Catching Flies

This week I'll be using the Prairie Tarot, created and self-published by Robin Ator. Paired with it will be the Medicine Cards, a deck and book set published by St. Martin's Press and created by David Carson and Jamie Sams. Today's draws are the Tower and Spider:

Better ride an ass that carries me, than a horse that throws me.

—English Proverb

The Tower is built on illusions, a framework of deceptions we tell ourselves (or that others tell us) that creates an impression of power, security and well-being. But as Thomas Carlyle wrote, "No lie can live forever." Hitting the ground of reality will knock the breath out of us, but hopefully it will also slam some common sense into us as well. Spider's two body segments resemble the shape of an eight - a symbol of infinity. She reminds us that we have endless creative opportunities, but we need to stay rooted in reality rather than living in a fantasy world. An illusory web catches no flies.

Busy Bee

From the PetraK Tarot, the Empress; from the Astrodice, Mercury in Pisces, Fourth House:

The wise man doesn't give the right answers, he poses the right questions.

—Claude Levi-Strauss

The Empress represents unconditional love, mercy, passion and creativity. But above all, she is the power of change and renewal, a force that nourishes but also modifies. She's only a hologram on her throne; she's constantly busy designing what she thinks those around her need. Mercury in Pisces has an intuitive, empathetic communication style; people on the receiving end feel they are listened to and understood. It's not just the ears but the heart that hears and offers them home-like comfort. This roll emphasizes the need to ask questions and listen in order to understand what people need instead of assuming we already know. This method is kinder and much more useful.

Living Musically

From the PetraK Tarot, Art/Temperance; from the Astrodice, Moon in Gemini, First House:

In the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and humbug, and we shall want to live more musically. ―Vincent Van Gogh

Unlike Temperance in RWS based decks, the PetraK Tarot sees this card from a Thoth perspective. There is no walking a fine line between extremes, but a wholesale effort to combine contradictory or opposite elements into one pot. Nothing is ignored; all parts are included to enrich the whole. When researchers measure light as a particle or wave, they find what they are looking for. Yet in a sense, light is both wave and particle, and it is neither. When we stop expecting and assuming, separating what we prefer from what we don't, we discover a much more diverse and astonishing world. The Moon in Gemini within the First House describes a person who is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, while continually tuned in and soaking up those of others. All the while, nothing is hidden. There are no deceptive intentions or agendas. Receptivity and honesty are tools that can help us live "more musically."

Seasonal Activity

From the PetraK Tarot, the Ace of Disks; from the Astrodice, Uranus in Scorpio, 6th House:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

—Ecclesiastes 3:1

Just as the seasons change, this disk spins. At certain times, we are given the raw materials to create, grow or heal. All that is needed is our willingness and effort before the opportunity passes us by. As Michelangelo stated, "There is no greater harm than that of time wasted." In the Astrodice roll, the revolutionary energy of Uranus melds with Scorpio's intensity, transforming daily work and health routines. Just because something looks new or unusual doesn't mean it won't be useful!

Speaking of seasons, this is the kind of summer we're having here in South Georgia:

That's about 39 C. Add in our humidity, and the heat index bumps up to 113 F/45 C. 

Intentional Choices

From the PetraK Tarot, the Magician; from the Astrodice, Neptune in Pisces, 7th House:

Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others' choices make us. 

—Richie Norton

This undefinable Magician moves along the narrow path between illusion and reality, imagination and the concrete world. He symbolizes active will and the possibility of making an idea come true. His first step is creating an intention - focusing his mind one a specific goal then mentally organizing the factors needed to carry it out. But the AstroDice roll implies there might be a distraction ahead. Partnerships for Neptune in Pisces tend to be like a sponge, soaking up each other's energy and emotions. As Melody Beattie wrote, "We take things to heart that we have no business taking to heart." It's okay to have our own sense of self and spend time creating what we want and need.

No Ladders

From the PetraK Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Astrodice, Jupiter in Pisces, 4th House:

No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse.

― Randy Pausch

The Sword suit is double-edged, both a gift and a whammy with its honesty and clarity. Just as we're skipping through life, blissfully unaware of things, a sword gets driven into the ground in front of us. We are forced to wake up to reality, no matter how painful. After several years of disciplined exercise, healthy eating, prescribed supplements and infusions for osteoporosis, my latest tests showed no improvement but a decline. The radiologist said I've got a 50% chance of a hip fracture. I was not prepared for that bit of reality. The Astrodice roll suggests I let compassion and my spiritual path expand my perception instead of panicking. I obviously have some little quirk that is resisting treatment. I am working closely with my doctor, who has ordered some unusual tests (all the usual ones are fine) to see if the cause can be uncovered. She has said there are also injections that might be an option. I have done what I can and will put my fear and disappointment on the shelf as I wait for results and her recommendations. I do not want to squander what is good with worry, but I will not be climbing ladders for a while!

Shared Project

From the PetraK Tarot, the Princess of Discs; from the Astrodice, Venus in Taurus, Eighth House:

Perhaps the secret of living well is not in having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company. —Rachel Naomi Remen

The Princess of Discs is quiet and reserved but hardworking and trustworthy. Like the light that infuses her body, she is open to new ideas and projects. However, once one is chosen, she maintains her focus and locks onto a target to ground it in practical ways. Venus in Taurus within the 8th house creates a slow moving but deeply intimate relationship filled with the pleasures of sharing what each partner brings to the table. What better endeavor could there be than an exciting project to work on together as long as there is patience in the mix?