Drought
~ Oumar Ba
(Translated from French by Kathleen Weaver)

The frail scorched grasses are stripped now
Of their green hues and compared to the
Hot sun. The evil dryness poisons the heart
Of the unconquerable branching rivers and
The harsh shriveling winds burrow under ground,
Muddied with filth—the forest next,
Now birds give up their songs, and the dug-out
Canoes are lodged in the banks of sand,
Now the sombre salvation from dryness,
A time of gaiety, celebration, but
Stripped of its leaves and useful shrubs,
Nature, after the moist sorrow of the
Fatal loss, weeps like a mother
Bereft of her children, the adornments.
Parched with thirst, the whole tribe of birds,
Song ravaged by unending drought,
Strength pillaged by pain—the tumult dies
Now the sombre salvation from dryness,
The natural fatality of existence.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for October 18, 2016:
Active Influence: Hevring/Four of Cups
Rune: Ansuz/Messages
Hidden Influence: Gjalp & Greip/Five of Wands

Beware of cranky sisters wielding sticks. People are spoiling for a fight today (which may be carried over from October 15, when the sisters appeared as the Active Influence), and you may not be able to defuse the situation. Whatever the nominal subject of the disagreement, the energy released is going to trigger grief and sorrow, possibly over unrelated losses. Your subconscious is sending you a message about what you really need to be dealing with now. Do your best to retreat safely so you can deal with your emotions. The other party will calm down tonight, and you can sort things out with them tomorrow. For today, deal with your own stuff.

Like They Say
~ Robert Creeley

Underneath the tree on some
soft grass I sat, I

watched two happy
woodpeckers be dis-

turbed by my presence. And
why not, I thought to

myself, why
not.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for October 17, 2016:
Active Influence: Asvid/The Hierophant
Rune: Ul/Healing, Change
Hidden Influence: Nidhogg/Strength

Ul brings in healing energies to soothe tired hearts and souls. Nidhogg shows you have the strength, and Asvid shows you have the wisdom, to do what you need to heal so that you can move forward. A teacher or mentor may appear to guide you on this part of your path. Trust your instincts as to whether this person can be trusted. If they can, you have a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills.

Rain
~ Po Chu-i
Translated from Chinese by Arthur Waley

Since I lived a stranger in the City of Hsun-yang
Hour by hour bitter rain has poured.
On few days has the dark sky cleared;
In listless sleep I have spent much time.
The lake has widened till it almost joins the sky;
The clouds sink till they touch the water’s face.
Beyond my hedge I hear the boatman’s talk;
At the street-end I hear the fisher’s song.
Misty birds are lost in yellow air;
Windy sails kick the white waves.
In front of my gate the horse and carriage-way
In a single night has turned into a river-bed.

Rain image from 7-themes.com