Higher Self Over Tradition ~ Rune & Tarot for 5 Dec 2016

The Hierophant is placed in the position of significator for today’s rune and tarot reading. He sits between the pillars of Mercy and Severity, knowledge, structure, and tradition represented by the staff in his left hand. Two keys cross at his feet suggesting balance. Although the Hierophant possesses divine wisdom, there is always another perspective, another experience that awaits. Free choice is ours to conform to established values or to think outside the box and choose our own path. Do we align with established tradition or do we create our own?

The lower three cards represent the suits of Pentacles, Wands, and the energies of Elemental Swords and Earth, Fire, and Air. The numerology is 4, 5, 6, reducing to 6, representing our emotions, Source Presence, Higher Self, harmony, love, and communication. So again, do we align with our Source Presence within, our inner voice of Truth, or with the established views of others? I prefer rebellion.

Whenever I draw a 4 and a 6 from any suit, I like to observe together. Today, they just happen to be placed side by side so I don’t have to move them around. These two numbers together have an either/or feel. A choice perhaps, or a before and after scenario could be in play.

In this case, we have a 4 of Pentacles and a 6 of Wands. The 4 of Pentacles suggests wealth building a legacy for the future. The 6 of Wands suggests victory and leadership. One man appears relaxed, comfortable that his future is on the right course, while the other arrives on his steed, a leader victorious from his recent battle. On the surface the two men have different focuses, one taking care of hearth and home, and the other the community at large. But each take seriously the choices they’ve made and approach their lives with a sense of responsibility.

The Page of Swords seeks adventure. He is intense, intelligent, and thinks on his feet, although his occasional outbursts can limit his choice of solutions. Both diplomatic and vengeful, the double-edged sword of the Page represents the balance he strikes between instinct and intellect.

The Page looks to the future, his sword in hand, possibly choosing adventure over building wealth or risking everything on the battlefield. Where four pillars once stood, only three remain standing. He’s chosen his own path over established tradition.

The runes for today’s reading are Ansuz, Hagalaz, and Berkano representing our Higher Self, protection, and Gaia energy. 4, 9, and 18 are their numerology, reducing to 31 and then 4, or Gaia energy, the structure and foundation of our lives.

Ansuz invokes our divinity or Source Presence within. Higher Self looks with clarity at all angles to understand and choose the correct option. Our will is strong as we choose protection and wholeness with Hagalaz, overcoming obstacles in our path. Berkano invokes and manifests Gaia energy, expresses motherhood and feminine life force, and extends protection and preservation of family.

Various roads may lead to the same goal. In this case, we have traditional methods of preserving home and family by either building wealth with hard work or by conquest in contrast to seeking the adventure of a new approach. The runes suggest that our choices reflect Higher Self awareness of the greater picture involved. While tradition may have its place, the energy of Berkano brings new ideas to fruition, balancing the protection and security of the family with continued growth and success.

Again we see another 4/6 combination with each numerology, although the order makes it 6/4. Higher Self, instead of tradition, drives the choices we make to preserve home and family.

Perhaps the new approach is one of unity. We’ve tried both either/or strategies and now the Tower is burning down when what we’ve needed all along was compassion and love to guide our choices. Some people say that the guy who won represents a change from the establishment. I say the so-called establishment works for guys like him.

So barring recounts and electoral remedies, we can react to all of this with a traditional response, or we can observe and reflect, allowing Higher Self to make our choice. Reaction won’t help and only inflames an already uncertain situation. Tradition may be less relevant now, but burning down the Tower isn’t necessarily the right option either.

It’s time for focus, for a new approach, influenced not by tradition but by our inner voice, our Higher Self. It’s there we find our balance and our true purpose.

Blessed be.