Milk comes back. Butter comes back. Grain matters again. Food at Imbolc has always been warm, simple, and rooted in what actually works in a real kitchen. That matters when we talk about tradition.

This seed bread recipe keeps those roots intact while allowing a modern shortcut. Instead of starting with a traditional loaf, it uses pizza dough as a base.

That may sound contemporary, but the structure itself is not new. A soft yeast dough enriched with fat, shaped simply, and baked quickly has existed for centuries.

What changes is the name, not the meaning.

At Imbolc, seeds matter. Butter matters. Heat matters. This bread keeps all three, and I promise your taste buds will thank you.

Why This Seed Bread Recipe Fits Imbolc

Seeds represent promise. They are handled before they are planted. They are counted, stored, and prepared. Eating seeded bread at Imbolc reflects that pause before growth begins.

Everything bagel seasoning isn’t ancient, and it doesn’t need to be. The act of seeding the bread before baking is what matters. The surface is marked. Intention is placed before heat does its work. That is ritual, whether it’s labeled or not.

Butter plays its role too. Imbolc is tied to milk and early lactation. Butter was precious at this time of year. Using it generously isn’t indulgent. It’s appropriate.

This seed bread recipe honors the season without pretending to be something it isn’t.

Also, with this recipe, you get pizza dough, garlic knots or seed bread! Very versatile. This goes really good next to a big, warm bowl of buttery colcannon.

A Twist for an Imbolc Seed Bread Recipe

A modern, practical take using pizza dough. What I love about this, it’s an easy and forgiving dough and you get pizza, garlic knots or seed bread out of it.

You let this dough rise too, and a perfect opportunity to get some other things done.

Start the potatoes boiling for the colcannon.

Mix up the that batch of barmbrack and get it in the oven.

Make positive affirmations aloud. Confirm what you are letting go of and looking forward to embracing. Look forward to longer days and green things.

Light a candle, give thanks.

Ingredients

Dough

1⅓ cups warm water (100–110°F)

2¼ teaspoons instant yeast

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

3 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon garlic powder

3½ cups all-purpose flour

Topping

Melted butter (for brushing) About 3-4 tablespoons for one batch of 16.

Garlic powder

Everything bagel seasoning.

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Dough

This seed bread recipe offers a soft, pizza like dough, but with a bit of that yeasty flavor I crave in a dinner roll. In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let rest for 10 minutes. I often warm the water in a glass measuring pitcher, mix the sugar well and top with the yeast, let it rest for 10 minutes. What your are looking for is the yeast to “bloom” – the entire texture and look of it will change. The water should be warm, not hot.

Add the oil or melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and half of the flour. Mix briefly. Add the remaining flour and mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Knead & Rise

Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until soft and slightly tacky. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise at room temperature for 1–2 hours, until doubled in size. I rub a little bit of olive oil on the dough too, this keeps it from drying out.

Imbolc sits in a narrow place between seasons. Long, complicated recipes don’t fit well here. This dough is forgiving and practical, which is exactly what this time of year calls for.

Step 3: Shape

Once doubled in size, lightly punch down the dough. Cut in half, and half again until you have 16 roughly equal pieces. Shape it into short loaf shapes, twists, or simple knots. Get creative, and have a little fun with it. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Also, to double this seed bread recipe, do it in two batches instead of one big one. The results are better.

This bread doesn’t need perfection. Rough shaping feels honest. It’s meant to be torn and shared.

Step 4: Butter & Seed

Brush generously with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly with everything bagel seasoning.

The seeds mark the bread before it enters the oven. Butter carries warmth and richness forward. Nothing here is accidental.

Step 5: Bake

Bake at 350°F, placed on the lower third of the oven, for 11–12 minutes, until lightly golden and cooked through.

Oven times vary, but this seed bread recipe bakes quickly and gently. Fast doesn’t mean careless. It means efficient.

Dab, don’t brush with more seasoned butter after baking if desired. Serve warm.

Seasonal food shouldn’t sit apart from ordinary meals. It should flow into them.

Though it was never considered a feast, it was hearty. But imagine, it was almost like a slow but giant sigh of relief.

All things change, including seasons, and now for sun and green things to return. Look forward to getting out again, being more social and spring’s skip in your step.

Because winter is loosening its grip. The Dark one becomes the Bright One again, God, Goddess and the All bring forth the warm days once more. I get to garden again soon and get my hands back in the earth. I will also watch my roses bloom and herbs come forth.

Tradition Isn’t Fragile

There’s a fear that changing methods breaks tradition. In reality, tradition survives because it bends. Historical cooking adapted to weather, supply, and need. But using a familiar dough base doesn’t weaken Imbolc’s symbolism. It keeps it alive in a modern kitchen.

This bread still carries grain. It still carries butter. It still marks a threshold.

That’s enough.

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In this card, working through P.E.N.S.I. reminds us that rest is part of the cycle of action. Stillness restores clarity. The wisdom of the Four of Swords lies in knowing when to step back so strength and focus can return, whether upright or reversed.

Four of Swords, 1st Layer of Context: Position

In position, the Four of Swords signals a pause between events. It appears when action has already happened and recovery must follow. This is not the end of the matter, but a temporary withdrawal so balance can be restored.

2nd Layer of Context: Element of Air

As a card of Air, the Four of Swords works through the mind. Because thoughts have been active, sharp, or strained, air here now asks for quiet. Mental noise must settle before clear thinking can resume. Remember in P.E.N.S.I. air is thought but also communication. Often it is also the source of struggles with others over morals or personal truth.

3rd Layer of Context for Four of Swords: Numerology of Eight

Four brings structure and stability. In the suit of Swords, this stability comes through stopping motion. The number shows the need to create a firm boundary around rest so the mind does not continue to fracture. P.E.N.S.I. also shows eight to be ‘half-way there” and always implies some struggle.

If you haven’t read the first P.E.N.S.I. lesson, you should because it will help you makes sense of the your deck fundamentally.

4th Layer of Context: Symbolism

The resting figure and still swords reflect suspension. Conflict is no longer active. The space itself becomes protective. Symbols emphasize containment, silence, and safety rather than movement or defense.

In the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, we see a knight, resting on his sarcophagus. He is alone in a quiet place, inside the church. His own sword lay resting or nearby and three more swords hanging quietly. Notice he is in his armor, ready for battle, but this post is a moment of deep reflection, squaring things before battle.

It is as if he is wondering if the fight is worth it or right while resting from a previous battle. The knight needs rest to recover, but makes use of this period to reevaluate his next course of action.

