Festival Time: Sixes of Air and Fire

I'm deep into the creation of the Sixes, working on all four at the same time, in various stages.  With the Sixes, I move away a bit from the traditional meanings of the cards.  The Aces through the Fives have pretty much aligned with Rider/Waite/Smith meanings, more or less.  The Sixes through the Tens — not so much.  I'll be writing more later about my number system.  For now, I just want to say that the Gaian Sixes are all about peak experiences in community, and each shows some kind of reciprocity.

The 6 of Air is about gratitude and thanksgiving.  The tribe is welcoming the new day with prayer, song and drumming, singing up the sun.  By cultivating a practice of thanksgiving, we make room for the Great Mystery to respond in kind.   

The 6 of Fire is about celebration, the peak of creative and erotic power that is raised through ritual, drumming and dancing at festival time.  Together we fan the flames of the sacred fire, we raise a cone of power and release it — and are left utterly transformed.

And speaking of festivals . . . if you're in the Pacific Northwest, I hope you'll consider coming out to the first Northwest Lammas Festival next week.   It will be a small gathering in one of the most beautiful, sacred spots around.  My extended mermaid tribe & family have been gathering there each August for over ten years.  It's a special treat to extend the invitation to others.  I'll be teaching two Tarot workshops there too.  Please come! And we'll become the figures in the 6 of Air and the 6 of Fire!  Blessed be. 

Comments

[Julie in Virginia]

Oh these are just stunning! yay! yay! yay! My three of earth hangs in my kitchen and I just adore it - but these are mighty tempting too.

You are so close to completion now. I can't imagine what you will do with all your free time when you this project is completed and birthed into the world.

[KerrdeLune (Cate)]

Joanna, I love the idea of the sixes being about peak experiences and reciprocity, and to me this is what the sixes are all about.

Both Air and Fire exert a compelling tug, and there is a rapt sense of vibrant community, thanksgiving and celebration in both cards.

"Fanning the flames of sacred fire, we raise a cone of power and release it — and are left utterly transformed."

Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lunaea]

It's so great to see all the progress on the deck, Joanna! I have your Wheel and Strength cards on my altar today and can't wait until I have 78 cards to choose from for inspiration, not just 22!

[joanna]

Julie, Cate, Lunaea -- thank you so much for the vote of confidence! "Free time" -- what's that? :-)

Six of Fire, almost done . . .