Heart Transitions

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, the Three of Dreamers (Swords); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Hawthorn (Huath):

Grief is love with nowhere to go. —Jamie Anderson

What was once whole is now broken, leaving a feeling of emptiness. I've been watching reruns of "The Closer" lately, and yesterday I watched the episode when Brenda Leigh discovers her mother had died. I don't know who cried harder, the actress or me. Willie Mae (her mother) is so much like my own mom in age and personality. It was a stark reminder and made me wonder if I'm losing more friends and family than gaining these days. Hawthorn, in ancient Irish belief, was associated with the fairy folk who inhabited liminal places. Lone trees at crossroads, boundaries, or holy wells marked transitional entrances. Hawthorn invites us, after we've processed some of our grief, to let it open our heart rather than armor it. Sorrow can help us understand and empathize with others who've been thrown into those depths, kindling a wish to ease their pain. As Charles Dickens wrote, "I was better after I had cried, than before - more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle."

Care-taking Commitment

From Deirdre of the Sorrows Tarot, the Ace of Coins; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Hawthorn:

Care-taking 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.

― Linda Hogan

          A different kind of cupid is engraved on this coin - one waiting to bless the efforts taken to plant seeds. Too often, humans rarely think of our resources unless we want something or find that they are in limited supply. Hawthorn suggests a cutting back or a sacrifice needed for well-being. It might be a need to take better care of our resources, whether it is our bodies, our finances or the earth itself. Perhaps it involves paying attention and taking action rather than getting distracted with the next pleasure we seek. Good health requires a commitment.

Trimming the Overgrowth

From the Deirdre of Sorrows Tarot, the Five of Wands; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Hawthorn:

          All she wanted was an estimate for an irrigation system for her garden. Now these knuckleheads are getting nothing accomplished because they are too busy arguing (likely trying to impress her) about the best way to do it. From that 'hands on the hips' posture, she will likely be knocking some heads together soon. I can't stand to be in a group argument that simply revolves around beliefs; I much prefer discussions that center on facts and logic. We don't have Hawthorns in my area, but we do have pyracantheas (aka 'firethorn'). Unless you want an impenetrable thorny wall, at some point they must be cut back to be kept in bounds (thus the keyword, 'necessary evil'). These two cards don't bode well for my trip to 'cousin camp' hosted by my mom every summer. She believes in keeping family together whether we like it or not. I do love my cousins, but our ideas about all of the touchy subjects (politics, religion, etc.) are miles apart. I would prefer not to talk about them at all, but one of the group has big opinions that she enjoys sharing. Normally I sit in mute silence (inwardly churning) in order to keep the peace. But the second card suggests I might respectfully speak my truth, not to debate, but in an effort to cut off the never-ending flow. Or at the very least I could simply say, "I don't see it that way," and leave it at that.

A Reason for a Party

From the Anna K. Tarot, the Ten of Pentacles:

In this image, three generations get ready for a celebration with friends and family.  I had a friend in college whose motto was, "There's always some reason to have a party!"  As I look back at yesterday's card (the Five of Pentacles) and compare it to today's, I am reminded how quickly life changes.  I've not felt much joy lately, but that has mostly been my own fault; I have consistently focused all my attention on what is wrong in my life instead of what is good.  I need to take the advice from that old friend, and look at the many blessings I have to celebrate.  Life is good, if I'll take the time to notice.

From the Green Man Tarot comes the "Hawthorn:"

Challenge opens the way.

Here in the South, we have a native hawthorn, the "mayhaw."  Many people use its fruit to make delicious mayhaw jelly, but it also has some incredibly sharp thorns that fruit pickers need to be mindful of.  This shrub mimics life, with its sweetness of joyful times and sharpness of the painful ones.  However the hawthorn is also known for the medicinal value of its berries, which have been shown to reduce blood pressure and help with chronic heart problems.  I find that most of the challenges in life are challenges of the heart - how to heal its pain and overcome its fears.  But even here this plant reminds me - reach with your roots and stay grounded in reality while reaching out with your arms to embrace those who will love and support you.