The Birds

Like many of us, I have a pretty set morning routine. And an evening one, too. But, for this post I want to focus a bit more on my morning one.

Once I’m out of bed, gone downstairs and have my morning tea paraphernalia ready, I do my morning meditations and light their corresponding candles. Then, I check my vitals, take my morning meds, do my journaling, and finally, like Mary Poppins, I feed my birds. But unlike her, I don’t sing. In fact, the only way I can carry a tune is by transporting sheet music. The routine isn’t always in this order, but it’s close enough. Once all that is done, I pour my first cup of tea, grab a little bite of something to eat as to not necessarily have my meds on an empty stomach. Then I gird myself for a brief glimpse of the news. Too much news can trigger my anxiety and raise my blood pressure, so I limit my intake. Sounds like a pretty boring or typical routine, I know. 

The breakfast crowd on a slow day

My favorite part of my morning is watching my birds. Well, they aren’t mine, as they are wild, but I feel they are mine as I feed them and they seem to know my house as they are often waiting for me on those extremely rare mornings when I sleep in. Fortunately, they’ve scattered enough seeds on the ground that they find something to eat until I fill their dishes. Yes, dishes, plural. Plant saucers, actually.

Two dishes get a finch mix, one dish gets a mixture of raw peanuts and sunflower seeds, and the last one gets both sunflower and safflower seeds. By the early afternoon, all the dishes are pretty empty because the lunch crowd polishes off what the breakfast rush left behind.

Finches in the bath

I get a variety of neighborhood birds; a couple of species of Sparrows, House Finches, Doves-both Mourning and Collared, California Scrub Jays, and on rare occasions, a Mockingbird, some California Towhees, and a Black Phoebe have dropped in. I think these last three are more insectivores as they don’t approach the dishes. Hummingbirds do visit as well, but get their sustenance from some of the flowers I have and some Goldfinches have begun using my fountain as a water source and birdbath. I haven’t seen the Golds at the feeding dishes, so I’m not sure what and where they are eating.

Two squirrels have also found my home and are regular visitors.

The doves, sparrows and finches go for the finch mix and safflower seeds, while the jays prefer the peanuts, as do the squirrels, but both also like the sunflower seeds. The jays and the squirrels seem to have some sort of an understanding about who gets to eat before whom. Bucky, the first squirrel to discover my yard is usually an early arrival, though the jays sometimes beat him to it. On those mornings when they don’t, they will patiently wait while he decides what to do with his peanut; either eat it then and there or bury it somewhere in my yard. I think he eats it then and there to keep the jays away. “More for me!” he must be thinking.

What I find fun is observing their behaviors. The doves, sparrows and finches just walk around the table and in the dishes, occasionally nudging at someone to get out of the way. The squirrels and jays will get the peanuts and sometimes eat them at the table, on the fence, in one of the trees or bury them in the yard. I’ve noticed up to four jays at one time and even among them, they have a pecking order. While one jay is in the dish, any other jay is waiting their turn, perched either on the back of a chair, a branch in one of the trees or on the top of the umbrella, sometimes there will be a jay in all three places when there are four vying for some peanuts.

While it’s been interesting watching their feeding behaviors, I’ve made some other interesting observations. I can easily tell the sparrows from the finches and can identify the males from the females in the same species due to different coloring, aka sexual dichromatism. But, how to tell the female sparrow from the female finch as both are a dusty brown color? In reality, it only matters to the males of their own species, but enquiring minds also want to know. Thank goodness for Google, I can now tell them apart. I am also reasonably sure that Bucky is a male squirrel, as is Junior, the second squirrel to wander into my yard. Again, thanks to Google.

Sexing the doves was a bit harder as the genders don’t have different coloring. Well, obvious different coloring. It turns out the males have a very pale light blue crown on the top of their head. They are also slightly larger than the females, but just slightly. I’m still working on telling the jays apart.

Speaking of male and female doves, their courting behaviors are hysterical. It appears only the males coo. I’ve begun to suspect it’s when they are ‘in the mood’ so to speak. He bobs his head and if the female shows no interest, the male will get a little more persistent and chase her a bit hoping to wear her down. He keeps cooing and sometimes hops after her like a little rabbit. It’s so funny to see a dove hopping. Bounce, bounce, bounce.

