Don't Fear The Reaper

Lola (RIP) the first time she ever gave me a massage commented on how covered I was in death. I mean, two grim reaper tattoos and a tomb stone on my back, she was not wrong. I always thought my first tattoo would be a skull. However, when needle met skin, it was a sailor's hat with my grandfathers nickname. He had passed many years before. So in a way yet more death. To anyone who lacks an understanding of Tarot, the death card would seem imposing, almost unsettling. But when reading the actual definition of it, it might just become a thing of beauty for those who grasp its meaning. "The Death card symbolizes the end of a major phase or aspect of your life that you realize is no longer serving you, opening up the possibility of something far more valuable and essential. You must close one door to open another. You need to put the past behind you and part ways, ready to embrace new opportunities and possibilities. It may be difficult to let go of the past, but you will soon see its importance and the promise of renewal and transformation. If you resist these necessary endings, you may experience pain, both emotionally and physically, but if you exercise your imagination and visualize a new possibility, you allow more constructive patterns to emerge."

Now I see the irony and the beauty of my death tattoos. My life has been a series of doors opening and closing. It has been one of learning to let go and move on. Finding closure within myself when that was the only way to get it. You see closure is often something we seek in life trying to apply meaning to loss, pain or confusion.

When closure involves another person who is gone from our life but still living well... Let me put it this way. A person often removes themselves from our presence because they see us as toxic, or truth be told, they alone are toxic. Both can apply equally. To seek closure with a toxic person is to drink poison and ask that it not hurt us. If they are truly toxic, what truth or knowledge can they actually add to a situation? It took me a long time to come to that understanding.

The tower card is truly more of an "Oh holy shit" card in the world of Tarot. "When The Tower card appears in a Tarot reading, expect the unexpected – massive change, upheaval, destruction and chaos. It may be a divorce, death of a loved one, financial failure, health problems, natural disaster, job loss or any event that shakes you to your core, affecting you spiritually, mentally and physically. There’s no escaping it. Change is here to tear things up, create chaos and destroy everything in its path (but trust me, it’s for your Highest Good)." I have lived many death card moments and just as many towers in my life. However, I don't feel bad about it. If given the option to re-write my personal history, I would not. Good or bad, each experience has made me the man I am today, and that is a man that I can be proud of.

I think today's lesson, my friends, is to embrace the suck and don't fear the reaper. What is life without learning, growing and change? To me, it would probably be pretty dull. I recently took a trip down FB messenger memory lane and damn, the energy of my post divorce life. I am glad I found change. I am pleased I created closure where it was needed. I am proud of what I have accomplished and without my tower moments or death card ordeals the Bishop of today would not exist. Short but deep post tonight. Thanks for stopping in to give it a read. Bishop :(: