Month: October 2020

Blue Taurus Moon – Day 719

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Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn – “Dreamtime”

Blue Taurus Moon

I’m sure most of us are aware that in less than ten hours (10:49 a.m. E.T. on Saturday, October 31, 2020), we will be experiencing a full moon in the sign of Taurus. It’s in Taurus because the sun is in Scorpio – and a full moon occurs when the sun and moon are in opposition, or on opposite sides of the zodiac (opposite each other from the perspective of Earth). And to make this day even more powerful, it’s actually a blue Taurus moon because it is the second full moon occurring within the same month.

I actually wrote about this month’s ‘first’ full moon, which occurred on October 1st (in the sign of Aries, since the sun was in Libra). One of my suggestions in that post was to pay attention to what was unfolding in our lives at the beginning of each week, because numerologically, each week in October can bring a foreshadowing of what we might expect in each of the quarters of the coming year.

To be honest, I didn’t consciously think about what was unfolding at each quarter phase of the moon this month, but I’ve left myself some clues (these posts being at least somewhat of a reference point, as well as my journal entries). I’m hoping all of you are keeping journals too, or are at the very least jotting down on a calendar or something a few memories or reference points to important experiences you’re having throughout these extraordinary times.

I know I’m like a broken record on this subject, but I promise you, your future self will never regret that you left it mnemonic breadcrumbs. Never.

Full Moon and Weekend Focus

I pulled two cards for us in contemplation of the power of this full moon, landing as it is on Halloween, and this being the final weekend before this momentous election on Tuesday.

What should we be focusing upon, I asked Spirit. I consulted the Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn, which have been such powerful guideposts for us these past several months.

Dreamtime

The top card I chose was Dreamtime.

Dreamtime – “Aboriginal Dream”

Dream into your world with a song

Awaken your Heart’s vibration…

You do belong…

Cosmic Stars shine from above…

The Earth’s held in balance,

The Earth’s held in love.

The Aboriginal sends his sounds

Through the didgeridoo

Into the Earth, me and you…

—Cher Lyn

“Aboriginal people believe the true source of the mind is in the inspirational reality of the Dreamtime. In the painting of “Aboriginal Dream,” the Aborigine’s body is ceremonially decorated. He holds his didgeridoo connecting Earth and sky through vibration. He sends energy into the Earth symbolizing the integration of light into matter. Healing happens through the ancestors’ love all working together with the Goddess of Creation to help bring us back into harmony. The Aboriginal Dreamtime medicine is in the Earth’s heart and spirals, rocks, the oceans, cosmic universe and the sky.

It is important to take notice of your dreams. There lie within hidden messages. (…)

Choosing this medicine cards suggests you follow the Aboriginal into the Dreamtime and explore the otherworldly mysteries unfolding for you. The power to dream is the power to participate in the creation matrix that is only found within you. Hidden messages from ancient times cross over through and into your past, present and future time continuum. Awaken in your Dreamtime wisdom. Create and play in infinite potential.”

Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn – “Integration”

Integration

The “foundation” card I chose (which is what I call the card that’s on the bottom of the deck when I make a selection) was Integration.

Integration – “Rainbow Blesser”

A command for our souls, all parts to return.

I call in God’s tribes to integrate these sides,

Easily and gently, let peace within reside.

—Cher Lyn

“The image shown is from the upper portion of the painting “Rainbow Blesser.” An Indigenous profile of a man wears his Godhead as a headdress. His vertebra surrounding the spinal cord is aligned with vibrant colors associated with the chakras. His healing hand tattooed with a six-pointed star is integrated with a heart, sending love energies to the Earth’s children. The vision of Rainbow Blesser brings in the birth of the rainbow tribe creating healing, unity, and Integration into One.

The Hopi Indians believe that each of the world’s religions contains a thread and that these threads are always seeking each other. Integrally woven like a rope that will pull us out of this dark world and into the next. We all share an identical need to feel love. No matter what color the skin or how different the dress and how you perceive the behavior, there is no real significant division between others and us. Our basic nature is the same.

Inside each and every one of us, our core is entirely whole and complete. Yet, on the exterior everything is fragmented and appearances can seem strange. (…)

You do not need a new dogma to believe in. Inside at your core, you are perfect. You can always cultivate a stronger sense of compassion and tolerance towards yourself and others. Inspire unity in your consciousness. Each of us carries an aspect, clue, or piece of existence on how Creation works. Individually first, then collectively we come together to bring humanity into wholeness.

