Way back in 2007, I asked the Faery Oracle Cards this question: What is the best way for me to get out from under my Bank of America debt? I think the answer is still relevant today for how to get out from under any of my remaining debts.

Here is the answer: The Journeyman

Key words: Adventure. Independence. Polishing of skills. Travel.

Overview: All the great ones – the saints, the bodhisattvas, and all of those who are filled by the spiritual light – have been on this journey. They went into the wilderness stepping, like fools, off the safe paths, into the waiting hands of their gods and goddesses. This is the journey of life, a pilgrimage that begins in ignorant trust, passes through all of the doubts, fears, ups and downs, probably all of the delusions and certainly all of the confusions. Through it, we learn slowly, painfully, a new kind of trust, a trust in the process, detached from the goal.

About the image: Our young Oengus Journeyman, bless him, is stepping out on the journey of life, positively glowing with enthusiasm. Even his toes sparkle. Bright handsome, and educated, he has completed his apprenticeship in faery crafts and magics, but he has not yet achieved true mastery of his trade. To accomplish this he must leave the protection of his master and step out onto his path as an independent journeyman craftsman. He is testing himself and his knowledge in the world. He hopes to eventually achieve the status of Master maker. Right now he knows a lot of facts, has all the basic skills, but probably knows less than he thinks he does. He is about to learn about the skills of survival – bartering, persuading, selling, buying wisely, enjoying life, making friends.

Oengus still has lovely playful, childlike qualities, and now it is time to learn to care for himself. No one is looking over his shoulder to see that he does his work right and eats properly. Oengus may take chances and even make mistakes sometimes, as we all do, but this is how we learn. He is now confronting (and being confronted by) the real world. Here, he will discover that excuses don’t buy bread and that the quality and integrity of one’s work and actions are what counts, but he has been well taught and pretty well knows this already.

He has romantic dreams of being a great hero, of becoming the supreme master of his craft, and of winning a faery princess. Some of these dreams will come true – perhaps all of them. Continue reading →