January, 2014 - First Tarot Session for Kathy Eckert's class - Create a candle wreath

TAROT SHADOWS

Greetings!

On Wednesday night, January 29th, seven of us began our journey to discover the positive implications of the Tarot shadows in our lives. This first session of The Gift of the Tarot Shadows, an 8-week course to be held here at the Seattle Metaphysical Library on Wednesday evenings, contained an introduction to the concept of symbolic shadows. As part of that introduction to shadow work, we participated in a guided meditation relating growth through personal shadows to that symbolized by the turning of the Wheel of the Year. In late January and early February, many cultures throughout history have celebrated their hope for the return of warmth and growth, as seeds that have been dormant through the coldest part of the winter first begin to stir. For now, those seeds are still beneath the ground, as unseen as the shadows we hide within ourselves. However, before long, as the days grow longer, those seeds will burst with new life, just as we hope that in facing the shadows often associated with unhappiness and disaster, we can access the positive energy hidden within those ‘scary’ images. Repeating an ancient Celtic tradition associated with the seasonal celebration of Imbolc, we created a candle wreath, which is now hanging in the library. Throughout the next 8 weeks, It will be there as a visual expression of those hopes for the coming of new light as we face and understand our shadows.

As we begin, it might be helpful to provide an overview of the plans for the next few weeks. Next week, on February 5th, we will examine the methods for exploring the Tarot shadows, and we will personalize our work by completing a spread for identifying and contacting the shadow aspect of ourselves. Our work the next week, February 12th, will focus, using the Court cards, on the shadows as they appear in our interactions with others. On the next Wednesday, February 19th, continuing hurts from our past experience will be highlighted. The next two weeks will be devoted to loss that we are currently experiencing, with February 26th focusing on material loss and March 5th offering a look at emotional loss as seen through the Tarot shadows. On Wednesday, March 12th, fears of the future will be the topic addressed. The final day of this course, March 19th, will be the day before spring begins, and we will welcome the coming warmth and light, as well as celebrating our successes in bringing those qualities into our lives by facing our own shadows.

It was great to see once again several of the people who had shared our journey last year through the Jungian symbols in the Tarot. As before, I want to repeat the invitation to all of you to join us at ant point in our class, The material in any of the later classes is not dependant on prior knowledge of either the Tarot itself or of material from the earlier classes. Come to a few of the classes, all of them, or whatever is convenient for you. Your financial support is also appreciated, with half the proceeds again going to the library, but the suggested $5.00 donation is simply a suggestion, not a required fee. In any case, hope to see you soon! Bright Blessings, Kathy