Cycles

From the Wheel of Change Tarot, the Ten of Disks; from the Oracle of the Dreamtime, Sun:

Read the brilliant book of nature, study the rhythm of life, and you will find everything moves in perfect symphony. —Robbie George

I used to have a small drum collection: a frame drum I made of elk hide, two bodhrans, a djembe, and a doumbek. I got interested when I had the experience of drumming in a diverse circle of about 60 people. I played in smaller circles after that, but eventually those disappeared. Having "stuff" without a relational connection soon lost its meaning, and I gave all the drums away except one of my bodhrans. The Ten of Disks is a gathering of abundance, the result of the energies we've put forth into living. But it also hints that excess should be distributed to prevent corruption and greed. Nature teaches us that health lies in flow and change, not stagnation. The Sun in Dreamtime stories was thought to be a woman who carried a torch across the sky during the day, then returned to her starting point via an underground tunnel at night. Cycles are about transformation and movement, not standing still. As Parker Palmer stated, "The notion that our lives are like the eternal cycle of the seasons... encourages us to embrace it all—and to find in all of it opportunities for growth."

Looking in a New Direction

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Ten of Disks; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Inspiration:

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. 

—Sophia Loren

Over the decades, a crisp, new dollar bill will become creased and worn thin. Likewise, the body loses height, the skin becomes more fragile, and muscle mass is lost. I used to love to do strenuous landscaping, but my body can no longer sustain that kind of work. The crone in this card knows her physical limitations, yet she realizes age does not diminish her wisdom or experience. The Inspiration card shows up to encourage us to continue to live a full and meaningful life. However, it may come from a place we don't usually look (note the bird in her sleeve cuff). Thanks to my friend Judy, art now fills my life; I've also decided to learn Tai Chi (with the help of YouTube). It doesn't really matter if I become a master of either, as long as it gives me purpose and fulfills me.