The collared doves

The collared doves are much larger than the mourning ones and a much lighter color. So far, I’ve only seen one pair with one slightly larger than the other leading me to believe that was the male. Lo and behold, once I looked up to see the larger one mounting the smaller one right on the back of one of my chairs. I asked them if they would mind getting a room, but they ignored me and finished their deed. I hope I get to be godfather to any chicks that hatch. The female, or the one on the bottom, disappeared for a couple of days after that, so I began to worry. But, she turned up shortly after. Maybe she was nestbuilding.

Bucky

Bucky and Junior, the two squirrels, have their own issues. I suspect Junior is younger as his tail isn’t as bushy nor is his body as big as Bucky’s. But, I think Junior is nearly full grown. Oh, the squirrel squabbles these two get into when Bucky sees Junior going after the peanuts. Bucky chases Junior all over my yard and into the neighbor’s warning him all the way.

I’m also beginning to learn some of the birds' calls. There is the gentle chirping of the sparrows and finches that greets me in the morning hours. But every once in a while things get a bit raucous and it’s either a sparrow spat or a finch fight. Though what they could be spatting or fighting over, who knows? 

There is one other visitor I haven’t shared and is responsible for much of the bird splat I get on my windows. That is Cooper, the local Cooper’s Hawk. Coop likes to swing by for some breakfast, too and to the best of my knowledge hasn’t been too successful in my yard. So far. Though I have seen quite a few feathers on the ground but those could also be due to the feral cats in the area who also use my yard as a hunting ground as well as a litter box. When Coop swings by checking out the menu, all the birds hurriedly scatter and some hit my windows. Once, Cooper and Bucky seemed to be having an issue over who had the right of way at the top of the fence. I knew Bucky could push Junior around, but Cooper? Turns out Cooper had been lucky and had a dove or a pigeon on the fence and wasn’t interested in squirrel for breakfast. At least, that morning. Whew, Bucky, that was brave of you! And a close call.

Coop

Now, that I’ve retired and the pandemic has kept me at home, I’ve begun noticing what happens in my yard. The more attention I pay to what goes on around me and study the different details, the more I learn. With the help of Google, at times. Perhaps, that can be a lesson for all of us. Slow down and notice what goes on around you. You may be surprised at what you see.

Now, if I can only find out who is digging the holes all over my yard at night.

But, I do have a theory. 

A Knight in February

The Knight of Swords
Radiant RWS Tarot

Well, we’re into a new month and it’s that time. Time to check in with my New Year's Reading.

My card for February was the Knight of Swords. I have a love/hate relationship with Swords. It is the suit of the mind and covers thinking, reasoning, logic, truths, and communication. As we all know, the truth can be painful, just like a sharp, pointy sword. But, often we need to hear the truth in order to let go of what no longer serves us. 

Or, conversely, we need to express our truths to others, no matter how painful it may be.

The knights of a tarot deck can be a bit tricky to read. They represent the age of an idealistic young adult; those who are setting off on their life journey after doing all their studying and learning as it relates to the theme of their suit. This age can either be a bit still tentative in their self-expression or don’t know their limits and be too forward as it relates back to their theme.

The Knight of Swords represents a young adult full of fresh perspectives, ideas and thoughts with grand desires to express them. This Knight also believes that their truths are correct after all the learning and studying this Knight has done. This Knight can have difficulty accepting others’ opinions as also true. The Knight of Swords is often too quick to speak, failing to take into consideration what effect their words might have on the listener; therefore often coming off as brash or rude. 

All four knights in the traditional Rider Waite Smith tarot deck are on horseback as all good knights usually are. Each horse is in a different pose suggesting speed. This Knight’s horse is at full gallop, suggesting this Knight moves quickly and directly to express their ideas; often, without consideration for the outcome or consequences. There’s that youthful exuberance. Or inexperience.

