Urban Shamanism

^{I used a similar picture in a post last week, but this one is filled with greenery and light, while the other one was clouded.}

Blessings in disguise

This weekend was a great lesson for me in many ways, but such a beautiful one! Remember a few days ago when I talked about the wedding of my best friend? That was a whole process for me last year and this one, but I'd chosen to connect with it from joy, so I happily fulfilled my duty as a best man and was thus privy to the most intimate aspects of a wedding ceremony of the highest vibrational orders. I was a few inches away when the priest blessed the union, the rings and the unity coins, and I was handed them already consecrated to give back to the family. The ceremony was simple, down-to-earth, friendly and filled with light. The party later was profoundly happy, I danced a lot and surprisingly drank and ate much less than I thought I would.

The great lesson here was Gratitude. I spent months struggling with this duty and in the end, I must admit that I felt honored to be such a critical part of that event, and I'll thank my friend in person when I see him this week. Mind you, I know what I know and I've seen what I've seen, and that relationship will have serious obstacles to overcome if it is to last, but that's not my business unless they actively seek out my help in some form if/when issues arise. I only have one task: to be supportive, to visit them when I can, to spend time at their home and provide them as much love and trust as I'm able.

This process was humbling for me, because although my resistance had clear, well-sustained sources, it was still resistance and it implied both fear and pride on my part. Fear, because this is the closest I've been to a couple formalizing their lifelong pledge and also because I've seen the huge problems they must deal with in order to make it work; pride because I fancied myself above and beyond that task and stood in judgment of it for quite a while. That wasn't my place, I understand that only now, when the thing's done.

I'm truly glad that's behind me, but I'm even gladder to have realized the flaw in my approach and served my friend and his wife with dignity. I enjoyed my involvement in the end the memory shall abide with me my entire life. It's not everyday that one gets to be the best man in a wedding, after all, and although my experience wasn't comfortable at first, I grew into and through it. It was a blessing for me. And there's also another side to this coin: the ceremony took place in a historically dark day for my country, when a failed military coup costed many lives and led directly to Chávez's ascent to power several years later. The day is now cleansed for me and everyone who attended that event, and it's now a day of Freedom and Pleasure.

Rune of the Day: Jera

The Heart beats strongly and marks the way for you, there is a profound rhythm in the earth that you can feel in your bones and muscles, allow yourself the gift of life. Do not fear so much over material assets, you can create what you wish in abundance. Fear of loss invokes scarcity and frustration, nothing is lost, everything you leave behind has a purpose and you can see the profit if you offer it willingly. Reconsider, there are attitudes that may appear very rational and do great damage nonetheless, act in accordance with your conscience, not your pride. You are surrounded by blessings and resources, take some time to survey your surroundings. Manage your strengths but do not spare them, there are tasks that require more dedication than you have invested. Involve yourself in your work, do not avoid challenges for the apparently safe path, comfort commands a high price.