Month: November 2021

Consecration – Day 1091

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Photo: L. Weikel

Consecration

Consecrate: verb (used with object) 1. to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity. 2. to make (something) an object of honor or veneration; hallow. 3. to devote or dedicate to some purpose. (Dictionary.com)

As you may recall from last night’s post, while I chose the Ace of Air as my primary card, the 10 of Water was clearly a player in delivering the message. Considering that I was posing the question of “What’s next?” in the context of the impending conclusion of my 1111 Devotion and the sacred intention with which I began this process almost three years ago, I was surprised by the keyword of the 10 of Water: consecration.

Whether I ‘get’ the crux of that message tonight or in two weeks – or maybe even two years from now – what I find amazing is that the cards seem to realize the essence of my query.

The cards know that, fundamentally, this is all about making the ordinary sacred. It’s all about lighting upon an act that I might consecrate in memory of my Karl. Choosing to engage in an action which might ordinarily be viewed as routine and making it holy; making it sacred and meaningful in a way that transcends ordinary day-to-day consciousness. This is my quest.

Underneath My Ace

As I described in yesterday’s post, a few pretty salient details jumped out at me as I contemplated the illustration of the 10 of Water as depicted by the illustrator of the Witches’ Wisdom Tarot*, Danielle Barlow. There were a number of powerful symbols that had personal meaning to me and the pursuit of my spiritual path.

But again, sometimes the magic of perceiving a message being sent to us by Spirit, or even ‘just’ our own subconscious, or Higher Self, or soul is enhanced by considering all the opportunities provided us to ‘get the message.’ And that includes not only relying heavily – and primarily – on our own intuition and insight, but also availing ourselves of the nuances that lurk in the words or symbols proffered by others. For instance, the particular words and phrases used by the creator of the deck or other oracle we might be using.

10 of Water – The Witches’ Wisdom Tarot by Phyllis Curott, Illustrated by Danielle Barlow

My next step, therefore, was to consider and pay acute attention to these words:

“10 of Water – Consecration

Wisdom – Verdant, humid, and embracing, the rainforest grows. Tree and Vine, Butterfly and bright-beaked Toucan, tiny Tree Frog and fearsome, holy Jaguar peer through the leaves. Rain pours from above, pools on the ground below, seeps deep into the Earth, and rises to make everything grow. The rain is full of music – songs telling stories of this magical place that makes the world better for all of Life. The rainforest is wild and full of wonder, danger and divinity, chaos and perfection. There is Life and there is death, but there is no evil. It’s raining and everything is blessed.

Essence – Wonderment, flourishing, blessings. The rewards of feeling fully. Water of Life.

Counsel – What is the song your heart is secretly singing? What is the divine magic hiding within you? There’s no reason for self-doubts or fear. Step outside your comfort zone and into the magic of Creation. No matter how turbulent the Waters of Life may be, how hard the rain, muddy the river, or unknown the rainforest, remember, you’re made of Water, and Water makes all things grow and flourish.

Magic – Go out in the rain. Listen. What’s it saying to you? Reach out your arms and feel the Water on your skin. Stick out your tongue and drink it in. Wash your face with it. Let it bless you. Feel your heart open to all that is manifesting…”

My Interpretation

The word ‘listen’ comes up and is prominent in both cards. Abundance surrounds the question I’ve asked. Perhaps that means there are (or will be) an abundance of choices on what is the best next action for me to consecrate to my cherished son.

Again, I feel ‘patience’ is also a watchword that needs to be heeded. Yes, Spirit understands my desire to know ‘what’s next.’ But for now, my focus needs to remain on the 1111 Devotion. I must dedicate myself to successfully concluding my first Act of Power with impeccability. ‘What’s next,’ if anything, will reveal itself in perfect timing.

I will listen. And perhaps, if the stars line up just right, I’ll even open my mouth.

