Embrace the energy of the Full Moon with this illuminating tarot spread by Sadhana. In this post Sadhana will discuss the layout, the interactions, the lessons from card positions and how she integrates sacred teachings and practices into her Full Moon Reading.
Preparation: Clear and shuffle a tarot deck that resonates with the frequency of lunar energy. For this reading, Sadhana chose "The Linestrider Tarot" by Siolo Thompson - "a deck that dances on the edge of magic and logic, animal and human, the conscious and unconscious mind." - Siolo Thompson Lunar energy is watery, unconscious, mysterious, dark and feminine so choose a deck for this mood.
Prepare sacred objects to represent the intention of the reading. Some examples are: shells, a vase with water and flowers, carnelian (or other crystals for the 2nd chakra) and a candle to balance the water energy and to help shine light.
Layout:
1. Shuffle the deck and before you cut the deck place the bottom card to the side. This will be the Shadow card (optional) 2. After cutting the cards or performing your usual ritual, place the top card #1 (Main Focus) at the top centre position.
3. Cards #2 and #3 modify the Main Focus and are placed either side of card #1. 4. The remainder of the cards are placed left to right in three rows as illustrated in the diagram below.
Reading the Cards
As I shuffled the cards, I asked for messages that need to be illuminated this full moon. As we are also in the energy of a lunar eclipse and Mars at a close proximity to Earth, I expected some potent and not-so-easy messages to come forward.
MAIN FOCUS (Five of Cups): The tarot never fails to amaze! In the luminosity of the full moon, your unresolved losses and misfortunes are once again surfacing. In her wisdom, she is encouraging you to focus on what is being unattended and move on with your life. Because you have yet to resolve the pain from your past (emotion), it is no doubt challenging to focus on what is presently going well.
UNDERLYING MAIN FOCUS (3 of Swords): The grief associated with these losses and negative experiences needs to be addressed, processed and met face on. In order to enjoy the two cups that are full and upright (or, in the case of Linestrider, the two owlets yet to hatch - they may not hatch if you don't look after them!), you are going to need to look straight in the eye of your grief and meet it face to face and have a very deep conversation about letting go, forgiving and releasing. By holding onto the grief, you are not giving yourself permission to move on.
CLARIFYING MAIN FOCUS (Ace of Wands): Unfortunately, there is a campfire ban on now. So you are going to need to light your torch metaphorically, in your kitchen sink or your fireplace. This is a card of creativity, new ventures and new beginnings. It is the Divine's way of letting you know that it is okay to move on, to step forward and release the past that you have been clinging so tightly to. With your torch in hand, you may also wish to burn those old love letters, contracts or photographs. Aren't you ready to feel lighter? freer?
FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS (2 of Swords, Ace of Pentacles, XII The Hanged Man, VI The Lovers): It's time to take off the blindfold, turn to your rational mind and make a decision. Twos in the tarot are about balance, so make sure that you have weighed your options. However, CHOOSING to forgive will release the power the other has over you, creating space for good things to come into your life (Ace of Pentacles). This is the second Ace in your reading. Combined, the Ace of Wands and the Ace of Pentacles assure you success on your new venture IF you are willing and able to let go of the past that has been haunting you. This is not an easy, but necessary process. It will be essential to rest and take time to integrate (process the effects of what you have released). Don't just forge ahead in the next few days, give yourself a couple of weeks to breathe and recover from what you have accomplished. This has taken you a long time to get here.
Going back to the forgiveness piece. As this is the key to processing the grief and moving forward, how are you going to do it? One way is to write it down (for your eyes only). Write and write and write until your hand is aching and your eyes are red. Then read it aloud speaking to the Moon, to God, to a mirror. Lastly, burn it.
The last card in this group is The Lovers. The message I am getting for you is "right relationship". Your decisions and actions will move you into right relationship with your SELF, with those around you. This is a card of peace and balance.
FORGIVENESS OF SELF (King of Pentacles, 5 of Pentacles, 8 of Cups): Let's look at the centre card here: 5 of Pentacles. Sometimes, this card can represent missed opportunities. You knew full well what doors were open, but at the time, for what seemed the right reasons, you chose not to partake, accept or enter into that situation. Instead you turned away and left it behind (this would have been an emotional decision). And, at the time, it all seemed like the right thing to do. Your friends and family may have called you crazy because it looked like a very generous opportunity. Still, to this day, you kick yourself for making that decision. It's time my friend, to let this one go - truly offer it up for your well-being.
SELF-CARE (Knight of Pentacles, 9 of Swords): As you begin the process of releasing painful memories, be kind to yourself and know that you may have to repeat this process again in August, September and even longer. Letting go and releasing negative energy is a practice. The Knight of Pentacles is a reminder that this is a methodical process and it takes time. If you begin to worry or doubt that the process of forgiveness is not working or not necessary or thoughts about some of your past issues creep into your daydreams or nightmares, know that this is just your overactive mind (and your ego) not being in a place of trust. And - this is part of the human experience. Please be good and kind to yourself.
KEEP AN EYE ON (6 of Swords): Moving on requires courage - lots of it! Trust that you have this. You have two aces in your pocket! Moving on means that some things, some people get left behind and that is as it is supposed to be. Unlike the 8 of Cups, which is an emotional moving on, this is a moving on, a progress in your thoughts - an intellectual getting over it. Sometimes, we just have to fake it until we make it. There is a very wise teaching in yoga that says if you practice the opposite (of what you are feeling), eventually you will become that.
FULL MOON BLESSING (7 of Swords): I told you this was going to be a tough spread. Where is the gold in the seven of swords? Is there one? First of all, notice that you drew the six, then the seven of swords in sequence. Cards in sequence always mean progress, that you ARE working through this. You will conquer your thoughts. Sometimes we do have to burn our bridges, torch our relationships or reclaim what once was ours and sneak away under cover of the night. Let me say that again, reclaim what once was yours and move on. What once was yours was is now back in your grasp and you are going to be better than ever.
SHADOW (10 of Cups): Are you afraid of being happy? Do you feel less than deserving of your own happiness? Perhaps now that you have lightened your load, you will embrace the energy of the 10 of Cups. This is a card of joy, contentment and true happiness. It is the reward of letting go.
SUMMARY: Majors (2): VI The Lovers, XII The Hanged Man; Aces (2): Wands, Pentacles; Cups (3): 5, 8, 10; Wands (1): A; Swords (5): 2, 3, 6, 7, 9; Pentacles (4): A, 5, Kn, K
I truly want to wish you well on your journey. We often forget that in order to bring in light, good things, new things, abundance, prosperity or love, we have to create space.
Namaste and stay well, Sadhana
For more details about Full Moon Readings or aspects of this reading, please use my contact form or leave a comment below.
I have found that many clients come to readings in challenging times and would benefit immensely from some pre-reading reflection. In going through the "readings menu" on my Etsy Shop @SadhanasHealingRoom, I hope that you will be able to refine your question or concern so that you will get the best reading possible. Please also know that the menu is meant to inspire and help me create a spread just for you and your unique situation if necessary. Sometimes the art on a particular deck resonates more than another, so let me know about that as well.
Integrative Healing with Sadhana offers instruction and guidance as a full healing package or you can choose individual practices such as Yoga, Meditation, Reiki, Space Clearing or Intuitive Readings in Gibsons BC. Either way, you will be met exactly where you are at and together, we will adapt practices to fit your individual needs improving your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.