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July 22, 2008 • Disseminating Moon in Libra • Nearing Lammastide
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In this Newsletter ~
I bet you didn't think you'd hear from me again so soon, did you? I'm making great progress on the Minors this summer. I've just finished the Eights and couldn't wait to share them with you. This is a Hermit year for me, and I keep turning down invitations for celebrations and gatherings in order to stay home and work on art. But it's paying off!
Summer Sale ends in 10 days!
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Introducing the Gaian Tarot Eights
You may remember from last month's newsletter that I am following Teresa Michelsen's vision of the number cards as 3 sets of 3 mini-dramas, plus the transitional 10. (See her book The Complete Tarot Reader.) The three middle cards (2, 5 and 8) are the challenge cards in each of these mini-dramas. I see the 2’s as a test of choice; the 5’s as a test from the world outside; and the 8’s as a test of transforming the vision or intention of the 7 into reality.
In the Eights, we face the final challenge in the last cycle of three. We take the vision, goal or intention that we set in the Seven of each suit and start the work of transforming our lives.
I’d love to hear your comments on these cards. Thanks!
EIGHT of AIR
A small group of people sit in circle, holding council. One man is talking while the others are actively listening. Perhaps they are planning a political action, remembering the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt the ability of a small group of concerned citizens to change the world.” Perhaps they are working to achieve consensus on an issue that is important to their bonds as a spiritual group. Maybe they are a peer counseling group. Or they could be participating in the deep transformation that can happen when we tell our authentic stories, and others listen deeply from their hearts.
Divinatory meaning: You are being challenged to transform your visions into reality, with a little help from your friends. In a circle, everyone shares power and no one is “above” anyone else. It may be a struggle to co-create a vision with others, and it may be hard on the individual ego to reach consensus in a group. But oh, the rewards! May we all learn to give good attention to others, to listen deeply and to listen well.
This card is dedicated to James Wells and his work with council circle.
>>>Buy an Archival Limited Edition Print (signed & numbered on 8.5"x11", edition of 250)
Eight of Air, $50.00
EIGHT of FIRE
Meteors with trails like sparkling diamonds streak swiftly towards the earth. Meteor showers are spectacular sights that fill our hearts with awe and wonder. The ancients believed they were portents of great change, for good or ill.
Divinatory meaning: Are you looking up at the stars, or are you missing the spectacular show in the night sky because your attention is elsewhere? Stay open to inspiration, and when it strikes, move quickly before it fades away! Let the meteor showers inspire you to burn brightly and move swiftly, as you take action towards making your visions a reality.
>>>Buy an Archival Limited Edition Print (signed & numbered on 8.5"x11", edition of 250)
Eight of Fire, $50.00
EIGHT of WATER
A woman swims upstream in a river, intent on reaching her destination. She is focused and determined, as she takes action to live an authentic life. There may be times when she feels like she’s in over her head, when she wants to turn around and let the current take her swiftly and easily downstream. But then she’ll just have to pick herself up and head upstream again, after having lost a lot of ground.
“Stay true to yourself,” the River whispers. “Keep to your course ‘til you make landfall.”
Divinatory meaning: You are taking action to live your dream and to live authentically, even though at times it is very difficult to go against the current. This current may symbolize an outmoded way of doing things that no longer serves you. It may represent mainstream, “accepted” values and standards, and you are drawn to live your life in a more unique way. Or it may indicate your past that holds you back. Whatever it is — you have the courage, strength and determination to reach your destination.
>>>Buy an Archival Limited Edition Print (signed & numbered on 8.5"x11", edition of 250)
Eight of Water, $50.00
EIGHT of EARTH
Like a master craftsman and his apprentice, a father teaches his young daughter to drum. He is a mentor and role model to her, and the devotion between them seals the lessons of rhythm and tempo.
Divinatory meaning: A long apprenticeship is sometimes required when we work to manifest our vision in the world. We must learn our craft and practice it diligently, reaching a high level of skill, before we can walk the path of right livelihood. What is the work of your heart? And have you found a mentor who will teach you wisely? And will you pass on your knowledge to another?
>>>Buy an Archival Limited Edition Print (signed & numbered on 8.5"x11", edition of 250)
Eight of Earth, $50.00
Events, Travels and Meetups . . .
As you know, I’m sticking close to home this summer so I can focus on finishing the art for the Minors. We are having a great time at our monthly Bellngham Tarot Meetup on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Holly Voley just joined us, and I'm excited about her bringing her RWS knowledge to the group. Next Meetup is August 13th and you can find out all the details here. Please join us if you’re in town.
