The Ending Within

From the Delta Enduring Tarot, the Nine of Oysters (Cups); from the Southernisms Oracle, 'Sweet/pretty as a peach:'

          A woman relaxes with a glass of wine and a plate of oysters in the evening. At this moment, she truly feels like the world is her oyster. Unlike many people who are satisfied for five minutes and then start chasing the next pleasure, she is content to fully enjoy the experience as long as it lasts. And judging by the framed butterflies on the wall, she knows it will be fleeting. The saying "Sweet (or alternatively 'pretty') as a peach" is a high compliment in the South where a lot of this crop is grown. The fruit's skin is soft and flannel-like while its flesh is sweet and juicy. Yet inside the center is the rough seed known as a pit. Life can be sweet one day and 'the pits' the next. Equanimity comes when we can see this as the natural flow of things, when we are willing to taste everything on the plate life serves us regardless of how pleasant it is.

All things already have their endings within them. If we become attuned to this, then we can appreciate the moment. We can appreciate the extraordinary fact of our unique and precious lives.

—Thanissara