From the Riverbank

Queenie

2009-03-29T03:09:00.001-07:00

I made this Community card for my hedgehog Queenie. She came into my life after I responded to an email request for a temporary caregiver for a mother and daughter pair of animals used in therapeutic nature programs by an organization where I volunteer, The Nature Connection. After several talks with her owner, who was going on a year's sabbatical, Queenie and her daughter were brought to me August 27, 2006. Queenie was extraordinarily gentle and outgoing for a hedgehog, which is to say, she never curled up or hissed. The vet said she was one of the easiest hedgehog patients he had. I took her to church for The Blessing of the Animals three times, and on numerous programs. In 2007, the owners returned and decided that they wanted to find a new home for their pets, so I volunteered to become their permanent owner. In April, 2008, Queenie began to have trouble walking, and by August, had lost the use of her rear legs. I suspect it was Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome; the vet called it "a neuropathy hedgehogs sometimes develop." One morning in August, I found Teeny bullying her, and separated them permanently. I handfed Queenie for the next six months, and she looked up eagerly whenever I entered the room, clamping onto the water dropper with vigor. She died peacefully on March 13, 2009 while I was at work. She was five, an average life span for these creatures, but she was an extraordinary little soul who taught me a lot about caregiving.

Grandmother

2009-01-24T17:28:00.000-08:00

Baptism

2009-01-24T17:27:00.000-08:00

Orchid seeker

2009-01-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

Gratitude

2008-01-13T03:51:00.001-08:00

FlameBud

2008-01-13T03:49:00.000-08:00

YuleLight

2008-01-13T03:48:00.001-08:00

3rd Chakra Elephant

2008-01-13T03:46:00.000-08:00

5th Chakra Stallion

2008-01-13T03:44:00.000-08:00

Distracted

2007-10-14T05:26:00.001-07:00

I am one who ...
misses events
plans relentlessly
wants to be on top of the latest news
ignores my partner and pet
sets a pretty table, then doesn't enjoy it
is an intellectual snob (paper is NY Times arts section)
believes in pretty things
likes comfort
can be hyperfocused
makes poor choices
can be too rigid
needs to be shaken out of myself at times
lives in the future

I give you ...
warning
reminder to look around you
a wry chuckle
reminder that preoccupation with future events can isolate you
reminder that there can be huge things happening if you only look up
reminder to get your nose out of literature and experience your life

Remember ...
the richness of life
how many spontaneous experiences are there for you
to be open
to live in the now
to get dressed and engage the world
to participate
to live in your senses and body, not your head
real life is loud, messy, and hot
to experience drama and excitement
to risk loss
that multitasking deprives and limits you
to spend as much time and attention enjoying events as you do preparing for them

Transition

2007-10-14T05:20:00.001-07:00

I am the one who...
felt supported as a child
was excited to have less support
sometimes needs a push
fears the future
misses the beauty of sunset
looks back nostalgically
avoids my emotions
fears the ebb tide
misses nature
likes doing things under my own power
feels like a passenger, not a driver, as I age
witnesses my life's passage

I give you ...
memories of support
reminder of your strength and growth
memories of feeling protected by a helmet and being accompanied by animal companions
wistfullness

Remember that ...
You mastered what you needed
You were cherished
Your parents wanted you to be independent
Sometimes transitions are quiet
Some transitions you make happen, others happen to you
Transitions can feel slow

6th Chakra Kestrel

2007-09-20T03:57:00.001-07:00

I am one who seeks open skies. I soar beyond the fabrications of your hands and the dark still waters with whatever lurks beneath. I see great distances. I ride the wind currents. I am perfectly suited to my air element. I am always on the move.

My gifts are vision, trust of the unknown, expansiveness, elegance, individuality, variety, bright, restless, energy, and the will to seek.

Remember that your kestrel spirit is without limits. Trust the unknown.

The Explorer

2007-09-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

Here's The Explorer!

The Critic

2007-09-16T05:55:00.001-07:00

Here's my inner Critic. (This card is in the Committee suit (inner aspects), not the Council suit.

The Fool

2007-09-16T05:49:00.001-07:00

Every deck needs The Fool.
I am the one who turns your life upside-down!

