Gaia talks to us all the time. After all, we are subject to life on her skin, and she is subject to our doing that living on her skin. Try to imagine it from her point of view for a moment. All of us - billions of us - scrabble around daily on her skin with our toys and machines and chemicals... that would get a bit itchy, don't you think?

Now, even though I love it here and feel a great affinity for this planet, some of us do not. Some of us feel alien here, as though we're from somewhere else entirely, as though we don't belong or aren't wanted. Whether that feeling comes from significant physical trouble - allergies to pollens, foods, dust, etc. - or the misunderstanding of other people, or difficulty assimilating the energy of this place... I believe Gaia does her part every day to communicate with us. I believe she is doing her best help us make sense of our daily experience.

I believe that Gaia shows us, every day, in her inimitable way, how energy moves in Her Natural world outside our buildings and cars and suits. Think of it... she is a PLANET! She experiences energy and life force on a whole different level. She perceives the energy that moves in our small, synthetic world very differently than we do and she wants to make our stay as comfortable as possible - for BOTH of us.

Whether or not you feel any affinity for this planet, it is the elements of her body that provide your physical vehicle. It is the cycle of her warmth/chill, wet/dry, light/dark that forms the structure of your daily routine. She is the mother, the lady of the house, and it is her rules that we must live by.

Let's have a listen, shall we? 

THERE ARE TWO PARTS to this article. The first is the energy of the "Moons" through which we are moving. The Moon is the fastest moving heavenly body in our sky. Its movement influences the tides of our planet, and, since our physical bodies are made up of mostly water, it influences us, too. Most directly, we feel the Moon our emotional state. It can be revealing - and quite helpful - to consider the way our experience "flows" with the Moon.

Technically, there are 13 moons in each year, but for our purposes, we'll be using twelve, which correspond to the astrological cycle and our western calendar. This means there are three for each season, and, if we pay attention, we will see the arc of influence and how it correlates with our experience. For those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, I've reversed the cycle... just scroll down.

The second part of the article is the Reading. In our Reading, we're using the Sacred Path Cards, by Jamie Sams. This is one of the most remarkable decks I've ever, personally, had the pleasure of using. If you're interested, you can find a copy on Amazon.com. The symbology of these cards is Native North American and I use a spread called the Inner Spiral to seek insight into the particular challenges that face us at this time.

 
NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

From Rest and Cleansing...
Around January 20th, we moved into the Rest and Cleansing Moon. Rest and Cleansing" is a time of working to remain balanced. Many people in your world will be seeking assistance. It is easy to give too much of yourself away, and you must remain vigilant that you don't allow yourself to become a doormat.

It will help to remain grounded in who you know yourself to be, and what you know yourself to be capable of offering... without putting yourself at risk. Be sure to get plenty of rest, don't be afraid to set personal boundaries, and cherish those relationships that will nurture your spirit, not drain it. Seek out friends and activities that will let you be yourself and bring a smile to your face.

... Into Big Winds
Around the 19th of February, we will transition into a time of intuition, inspiration, and great courage. Your "sense" of things will sharpen, and you'll be called upon to trust your senses. Great change rides the wind, but have no fear! Step forward decisively, claim your power, and have faith in yourself! Spirit will lead you rightly.

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

From Ripe Berries...
Around the 23rd, we moved into the Ripe Berries Moon. This is a moon about victory over adversity. Whatever challenges arise now do so because you've hardened under the sun's bright spotlight, and you are now prepared to handle the downpour.

Now that you have earned your wind - your stamina - you may want to explore your feminine side. Look at how you might balance your newfound stability and strength with emotional honesty and compassion. Make no mistake - YOU require your own compassion. So, cut yourself some slack and prepare yourself to accept the abundance of autumn.

...Into Harvest
Somewhere near the 23rd of February, we'll turn the corner into Harvest. Harvest is a time of abundance, when you may spend your time gathering up resources. Take stock of your larder. Decide how much of this abundance you need to consume now to replenish your strength, and how much should be stored up for the months ahead. Is it knowledge you seek? Or rest? Or courage? Or inspiration? Gather it now!

February, 2009

I am always fascinated to see how cards repeat in a reading. It's as though Spirit is sounding a gong, waiting for us to hear the tone and get the message. For instance...

For many years, when I did personal readings for myself (using the Celtic Tree Oracle, by Colin Murray and Liz Collins), I would consistently draw "Blackthorn" somewhere in the spread, representing No Choice - No Matter How Unpleasant. I would nod to myself and say, "Yup, there it is again. Story of my life."

Then, one day I made a Decision. I capitalize the word here to indicate this was a major event, formalized in writing and declared aloud with great intention. I decided I could be led by Spirit without being a pawn. I decided that - no matter what - I ALWAYS had a choice. I would not be led by the nose; I would think outside the box and forge my own path.

