Be Still and Listen

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, the Four of Birds (Swords); from the Animal Tiles, 'Woodpecker:'

          This tarot image comes from a healing visualization. A woman rests on a ledge and is warmed by the sun, letting the other birds fly freely. We often try to force ourselves to come up with solutions, but the more we anxiously think about the problem, the more muddled things become. Alan Watts wrote, "Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone." Clarity comes when we rest the mind, not through over-analysis or strategy-making. The 'thunk-thunk-thunk' of a woodpecker drilling a tree is a common sound in areas where there are older trees. Yet they often tap on tin roofs, light poles and other man-made objects. They haven't mistaken these things for trees but are using the sound as signals. Thus the message of Woodpecker is that opportunity will knock at some point; we just have to rest and listen until then.

Steady Hammering

This week I'll be using the Vision Quest Tarot, a deck created by Gayle Silvie Winter and Jo Dose (Illustrator); it was published by AGM Müller. I'll also be using Bird Cards, a deck and book set by Jane Toerien (Author) and Joyce van Dobben (Illustrator); it was published by Altamira-Becht. Today's draws are the Three of Earth (Pentacles) and the Woodpecker:

          The keyword 'Growth' has been given to this card; three seeds from mature trees have sprouted and are growing well. Though there is achievement, much needs to be done to keep the momentum going. Those sprouts are going to need a lot of attention - sun, water and protection from pests and animals. When good results are seen quickly, it is easy to want to relax and let the ball roll on its own accord. Yet vigilance and continued effort are what will help these little trees reach maturity. The Woodpecker's message is that energy is going to be needed to make an impact, just as it pecks patiently and persistently at a tree trunk to make a hole for its nest. Its focus, willpower and dedication reinforce the message of the Three of Earth. As Stephen King puts it: "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work."

Wake Up and Grab the Peanut

From the Shining Tribe Tarot, Awakening (Judgment); from the Animal Tiles, Woodpecker:

          Roshi Melissa Blacker described a riverboat trip in Costa Rican rainforest during which the tour guide stopped the boat and had them gaze at a large tree while being still and breathing deeply. After a few minutes, he said "Let me know when you see the iguana." Sure enough, as each passenger became relaxed, they were suddenly able to see the camouflaged lizard. This is what awakening is like - to encounter reality just as it is without preconception. When we drop our bias and assumptions, our hearts and minds open much wider. Our perspective completely changes.
          I've been putting raw peanuts mixed in with sunflower seeds in my feeders this year, mainly to attract several varieties of woodpeckers. But because these birds are built to grip tree bark so they can drill for insects, they don't have the ability to perch like songbirds. They first hang upside down from the feeder's ledge then sort of flop themselves ungracefully over and upright. Their babies first spend a lot of time just hanging on that ledge, unable to figure out how the parent gets to the food. Eventually through the effort of trial and error, they too figure out how to get to the peanuts. Like the woodpeckers, awakening to raw reality generally means I need to readjust my attitude and actions. Otherwise I'll keep hanging upside down, trying to convince myself (even though I've seen differently) that life is unfair.