Suffocating Darkness

From the Stone Tarot, the Ten of Wands; from the Buddhist Quote Cards, Dhammapada 7:94:

Despair is anger with no place to go.

—Mignon McLaughlin

This painting illustrates the suffocating darkness and hopelessness experienced when life's burdens become unbearably heavy. It's not the little things, but the ones that we must bear daily that can overwhelm us: struggling to pay bills with a too small paycheck, caring for a severely autistic or physically disabled child, being responsible for a fragile, elderly parent. Life is not fair; it's a crap shoot. How do we keep on keeping on (as my MIL used to say)? The Dhammapada verse reads: "Even the gods cherish those who are without craving, who have abandoned conceit, and whose senses are calm, like horses well tamed by a charioteer." Craving, in this case, is akin to demanding things be different, and conceit is thinking we're entitled to a better lot in life. Neither of these reactions will help. But what can aid us in turning our anger and depression into compassion is to connect with others who are in similar straits. Not the folks who want to have a pity party, but those with whom we can trade ideas with about handling situations that arise. 

Diligence

From the Stone Tarot, the Amazon (Knight) of Pentacles; from the Buddhist Quote Cards, Dhammapada 20:276:

Gardens are not made by singing 'Oh, how beautiful!' and sitting in the shade.

― Rudyard Kipling

Whether it's TV ads or social media, we've been groomed to think doing most anything should be easy. Working full time but want a college degree? No problem, just sign up for our online classes and we'll send you a degree. Want to plant a lush vegetable garden? Buy our tiller and you won't even break a sweat. The Amazon/Knight of Pentacles knows that nothing comes to fruition without a diligent effort - many involved steps come before reaching our goals. The Dhammapada quote reads: "It is up to you to make strong effort; buddhas merely tell you how." The intellectual pleasure we get from talking and planning things won't compare to the enjoyment of actually physically producing it, even with the dedicated work it requires.

A Worthy Price

This week I'll be using the Stone Tarot, a self-published deck by Alison Stone. I may also dip into her book of tarot poems (Ordinary Magic), although it wasn't written as a companion book. The oracle I'll be using is the Buddhist Quote Cards, painted and published by Diana Altenburg. Even though she has spiritual quotes (from John Lennon to Lao Tzu) on the back of the cards, I have decided to pair each card with a verse from the Dhammapada (a Buddhist text). Today's draws are the Nine of Swords and Dhammapada 16:220:

Grief is the price we pay for love. —Queen Elizabeth II

If we have close friends, family, a significant other or a pet, we likely have experienced the price of love. We worry about their safety, the consequences of their choices, and their health; we often grieve for things often just imagined. Before we spend too many sleepless nights wrapped in tear-soaked sheets, psychologist Lindsey Carnick suggests we ask ourselves three questions:

Is this worry helping them or just hurting me?

Am I trying to control what I can’t control?

Is this based on something real or imagined?

Maintaining our mental balance might bring more help to those we care about than worry. The Dhammapada quote reads: "Just so, in passing from this world to the next, the merit we have made receives us, as a family does the return of a beloved relative." We may think the best way to protect ourselves from worry is to wear an armor of indifference, but doing so leaves those around us without the gifts of compassion and kindness we could offer. Giving of our heart creates expansion, even though it makes us vulnerable.

Response-ability

From the Badgers Forest, the Two of Badgers (Swords); from the Gemstone Oracle, Magnesite:

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. 

—Henry David Thoreau

Two badgers face off - serious business for animals with such formidable jaw strength. In high density clans, female badges will often compete for breeding rights in order to adjust clan size for resource availability. Major decisions are often based on what we will get from each option, yet it might be wiser to choose based on what each one will cost us, physically, mentally and emotionally. Magnesite represents a state of grounded calmness that grants us clarity, knowing that we are responsible for our choices and actions. As Stephen Covey wrote, "Accountability breeds response-ability." 

Innie or Outie?

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, the Wheel; from the Gemstone Oracle, Carnelian:

Abiding nowhere, awakened mind arises.

—Diamond Sutra

This mouse will soon discover, as he climbs further out on that branch, good fortune doesn't last and misfortune doesn't stay away. As the Wheel of life constantly turns, "abiding nowhere" is a wise option in this world of flux and impermanence. We often work ourselves into a lather as we try to move the Wheel faster toward what looks enjoyable, pull the emergency brake on places of contentment, or backpedal when something unpleasant appears. The Sutra tells us to let our minds open to where we are - enjoying happy times, taking care of our emotions, and dealing with challenges as they appear. Carnelian symbolizes courage and determination, two virtues that can help us deal with the transitory nature of this life. Yet these virtues are states of mind, an internal perspective based on understanding. We can be innies, working with our thoughts, or outies, expecting the world to arrange itself to our desires. As Thomas Oppong wrote: "When you stop forcing reality, clarity arrives on its own."

Relishing

From the Badgers Forest, the Knight of Rabbits (Wands); from the Gemstone Oracle, Citrine:

I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen. 

—Anne Lamott

This Knight is described as always on the move with no clear direction. Head (and ears) on a swivel, he looks for what is agreeable, what is unpleasant and what is boring - moving toward the first and avoiding the last two. He notices things, but does he take the time to appreciate them? Does he see the flowers' colors, hear the owls hoot, feel the sun, smell the salty ocean air, or taste what he eats? Excitement and enthusiasm can cause us to tear through the moments rather than savor them. Citrine, which represents a fresh perspective, is paired with a quote by Rachel Joyce: "You could think you were starting something afresh, when actually what you were doing was carrying on as before." Relish rather than run, little rabbit.

Circle Up

From the Badgers Forest Tarot, the Hanged Bird; from the Gemstone Oracle, Aquamarine:

In a circle, there are no experts – instead there are stories, questions, tears, longings, dreams – and a bunch of equal people who trust their own wisdom and each other’s. 

—Heather Plett

Everyone knows someone who can be described as "never giving an inch." These folks believe their opinions are infallible and should always be heeded. But inevitably, the hard-liner meets reality head-on - hopefully realizing how little power or sway they have. Situations are rarely all black or white, so without knowing or understanding all the circumstances, we should avoid issuing any decrees. Aquamarine symbolizes a dose of common sense with a hefty helping of self-awareness. Can we see beyond what we think is right or wrong, and instead listen to others' experiences and just do something that might help?