Expand and Contract

From the Spiral Tarot, the Three of Cups; from the Sacred Journey Cards, Ground:

          With pumpkins on the ground, it appears these ladies are celebrating the last harvest of the year before winter. One of the women holds a spiral in her hand that represents the expansiveness of the mood. It is a lighthearted time of joy and friendship. But eventually the activity will die down; the expansiveness of the spiral will turn inward as it contracts (think of the Four of Cups). Should these ladies forego their fun because it won't last forever? I'll stick with the wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh: "Because we can see the impermanent nature of the flowers, we can appreciate all the more the beauty of each flower. To observe the impermanence of things is not to reject them, but to be in contact with them with deep understanding, without being caught in desire and attachment." To honor what won't last, we give the moment our full attention and keep our heart open. But what about after the celebration? The SJ card - Ground - suggests there is comfort to be found in the stillness and solitude too. This time deserves a curious rather than judgmental mind; such attention can calm and soothe, preparing us for the next bit of excitement that comes our way.