No Separation

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Tower; from the Druid Plant Oracle, the Banes:

Destruction in creation and creation in destruction lies ingrained in the life-cycles of everything on this planet. We can’t expect the natural world around us to run smoothly and safely for our benefit. 

―Nina Munteanu 

We humans keep trying to outsmart the laws of nature without much lasting success. As ecologist C.S. Holling said, ecosystems are non-linear and self-organizing, continually adapting through cycles of change. No matter how strong our tower (built of money, knowledge, religion or power), we will not be able to permanently protect and separate ourselves from the natural rhythms of growth and loss, destruction and renewal. We too must learn to change and adapt. The Banes (henbane, wolfsbane and hemlock), though poisonous, have been used historically in tiny amounts for medicinal purposes. Their wisdom reminds us it is often a small response that shifts outcomes in a better direction, while large dramatic reactions often have unforeseen and unwanted consequences. If it is fear that compels us, we can wait until sanity returns instead of rushing to build a tower.

Battles and Banes

This week I'll be using the Druidcraft Tarot created by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm and illustrated by Will Worthington.  Today's card is the Nine of Wands:

A fire from a battle burns on the horizon, and while it looks like this warrior didn't come out unscathed, he's still standing.  The wands in the ground are a tribute to the other battles he's fought and won.  His unyielding look of determination and his watchfulness let me know nothing will get past him.  He will persevere, because he's willing to give it all he's got.  There are times when I feel like this fellow, having to stand up for what I believe in, but in other situations, it is a fight within me.  These are where changes in my life are going on now, though my ego would prefer to stick within its comfort zone and maintain the status quo.  Too bad I'm going to have to disappoint it...

     The oracle deck I'll be using this week is a combination of two decks, the Druid Animal and the Druid Plant.  They are also created by the Carr-Gomms and illustrated by Worthington.  Today's card is "The Banes:"

Against the backdrop of a full moon are (from left to right) henbane, wolfsbane/monkshood, and hemlock.  The meaning of bane is something that causes great distress - in this case these herbs are all extremely toxic.  It's easy to look at plants or people who are troublemakers as something I'd like to rid myself of, but they may have a purpose.  The Carr-Gomms emphasize that the difficulties they cause may be the trigger or tipping point for me to turn in a new and unexpected direction.  Sometimes a catalyst can come in strange packages.