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Welcome to the Imbolc Tarot blog hop! In pagan seasonal circles, Imbolc is both the depth of winter and the first hint of spring, the increase in the sun’s energy that starts the germination process, for new plants, new projects, new loves.
Musings on Germination
Been watching the hubby working with his bonsai trees and germinating apple seeds in empty spam cans under the LED ceiling lights in our trailer here at the RV park. Everything starts small, you know, new homes, trees, ideas, the first page of your book, the first stitch of your new shawl.
And everything needs certain conditions to germinate. Being offered a new opportunity involves all sorts of preparation, actually, prior to the official beginning of growth. Seeds must be softened in water and then heated to a certain temperature before they receive the news that it’s worth putting forth the energy to break the seed husk and get started. You have to go pick out the right yarn and needles for the shawl, receive the aha! for that new idea.
There is always a time and a space before the beginning, isn’t there? Even in the Tarot, the Aces, which are the cards we are celebrating this blog hop, are offered from disembodied hands that come from…heaven? Another dimension? Your subconscious? Depending on your belief system and perspective, any of those.
Oh, and in some decks/systems, the Aces are the culmination and embodiment (like a seed) of the most developed version of the suit, and are counted at the end (2–10 and 1 instead of 1–10). This is the perspective of the Osho Zen Tarot.
So, the end is beginning and the beginning is the end…it’s a circle! And there’s the Wheel of Fortune, the 10, which is the 1, the Ace, but looking at the whole circle from the center. Wow.
The energy of germination flowing into the energy of fullness then ebbing into the energy of emptying to not-quite-zero (but maybe oval like an egg), then back out. And back in. Like breath.
The Meditation
Take out your aces from your deck (or you can look at mine here on the page), and take in the words I’ve laid out for each one. Breathe, visualize, absorb the energy of each element’s cycle of beginning…
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Ace of SwordsTake a breath. Grasp the hilt. Swing it out with the exhale. Pause in the stillness. Take a breath in… |
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Ace of WandsStart a spark. Watch the flames flow into the night. Pause in the glow of the embers. Start a spark… |
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Ace of CupsFill your cup. Hold it high. Pour out your love. Pause in that feeling. Fill your cup… |
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Ace of CoinsFill your pockets. Pat them proudly. Empty them into the hands of others. Pause in the satisfaction. Fill your pockets… |
The Germination Spread
So, to germinate, we need certain conditions, remember? Let’s ask the Tarot to show us the conditions we need to look for to germinate our next project, idea, relationship, business. So, pick a “location” in your life to plant your seed, lay out four cards and ask (in alignment with the elements):
- What’s the best soil (location) for germination?
- How often should I water (work on) it?
- How much heat (attention) should I give it?
- How much air (exposure) should I give it?
Have fun taking care of your inner seed. I look forward to the results.
And don’t forget all the other wonderful writers in the blog hop. You are welcome to continue hopping in whatever direction you wish with the links below.
Thanks for making your site easy to read with the large font and clear typeface, you have no idea how easy it makes for a person like myself to read. Loved the decks a couple of them I recognised and also lovely idea for a spread, thanks again 🙂
You are entirely welcome, and I will pass that on to the theme designers over at StudioPress. 🙂
I love the meditations! I’ll be using those, and the spread – thank you!
You’re welcome!
Love your meditation prompts, Joanne! And the spread looks very insightful (I do love things with a nice mnemonic behind them) 😀
Right, Chloe. I do most especially appreciate your comments as I know you evaluate and write about lots of Tarot stuff regularly. Thanks so much!
I hope to literally be sowing some seeds very soon, as well as nurturing the seeds of my new trading year. These meditations will give me a useful focus in this regard 🙂
Thanks, Ania. Happy gardening, and also happy progress on the Meniscus deck as the weather improves.
This is lovely. I actually did the meditation while sitting at my computer and it was vivid and beautiful. Thank you!
Awesome, Olivia! It just seemed to flow somehow…
Hey, Joanne!
Lovely to see those inspirational meditation hooks there- it’s a very different style to how I’d usually meditate on the cards, and so it’s one that I’m looking forward to giving a try and incorporating into my usual practices!! 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration!
Scott
Awesome, Scott. Thanks so much!
Thanks Joanne. That has made me smile – I’m currently in the middle of rearranging my whole room so that I have enough space to start a new project, so I’m definitely feeling the ebb and flow… I’ll return to try your read when my chaos is less turbulent 🙂
Hi, Karen! Thanks! I see you’ve found some interesting treasures from the past (letter/poem from passed relative). Go forth into change!
Oh the meditations! Thank you. 😀