Parting the Mists

First, blessed Autumn Equinox (or Mabon, Harvest Home, Feast of Avalon or whatever you prefer to call it)! For those in the Southern Hemisphere, I wish you a blessed Spring Equinox (or Ostara). In our household, there will be dental work done on the cook, so we will celebrate tomorrow. What will you do to celebrate?

Yesterday, I walked our youngest dog, Maddie, at a local trail and noticed several of the harbingers of a coming autumn, notably blooming Goldenrod, Spicebush berries, and the sumac leaves starting to turn.

I also found my magical namesake, the Thistle.

Now, on to the card. It’s one that gives us some hope in a time when it is sorely needed. Remember, all good things come from a combination of effort, an open mind, and timing. May good things start for you all today!

Seven of Swords – Sword in the Stone

Meaning: Inspiration and enthusiasm. A new direction and purpose. The bringing of a new enterprise. Recent events bring the promise of brighter days to come. The instilling of hope, faith, and strength. Sensing one is on the destined path. The renewal of spirit and ambition. Following what seem to be good omens pointing the way.

The card may also mean: Being given poor advice. Having to contend with armchair critics who underestimate one’s dedication and sill. A lack of support. Discouraging remarks fuel one’s determination.

Card’s Story: Galahad drew Balin’s sword from the stone.

After the death of Balin, the mastermind Merlin embedded the sword in a stone and set it to hover above the waters of a river. The stone held fast to the blade, designated to only release its grip when pulled by the knight who could achieve the Holy Grail. Over the years, the stone drifted downstream to arrive at Arthur’s court, where Merlin’s vision would come to pass.

On the feast of Pentecost, a great marvel befell the court. A squire reported to Arthur that a stone of red marble had appeared in the river below and embedded in the stone was an ornate sword. Arthur gathered the Fellowship and went to see for himself.

Lancelot beheld the sword, then called his kind aside. He then went on the explain to Arthur that when the rightful knight succeeded in pulling the sword from the stone, it would herald the beginning of the quest for the Holy Grail. Knowing he was not the destined knight, Lancelot refused to try to draw the sword. On Arthur’s bidding, both Gawain and Percivale tried their hand and failed. Having seen the “marvel,” Kay urged all to return to the hall to dine.

As they sat down, the shutters and doors of the castle mysteriously shut by their own accord. There then appeared man of great age, and at his side a handsome young knight. The knight carried no sword or shield, only a scabbard. The old man introduced the young knight as Galahad the Desired Knight. Thereupon he led Galahad to his destined seat at the Round Table. Having done his duty, the old man then left the court. Suspecting that the Quest awaited this knight, Arthur led the newcomer to the river’s edge. On seeing the sword, Galahad knew the task to be his. The young knight looked to the heavens, then drew the sword as if nothing held it. He sheathed the blade within his scabbard: the dawn of the Quest had come.

Legend, the Arthurian Tarot by Anne-Marie Ferguson