Joan Marie's Sacred Days of the Autumnal Equinox 2019

[Joan Marie]

Well here I go. My first big adventure with The Spirit Keeper's Tarot.

I feel like there should be some kind of ritual to begin this, the recitation of a poem or a prayer, something like that.
Maybe I'll think of something.


Day 1 18.9. Ludi magni games - Roman games in honour of the god Jupiter, celebrated with circus performances. This card reflects the spirit of celebration in your life, and how you can bring more joy and playfulness to yourself and others.

The Eight of Orbs.
This is an interesting card to get in regard to the subject of playfulness and joy.
This card is about work, dedication and study. But it is also about seeing the big picture.
That's according to the book.

But I see something else at play here. The Journeyman here is deeply into some occult learning. He/she is meditative and learning. To me this is joy. She is also juggling many balls here, many topics and this is something I can really relate to right now at this time. And the thing is many other people are involved on all kinds of levels with the things I am working on. I feel like a real catalyst. And every day I have to learn new things, of all kinds, and at the same time maintain a level of enthusiasm for myself and the people I am working with.

I feel very strongly that half the battle of life is making it fun and enjoyable somehow, even during the often grinding details. But this is not accomplished without the hard work of study, thought and planning. And of the nitty-gritty of doing the work.

Also, it's important to know when to stop and enjoy the results of the work, whatever they are. The strengthening of relationships. The shared ideas (which is such a huge gift in life, to share ideas) and even the overcoming of obstacles.

I might have preferred to get some kind of a "party" card here, but if the truth be told, this card fits my life better right now and speaks to the real kind of joy I am experiencing, engaging in learning and thinking and creating things with other people.

So, not a bad start at all.

[Joan Marie]

Day 2 19.9. Day of Our Lady of La Salette[/b] - an apparition of the Christian Mother of God/Holy Virgin. She brings message of hope to humanity. Where is your personal source of hope and spirituality?

The Five of Orbs - The Vagabond

If you've ever been through tough times and survived it, you know that there was something that brought you through it. Some spirit or guide that maybe reached through to you through another person and helped you find the strength and the direction you needed.

I know who that person is for me. And he is a bit of a Vagabond himself. This source of hope and spirituality is a very real person who has changed my life since the moment he entered it, and who continues to constantly make me see differently and find the depth and beauty in dignity in life and in all people.

The person I'm talking about is my son.

This card in the RWS and in many other depictions has 2 people. I've always seen that card as being the card of him and me. Always. So interesting how in this deck it only depicts a single person, and on the draw for this day when I am asking about my personal source of spirituality, I draw that card.

[Diana]

I'm not certain at all that there's only one person in this card. Immediately I saw the card I thought that silhouette/shadow was a second person. I assumed that the person fully apparent in the card is the reader, i.e. you, and the silhouette, or the person hidden in the shadows, is someone else. Is the vagabond the person or the silhouette, I wondered.

What does it say in the booklet ?

[Diana]

Joan Marie, just to clear something up. I think my above post could be misunderstood. I was in no way questioning the deep feelings and meaning of this card that must have welled up in you when you drew it. The link between you and your son seems so strong that nothing I believe could come in the way of the closeness and precious relationship that you have with him. How blessed you both are.

I was just wanting to say that even if a third party, like me, saw this card in another light, from another perspective, and if you were the person in the card, the silhouette behind shows that wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whether your son is near or far, he is always with you. You're never alone. And I find this so beautiful.

[Joan Marie]

I'm not certain at all that there's only one person in this card. Immediately I saw the card I thought that silhouette/shadow was a second person. ..

What does it say in the booklet ?

I do see what you mean. To me the shadow looked like the same form as the person, so I thought it was his shadow. You get used to Benebell's drawing style after a while, it's not always very technically accurate, so I can see how it could look like the shadow is of another person.

In the booklet she only speaks of the "Spirit of the Vagabond" (each card embodies a spirit that accompanies you in certain situations.) BUT, I could see the actual figure being the subject of the reading (me in this case) and the shadow being the spirit of the Vagabond.

This makes my interpretation even more interesting. Because my son lives in America, far from me, so aside from our frequent Skypes, his presence is like a shadow, a spirit beside me all the time.

And no need to explain. I love that we are discussing all these things. It's what makes the group aspect of this exercise so great.

[Joan Marie]

Day 3 20.9. Sedna, Inuit Goddess of the Sea - This card asks you to address your fears and shadows before the winter comes, like the Inuit did in their Sedna festival.

The Ten of Scepters - The Burdened One
I've been staring at this card for several minutes now and I am just not sure what it's saying to me.
It isn't work I am afraid of. Maybe it is the perception that it's all I do that I am afraid of.
It isn't true, I have my fun, but I am less and less interested in socialising for the sake of socialising. I definitely prefer quality to quantity when it comes to that.
This works out for me because I have many many things to work on and more all the time. And I am totally absorbed by and committed to these things. And I enjoy it immensely. But I do fear that I'm beginning to be perceived to be a little anti-social. What doesn't help, is that when people inquire as to what I'm working on, it's hard to explain and as soon as the word "Tarot" comes up, well, ...you guys understand.

