The Natural High

This is a nice card. I can't remember the last time that it came up from any of my decks. There is a real strength in those arms, as they toast with the same cup. It's like they are saluting some kind of accomplishment. If a pot of gold is buried at the end of a rainbow, then it would seem that this couple have most definitely found it, wouldn't you say?

It seems fitting to receive this card today because I am on a natural high. I am tired and have worked my socks off, but I feel satisfied with the day I have just had. I think this is what the kabbalists call light. I gave my all and this feeling is what I get in return.

Like the two days before, I got into school at 9, dragging my sewing machine, ironing board, bags of fabric, and all of the other bits and bobs I thought I'd probably need with me. I work with three other practitioners on this project, and while one of them was off filming, the remainder of us got everything in order. I really like working with these two particular women. Aside from us clicking well and having a laugh while we work, we are are all very supportive of one another. One of them helped me sew two giant backdrops for a Big Top that is being made in one of the classes. They have adopted a circus theme, so we are dressing a gazebo in red and gold panels. All of the kids in this school have special needs, so in this class, it will be the entrance to their classroom, which they can come through in their wheel chairs.

After I had finished sewing the panels and adding ribbons to tie it up with, I made a start on a new wall hanging. Some of the younger children printed their own images onto fabric yesterday and the lot needed to be sewn together, so I set up my machine in the staffroom and got on with it. I must have been sitting there for a good three hours, putting one thing or another together. Even though I try to give my best effort to what I am doing, I don't need to be as precious with my work as my personality would usually dictate because the staff and kids there appreciate every single stitch. I made a lot of the stuff up on the spot, like a curtain for the front of the Big Top, and was really proud of the end results. After sitting there and completing that, I was off to another class to dress a window in satin and drapes before delivering a t-shirt painting workshop for a class of teenage boys in the afternoon.

The four of us were all tired when we left school an hour after kicking out time, but it was worth it. For me, I think that I derived a lot of satisfaction from feeling worth the money I was being paid and having my skills needed. I am often a worrier and panic if I have to step into the unknown, but today, I just got on with it. It was very freeing to jump onto the sewing machine and simply create with abandon.

The 10 of Cups is all about these kind of feelings. I think that people can often miss the point of this card by constricting it to romantic relationships and family life alone. At the moment, it represents those natural highs we receive from a job well done, a partnership of value, or the expression of our true desires. I really enjoy working with my current team because we all work hard and look out for one another. When I thought about this image from the Morgan Greer this afternoon, I thought of myself and either of the two women I am working with, patting each other on the back and reflecting on how much we achieved today. This is important for me today, because I can't remember the last time I got paid for a days work and enjoyed it quite so much.

Tonight is quiet and time for a rest. Due to where I am working this week, it wouldn't have been practical for me to go over and stay with my boyfriend tonight so we are spending this evening apart. That's not a bad thing. It's nice to do our own stuff sometimes. I have just been to the shop and picked up some treats for my parents and I, so we can settle down and watch The Apprentice together at 9.

Illustration from The Morgan Greer Tarot by Bill Greer