Here is an audio post for a spread I was inspired to create today. I decided to record it as I worked my way through the new spread. It had some decent things to tell me, even though I didn’t really have a question. 🙂
This spread is is the Rays of Awen, based on the concept of awen or imbas — that spark of divine inspiration — as well as the image of same used by some modern druids. See Wikipedia for a summary and a standard image of this symbol.
Here is the spread as I used it for this post:
The three cards on top, the drops of inspiration, are: Temperance, King of Cups, 8 of Cups
The leftmost or first ray contains: Hanged Man, 4 of Wands, Page of Wands
The rightmost or second ray contains: 2 of Wands, King of Swords, Knight of Pentacles
The center or third ray contains: Ace of Cups, 7 of Pentacles, Heirophant
I may or may not use this spread long term, but it was great fun to lay out today, and if I stick with it I think it could provide both short readings as well as detailed examinations of circumstance. I know there are subtleties here that would come from truly spending time on exploring the interplay of cards within and between each part of the spread. In my post, I did not do this.
I welcome feedback and comments as always.
Jase on Cards 08072011 (mp3, approximately 18min22sec; 8.8Meg)
Books that helped inspire this spread:
- Ogam: The Celtic Oracle of the Trees, by Paul Rhys Mountfort
- Sacred Fire, Holy Well: A Druid’s Grimoire, by Ian Corrigan
- The Three Rays of Witchcraft, by Christopher Penczak
- The Lore of the Bard: A Guide to the Celtic & Druid Mysteries, by Arthur Rowan
Jase on Cards 
8 comments
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August 8, 2011 at 5:11 am
Helen
Welcome back Jason!
As you know I struggle to read with so many Tarot cards (my brain gets overloaded quicker than yours for some reason). I will give it a try maybe with fewer cards in the rays. 🙂
August 17, 2011 at 8:53 am
Jason
Thanks, let me know how (if) it goes.
August 8, 2011 at 11:27 am
woley
Hey, here you are!
I found it interesting that in each of the rays is a card the designates taking your time, waiting for the right time, waiting for things to grow: Hanged Man, 7 of Pentacles, and Old Stodgy as I call him, the Knight of Pentacles.
The Stodger likes to sit and have a think before acting, and here he is paired with the supremely analytical King of Swords. In addition I also think of the 2 of Wands as the “surveying the kingdom” card, a reflective overview type of card.
The three drops of inspiration—Temperance, which also speaks of balance and divine mixing, the King of Cups, also a rationalist in the realm of emotion, and the “moving on” card, the 8 of Cups.
It seems very true to the situation and yet full of the promise of greater analysis and growth as if you can do the things that really move you, and take the time you need, take time to contemplate and enjoy your dreams and read the books you like, yet still analyze and teach as you also like to do.
I too find tarot to be a private thing. I rarely do full readings for that reason, but a daily draw or tying other things in or whatever happens along, is good for the mind and soul. I fell away from tarot convention some years ago—I have always liked this phrase which is from a book on study tips for students: “Each must find it for himself.”
August 17, 2011 at 8:58 am
Jason
Yes, here I am! 😀 Better late than never, I hope. I like that “Old Stodgy.” That makes sense. Yet at the same time, I tend to see the Knights all as movement. As the Golden Dawn would say, the coming or going of some thing or someone. (Relatedly — I know that isn’t a real word — Susyn Blair-Hunt uses this card sometimes to indicate a physical move, as in changing where one lives.)
I need to add the sun positions to the three drops. The drop on the right is the summer solstice, leading to the first ray on the left. The drop on the left is winter solstice, leading to the second ray on the right. Then the middle drop is the equinox, which gives the middle ray. That could also add some further interpretations on this spread. I’d like to work with it more before writing more though, so I don’t come across as half-baked.
I still dislike daily draws, but I would like to do more self-analytical work. In terms of things around me, rather than just inspecting my psyche. I can do that fairly well without cards (IMO).
Thanks for the comment.
August 8, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Prince Le Normand
Really interesting post. I liked the droplets and tears. A nice idea. You inspired me to go and make a spread which I have posted at my blog. I don’t often make my own, but enjoyed doing this one.
Good to see you back here again!
PL
August 17, 2011 at 8:58 am
Jason
Hey Prince,
Nice to see you. Thanks for your comment. I will check out your blog, as soon as I can! (I’m supposed to be getting to work right now, but I wanted to take a moment and follow up on these comments.)
August 30, 2011 at 8:27 am
Melanie Jade
Hi Jason! Great post! You’ve got a great voice for recordings. I’m a singer and do a lot of theater work, so that kinda thing stands out to me 🙂 I enjoyed listening to how you interpret your cards and what you got from the reading. I, too, stray from conventional ways of doing things. You’re in good company! Have a great day!
September 3, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Jason
Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate the compliment, especially with your background. As always, produced simply with an iPhone and dropped into Garageband to covert to mp3.
I hope you’re doing well. I always enjoy reading what you and hubby are up to, with your (mostly) fearless new lives. 🙂