My Take

Yet again, we’re being asked to dream our reality into being. This is important for us to do this weekend, particularly at the powerful time of this blue moon.

At the very foundation of what we’re dreaming into being is our knowledge, at our core, that WE are the RAINBOW TRIBE that yearns to bring humanity together.

We can do this.

(T-392)

Take Cover – Day 718

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Tigger Taking Cover – Photo: L. Weikel

Take Cover

I think this photo of Tigger speaks volumes. If you followed the news at all today, in any form – radio, television, FB, Twitter – and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably harboring this declaration as your silently mumbled Election Day (and beyond) strategy: “Take cover!”

And yet, as we all know, that is an essentially unsustainable tack to take. We can and possibly would be advised to run for cover initially, because, well, there’s a decent chance that people are going to get worked up over whatever happens next Tuesday, and they’re almost sure to act out in some way. But taking cover can only suffice so long.

Writing It Out

It’s probably time for us to start mapping out strategies within our own minds as to how we might want to proceed given various potential outcomes. This is where writing in a journal can really be a huge boon to our mental health.

Let’s face it: we’re being faced with what, for many of us, feels like an existential threat. Even as I type those words, I’m reminded how – as real as those words feel to me – how privileged I am to be writing them as a white middle aged woman. (Ew. But facts are facts.) If I’m feeling that the events we’re going to be encountering over the next several days and weeks, if not months and years, are posing an existential threat to me, what in the world must Black and brown people, indigenous people, LGBTQ people, immigrants, and all sorts of other people feel?

When I think about the risks we’re all facing right now, with the hammer of an ultra conservative Supreme Court majority held over our heads, my stomach lurches. I’m afraid for my friends who are married to their same-gendered loves. I’m terrified for all Black people – but especially young Black men (and those who love them) – and the risks they take just by walking down a street or driving in a car. I grieve over the horrific conditions immigrant children (and their parents) find themselves in – here, of all places – when all they sought was escape from untenable circumstances.

What world do we live in? What country are we creating? What really matters?

What Really Matters?

If we give ourselves a little breathing room to actually pin down the thoughts that are careening around in our minds like an old-fashioned pinball machine playing quadruple bonus balls, it helps.

Yes, perhaps we initially, at least furtively, think, “I’ll leave the country.” Well? Write it out. Where would you go (especially now)? How would you support yourself? What would you do with your current abode and all the stuff that’s inside it?

Thinking through your options, and writing them down, clarifies the mind. It also serves to stop the endless stream of thoughts that actually don’t serve you. Details matter. They bring the situation you’re contemplating down from the elusive, broad-brush stroke airy land of threats and idealistic thoughts, to earthy practicality.

If you really think you may want to leave, ask yourself, “What’s my plan?” And listen to the answer that pours out of your fingertips.

If writing out the details makes you realize leaving is too much of a hassle or – equally as possible – you feel a stirring of something else underneath that knee jerk “I’m leaving” reaction, you need to follow that thread.

Does it stick in your craw to imagine abdicating everything you’ve been taught to believe the United States stands for? If so, describe your feelings. What really, truly matters to you? What are you willing to do for those ideals? If nothing else, write it out to yourself.

Our Greatest Hours

Believe it or not, I truly believe our greatest hours may be approaching. I’ve not even the slightest clue what’s going to unfold over the next five days, much less the next five weeks, five months, or five years. But I do have a  powerful sense that whatever happens may catalyze all of us into making choices we never dreamed we’d be asked – or forced – to make. We may be called to dig deeply into acting upon what our core values demand of us.

But first, we need to know what those core values are. Not high-and-mighty, lofty ideals. I’m talking nitty gritty, fundamental-to-my-identity, what matters to me most values. Only then can we each decide for ourselves the answer to: what am I willing to do to demand, protect, defend, and advocate for these values?

If we give ourselves the gift of reflecting on these questions over the next several days instead of doom watching or doom scrolling (such eerily and sadly apt phrases), we just might realize that we’re approaching the most important choice points of our lives. Our reasons for being born at this time, in this country, and being faced with these specific challenges may all be coalescing now.

We may be approaching our greatest hours. Let’s prepare.

