Seeking the Gifts

This week I'll be using the PetraK Tarot, created by Petra Reiter-Köck and published by Piatnik. The oracle I'll be using this week is the AstroDice, created by Wessex Astrologer Ltd. It consists of three dice: one for Planets, one for Signs and one for Houses. Today's draw and roll are Death and Neptune in Cancer, 1st House:

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man. ―Heraclitus

I'm currently reading Joan Chittister's Gift of Aging. In her introduction, she states that the book is not about dying because we don't need to get old to die. Change and loss begin soon after we're born as a natural part of impermanence. In Petra's card, the scorpion represents the sting of loss, but the butterfly symbolizes the beauty and understanding that can come too. Yet if we cling to tightly to the sting, we miss the gift. Neptune in Cancer within the 1st House suggests being viewed by others as a person who drifts toward people and places that feel like emotional home. In times of great change and bereavement, that seems like a sane and safe response in order to learn to accept and to heal.

Sleeping with a Mosquito

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Ace of Fire/Wands (Mullein); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Blood Moon:

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

―Dalai Lama

Mullein seems like an unusual choice for the Ace of Wands/Fire at first glance; its soft flannel-like leaves have been used medicinally to soothe coughs and sore throats. Yet while it starts small, as a low-growing rosette of leaves, in its second year mullein produces a very noticeable flower stalk 5 or more feet tall. Dating back to Roman times, mullein torches were made from the dried flower stalk coated in beeswax or tallow, which allowed a 10 to 15 minute burn time per inch. The companion booklet encourages us to let desire lead courage - that flame can prod us forward to try new things. Blood Moon tells us to step into our power without letting our ego direct it. Ego hampers our progress because it focuses on "Will this make me look stupid?" or "Will this make me look cool?" We don't have to leave common sense behind, but we should let our creative ideas blossom unhindered. 

A Life to Remember

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, Death (Marigold); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Honey Bee:

I shall not die of a cold, my son. I shall die of having lived.

—Willa Cather

Marigolds are used on many Día de los Muertos altars; these flowers are said to guide the souls of the dead to family altars using its bright color and strong scent. Monarch butterflies, traversing thousands of miles during its migration, are also a symbol of this holiday. While other cultures might question this celebration, the words of Jack Lemmon explain it: "Death ends a life, not a relationship." Making death an acquaintance is not a bad idea, as it reminds us of what is precious and important. Plus, we'll all have to make that migrational journey at some point. Honey Bee emphasizes what we should be focusing on while we still can. These insects work together to gather pollen to create food for the hive while also pollenating plants. Purpose and meaning can be found in relationship and through altruistic actions - things that create a life worth living and remembering.  

Sharing Wisdom

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the World; from the Green Wheel Oracle, the Hearth Moon:

There is no delight in owning anything unshared. —Seneca

Rather than a single herb, this World card is paired with Pachamama (Mother Earth) - a living being who nourishes and supports all. As we complete a major phase or undertaking in our lives, the World suggests we share our insights and wisdom with others. We've been blessed with the knowledge and understanding of many sages throughout history: Siddhartha Gautama, Aristotle, Jesus of Nazareth, and Marcus Aurelius, to name just a few. Yet Hearth Moon, a time of preparation, implies we should tie up loose ends, let go of old habits, and clean up our side of the street first. Only by seeing the changes we have made in ourselves will others think we have anything to offer that is worth hearing.

Sacred Solitude

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Hermit (Usnea); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Deer:

It’s said that if we want to learn about our past, we should look at our present circumstances, for they are the result of our past actions. If we want to learn about our future, we should look at what we’re doing now. —Pema Chodron

The Hermit is illustrated with Usnea, a beard lichen that gets water and food straight from the air but dies off in areas with heavy air pollution. When we begin to notice that we are suffering from tainted thoughts and motives, the Hermit invites us into sacred solitude. As Khyentse Norbu explains, we easily become captivated by our "teacups" (outer trappings of culture and society) and forget to drink the "tea" (the essence of spiritual teachings). It's time to take an honest inventory, trace our path to discover how we got to this place, and make some new choices. Deer encourages us to stay alert to distractions and deflections: blame, excuses, and rationalizations. This assessment has nothing to do with guilt or worth but is simply about gaining clarity so we can get back on track.

Useful Hoarding

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Eight of Water/Cups (Valerian); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Wolf:

Sanity is a valuable possession; I hoard it the way people once hoarded money.

—Margaret Atwood

Drama queens, disruptors, contrarians, and relentless competitors - we've all had to deal with at least some of them. But boy can they suck the energy and enthusiasm for life right out of us. Rather than drift passively in these relationships, it's time to retreat from them and the drain they create. Valerian is an herb used for insomnia, anxiety and stress. We all need some calm in our lives, and that may require choices to be made. Wolf asks us to name our fears and bring them into the light. Do we think removing ourselves from the insanity (at least for a while) will bring chaos and cause our house of cards to fall down? It's possible, but that might be a good thing if we're enabling the detrimental behavior of others.

Soothe Yourself

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Ten of Fire/Wands (Comfrey); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Wren:

Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying 'yes' too quickly and not saying 'no' soon enough. —Josh Billings

I've noticed that when you retire from the work force, people often seek you out to join groups or do volunteer work. Such endeavors can be beneficial, as they keep us active and involved with others. But at times they can become a burdensome demand. Comfrey has historically been used in salves and poultices to treat bruises and sprains. Its message is: "There can be too much of a good thing. Stop. Step away. Soothe yourself. Cut it down and it roars back to life." Like this herb, when we cut down our work and take time to rest, we can rejuvenate ourselves. Wren is a tiny bird with a big voice. It reminds us that people don't always accept what we're trying to tell them, but we need to have the confidence to stand up for what we need. Trying to please others rather than taking care of ourselves only leads to resentment, burnout and health issues. As Anna Taylor said, "You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept."