Full of Stars

From the Ellis Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Brownies Oracle, Plenty:

If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.

—Albert Einstein

Ellis describes this card as refusing to make new choices. Trying on new ideas and perspectives may seem as icky as walking through a wall of spider webs. But in a constantly changing world, we can't continue to stick with what is obsolete, we must learn to be innovative. Our initial reaction to trying on new approaches may feel ridiculous, but according to Einstein, that just means we're on the right path (stepping out of our old thinking). In Plenty, the Brownies remind us of Maya Angelou's statement: "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Once we stop looking at the sky through a drinking straw, we realize just how many stars there are.

It's a Team Effort

From the Ellis Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, Connection:

Once we truly know that life is difficult - once we truly understand and accept it - then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

—M. Scott Peck

This King of Pentacles likes his comforts, but he knows what it is like to do without them. He didn't get to his position through a royal bloodline, but through a hardscrabble life. He enjoys the good life, but he doesn't expect it or even feel entitled to it. He understands the nature of earthly existence. Yet there is one thing he has depended on - the support of others. Connection is a reminder that sometimes we need to be the bolster and other times we are the bolstered. It depends on recognizing the value of others, no matter which role we play, and maintaining our gratitude for them.

Buried in a Coffee Can

From the Ellis Tarot, the Four of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, Manifestation:

That which is used - develops. That which is not used wastes away.

—Hippocrates

In our current economic situation, hoarding our money might seem wise. Yet just as regular physical exercise builds strength and stamina, we must use our money wisely for it and to grow and be sustained. When money is intentionally removed from productive circulation, we risk losing purchasing power due to inflation, and we lose out on interest and potential returns. Manifestation might seem like all we have to do to attract wealth and become financially stable is to say some daily affirmations. If only it were so simple... It is what we do - through effort, knowledge and discernment - that affects what we create and have. While money gives us options, it's helpful to remember the words of George Lorimer as well: "check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy."

Tactile and Tactful

This week the tarot I'll be using is the Ellis Deck, created and self-published by Taylor Ellis. Paired with it will be the Brownies Oracle, created and self-published by Doug Thornsjo. Today's draws are the Page of Pentacles and Discretion:

What the hand does the mind remembers.

—Maria Montessori

The Page of Pentacles is a tactile learner, filled with curiosity. She relishes getting her hands dirty and getting sweaty if it means she can learn how things are put together, how they work and how to use them. Her diligence and focus reflect the traits of her formidable animal companion. However, she cautions that up leveling our skills will demand our patience and effort. Discretion, the quality of behaving with prudence and tact, is encouraged by the Brownies (in this case, they don't want to get eaten). If we are asking for someone to teach us, we need to listen and watch rather than trying to impress them with what we already know. As the Zen story goes, no one's teacup can be filled if there's no room left in it.

From the Prairie Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Medicine Cards, Moose:

Someone can decide it’s in their best interests to agree to something, but a choice is only really a choice if there’s a genuine alternative. Otherwise, it’s manipulation and it’s taking advantage.

―Jane Harper

As this deck is about the American West, I can't help but see this Three of Swords through this lens. First, in the way Native peoples were forced off their lands by U.S. government expansion, broken treaties, and forced relocations during the 19th and 20th centuries. Secondly, it made me think of the millions of American bison that were slaughtered due to government-sanctioned military strategy, and recreational sport. Moose are associated self-respect, which does not come from power but from connection, wise choices, and contributions to others. Its medicine would suggest we follow Pema Khadro's advice: "Deprive others as little as possible through your presence in the world, do not take what is not given and avoid squandering your resources. Cultivate great acts of generosity."

No Piggybacking

From the Prairie Tarot, the Queen of Cups; from the Medicine Cards, Skunk:

The reality is you probably can't solve what they're facing. Instead of trying to erase that uncertainty, help them tolerate it. —Angela Haupt

The Queen of Cups looks downward into a huge chalice. Intuitive and insightful, she is known for her emotional wisdom. She understands that most people don't want advice, they just want to be able to manage their intense emotions. She helps them see that their feelings are alerting them to something deeper that needs attention, patiently weaving them through the labyrinth to find what's at the center. It is her support and encouragement that helps them the most. Skunk reminds us that while helping others is commendable, we need to also know how to protect ourselves through boundaries rather than aggression. We must know how to separate our own emotional well-being from the need to fix or carry another's pain.

Telling the Difference

From the Prairie Tarot, the Page of Swords; from the Medicine Cards, Alligator:

Discernment is not a matter of telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right. —Charles Spurgeon

This fellow is obviously a more mature Page of Swords. Rumors and gossip (birds, dragonflies, leaves) swirl all around him, yet he keeps his sword tip in the ground. Half-truths and juicy tidbits can be easy to swallow if we aren't willing to track down reliable sources (without an agenda), ask questions, and uncover the facts. Alligators have a slow metabolism, so they digest food over an extended period; because they are cold-blooded, they lie in the sun to help increase their metabolism and digestion. Alligator's message is that we may have missed some important information in our assessment (it hasn't been 'digested' in our awareness). We need to check and see what we might have overlooked or consider if we may be unaware of a bias. It's been said that intelligence and wisdom rarely keep company, but if humility is thrown into the mix, we can consider that we might be wrong and recheck our judgment.