We are a communal organism, a forest of connectedness, striving ever upward toward that which lies beyond. We are supple and moldable, and we adapt and overcome. This allows us to dive deep into our emotions and to find things that have formed us, core memories and metaphors that affect or control how we act and interact. We need to understand that as we deal with these moments and motions, we have to look at how they are affecting the community around us. But conversely, the community is there for us and we do not explore the depths of our pain alone. Despite the overwhelming nature of our emotions at times, we are an obelisk. A rooted structure, like our forest community that reaches upward, connecting crown to root. With our groundedness we realize that our being, our lives, our emotions will form seeds that grow for generations. What we do, affects those that will come after us. That leaves us with the message that if we know, we know. Our knowledge of ourselves and our universe tells us what is right. And it’s not easy. Sometimes we do what is wrong, but we learn. We see how things bubble up from our core and we learn to correct them, change them, shape them. With this connected and interconnected world, we will flourish and grow, being better each day.

The reading opens with the intersection Air and Earth, and a reminder that the words we say can fundamentally reshape other people. Just like wind blowing across sand dunes, our expression of ourselves affects others. Be aware of your power to affect change. Flowing from this idea we receive a reminder from The Creator that we are able to fold the very elements around us, and that sometimes we are attacking something in ourselves when we say something judgmental about others. The two cards together tell us to be conscious of the way our communication lifts or levels other people. Coming back around to Air, Fire’s intersection reminds us that we cannot simply talk – we have to act, especially when it comes to professed ideals. What you do comes from you, and it needs to properly represent you. But what if it represents your core metaphor instead? Three Seeds sprinkle on the reading to answer this question, and they reply that community is key. Community, communication, communion, companion, company – that all begin with the prefix “com-.” “With.” You do not have to force your struggles alone. Find collaborators, beta readers, and mentors. They help in ways that cannot always be predicted. And when the do come into your life, the final card reminds us (at the intersection of Water and Metal) that we do best when we stand on the shoulders of giants. The people around you have their gifts, and you have yours. Jealousy blocks your growth, so be sure to be introspective about making change, professing ideals, or taking action on plans.

At the top of the chakras, how do you play hid and seek with yourself? How do you see yourself from the perspective of others and what does that inform you with? You can’t live forever with the guilt of things that you have done. You have to release it once you learn the lesson, once you show contrition to those who deserve it. It is okay to forgive yourself your missteps and move forward with new and better understanding and moral action. You must say truth kindly, and kindness truthfully. You need to be honest about yourself, but with kind introspection. You should not attack yourself or relieve your guilt and shame. It is important to look at at the Core Image, the root mantra, the essence of your being and see it truthfully, flaws and all. But with kindness, like that of a teacher or mentor helping you to see yourself and improve yourself. Then with the cool touch of icy air, from a high perch, you will see things clearly. See the present moment with purpose and peace. Finally you will defend the actions you have taken and accept the judgment that follows. Not judgmental, but justice. Truly evening the field and accepting where you are and what you can be.