Challenges and Charity

From the Sacred Sites Tarot, the Chariot:

This particular Chariot card shows a pilgrim following the Way of St. James, a route that began at one's home and ended in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The many dangers and hardships a pilgrim faced on the journey was seen as a test of one's beliefs. The charioteer's struggle is similar to that of the pilgrim; his convictions are challenged as he tries to reach his goal. In order to reach his destination, he must develop a confidence that not only allows him to ignore all the external drama, but the pull of his own senses, emotions and instinctual desires as well. P. Gerson, editor of The Pilgrim's Guide to Santiago de Compostela, wrote: "Pilgrimage is like a rite of passage in that it thrusts the participant beyond the threshold of normal daily life into an altered spiritual state." Continuing confidently on the path, regardless of the conditions encountered, is the message of the Chariot.

From the Haindl Rune Oracle comes "Gebo:"

The Anglo Saxon poem (which calls this rune Gyfu) says: "Generosity brings credit and honor, which support one's dignity; it furnishes help and subsistence to all broken men who are devoid of aught else." The literal meaning of Gebo is "gift" and refers to both giving and receiving. It reminds me that as I struggle towards a goal, sometimes I need to be willing to take help offered - just as the traveling pilgrim accepted the hospitality of others.