Bonded Pair

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Seven of Cups; from the Cedar Runes, Ehwaz:

Wants worth pursuing are carefully measured, intentionally disciplined, and thoughtfully organized.

—Scott Shumway

Two people dream - perhaps of finding a mate, building a home, and having stable finances. But while one is wishing on a star for such happiness, the other seems to be making a plan. Whatever we think will bring us emotional fulfillment will require more than plucking it from a tree. There will need to be steps taken to achieve what we wish for, possibly even changes made in us. Ehwaz ("horse") suggests a bond between rider and horse as well as movement. It underscores the necessity of pairing action with our passion. As Amelia Earhart stated, "The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity."

Without Imbalance

This week I'll be using the Shadowscapes book and deck set published by Llewellyn. The artwork is done by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and the book is written by Barbara Moore. I'll also be drawing from a set of Cedar Runes and using the book The Serpent and the Eagle by Chris Travers. Today's draws are the Four of Pentacles and Algiz:

Real giving is done from a place of true generosity and because we have an excess of something to offer (time, support, energy). It tends to be an impulse we don’t have to overthink. And the giving leaves us feeling good and energized.  

—Andrea M. Darcy

Tis the season of giving, as all the TV ads and social media tell us. Yet this dragon has curled around his treasure with his wings used as a cover. Is this response a prudent protection or miserly tightfistedness? People often use generosity to boost their self-esteem, wanting to feel appreciated and loved or less guilty. Yet this is not sincere altruism because it comes with expectations that often leave us wanting. Algiz ("elk") represents protection and suggests that it is okay to save some time, energy and money for our own needs. Creating imbalances isn't beneficial for anyone.

Choosing Blindness or Clarity

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Devil; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Aleph ((artwork by Barbara MacMillan):

We are only as blind as we want to be.

—Maya Angelou

Life can be hard and challenging, so it's no surprise that people want to balance that out with some pleasure. Yet we can become so afraid of dealing with what scares us that we attempt to hide in these diversions. The result may be that we may put our self in chains because we fear reality. As we bury ourselves in our habits, we begin to lose our will, our character, and our passion. We start to resemble what has chained us. Aleph is the source from which everything emanates; it brings form to the formless. Acting on our fears can manifest more struggle and hardship, but acting on the truth can bring solutions and a way forward.

Behold!

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Oracle of the Kabbalah, Hei (artwork by Andrea Beloff):

Attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer.

―Simone Weil

A successful businessman, judging by the bolted-on leafy staff, looks to his future. With the globe held aloft, he seems to be thinking of Shakespeare's words: "The world’s mine oyster." Should he be content with all he has, or should he dive into the opening he sees for having more? The Hebrew letter Hei means "behold," as when looking at a great sight; it can also mean breath or sigh as when one sees something wondrous. It reminds us to pause in our busyness, in our frantic attempt to get more done, add extra goods to our overflowing homes, and build up an already hefty bank account. What have we missed because of our ambitions? Will there be later regrets for joyful moments that have passed us by?

Expanding

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Universe; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Lamed (artwork by Linda Saskia Menczel):

Life is not shrinking for me; it's morphing into a whole new world of possibilities. 

―Peyton Manning

As En Vogue sings, "Free your mind, and the rest will follow." The Universe is not just about completion; it is a moment when the world opens up, allowing us to see it with new eyes. What was narrow has become wider, and what once impossible is now full of potential. Lamed is shaped like a staff or prod that guides animals, instructing them in the right way to go. This letter means to learn and to teach, not simply on an intellectual level, but a practical one that helps us live principled and responsible lives. Lamed also prods us to get moving - we're sure to learn and share more as we travel down new paths.

Best and Worst

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Seven of Staves; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Tzadik (artwork by Veronique Cheney):

   

Competition brings out the best in products and the worst in people. 

―David Sarnoff

The Seven of Staves is not just about standing up to our naysayers, but also our competition. The problem comes when we are so busy keeping an eye on what others are doing, that we fail to do our best work. It suffers because our focus becomes distracted, wanting to beat the other instead of paying attention to details that matter. The Hebrew letter Tzadik is associated with being just and honest; in Judaism, the title Tzadik is given to people considered righteous. Hasidic master Rabbi Levi Yitzchak taught that tzadikkim are individuals who open paths for the world. These cards flip the script on competition, asking us to use our talents to serve everyone rather than being intent on making a name for our self. 

Seeing the Truth

From the Restored Order Tarot, the Hanged Man; from the Oracle of Kabbalah, Tet (artwork by Anya D. Leveille):

Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver. 

—Ayn Rand

This fellow has coins spilling out of his pocket. It brings to mind the idea that if we just throw money at something, we can fix it or make it go away. Ask the parents of an addict who've spent years sending their child to every rehab facility they could afford how well this works. There are some problems that can't be solved by money; rarely do internal problems respond to an external solution. The Hebrew letter Tet resembles a vessel with an inverted rim and is associated with and is the meaning of "good" (Hebrew: tov). It suggests a hidden potential - even in the face of what looks awful, there are positive seeds that can be cultivated. Those of us on the outside can only point out these assets and abilities, encouraging rather than manipulating or forcing. As A.A. Almaas wrote, "Only when compassion is present will people allow themselves to see the truth."