Remember swords are a symbol of truth, but also a symbol of struggle.

5th Layer of Context: Intuition

Depending on other cards in a spread, the type of spread and nature of the querant’s needs, this card can take on nuances. However, the basic wisdom remains the same. Take time out. Intuitively, the Four of Swords feels like lying still after exhaustion. There is relief in not having to decide or respond. Insight returns when effort is released.

I often know the person I am reading for has an old wound or perhaps surgery that has never healed. When it’s not that, it’s a chronic underlying health condition. Either way, I know if they should not be afflicting themselves with busy-ness. We don’t want that condition to exacerbate and overwhelm them.

Rest and healing are what they need, and time out to do so and practice self-care. Now is not the time to be in battle.

For those seeking healing, all quartz are great healers, but try golden healer, also known as the golden ray. In addition, I have often paired it with amethyst. Of course, don’t be shy about seeking professional medical advice.

Large crystals in free form shape.

Reversed Meaning

Reversed, the Four of Swords shows resistance to rest. The mind keeps moving despite fatigue. Recovery is delayed, which can lead to stress or mistakes. Ignoring the pause weakens future action.

Sympathetic Decks

Decks with strong monastic, medieval, or minimalist imagery emphasize the withdrawal and recovery themes of this card especially well. Remember that all decks are sympathetic their era’s and their creators.

In my Witches’ Tarot by Ellen Dugan, the Four of Swords pictures a woman, walking outside the city walls, dragging one sword while holding pussywillow in the other arm (a symbol of healing). Also, the other three swords are lined up leaning against the wall.

She is alone, taking a walk out side the city, laying down the struggles. Very similar meaning and insights can be deduced from these symbols.

Divination tools and tarot decks.

Correspondences

• Astrology: Jupiter in Libra
• Element: Air
• Planet: Jupiter
• Number: 4
• Rest

Tarot Spell: Four of Swords

For this you will need the Four of Swords card, one blue or white candle, a small piece of paper and a black ink pen. A fire-proof dish helps.

Set the candle above or just behind the card. On the paper, write what you are choosing to rest from. Keep it short. One or two sentences is enough. Fold the paper once, then place it beneath the four of swords facing upright.

Light the candle and sit quietly for a few minutes. Do not try to solve anything. Let your body settle.

Say: “I choose rest without guilt. I allow quiet to restore me. What is strained may mend. What is tired may stop.”

Let the candle burn safely for a short time, then extinguish it. Leave the card and paper together overnight. The next day, finish the candle and burn the paper the next day.

Tarot Spell: Four of Swords (Reversed)

To release anxiety tied to overthinking and allow rest to take place. You will need The Four of Swords card, one gray or black candle, a small piece of paper, a black ink pen and a fire-safe dish.

Place the Four of Swords reversed on your surface. Set the candle above the card. On the paper, write what keeps you from resting. Use honest words. No polish. Fold the paper away from you.

Light the candle. Say: “I release the need to push. I stop running my mind into the ground. Rest happens, I allow it and release resistance to it.”

Carefully burn the paper in the dish. When it is reduced to ash, turn the card upright. Extinguish the candle. Leave the card upright where you can see it until rest comes naturally. Know that you can take time out from people and being busy and rest.

Final Notes and Conclusion

The Four of Swords teaches that rest is not failure. It is a necessary stage between effort and renewal. When honored, it restores balance and prepares the way forward.

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Many consider the foods of Imbolc’s entrance not a feast but more like hearty survival. But I do consider it a feast. And a surprisingly affordable one.

Enter Colcannon

Colcannon is old Irish comfort food. It’s potatoes, greens and no small amount of butter. That’s it. And yet, it has lasted for centuries because it does exactly what Imbolc needs it to do. It feeds people at the hinge point of the year. Especially with the other foods commonly served at a full Imbolc meal.

A Quick Bit of Imbolc History (Before We Cook)

Imbolc is a Gaelic seasonal festival marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Traditionally, it’s tied to Brigid, hearth fires, dairy, renewal, and the return of light. The name itself is also often linked to milk, lambing season, and the slow reawakening of the land.

In practical terms, Celtic households at this time relied on:

• Stored root vegetables
• Hardy winter greens like kale and cabbage
• Butter and dairy from overwintered livestock

Because fresh food was limited, waste was not an option. Meals had to stretch. Colcannon comes straight out of that reality.

Traditional Colcannon Recipe

This recipe serves 4 to 6 people and takes 35 minutes total. No nonsense.

Ingredients

• 4 russet potatoes (2 to 2½ pounds), peeled and cut into 1½-inch pieces.
• Salt, to taste
• 5 to 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for serving
• 3 lightly packed cups chopped kale, cabbage, chard, or other leafy green
• 3 green onions, minced (about ½ cup)
• 1 cup milk or cream

You can use gold potatoes instead, lower glycemic and can even skip the peeling (or not).

Prep time: 10 minutes, cook time: 25 minutes. Total time: about 35 minutes

Step 1: Boil the Potatoes

Put the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water by at least an inch. Add 2 tablespoons of salt. Bring to a boil.

Boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a colander and set aside.

I take this time to chop or mince all the green things I have decided on. For me, I use kale and green onions, scallions work perfect, and some regular brown or yellow onion.

Use as much or as little as you like. I add quite a bit; because kale and other greens tend to really shrink as they cook too.

Some may wish to add some dried parsley and chives too. Don’t worry, because once you start cooking them, they will soften and add a lot flavor. Leeks have to be cut thin if you are using them and need to sauté longer.

Step 2: Cook the Greens and Green Onions

Return the pot to the stove and set it over medium-high heat. Add the butter and let it melt fully.

Once hot, add the chopped greens. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until they wilt and release some moisture.

Add the green onions and cook 1 minute more.

This smells like winter finally admitting defeat.

Now, if you are rolling with leeks, cut them thin and give them a few minutes head start. Then add all your other green things.

This is also where you can add your dried parsley and chives if you are using them.

Step 3: Mash the Potatoes

Lower the heat to medium. Pour in the milk or cream and mix it into the greens.

Add the cooked potatoes back to the pot. Use a fork or potato masher to mash everything together. Don’t overwork it. Colcannon should be rustic, not whipped into submission.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot with a knob of butter melting right in the center, because of course you do.

a knob if memory serves, is about 3 tablespoons of butter. Make a well in the potatoes, pour in your melted butter and serve.

Variations That Actually Make Sense

This is where old food shines. You use what you have.

