Tag: spirituality

One Card Draw for the Pink Moon

Posted on by Giacarla in Tarot

Photo by Dylan Sauerwein on Unsplash

It’s the Pink Full Moon, a time for spiritual and emotional renewal, so it seemed appropriate that I return to writing this column in her honor.

Not only do I plan to write daily-ish about a one-card draw to practice reading and writing (2 birds, one stone), but I’m also about to join an online witchy community that I’m really excited about. Plus, I recently found some local witches to celebrate Sabbats with.

Tonight I’m ready to fully recommit to my spiritual practice — give or take the days my brain is stuck in executive dysfunction or cycles of anxiety. You are welcome to come along in your own personal way.

Now on to the card . . .

Today’s Pick

While I believe witchcraft is inherently political, and I am extremely political, I’m not going to get into it here. That said, in light of all the horrific attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, I’m going to use the Tarot for You and Me: A Queer Deck and Guidebook by Gary D’Andre (words) and Jess Vosseteig (illustrations) as a shoutout to that beautiful and resilient community.

2 of Chalices

Love, fulfillment, communication, balance. If that isn’t the perfect card for the Pink Full Moon, I don’t know what is!

The 2 of Chalices is all about love. Maybe you started a new romantic relationship. Maybe you’ve been with your partner for a while but recently notice (or will soon notice) that things are going much smoother than before — the relationship seems renewed.

But of course, there are many facets of love and the 2 of Chalices, while indicating a positive relationship, doesn’t necessarily mean romantic love. It could refer to a platonic friendship, a business relationship, or becoming more aware of the love and connection that flows around you.

And there, my witchy friends, we circle back to Pink Full Moon.

Love in the Air (and Sky)

The Pink Full Moon energy is all about letting go of what no longer serves you and starting anew. It’s a time for connection, self-compassion, and personal growth.

With this in mind, we can interpret the love in the 2 of Chalices as self-love and a connection with your true, authentic self. It’s a time to deepen that connection, or if you’re not quite there like so many of us, a time to set intentions and start working toward that goal.

The card is also a wakeup call to be more aware of nature and all the magic that surrounds us every day. Spring is blooming and it’s your time to blossom with it.

Whether you’re doing a ritual, meditating, journaling, or all of the above (this is not by any means an exhaustive list), the Pink Full Moon is the ideal time to recognize the many types of love that surrounds you (especially self-love) and start living your own unique best (and fulfilled) life.

A Tarot Reading for Menopause

Posted on by Giacarla in Tarot

The Tower from The Vanessa Deck

This is a Tarot reading for anyone who is approaching or fully in menopause and beyond.

But first, a bit about my inspiration for this. Have you heard of Melani Sanders and her We Do Not Care Club, of which I am a proud menopausal member?

If you haven’t, and about to embark or fully immersed in what they tactfully call “the change,” I suggest looking her up and following her. I know that takes some of our precious energy, but it’s worth it. I promise.

As for the “the change” itself, I give it a 0 out of 10. Do NOT recommend. However, there are some perks, for example, your own personal “power surges” may save you money on your heating bill.

Anyhow, in the spirit of the We Do Not Care Club, I’m going to do a 3-card, past-present-future card reading with The Vanessa Tarot Deck. I chose this deck because it features powerful goddesses living on their own terms.

The Spread

Queen of Cups (reversed), The High Priestess, The Magician

The Reading

The first thing I notice about this spread is that two of the three cards are from the Major Arcana. In Tarot, the 12 cards in the Major Arcana represent overarching life themes and archetypes. The 56 cards in Minor Arcana are representative of the things that happen to us on a daily level. So, since we no longer have patience for the petty, silly things that surround us, it’s no wonder most of the cards in the spread are Major Arcana.

Past: Queen of Cups (reversed)

Upright, the Queen of Cups symbolizes softness, passion, and sensitivity. The Queen is ruled by her heart and intuition. Emotions overflow everywhere.

But why is she reversed here? Well, I can only speak for myself but maybe you’ll relate. When I was younger, I was a mess with no control over my emotions. What I thought was intuition turned out to be naivete combined with anxiety and depression. Like I said, a mess, or in other words, the Queen of Cups reversed.

But that leads us to . . .

Present: The High Priestess

The High Priestess is the symbol of power and wisdom. She is confident and she knows things. She may forget these things from time to time, but give her a minute, they’ll come back to her. Maybe.

We now have our emotions in check (at least most of the time). We can still be nurturing and caring, but if we’re going to be, we’re going to do it on our terms. We live by our intuition, only now our intuition is shaped by experience. We’re not afraid to show our emotions, but at the same time, we often just don’t care.

Future: The Magician

The Magician represents power, resourcefulness, and skill. At this point and moving forward, we know what we want and we know how to get it.

And if what we want is to spend the weekend on the couch in ripped sweats and old, stained band T-shirt, watching terrible movies, and drinking delicious coffee, so be it.

Go get it, girl!

But only if you feel like it.

