Something new

I am never too old to be a student once more.

An action for happiness, learn something new. 

"The more you read, the more things you will know.
"The more that you learn, the more places you will go."
-Dr Suess








The CHINESE Tarot - Jui Guoliang

Apprenticeship

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

Maybe when the teacher is ready the student(s) appear.  Who chooses the new generation of practitioners?   The well prepared students or the one most accomplished in the trade.

"We teach best what we most need to learn."








The CHINESE Tarot - Jui Guoliang

Belonging

Sand and Salted Sea Air

This card speaks for itself. A place of belonging.  The bivalve shell has opened and looks like a heart. 

"For most of your life you draw out of that ocean, separating yourself. In some ways, that's necessary; you have to come out onto the beach, to get grounded and separate as part of your incarnation as a human being."  -excerpt from booklet.




CELTIC Lenormand
Written by Chloe McCracken
Artwork by Will Worhington

Hallowed Ground

Marker of a forgotten memory.

I have always been enchanted or enamoured of High Crosses.  Something in their placement and all the knot work calls to a forgotten memory of a time long past.  I walked among these ancient artifacts before they were ancient. 
This one placed high on the cliffside in front of the cairn marks a place of memorandum to those who lived and died at sea. There were no bones to be buried. The stones mark graves for those who never came home. 
Something calls to me to be remembered.





CELTIC Lenormand Worthington/McCracken

Commitment

Promises made, promises kept.

Pasture woodlands viewed from high Summer to the deepest part of Winter. There are some things that endure.  The Earth, Promises, Seasons.  My Father always said that the only constant in Life is Change. 
Interesting that I drew the other Tree Card today. 



CELTIC Lenormand -
Worthington/McCrackenn

Observation

When I first drew these cards, I got nothing.  A Great Big IDK!
So I have just let them flit across my imagination for awhile.

What do chickens and a tree have in common?  I saw the oak tree outside the village behind the hut to right. One barren landscape and the green abundance beyond the village.  My next thought was what came first: the chicken or the egg, the oak tree or the acorn?  If you believe in creationism I guess the chicken and the tree.
Beyond that it seems that both scenes portray limitation; the chickens will always live in that small defined space and the tree though wonderfully alive has roots that go deep and therefore will never move.  And lastly those sevens.  There are sevens in the right hand bottom of both cards and then the if I add the top two numbers of twelve and five, I get seventeen, the higher octave of seven.  So I have to consider the numerology perspective of the cards.  There is much to consider.

CELTIC Lenormand, Will Worthington and Chloe McCracken

Search and Find

I'm looking over a four leaf clover!

Do we find our luck or make our luck?  I think it is a bit of both.  It is a sure bet that it won't coming knocking on your door unless you have been doing a bit of this n that to bring it home.  I have been fairly lucky in my days and some of it was not all good.  Still I have a bit of whimsy about me and when out and about I will take a few minutes to search a clover patch.  Maybe today I will find that elusive four leaf clover and count myself lucky.

CELTIC Lenormand - Artwork by Will Worthington

That or This

Do-ing vs. Be-ing

Life can be as hard or as easy as we make it. 
Everyday there can be a long list of  things to 'do' and everyday there can be opportunities to just 'be.'  Either way at the end of the day I will be right where I am supposed to be.
Yesterday's card with paths and choosing between one or the other and today's two cards hinting at the same reminds me of the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.


CELTIC Lenormand Chloe McCracken and
Will Worthington

Right or Left

This way or that?

Often, well more often than not, we have choices to make.  There are guide posts and helpful hints along the way; mostly though, we muddle through.  Along this pathway there is a split, right or left?  Left the higher ground, reason, thoughtful process. Right, emotions and heartfelt contemplation. The second card hints to going with the emotional choice.  Today if something needs to be decided I will go with what feels right.




CELTIC LENORMAND -  Chloe MeCracken   Artwork -Will Worthingon

The Rule of Three

I have drawn the Three of Swords today.  This makes the third card this week numbered three. 
omne trium perfectum.