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(T-20)

Valuable Nuance – Day 1090

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Tonight: Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus (l-r) – Photo: L. Weikel

Valuable Nuance

I mentioned in my post last night that the card underneath my Ace of Air did seem to hold some relevance to the question I’d posed. Indeed, it probably provides some valuable nuance to my query, “What’s next?” My initial focus, of course, was on paying attention to the details of the Ace of Air, the ‘main’ card I selected. I didn’t even allow myself to look at the bottom card until later. So when I did finally glimpse the 10 of Water (from the Witches’ Wisdom Tarot*), I was surprised to see a few personally relevant details popping out right away.

I immediately noticed the Black Panther peeking out at me from the jungle foliage. The energy of Black Panther first showed up in my life (on a noticeably consistent basis) shortly after I published my book, Owl Medicine*. I kept seeing images of them in the weirdest places, including my dreams. To make a long story short (something I actually loathe – give me a good story!), it turned out that Black Panther was a harbinger of my initiation into the Q’ero tradition. Black Panther was my companion as I honored my immersion into shamanism as a calling and way of life.

10 of Water – The Witches’ Wisdom Tarot by Phyllis Curott

A New Path

Black Panther is an ally of mine, particularly with respect to certain shamanic tasks I undertake. Interestingly, Sheila (our first Boston Terrier) ‘told’ me shortly after we adopted her that she was the physical embodiment of my Black Panther. I know that probably sounds weird, but it was a palpable experience – and lasted throughout her life.

Finally, Black Panther showed up in a shamanic journey I took earlier in the day on November 12th, 2011, the day we found out Karl had died the night before. Indeed, Black Panther showed me what had happened before I even had the slightest inkling anything was wrong. (Yet another story.)

Other Details

Another detail that jumped out at me when I looked at this card, beyond the verdant abundance, was the Toucan. It just so happens that the Toucan is intimately related to a Being with whom I interact in the Lower World (Uhupacha), especially when journeying on behalf of clients (as opposed to journeying for myself).

Of course, the myriad (ten, to be exact) Frogs depicted in the card immediately brought to mind my harping on the need to clean out and make space for the next phase in my life. This theme has persistently demanded my attention.

Without even opening the book, my overall sense of the foundation of the message being brought to me was that whatever that Ace of Air is suggesting is my ‘next’ devotion or Act of Power, it may also bring an abundance of flourishing energy and magic.

And then I looked it up in the book that accompanies the deck. The keyword was not what I expected – but it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Patience Personified (or Catified)-Brutus loving Tigger – Photo: L. Weikel

*affiliate link

(T-21)

Ace of Air – Day 1089

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Tonight’s Sunset – Photo: L. Weikel

Ace of Air

I can’t say as I’ve gained much, if any, additional clarity on ‘what’s next’ on my devotional agenda since last night’s selection of the Ace of Air. But when I read the card’s interpretation written by the deck’s creator, I have to smile. While I can’t quite put my finger on it, I feel like my question (“What’s next?”) has been heard and I’ll receive an answer all in good time. As with so many things in life, patience seems to demand its place in the grand scheme of my unfolding.

The keyword (perhaps ‘key phrase’ is more appropriate) for the Ace of Air in the Witches’ Wisdom Tarot* deck is Wind Harp. The addition of the word wind to the concept of the harp alone does add an element of letting sound be carried out across the ethers. Relevant? Perhaps.

Ace of Air – Witches’ Wisdom Tarot* by Phyllis Curott

The rest of the lovely, lyrical interpretation of the card by its author (Phyllis Curott) is as follows:

Ace of Air – Wind Harp

“Wisdom – Air, the first vibration from which everything proceeds into manifestation, the element awakening us to the consciousness of Creation, to infinite connection. Between the bones of what was first created, the winds of summoning stir the strings woven by spiders and filled with stars. A deafening noise roars through, a cosmic chord of sounds piled one upon the other. Together, they are almost music. The swish of a breeze and rustle of leaves, the melody of birdsong and howl of a storm, and all the sounds in between… This is the magic of the Wind Harp. It’s Love.

