Some Momentary Awareness

Book of Shadows Tarot ~ As Above by Barbara Moore

I drew today's cards while our bird zipped around the room and my little pup used every ounce of restraint against her instinct towards capture. With this lively energy swirling about me I drew first the Four of Air in which birds, four-leggeds and elementals interface with the human realm and then the Crone of Fire who looks towards them shining her light on the potent energy. It was a perfect mirror for the moment.

Four of Air ~ As Above Tarot

This Four of Air is a very different take on the traditional rest and refuge from mental activity we usually see in the RWS equivalent Four of Swords. Here the elementals embody the mental realm in their wispy, airy form. My eye is drawn to the two sources of light, the glow from the streetlamp which echoes a full moon and what appears to be an eclipsed moon. Traditionally eclipsed moons are a time when intuition feels more accessible. Totem animals in the form of a raven and black cat stand by. A coin lies directly in the path of the oncoming figure.

The LWB describes this card as one of paying attention to omens, synchronistic happenings and serendipities that are right in front of our eyes. I like the element of green that appears subtly in the card, in the greenery decorating the wrought iron and the berries being offered to the raven. The sense that this realm is rich with life if we have the eyes and heart and stillness to open to it. The scene is occurring at night, a time for quiet, for using different senses and a different kind of vision to navigate in--sounds become pronounced, smells, and intuition all come more fully alive at night giving us access to this wisdom body.

Crone of Fire ~ As Above Tarot

And this lovely and compelling Crone of Fire shines her light on that body. Traditionally the King of Wands here she is the feminine wisdom that is tending the inner fire, dressed in the colors of the element as well as in the colors of autumn, the season of release when nature sends up its last glorious song in vivid flame.

It feels comforting to have her show up here as we move closer towards Samhain, towards shorter days and longer nights, towards Hecate's womb, a darkness that is both stark and sensual. And for me, personally, as I move into the shadow work associated with this season I feel this Crone of Fire's presence here today as a blessing. I feel her invitation to draw on the quiet flame of wisdom as a guide rather than the wildly energetic flame of youth, of summer, of activity. Now is the time for a reflection that is lit from within.

Pay attention to your dreams, she tells me, pay attention to your guides who show up unbidden, pay attention to your fears, those elemental energies who appear in so many different forms. Ask each of them what they want and welcome them with a quiet warmth.


The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still treat each guest honorably.

She may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

 Jalaluddin Rumi