We are currently in the period of time known as the Omer, a 49-day stretch bridging the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. During this time, our ancestors wandered in the desert after escaping Egypt and leaving slavery behind. This is the liminal time between liberation and revelation*when we received the Torah at Sinai.
This year, the image of wandering in the desert feels more appropriate than ever—not knowing exactly where we are, how long we’ll be here, or what life will look like on the other side.
It brings me some comfort to know that the feelings many of us are experiencing right now—more than a year after the pandemic turned our lives upside down—are also what our ancestors might have experienced as they wandered in the wilderness: grief and loss for aspects of our former lives and the people who didn’t make it with us, uncertainty and frustration at how long we’ll be here, and moments of relief, gratitude, and joy.
This is the first year that I am counting the Omer, and I am feeling grateful for this ritual of marking the days, of honouring this in-between time. Of being with the not-knowing, the uncertainty, of “living the questions” (in the words of Rainer Maria Rilke).
Card Spread & Reflection Questions
I created a card spread that you can use to reflect during this time, or at any other time of transition or change. If you don’t have a tarot or oracle deck (or that’s not your thing), you can journal on each question instead.
Step 1: Prepare. Get out your favourite tarot or oracle deck, a journal and pen, and maybe a candle. Light the candle and close your eyes, or gaze softly at the flame. Set an intention to connect with your intuition, your inner wise voice. If there’s a specific question you have or something you want guidance on, call it to mind. Place a hand on your heart and take a few intentional breaths, noticing how the breath moves through your body.
Step 2: Pull your cards. Shuffle your cards well while reflecting on your intention or question. When you’re ready, choose three cards and lay them out in front of you.
Step 3: Reflect/journal. Going one by one, look at each card and reflect or journal on the following questions. You can read the description of the card in the booklet (if your deck has one), or just see what thoughts, feelings and associations the card evokes for you.
Think of the cards as a launching off point, allowing the image or description to inspire you rather than limit you. Remember, you have agency! If you don’t like a card, sit with that feeling for a moment to understand why and then feel free to choose another card instead.
Another way to approach this spread is to intentionally choose a card for each question. There’s no wrong way to do this—whatever works for you and is most helpful is the right way.
Card 1: What are you leaving behind?
- What “narrow place” are you leaving behind? (Mitzrayim, or Ancient Egypt, means “the narrow place”)
- What old story or pattern are you outgrowing?
- What skin are you shedding?
Card 2: What are you currently exploring?
- Where are you now in your journey, growth, or evolution?
- What are you learning & unlearning?
- What is emerging and in process for you?
- Who and what is supporting you through this time?
Card 3: What are you moving towards?
- What wisdom, revelation, or Torah, are you opening to receive?
- What do you want the next chapter to look like for you?
- What new identity are you claiming or stepping into?
Step 4: Closing. Once you’ve pulled your cards and done your journaling, take a moment to close this practice by thanking yourself for making time to connect with your intuition. If it’s part of your practice, thank your higher self, guides, and Divine presence (Universe, Hashem, Shekhina, God, however you relate/envision this divine presence) for supporting and guiding you. You can take a picture of your cards, place them on your altar, or put them back in the deck.
May this practice support you in this time of transition, growth, and liminality. Feel free to come back to it whenever you need. And remember that your intuition is always there for you to connect with—you just need to make space and listen.
*I would like to offer deep gratitude to Elane June Margolis, Annie-Rose London, and Keshira HaLev Fife for introducing me to the framing of the time between Passover and Shavuot as “from liberation to revelation” and for their beautiful teaching and space holding in the Omer creative practice group.
We are currently in the period of time known as the Omer, a 49-day stretch bridging the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. During this time, our ancestors wandered in the desert after escaping Egypt and leaving slavery behind. This is the liminal time between liberation and revelation*when we received the Torah at Sinai.
This year, the image of wandering in the desert feels more appropriate than ever—not knowing exactly where we are, how long we’ll be here, or what life will look like on the other side.
It brings me some comfort to know that the feelings many of us are experiencing right now—more than a year after the pandemic turned our lives upside down—are also what our ancestors might have experienced as they wandered in the wilderness: grief and loss for aspects of our former lives and the people who didn’t make it with us, uncertainty and frustration at how long we’ll be here, and moments of relief, gratitude, and joy.
This is the first year that I am counting the Omer, and I am feeling grateful for this ritual of marking the days, of honouring this in-between time. Of being with the not-knowing, the uncertainty, of “living the questions” (in the words of Rainer Maria Rilke).
Card Spread & Reflection Questions
I created a card spread that you can use to reflect during this time, or at any other time of transition or change. If you don’t have a tarot or oracle deck (or that’s not your thing), you can journal on each question instead.
Step 1: Prepare. Get out your favourite tarot or oracle deck, a journal and pen, and maybe a candle. Light the candle and close your eyes, or gaze softly at the flame. Set an intention to connect with your intuition, your inner wise voice. If there’s a specific question you have or something you want guidance on, call it to mind. Place a hand on your heart and take a few intentional breaths, noticing how the breath moves through your body.
Step 2: Pull your cards. Shuffle your cards well while reflecting on your intention or question. When you’re ready, choose three cards and lay them out in front of you.
Step 3: Reflect/journal. Going one by one, look at each card and reflect or journal on the following questions. You can read the description of the card in the booklet (if your deck has one), or just see what thoughts, feelings and associations the card evokes for you.
Think of the cards as a launching off point, allowing the image or description to inspire you rather than limit you. Remember, you have agency! If you don’t like a card, sit with that feeling for a moment to understand why and then feel free to choose another card instead.
Another way to approach this spread is to intentionally choose a card for each question. There’s no wrong way to do this—whatever works for you and is most helpful is the right way.
Card 1: What are you leaving behind?
- What “narrow place” are you leaving behind? (Mitzrayim, or Ancient Egypt, means “the narrow place”)
- What old story or pattern are you outgrowing?
- What skin are you shedding?
Card 2: What are you currently exploring?
- Where are you now in your journey, growth, or evolution?
- What are you learning & unlearning?
- What is emerging and in process for you?
- Who and what is supporting you through this time?
Card 3: What are you moving towards?
- What wisdom, revelation, or Torah, are you opening to receive?
- What do you want the next chapter to look like for you?
- What new identity are you claiming or stepping into?
Step 4: Closing. Once you’ve pulled your cards and done your journaling, take a moment to close this practice by thanking yourself for making time to connect with your intuition. If it’s part of your practice, thank your higher self, guides, and Divine presence (Universe, Hashem, Shekhina, God, however you relate/envision this divine presence) for supporting and guiding you. You can take a picture of your cards, place them on your altar, or put them back in the deck.
May this practice support you in this time of transition, growth, and liminality. Feel free to come back to it whenever you need. And remember that your intuition is always there for you to connect with—you just need to make space and listen.
*I would like to offer deep gratitude to Elane June Margolis, Annie-Rose London, and Keshira HaLev Fife for introducing me to the framing of the time between Passover and Shavuot as “from liberation to revelation” and for their beautiful teaching and space holding in the Omer creative practice group.