Photo: L. Weikel

(T-393)

Shoo Fly Pie – Day 717

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Yumminess – Photo: L. Weikel

Shoo Fly Pie

It’s almost my Witching Hour and I’ve already fallen asleep sitting up once this evening. So I’m going to succumb to the basest of instincts and just tease you all before going to sleep. Yes…you caught me. I was eating a most delectable slice (or two or three) of shoo fly pie tonight.

For the uninitiated out there, shoo fly pie is probably the single best reason to grow up in or around Pennsylvania Dutch country.

Shoo fly pie is, essentially, a molasses crumb cake in pie form – but the essential aspect that makes a shoo fly pie totally fantastic is when you bake one that is a ‘wet-bottom’ shoo fly pie.

Oh yes.

‘Wet bottom’ is really the only proper version of shoo fly pie.

And the one I just photographed to share with you this evening is a perfect example.

I happen to have a source from whom I can secure them freshly baked (this one was baked just this morning). And the baker hails from Amish country, which makes this all the more authentic.

Growing Up

When I was growing up, our neighbor, Mrs. Deemer, taught me how to make a wet bottom shoo fly pie. Every once in a while my parents and I would get a hankering for one and I would bake one. I regret that I haven’t made one in probably 45 years or so.

That’s a recipe I probably, sadly, no longer have.

So I’m all the more grateful for Old Schoolhouse Bakery!

(T-394)

Sad Reality – Day 716

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There are a lot of things I could be writing about with a title like ‘Sad Reality.’ Good grief, it seems as though we can barely cast our gaze in any direction and not be confronted with something that makes our stomach flip, our heart to feel squeezed in anguish, or our breath whisked away into the ethers.

I’m not going to touch upon any of the heavy duty stuff tonight, though. That’s not to say that what’s concerning me isn’t critically important. Because it absolutely is – and it’s a national disgrace that’s it’s even occurring and that it needs to be discussed. But here it is:

When you read this there will be six days left before Election Day. And if you have any intention whatsoever of voting by mail or absentee ballot, it is TOO LATE to rely on the United States Postal Service to deliver your ballot in time to be counted. It’s stunning, really. And yet it is entirely predictable.

Deliberate Sabotage

You might remember the brazen changes the then newly appointed U.S. Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, ordered this past summer, including the removal of over 700 high speed sorting machines and changing the rules for employees which deliberately caused slowdowns in delivery times. Well, it worked.

And it worked especially well, interestingly enough, in several key states that may be pivotal to the results of the election, including Pennsylvania.

As a result, if you requested an absentee or mail-in ballot and haven’t yet filled it out (and in PA, that includes placing it in the smaller, inner ‘secrecy’ envelope and then into the larger outer envelope that you fill out and sign), it is TOO LATE to put it in the mail and expect it to arrive at your Board of Elections in time for it to be counted. Instead, you need to hand-deliver it to an official drop off box. Check with your Board of Elections to determine where they are.

Alternatively, you can always vote in person on Election Day. But if you decide to do that, YOU MUST BRING YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT (including all the envelopes) WITH YOU TO THE POLL. This is IMPERATIVE.

Be Wise – Be Savvy

If in doubt, check out the several websites, including Plan Your Vote, that can help you make sure your vote is counted. Vote.

(T-395)

Dark Day – Day 715

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Incoming  – Photo: L. Weikel

Dark Day

While not unexpected, this is indeed a dark day. The shameless behavior of the Republicans in the U.S. Senate this evening will have repercussions that reverberate into the very foundation of our country.

There are few people in this country who are paying attention to the startlingly hypocritical maneuverings of Mitch McConnell (and his compatriots that vote in lock step with him) who cannot know, deep in their bones, that our country is broken. This brazen and disgustingly transparent and craven manipulation of our system is unsustainable.

Shocking Revelations of Intentions

I’ve been writing occasionally about the dramatic alignments and aspects of the planets that we’ve been experiencing, particularly since right around December, 2019. The position of three of the four major outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto) in Capricorn and their going forward and then retrograding and now moving forward again very recently have shown quite a correspondence with the arrival and response to Covid-19. These ‘big three’ are not done with us yet. However, more large-scale aspects are starting to come into play now as well.

For instance, we’re starting to feel the effects of planetary interactions (aspects) with Uranus, which usually signals revelations and expositions that feel like lightning strikes. Ripping away lies and revealing harsh secrets and truths can be expected, especially with Mercury currently retrograde, because Mercury is all about communication, and when retrograde, we’re going back over old ground. Digging up stuff that’s been hidden – until now.

