Endings: Possibility for Liberation?
Recently, looking for inspiration I pulled out my
Faeries’ Oracle deck (by Brian Froud and Jessica Macbeth). The faerie cards always bring a smile to my face and a twinkle to my eye. They are beautiful, full of magic and mischief, and always have wisdom and healing to share. They remind me to lighten up and not take myself (or others) too seriously. They connect me to the little girl in me who believes in magic and faeries.
Imagine my surprise when I drew card #53, The Death Card: Natural, timely endings. Release. Liberation.
Death Card, from the Faeries’ Oracle Deck, by Brian Froud and Jessica MacBeth
Ah yes, even the fun, playful faery deck has a death card.
My initial impulse was to pick a fresh card. I had no interest in exploring the death card. I wanted a card that was fun, magical and light.
But isn't that how it goes with death? It's a natural part of life, affects us all, and yet can be hard to look at straight in the eye. It's the big unknown on the other side of the familiar. Once we cross death’s threshold, there’s no turning back.
The death card is often not literal. It can point us to the areas in life where there are natural endings and asks if we are willing to say goodbye, let go and step into what's next.
Is it possible to find release and liberation in death and endings, as the card suggests?
In my experience, holding on to parts of myself that are no longer true, relevant or useful creates feelings of heaviness, restlessness and depression. This is usually a sign for me that something new wants to come forward, but there's no space for it with my current structures and beliefs. This tension invites me to let go of the unnecessary and step into a fuller version of myself. When I have the courage to acknowledge the endings, to close the door on the old, I experience excitement as I step towards what's next.
What is coming to an end in your life? What needs to be released for you to live more fully and freely?
If you're not sure: center yourself and ask,
"What am I holding on to that is preventing me from fully embodying my essence?"
Adjust the question, as needed, so it feels appropriate for you.
Listen for the answer to come, knowing that the perfect answer will arrive, even if it surprises you.
Once the belief is identified, some simple ways to let go:
Say goodbye with intention: acknowledge what this issue has brought into your life, identify the challenge and gifts it has presented you. After the acknowledgments, as you're ready, say goodbye.
Offering to the elements: Meditate on what you're ready to let go of; create a compostable talisman or representation of the issue (i.e. a drawing, some writing about it, a representation made from natural elements). If you're clear you want to let go of it now, offer it to fire. Fire is very now and immediate - be sure you're ready for it! You may also offer it to Earth and find a place to bury it or offer it to Water and find a place to release it (i.e. the ocean). Both of these elements are slower in action.
Creative visualization: Take a deep breath and allow your awareness to drop to your heart. Take a breath into your heart and create a clear image of yourself in a room with the issue as it is in your life now. Allow it to be present, with all the gifts it brought you, the challenges it presented you. Thank the issue for all it brought to you. In the room is a door. Walk toward the door, and with every step feel yourself leaving the issue further and further behind, as you walk to what awaits you on the other side of the door. When you find yourself at the door, slowly turn the knob, open the door, and with intention cross over to the new space and shut the door behind you. Slowly take in what is around you. It may come in a sound, felt sense or image. When you're complete, wiggle your fingers and toes and gently come back to where you physical body is.
When we learn how to meet endings with more grace and less resistance, we'll be able to face all aspects of life with openness and curiosity.
May we have the courage to let go of what is no longer needed, step into the unknown and embody our heart's calling.