The Green Witch Tarot Guidebook PDF is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about tarot reading with a focus on natural elements and the power of the green witch. This guidebook provides detailed explanations of each card in the Green Witch Tarot deck, along with suggestions for interpretations and ways to connect with the energies of the natural world. Green witchcraft is a practice that emphasizes the importance of nature and our connection to it. This guidebook follows this philosophy by incorporating the elements of earth, air, fire, and water into the tarot readings. It explains how each element corresponds to different aspects of life and provides guidance on how to interpret the cards based on these elemental associations. The guidebook also explores the use of herbs, plants, and crystals in tarot readings.
If the Old Norse knew about Mabon, they were probably too busy tending their crops and animals to celebrate. In modern times we have comforts that allow us to enjoy more conveniences.
According to Mike Nichols, the autumn equinox is the day when, in the Mabonogion, the character of Goronwy, symbolizing the darkness, defeats the hero Llew, symbolizing the light, signaling the beginning of winter and the shortening of days. Second, the story of abduction of Mabon in the Mabinogion is a relatively obscure tale, not at all central to the Neo-Pagan mythos compare the Descent of Ishtar or the myth of Demeter and Persephone for example , and only tangentially related to the Neo-Pagan celebration it so names.
The guidebook also explores the use of herbs, plants, and crystals in tarot readings. It suggests incorporating these natural elements into the readings to enhance the connection between the reader, the cards, and the energies being sought. Additionally, the guidebook provides suggestions for rituals and spells that can be done in conjunction with the tarot readings to further harness the power of nature and the green witch.
The Worst Named Pagan Holiday
Aside from the fact that no one seems certain how to pronounce it, the name “Mabon” is a poor choice for the holy day. As with “Lughnasadh”, the “Mabon” is only tenuously related to the season or the Neo-Pagan mythos relating to the season. Of all eight holidays, Mabon has the worst name of all of them.
The name originates with a Pagan-Craft Calendar which was published in 1970 by Aidan Kelly. It was picked up by the Green Egg newsletter and, consequently, became the Paganstandard. I have always found it curious that Kelly’s own tradition, NROOGD, did not adopt this name and instead called the fall equinox the “Rites of Eleusis”. Kelly as earned his place as an elder in the Pagan community, so I mean no disrespect to him. Nor do I mean in any way to diminish the significance of his contribution to the development of Neo-Paganism. However, Kelly himself was never one to favor adherence to tradition over religious innovation. So I think we honor him by questioning this choice of name for the fall equinox.
“Mabon” is a poor choice for a number of reasons. First, it is a Welsh name, in contrast to the other equinox and the two solstices, which have Anglo-Saxon names. Part of the challenge in naming the equinoxes is that there is little to no evidence that the Anglo-Saxons (or the Welsh for that matter) celebrated the equinoxes.
Second, the story of abduction of Mabon in the Mabinogion is a relatively obscure tale, not at all central to the Neo-Pagan mythos (compare the Descent of Ishtar or the myth of Demeter and Persephone for example), and only tangentially related to the Neo-Pagan celebration it so names. The autumn equinox has no real historical connection to the mythical Welsh figure, Mabon, son of Modron. Some Pagans have suggested that the name is appropriate due to the grieving of Modron for her lost son. But there are many more myths involving grief and lamentation which would be more familiar to Neopagans: Demeter, Isis, and Ishtar are examples of deities who are associated with lamentation motifs.
In my previous discussion on Lughnasadh, I suggested 3 steps for choosing an appropriate name for a Neopagan celebration: (1) Look to the season; (2) work out what the day means mythologically in relation to the season; and (3) choose a name for the day that fits the season and the myth.
Let’s start with the season: It’s the equinox, so (in the northern hemisphere) the days will just start becoming shorter than the nights. It’s the official beginning of fall in the U.S. Actual harvesting is going on here in the MIdwest (unlike 6 weeks earlier during Lughnasadh, the so-called “first harvest”). All those harvest associations we drew on precipitously in August now make sense. Here in the Midwest, we’re just starting to notice cooler weather. Canadian geese will be flying south soon, and the first dabs of color will soon appear on the leaves of the trees.
Mythologically, the Sun King/Oak King is dismembered, eaten, and/or interred, following his sacrifice at First Fruits/Mid-Summer. The Goddess laments the loss of her Consort and descends to the Underworld in search of him. The death, eating, and lamentation motifs correspond to the harvest time, as well as the triumph of darkness over light manifest in the equinox.