The Knight of Swords
Grimalkin Tarot, (c) 2020
MJ Cullinane

In the deck I used for this year’s reading, The Grimalkin Tarot, by MJ Cullinane, we see a cat leaping out of a tree after a bird. This cat is so focused on the bird that it has not taken into consideration what might happen to the horse once the cat lands on or near it. 

In life we sometimes get so focused on what we are thinking or saying, we don’t take possible consequences into consideration. We can also get so caught up in our own thoughts and ideas that any other perspectives are seen as wrong. 

I had an opportunity to teach my study group. Teaching is also part of the suit of Swords as it involves communication, ideas and learning. All of which are part of teaching. One person communicates their ideas for others to learn them.

I was teaching some exercises on using the Tarot to heal our Chakras. Our Chakras are energy centers in our body through which our life force energy flows. They can become blocked and therefore cause some emotional upset. There are a few different ideas and perspectives on them and how to heal them, so I knew I had to be cautious and just teach what I had learned and respect any other differing opinions. 

In other words, I had to rein in my inner Knight of Swords.

In prior posts, I have discussed my issues with others' opinions regarding politics, the pandemic, what is safe and what isn't, as well as my personal approach to life; especially as I try to live for the greater good of all. Here is where my inner Knight of Swords would brandish his sword and try and drive his point home often without success as the others were operating in their own world and point of view.

All in all, I felt the class was a success and was grateful for the Knight to show up alerting me to the energy I’d be needing in February. Now to keep this energy going more often.

On to March and another Sword.

The Ace.

The Ace of Swords
Grimalkin Tarot, (c) 2020
MJ Cullinane

For more information on MJ and her decks, please click here.

Temperance in January

January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings. As such, he is depicted with two faces; one facing backward, the other forward. Perhaps this is why we often reflect back at the year ending as we also look forward in anticipation of the new year just beginning. What changes can we make to improve ourselves in the new year?

When I pulled the cards for my New Year Reading, I wasn’t surprised to see Temperance show up. To start off the New Year with a major card suggests it’s going to be a strong opening month.

Temperance,
Radiant RWS Tarot

In the traditional Rider Waite Smith card we see an angel standing with one foot on land and one foot in water while pouring water from one chalice into another. The positions of the feet suggest an attempt to remain grounded while in touch with emotions, symbolized by the water. I can also picture the angel pouring the water back and forth between the two chalices; from one into the other and back again, almost like a mixologist would do to find the perfect balance of ingredients for a cocktail. We also see a road leading from the water to a crown symbolizing our ego in the distance, suggesting that as we travel this path of balancing our emotions and groundedness, it will lead us to a greater sense of self.

And that is the message of Temperance-balance yourself between two extremes; emotions and groundedness, strengthen yourself but don’t be either a bully or a pushover, find the middle of the road of the extremes.

I used another artist/tarot reader’s deck this year for my reading, The Grimalkin Tarot, by MJ Cullinane. She themed this deck around cats. (For more information on MJ and her decks, click the link below.)

In her interpretation of Temperance, we see a cat walking a narrow ledge across a stream of water. One side of the stream is calm and then flows over the ledge down into some turbulent waters below, while some fish are leaping over the ledge into the calmer waters, all in front of the cat. Yet, the cat remains focused on crossing to the other side, not letting the fish distract it. Understanding that chaos and darkness are as much a part of life as calmness and light is key to finding balance. Finding and maintaining that balance will lead us to a path towards a solution. Yet, we can only find that path in moments of calm inspiration.

The Grimalkin Tarot
(c) 2020, MJ Cullinane

I found this card to fit January for a number of reasons.

Here in the US we are transitioning into a new Administration from the turbulent waters of the prior one into seemingly calmer waters of the new one. It still is early in this Administration and we are headed into uncharted waters with our first biracial, female Vice-President. I am sure there are some citizens of this country who might like to leap into these uncharted waters and stir things up to test her. As a country, we must remain focused on the goal of remaining united, however difficult that might be at this time and not let those leaping fish disturb these new waters.

Yet, this was my reading, not hers. Or the country’s.

I found myself very frustrated and anxious earlier this month. Yet, I tried to remain calm, grounded and balanced. I kept focusing on what I could do to remain in the present moment and not get caught up in what was going on around me where I had no control.