I see that happening in two major areas affecting all of us in the United States:

First of all, the Administration is admitting now that they have no intention of fighting the spread of Covid-19. That’s actually a fact that’s been obvious since the very beginning, but driven home by the relentless refusal to advocate the simple precautions of wearing masks and social distancing. The refusal to utilize the Defense Production Act to ensure that the entire country has plenty of PPE and test kits was also (and continues to be) a dead giveaway. The mind boggles at the sheer ghoulish disregard for human life that these architects of a deliberately inept response to a pandemic show toward all of us.

The second example of the ripping away of any veneer of continued lies is the utter hypocrisy of the Senate. And I’m not speaking solely of this disgusting installation of a blatant ideologue onto the Supreme Court (for the second, if not third time). No, I’m speaking of the deal with the devil that Mitch McConnell and the far-right-wing dinosaurs made with DT to attempt to yank our country back into the 1950s, if not further back into our ignominious past. It’s all becoming all too harshly transparent.

Let Him Run Roughshod

The deal? Let him run roughshod over all the basic norms of civil society and a government based upon everyone at least having a modicum of honor and an agreement as to fundamental values of fairness, respect, truth, and integrity, thereby distracting the populace. Let him destroy our alliances, enter into dubious (at best) relationships with dictators and enemies of our country, all the while distracting us from seeing that they (the Republicans holding all the power in the Senate) were fulfilling a 50 year long game of installing right wing ultra conservatives into the judiciary.

This little screed of mine is just scratching the surface of what’s being revealed. But the fact that the Senate left Washington D.C. this evening and will not reconvene until a week after the election – without providing any economic relief to either the states or the millions who are on the brink of losing everything as a result of this pandemic – screams their ill intent from the rooftops. And now we can look forward to the prospect of this newly installed ‘justice’ participating in a decision that will almost certainly obliterate the Affordable Care Act and most certainly shaft every single person who has a pre-existing condition.

But not a single one of those Senators needs to worry. Nope; you betcha – they have top of the line, Cadillac health insurance. And steady paychecks. And investments in the vaunted stock market that are doing oh-so-well. (Shall we take bets on how long it will take before an investigation reveals that some – or many – of them have lots of money in the companies working on the proposed vaccines or touted ‘therapeutics’ for Covid-19?)

Vote

All I can say is, I hope beyond hope that I’m not tempted to have ‘Dark Day’ as my post title next Tuesday, too.

And while I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir: please, please, please: VOTE.

(T-396)

Is It Just Me – Day 714

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Friends – Photo: L. Weikel

Is It Just Me?

Is it just me, or does anyone else wonder how the candidates – but especially the two 70+-something men running at the top of their respective parties’ tickets – manage to campaign day in and day out, week after week, month after month?

Honestly, it just seems like campaigning is unbelievably intense work, and I question how any of the nominees are able to maintain their schedules over the insanely long period of time that campaigns encompass in our country. And that doesn’t even take into consideration recent illnesses (cough) or other infirmities. Or just plain being in their 70s, for heaven’s sake.

The whole process of running for office in our country seems out of balance.

Things Feel Really Weird

I feel like I’m in limbo. In some ways, I can’t believe we’ve had to endure the past four years. There’s a part of me that feels incredibly excited by the prospect that our country is now at the point where we can redeem ourselves, not only for ourselves but also in the eyes of the rest of the world. Of course, the flip side of that excitement is pit-in-my-stomach dread over what may unfold on November 3rd – and beyond.

I know I’m not expressing anything unique here. And I regret that I’m unable to muster a discussion of anything more interesting or entertaining. But I’m finding myself binge-eating comfort foods and having a hard time thinking about how things will be two weeks from now.

In some ways, it feels like everything is going to change on November 3rd. It’s hard for me to even contemplate plans for Thanksgiving. Given everything that’s happening not only across our country but apparently throughout Europe and beyond, planning on doing anything beyond hunkering down and playing it safe would be irresponsible to everyone we love.

Maybe it was watching 60 Minutes tonight that has me fried. I don’t know.

A Few Of My Friends

I’m going to sign off for this evening. Since there are precious few photos I could share that would have anything to do with what I’ve written above, I’m going to share a couple I took earlier today of some friends who ran up to me when I called to them on our walk.

Their friendliness made me happy. I’m going to try to remember a couple carrots tomorrow.

We have to take care of ourselves – and our friends – in these weird times.

