Your Celtic Cross for Love Greenwood Tarot Reading
Your Romantic Self represents the current state of your romantic self.
The Ancestor
You have made the leap and started a new cycle. Your instinctive spirit has felt it necessary to lead you to the gateway and a new path. You may have been reluctant or concerned at first, but whether you realize it or not a shift has occurred. You may feel wary of the unknown denizens that await you in the forest, but the ancient Ancestor within you will guide and reassure you as you relearn and greet new experiences on the path.
Trust your inner voice. Listen to your own instinctive and inquisitive nature.
Your own inner Ancestor is strong, patient and wise. Let him lead you into the forest with new eyes and a joyful heart.
The Ancestor is the guardian of all those who have walked these ways before you, holding the gentle wisdom of all ancestral memory. She is the creatrix, calling forth the four elements, (the Aces), and therefore the world itself, into being.
Drawing The Ancestor means a new start; profound insights, spiritual guidance, a feeling of being on the right path, being guided by means of dreams and visions. A spiritual blessing on one's life.
Challenges to Love denotes that which challenges your romantic fulfillment.
Spark of Life
Ace of Wands
The turning of the cosmic axis that generates the spark of life. The drill symbolizes the skills that exert control over the environment, directed by the human intellect.
Renewed will and life energy. Sudden determination and action. Return of health. Positive energy. A new force in one's life, as yet unformed and unchanneled.
The Basics Card addresses the origin of your query.
The Fool
You have come to a junction or turning point in your life. It may be an unconscious state in which you feel the tide has turned or sense something is going to happen. In a way it already has.
Your spirit must move on and the leap in the dark beckons. This may mean leaving behind or giving up some baggage or burden that you have carried with you from the past.
Now is the time to be clear and not let fear of falling or sad disillusion with the universe hold you back. Let your imagination carry you into a new set of possibilities. It is a time to travel hopefully and open your arms to new and challenging aspects of the universe.
A young and beautiful figure opens their heart to the universe. Clothed in feathers and greenery, they are illuminated by the heart of the Greenwood. There is a playful and naive aspect to their character. and they hold the sun and moon in their hands like balls. Although they are suddenly inspired by insights into another world and life, and are open to exploring it, they do not have the understanding or responsibility necessary for grounding it.
However, it is often The Fool that sees more of the patterns of life, however momentarily, than those whose feet are firmly on the earth. So in this card The Fool has a ‘vision’ of their future journey, a labyrinth, shimmering with stars behind them.
The Fools' soul is re-animated, but just as a butterfly may live for only a few days, this state of divine illumination is not to be maintained for long periods.
The path forward is explained in the card. The knotted kerchief (of red and white-one's essential energy) contains one's previous experience. The Fool must pick that up and take it with them, rather than leaping blindly, unwilling to face responsibility for the potential re-creation of a pattern of behaviour that needs breaking.
Note that the 'Fool' stands unaware of the precarious slant of the cliff, and is out of their tree; i.e. standing above the tree that is their grounded body. The Fool must fly off the cliff and follow the inner voice of their heart (as yet undeveloped) the small white deer, so that they can walk on the land and meet the first guide on their journey (The Ancestor).
Past Influences represents past events and concerns effecting your romance.
The Archer
The dawn of a new adventure, folded in the web of universal potential, waits for you to string the bow of your imagination and loose the arrows of creativity.
This is a time to be bold and commit to the hunting of new life and a better relationship with the world as well as the fulfillment of wholesome ambition. Take a moment to gather your tools and steady your state of mind.
Take careful stock of what you want to achieve, why and how you will go about it. Then harness your potential by filling your quiver with all the talents, knowledge and cunning you possess and string the 'bow of burning gold' with the 'arrows of desire'.
Take a deep breath and be calm. It is time to let your soul take flight.
This card is to do with having a clear sense of direction. If The Ancestor leads you on to your path, The Archer teaches you how to walk that path with independence, determination and focused skill.
This card links to the Spring Equinox; a time to put the past behind you, to look to the future. It is the skill of The Archer that unifies the duality of intended and actual aim.
Present State addresses issues that are significant in the present or may come to the forefront in the near future. Future events are likely to be greatly influenced by how you respond to your present situation.
