Witchy Wednesday No. 5
Happy Witchy Wednesday (on a Sunday)! This week’s reading comes from the “Gothic Oracle” deck (written by Steven Bright, artwork by Anne Stokes), which we saw in our third reading.
As I was shuffling for our reading on Wednesday, the Angel Rose- Perspective card briefly popped out again. If you remember from week three, this card invites you to look at your current situation from a new perspective, encouraging you to focus more on the good than on the bad. I am curious to see how this ties into our reading this week.
Card #1
The first card of our reading this week is Moonstone-Healing. We see a fierce dragon, wings spread and claws out with a rider carrying a luminous stone and staff. This card, despite having intense imagery, feels very calm, with the moon guiding the way and the shining stones held up as an offering to those in need.
This card showing up first in our reading suggests that “healing may be either available or necessary,” and it asks that you reflect on “areas of your life that are causing you pain… this distress could be recent or may concern older experiences that have been avoided thus far.” While it may feel easier to try and sweep dissonance or pain under the rug, bringing an air of fierce protectiveness (like our dragon and rider) is a beautiful first step towards reaching resolution. You are the only person that will be with you for your entire life. Fostering a relationship with self that is based on trust and presence will help to dispel feelings of isolation. This self-trust will also help to deepen your well of confidence as you navigate unsteady ground.
How can you be your own biggest supporter in the life path that you are on? Having your own unconditional love and support will allow you to tread lighter as you will no longer be fighting yourself along the way.
Card #2
The second card for our reading is Hidden Depths-Secrets. We lock eyes with a seductive mermaid, whose glorious tail, headpiece, and makeup draw you in and make you want to step closer. However, upon further inspection you can see many things hidden beneath the surface of the water that she is inhabiting, including a skull, jewelry, a cross, and coins.
The Hidden Depths card suggests that you “consider the value of secrets.” Not everyone will respect that you are wanting to keep something private when you share it with them. Whether your secret is a fun new idea you are working on, something that you are working through, or a new phase of your life that you are entering, this card asks you to pause before sharing.
This reminds me of a concept I learned in therapy called “invisible boundaries.” If every time you talk to your mom about your job (that you absolutely love and are passionate about), but she responds with “well you should be doing something that pays more,” or that “it’s time that you get a more serious job,” you can create an invisible boundary that you will share exciting work updates with your friends, but not with your mom. This allows you to still have excitement and support from your friends and also prevents an uncomfortable situation with your mother.
Unfortunately, not everyone in your life will have your best interests in mind. In these circumstances it is important to take a critical look at who a person really is and how they are treating you, versus who you hope they could be. If you are putting your heart on the line for someone who time and time again has proven that they are not worthy of your energy, you are perpetuating your own suffering. In what ways can you more closely guard that which is most precious in you and more actively choose who gets to see into your inner world?
Card #3
The last card of our reading this week is Valor-Battle. We see an armor-clad woman, confidently holding her sword, with a dragon perched on her shoulder, its tail wrapped protectively around her waist. You can also see the eerie red glow coming in from the window.
This is a very strong-willed card. It highlights that while some situations will resolve on their own, there are times when there is tension in the air that requires active attention and action. This reminds me of the protective mother bear energy from a previous reading. There are instances where you need to step up in your own defense, to be willing to go into battle on your own behalf.
Allow this card to lend you strength and confidence. The guidebook says that “Valor reminds us that there are some disputes we simply cannot walk away from.” While it may be “easier” in the short term to avoid an uncomfortable conversation or situation, this tends to prolong your distress, so a straightforward approach can be more beneficial and protect your energy in the long term.
Rune
The rune for this week’s reading is Lagu (sometimes seen as Laguz). This rune is meant to symbolize water and thus emotions. Like water, this rune can be connected to themes of the ever changing “tides” of life. It also speaks to dreams, intuition, strength, and protection.
Reflection
There was a lot of strong, vigilant energy in this week’s reading, with a heavy focus on healing. It takes presence and intention to examine that in your life which is hurting you. Spirit, your guides, and your wise and well ancestors are inviting you to follow that inner assessment with a commitment to protect that which is most sacred to you, and, if necessary, to valiantly protect it.
You have the power to clarify expectations, to cut ties, and to make boundaries. If you have tended towards self-abandonment and people pleasing, you inner child may not fully trust you yet, but taking small steps each day to align intentions and actions will help to rebuild the relationship with self, so that you may live from a more calm and centered place.
Like the rune for this week, our inner waters can be either calm and serene, or tumultuous and dangerous. We have the power to shift this dynamic so we are not constantly getting pulled under by our own riptides.
-SunnyCelly