At this time of year when so much of the meaning of Christmas is buried under conspicuous consumption, special sales, buying, having, wanting, it’s very easy to lose sight of what Christmas should be about.  Considering what the news has been filled with recently, it is especially easy at this time to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas.  Maybe I’ve watched too many versions of A Christmas Carol, but I really feel the need to rediscover my Christmas spirit.  So I created this spread.

1. What is the true meaning of Christmas?  Resurrection
2. What past experiences have shaped my understanding of Christmas?  Mistress of Sticks
3. How can I rediscover my own Christmas spirit?  9 of Sticks
4. How can I best help others in need at this time of year?  5 of Skulls Rx
5. What will help me keep my Christmas spirit alive throughout the year?  8 of Pentacles

Resurrection reminds me that the true meaning of Christmas is to come out of our self-imposed isolation, our withdrawal from humanity, and walk among others celebrating life.  As long as we live there is an opportunity for change.  It offers us the ability to transform our lives and feel fulfilled and happy.  I find it interesting how perfectly this card suits the message of A Christmas Carol.  For most of the movie, Scrooge is trapped in a dark night of the soul of his own making.  He imprisoned himself in the isolating darkness and couldn’t find his way out again.  Resurrection reminds us that Scrooge was able to redeem himself at the end of the story because he committed himself to changing.  He learned from his journey through his own darkness and decided to celebrate the light.

Seeing the Queen of Wands appear in answer to “What past experiences have shaped my understanding of Christmas?”, threw me.  In part this is because I so identify with the Queen of Wands.  However, when I looked at the flames burning behind Aunt Moribund, it reminded me how many Christmases in my family went up in flames because of family dysfunction and arguments.  This definitely tainted my view of Christmas.  As I often explain to people, I like the holiday but have little patience for the trappings that go along with it.  I prefer to focus on spending time with family and loved ones, not trying to determine what gift I can give that will probably be forgotten or discarded shortly after.  Ironically, despite the fact that I do not identify as Christian, I can appreciate the sentiment “let’s put Christ back in Christmas”.  I think the Christmases I experienced as a child created someone who is very passionate about avoiding exactly those types of situations in my life now.

I can rediscover my own Christmas spirit by exploring past holiday traditions.  I don’t think it needs to be a burdensome thing where they have to be followed exactly.  Instead I think great aunt Lillian on the 9 of Sticks, is showing that I can be inspired by traditions of the past or of my ancestors.  It’s not about replicating the acts that have gone before as much as using them as a starting point to create new traditions of my own that are informed by exploring the past. 

The 5 of Skulls Rx in answer to “how can I best help others in need at this time of year?”, also seems to tie into the message of A Christmas Carol.  Instead of focusing on what has been lost, the ghosts of Christmases past that can no longer be changed, I should look within myself and see how I can use my experiences to help others.  Instead of focusing on my losses, I can remember what I still have and the joy I experienced when those loved ones were still part of my life.  I can try to find a way to share that Joy with others who may not have the resources that I do and help them have a happy holiday.

Uncle Rotwang, on the 8 of Pentacles, reminds me that we reap what we sow.  The lessons we learn are the ones we put the most effort into.  If I would rather feed my cynicism and my judgmental side then I will find Christmas to be a burden and something I prefer to avoid.  If, instead of creating that kind of monster, I choose to be open to the joy, wonder and generosity that can erupt at this time of year, allowing it to permeate my life everyday, I may discover that I’m able to celebrate and express these feelings throughout the year and will be able to share that with others.