I had to keep my eyes on that goal. I had to get to the other side. In this case, it was past Inauguration Day. I needed to see that transfer of power and needed to see it happen peacefully.

I also had to maintain balance surrounding this pandemic and those who choose to still ignore what health officials continually remind us of:

• Wear a mask, and wear it correctly-over your nose and mouth;

• Practice social distancing-six feet (2 Meters) apart;

• Stop getting together with people outside your household;

• Stay home as much as possible-except for essential business.

With four newer, mutant, potentially more contagious strains of this virus running around (one was found each in Britain, South Africa, Brazil and California-though the latter is not as widespread-yet), I feel we are not out of the woods, nor will be for quite some time, as this is where we are with the common flu virus-new strains are constantly mutating to avoid vaccines. 

Yet, I can only manage myself. I am prepared to wear a mask the rest of my life, if needed. With all these new variants appearing, I just may have to.

Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash

I also found myself drowning in my own thoughts. Particularly over prickly conversations I anticipate having at some point in the future. When, exactly? I don’t know. Would I even have them? Would I need to? Yet, there they were formulating in my head, just in case I needed to have them. They were also formulating in various formats so I could be prepared for any scenario that might occur.

In my training to be a teacher, we were trained, drilled and reminded ad nauseum to anticipate all the questions our students might ask as we prepared lesson plans. Yet, invariably a student would ask a question I hadn’t anticipated. (And I don’t mean “Can I use the restroom?” Or other such questions. I always anticipated those.) So, this may be where my anticipating these conversations comes from.

These pre-conversations were galavanting around in my head, especially when I found myself in down time or in those pesky moments when I am trying to get to sleep or those hazy moments of not being fully awake in the morning; those semi-hypnotic moments were we drift in and out of a dream-state. During these times, I would focus more on my body and its contact with the bedclothes. Could I feel the sheet against my foot or my arm? Could I feel the weight of my hand as it lies upon my chest? What about the weight of the blanket, sheet and bedspread combined? But, maintaining this focus isn’t very easy when you continually awaken between 2:00 and 4:00 AM, daily.

Urban Crow Oracle
(c) 2020 MJ Cullinane

In her Urban Crow Oracle deck, MJ Cullinane refers to these types of conversations as ‘ghosts’, as these are conversations we wanted to have or feel we should have had in the past yet still haunt us. But, how can a conversation we feel we need to have in the future be a ghost? Maybe they’re just a premonition, or a pesky poltergeist? 

I think here is also where I need to invoke Temperance. I need to be aware that I may have to have these poltergeister-ish conversations, yet remain unsure of how they’ll go. There will be unexpected turns, comments I hadn’t anticipated and I’ll just have to deal with them at that time. Just like in teaching.

I’ll have to be okay with that.

And keep my eyes focused on the goal.

Maintaining balance.

Photo by Photoholgic on Unsplash

For information on MJ Cullinane, her decks and her art, please click here

Check Boxes

I’m breaking one of my personal cardinal rules with this post.

Clipartmag.com

I’m going political. Sort of.

I’ve always felt political (and religious) views are personal as they invite discourse which often leads to heated discussions which in turn escalates into arguments and often disenfranchises families and friends. Someone once close to me voiced his opinion on same-sex marriage and we no longer speak. He also threw in his opinion of other aspects of gay rights, how we ‘behaved’ and some other political donkey manure and I was only too glad to walk away and respect my blood pressure.

This past week has been monumental for the United States for a number of reasons. First of all, the departing of a tumultuous, difficult, and fascist president. Yes, I’m being too kind. I could go on but then I’d digress from my point which I guess I already am.

Well, here goes my political rant.

I’m tired of hearing one particular word.

I’ve heard it a lot lately. 

To the point where I might scream. Well, only if I hear it in this particular context. After all, it is an important word.

The word is first.

I keep hearing it, and have been hearing it, with respect to Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Vice-President
Kamala Harris
(Public Domain)

I want it to be clearly understood that I respect her, I am very elated she was asked to run and that Joe Biden and she won and were safely inaugurated this week. (Can one be very elated? Are there levels of elatedness?)