How many times do we hear and see that things come in three?  A lot I guess. The Holy Trinity, The Triple Goddess, The Rule of Three, Deaths, Musketeers, Pigs, Bears.
Lions and Tigers and Bears - Oh My!
When looking at cards sometimes the coincidences are what I look to to reveal the story or inclination and sometimes we have to look to see what is missing.  This week the three of wands, pentacles, and now swords have made an appearance but what of the cups.
Fire, Earth, Air.  I think I need to see where the Water could come into play to bind the three other elements.

The Linestrider's Journey - Siolo Thompson

Objective

Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

Do we always know what we want?  I can make plans, write my lists, and ask for advice, but without some kind of action, nothing happens.
This Queen is one of action and her advice to me is 'do something'.  I think she is saying to me "don't ask for my advice unless you really want to hear it."
Even a small step can get things started. The journey of a thousand miles began with putting one foot in front of the other.  (that is a compendium((i think that's the right word.)) of Lao-tzu and the song in Santa Claus is Coming to Town.)
It is Friday, might as well finish the week off with a bang.  Wait...I work weekends.


The Linestrider's Journey - Siolo Thompson

Practice makes perfect

The author gives us ravens instead of an apprentice or trade master since ravens are clever and industrious.  

I have to leave shortly to go to a class for continuing education to keep myself up on the whatever is the newest in real estate or a primer on current applications.  Today it is the forms we use.  They have this class every year and I go because it is pertinent and I can get a bit casual about filling in the 'blanks.'  The thing is they offer it yearly because of all the new agents that come into the profession and they really need to understand these legal binding contracts and they are exactly the ones that don't come. 
It takes more than showmanship and a business card in any profession; to bad most don't get that.  Clever and industrious yes, and also a good skill set. 


The LINESTRIDER'S Journey - Siolo Thompson

On Guard

Well damn the Tower Card.  Best be on guard for a very disruptive situation today. 

It is hot here in my neck of the woods.  Today's forecast is 95° and the next three days 98° with heat indices well over a 100°
When it gets this hot tempers flare.  I have already noticed that people on are on edge with this hot and humid stretch of weather.  When confronted with a Tower moment today I will think of a soft cooling breeze and not allow myself to get caught up in the tempest.  Don't need no anger hangover. 

Why is change so hard, so much so that sometimes we create Tower moments to effect the change that we need?  Maybe that will be a good question for me today.


The LINESTRIDER'S Journey - Siolo Thompson

Established

Following the path of least resistance.

Sometimes is is just easier to follow in the footsteps of others.  I don't usually go for herd mentality but sometimes it is best. 
Makes me think of the idiom "don't reinvent the wheel."










The LINESTRIDER'S JOURNEY - Siolo Thompson

Sacrament

I have not previously related the Ace of Cups with the Holy Sacrament of Communion.  The cat is holding the wafer on a long string over the chalice. 

In the Catholic tradition the wafer and the wine are the sacraments representing the body and blood of Christ.  I was raised Catholic and after Confirmation about age six when you were supposedly old enough to make the decision to commit to the Holy Catholic Church you could receive the holy sacraments.  Not sure why the cat instead of the Dove on RWS card or a Hierophant offering the blessing, but what the hey.  If a blessing is being offered, some token of good luck or a bright blessing, I am all for it. 
Find a penny pick it up and all day long I will have good luck. 



The LINESTRIDER'S Journey - Siolo Thompson

Impermanence

I did it my way.

I wonder why so many throughout history have needed to have a monument to themselves?  Fearful of passing into nothingness or to let others know they were here?  Maybe a bit of both and come to think of it, most us do the same when we have a headstone placed on our graves.  Decades pass into eons and soon no one remembers or cares, well maybe a few historians and philosophers.
I like many in this day and age am opting for cremation.  Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust.   I came, I did, and now I have moved on.  I guess it's the moving on the so many of fearful of. 