Do You Have a Treat For Me? – Photo: L. Weikel

 

(T-397)

Perseverance Pays Off – Day 713

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Photo: Nationalgeographic.com

Perseverance Pays Off

If you read my post on Watchwords the other day, you’ll recognize one of them in the title above. I’ve noticed the word in recent articles or popping up in conversations over the past few days, but this evening I actually experienced first hand the wisdom in trusting that perseverance pays off.

And no, it’s not what you think. My epiphany has nothing to do with internal fortitude or relentlessly putting my shoulder to the wheel, pushing forward in the face of dire circumstances or daunting poll numbers. My appreciation for the benefits that perseverance can bring to our lives is much simpler and mundane.

Yet it made our evening.

In the midst of all the anxiety and insanity surrounding the election and – perhaps even worse, the worry over how things will unfold post-election – Karl and I persevered. And it paid off.

Embracing Distraction

The weather where I live shifted dramatically late this afternoon. It felt like the temperature dropped about 20 degrees within the span of half an hour. I’d been working at my usual perch on our porch, engaging in a long distance reading for a client and friend, when all of a sudden I realized that the wind had shifted and I was cold. Shifting my workspace inside, I completed the session, but I was chilled to the bone.

I flirted with the idea of taking a long, hot bath and just settling in to crack open a book I picked up at the library just yesterday. But Karl was the pushy one tonight, prodding me to take a walk, even if it was just our shorter two mile jaunt.

Upon our return, we agreed that we just wanted to hunker down, get warm, pig out (no, I’m not going there), and lose ourselves in a distracting movie – ideally a feel-good one.

Karl suggested a movie that looked light and might have potential. I think it was called The Prince & Me, and it was airing on Netflix. Good grief; it was awful. The dialogue was stilted, the premise formulaic. And while I don’t claim to be a film connoisseur, even I have my limit. We gave it a total of about 20 minutes and had to just let it die on the vine.

We surfed the movie lineups on a couple of channels. (It should be noted here that Karl was hell-bent on watching a movie. We’re actually in the middle of a couple of really great series, but he wanted a movie.) We saw one that had Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in it: Downhill, and gave it a try. Oh my. It was a downer. We like both actors and wanted to like the movie, but no. No. We wanted to laugh. Or at least not feel like we were being forced to watch a marriage plunge off the side of a mountain in slow motion.

Out of Character

Once again, we gave the movie a good 35-40 minutes or so to redeem itself and give us a reason to stick with it. (Yes, we gave it a slightly longer opportunity than we gave the other. The writing – and acting – were both significantly better than the first debacle.) But alas, as out of character as it was for us not to just ‘stick with it’ (and suffer), we persevered in our quest to find a movie that would lift us out of our routine thoughts and existential concerns. We turned off Downhill and resumed our search for a movie that would fit the bill.

And we prevailed.

Karl had another suggestion. One we had to dig for because he misremembered the title and our search kept coming up empty. But then he remembered enough of the title for us to ultimately zero in on it: Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Watch the trailer.

Quirky for sure, but most definitely a worthy distraction. I recommend it for many reasons: amazing scenery (you can’t beat New Zealand for stunning scenery), the accents, a plot line that held a number of surprises, and heart. The movie definitely has heart.

So while our perseverance tonight may not have yielded transformation, it did put smiles on both of our faces. Our moods most definitely shifted as a result of our relentless pursuit of a movie to take our minds off the utter awfulness in the outside world, if only for a couple hours. If you watch it, you won’t regret it.

And it just goes to show: you never know how or when the Watchwords we’re given will come in handy.

(T-398)

Cloud Conclave – Day 712

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Photo: L. Weikel

Cloud Conclave

About halfway into our walk-around this evening, we became aware of a Gathering of Cloud Beings assembling in the west just after the sun dipped below the horizon. All of a sudden, great billowy Beings resembling the Michelin Tire man – or maybe more accurately, the massive billowy guy in the original Ghostbusters movie – started morphing and distinguishing themselves. Yup. The longer we walked, the more obvious it became: we were witnessing a Cloud Conclave.

To be honest, it didn’t look like it was a meeting of dire seriousness. Just a cursory glance at the participants lent the distinct impression that this was a first-time event for some of the Cloud Beings. Indeed, it almost felt as if several attendees were parents bringing their young ones to their first CC.

