Black History Poetry Oracle by Kristen Radden

This is The Black History Poetry Oracle by Kristen Radden. She has a short video on YouTube about this oracle deck. You can find more of her work here. Kristen shares many creative ways of working. You might enjoy checking out her offerings!

Black History Poetry Oracle by Kristen Radden

Here are some suggestions for working with The Black History Oracle. I often just use the mini cards like this. I randomly spread them out on a table. I move them around in a sort of swishing way - mixing them up. I then - pull cards and place them together and write a poem or tell a story. These images evoke many emotions - thoughts - feelings as they move around on the table. On a particular day we are drawn to particular images. Take that as a sign that you will work with this story in this moment. Trust that the images will evoke something deeper inside you. Record your words in a journal. You can also collect the poetic words you write in a book. Over time you will develop a nice collection that you have formed from this particular oracle deck. Find the meaning of words that you have written through the connections made in working with this deck. This is all a part of self-discovery. I highly recommend purchasing this downloadable deck for a small donation of 5$. I store mine in a drawstring bag for convenience.

Reflective Exploration:

• Draw a card from The Black History Poetry Oracle and reflect on the figure or event it represents. Write a poem that captures the essence of their story and impact.

1. Intersectionality in Verse:

   • Select two cards from the oracle, each representing different aspects. Explore the intersectionality of these themes in a poem, highlighting the interconnectedness of various narratives.

2. Empowerment Poem:

   • Choose a card that symbolizes resilience or empowerment. Write a poem inspired by the strength and courage displayed by the person depicted on the card.

3. Time Travel Poem:

   • Pick a card and imagine yourself transported to the historical moment it represents. Write a poem that captures your experience as an observer or participant in that significant period of Black history.

4. Symbolism and Metaphor:

   • Explore the symbolism present on a chosen card. Write a poem using metaphor and symbolism to convey the deeper meanings and emotions associated with the human figure present on the card.

5. Dialogue with the Past:

   • Engage in a poetic conversation with the human figure on the card. Write a dialogue that explores their thoughts, challenges, and triumphs, bringing their voice to life in a contemporary context.

6. Collaborative Poetry:

   • Invite others to join you in drawing cards from The Black History Poetry Oracle. Each person can write a poem based on their drawn card, and then collectively create a collaborative poem that weaves together different perspectives.

7. Narrative Expansion:

   • Take a card and research further into the historical context it represents. Expand on the narrative by incorporating additional details and perspectives into your poem.

8. Haiku History:

   • Challenge yourself to distill the essence of a historical figure or event into a series of haikus. Use the brevity of the form to capture the significance and emotion of the subject.

9. Visual Poetry:

   • Use the visual elements on a card as inspiration for a visual poem. Create a poetic composition that incorporates text and imagery to convey the story and emotions associated with the depicted history.

Remember to approach these prompts with an open mind and a willingness to explore the rich tapestry of Black history through the lens of poetry.

Black History Poetry Oracle by Kristen Radden

“I seek”

Overflowing Brady Tarot

Spirit Sleep

In the cradle of time - where echoes softly chime -
A liquid tale unfolds - of sacred waters, untold
Ripple whispers - ancient wise -
Flowing through realms where mystic dreams arise.

Beneath the moon's soft - silver gaze -
Spirited water weave in cosmic ballet -
Glisten stream - veins of earth
Liquid hymns celebrate life -

~Linden
The Bone Lines

Handwritten Letters

Healing Ink: The Therapeutic Power of Handwritten Letters

In a fast-paced world where technology often dictates the rhythm of our lives, there's a timeless and healing remedy waiting to be rediscovered – the art of handwritten letters. Beyond the tangible act of putting pen to paper, the process of writing and receiving handwritten letters has an unparalleled therapeutic impact on our mental and emotional well-being. Let's explore how this simple yet profound practice can be a healing balm for the soul in a world that often rushes past moments of reflection and connection.

Crafting Catharsis: Expressing the Unspoken

Handwritten letters offer a safe space for emotional expression. When faced with life's challenges, putting our thoughts on paper can be a cathartic experience. The act of writing allows us to explore and process our emotions, giving voice to feelings that may be difficult to express verbally. It becomes a form of self-therapy, enabling us to release pent-up emotions and find solace in the written word.

Mindful Reflection in a Digital Environment

In a world dominated by constant digital stimuli, the simple act of sitting down with a pen and paper encourages mindfulness. Writing a letter requires focus and intention, providing a break from the constant barrage of notifications and distractions. This intentional pause allows for reflection, helping individuals reconnect with their thoughts and emotions in a meaningful way.

