Stepping onto a Boat

From the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, Death; from the Button Oracle, Skull:

Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.

― Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

          Considered a megalithic tomb, there is a mystery surrounding dolmens. Though human remains and artifacts have been found around some of these magnificent structures, no one knows if they were placed there at the same time as the stones. Regardless, these spectacular construction feats are likely markers of importance. In Buddhism, the symbol of the skull represents emptiness - a lack of labels and views we normally use to explain who we are and the world we live in (allowing an experience of clarity). When major endings of any type occur, I want the whole world to pause and take notice. But instead, it just keeps turning. I can still mark and grieve my loss; however, it is helpful to accept that this natural impermanence flows throughout every being's life. As Shunryu Suzuki said, “Life is like stepping onto a boat which is about to sail out to sea and sink.” That doesn't mean I can't appreciate the joy and beauty that is floating all around me now.

You Can't "Unsee" It

From the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, the Page of Swords:

I am very familiar with this particular Page because it represented my daughter well when she was young. The Page of Swords learns by being a keen observer and listener and by asking (thousands) of questions. Those brain synapses fire faster than you can blink, making connections and shaping ideas. Raising such a child, I was constantly kept on my toes by what came out of her mouth. Tact takes a while to develop, and she had a habit of delivering "truths" with lots of people around. Now her pronouncements were generally fact, but most people don't want to see or acknowledge the pink elephant in the room even when someone points it out. This Page refuses to let me bury my head in the sand.

From the Button Oracle comes the "Skull:"

change, endings/beginnings

Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely. ~ Karen Kaiser Clark

Besides birth, I suppose death is one of the greatest transitions we experience. Even being an observer of a person's passing can shake a person, perhaps waking them up. The Page above laid out the truth, now the Skull demands I accept and act on it. There will be no more pretending. Last night, on the eve of Beltane/May Day, I did a meditation with the Sacred Wheel I created. Every position and item on it is directly connected to where I live. It presents a mirror I often don't want to glance in, but once I see it, I can't wipe it from my brain. Now I am responsible for what I do with it.