This is an avoid/approach reading with the Smith-Waite Tarot deck.

I did an additional simple three card pull of past/present/future to further my insight.

I had never put the time in with the Smith - Wait tarot deck and admittedly wasn't the biggest fan of the art work. However, because I am building a certain amount of trust in the witch that recommended it and I am working on expanding my horizons with my metaphysical nature , I made the decision to put the work in with this deck as often as possible .

Last night I did an approach & avoid pull (Top two cards) and then did a simple past - present , future - three card draw (bottom row).

The first thing that struck me is that it is ALL major arcana which signifies to me that I have outside influences working in my life , that's true BTW, (all major headlines-no fine print) this was definitely an attention grabber. Next I have to really take a step back and recognize and hold space for how deeply the artist delves into each card . Take a look at the wheel of fortune and the world cards (these two cards keep presenting to me over and over in my readings with this deck) both rich with symbolism, each having the four fixed astrological signs represented. My sun sign is Scorpio and my moon sign is Leo so these cards really speak to me.

The moon in the approach position is cool with the concept that both the dog / wolf - tame/wild is represented. I have been focused on re Wilding myself so this was a good fit.

The Devil in the past makes sense and again with recognizing the symbolism, taking notice of the two humans which are comparable to the two canines from the moon with the main difference being positioning. The canines are pointed towards a central figure (the moon) where the humans from the devil card are pointed slightly away from the central figure (the devil). For what it's worth this was a very risqué piece of artwork for those days.

The Wheel of Fortune is pretty wild in its own right , I have become better acquainted with the symbolic meanings within it working with this deck. Anubis the god of the dead who welcomes souls to the underworld, is sliding up the right side. The alchemical symbols in the center representing mercury, sulphur , water and salt (the four elements) are conveying a very formative power from the center. The sphinx on the top represents knowledge and strength while the snake down the left side (while being very occult like in nature) in this particular card , the snake represents the Egyptian god Typhon - the god of evil.

(keep in mind this deck was originally published in 1910 )

The Empress card in the future holds a certain appeal to me , her robe has pomegranates imprinted on it , symbolic of Persephone and fertility . She sits in a lush forest with a stream winding around behind her, signifying her connection with the mother earth itself. She is rejuvenated by the energy of nature and draws peace from the trees and water. In the foreground we see golden wheat reflecting abundance from the prior years harvest.

*Steps into the wheel today - leaning in - I can feel the wheel turning towards Ostara this week, I am thinking I might need less drama from the material world and more mother earth to continue the re wilding of myself. Don't be surprised to find me feral by a river with sticks in my hair. <3

Sincerely,

BellaDonna Devine 👁‍🗨