Week 3: Watching for Signs

Has that hawk always been hanging around outside your window, or are you just now noticing? If it’s the latter, that’s understandable. He’s been safely hidden by the foliage all spring and summer, so you didn’t notice him enjoying his daily lunch of rodents or smaller birds. But there he is, so now what?

Here, in southeast Texas, the leaves on the trees are just starting to sag, with a few starting to change color. Summer holds on tight where I live, but your trees may already be bare. Watch the light, watch the shadows lengthen, watch how the stars twinkle a bit more brilliantly in the clear night sky. Vibrant green grass turns brown and crunchy, another sound of the fading season. There are signs indoors as well. Seasonal decorations, smells, and sounds. Energy is always in flux. How is it changing around you?

Mantra: The universe speaks to me through signs and omens. It’s my responsibility to pay attention.

The evening comes earlier each day. Instead of scrolling through your phone on the corner of the sofa, or even in your bed (I’m guilty as charged), set up a dedicated space for evening contemplation. This season begs for inward reflection and divination. Read cards or runes. Cast charms or consult a pendulum. Do so with the intention of discovering something about yourself you’d forgotten or never knew. Write down your thoughts, no matter how trivial they might seem at the time. Then, watch for signs.

Meditation exercise: Draw a random card from a tarot deck you know well and look for something you never noticed before, or something you take for granted when this card comes up in a reading. It could be a small detail in the background, or something more significant. How do you connect this detail with what you’re feeling right now? I happened to draw the Ten of Cups and the first thing I noticed was that I drew a ten last week. Then, while examining the card, my eye was drawn to the children playing in the corner. I’ve seen them hundreds of times, but today I felt their simple joy. This week, I’m looking for things that bring me that feeling.

Comfortably seated with your feet on the floor, take a few rounds of four-square breathing, paying attention to how you feel in between the inhale and exhale. When you’re ready, begin sending roots from the bottom of your feet, and reaching branches from your palms and the top of your head. Pull the energy up from the ground and down from the sky until it meets in your midsection. Surround your entire body with the combined energy of above and below. When you’re ready, pull up your roots and pull down your branches. Roll the energy in your midsection into a ball you can draw from later if you need to recharge quickly.

Until next week,
Mary