Essence – Listen, awareness, divine Love. Say what’s in your heart.

Counsel – Air is the element of consciousness, intelligence and intuition, reflection and communication, laughter and music, infinite connection and love. But silence comes first. If you’re talking, you cannot listen. The mind is always confronted with choices, and so it chatters. But don’t rush to action. Slow down. The answer you’re seeking is waiting for you to hear it.

Magic – Go outside on a windy day. Feel the Air on your skin, messing up your hair, singing in your ear. What do you hear? Listen to the love songs the wind sings to you. What is the enchantment of the moment? What is the song in your heart? The spell you long to chant? Give it voice and let the wind carry it into Creation.”

Underneath It All

There is some confirmation in this card, both in what I simply ‘saw’ in the symbolism (and wrote out last night) and the much more poetic expression as offered by the author, for at least one seed I’m quietly nurturing.

And as those of you who’ve watched how I work with cards know, I always like to look at the card that’s ‘underneath’ the one I select as the main card. Unsurprisingly, the one underneath my Ace of Air does have a related ‘feel’ to it. I’ll share that tomorrow.

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(T-22)

New Moon In Scorpio – Day 1088

Posted on by Lisa Weikel 4 Comments
Tonight’s Sky Without the Moon – Photo: L. Weikel

New Moon In Scorpio

I’m sitting here on my couch anticipating this final new moon of my 1111 Devotion. Specifically, the new moon in Scorpio will occur tomorrow: Thursday, 4 November 2021, at 5:14 p.m. EDT. I feel like I should be planting the seeds for the next chapter in my life.

Perhaps that sounds a bit hyperbolic. Maybe it is. But it’s how I feel and what I’m contemplating as I sit here listening to the silence. For one thing, as I pointed out above, this new moon is taking place in Scorpio, the sign of death and rebirth, hidden or buried treasures, resources, and secrets.

Obviously, one thing that will die during the upcoming lunation is my 1111 Devotion. It comes to an end this month. Will the commitment, the Act of Power, the dedication and devotion it represents to the memory of my son find another expression? Will my 1111 Devotion die in one sense yet find rebirth in another form?

I don’t know. I’ve yet to receive any inspiration or direction from Spirit powerful enough for me to sit back and say, “Yup. That’s it. That’s my next devotion.”

So I wait.

A Card For Inspiration or Guidance

Perhaps choosing a card for this New Moon (I’ll capitalize it in this sentence – it wants to feel special) will give me a clue or serve as an inspiration? As I’ve been working a lot with my Witches’ Wisdom Tarot deck this year, I feel drawn to work with it tonight.

As I sat here shuffling, I held as my intention the question, “What seed can I plant at this time that will serve as the next expression of my devotion to Karl’s life? How can I continue to honor him and his memory?”

Ace of Air – Witches’ Wisdom Tarot* by Phyllis Curott

Ace of Air

At first glance, I’m struck by how similar the background of the card resembles the two photos I took of the night sky this evening as Karl, the pups, and I took a quick walk. It is indeed the time of the approaching Dark Moon. The absence of the moon’s brilliant reflected light allowed the artistry of the clouds and stars to fill us with wonder and awe.

To me, an Ace represents a gift, a seed, a new beginning. So I’m delighted that an Ace appeared as an inspiration for this new moon and the larger purpose of my intention. The nature of the seed I’m being asked to plant? Just from looking at the card and knowing that the element of Air is associated with thoughts and the mind, I suppose it could signify a new project ‘of the mind.’

Magical Sky of the Dark Moon – Photo: L. Weikel

A Few More Details

Of course, the main element of the card (beyond the backdrop of the starry evening sky) is the Celtic harp created from bones. I’m not sure in this moment what those bones signify (or if it’s even Celtic), but they feel sturdy and somehow fundamental. The spurs on the bones? Or are they claws? I’m not sure what they signify – perhaps when I read the narrative from the deck’s creator I’ll understand better what inspired her (and her illustrator) to include them in this image.

