Due Dates

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Mother (Queen) of Wands:

I first thought this might be some type of rattlesnake guarding its clutch of eggs, but then I remembered pit vipers have live young.  However, this could be a snake about to have an egg lunch, as most snakes I'm familiar with in the States don't coil around and protect their eggs.  Either way, I get the feeling this snake is guarding something important to her.  The red color in the background emphasizes the passion in defending what is hers, but the yellow indicates the intelligence behind the passion.  This Queen is not impulsive in her zeal, rather she uses a well-thought-out strategy and advises me to do the same.

The roll of the geomancy sticks this morning produced "Amissio:"

Amissio is Latin for "loss," and like Puella, it is connected to Venus.  Here there is a connection between something I love and transience; the figure reminds me that no matter how strongly my heart strings are attached to something or someone, keeping them safe from all harm is out of my control.  It may hurt like hell, but endings are as natural as beginnings.  Like the books that I check out and enjoy from the library, all things must one day be returned.   

Strong Hearts

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, the Father (King) of Cups:

The black swan is a native of Australia, a nomadic bird whose migratory patterns are dependent on climate conditions.  If high rainfall occurs in an area, they are likely to migrate there, while they avoid areas being affected by drought conditions.  If these swans are nesting in an area where rain was plentiful but dry conditions return, they will abandon their nests.  It seems cruel to leave their eggs, but the chicks would not live if they hatched without available food resources.  The King/Father of Cups is a man familiar with finding himself in the middle of emotional situations; his composure helps him guide others without being sucked under.  He teaches me that sometimes my heart must be strong in order to be compassionate.

The roll of the geomany sticks produced "Rubeus:"

Rubeus means "red," and not surprisingly, it is connected to the planet and mythological being of Mars.  This figure indicates a passionate fierceness on a primal level.  Yet this power can be channeled either in destructive or constructive ways.  With the King of Cups above, it encourages me to use this passion for courage, strength, and resolve.

New Quest, New Doorway

From the Wild Unknown Tarot, Judgment:

This image reminds me of the blackbirds - cowbirds, grackles, starlings and red-wings - that rise from the marshes each dawn to go feed during the day.  It is an amazing sight to see what appears to be a mile-long black ribbon weaving its way across the morning sky.  Judgment is a release of blame and anger (whether directed at myself or another) and finding the freedom and renewal that comes through a new perception of truth.  The dove overhead represents the peace I'll find in this pursuit, a quest that will allow me to feed my spirit instead of starving it.

The roll of the geomancy sticks brought "Cauda Draconis:"

Cauda Draconis means "tail of the dragon," and represents a doorway leading out.  It is connected to the South Node, the descending point in the sky where the moon's path crosses the sun's path.  Astrologers suggest this node represents overdeveloped traits that a person falls back on; these traits may undermine one's life if he or she holds on to that trait for security rather than growing in other directions.  Recently here we had days of heavy rain that resulted in flooding.  Many animals, such as turtles and beavers, were washed through storm drains and away from their natural habitat.  Their instincts were to take the straightest route back, which unfortunately led to their deaths when they crossed highways and roads.  This geomancy figure reminds me that the "gate" I'm looking for may not be in place I would assume it to be.  My quest may require a new doorway.

A 360 Degree Mind

From the Wild Unknown, Justice:

 Two cats, one white and one black, are separated by a sword in between them.  The two colors represent two sides of an argument, but truthfully, there three sides - the two perceptions of the people involved and reality.  The diamond shape that separates the cats reminds me of a clear Austrian crystal whose many facets reflect rainbows of sunlight.  Looking at the crystal, I can only see one side of it, just as I can often only see one side of an argument.  But there are always many other facets; like the new moon, just because I can't see it or haven't experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.  Justice teaches me that if I want to be objective, I'm going to have to think with a 360 degree mind.

