Taking Our Place

From the Wheel of Fortune Tarot, the Eight of Disks; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Koala:

Affairs are easier of entrance than of exit; and it is but common prudence to see our way out before we venture in. —Aesop

Weaving - both from a loom and from spiders - illustrates this card of prudence. The Eight of Disks is a caution to employ careful planning and attentiveness when we use our skills and resources. It is easier to use our finances, bodies, and material possessions wisely and carefully now, than having to spend time repairing them later. Koala, in the Dharug language, means "no drink" - referring to the fact that this animal receives almost all of its hydration from the moisture in eucalyptus leaves. Thus, Aboriginal Peoples have seen it as a symbol of water stewardship. All that we have is limited and constantly changing. As Linda Hogan wrote, "Caretaking is the utmost spiritual and physical responsibility of our time, and perhaps that stewardship is finally our place in the web of life, our work, the solution to the mystery that we are."

Check the Wind

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Eight of Disks; from the Day of the Dead Lenormand, the Clover:

Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.

― Aesop

The Eight of Disks is subtitled Prudence, a virtue of restraint that encourages us to pause and thoughtfully consider the wisest action. Sometimes that just means sitting on the nest. If a threat would appear to her eggs, this owl would most assuredly be ready to defend them. But first she would make sure the perceived threat wasn't performed so that another predator could sneak in while she was distracted. Clover, a lucky but fleeting opportunity, suggests we guard ourselves from crossing the line from prudence into paranoia, causing serendipity to pass us by. Prudence is driven by logic and paranoia by fear; if the the reasoning part of your brain is taken offline by emotion, stay seated.

Soft Watchfulness

From the Rosetta Tarot, the Eight of Disks; from the Ascension to Paradise, the Chat:

          The Eight of Disks signifies a period of development, and thus is given the keyword 'Prudence.' This entails caution and care taken in practical concerns and the management of  resources (time, energy, health and finances). That mother owl needs to protect all those eggs, but at some point she's going to have to feed herself too. No extreme measures are needed, just a constant watchfulness and attention before and as each action is taken. Yet the rose-breasted Chat pipes up to say there is one area where prudence isn't necessary - in the domain of compassion. Unconditional love and an open heart will soften any rigidness of this Eight of Disks.

In memory of Vera King - She Who Loved Fiercely and Completely

Nov. 26, 1920 - May 29, 2016