If you live in the northern hemisphere, this guy should be a really familiar sight. For those of you who don’t, the Big Dipper is an asterism that makes up part of the full constellation Ursa Major. It can be used to find Polaris, or the North Star, which was an important navigation tool for explorers of all kinds. This is the first constellation I ever successfully identified and as such is pretty special to me, so I decided to take the meanings of the stars and translate them to a spread! As always suggestions for each position are down below, but the ultimate interpretation is up to you!
1. Dubhe: Dubhe’s an neat one, since it’s a different color from the rest. As one of the two “pointer stars” it helps guide the way to Polaris. How can you change your perspective and keep an open mind? What tools can you use to illuminate paths you hadn’t considered before?
2. Merak: Merak is the second of the two “pointer stars”. It’s name is derived from the Arabic for “loins of the bear”. This position helps to ground the rest of the constellation, and gives insight regarding the issue with which you need guidance. What is the root of your indecision? What is the issue from which all these paths sprout?
3. Phecda: Phecda is an Ae star and as a result is surrounded by a thick layer of gas. For this reason, it represents challenges. What obstacles stand between you and clarity. What’s clouding your vision?
4. Megrez: This star is neat cause it’s surrounded by a disk of circumstellar matter! This position for that reason represents the surrounding environment. What supports are in your life that can help you at this juncture? Who can you turn to for help figuring out what to do?
5. Alioth: This star was a really important star in ancient navigation. It’s also got an A1p (for peculiar) spectral emission which means that there’s some unique stuff going on in its atmosphere. This position helps provide you with some clarity as to what direction you should go in. What factors of the correct path will give you the most security? What peculiar quality should you look for to indicate the most stable path? You’ll end up with a “favored path” after this.
6. Mizar: This star is part of a binary system, the second star of which serves as a test of skills for naked-eye observers. This represents potential stress that you might face once you’re on the path you choose. What factors will put you to the test? With what will you struggle as you walk your chosen path?
7. Alkaid: Also called Benetnasch, this is the last star in the constellation and represents the final destination of your chosen path. Why is it worth it to choose this option? What good will come of you making the decision to pursue this course of action?
No one can ever kill your undying spirit. No one can ever take your dreams from you. Your soul will forever remain as powerful and magnificent as the very first day that it was brought into existence.
Hey just a quick reminder not to rely too heavily on other witches for advice. Unless they have explicitly agreed to be your mentor, its not fair to them to provide you answers for everything, especially things that intensely personal to you. And it does you a disservice as well. Learning how to solve problems and knowing how to be your own best resource is a huge part of witchcraft, one that builds your confidence in your craft.
Inspired by the song ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from Disney’s Moana
This is one of my favorite, if not most favorite, Disney movies. In particular, this song struck a chord in me. I can relate to the feeling of being called to something, but unable to find the confidence to set sail toward that calling.
For Moana, it was the Sea that called her – that beckoned her to greatness like her ancestors. For me, it is becoming a pharmacist. Years ago I tried to prepare myself for pharmacy school, but could never truly take the plunge… and ever since I have been coming back to it, over and over… And now’s my time. The wind is in my sail and I’m headed off to see how far I’ll go.
I made a spread to help me pinpoint some of the feelings I have over the matter, and thought I’d share it with you all. It’s developed to help you take a good look at what’s holding you back from letting yourself follow your calling, and how it will be once you accept that calling in earnest. Hopefully it will be insightful and enlightening for you as it has been for me!
1. The Road That Leads Back
What keeps pulling me back? What do I need to realize about this that makes it integral to my path?
2. I’ll be Satisfied If I Play Along
What it will be like if I don’t go after my calling. Will I be satisfied?
3. What Is Wrong With Me?!
Why can’t I just move on? Why can I not make a decision to go through with it or be satisfied with where I am?
4. So Come Find me!
How to give in and let my calling engulf me.
5. The Wind In My Sail
A message from the Universe, hope and endurance to fill my sails and carry me forward!
6. The Line Where The Sky Meets The Sea
The true heart of my calling and why it’s so alluring to me… What makes this path worth braving the treacherous waves?
7. How Far I’ll Go
A glimpse of what will happen once I set sail toward my calling and how I will be changed throughout the process.
This is one of my original spreads. If you use this spread for any promotional services please credit me accordingly!
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