2011

Before I went to bed last night I "picked" one card to contemplate for 2011 as I drifted into sleep. I have lots of physical decks of cards -- but I like this site because it has a William Blake deck (I don't own it, it's rare and pricey).

I picked Reversal:

Urizen, the Zoa of Mind, limited by pride and error, radically regenerates himself with this handstand. The soul chooses here to reverse and reinvent itself, rather than be controlled by nature. By contrast with the traditional Hanged Man, Urizen is poised in dynamic balance instead of passive suspension. This is a creative expression and synthesis of Urizen's dualism. The soul is in creative control, even though buffeted by the winds of change and personal challenge. Archetypal psychologist James Hillman has defined the soul's ability to create abnormality, suffering, and illness as pathologizing. Although frightening, it is through affliction that we can reach the gods. This card represents new vision through stress, coming to understand that "every natural effect has a spiritual cause."

Deliberately looking at the situation in a new way or from a different perspective. Brainstorming in a search for solutions. Turning things upside down, and being unconventional. Creative retreat into yourself. Acceptance of losses or reversals. Withstanding a difficult or uncomfortable position.

I didn't dream of poets.

I was at a beautiful house that was newly renovated. Dark painted walls with starbursts or swirls. A family that didn't appreciate what they had were living there, but the house was for sale and I wanted it. It was my dream home, but it seemed like it would cost way more than I could afford. The home was two buildings with a courtyard that I instantly loved. An old man who lived in the home was swimming in a wave pool. Then he was either washed or pulled away. He died. I tried to figure out how I could own this house. There were rooms that I could rent out to boarders although I wasn't sure if I wanted to do that. Maybe I could write more? Or write something that people would want to read and pay for.

I stood in front of a house surrounded by woods. I talked to a woman about my car. I told her it was running well, but it was time for an oil change and 10k check up. She gave me something that I thought was for my car, but she explained it would be for Gideon when he's old enough to have a car of his own. Then I saw my friend with his young daughter. He looked different, like he was in disguise. There were other people and families of differing backgrounds, some snapping pictures. I wondered what my new neighbors would think of all these different people living in the same house. My friend and I discussed all the amusement park rides around us. I said the old-fashioned style reminded me of Kennywood. I told my friend that there was a time when Kennywood was the biggest amusement park in the country and the Thunderbolt was the highest roller coaster. I looked up and saw that they changed the cars on the Thunderbolt. It now looked like an Amtrak train--completely enclosed. The ride didn't even look fun anymore. Too safe.