Reunion

For the April 'poem a day' challenge this year, I'm writing haibun to explore and reflect on my new Tarot deck, Forests of Enchantment. 

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How I love Cernunnos!

The Emperor not so much. In that guise of the male archetype, I notice the bossy aspects more, and the drive for material success. I’d take a sensitive artist over an athlete any day, a nurse or librarian before a wealthy businessman.

But in truth I’ve always chosen adventurous men. Not all of them rock-climbed, or travelled the world, or explored the depths of the ocean (though some did) but all had adventurous minds. It’s not so much the bad boys I like (not seriously bad) as the wild ones: rebels, outsiders, non-conformists. And in this deck Card IV is king of the wild, the Forest Lord.

I begin to comprehend how so many Catholic nuns can all be ‘brides of Christ’ without possessiveness, or many little milkmaids happily cavort with Krishna. It doesn’t matter a scrap to me that other Pagan women love the Horned God too, and dance with him ecstatically in forests of their minds.

The wild boar stands friendly at his side. I wasn’t aware of that connection, when I made shamanic journeys with Boar as my trusty guide. It’s nice to learn of it now.

quiet afternoon –
I plan a new journey
to be with old friends

 

 

Cocoon

For the April 'poem a day' challenge this year, I'm writing haibun to explore and reflect on my new Tarot deck, Forests of Enchantment. 

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The Empress card is the Mother – earth mother or Mother Earth, take your pick. Both are true.

In the Enchanted Forest she is Green Mother, dressed in leaves, tattooed with flowers, flowing-haired. 

I like to see the attentive rabbit at her feet – my Chinese astrology sign.

I never saw myself as very maternal. I didn’t conform to stereotype. Only in my old age I laugh to realise how much Mother I really am. I drew into my life not only my birth children but also foster-children, stepchildren, various younger women who want to adopt me into that role, students to whom I become mentor…. Then there are all the pets. Wonderful dogs, beautiful cats. 

I find I have a need to be taking care of a loved one. In recent years they have been cats. My sense of responsibility towards them is conscientious and fierce. Also very tender. 

I have a deep need to give love.

autumn night –

my cat snuggles close 

purring

 

 

 

Opening

For the April 'poem a day' challenge this year, I'm writing haibun to explore and reflect on my new Tarot deck, Forests of Enchantment. 

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Usually called Priestess, or even High Priestess, here her name is The Wisewoman. Either way, she’s me. Servant of the Goddess, conduit to/from Source, interpreter of the Divine to humanity, obliged to tell Truth to those who come seeking. 

If no-one is asking, she need not say a word. If those who ask don’t like what they hear, don’t believe it, or don’t understand it – not her concern.

I do it with crystal ball and Tarot cards. But I have used the runes, the coins … I have even made my own oracles with cards or stones.

This wise woman sits at the edge of the trees. On the mat on the ground before her are sticks and feathers, stones and seeds – things I am always scavenging.

In the picture, she even looks a bit like me. Her clothes are blue and purple. Her necklace is amber and jet.

Seers have told me they see the white light, like a pipeline, connecting me to the pure Source of the information I’m given. 

Most people see me just like this image here – plump, white-haired, kind-faced, a bit dreamy, a little bit weird but harmless. 

LOL

close to trees 

I feel power and calm –

deep silence

Taking Hold

For the April 'poem a day' challenge this year, I'm writing haibun to explore and reflect on my new Tarot deck, Forests of Enchantment. 

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The first day of April is April Fool’s Day – for playing tricks on one another, and having a laugh.

Card I, the Magician, traditionally can be a trickster: Master of Illusion. 

Mostly, it means real magic. Connecting with the elements. Drawing down the force of change.

Here, he is called Enchanter – old, wise, blue-robed, a pile of books at his elbow. His eyes are half-closed yet intent. His hands  move in a circle, shaping energy / smoke / visions. 

Appearing insubstantial, the space in front of him is the whole world.

morning and evening

in front of my small altar

I call in the light

Threshhold

For the April 'poem a day' challenge this year, I'm writing haibun to explore and reflect on my new Tarot deck, Forests of Enchantment. 

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It’s April again, month of the Fool. For some it’s a month of poetry, a poem a day. 

We are setting out on a new journey. 

My new Tarot is called Forest of Enchantment.

The card of The Fool shows a white hart. He stands at the edge of the leafy forest, gazing straight at me, unafraid … inviting?

This year in particular, taking the first step forward is not easy.

war and plague

and spreading flood –

silent birds

I'm catching up a couple of days late with April Poem A Day. Using my own prompts this time: cards from my new Tarot deck.

The Year Ahead

The Year Ahead

It’s the World card, she said. It must be that situation that came up in the previous reading. Remember, this turned up there too, with a message of completion and new beginnings.

No, I said, with a flash of insight. Here it refers to the state of the world. The fires. The people in power consistently not acting. Time running out.

I am in despair, I said. 

She knew I had never been of that mind before.

She pointed to The Star: the card of new energy, of hope. To the Four of Swords: time out, rest. And lastly to the Knight of Cups: raising his chalice as if in a toast, saluting the past with a last look over his shoulder, but riding forwards.

She said, I’m not big on that thing of a word for the year, but I want you to find a word for this year: Strength. She indicated the Strength card in my reading.

Keep saying it to yourself, she told me. And find small things to still love about the world. Write of them; save others from despair. 

halting the fires
rain and storm create flood –

‘Strength!’ I repeat.

 






I'm sharing this in Writers' Pantry #3 at Poets and Storytellers United, and at earthweal's open link weekend #3.