Elder of Fire (King of Wands) - Gaian Tarot Card of the Week

What do we most need to know for the coming week?

Elder of Fire 

This morning I pulled a card that I can’t show you, because I haven’t finished painting it yet. (It will be done in another month or so.)  I can describe her, though:  She is an Hispanic woman in her 70’s, a curandera (healer).  She squats on the earth, a desert scene in the background. She holds a handful of burning herbs in one hand as she moves the other to direct waves of energy that dissipate the foul and bring in the sweet.  She lives in la época del mito (the Otherworld, the time of myth) as much — or more — as she does in the world of consensual reality. Her gaze, directed at the viewer, is potent and challenging.

Whew.  This is an intense card and I am so looking forward to bringing it to life. 

As for the coming week, the card brings up a number of associations for me.  It’s a reminder, first of all, for me to embrace my “elderhood” and also to embrace the witch/healer within.  Sometimes I feel like I’m teetering on that edge between the “queen” stage of life and the elder stage; some days I’m one and some days the other.  (Not so much the maiden or mother anymore.)  

It’s also a reminder to open up to the Otherworld, the world of energy patterns and spirits and Invisibles.  A reminder that we can shift our own inner reality, which then shifts our outer reality as well. 

I’ve been rereading Forests of the Heart by Charles deLint and one of the characters, Bettina’s abuela, is a dead ringer for the Elder of Fire.  Makes me want to go back and again read the sections about her. 

In other synchronicities, I recently reconnected with two old friends, both Latina, on Facebook — one was my college roommate and the other was a friend from the southern California Goddess community in the 80’s.  I haven’t seen one since 1972 and the other since 1989. Both had gorgeous black hair now turning silver. Both have the same first name. I’m not sure if this means anything at all, I’m just noticing the synchronicity.  There’s something there . . . what is it?  

This week I’m preparing to teach my Tarot workshops at Pagan Spirit Gathering and packing for the journey, while tying up loose ends for clients.  It seems to me, however, that I need to set aside time to meditate, go within and have a little conversation with the Elder of Fire in preparation for next week at PSG.  Every immersion into a gathering of the tribe has its own gifts and the potential for epiphanies and healing.  It seems to me that I’m being asked to prepare this week, in order to receive the magic and messages that will come my way next week.  Oh yes, and perhaps I should plan to spend a lot of time at the Sacred Fire Circle.  Blessed be.

What about you, dear Reader?  Can you receive a message from my description of the card?  Have a blessed week.

Comments

[Diane]

I did, I'm on that line between Elder and Queen, too.

:)

[DragonSong]

Change comes with challenge, and challenge is not comfortable. In my mind I saw Agnes Whistling Elk and Ruby Plenty Chiefs, the Native American teachers of Lynn Andrews, Shaman and author of Medicine Woman and many other titles. Lynn was not asked if she wanted to change, or it was a good time to talk about her fears or failings; Agnes and Ruby repeatedly tossed her in head first and let her pull herself up by her moccasins. Discomfort is how our body is made aware that change is needed. We move toward comfort not away from it. The teacher is not always understood at the time and certainly not appreciated. But later it is known that what ever caused the student to shift was what was required at the time.
Gentle? No. From the the heart? Yes.
I see myself here this week. Persons not understanding the dance they observe me in. It doesn't matter. Coyote teaching is at work. What looks bad is really good. Shift happens. I embrace it.

[Goddess Leonie @Goddess Guidebook.com]

mmmmmmmm.... I adore this :)
and can't wait to see your next card!

[Cate]

Really looking forward to seeing this card, Sister Joanna, and Forests of the Heart is one of my favorite books ever.

[Julia Guthrie]

I look forward to seeing this card completed, it sounds magical! And right where I'm at latey with regards to moulding & directing energy! :)
Keeping myself grounded by spending time in my garden each day is definatly helping.
xxx

[joanna]

Thank you all. Here's another funny synchronicity: yesterday I answered the phone (did not recognize the number) and it was a recorded call (a sales pitch?) from a woman speaking Spanish. Hmmm . . .

I love the phrase: Shift happens. :-)