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

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Elasticity

From the Fey Tarot, Temperance; from the I Misteri della Sibilla, the Two of Spades (Old Woman):
          Elements of earth, air, fire and water surround this fey; she is an alchemist, though it's not gold she's after. Living in this world, understanding it, finding our purpose and creating relationships along the way requires balance. Her goal is to mix these elements to create a workable life of joy and meaning without causing harm to anything or anyone. All of her senses are finely tuned to detect any area that may be drifting from the middle path to an extreme. Caught early, it will require only a slight readjustment rather than a major overhaul. The Two of Spades is a card of insecurity, and I can just imagine all that this older woman has to worry about: loneliness, an aging body, finances, loss of career or social roles and lack of mental stimulation. Life is constantly filled with change, endings and beginnings. The only way to stay afloat and balanced is to flow with them and adapt as best we can.
Life requires of man spiritual elasticity, so that he may temper
his efforts to the chances that are offered. ― Viktor E. Frankl

11 comments:

  1. I was a bit fire and sword yesterday (had to be to balance out longstanding sexism at work) the elasticity metaphor is a good reminder not to go to such extremes I become the oppressor myself. The elderly lady speaks to me of both the importance of an accomplished life but also perspective. An interesting pairing.

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    1. Makes sense; I don't think it is possible to have everything (our 'elements') perfectly balanced as each day has different needs and requirements.

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  2. sometimes visiting the extremes is what nudges the world along. Otherwise we'd still be eating with our fingers and cave living.

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    1. Very true, though I imagine motivation has a lot to do with whether moving out of bounds is reactive and unhealthy or if it is progressive and beneficial.

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    2. Thank you that's clarified for me I will keep nudging :)

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  3. Your comments and explanation of the Two of Spades reminds me of a comment in a book the other day. The writer said "my father died at the age of 50, although he lived to be 76 years of age." All that worry, fear, and defeat can can rob of us our spirit and vitality. Those words really impacted me.

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    1. That story has a way of slowing the thoughts and opening the heart.

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  4. When I realised that who I was fighting was most often myself, flowing with the ups and downs in life became much easier

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  5. This pairing reminds me of the most intelligent vampire novel I ever read. It suggested that the vampire needed to go into hibernation and forget everything, every now and again. When you live forever, you cannot keep readjusting from a central base, as life drifts too far from what you first knew and adapted to. Another reason why I definitely wouldn't want to live forever!

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    1. You will have to send me the title for that book. :)

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