I don’t know exactly why I keep reaching for the Halloween Oracle during the summer – perhaps my subconscious hopes it will help usher in the cool fall weather. I could only hope.
Regardless of WHY I picked this deck, it delivered a set of cards that exemplifies a process of healing. We had one like this last week, but this is in a different direction. Often, this work is done close to Samhain, but perhaps some of us need an early start.
This set brought to mind the need to come to terms (and peace) with things that have happened in our family’s past. Generational wounds can damage people for decades (or longer), and there’s no need to keep carrying that damage with you. Remember whatever it is you need to let go of, and perhaps try to remember some good things from that same time as well. Move on to considering your ancestors, whether they be great great grandparents that committed and hid a damaging secret or a parent who did not know how to love.
The final card is Forgiveness – and this can be so very hard to do, especially when you cannot safely (or practically) deal with the wounder face to face. But forgiveness doesn’t mean letting them off the hook – it’s really more for you. Letting go of those hurtful acts gives you more room for love and growth. Again, it’s hard, and that’s no lie. I’ve been working on this with one relative for about a decade. But do try.
Blessings of Avalon!
THE LAMP – Remembrance
I light a single candle
Within a lamp for you
A single flame in the darkness
That reflects my heart so true.While it is a tradition to carve a jack-o-lantern to scare away the spirits, it was an older tradition still to light a candle or a lamp on Halloween night and leave it at the window as a loving guide for those who have passed.
Both as a symbol of remembrance and also as a kind of “leaving the lights on” for those who may wish to come home, the lamp was left on to illuminate the night and perhaps even the sadness that was felt because of the passing.
This card reminds us that it is a positive thing to remember those who have passed by celebrating their life rather than mourning their death. For those with whom we did not have an easy relationship or even those we did not like, leave us with valuable lessons. Sometimes, we learn more from our nemesis than we do from our friends and so the darkness can illuminate our strengths and our true values so that we can live them ore clearly and fully.
ANCESTORS – The love and legacy of our DNA
I walk in their footsteps
Their wisdom inside me remains
I am unique, yet carry a legacy
Their blood runs in my veins
Whether or not we know our ancestors, we are the product of those who have lived before us, DNA-wise. Externally, we may have the body type of our father, our mother’s eyes, our grandmother’s nose, our great-grandfather’s skin tone.
On the inside, it gets even more interesting. We know now that we can “inherit” the way our body works, blood types, genetic disorders, even propensities for aspects of brain function like introversion, musicality, and mathematics.
Many Pagan paths associated with Halloween believe that we are born perfectly imperfect to be exactly what we are meant to be. What does this mean? It means that the gifts our ancestors left us and the unique synergy of the combination of the physical, mental, and physical that is created within us, sets us up perfectly to achieve our ultimate purpose.
Should the Ancestor card bring itself to your attention, know that you are ready and able to action your birthright of power. You have the support of those who came before you. There may be challenges or struggles but you have everything you need to overcome them. You will prevail!
FORGIVENESS – Reducing burden
A wrong is done
Consequences you cannot deny
But to hold a grudge is to drink poison
and think that the other person will die.
Being a cold-season festival, Halloween is the perfect time to pause and think about how things actually are in our lives and what heavy burdens we do not wish to carry through these harder, leaner times. Some of this heavy-heartedness may relate to old relationships or grievances. Some may relate to negative feelings we hold onto tightly about others and even a lack of compassion for the “mistakes” we have ourselves made.
It is said that it takes a “big person to apologize” but in many ways it takes an even bigger person to forgive. When we hold grudges, the negative energy is incredibly toxic. It is like drinking a poison and expecting the “other” unforgiven person to die! Whilst we may even harbor feelings of revenge (and to be honest, that does feel good for a while), it is important that we move those feelings along to forgiveness and release as soon as possible for our own health and wellbeing.
If you have chosen this card, think about who it is that you could be forgiving – and that includes yourself.
The Halloween Oracle by author Stacey Demarco and artist Jimmy Manton
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Parting the Mists 