Not a fabric piece, but a collage. This was made while we were in the Bahamas last winter, where there's always a lot of nearly-naked flopping around. Now, back home in upstate New York in the indolent heat of August, it came to mind again.
Suit: Committee
Who am I?: I am the one who does not suffer pain gladly - I am impatient, annoyed, in pain, stuck. I am always lurking around you somewhere, and if you aren't aware of me right now, you can be certain that you'll be hearing from me before long. I have been your constant companion for many years; I know that you try to avoid me, to pacify me, to drown out my voice. But make no mistake about it: I can't be ditched by any of the means you've tried so far. Even I don't know what it would take to get rid of me!
In fact, I suspect that you are so used to my presence that you would miss me if I were gone! I'm like your evil twin - you can always blame anything that doesn't go the way you want it to on me.
Suit: Community
Description: This card comes from a song/chant:
"We are the children of Africa, and we will stand up united.
A heavy load, a heavy load, it's gonna take some real strength."
Strong earth-women, and beautiful children look out to us, to me. This card makes me think of my Sisters in Rwanda (www.womenforwomen.org), who are never far from my thoughts.
Who are you and what do you bring me?
We are Ones who look to you with our beautiful children's eyes. We are holding pencils, and a goat, and our need for you and our trust that you will help us is shining out to you. We need so much, but we will gladly work for it; we know that we are no different than your own beloved children. And we may need much, but look at all the strength around us - our beautiful country, our strong colors, and our strong and powerful women. We are the root of the world.
We give you our need and our trust, and the strength and beauty and power of Mother Africa. One of our gifts to you is that we allow you the chance to open your heart to us, to become more closely tied to all of us by sharing some of your bounty. Truly, that sharing is what makes us fully human.
What do you want from me?
We want you not to ever forget us. Do not ever forget our need or our incredible strength. We remind you that we are all as loved and as worthy of love as your own children born from your body. We want you to help us get started - we don't ask that you do it for us, just that you help us be able to claim our own strength so that we can be fed and educated, so that we can do the same for those that come after us.
How will I remember?
Whenever I look at happy, growing children anywhere, I will remember. When I see strong, beautiful, earthy colors, I will remember. And I will remember your powerful Mothers as well.
Who Are You?
I am the Fool of the Tarot, stepping off the cliff to journey into the unknown. The journey I am facing is both exhilarating and frightrning. I carry nothing with me, trusting to the universe to provide. I am accompanied by the dove, who caried peace and the holy Spirit - she will always be with me. The divine light presides over all of creation. The landscape below is both beautiful and threatening - to fall could bring destruction, even death - or could lead me to the Lover or the Buddha.
What do you bring me?
I bring innocence, even naivetee.I remind you of the constant ever-changing journey. I remind you to always seek the unknown, to be brave and to step off the cliff. The things that threaten you are real, but they cannot harm or destroy you, because the Spirit is always with you.
What do you want from me?
Bravery. Courage. Trust in the Universe. To take the step, not knowing where it will lead. I want you to keep moving and trusting in the process.
How will I remember?
The divine light and the peace-bearing dove are always with you - just look for them.
