The Swan Unfolds the Poem

Wild Unknown Tarot ~ Alchemist's Oracle

This draw wraps up my exploration of these two decks for now. It's been an enriching couple of weeks getting to know them and they have worked together seamlessly. How fitting then that today I drew as my oracle card, Final Step...

Final Step ~ Alchemist's Oracle

I haven't used the LWB much for this deck but a phrase for today's card echoed my feelings quite well, paraphrased for cohesion...Although your inspirational energies feel low, you are being called to dig deep and summon the concentrated juice that lies within. I rather like the image of the body as a strong tree rich with sweet sap. Yes, inspiration is at a bit of an ebb these days, fueled by doubt and some anxiety about various responsibilities. Interestingly this card echoes yesterday's Ace of Pentacles with its stump and star in the middle.

Whereas yesterday's theme seemed to focus on following through on initiatory energy today's seems to be about, if not endings, then nourishing pauses that allow for continuity. A little mouse sits on the other stump nibbling something. My Lenormand understandings of mice would associate its presence with worry, a dwindling of resources, fatigue and problems with structure. Some of these definitely apply but I don't think that's the whole message here. Mice are resourceful and hard workers and I think this is also being communicated, to keep going in small ways and keep in mind all that has come previously, the rings in the stump, as a means of providing context and bolstering any areas of my psyche that feel tired.

Five of Wands ~ Wild Unknown Tarot

I'm not sure why I felt moved to place a feather, symbol of air, beside this Five of Wands with its fire associations but seeing it there I'm struck by its dark depth and the way a feather fluttering to the ground very much mimics the movement in this card. There is a feeling of chaos or at the very least disorganization here in the way the wands are randomly flung across the surface. I feel I'm being asked to find an organizing principle here within the challenges that sometimes come with inner and/or outer growth.

Aligning all those wands and suddenly I have a nice little stack of firewood with which to cook upon or heat my body. This actually feels like a good way to interpret this card, uniting what feels random and chaotic into something that transforms, that is fueled by spirit, into something that can support or nourish with each wand being needed for the process.

Mother of Swans ~ Wild Unknown Tarot

 And here she comes, the lovely Mother of Cups, winging her beautiful way in to make sure the fire doesn't go out, that everyone's emotional needs are met and nourished and supported. I love that she  seems to be sheltering the two previous cards with her all-encompassing white wings and directing her loving gaze upon them.

This card usually signifies a very specific woman in my life whom I love and respect and whenever it shows up I always pay attention to the ways we are interacting. She's currently traveling so I'm feeling more inclined to look to my own inner Mother or Queen of Cups. This is a role that comes naturally to me but sometimes to the point of neglecting my own path.

Am I making sure to attend to areas that nourish my artistic soul? Am I making sure to take as well as give? What are my dreams telling me? What is my relationship with my shadow these days? All of these questions come up for me today upon seeing this card though my impulse is to want to settle into her feathery embrace and rest a bit. I notice her cup in the lower portion of the card and the little rainbow-hued stars in the dark night suggesting that one way through the shadow moments is to drink well from that loving cup and tend to any artistic yearnings I might be feeling.

Themes of digging a little deeper than I thought I was capable of to bring forth my creative juices are implied here in the cards today and then the task of organizing all that inspiration into something that serves a larger vehicle which in turn is supported by the waters of feeling and intuition, dream and feminine energy. Today that feels like it's time to carve out some mama-time to work on my zentangles. They have languished for a good while and I feel them calling me. Add in a pot of hot tea with a pretty china cup and I'm good to go!

Our Lady of Zentangle

~ Fairy's Eye View ~