On the plus side, I am finding some unexpected, and really spectacular allies. But my local circle of family &friends here are not really it. (with a couple of very important exceptions.)

So I need to make peace with this. Find a way to be able to explain myself that is honest and actually can satisfy people's "curiosity" in some way. They can't help it if they don't understand. But at the same time, I shouldn't be made to feel bad or defensive about that either.

I personally have a policy of never asking people what they "do." I realised it's just a question that is either small talk or the person asking is just positioning themselves (am I better, faster, smarter, richer, more interesting..etc). Rarely is the question asked out of any genuine interest in understanding the other person.

When I worked in Silicon Valley they taught us about the "elevator pitch." That meant being able to answer the question, "what are you/your group working on these days" in the space of a short elevator ride, which is when that kind of question was usually asked. We were told we needed to be able to give a concise and powerful answer to leave the person who asked impressed.

I was never good at this. I see the point of it, definitely, I just suck at it. And I actually kind of resent being expected to "sell" others on how I live my life just in order to avoid their patronising smile, or worse.

But there MUST be a graceful and charming way out of this. Something that leaves everyone feeling well. And it's not a trick. It's finding a real understanding, a truth I have to make conscious in order to express it.

This would give me a lot of peace to have this figured out.

[Joan Marie]

Day 4 21.9. Eleusinia - an ancient Greek holiday, commemorating Demeter and Persephone. She has to leave the world of of growth and abundance and descend to the realm of death. This card reflects grief, sadness and the traces of tears in your life. Acknowledge and honour them.

The Four of Chalices: The Hollow Void

I'm having trouble with this one because everyone experiences grief and sadness and loss. I have nothing new to say about it. This day's exercise only asks for an acknowledgement and to honour the tears.

Maybe that is what is in the cup. Maybe it's a cup of tears. And behind flows the river of tears of everyone. It's not possible to take on the sadness of the world. But I can take on my own I guess. And maybe the three cups floating are future tears, tears that await me.

I can accept that too. I have to. We all do. It isn't unfair. It's just the way it is. For everyone.

So I will accept my cup of tears today, acknowledge and honour them and be grateful for the gift of being able to feel.

[Joan Marie]

Day 5 22.9. Meditrinalia - an ancient Greek holiday honoring the goddess of healing. Think about your healing process and how you can continue it. Where do you draw strength from? How can you heal and nurture yourself in the future? Pamper yourself today and close these twelve days of introspection with healing thoughts.

Nine of Chalices - The Wish Granted
That's actually a pretty good definition of healing: A wish granted.

It's an interesting point to think that if you want to be healed you should ask for that. Say the words. As opposed to just waiting for it to happen.

In the LWB with this deck there are instructions as to how you can make a wish using this card. And I will perform that little ritual now. What a great demonstration of what I just said, this card encourages me to tae a step toward my own healing by performing a little ritual and asking for it.

I will do it but I will also remember the meaning of this.

It also says here to pamper myself today, well it's a little late here for that, but I guess there is still time for a bubble bath.

[Joan Marie]

Day 6 23.9. Autumn Solstice - Libra - Mabon - the day of perfect equilibrium. A day for two cards. What is growing in your life, what is decreasing? This two-card reading reflects the balance of your energies and, if there is imbalance, what you need to address.

Six of Chalices and Six of Swords (very balanced!)
The Memory Keeper and The Ferryman

These little creatures popping out of eggs and these daffodils popping out of cups look very springtime, not autumn. My first thought was they are like ideas and projects and beginnings. There is also a connection to voices or whispers from the past, maybe from myself, a part (a good part) that was lost in a maze for a while and now wants to reconnect.

The Ferryman looks like darkness and trouble, or being guided past it. Leaving trouble behind.

So glad to see these landed as they did! This feels so encouraging to me.

According to the little book, 6's are the realm of nurturing.
According to the Tree of Life, 6's are the realm of beauty.

I love this message so much I don't want to mess it up by over-thinking it.

[Joan Marie]

Day 7 24.9. Brazil holiday of Maiso, mother goddess - what is the role of your mother in your life, how do you mother yourself/father yourself? Reflect on the maternal/paternal archetypes within yourself, and how you can make them work for you, not against you.

The Shining Quarry (King of Pents) Wild & Fertile Land

What a beautiful card for this day. The winged "Dark Horse!"

I really feel this card on many levels. First, I love that long shiny black hair.
But aside from external appearance, This card is so encouraging to pursue ideas and dreams, and yet, it also advises to keep grounded in some sense in order for it all to work. pay attention to detail, make a plan, follow through, all those great things that good parents teach their kids. I am teaching myself these things, all the time.

I used to get so excited by my ideas that I never finished anything. I think I burnt out, or failed through lack of planning, not building a proper foundation.

