Good Where We've Been

Strength ~ Crystal Visions Tarot by Jennifer Galasso

The retreat ends today and we're heading home. My plate has been full with teaching, readings, connecting with old friends, walks in the woods and Sufi dancing. It's been a very enriching experience and my own understanding  of the cards has deepened as folks brought themselves so generously to the moment.

Midweek we took up the element of Fire after working with Earth and Water on the two previous days. We began with the Fire breath and walk as folks dropped into this creative, rising energy. I spoke about the Strength card and then led the class in a visualization that allowed some interface between beast and maiden energy. This unfolded into some beautifully genuine sharing from folks of how that energy was experienced by them, what it wanted, what it looked like.

From there we shifted into the somatic component moving this card from a 'Peace is Power' center. It was so meaningful to see people allowing their bodies to be enlivened by the relationship between the raw and the refined. With that kind of internal dialogue directing the body holding the tension of opposites becomes a lived experience of integration.

The Sun followed this leonine energy with its positive, shining outlook. There is a specific breath associated with the Sun and we began with this. I spoke about the Sun card and then we gave ourselves over to the free movement of the inner child, the one who's turned its back on limitation, the love-child of Mother Earth and Father Sun. Very jofully energizing!

The Sun ~ Crystal Visions Tarot ~ Jennifer Galasso

We concluded, as we did each class, with a two card draw for the day from the suit associated with the element we were working with, in this case Wands. The Seven and the Three are summed up with the question, what is it about the fear of success that is holding you back? The fear of success can be equally as paralyzing as the fear of failure. A great question to sit with.

Pamela-Coleman Smith Centennial Deck

There were so many amazing highlights throughout the week as folks brought themselves so fully to the experience. The cards came to life through the generosity and genuine heart each person showed up with. It was so clear to me as experiences were shared and digested that we are each other's awakening. I'll touch on some of the incredible highlights after we've returned home but in the meantime we're riding out on the currents of love, harmony and beauty singing as we go, "good where we've been, good where we're going to."