Gifts

This week I'll be using the Anna K. Tarot, created and self-published by Anna Klaffinger (though now published by Llewellyn). Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Meditation Cards, a deck created and self-published by Asha Greer. All the keywords and quotes for these cards have been added by me. Today's draws are the Empress and River of Humanity:

Look after the land and the land will look after you, destroy the land and it will destroy you.

—Aboriginal Proverb

Judging by the dangerous smile of this Empress, it's likely someone tried to hurt the ringtail hiding beneath her dress. She is the archetypal Mother Earth, supplying beauty and resources in abundance, yet she demands these things not be used indiscriminately or without respect. Like the typical mom, she loves to give but won't hesitate to dole out some discipline when it's needed. The quote for River of Humanity is written by Satish Kumar:

When we write a poem, we make a gift. When we paint a picture or build a beautiful home, we make a gift. When we grow flowers and cook food, we make a gift. When all these activities are performed as sacred acts, they nourish society.

Whatever we offer with an attitude of love is a worthy gift. And how we treat the gifts we're given shows our nature as being entitled or selfless and appreciative.