Parting the Mists

OK, so both of these were pulling at me pretty evenly, so I’m posting both – take them together or take the one that speaks to you!

Madre of Fire – Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Turn up the heat on your creative passions; a warm heart and a spicy kitchen welcome others to your table; stoke the creative fire that burns in your belly

A woman stands in a warm kitchen. The table is covered in bottles, books, and a large, fresh harvest of thyme. A kettle whistles on the stove. Yellow and orange herbs dangle from the rafters. She is dressed in garden clothes, and her worn hands calmly grind herbs in a large molcajete.

Meaning: The Madre of Fire inspires others by living an artistic life. She teaches from her actions. She encourages collaboration, inviting everyone to play in her busy apothecary. She is upbeat and accepts life’s paradoxes. She knows thyme is a both a popular kitchen herb and a superb medicine plant. She is driven by a rich imagination and finds magic in everything. Creativity is second nature to her, and her days are filled with inspired activities. Just like remedies made with thyme, she is warm and wholehearted. She attracts people into her home. She radiates vitality and love. Embrace your inner glow; it warms the hearts of others.

Six of Air – Cattails (Tyhpa species)

Question your assumptions; gain clarity through articulating your visions in writing; support others in setting intentions for change.

A table in the afternoon sun is covered in sheets of handmade paper for writing prayer petitions with friends. Cattails grow along the border of a nearby marsh. Crow, owl, and heron feathers are gathered in glasses. A jar of walnut ink is open, ready to document devotions.

Meaning: Clarity can be found in the mire. Cattail, often seen as invasive, creates a stronger ecosystem by clearing and purifying an area, making if more habitable for life. Open yourself to new ways to pray. Ask for help from your community when you need it. Adjust your expectations and challenge your current way of thinking As cattail seeds are carried by the wind, trust Spirit to carry your visions toward a greater good. Cattail is sometimes called the supermarket of the wild for its many uses – as food, shelter, clothing, fuel, and medicine. Be the resource of the spirit; look for myriad ways to be of service to the needs of others.

The Herbcrafter’s Tarot by artist Joanna Powell Colbert and author Latisha Guthrie