Pluto Leaves Capricorn Magdalene Musings (with Tarot Spread)

In today’s Magdalene musings, I’m reflecting on the past 16 years. Almost since the inception of Pluto’s transit through Capricorn back in 2008, I have been on a journey with the Dark Goddesses. As one might expect from Underworld deities, it has not been a linear journey. There were times when I felt almost torn in two between the light and the dark. For the life of me, I could not figure out how to integrate the two, nor how to mend the monotheistic tapestry that had torn the Mother from the side of the Father. And, for much of this journey, I wasn’t even able to see that this was the journey Mother was taking me on: the mending, the making whole, the Tikkun Olam of the Divine divided against itself.

Jump to the Dark Mother’s Wisdom Tarot Spread

Click HERE for the Pluto in Aquarius Tarot Spread

Since 2008, I have learned a lot about several different dark goddesses and how some of them were at one point or another paired with various representations of the Sky Father. But it wasn’t until this year (2024), and much thanks to working with Santa Muerte, that I was able to begin to make sense of it all.

Earlier this year, I made a video about my desire to fit the monotheistic and polytheistic paradigms together. I started to feel deeply that it didn’t have to be one or the other, just as light didn’t have to be only a wave or a particle:

Mary Magdalene, Keeper of the Mysteries

Of course, I’m far from the first or only person to engage in this repair work. Mary Magdalene, though her role was great distorted by church historians, instantly springs to mind. She was a Pagan initiate into the mysteries of Isis and a Priestess of Nephthys who also, together with her beloved, worshipped the Father.

Mary Magdalene has shown me that her initiation as a Priestess of Nephthys is the reason she is often depicted with a skull, though many associate the skull only with the Biblical Golgotha. However, it’s important to understand that Golgotha (the place of the skull) is a metaphysical representation of deeper mysteries.

According to the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary online, the true meaning of Golgotha is as follows:

“Jesus (the intellectual) was crucified at the place of the skull, that Christ (Truth) might become all in all.”

The Magalene herself was christed, just like Yeshua. She became one with her higher self after defeating the seven ‘demons’ of the ego through a balanced approach of working with the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine.

Santa Muerte

Santa Muerte is the Mexican Catholic folk saint who cropped up in response to the Christian suppression of the Mesoamerican death cult. She is her own creature but like Nephthys, Hel, Hekate and Mary Magdalene, she represents the Dark Mother, the Yin to the Yang of the Sky Father.

She first called me to work with her in February of this year. It was an intense few weeks initially and after I while I needed a break. Contrary to popular belief, she is very understanding of her initiates needing to back off for a while. I was ready to re-enter her holy presence around the time of Samhain this year and it turned out to be a time of deep healing, especially in terms of allowing myself to be both monotheistic and polytheistic at the same time.

Under her tutelage, I soon came across two modern-day teachers of the mysteries who teach that which I always knew deep down was true: it didn’t have to be one or the other. These two teachers have very different approaches to the mysteries which is wonderful. It just proves again that there is no ‘one size fits all.’ One of these teachers is Mitch Horowitz, author of ‘Occult America‘ and ‘The Miracle Club,’ and the other is an initiate into the mysteries of Santa Muerte. The latter uses the pen name Warlock Asylum and has written ‘The Gnostic Bible of Holy Death.’

Pluto Leaving Capricorn

So what does all of this have to do with Pluto leaving Capricorn? Pluto represents the underworld forces in general. Without these forces, there would be no transformation, only eternal stasis. Death is part of the cycle of life-death-rebirth. When Pluto moves through the stability-loving, conservative sign of Capricorn, much of what we thought would last forever begins to crumble. This is difficult to cope with and I believe that is part of the reason why so many have turned to the Dark Goddess representatives in recent years. It’s the subconscious pull to seek deeper, more intuitive guidance about what is happening in the world.

A rational/solar mind simply can’t take us from the state of decay we now find ourselves in to the rebirth phase. A lived Pluto transit very much like giving birth. You may go into the hospital or have the midwife come to your home with a carefully crafted ‘birth plan’ in mind but–as all parents know–almost nothing goes to plan during the process. Yet a new child is somehow miraculously born.

The mothers who manage the best in the process are those who surrender to the flow. The true power of a woman lies in the fact that she has to learn how to die before she dies, at least if she gives birth to a child. However, I believe it’s true of all women since menarche and menopause are other forms of dying before we die.

No Light Without a Shadow

My understanding of the divine is now more akin to the Taoist belief in the forces of Yin and Yang, the black and white dragons of creation. This new paradigm allows me to wholeheartedly embrace New Thought/New Age with Monotheistic and Pagan philosophies. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. It can be both and/or all of them.

We can’t have just a Sky Father without the Dark Mother, just as we can’t have light without a shadow. The task, as we enter into the more enlightened Age of Aquarius, is to find the balance between the two, as well as to learn to honour all aspects of the divine–far, far away from the current materialistic paradigm.