Abruptly, that card disappeared from my readings. It was replaced by "Apple," representing A Choice Of Beauty. The first time it happened, I chuckled, shook my head and said, "Well, duh."

Then it happened again, and again, and again... Blackthorn has never again shown its face, and Apple continues to be my companion. Now, its appearance serves as a constant reminder: "It's all in my attitude."

Check out the repeat cards in this month's Reading... both Counting Coup and Fire Medicine show up in exactly the same positions as last month. Vision Quest also pops up again, but shows itself in the position of Air (Awareness and Future) rather than the Voice of the Past.

The CREATOR Offers Divine Guidance
COUNTING COUP - A great victory has been won! Spirit reminds you that with celebration comes storytelling; be certain that your stories are truthful. Conduct yourself with the greatest integrity and honor. Give credit where credit is due, and share the wealth of your victory (material, intellectual, or spiritual) with those in need.

The MOTHER Suggests Where You Should Turn Within
STORYTELLER - The storyteller doesn't just recount history or entertain; he teaches. He uses his stories to encourage expansion and evolution. He seeks to show his people - without pointing fingers - the way to compassion, abundance, and wisdom. Consider your relationship with your stories: do you merely repeat them, or do you allow them to inform you?

The FATHER Directs You To Act Decisively
FIRE MEDICINE - There is a great passion burning within you. You must acknowledge this hunger and come into balance with your inner fire. The sacred fire of life is not just about procreation, but also excitement, adventure, intimacy, spontaneity and passion. Bring these into balance. Release your judgment; let go of fear... spark your passion for life!

The GRANDMOTHER Speaks With the Voice of Your Past
SMOKE SIGNALS - Remember that not all communication is spoken or written. You signal your intention (or lack thereof) with every breath you take. Pay attention to the messages you are sending. Be very sure they attract the kind of attention you want to draw into your life. As this advice comes with the "voice of your past," consider how past messages - both sent and received - have shaped your life.

Turtle Card (EARTH) - Represents Your Current Position, Focus
SHAWL - "In every life there is a need to return to the simplicity of happiness." You are being invited to "return home" to your most authentic being. Have you forgotten yourself? Have you wandered afield from the essential person you know yourself to be? We all do this, in the course of living a modern life. Know that the Mother waits patiently, with open arms.

Frog Card (WATER) - Represents The Obstacles You Face
PAINTED FACE - Our painted face declares who we are and the gifts we offer to those around us. A gift so declared is the property of the community - given freely for the benefit of all. What face do you wear? Do you offer yourself freely, or do you hide yourself? Do you claim greatness, or do you speak plainly? With time, all of us grow and change... Does your painted face need to change to match?

Thunderbird Card (FIRE) - Represents The Energies In Motion
THUNDER BEINGS - Wow. This is a great card for the position of Fire. The message of the Thunder Beings is that there is usable energy close to hand in great quantity. You can be a lightening rod for this energy and use it in any way that may be needed in your life right now. All you need to do is call it to you with the force of your intention. What is your present situation? How have you been frustrated? Where do you seek the relief of free movement? Use this alliance with the Thunder Beings to make it happen!

Butterfly Card (AIR) - Represents The Future Coming To You
VISION QUEST - Your world is changing. It is time, once again, to seek the center of your soul and lay claim to the grounding truth of your being. You have sought it before, entered the silence and heard its voice. Seek it again. Release your confusion and your doubt... allow the darkness and the silence to envelop you; open your being to the words only you can hear. Perhaps you will hear them in thunder, perhaps a breath of wind; perhaps you'll hear star song... Open your soul to your personal truth.

© Vara LorEl, 2009

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 
Vara LorEl is a model builder at heart, an Exec Admin by training, and a Graphic Designer by experience. She has also worked in a grocery store, a greenhouse, a bank and a bookstore. She's done Customer Service, Construction, Missions and Marketing... and let's not forget the years she studied Bonsai or the uncounted hours spent in a saddle.

Chinking the spaces between, she engages in an ongoing little exercise she likes to call Spiritual Cartography... studying the archetypes found (again and again) in Mythology, I-Ching, and Shamanism, also poking about in Astrology, Numerology, and Tarot, as well as study of the Chakras and eastern philosophies. It could also be noted that she considers Cooking and Gardening to be some of the richest meditational spaces anywhere.

Over the years, she has lived all across these grand United States - from California to Georgia - currently calling Alaska home. When not up to her eyebrows in the next issue of PLW, she can be found in her home office playing Oblivion (way to go Bethesda Softworks!), on her couch reading a good book (with her cats curled nearby), on her soap box talking about any one of a dozen esoteric subjects... or, on her knees thanking GOD for the best life partner to ever embrace her nomadic heart.