Rattle, Rattle

From the Prairie Tarot, the Two of Coins:

The tarot can certainly have a sense of humor, but let me back up a bit to explain. For the majority of my elementary school years, I lived on a huge farm located far away from any town. My city-bred mother warned us daily about watching out for snakes, as we children traipsed through fields and groves. The most prominent type was the rattlesnake, quite often growing to six feet in length with its steady supply of large rats. However the one plus about the rattler (in comparing it to the copperhead or cottonmouth) was it generally gave a warning when we got too close. So that is what I see here in this card - a red flag waving, telling me to find some balance in the physical sphere of my life. And why? With sunny skies and 80 degree temperatures last Tuesday, I bought dozens of plants to replace those that had died due to the hard winter. Then I decided to clean off the pollen in the screened back porch (a gallon bucket filled by the time I dusted and swept). I scrubbed tables and chairs, repotted plants, and mopped. It was dark by the time I finished, and I was so tired and sore even my hair hurt. My eyes were gritty and my nose felt stuffed with cotton from inhaling so much pollen. I swore I would never push myself like that again. But today, having had yesterday to rest, my mind is already back at Lowes in the plant department. That rattle on this Two of Coins is shaking hard, trying to get my attention.

From the Medicine Cards comes the "Blue Heron:"

We have quite a few great blue herons in our area, and with their wingspan of over five feet, they are impressive. Unlike the snowy egrets that plod along through the ponds looking for fish and frogs, the heron stands perfectly still and waits for food to pass by. I've often walked past, not seeing them standing among reeds, and had the wits scared out of me when they took off in flight. It's not surprising that the authors associate this bird with the medicine of self-reflection. Perhaps today is a better day for being still and looking within than being busy.