I use tarot and oracle cards as tools for reflection and contemplation. Rather than divining the future, they are a way for me to look more deeply at the "now."
"The goal isn't to arrive, but to meander, to saunter, to make your life a holy wandering." ~ Rami Shapiro

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Challenges Met

From the Tarot of the Radiant Path, the Six of Wands; from Mirrors of the Heart, Peace:
          This is an unusual Six of Wands card with a family watching the mom sew while a warm fire blazes in the fireplace. But when I think of the many refugees who are struggling in the camps or trying to find their footing in another country, it makes sense. The Peace card reminds me that just as our fingers are all connected to the palm, so we are all connected to each other. It is only humane to help each other as we face our challenges. Below is a poem written by Brian Bilstone. It is written to be read the usual way first, and then from the bottom up.

REFUGEES
They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way

(now read from bottom to top) 

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10 comments:

  1. EllenDecember 27, 2016 at 9:08 AM

    Amazing poem!So well written.
    And also a very fitting post for the first day after Christmas. Peace on Earth: a whole year long :)

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    1. thesycamoretreeDecember 27, 2016 at 9:19 AM

      I love that Bilstone literally shows us how to see from a new perspective. Wishing you and yours peace in the coming year, Ellen. :)

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  2. thesycamoretreeDecember 27, 2016 at 9:50 AM

    My sentiments exactly! :)

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  3. Inner WhispersDecember 27, 2016 at 12:54 PM

    Wow, that poem is amazing! As for the card, refugee or not, I can see the success in having a loving family and a comfortable place to live :)

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  4. thesycamoretreeDecember 27, 2016 at 1:48 PM

    I wish I had Trump's email address; I'd send it to him. :)
    You are right about having a loving home as being a mark of success; it can easily be overlooked (until something like that poem reminds me).

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  5. Carolyn TindorDecember 27, 2016 at 2:12 PM

    As Wayne Dyer always said "change the way you look at things and the things you look at change. I have admiration for those that have chosen such a difficult life. They are teachers of compassion and most people don't realize that; instead of shunning them they should be thanking them for the lesson.

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    1. thesycamoretreeDecember 27, 2016 at 3:46 PM

      Very true; every view is just a look from a different reference point. They could teach us to leave our hearts open and tender if we had the courage to do so.

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  6. UnknownDecember 28, 2016 at 8:46 AM

    Wonderful powerful poem from bottom to top. One that is so important to share.
    There was woman who was from Somalia I think who wrote a poem I must try to find it and share it with you Bev. Poetry is so powerful! Thank you for sharing that Bev <3

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    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeDecember 28, 2016 at 9:03 AM

      I thought it was powerful too. Are you thinking of Warsan Shire's poem called "Home?" (A very moving poem too.)

      no one leaves home unless
      home is the mouth of a shark
      you only run for the border
      when you see the whole city running as well

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    2. UnknownDecember 28, 2016 at 9:29 AM

      Yes that's it! I wrote a blog post in 2015 and put a link to CBC Radio and her reading it!
      Incredible poem! http://catherinemeyersartist.blogspot.ca/2015/09/home-poet-warsan-shire.html

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