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Tarot:
Moment to Moment
Cabin Fever
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by Gigi Miner |
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I live in the northeast. Even though it is March, there is usually snow on the ground and the temperatures tend to be cold. Since autumn, much of my time is spent indoors. The cold and I do not get along very well. It and my body have major arguments about who is in charge. I usually lose. This is the time that I sit in the window, soaking up as much sunshine as possible; longing for the signs of spring. In my area, it is called, “Cabin Fever.”
Cabin Fever is that irritating feeling of being trapped. It takes place during that time when those of us in the colder regions, are stuck inside due to the weather. It is not unusual to find fellow sufferers participating in unusual rituals, such as cleaning windows to let more sunshine in, or spring-cleaning. Spring-cleaning is a mode of self-torture brought about by the insanity of cabin fever. Only the severely afflicted take part in this particular event as it leads to tearing one’s house apart from top to bottom and endless hours of sneezing at the dust that is raised during the whole process. Trust me, it is not something to which you want to fall victim.
Now that you have been warned about this sinister event, there is something you can do about it. While winter has many of us housebound for one reason or another, it also can keep us from distracting ourselves with too much activity. When people lived off the land, winter was the time to tend to quieter activities and to get back in touch with loved ones. Spring was devoted to planting; autumn to harvest. Summer was filled with other work to prepare for the upcoming winter. Winter was the one season that everyone spent together in close quarters for months on end. Is it any wonder that cabin fever came to be?
Now, during winter, we may have other distractions to get us through the cold and bleak months, but we still find that we are cooped up and wanting to get out. Perhaps there is something else we could make a part of our winters, so as to make better use of it rather then whimpering in the corner about the endless vileness of the season. The card for this month that seemed most appropriate to me is the Four of Swords.
In the Four of Swords, we see a fainting couch. Perhaps I am being a tad dramatic, but we all want to faint at the thought of being trapped for even one more month. This card is almost exclusively in black and white. There is not an excitement about this card. It is filled with a calm, except for the piece of armor that sits to the side. On that, we see slight remains of battle.
Above, the swords are now acting as decoration, rather then instruments of war. So, too, the shield has been set in a new place. The traditional meaning of the Four of Swords is one of respite and recovery. It will very often show itself when someone is recovering from surgery or has gone through a particularly stressful time and now needs to rest.
To me, four is a very stable number. Think of a chair or table; four legs assure some stability to the piece. Swords often speak to me about stress, conflict, thoughts, communication. Let us face it; swords have a lot to say, depending on the circumstances. In many traditional cards, we see a figure prone, with sword on chest, much like a sarcophagus in appearance. I am often reminded of death by this card and the visiting of graves. In many ways, that can be what we feel when the Four of Swords shows up for us in a reading. We feel like something has died and we are unable to cope with it any further. The end of winter is filled with this feeling.
When I created this card, I did not want to embrace the death part of it. Rather, I wanted to show something closer to the quiet we all need in our lives. The swords are still there to remind us of the many battles we have fought. The shield remains to allow us to be thankful that we have made it thus far with its protection. The armor bears some stains of blood to help us not forget that we, too, have caused pain for someone else. We never want to forget, for in our memories we can find a way to be thankful for our survival and for the lessons learned.
These are all things that we can deal with when we take some time to be alone and be quiet. All of the noise of life generally drowns out that quiet voice inside of us. We feel the stress portrayed by the swords, but we take no time to deal with it. We forget that the shield helped keep us alive and helped us keep moving forward, but without that quiet time, all we can see is the chaos around us. Without the ability to find some peace and quiet, we do not see the blood we have drawn from others, but only our own scars.
The Four of Swords calls to us to take some time to think, to meditate, to pray; whatever it is that we do to center ourselves and regain our sense of peace and stability. This card wants us to find those five minutes to be alone and just breathe. Forget about work and forget about the house. Work will always need to be done and the house will always need to be cleaned, but you may not always have the opportunity to find that special place within yourself. When you find that place, not only do you benefit, but also everyone around you reaps the blessings of it.
In order to be a stable person, as depicted by the number four, we need a place and time to remember, to think, and to let go. Look at our card for this month. Hopefully, it gives you a sense of calm and peace. That is what we all need in our lives. Winter forces us to be less active. The weather promotes time indoors. Why not take advantage of cabin fever and spend some time alone. If you must fall victim to spring cleaning, then make a space that is all yours. Fill it with what makes you feel good. It does not have to be an entire room; it can be a corner or a chair by the window. We all need our own space.
If we try, we can find meaning and inspiration in nearly anything. We started out by talking about cabin fever and the craziness that comes from being locked away in the house for month after month. If we try, we could take advantage of this time to find that quiet place inside of ourselves and not just in our home and surroundings. Once we find it within, we can go to it regardless of where we are physically at the time. Once we know that feeling of peace, we can call it to ourselves in times of stress and discontent. First, however, we need to find it and learn what it feels like. This is the message of the Four of Swords.
While humans are social beings, we also need our own space. Every once in a while, we all need to separate ourselves from the rest of the world and learn who we are and what we think, apart from everyone else. Our inner guidance works best if we first learn to recognize it. When someone you are very close to calls you on the telephone, usually you will not have to ask who it is that is calling; you will recognize their voice. It is the same for our spirits. First, we need to spend time alone and learn to recognize that voice within us. Only then, can we hear it and recognize it in times of stress and trouble. Only then will we have its wisdom to guide us when we need it most.
I will concede that part of cabin fever is the totally insane ritual of spring cleaning. Maybe we can make this year’s spring-cleaning into something more. Perhaps this year we can create our own special place while we unearth every spec of dust and every stray hair from our lives. If we have to do this kind of thing, at least we can make it into a ritual that will serve us better. While you are tossing found items overhead and swearing at the housemate whose things have been hidden under the couch, for what seems like an eternity, allow yourself the pleasure of realizing that you are in the process of claiming a space. You are giving yourself a very special gift. No longer the victim of cabin fever, now you are the Four of Swords superhero; able to avert daggered glances with a single, deep breathe. Peace resides within you because you have that special place to recharge and revitalize yourself, like Batman had the bat cave. Go ahead; wrap that blanket over your shoulders like a cape. You know you want to.
Soon we will be able to get out into the bright, warm sun. Until then, take a break, relax, and get to know yourself. I am off to find my cape and tights. |
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Gigi Miner,
Tarot Consultant,
Author & Teacher
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Gigi Miner, author of "Light-of-Day Tarot & Dreamwork", is a minister, ordained by the Universal Life Church, and has a Doctorate of Motivation from the same. She is a professional Tarot consultant, author, and teacher.
She is presently the chairperson for the Advisory Committee of the American Board for Tarot Certification, working with other professionals in the world of tarot.
Moonlighting as an adult education instructor, Gigi brings that experience into her Tarot and writing work, helping clients and readers to find their own inner wisdom. Gigi has taught classes on tarot in regular and e-formats.
Believing that "laughter is the best medicine", there is often a lighter tone to her teachings. When conducting an adult-education class, one of the main questions she asks is, "Are you having fun?" If the answer is "yes" then she knows that her students are learning more then if she were teaching in a more traditional mode.
Contact Info:
www.geocities.com/ladyfogg
Email : ladyfogg@twcny.rr.com
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