The roll of the geomancy sticks produced "Puella:"

Puella means "girl," and is associated with the planet and mythological goddess Venus, known for love and beauty.  The figure itself represents happiness and harmony, but may also indicate a sense of pleasantness without depth.  Being born a Southern girl, "be nice" is ingrained in my psyche.  Unfortunately, I seem to have inherited some wild genetic off-shoot as well, and there are times when I itch to give people a V8 head slap.  Yet combined with the Justice card above, this geomantic figure seems to hint that the only way I'll uncover the whole truth and get the full story is by being pleasant.  Even if my V8 side doesn't want to cooperate, I need to smile and listen respectfully today.     

Emotional Limbo

This week the tarot deck I'll be using is the Wild Unknown, created and self-published by Kim Krans.  Today's draw is the Five of Cups:

The body language of this horse gives me a sense of submissiveness and/or exhaustion.  The number five indicates an attempt to cope with some sort of struggle or crisis.  The disruption causes a feeling of uncertainty and confusion, as if being placed in a type of emotional limbo.  It reminds me of the search and rescue dogs that were employed on 9/11.  Some of these canines showed signs of depression because the only bodies they found were no longer alive.  The trainers had to convince other rescue workers to hide in the rubble, allowing the dogs to find them to keep up their spirits.  This card reminds me to look for small wonders and blessings when I am feeling down and out; they are there if I'll lift up my head to see them.

The oracle I'll be using this week is based on a simplified form of geomancy using sticks.  The sticks have been painted with one stripe on one side and two on the other; the four sticks are then "rolled" to create a geomancy figure.  Today's roll is "Albus:"

Albus literally means "white," and symbolizes peace, wisdom, purity and clarity.  It is associated with the planet Mercury, and thus with the mythological messenger.  Mental processes, oral and written communication, and making connections are a part of this figure.  In tying this in with the card above, there is a gentle warning to wait until my mind is clear before I make any major decisions or attempt to have a "sit down" with anyone.  My expectations and perceptions may not match up to reality right now, so for a while I need to work on clearing the clouds out of my head instead of getting my message across.

The Blessing of Belonging

From the Mary-El Tarot, the Three of Cups:

“You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

I have a few close friends, some nearby and some far away; like the three waterfalls, we each have our individual lives with individual interests.  But like the pool at the bottom, we make the effort and time to reconnect, whether through emails, cards, Skype, or meeting for coffee.  These are the friends that encourage me to grow, to move beyond my emotional safety zone.  We share joys and sorrows, and we celebrate challenges successfully met.  The sense of belonging I feel with them is as essential to me as food and water.  There are times when my small circle of friends change; some people move on, yet new ones are added.  What a blessing to belong...

 

From the OH Cards come the image and word "dance" and "game:"

This card made me think back to the first time I tried to dance sober.  I was terrified and felt like I had concrete boots on.  I was taking things way too seriously, thinking way too much, instead of just expressing myself for the sheer fun of it.  I did manage to get my groove on once I let my body follow the music instead of my head.  Sometimes I forget that I don't have to win the game or produce something people like to experience pleasure and delight.  As Rumi reminds me, "When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy."

The Elephant in the Room

From the Mary-El Tarot, the Queen of Swords:

"For instance, you may not want to call a spade a spade. You may prefer to call it a spatulous device for abrading the surface of the soil. Better, however, to stick to the old familiar, simple name that your grandfather called it." ~ Joseph Devlin

We have a lot of crows in my neighborhood, and they are better watchdogs than most dogs are.  The other day I heard a group of them cawing and carrying on, and looked up to see a red-shouldered hawk flying overhead.  If I hear them making a racket, I know there is something nearby they consider a threat.  The Queen of Swords is alert and savvy; she refuses to sanitize what she sees as truth.  If there is an elephant in the room, she has no problem pointing it out and addressing it.  She may be blunt, but she is honest.

From the OH Cards come the image and word "dead end" and "expert:"

There are people who look at certain problems or questions and judge them to be be unsolvable.  Then there are those who see a complicated snarl of knots yet have the patience to sit and slowly but surely untangle them one at a time.  When I want to see the truth as the queen above sees it, sometimes the fast and easy explanation just won't cut it.  My ego doesn't want to dig deeply - better to blame it on a person or event in the past and leave it at that.  But like the cop that chases and finally corners a thief in a dead end alley, sometimes I have to peel away not-so-pleasant layers to find the truth underneath.