Hallowquest - Lesson 2 - The Seeker in the Wasteland

[PathWalker]

In the second lesson we study the Seeker card (the Fool) and after discussion paragraphs we view ourselves as the Seeker, answers set questions, carry through some tasks and then a meditation. All of this is clearly set out in the book for us  :)

 

There are no "wrong answers" here, just how the card and the tasks seem to you. Feel free to write as much or as little of your answers as you are comfortable to share in this thread. Ask for discussion, mention things that occur to you, whatever you'd like to share or say.

 

Enjoy

PathWalker

[PathWalker]

Lesson 2 - PathWalker's responses (this was May 2005)

 

 

1. What is the Wasteland to you?

*** So I see the tree behind the seeker at the top of the cliff, and I think “I could sit there a long time. Enjoying the tree – the view – and ignoring what’s happening behind me.” But really I know the land is being destroyed, we’re losing species, babies and adults are dying needlessly. I can’t really pretend it’s not happening, or that I’m not part of the same web.

 

 

2. What lurks in the abyss?

*** Despair, depression. Poverty of life. Defeat, foolishness, a change of lifestyle I won’t like. Discomfort.

 

 

3. What do you hope/ think/ feel lies ahead?

*** A way to create and BE change, which will save or whole web/planet, and improve lives. (Wow, just a small goal then LOL)

 

 

 

Yourself as Seeker:

During the coming quests you will undergo many experiences and awakenings. Before beginning, assess yourself and clarify direction:

 

1. Who are you as a person?

*** A pagan, a wife and mother, a nature lover. A warm woman who would like to be loved more. A collector, a squirrel someone who likes luxury and goodness. Someone who tries to be a friend and helper, but turns inward easily.

 

 

2. What is your life's purpose? What would you like it to be, if you are unsure?

*** My life has changed a lot in the last few years. I hope now that my purpose is to grow and learn as an individual – to help others their own path – and to bring some amount of healing to the earth.

 

 

3. What are your greatest strengths?

*** Persistence, striving for truth, loyalty, friendliness.

 

 

4. What are your skills?

*** Organising (logic) eye for detail, memory, perceptiveness, cleaning!

 

 

5. What kind of quest are you already on? What do you seek? What do you hope to find/ achieve?

*** I guess I’m seeking to create a feeling of balance within myself, and to help spread that through the world. I seek deeper spiritual knowledge of my own land, and it’s subtle levels, in order to work more effectively. I seek a spiritual home, and a greater sense of certainty.

 

 

6 What needs the most empowerment in your life right now?

*** The desire to make time/space and commitment to this work

 

 

7. What is your seeking style e.g. deadly earnest, plodding, adventurous, cautious, dilatory, swift playful, etc

*** I’m not much of a game player I don’t think – but I do sometimes stray from the path to watch the birds or look at something growing, or see a great view.

 

 

 

Tasks:

 

 

There’s an exercise about recognising and writing about my own foolishness. I’m finding this really difficult to do, because I make excuses at times like that, blaming others or creating a mental scenario where I wasn’t at fault. This I think suggests I have insecurity and a need to be right all the time. THAT’S FOOLISH! Hopefully my journey here will help me see it’s okay to sometimes be wrong, to be silly, not to need self-justification. (I’ve always said I didn’t care what other’s thought, but this is not true is it?)

 

 

 

3. Create an opening affirmation with which you can start each meditation session e.g. 'From this world to that world, I go to meet (title of card)'

*** “I step through the doorway on my quest,

I travel to see……., and walk there for a while.”

 

 

Meditation on The Seeker:

 

In this lesson you begin meditating on specific cards. The following meditation should be spread over a few days rather than at once. Accept experience and record it, relate seemingly irrelevant images/ feelings to the meditation subject.

 

1. Without referring to the book, look at the Seeker. What is the general feeling of the card? How do you feel looking at it?

 

2. Close your eyes and enter the card answering: What is it like being is this landscape? What can you see from this cliff top?

 

3. Become the Seeker, who can be of either sex. (Or alternatively if this is too hard then question him.) Find out:

Where are you going?

What do you seek?

What are the blackbirds saying to you?

What are the uses of the things you carry: staff, knife, helmet, pendant stone.

 

*** He shades his eyes to look ahead – is it brighter there? The wasteland seems grey and dull. I notice he has a staff, a pack, a knife, a hat, wristbands, something round his neck. All these tokens make me feel close to him, as if he (and I ) might be prepared for the start of our journey. But I notice he has bare feet, no shoes. This unsettles me ( how modern that is – shoes) makes me worry how I will manage if the way is stony?

I could stay by the tree, but maybe the rainbow would fade, and the tree become grey too? To find the green heart, the place I long for, I must follow the path. He does not look down. I love that he has the birds with him, I see them as strength givers. I worry I might be a bit frail?

 

 

 

[Flaxen]

I know you’re still working your way through the course but I wonder if you have read ‘If Women Rose Rooted’ by Sharon Blackie?

 

I read it recently and she talks a lot about the Wasteland and draws on Celtic myth in her stories. As I was reading, it kept calling to mind this deck. [emoji4]

[PathWalker]

I'LL check out, thank you