So, we need to find a name that corresponds to the season, the myth, or ideally both. If we’re going to use a Welsh name, then “Llew” would be a better choice than “Mabon”. According to Mike Nichols, the autumn equinox is the day when, in the Mabonogion, the character of Goronwy, symbolizing the darkness, defeats the hero Llew, symbolizing the light, signaling the beginning of winter and the shortening of days. (Nichols’ essay, “The Death of Llew: A Seasonal Interpretation”, is great and, if you haven’t read you should check it out.)
The only problem with “Llew” as a name for the season is that the myth is just as obscure as “Mabon”. If we are going to pick a dying god to name the day after, Osiris would be a choice that would be more familiar to Neo-Pagans. Even Baal, Adonis, and Tammuz would all probably be more familiar to Neo-Pagans than Llew or Mabon.
Or we could go with an Anglo-Saxon name, which would be consistent with the use of other Anglo-Saxon names for the other Quarter Days. In that case, an appropriate name for the day might be “Herfest”, which is the Anglo-Saxon name for “autumn” and a cognate with “harvest”. I’ve seen some Pagans using this name already. If we’re going with harvest themes, another good name is “Ingathering” or “Cornucopia”, both of which I have seen used by Pagans. Probably the most popular alternative for “Mabon” I have seen is “Harvest Home”. I like it best. The name has nice alliteration. Both “harvest” and “home-coming” are appropriate for the season. And it is an appropriate appellation for the NeoPagan version of Thanksgiving.
So, my vote is for “Herfest” or “Harvest Home”. What do you think? What other names do you like?
The name originates with a Pagan-Craft Calendar which was published in 1970 by Aidan Kelly. It was picked up by the Green Egg newsletter and, consequently, became the Paganstandard. I have always found it curious that Kelly’s own tradition, NROOGD, did not adopt this name and instead called the fall equinox the “Rites of Eleusis”. Kelly as earned his place as an elder in the Pagan community, so I mean no disrespect to him. Nor do I mean in any way to diminish the significance of his contribution to the development of Neo-Paganism. However, Kelly himself was never one to favor adherence to tradition over religious innovation. So I think we honor him by questioning this choice of name for the fall equinox.
In addition to the detailed explanations and interpretations of the cards, the Green Witch Tarot Guidebook PDF also includes practical tips for performing readings, including spreads and techniques for connecting with intuition. It encourages the reader to trust their instincts and develop their own personal relationship with the cards and the natural world. Overall, the Green Witch Tarot Guidebook PDF is a valuable resource for anyone interested in tarot reading, green witchcraft, or seeking a deeper connection with nature. It offers a unique approach to tarot interpretation that incorporates the wisdom and guidance of the natural world, making it a powerful tool for personal growth and spiritual exploration..
Reviews for "Harnessing the Natural Energy of the Green Witch Tarot Guidebook"
- John - 1 star
I found the "Green Witch Tarot Guidebook" to be quite disappointing. The content felt lacking and shallow, with very basic explanations and interpretations of the tarot cards. I was expecting more in-depth insights and guidance, but instead, I felt like I was reading a beginner's guide. The lack of depth made it difficult for me to connect with the cards and their meanings. Overall, I felt like this guidebook didn't add much value to my tarot practice and I would not recommend it to serious tarot enthusiasts.
- Emily - 2 stars
As someone who has been studying tarot for a while, I was excited to dive into the "Green Witch Tarot Guidebook." However, I was left disappointed with the lack of originality and new perspectives. The book seemed to regurgitate the same old interpretations of the tarot cards that I had already come across multiple times. I was hoping for fresh insights and innovative approaches, but unfortunately, this guidebook failed to deliver. I would only recommend it to absolute beginners who are looking for a basic introduction to tarot, but for those who already have some knowledge, this book won't offer much value.
- Sarah - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to exploring the "Green Witch Tarot Guidebook" as I am interested in both green witchcraft and tarot. However, I found the book to be a letdown. The information provided was quite generic and lacked the depth and richness I was hoping for. The connections between the tarot cards and the green witchcraft principles were often forced and superficial, making it difficult for me to fully grasp their meaning. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would recommend looking for alternative guidebooks that offer a more comprehensive exploration of green witchcraft and tarot.