I also respect Joe Biden for recognizing the need for selecting a woman of color as his running mate. It is about damn time.

Yet, I tire of hearing that she is the first.

• First Woman

• First African-American

• First African-American Woman

• First Indian

• First Asian

• First South-Asian

• First child of direct immigrants

How many other firsts can we attribute to her? Imagine if she were Jewish and Lesbian.

I also want to be clearly understood that I believe this moment is long overdue in this country. I applaud her victory. I recognize her achievements and what this means to other children of color and to other young girls.

I also recognize that we must honor these first achievements. Without recognizing these trailblazers there is no hope for future generations of marginalized people, especially the children.

When I was growing up, not yet struggling with my identity, gay men were often depicted in the media as sad, lonely, sociopaths, pedophiles, women-haters, overtly effeminate, a victim or suicidal. Or promiscuous. When I began to confront myself, those images were already etched in my subconscious. Those were very depressing impressions of what I was supposed to be if I were truly gay. First impressions can be lasting. They can be quite damaging as well, especially if you don’t see yourself fitting any one of those portrayals.

I’ve also been hearing the word or remembering hearing it attributed to many other people:

• Ilhan Omar (D-MN) one of the first two Muslim women elected to the US House of Representatives

• Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) one of the first two Muslim women elected to the US House of Representatives

• Barney Frank (D-MA) the first openly gay man elected to the US House of Representatives

• Harvey Milk, first openly gay man to be elected to the San Fransisco Board of Supervisors and first openly gay elected official in the State of California

• Alex Padilla (D-CA) the first Latino Senator from California

• Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) first openly lesbian elected to the US House of Representatives and later to the US Senate and first woman elected from Wisconsin to either chamber of Congress

• Danica Roem, first openly transgender person elected to a state legislature, the Virginia General Assembly.

I could go on...

Shirley Chisholm
(Public Domain)

While recognizing these firsts as milestones, as historic, as important, we must also recognize they will fade from our memories.

Two come to mind. The first is Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to the US Congress, representing New York’s 12th District in the House of Representatives from 1969-1983. She also became the first African-American candidate to run for a major political party’s presidential nomination and the first woman to seek the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. If it hadn’t been for Ms. Chisholm’s first, Kamala Harris might not have had her first.

Charles Curtis
(Public Domain)

This second one didn’t spring to mind, but was the result of some research after reading that Ms. Harris isn’t the first person of color to occupy the Vice-Presidency. She is the second. The honor of being first falls to Charles Curtis, Vice-President (1929-1933) under Herbert Hoover, which puts him a bit before my time. Mr. Curtis was born in 1860 in the then-Kansas Territory. As a member of the Kaw Nation due to his mother’s membership, he is the highest ranking person with Native American ancestry to hold an elected office. Other Native Americans had held elected office prior and many after Mr. Curtis. Mr. Curtis’ father was of European ancestry, making him also the first biracial person to serve as Vice-President.

With the election of Ms. Harris and her inauguration falling just after the Martin Luther King holiday here in the United States, some lines from his famous “I Have A Dream” speech are echoing in my head:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.” 

I, too, have a dream. I have a dream that one day we will stop checking off boxes to see how many firsts we can check off when a non-white cisgender heterosexual male accomplishes something.

And we can simply applaud their achievement.

That day is coming.

Photo by Kikki Starr on Unsplash

Photos of Ms. Chisholm and Mr. Curtis via https://commons.wikipedia.org

Trees

Several years ago I made a New Year’s Resolution not to make any resolutions. They are difficult to keep much past the first week, let alone the first month. Well, for me anyway. Yes, I know it has to do with making them attainable, incremental, and not to punish yourself for slipping up. As my Weight Watchers leader would say quite frequently, “You don’t total the car for simply denting the fender.” 

Instead, I simply try to live better. With the emphasis on try. That includes nutrition, exercise, weight management, etc. All the big ones. I don’t smoke and rarely have alcohol, so those don’t count.

And I’ve added a new one, being mindful or being present.

