Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The spring equinox is one of the four great solar festivals of the year. Day and night are equal, poised and balanced, but about to tip over on the side of light. The spring equinox is sacred to dawn, youth, the morning star and the east. The Saxon goddess, Eostre (from whose name we get the direction East and the holiday Easter) is a dawn goddess, like Aurora and Eos. Just as the dawn is the time of new light, so the vernal equinox is the time of new life.

The New Year

In many traditions, this is the start of the new year. The Roman year began on the ides of March (15th). The astrological year begins on the equinox when the moon moves into the first sign of the Zodiac, Aries, the Ram. The Greek God Ares is equivalent to the Roman Mars for whom the month of March is named. Between the 12th century and 1752, March 25th was the day the year changed in England and Ireland. March 25, 1212 was the day after March 24, 1211.
I like to celebrate the festival of Nawruz, Persian New Year, which falls on the spring equinox. We fix a special dinner of seven food dishes that begin with ‘S.’ Since we don't know the Arabic names for food, we use English words and eat salad, salami, soup, squash, etc. The table is decorated with a mirror, a bowl of water with one freshly-picked green leaf floating in it, a candleabra containing a candle for every child in the house, a copy of the Koran (or other sacred text), rose water, sweets, fruit, a fish, yogurt and colored eggs.

The Coming of the Spring

Although we saw the first promise of spring at Candlemas in the swelling buds, there were still nights of frost and darkness ahead. Now spring is manifest. Demeter is reunited with her daughter, Kore (the essence of spring), who has been in the Underworld for six months and the earth once again teems with life. The month of March contains holidays dedicated to all the great mother goddesses: Astarte, Isis, Aprhrodite, Cybele and the Virgin Mary. The goddess shows herself in the blossoms, the leaves on the trees, the sprouting of the crops, the mating of birds, the birth of young animals. In the agricultural cycle, it is time for planting. We are assured that life will continue.

Robins Dance in the Spring!

Photo: C.J. Prince

Article: The Farmer's Almanac

http://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-seasons

www.almanac.com

First Day of Seasons: 2012 and 2013

When Does Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Begin?

See chart below to see when seasons begin for 2012 and 2013—namely, the spring or vernal equinox, summer solstice, fall or autumnal equinox, and winter solstice.
The four seasons are determined by changing sunlight (not heat!)—which is determined by how our planet orbits the Sun and the tilt of its axis.

On the first day of spring—the vernal equinox—day and night are each approximately 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days before the vernal equinox). The Sun crosses the celestial equator going northward; it rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west. See our First Day of Spring page!

The first day of summer—the summer solstice—is the longest day of the year, the Sun reaches its most northern point in the sky at local noon. After this date, the days start getting shorter. See our First Day of Summer page!
On the first day of fall—the autumnal equinox—day and night are each about 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days after the autumnal equinox). The Sun crosses the celestial equator going southward; it rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west. See our First Day of Fall page!
The start of winter—the winter solstice—is the shortest day of the year, when the Sun reaches its most southern point in the sky at local noon. After this date, the days start getting longer. See our First Day of Winter page!

Seasons of 2012:
SPRING EQUINOX	March 20, 1:14 A.M. EDT
SUMMER SOLSTICE	June 20, 7:09 P.M. EDT
FALL EQUINOX	September 22, 10:49 A.M. EDT
WINTER SOLSTICE	December 21, 6:12 A.M. EST

Seasons of 2013:
SPRING EQUINOX	March 20, 7:02 A.M. EDT
SUMMER SOLSTICE	June 21, 1:04 A.M. EDT
FALL EQUINOX	September 22, 4:44 P.M. EDT
WINTER SOLSTICE	December 21, 12:11 P.M. EST

Credit: NASA Equinox solstice cycle

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Do you have a favorite deck?

Which ever deck I hold in my hands seems always to be my favorite! Today a card from the Morgan-Greer Tarot fell to the floor...from somewhere! The magic of working with these cards. The deck was tucked in a lovely velvet bag on the other side of the room. That's how the cards work, how a deck calls me.

The Morgan-Greer Tarot is an excellent deck for beginners, and a welcome breath of fresh air for those long blessed with tarot decks.

In the Rider-Waite tradition, the art work cleverly does a close up of the action. The cards are uniquely borderless, like you're in the scene, not observing from a distance.

