I use tarot and oracle cards as tools for reflection and contemplation. Rather than divining the future, they are a way for me to look more deeply at the "now."
"The goal isn't to arrive, but to meander, to saunter, to make your life a holy wandering." ~ Rami Shapiro

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Accountability

From the Tarot of the Masters, Demons (the Devil):
The other day I was listening to a woman talk about the Devil as if it were an actual being who might ring her doorbell and try to sell her some Avon products. I was completely dumbfounded and didn't even try to argue with her. The face on the stomach of the demon in the card reminds me that it is my own voracious appetite for what I desire (to get or escape from) that will cause my maladaptive behavior. If I'm shoving candy corn in my mouth or not taking responsibility for something I forgot to do, you can bet the devil isn't the cause. It's pure, egotistic self-interest running the show while it holds my brain and heart hostage.

From the Key to the Kingdom comes the "Queen of Diamonds:"
Tis a privilege high
To have dinner and tea
Along with the Red Queen,
The White Queen, and me!
As I look at this game board with its variety of pieces, I get the feeling there is some emotional manipulation going on. Do you want something? Then you're going to have to do what I say to get it. Do you want me to like you? Then don't you dare even think about disagreeing with me. The problem with this kind of control is that it doesn't create allies, only enemies. Like the lesson of the Devil above, I need to find the courage to take responsibility for the life I want instead of trying to find the easy way out.

4 comments:

  1. I wonder why the forbidden fruits of temptation always taste so sweet?
    It's like the universe is playing a game with us :D

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  2. Both these cards are awesome! That Key to the Kingdom is really attracting me. I've often wondered about that one! Pure egotistical self-interest. What do you do to counter that?

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    1. I often see the Key to the Kingdom on Ebay if you're interested. ;)
      The only way I know to counter the egotistical self-interest is to have a friend who loves you enough to be bluntly honest when necessary, and who is not afraid to tell me when I'm full of shite.

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