• Substitute half the potatoes with parsnips for a slightly sweeter, earthier version
• Add chives or leeks for a softer onion note leeks take a little longer to sauté.
• Stir in crispy bacon if you want a heartier, stick-to-your-bones meal.
• You can also use left over ham.

None of these are modern twists. They’re historically accurate adjustments.

Make Colcannon Twice, Eat Thrice

Here’s the real kitchen wisdom.

Double the recipe. Eat half for dinner. Save the rest.

Because tte next day, form the leftover colcannon into patties and pan-fry them in butter to make colcannon cakes. They’re crisp on the outside and soft inside, which is exactly what breakfast should be.

Top them with a jammy egg. Poached or sunny side up. Runny yolk required.

Breakfast? Snack? Or, Late-night food when the house is quiet? Yes.

Colcannon and Imbolc Belong Together

Imbolc isn’t flashy. It’s domestic magic and all about tending the hearth. It’s feeding people before you feed ideals. But ideals are talked about around the table.

Colcannon reflects that perfectly. It’s humble. It’s practical. It honors the season without pretending winter is over yet.

You don’t need exotic ingredients. You need a pot, some butter, and a willingness to slow down for thirty-five minutes.

That’s the magic.

The post Colcannon, Imbolc, and Why Butter Matters appeared first on Coexist - The Alternative Path.

Strange, but it conjures the scene of the whomping willow shaking the ice from it’s branches outside Hogwart’s this year. At this point in the year, the light lasts a little longer. The air still bites, but it does so with less confidence. Somewhere nearby, a stubborn green thing pushes through the soil like it has places to be.

Because of that shift, even the quiet signs start to matter. As a result, you catch yourself asking what parts of your life belong to the deep winter, and what is ready to move forward.

Imbolc is a fire festival in the most practical sense. Light matters here. Warmth matters. Will matters. While candles and hearth fires call back the sun, they also call us back to ourselves. This isn’t loud rebirth. Instead, it’s the steady moment where you tend the flame and decide what you are willing to keep feeding.

There are four fire festivals for birth, growth, harvest, and rest. They are Imbolc (Birth – February 1–2), Beltane (Growth – May 1), Lughnasadh / Lammas (Harvest – August 1) and Samhain (Rest  – October 31–November 1). This post is part of my blog section Celtic Pagan Holidays. I am really looking forward to adding posts to this section! Magic, yes, but also the food! Recipes are coming!

People are ready to warm up again, right? So I start thinking about my garden, outdoor spring fires, and food. Already, I’m all over plans for the new year. But, I am also reflecting, letting go, and accepting.

Between Seasons: Imbolc’s Endings and Beginnings

Because of that, Imbolc lives firmly in the in-between. What lies behind us is the heavy dark of winter, the waiting, and the rest that slowly turns into stagnation if we’re not careful. What comes next is movement. It’s the first plan, the first small step, and the first quiet yes.

Right here, between those two points, Imbolc stands like a lantern on a cold road. Honestly, that’s why I love it. The season doesn’t demand transformation. It doesn’t require dramatic declarations or instant change. Instead, it asks for willingness. That’s it.

So when I celebrate Imbolc, I do it the way I handle most things: with intention, with warmth, and with food.

Anyone who knows me knows I love to cook.

Just as important, I love small, cozy gatherings. A few people. A warm kitchen. Plates passed hand to hand. Because if you’re calling back the light, you might as well eat something that proves you mean it.

Imbolc is also a great time to resolve past relationship issues, renew friendships, let bygones be bygones. In the spirit of letting go and in a warm welcome for a new focus, things can mend.

Step One: The Feast

Imbolc feast of colcannon, roasted vegetables, seed bread, custard, cheese spreads, milk and honey.

Imbolc food is humble, hearty, and also deeply practical. So historically, this makes perfect sense. Late winter isn’t a season of abundance. Instead, it’s a season of endurance. By now, the pantry looks thinner. The root cellar is doing the heavy lifting. However, dairy begins to return as animals respond to the lengthening days. Butter, milk, and cheese suddenly feel like gifts.

When I picture an Imbolc table, I don’t imagine anything elaborate. Rather, I see food that’s warm, filling, and grounded. Nothing flashy. Nothing precious. Just honest food made well.

I look forward to cooking for events like this, because I get to gather some loved ones.

The Heart of the Meal: Comfort and Survival

Colcannon always belongs on that table. Mashed potatoes blended with greens like cabbage or kale, finished with butter and salt. These create a dish that feels like survival, but upgraded into celebration. It’s comforting and deeply satisfying.

Alongside it, roasted vegetables make an appearance. Root vegetables are the stars here. Carrots, parsnips, turnips, onions, and maybe a few beets if you’re feeling bold. Roasting them brings out sweetness and depth. Even more, the smell alone makes the kitchen feel alive again. While tradition matters, using what you have matters more.

Lard is more traditional here for roasting, but I watch my sat fats, so I use olive oil.

Seasonings That Carry the Fire

Herb butter spread, thyme, rosemary, sage, leeks, onions, salt and black pepper.

Seasoning does the quiet work. Imbolc flavors focus on warmth rather than heat.

Herbs like thyme and rosemary bring strength and clarity. Sage also offers cleansing and wisdom. Parsley nods toward renewal.

Traditional, yes, but I add leeks and onions for protection and bite. Black pepper gives just enough spark to remind you that fire is returning. And, it is also good for banishing, so use it to rid yourself of doubt.

And butter matters here. It always does. Butter is the luxury that proves to me the season is shifting, even if the ground is still frozen.

Who doesn’t love butter? I like to make an herb infused compound butter (recipes coming!).

Seeds, Bread, and the Promise of What’s Next

Seed breads round out the table beautifully. The symbolism is obvious, which is exactly why it works. Seeds represent promise, intention, and plans that haven’t yet broken the surface.

Baking bread during Imbolc feels like a conversation with the future. Flour becomes nourishment. Heat turns effort into something that feeds others. That transformation is the entire holiday in miniature.

Barmbrack fits naturally here as well. It carries that old-world, late-winter energy. Fruited, sturdy, and lightly sweet, it bridges the gap between scarcity and celebration. Served warm with butter, it feels both grounding and hopeful.

Step Two: The Ritual

After the meal, ritual follows naturally. The food already carries magic. Still, Imbolc asks for direction. It asks us to choose what we will nurture as the light returns.

