Soil of Practicality

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Star; from the Bird Cards, the Pheasant:

          The great egrets with this woman are wading birds known for their ability to stand still for long periods, waiting for aquatic prey to pass by within striking range. The main keyword given for this particular Star card is 'grace,' a word I prefer to think of in secular terms as an abundance of gratitude for what is freely given. When feeling lost or exhausted, its hard to remember who I am and the gifts I have. Yet here a pause has been provided to refresh body and spirit as well as my memory. The Pheasant is a game bird easily recognized by the colorful pattern of its feathers. It forages on the ground for seed, grain and insects, only flying when disturbed at close range by predators. Both these birds hunt in different environments, yet both tend to keep their feet on the ground (or in the mud). After a rest or recovery, it can be tempting to jump back into the chaos of life. The message of both birds seem to encourage staying grounded, basing any plans I might have in the soil of practicality.

Survive and Thrive

This week I'll be working with the Jolanda Tarot, created by Jolanda Den Tredjes with Hans Arnold and published by AGM Müller. I'll also be using the oracle set Bird Signs, created by G.G. Carbone with Mary Ruzicka and published by New World Library. The cards drawn today are the Three of Cups and Pheasant:

          Three cups rise like lotus blossoms from a pond; the central larger cup holds a winged horse with a butterfly above and a snake below. I have a friend who speaks of spending time with her "tribal group." I think most people have such associations, and often the parts that make up the whole are decidedly different in various ways. Yet such a "tribe" is held together by an affinity or common purpose. It blends diversity together in wonderful ways that offers a container for celebration and support.
          The pheasant was originally from Asia but was introduced elsewhere as an ornamental and game bird. Though capable of flying, they prefer to run along the ground with great bursts of speed if startled. Pheasants, like other hunted birds, form loose flocks outside the breeding season. The deck creators have given it the keyword "opportunity," suggesting such congregant behavior grants favorable circumstances. In the bird world, it offers protection; in the human world it can do the same. Yet shelter among people is not just a place to survive, but a place to learn and try new things - a vessel in which to thrive.    

Dead Meat

This week I'll be using the Vision Quest Tarot, created by Gayan S. Winter and Jo Dose and published by AG Muller. Today's card is the Ten of Air (Swords):

We have turkey vultures here in my area; they are one of the few birds who have a strong sense of smell. High above the treetops, they can circle and pick up the smell of a gas given off by dead animals. Winter connects this card to negative thinking, and explains how we can create mind-loops of thoughts that keep us feeling fearful, frustrated and overwhelmed. For some strange reason the image of Lady Gaga in her meat dress came to mind. Is that what I'm like as I walk around replaying old, worn-out beliefs and stories in my head? Are those destructive thoughts the dead meat I adorn myself with?

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Bird Cards deck and book set created by Jane Toerien and Joyce van Dobben and published by Altamira-Becht. This morning's draw is the "Pheasant:"

Toerien associates the Pheasant with power and authority - not the kind lorded over others, but the sort that allows us to recognize our own free will and determination. Added to the Ten of Air above, I am reminded that I am the one who created and continues to power the negative mind-loops. Do I think that by holding onto them it will somehow change the past or lessen the hurt? Logic tells me otherwise. No matter what the external cause, I cannot blame another person or situation for my thoughts. The responsibility for flipping the switch on or off lies at my door step.