As I’ve said before, I have hypertension and that can complicate things with Covid-19 and other health related issues. So, I try to keep myself as grounded and centered as I can to avoid raising my blood pressure. It’s not easy these days.

I think I’ve posted before that on my morning walks, I listen to my favorite music and focus on the lyrics. I have a mental sing-along in my head. I’d hate to scare any other walkers with my singing voice as the only way I can carry a tune is by transporting sheet music. Lately, I’ve discovered audiobooks, but being a visual person, I still prefer to read a book before I listen to it. So, I listen to some old favorites. I just completed a Harry Potter marathon, books 3-7. I haven’t downloaded the first two yet.

But, one thing I have also noticed lately, is that I’ve been focusing more on the trees in my neighborhood as they seem to be calling out to me. I wondered what they could be saying. Besides, it keeps my attention on them instead of the troubling thoughts galloping around in my head.

I find myself entranced by the simple elegance of a naked tree. We get to see that part of the tree we take for granted; the branches. We forget they’re there when the tree is in leaf. Now, we can see the network of branches within the canopy, months before invisible to our eyes.

The shedding of the leaves also reminds me of the invisible support we all have. Just as the branches support the leaves of the tree, we have a support system we sometimes take for granted. For some, it is their network of family and friends. For others, it consists of their higher power, their intuition, the Universe/Spirit/God plus their network of family and friends.

To see a tree standing there in all its uncovered beauty is to see a miracle of nature. We don’t get to see what the tree is truly doing deep inside. It has shed what it no longer needs in order to prepare for the new.

Can we do that? Often we purge what we don’t need in the material sense, yet turn around and acquire more. But, can we purge ourselves of the memories we no longer need? Can we rid ourselves of the triggers that set off those painful emotions? Can we control the thoughts that trespass in our heads creating scenarios that might not exist, therefore adding to our anxiety and/or depression?

Then I turn around and see the evergreens; the pines, the cypress, the ficus and assorted palms so prominent here in my neighborhood. They stand tall, often above the rest. Proudly grounded, deeply rooted in the earth, yet swaying in the breeze, their greenness helping them stand out against the blue sky and their naked cousins.

On today’s walk, what truly struck me was the juxtaposition of the deciduous with the evergreens. One so vulnerable and exposed, shedding the old to prepare for the new and the other deeply grounded in remaining true to its nature.

That has become my newest quasi-resolution:

I will try my best to shed what no longer serves me, to prepare for the new while remaining true to my nature. And standing tall.

All thanks to the trees.

I guess they were talking to me.

It seems I was listening.

All photos courtesy of Jeff Ballam.

2021

The Grimalkin Tarot
(c) 2020, MJ Cullinane
Photo by Jeff Ballam

Continuing my newest tradition of drawing a New Year’s Reading giving me a glimpse into the year dawning on me, I sat down on January 1 to pull some cards. For this reading, I decided to use one of my newest decks, The Grimalkin Tarot by MJ Cullinane. 

(For information on this and other decks by MJ Cullinane, click on the link below.)

Glancing initially, I see only four major cards out of thirteen total, suggesting this year will focus more on more minor energies, rather than a lot of deeper lessons. I see only four reversed cards suggesting that most energies will be directed outward rather than internally. Six of the nine minors are Yang energy also suggesting more of an external, active, expressive year.

January brings me Temperance, a Major. To begin a year with a Major card suggests the year will start off with a bang, a bigger lesson. In the card, we see a cat walking on a narrow ledge with calm water on one side flowing over the ledge into a waterfall, while fish are swimming upstream. This would suggest I need to walk a narrow path between a calmer side and a more chaotic, turbulent side; keeping balance between two very different sides.

February brings the Knight of Swords, an energy of going forth with my own ideas, expressing my truths. We see a cat in mid-lunge, focused on his quarry, the crow. How will the horse react? This Knight can have a tendency to be too focused, a tad harsh in expressing his thoughts and ideas. I may need to watch myself as I express my thoughts and opinions, making sure not to cause an upset.