Bridges Across Distances: Connection in a Letter

The physical distance between loved ones can often amplify feelings of isolation. Handwritten letters, however, serve as tangible bridges connecting hearts across miles. The anticipation of receiving a letter and the joy of reading words that carry the essence of a distant friend or family member can be profoundly comforting. It's a reminder that, even in the vastness of space, emotional closeness can be maintained through the written word.

Letter-Writing Rituals: An Act of Self-Care

The act of writing itself can become a therapeutic ritual. Carving out time for letter writing is a deliberate act of self-care, offering a break from the demands of daily life. Whether it's a few moments of solitude in the morning or a quiet evening reflection, this ritual becomes a mindful pause that nourishes the soul.

Building Bridges to the Past: Nostalgia's Healing Touch

Receiving a handwritten letter can transport us back in time, evoking feelings of nostalgia and connection to the past. As we read words that were carefully penned by someone we care about, it becomes a reminder of shared experiences, laughter, and love. Nostalgia, in this context, becomes a healing force, weaving the past into the present and offering a sense of continuity and comfort.

Spreading Positivity: The Ripple Effect of Handwritten Affection

The positive energy embedded in a handwritten letter has a ripple effect. Not only does it uplift the spirits of the sender and recipient, but it also extends its warmth to anyone who receives it. Handwritten letters, often shared and treasured, become carriers of positive energy, creating a network of healing connections in the world.

In a world that sometimes feels chaotic and disconnected, handwritten letters stand as a beacon of healing. Through the simple act of putting pen to paper, we can navigate the complexities of our emotions, forge connections, and create a tapestry of healing that transcends the limitations of time and space. We can embrace the therapeutic power of handwritten letters and allow the healing ink to mend the threads of our hearts.

Consider the Hands that Write this Letter

by Aracelis Girmay

Consider the hands
that write this letter.
The left palm pressed flat against the paper,
as it has done before, over my heart,
in peace or reverence
to the sea or some beautiful thing
I saw once, felt once: snow falling
like rice flung from the giants’ wedding,
or the strangest birds. & consider, then,
the right hand, & how it is a fist,
within which a sharpened utensil,
similar to the way I’ve held a spade,
match to the wick, the horse’s reins,
loping, the very fists
I’ve seen from the roads to Limay & Estelí.
For years, I have come to sit this way:
one hand open, one hand closed,
like a farmer who puts down seeds & gathers up
the food that comes from that farming.
Or, yes, it is like the way I’ve danced
with my left hand opened around a shoulder
& my right hand closed inside
of another hand. & how
I pray, I pray for this
to be my way: sweet
work alluded to in the body’s position
to its paper:
left hand, right hand
like an open eye, an eye closed:
one hand flat against the trapdoor,
the other hand knocking, knocking.

Lettres

Books To Read

To the Letter: A Celebration of the Lost Art of Letter Writing by Simon Garfield

The Art of the Handwritten Note: A Guide to Reclaiming Civilized Communication by Margaret Shepherd

The Missing Ink: The Lost Art of Handwriting, and Why It Still Matters by Philip Hensher

Snail Mail: Rediscovering the Art and Craft of Handmade Correspondence by Michelle Mackintosh

Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience compiled by Shaun Usher

The World Needs More Love Letters: All-in-One Stationery and Envelopes by Hannah Brencher

The Gift of a Letter by Alexandra Stoddard

These resources offer a mix of historical context, practical guidance, and creative inspiration for anyone interested in exploring or rediscovering the world of handwritten letters.

US Postal Box

The Guardian Tarot

Watchtower

Opening to another requires trust that has become absent - hidden from view
Masked knowing as eyes peer around every corner - honor internal
I stand guard on top of walls built by tired tools
Pace back and forth along rivers screaming past roots -
Uprooted ideas lay waste to a beautiful world - a beautiful Home of earth
Tentacles of knowledge require breast plates to crack - no going back now
A song plays inside of me - hold the line it yells -
As pecking order of scars pile upon heartbeats in yellow slander -
Seeds scatter - branched kingdom crown draws down the bridge -
I hear the loud creaking of the gate -
Scrape rust from cells - imprisoned by lack
Watch tower bullets reign down upon the commons

~Linden
The Bone Lines

vintage

Falls of Bleeding

Pull back from the brink of war - as flames rise higher and higher
A mothers heart aches for her child -
Once a tendril in her bones - watching as might drifts toward need -
Dismantled ideas becomes a resting place for unknowing -
Palms held together - beseech the whales song - breach
Crash toward catastrophe - peril of rage cast toward arisen sunrise -
I kiss your charred cheek - lest you never remember my soft hand -
Uniformed masters find way into any unwelcome dark hiding place -
Hidden from yourself - a young boy knows he likes to dream big -
A fire of rapture engulfs misguided strength - where will you go now -
Hunted become hunted - hostile take down of self exploration -
You meant to wrap the world in ribbons of hope - now a hostage to falls of bleeding -
Lost souls - all of us tramp forward - blindly forgetting -
Your mother - misses you.

