Legacies
– Lysbeth Em Benkert

You were not born with a silver spoon.
There were no manicured lawns,
no ballet slippers.
You learned early to watch
for the scorpions
in the road,
for the rattlers
under the baking rocks,
for the great rumbling volcanoes
in the house—
on the good days they didn’t notice you,
on the good days they were quiet.

* * *
She is so small.
The world will try to wrap her in pink;
they will give her white globes
that
make
her
invisible.
They will tell her stories of Griselda
about waiting.
They will tell her stories of Ruth
about devotion,
about pouring herself
into someone else’s cup
until there is nothing left.

* * *
You will not wrap her in anything.
Instead
give her ruby slippers
so she can always come home;
give her sturdy red boots
that make her
luminous.

Tell her stories of Lilith,
about how she is made form good, wholesome earth
not from a crooked rib.

Tell her stories of Judith,
about rising up to rescue herself.

Tell her that her voice
will ring out
to slay her enemies.

Tell her that she is not St. Paul’s girl—chaste, silent, obedient—
Tell her that
she
is
God’s
avenging
angel.

Tell her
that she can climb mountains,

that
she
is louder
than volcanoes.

The Weekly Insight from the Oracles for March 29, 2020 is live on my Patreon, with many thanks to my delightful Patrons!

Not a Patron yet? Click through to find out all the wonderful perks waiting for you!

Words to My Mother
~ Alfonsina Storni
Translated by Marion Freeman and Mary Crow

I don’t ask you to tell me the great truths
Because you wouldn’t tell me; I only ask
If, when you carried me in your belly, strolling through
Dark patios on bloom, the moon was a witness.

And if, when I slept listening
In your breast with its Latin passions,
A hoarse and singing sea lulled you to sleep nights
And if you watched in the gold dusk, the sea birds plunge.

For my soul is all fantasy, a voyager,
And it is wrapped in a cloud of dancing folly
When the new moon ascends the dark blue sky.

And, lulled by a clear song of sailors, it likes—
If the sea unlocks its strong perfumes—
To watch the great birds that pass without destination.

The amazingly talented and wise Ellen Lorenzi-Prince has published The She Who Watches Oracle, 25 cards portraying spirits from the land of the Chinook Indians.

The cards are divided among Feather People, Fur People, and Supernatural People, and are all drawn by Ellen.

I spent Sunday evening reading the book and spending time with each card as I read.The art is compelling (of course—Ellen’s work is quite magical), and the card descriptions gave me a look at a rich mythos completely new to me, which was intriguing.

Then I did a drawing on the question of, “What can I best do to take care of myself and those who depend on me during this difficult time?”

She Who Watches Oracle by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince

I drew the first card as the answer to “What shift in my thinking is necessary now?” The Oracle provided the Dove card, which tells me that I need to acknowledge the pain and fear I feel, and to mourn the loss of the changes I’m experiencing in my life, so that I can have the mental energy to focus on what comes next and be more prepared to make the best of it. This is not a time to pretend that everything is fine and to just carry on; life requires that I be honest with myself and get clear so I can create a new way of being.

The second card was pulled in answer to “What shift in my behavior is necessary now?” The Oracle provided the Ground Squirrel card, which I see as the need to become more connected to my family, friends, and community. I have never been much for joining groups or clubs (partly due to shyness, and partly due to a deep need for quiet and solitude), but the Oracle tells me that for now, I need to find ways to create and strengthen personal and community connections in order to do my best for my friends and family—and myself.

The third card was pulled in answer to “What shift in my soul is required now?” The Oracle provided the Root card. As someone who spends a great deal of time traveling, I was amused by this, because of course, all of my travel plans for the foreseeable future are cancelled. I have suddenly found myself at home when I didn’t expect to be, and with time I didn’t expect to have, and I admit to being somewhat at a loss as to what to do now. Of course there are the usual tidying and organizing tasks, but more than that, I suddenly have time to do all the things I’ve always said I’d do if I were home. I’m still working (thank goodness—my job requires only that I have an internet connection), so the weeks are full, but I am now home on weekends, and need to figure out how to appreciate that time and make good use of it. (Which includes napping!) More than that, however, I read this as being a time that I need to dig in and make focused effort on those things I can do now that I am home, and to find new ways to structure my life to reduce distractions and make time for the important things.

I have been a fan of Ellen’s work since first meeting her many years ago, and appreciate the wisdom and artistry in all of her decks. The She Who Watches Oracle is another wonderful and helpful gift created from Ellen’s talent and wisdom.

The Weekly Insight from the Oracles for March 22, 2020 is live on my Patreon, with many thanks to my delightful Patrons!

Not a Patron yet? Click through to find out all the wonderful perks waiting for you!