Insecurity
Seven of Arrows
Ungrounded fears and confusion lead to instability and panic, self-torture through guilt or illusion and the need to deal with fragmented or rejected aspects of personality.
...attacked by anxieties and nightmares, unable to see a clear way out as ungrounded.
The solution is to protect one's boundaries, call in warmth of support; the need for intense physical activity to help one to ground some of the panic.
The Future depicts that which lies ahead for you romantically.
Hawk
Knight of Arrows
Quick, graceful and a master of the element of air, the hawk is symbolic of vision and power. The ability to fly and nest at high altitude and see prey and hunt from a great height brings a special reverence to this majestic and fearless creature.
In myth, hawks are wisdom and 'medicine' bringers. The arrow in the card is in steady mid-flight, its aim will be true.
A person with a sharp mind, able to fly high, be competitive, impatient, ambitious, focused, potentially intolerant and arrogant. A skilful mediator of new ideas. A watcher.
Emotions card signifies the current state of your emotional self.
The Blasted Oak
What appears to be a total and random dissolution or destruction of your beliefs and relationships is timely and natural. What was built on shifting sand is swallowed by the sea and you are liberated from being a powerless victim.
Now you have a base on which your true inner strength can grow and rebuild your world. This may happen suddenly, with shocking speed. The trauma may leave you stunned and confused, but the fiery blast that sent you falling to Earth with a bump has also jolted you from a state of trance or dreaming that allowed you to avoid dealing with pro-found and fundamental issues.
Don't be angry or bitter at this passing. For whatever has gone never really belonged to you, so be patient, wait and learn from the process of loss.
You have been out on a limb, clinging on to an untenable situation. The air is charged with emotion. Pent up tears or anger are released. Although these times are often traumatic, this is the first stage of healing; yet there may be a loss of stability as the familiar is replaced by the unknown.
Be gentle on yourself and give yourself time to heal. The thunderbolt could also be thrown at you by a figure in authority, using their power over you, as anger, or intimidation, for instance.
Use the balance of Strength to stand up to them or seek help.
Issues to Address represents influences that may cause problems if they are not addressed.
The Hermit
The time of The Hermit is here. Whether he appears in the guise of an outward guide and mentor or simply as a state of mind, you will know it's time to withdraw and rest.
After a long journey through the forest many emotions and experiences need to be absorbed. This absorption is the beginning of understanding - not just yourself, but the universe.
For each person The Hermit comes in a different way. Whether through meditation or solitude in the mountains, whether though simple prayer or the taking of a holiday in solitude, he will light your way to the doorway into the heart of the great oak and the cycle will turn once more.
The Hermit requires contented solitude to re-establish their every day life after the disruption of Samhain. This is not lonely isolation but a stable base from which to visit others.
This time away from hectic activity enables you to explore interests in depth, use your talents (Skill, eight of stones) and draw together all you have achieved and desired throughout the year. (Hearthfire, eight of wands).
Hopes and Desires stands for the hopes and desires you have for the outcome of your question.
Tradition
Nine of Stones
Reverence for past wisdom and sacrifice.
The ability to relate to ancient knowledge and pass on the lessons of ancestral memory and ritual.
Be aware of the patterns of connection linking you and nature around you to the past, present and future.
Deep learning. The memory of much that has been revered in the landscape can be retrieved in periods of respectful stillness.
Learning from elders.
Future Prospects indicates the ultimate outcome your query. Remember the future is not predetermined. Interpret this card in the context of the entire reading and as a probable result of the path you are currently on, but not bound to. Changes in your approach to your love life can have a significant impact on the quality of your romance.
The Sun
A powerful symbol of light and fertility, The Sun heralds a season blessed with joyous enlightenment, robust health and emotional harmony. As the glorious rays of cleansing sunrise spill light into the shadows of your heart and life, so the warmth must reach into your very bones and energize your spirit.
It is time to let the inner sun at the core of your being shine for all to see, bringing warmth, light and harmony to others, and by doing so to connect with the consciousness of the universal mind.
The Sun also beckons you to see beyond the noise and clatter of human reality and become aware of the vastness and generosity of the cosmic soul.
A union with the wonder of life. Bliss. Health and happiness. Spiritual teaching. A rare heart. Transcendent joy.
Access to the divine.