Sunset tonight was so starkly vivid and raw with color, it was as if the atmosphere itself had lit a celebratory bonfire welcoming the darkness.
Certainly the temperature plunged to a seasonal degree. I’m glad it did; it felt weird to be walking barefoot on the grass a few days ago. But the frozen ground really is unyielding. The puppies didn’t know what to make of it and seemed confused by how much it hurt when tearing across the tundra after their stuffed toy.
Perspective – Photo: L. Weikel
Survival Mode
Practically every single person I’ve spoken to in the past week mentioned how bone-tired they’re feeling. Some have even termed their outlook to be ‘in survival mode.’
And we thought we were exhausted last year? Ha! If nothing else, hopefully we’ve learned the folly of challenging ‘worse.’
As we welcome and embrace the winter season, let’s commit to finding a way to truly rest our weary bones and rejuvenate our spirits. We probably shouldn’t naively believe that everything’s suddenly going to turn around over the next few weeks. But we can prepare ourselves to meet those days with refreshed perspective.
What activity (even if – perhaps especially if – it is a non-activity) can we bring into our holiday season to honor our inner weariness? How do we replenish our inner wellspring of hope?
I’m feeling a yearning to read, to laugh and play games, to snuggle and be with the people I love most in the whole world. Maybe even to write a few words.
If we’re finding ourselves in survival mode – let’s make a point of surviving well.
Aura of the Trees Along the Tohickon – Photo: L. Weikel
Paying My Respects
I spent a few minutes paying my respects to the Tohickon this afternoon. I don’t think I was there a full hour, but it felt as though I’d spent the entire afternoon on its banks. Probably the most miraculous aspect to this body of living water is its ability to instantaneously soothe my soul. In fact, there are some days when all I can muster is a ‘drive-by,’ and I nevertheless feel a difference simply in consciously connecting to this nurturing creek.
I’ve been starving for some creek-time. Before yesterday, I think I allowed ten days or so to go by without giving myself the gift of Tohickon Solitude. While I didn’t realize it at the time, I have a feeling those closest to me <<cough>><<Karl>> may have wondered just what was provoking that edge.
Now they know.
Today’s Photos
The photo at the top of this post is a shot of the creek as it flows southeast toward the Delaware. I took it this afternoon. I have to admit, I stood on a rock as water flowed all around me and felt transported into another time/space/dimension. Undoubtedly, the pulse of the cicadas on one level and the otherworldly whirring emanating from deeper within the forest on either side of the creek on another level held me in a moment that seemed to last forever.
Then I took the photo. I also zoomed in and took another of that same massive cloud seemingly stationed just above the creek.
As I transferred the photos onto my laptop so I could easily include them here in this post, I was surprised to see the very obvious aura given off by the trees. Then my left brained logical side suggested that perhaps this ‘aura’ was simply an illusion created by the lower resolution of the photo. So I transferred it from my iPhone again, only this time opting for the highest resolution.
No change.
Highest Res – Still an Aura – Photo: L. Weikel
Life Force
I can only surmise that somehow I was lucky enough to capture in photo form the life force emanating from this most sacred spot of land. Standing on the rock in that moment, listening to the sounds of life and feeling the wind on my face, I felt connected to everything. I’m privileged to live near here and have the chance to include it as part of my life on a daily basis – provided I make the time.
I only wish for everyone reading this post a sacred spot of your own. A place no matter how tiny or shared with others that connects you deeply – profoundly – with Mother Earth. I urge you to find your place where you feel yourself being recharged and refilled with life force and purpose; a place where joy and hope bubble up in spite of your heartache or worries; a place where it only takes a moment for your heart to feel lighter in spite of yourself.
I opened Sacred Space this evening before making tonight’s selection on our behalf. As can be seen from the title to this post, I chose the Temperance card. The deck I was drawn to this evening is The Wild Unknown Tarot* by Kim Krans.
As usual, the intention I set was simply to receive a message or guidance for us to contemplate for the next few days, something for us to ponder and interpret for ourselves individually, as well as applied to ‘us’ in a much broader, inclusive sense. I asked that this message be a guiding factor for until I’m ‘told’ to check in again, for our next message, via another oracle.
I’m sure you’ll all be relieved to know that not only did I not imbibe this evening, I also happen to be fasting today. So, hey you guys – you’re getting a really clean pick!
Ha. I joke, but it’s true. There is a clarity that can be perceived on a bunch of levels when I refrain from eating for a day. The re-set of my system feels good. Hmm. I wonder if it’s sort of like rebooting my laptop. I never thought of it that way before, but the analogy doesn’t feel that far off.
The ‘Main’ Choice
The primary card I chose tonight, as mentioned above, was Temperance. It’s quite beautiful, as you can see. I encourage you to examine the card in detail and allow yourself to pay attention to what pops out to you. Allow your intuition to run ‘wild.’ Perhaps notice how the image makes you feel. Whatever ‘definition’ you personally bring to Temperance is important to note for yourself.
But in order to give you a framework for interpreting the card/message on your own, I like to provide you with the creator of the deck’s interpretation, which is as follows:
Temperance – The Wild Unknown Tarot
Temperance – XIV – Healing, Renewal
“The great blue heron remains calm and peaceful as she blends the opposing elements of fire and water. The temperance card asks you to be a moderator much like the heron. Focus on cooperation and compromise. If you’ve been excessive with one aspect of your life, practice self restraint and moderation now. You’ll find a new sense of healing and balance from bringing a little harmony back into your life.”
Personally, I was surprised by this card because Blue Heron has a starring role. The Medicine Card I chose for myself today was – you guessed it – Blue Heron (albeit reversed).
‘Underneath’ Card – 7 of Swords
I got the sense that I was supposed to employ what I call the “Weikel Way” to my card pick tonight – which simply means that I make the primary choice, and then look to see what card is on the bottom of the deck. I like to use the bottom card as a foundation or contextualizing card – perhaps giving a sense of ‘what else’ needs to be considered, what lies ‘beneath’ our experience of the main card.
Again, look at the artwork of this card and allow your intuition to help you pay attention to the details that may hold special meaning for you. Following is the author’s interpretation:
Seven of Swords – The Wild Unknown Tarot
Seven of Swords – Secrecy, Self Interest
“Six swords hang in plain view while the seventh is tucked under the sly fox’s tail. So goes the story of the seven of swords…a secret is being kept. Either you’re the keeper or the kept-from, and it’s time to identify which. Deceit and avoidance linger in the air. Face the cause of secrecy or risk ostracizing yourself.”
Lots to Contemplate
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that this is quite a rich message. The application of both cards to both our own personal lives and what’s happening to us on a national and even global level definitely worthy of our attention (if we’re honest with ourselves and want to receive the message).
Of course, I’m hoping this will spur each of us to engage in some self-reflection and inner dialogue on how both of these cards might have some application to what we’re experiencing in our own lives at the moment.
They also may give us some insight into what’s unfolding on a macro level, too.
Seems to me we’re being asked to find a new balance. There’s probably a lot of deception that’s taking place right now – underneath everything – that may have caused what we’re experiencing on both a personal and a global level. It’s important, in striving to find a new balance, to see if we can honestly figure out how we may have been lying to ourselves about some things. And yeah – maybe we’ve been sold a bill of goods for quite a while now, too.