Witnesses to The Force – Photo: L. Weikel

A Bigger Deal Than We Realize

Perhaps all the activity we’re engaging in, the disturbance in The Force that’s occurring as people all over the country line up to cast their votes, is creating ‘must see human activity’ for the Cloud Beings. It’s possible they’re gathering now in order to get a sense of what, if anything, we’ll need on the final official day of this ‘season’ that’s capturing the attention of this particular flavor of human being. Or maybe it’s just entertaining for them to witness us masking up and social distancing, just for the opportunity to drop our envelope into a box.*

Certainly the Cloud Beings are aware that this type of reaction to an election – they are at least some of those we might consider to be Watchers, after all. And this fierce determination to make sure that each and every vote is counted probably hasn’t been anywhere near as intense for generations of human lives in the United States.

It is indeed a sight to behold. Just look at that: the citizens of the country renowned throughout the world as a light of democracy and a guardian of free and fair elections are finally, maybe, in the final days of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic, going to finally get it through their heads just exactly how precious their single vote is.

Conclave from afar – Photo: L. Weikel

It’s Sacred

It’s exciting. It’s sacred. It’s both a right and a responsibility.

No wonder the Cloud Elders are bringing the Cloud Youngsters to a Conclave. The realization of just how precious each one of our votes is deserves recognition and celebration.

* I voted today: placed my ballot in its security envelope, placed that in the bigger envelope, then signed, sealed, and hand-delivered that to the drop off box at the old courthouse. Aaah.

Doylestown, PA – lines to cast ballots; Photo: L. Weikel

(T-399)

Another Dimension – Day 711

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 4 Comments
Crescent and Fog – Photo: L. Weikel

Another Dimension

Sometimes we stumble across a person, place, or thing in our everyday lives and we almost have to pinch ourselves to see if we’re dreaming. That’s sort of been Karl’s and my experience the past two early evenings. Not just once, but twice we’ve encountered a very obvious threshold; a portal into another dimension.

The spontaneous rising of a rather substantial bank of fog in the fields surrounding our home lent an eerie and ethereal atmosphere to our walks the past few evenings. On the one hand, we were treated to a spectacularly clear view of Saturn, Jupiter, and the waxing crescent moon creating a graceful arc in the evening sky. It’s also kind of cool to realize that, if our eyesight were only powerful enough, we’d also be able to see Pluto nestled in the expanse between Saturn and Jupiter.

Yet at the same time that we revel in that unobstructed view of those outer planets and our moon, when we bring our gaze down to ground level, we can barely see beyond our own shoes. There’s a little inner double-take that happens when we first realize how backwards this all seems. Why is our ability to see things up close so obscured?

Perhaps it’s a metaphor; I really can’t say. Maybe we’re supposed to be setting our sights on what we want to create and the ideals to which we choose to aspire. We know what we want; we can see it clearly. But maybe we’re supposed to reach those goals through an act of faith.

Approaching the Portal – Photo: L. Weikel

Entering the Portal

We reached a point in our walk both last night and tonight when the way ahead appeared to be an illustration straight out of a book of fairy tales. Clarity prevailed almost everywhere we looked, but straight ahead? Our path led us directly into what appeared to be a portal to another dimension.

Entering this portal felt like it might lead to another time and space. We joked that at least we had each other; maybe we should hold hands so as not to lose each other in the heavy mist. Perhaps the Beings of the threshold would try to persuade us to take a nap and we would awaken a decade or two hence.

It felt like we weren’t alone as we broached the almost cave-like threshold. A photo I took captured not a wall of fog but rather shapes and swirls and the maybe even the faintest source of cool hands brushing our cheeks and tickling our necks.

We walked maybe 25 yards through this ground cloud of haze only to emerge – suddenly – into a what felt like the other side of the mirror. We returned to the road, further along by far, but with our surroundings revealed to us with laser-like focus and clarity once more.

Photo: L. Weikel

Emergence

Were we changed by the experience? At first glance, it would appear we weren’t. But maybe we should take a little time. Wait and see. Was this a metaphor? Do we feel relatively unscathed because we persevered? Because we continued walking through the veil, putting one foot in front of the other and having faith we’d eventually emerge from the fog?

I don’t know.

It felt significant that we stayed the course; that we didn’t turn around or freeze up just because the way forward was suddenly and dramatically obscured. Not that we even entertained stopping. Or turning around. Not really. But…what was that passing in front of me as I tried to take a photo?