At Imbolc, Brigid stands at the heart of the season. She is a goddess of fire, poetry, healing, fertility, and the hearth, which makes her a natural presence during this quiet turning of the year. Traditionally, Brigid was honored through the tending of sacred flames, the lighting of candles, and care of the home and hearth. Offerings of milk, butter, bread, or grains were left for her, reflecting the return of dairy and the hope for renewal. Brigid’s crosses or small corn dollies were crafted and placed near doorways or hearths for protection and blessing as winter loosened its grip.

Rituals honoring Brigid were simple and domestic by design. Homes were cleaned. Hearths were refreshed. Intentions were spoken quietly rather than declared loudly. Wells and springs sacred to her were visited for healing, while poetry, song, and spoken prayers were offered as acts of devotion. These practices honored steady work, creative spark, and the unseen labor that carries life through cold seasons.

At the same time, Imbolc has never belonged to only one goddess. Many honor Hecate during this liminal moment, as she watches over thresholds and transition. Her presence reflects the in-between nature of the season, where endings and beginnings overlap. Other deities tied to light, fire, renewal, and protection are also honored, depending on tradition and personal path.

Try this deity-neutral ritual, you can incorporate your gods as you see fit. I begin by clearing a small space. A table, counter, or altar all work. First, I clean it physically. More importantly, I clean it with intention. This is the act of making room.

Lighting the Flame

Next, I gather simple tools. A candle in white, red, or gold. A small bowl of salt or water. Something seasonal, such as seeds, bread, herbs, or milk. Paper and pen come next, along with a fire-safe bowl if burning is part of the plan.

When the candle is lit, I pause. Watching the flame settle matters. After a moment, I speak words that feel true. I acknowledge the return of light, the return of warmth, and the spark that survives even in cold seasons.

Releasing and Choosing

Cleansing stays practical. Smoke works if you like it. Otherwise, salt or water does the job just fine. The goal isn’t banishment. Instead, it’s clearing static.

On one piece of paper, I write what stays in the deep winter. Habits. Patterns. Fears. Anything that no longer earns space. I keep the language plain.

On a second page, I write what comes next. Because this is Imbolc, I keep intentions realistic. One goal. One practice. One boundary. One thing to grow. Seeds, not forests.

If burning feels right, I release the past list safely. Otherwise, tearing it works just as well. Intention matters more than theatrics.

Holding the second list near the candle, I speak it aloud like an agreement. This is what I will feed. This is what I am building.

Grounding the Work

To seal the ritual, I eat or touch something from the feast. Bread, milk, or seeds all work. The intention moves from thought into body, which is exactly where it needs to live.

Finally, I close the ritual simply. Gratitude is offered. The candle is extinguished. The space returns to normal use. Hearth magic doesn’t linger unnecessarily.

Step Three: Dessert

Custard for a pagan holiday dessert.

Dessert follows ritual for a reason. Sweetness seals the work. Custard, in particular, carries that message well. It’s gentle, comforting, and deeply human. At Imbolc, joy isn’t extra. It’s part of the return. Besides, a good custard will help anyone smile again.

What Comes Next

This post is the table-setting. It paints the picture of what celebrating Imbolc can look like: warmth, intention, food, and small gatherings that actually feel connected.

Each dish deserves its own space, and those posts are coming. I’ll be sharing individual pieces on colcannon, roasted seasonal vegetables, seed breads, barmbrack, and custard, complete with recipes and deeper context.

For now, light a candle. Cook something warm. Choose one small thing you’re willing to nurture as the light returns.

More is coming. Stay tuned.

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Three of Swords, 1st Layer of Context: Position

We’re not in a spread, though I will present many spreads for you down the road. For now, take the card out and actually look at it while reading this. Because the greyscale images in most books limit conscious and subconscious association, they rarely help here.

Remember from the original P.E.N.S.I. lesson that 3 is where things stop being theoretical. At this point, something becomes undeniable.

2nd Layer: Element is Air

Air rules thought, words, communication, and understanding. In the Three of Swords, however, air becomes sharp and exact. This is not emotional chaos or overwhelming feeling. Rather, it is pain caused by something said, learned, or understood too clearly to ignore. First, the mind arrives at the truth. Then, the heart absorbs the impact.

3rd Layer for Three of Swords: Numerology of 3

In P.E.N.S.I., three is where energy fully expresses itself. Remember with any three, something has formed, an initial stage of completion. Up until this point, thoughts may circle or hesitate. Here, they land. In this card, that landing hurts. The third sword does not confuse the issue or add noise. Instead, it completes the realization. The truth has arrived, whether I welcome it or not.

4th layer: Symbolism

Three swords pierce a heart beneath storm clouds. Nothing about the image is subtle, yet nothing about it is chaotic either. The heart is exposed, not defended. Meanwhile, the blades are clean, deliberate, and precise. The rain does not exist for drama. Instead, it washes. Altogether, the image speaks to sorrow caused by truth, grief born of clarity, and pain that must be acknowledged to pass through.

5th Layer of Context: Intuition

This card feels like the exact moment I stop lying to myself. Although it hurts, it does so because it is honest, not because it is cruel. There is no performance here and no spiritual bypassing. Instead, there is a clean break between what I hoped would be true and what actually is. The pain is real, yet it only lingers if I keep reopening it with my own thoughts.

Often what comes to me in a reading with this card is heartbreaking delays, or deep sense of betrayal. Once in a while, the story is a bit different and the sense is about a deep, personal loss.

 Three of Swords: Reversed Meaning

Reversed, this card points to pain that is being buried, delayed healing, or grief turned inward instead of released. Think the same, not the opposite, but not processing it well. But the healing path is blocked. The person needs to embrace the pain, allow themselves to feel and process it. Until they do, they will feel very stuck in life. They must work through it.

Sympathetic Decks

In pip-heavy or minimalist decks, the Three of Swords remains direct and uncompromising. Even without a heart depicted, three blades are enough. Because of this, the message does not depend on imagery alone. Thought has cut emotion. The meaning survives shifts in art style because it is anchored in number and suit.

II haven’t seen many decks with an image too different that the Rider-Waite-Smith decks. However, every deck with a three of swords seems to depict this painful state.

Correspondences

• Astrology: Saturn in Libra
• Element: Air
• Planet: Saturn
• Number: 3

Tarot Spell: Three of Swords

I write the truth I have been avoiding on paper. Afterward, I read it out loud once, without theatrics. Then, I fold the paper and place it under a clear glass of water overnight. In the morning, I pour the water out and discard the paper, saying, “The truth has spoken. I release the wound.”

