The Chinese Astrology and the Relic
We had had to send in our birthday information to Mei for the Chinese Astrology workshop so that she could analyze our charts ahead of time. She looked at us curiously when we entered the room, soon to know us by way of our readings. She said that there were two people with almost identical charts there and how eerie this was. We wondered silently who in our group the same, as we glanced around at one another. She went on to say that these two people had no earth element. Earth being, the nurturer, patient, steadfast, and grounded. Somewhat boring, but reliable.
The studio owner teasingly, nudged me guessing that I was the one that was missing earth. I wondered, maybe. Ironically, it turned out to be him and another woman, Grainne. She, nomadic, not necessarily by design had immigrated to the States to be with her husband. Shortly before the workshop her husband had had an affair and had moved out of their home. She was devastated and raw. She seemed to imbue the essence of earth—one grounded in motherhood, lovingly caretaking of their toddler son. At the time it didn’t seem fitting to me that she was devoid of earth. Although soon after the workshop she moved again, not grounded in any one place. Her chart fated in its own design which didn’t seem to represent the identity she portrayed. As I think back, she was tall and willowy, a nervous sort, her body didn't seem earthly either. She moved and talked quickly, I had assumed because she was in pain not because of any innate element she lacked. I liked her and couldn’t see her chart- connection with the studio owner who could be irksome, other than he also had been jilted by a lover. Still reeling from a breakup, his fiancé had left him for another man right before their planned wedding. Grainne and the owner were both lacking lasting relationships. Fate, playing a role in their paths.
When I received my chart, I was devoid of fire. Maybe this is why I am cold all the time, I thought even as I angrily questioned Mei trying to disagree with her. She later reassured me, that my fire was assessable and likening me to the fierce former Chinese leader Mao. Her words still echoing, “You get your fire from other people, just like Moa Sedung.”
She knew the evidence of my fire when I lurched for the relic that was placed in the center of the room later that afternoon. We had been instructed the day before to bring something of value from home and that during the day we would pick out one item. That morning we were told to put our valuables in the middle of the room and instructed not to touch anything until she gave us permission to do so.
I had brought a witches ball to share, one that had survived a fire a few years before. It was blue and had the element of water. She explained to us that we often choice a piece that symbolizes what we are missing. (True to form, the person who eventually choice the witches ball was missing water in her chart.)
I scanned the items on the floor at the start of the day and was mesmerized by one piece in the center, transfixed by its energy. After spotting it I was distracted. Obsessed by it, knowing that I had to touch it and claim it as mine. Mei, who seemed to have an abundance of all the elements rattled on and on during the afternoon, mostly about herself. I was impatient as I listened and waited, perched ready to pounce. When the time finally came, I shot out of my chair at lightening speed grabbing the relic. Surprising the group (and even myself) with my ill-mannered intensity. This treasure of sorts was nebulous in design but powerful, holder of something Divine. It[s identity called to me with a fierceness that’s indescribable.
I am not sure that I remember what its astrological element was (maybe metal) but its vibration is still palpable all these years later. Its owner said that she had been gifted it when traveling in the Middle East by a holy man in Jerusalem shortly after her father’s death. It was sacred she was told, blessed. Yes, I knew this to be true. Reluctantly at the end of the day I relinquished it to its owner, thankful that I got to hold it for a while. Mei was right. When needed, fire energy (or any energy) can be garnered when it's coupled with desire.
We had had to send in our birthday information to Mei for the Chinese Astrology workshop so that she could analyze our charts ahead of time. She looked at us curiously when we entered the room, soon to know us by way of our readings. She said that there were two people with almost identical charts there and how eerie this was. We wondered silently who in our group the same, as we glanced around at one another. She went on to say that these two people had no earth element. Earth being, the nurturer, patient, steadfast, and grounded. Somewhat boring, but reliable.
The studio owner teasingly, nudged me guessing that I was the one that was missing earth. I wondered, maybe. Ironically, it turned out to be him and another woman, Grainne. She, nomadic, not necessarily by design had immigrated to the States to be with her husband. Shortly before the workshop her husband had had an affair and had moved out of their home. She was devastated and raw. She seemed to imbue the essence of earth—one grounded in motherhood, lovingly caretaking of their toddler son. At the time it didn’t seem fitting to me that she was devoid of earth. Although soon after the workshop she moved again, not grounded in any one place. Her chart fated in its own design which didn’t seem to represent the identity she portrayed. As I think back, she was tall and willowy, a nervous sort, her body didn't seem earthly either. She moved and talked quickly, I had assumed because she was in pain not because of any innate element she lacked. I liked her and couldn’t see her chart- connection with the studio owner who could be irksome, other than he also had been jilted by a lover. Still reeling from a breakup, his fiancé had left him for another man right before their planned wedding. Grainne and the owner were both lacking lasting relationships. Fate, playing a role in their paths.
When I received my chart, I was devoid of fire. Maybe this is why I am cold all the time, I thought even as I angrily questioned Mei trying to disagree with her. She later reassured me, that my fire was assessable and likening me to the fierce former Chinese leader Mao. Her words still echoing, “You get your fire from other people, just like Moa Sedung.”
She knew the evidence of my fire when I lurched for the relic that was placed in the center of the room later that afternoon. We had been instructed the day before to bring something of value from home and that during the day we would pick out one item. That morning we were told to put our valuables in the middle of the room and instructed not to touch anything until she gave us permission to do so.
I had brought a witches ball to share, one that had survived a fire a few years before. It was blue and had the element of water. She explained to us that we often choice a piece that symbolizes what we are missing. (True to form, the person who eventually choice the witches ball was missing water in her chart.)
I scanned the items on the floor at the start of the day and was mesmerized by one piece in the center, transfixed by its energy. After spotting it I was distracted. Obsessed by it, knowing that I had to touch it and claim it as mine. Mei, who seemed to have an abundance of all the elements rattled on and on during the afternoon, mostly about herself. I was impatient as I listened and waited, perched ready to pounce. When the time finally came, I shot out of my chair at lightening speed grabbing the relic. Surprising the group (and even myself) with my ill-mannered intensity. This treasure of sorts was nebulous in design but powerful, holder of something Divine. It[s identity called to me with a fierceness that’s indescribable.
I am not sure that I remember what its astrological element was (maybe metal) but its vibration is still palpable all these years later. Its owner said that she had been gifted it when traveling in the Middle East by a holy man in Jerusalem shortly after her father’s death. It was sacred she was told, blessed. Yes, I knew this to be true. Reluctantly at the end of the day I relinquished it to its owner, thankful that I got to hold it for a while. Mei was right. When needed, fire energy (or any energy) can be garnered when it's coupled with desire.