Silence Doesn't Always Protect

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Siren (Knight) of Air (Swords); from the Tattwa Cards, Ether/Seed of Earth:

Lilith, in Mesopotamian and Judaic mythology, was said to be the first wife of Adam who was banished from the Garden of Eden for not obeying Adam. She was demeaned by the religious and admired by feminists. Her message is that it is time to face our fear, quit hiding all that we are, and stop compromising our spirit. Being different and speaking up for oneself should not be demonized. Ether/Seed of Earth suggests gestation; it is a time of patience, preparation and learning (keep our mouth closed and our ears open). Our truth needs to be heard, but first we must collect information and evidence to ensure that what is heard is more than just our anger.

Your silence will not protect you.

― Audre Lorde

Remembering History

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Hag of Earth (King of Pentacles); from the Tattwa Oracle, Ether > Seed of Earth:

Remember history or more will be lost.

~Ellen Lorenzi-Prince

           The legend of Tsagaglalal tells of a female chief who worried about the fate of her people. Coyote turned her into a petroglyph so she could always watch over them. But how hard that would be - to watch without being able to physically do anything! The companion book reminds us that the world is changing, and it is our responsibility to bear witness and carry the story forward so others don't forget the consequences. As Yehuda Bauer stated, "Time has come to strengthen [the 10 Commandments] by three additional ones, which we ought to adopt and commit ourselves to: thou shall not be a perpetrator; thou shall not be a victim; and thou shall never, but never, be a bystander." The keyword for Ether: Seed of Earth is 'gestation' and suggests it is not only what is around us that we need to be aware of, but what is being planted. We are often heedless of attitudes and assumptions that have seeped in and taken root, eventually producing something harmful. 

Space for Growth

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Fool:

Dare to come back to where you began.

These curious figures have been most often carved on medieval doorways and arches and primarily on churches and monastic buildings. Though the folklore behind the images was not recorded, there have been plenty of theories as to what the Sheelas represented: a protective spirit, a warning against lust, a blessing symbol for fertility or the remains of an ancient pagan goddess. I'm not sure I put much salt into any one theory, but I do believe the vulva represents a type of primordial gate to the unknown. Sheela Na Gig/The Fool encourages me to let go of my expectations and preconceived notions and cross the boundary into the mystery with a receptive mind open to the experience of each moment. The tiny flower buds that surround the figure hold the promise of something wonderful to come.

From the Tattwa Cards comes "Ether: Seed of Earth:"

Gestation

For any creation, there needs to be space - emptiness - a place where growth can happen. The artist starts with a blank canvas and the writer with a blank page. It seems counter-intuitive that something can develop from nothing. But it is that limitless, boundless freedom that gives rise to an original, physical emergence. Fits perfectly with the Fool's message above.