PCO: Where is my package?

Time for some good ol' oracular help. Right before the flood, I bought two second-hand overcoats because Winter is coming and, since I am ridiculously cold-intolerant, I might as well wear as many cool coats and jackets as I can. They shipped the package my way and, less than a day later, all local roads were closed due the flooding, and most of them have yet to be repaired and reopened. Besides, our airport is completely swamped, so nothing can arrive by aeroplane as well.

Obviously, the package did not arrive and it's probably not going to anytime soon. Still, I was worried – what if it was caught in the flood, and destroyed? I do have enough sense of proportion to know that losing a couple of winter coats due to the flood is the minor-est of all minor things, but it would still make me happy to know that they were not lost in the deluge.

So I asked my PCO cards: where is my package? And the cards were pretty straightforward!

The 4♠, North Wind, could not give a clearer message: my package is still north. I live in the southernmost state of Brazil, so anywhere north of here means the package is safe and dry. Also, the North Wind is a card that incites us to seek protection against harsh conditions, including weather, so the package was purposefully taken to a place where it'd be protected until it could be shipped my way.

The 7♦, Sword of Truth, confirms to me that my package is dry (because it's a Fire card). The lack of Hearts/Water cards in this reading is very reassuring! Also, I believe the Sword of Truth is telling me that I will soon hear 'the truth' about where my package has been all this time.

To be honest, this reading did ease my concerns. I am now very confident that the package will arrive, eventually – I just hope it does before winter is over!


[Edited to add] The day after the reading, I received an email letting me know there had been an update in my package tracking. So far it is still in São Paulo (which is north of here), waiting for the moment they will be able to transfer it. So yeah, it's safe and dry!

New Moon Reading: Here comes the flood

This reading was done during the monthly New Moon Ceremony, hosted by Ana Cortez. Sadly, Ana and her daughter told us that this will be the last meeting of the sort, as they are moving on to new endeavours. Nevertheless, I plan on continuing to do the New Moon readings, even if just to keep a regular card-reading exercise.

The first thing that called my attention about this month's spread is the sheer amount of Hearts/Water. And I wish I could say it is merely a symbolic thing but.... it isn't. The fact is that, right now, we are going through the worst flood in history here where I live. We have had many days of torrential rainfall, which caused the rivers to overflow their banks, flooding entire towns, displacing hundreds of people and killing many. It's chaos and devastation all around, and it's still happening.

It's difficult for me to connect the catastrophe with the Hearts cards of this particular spread, since all of them are benign. The 2♥ (The Chalice) in the Head position is all about being ready to receive what comes from 'above'. The prior months had more active readings, but this one begins by suggesting that I cultivate receptiveness, a more 'wait and see' attitude.

Couple with the 8♥ (The Faun), however, the 2♥ comes with a wild streak. Amongst the keywords of the 8♥ in The Doors of Somlipith book, we have "intensifying unrest and the upheaval of ways". So not only this month's reading warns me to remain open and receptive, but it also tells that whatever is coming will be unpredictable and cause disruption. As if having a large portion of my city underwater wasn't disruptive enough, heh.

Dignified in his home position, we have the K♥, Nicomiah, the most generous, mellow and receptive of all kings. Again, there is the idea of remaining receptive and of trying to remain generous and open at this time. Overall, all the Water cards in this spreads point to remaining adaptable, willing to shift with the strong currents, rather than seeking certainty and stability where there is none.

But wait – we do have a Spades/Earth card here, which is, as we know, the complementary suit to Hearts. Perhaps it will lend some much needed steadiness to this spread? Nope, not this time. The card is the 8♠ (The Curse), whose keyword is "affliction". While the book tries to give a positive spin to this card (i.e "it's a disaster but it can change things for better"), it's undeniable that this card speaks of tragedy, material loss and challenging times. In the Foot position, this card suggests the loss of one's footing and probably significant material damage. The flood is coming, and there will be little left standing in its wake.

All in all, this reading is telling me that things will get worse before they get any better, and that to fight against what is coming is useless. I must be prepared to make concessions, to adapt, and try to keep a generous heart, since a lot of people will be needing help. I also get the impression this will be an emotionally charged month, with the inner waters turning almost as destructive as the outer ones. And it makes sense: not only disaster is happening in real time as I write, but also I am not a person who deals very well with sudden changes... I rely a lot on my routine to feel safe and stable.

Well, I guess the coming lunar cycle is about to challenge all that...