Parting the Mists

Today’s card suggests a special journey, whether literally or figuratively. The story of Arthur’s journey also features one of my favorite mythological figures, Barinthus. (If you doubt that, click here and here.) What kind of journey do you see ahead? Do you need to break free from the grind?

Hope you all have a good day. Blessings!

Six of Swords – The Eachtra (Otherworld Journey)

Meaning: Movement; journey by water. A trip abroad. Easing restrictions. The first step toward an unknown destination. Passage away from danger. A brave attempt to improve one’s circumstances. Breaking free of a rut. Further effort will be needed, but progress has begun. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Anticipation.

Reversed Meaning: Solutions continue to allude one. Feeling despondent and powerless to affect the situation. The continued burden of stressful problems. Being caught in a vicious cycle of worry. Delays in travel. Having to deal with unsolicited advances and harassment.

The Story of the Eachtra: Arthur and his mortal raiders venture to Annwn

The Eachtra is the Irish term used to refer to an Otherworldly journey and adventure. The islands of the Otherworld (or Annwn) were generally thought to lie in the “twilight realm” to the west. Arthur and his crew travel to this enchanted land in the poem “The Spoils of Annwfn.” Under the circumstances, Arthur’s Eachtra was not necessarily a pleasant one. Despite their enticing names – the Fortunate Isles or the Isles of the Blest – not all the islands were paradisal. There were many strange and wonderful variations in their natures. Some were inhabited only by women, wise and skilled healers recalling the sisterhood of Avalon. Others were isles of laughter and homes to giants, spirits, and strange creatures. There was no limit to these immortal isles nor their fantastic characters. The inhabitants were known to produce the finest wines. Owing to this, Anwyn of Welsh tradition is sometimes referred to as “The Court of Intoxication.”

The sublime waters of Annwn were thought to be the haunt of the mythological Barinthus, who guided mortals beyond the veil. Due to his association with Otherworldy voyages and his vast knowledge of the waters and stars, he is also called the “Navigator.” Barinthus figures in the story of St. Brendan, inspiring the sixth century Irish saint to travel the seas in search of the Land of Promise. Barinthus the Navigtoar sometimes appears in the Arthurian saga as the figure who guides the barge carrying the wounded kind to the Isle of Avalon.

Legend: The Arthurian Tarot by Anna-Marie Ferguson