Ancient Air
~ Li Po
Translated from Chinese by J. P. Seaton

Climbed high, to gaze upon the sea,
Heaven and Earth, so vast, so vast.
Frost clothes all things in Autumn,
Winds waft, the broad wastes cold.
Glory, splendor; eastward flowing stream,
This world’s affairs, just waves.
White sun covered, its dying rays,
The floating clouds, no resting place.
In lofty Wu-t’ung trees nest lowly finches.
Down among the thorny brush the Phoenix perches.
All that’s left, to go home again,
Hand on my sword I sing, “The Going’s Hard.”

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for November 13, 2016:
Active Influence: Gjalp & Greip/Five of Wands
Rune: Nauthiz/Need
Hidden Influence: Hreidmar & Ottar/Five of Coins

Well, at least the Fives balance each other. Otherwise, there’s not a lot here that’s happy. Arguments are in the air, disagreements abound. Losses must be grieved, and adding to the grief is that, regardless of what apologies, amends, or weregild may be offered, they are insufficient to assuage the pain of the loss. Disengage where you can, and where you must engage, defend your boundaries and base your actions on what you truly need. You’re not going to get what you want, but you must get what you need so that you have the strength for tomorrow. Take time tonight to withdraw and engage in intensive self-care. Mourn your loss, heal your wounds, and know that tomorrow is another, and hopefully better, day.

The Snake Charmer
~ Sarojini Naidu
Translated from Pashto by Saduddin Shpoon

Whither dost thou hide from the magic of my flute-call?
In what moonlight-tangled meshes of perfume,
Where the clustering keovas guard the squirrel’s slumber,
Where the deep woods glimmer with the jasmine’s bloom?

I’ll feed thee, O beloved, on milk and wild red honey,
I’ll bear thee in a basket of rushes, green and white,
To a palace-bower where golden-vested maidens
Thread with mellow laughter the petals of delight.

Whither dost thou loiter, by what murmuring hollows,
Where oleanders scatter their ambrosial fire?
Come, thou subtle bride of my mellifluous wooing,
Come, thou silver-breasted moonbeam of desire!

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for November 10, 2016:
Active Influence: Fenris/The Devil
Rune: Dagaz/Breakthrough
Bonus Rune: Gar/The Unknown (it hopped out of the basket when I pulled Dagaz)
Hidden Influence: Svipdag/Knight of Cups

Good intentions are good start, but the emotional energies are much more intense than can be managed by mere positive thinking. A lot of stuff is coming up and coming out today, and a lot of it may not want to be what anyone wants to deal with. Nonetheless, here it is, and while it may be scary and unexpected, it will create needed change. How that change plays out is anyone’s guess, though—Dagaz (associated with Loki) says “change”, and Gar (associated with Odin) says “see what happens”.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for November 9, 2016:
Active Influence: Loki & Thor/Seven of Swords
Rune: Teiwaz/Truth (reversed)
Hidden Influence: Gunnlod/Two of Cups

Lies, treachery, and deceit. If you agree to a bad deal or a dishonest plan, be sure you understand what you’re agreeing to—someone who wants you to lie is lying to you. Defend your interests, defend yourself, and get out as soon as you can.