I sorted my cards, the Majors and the suits into Rods, Cups, Swords, Pentacles, just checking to tally 78. Except for that wayward card, the remainder was in order.

The Court Cards: Page, Knight, Queen, King

Major Arcana: Fool, Magician, High Priestess, Empress, Emperor, Hierophant, Lovers, Chariot, Strength, Hermit, Wheel of Fortune, Justice, The Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, The Devil, The Tower, The Star, The Moon, The Sun, Judgement, The World.

The Fool is 0. Strength is 8 and Justice is 11. I always check. This is my preference though they are often reversed. The natural progression of the Fool's journey seems to want Strength in the 8th position.

Whatever deck dances into your hands this day, enjoy its gift, the color, design, history and message for the moment.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The High Priestess reveals Herself in many Guises

The High Priestess settled under the cedar trees, listened at the dining table as her sisters spoke of her truths. Rotarota: Tea and Tarot met to dance with wisdom. Here are some of the images received during writing meditation:

grace beauty mystery a woman blessed happiness purity balance

in control even in darkness

not afraid to make decisions

she shines like the stars wise

she gives good advise she weaves the web of all that is

cerridwen

ever changing mood of all seasons

stream of time growth and change

half concealed oracle of delphi

in stillness comes the answer this too shall pass

it is not always necessary to pass on all of your knowledge

guidance of the moon

The High Priestess asks

Image by Mari-na

Demure as the Mona Lisa's smile, she waits at the beginning of the deck, following the flippant Fool and the eager manifestor the Magician. This day she wishes your attention. She is not just another card. She offers solace in the long journey to the World.

Here are her questions for you:
   Do you see me as a maiden or crone? Why?
   Do you see me in your dreams? Ask as you enter dreamtime for I will help you.
   What are you ignoring?
   When do you feel trapped?
   What secret do you need to reveal?
   Why do you study tarot?
   What wise women support you? How am I present in their faces?

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

From Joanna Powell Colbert

Gaian Soul: Waiting for Lady Spring

Illustration from "Folktales Children Love" by Watty Piper, ca. 1957

Gaian Tarot / Gaian Soul News from
Joanna Powell Colbert

"At the crossroads of Creativity,
Nature & Spirituality . . .
is Transformation."

March 6, 2012 ~ Gibbous Moon in Leo

Here in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, March begins in rain.
And in snow.
Yesterday I counted three kinds of snowflakes: big, fat, fluffy ones; thin watery ones; and hard pellets of hail.
Today I woke to a chickadee's call.
I hear a faint whisper: "Persephone returns!"
They say that in Seattle (a hundred miles to the south), the salmonberry is in bloom, snowberry is leafing out, and the yellow lanterns of skunk cabbage are rising from the primordial mud. On the island, I'm told, the red-flowering currant is beginning to blossom.
But not here.

So yesterday I went to the woods in search of Spring.
(Click here to read the rest of the story, and to see photos, sketches from my nature journals, and pages from a book I've owned since childhood. The story of Lady Spring in that book is responsible for imprinting me at a young age with a love for the Divine Feminine!)
http://www.gaiansoul.com/2012/03/in-search-of-lady-spring/

C, I just wanted to let you know a little bit more about what we'll be doing in my e-course, Gaian Soul Practices for Spring, that starts next Sunday.

In this session, we will emphasize nature journaling (with camera, drawing, and/or writing), on finding a "secret spot" outside, and closely observing the seasonal changes in your own (proverbial) back yard. (Not unlike the story I just shared with you!)
We're also going to study some of the Maiden Goddesses and Goddesses of Spring, along with the myths of the dying and resurrected gods who were precursors to the Christian story we all know so well.
If you've ever longed to experience the archetypal season of rebirth and resurrection in a mindful, creative, nature-based way -- this may be the course for you.
Today, March 6th, is the last day for the early bird price. I'd love to have you join me and a warm circle of lovely souls who have already gathered to walk this path together.
Class starts next Sunday March 11th, and lasts for five weeks.
All the details are here. Let me know if you have any questions at all. Just hit "reply" to this email!

