Stoking the Fire

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Madre of Fire (Queen of Wands); from the Green Wheel Oracle, Raven:

Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.

―Brené Brown

The ancient Greeks burned thyme as an incense and used it in their baths, believing it to be a source of bravery. In the Middle Ages, knights and warriors were given gifts that included time to bring courage to its bearer. This Queen/Mother encourages us to stoke the embers of the creative fire within us. Such an effort may require our own fearlessness as we expose a part of ourselves to the world. Raven brings the ability to see over great distances and asks us to see beyond our apprehensions and take a chance on our creative ideas. The honey bees around him remind us how sweet and rewarding any form of creating can be when we do it without obsessing about the result. 

Better Than You Found Them

From the Llewellyn Tarot, the Queen of Pentacles; from the Beasts of Albion, Raven:

Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart, one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.

―Marvin J. Ashton

It's one thing to provide for and protect, as the King does, but another standard to nurture. I can provide the basics for my cats - a safe place to live, food, water, and litter boxes. Yet it's another thing to give them attention - playing with them, cuddling them, teaching them and providing medical check-ups. Nurture encourages thriving, not just surviving. Known as birds of prophecy in mythology, Ravens are a highly successful species due to their high level of intelligence and adaptability. This bird implies the type of nurturing needed may likely be different for each person or circumstance. A little flexibility and intuition might help the whole rather than just a few.

500?!

From the Vision Quest Tarot, the Five of Wands; from the Bird Cards/Ascension to Paradise Decks, Raven:

It is said that after Buddha's death, 500 followers (who had memorized Buddha's discourses) met to agree on what should be written down as the wisdom he shared. I find that unimaginable; it's hard to get even a small group of people to agree with another's opinion on how something should be done. Of course humility plays a part - we must be willing to give the other enough space to share what they know and sincerely consider what they say. The intelligent Raven is known for its ability to solve problems as well as other cognitive skills such as imitation and insight. In sync with the Five of Wands, relationships between common ravens are often quarrelsome, yet they demonstrate considerable devotion to their families. Perhaps the message from this bird is to not to forget what is of utmost importance and our ultimate purpose. 

Sweet Smells

From the Herbcrafter's Tarot, the Curander (Healer)/King of Earth; from the Green Wheel Oracle, 'Raven:'

          The King of Earth braids sweetgrass, an herb that retains its pleasant aroma even when dried and burned in ceremonies or rituals. While it can be used for smudging, it is often burned as an offering. Robin Wall Kimmerer writes, "sweetgrass flourishes when it is harvested and declines when it is not." The King of Earth would agree with her logic, arguing that hoarding our resources is just as bad as using them indiscriminately. We may need to do it judiciously, but we can still be generous. The Raven is a visionary whose ideas are given wings in order to take form. But because it tends to be solitary, the artist has added a few honeybees. Like the King's advisors, we all need someone to help us see the holes in our theories, the details we've missed or the additional props that can help strengthen our project.

Walking with Friends

This week I'll be using the Llewellyn Tarot, created by Anna-Marie Ferguson and published by Llewellyn. I'll also be using the Beasts of Albion, an oracle deck created by Miranda Gray and published by Aquarian. Today's draws are the Three of Cups and the Raven:

          Under the light of the moon, three women raise their chalices in celebration. The woman with the floral head wreath is likely the one being honored, and the full moon suggests something that has been completed. The happiness shared by all because of another's good fortune indicates the presence of sympathetic joy. As Joan Halifax Roshi writes, "One of the hardest things for many of us to do is to feel happy when something good happens to another person.  Judgment and envy, the tendency to compare and demean, and greed and prejudice narrow our world and make sympathetic joy nearly impossible to experience.  But learning to feel joy for others can help transform our own suffering and self-centeredness into joy." The Raven in Celtic lore has been associated with battles but is also noted for its cunning and intelligence. It represents challenges and the unknown but implies there are resources - that if used intelligently - will lead to success. Both these cards seem to mirror the words of Helen Keller: "Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."

