The Lovers - Wayfaring Stranger

This card I drew today I relate to as a Gemini., which is the astrological sign associated with this Major Arcana card, The Lovers. What is represented here is both earthly and divine love, and all the challenges that accompany the choices in love, and the development of the individual. We all are challenged by these choices in love, both earthly and divine.

Today it's become more difficult I believe, to make these choices because we can feel overwhelmed by so many serious pressing problems that we feel pressured by, in an ever complicated world. My thoughts today on Earth Day especially turn toward Earth and Heaven and how they are directly related.

 I ask myself, how do to make Earth more like Heaven? I know I absolutely have to maintain my hope for our world, just as the Creator points to a higher love, that gives us hope.

There's a Capella song recorded by the Smithsonian Folkways in the old English-language religious music in the classic traditional, Appalachian mountain song. I Am a Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow, which I first heard in the public library, when I was living in Toronto back in 1980.

 Way Faring Stranger is no doubt another interpretation of the same song. I find the lyrics hopeful and not so desperate as the first version of I am a Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow. Regardless, this song has stayed with me all throughout my life, because it reminds me to keep focused on a higher love, that offers hope when we are home, in the place where we no longer feel like we are wayfaring strangers.



Wayfaring Stranger - Traditional - Author Unknown

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world of woe
Yet there's no sickness, toil nor danger
In that fair land to which I go
I'm going there to see my father
I'm going there no more to roam
I am just going o'er Jordan
I am just going o'er home

I know dark clouds will gather o'er me
I know my way is rough and steep
But golden fields lie just before me
Where the redeemed shall ever sleep
I'm going home to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie out before me
Where God's redeemed, their vigils keep
I'm going there to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm just a-going over Jordan
I'm just a-going over home
I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
I'm just a-going over home

Wheel of Fortune - One Day I Walk

 

I've been nursing a cold between snow storms, here in the heart of rural Nova Scotia. Winter has really arrived now, after having some above normal temperatures for many months. Though I'm never thrilled about the dead of Winter's arrival, I'm slowly learning to accept it and adapt. It's only been 22 years living here in the country, so I guess I'm feeling like I'm finally making progress! I've always been a slow learner, especially when it comes to accepting the things I don't like.

It's the people, places, and the things, we are really challenged by, that allow for the most valuable life lessons learned. It's certainly always been my experience.

Depending on our philosophy or spiritual beliefs, we might have the perspective toward our life's journey, as being a path that we are on. We walk a road of valleys and hills, with craggy sharp rocks, and pastoral countryside along the way, and like a pilgrim we are headed toward home. This is true for me. I'm making another place my home, not of this world.

I am reminded of 1980 when I was in the grand library in downtown Toronto, listening to an old archival Smithsonian Folkways recording by a Capella choir in the mountains of Kentucky sing, I am a Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow. It took me a while, but I found it on line.


Bruce Cockburn's One Day I Walk is the perfect song to listen to on a cold and snowy Winter's day.

King of Pentacles - We Are All Pilgrims

The King of Pentacles is a good fellow to have in your court. He's a tough self-made man, is excellent at managing business, successful at what he does, and has what is commonly called, the Midas touch, referencing to King Midas, in that, everything he touches turns to gold. Not exactly the Donald Trump type, because Donald likes to fire people, and has really weird hair, but the King of Pentacles can be your best friend, and if you are his partner he'll be devoted to you, and make you his Queen..

The challenge of worldly things and manifesting ambition, is what is represented in the King of Pentacles, however there is a warning. Greed, and material goals cannot be superseded by other aspects of life, especially in relation to higher ideals and spiritual values.

In today's world, we are on a very negative course, using up and spoiling the earth's resources and species, threatening out environment with the never ending climb to the top of the corporate ladder and accumulation of wealth. It is easy for many, to turn away from three quarters of those in the world  who live in dire circumstances and extreme poverty.

 We are all just pilgrims I believe, and we are just passing through. Life is very short, and we have an obligation to our children, and our great grandchildren to leave this world a better place, and there is no room for self-serving greed.

I've always had a deep attraction to the Virginian Appalachia because of how historically, the people are rooted in their land, tradition, beliefs and their deep sense of home.

The King of Pentacles caused me to reflect on a song I listened to, at the library in downtown Toronto, where I lived many years ago. It was a song called, I Am A Poor Pilgrim Of Sorrow, from Classic Mountain Songs, sung in A cappella (Italian for "in the manner of the church" or "in the manner of the chapel"). It deeply touched my soul, and has never left me. There is also a song with a similar melody, A Poor Wayfaring Stranger. I found this version by Eric Bibb who is my favourite Gospel singer and here's his version. It makes me reflect on what is really important in life; not money, success or wealth, but our relationships with ourselves, with others, and the God of our own understanding.