Tarot Spell: Three of Swords Reversed

I write a recurring painful thought on paper. Next, I draw one clean line through it and say, “This no longer defines me.” After that, I tear the paper once, not repeatedly, and discard it. The point is release, not reenactment.

Final Notes and Conclusion

The Three of Swords is not about suffering for sport. Upright, it marks the moment truth hurts but also clarifies. Reversed, it warns against unprocessed grief or shows the beginning of real healing. At its core, this card teaches me that pain ends when truth is acknowledged and no longer rehearsed.

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Today’s Featured Deck

The Brotherhood of Light Egyptian Tarot Deck offers a symbolic path through tarot, astrology, numerology, and the Kabala. Created by the Church of Light, this deck invites you to explore deeper truths through ancient teachings. Each card connects traditional tarot meanings with Hermetic wisdom and Egyptian symbolism.

Because the Brotherhood of Light Egyptian Tarot Deck blends multiple esoteric systems, it becomes more than a divination tool. It transforms into a guide for the inner self. While many decks focus on one tradition, this one bridges several. As a result, you can draw insight from many spiritual sources at once. Therefore, whether you are a tarot reader, astrologer, or numerologist, this deck supports your spiritual journey.

• Integrates tarot, astrology, numerology, and Hermetic teachings for rich, multidimensional readings.

• Features 78 cards 4 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ with Egyptian-inspired art and detailed symbolic connections.

• Includes a 64-page guidebook rooted in the Church of Light’s spiritual philosophy.

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The mind and the heart are not in agreement. This card speaks to suspension and emotional neutrality. P.E.N.S.I. frames it as the pause where thought blocks feeling in order to maintain balance.

Two of Swords, 1st Layer of Context: Position

As usual, we’re not into a tarot spread yet, but position is the first layer of context in P.E.N.S.I. Depending on the designated position of the spread, the Two of Swords can change meaning.

It can land in past, present or future positions. All cards take on context given by the position a card falls in. Context also comes from the intent of the spread, not only from past, present, or future positions. For instance, is it a love or romance spread, or is the pull about money and success?

Once I have covered all the cards, I will start covering tarot spreads.

2nd Layer of Context: Element is Air

If you recall from the first P.E.N.S.I. lesson, air rules thought, speech, and judgement. In the Two of Swords, air becomes still. Thought is active, but expression is suppressed.

This is the quiet tension of knowing something but choosing not to engage with it. Silence is used as a shield.

3rd Layer of Context for Two of Swords: Numerology of Two

If you recall from the first P.E.N.S.I. lesson, two represents polarity, choice and balance. It is the awareness of opposing forces. In swords, this becomes mental stalemate.

Two here is not harmony. It is a holding pattern. Neither option is chosen, so energy remains locked.

Fourth Layer of Context: Symbolism

A blindfolded figure sits with two swords crossed over the chest. The posture is defensive and closed. The blindfold represents chosen blindness, not ignorance.

Water rests behind the figure, symbolizing emotion held at bay. The swords cross in equal measure, showing balance through resistance rather than resolution.

This card warns that balance achieved through denial cannot last forever.

Fifth Layer of Context: Intuition

Now, putting all the other P.E.N.S.I. layers together in a reading, you will surprise yourself with what you know. I consider where the querent is emotionally frozen. Often, they already understand the truth, but fear what happens once it is acknowledged.

I tell clients this card buys time, but at a cost. Eventually, a choice must be made.

Ace of Swords: Reversed Meaning

Reversed, the Two of Swords shows the breakdown of avoidance. Information pushes through. Emotions surface whether invited or not.

Sometimes this brings relief. Other times it brings tears. Either way, the stalemate ends. This is being forced to face suppressed emotions.

Sympathetic Decks

Most decks stay close to the Rider-Waite-Smith imagery for this card. Some modern decks soften the blindfold symbolism, while others emphasize emotional shutdown.

In my Witches’ Tarot by Ellen Dugan, the card leans into inner conflict rather than outer defense. Other decks may depict sharper tension, but the meaning remains consistent.

Correspondences

Astrology: Air sign influences

Element: Air

Season: Autumn

Number: Two

Tarot Spell: Upright Two of Swords

Place the Two of Swords on your altar. Light a gray or white candle. Sit quietly with your eyes closed. Name the choice you are avoiding. Do not decide yet. Simply acknowledge it exists. Let the candle burn safely.

Tarot Spell — Reversed Ace of Swords

Lay the Two of Swords reversed on your altar. Light a blue candle. Remove the blindfold in your mind. Speak one truth you have been withholding. Sit with the card until tension eases.

Final Note

The Two of Swords does not remove truth. It delays it. Balance built on silence will eventually demand resolution.

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We have many Divination Tools; tarot, oracle, pendulums, crystal balls etc. on our site and in our metaphysical shop, come visit!

Today’s Featured Deck

Make tarot personal with the Make Your Own Tarot Deck Coloring Book. This creative book turns your tarot practice into an artful experience. You can relax, color, and craft a deck that fully reflects your energy.

Inside the book, you will find all 78 tarot cards waiting for your personal touch. Each page includes intricate illustrations designed to inspire your creativity. Moreover, the detailed artwork encourages you to explore your intuition while you color.

• Make Your Own Tarot Deck includes all 78 tarot cards: 22 Major Arcana and 56 Minor Arcana.

• Relax and personalize your deck through coloring and crafting.

• Portable paperback format makes it ideal for home or travel use.

The post Two of Swords appeared first on Coexist - The Alternative Path.

This card speaks to beginnings that feel urgent and alive. P.E.N.S.I. frames it as the first pulse of energy that asks for action, even before a full plan exists.

Ace of Swords, 1st Layer of Context: Position

As usual, we’re not into a tarot spread yet, but position is the first layer of context in P.E.N.S.I. Depending on the designated position of the spread, the Ace of Swords can take on many nuances. Past, present or future for example. The ace of swords could land in “what one hopes to achieve” or “the back of mind”. It could also land in “the view of others” or as a “crossing card.”

Once I have covered all the cards, I will start covering tarot spreads.

2nd Layer of Context: Element is Air

If you recall from the first P.E.N.S.I. lesson, air rules thought, speech and judgement. It’s what I call morals, scruples, truths and the headaches that always come with it. As soon as you speak your truth, there will be friction, even if it’s light. Light is good, but sometimes that friction is heavy too.

3rd Layer of Context for Ace of Swords: Numerology of One

If you recall from the first P.E.N.S.I. lesson, one is a start, a new or fresh start. In the reverse, it can also mean a dire need for fresh start. One is an inkling, the inception or beginning. Aces are up-rushing energy and desire. One is origin and It marks the first clear idea.