The LINESTRIDER'S Journey  - Siolo Thompson

Accountability

Another King? Yuck.   Or maybe I should go 'all in' with my pair of Kings.

Another overbearing king.  Yesterday's King of Pentacles and today's King of Wands and neither has a hint of softness to them.  This portrayal of the King of Wands lets me know he is definitely a bully. 
He got his crown and wand by dominance not by birthright.  Usually bullies have self esteem issues and they overcompensate by puffery and antagonism, so I best be on alert patrol today.





The LINESTRIDER'S TAROT - Siolo Thompson

Know it All

This King of Pentacles comes across as a 'Know It All'  with his stern look of censure.
Don't want it, don't need it, won't take it - the advice he wants to give me.

People often offer unsolicited advice.  They can keep it.  I have worked many years with people always wanting someone else to make their decisions for them, mostly I think because they don't have to be responsible for themselves and also to have a 'scapegoat' when things go awry. 


"Two things define you.  Your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything."  -Unknown




The LINESTRIDER'S Journey - Siolo Thompson

One more

The struggle is real.  I see this 'fox man' with his bandages and wands.  He has come far with his struggles and has accumulated some battle scars and still he stands upright, not defeated.

This without a doubt this is me.  I am leaving shortly for at least the ninth dental appointment to fix something with my teeth.  When I was hurt five years ago my teeth really took a beating.  Some lost, broken, and chipped.  I couldn't have work done on them while head wound and broken neck healed.  I am having a cap re-installed on one of the capped teeth and a cavity filled.  It should be the last of it. With my partial and all the capped teeth, hopefully I am done with that part of healing.
I like the salamanders on the socks, definitely a nod to the Wands energy represented in Rider Waite Smith tarot cards.  The salamanders mouths are not touching their tails so my healing journey is not yet complete.  Forward Ho!

The LINESTRIDER'S Journey

The Masks We Wear

The author says the image speaks to us about transformation and discarding the masks we wear and the old way of doing things.  A possible epiphany.

In sales we are taught to 'mirror and match' clients.  Most if not all of us are more comfortable being with someone that likens to ourselves.  I have spent twenty years in direct sales and I have an extensive collections of masks.  There are days that I ask myself, who I am?  Who are you behind all those masks?  And after wearing so many different ones for so many years, will it be possible to be comfortable with the me of me after shedding the layers, and that is if I can shed the layers.
Judgement also speaks to answering 'The Call'
There is something palatable in air. Some sense of change is upon me or all of us. 


The LINESTRIDER'S Journey - Siolo Thompson

Luminary

The Sun.  A lot of people think of the Sun as a planet in our solar system and forget that the Sun is a Star. 

Sunday I drew the Star and for all intents and purposes I have drawn another Star card portrayed as our Sun.  Some evenings I go out and  wish upon the first star that I see twinkling in the night sky and now I wonder if on the other side of the galaxy, someone is making a wish on our solar system star-The Sun.   Lovely









The LINESTRIDER'S Journey -Siolo Thompson

Wonderland

I have noticed this year the abundance of rabbits.  This last winter was very mild and with no deep freeze there was no 'kill off' of many of natures creatures.

It is best not to go chasing rabbits.











The Linestrider's Journey - Siolo Thompson

SPLASH

What an interesting interpretation of The Star.  Instead of standing between the medians of water and land the author gives us a mer-woman.  Legs that become wispy fins.  It reminded me of the movie SPLASH, where Darryal Hannah played Madison a mermaid looking for her one true love on land.

I noticed after scanning the card there does not seem to be a boarder around image.  Hope comes without limitation as well.  I love drawing The Star card and always make a wish.  So what will my wish be for me on this day of the Full Moon? 










THE LINESTRIDER'S JOURNEY -Siolo Thompson

Do Not Disturb

SPIRIT KEEPER OF THE NORTH

Again another bounce between the polls of Winter and Summer.
Such a profound pictorial of the mystical silence found in the deepest part of Winter.  No footprints or paw prints to disturb the Moonscaped winter scene.  So quiet I believe I could hear the snow falling.

