When Urgency Fades

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Queen of Chivs; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Deck, the Eight Directions of the Wind:

Sometimes we mistake the end of the crisis for the end of the problem. Crisis can clarify what matters, but it cannot make us live by what we have learned. That choice comes later, when urgency has faded and the familiar life is quietly inviting us back. —Yonatan Hambourger

This Queen sits before us with an upright sword and an open chest. She asks us to tell her our stories and experiences, being as honest as possible. When we have finished, the Queen asks, "What did you leave out? What have you purposefully ignored?" She knows information is not necessarily the truth. The Eight Directions include the cardinal directions and their gifts: West (courage), North (endurance), East (illumination) and South (growth). The intercardinal directions are also included, which represent challenges: fear, apathy, rigidity and stagnation. Challenges and difficulties aren't forced upon us as lessons to be learned; they are a natural part of life. But to live a skillful life, we should digest any wisdom we can rather than bypassing them and returning to our regularly scheduled program. 

I'd Rather Know, But...

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Fire:

I'd much rather 'know', but then again, not-knowing keeps all the possibilities open. 

―Ruth Ozeki

A contractor doing some work inside the house once asked me why I had a small collection of gemstone skulls. I told him that they reminded me of the principle of impermanence - good or bad, things only last for a limited time. The Wheel of Fortune indicates change is on the horizon; like the skulls, it is a symbol of constant transitions. Fire is both a consumer and creator. How does it create? Nutrient-rich ash that improves the soil. Fire opens some seeds so they can sprout It also opens the forest canopy, allowing more sunlight to reach the ground, allowing new plants to grow. We humans hate uncertainty, but we actually can't see far enough down the road to know all the possibilities that might come because of change. 

It'll Take Some Patience

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Page of Koshes (Staves); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Deck, Hanblecheya:

Doing less is often harder than doing more.  

―Carolyn Rubenstein

This Page craves what is fun and daring, always vying to be the center of attention. He stretches his neck and muscles after a training session with his older brother in learning the skill of plate spinning. When things are new, he can be hyper-focused, but his attention wanes quickly. He'll have to train in concentration as well if he wants to learn this skill. Hanblecheya is a traditional Lakota (Sioux) sacred ceremony commonly known as a Vision Quest. Things that normally keep one busy and entertained are left behind, as the participant spends time alone in a remote, natural place while fasting. Attention changes when there is less of everything; at first, we may feel restless and irritated until we settle. Inner inspiration comes when we become open rather than trying to force it. Both these cards ask us to be patient, stay focused, and become receptive - it'll be worth it. 

Starting Anew

This week I'll be using the Buckland Romani Tarot, created by Lissanne Lake and Raymond Buckland; this book and deck set was published by Galde Press. Along with it, I'll be using the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, created by Archie Fire and Chief Lame Deer; this deck and book set was published by Inner Traditions. Today's draws are the Ace of Bolers (Wagon Wheels) and Mitakuye Oyasin:

There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them. —Phyllis Bottome

This particular Ace represents new beginnings in the material world: money, career, and health - the physical foundations of life. The abandoned wagon wheel covered with ivy reminds me of the changes that come with aging. I've collected a lot of exercise videos over the years, but recently got rid of a lot of them because I could no longer do them safely or without pain. Elderhood doesn't mean we need to give up but encourages us to find new things we can learn and do instead. This Ace is a reminder that opportunities still abound if we'll stop fretting about what was lost. Mitakuye Oyasin is a sacred Lakota phrase that translates to "all my relations." It acknowledges that everything is connected and a part of one family, that no part is greater than any other, and that our actions can affect the whole. Indigenous cultures have honored their elders, but our modern societies seem to find them more of a burden. Yet while those of us might not have all the technological knowledge that some younger folks do, we have a wider history that gives us a more panoramic view of life. It grants us a different sort of perspective, such as realizing WWII is definitely not the same as the current war we're in with Iran.

Concepts to Application

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Ten of Cups/Ixchel; from the Tattwa Cards, Air - Seed of Earth:

I shall become a master in this art only after a great deal of practice.

—Erich Fromm

Ixchel is the Mayan goddess of the moon, water, fertility, and midwifery; she is often shown tipping over her sacred jar of water to let the endings and beginnings of the world flow. The Ten of Water is about emotional fulfillment - not to be confused with being happy all the time. It means we stay grounded in meaning and purpose that allows us to feel the whole range of human emotions. The Air: Seed of Water card symbolizes putting concepts into practice by transforming ideas and knowledge into everyday actions. With regard to emotional fulfillment, we begin to recognize that moods are normal and transient rather than expecting to be cheerful all the time. As Mark Manson wrote, "The desire for more positive experience is itself a negative experience. And, paradoxically, the acceptance of one’s negative experience is itself a positive experience."

Two Minds

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Two of Fire/Hekate; from the Tattwa Cards, Air - Seed of Fire:

It takes two flints to make a fire. —Louisa May Alcott

Hekate is the Greek goddess of the crossroads, frequently seen striding through the night with two torches. She acted as a guide, leading others from one place to another, and as a tracker (she helped Demeter hunt for and find Persephone when she was abducted). Hecate tells us not to get tangled up worrying about making a wrong choice but instead focus on the new direction we want to pursue. Air: Seed of Fire combines the intellect and ideas of Air with the energy and transformative action of Fire. Sometimes dreams materialize because there is creative cooperation - an idea person with a vision and an implementer who can use them to produce something concrete (think Arthur Waite and Pamela Colman Smith). Having a partner can help us make the leap from the routine to a new endeavor, as each person can encourage and inspire the other. As Oliver Wendell Holmes stated, “Many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind than the one where they sprang up.”

Live Like a River

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Six of Cups/Tefnut; from the Tattwa Cards, Water - Seed of Water:

Between the banks of pain and pleasure the river of life flows. 

—Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Tefnut is the ancient Egyptian goddess of moisture and dew - the life-giving water that sustained the desert land. As a representative of the Six of Cups, she asks us to water our own desert. Sometimes we must look back at what made us curious or awestruck, the simple hobbies or activities that brought us joy. Can we remember a time before all the stressful responsibilities and obligations weighed us down? Water: Seed of Water is about flowing and adaptability. It reminds us not to cling to the bank of pleasure and desire nor freak out if we bump into the bank of pain. Neither can hold us for long if we let go and accept what is present. As our memories will remind us, things come and go. Instead, we might live as John O'Donohue's words suggest: "I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding."