She has an elaborate necklace(silver, I think) of a lacy design that flows down into the bodice of her gown. She has white feathery wings. She holds a sword, with both hands, point up. The zodiac circle is superimposed in front of her with the Libra glyph at the top.

This spread has much to teach me. She is my 3rd court card in a row and the 5th Sword in this spread. This young queen has a wary look about her, but holds the large sword with ease, her hands relaxed. And from here I'm using the guidebook again(not exact quotes)...she is referred to as a perfectionist, having exacting standards to which she holds herself and others. She's unstintingly honest, as the placement of her right hand on the blade of the sword indicates. Her message..."The Queen of Swords suggests you use your intuition when deciding if something adheres to or measures up to your original plan." "People may call you picky, but you'll be remaining true to your ideals."

But remember, she's reversed here. Maybe the message is to loosen up a bit, color outside the lines, as is fitting of today's position. Honestly, the Queen of Swords is me(except for the young part). Scary.

11. Day of Rest: - Dec 30th. This card shows us how to walk our path in a relaxed and confident way....with the ability to deal with stressful situations in a philosophical, detached way.

~My card tonight is the 10 of Wands(Rx). A nude man kneels on the ground, his head down. On his back is a stack of crisscrossed wands tipped by glowing spheres that are held in place by elaborate gold clasps, like the setting on a gemstone ring. The elemental sign of fire shines down on the scene.

This card reversed in this position, is a reminder to be careful about not overloading myself, especially with burdens that should be shared by others, to beware of my overactive sense of responsibility to others. I spent too many years being the be all, do all person, feeling like I couldn't ask for help, and I paid the price.

*I can't help but think that I'm missing something here, though. I may have to sleep on it and add more tomorrow. ::shrug::

12. New Year's Eve, Hogmanay - Dec 31st. This card shows us how to release the old and let in the new. This relates to both our external lives and our inner being.

The last card of this spread :::drum roll please::: is the Four of Wands. Trees in the foreground lead you to a pair of tall golden wood doors with elaborate scroll work panels and huge ring shaped handles. Four wands/pillars flank the doors, 2 on each side. The sky behind is dark with the red planet(Mars). The right door stands partly open, a golden light shining from behind. An open invitation to enter and discover what lies behind, in the light.

An ideal card for the last position in this spread. Look behind door #1! The secret of releasing the old and letting in the new is as simple as opening the door and walking through it. Or as the guidebook says, "When this card appears in a reading, now is the time to open the door, in other words to take concrete action to create the change you desire."

*oops the planet is actually a red moon* pulled on the Blue Moon!

~BD~