With the days noticeably shorter and Halloween spookiness fills our awareness, it’s natural to reflect on where we’ve been and what we’ve lost. To mourn our dead and dig in for winter.
Astrology reinforces the theme. Last weekend, the sun entered Scorpio, a sign known for going deep into the Mysteries with a capital M. It happens to be my rising sign, making Pluto–god of the Underworld–the ruler of my chart. You could say I’ve some experience in going deep.
Which is why I know that there is no death without rebirth. Every sorrow teaches us something, if only we’re open to receiving its gifts.
Stuff that won’t stay buried
Today, I felt called to visit my neighborhood coffee shop. I asked the Tarot, “what time is it?” and received the same answer I got when I did my new moon reading on Wednesday. The cards told me, “It’s time to stop denying the pain of old wounds.”
My past holds gifts I’ve not yet mined. They’re contained in old hurts, and I must acknowledge the pain. Only then can it be transformed into new awareness. Now that I’ve received the message, I won’t ignore the guidance. My journal pages are taking a beating this week.
How to go after your own buried gifts
What about you? What pain have you buried? Halloween is the perfect time of year to transform it into a treat that will sweeten your life going forward. A playful way to do it would be dressing up as your pain (or the thing that caused it) and let it play out over the course of the night. Too intense? Scream. You’ll feel better, and trick-or-treaters will love it..
(A personal note to my table-mates at the coffee shop. Please call me when you’re ready for a Tarot reading. I would love to help you.)
Moon photo: Goddard Photo and Video
What birdsong provides your morning soundtrack? Around here, the loudest voices are generally mockingbirds and blue jays. Not today.
Crow visits the ‘hood
This morning, with an insistent “caw, caw, caw,” Crow made himself known. What an unmistakable cry. What volume! I ignored the feathered one for some time before it finally called me out.
“What’s up, Crow?” I asked, having no trouble spotting its big black body perched in the ash tree just outside my balcony door. It carried something in its beak that might have been a segment of fruit, or possibly a fast food fry. Even so burdened, it continued to caw.
I opened the door. It took wing, still cawing, still carrying its prize, and found another tree where it continued alerting the neighborhood to its presence.
Crow’s message
What message might Crow be bringing? I wondered. On consulting Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak, this passage jumped out at me:
Traditionally, they [crows] were symbols of magic. They squawk and call out to everyone. This should remind you constantly that magic is around you at all times, just calling out for you to use it within your own life. The behaviors, movements and activities of the crows you specifically encounter will help you to understand how to apply magic in your life.
Magic is calling. I love it! What’s calling for your attention these days.
Photo credit: Danny Chapman
