A Moment With The High Priestess
When I first read The Moment, a poem by Margaret Atwood, I felt myself exhale. Exhale deeply. I sensed a release within my body and a calm come over my mind, and I remembered a most important truth.
Atwood beautifully describes, the knowing and acceptance of ‘what is’.
As it would, my mind moved to the Tarot archetypes. Who holds this moment, I wondered to myself, and then felt laughter gurgle up like bubbles in a glass of lemonade as the image of the High Priestess formed at the front of my mind. A magical moment right there.
So I invite you to listen and feel for yourself. Read the poem slowly, on the inside of your mind or out loud, and all the while, feel. Feel what is happening inside you as you do.
THE MOMENT
The moment when, after many years
of hard work and a long voyage
you stand in the centre of your room,
house, half-acre, square mile, island, country,
knowing at last how you got there, and say, I own this,
is the same moment when the trees unloose
their soft arms from around you,
the birds take back their language,
the cliffs fissure and collapse,
the air moves back from you like a wave
and you can’t breathe.
No, the whisper. You own nothing.
You were a visit, time after time
climbing the hill, planting the flag, proclaiming.
We never belonged to you.
You never found us.
It was always the other way around.
By M. Atwood
The High Priestess knows all and sees all, she is connected to all that is and yet is not caught up in it, nor swayed by it. As an observer she has incredible insights and is able to sit beautifully and in peace with ‘all that is’.
If you have read my book ‘Tarot & Aromatherapy: Archetypes for Transformation‘, you will know that the High Priestess Tarot Oil includes an unusual blending of Artemesia, Wild Thyme and Jasmine oils, along with the energy imprint of song and colour to go with the card. This is what is written about the oils;
Artemesia: For seeing behind the veil and for heightening awareness to the shifts in thoughts and feelings around you.
Wild Thyme: For clairaudience, calmness, and the gathering of energy and information. When you see it, notice how the plant spreads itself out across the ground to gather more light and retain the moisture it needs for its sustenance.
Jasmine: For connecting to and experiencing what is hidden in the shadows. The fragrance of its flowers is released in the night hours, indicating that it is in darkness or the unknown that the sweetest treasures are released for sampling and enjoyment.
(A Moment with the High Priestess)
When I reread those words it took me deeper into connection with the High Priestess archetype, and all the gifts that she brings. I turned to the High Priestess Tarot Oil, used it, first smelling and then rubbing a drop between my palms and moving it through my aura and I felt her peace settle in more fully, knew that I could draw on strength and knowledge more completely. Be in her and her be in me. Transformation. Magic.
I dont know about you, but I loved being moved into the state of stillness that this poem elicited for me. It just is are the words that I feel reverberating gently through.
There is a lot of underlying, as well as overt angst in our communities from time to time; uncertainty, fear, confusion, anxiety and even anger. Accepting what is, and recognising that our time here is temporary does not cancel any of that out, BUT, it can move us onto firmer ground, for where there is acceptance, there is no, not knowing.
Where there is confusion, or not knowing, there is powerlessness yes? Where there is acceptance of what is, choice becomes available, and we can begin to ask ourselves, “How will I choose to respond?” to this situation or person.
As I see it, choice creates power, a soft, sweet power that moves us into empowerment.
In a nutshell, I am all for moving into the acceptance of ‘what is’ and I am most thankful for this beautiful poem today that moved me into a deeper connection with the High Priestess, and I hope you did too.
Enjoy your moments!!