Before we even get started, I need to direct everyone back to Friday’s post, because in the comments section Hanna added a few links and some fascinating research information about The Alfaretta. Use the clickable there to open a new window, so you can follow her links, and we don’t lose anyone.
Be sure to keep us posted Sweetie, and thanks again for looking it up and sharing with us!
Very quiet and slow day here in The Burrow. Daniel slept then read the weekend papers. I worked on a library book and went blog-hopping early so we can have our Crafting Time in the evening. While toting some laundry and heading down the hall I realized that we’ve not shared a picture of our View lately.
Last night’s blustery wind brought a bunch of leaves down, and was generally noisy. Nothing serious, or even close to what our East Coaster friends have recently survived. Everything is just a bit more messy than it was the day before.
On our card altar we have come back to the doubled up animal decks, and an interesting message. Every time this one arrives (and as I’ve mentioned several times before) it makes me think of The Secret of Roan Inish, and I can just HEAR the Fiona’s wee accented voice calling Jamie.
“Seal ~ Ron (with that mark over the top of the O, and pronounced as Ron) ~ Love, Longing, Dilemma.
The card shows a gray seal on the shore of the sacred island of Iona, once known as Isla Na Druidneach, the Isle of the Druids. A pale rainbow shines over the Atlantic, and on the horizon we can see the outline of the uninhabited island called Dutchman’s Cap.
Drawn upright, this card calls to you from the seal-people of the sea. The Dan nan Ron- the song of the seals – upsets and frightens many who hear it. Its mournful and human sound stirs the heart of the listener to the core. It is a call from the sea, from the Unconscious, from the depths. It calls to us from the waters of our birth, from our beginnings on earth, from our brothers and sisters in the animal realm who are closer to us than we dare imagine. We fear this call, because we feel we may be drowned, overwhelmed by our feelings. But do not let your intellect imprison your heart, as the human imprisons his selchie spouse – the magical seal.
Opening yourself to the promptings of the Unconscious, of the Feminine, of your dreams and longings will bring transformation, healing, and love into your life
Drawn reversed, this card suggests that you may have come to a time in your life when you are faced with a dilemma. Each way you turn could involve risk and potential loss, and yet you know you must make a choice. The seal speaks of the longing of the heart, of true love, of a sense of humanity and goodness. In the end, these should be the determining factors in your choice. Although the seal may represent loneliness and separation, as the selchie imprisoned on dry land, remember that the time will come when she will be released and will act as a guide and companion through the watery realm of the emotions and the Otherworld.”
It flipped over completely right-side up, but for some reason it also felt right to type in the Contrary definition from the guidebook too (so feel free to disregard that last part if it doesn’t fit for you).
I know that there are contentious feelings around seals in the waters off of all the continents, and here on our coast the sea lions do sort of bang heads with the fishing community. But speaking towards the metaphysical side of things, they’ve always been endearingly mystical and enigmatic, probably because their faces are so adorable. For lifetimes I’ve enjoyed the whimsically magickal quality of the selkies and their stories. Of course, pretty much anything having to do with the ocean is my favorite.
Heath update: Dan may be feeling well enough tonight to make me some fudge. Fingers crossed. (Damn, I know we’re out of nuts though.)
