Category: Prose Writing

Removing the Armour

“You haven’t yet opened your heart fully, to life, to each moment. The peaceful warrior’s way is not about invulnerability, but absolute vulnerability–to the world, to life, and to the Presence you felt. All along I’ve shown you by example that a warrior’s life is not about imagined perfection or victory; it is about love. Love is a warrior’s sword; wherever it cuts, it gives life, not death.”
― Dan Millman

 

What do you use for armour? I have used humour and I have used anger. I have used words,  sorrow and resignation. Each of these offered me various degrees of protection. They protected me from love. They protected me from awareness. They protected me at times from realizing that things were not as frightening as I believed they were. They protected me from exposing myself to my whole being. Now this warrior is weary. Piece by piece I dismantle my armour. I realize that even if battle killed my form that this is merely a suit of clothes that I wear. I have worn others in other lives. If I become hurt, then I will learn the lessons of pain and I will grow stronger. I will lead with my love and my thirst for understanding as open as I can and I know that no matter what transpires I will triumph.
Blessings, G

 

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Contemplating TransformationContemplating Transformation by G A Rosenberg

 

Emoting StarEmoting Star by G A Rosenberg

The Conquest of Joy

 

“Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest. Our magic moment help us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments — but all of this is transitory it leaves no permanent mark. And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.”
― Paulo Coelho

 

Imagine a time when all the scars you wear on your being fade away because you have dealt fully with all the wounds that left them. Imagine that we have found the joy in every moment that we have lived and say “Yes that too was for a reason, that too brought me here.” Imagine that we  have come to the point where we are living the best version of every dream that we have ever had for ourselves and facing everything that comes our way with an equanimity that we never knew we possessed. Perhaps this all starts with the conquest of joy. I have always known that being happy and feeling  joy was a possible decision at almost any point but perhaps when we find that decision to be the harder one to make we can conquer joy and make it anyway. I’m willing to attempt those conquests. How about you?
Walk in beauty and live in Joy.
Blessings, G

 

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GestationGestation by G A Rosenberg

 

The Routed HallsThe Halls en Route by G A Rosenberg

Tarot Post – Nine of Pentacles

 

Nine of Pentacles (Gain)

 

Nine of PentaclesNine of Pentacles (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

 

Residing in peace
Fulfillment well becomes you
On to the next thing

 

Once all your needs are fulfilled where will you go?
What new roads may you find in your garden?
New seeds sown and new thoughts planted
new paths sought
yet still the old beauty remains
Who else could have achieved this perfection?
Who else now to enjoy what you’ve earned?
Your hard work and  careful planning
inner beauty directed
and now the enjoyment begins.

 

The suit of Pentacles refers to the element of Earth and of practical matters such as money and partnerships both of a business nature and of the home. They can also represent nature, the Earth itself as well as our bodies. The Nines represent a coming to completion of the energy involved if not the completion itself. The Nine of Pentacles shows us a time when we have achieved our material goals through a combination of discipline, hard work and harmonizing with our environment. We can now enjoy the products of our labour at our leisure. We can also share with others this bounty and enjoy their appreciation. However there is only so long that we can sit and reflect on what we have done. Old achievements may pale without new challenges to guide us onward and we may need to go beyond the world of the senses to find this challenge. All of this we contemplate while walking in the beautiful garden of our success.

 

Astrological Correspondence – Venus in Virgo – This energy is attentive in all ways large and small. Venus in Virgo is always willing to help in practical matters. It is not overly emotive but it loves beauty and harmony and order. Venus in Virgo tends away towards spontaneity, believing that steadfastness is a more important virtue. It does not need a partner to achieve success, balance or harmony. Through attention to detail, it knows how to do the little things that matters to another so much and will often seem to be several jumps ahead in any relationship it finds itself in.

 

I Ching Correspondence – 51) Jian – Gradual Development –

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The trigram of Wood is over that of the Mountain. This hexagram talks about a gradual growth and development until fullness is reached. Everything comes in its time and once it is reached then it can be truly enjoyed (appreciated in its fullness). If things are still for too long then stagnation can occur but as long as a steady progress continues then there is benefit. There is much in this hexagram that speaks of enjoying everything in its proper order and sequence including the end result.

 

The Nine of Pentacles in a reading may show that material success and enjoyment of this success is now a possibility in our lives. Through self-discipline and attention to detail we can now achieve our goals. This card may also mean that a project we have been working on is close to completion. The Nine of Pentacles in the past may refer to someone who ‘has it all’ but is not satisfied in their lives. They may need to seek something of a more spiritual nature to fulfill them.