This beautiful horse reminds me that a strong foundation is needed before one can fly. But do not doubt those wings.

I cannot think of better motherly advice than that.

It also happens to be exactly what I need to hear right now.

[Joan Marie]

Day 8 25.9. Greek holiday Pyanopsia - Thanksgiving for the fruits of the sun. Wind white or purple wool around a laurel or olive branch, and hang or arrange fruit around it. These don't have to be actual fruit - you can write on a paper things that you are grateful for. What is the fruit of your past action, ripening now?

Five of Scepters - The Contender

Well this is an interesting choice.
Perhaps this card is indicating a challenge I undertook, where there was pushback in the form of general discouragement. And that discouragement was not unfounded so I took it to heart, but not so much that I gave up.

There is a power in believing in something. And believing in yourself maybe not so much in the "I can do anything" way but more in the "I can try anything" way. It's about not being afraid to fail, or to lose. because the worst failure is never trying.
I know that sounds corny but it's gotten me through a lot of things in life.

And yes I am seeing the fruits of that attitude ripening these days.

[Joan Marie]

Day 9 26.9. Holiday of Neptune - This is a card about anger and anger management. Contemplate about how you deal with negative feelings. Is there a way to tranform negative energies into positive ones, making your anger pull your carriage and drive you on?

The Outlaw: Sacrifice and Redemption (The Hanged man)

(Have I mentioned how much I love this deck?)
I have a relationship with anger. In the past I was terrible at expressing it. By this I mean that I took it too far, I got too emotional, I made things worse. All the time. I thought that was what one did. I also hung onto it, way past its expiration date.

I'm older now and I've learned better. I know there are better ways to handle anger and to express it. Thing is, I still sometimes forget. But at least now I notice. It feels awful when I do that, like a self-betrayal. Not to mention it can be embarrassing.

This card to me is about self-control, mindfulness. Calm in the face of fury or trouble. But it's a calm that comes from a high place, a real consciousness.

I feel like we live in a time where people are very quick to anger and rush to judgement, where nuance is lost and one's stance on absolutely everything is required on the spot. There is a place for anger, no doubt. But without skills it's just more noise, more "sound and fury signifying nothing."

This card is called the Outlaw and is supposed to signify breaking away to serve a higher purpose. In this case, it would signify breaking away from my own poor habits, bad influences I had, the people and situations that led me away from my true self.

It encourages me to work on my skills and to stay always mindful.

[Joan Marie]

Day 10 27.9. Vendémiaire - month of the grape harvest in the French revolutionary calendar month. Raise your glass to your big and small achievements in the last year, either with wine or grape juice, and enjoy your success.


I'm going to go a little rogue today. Since the guidance for today doesn't really name a question or area to consider, instead of a card draw, I'm going with a photo I took a few years ago in Crete. The night we arrived in the little village where we stayed there was a celebration of the grape. It was so warm and surprising, and everything was free, free wine, free food, music, everything. It was a great start to a holiday. And it felt like going back in time. Party lights in the street, people dancing, kids dogs and cats, all in this tiny village square.

This photo I took is one of my all time favourite photos I'v ever taken and it fits the theme of today.

Children of Kalamki Crete stomping the grapes

I wish you all a lovely Friday and many achievements great and small in the coming year.

[Joan Marie]

Day 11 28.9. Maha Navami - a Hindu holiday celebrating goddess Durga's victory over a demon. Part of the celebrations is chanting. Reflect on a victory you want to win over the next three months, and devise a chant for it. Write it down where you can see it and envision the joy you will feel when you reach this goal

The Stronghold of the Vale (Page of Pents)

See the little envelope? That's a message for me. When you draw a Stronghold you are supposed to draw another card to get the message.
I did that but I am going to keep the message private.

I like this howling creature on the Vale, it's like I think this animal has my chant.
The Howl, or chant comes from deep within me and takes shape in the world as I release it.

Set the spirit free with love.

[Joan Marie]

Day 12 29.9. Rosh HaShana - beginning of the Jewish New Year. It's a Jewish custom to send greetings and good wishes to people in your life. Use this day to focus on the people who are important to you, what you can do to strengthen your ties to them, and contact at least one person you have neglected lately.

At sundown, it will be the year 5780.
שנה טובה ומתוקה : Have a good and sweet year.

I got her again. Same card as yesterday.

And the message (in that little envelope) is a card that reminds me of the person who I have been neglecting lately. Someone who is suffering.
I need to fix that today. And to think about, as I celebrate life and renewal, those who are suffering.

I also want to consider the importance of strengthening ties and why it is necessary to focus on the other person. I think we often think of this in regards to what it does for us, but do we think enough about why strengthening ties helps the other person?

It isn't enough to just do something, we need to really understand why we do it. It's worth taking the time to contemplate this today. And also, for me, to harken back to yesterday's reading with this angel, and recall and recite my chant:

Set the Spirit Free With Love.

Yesterday, I assumed this meant my spirit. Today I realise we can set other people's spirits free with love.