Week of April 22-28, 2024
On the other side of the eclipse and into Taurus season
Hello dear ones - I have returned. The eclipse was intense. I’m currently still in the aftermath of it. How was it for you? I trust you looked after yourselves and prioritized self-care. I did, and am all the better for it.
Onto the guidance and my musings for the week…
Yesterday, I spent the entire day in bed. I slept, read books, binge-watched anime, journaled… it was blissful. I thought about getting outside for a walk, then decided against it. I stayed snuggled under the covers, only moving to eat, get water or use the bathroom. My kids were on their own and they survived.
This morning, I went about my usual ritual and asked Spirit what do we need to know this week. While enchanting my tea, a weekly tarot spread presented itself in my mind. I’m calling it The Weekly Balance Spread.
I find myself saying, “balance is everything” in conversations with people all the time. Balance isn't just a nice idea; it's the very essence of existence. Think of it like a skilled tightrope walker. Too much focus on one side and they topple over. Too little, and they lose their center. Balance allows them to navigate the space with grace and precision.
Similarly, we navigate our lives on a metaphorical tightrope. We juggle light and dark, masculine and feminine, action and stillness. The physical world (our job, finances, responsibilities) needs attention, but so does the inner world (our emotions, thoughts and spiritual well-being). Neglecting either side throws us off balance, leading to disharmony and a sense of being lost. My goal for this weekly spread is to offer guidance on actions we (yes, I’m including myself in this) take to keep that from happening.
Weekly Balance Spread
We begin with the foundation. This represents the overall energy of the week… the main theme or influence that could potentially present itself. I drew the 7 of Wands. The first thing I thought of when seeing it was boundaries. Hmm…
The overall energy of the week is about facing challenges and standing up for yourself. You may encounter situations where you need to defend your ideas, boundaries or accomplishments. This is a time to be confident and resourceful. Support yourself. Very interesting indeed as I will be taking part in the $10k in 10 days challenge with WSABM (the Club). So for me, this means not only holding boundaries with others, but also holding boundaries with myself.
Get in balance: Identify a situation where you might need to be assertive this week. Prepare a concise and confident way to communicate your needs or defend your position. You don’t need to share this with anyone. It’s for you, so you can navigate the week with confidence and self-assurance.
Next is the challenge, which highlights a potential obstacle or area needing attention. I chuckled when I drew this card. Can you guess what it is? Yep… Death. This card loves to come out for me. And it’s quite timely after such an intense eclipse. A lot of things are “dying” in my life right now.
The Death card is nothing to fear. In fact, I’ve come to welcome this card. It’s a card of endings, transformations, letting go and closure. It might point toward a situation or belief system that's reached its natural conclusion and needs to be released to make way for something new. It will happen either voluntarily or involuntarily. Either way, there’s always a positive outcome once the suffering is over. Yes, there may be some suffering. It’s part of the process.
Get in balance: Reflect on the area(s) of your life that feels stagnant or unfulfilling. Is there a habit you need to break, a project you need to let go of or an outdated belief that no longer serves you? Identify one thing you can release this week. We have a full moon in Scorpio on Tuesday. Scorpio loves secrets and mysteries and getting to the bottom of things. Scorpio is fixed water. It's a time when the veil between the conscious and unconscious thins, allowing us to go deep into the murky corners of our emotional landscape. Don’t be afraid to go into the dark. The full moon illuminates. Use it to shed the weight.
Now that you know what the potential challenge could be, next is self-care to support yourself through it. I drew the Ace of Cups. The Ace of Cups encourages emotional openness, self-love and nurturing relationships. This includes the relationship with yourself! I will die on this hill. This week, prioritize activities that make you feel loved and supported. It’s not selfish. I spent an entire day in bed half-ignoring my kids. I feel zero guilt. I needed that time.
Get in balance: Schedule time for activities that bring you joy. This could be spending time in nature, cooking, gardening, practicing mindfulness or having a heart-to-heart with a friend. If it involves people, that’s great. But if it doesn’t, that’s great too.
Which brings me to the guidance on how to approach this week… the 4 of Swords. I can’t make this stuff up. The guidance goes hand in hand with the self-care. The 4 of Swords suggests a need for rest, reflection and inner peace. Regardless what is happening around you this week, this little lamb is advising you to take a step back from the challenges and prioritize your mental well-being. It’s no coincidence that the sun is beaming on its third eye.
Get in balance: Make time for activities that promote relaxation and inner peace. Meditation, journaling, spending time in nature, reading literature or simply taking a quiet break (even if for 5 mins) can all be helpful.
As a final message, I drew an oracle card from the SoW Beltane Oracle — Milk and butter. This card offers a direct message of having faith and trusting the universe. Spirit was speaking very loudly about a personal situation at this point, but the message is for you, too. This card speaks to the importance of believing in yourself and your magick. Even when facing challenges (Death) and needing to assert yourself (7 of Wands), remember the universe has your back.
