Our oracle card for October is the Hazel from a set of cards titled Portal to the Sacred Trees-A Celtic Oracle by Jane Burns. The illustrations are by Judith Bird. I have studied Celtic shamanism through Jane Burns’ programs on The Shift Network and have always loved her work.

Each card has its own portal, drawing you into the secret world of a specific tree. The imagery is wonderful and the messages can be validating or cautionary. Each entry includes a healing ritual and a meditation. The Hazel is in keeping with last month's Owl card in that it deals with wisdom and connects to the Divine consciousness of truth and wisdom. Jane tells us that when oracles of old were asked how we should move forward or what the future holds, it was the experience of the past that the oracles turned to for their answers. In today’s world, I might add, clarity of truth and exercise of wisdom are getting harder and harder to find. We all can benefit from being reminded of their importance and lighting up their virtues.

In Celtic lore, Hazelwood was considered to hold powerful magic. Wands were made of hazelwood, and the nuts were said to convey that magic. Last week's blog, serendipitously, told the story of the Well of Segais where Finn McCool tastes the salmon that ate the hazel nuts which fell into the well. 

The ritual Jane offers in this reading invites you to visit a secret well and ask the priestess there for a cup of water. She then asks you to name your fears, reminding you that fear is the only block you have to your wisdom. She then instructs you to let go of that fear as you drink the Sacred Water. It is a powerful ritual and well worth the time. Awareness of this tool and willingness to utilize it when anxious is in itself wisdom.

So you see,  the card challenges us to ask what is in our way? What is our fear? To accept the belief that once we name that fear, we can be released from it. We can then move forward with wisdom, truth, and clarity. 

 May it be so.