 

When the Nine of Pentacles turns up reversed in a reading we may have reached a time when despite our best efforts, our work is not paying off. It can also refer to difficulty with learning to discipline ourselves and developing focus. This may be as a result of lack of confidence in ourself. Another meaning of the Nine of Pentacles reversed is that we have come to value spontaneity over careful planning and attention to detail.

In Love With Your Life…

“Be in love with your life, every detail of it.”
― Jack Kerouac

 

How do you love the parts of your life that seem hard or that you fight or that you wish never were?  When I was growing up my older sister used to complain about the shape of her face. My mother would advise her part by joke and part by rote. “I love my nose. I can’t change it so I will love it and accept it. I love my chin.” She shared this with me years later and while at first I laughed at the cheesiness, it made me think. What if I took it beyond the physical?  “I love my frustration. I love my irritability.” When something bothered me about my life that I felt I couldn’t adequately address I started telling myself how much I loved it. It was amazing how empowering surrender could be. By being aware of these negative emotions or circumstances not in a confrontational way but in a loving way I found myself becoming less frustrated and less easily irritated. That’s not to say these traits have left me completely but at least they are loved rather than used as a means to kick myself.

Blessings, G

 

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Rainbows at nightRainbows at night by G A Rosenberg

 

TransformationTransformation by G A Rosenberg

The Essence of Caring

“The best storytellers are irredeemably mad, driven by a desire to express something that will actually make the world give a damn. As if the world cared! Such perversity lies beyond the understanding of most of us – of those not so enamoured with the creation of stories that there can be no thought of doing anything else.”

– Billy Marshall Stoneking

 

In a world where the key word so often seems to be apathy, what do you care about? Do you care about tragedies that touch your life peripherally? Does it  matter more that three people died in the city where you live or that 20 children were killed with money from your government? Do you care about how a particular tragedy went down or do you care about what in society is causing these tragedies in the first place? What is the story that is taking place? What are its themes? Are you stuck in details and missing essence? It’s so easy to get blindsided by fear or outrage especially when the media promotes these emotions. Listening to all sides arguing I hear a lot of what used to be called FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt). The fact remains people were killed and many were injured. Other people acted heroically according to the best of their natures.
We may never know what caused it yet it is strange, we live in a world where there are probably less acts of violence per year than at almost any other time. There is correspondingly more publicity and a lot more fear mongering when it happens. What in modern society seems to be encouraging people to think that the best way to make a statement is through violent means. There are specific questions in any given situation that most people will never hear the answer to.  There are more important general questions about the real causes that desperately call out for asking.
Blessings, G

 

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Energy ProjectionEnergy Projection by G A Rosenberg

 

CuriosityCuriosity by G A Rosenberg

I’d Rather Suffer…

“”My argument with so much of psychoanalysis, is the preconception that suffering is a mistake, or a sign of weakness, or a sign even of illness, when in fact, possibly the greatest truths we know have come out of people’s suffering; that the problem is not to undo suffering or to wipe it off the face of the earth but to make it inform our lives, instead of trying to cure ourselves of it constantly and avoid it, and avoid anything but that lobotomized sense of what they call “happiness.” There’s too much of an attempt, it seems to me, to think in terms of controlling man, rather than freeing him. Of defining him rather than letting him go. It’s part of the whole ideology of this age, which is power-mad.”
— Arthur Miller.

 

Would you give up all of the moments that have given you pain for a life of bland happiness? I know I wouldn’t. For in those moments that have hurt the worst I learned to claim the largest parts of myself. From thoughtlessly betraying a friend, I learned how certain rifts can never be fully healed and to trust my judgement just a little bit more. From the moments I felt the most alone, I learned both self-reliance and an empathy for the lonely. I learned how to love another by doing it wrong and causing pain both to myself and others and I learned that kindness goes a lot further than anger tho both have their place. I would never wish to be spared the tears in my life or heart for those have taught me the greatest compassion.