Fourth Layer of Context: Symbolism

A mysterious hand presents a single sword, raised and circled with a crown. The colors of the card and background are somber, as if to say; take it serious. Hanging on the crown are olive branches (huge magical history) for peace. But also palm branches, and a symbol of victory.

For most of us in this day and age, that would be hard to tell, granted. But there it is. And, the crown the branches hang from points to victory gained through clear, honest thought and self-control. Conversely, it is also a warning that this force can turn cutting or divisive when used without care.

The crown is seen as an invite to higher-thinking, a call to a higher state. Embracing personal truth leads to a greater connection to divinity.

Fifth Layer of Context: Intuition

Now, putting all the other P.E.N.S.I. layers together in a reading, you will surprise yourself with what you know. I consider the situation my tarot client is in, and apply it of course. Often, I know they have some personal truth that wants to come out. I tell them to approach speaking about it with some grace and forethought. Not every audience will appreciate your personal truth.

But I also know, based on the other P.E.N.S.I. layers, it is time for action, I tell my clients to strap in, buckle down and make it happen. Now is the time. And, it is amazing when you put the layers together in a reading the specifics that will come to you.

Ace of Swords: Reversed Meaning

Reversed, the Ace of Swords shows mental fog or misused words. Truth is present, but it is bent or avoided. Often, a person lacks the courage to stand up for or let their truth be known. Sometimes, the client is giving into pressure, and stifling their truth in order to get along. That’s not healthy either.

Sometimes the client is enduring cruelty or injustice or inflicting it. Again, consider the other layers of P.E.N.S.I. to get rich context in a meaning.

Sympathetic Decks

Most decks have very similar images compared to the Rider-Waite-Smith era cards. Today’s decks also have their own nuances. In my Witches’ Tarot by Ellen Dugan, the crown and branches are replaced with a hawk.. A sign, an invitation to higher thinking and being. The Starman Tarot and Deviant moon tarot decks have very different ace of swords symbolism and images.

The all do seem to stay on point and relative with this theme.

Correspondences

• Astrology: Air sign influences
• Element: Air
• Season: Autumn
• Number: One

Tarot Spell: Upright Ace of Swords

Place the Ace of Swords on your altar. Light a white candle above it. Hold a pen or small blade in your hand. State one truth you need to face. Write it once on paper. Sit with the card until the words feel settled. End by folding the paper and placing it under the card.

Tarot Spell — Reversed Ace of Swords

Lay the Ace of Swords reversed on your altar. Place a gray candle beside it. Sit quietly and name where confusion lives. Turn the card upright when ready. Light the candle and speak one clear sentence you have avoided. Let the candle burn down safely. Remove the paper when done.

Final Note

The Ace of Swords does not soften truth. It clears the air so the path can be seen. Stand up, act, embrace your personal truth in a positive way and make it happen.

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Today’s Featured Deck

Enhance your readings with the Universal Tarot Professional Edition Deck and Book, designed for durability, clarity, and frequent use. Although made for professionals, this set supports anyone who wants a reliable, high-quality tarot experience. Because the cards are oversized, the images feel bolder and easier to interpret during spreads.

Additionally, the upgraded cardstock holds up under constant shuffling and handling. As a result, this deck is ideal for daily readers, classroom instructors, and workshop leaders. The smooth finish and solid feel ensure that each card moves with ease and stays beautiful over time.

• Includes 78 large-format cards and an easy-to-follow guidebook.

• Universal Tarot Professional Edition Deck and Book uses classic Rider-Waite symbolism with updated color and clarity.

• Durable cardstock is ideal for heavy use, public readings, and workshops.

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Yule has never been flashy for me. It is not loud and I do not rush it. And, I am not going to reinvent myself before January even starts. Winter solstice isn’t always on the exact same day; it typically falls on December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere. But, June 20th or 21st in the Southern Hemisphere. Many celebrate it for the following 12 days too.

Yule sits in the longest night of the year and says, “Rest first. Then we’ll talk.” That alone makes it one of the most honest holidays on the pagan calendar to me.

how to celebrate Yule five different ways.

When I celebrate Yule, I am not trying to recreate an ancient village scene or perform a perfect ritual. I am acknowledging a moment humans have marked for centuries. The sun reaches its lowest point. Darkness peaks. Then, slowly and without drama, the light begins its return. No affirmations required.

There are many ways to celebrate Yule, and that has always been true. What we know about Yule comes in pieces. Much of it comes from archaeology, seasonal customs, and later written records that were already centuries removed from the earliest practices. We do not have a single instruction manual. What we have instead is context.

And context matters. By the way, there’s a list of major Celtic pagan holidays and dates on the category page.

How to Celebrate Yule: Understand the Origins

Yule comes from Northern European traditions, especially Norse and Germanic cultures, where winter was not symbolic. It was real. Cold meant danger. Darkness meant risk. Tracking the solstice mattered because survival depended on it.

Yule was observed over several days, sometimes weeks, rather than one fixed date. Fires were lit to welcome back the sun. Evergreens were brought indoors as symbols of life that endured the winter. Feasting happened because food had been preserved for this moment, not because excess was the goal.

Ancestors played a role too. Winter slowed everything down. Stories were told. The dead were remembered. The living reaffirmed their bonds to each other and to the land.

Centuries later, Yule still exists, though it has changed shape. Many of its customs were folded into Christmas traditions. Wreaths. Trees. Yule logs. Candles. Gift giving. None of these started as commercial ideas.

Modern pagans, witches, and earth-based people reclaimed Yule not to freeze it in time, but to reconnect with its purpose. Mark the turning. Honor the dark. Welcome the slow return of light.

That is still the heart of it.

How I think about Celebrating Yule With Magic

Yule magic works best when it respects timing. This is not the sabbat for aggressive manifestation. It is not about forcing outcomes. It is about clearing space, protecting what matters, and setting intentions that grow quietly as the light increases.

Winter magic is subtle. It is patient. It does not perform for an audience.

I keep my Yule practices grounded and practical. Magic that fits the season lasts longer. Magic that ignores it tends to burn out fast.

Five simple, traditional ways to celebrate Yule with magic

Here are five ways I work with Yule energy that stay rooted in tradition without requiring a lot of money or effort.

Five Ways to Celebrate Yule

Here are five fairly simple ways for how to celebrate Yule. These won’t break your budget either. But, I do want to point out while these magical projects are great, so is getting together. That’s magic all on its own.

