Sleeping with a Mosquito

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Ace of Fire/Wands (Mullein); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Blood Moon:

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

―Dalai Lama

Mullein seems like an unusual choice for the Ace of Wands/Fire at first glance; its soft flannel-like leaves have been used medicinally to soothe coughs and sore throats. Yet while it starts small, as a low-growing rosette of leaves, in its second year mullein produces a very noticeable flower stalk 5 or more feet tall. Dating back to Roman times, mullein torches were made from the dried flower stalk coated in beeswax or tallow, which allowed a 10 to 15 minute burn time per inch. The companion booklet encourages us to let desire lead courage - that flame can prod us forward to try new things. Blood Moon tells us to step into our power without letting our ego direct it. Ego hampers our progress because it focuses on "Will this make me look stupid?" or "Will this make me look cool?" We don't have to leave common sense behind, but we should let our creative ideas blossom unhindered. 

It's on the Inside

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Green Wheel Oracle, the 'Blood Moon:'

The Hierophant is paired with the cacao tree, whose pods contain the seeds used to make cocoa, cocoa butter, and chocolate. The booklet encourages us to "seek the truth in spiritual teachings," which is akin to the pods of the tree. Sometimes what is spiritually valuable is not what shows on the outside but what is found on the inside. The Blood Moon represents finding balance (or equanimity) in the middle of chaos or drama. Rather than clinging to what we want or resisting what we don't want, we observe with curiosity.  This ability generally requires a mindfulness practice to develop. Learning to watch our thoughts and emotions without judgment can help remove all that inner baggage, allowing us to clearly see what can and can't be changed.