I would never wish to spare my son the pain of his mistakes tho I will feel it along with him. It would be the greatest disservice to him to try, Rumi said that the cracks are where the light comes in and I have learned that to be true. Gratitude ensues.
Blessings, G

 

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SheShe by G A Rosenberg

 

Starry EyedStarry-Eyed by G A Rosenberg

No Surrender

“What is the significance of the statement ‘No one can get enlightenment’? This is the very root of the teaching. It means that it’s stupid for any so-called master to ask anyone to do anything to achieve or get enlightenment. The core of this simple statement means, according to my concept, that enlightenment is the annihilation of the “one” who “wants” enlightenment. If there is enlightenment – which can only happen because it is the will of God – then it means the “one” who had earlier wanted enlightenment has been annihilated. So no “one” can achieve enlightenment and therefore no “one” can enjoy enlightenment.”
“The joke is even the surrendering is not in your control. Why? Because so long as there is an individual who says “I surrender” there is a surrenderer, an individual ego… What I’m saying is that even the surrendering is not in [your] hands.”
–Ramesh Balsekar

 

Is true surrender then surrender of the universe to itself? It may be something akin to Odin sacrificing himself to himself on the world tree to gain understanding. I love the concepts inherent in the Advaita (Non-Duality) school of Hinduism. I have found that contemplating all of reality as one perfect whole has lifted veils for me. Too often when we talk, words get in the way of our understanding so taking it outside of words helps.
Blessings, G

 

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Presence 2Fractal Presence by G A Rosenberg

 

Forces From the CentreForces from the Centre by G A Rosenberg

Tarot Post – Nine Of Cups

Nine Of Cups (Happiness / Fortunate)

G`Nine of Cups (Revised) by G A Rosenberg

 

Wishes have come true
Moments of pure enjoyment
Gratitude abounds.

 

Freeze the moment
ecstasy flowing
like the wine in my glass
almost as sweet
as your lips
in the grass
on my hips
on my ass
all over as my lips on you
the taste the scent
the joy
pure pleasure doesn’t get any better
we have it all
in this time
music so sweet
in motion the beat
the ocean our hearts
our bodies this wine
freeze this moments
of desires fulfilled
may this dream never pass.

— G A Rosenberg

 

The suite of Cups deal with our emotional nature including love, both that as in a relationship between two (and rarely more) people and that of friends and companions. The Nines represent a coming to completion of the energy involved if not the completion itself. Combine these energies and we have a moment of peak fulfilment with joy and pleasure that is near orgasmic. All of our wants are fulfilled, we feel bliss and life is good. No matter how good this feeling is it cannot last. Change is constant and eventually this pleasure too will pass, whether it be into a period of sustained joy or into new challenges ahead.Perhaps knowing this makes this moment all the better and the wine all the sweeter.

 

Astrological Correspondence – Jupiter in Pisces – Jupiter in Pisces energy tends towards compassion and empathy. It has the ability to know intuitively what will make those around feel better and creates the situation accordingly. This is a very fun-loving energy that enjoys life the way a dolphin enjoys the sea. Piscean energy tends to pick up and amplify anything within range so when it amplifies Jupiter’s expansiveness, it wants to show up and be there for everyone. There is a tendency for this energy to become complacent and feel that the good times will last forever.

 

I Ching Correspondence – 48) Jing – Replenishing

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The Trigram for Water is over that of Wood. Water comes up from the well in an all but inexhaustible manner replenishing those who thirst. It is a time of celebration and enjoyment where all who are in need may be satiated. Water rises up to sustain the life of that above whether it be plants or people. Wells tend to be centres of population where people come to celebrate bounty.

 

Geomantic Correspondent – Laetitia

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The figure resembles an arch or a rainbow. It means upward movement and joy and almost always means a positive outcome in whatever question is being asked. It resembles an archway or fountain in appearance.

 

In a reading the Nine of Cups has commonly been called the wish card. Depending on its position it indicates forward motion in the subject at hand. This card means good fortune, happiness and enjoyment. Because this card often refers to a breakthrough it can also indicate that there is a lot of celebrating going on, possibly to excess. This card can also mean that for a time weighty matters have been put aside and the simple pleasures of a warm bed, a full belly and a ‘bottle in hand’ can now be enjoyed. This card can also mean that one has abandoned cares and work to sit, enjoy and dream of future glory. Quite often with this card we look for this enjoyment not only for ourselves but for our friends and teammates as well.

 

The Nine of Cups reversed in a reading may mean that we are not getting what we wish, possibly because we have been focusing more on the desire rather than the work needed in order to bring it to fruition. The reversed Nine of Cups may also mean that we are getting what we wanted but not finding it quite as satisfying as we thought it would be. Something seems to be missing. Perhaps we have only been working on fulfilling our own dreams rather than making sure that those around us are also getting their needs fulfilled. This card reversed may also mean that we have the satisfaction not only of our surface needs met but our deeper spiritual needs as well.

