Start Afresh

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, the Ten of Badgers/Swords; from the Gemstone Oracle, Citrine:

You could think you were starting something afresh, when actually what you were doing was carrying on as before. ~ Rachel Joyce

Humans are great spin doctors when we have a cherished idea or belief we refuse to release. We cherry pick information to back up our opinion, carefully ignoring any evidence that contradicts it. All the while we spin stories and paint pictures with our words, as we attempt to prove we are right. But avoiding the facts of reality will always bring us to rock bottom, with nowhere left to turn. Citrine's message is that it is time for a fresh perspective and starting over from scratch. We're only done and dusted if we refuse to be openminded and embrace the truth. 

Not As Before

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, the Three of Pentacles; from the Gemstone Oracle, Citrine:

You could think you were starting something afresh, when actually what you were doing was carrying on as before. ~Rachel Joyce

For years, scientists thought birds had a built-in "how to" manual when it comes to building nests. But the latest research shows that birds are constantly learning and improving their skills through their own experience as well as from watching other birds. People who have mastered a skill tend to be the same way. While they might have some innate talents, practice and continually adding to their knowledge base helped them excel. But what happens when an artist or craftsperson wants to try something entirely new (Citrine)? While their previous foundation may be of assistance, they will still have to embrace a beginner's mind - learning different information and practicing other skills. Though it may be humbling, it may eventually produce some rewarding experiences.

Crumbling and Rebuilding

From the Badgers' Forest Tarot, the Tower; from the Gemstone Oracle, Citrine:

          The Tower represents a foundation that was thought to be secure and certain, but is now crumbling. It may be a tradition, a dogma, or just the lens we use to perceive the world. Once we stop quaking in our boots, we have a choice to make. Citrine represents a fresh perspective, but the quote by Rachel Joyce warns us to use discernment: "Beginnings could happen more than once or in different ways. You could think you were starting something afresh, when actually what you were doing was carrying on as before." We must remember that nothing is ever fixed and unchangeable. And secondly, we must not rebuild on the old foundation and simply give it a new label. 

Our suffering connects us to billions of others around the world who are also conscientiously distancing themselves for the sake of kindness and safety. A hand on our hearts can remind us that freedom, peace, and connection are always here. —Nina Herzog

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday, full of things to be thankful for.

Replanting

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, the Four of Wands; from the Gemstone Oracle, Citrine:

          Our city has spend 52 million on tree debris pickup since January, with (literally) tons more to clean up (property owners are responsible for cutting up the downed trees and getting them to the roadside). We've had to create make-shift landfills to handle the overwhelming task; some trees are being reduced to wood chips for use by a local factory.  So many native trees have been lost, it is disheartening to think of the beauty we will miss and the habitat the animals will no longer have. VanderHoeven's painting of a rabbit under the cover of four trees suggests a place of stability in our endeavors. It is a time to commemorate our progress, but also a time to pause and make sure we are advancing in the direction we intend. Citrine's quote from Rachel Joyce reinforces this idea:

Beginnings could happen more than once or in different ways. You could think you were 

starting something afresh, when actually what you were doing was carrying on as before.

A fresh start implies not doing something the same way as before. In the case of our town, the commissioners are more concerned with the tree debris removal, which makes sense at this point. Yet hopefully when the city gets to that Four of Wands place, we'll consider replanting some of what was lost.