Break the Cycle

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Ace of Swords; from the Marseille Oracle, the Clock/Destiny:

Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. – Baruch Spinoza

This Ace of Swords divides a world into peace (dove) and war (eagle); according to the booklet, one does not exist without the other. Indeed, throughout recorded history, there has been no period entirely free from conflict. And today I see that the Trump regime has joined Israel in bombing Iran. Holy shit, what is wrong with this administration? Perhaps the words of Johan Galtung explain things: "Peace equals the ability to handle conflict, with empathy, nonviolence, and creativity." Empathy and the ability to be creative in diplomacy is definitely not in Trump's wheelhouse. The Clock suggests repetitious cycles, which fits with human's penchant for war. Instead of doing the same thing over and over and getting the same results, we would be wise to heed the words of Albert Einstein: "We must be prepared to make heroic sacrifices for the cause of peace that we make ungrudgingly for the cause of war."

A Good Escape

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Page of Pentacles; from the Marseille Oracle, the Anchor:

She kept her nose in a book and her head in the clouds. 

—Karen Robards

This Page finds studying fascinating; the more he learns, the more he wants to know. Yet he hasn't figured out that ideas are not reality, and his studies often keep him from experiencing the real world. