In Loving Memory

I wrote this small article for the Esotoracle Magazine a few months back, and they were kind enough to let me share it here for all you lovely Patrons. 

As our days get shorter and the air gets cooler, humans naturally become more introspective. Our minds turn to darker topics as we feel the shift in our environment take place. As Tarot and Oracle readers, we already look into the shadow side of things. We do so to uncover patterns in our lives and grow from them. This becomes more pronounced in us the closer we get to Halloween.

For as long as there have been humans, there have been rituals involving the dead. We grieve for them, we remember them and we celebrate them. Every culture on earth, has some form of celebration involving death. Some are quiet and somber, while others are lively and musical, but they all share one common theme: coping with mortality.

I have always believed in the other side, and spirit communication using Tarot is common practice in my house. Recently I have taken my readings down the road to my local cemetery. While I am sure this conjures up images of angsty youth, cemeteries and graveyards are actually excellent places to do your practice.

The dead can offer us insight and enhance our readings with much wisdom and guidance. These resting places are brimming with energy. Along the rows of the souls ready to offer up advice, you’ll also encounter many living people going about their day. Some come to grieve, some come to remember happier times and others are there just to escape from the outside world. All of this can be tapped into for powerful readings.

Before I begin the instructional part of this article, I want to cover some terminology. I am a firm believer in having a basic understanding of the tools and environment you are working with.

Graveyard/Cemetery: While often used interchangeably, graveyards and cemeteries are not exactly the same. While both are designated burial grounds, they have a significant difference. A graveyard is always within the grounds of a church, and a cemetery is typically larger and its only function is internment.

Grave-marker: The most common type of grave-marker is the headstone, which is an upright piece of stone cut to different shapes, and decorated with symbols and the occupants’ name (an epitaph). These used to come in pairs, one large stone would placed at the head, and the other at the feet. This second smaller stone was aptly named a foot-stone.

With rising burial costs, smaller flat stones are becoming more and more common in place of the traditional upright stone. These are known as ledger stones and ultimately they serve the same purpose.

Obelisks are another grave-marker to look out for. These are tall rectangular stones with a pyramid at the top. They often signify the resting spot of someone really important, or someone really wealthy.

Mausoleum and Tomb: Both of these buildings house the remains of the dead, but the difference is a mausoleum is open to anyone who can afford a spot, and a tomb is owned by a single family.

Cemetery safety is the first and most important step to conducting your readings. Always be alert and follow the rules posted. Only visit between the allotted times, familiarize yourself with any safety information posted and be aware of the prohibited items list. Remember that the ground is known to shift due to moisture and monuments could fall without warning.

Despite popular belief, cemeteries aren’t full of demons waiting around every corner to harm you, but it is still a good idea to energetically protect yourself. Some people visualize a ball of white light around themselves, others carry a protective crystal like black tourmaline, and you can also simply inform bad spirits they are not welcome.

Now that you are safe and protected, the next step is picking an appropriate deck. This can be your usual working deck, but I would recommend assigning a specific deck for this task. This helps keep the energies separate from your regular routine. I have created two decks that are always ready for this type of work called the Antique Anatomy Tarot and the Memento Mori Oracle, but let your intuition guide you and pick what feels right for you.

Deciding on what spirit you want to communicate with is generally the most exciting part of your tarot venture. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous, but trust that your intuition will not steer you wrong. Personally, I like to research the cemetery occupants beforehand and seek out people who I feel would offer sound advice, such as community leaders, but there is no wrong way to choose. Perhaps your method is to walk around and see who you’re naturally drawn to!

When you’ve decided on a person who feels like a good fit, gently invite them to work with you through the cards and perform your favourite tarot or oracle spread. I find that you know pretty quickly whether the spirit has decided to enhance the reading. Ask for a clarifying card to be sure. This experience should always feel positive, and if you feel any negativity, quietly thank the spirit for their service and knock on the back of your deck three times to remove their energy.

While not necessary, an offering to show your appreciation when it is time to say goodbye is always greatly appreciated. It can be as simple as just spending time with them, or as elaborate as a bouquet of flowers. The possibilities are endless, and your new friend would surely appreciate a visit every now and again.