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

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Breathe, Relax and be Receptive

From the Roots of Asia Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the Earth Power Oracle, "The Amazon:"
The key phrase for the Ten of Wands is "freedom from obsessions." All of us have plenty of tasks and responsibilities to keep us busy. But I get bogged down with the thoughts that accompany them: "How will I ever get finished? Will I ever resolve this problem? What if what I want to happen never happens?" It's not so much what I have to do that makes me feel overburdened and overwhelmed, it's my thoughts. If I just ignored the committee in my head and put one foot in front of the other, doing the next thing on my list, I'm sure I'd make headway. That tiger might be in the thick of the brush, but the bird can fly over and see that the finish line isn't as far away as my mind tells me it is.
The Amazonian rainforest is the largest in the world, covering an area about the size of the continental U.S. Well-known for its biodiversity of animals and plants, it is also called the lungs of the planet. The Amazon plays a huge role in absorbing carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and producing oxygen. This card reminds me to breathe consciously and deeply to slow down my thoughts. The biodiversity suggests there are many more possibilities and solutions than what my uptight, negative mindset is churning out. Breathe, relax and be receptive.

6 comments:

  1. Again a great combo of cards.
    It is so easy to obsess about the things we have to do; make them so hefty, you would almost be afraid to begin. With an eagle perspective everything looks smaller and less important in the grand scheme of things. Yes walking the path one foot after another is the best most relaxing thing to do.
    "Breathe, relax and be receptive." Love it!!!

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    1. Those thoughts are definitely more of a burden than the tasks usually. I'm so glad things went well for all of you today!

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  2. It's interesting to read about what the LWB gives as key phrases, I must admit I've never looked at it. Unusual for thoughts, in the guise of obsessions, to be expressed in the wands suit. And yet, as you rightly say, it is more our thoughts about our tasks that weigh us down. Just read something that said: do your least favourite task first! Probably good advice, but here I am reading blogs… ;)

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  3. My mantra used to be "make everything an offering" (from the Bhagavad Gita) when I was dragging my feet about doing something. :) So I could see my effort as something more than just taking up time I'd rather be using to do other things.

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    1. Ha, yes, karma yoga. I always manage to forget that, but it's a good suggestion. Okay, off I go to do some of the chores...

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