Parting the Mists

Blessed Solstice, everyone! Those of us in the Northern hemisphere have gone through the longest night while those of you in the Southern have enjoyed your longest day. My boyfriend, Chili, grabbed a shot of the morning sun burning through some mist and frost.

I felt the urge to draw from this deck instead of the Storyworld deck I have been using, and it was a good call. The Restorers are here to help us regain balance, strength, and a calm centeredness in difficult times. I’ve seen so many folks not feeling the spirit of the holidays and filled with fear and concern. While we still have reason for those, losing ourselves to them will not help us get past this stage. Remember, part of the winter solstice is to take time to embrace the dark, to restore yourself to face the long winter months as the world slowly warms and brightens. It’s OK to let yourself go within at this time (despite what society is trying to sell you). Rest and learn in the darkness – just don’t hide in it.

Blessings on the beautiful day!

The Restorers: Roseroot, St. John’s Wort & Valerian

Retreat, balance, or calm. On the other side, imbalance, anxiety, or disturbance

THE CARD: The Restorers are a trio of ancient and indigenous plants of the Druid sourcelands, which act to restore the balance between body and soul, healing the heart and mind with their calming and strengthening powers. The card shows a Druid healer in her bothy, sitting beside the fire. Through the open door, we see the Scottish Highlands. Roseroot and Valerian hand drying in bunches from the rafters, and freshly gathered St. John’s Wort lies on the table.

MEANING: Although adventure and excitement are necessary ingredients in life, we also need periods of peace and calm: oases in our busy lives. Drawing this card in a reading may mean that you should create such a time for yourself now. Retreats are an important part of spiritual practice, and in Druidry these can include visiting the old sacred sites and walking the old tracks. But wherever you are, you can take a retreat. Even if you are busy, see if you can withdraw from your schedule for three hours, during which time no one disturbs you and you treat yourself to whatever will help you find calm. Better still is a longer retreat – three days or more – in a setting close to Nature. By taking such a break, you give your body and soul a chance to catch up with each other add to find balance once more.

This card may also indicate that you or someone you know are out of balance and feel disturbed and anxious. Life is often puzzling, and relationship are so difficult that it is no wonder so many people suffer from anxiety and depression. Now may be the time to tackle this imbalance with a combination of counseling, herbal medicine, and lifestyle changes.

Alternatively, the card may indicate that a situation or project is unstable or completely unrealistic, and that a good dose of common sense is required to get it back on track. It may be time to hire a consultant or simply get someone to look at the problem objectively and give advice.

The Druid Plant Oracle by Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, art by Will Worthington