PlantQuest with Oak
XIV Temperance - The Balance of Fire and Water
The Card XIV Art, or Temperance
As November fades into December, we step into the deep stillness of winter’s heart. The days grow short, the nights long, and the air heavy with mystery. Within us lingers the echo of summer’s warmth, yet the world outside whispers of shadows, inviting us into the realms unseen.
It is during this darker time of the year the Oak King descends into the depths to renew, and prepare for his eventual return. This ancient cycle mirrors the journey we undertake in our own lives—the descent into shadow, not as defeat, but as a necessary phase of transformation.
For many, this season stirs discomfort. Some feel the pull of sadness, loneliness, or worthlessness. Others find themselves on edge, anger or frustration bubbling up as the closeness of the season presses upon them. Yet within this darkness lies an invitation: to confront what has been hidden, to balance what feels out of sync, and to emerge renewed.
This month’s archetype, Temperance (or Art), guides us in this delicate work. It is the alchemical blending of fire and water—two forces that naturally resist one another. Fire burns hot and fierce, representing willpower, while water flows soft and deep, embodying emotion. Temperance teaches us to bring these opposites into harmony, creating not destruction but transformation.
For those interested walking the Hero’s Quest in the Oak Program, this is a critical juncture. The old Oak King within us has fallen, and the adlocent prince must now take up his journey into the dark. But for him to grow into a true king, wise and balanced, he must face his shadow, temper his will, and embrace his deeper Self.
This is no simple task. It requires us to surrender the masks and coping strategies we’ve relied on. It asks us to lay down outdated roles and beliefs, allowing what no longer serves us to be released. Only in this vulnerable, unguarded state can we access the guidance that lies beyond ego—the wisdom of the Soul, the Anima, the inner voice that whispers truth in the quiet.
The Holly King’s reign reminds us that the dark is not our enemy. It is a fertile space where seeds of growth are planted. Just as the Oak King gathers strength in the shadows, so too can we use this time to rediscover our balance, to mix the fire of our will with the water of our emotions, and to prepare for what lies ahead.
But how do we begin this work?
In recent months, we’ve had the opportunity to let go of our “old king.” By bowing to forces greater than ourselves—Life, Love, or even the devine - we’ve allowed the burdens of the past to fall away. Now, we stand at the threshold of renewal, ready to step into a new way of being.
This process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can be as simple as stepping into a sweat lodge, where darkness, heat, and music hold space for transformation. Or it can be found in the stillness of a winter’s night, where silence opens the door to our inner voice.
Let’s take this journey together.
Join me on December 12th for a meditation / journey that calls us into the heart of Temperance. Together, we’ll explore the descent of the Oak King and the wisdom of balancing fire and water within - an invitation to step into the transformative embrace of winter.
Soon to come
The Sacred Path of the Oak King is a transformative journey where the wisdom of the Oak guides us through the major stages of our soul's growth. Over the course of a year, the program reflects the natural cycles of the seasons, embedded in a personal hero's journey of discovery, growth and rebirth:
Experience 5 in-person retreats aligned with the seasons, including Ceremonies, Sweatlodges, PlantQuest / Dieta, drum building, and deep spiritual teachings.
Every two weeks we will take the next step on the Heroes Journey and meet the next of the 21 archetypes through in-person ceremonies, self-study, and Q&A sessions that reflect your own journey of transformation.
Step into a path of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment with the guidance of nature, ancient rituals, and a community of seekers.