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

Friday, July 24, 2015

Emotional History

From the Thoth Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Vertical Oracle, "Fragile:"
          All the lines that run to these six cups remind me of the manual telephone switchboards that required an operator to plug in a connection. Similarly, this card symbolizes harmony and joy among established relationships. These are people with whom I have a history, not anyone new. I once had a long-lost aunt make contact with me; she wanted me to love her as she did me. The problem was I had no memory of her at all (I was just a toddler when she last saw me). I had no foundation for such feelings and therefore had no emotional connection to her. I am reminded by this card to enjoy the pleasure of these long-term bonds; such networks require time to build and need to be acknowledged and appreciated.
           The Fragile card shows the new spring growth on a twig with a doe at the bottom. Anyone with a garden knows the birds, beasts and bugs love to eat this tender new growth - it is very vulnerable. The diamond at one corner and the pearl at the other contrast the hardness and softness of each gem. Alli explains the meaning as "a delicate condition to be tended." Any new friendship I make will require careful care and protection too (like the pearl). If I want a new connection to have a strong, firm foundation (the diamond), I'm going to have to take time to nurture and build it.

4 comments:

  1. I guess I'm showing my age but I used to have to spell someone on their lunch break on one of those switchboards. Holy cow, talk about stress!!!

    I think you could possibly read that stress of being overwhelmed into relationships and this card, perhaps a reverse meaning?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My MIL was an operator around 1938; she had the late night shift. One night she fell asleep and her boyfriend took the hinges off the door so he could wake her up (and keep her from losing her job). :)
      I could definitely see "stress" if this were to come up reversed.

      Delete
  2. It's an interesting pairing. Normally, I think of those enduring friendships as very resilient, yet life itself is a fragile thing. Another reason to appreciate friends and family while we can!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a few long distance friends as well as some who travel often. It does take a conscious effort for us to stay in contact and keep our relationship in good working order. :)

      Delete