Welcome to Dream Interpretation for Dummies, where Dear Abby meets Native Americana. Come to the campfire, peer into the yawning grave, and take a dive into the collective subconscious… or maybe just explore some weird clown imagery. We’ll wait for you here.
Dear Dreamers,
I started writing this missive from my typical Saturday study room at the library. It is very quiet there, like most libraries, but especially because I am often there as soon as it opens. Just me and the old men who come to read the Times, the Post, the Atlantic, etc. I like the space and I like the women who run the front desk, who often remark on how beautiful my name is and how cute my sweater looks. Lately, I’ve found it easier to write there than anywhere else — I am not sure why. Maybe it’s just the novelty of the new space, maybe I just need to cleanse my apartment again.
Either way, I’m still figuring out what would be beneficial to share with you, in this space we have made together. I guess it’s easiest to start at the beginning. The basics, if you will. Though this is not a complete guide by any means (I actually envision this as a two or three part series), I hope it will prove helpful to you.
I field a lot of questions about the ancestors. This is a joyous part of my work, but it also often brings up a lot of anxiety in the querent. They want to make sure that I am connecting with the ancestors that they don’t fear, that they didn’t have a bad relationship with. I understand this! I begin my private sessions with a note like this: “To open your reading/interpretation, I connected with your ancestors. Though they appear as a collective, this collective are those that have taken a special interest in you, and want your best and highest.” This note, of course, is meant to soothe, but it’s also true. I do a lot of cleansing and meditation before each session to ensure that nothing “negative” creeps into a place of trust.
That said, I do hold the belief that ancestors come in many shapes and forms. A belief also held in the book Ancestral Tarot: Uncover Your Past and Chart Your Future which I only recently came across. Though I can not wholeheartedly recommend everything inside, I did enjoy the designations and the tarot spreads, some of which mirrored my own thoughts and opinions, so it might be worth checking out with that caveat.
With that in mind, these are some of the designations I use for the ancestors:
Ancestors of blood: people related to you by blood in the family line! Can also encompass “step” relations, etc.
Ancestors of time: The way back when, i.e. family connections that you don’t consciously remember.
Ancestors of place: Those good spirits who are of the land you're on that want to help you even if they aren't OF you, so to speak.
Ancestors of choice: friends, chosen family, deep connections in other arenas of life that you don’t have in your blood/timeline. They are still with you!
Also, and I don't want to make assumptions, but if you do have a Tarot deck, or any deck really, you could do a little reading for yourself.
A simple spread I've adapted goes like this —
Card 1: What are my ancestral gifts? (This can also be switched for, what are my ancestral hindrances).
Card 2: Is this trait/gift from my maternal or paternal line? OR which ancestor line does this spring from?
Card 3: What is the first step I can take to realize this gift? (Or sort through this hindrance).
With that, I invite you to ask me LOTS of questions. One of the perks of being a paid supporter, hehe!
See you on the other side,
Howdy
Fancy a trip to Dreamland, pardner? Send your best to sadboyhowdy@gmail.com!