phoenix rising

San Francisco is known for its tech startups, high cost of living and aggressive homeless population. In its underbelly is a whole group of vandwellers. With the street sweepers and alternate street parking, San Francisco vandwellers naturally migrate towards areas that can house the larger vehicles, provide adequate sunlight for solar panels and does not require constant movement of their 'homes'. Given the lack of areas that would support these criteria, vandwellers have created their own community  and family that support each other. 

Konstantin was vandwelling when a man in a SUV stopped by him asking if he would be interested in either or both pups that the man was going to put down as neither one of them were good for fighting. Phoenix, despite his early puphood of being bred to be a fight dog, has one of the gentlest dispositions. His animal control documents in 2017 notes him as a bull mastiff mix.

His master, on the other hand, is not always law-abiding and can be a bit temperamental in certain situations. However, Konstantin has his own guiding principles and morals that he lives by, including not putting animals on a leash and not neutering them. Those who live or work in the neighborhood are familiar with this freedom-fighting duo. The mailwoman has an agreement with Konstantin that he would put Phoenix in his RV when she's on duty in the neighborhood. He has received citations for no leash in the past, and when he outright breaks laws, Konstantin fully chooses to do so with the knowledge of the cost of the consequences and pays them willingly.

San Francisco Animal Care & Control (SFACC) is based in the same neighborhood. Although they frequently cross paths, including citing the duo, in a moment of irony, the director of SFACC flagged down one of its officers to not only cite the duo but also to take Phoenix in to get neutered. San Francisco, like many cities, have passed laws to spay and neuter pit bulls or similar animals. Although this law was passed in 2006, the government has not developed a more precise way of genetically testing and/or developing clear standards on what is considered a pitbull-like animal. Instead they utilize a subjective 8-point checklist to categorize pitbulls, with a five out of eight benchmark to meet the classification. Genetic testing, even if one were to pay for it, would not suffice as there is no barometer of percentage as a gauge. Despite prior citations over the years, none of the representatives at SFACC had ever mentioned that Phoenix was at risk of not being in compliance of the 2006 law.

Rallying the community, there were not enough seats in the conference room of City Hall to fit all those who took time out of their day to show up to support Konstantin and Phoenix, with more than half having to stay out in the hall, anxiously listening through the glass door to give updates. SFACC had a veterinarian in tow. Although none of us were dog experts, we all showed up with the compassion and love for Phoenix and his plight. Some of  us dressed up for the occasion, dusting off cobwebs and donning on suits from the back of closets, to counter any profiling and natural bias of vandwellers. When the court delegate said she had made her decision, some of us did not realize that we had held our breaths until we all instantaneously released heavy sighs and tears upon her saying the words 'NOT a pitbull...'.

The vaccinations and microchip that SFACC injected into Phoenix seemed like a minor exchange for keeping his balls in tact. We headed back to Phoenix's home to celebrate with champagne. Of course, although Phoenix seemed 'cool and collected' despite his ordeal, only his numerous pitstops to urinate and defecate belied his anguish over the last 24 hours. It was a great outcome for my first animal rights activism although my feet were killing me after not walking in stilettos for over a year.

three of swords

Tarot cards origination started in mid 15th century as another type of recreational playing cards. Sometime in the 18th century, tarot cards took on an air of mysticism and were used for divination and occult practices. Since expanding my understanding of spirituality and New Age concepts, like astrology and numerology (trifecta), I have crossed paths with the tarot world and its magic. I used to think that a good tarot reading is primarily based on the expertise of the practitioner, yet my recent experience and understanding of energy and spirit guides including my Higher Self has taught me that the reading is personal to what resonates and based on the energy and intentions one puts into the reading. Some believe that one's first tarot deck should be gifted yet others believe that since the energy and connection to a deck is personal to an individual, the person should pick a deck that 'feels right'.

A friend hosted a Gift Practice party, whereby people could give and receive various fields or techniques that one was learning, such as yoga, Sat Nam Rasayan healing, tarot/natal chart reading, reiki, deep listening, ayurveda, zero-waste inspirations, meditation and heart-centered hugs. Although I had a specific question given the deeply personal challenges that were occupying much of my energy of late, I opted for a general reading, which turned out to be specific to my question.

While she has been gifted other decks, her preference is the Gilded Tarot, which has rich, bold colors designed by Ciro Marchetti. The simple five-card spread starts with the foundation card, which defines the reason or the topic for the reading. The middle one though identifies how the person truly feels about the topic, whether hopes or fears. The right and left ones highlight the helpful and challenging energies, respectively, while the top is the outcome or advice card.

The last month has had a lot of ups and downs, more of the latter than the former. My present and outcome were shrouded in mystery with the Moon and High Priestess. The Moon notes that not everything is as it seems and to not make hasty decisions, especially in light of my current thoughts of a broken heart, signified by the Three of Swords. With the combination of the High Priestess, I am to trust in and follow my intuition and be patient as events unfold, usually to my benefit. The Ace of Cups reminds me of my intention of experiencing unconditional love, and in the current situation, possible new beginnings based on unconditional love with emotional happiness. With the Queen of Swords in reverse though, my challenge is being caught up with the emotions from a hurt heart and wounded ego rather than approaching the situation more objectively and from a place of love.

With other readings for others and shuffles in between, his generic reading had more than a touch of synchronicity. Three of Swords is how we are both viewing and experiencing the  situation. In having to address some dark demons and childhood traumas, he is experiencing change and from a Knight of Wands that jumps into situations without much thought. He has struggled with not feeling grounded, having scattered thoughts and acting impetuously throughout his life. This has led him to the Five of Swords. In the helpful position, the unethical and sneaky nature resulted in an intervention, a mirror for him to see his deceptions that has caused hurt and trauma to those in his path. With the World as his 'challenge', the hard work will pay off, with no shortcuts to be had. While he has been impatient with his 'progress', his Spirit Guides gave him a sign that with patience and hard work, he will emerge victorious as the grounded and stable King of Pentacles.

The messages were congruent with our individual QHHT as well, with mine reminding me about my intuition and heart chakra of unconditional love and his reminding him that his ego and blocked solar plexus chakra will continue to block him from answers and his life purpose until he goes deep and does the hard work. Being tuned into the energy and magic of the universe, sometimes the signs are right in front of us to remind us that we are where we are supposed to be at the exact point in time.