Yule altar supplies

Yule altar supplies should reflect the season, not your budget. Evergreens are traditional for a reason. Pine, cedar, fir, or holly all symbolize life continuing through winter. Candles matter more than tools. One white or gold candle is enough. Add a pinecone, a stone, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or an item that represents something you are ready to set down. Yule altars work best when they feel calm and honest.

A Yule wreath for the front door

Wreaths are not just decoration. Historically, they acted as protection charms. A simple evergreen wreath on the front door marks the home as guarded and intentional. You can add ribbon, dried herbs, bells, or leave it plain. As you hang it, state aloud that it protects the home through winter and welcomes the return of light.

A Yule log

The Yule log is one of the oldest surviving traditions. If you have a fireplace, choose a log and decorate it with greenery, carvings, or herbs. Burn it with intention. If you do not have a fireplace, use a symbolic log with candles placed on top. Light the candles at solstice. The magic is in the act, not the fire code violations.

Magical Yule food and kitchen witchery

Yule food is warm, grounding, and nourishing. Bread, soups, apples, root vegetables, nuts, and spiced drinks all align with the season. Cooking becomes magic when you slow down and focus on care. Stir intentions for warmth, stability, and renewal into the food. This is old magic. It works because people have always needed it.

A house blessing to close the old year

Yule is the right time to clear a home energetically and spiritually. Not to banish everything, but to say goodbye to what no longer belongs and make room for what comes next.

A traditional Yule house blessing spell:

This is a simple, old-style blessing based on cleansing, protection, and invitation. It does not rely on complex tools or modern phrasing.

You will need one candle, preferably white or gold, a small bowl of salt, and a bowl of water.

Begin by tidying the space, clear the energy. Use a smudge stick or ring your altar bell with vigor.

Light the candle and place it in a central area of the home. Mix a pinch of salt into the water. Dip your fingers into the water and lightly touch doorways, windows, or corners of rooms.

As you move through the space, say:

“By salt and water, I clear this place.

What has lingered may now rest.

What has weighed heavy may now leave.

This home is released from the past year.”

Return to the candle. Place your hands near the flame, not in it, and say:

“As the sun turns and the light returns,

I bless this home with warmth and peace.

May this space hold safety, rest, and truth.

May the year ahead grow steady and kind.”

Let the candle burn safely for a long while or finish it. Do not rush the moment. Place the candle atop a mirror if you can to amplify energy. This spell works because it aligns with timing, not force.

Honoring community as part of Yule

I want to say something here that matters to me, especially at Yule.

If you are gathering altar supplies or seasonal items, I am grateful when people visit my physical shop or online store.

We put real care into what we offer. I stand behind it.

But I also believe there is enough business to go around.

I want to encourage you to visit my friend Witch Joseph’s website witchjoseph.com. He is a kind soul with a wonderful website full of witchy things.

I would take it as a personal blessing if you paid his site a visit.

This is not an affiliate situation. There are no commissions. Because I simply believe in supporting good people doing good work. We are both just small family-owned businesses.

Yule is about warmth, not competition. The pagan and metaphysical community does not benefit from badmouthing, rivalry, or quiet hostility. That energy also does not belong in spiritual spaces. It certainly does not belong at Yule.

We are meant to support each other. We are meant to share light, not hoard it.

I am proud to be pagan, and to support an inclusive community. My mindset is always focused on bringing people together. Lending a hand, magically or otherwise.

Yule reminds me of what actually matters

I celebrate Yule because it reminds me that rest is not failure. Darkness is not the enemy. Growth does not need to be loud.

The light returns whether we panic or not.

So, I light a candle. I bless my home while I honor the old year and make room for the next one. I keep my magic simple, my expectations reasonable, and my heart open.

That is Yule, as far as I am concerned.

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If you have not, read the first P.E.N.S.I lesson, it makes learning tarot so much easier. Through P.E.N.S.I., this card reveals pressure through fire energy, completion through the number ten, and symbolism that blocks clear vision. Intuitively, the Ten of Wands appears when endurance is being tested. Progress still happens, but the cost is growing. Something must shift before burnout takes over.

Ten of Wands, 1st Layer of Context: Position

Upright, the Ten of Wands reflects overcommitment and strain. Reversed, it points to release, delegation, or the choice to stop carrying what is not yours. We are not covering tarot spreads yet, but we will. But this could be past, present or future. In a relationship query, this client may feel the couples’ burdens are lopsided.

2nd Layer of Context: Element of Fire

Recall from the first P.E.N.S.I. lesson, fire is always passions and/or career. Often the two are tied together. In this card, energy is present, but it is burning low from constant output without recovery.

3rd Layer of Context for Ten of Wands: Numerology of Ten

Recall from the first lesson, ten is an energy we’ve been dwelling in for a while. This could be a happy or not so happy thing. But it always means the person is headed back to a one. Completion under pressure. An ending reached through effort rather than ease. Change will happen, it is coming, but what will it look like? It is up to the person the card represents.

4th Layer of Context: Symbolism

The bundled wands block the figure’s view, showing how excess duty narrows perspective. Progress continues, but joy and clarity are obscured. This is basic guide-book stuff, but I see a lot more than that. The destination (the goal) is not far, look close at the card in the lower right. But, will they make it? Overwhelmed, exhausted and further to go. I advise clients all the time when I see this; you have too many irons in the fire. A reference to a blacksmith and forge. You will not be able to hammer it all out successfully.

Delegate, ask for help, keep just the irons you are best at and have the most control over. Let the rest go or let someone else who is qualified do it. I further advise folk to let go of “people projects”. That does not serve them, no one is ours to fix.

5th Layer of Context: Intuition

This card often asks for honesty. What started as purpose may have turned into obligation. Strength remains, but it needs support. When I put this in context with the query, (the question if they have asked one) and other cards, position etc. a lot more often comes.

I can often tell what the projects are, and even some of the people involved. But you arrive at intuition by working the other aspects of P.E.N.S.I. much easier.

Reversed Meaning

Relief begins when boundaries return. You may be ready to drop a role, share a task, or admit something is too much. In the meantime, this person is just spent. Utterly tired and burned out. I tell them to let others take over while they take time out. If others will not take over, find other people then.

Sympathetic Decks

Most of the the decks I have come across are quite similar in imagery. In the Rider-Waite-Smith era, this would have spoken to big projects, like building a hospital or a new railroad. In today’s society, it can be easily fit to anyone’s career. The Everyday Witch Tarot depicts a witch carrying ten brooms, adorable.

