Darkness Turned Back

From the Songs for the Journey Home, the Sun; from the Raven Cards, 'Blessing:'

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,

May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

― John O'Donohue

          The Sun is symbolic of a time when life blesses us for our courage and tenacity during tough times; fear is replaced by receptivity and confusion with clarity. That feeling of wearing lead boots while slogging through knee-deep molasses wanes and is replaced with a cheerful lightness and energy. While it may be tempting to soak up all this goodness in solitude, the Raven Card suggests we double our time of grace and good fortune by blessing another. A kind, compassionate gesture, no matter how simple, radiates joy on both the bestower and receiver. 

 Somewhere, out at the edges, the night

Is turning and the waves of darkness

Begin to brighten the shore of dawn.

The heavy dark falls back to earth

And the freed air goes wild with light,

The heart fills with fresh, bright breath

And thoughts stir to give birth to color.

― John O'Donohue

Skills and Blessings

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, the Three of Pentacles; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, the Blessing:

          To be honest, I was expecting a Cups card to show up this morning; my husband and I are celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary today. Yet Moore writes, "you have the ability, the vision and the materials necessary to create something of value." Doesn't a relationship require more than simply emotions? Feelings and moods come and go, but the Pentacles suit gives lessons in dedication, responsibility and resourcefulness. It teaches how to ground what is said (I love you) into something concrete and tangible. These are the traits that can keep a relationship on track when the roller coaster of life takes dramatic drops and turns.
          The Blessing fairy begins each day with a thoughtful, thankful attitude. Such an open perspective can change an obligation into an offering and everyday tasks into a remembrance of blessings received. What a radical way to view the people, places and things that make up my world. The word "blessing" always brings me back to the words of John O'Donohue:

The word blessing evokes a sense of warmth and protection; it suggests that no life is alone or unreachable. 

~

May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.

~

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,

may the clarity of light be yours,

may the fluency of the ocean be yours,

may the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow

wind work these words

of love around you,

an invisible cloak

to mind your life.

Rest Rather than React

From the Tarot of the Hidden Realm, the Moon; from the Heart of Faerie Oracle, the "Blessing:"

Down on all fours with antlers sprouting from her head, this fairy has morphed into her untamed animal side. She's in survival mode, so she's relying purely on instincts to guide her. This place in her head feels one step shy of insanity. Nothing is clear, yet the emotional surge she's feeling makes everything seem dangerously important. The compass-like symbol she's drawn in the earth to get her bearings only makes her swirling thoughts more confusing. She needs a safe haven to wait out the dark night, a quiet corner where she can rest instead of react.
The Blessing card is an encouragement to start the day with gratitude. Though there might be many things going on that are overwhelming and look dire, there are small shafts of light shining in the cracks. Focusing on what is right rather than all that is wrong will be more conducive to producing solutions.