When you ask the Kindreds a question, you should be prepared for an answer.  I had some time before the baby came over this morning, and so pulled out my oracle deck and asked the 3 Kindreds one single question.  What do I need to change about myself?  Yes, I am a glutton for punishment... er, I mean bettering myself.

The Ancestors offered me the Cow in reverse. This card when reversed is all about how I give my energy and gifts to others.  Awww, isn't that nice?  The cow is pointing to how I give well, but don't receive so graciously. 

"You can only give if you are also able to receive.  How easy is it for you to receive the love and concern of others?"

OUCH

Even more so, because this is something that keeps getting pointed out to me from various sources (including a few friends).  I have no issue with giving to others, and caring about their problems and issues, but I get extremely uncomfortable when people try to help me with my stuff.  I have no idea why, but I am hoping I can work on it anyway.

The Spirits of this Land and Place gave me the bear in reverse. 

"Bear gives a clear warning that you must take care not to be overwhelmed by the ferocious mother, by the berserk warrior- by forces of anger and primal ferocity..."

It takes a fair amount to make me angry (my anger tends to turn into depression within seconds of the initial flash point).  When I do get riled up, it burns extremely hot and tends to turn into the grudge from hell.  I think the Bear points to this part of me, but more so in that I allow the anger of others to overwhelm me.  I tend toward the empathic and it is easy for me to pick up the emotions of others and internalize them.  I need to find a way to pull back and stand separate. I need to find a way to do this not only for my own health and safety, but for those around me as well.  I need to do this so that healthy relationships may grow in directions helpful for all concerned.

The Theoi gave me the Bee.  Yeah, a card not in reverse! 

The Bee is a call for celebration, organization, and community.  I think I am being asked to allow more joy and recognition of what I have done so far. I sometimes forget what I have accomplished and tend to think more about what needs doing.

Although, I bet Brian would say I need to work on organizing the house more and now the Gods are commanding it.  I think instead I will see the Bee as a call to dance and rejoice in life and friends. So there :P

Going back to my favorite oracle, today I received the clover.  This is the symbol of wisdom, health, and good fortune.  The salmon in the water also re-inforces the wisdom aspect of this card.  Clover is also associated with the spring. 

 The weather here is in the 70's and I have the windows of the house open.  It feels like spring is here for sure.  I'm ready for new growth both in my garden and in my life.  I hope that I will have wisdom in how to approach new growth, so that it will be healthy growth.  Nothing worse than having to go back and re-start because of a lack of attention in the hurry to get things finished. 

Today was the first day I pulled wisdom from the alphabet oracle tiles I made.  I must say this one made me happy.  At the bottom of this post will be a picture of the tiles I made.  If you click on it, you will be taken to an explanation as to how it works and the historical evidence for this method.

The wisdom for today is Eta.  Eta is the letter for the Apollo, God of oracles, prophecy, healing, and the Sun.
“Bright Helios [Sun] {Hêlios}, who watches everything, watches you.”
The life-giving Sun will care for you. Helios is an enforcer of oaths and promises, and He knows the deceit in your heart."
I would like to add a prayer written by Diane Bronowicz and slightly modified by me.

Shining Apollon, leader of the Muses; far-shooting; far seeing God of oracles; brilliant healer and protector of youths, I wish to honor you this day.  I thank you for your many gifts and for the light you have placed in my life.  May I always bring honor to you by my actions, and may my lips speak the truths you have revealed to me.  I seek to know you better.  Please, accept my worship and look upon me with your favor as our bonds of Ghosti grow ever stronger.  Theoi, I thank you.

One of the next steps I am hoping to finish for an ADF study program is the mastering of a type of oracle.  We in ADF use different forms of oracles to take omens during our rituals.  I have tried various forms of Oracles.  Sorry to say Runes just don't speak to me, and neither do Ogham.  I have made a Greek Alphabet tile set that I am hoping to get familiar with, but so far Carr-Gomm's Druid Animal and Plant Oracles mixed together into one huge deck has been the powerful for me.  I am hoping to practice one form of oracle at least once a week if not more for the next year.  So in keeping with this new practice I drew cards today, asking for guidance for a rather odd situation that seems to have developed in my life recently.  I asked one question, "What advice can you give me for what is going on?", and drew one card for each kindred.

The ancestors gave me the Owl.  

First of all, it made me happy to see the animal that represents my patron right off the bat.  According to Carr-Gomm, the owl teaches us the wisdom of turning a disadvantage into an advantage.  The single "call words"  are listed as, "Detachment, Wisdom, and Change."

I will admit the current situation makes detachment a tad difficult, but I hope I am showing wisdom and the ability to change as things require.

On the branches hang votive offering to the hag/crone Goddess, with a full moon in the background.  Crones have a very special place in my heart, and to see her in the reflection of a full mother moon makes me feel calm, and protected.  Crones are not to be crossed, and can be very dangerous, but they also tend to be wise and use only what force is necessary. 

The Nature Kindred gave me Reverse Burdock.

The description of this card that drew my attention first was, "...the process of scapegoating is occurring in your life."  Now it doesn't only mean that I am the one being scapegoated, but that I may also be blaming someone else for the situation.  I am thinking it is a bit of both, truth me told.  It also doesn't say if that blame is well deserved or not, just that it is happening.

The description continues with, "To truly resolve an issue, a different approach is needed."  Now if I could just figure out what that different approach looks like... I'm thinking some meditation is in order for this one.

The "Call Words," for this card in reverse are, "The Outcast, Scapegoating, and Blame."

The Theoi gave me the Reversed Boar. The Boar when not reversed is raw power channeled to a certain end, usually by a warrior spirit.  The reverse is the power being turned into madness. 

"Sometimes we have to go through a period of breakdown so that something wider and deeper can enter our lives.  The Boar is the emissary of the Terrible Mother- who is the Initiator."

Huh, there's that crone again!

The call words for the Boar in reverse are, "Madness, a period of destruction that precede a period of creation."

I will be offering whiskey to the Kindreds tonight for their wisdom.  I would love to hear what impressions these cards give you, and what you feel they might mean.