Exquisite Sunset – 28 April 2020 – Photo: L. Weikel
Prairie Dog
I chose Prairie Dog this morning, with Elk underneath. I usually relish choosing this card. It gives me an excuse to hibernate.
A logical interpretation of a ‘pick’ like this would be, “Lisa, you need to withdraw; you need to retreat from all activity and go within.” This would be an especially likely thought process given the Elk underneath, which urges pacing oneself in order to cultivate stamina.
But of course, today was a glorious day of sunshine with a cool, refreshing breeze. And perhaps lending an even greater sense of urgency to ‘strike while the iron was hot,’ the weather forecast for the next several days is rain, rain, and probably even a little more rain.
This fact, plus plans I’d made days ago that couldn’t be changed, dictated that I engage in some pretty intense activity today in spite of the urging of my cards. While nothing I did today would qualify as intense by the standards of so many people who are laboring under extreme conditions, particularly those who are performing the myriad services that are keeping our lives both humming along and intact these days, it was more physical activity than I’m used to.
Another Day
As a result, I’m going to have to let another day go by without discussing the cards I chose last night from the Mystic Art Medicine Cards. Indeed, I’ve sort of been haunted by what I picked of those cards last night as it is. My sense is that the two I chose were not for all of us (you included) but were for me. And their lesson began with the discovery I made and wrote about last night.
The main predictable result of my failure to heed the Prairie Dog/Elk choice this morning is that I am weary to the bone this evening. Hence, I am closing now and leaving you with the photograph of the sunset tonight.
It was indeed spectacular.
I just checked the weather forecast again and it’s now changed. Again. Looks like tomorrow may not bring as much rain as they’d originally predicted.
Earlier today, I was sitting by my Sacred Tohickon, trying to ‘make effective use of my time.’ I’d brought my laptop with me, forgetting that I don’t have access to the internet when I’m at the creek.
How could I forget such an obvious and essential bit of information?
I think sometimes we forget things when we become saturated. At least I do. Saturated with thoughts, feelings, worries, to-do lists; internal chatter that runs the gamut from small anxieties to existential concerns.
And I have to wonder what internal trigger finally needs to get reached that pulls the emergency cord.
Perhaps it isn’t an internal trigger. Maybe it’s external. External – but not visible. Or at least not self-originating. And by that, I mean maybe we have guides or guardians who, when they see us approaching meltdown, pull the emergency cord on our behalf.
I do know that I chose Elk reversed today. So on some level, somebody (perhaps my own soul) was yanking on the cord that triggers the emergency brake. Indeed, I chose Elk reversed with Blue Heron underneath: Self Reflection.
The key word for Elk is “Stamina.” Thus, while Elk reversed can be interpreted a couple of different ways, it usually means (again, for me anyway) I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and I need to stop. I need to stop before circumstances knock me down.
Specifically, the words that jumped out at me from the Medicine Cards® book are:
“If Elk has appeared in the reverse position, you may be stretching the rubber band to the breaking point. Be careful of undue stress levels, or you might just create an illness to force you to take a break.
(…)
In all cases, Elk is telling you to look at how you choose to create your present pathway, and how you intend to perpetuate it to reach your goal. Your best weapon is the same as Elk’s: to stop when you need to, to persist when you need to, and to allow room for change and exchange of energies.”
And as I said above, underneath my Elk reversed was Blue Heron, whose keyword is “Self-Reflection.”
The very first line of Blue Heron is as follows:
“Heron medicine is the power of knowing the self by discovering its gifts and facing its challenges.”
Facing My Challenges
I readily admit, one of my greatest challenges is learning how to take true quality time for myself. And I think that’s because it’s rarely ‘convenient’ to do so. And by convenient, I don’t necessarily mean ‘easy.’ But I do mean ‘it won’t make me feel like I’m selfishly taking time away from someone who does not have the luxury of choosing what they’re dealing with.’
For all my laughable travails with cars that flash the RT of D, or whose back ends come off in my hands, I feel profoundly grateful for the abundance of love, great health, and opportunity that I enjoy in my life.
And yet…I know I need to stop. I need to take a breather. I need to gather up my energy, consolidate it, and decide where I want to focus it next.
So – here’s the deal. For all that I just wrote above, I’m being challenged once again (quite literally) in this very moment:
The Gifts – and Challenges – of Sticky Wet Snow
I was going to write about how the gorgeous wet snow, which is piling up on all the branches in exquisite outlines of every crook and twig, is reinforcing within m the essential nature of stopping and consolidating myself and my energy. And I was going to include two beautiful photos I just took as I was standing on my porch.
But no. The electricity just went out. I can feel the cold seeping into the house – and this room in particular – already. And I am thwarted from uploading my photos as well as publishing this post in a timely fashion.
So I will take this time to honor my self and my allies. It’s time to step back from the grind and give myself permission to be tired. And as soon as I am able, I will reconnect with you, my precious readers, my fellow devotional travelers.
Wishing you peace – and the gift of self-reflection and understanding.
Night Snowfall -Photo: L.Weikel
(T- 999) P.S.: It’s been almost 13 hours now (1:03 p.m.) and I’m at a Starbucks. We still have no electricity at home. Hoping to have it restored by 8:00 p.m.
