Fast away the old year passes, hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
~from Deck The Halls,traditional song
One chapter doneOne chapter comeI look to the sunThat's where I run
Steadily learningSteady we growI hold on to old friendsAnd welcome the newAll In Due Time…
Happy New Year!!!
The Universe card speaks to endings and beginnings. As #21 of the 22 Major Arcana cards, the Universe card is the final card of the soul cycle that was begun with the leap of faith made by the Fool (#0). What was begun in innocence has come full circle, and the wisdom and experience that has been earned through the journey is available to us.
In some decks, the 21st card is called the World, in the Sun Moon Tarot deck which works with me, it is called the Universe. In this card, the four armed Shiva/Shakti figure represents the integration and wholeness of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine who dances within a circle of flames, upon the infant/unevolved self. In this life’s journey, light surrounds us, the flames represent that light, always offering us the opportunity of light and insight to transform those wounds our spirits chose with our birth into this dualistic reality into the gifts we/they intended.
When the Universe comes into a reading, depending on where it appears in the card layout, it’s letting the querent (the person asking for clarity and perspective from the cards) know, that a major completion is involved in some way in their life. And that completion is often accompanied by a sweet rest, a bit of time to take a breath before the opportunity for the next leap of faith makes itself apparent.
Rather than a circle, I like to think of the life process as a spiral. Each time I come around the bend again to what feels like the same old same issues, I like to imagine that I’m actually getting to the next level of that particular pain in the you know what! That imagination, at the very least, helps me think I’m getting somewhere, and that feels better than the feeling like I’m spinning in circles, it works for me. (Of course as our solar system is constantly spinning in circles I’m not sure I should have anything against that! ;)
I AM THE LIGHT Matt Kahn (LINKED)
The four arms of Shakti/Shiva point to the four directions and represent the four elements: earth, air, fire & water. The grand completion symbolized by the Universe is on the soul scale, and often includes all of the elements, which is why the 4 Aces are included in this month's article as well.
Aces are indicative of a new beginning, with all of the inspiration and positive energy involved at the start of something, each Ace denotes the beginning of a journey in its realm. Very rarely all four make it into a reading lay
out and that is a beautiful representation of new beginnings on every level.
Ace of Pentacles - EARTH - A new journey in the Material World, new growth, good health, a new financial journey with an opportunity for wealth.
Ace of Swords - AIR - A new way of Thinking, looking at the world, seeing things from an entirely new perspective. Solar, lunar and earthly thinking are integrated and create a new way to think about things...
Ace of Wands - FIRE - The beginning of Spiritual journey or exploration, the wand is a torch that lights the way.
Ace of Cups - WATER - An Emotional new start, beginning with self love, the Holy grail is filled at the well within first.
So, as fascinating as this past year has been, Kali Takes America: I’m With Her by Vera de Chalambert (linked to article), let’s also take moment to recognize and be grateful for all the blessings we experienced last year...if you can’t think of a single thing, consider how our hearts beat and our lungs breath for us automatically, remember that the sun rises each day and the moon circles round us in her cycles, that the ocean continues to cleanse and purify us, waves going in and coming out as the air filters and blows and rainstorms come and go.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Prayer--Thanksgiving Address
Greetings to the Natural World
The PeopleToday we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people. Now our minds are one.
The Earth MotherWe are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The WatersWe give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water. Now our minds are one.
The FishWe turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The PlantsNow we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come. Now our minds are one.
The Food PlantsWith one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Medicine HerbsNow we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines. Now our minds are one.
The AnimalsWe gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so. Now our minds are one.
The TreesWe now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life. Now our minds are one.
The BirdsWe put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.
The Four WindsWe are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one.
The ThunderersNow we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers. Now our minds are one.
The SunWe now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun. Now our minds are one.
The MoonWe put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon. Now our minds are one.
The StarsWe give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars. Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened TeachersWe gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers. Now our minds are one.
The CreatorNow we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator. Now our minds are one.
Closing WordsWe have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way. Now our minds are one.
Let’s begin this year, together, with the above prayer of Thanksgiving for the present moment, the last year and everything that is cycling with us along with the inspiration in our hearts for the innocence and new beginnings of the New Year!
SO MANY BLESSINGS ON YOUR NEW YEAR!!!
...A drop of water constantly fears that it may evaporate into the air, or be absorbed by the ground.
It doesn’t want to be used up in those ways, but when it lets go and falls into the ocean it came from, it finds protection from the other deaths.
Its droplet form is gone, but its watery essence has become vast and inviolable.
Listen to me, friends, because youare a drop, and you can honor yourselves in this way. What could be luckier than to have the ocean come to court the drop?
For God’s sake, don’t postpone your yes!Give up and become the giver.
~Rumi
The Return of the Black Madonnahttp://www.matthewfox.org/blog/the-return-of-the-black-madonna-a-sign-of-our-times-or-how-the-black-madonna-is-shaking-us-up-for-the-twenty-first-century
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