Eight of Earth
The Eight of Earth energies prompt: Let your tasks be an embodied prayer. Do the work. Teach what you know.
Eight of Earth: Pentacles
The Eight of Earth energies manifest in Turmeric.
Turmeric
Dedication leads to mastery. Is your commitment strong enough? Put in the time to hone your skills. The longer fabric soaks in the dyebath, the more vibrant and lasting the color. Hard work may sometimes take its toll.
Do it anyway.
Turmeric stabilizes the body, increasing vitality and strength. Remember to care for yourself at the root. If you are struggling with diminished self-worth, teach your craft to others.
Look for ways to engage the community in your projects. Turmeric medicine survives because it has been passed down through generations. Trust the value of keeping time honored traditions alive.
Qualities
| Positive | Negative |
| new job self employment business trade reputation craftsmanship quality master expertise hard work commitment dedication concentration success accomplishment ambition confidence results rewards | repetitive or boring job failure came overspending debt laziness underqualified |
Crafting With the Eight of Earth
The Eights feature plants whose roots are used as medicine. Drawing deep into the earth, they accumulate rich nutrients. They can be difficult to grow; like the trees, the must establish themselves for several years before they can be sustainably harvested. The roots are collected in the fall when it is cold and wet. We must work to gain access to their medicine.
The final mini-drama presents an internal challenge. The herbcrafter has accepted her higher calling from the trees but. now questions her ability to fulfill her destiny. The herbs of the Eights pull her into a deeper inquiry as she confronts her relationship to her own nature. She will be faced with speaking her truth, trusting her instincts, walking away and restoring her self-worth. her weaknesses become allies that, as she gets to the root of each one, ground and strengthens her for the challenges ahead. The Eights spark action that lead to true self-awareness.
Craft
- Enjoy warm “golden milk” made from milk, honey, tumeric and ginger.
- Make turmeric – dyed prayer flags as expressions of joy.
- Host a turmeric – dying party. Gather community and teach them what you have learned.
Mini Meditation
Meditation
Get into a relaxing position and close your eyes, make sure you are a comfortable temperature and not likely to be interrupted.
- Take three deep breaths
- Feel your tension melting away.
Imagine yourself doing one of the crafts mentioned above. Use your imagination. Make it as elaborate or as simple as you like. Have whomever you would like to be there come and share the time with you.
Imagine what it would look and feel like, as if it were really happening. Use your five senses and imagine all the sensory details as though you are really there.
Be creative and indulge in this moment.
Spend as long as you like in this visualization and feel the benefits of crafting with nature. Think about your meditation as often as you like as you go through your day. If possible, create it in reality.
The Herbcrafter
Herbcrafter
An herbcrafter is an afficianada of the botanical realm. She is in love with plants and longs to know them more deeply.
Her approach is driven by a playful, wild spirit.
The herbcrafter embraces the plant world as her teacher and friend through observation and botany, gardening and wildcrafting, medicine and kitchen craft, fiber arts and weaving, art and magic.
She recognizes herself as part of nature. She seeks reciprocity in all things. Through the relationship with the botanical world, she learns how plants and people can be of service to one another.
Skill without imagination is craftsmanship and gives us many useful objects such as wickerwork picnic baskets. Imagination without skill gives us modern art.
Tom Stoppard