It reminds of Robert Frost's poem
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

     The woods are lovely, dark and deep
     But I have promises to keep
     And miles to go before I sleep
     And miles to go before I sleep


NATIVE SPIRIT Oracle Cards - Denise Linn

Macrosocm/Microcosm

SPIRIT OF WATER

I have been watching the PBS Summer Series of the BIG PACIFIC. The Pacific Ocean covers a bit more than one-third of the Earth's surface and the combined coverage of the all the oceans is around seventy-three percent; similar to our own bodies. No one can deny the corresponding similar patterns, of the human body, our oceans, and the Universe.
Not sure where I want to go with this, so for the moment I will leave it be and spend some additional time in contemplation.
My cards this week have all featured water, frozen or fluid, also something to consider.





NATIVE SPIRIT Oracle Cards - Denise Linn

Wing and a Prayer

Tribal Spirit Dancer

This card reminds me to follow my true North. 












NATIVE SPIRIT Oracle Cards - Denise Linn

Polar Opposites

I have drawn another Winter's card.  My draws these last couple of days are bouncing between Summer and Winter.  Maybe the message for me is balance. To all things there is a season.

What a magnificent being is the Polar Bear.  I wonder how long they will remain with us on Planet Earth.  I fear their time to leave is closely approaching.
I read the other day that there is a portion of the ice shelf in Antarctica that is breaking away; estimates are it is the size of Delaware, and still we have the naysayers of climate change. The polar bear does not reside in the frozen south, but with the possibility of more fresh water released from the frozen ice in the south, how long will it take to effect the opposite side of the World?



NATIVE SPIRIT Oracle Cards - Denise Linn

Brite Bliss

SPIRIT KEEPER OF THE SOUTH

There is something about standing in the blissful sunshine with arms stretched out and one's whole self is immersed in the glow of warm and light.
There so many winters that I look forward to the returning warm of the Sun to thaw the chill that has settled in my bones.  This card is more Summer energy than Spring.  After the Winter scene in yesterday's card I am being reminded to enjoy the Summer and recharge my internal solar cells before the days begin to shorten.
Today I think I will go gather myself a pocketful of posies.




NATIVE SPIRIT Oracle Cards - Denise Linn

Trickster

Wiley Coyote.  Here is one of the coyotes that I mentioned yesterday that had been feasting on the geese and their new brood of chicks.  No abundance of feed for her today.

I think I can learn a lot from this coyote and almost all of Natures family members.  They live in the moment.  Back in the Spring the coyote didn't think to herself, I need to stockpile some of these geese for winter feed.   She ate what she needed when the opportunity was presented and that was enough.  Tomorrow will take care of tomorrow.  I read recently that depression is regret of the past and anxiety the fear of the future, and I am guessing this coyote experiences neither of those emotions. 

"Almost always, what a man had in the beginning would've served him. The need for newness can make him wreck his life if he doesn't grow wise to it."   Squeaky ~ The Language of Trees - Ilie Ruby

NATIVE SPIRIT - Oracle Cards - Denise Linn

Greylag Goose

Well the calendar has turned and half of the year has passed.  Wow, time moves along pretty quickly.  I have drawn a significator card for the second half of year.  The Greylag Goose.  Interesting as today is a National Holiday for Canada.  Goose - Canada.  Some kind of coincidence or correlation maybe?

Recently the canadian geese in the area of been out and about with their hatchlings.  There is a group of them on the college campus nearby.  I am always enchanted with new babies and sadden when I see the decline or disappearance of the them as the weeks go by; we also have a fairly large contingent of coyotes in the area. That is the way of things.
I wonder what these geese have come along to tell me. 
Partnership
Family
Don't cook your own goose
The golden egg
Line your nest
Migration

THE DRUID ANIMAL ORACLE
Illustrated by Bill Worthington