movement which heals

Daily Draw: The Goddess Tarot, Rhiannon/Movement

Rhiannon is accompanied by three magical birds from the Happy Otherworld. According to Waldherr their song was believed to be so powerful as to 'lull the living to death, restore the dead to life and heal all sorrow'. 

I like the re-envisioning of the chariot as movement which heals or healing through movement. I prefer this image of graceful movement to renditions emphasising thundering, disorientating speed or those which are curiously static.  

The meaning offered by the guidebook is of smooth transition into the next phase of life as if we are pulled by the forces of fate and fortune. This reminds me that some of the best, most healing transitions I have made have been when someone has kindly showed up to cheer me on or even walk part of the journey with me. I am grateful for that. 

whatever it means to you is true

Daily Draw: The Goddess Tarot, Ten of Cups

A lovely card to begin my week with the Goddess tarot. There is no need to analyse this one. The ten of cups will mean something different to each of us. This version perfectly captures it for me. Gazing at the moon, stars and sea. 

Ramble alert

Daily Draw: Earthly Souls and Spirits Oracle, Peace

The ghostly white enveloping the witch brought to mind Samhain or All Hallows when the veil between worlds is traditionally thought to be thin. This 31st of October is the 500 year anniversary since Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of All Saints' church, the catalyst for centuries of sectarian troubles which are still playing out now.

I'm convinced there's some significance in his choice of church and date. At first I thought of the charitable practice of leaving gifts of food and lighting fires by graves to warm the bones of the dead who were thought to rise on night prior to the feast of All Souls. Perhaps Luther expected an audience? Dismissed. By this time the Catholic church had clamped down on such 'superstitious' practices. 

Nevertheless the souls of departed loved ones would be on peoples minds at this time. I think the significance has more to do with Luther's objection to the sale of indulgences. These were spiritual IOU's which promised an accelerated passage from purgatory to heaven which the church was selling to raise money for building projects. 

It's just a theory which I can't prove. Got me thinking of my Dad. At one time he'd have been interested in the mystery. In his later years his brilliant mind was diminished by years of alcohol abuse. Beautiful manners and social graces gave way to coarseness. 'Humour' became a rant of expletives. I remember one about Protestants 'squatting' in his church...He was angry up until the day he died (I think I am a bit angry too). I had a dream last night about him organising his send off in a pub called the Ship of Air. Perhaps he's moved on and I should too. I don't want to die angry. 

   

owl medicine

Daily Draw: Earthly Souls and Spirits Oracle, Relax

This card has a waning moon on the reverse which suggests the calm that comes after releasing things that no longer serve us. Clearing out clutter whether physical or mental to make room for the new. 

I believe the owl also symbolises transition. Certainly owl knows it cannot carry everything and still fly. Perhaps it is telling me to keep my eyes peeled and travel light. An opportunity may come along that I want to swoop on. 

Religion and magic

Daily Draw: Earthly Souls and Spirits Oracle, Devoted

This card reminds me that I don't have a regular (or indeed irregular) spiritual devotional practice. I've been thinking setting up an altar in my study but it seems so daunting. What if I get it wrong and and invoke a whole load of unintended effects? 

Perhaps this concern with rightness of ritual stems from my Catholic upbringing. There is a saying that you never stop being a Catholic you can only be a lapsed one. According to catholicbridge.com if you are serious about leaving you have write them a letter. I wonder how many people have omitted to do that? 

Nevertheless the Vatican advises 'It remains clear, in any event, that the sacramental bond of belonging to the Body of Christ that is the Church, conferred by the baptismal character, is an ontological and permanent bond which is not lost by any reason or fact of defection.' 

That I am stirred by the Benedictus (partly based on the Latin mass) reminds me of my love of church music. As in the card I used to love lighting a candle in prayer. Maybe I'll pop into a church again one day...


Magic, like poetry, resists precise definition; and in particular its connexion with religion is perplexing. There would appear to be no religion without magic at its foundation and certainly there is no magic in any significant sense without deep roots in religion. 

E. M. Butler

Anything but

Daily Draw: Earthly Souls and Spirits Oracle, Spontaneous


This card reminds me of what a creature of habit I can be. My usual practice is to glance at the image and read the book meaning at length. Except with this deck I can't. The creator intended this deck to be read visually and intuitively and provides only a brief overview of what she emphasises are her interpretations. 

That I have a such a text bias is a good reason for working with images. I wonder if I could dare myself to abstain from book meanings for a whole month? Researching the written word is such a well worn neural pathway...Perhaps if I do a few twirls like this young girl I'll glimpse something shimmering beyond my usual field of vision.  

Why not seize the pleasure at once? -- How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!

Jane Austen 

snow-flakes

Daily Draw: Earthly Souls and Spirits Oracle, Soulful

Out of the bosom of the Air, 

Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken, 

Over the woodlands brown and bare, 

Over the harvest-fields forsaken, 

Silent, and soft, and slow 

Descends the snow....

This is the poem of the air,

Slowly in silent syllables recorded...

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1807-1882

Rose moments

Daily Draw: Earthly Souls and Spirits Oracle, Focus

Just as this girl and the bird gaze at the roses sometimes when we focus on what is going well, on what is lovely everything else falls into place. If not at least we will have had a few moments of joy. 

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses. Alphonse Karr, 1808-1890

Slowing down and taking notice

Daily Draw: Earthly Souls and Spirits Oracle, Mindful

This was the first card I drew but in my rush to 'consume' this new deck I overlooked its subtle beauty. Including the lovely lacework star in the top right corner. 

The deck came so thoughtfully packaged in star spangled tissue paper, with a quality box, soft pouch, a candle, a pocket sized moon phase calendar and even some potpourri and a few chocolates. A delight for the senses and a lovely gift to receive this rainy Saturday. This deck wants me to live more consciously in the moment, to slow down and take notice. So I will.