The Last Ten: the Ten of Earth

Another lesson from Mama Gaia about the cycle of life/death/rebirth.  

In the deep forest, we come across a "nurse stump" or "nurse log," a tree that has fallen during a storm or been cut down.  As the log decays, it provides fertile ground for new growth to take root in its dying body.  Insects and fungi hurry along the decomposition process. Squirrels and other creatures may perch or roost there, adding food scraps and scat to the rich humus.  Soon moss, ferns and mushrooms appear, and the seedlings of new trees.  Many years later, you will see full grown trees whose roots have grown over one of these nurse stumps.

In the background, an elderly gentleman walks the forest path through dappled shade and sunshine, heading for the spot that opens up into the light.

So do we pass along our wisdom to the next generation, that they might flourish as we pass on.

(Based on a photo of my dad, who used to walk the nature preserve on the island every morning. I scattered some of his ashes there, and like to think how his body too is now nurturing young trees.)

Comments

[Jade]

Hi Joanna - I've really been taking my time to absorb the 10s... I think what strikes me most about each is the strong familiarity I feel with each image. Beautiful, as always - I can't wait to have the minors in my hands for a closer look. ;)

[Joanne]

This card is absolutely beautiful!

[Colleen]

What an extraordinary tribute on so many levels.
Is that a deer waiting for your father in the sunlight? Gorgeous all around.

[Carol]

So good to see dear Dean portrayed in the Gaian Tarot Deck!! A lovely way of honouring him. I really like the card and know he would too :)

[Julia Guthrie]

This is amazing. I can almost smell the earth & the forest!
I'm always sad that I can't examine these artworks up close, for real. Maybe it's because I'm an artist, but I really love to see brush strokes...or in your case pencil strokes! hehe..

[Goddess Leonie I Creative Goddess]

this is so deeply touching joanna...

deepest blessings to you ~
Leonie
www.GoddessLeonie.com

[Lunaea]

Completion... and new beginnings! Very powerful, on EVERY level.

[Beth Owl's Daughter]

Oh, I have tears in my eyes.. This is so beautiful and poignant, Joanna...

[Arwen]

I love that his path isn't finished even though his work there was. More to do after a rest. More to do. I love the fact that he is just stepping out of the shadows and heading into more light. Lovely!

[Ellen-Mary]

Beautiful as always, Joanna. What a lovely tribute to your father.

[Carolyn Cushing]

Bounty in decay! How perfect for the 10 of Earth! I also love to see the alternating of light and dark along the path.

[Joanna Powell Colbert]

Thanks Jade and Joanne. So glad you like the card and that the scenes on the 10's feel familiar to you.

Colleen, I don't see a deer in the sunlight but I love it that you do. There is however, the tail end of a black dog rooting around in the bushes on the left side of the path - you can barely see him. But he's there.

Thanks Carol. I did print out the original photo for him and he liked it a lot. Of course if he saw this card, he'd probably say something like: "who's that old man? that's not me!" along with "Old is always ten years older than I am!"

Thanks Julia. Well someday perhaps I'll have a show of the originals and you'll just have to cross the Big Pond to come see them. :-)

Thanks Leonie and blessings back to you.

Lunaea, Beth, Arwen, Ellen-Mary, Carolyn . . . love your comments. Thank you.

[Judy]

Wow! Does this card ever speak to me. I love it on so many levels. That could very well be my father too though the woods he walked in were different then these I can feel his presence here too.

Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful work.

[Marie]

Hi Joanna,
I just came by to see how you were progressing and found these beautiful 10s. This one is my favorite but they all are gorgeous.

[Lynn]

This is one of my favorite cards in your deck, Joanna! I remember the nurse logs from my visit to the Hoh rainforest. You might enjoy my post from there about the nurse logs: http://blog.beliefnet.com/astrologicalmusings/2006/09/greetings-from-mount-olympus.html#more.

I so appreciate your opening up your world, it helps me so much to learn to appreciate the beauty of my own.

[Joanna Powell Colbert]

Thanks Judy, and you are most welcome. Marie, that's high praise coming from you! Lynn, love your post on the nurse logs. They are really fabulous to see, aren't they?