Each week I pull cards to inspire contemplative practice.  In 2011, I started using the Gaian Tarot as a prompt for practice as its minor cards showed such clear images of people engaged in practices that grounded and connected them to earth, to spirit, to the Whole.  The method evolved to use the majors as path cards and the people as posture/attitude cards. You are invited to use the cards below to inspire your practice, and, if you like, share your reflections in the comments.  You are also free to draw your own cards.

PATH:  Use Pile 1 / Majors and Aces to pull a card for the question:  What sacred path would best serve the group this week? DEATH invites us to walk this week on pathways of …

• Release and let go.
• Recognizing that what dies is gone and can not come back in the same form.
• Grieve what is lost.
• Allow the opening for the new to emerge.

PRACTICE:  Use Pile 2 / numbered cards for this question:  What contemplative practice will best serve us to move along this pathway this week? TWO OF FIRE invites us to practices such as …

• Candle gazing. It’s as easy as it sounds – just gaze at the flame of a candle – and if you Google these words, lots of resources come up. I’ve worked with and benefited from the guided meditations on this site: https://www.fragrantheart.com/cms/free-audio-meditations/spiritual-awareness/candle-gazing-meditation
• Work with a “buddy” to ensure you do your practice: walk together in nature, silently; write out your gratitudes daily or weekly and mail them to each other; find the deity or ancestor who would best guide you in the challenges you currently face and develop a relationship with them.
• Celebrate Valentines Day with your sweetheart and dedicate your enjoyment of the day to a deeper/higher purpose; dedicate the cultivation of your individual joy to creating more collective joy in some way.

POSTURE:  Use Pile 3 / People cards for a question such as:  What attitudes and behaviors will be most helpful to me in undertaking this practice? CHILD OF AIR invites you to follow your path and practices with attitudes of ….

• Feeling centered in the flow of change.
• Delight and awe.
• Curiosity.

OVERALL MUSINGS: The Two of Fire is a perfect card for Valentine’s Day week with its image of a couple at the threshold of passion. Death might seem a little harsh though for this romantic holiday until you consider how release and rebirth are necessary ingredients for a long-term relationship. We must release the first idealized blush of passion to see the real person before us. We have to let each other grown and change beyond the person we first met, often requiring small and large adjustments on both people’s parts. We must forgive and let go of inevitable hurts that we inflict on each other. We find our way – alone and together – to the perfectly imperfect people that we are. And then we look with curious and open eyes on our beloved again and are willing to be surprised at the constantly renewing beauty before us. So then, clearly, Two of Fire and Death are the most perfect combination for this week in which we are invited to celebrate the power of love.