A Colourful Business…

“In many shamanic societies, if you came across a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions: When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?”
–Angeles Arrien

 

Where would we be without a sense of wonder? Occasionally I interact with people both in real life and online who seem to have had their imagination shot off in the war. They speak flatly and argue flatly usually for what seems like a flat earth but is in actuality just a reality that stops either at the border of what they have seen or experienced for themselves or sometimes stretches to encompasses writers who tell them that indeed reality does not stretch that far. So in a universe of infinite colour and hue they restrict themselves to sixteen colours and see themselves as fanciful that they do not stop at eight.

How do you describe to someone colours that they have never seen? How can you make them believe that there are complete palettes of shades that do not exist on their colour wheel. Especially when they have always been more than satisfied with their sixteen thank you very much and see as thriftless nutters anyone who could possibly see more than thirty-two. Perhaps if they were open to the idea that such hues existed you could help them to see in their minds eye at least but all to often they have erected a grey wall against it. Eventually you just have to share your colours only with those who have the courage to paint their dreams.
Blessings, G

 

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Dreaming in TandemDreaming in Tandem by G A Rosenberg

 

Gem VortexGem Vortex by G A Rosenberg

Tarot Post – Nine of Wands

 

 

Nine of Wands (Strength / Intensity)

 

Nine of WandsNine of Wands (Strength) by G A Rosenberg

 

Hyper vigilance
Once you are sure then proceed
Imagination soars!

 
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Beware of Judgement
Once you are sure then proceed
Imagination soars!

 

At Dawn they come
I hear the drums beating
as they plan their approach
I alone remain
to meet them
I cannot give way
Will this battle be the one I cannot win?
NO!
I will not surrender
My gods watch over me and so much has been lost
The drums echo louder as I kneel in prayer
Leaning on my staff for support
My company of nine
eight well used and on e freshly carved
tell of other times
that I came through
Drumming louder, drumming stronger
and voices heard
“The dr will see you now
you may go in”
–G A Rosenberg

 

The suite of Wands deal with force-creative, spiritual, and vital. The Nines represent a coming to completion of the energy involved if not the completion itself. This energy has been through almost its whole cycle of manifestation. It has seen conflicts and resolution and tho weary it is ready for anything that comes its way. Tho after encountering conflict and emerging victorious do we forever after have the expectation of conflict somewhere in our minds. Are we perhaps too ready to see everything as a conflict? Perhaps or perhaps we have come to a healthy point where we see everything that comes our way positive or negative as being a challenge. The difference between a conflict and a challenge is that while conflict always needs to be met with either greater conflict or surrender, a challenge takes much more flexibility and fluidity.

 

Astrological Correspondence – Moon in Sagittarius – This energy is both competitive and adaptable. It is not a laboured one that thoroughly plans its every move but one that changes to fit every contest. It grows impatient when held to any plan. The Moon in Sagittarius is optimistic and its optimism carries it through no matter what it may encounter. It is a very in the moment energy and will always forge its own unique path even if its not willing to stick around and take responsibility for debris in its wake afterwards.

 

I Ching Correspondence – 7) Shi – The Army / Multitude

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The Trigram for Earth is over that of Water. This hexagram ties back to the days when China had no standing army but the peasant class would when needed during war time serve. This made it unnecessary to have a large number of men at hand always in readiness for conflict. Water stored in earth arises only when necessary. It is always good to avoid the use of force if there are alternatives. When the use of force does become necessary proper application of it is essential. It is also useful to adapt how we use our force according to both inner will and outer circumstances.

 

When the Nine of Wands shows up in a reading, there may be an indication that it is time to marshall our strength and be in readiness for conflict. It may also mean that we are ready to take on any challenge that may come our way and be able to meet it fully. The Nine of Wands may also mean that we are involved in a contest for the ‘thrill of the game’ rather than to gain anything specific. This card often speaks of a great struggle, depending on where it comes in the reading, it is either ongoing, in the past or about to start. In any case, it is a challenge that will be well met.

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The Nine of Wands reversed in a reading may show that we are being over-cautious and hyper-vigilant. We may have been preparing ourselves for a great battle for so long that we have grown rigid and unyielding and jump at shadows. It can mean that we need to become vulnerable for awhile so that we can once again be ready to engage with proper and flexible readiness.