16 Initiation (Temperance)
I go into the card......
I walk into the card and feel immediately part of the scene - I am in
the clearing of dense forest and in the center is a labyrinth circle and
I see it twist one way then the other, and in its center is a cauldron
from which flies a woodpecker and stars surrounding - I feel the sense
of release a wonderful relief from the cycle of this way and that that
the labyrinth symbolises.
Deck created by Anna Franklin and Published by Llewellyn Deck available to buy from both websites.
I hear the words spoken, “As you follow life's rises and falls, the twists and turns it takes you on; How you wonder whether you are still on the path – sometimes it feels as if you are going backwards and doing something so similar to previous times – you question your path. But I tell you it is like the labyrinth though you twist back on yourself – seem to be going backwards or being in such a similar place to once before – it is not a repeat but a look at the same ground from a slightly different perspective. You can trust your path, it will lead you to the center of all things – to your center, to the creative force that is everything - the void – the womb – the cauldron and when you return to this home you will be set free and joy will surround you. It is as if the heavens will rejoice in your accomplishment. Yet you could look back as see there was no other path you could have taken but the one that you did – for all your doubts and twists and turns, each pathway led you to this ultimate release. Trust you are on the path and though you may be buffeted about at times and you may doubt yourself – there is no right or wrong there is only the path before you and it is your path none others – Know this as your truth and you will know this card.”
“It talks of being sheltered from the rest of the world's wants needs and desires for you, so you can go within and find your own pathway – your own true joy – it is the desire for this joy that keeps you going on, so do not avoid the directions of your heart even if your mind tells you that perhaps you are returning to something you have already done, allow your heart to guide you.”
“What of the stars?” I ask this voice who is showing me the card – “They are you reaching for the stars they are the elements of spiritual joy that is realised when you travel your path fully embracing all it has to offer. Noticing your surroundings and yet returning to your center. This labyrinth measures the life time journey each of us has, but also the micro journeys along the way – each step is a mini labyrinth that releases its joy when that step is completed – when you doubt yourself allow yourself to be reminded of this multifaceted multidimensional pathway that you may only see a small part at a particular time, but it will not mean there is no greater picture. Go to the woodpeckers position and see what his point of view adds to your own.”
On hearing this I decide to actively ask the woodpecker what his point of view is here.. “I am soaring up into the sky, I am free and joyful – let me show you the white of my connection to spirit, the red of my connection to earth and life, and the black of my rejuvenation of all from the black void of creativity – the spark in the darkness. This darkness is the fertile earth the place to plant the seed to grow into its new state of being. I spring forth as you have released me by coming to your center. I am the balanced you the joy in life set free and soaring up out of the bounds of the earthly plane. I am the release you feel when you set an emotional block free, when you change a pattern of thought that no longer serves you – I am the joy and releaser for all these things, the growth towards a unified spirit and soul. I am excited and enthusiastic for all your journeys – look up for me and listen out for my 'tap tap tap' as I remind you that you can keep chipping away at your blocks and difficulties and that joy can break through with time – judge yourselves not – it is part of the journey to yourselves. Thank you woodpecker – you are wise in your words and inspire hope for us all. The woodpecker says – “Let me show you where your journey leads follow me.....”
I follow him up into the sky and to the outside of the woods. We go down towards a circular pool of water. I see images of my living situation in some time from now, I feel the joy and freedom I have and the clarity of purpose. It certainly looks lovely.
“Is this what you would like?” he asks... “yes” I say “Well follow your path and as you get worried about your directions, know that there is no return for you – only reintegration on a new level and that this reintegration serves you well in your future works, Pure joy is yours for the taking... do you see what needs to be worked with to get there...?” Yes indeed I do as I see my block is feeling that unless I work extremely hard and suffer in myself to some extent then I feel I am not worthy of the freedoms I have. I can see that this is what holds me back now and also that there is a state I can reach where it will not feel so all important to my life to keep this difficult message. “Thank you woodpecker I feel you have shown me the key to unlocking my joy – as I see from this future picture what part of me is made scared by it and thus us the part that changes. ”
As we fly back to the clearing in the woods I feel as if there is a card edge I am entering again, and I see the hazel nuts round the edge. “What do you stand for?” I ask.” We are the potential every person has – we are the store house of skills and knowledge that each person can chose to nurture if they wish – remember you can do and be anything you want to – you merely have to nurture the seeds of it within you and be patient for its growth. I am also saying that what can come from this process can be magical and indeed much more than you really believed when you started out – you know something would come with nurture but did not realise the magnificence, or the true use, this skill would give you. Your expectations are not always accurate, and usually the reality is much more positive than you could have imagined – allow yourself to know the unknown can be so positive and magically better then work with what is in the now for you .... start from now and aim for the highest you can. The stars are within you to be released!”
I know I need to leave the card now I am reluctant, as I love the energy of this card – it seems so vibrant and alive. I am drawn to dive deep into the cauldron in the middle and as I do so I find myself in the midst of a blackness of space and womb of all existence I know all things are possible from this place and I enjoy the pregnant energy of this place and its timelessness I hear a voice say – “When things become stressful come and sit here in this cauldron, allow this creative energy to refresh you I feel my heart swell up with joy as I sit for a few moments here.” I will certainly be back very soon for some more of this healing power.
“Reversed energy?” I ask “Well it is the restriction and stuckness that we place upon ourselves when we are too scared to believe in more, we are on the path but dare not look up to see whether we are, so we face out feet and forget our joy. The challenge is to look up to the woodpecker and to know truly that you can aim this high and there is no need to fear falling – though your outcome may be somewhat different then you expect it will be better on all levels than you could possibly imagine. Have faith in the creative force of the universe that is within you to lift you out of this place of negativity and stuckness, know release is possible and dare to look up!! ”
”Thank you, yes I see, I have really enjoyed sharing your knowledge thanks – by the way who are you...” “I am you! I am your woodpecker the joy and spirit within you I am your future self – I am the you in all dimensions... do you not recognise your voice?” I am a little taken aback but know it to be true too. “Thank you all the same” I say to myself!
Meditation Tapes
For those of you who have one of our tapes the B side of any of the tapes can be ideal for use like this. When you are led into the garden you can visualise the card there in front of you.
Often people find it easier to maintain the focus into the card when using the light visualisation as directed in these tapes. It stops your mind wandering so much and helps you receive the images, developing your intuition. Go to the Seeds of Light homepage to explore or buy one of our tapes.
Readings onto CD or Cassette.
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