May the Greening of the Land Bring a Rebirth to your Soul,

P.S. Here's what one happy student said about my Gaian Soul Practices for Candlemas course:
"I so loved the course. It kept me centered and gave me new eyes to really see and appreciate this time of year when the earth is transitioning into Spring. I always thought of the post-Yule season as an endless time of seemingly barren winter, but through your course I was able to celebrate this time of the Land's new awakening. Since I love Brigid, it was so good to celebrate her sacred time too.
Plus, now for the first time in my long life, I have a journal! I write, I 'draw' (not well but joyfully), I gather beautiful images from magazine and paste them in. I use watercolor pencils and have the best time illustrating my pages. I love it! It's reflective and healing and just fun. I even wrote a poem that is now enshrined in my new journal. :-)
I realized how much I loved your course this weekend when my email box was empty, without a new week of reflections and real-time, hands-on activities that tie in with the season." -- Mimi C., New York
Thank you Mimi!
Gaian Soul Practices for Spring

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Who is Joanna?
Joanna Powell Colbert is an artist, author and teacher who offers practical inspiration for transforming your life, at the crossroads where Creativity, Nature and Spirituality meet.
She teaches e-courses and workshops around the country on earth-centered spirituality, manifesting your dreams, creativity as a devotional path, and tarot as a tool for inner guidance and self-exploration.
The Gaian Tarot, nine years in the making, combines Joanna's love of symbolic, archetypal art with the mysteries of Mama Gaia, the natural world. The mass market Llewellyn edition was released in September 2011, and a Collector's Edition is also available. Joanna blogs at www.GaianSoul.com. All Gaian Tarot images can be seen at www.GaianTarot.com. Join other Gaian Tarot lovers in circle at www.GaianTarotCircle.com.

Joanna Powell Colbert, 336 36th St. #172, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA

Friday, March 2, 2012

Check this out!

Omega Tarot Conference 2012 The Tarot: Readers & Deck Creators


Imagine if you could go back 100 years to attend a seminar with A. E. Waite and Pamela Smith, creators of the Rider Deck, the world’s most famous tarot. What would it be like to have Waite and Smith teach you how to read the cards? This conference brings together an extraordinary group of tarot readers and tarot deck creators for a wonderful weekend of readings, art, and practical skills. This year’s conference features three tarot artists plus two deck conceptualizers. Discover what inspired them to “dream the tarot onwards,” creating new images and ideas deeply rooted in the tarot’s ancient traditions. No matter what your level as a reader or your knowledge of tarot is, learning directly from deck creators will help you develop you own natural abilities. Discover what inspires a new deck and what goes into the making of cards that really work. Guided by this passion and knowledge, we do readings—for ourselves, friends, and complete strangers. Creating new decks has changed these teachers’ lives. Learn how the passion for tarot can change yours. Bring your favorite decks, and ideas for your own deck, if you are creating one. Mary K. Greer and Rachel Pollack are also teaching Reading Tarot Cards With Magic & Wisdom; July 29-August 3. Teachers Caitlín Matthews is a writer and teacher acknowledged as a world authority on Celtic wisdom and the ancestral traditions of Britain and Europe. She is the author of more 60 books and the originator of three tarot decks: The Arthurian Tarot, The Da Vinci Enigma Tarot, and The Celtic Wisdom Tarot. hallowquest.org.uk Robert M. Place is an internationally known visionary artist, whose award-winning works in painting, sculpture, and jewelry, have been displayed in galleries and museums in the United States, Europe, and Japan. He is the designer, illustrator, and coauthor of The Alchemical Tarot and The Angels Tarot. thealchemicalegg.com Joanna Powell Colbert is an artist, writer, and teacher of tarot and earth-centered spirituality. Amber Lotus Publishers calls her one of “the most accomplished and well-loved artists in the Goddess-spirit community.” The Gaian Tarot, nine years in the making, combines her love of archetypal art with the mysteries of the natural world. gaiansoul.com Rachel Pollack is the author of 32 books, including two award-winning novels and the tarot classic, 78 Degrees Of Wisdom, referred to by readers, teachers, and tarot professionals as “the Bible of tarot readers.” She is also the designer and illustrator of the Shining Tribe Tarot. rachelpollack.com Mary K. Greer is a writer, teacher, and tarot reader whose innovative techniques are interactive, transformational, and empowering. She is author of 10 books, latest of which is Who Are You in the Tarot? She collaborated with Ed Buryn to create The William Blake Tarot of the Creative Imagination. marygreer.wordpress.com