Tarot 101 Series: Beltane Spread

Happy May and springtime, everyone! I hope the last four months have been kind to you, though I know spring and summertime will be even better.

In honor of us being between spring and summer, I wanted to do a spread for Beltane. Also known as the Gaelic May Day festival, Beltane is a Pagan celebration held in Ireland and Scotland on May 1, which falls between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Different ways to celebrate include lighting bonfires, feasting, decorating homes or workspaces with May flowers, and visiting holy wells. I found this great spread on Tumblr created by The Curious Cardslinger that can give you insight on what you are birthing and releasing in the month of May.

Let’s get started!

Mock Spread

Card 1 - What can I let go of to benefit from this time of growth?

This card will tell you what to surrender so that you can best enjoy and welcome what is coming in.

For our mock spread, we have the Two of Pentacles which can symbolize letting go of indecision or a certain choice that we know does not align with our desired path. You might have been in limbo regarding a certain move to make, which caused some stagnancy. This month, you are being guided to let go of this back and forth and really sit with yourself and ask what option will best suit you at this time. You might need to make a pros and cons list at this time or employ whatever strategy helps you make a decision. The Two of Pentacles can also represent someone who is stressing about money. In this case, you are being guided to stress less and take the necessary action so that you are more financially comfortable.

Card 2 - What is getting ready to come into my life at this time?

This card will tell you what you are welcoming into your life. This can be a person, place, thing, or energy.

For this position, we got the Father of Cups, which is the King of Cups in the original Rider-Waite Tarot deck. The King of Cups can represent a loving and reliable father figure or an older man you might be romantically interested in. So, if this is regarding a person, you can expect to encounter someone like this or you can be this somebody for someone else. If this is not regarding a person (pull clarifying cards for more insight if need be), then this can speak to a favorable situation coming into your life. Also, someone could find out that they are an expecting parent or someone close to them is. I also read the King of Cups as the highest form of love one can experience; true, unconditional love. You could be feeling this way towards someone or something this month. All in all, you can expect a more loving and emotionally fulfilled energy to enter your life!

Card 3 - What am I ready to bring forth at this fertile time?

This card will show you what you are birthing this month. This is something you are bringing to yourself and the world around you. Consider it your gift to life.

In this position we have the Hermit. This card represents someone who spends time going within so that they can come out more wise and insightful. So I read this as the wisdom that you have acquired while being in hermit mode is now ready to be shared with the world. You might share some of your knowledge online or in person and really help someone. The Hermit can also speak to someone being very psychic and almost like a spiritual guide. If you notice people are in need of your psychic and spiritual abilities this month, do not hesitate to share because your help is going to go further than you expect.

Card 4 - Which of my gifts will be most helpful in this matter?

This card is similar to card three however, this card will speak to a specific gift that you have always had that will best help you bring something forth to the world and yourself this month.

For this position, we have the lovely Three of Swords: partly sarcastic, partly serious. Now, I know the Three of Swords can be very scary to some but the reality is this is an energy we experience all too often. Three of Swords is the point of no return. It is almost like a reality check letting us know we can not go any further doing the same things we have been doing; we have to let someone or something go. This can be hurtful.

Now, you're probably wondering how this is a gift and I will tell you. Your ability to experience something hurtful/heartbreaking and eventually see it as a learning experience is a gift. You can go through a dark knight of the soul and come out wiser, more resilient, and more brave. This is something you can teach others this month. Like I said for the card three position, after coming out of hermit mode you are now prepared to help others see the light as well. This month, really try your best to turn an unfavorable situation into a learning opportunity for yourself and others.

Card 5 - How can I most gracefully accept what’s coming?

This card will show you how you can open yourself up to receive your greatest blessings coming in this month.

For this position, we got the 10 of Wands which speaks to needing a break or timeout. The 10 of Wands is similar to the 10 of Swords, the only difference is the latter represents a complete ending. For example, getting a divorce is a 10 of Swords; deciding to just live separately from your spouse is a 10 of Wands. That being said, try and incorporate some breaks and timeouts for yourself this month before you lead yourself to a complete burnout. Wherever you feel like you are coming to your wits' end, walk away and allow for some time to pass before you take action. You don’t want to be in a 10 of Swords energy while your blessings and new beginnings are pouring in.

Card 6 - Advice

By now you should know how much I love ending a spread with some advice from your guides.

For this position, we got the Daughter of Pentacles, which is the Page of Pentacles in the original tarot deck. Now, the Page of Pentacles represents someone who is ambitious and goal-oriented, and very much on top of their material world responsibilities. Therefore, this month you are being advised to be diligent and thorough with your money, home, job, etc. This is not the month to slack off on your responsibilities and give the bare minimum. You will see your best results by being intentional and focused.

- Symone Smith, @aquaa_cunt