Parting the Mists

We think of our muscles and flesh as what gives us strength, but in reality the skeleton that lies beneath all that is the structure that gives us the core of our strength and movement. As a metaphor, it works well to remind us that we have strength within us that we do not see everyday. We can face the world – and ourselves (which can often be more difficult) – as long as we remember that there is true strength within us.

Blessings and have a great Monday!

SKELETON – Strength

On the outside is flesh
On the inside is bone
There is strength in vulnerability
In power we have grown

Halloween is a scary festival. It is meant to frighten. We are meant to feel the release of being pleasantly scared. We trick-or-treat even though we know that someone may surprise us, we watch horror films knowing they will scare us, we even dress as skeletons who have no flesh at all and their bones are there for all to see! In short, we show our vulnerability at Halloween and our strength in facing our fears too.

There is incredible strength in showing vulnerability. It can often be the bravest course of action and the most frightening. More often than not, it is a powerful catalyst for person growth even though we may not be able to perceive that at the time.

By showing our true selves and displaying some balanced vulnerability, we can seek and receive greater understanding from others. By admitting that we are wrong or that we don’t have the solution when we are expected to, we leave more room to turn things around faster. By asking for help and support rather than acting as martyrs and feeling resentful shows strength and wisdom, not weakness.

Should the Skeleton card bring itself to your attention, dare to show strength and vulnerability if that is what you really feel. Shame, pride, or embarrassment are heft burdens that need not be carried through the darkest of nights.

The Halloween Oracle by author Stacy Demarco and artist Jimmy Manton

Read Full Post »

This lady represents some things that have very much been the cause of contention in some places lately. Why is it so hard to accept someone who is different from us? Though many say they do not see color (or religion or sexual orientation), the fact is that many of us do struggle to not label people and treat them as an equal human. Let’s keep working on it, shall we?

Blessings!

LADY DE LOS MUERTOS – Acceptance & Equality

Pale, you step out of the night
In red lace,
Full flowers upon your crown. 
You bring the beauty to death
The equality and joy
Of the underground

The iconic lady of death, with a pale skull-like face, zombie eyes and rich red funeral flowers in her hair has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Halloween and the Mexican Day of the Dead, El Dia de los Muertos.

The original model for this flamboyant lady of death can be traced back to the ancient Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl. As time went on, the figure remained balanced between beauty and horror, and morphed into the Lady of the Dead and eventually into the more modern graphic figure of “Catrina.” It is also reported that the identity of the original “Catrina” was bawsed on women who were very rich and had everything they wanted in this life. Yet, death takes everyone, equally, so it was a reminder that no matter how beautiful, rich, popular, or famous you were – in the end, death takes all.

The Mexican culture has a long-standing history of “laughing at death” and seeing it as just another aspect of life. In some ways, death is the last taboo in many Western cultures. We tend to hide away our dying and some of us may never even see the body of someone who has passed in our whole lives, but this was a much more common occurrence in the past.

Acknowledging that death is a natural process that will enter everyone’s life at some time and that perhaps, until then, choosing to be life affirming takes away much of the fear. Take a light approach to a situation initially and it may work out better. If you are holding on to something that does not serve you any longer – in particular materials things – simplify and let go.

The Halloween Oracle by author Stacey Demarco and artist Jimmy Manton

Read Full Post »

Sometimes, our lives can get on a joyless cycle of work and responsibility. We must find time – especially NOW – to find joy and peace in everyday moments. Play with the kids or pets, watch a comedy, take a walk in a garden, play a game online with friends – find something that brings you joy so life doesn’t become a circle of dull monotony.

Blessings!

I stand here,
I am where I am,
Fully alive and present
Stress is a sham

Besides the “HOOOOOOO” of a not-so-scary trick-or-treating ghost on Halloween evening, one of the most common sounds you’ll hear is laughter. There is so much joy at Halloween and it can be one of the most fun nights of the year if we allow that into our lives.

We lead busy lives: whether we are studying, running a household, have a demanding job, or all of them at once, it seems there is little time for us to stop, be present, and enjoy exactly where we are at this time. It has been said that the first step of real change is stopping and acknowledging that we actually need change. While sometimes we might feel that there is little to feel happy about and much to change, we can always feel grateful for something right now – and there is power in that position.

It is time to find the joy in this moment and to find that joy more often. Should this card come up in your divination, it heralds arrival of more happiness and profound joy into your life. It is a good omen!

Actively seek pleasure and build in more of the things that give you personal joy and laughter in your life. After all, we build in appointments for the dentist, so why not for our own pleasure?

The Halloween Oracle by author Stacey Demarco and artist Jimmy Manton

Read Full Post »

Our family enjoyed an autumn retreat at a state park in the Ozark area this weekend. We were long overdue for a getaway like this, and I’m feeling refreshed and stronger than I have in a long time after a couple good hikes. It was definitely a change of pace that we needed!

Speaking of change (yes, horrid segue), we saw this card suggesting change less than a month ago, but perhaps some of us didn’t get the message?

MUMMY – “Change”

The sand in his mouth
The bandage wound
Jealous of the living
Eternal life bound

The ancient Egyptians took death very seriously. Death was not seen as many of us see it – a finality to be dreaded – but as just the beginning of a new life and often eternal life, in a better place, the “afterlife.”

The practice of honoring and preserving the body through a complex process of mummification was central to ancient Egyptian culture. This was not just a physical embalming process but a carefully enacted ritual process that ensured preservation in the next world. Many other cultures also mummified their dead including the Incas, the Argentineans, the Maori, and many cultures of the Torres Straight Islands.

In our modern horror genres, the mummy has become an icon. From early horror writing at the turn of the century to the very popular films The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, the plot normally revolves around the mummy returning to life and cursing and hunting down the living. The discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tombs and other long-hidden Egyptian treasures in the 1920s in particular sparked an explosion in mummy-related films and literature.

Should you pull the moaning Mummy card from the deck, know that change is inevitable and that no matter how hard you try, things will not be preserved exactly the same way. The card also indicates that this change will be for the better. The endings, the closed doors, the barriers? This is just a healthy pause and and an indication that a change of tactics is needed. You are not cursed – you have just developed a pattern. You can take control and change.

The Halloween Oracle by author Stacey Demarco and artists Jimmy Manton

Read Full Post »

This isn’t the most exciting card in the Halloween Oracle deck, but it’s an excellent reminder. Don’t let temporary darkness lead you to your lesser self – a new beginning is coming.

DAWN – The light after the darkness

After the darkest times
The sun will always rise
The dawn will always come
This can be no surprise

While midnight is often thought of a magical hour, throughout time dawn has also had its share of the mystical. All manner of magical beings had to return to their true forms by dawn (werewolves, for example) and vampires could only be active while the rays of the sun did not pierce the sky.

Dawn and deities of dawn heralded both hope and new life. Goddesses such as Eostre and Gods like Helios and Apollo were those who brought new life and dawn’s light to the world. The journey from the darkest night of the soul to a bright and hopeful dawn is one of the deepest and most power heroes’ paths repeated over and over in mythology.

Should you receive the Dawn card, you are being reminded that there is always a fresh start and a new beginning to be had. Change is unstoppable and even the most difficult times will pass, no matter how devastating they may seem. Hope is one of the most powerful motivating forces in the Universe and it’s being indicated here.

The Halloween Oracle by author Stacey Demarco and artist Jimmy Manton

Read Full Post »