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, October 7, 2016

Catching Salmon

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Five of Cups; from the Druid Animal Oracle, Otter:
          We are wired to be more sensitive to the negative than the positive; it's something our brain came up with hundreds of years ago to keep humans alive ( known as negative bias). As neuropsychologist Rick Hanson explained, good things are like Teflon in the brain (they slide right out) while bad things are like Velcro (you can't hardly shake them loose). Researchers have found we need a five to one ratio of good to bad to just balance things out. Seeing the positive in life will take a great effort that involves intentionally dwelling on each small thing that's good and experiencing it fully. The Otter gives an extra push towards joy by encouraging play and wonder. What activity makes you giggle or your heart sing? What is it that makes you stop in your tracks with awe? What engages you so fully with curiosity that your focus becomes like a laser? The authors suggest that the salmon (pictured in both cards) is the wisdom that comes from breaking routine and having some fun.

5 comments:

  1. Never heard of this ratio of good to bad. this is definitely an eyeopener to try to be even more aware of the good in life
    Thanks

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    1. There's some interesting research that's been done on negative bias; as you said, it is an eye-opener!

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  2. Very nicely said. I love it when a pair of cards has a repeating theme, as with the salmon. Good sound wisdom in your words.

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    1. I didn't catch the otter and salmon in the first card until I scanned it. It is pretty neat to see them illustrated in both cards!

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  3. That 5:1 ratio is interesting. Now I have a scientific reason for being morose! I also have a practical agenda for Saturday. Do/see five nice things. Great Friday post!

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