Do You Hear What I Hear?

From the Victorian Fairy Oracle, the Herald of Winter (Page of Swords); from the Haindl Rune Oracle, Man/Mannaz:

As I drew this Page/Herald this morning, the carol "Do You Hear What I Hear?" came to mind. In this song, what is seen, heard and known is passed along, beginning with the night wind and ending with the king. While obviously a carol, Noël Regney wrote this song as an appeal for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The last stanza has the king proclaiming, "Pray for peace, people everywhere!" The rune Mannaz is generally translated as 'Man' (humankind); the poems suggest its meaning includes both the joy and connection humans feel as well as separation and death. Both of these cards suggest I pay attention beyond my self-absorbed box of desires, worries and resentments. There is joy, warmth and beauty around me, if I would only open my eyes and ears (and mind) to them. Though changeable and impermanent, it would be a shame to miss out on these gifts and wonders.