Open Airwaves

From the Gaian Tarot, the Child (Page) of Air; from the Goddess Oracle, "Sphinx:"

          She might only be a child, but the Page of Air/Swords is adept at deep listening. She's like a huge antennae that picks up data from all around her. Some might say she is nosy, but actually she's just curious. Having such a sharp mind, she likes to explore different points of view and study new information. She suggests that I might want to take the cotton out of my ears and stuff it in my mouth for a change. There is something floating about the airwaves that would be beneficial for me to learn.
          The Sphinx of Egypt was built as a guardian, holding the keys to the gates of wisdom. But to pass through her gates, initiates had to meet her challenge. She asks: "If I ask the question that provokes, will you stretch to find the answer?" Whatever she asks, it's not going to make me comfortable. I might be offended or frightened and choose to avoid it altogether. Yet the Child of Air would encourage me to be curious and look beyond my emotional reaction. There is wisdom to be had if I stand my ground and uncover the answer.

Small Victories

From the Gaian Tarot, the Four of Fire (Wands):

In a desert under the light of a full moon, a woman stands in a sacred circle. Colbert describes her version of the Four of Wands as a celebration of one's personal power. I don't mark my personal successes much, mostly because I think I don't have any. But it's really a misconception on my part; I'm only looking for the "big" moments, not the small ones. If I look hard enough, I can find small victories and joys. I got my aching body out of bed and went for a long walk at 7:30 am this morning (missing the gnats and the humid heat). The flower seeds that I planted a month ago and have watered religiously are beginning to sprout. I managed to find a new computer at a reasonable price and learn a new Windows system. I've kept up a daily blog for over two years and a daily nature journal for almost a year and a half. None of these things will get me listed in history books, but they are small personal achievements that help keep me grounded in this fast-paced world.

From the Goddess Oracle comes "Sphinx:"

In the Greek tradition, the sphinx had the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle, and the face of a woman.  She wasn't like the more benevolent Egyptian version; if you wanted to pass her gates, you'd better know the answer to her riddle or death would be inevitable. The Sphinx reminds me that challenges aren't necessarily bad. I need to stretch and work out my mental and spiritual muscles just as much as I do my physical ones.  Otherwise, it won't be a sphinx that kills me, but the monotony of boredom.  Life as a slug doesn't seem very enticing.