Hunting Expedition

From the Prairie Tarot, the Fool; from the Medicine Cards, Raven:

          This young man with his rifle and trusty hound is about to embark on a hunting expedition. But what he will be hunting is not food for his belly but food for his spirit. At this point, he's open to whatever comes with no expectations or judgments. He is fueled by excitement and curiosity, trusting that he will find what he needs with a wide perspective. What exactly is it that fills the soul? Plenty of adults who have been spiritual seekers for years could easily sing along with Bono that they "still haven't found what I'm looking for." I don't think of myself as a seeker as much as an explorer; I have found what fills my spirit (secular Buddhism), but I still have much to learn (most of which will come from practice). Raven is a complicated totem with multiple meanings - from trickster to light bringer. Elders often called on Raven to clarify what they saw in visions, as they knew what the eye sees is not always the whole truth. When a seeker has settled into a religion or philosophy, it's easy to feel he or she has figured out the Truth of Life. Raven would remind me that truth is not something that can be grasped as a solid object or used as a mallet on other people. It is a way to help me navigate my own journey rather than that of anyone else.

Eyes Open, Mouth Closed

From the Jolanda Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Bird Signs deck, the "Raven:"

When I first drew this king, I didn't have my glasses on and thought it was the Chariot. Those cards do have something in common; it takes a lot of self-will to be waist-deep in emotional drama and maintain your composure without getting pulled under. The king's peacock with its tail feathers spread are a not-so-subtle hint to keep my eyes open today, but my mouth closed. I am a bit "crabby" today due to not sleeping well, so I'll avoid sharing my opinion in order to prevent getting drawn into any chaos.

The Raven has been given the keyword "illusion" by the authors, because this bird is well known as a trickster in many mythologies. Raven's black feathers are a clue that I'm walking around in the dark. If I bump into something along the way, I'd best not make assumptions about what it is. I need to wait until I have the facts in hand. 

Trusting the Mystery

From the Prairie Tarot, the Page of Cups:

 This fellow is a sweet, sensitive daydreamer. In addition to these traits, the two salmon leaping out of the river signal another quality of this Page - being a lightning rod for intuition. Intuition is the direct perception of truth independent of any reasoning process. Trusting such an insight can sometimes be a problem for a person like me, who often tries to sift such ideas through a sieve of rational logic. But this cowboy's boots are firmly planted on solid rock, which encourages me to trust that these messages are substantial and important.

The draw from the Medicine Cards this morning produced the "Raven:"

I always think of crows and ravens as sentries who call out alarms from the treetops. Sams and Carson describe Raven's black color as holding "all the energy of the creative source" and being "the road of the spiritual or nonphysical." Its medicine is in learning to relax in mystery instead of trying to intellectually figure things out. Raven's teaching is parallel to the Page's above. Although I may pay attention to my intuitive thoughts, it's quite another thing for me to have the guts to act on them. Yet I suppose that's how I earn my wings...

Uncovering Talents

From the Jolanda Tarot, the King of Pentacles:

Two things immediately strike me about this king, the first is the tree he holds and the second is the cobra that wraps around his body and makes a hood over his head.  The tree is full of fruit, indicating this king's  message is literally to "bear fruit."  The cobra in India is a symbol of protection and wisdom, but more than anything else it represents creative energy - the life force.  In other words, do something with the talents and resources I've been given.  Of course my reaction to such a challenge is that "I don't have any talent."  I think most people have untapped potential, gifts never discovered because we don't think we'll ever be "good enough."  Instead of making resolutions each new year, my friend at Quirkeries makes it a priority to learn something new; the whole year she is involved in learning, practicing skills, etc. that deal with this new area.  I can't think of a better way to uncover hidden talents and interests.

From the Bird Signs deck comes "Raven:"

The creators of this deck give Raven the keyword "Illusion," because his tricks of deception muddle up my perception of reality, creating a fantasy instead of real life.  In adding this meaning with the significance of the tarot card above, I am chastised not to dream away my life, imagining all the things I might one day do.  Now I'm not suggesting anyone can miraculously become a master of anything overnight, but I do know that if I spend time actually learning and practicing skills, I'll at least be on a road based in reality and instead of wasting time in Never-never land.