The Wise Child

2007-09-16T05:44:00.001-07:00

The Wise Child archetype

The Hero

2007-09-16T05:39:00.001-07:00

If you watch the show "Heros", you'll see some wordplay here. The small character at bottom right is a cavalry officer. The other one is James Bond. I also had some Harry Potter images but they were so large, they would have dominated the card. Maybe I'll make Harry his own card.

The Wise Woman

2007-09-16T05:30:00.001-07:00

The Wise Woman

The Rebel

2007-09-16T05:21:00.001-07:00

Here's the Rebel or the Tramp. This weekend, I did a SoulCollage workshop on the Council Suit, which is archetypes. I made 7 new cards!

Dream Rider

2007-07-28T05:02:00.001-07:00

The Cyclist

I haven't dialogued with my Cyclist yet.
She is inappropriately dressed, yet I'm drawn to her.
Bikes are a symbol of self-reliance for me.

The Abandoned

2007-07-28T05:00:00.001-07:00

I am the one who longs to call you back.
I am the one who keeps your secret.
I am the one frozen in fear.
I am the one who feels alone.
I am the one afraid of the dark.
I am the one who envies your confidence.

Lady of the Deep

2007-07-28T04:59:00.001-07:00

I am the one ... at home in the depths, who floats, who has a secret, who sinuously entwines my legs, who is unafraid to be bright and colorful, who sinks, who is dressed for celebration, who has matching accessories, who dances in the depths, who follows reflections, who looks into the deep, surrounded by Moorish Idols, at home among fish, with pale skin, flecked by sunlight, who is feminine, with raven hair, who seduces you.

I give you shamelessness, confidence, beauty, effortlessness, style, serenity, ease, balance, willingness to go deep, trust, boldness, fearlessness, mermaid Attitude.

I want you to relax, to open your eyes under water, to appreciate beauty without being fearful, to be a jewel in the darkness, to follow me, to trust, to embrace your femininity, to jump right in!

The Faithful

2007-07-28T04:56:00.001-07:00

I am the one belonging, yet alone.
I am the one who waits.
I am the one trying to have faith, but anxious.
I am the one putting on my best.
I am the one seeking peace.
I await a bridegroom I've never met.

The Destroyer

2007-07-28T04:54:00.001-07:00

I am the one who dashes your hopes.
I am the one who can't be trusted.
I am the one that appears unexpectedly.
I am the one who breaks and ruins.
I am the one who spoils everything I touch.

The Agent

2007-07-28T04:51:00.001-07:00

I am the one who emerges from the mist.
I am the one concerned for your welfare.
I am the one who reassures you.
I am the one amused by your predicament.
I am your Guide.
I am the one impeccably prepared.
I am the one who knows all the answers but may not share them.
I am the one who infuriates you sometimes.
I am the one you can rely upon.

Quilt Ninja

2007-07-28T04:49:00.001-07:00

I haven't dialogued with this card yet.
Could be a Protector, or Death, or my need for masks.
Don't know if it's council or committee.

The Shark Cage

2007-07-28T04:46:00.001-07:00

I am the one who takes risks.
I am the one who dares.
I am the one who tempts Fate.
I am the one who feels enclosed.
I am the one who doubts my safety.
I am the one who feels it is too late to change my mind.
I am the one who feels abandoned.

The Heart of God

2007-07-28T04:44:00.001-07:00

I am the one called to the Garden.
I am the one who joyfully responds.
I am one who is cherished.

The Priest

2007-07-28T04:24:00.001-07:00

I am the one who makes painful sacrifices.
I am the one who destroys things I love.
I am the one left holding the evidence.
I am the one who questions my decisions.

The Vacillator

2007-07-28T04:22:00.001-07:00

I am the one overwhelmed by choices.
I am the one who fears the worst.
I am the one frozen in indecision.

Turtle Artist

2007-07-28T04:19:00.001-07:00

I am the one like a turtle searching for the perfect place to lay her eggs, before I begin.
I am the one who delights in creation.
I am the one who puts my whole self into my art.
I am the one inspired by light.

The Source

2007-07-28T04:11:00.001-07:00

I am the One who makes all things possible.

What is SoulCollage(TM)?

2007-07-28T04:10:00.001-07:00

I'm going to collect my SoulCollage (TM) cards on this site.

For an explanation/random card reading, see http://www.soulcollage.com/cards/personalreading.php.

A SoulCollage® WebRing

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