Allies

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Three of Water (Cups); from the Bird Cards, Canary:

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them? ~Rose Kennedy

          Can anyone confidently say that they would have made it through 2020 without companions to lean on and confide in? Not me. Whether the challenges were personal, national or worldwide, friendships helped me find humor in the darkness and upheld a light for coming change. What better time to celebrate than when surviving a difficulty (even if the rest didn't magically disappear)? Canary reminds me of its association with warning when it was used by coal miners. My companions can also sound an alarm when I start sliding under the waves with little awareness. In the words of Arnold Glasgow, "A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down." As this year comes to a close and a new one begins, I will strive to generously offer the same kindness to others that I've received.

The Power of 'Should'

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Two of Fire (Wands); from the Bird Cards, Canary:

The Two of Wands is given the keyword 'Will' (the Thoth assigns it 'Dominion'). Here is the power and desire to do something, but two questions naturally arise: What should I do? What do I want to do? Those 'shoulds' generally advise me to stick to what has been working and avoid branching out into the unknown. But the desire to expand beyond the horizon has a strong pull that will give my creative side room to flourish. The Canary, a songbird known for its bright yellow color, represents cheerful optimism. Would I want to put that kind of enthusiasm in a cage or (even worse) in a coal mine? Such is the power of the 'shoulds.'

The Mines of Minds

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Father of Water (King of Cups); from the Bird Cards, "Canary:"

          This fellow is described as someone who is perceptive, patient and sensitive. No wonder people seek him out for advice. Being able to listen deeply with empathy, then tap into intuitive insights for solutions is a rarity. Like the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with just a basket of food, this King feeds his people too in a way. He is their calm harbor during storms; a person who loves without prejudice.
          The canary's cheery color and song represent optimism for the creators of this deck. Yet I also remember that it was used (up until 1987) as an early warning system for coal miners. Birds would be affected by the toxic gases (such as methane or carbon monoxide) before the men and would alert them to the unsafe conditions. Even today there is a term - "climate canary" - that refers to a species affected by environmental conditions before other animals and serves as an alarm. I am often the calm harbor for other people; they rely on me for emotional stability when their lives are in turmoil. But the canary suggests that too much time spent in these "mines" could have a detrimental effect. I need to walk in the green world and find renewal in the sunlight and fresh air. Such a dose of optimism can help balance out the darkness.

Canary in the Coal Mine

From the Jolanda Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the Bird Signs deck, the "Canary:"

The booklet that comes with the Jolanda speaks of practicality and compromise for the Three of Wands. The image makes me think of how much I loved to climb trees as a youngster. Now I would worry about breaking something if I were to try. The animals and older children have made it to the top of the posts, while the younger kids stay on the ground. I have nothing to prove, so instead of letting my pride get in the way, I can let those with the talents that are needed to use them.
The Canary is given the keyword "light," but my immediate connection was to the poor birds coal miners used to forewarn them of toxic gases. It was good for the miners, but not so good for the canaries. The combination of tarot and oracle cards remind me of a Demotivational poster (must be my weird sense of humor):

Do I want to be the canary in the coal mine for others? Not if I can help it.