The Muse
~ Anna Akhmatova
Translated from Russian by Sophie Laffitte

When in the night I await her coming,
My life seems stopped. I ask myself: What
Are tributes, freedom, or youth compared
To this treasured friend holding a flute?
Look, she’s coming! She throws off her veil
And watches me, steady and long. I say:
“Was it you who dictated to Dante the pages
Of Hell?” And she answers: “I am the one.”

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for February 8, 2017
Active Influence: Fenris/The Devil
Rune: Erda/Earth (reversed)
Hidden Influence: Laufey/The Empress

Things are already complicated. Don’t make them worse by giving into self-destructive impulses and self-sabotage. Continuing on your path and focusing on your work may feel like more than you can do, or seem pointless. That’s your Inner Critic, and it needs to just shut up now.

Laufey reminds you that self-care is your primary task today. Take time to eat something that’s good for you and that tastes good; get up and stretch instead of staying stuck at your desk; drink lots of water and stay hydrated. If you’re feeling stuck, write a motivational quote on a note card and carry it in your pocket, and look at it every 20 minutes when you get up to stretch.

Take care of yourself, so you can take care of your dreams.

Blackberrying
~ Sylvia Plath

Nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries,
Blackberries on either side, though on the right mainly,
A blackberry alley, going down in hooks, and a sea
Somewhere at the end of it, heaving. Blackberries
Big as the ball of my thumb, and dumb as eyes
Ebon in the hedges, fat
With blue-red juices. These they squander on my fingers.
I had not asked for such a blood sisterhood; they must love me.
They accommodate themselves to my milkbottle, flattening their sides.

Overhead go the choughs in black, cacophonous flocks —
Bits of burnt paper wheeling in a blown sky.
Theirs is the only voice, protesting, protesting.
I do not think the sea will appear at all.
The high, green meadows are glowing, as if lit from within.
I come to one bush of berries so ripe it is a bush of flies,
Hanging their bluegreen bellies and their wing panes in a Chinese screen.
The honey-feast of the berries has stunned them; they believe in heaven.
One more hook, and the berries and bushes end.

The only thing to come now is the sea.
From between two hills a sudden wind funnels at me,
Slapping its phantom laundry in my face.
These hills are too green and sweet to have tasted salt.
I follow the sheep path between them. A last hook brings me
To the hills’ northern face, and the face is orange rock
That looks out on nothing, nothing but a great space
Of white and pewter lights, and a din like silversmiths
Beating and beating at an intractable metal.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for February 7, 2017
Active Influence: Hrimthurs/Three of Coins
Rune: Berkana/Rebirth
Hidden Influence: Jarnsaxa/Queen of Swords

Others may want to take the day off, and invite you to play hooky, or attempt to distract you so that you will play hooky with them. Today is not the day to play hooky.

Today has a great deal of potential for doing things that will be important in the long run. Take care of business, and revisit your plan to see where you might be able to work ahead. Balance your emotional investment with clear thinking and timely action to achieve your goals.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for February 6, 2017
Active Influence: Nott/The Star
Rune: Nauthiz/Need
Hidden Influence: Grid/Knight of Coins

Nott returns for the third time in recent draws, encouraging you to keep focused on what you need to do to make the changes you know are necessary. You are off to a good start, even if not a fast start. Grid offers the practical knowledge and tools necessary to do the work ahead. Accept them with gratitude, and make real effort to learn and to do the work.

Sigyn is present in Nauthiz, reminding you that self-care is an essential component of self-respect. You can’t do  your best if you’re not at your best, so include time in your schedule for rest and play, as well as the work you are doing.

Half-hearted attempts yield half-hearted results, and you don’t have time for a do-over. Make decisions, take action, and keep focused on your goals.