I would like to apologize for the delay between posts this week; although it was my goal to post every other day, I found myself floundering this week although for a solid reason. I have spent much of this week zeroing in on my thoughts, intentions and words for the Spring Equinox New Moon; this was a triple whammy including a solar eclipse, movement from Pisces to Aries, and a super moon – it was awesome, and the energy will be felt for quite a while. And so will the results.

 “In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants and the other is getting it.” Oscar Wilde

THE FOLLOWING IS A TRUE STORY, ALL NAMES CHANGED TO PROTECT ALL PARTICIPANTS:

Once upon a time, a long time ago in the late 1990s, the lovely Elizabeth participated in a craft faire held at a local Methodist Church. Elizabeth had never sold her wares (hand blended soap, oils, candles) at a craft faire before and was quite unsure, and more than a little nervous, about the event. But the organizers were very nice and although the assigned table seemed remote (an alcove in the basement), the event was heavily attended and it seemed the flow of traffic would easily find its way to the space.

Elizabeth shared the alcove with two older women, Eve and Jane. Long-time craft-sellers, very experienced in participating in craft faires, and veterans of the event itself, Eve and Jane sold sugar crafts – Easter eggs, Christmas trees, Halloween pumpkins, all with scenes inside – very lovely possible heirloom pieces. Elizabeth heard the constant refrains, “Sugaring is a very old craft” and “Keep them in a cool dry place and they will last indefinitely” and “They can be handed down; I have a egg from my grandmother.” Instinctively, Elizabeth did not like these ladies; she could tell by their sales patter and demeanor they were not nice or friendly, and then they proved it. Elizabeth’s sharp ear heard them discussing her table and her wares in catty and derogatory terms. Okay, thought Elizabeth, everyone doesn’t mesh with everyone else, and that is fine. They are not hurting me, what they think is not important, and anyway, it’s not my business. And then they made it her business.

Not quite through the first half of the event, Jane took a standing position between Elizabeth’s table and her own – a position that did not disrupt the flow of traffic past her own table but did in fact divert traffic away from Elizabeth’s table – all the while talking down Elizabeth’s table and wares to various people she knew from the event. Jane’s behavior was rude, mean-spirited, inappropriate, and Elizabeth had had quite enough. What to do? thought Elizabeth. Should I say something? No, I will not give them that satisfaction. But how am I going to get through this event with any success if she plans to spend the afternoon sabotaging me? If only I were not next to them. I wish they would stop. They could go, just leave. Maybe they will leave early, she thought to herself brightly, before frowning at her next thought. But why would they leave early? They would never leave a craft faire early. Oh, well. Elizabeth resigned to herself.

At the half-way point, it was lunchtime. Eve and Jane were tucked behind their table having something to eat while Elizabeth waited for her lunch to arrive. Lunchtime brought a lull to the traffic and it was pretty quiet, few shoppers wandering around and most sellers eating lunch or otherwise keeping to themselves. Elizabeth’s lunch arrived, delivered by her helpful partner Ted, and they were tucked behind their own table enjoying their lunch while Elizabeth filled Ted in on the events of the morning, including wishing they would leave and alas, knowing they would not. Ted sweetly offered to go Godzilla and trash their table of wares but Elizabeth declined the offer, suggesting Karma could keep it to herself.

Lunch was just about over when the alcove saw a sudden flurry of activity; it was not a loud commotion, but organizers with walkie-talkies were suddenly on the spot – something was amiss at the sugaring table. Elizabeth was asked to move her table further out of the alcove so a curtain could be drawn. Paramedics arrived with a gurney, and took Jane away, Eve following right behind. The sugaring table abandoned, the organizers closing off and securing their space and wares, Elizabeth’s table relocated to a more visible spot in the traffic pattern. Ted looked at Elizabeth with a mix of laughter, respect, and fear, saying, “You should be careful where you point that thing.”

I love Elizabeth’s story because it captures two very important lessons: “Instant Karma is going to get you.” (Thank you, John Lennon – more people should heed your advice.) And “Be careful what you wish for as surely you will have it.” (Thank you for the warning, Oscar Wilde). Jane experienced the first lesson firsthand (one hopes she learned from it), and Elizabeth experienced the second (although she disavowed any responsibility for Karma’s timely arrival, she accepted the value of intentions).

Words and intentions have power, and they are not free. Choose wisely at the outset; think twice and speak once. We plant seeds this Spring, and we hope for the growth we desire. Good luck to us all – may get what we want, may it be what we hope, and may we all be able to afford the cost.