Taking Care of Business

This week I'll be using the Animal Totem Tarot, created by Eugene Smith with a companion book by Leeza Robertson; the set was published by Llewellyn. I'll also be using the Blum/Gern Rune Cards created by Ralph Blum and illustrated by Gabrielle Gern with publishing by Connections. Today's draws are the Knight of Pentacles and Sowilo:

What I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it. 

― Heartsill Wilson

Prairie dogs are named for their habitat and warning calls, which sound similar to a dog's bark. The extensive underground colonies they dig can be recognized by the mounded holes at the burrow entrances, usually 30 to 50 per acre. These mounds serve as lookout points and as a way to keep water from entering the burrows. This Knight of Pentacles reminds us to be good stewards, to protect and care for what we hold dear. Sowilo ("sun") represents positive energy and drive, encouraging us to grow and thrive. While the Knight emphasizes what is external, Sowilo points to the wholeness of our lives, bringing to mind Rumer Godden's words: "...everyone is a house with four rooms, a physical, a mental, an emotional, and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person."

Quiet Work

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Queen of Coins; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the Moon:

No one sees the quiet work, but that’s where the change happens. Your best results will come from the habits no one claps for.  —Aishwarya Mani Tripathi

Being "Water of Earth," it is not surprising to find this queen's portrait in a water garden. She may not be outspoken (as the Queen of Swords), flamboyant (like the Queen of Wands), or deeply empathetic (as the Queen of Cups), but she is practical and resourceful. She believes in starting with basic needs then working outward; her actions of kindness are concrete and useful. While what she does is not flashy, people appreciate and are reassured by her nurturing. The Moon in Lenormand is unlike the Moon card in tarot. It represents recognition and honor, just as the sun shines on the moon and allows it to reflect light. Small things done can mean a lot to those who are in need.

I Can See Clearly Now

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Star; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the Sun:

Given that both joy and pain are inevitable parts of life, what would a healthy, insightful response to the sheer fact of this reality be? ―Dale S. Wright

The Star offers us a place to pause and recuperate after the shock of our fall. When we are open to see the truth, it points to the problem of ignorance (not a lack of knowledge but rather a misunderstanding or misperception of the nature of reality and of ourselves). The Sun brings the antidote of wisdom, which exposes an accurate view of all things: nothing generates itself; nothing stands on its own; and nothing just is what it is forever. In other words, everything is in relationship to all else, created by causes and conditions that are impermanent and subject to change. Seeing with clarity, what would a wise response be in this moment?

Reward System

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Nine of Cups; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, Coffin:

The brain effectively developed an in-house reward system for altruistic, prosocial behavior.

—Suzanne Degges-White

The 'wishes granted' card shows nine decanters of perfume. Our sense of smell is connected to the olfactory bulb, a part of the brain's limbic system that is often called the "emotional brain." Our brains forge a link between a smell and memory; good times produce good memories. Yet the sweet smell of such bottled fragrances only last two to three years, as the Coffin alludes to (endings). However, researchers have found that while self-focused actions can give us a feel-good bump, altruistic actions provide a more durable, long-term boost to our well-being. Such prosocial behavior engages us and gives us a feeling of belonging. 

Incoming Messages

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Chariot; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, Birds:

The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.

—Robin Sharma

The charioteer is represented by a statue known as Ephebe of Agrigento. Ephebe is a Greek term that describes a male adolescent who is in military training. His 'horses' are Naxian sphinx statues, symbols of power. The Greeks saw them as merciless - if you couldn't answer their riddles, you got eaten. How often have we vowed to do or change something, only to have our emotions or desires steer us off course? The Chariot is about learning to harness the senses, emotions and instincts so they work for us rather than against us. The Birds card symbolizes conversation, but because these birds are woodpeckers who often drum to communicate, this conversation might be of a different sort. Perhaps it an internal one from our body sending us a message. According to research, physical sensations within the body can cause psychological effects, and the ability to perceive and interpret those signals (interoception) can have a profound influence on mental health. We need to pause and question what's going on within us, using discernment before we follow or ignore those messages.

Equity, not Sameness

From the Tyldwick Tarot, Justice; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, Stars:

Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need. 

—Rick Riordan

The scales of the Justice card are a reminder that the quality of fairness is what keeps things in balance. But it's not cut and dried, like slicing a pie and giving everyone a piece that's exactly the same size. A person who steals food should not get the same sentence as a person who robs a bank. A homeless person will need more help than a person living in the suburbs with a nice house. Justice is about equity, realizing that people have different strengths, challenges and limitations. The Stars card uses a compass rose that indicates the cardinal directions and their intermediates, suggesting guidance. When wanting to level the field, people at the top may assume they know what the people at the bottom need. But those who are wise will be guided by the answers to questions they ask rather than the assumptions they make.

Put It on the Priority List

From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Five of Coins; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, Clover:

The human body’s adaptability is a testament to its remarkable design and evolutionary history. 

– Dr. Moses Lee

The Five of Coins shows a neglected outbuilding covered with vines and surrounded by weeds and dilapidated furniture. Likewise, the human body is often ignored. When we're busy, its needs often get overlooked until we are in pain or sick. But if we plan on traveling around in it for a while, it deserves our care. Clover - a symbol of hope and opportunity - reminds us that while our body isn't bullet proof, it is resilient. Managing our stress levels, eating healthy, exercising and getting rest can acknowledge all this wonderful vehicle of ours does for us.