64, Hearing
(Within). Within is the direction of the Self, and thus the
cards associated with this direction deal with the ways our Self connects to
the world and perceives the world, and the Self. This direction is mostly abstract, and yet is our bridge to
the Universe around us. The senses
are the tools for Self to interact with the inner and outer worlds, and Hearing
is one of those senses. Hearing is
about reception, but it is also about perception; this card has no color and
the eyes of the figures are closed.
Thus, seeing or visualizing would not be a part of the perception
associated with Hearing. Truly
listening is actually an act of meditation. Pausing to consciously Hear puts us into a receptive and
absorptive state.
7, Guide:
Blackbird (East). East is the direction of the rising sun, and thus of
new beginnings and fresh ideas, as well as knowledge, intellectual ideas and
thoughts. Blackbirds are known as
gatekeepers, which concept is very relevant to me right now. Blackbirds acquire and then protect
territory, and thus they can guide you to other realms, or they can do their
best to shut you out of them. In
Celtic myth, the Blackbird is said to have the ability to bring concepts or
visions from the astral realms into manifestation on the physical plane
(because Blackbird can enter more than one realm, just as blackbirds can exist
on land and in the air).
36, Guide: Bear
(North). North is the direction of
Earth, and thus of the physical or physically formed or manifested world, and
of nurturing, health, finances and security, and the wisdom associated with
living simply, being well-grounded, and being in touch with our physical
body. Bear is about protection and
hibernation, power, shelter and instincts. Mother bears are fierce, yet gentle, and that is the message
of this card. I am being told by
Bear that I should protect and nurture myself, but I should also make use of
what I’ve learned to not only connect with my own instincts, but also to
nurture and guide others.
Then, I stacked
the cards into a mandala. The
patterns were difficult to interpret at first. I could see the figures from Hearing, with their eyes closed,
but Blackbirds hid the representations of sound. Bears covered everything nicely, without hiding the rest of
the mandala. What was being said
here? Then I realized the message.
Listening is always important, but listening only for what we expect can
be detrimental. We need to listen
for the things we don’t expect, too!
Sundays are
also Spring Fitness Challenge check-in days. Here are my specific updates:
Earth rules the
entire physical world and all of its manifestations. To me, Earth represents not only the physiological
operations of our bodies, but the physical world around me. I am continuing to learn about
Ayurveda, and choosing foods and beverages with awareness, awareness of whether
or not they are good for me, and whether or not I will experience some
uncomfortable effect from eating or drinking something bad. I even gave into a chocolate craving on
Thursday night, but I did this without bingeing, and by consciously choosing,
with control and forethought, to have that piece of chocolate cake. And, I was able to have that piece
without sitting down and eating the rest of the cake. A first for me!
Air rules the
mind, the intellect, thinking, and air and the act of breathing and all effects
associated with breathing. See
above paragraph regarding choosing food and drink with awareness. I am continuing to work on breathing
exercises while visualizing toxins being expelled on my exhales.
Fire rules
passion, courage, the life force and the Will, and movement of all kinds and
all effects associated with movement.
I am walking regularly, doing my morning stretch/Yoga session regularly,
and doing lots of beach walking on weekends. This weekend, weather permitting, I will be working in my
beloved garden on Sunday.
Water rules
emotions and feelings and all effects associated with emotions and feelings,
and for our purposes Water will also be about cleansing, flushing and
purifying. I’ve been drinking lots
of water. I am also to the point
where I can feel that my physical body is slimmer and more toned, and believe
me, I keep tapping into that nice feeling. I am thrilled that it is not yet Memorial Day, but I am in
my skinny shorts!
I also lost
another half pound, that is 5 pounds total. But really, this is not a true indication of my body right
now. And I expect that another plateau
will be showing up soon enough; I know my body and I know it fights weight
loss, tooth and nail. But with all
the progress I’ve made so far, I should make it through the next plateau in
flying colors!
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