Empty Bowls, Filled

From the Golden Tarot, the Queen of Coins; from the Yantra Deck, "Generosity:"

          Black describes this Queen as richly attired but with a modest demeanor. She is sensible, hard-working and philanthropic. The Queen of Coins is a perfect pairing for the Generosity Yantra. Even a simple life can be richly lived without a feeling of lack. And that lifestyle in turn cultivates the inclination to give. Today I am attending an event hosted here by the SOWEGA Council on Aging and the Albany Area Arts Council called "Empty Bowls." Local artists create ceramic or pottery bowls and donate them in an effort help the hungry in the community. For only $20, ticket buyers get to choose a handcrafted bowl and enjoy a variety of soups. The donations collected will fund the "Meals on Wheels" program as well as a portion going to the Arts Council. My giving was done the easy way, just by donating money. The artists, the event coordinators, and the cooks who've been busy preparing for this event gave something even more valuable - their time and energy. I imagine such a charitable affair would be something this Queen would smile about.

Generosity takes many forms—we may give our time, our energy, our material possessions, our love. All are expressions of caring, of compassion, of connection, and of renunciation—the ability to let go. ~ Joseph Goldstein