Magical Nature Tarot

Guiding words/ideas:

The Eight of Pentacles may seem to be simple and straightforward. A quick take on this card could be that practice moves one towards greater capability, and notions of repetition, replication, and doing the same thing over and over and over again may come into one’s mind. However, the invitation and opportunities that come from this card are much more complex and subtle than this. Those ideas have more to do with production. This card has much more to do with a deeper notion of practice: practice as an end to itself, practice as a way of being, not as a way of being better, more, or producing; practice as an invitation to step into the flow of energy with the rest of the universe.

The depiction in this card is of a human holding a brush and creating a series of paintings: circular images, each one a little bit different. This flow of activity seems both enjoyable and specific. These are great things to take into one’s practice. Whether one is practicing an art form or a mindfulness form or communication and clarity, whatever it is that one might be practicing can benefit when it is enjoyable and specific. For this is the nature of the universe itself: enjoyable and specific. 

This is not to say that there is not hardship along the way, but the greater design of the universe has a vibration of balance and harmony. Inside of that design may be points of great conflict and pain. But if one is able to zoom out and see things from a fairly large perspective, the vibration is enjoyable.

This notion of practicing just for the sake of practicing might be confusing. What is one practicing for if not to be perfect or make a product? When one steps into flow, into practice, one will notice that there are frictions, errors, confusion, and moments of dissatisfaction and frustration. The experience of moving through those states and finding oneself in momentary balance and harmony is very strengthening. So the practice becomes not only for the task at hand but also for one’s general resiliency. This card invites us to build resilience through small moments of physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual repair. There becomes a pattern of difficulty followed by peace. Experiences of pain or confusion are followed by moments of being in balance. Periods of time that may include depression or isolation are followed by moments of connectivity and balance. And on and on. This is like a muscle contracting and expanding, contracting and expanding; building strength through experience, building strength and resiliency through practice.

Plant and metal guidance:

Copper oxide (crystalline formation in middle of each circle painting): I magnify the properties of whatever plants I touch or impact.

Iron oxide/rust (black of background): I connect you to the core of the planet from whence I come. My energy is strong and solid.

Avocado (orange circle painting): We relate to the heart and core of all beings, and thus share energies of love, sense of purpose and deep connection.

Chokeberry (dark purple circle painting): Our energy expands and contracts as needed, and we encourage you to do the same. We offer a rich balm for your wounds and a burst of energy to be used when you need it.

Black walnut (light brown circle painting, and dark brown of background): The strength of our magic lies in our ability to clear space and provide opportunities for recharging and resetting.

Wild grape (medium purple circle paintings): We are the bubbly magicians of the edges (of forests, our fields and our minds). We share with you our positivity, creativity and trickster capabilities.