March’s card is the Ace of Swords. What opportunity is presented for me for me to expand my mind? What learning opportunity is presenting itself to me? What truths are presenting themselves to me? Will I send or receive a message of some kind? What stand must I take?

In April, I greet the Queen of Wands-an energy of going forth to pursue my passion, a new adventure or to seek to accomplish a goal close to my heart. She is also a team player, as long as you agree to play by the same rules. Will I be working with someone? 

May brings the Seven of Cups, where we see the cat dreaming of what it wants or needs. Dare I dream of something big or realize that what I see or feel is merely an illusion? Or am I to take this energy and expand my vision?

The King of Wands comes in June and adds an interesting element. The Queen and King of Wands are both about pursuing goals, passions, or adventures; yet, they come from differing points of view. Both are driven, both can be charming and use their charms to achieve their success. The Queen suggests a more emotional approach, suggesting a bit more passion in her approach and therefore, more drive. She is a woman seeking success in a man’s world, wanting to be taken seriously. The King brings the energy of a driven man, someone who sets his sights on what he wants or needs and strives to achieve it. His approach is more logical since men are more analytical. He thinks on his feet. As these two sandwich the Seven of Cups, perhaps the Queen sets the plan in motion in April, the dream becomes more realized or evident in May, and the King takes it further in June. 

July brings the first reversed card, the Emperor. This card’s energy is about order, discipline and structure. He keeps people on task. Yet, reversed this could indicate I am faltering a bit to complete the goals set by the Queen’s energy and need to be reminded of my need to keep on task, perhaps by developing some more structure.

The Page of Swords enters in August. Some new ideas are present and there is an eagerness to learn them. The Page may even encounter some problems from the Emperor Reversed in July and set out to correct them. 

The Nine of Pentacles Reversed appears in September. The first month I sense some negative energy, though not overtly so. The cat in the card sits comfortably in a garden, content in his surroundings. Perhaps this is the first month where some discomfort sets in. Will there be some financial discomfort in September?

October brings a special card for this deck only, the Grimalkin. This card brings the ancestral energy of women, the ancient healers. Grimalkin is an archaic term for a cat and cats were often seen as companions, or familiars, for women-especially women associated with the healing arts, later to be considered 'witchcraft.' Perhaps, I will need some healing. Or, will I perform some? Other energies here are solitude, letting go, walking my own path. I find this card's appearance quite intriguing as it also connects with the Hermit's energy. As I posted before, the Hermit is about introspection, walking one's own path, and is my soul card. We often think of a hermit as a man, usually elderly and an elderly, single woman as a crone.

The Cailleach Beure.  Public domain.

November and December both bring reversed cards. The Eight of Swords Reversed shows a cat trying to get past a waterfall. Cats are wary of water and this one seems determined to get past the water. What is holding it back? Its own thoughts, its own perceptions. Reversed, this card suggests letting go of my own thoughts that hold me back. I’m no longer restraining myself. Or the energy will be there for me to act upon it. The Three of Wands shows a cat looking off into the distance, wondering what is over yonder? Perhaps, it will be best to keep my focus on the present rather than the future, which being on the cusp of a new year is often the tradition of December; what will the new year hold? Nope, keep your focus closer to home. 

I add a thirteenth card for a theme. I try to use its energy throughout the year to boost the other cards. This year the card is Death. When I turned the card over, I was excited. This is not a literal card, yet metaphoric; archetypal.It’s about letting things die in one’s life, shedding the toxic. It can also be about transformation. I often think of a caterpillar when the Death card comes up. The caterpillar dissolves itself completely in order to transform into the butterfly. This will be a year of transformation for me, a lot of growth. Which is interesting. Numerologically, this is a year of 5. 2021=2 + 0+ 2 + 1=5. And 5 is the number associated with change. Change is simply change. Our reaction to it is what makes it positive or negative.

This year I will be looking at how I can release the toxic energies in each month as I work through the energies of that month's card. For example, what toxicities can I release to help me maintain the balance of Temperance? I find this card quite appropriate for January as we inaugurate a new president.

The energies are quite opposing this time. I have to find the balance within.

All in all, I like this reading.

It feels good.

For more information on decks by MJ Cullinane, click here.