I won't be at BATS (Bay Area Tarot Symposium) this year, but Holly will be! Thalassa is doing a great job of assembling some of the best Tarot talent around. The date is October 4th and the place is San Francisco. Be there if you can!
It's time! It's time already!! to SIGN UP FOR THE 2009 READERS STUDIO! I'll be there, vending and doing readings and having a jolly old time. My mermaid sister DragonSong is coming along with me this year. Won't you be there too? Like I’ve said before, this is the one Tarot event I will not miss for anything! The dates are April 30 - May 3, 2009 at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel, NJ. Registration started last week, and it's expected to fill up very quickly. So check it out, and say you'll meet us there!
Recent Juicy Blog Entries
Here's a few of my recent blog entries that attracted a fair amount of attention and conversation. Please join in and leave a comment!
• How do you work your way out of an emotional meltdown?
• It all comes down to Gratitude.
• And along with Gratitude — Laughter! and Dancing!
I invite you to check out my blog if you haven’t already. Subscribe to it in a RSS reader like Google Reader or Netvibes. (It’s so much easier to keep track of your blogs that way!)
(Oh yes, and I'm still tweeting along on Twitter. Check it out if you like; I started a feature I'm calling HMOTD (Happiest Moment of the Day). I post one every evening, and quite a few other folks have joined me. It's a good way to spread a little gratitude around.)
Recommended Reading: “The Seven Whispers”
Last weekend I spent an afternoon, night and morning on the island where I used to live, soaking up full moonlight, undulating waves, friendship and flower gardens. In less than 24 hours, I felt like I’d had a month’s vacation. A big part of the reason was soaking up the silence, both externally and internally. Walking a labyrinth is good for that; so is sitting on the beach and sharing it with only a few other folks. And watching the moonlight or sunlight dancing on the water, listening to the sound of stones tumbling in the waves, setting stone upon stone in a little blessing cairn. Sitting on the beach on my mini-retreat, I was reminded of one of my favorite books, Seven Whispers: Spiritual Practice for Times Like These by Christina Baldwin. The whispers came to Christina during times of inner silence and receptivity. I find these whispers coming to my mind at odd times, as if they were reminders from my own Deep Wisdom Self. They’ve worked their way into the meanings of the Gaian Tarot too — the Two of Air, for example, recalls Whisper #2: “Move at the pace of guidance.” All times are “times like these,” it seems. The world is in crisis; our personal lives may be in crisis too. But there are solutions, and most of them start in silence. The Seven Whispers is an excellent road map for keeping ourselves calm, grateful and at peace even in the midst of crisis. The Seven Whispers are:
Blessed Be. |
A Cool Summer Salad
I first had this salad at my friend Elaine’s house a couple of years ago and couldn’t believe how good it was. Now that Alma Tierra Kitchen prepares meals for Craig and me on occasion (woo hoo!!), I get to eat it more often. It’s filling and light at the same time. Yum!
Buckwheat Soba Noodle Salad
- 1 package Buckwheat Soba Noodles (Elaine’s favorite is Buckwheat with Yam)
- 2-3 Tbs. Nama Shoyu, Tamari or Soy Sauce
- 1-2 Tsp. Toasted Sesame Oil
- Hot Pepper Sesame Oil (optional)
- Sesame Seeds
- 1 Bunch Green Onions, sliced into rounds
These are worthy add-ins:
- Shredded purple cabbage
- Shredded carrots
Cook Soba noodles about 4-5 minutes. Strain and rinse immediately with cold water. Drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and toss.
In a bowl, mix Nama Shoyu and toasted sesame oil with Soba Noodles. Add 3-4 sprinkles of hot pepper sesame oil, sesame seeds and green onions.
Elaine says: “Most Buckwheat Soba Noodles have wheat in them. If you are gluten-intolerant, make sure that you get the ones that are wheat-free and follow the cooking instructions on the package. Nama Shoyu is unpasturized soy sauce, so Soy or Tamari can be substituted. Nama Shoyu is a higher quality product, but if you need to eat gluten-free, you should use wheat-free Tamari instead.
“I love this dish because it’s easy to make and usually liked by everyone. It’s great for those days you don’t have a lot of time to cook. The noodles can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge with a little olive oil until ready to use. But don’t put the other ingredients on until you’re ready to eat, as the noodles tend to soak up the liquid and get mushy.”
Enjoy!!
May the Radiance of Summer & the Keeper of the Flame embolden your hearts this season,
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www.GaianTarot.com ©2008 Joanna Powell Colbert Bellingham, WA 98229 • 360.296.5037 |