Shabbat Reading for a Dear Friend

how exciting!  I threw out an offer on facebook of donating my 'weekly' tarot reading to someone, and a dear friend grabbed the opportunity.  not only that, they had a Really Great Question that others may relate to as well:

"I’d like to ask about my weed consumption. I’m vaping medicinally/therapeutically and feel it’s allowing me slowness and more tolerance during a chronically hard season. I want to make sure I know how to use it for its intended purpose and how to discern between a cue to treat myself with a medicine versus a compulsion to escape into a high state."

I loved the unexpected nature of this inquiry, and wanted to shuffle my decks right away and dive in!  first off, I felt there were several parts to the question, and since my friend didn't note a deck preference, I figured I'd use different decks for the various responses.  I knew right away that I wanted to use The Faeries' Oracle - it just jumped right out at me - and the first card I pulled was mostly to connect me to the general energy of the question, and to center my friend in my mind.  their first card was "the Laume"...

 

the Laume from The Fairies' Oracle by Brian Froud

 

described as a creature of unconditional giving, who knows they will reap their return as nature loves balance.  the Oracle says it takes heaps of generosity to pay back what we receive in abundance every day, and giving too much may end us up 'spiritually toxic and bloated, or energetically depleted'.  the remedy suggested, if you are feeling stuck in one area, is to back off and use your energy to grow in another area.  either a small push now that may come to fruition later, or something big that needs tackling immediately.  it suggests that the Laume gives until it hurts, though it looks to me like she knows her own wisdom, and who to turn to when she feels she needs input (who's that she's sitting on?).  this is saying to me that the intention behind the weed consumption feels very deliberate and specific, in pursuit of a goal or outcome (medicinal/therapeutic).  that my friend is in alignment with their own stated purpose is clear...

 

Queen of Swords from The This Might Hurt Tarot Deck by Isabella Rotman

 

so, when I pondered how my friend said they feel like using marijuana medicinally/therapeutically is allowing them slowness and tolerance during the time of the year when the days get shorter and colder where they live (don't we all tend to freak out a bit when faced with our yearly journeys inward?), and they want to make sure to be discerning about their consumption, the Queen of Swords showed up!  this lady knows her business.  you can guarantee she's thought of everything and then some.  with her sword up and her hand open, she's ready to share all she's learned from a place of logic and reason.  she can be trusted.  she cares about you, too, that's just not entering the picture so much here.  it really is all about the thought process.  she checked the internet, cross-referenced her searches, read several articles from various sources with differing viewpoints, and checked in with her astrologer and tarot reader while reading signs from the local flora and fauna.  I'd say my friend knows well how to be discerning about their consumption!

I drew two more cards - one to represent a cue to work with a medicine, the other representing a compulsion to escape into a high:

 

Three of Swords and Ace of Pentacles from The This Might Hurt Tarot Deck by Isabella Rotman

 

wow.  and ouch.  that Three of Swords is old, deep pain...I'm so sorry.  it's so personal and heartbreaking it can pierce through all your defenses, and have you picking at old wounds in self-sabotage.  BUT.  if this represents a cue to Work With a Medicine, it can be interpreted as having survived the trials that can lead to growth and renewal.  in this case, perhaps, a healthy relationship with an herb that has had a less than stellar reputation, or others substances that are also being used in more widely accepted therapeutic ways, now.  and that Ace of Pentacles?  I'm glad to see it.  those are some pretty heavy Swords and a bit of earthy grounding with a pentacle is shiny and happy.  and an Ace no less!  All That Potential!  so many possibilities...I wonder...would it be such a terrible thing to escape into a high state just this one time?  listen, dealing with addiction issues is No Joke, and I'm not offhandedly suggesting 'everybody must get stoned' in any way shape or form.  what I'm saying is this ONE FRIEND, Whom I Know, who has OBVIOUSLY spent a Great Deal Of Time meditating with great purpose on this deeply personal question for reasons that are None Of Our Business may be able to handle a few hits in the middle of the darkest days of their year for probably more reasons than the season, and not get sucked into anything permanently harmful to their health.  this is a card that encourages us to sit in our personal 'garden of protection' and enjoy our material existence by recognizing the miracle of everyday life.  it can be a reminder that it's ok to unwind a bit, and sometimes it's ok to use a tool to help you unwind, especially if you're being extremely conscious of how and why you're using a tool in the first place.  hey, I take Vitamin D when the days start getting shorter, and usually stop taking it when the growing light tells me it's time to start gardening in the sunshine...it's basically the same thing.

 and because I like a nice rug that can tie a room together (ha, I crack myself up) I drew one last card:

 

8 of Wands/Swiftness from The Thoth Deck by Aleister Crowley and Lady Frieda Harris

 

light wands turned into electrical waves, restored Universe, interplay & correlation, high velocity.  much force applied suddenly, a quick rush soon over, short-lived chaos.  things are moving, like sparks flying through the air.  this is fire representing energy as pure light, and having created intelligible geometric form.  this is the moment - go with what's flowing and you're perfectly aligned to reach what you dare to achieve!  slowing down too much out of fear will have you missing some whirlwind opportunity, so staying focused is key to riding this lightening.  whatever it is, it's already happening.  if it's the weed helping you find clarity as a medicine, or the simple pleasure of getting out of your head so you can hear your own deepest thoughts, you are bringing something into being, soon. whatever needs to be decided, do it now.  you have all the information you need.

I hope this helps to bring clarity to the situation, and much love from me to you!

💙

 

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