Readings, Divination

The poem I posted last week (post previous to this one) came out of a series of experiences while looking for some stuff for Novice Schola (which I never found, but it all worked out). I was getting frustrated because I knew I'd seen what I was looking for but couldn't find it. These days that tends to mean that I should be doing something else, or finding a different way to achieve my goal.

Going down to the sugarhouse I passed Old Faithful, one of the largest sugar maples on the farm. Being polite, I gave it greetings, and also some energy as it was feeling a little cranky with the weather. There was a very small branch on the driveway, with a single 'Y' branching at the end of it. I left it there at the time because after all, there are a lot of branches on the ground on the farm.

Leaving the sugarhouse, I was quite aggravated finally, this being my last place to look for things, but hearing the river I decided it was a good time to just stop and relax and meditate. It was peaceful at first -- easy enough as I adore this little river. But as I expanded my awareness outward, some truths were spoken to me, which I thought about and accepted, more deeply than perhaps I had before. Truths about the state of our world, though not everyone would agree, of course. After a time, I proceeded back up past Old Faithful, again giving greetings to this wonderful old tree, and this time when I came to the small branch, I felt that I should indeed pick it up. And it is from the feelings and thoughts that I received as I held it, that the poem was written.

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Did a "what's up" divination yesterday, sort of a heads-up for February. Then, upon further thought while moving stuff from the sugarhouse to the barn (isn't walking meditation great?), considering what happened last week and the divination/talk with Duskwind before that, I thought I'd try something different.

Usually, I think about particular projects or plans that L and I considering and ask questions that relate to them, including things like "would next month be a good time to consider x?" And I do the "what's up" divinations as well, but usually only for the next month or so.

So, today I did some more work moving things, lighter stuff than yesterday because of various complaints :D At one point the grove on the hill called to me, and I answered that I really couldn't walk up there, between the cold and the hard crust. Maybe with Wind Deer's help, but not on my own. But I promised I would do the divinations today, and include the grove astrally.

In fact I included my own astral grove, the grove on the hill, the spirit of the spring up in South Pasture, the land around us, Andraste, Brigid, Cernunnos, Taliesin, the spirits of the four elements/directions, the great bear.... seemed like quite the crowd, in fact. I also lit my Brigid candle that I'd gotten at BTW in November, as I thought that would help with my focus in the divinations.

Since I was going to do several readings, I used the I Ching coins. I don't have an Ogham deck yet, and this is a quick enough method that I figured I'd have enough stamina for it. I did a "What's Up?" divination for each month, from March - January (Feb. was already done). I haven't done this many at one time before, so it was a little tiring. A few times I paused to re-center.

It was an interesting exercise. I'll continue to do other divinations through the year of course, but it gave a sort of overview which will be helpful.

Preparation, study, meditation, learning new skills, periods of quiet and periods of connecting with some folks. June through August look kind of interesting, with a higher point of activity in September. October is another inward month in some ways (inward doesn't mean quiet). November looks to be busy.

December also looks to be busy, in part adapting to a great change in circumstances (11 Pervading. Change line Six Above: "The walls fall down. The prosperous city will fall. But do not call out the legions. This has fate and higher authority behind it. Fighting it will only bring shame and confusion. Your destiny is in disarray. You will need to concentrate anew.") Change isn't always a bad thing, if you know what direction to go in -- the relating figure for this one is 26: Great Accumulating.

Some repeating themes are letting go of the past, letting go of the old. Seeking new ways, true ways. Being small, subtle, adaptive, determined but not close-minded. Should be interesting.

What the river and the lichened branch told me

Great are the hurts,
Many the wanton wasters.
Unchecked, utter ruin.
From whence comes salvation?

A great storm comes,
Vast in breadth, deeply reaching.
Land and sea feel the change.
The mother defends her own.