The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for December 11, 2016:
Active Influence: Gjalp & Greip/Five of Wands
Rune: Stan/Keystone
Hidden Influence: Gefjon/Ace of Coins

Seriously, I do not need to see Gjalp & Greip again this month. They have come up repeatedly, and I’m really done with these energies. Do your best to avoid being drawn into others’ arguments, and be aware of your own tendencies to start or perpetuate pointless arguments. Step back and sort out the real issue, which is probably not what’s being fought about, but is actually about who holds the power to control the situation. Don’t get pulled into it, and don’t pull others into your own stuff.

Gefjon advises focusing on your goals and making progress on your work today, whether that’s your day job, a personal project (cleaning, decorating, etc.), or a creative project. Focus your energies on productive activities, and let others chase their tails in circles.

Sleeping on Horseback
~ Po Chu-I
Translated from Chinese by Arthur Waley

We had ridden long and were still far from the inn;
My eyes grew dim; for a moment I fell asleep.
Under the right arm the whip still dangled;
In my left hand the reins for an instant slackened.
Suddenly I woke and turned to question my groom.
“We have gone a hundred paces since you fell asleep.”
Body and spirit for a while had changed place;
Swift and slow had turned to their contraries.
For these few steps that my horse had carried me
Had taken in my dream countless aeons of time!
True indeed is that saying of Wise Men
“A hundred years are but a moment of sleep.”

– Po Chu-I, translated by Arthur Waley

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for December 9, 2016:
Active Influence: Mani/The Moon
Rune: Perthro/Chance (reversed)
Hidden Influence: Ymir/The Fool

Two Major Arcana cards bring extra intensity to the day. Mani’s dreamy receptivity is the active influence, meaning that you could find yourself inspired and/or distracted today. Inspired is good; distracted, maybe not the best choice if you have things you need to be doing. Ymir encourages you to approach the same old situations with new ideas and energy, and Mani’s inspiration can help with that. Perthro reversed suggests you double-check timetables, directions, etc.; leaving things to chance is not your best choice today.

For the Anniversary of My Death
~ W. S. Merwin

Every year without knowing it I have passed the day
When the last fires will wave to me
And the silence will set out
Tireless traveler
Like the beam of a lightless star

Then I will no longer
Find myself in life as in a strange garment
Surprised at the earth
And the love of one woman
And the shamelessness of men
As today writing after three days of rain
Hearing the wren sing and the falling cease
And bowing not knowing to what

I choose the poem at random, from a book chosen at random. This is today’s bibliomantic selection. And then I logged and learned of the deaths of Greg Lake and John Glenn. Rest in peace, gentlemen.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for December 8, 2016:
Active Influence: Thjassi/Three of Swords
Rune: Ehwaz/Horse
Hidden Influence: Fafnir/Four of Coins

Today is going to be complicated by things not turning out as you had hoped, or expected, or even imagined. Short-sightedness, selfishness, and sheer greed throw a wrench into the mechanism. Be careful about who you choose to trust today, and be honest with yourself (if no one else) about your real motives and goals.

The day will end, eventually. Even if you don’t find yourself where you wanted to be, you have moved forward. Take time to assess the new situation before taking further action.