Overrun by Nettles

From the Ferret Tarot, the King of Swords; from the Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Pumpkin:

When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by nettles.

― Horace Walpole

With his searing stare and crossed arms, this King seems to be telling us to get our mind out of the clouds. "Cut the choke collar and leash of your emotions and blind beliefs. Use your mind rather than letting it wind you up." Abundance (Pumpkin) sounds like a nice cozy word, but Americans seem to see it as a holy grail. It's no wonder that lottery tickets, prosperity gospel preachers and books like The Secret have been such a hit here. We haven't figured out yet - the King's clarity - that material possessions aren't going to fill a deep well of emptiness or free us from a scarcity mindset. If anything, they only add to our problems, because once we have them, we have to guard them. We might be better off to consider the thoughts of Epicurus: "Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance." It's joy that we're desperately seeking, not things. 

Bumpy Roads

From Ferret Tarot, the King of Cups; from the Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Crab:

With equanimity, we learn that traveling the bumpy roads can sometimes offer more to our journey than simply sticking to the smooth highways.

― John Bruna

The King of Cups has a generous heart toward everyone - not just those who are easy to like. He teaches us to create space around those who are difficult, seeing them in a great pool of people that includes many that are kind. It's like putting a spoonful of salt in a glass of water versus the same amount in two liters of water; the first makes us wince at the saltiness, but in the large container we barely notice it. The Crab, however, reminds us that boundaries are still needed - not just stated but enforced. As Brené Brown advises, "When we fail to set boundaries and hold people accountable, we feel used and mistreated. This is why we sometimes attack who they are, which is far more hurtful than addressing a behavior or a choice."

Speculation

From the Ferret Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Tulip:

There are good and bad times, but our mood changes more often than our fortune.

―Thomas Carlyle

As Shakespeare wrote, "Now is the winter of our discontent." It's no surprise if we're feeling out of sorts this time of year. On social media, we see our friends and acquaintances having fun at holiday parties, and TV ads tell us this is the time of year to have joyful times with our family. Unfortunately, it's mostly an illusion. Tulip is associated with the speculation and crash of tulip-mania. Speculation - transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains - can occur in the emotional realms just as it does the financial ones. Yet we don't have to invest our feelings in the holidays or any other fantasy. Perhaps we should take Michael Franti's advice for an antidote: "Like sunshine, music is a powerful force that can instantly and almost chemically change your entire mood."

Give the Reins to Reason

From the Ferret Tarot, the Ace of Wands; from the Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Praying Mantis:

Passion, though a bad regulator, is a powerful spring.

―Ralph Waldo Emerson

The things that inspire and excite us can move us from inaction to action. We become enthusiastically motivated to pursue dreams, to create what we've imagined and to follow what calls us. Yet Praying Mantis suggests we slow our roll and take stock of those we might unintentionally hurt in our eagerness. Are we taking resources that don't just belong to us? Have we discussed our plans with those they will affect? As Ben Frankin advised, "If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."

Encumbrances

From the Ferret Tarot, the Nine of Swords; from Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Honey Bee:

Is this a satisfying thought? Will it liberate me or keep me bound?

―Vanessa Zuisei Goddard

Although we humans don't like to feel anxious, we sure do practice worrying a lot. We ruminate over past actions and project our worst fears on the future. Such mental maneuvering gets us nowhere and provides no solutions. The Honey Bee encourages us to be productive, to create something beneficial with our mind instead of allowing it to trap us in dark, cobwebbed corners. Goddard advocates for us to question our thoughts instead of giving them free reign. Why should we be encumbered by our mind?

Still Exploring

This week I'll be using the Ferret Tarot, created and self-published by Elaine Moertl. Along with it, I'll be drawing from Nature's Wisdom Oracle, created by Mindy Lighthipe and published by Schiffer Books. The cards for today are the Eight of Cups and Lotus:

Fulfillment is not a destination. It's not a place you can ever arrive at and settle into.

― David Rynick

Have you ever bumped into an old friend from years ago and found, apart from aging, they haven't changed at all? Complacency is a state of inertia, when we feel like we have no need of new ideas, perspectives or experiences - it's too much effort and might cause mental uneasiness. Contentment is a state of joy with what is, yet there is still an effort to grow and develop (though it comes from a place of peace and curiosity, not agitation). Like the Lotus that rises through murky water, content people keep moving toward the light, not to arrive at any fixed place, but as a way to pursue meaning and understanding in their life. 

Acceptance

From the Deirdre of the Sorrows Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the Victorian Flower Oracle, Daisy:

To deepen your love and acceptance of another, first develop love and acceptance for yourself. 

―Leon F. Seltzer

The pairing of the Ace of Cups and Daisy (Family Matters) reminds me that not all of us were raised in healthy environments. Yet the snake wrapped around the tree, representing the Staff of Asclepius, suggests there is healing to be found. It's not true that we can't love another without loving ourselves. However, we do tend to look for (and expect) others to fill our emptiness, and we might be drawn to what we are familiar with (those who treat us as a lesser being). Yet we need others. As Lia Avellino states, "healing happens in connection and pain thrives in isolation." A trusted friend or therapist might help us believe we are worthy of love and kindness so that we make the effort to uncover our value.