The CHA WAKAN card – Tree of Life, #32, from The Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards by Chief Archie Fire Lame Deer and Helene Sarkis
In many traditions, the TREE OF LIFE is recognized – for all people see the tree as having roots buried deep in Mother Earth, and branches reaching up to Great Spirit, and Father Sky.
The Lakota say that the humans are like leaves – when we become a certain age, or ripeness, we leave this plane and go into the Spirit World. We die, our bodies go to the Earth, like the leaves from the tree.
The guidance on this card is one that is timely, as we move towards Christmas, a time that is very stressful for many people who either visit family or have family stay with them.
“Open your heart to all your brothers and your sisters and to all of creation, relinquishing your judgements and expectations (of yourself and others). Allow all our relations to be exactly who they are; accept all that you are.”
If you feel the need to judge or criticize someone tomorrow, stop and ask yourself – “Why does this bother me so much?” For, often what bothers us in others is what we can not deal with in ourselves. If we can identify why it bothers us, we are on the path to releasing that issue, like the tree releases the leaves. When we release something that has bothered us for ages, we feel a deep stillness and peace. The Shaman says that one must continually work on themselves– if you believe that you have dealt with an issue and yet you remember it, then the issue is not solved. Work towards Oneness and Peace!
Be compassionate…
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