There is a sturdiness to the three sides of this musical instrument that sends vibrations, if not melody and beauty, out into the world. It reminds me of how I felt for the first seven years of Karl’s life – that we were a “Sacred Three.” And then of course, with the arrival of M and S, our sons themselves were our Sacred Three.

I’m also keenly aware of the Spider spinning the 13th string of the instrument. Grandmother Spider is the creator of the Universe and thus is the ultimate representative of creativity. The strings also seem to be incorporating the stars, which somehow feels significant. And 13 is a wonderfully sacred number associated with the Feminine and the Goddess – not to mention that Karl was born on a 13th.

Each of the bones comprising the Harp is of a different part of the body. Are they all related to the legs, perhaps signifying movement? Are they even all human – or are any of them? I’m not sure. Again, those talons or claws feel significant.

When I really look closely at this card, I notice something red in the upper left corner of the harp. I’m not sure what it is. And this obvious instrument of great power is sitting atop a grassy hill –  evoking a sense of it being an offering to the sky and the stars…and maybe even the Universe.

Sleep On It

I’m going to sleep on the details I’ve noticed in this image and reflect upon this card’s message as the new moon occurs. Perhaps tomorrow night I’ll share what ‘the book’ has to say. Something may be dying, but surely a rebirth is also on its way. What will this new moon in Scorpio inspire you to end…and begin?

*affililate link

(T-23)

Sadly Lacking – Day 1087

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Civic-minded Pup – Photo: L. Weikel

Sadly Lacking

I’ve tried to write something tonight several times. What I mean is, I’ve started writing a couple different posts and then become distracted (“Squirrel!”). But when I try to transmute that distraction into a subject of a post, it’s sadly lacking.

I did my civic duty today, acting as Minority Inspector of Elections in our small piece of Bucks County countryside we call our voting ward. For years and years (decades), I’ve been involved in our local elections. It’s always been a great way to greet our neighbors, most of whom we only see in momentary flashes.

Most election days are grueling marathons of attention to detail and nearly constant interaction with people. We begin our days at the crack of dawn (pre-crack, to be honest) and routinely do not get the votes counted and results returned to the Board of Elections until 10:00 p.m. It’s a long day.

Puppy Reprieve

A lot of people who vote at our polling place know Karl and me as ‘the Boston Terrier people.’ In fact, I’ll bet a lot of people who vote at our polls don’t even put two and two together to realize I am one of those Boston Terrier people. My dual roles as puppy walker and election official are probably more parallel tracks than convergent ones. A couple have made the connection over the years though, and our conversations, in particular, have been quite endearing.

There are even a few people who have been so smitten over the years by our dogs that I knew I would have to gently break the news to them today about Spartacus. They may have spied me walking alone recently, but I was sure they never suspected his sudden death.

Beyond showing photos of our newest additions to quell the sadness, Karl even brought Pacha and Brutus over to break up our day and briefly say hello to fellow voters.

Not Much To Say

I’d like to write more this evening, but I must admit to feeling truly tapped out. I’m feeling like a stranger in a foreign land and I’m feeling extremely uneasy as I witness the direction we’re headed.

I can’t honestly wrap my head around the results of today’s election (at least from the vantage point I have at the moment).  Perhaps I’ll be able to better comprehend it all tomorrow – although I doubt it.

No amount of puppy snuggles can make it feel more palatable.

 

(T-24)

Squinting Into the Future – Day 1086

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Squinting For Sure – Photo: L. Weikel

Squinting Into the Future

Tonight’s post is one of my short ones. Ha ha – I say that, and I haven’t even written it yet. But I speak with confidence and believe my squinting into the future is accurate because because I’m sitting here, covered in warm snoring puppies, unable to keep my eyes open.

And tonight, while I would love to shake the cobwebs from my head and do whatever it takes to gain my second wind, I must refrain. No; I must do what I must to fulfill my commitment to my 1111 Devotion, but I also have a responsibility to be awake and aware tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn. So I need to get to bed.

