Stairway to heaven...24th April 2020

Today's storytelling.
Stairway to heaven.

And our backing track today is the song of the same name from Led Zeppelin
https://youtu.be/Nnu1E5Kslig
A beautiful track. The beginning of which sounds quite medieval in some ways. Which made me think of bygone times, when our ancestors lived through their own isolation in the time of the great plague.

I wonder how it was then, with little or no information, little in the way of medicine or sanitation. It makes me remember too, tales of Eyam in Derbyshire, where the whole village isolated from the rest of the country; so as to prevent the spread of the plague, that had inadvertently arrived in goods ordered in from London.
Many correlations to our experience today. And yet, we are still connected, we are more informed and we have health care professionals doing all in their power to keep us safe and well.

In the lyrics of the song, it says:
"In a tree by the brook
There's a songbird who sings, sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiving"

There are two thoughts that come to mind with these lines. Firstly, have you noticed the birdsong more, since we are more present?
And secondly, have you found yourself wondering? Your thoughts moving between positive and ....those thoughts that are perhaps more misgiving?

The song goes on to say:
"And it's whispered that soon, If we all call the tune, then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn, for those who stand long and the forests will echo with laughter"

What I read in this context, is that, whilst our wondering and pondering may take us to very different ends of the emotional spectrum, if we stick together on the plan ( staying home, staying safe, protecting the NHS and key workers) eventually a new day will dawn when we can return to a time of laughter.
The lines:
"Yes, there are two paths you can go by
But in the long run
There's still time to change the road you're on"
Gives the idea that we really are at a choice point in our history and evolution. I wonder what will we change in the long run as a result of this life changing, life enlightening experience?

And so onto our first card today... with it's very own staircase to heaven, 5 The Hierophant ( high priest) .
5 is the number of change and also freedom in some interpretations. Again highlighting the choice point we are presented with in our evolution. It is a symbol of humanity and a connection between the physical and spiritual.
In our card we have this casual guy sitting with his feet sole to sole ( soul to soul) perhaps representing our deeper connection and interconnectedness with all that is, everyone and everything.

On his t-shirt we see the symbol of the Hierophant .The Hierophant is also known as "The Teacher of Wisdom".
In more traditional decks, the Hierophant is seen seated on a throne between two pillars symbolising law and liberty or obedience and disobedience. Which is quite interesting in our current situation. Again on more traditional depictions, he wears a triple crown, and the keys to Heaven are at his feet.In our deck his crown is replaced with the symbols in his aura of many different faiths and belief systems.The keys to heaven, in our deck are found through our soul to soul connection with one another and with the earth and stars.

At the top of the staircase we see a beautiful white mandala, a circular figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.In Jungian psychology, a mandala as a symbol represents the individual's search for completeness and self-unity.The card is awash with pink , the colour of the Anahata, or heart chakra. A symbol of unconditional love and infinite peace. Perhaps the Hierophant appears today as the gateway or conduit to a new paradigm of what our earthly experience could become.

Our second card today sees another appearance of 4 The Emperor. He may look like a chilled dude, but alongside the Taurean Hierophant (not forgetting we've just experienced the new moon in Taurus) the Emperor is a stickler for structure and conformity. With his driven Aries energy and his fiery seat of the red planet Mars, he can be a force to be reckoned with. Whilst he brings us structure and action, he can be volatile when challenged. After all he is the king of Kings.... we kind of want him on our side.Following a compassionate yet firm leadership are the key words that jump out at me.

Our final card today, the third major acarna card of the day ( bringing out the big boys and girls to play today!) 11 Justice.Number 11 is the Master number that is related to Karma.This number is also a symbol of spiritual awakening.
By appearing today, it reminds us that we should turn more to our spiritual life. Perhaps the message of karma and awakening is key here.We each have a life purpose on this planet and we need to heed that call to ultimately be of service to not only ourselves but moreover to others.We see the scales of justice, a woman reflecting both the light and the dark.

According to esoteric philosopher Manly Hall, Lady Justice often:
“stands between two great pillars, symbolising the fact that nature attains productivity by means of polarity .
Demonstrating that understanding is always found at the point of equilibrium and that truth is often crucified between two thieves of contradiction.”

Perhaps she is asking us to reflect and take a deep look into our past and the lessons it gives us and then to impartially reflect on our present, so that we may step forward in better balance.

There's that choice point once more.

We may need to reframe our experience. We may need to address any negative attachments we hold. In order that we may embrace our own opportunity for enlightenment and evolution.
#makingadifference
#lifeisbeautiful