Let’s Talk about Manifestation

Posted on by Giacarla in witchcraft

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash

When I first started studying magic, I started like most in the late 80s, early 90s, with Scott Cunningham’s books on Wicca. (Note: I had the opportunity to work with his sister Christine, and she is delightful and wrote a wonderful book about her brother and their lives.) Granted it’s been a few years since I began learning and a whole lot more books, but it interests me how much the concept of manifestation has changed over the years.

What is manifestation?

In witchcraft, manifestation is bringing something to fruition though spell work utilizing focused intention, tools, and often tradition. And with modern magic, mundane activities are often required to help the magic along.

For example, I can do all the spells ever created to make me a better skier, but unless I get my ass on that mountain, I’m never going to improve.

Manifestation today

Today when people talk about manifestation, they often mean positive thinking and visualizing something into existence.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe in the power of positive thinking, at least sometimes. It’s great for building confidence and motivation, and that’s been scientifically proven.

But if all it took to manifest desires was thinking good thoughts, I would have, among other things:

  • millions of dollars
  • a penthouse in New York City
  • expert skiing ability
  • peace on earth
  • a flat stomach

If only, right?

Manifestation for self-care

I also don’t remember self-care as being a huge focus in magical studies. I’m not at all opposed to it; it just seems like a relatively new concept. Am I wrong?

It’s possible my memory sucks, or I wasn’t reading specific books, and while I’m very concerned with my physical wellbeing (see my list of doctors, meds, and gym schedule), emotional wellbeing isn’t something I’ve put much thought into— in witchcraft or otherwise.

Now that I say that I realize how unhealthy that may be.

But hey, I’m Gen-X and based on our unsupervised childhood and disaffection from life, that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

Maybe someday . . .

I’ll try magical self-care as a way to manifest personal wellbeing. There are certainly some great resources out there to help, and people I respect swear by it.

In the meantime, I’ll use magic for other things. I’ll also keep visualizing my penthouse and peace on earth. Who knows, maybe it will work after all!

A Tarot Message for the New Year

Posted on by Giacarla in Tarot

Photo by Edz Norton on Unsplash

I’ve been reading Tarot for decades. Or really, I’ve had Tarot decks for decades and only in the last five years or so have I started to actually read them regularly instead of just collecting them for the amazing art and the possibility of someday making it a part of my daily spiritual practice.

2026: the year I focus on Tarot

This seems like a great place to start, and I’ll do so with a pick a card message for 2026.

Pick a card:

For this reading, I’m using The Midnight City Tarot Deck. I adore this deck. With it’s gorgeous art and New York City-theme, it’s one of my absolute favorites. I even bought the companion oracle deck — it’s the only oracle I’ve ever bought.

I do apologize for my crappy photos that don’t do the deck justice. They do work for my purpose here, but please check it out through the link to see just how amazing they are.

Let’s do this.

Pick a card and see what the message the universe has for you in the new year.

Three cards face down from the Midnight City Tarot Deck.
The Midnight City Tarot Deck

Card 1: Death

The Death tarot card from The Midnight City Tarot Deck.
Death

The Death card often throws people into a panic because they associate it with literal death. But in Tarot, it actually signifies a change — the end of something, a transition. But like that old saying about doors opening and closing, The Death card sees something coming to an end and a new cycle beginning.

Maybe you’re graduating this year and off to the next stage of your life. Maybe a relationship will come to an end, but you’ll emerge with a new sense of confidence and freedom. Maybe you’ll say goodbye to your gray hair by dying it pink.

Whatever lies ahead, know that you’re ready and embrace the change. It will do you good, even if first it doesn’t seem so.

Card 2: Temperance

The Temperance card from The Midnight City Tarot Deck.
Temperance

Are you a go big or go home type of person? Do you laugh at the thought of patience being a virtue? Do you jump into things with little thought?

Temperance is all about balance, moderation, purpose, and harmony. It’s a sign to step back, take a deep breath, and honestly evaluate where your life needs more balance.

Do you work too much? Are you ignoring self-care? Do you say yes to things even when you’re already completely overwhelmed? How often do you do something impulsively? This is where Temperance comes in.

Being out of balance can affect your mind, body, and soul. This card is telling you that all or nothing isn’t always the best path to take. And when life throws those inevitable challenges and choices at you, think before you act.

Card 3: 8 of Swords

The 8 of Swords from The Midnight City Tarot Deck.
8 of Swords

When the 8 of Swords shows up, it suggests that you feel trapped in some aspect of your life. In other words, you’re stuck.

This could refer to your job, your relationships, and even your feelings about yourself. Are you isolating yourself from your friends but feeling left out? Have you settled into a situation because it’s comfortable and familiar?

The 8 of Swords wants you to stop and think about what’s keeping you trapped in the situation or negative thoughts. Is it possible that the position you’re in is self-imposed? Are your hands really tied, or is there something you can do to free yourself? You have more choices than you think.

3-card reading

Overall, the cards are telling you to take control (8 of Swords) and accept the changes (Death) and challenges that will arise this year. But, of course, not before you take into account the message from the Temperance card.

I don’t believe it’s a coincide that these cards came up during the first full moon of the new year, which just happens to be a wolf moon, one of the biggest and brightest of them all.

I hope you have a blessed new year!