August Tarot * handfasting * reflection, love

Once upon a time ‘twas more a matter of affordability and accessibility and/or availability of the “local” clergy, for the “wee” or way out folks who may have lived a fair bit apart from their fellow townfolks, and of whom adopted the practice of a most “irregular” marriage. Handfasting as it became known hails from the Olde Norse “hand festa,” an...d of which means to strike a bargain, or in this particular case, more a betrothal or engagement of sorts, which in some cases was a year and a day before a wedding was proved or promised, and wherein the custom of tying bride and groom together fast at the hands or wrists for the duration of the said ceremony, and until the knot was officially “tied,” comes from. Under the jurisdiction of common rather than canon law, and outside any Christian context and therefore the blessings of the church, and without necessarily taking on name, inheritance nor property, and without state license, this heretofore declaration of love, was less ‘til death do us part, and more so long as love shall last. By the clasping of hands to fashion twin circles of infinity, and as symbolic of sun and moon, and as to secure her hand in marriage, the groom was most oft inclined to make a wed or down payment to the wife’s to be father, and/or to give sureties to her relatives (of choice). Nowadays neo pagans and wiccans have more recently adopted a more mythical version of handfasting as their marriage rite of choice, and taken what was perhaps a prerequisite for social consent or even sexual permission, for the bride given an average age of 12 and for the groom at a like age of 14, and adapted the practice for a tryst or lesbian, same sex, transgender and/or polyamorous couple, among others. In theory the practice is renewable and lends itself to a handparting if the couple chooses to part ways amiably (or perhaps otherwise), and it is still traditionally celebrated or observed during Lughnasadh, as it was by peasants and serfs then, and only to be taken up now by hippies and heathens alike and of our day. Reflection * two of worlds * Voyager Tarot by James Wanless * Way of the Great Oracle

Take a good look at your situation, up close and personal. Be patient. Let time and reflection reveal how you and things are doing and what your next move may be. “Think before you act” and “reflect before you run.” Take time out for “thoughtful evaluation, contemplative meditation and creative envisionment.” Ask the questions, “who am I,” and “what do I want ?” By reflecting on your truest of natures, you will find your way, the right way, or as Spike Lee might suggest to “do the right thing,” shotgun wedding or not. Get clear and be clear. “Be austere and simple.” Dream, imagine and real eyes that it might not yet be a time for action, albeit watch for being “overly reflective and passive to the point of being chronically inactive,” and guilty of what some like to refer to as a fear of commitment. Are you always waiting and watching, and on the sidelines ?? How ‘bout getting in the game, and getting your feet wet ?? Afraid to jump into the heat and passion of life ?? Be receptive and a receiver. We soften to receive. Be still, take pause, and “go inward into yourself.” Stay open, as this is a peak time and moment of truth. Touch upon things. Give things the time and space they warrant. Real eyes that love is a great teacher. Be with her. Still your beating heart, to see to the bottom of things. Take counsel and get to the root of the matter. If wondering to love or not to love, listen to your spirit guides and guardian angels. Ask of them, what’s not to love ?? !! Love * three of cups * Voyager Tarot

Recognize how worthy of love you are. Real eyes that love is an exchange, a giving and receiving of your passion for life and for co creation. Give of your love to others, and in recalling that out of love is born community. Share of your touch. Follow your heart and know that you will create a world of love. Real eyes that with love you can trust and you can grow. Love is what makes all things possible. Loving is living, and love a reverence for all that lives, unconditionally. Share of yourself. Fall in love, with life. Let go of fear, and be passionate in your living. Care to express your feelings, for like you, they are beautiful. Real eyes that love will bring you changes and growth. Love your body. Love thru sexuality. Watch for invasion of others’ sentiments, for any overbearing expression of love, or the appearance or trace of conditional love. Allow another their freedoms, and transform any situation by love. Be in love with, the all of life. Be lovestruck and real eyes that you are naturally beautiful. Love thru touch, and heal yourself thru love. Hold but do not possess. Let out and let in, and recall that love is relationship yet freedom. Consider to move on from (the) stag nation and to board your relation ship. Pay attention to your love, for where we put or focus our attention is wherefrom the next chapters of our lives unfold. Know that your love will not go unnoticed nor unappreciated. Fill others’ cups near to the brim, but refrain from overfilling and overflowing. Be well to let your emo effluent run free and its course, and simply bless those that choose to move on and leave your life. Recall that love will find its level.