Egyptian Soul Spread & Reading

I originally designed this spread for him (and should get to posting that reading, right?) and thought it would be a good way to get to know my newest oracle deck. I supposed I should start there, actually; with the deck.

We’re all familiar with the art of Thalia Took, right? Thalia’s (unpublished) Goddess Oracle is what first introduced me to her work, more than a decade ago, and I’ve been pining for it ever since; there’s just *something* about it that seems genuinely connected. There is plenty of gorgeous deity artwork out there, but – for me – a great deal of it is only that: a pretty picture. To find something that I feel is heavy with Influence is rare.

When I discovered Thalia’s blog a few years ago, I started commenting, especially on her “Goddess of the Week” posts. I forget how it exactly happened, but my internet stalking sharing of mutual experience finally led us to start talking on a more of a “friends” level. She is the one responsible for opening my eyes to the daimonic, so I owe her BIG TIME. When I talk about my Fairy Gothmother, Thalia is the person I’m referring to.

Anyway. Thalia finally got tired of my fangirling (LOL) and handcrafted a Goddess Oracle deck especially for me!

Goddess Oracle by Thalia Took [*clicky*]

How to explain the impact of such a gift? To finally hold that deck in my hands, knowing it was made by the artist herself, and made as a gesture of friendship – it’s just. yeah. It’s a beautifully constructed deck, too. Cards are perfect size, paper is a lovely lustre finish – not too glossy, not too matte – and backed with purple watercolour stock. The edges are crisp, showing no signs of the cards being bonded, corners are rounded and it shuffles like a  d r e a m. And that’s (another reason) why she’s my Fairy Gothmother!

(For anyone who wants to make their own deck, Thalia has said in the past that she is fine with this – as long as you’re not profiting, of course. Good news is, she has opened a dA account and prints of her goddess and god cards are available through there. Seeing them in hi-res is a whole new way of falling in love.)

So now, the spread. As I said, I designed it for him and it is loosely based on the Ancient Egyptian concept of the five parts that comprise a soul. The terms are greatly simplified (it’s complicated and full of subtle meaning) for the purposes of the spread so please, no Kemetics jumping down my throat )

[1] Ib/Metaphysical Heart (Nature) - Vesta
Well that’s pretty much… perfect. I like the pure, uncomplicated nature of Vesta (and Hestia); they just did their thing and didn’t get involved in the godly shenanigans around them. Theirs is a self-contained power that is an expression of elemental force, rather than the embodiment of a human experience. A vital, uncorrupted, burning heart – who would say “no” to that?

2[] Sheut/Shadow (“astral body”-ish) - Sengen
At first I thought this was a really neat balance to Vesta – from deep, earthy fire to the highest, coldest peak – but then I read about Sengen’s connection to an older fire goddess, as well as her three sons, who are also fiery by way of being great-grandsons of Amaterasu (the sun goddess). Sengen pairs beautifully with Vesta as the Shadow – the cold, calm surface that hides a blazing heat.

[3] Ren/True Name (Identity) - Amaterasu
Woah – speak of the sun goddess; look who’s here. I think Amaterasu in this position is very much about (re)discovering my Heart and being sure to live it; to actively express my very centre. Can’t help but note that, without a source of light (eg. the sun), there is no shadow. It really is delightfully subtle and complex.

[4] Ba/Soul (Psyche/Personality) - Coyolxauhqui
Okay cards, you’re starting to creep me out a little with your eerie connections. Here we have a moon goddess to follow a sun goddess. Oh! And bitter sibling rivalry. Oh. That can’t be good for soul parts… A moon goddess for the underworld-travelling psyche is very fitting and her “coolness” balances out the four unique soul parts in this reading. Do you see how these cards interact with each other? The two outer face inward; the centre card looks down and the bottom card looks up. There is unity, even though there is opposition.

[5] Ka/Spirit (Essence) - Kybele
And at the top sits Mamma Kybele. Not a whole lot is known about Her, though the idea that the Greeks found Her a little “icky and weird” makes me smile. Kybele has a fiercely independent energy and always strikes me as Someone With Whom You Do Not Fuck (well…) I see this card as standing outside of the others in the reading; She is older (and wilder), after all. It is interesting to pair a goddess like Kybele with the Ka: the Ka is independent of the other parts and, as “spirit”, undefinable. Kybele has the same unknowable quality. She is certainly strong though and a good card to see here.

 
Based on this and the other readings I’ve done so far, I think this deck and I are going to be good friends. She has a sense of humour (oh, yes) and isn’t above gentle riddles, but lays it out very clearly when needed. Thank you, Fairy Gothmother!

Tags: goddess oracle

• January 6, 2013
• decks, readings, spreads
• 23 comments