There is one Source and there are many, many gods. There is also so much we do not know and understand but the most important thing to understand is this: You are sovereign over your own soul. If you take anything from today’s Magdalen Musings, it should be that there is never any need to buy any religious teachings wholesale or subject yourself to the authority of a religious leader–especially not one who demands subjugation. You do not only have a right to personal gnosis; Source/spirit and your own soul expect you to seek and find out for yourself–first-hand. It is this gnosis that is the bed(-rock) of the Hieros Gamos in your heart.

The Dark Mother’s Wisdom Spread

This spread can help you integrate the wisdom of the Dark Goddesses and balance the energies of light and shadow as Pluto transitions out of Capricorn or any time you need to tap into the Dark Mother’s wisdom for wholeness, integration and sovereignty.

1. The Veiled Truth: Draw a card to represent the hidden wisdom that the Dark Mother is revealing to you.
2. The Light: This card symbolises your current relationship with the “light” aspects of spirituality.
3. The Shadow: This card represents your current relationship with the “shadow” aspects of spirituality.
4. The Integration: Draw a card to show how you can bring together the light and shadow aspects in your spiritual practice.
5. The Skull’s Whisper: This card represents the deeper mystery or transformation that Mary Magdalene is guiding you towards.
6. The Crumbling Foundation: This card shows what beliefs or structures Pluto in Capricorn has been breaking down for you.
7. Santa Muerte’s Gift: Draw a card to reveal what Santa Muerte needs you to leave behind. Invoke her scythe for assistance with this.
8. The Rebirth: Draw a card to represent the new understanding or spiritual path emerging as Pluto leaves Capricorn.
9. Your Sovereign Self: This final card represents your own divine authority and how you can embrace it moving forward.

To use this spread, shuffle your Tarot deck while contemplating your spiritual journey. Draw the cards one by one, placing them in a circular pattern to represent the cyclical nature of transformation. Reflect on each card’s meaning in relation to its position in the spread and how it resonates with your personal experience of balancing light and shadow, and embracing the wisdom of the Dark Goddesses.

Dark Mother’s Wisdom Sample Tarot Reading

1. The Veiled Truth – King of Wands

The King of Wands reveals that the Dark Mother is unveiling your innate leadership qualities and creative power. This hidden wisdom suggests that you possess the charisma and vision to inspire others on their spiritual journeys. The Dark Mother is encouraging you to step into your power. Lead with passion and enthusiasm, using your spiritual insights to guide others.

2. The Light – The Lovers

Your relationship with the “light” aspects of spirituality is represented by The Lovers. This indicates a harmonious connection with divine love and unity. This card suggests that you’re experiencing a sense of balance and alignment with your higher self and spiritual beliefs. It also points to important choices in your spiritual path.

3. The Shadow – 4 of Swords

The 4 of Swords representing your relationship with the “shadow” aspects suggests a period of rest and introspection. You may be taking time to retreat and contemplate the subconscious aspects of your spirituality. This card indicates that may need to process shadow work through meditation and inner reflection, allowing for healing and rejuvenation.

4.The Integration – 9 of Cups

The 9 of Cups shows that the path to integration in your spiritual practice lies in emotional fulfillment and gratitude. This card suggests that by acknowledging and appreciating both the light and dark aspects of your journey, you can achieve a sense of wholeness and contentment. Embrace both joy and depth in your practice to find true spiritual satisfaction.

5. The Skull’s Whisper – The Magician

The Magician represents the deeper mystery that Mary Magdalene is guiding you towards. This card suggests that she is revealing the power of manifestation and the ability to channel divine energy into earthly reality. Mary Magdalene is showing you how to bridge the gap between the spiritual and material worlds. She encourages you to use your will and intention to create positive change.

6. The Crumbling Foundation – Knight of Wands

The Knight of Wands indicates that Pluto in Capricorn has been breaking down impulsive or overly enthusiastic approaches to spirituality. This card suggests that you’re learning to temper your passion with wisdom and patience. The structures of hasty action and scattered energy are being dismantled, making way for more focused and sustainable spiritual practices. Long gone are the days of fad/FOMO spirituality and spiritual bypass.

7. Santa Muerte’s Gift – Queen of Pentacles

Santa Muerte is asking you to leave behind any over-attachment to material comforts or the need to control your physical environment. The Queen of Pentacles suggests that while nurturing and abundance are important, you may need to release the idea that security comes solely from the material world. Santa Muerte’s scythe can help you cut ties with excessive materialism. This allows for a more balanced approach to spiritual and earthly matters.

8. The Rebirth – Knight of Cups

As Pluto leaves Capricorn, the Knight of Cups represents the emergence of a new spiritual path characterized by emotional openness and romantic idealism. This card suggests that your renewed approach to spirituality will be heart-centered, intuitive, and focused on love and compassion. You may find yourself drawn to more creative and artistic expressions of spirituality.

9. Your Sovereign Self – 5 of Cups

The 5 of Cups representing your divine authority might seem challenging at first, but it holds a powerful message. This card suggests that embracing your sovereignty involves acknowledging past disappointments or losses in your spiritual journey. By facing these feelings and learning from them, you can turn towards the cups that remain full. Your divine authority lies in your ability to find hope and new opportunities even in the face of setbacks, transforming grief into wisdom and strength.

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