Rare Sighting

The primary photo for this post contains a rare sighting of yours truly. I tend to be the one behind the camera far more often than in front of it, and I’d much prefer to post photos of anything else.

But the message conveyed on my mask (hat tip to my middle son, who actually owns this mask) is the reason why I must succumb to slumber far earlier than usual. As I’ve written about in the past, a very small contribution I’m happy to make to upholding and facilitating our democratic ideals is serving as an election official at our local polling place. And since my colleagues and I need to get everything set up and ready to throw our doors open to the maddening throngs of neighbors exercising their franchise by 7:00 a.m., I need to get bed earlier than usual.

And I’m tired.

My Message

If you live in a state (or commonwealth) that’s having elections tomorrow, I entreat you: please vote. Our elections have never been more safe or secure, yet far too many people in our country are operating under the illusion that fraud is rampant.

It is not.

Our machines are safe. Our elections are safe. The people with whom I work, and have worked for decades, are people with integrity and a passion for (small d) democracy. We care about the preciousness of everyone’s vote.

But we must exercise our right to vote if we’re going to keep that right. And nothing could be more important than taking a stand for free and fair elections. So please: take a stand for truth and integrity. Take a stand for the Earth. Take a stand for our children and their right to a free, well-rounded, public education. Take a stand for equality and inclusiveness.

Do not make the mistake of assuming that we’ll always have the rights and privileges we enjoy at this moment. If we don’t use our right to vote, we could easily lose it.

Vote.

Pacha and Brutus Approve This Message – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-25)

Stupendous – Day 1085

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Walk-Around – Photo: L. Weikel

Stupendous

I don’t think it’s hyperbolic for me to say that the fall foliage this year is utterly stupendous. With our rolling hills and twisty-turny back roads here in Pennsylvania, it’s not only possible but likely you’ll encounter one breathtaking scene after another.

It’s funny how our perceptions are relative. We have one field in particular that we pass on our walk-arounds (the two mile trek) that we often used to gauge the overall quality of the foliage any given year.  There used to be a magical tree in the midst of this field, and it was always more colorful, ethereal, and perfectly proportioned than any of the other trees. Sadly, I think it was about ten years ago now that that tree died.

But we still delight in the bank of trees lining the far edge of this field close to High Rocks.

With the abundance of spectacular color this year almost everywhere you look, I was a tad disappointed with the trees in ‘our spot.’ Nevertheless, while perhaps slightly muted in comparison, I still felt compelled to document their beauty. I’m glad I did – and I’m also glad I zoomed in on a few of the trees. It wasn’t until I actually paid attention to the details of the particular trees that I actually took in and appreciated the exquisite beauty right underneath my nose.

Stupendous – Photo: L. Weikel

Too Much of a Good Thing

Which makes me wonder if it really is possible to have too much of a good thing. When we lose perspective and think that every day is going to be blue skies, or when we start to take for granted the voice of the wind or the songs of crickets, the wild artistry of sunsets, or the protection of owls, we become dull. It starts to get harder for the magic to penetrate our preconceptions.

Is it possible that this might be true of our relationships, too? If we’re lucky enough to have one or two – or maybe even five or six – people in our lives with whom we can share our deepest, truest, most intimate selves and still be loved and cherished, is it possible to lose perspective? Because of our good fortune, is it possible to become dismissive? Is iwe may come to feel that that level of friendship and intimacy is far more easily obtainable than it really is?

And what if we look at those deepest friendships with more attention to the sweet and endearing details? Do they regain the vibrancy and life force that the closeup of the trees did, when I zoomed in on them?

Appreciating What We Have

I guess I’m feeling a pull to appreciate the loveliness (and love) that surrounds me. Perhaps I’ve lost sight of the utter charm of the details because I’m so profoundly fortunate in so many ways. There’s just sooooo  much goodness in the people around me I hold dear.

(T-26)