Disco Fever

From the Via Tarot, the Eight of Wands; from the Nature's Pharmacy deck, Cinnamon:

           The pulsing ball of energy and the ball of light at the top of this Eight of Wands gave me a flashback to disco clubs of the seventies where strobe lights, disco balls, and bass-driven dance music blared. Yet the energy here is not quite as chaotic; with direction and attention, it can clear obstacles, create change, and bring progress. The key is not to get distracted or thrown off balance by the swift movement of things (heed the 'fasten seatbelt sign'). Cinnamon has been used as a spice for thousands of years. Just the smell of it gives me a feeling of comfort. It can add spicey sweetness without relying on sugar, and it is high in antioxidants (outranking even garlic). It is a reminder to ground myself in something common and simple when life is moving at high speed.

Remember that you will have hard days and smooth days, and that the better you eat, rest, and refresh yourself emotionally, the better you will cope in the future. —Aviva Jill Romm 

Progress and Simple Comforts

From the Via Tarot, the Chariot; from the Nature's Pharmacy Deck, Cinnamon:

          This charioteer has three tigers by the tail, which Bonner explains forms the Hebrew letter Shin. Shin can mean both 'teeth' and 'sharp,' which fits well with the tigers' claws/teeth and the eagle's talons/beak. To make headway and ultimately achieve one's goal , it is often necessary to dig in to gain traction. The form of Shin (according to inner.org) represents the flame of a coal: the simmering outer flame, the hot inner flame, and the brightly burning flame that appears when the coal is blown upon. There are times when the steadiness of the simmering coal is needed, and times when a more fiery flame is called for. The Pharmacy Deck adds Cinnamon to the Chariot, a fragrant spice from the inner bark of trees. If there was only one type of spice that I could keep in my kitchen cabinet, this would be it. Whether something is baking with cinnamon or the smell rises from a hot cider, it always seems comforting to me. And when you spend all day trying to manage your tigers, those simple comforts can make a difference in your progress.