esson 54: Augury of the Stone of Wisdom

"ow can the Stone of Wisdom be manifest within me?"

1) Earth Wisdom -- Stone Six

Stone circles mark power points on earth, and sky in relation to earth. But the Earth shares this power with us wherever we are. She shares her gifts freely and generously. It is up to us to see things as *gifts*, not to be taken for granted, and to also be shared with others.

The six stones could represent my six brothers, and the environment in which I learned to share.

2) Foundation Wisdom -- Sword Four

I lay my sword on the altar, offering and dedicating it to the service of the Spirit. Quiet times of contemplation [such as HQ meditations] provide basis and centering for questing and interacting with the world.

3) Enduring Wisdom -- Spear Seven

"Holding the high ground." Through experience and investigation, I have built a 'stone fort' of principles and beliefs. Knowledge of right and wrong (i.e., don't kill) must be defended in every situation. Otherwise, one loses Self. [A Man for All Seasons]

4) Abounding Wisdom -- Grail Four

The abandoned cup seems, at first glance, to be a loss. But is the cup necessary? Or is it the *water* the body needs? With the lake and the rain clouds, I know that I can attain all the water I need to live--gift of the earth. I once told my husband, when he was talking about something he *needed,* that what one *needs* are air, water, food and . . .

[. . . and the phone rings and . . .]

. . . consciousness. These support Life, and all else is a *bonus*!

So, in the card, I see finding the cup as a bonus--a luxury to make life a little easier if one should want a drink from lake or sky. It's only a container. As long as one has the necessary ingredients for life, everything else is extra blessings. To give thanks for.

I think this is not a commonly-held view (at least in the 'civilized' world), but I think it's one of the greatest things I've ever learned.

5) Spiritual Wisdom -- The Seeker

Especially in relation to the above: The most valuable things are those you have no matter what. As the book says, "the spiritual treasury which is always accessible."

An excerpt from Matthew 6:25-34:

"Stop being anxious about your souls as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not the soul mean more than food and the body than clothing? Observe intently the birds of heaven, because they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses; still your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?
"Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you."

 

I travel with the Seeker to Stone Six. "You've been here before," he says, "so you know that sharing isn't always about things."
"Yes," I reply. "Some of the best things one can share are time, companionship, wisdom, assistance, insights . . . and primarily, love. 'Share' of course implies that the Universe will pay one back in equal measure."

We continue on to Sword Four. "Those who quest for fame and fortune travel a broad road. But the road for those who quest for Spirit and Life is narrow and cramped, and few are the ones finding it. Are you sure you want to travel this difficult road?"
"No contest. The one road is broad because it's been widened and paved by man. The other road, in God's natural state, is far more intriguing and rewarding. Both, I'm sure, have advantages and disadvantages. But what one gains on the narrow road isn't lost or stolen, or decaying, or rusty and tarnished, or adding to one's burden."

On to Spear Seven. The Seeker examines the stones closely. "Built it yourself, huh? You know what they say: 'If you want something done right . . . .' It looks like it provides good protection in a siege. You can certainly keep all your *treasures* safe there," he says, grinning. And the phrase pops into my head: pearls of wisdom.

We continue on to Grail Four. "The concepts of 'gift' and 'burden' are extremely relative--and interchangeable. I might use that cup to facilitate getting a drink of water, but I wouldn't keep it, and have to carry it around all the time. I would leave it for the next seeker."
"Yeah, me too."

We return to the center, to the Stone Hallow. "On earth, men come and go, but the gaming board remains. When the game is over, all we have left to take with us is our experience and skill."