Simmer for Full Flavor

From the Gaian Tarot, the Four of Air (Swords):

I like finding an empty nest so I can see all that the items the bird used to build it - twigs and vines, moss and leaves, and even bits of yarn or plastic streamers. Finding solutions to problems or inspiration for creative endeavors are often discovered the way nests are built. Imagination and illumination can be sparked from odd encounters of people or things, but before they can become something solid, they need a protected place to incubate. It's like the chili I make in the winter; though all the ingredients are added to the pot, simmering it for a few hours makes the flavor even better.

From the Goddess Oracle comes "Vila:"

Vila is the energy that moves through all of nature, shifting from plants to animals to clouds or even mountains. Her message is to check the flexibility of your thoughts and ideas - can they adapt or even change into other forms, or are they rigid and unbending? Sometimes I need to try or learn something new to get out of my rut. This card reminds me of the "Artist Dates" that Julia Cameron writes of in The Artist's Way: "Artist Dates fire up the imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, 'what sounds fun?' - and then allow yourself to try it." Fun sounds like a splendid idea for my day ahead.