I grew up on a large livestock farm. There I learned the importance of the cycling seasons. My father's livelihood and ability to support his family were dependent upon the Wheel of the Year. In spring, we planted seeds and birthed calves and lambs. During the supple summer months, we grew and cultivated crops. Autumn brought the harvest, profound beauty, and a sense of accomplishment. We burrowed deep during the harsh winter, tending the livestock as we awaited new life in spring. I saw lambs, calves, foals, kittens, and puppies being born. I also saw them die. Crops sprouted, matured, and withered, only to repeat the cycle the following year. As a child, I learned about the never-ending cycle of life, death, and rebirth in the most natural way possible: I witnessed it first-hand. As I dried my tears of grief over the death of a beloved animal, another was born and life began again.

I was raised in a devout Presbyterian home. My search for the Goddess began almost twenty years ago in the early recovery phase from anorexia nervosa. At the core of anorexia nervosa is the fear of being a woman, of having a woman's body. As I sought to heal my wounded femininity, the Goddess offered me more comfort and power than any traditional religion.

Over the years, I created tarot layouts to fit the meaning of each season, based on both my understanding of the Goddess and the cycling of time as I experienced it on the farm. After Tarot Shadow Work was published, I cleaned out my workspace to make room for the second manuscript and its mounds of research books. I came across a dusty folder labeled "Seasonal Layouts." Could I turn this into a book? Hmm…

The Season of Yule
Yule is the season for peace, returning hope, and restoring balance. It is the perfect time for visualizing world peace, asking for guidance, planning, making wishes, and seeking visions. Adorn your sacred space with pine, cedar, fir, balsam, mistletoe, bay, frankincense, or juniper. Clear quartz crystals, garnet, ruby, and green tourmaline will enhance the energies of Yule when worn or placed upon the altar. The magical brews of Yule include wassail, mulled cider, or red wine; cranberry, apple, orange, and ginger teas are fine nonalcoholic substitutes. Add cinnamon or clove.

Place the Star, No. 17, on your altar as a sign of returning hope. Justice, No. 11, restores balance. The Sun, No. 19, symbolizes the hidden energies lying dormant in winter and welcomes the return of the God. Use the Nine of Cups for making wishes and the Two of Wands for seeking a vision.

The tarot cards represent your intention. They are your earthly connection to your Spirit's desire. Use any of the above tarot cards to strengthen your hopes for the future. Carry a card or two with your during the day to enhance the connection between you and your vision. Affirm your personal power to plan the life you want and remember that your own words always work best: "I awaken to the season of Yule and bring my Spirit's desire into balance. This, or something better, is manifesting for me now, for the good of all, harming no one, according to free will."

Not Heavy Duty
No, Tarot for All Seasons is not "heavy-duty stuff," but playing with the tarot cards is a simple yet powerful way to create a seasonal connection with the Mother. The universal pictures of tarot awaken an inner knowing, and we begin to recognize the profound meaning of the seasons. When we embrace the never-ending cycle of life, death, and rebirth, we are free to celebrate the joy of being alive in the moment of the current season.

The Goddess flows in constantly moving spirals. She brings forth life and takes it back again into Her womb to be reborn. There has never been a greater need for Her gifts of creativity, abundance, healing, wisdom, and affirmation of the Spirit. Join Her now as you explore the sacred days and nights of power through the magic of tarot.