~Linden
The Bone Lines

First Frost

A handmade life is a story that always interests me. In a time when so many are providing interesting life stories to read about and follow along with - sharing handmade lives - it is good to remember that in general we share what we are most comfortable with. This happens both in person and online in the lives that we have offered up in the ongoing time. Here I am sharing a snapshot of my own handmade.

A white bench made quickly a bunch of years ago from an Ana White simple woodworking pattern - sits by the doorway. It needs paint again now. So many moments sitting on that bench - talking, sharing, pondering, wishing. The first frost arrived on the land and everything is covered in a beautiful heavy dusting of glitter. In the early morning sunlight - frosted sparkles catch my eye everywhere that I glance. It is easy to see the magic things in the landscape of nature. The air feels bright and clear, An expectant nuance blankets the early morning world. Even the songbirds sound excited with their cold calls.

I wander about looking more closely at the plants. An artemisia just yesterday coated in velvet - now frosted and soon to turn dark as it withers against the cold. Its scent is unmistakable. I almost always run my hands across her stems and leaves - bring my hands up to my face - deeply inhale. It is one of the great many simple pleasures of living with plants. The plants that we are drawn to share something with us. A deeper connection is found when we return again and again to the plants that we are drawn to. If you have lived a very long time on a land place the plants are another one of the signposts of your journey of lifeways.

Plant ways bring the most profound gifts and healing ways if we remain open to them. It is even better if we take an active interest in the actual plants living with us. Looking closer in with an open curiosity will reveal answers and insight to questions and wonderings that we may be carrying. Living with an inquisitive nature toward the plants that we feel drawn to - allows a connection to be created between two sentient beings.

I have lived on and with this land for a very long time now. I know the rhythm of the seasons. I can anticipate the plants that will arrive again and again. When they don’t return - I am disappointed. What happened? Perhaps it’s like a friend that has taken a different pathway. We do not always get to know the story of another. One way to incorporate plant medicine into our lives is to use the essence and energetic qualities of a plant. I mean to use them on the same energetic essence level as an imagination. What is the immediate quality coming to you when you sit with a plant or walk by a plant ally. Did a memory occur to you? Has a person entered your consciousness suddenly? Is it really out of the blue? I think in these sudden inexplicable ways - we communicate with plants on energetic levels that can offer up to us very healing pieces of plant medicine.

Just like we meet people in our lives that offer us something - so too a plant peaks our attention in subtle and more direct ways. If we listen with a gentle attention there are wisdoms for us to take in. We can ask questions to the plants themselves. Perhaps later on in a dream an answer of importance may move us in a direction of - before not thought of. It is these quiet ways that we can have access to a whole world of beautiful guidance. It is a living book of answers for us to find a way to enter into. Try to be gentle as you enter into plant relationships. Like with a new person you meet - you might gently introduce yourself. There is so much to discover!

In exploring with a plant you will want to be patient. Not all is always as it seems at first. It takes awhile to learn about and get to know the energetics of plant medicine. I am speaking here only about the friendly and curious relationship you can form with a plant. Tell the plant you want to work with her. Definitely bring a gift for the plant as you first come to visit. Perhaps you might come back another day with a well formed and simple question. Listen for the little whispers of inspiring that speaks to you. A thought comes - a memory is conjured - a wish is noticed - a feeling is deeply felt on an energetic and heart felt level.

I would recommend keeping a journal about your noticing’s and interactions with your plant connection. Record any dreams you might have found about the plant during this specific time of claimed working with your plant. It is a beginning. Notice where you travel. Try to just remain open - without expectation. In the unguarded moments it is when profound insight can come to questions we carry. I think that is why we are - some of us - it is because we are seekers. We are seeking answers and somehow we know that answers can be found among the plants that we so tenderly care for and witness.

In your handmade life - perhaps if you make yourself a simple bench built by your own two hands - you will find yourself listening to the frosts that arrive each year as you sit quietly in contemplation. Moving slowly is so needed in these times. Allow your nervous system to quiet a bit and look toward forming relationships. If you don’t have people relationships in your life - you can most definitively form deep and lasting relationships with the plant world. The gifts to be found there are filled with meaning - as deep as you can explore - your solid new friends.

Artemisia in the Garden