My final musings: This week is about navigating change and transformation (Death) while staying true to yourself (7 of Wands). Take care of yourself emotionally (Ace of Cups) and allow yourself time for rest and reflection (4 of Swords). Have faith in yourself and the universe (Milk and butter). You are sacred.
Let’s chat about Taurus season and Beltane
Y’all… I’m so glad Aries season is over. I felt the shift immediately and am hoping the collective energy calms down. We have officially stepped into the warm embrace of Taurus season, fixed earth. It is a welcomed shift, inviting us to slow down, savor the present moment and connect with the sensual delights of life. I’m all about the slow living.
Within this is Beltane, a vibrant fire festival celebrated around May 1. I’m not one to strictly follow the wheel of the year. But as my personal practice is very seasonal, I do like to acknowledge the seasonal shifts based on what’s happening in nature. Also, it means that I can finally play with my Seasons of the Witch Beltane Oracle. I love using these decks during their seasons to really feel the energy they provide.
Drawing the Milk and butter card inspired me to do a little writing on the energies of Taurus season and Beltane, and how we can use them in meaningful, but modern ways.
Taurus season - Stability and sensuality
Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty and pleasure. This is a time to indulge your senses and appreciate the finer things in life. Taurus grounds us, fostering a sense of stability, security and comfort.
Key aspects of Taurus season:
Sensuality and pleasure (in all forms). Taurus invites us to reconnect with our senses. Savor delicious food, embrace the beauty of nature and create a sensory-rich environment in your home. Light scented candles, listen to calming music and take pleasure in the simple joys of life.
Stability and security. Taurus craves stability. Remember, Taurus is fixed earth. Emphasis on “fixed”. This is a good time to focus on creating a sense of security in your finances, relationships and career. Prioritize creating a budget, spending quality time with loved ones and setting clear boundaries. (7 of Wands)
Self-care and indulgence. Taurus encourages self-care and indulgence. Treat yourself to a luxurious bath, get a massage or create a spa day at home. Self-care is not selfish; it allows you to show up as your best self for yourself and others. (Ace of Cups)
Slow down and enjoy the moment. The world moves very fast. Taurus invites us to slow down and appreciate the present moment. Disconnect from technology, spend time in nature and savor your meals. Don’t woof it all down in five minutes. Mindfulness practices like meditation or spending time in nature can be particularly helpful during this time.
Creativity and grounding. Many associate Taurus with being stubborn or “bull-headed”, but there’s a lot more to this energy. Taurus is an incredibly creative sign. Use this energy to indulge in creative pursuits, whether it's painting, writing, cooking or gardening. The grounding energy of Taurus helps you bring your creative vision to life. Kitchen witchery is very Taurean.
Notes about Beltane…
Falling roughly around May 1, Beltane is a fire festival steeped in ancient tradition. If you’re new around here, I love researching and learning about old magick. Beltane marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It’s a time of peak fertility and abundance. Apart from acknowledging the energy of Beltane, I personally don’t do anything to celebrate. But here are some ideas if you want to do something to honor this midpoint:
Traditionally, Beltane was celebrated with bonfires, symbolizing the cleansing power of fire and the increasing warmth of the sun. Gather with friends and family for a bonfire night and enjoy the warmth of the flames. Either build a campfire in the woods (safely!) or gather round a fire pit in the backyard.
Dance around a Maypole, with or without clothes haha. The Maypole represents fertility and the interconnectedness of all things. Depending on where you live, there may be a May Day parade you can attend and do this or simply create your own version with ribbons or streamers tied to a tree branch in your backyard.
Do a fertility rite. Beltane honors the fertility of the land and the potential for new beginnings. Plant seeds in your garden, both literally and metaphorically. Start a new creative project, write your goals down and visualize them coming to fruition. Or… you can do other fertility rites…
Eat yummy food (feasting). Beltane is a time for joyous celebration. Prepare a delicious feast with seasonal ingredients, share it with loved ones and express gratitude for the abundance in your life.
As you can see, Taurus season and Beltane share a common thread: celebrating abundance and embracing pleasure.
Integration
As Taurus season transitions into Gemini season (mutable air) later in May, the focus shifts from grounding and stability to communication and exploration. However, the lessons learned during Taurus season can be carried forward.
Here's how:
Maintain a focus on self-care. Self-care is a valuable practice to cultivate throughout the year. Not just during Taurus season. Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body and soul.
A core aspect of Taurus energy is appreciating the beauty and pleasure in life. Don't let go of this newfound appreciation for the sensual world. Continue to savor your experiences and create a life filled with beauty and comfort. This beauty will naturally come out in your communication, especially if you are a writer like me.
Maintain stability. This is what I’m most focused on. This is a 4 year for me, which is all about laying the groundwork for a stable foundation. The grounding energy of Taurus can be a guiding light throughout the year. When faced with challenges or uncertainty, I remind myself about the importance of creating stability in my life, both internally and externally. It brings me back to center.
Seasonal shifts offer powerful opportunities for growth and transformation. If you slow down and savor the moment, you can experience it too.
Book Druid signing off,
Until next time xo