Collective Reading: Chaos and the Heart
While chaos looms loudly, let us instead root ourselves into the earth and open ourselves and our energy to what is generative, loving, and alive. This is how we make it.
There are some decks in my collection that never cease to surprise me with their honesty and forthright answers. The POESIS Oracle is one of those decks. I was casually shuffling before Sunday Circle this week, and what popped out were three cards that immediately rang out for the collective. I wanted to share them here for those who could not be present on the call.
Chaos | Root | Support
These cards tell a potent story of what's alive in the collective at this moment.
Chaos. How does this card make you feel? We are tangled, turned upside down, shocked and in pain due to collective disorder and disruption. The energy feels like a multitude of possibilities, paths, timelines, and realities all knotted up together. Chaos is a lack of structure, order, and predictability. A jumble of confusion. You can see in the illustration sharp, jagged points coming from the collective body, noisy explosions, lightning strikes, and smoke.
Faces are pointed away from one another, limbs in knots, keeping the collective from movement forward, illustrating our division, pain, and the suffering many feel inside themselves. We're all trying to exist in the same space, but there's no unifying order or clear tie between us.
Let's breathe and let that sink in. How does this resonate in your body?
Root. When I saw this card, I immediately felt completely different: calm, grounded, connected, and open. The body is growing roots deep and wide into the earth. The eyes are closed, but this time not in refusal to see or denial of what is—instead, we see a peace, acceptance, and clarity found inside. Instead of explosions and sharp edges, we see nature growing, blooming ideas, and new life thriving.
We see the direction of the Sun and the receptivity of the Moon, and a bird flying between them as if to connect our minds and hearts, our actions and instincts. This root is what we need. This is what will help untangle us from the internal and external chaos.
We must stop bathing ourselves in the noise and confusion, anger and pain. Instead, let's root ourselves into the earth, flow with nature, and open ourselves and our energy to what is generative, loving, and alive. We will gain the clarity and guidance we need, the ability to receive what is necessary, be at peace with our existence, and direct our energy toward our goals and next aligned action.
Support. We are each called to play a part in the pyramid of support. We all have a position, and those can change as needs, skills, and capacities shift. Are you able to form a base of love and aid for those who need it? Are you willing to ask for the stabilizing strength of your community so you can stand tall atop the pyramid?
I notice the nakedness of these bodies (all bodies in this oracle are naked, but these strike me). These are people who are arriving to the task exactly as they are. Naturally equipped, no extra tools to contribute or special roles to play. This is how we align to our support networks—leaning into our individuality not to isolate, but to contribute from our strengths and accept aid for our disadvantages.
We also see that this pyramid is supporting a plant. We must learn to nurture what we are growing together. What we are supporting is life itself, and a life that leaves no one behind.
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The Tarot Layer
Because I love depth, I decided to ask the Tarot of the Witch's Garden for extra clarity around the collective themes themes. I used the oracle cards above to inspire my questions.
What is in a state of chaos right now in the collective?
XIV Temperance - Temperance is a card of balance and flow, merging disparate elements, alchemy of transformation, spiritual connection, and an ability to hold paradox. This shows us exactly what we are missing and what medicine we need to heal it. Humanity is feeling the need for connection, but instead we are being manipulated into disconnection and polarization. We're pressured to see everything in black and white instead of holding the middle way and accepting a blend of perspectives. We're in a spiritual chaos as we have forgotten who we truly are, and the spiritual reality of humanity and ourselves. Instead of seeing ourselves in (and part of) each other, we think separateness can save us.
There is a myth of safety found in the extremes of belief, politics, ideology, or morality. The idea that if we have our own group, we keep each other safe from everything and everyone else. This myth leads to war and chaos instead of a true and foundational peace that is found in the flow, blending, and synthesis of many into one whole. It feels easier to stay afraid, divisive, and exclusive when the true work of peace and thriving is found in the vulnerability of unity and connection.
Where do you see this split and imbalance in your life or in the world? How do you see the wounding of the world in our separation?
What do we need to root into right now?
Knight of Cups - This Knight is on a quest related to the element of water—which in the tarot encompasses emotion, feeling, connection, relationship, and the heart. So this isn't a rigid root that locks us into one reality or belief. This is a heart-centered journey that centers authenticity and idealism. We're called to envision something better than what we've been given and give our all to calling it into being. We are called to anchor into our emotional bodies and take action from an internal truth.
This Knight will follow their intuition wherever it leads. They will offer their love and passion to the cause of what gives them life, what moves them deeply, and what they know is right. This Knight believes in everything they do. Many see it as fantasy, but this Knight knows it is their dreams that will create a better world.
We are called to embody our genuine emotional truth. We're called to embrace our softness, not harden ourselves to the evils or darkness we perceive around us. This Knight offers their heart, not their sword—their faith, not their judgement. They create art and express the necessary truths through song, poetry, and theatre. Their battle is not fought—it's felt.
How can you embody this warrior of love this month? How can your intuitive practices and creative expression guide your visioning of a better world for all?
What will support us as we move through collective chaos?
Three of Cups - Well yes, of course. What is the pyramid of support without our community? What can we build when we are aligned in values and vision together? Joy acts as a counterbalance to the weight of activism. Joy inspires, uplifts, and shines a light. Celebrations honor our progress, whether small or large. Creating moments to dance and sing, play and laugh together are the foundations of great liberation movements. One of the quotes that's stuck with me these past weeks as we've seen unrest, injustice, and community resistance in Minneapolis has been this:
Joy reminds us why we're fighting. Why we resist. Why we dream enormous dreams and proclaim what we're for, not just what we're against.
A perfect example of joy as a healing power and necessary fuel is the Black Joy movement. It's Black History Month, and we are blessed with the legacy of activists and organizers, community leaders and philosophers who have shone the light of justice, created what white supremacy feared they would create, and unified and celebrated their communities in the face of systemic oppression. But Black Joy is not tied to racism, suffering, or historical harms. Black Joy celebrates the Black experience as aspirational, beautiful, delightful, and rich.
- Audre Lorde
“Joy is crucial for social change; Joy is crucial for teaching. Finding joy in the midst of pain and trauma is the fight to be fully human. A revolutionary spirit that embraces joy, self-care, and love is moving towards wholeness. Acknowledging joy is to make yourself aware of your humanity, creativity, self-determination, power, and ability to love abundantly.”
- Bettina Love
A joyful mindset inspires creativity, allowing us to seek solutions and open roads where we previously were blinded by fear. We become truly alive, lit up, and fueled for the work of supporting one another in the holy work of liberation, love, unity, and freedom.
The Three of Cups shows us the gateway to the unity we lack in chaos. Our unity is the foundation of the pyramid (three sides!). We need each other, we need levity, and we need to remember why we're fighting and visioning a better world in the first place—for the thriving of generations to come; for the ease and peace of our descendants; for the unity of all people; for the bliss and blessings that are rightfully ours.
May we learn from leaders and communities who have paved the way. May our abundant love and the truth of our hearts light the road ahead.
My wish for you this month is a return to your hope, your heart, your dreaming, and your joy. What inner balance can you find when your attention is pulled in many directions? What inner truth can you create from to express your desires and love for the world? What small celebration or joyful gathering can you create for those who have been feeling strain, exhaustion, or grief? What is your place in the pyramid of support?
I love you.
You are more than capable to meet this moment. Let's walk the road together.