I’ve spent rather a lot of time weaving. Not that one can tell from the current state of the project, because this is all A Learning Experience, both in terms of the manual skill, and also in terms of learning to work with Verdandi. Fortunately, She is patient, and seems more amused than anything at my misadventures.

A few weeks ago, I had a weekend at home, which meant time to weave! I sat down with my lap loom, and wove. And, somehow, managed to count to three correctly on the right side, but not the left. So, the design was off balance. Did I think to take a photo before I spent an hour undoing all the weaving I had done? Well, no. So there is no photographic evidence, but really, it was off balance. And now I have a new appreciation for the patience of Penelope, unweaving all the work she had done during the day. It’s harder than actually weaving!

So, tonight, I sat down and re-did the rows with the red:

Progress!

Now it becomes complicated. It’s time to start bringing in the other border colors—gold for the east, and blue for the west, in addition to the black border, and the cream color in the center. So I have a total of five yarn pieces I’m working with.

I did it!

Then, Not So Much

However.

Because there is always a however.

The gold thread is slightly thicker than the other colors. Which is not a big deal, except that it actually is. It’s not quite thick enough to simply double the other yarns, but it’s too thick to work with them 1:1.

So, back to the yarn store I go this week to pick up a new gold that is the same thickness as the other yarn.

And then I get to do the Penelope thing again, and unweave these rows.

But at least I am learning!

Lineage
– Margaret Walker

My grandmothers were strong.
They followed plows and bent to toil.
They moved through fields sowing seed.
They touched earth and grain grew.
They were full of sturdiness and singing.
My grandmothers were strong.

My grandmothers are full of memories
Smelling of soap and onions and wet clay
With veins rolling roughly over quick hands
They have many clean words to say.
My grandmothers were strong.
Why am I not as they?

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for December 4, 2016:
Active Influence: Rym/Ten of Wands
Rune: Raido/Journey (reversed)
Hidden Influence: Gerda/Page of Coins

Your to-do list may seem endless. It may, in fact, be endless. It may be filled with many things that are actually the responsibilities of others, but have landed on your agenda Because Reasons. Don’t waste energy or time being frustrated at the unfairness of the situation, or the irresponsibility of others, or feeling overwhelmed.

Do your work, one thing at a time. Giant leaps forward are not today’s plan; checking off the little things, one by one, making slow and steady progress is how it’s going to go.

Gerda reminds you that everything is done at the right time, and the right results happen at the right time. You can’t make a plant grow faster, so don’t pressure yourself to do more than can be done.

Winter
~ Princess Shikishi
Translated from Japanese by Hiroaki Sato

The wind is cold.
Leaves one by one
are cleared from the
night sky. The moon
bares the garden.

Portland Japanese Garden. Photo Credit: David Cobb

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for December 1, 2016:
Active Influence: Jord/Queen of Coins
Rune: Sol/Sun (popped out when I picked up the basket) and Isa/Ice (intentionally drawn)
Hidden Influence: Mordgud/Judgment

In this timely reading on the first day of December, Mordgud taps into the energies locked under the ice of Isa and brings them into play. While the chilly water may be a shock when it hits, it’s what you need to shake you out of your current rut/funk/stuckness. Sol shines the warm, healing rays of the sun on you and your life, and Jord inspires you to let things grow and blossom in an organic manner, rather than trying to control or rush things. Make plans, take action, and let things take their course without trying to control every single factor. Do your work, and let the Universe do its part.