Gaian Tarot Artist's Journal

Preparing for All Hallows

Since my return from the east coast, I've been immersed in a large web redesign project for my Main Client and working very long hours on it.  I get on a roll, just like I do with artwork and the longer I work the faster it goes. 

But I get kind of stuck in CodeLand.  I even dream about it and often wake up with the solution to a thorny code problem.  Seems like everything else fades away and when I look up and realize what I've been missing, I get cranky.  No artwork, no introspection, no long walks.  Just code.

Of course I've also been consumed by election news and have been reading too many political blogs and tweets, and religiously watching CNN & MSNBC with a little Fox thrown in for color.

So I'm partially taking today and tomorrow off, since these are High Holy Days.  I'm about to start cleaning my house, literally and ritually, then I'll build a Hallows altar and an Ancestor altar.  I'll get outside for awhile too, during the rain breaks. Or maybe I'll just go outside while it's raining and get soaked.  A hot shower afterwards will feel great.  Craig and I will carve a pumpkin and set it on the doorstep.  We'll be ready for the trick or treaters come nightfall; it will be the first time at this house so we have no idea how many to expect.  I'll miss seeing all the island kids I know coming to the door of Heron House.  Then it will be time for a little late night divination and introspection.

Tomorrow night a few friends will gather here to mark the Turning of the Wheel towards Winter.  We'll walk the backyard loop by candlelight, scuffling through downed cedar and maple leaves. We'll leave offerings at scattered outdoor altars, Stations of the Pentacle.  Back inside, we'll share photos and stories of our beloved dead. Then we'll spend the rest of evening reading cards and runes for each other, feasting and drumming and weaving tight the threads of community.  

But this morning, I am missing my beloved dead.  Pop, 1915-2006.   Mom, 1917-1984.  My son Jake, 1974-1990.  My friend Helen, 1948-1994.

Love you all.  Miss you all.

Blessed be. 

"Spiritual Leaders for Obama"

Hey, we have "Artists for Obama" and "Plumbers for Obama" and "Garden Gnomes for Obama" — so why not "Spiritual Leaders for Obama" too?  (In spite of the fact that the list of leaders is sorely lacking in names from the Goddess, Pagan, Tarot and Earth-Centered Spirituality communities, there are still many names on the list whose work I admire.)   Thanks Lynn for the link.

Humanity is at a crossroads. We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. We are asking you to get engaged. The 2000 presidential election was decided by just 500 votes and this November appears to be just as close. 

Every vote matters. Your vote and the votes in your community could make the difference. 

Please make a heart-felt inquiry and look at the candidates: 

Ask yourself who best reflects the values you want to live by – those of spirituality in action.  Who do you believe will lead this country and the world in the direction you would like to see it move? 

The Rain Makes the Colors Deeper

Ten of Fire (Ten of Wands)

In the Gaian Tarot, the 10’s represent transformation and transition to the next cycle, after the peak experience of the 9’s.  In the 10 of Fire we see a forest fire raging, smoke and ashes released into the air.  To our “civilized” minds, a fire out of control is terrifying because it’s a threat to our homes, our towns, our animals and possibly our lives. But in the days before Europeans conquered the North American continent, forest fires were a natural part of the cycle of life. Fire is necessary to clear away undergrowth and debris and is important to the overall health of a forest. The first inhabitants of this continent knew this. At the time of the First Snow, when the forest was damp, winds were calm and the air was humid, Native Americans gathered forest debris and brush and carefully lit it on fire. These fires generally did not rage out of control because the timing was impeccable. Fires are beneficial to some species such as the Lodgepole Pine, whose cones often need exposure to high temperatures in order to release their seeds. 

Divinatory meaning:  Does it feel like your dreams have gone up in smoke?  Are you overwhelmed or burdened by loss?  Remember that new seedlings grow and flourish in the ashes of a spent fire.  You must release your passions and your energies, whether or not you want to, whether or not you think you’re ready.  It’s time.

"Top 5 Reasons Obama Supporters Shouldn't Rest Easy"

(I'm passing this on from Moveon.org. Blessed be!)

1. The polls may be wrong. This is an unprecedented election. No one knows how racism may affect what voters tell pollsters—or what they do in the voting booth. And the polls are narrowing anyway. In the last few days, John McCain has gained ground in most national polls, as his campaign has gone even more negative.

2. Dirty tricks. Republicans are already illegally purging voters from the rolls in some states. They're whipping up hysteria over ACORN to justify more challenges to new voters. Misleading flyers about the voting process have started appearing in black neighborhoods. And of course, many counties still use unsecure voting machines.

3. October surprise. In politics, 15 days is a long time. The next McCain smear could dominate the news for a week. There could be a crisis with Iran, or Bin Laden could release another tape, or worse.

4. Those who forget history... In 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote after trailing by seven points in the final days of the race. In 1980, Reagan was eight points down in the polls in late October and came back to win. Races can shift—fast!

5. Landslide. Even with Barack Obama in the White House, passing universal health care and a new clean-energy policy is going to be hard. Insurance, drug and oil companies will fight us every step of the way. We need the kind of landslide that will give Barack a huge mandate.

If you agree that we shouldn't rest easy, please sign up to volunteer at your local Obama office by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/obama/office.html?source=blog&id=14534-582775-NtqhThx&t=1 

Carolina on My Mind

From the cool crisp autumn woods of Maine, I traveled to the warm summer woods of North Carolina last week as the guest of Beth OwlsDaughter and her husband John.  Their home felt like a cross between a retreat center and a B&B. So comfy! I loved the solitude and downtime after such busy days with the kids in Maine.  Beth and John's house is filled with antiques, witchy paraphernalia and Deadhead mementos.  I felt right at home.  

John took me for a walk through the woods, which had just begun to turn color.  I was excited to meet so many new trees — hornbeam (two kinds!), beech, tulip poplar, hickory and a species of cedar that seemed like juniper to me. I also saw my first cardinal ever outside of a Christmas card, which was a real thrill.  And once as we pulled out of Beth's driveway, we stopped in amazement to see five wild turkeys run across the road.  (Beth said that was a rare sight.)  I walked their stone labyrinth too, and later learned how to check for ticks. !!

On Wednesday night I was the guest speaker at the Raleigh-Durham Tarot Meetup. 

Moments of Autumn Grace

I'm leaving Maine tomorrow for North Carolina.  My heart is filled to overflowing with images of time spent with baby Grace (and what a happy baby she is), and with the stunning October leaves.  Oh it's so true what they say about fall in New England.  Nothing like it.  

Grace & me in Maine today

For those of us who missed BATS . . .

While I was standing in the rain on the beach last Saturday, my Tarot buddies from far and near were having a grand old time at BATS (Bay Area Tarot Symposium).  Three of us Bellinghamsters were there (Holly Voley, DragonSong and Saria) and I won't miss it next year. It's the 100th anniversary of the publication of the Rider Waite Smith Tarot, and Thalassa promises a blowout bash.  Meanwhile, Mary Greer has great photos up on her blog, and Ferol Humphrey has a short but sweet report.  More please!

A Wedding Blessed by Water

Our friends Steve and Michele were married today, on the west side of the island in an eye of calm in the midst of a squall.  This particular beach has been the scene of many gatherings, parties, kayak landings, orca sightings and solitary walks in the history of the island.  A most beloved place.  My heart blossomed to once again be with this wonderful community of people in this most magical, sacred place.  More photos after the jump.