I have been swimming. Not in the literal sense, but more in the way one swims with divergent thoughts. It feels unsettling, especially when I float past my very doable to-do list only to view it as if it’s grown horns. What am I doing? Why am I drifting from responsibility? What’s the point of this unanchored energy? I’ve come to recognize these questions not as being particularly helpful, but more as distractions that keep me swimming in the waters of paralysis analysis. Sound familiar? Then read on.

Much of my stagnation feels lockdown related, eclipse influenced and at times a combo of the two. One thing is for certain, my situation favors avoidance and for this reason I created the following spread that works in tandem with today’s partial solar eclipse.

Eclipses are notorious for amplifying energetic standstills, and for many the desire to suppress eclipse-driven angst far outweigh the gumption to stand in the dark and face the cause of our anxiety. The aim of this divination is to help us show up and locate the intelligence that exists within that tension and to view it as a strong request for change. Here’s how it works:

You will need two decks for this spread. Any tarot, Lenormand or oracle will do. Deck 1 represents the hidden agenda behind any aimless drift you may find yourself in and why you are choosing to remain in unmoving waters. Deck 2 represents the request for change being communicated from your standstill and what may transpire should you choose to take action over nonaction.

Each position is paired with one of five significant phases found in the June 10th eclipse which is being touted as a ring of fire eclipse meaning the moon will pass in front of the sun to create the illusion of a ring of fire.

For this spread I’m using cards created by an artist who means the world to me, Lisa de St Croix. I will be divining with two of Lisa’s Tarot de St. Croix decks; a lovely first edition (2013) featuring warm, terracotta borders, and also her latest 2021 reprint which is a borderless version of the Tarot de St Croix featuring titles on darker cardstock. Both decks share the same imagery, and with this new reprint, I couldn’t help but see how one perfectly lends itself to what I call Shadow divining while the other can be used for Light divining.

For this divination I suggest you select and assign a deck as your Shadow deck to represent the hidden agenda behind any impasse you might be experiencing. Next, select and assign another deck as your Light deck to represent the request for change this divination is pointing to.

Shuffle both decks, keep them separate and place your Shadow deck to the left and your Light deck to the right. You can use the following diagram as your guide or make one of your own. The goal is to have two decks going simultaneously so you can see both sides of your situation.

Visit here for a full printable of this spread.

Step 1: Partial Eclipse Begins

If you are fortunate to safely witness today’s eclipse you will notice the moon starting to become visible. Many describe this phase as the sun looking as if a bite has been taken from it.

Question for Shadow deck/1 card: What is at the root of what is eating my time/energy/drive?

Question for Light deck/1 card: How can I expose and therefore break free from justifying agendas that eat away at my progress?

Step 2: Partial Phase

The moon begins to block the sun causing your environment to darken and lose the sun’s heat and light.

Question for Shadow deck/1 card: What am I choosing to engage with that blocks my light?

Question for Light deck/1 card:  What action can I take to fearlessly reach into the darkest part of my shadow and pull from it insights that inform rather than obscure my mission on Earth?

Step 3: Ring of Fire Phase

Here the moon is positioned in front of the sun. While not covering the entire sun, the moon appears smaller than the sun causing it to create a ring of fire.

Question for Shadow deck/1 card: What small excuses do I passionately surround myself with?

Question for Light deck/1 card:  How can I best sustain a fire that fuels vitality, drive and focus?

Step 4: Partial Phase Ends

The moon begins to move across the face of the sun allowing the return of light, heat and orientation.

Question for Shadow deck/1 card: What is the purpose behind engaging with actions that continue to disorient me?

Question for Light deck/1 card:  What steps can I take that will illuminate my commitment to my purpose?

Step 5: Final Phase

With the moon’s influence no longer in sight, we return to the light and heat of the sun.

Question for Shadow deck/1 card: What influences encourage me to stay hidden?

Question for Light deck/1 card:  How can I recognize the difference between being in my true light over expressing a false light?

Once you’ve finished divining, and if possible, keep your reading out so you can check in with it as needed. I like to take my time with readings and will continue to nurture my divination from this new moon to the full Strawberry moon (June 24, 2021) by revisiting it and perhaps adding more cards or charms. A good way to keep your reading alive is by taking a photo of it and saving the image as the screen saver on one or all of your devices.

Eclipse times can be found here.

Not in a location to watch the eclipse? No problem, you can follow it live here.