Correspondences

• Saturn in Sagittarius.
• Herb: Ash wood
• Crystal: Smoky quartz
• Color: Rust red

Tarot Spell: Ten of Wands

Light a plain white candle and place smoky quartz beside it. Hold the Ten of Wands card and name each responsibility aloud. With each name, tap the card once. When finished, say which task will be shared, paused, or ended. Let the candle burn halfway, then extinguish it. Return to this spell only after action is taken.

Tarot Spell: Ten of Wands Reversed

Place the Ten of Wands reversed on a table with ash wood or incense. Sit quietly and breathe until tension eases. Say, “I release what is not mine to carry.” Pass the card through incense smoke three times. Put the card away to mark the shift.

Final Note

The Ten of Wands is not failure. It is proof of effort. Wisdom comes from knowing when to set the load down.

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We have many Divination Tools; tarot, oracle, pendulums, crystal balls etc. on our site and in our metaphysical shop, come visit!

Today’s featured deck

Step into a spooky world of insight with the Trick or Treat Tarot Deck and Book by Jonathan Hunt and Barbara Moore.

While playful and fun, this deck offers serious magic and deep meaning. Inspired by Halloween’s mystery and charm, it helps you explore your inner world with courage and curiosity.

In the Trick or Treat Tarot Deck , you will discover 78 Rider-Waite-based cards filled with goblins, ghouls, witches, and wild surprises. Because the artwork is bold and colorful, every reading feels alive and exciting.

Jonathan Hunt’s illustrations bring a whimsical edge, while still honoring the tarot’s sacred symbols.

• Includes 78 Rider-Waite-based tarot cards with spooky, whimsical illustrations.

• Trick or Treat Tarot Deck and Book features a full-color guidebook by Barbara Moore.

• Encourages playful self-discovery, daily reflection, and fearless divination year-round.

The post Ten of Wands appeared first on Coexist - The Alternative Path.

If you have not, read the first P.E.N.S.I. lesson, it will make learning tarot so much easier. Less memorizing, more associating. It marks the space between persistence and depletion. The lesson is not about pushing harder, but about standing with awareness and choosing what still deserves protection.

Nine of Wands, 1st Layer of Context: Position

Upright, the Nine of Wands basically shows resilience after struggle. You are tired, guarded, and still standing. Reversed, it reflects burnout, mistrust, or defending yourself beyond what is useful. These nuances can be different depending on where the card falls in a spread; past, present, future? Or how about with regard to love, money or desire? We are not in spreads yet, but will provide many and context in future articles.

2nd Layer of Context: Element of Fire

Remember, in P.E.N.S.I, wands, the element of fire is all about passion, and career! We choose a career because we are passionate about it. That’s different than a mundane job we do just because we have to. So, always remember fire is always about passion. This is fire kept alive through discipline. Energy remains, but it must be conserved. Reckless action drains what is left.

3rd Layer of Context for Nine of Wands: Numerology of Nine

Nine represents the final stage before completion. A cycle is nearly finished. One last challenge asks for patience instead of force. In P.E.N.S.I. think 7, 8 and then 9. Nine is like the destination, the manifestation of a path or direction, we know the energy of the eight before it and the ten after it. Please do read the numerology section in the original lesson to make sense of this.

4th Layer of Context: Symbolism

In the Rider-Waite-Smith decks, we see a figure, bandaged head, leaning on a wand, eight more behind him. The wands behind him are exactly that, past trials and challenges overcome. Battle hardened and perhaps weary, the figure is still on guard for yet another conflict comes. It speaks to resolve, doesn’t it?

It says protect yourself, what you have built and your reputation. Be on guard! This is a great time to do magical protection work too.

5th Layer of Context: Intuition

When I see this, I know another conflict is coming for that client. I always tell them to be on guard, stay alert. A look around at the other cards in a spread always gives me deep context plus where it falls in a spread.

Reversed Meaning

Reversed, the Nine of Wands warns of exhaustion and emotional barricades. Typical guide book meanings will speak to refusing help or reliving old wounds. Healing begins when vigilance softens.

While all that is true to varying degrees on some level, I consistently find that person looks to others for rescue, but the only one that can truly rescue them is them!

Not that some help wouldn’t be appreciated. A lot of it I find is brought on by fear of failure, even paranoia.

Sympathetic Decks

Nearly all the decks I have ever seen have very similar symbolisms and imagery. In the Rider-Waite-Smith era, this would have involved more grandiose projects and status. In this age, it can apply to anyone’s careers and projects.

Correspondences

• Astrology: Holding ground after repeated trials
• Element: Fire
• Planet: Moon in Sagittarius
• Number: 9

Tarot Spell: Upright

Place the Nine of Wands on your altar or working surface. Light a red or orange candle to represent sustained will and controlled fire. Set a piece of hematite or black tourmaline beside the card for grounding and strength. Place a bay leaf or sprig of rosemary near the base of the wand.

Focus on steady breathing. Speak aloud that you honor what you have already endured, that you protect what still matters, and that you will complete this path without sacrificing yourself. Allow the candle to burn briefly, then extinguish it with intention.

Tarot Spell: Reversed

Lay the Nine of Wands reversed on your altar. Light a white candle to call in rest and renewal. Place amethyst or blue lace agate above the card to calm tension and soften defenses. Add a small pinch of lavender or chamomile near the lower edge of the card.

As the candle burns, acknowledge where constant vigilance has drained you. Speak your willingness to rest without guilt and to release defenses that no longer serve. Leave the setup overnight. In the morning, turn the card upright to mark restored balance.

Final Note

The Nine of Wands honors those who continue with awareness rather than force.

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We have many Divination Tools; tarot, oracle, pendulums, crystal balls etc. on our site and in our metaphysical shop, come visit!

Today’s Featured Deck

A world of mysticism: Thoth Pocket Swiss Tarot Deck by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris. Although compact, this deck holds immense spiritual power and depth.

Because of its smaller size, it fits easily in bags, pouches, or pockets—perfect for on-the-go readings.

The 78-card Thoth Pocket Swiss Tarot Deck features Crowley’s esoteric system, brought to life through Harris’s visionary artwork.

Every card pulses with symbolism, color, and cosmic force. While the imagery feels bold, it also invites deep reflection and intuitive insight.

• Includes 78-card Thoth tarot deck and instructional booklet.

• Thoth Pocket Swiss Tarot Deck features bold artwork and esoteric symbolism.

• Compact 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ size is ideal for travel or daily use.

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