(T-400)

Watchwords – Day 710

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 2 Comments
Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn – “Perseverance”

Watchwords

You may have noticed that I’ve been trying to keep my recent posts light and, while not totally ignoring the mayhem and insanity all around us, at least making an effort to think and write about generally more upbeat, or at least benign, topics. But what we’re enduring politically and existentially in the United States at the moment is the elephant in the room. Every once in a while, therefore, I’m compelled to address it. Tonight being one of those nights, I was inspired to choose watchwords for us specifically to hold on to over the next three days or so.

I’m not sure why, but the sense I got was that this pick of cards from the Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn was valid ‘for the next couple of days.’ I may be told to choose additional cards as events unfold – or not. My sense is that the next two weeks will almost feel as though we’re reliving the last four years, only this time experiencing them crammed into 14 (or fewer) days.

This deck has been a reliable resource over the past several months, weighing in every once in a while with watchwords or concepts that have been remarkably appropriate to our circumstances. It feels important to emphasize that this oracle deck contains 64 different cards representing vastly different concepts. I suppose it feels necessary to state this because the main card I chose (the top card) in answer to my specific request for guidance for all of us over the next few days almost seems set up. But it wasn’t.

Perseverance

Yes. I chose the Perseverance card. And while that single, simple word may be all we really need to hold close as circumstances grow increasingly precarious, I just have to quote Cher Lyn’s words. Even the title of her painting (the card’s image) and her introductory poem are eerie in their appropriateness:

Perseverance – “Still I Rise”

Twas the hardest thing to do,

Be myself under that rule.

Burning rage red-hot fire,

I am not a slave nor I aspire.

Bury the cross and my loved ones lost.

I persevere through white man’s fear.

“…Life can be hard with many painful lessons. Sometimes it feels as though it will never end. For a time there is nothing more you can do than to breathe and know ‘this too shall pass.’ In the dark tunnel of suffering acknowledge others who have carried on through unimaginable torment. Brave ones rise from the ashes like the phoenix to find that the gift of Perseverance is freedom. Physical, emotional, or spiritual, it is freedom you come to know through Perseverance. Know that with every thought, word, feeling, and action you are either adding to your suffering or nurturing with a healing touch. Carry on in the monitoring of your thoughts and focus your attention moment by moment. Change is coming.

Your prayers, intentions, surrender, and trust in the Divine Will of Creator does matter. Take steps to transform what needs adjustment, clear your plate of that which does not serve you. Receive help, forgive and embrace all of you.

The medicine of this card is asking you to know this suffering will pass and never give up. Thin of an oak tree growing out of a rock with little or no soil. So determined to live. This is Perseverance, this is the power of life. This is God, the sun, and the love light giving life. This is you shining through despite circumstances.”

Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn – “Transformation”

The Foundation – Underneath: Transformation

Transformation – “Egyptian Magic”

“ (…) All things form and transform within the mysterious cycles of birth, life, and death. Instead of fearing the darkness you can bless it, learn from it, and embrace it. It is both your humanness and your light. The shadow you fear is powerless without the interpretation of your beliefs, thoughts, and desires. The power of Transformation lies in your ability to find the light within the shadow and make the connection, infusing focus on its light quality instead of the darkness.

Everything you think, feel, and do creates your lessons in the world you live in. Inside you great intelligence, wisdom, and love are ever present. It is the beliefs you have been taught that are the hindering factor here. Let the fire in your heart inspire you for Transformation. Perfecting your character and at the same time helping you let go while allowing any pain, sorrow, or difficulty to just be there. Allow the alchemical change to unfold and evolve you in its own time as you journey through your world with the power of intentions.

The Transformation card suggests that you be in touch with both your shadow side and your spiritual side. True Transformation can only happen in connection with your heart. Setting in motion authentic spiritual alchemy you will see a change in you, like base metal into gold. Essentially shifting your whole perspective.” (emphasis added)

My ‘Take’

Once again, I dare say words added by me are pretty much superfluous. When I ask Spirit for a message for us, something for us to contemplate and hold on to through the coming turbulence, Spirit delivers.

Almost every time I decide to choose cards for us in this way, I feel a little hitch in my chest. It always feels like at least somewhat of a risk – in spite of the fact that I’ve never been abandoned by Spirit. Will we receive some dire message? Will a card present itself that leaves me completely unable to see or perceive a connection to what we’re experiencing?

In a word: no. We’re always supported. Always guided.

Hang on and hang in there.

(T-401)