Fulfilling Desires

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, Pan (Devil); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Yew (Idho):

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

Love what it loves.

―Mary Oliver

Pan, the god of the wild, is known for his flute, his goat legs, and his insatiable pursuit of romantic liaisons. Carding gives him voice: "I am your lust and your fulfillment. I am the indulgence of desire." So, is giving in to our desires a good thing or not? It's not that our longing is wrong or immoral; satisfying it can bring joy and relaxation if there is no harm caused. But there is a flip side, as psychiatrist Mark Epstein explains: "Desire becomes addiction after you have that first little taste of something that comes so close to complete satisfaction…then you start chasing it. You want the perfection back. But you’re chasing something you’ve already lost." The Yew, known for its longevity, gives its ogham (Idho) connections with memory and age. When we choose to fulfill a desire, Yew asks us to ask ourselves if we will look back on this moment with fondness and happiness or shame and regret.  

A Matter of Balance

From the Greenwood Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the Rune Cards, Yew/Eoh:

There is something both exciting and satisfying when we take action on any creative inspiration. This fellow's third staff with intertwined snakes is that of Hermes; a symbol of commerce and negotiation, it balanced exchange and reciprocity. In other words, the Three of Wands is about expending and obtaining - each acts as a counterbalance. The unique shape of Eoh (Yew), with its two ends pointing in different directions, are like the traits of the tree. On one hand it is evergreen, long-lived and currently used in cancer treatments, while on the other hand many of its parts are poisonous and can be fatal. To borrow the words of Thomas Merton, the message today seems to be that it's "not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony."

Inner Transformation

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, Dreamer Five (Five of Swords); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Yew:

          Carding describes this Five of Swords as giving up or hope discarded. I feel this way with the anti-maskers and those who think a change from a Trump-led nation to a Democratic one will destroy America. Discussion isn't an option with closed-minded folks who cherry-pick random information rather accepting facts and spread misinformation on social media. What I've chosen to discard is any attempt to change their minds. Yet Yew, with its qualities of longevity and regeneration, presents a more positive slant instead of simply doing nothing. Even as the main trunk begins to die, low branches can root themselves in the soil and create a newer, healthier version of the tree. It reminds me that although I am powerless to change others, my own persistence in doing what is ethical and good (even when it feels overwhelming) can be transformative. 

Die to be Reborn

From the Tarot of the Sidhe, Dreamer Ten (Ten of Swords/Air); from the Green Man Tree Oracle, Yew:

 So all must bleed and melt away,

Before the dawning of the day,

The tree must fall in land forlorn,

The Dream must die to be reborn...

          "But it's not supposed to be this way!" How many times and ways is this idea expressed over and over in life? No matter what is in the subject line, we hold fast to what we think things should look like. There is a line in the lyrics of "One Minute More" that states there's a "place that can only be seen with the naked mind." The 'should be' has to be replaced with a blank canvas that allows for possibilities that we could never have imagined trapped in the other mindset.
          Yew can live up to 600 years of age; it splits under the weight of its growth without succumbing to disease and gives rise to new growth even at an advanced age. Matthews writes: "The perseverance associated with the yew is that of all life, which continues in the face of overwhelming odds and grows stronger because of it." Even when our dreams are shattered, Yew reminds us there are others that will grow and develop if we'll give them new soil in which to grow.

Taking Care of What I've Got

From the Anna K. Tarot, the Queen of Pentacles:

This queen is out collecting apples from her trees, but stops to examine a leaf.  Is that sooty mold?  Is there an infestation of aphids?  While she appreciates the bounty the orchard brings, she knows the value of caring for what you own.  This queen abhors the "throw-away and get a newer version" mindset of many people.  For her, you tend and nurture the blessings you have in order to keep them operating and functioning smoothly, whether it a tree, one's body, or a business.

From the Green Man Tree Oracle comes the "Yew:"

Perseverance holds the key to wisdom.

Yews are magnificent trees that are slow growing and long-lived.  Because there is rarely any wood as old as the entire tree (they hollow with age, making ring counts impossible), it is hard to accurately determine the potential age of a tree.  Yet there are some specimens believed to be 2000 or more years old.  One trait that ensures its old age is that it does not tend to get diseased as it splits under the weight of new growth.  This tree is a reminder that youth doesn't hold all the answers.  Getting through the ups and downs of life year after year brings its own blessings and benefits.

Different Sources of Gratitude

From the Tarot of Timeless Truth, the Ten of Pentacles:

On a mountaintop, a woman opens her arms expansively, welcoming the new morning.  There is no castle with servants, only a hut made of hides, her family, and her dog.  Yet the smiles are indicative of a sense of gratefulness for their simple life.  They have all they need - shelter, warm clothes, a fire, and each other.  And what a view they have each day!  I am reminded that beauty, fulfilled basic needs, and people who love me are what make me a wealthy woman, regardless of all the other "stuff" I own.

     From the Rune Cards comes "Yew/Eihwaz:"

The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,
a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate.
~ Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

Yews have been thought to be a gateway to the Underworld, and as such often represent initiation and transformation.  The booklet lists the following as meanings of this rune: "a reassessment of values and the way you wish to live your life, a change of direction."  There's nothing like living in hell for a period of time, then discovering you've been granted a reprieve, even if temporary.  Whether the pain is physical or emotional, it does have the power to change me, and make me grateful with a new outlook.

Maturity and Wisdom

From the Motherpeace Tarot, the Priestess (Queen) of Cups:

The queen of this suit is pictured as a mermaid, singing with a lyre in hand.  If you were to speak in detached, analytical terms about a project or relationship, she would listen politely but then ask, "And how does it make you feel?  Does it bring you joy?"  She is an emotional creature, but don't expect her to appear on some reality show and spew every feeling that moves through her all over the screen.  The whale indicates a depth of maturity in the her expression of this suit.  She's willing to dig below the surface to find out why certain people or situations trigger emotions, or why there are protective walls around a heart.  Yes, she's got more going on than wanting to be the star in a Kleenex commercial - her intuitive insight can often be surprising.

     From the Ogham Oracle, the "Yew - Idad / Idho:"

Idad has no translation in Irish, but it is usually associated with the yew tree, longevity, and transition.  The Taxus baccata is the longest living tree in Europe, with some reaching over 2000 years of age.  One characteristic that contributes to its longevity is the new shoots that grow at  the trunk's base.  These shoots combine with the trunk as they develop; when the inner trunk decays, this secondary growth forms a new tree.  I'm a firm believer that you can teach an old dog new tricks, if they're willing to learn.  Growing older hopefully means growing wiser, and sometimes that requires a transition of ideas, skills or beliefs - leaving behind what has become inadequate or ineffective and replacing it with something better.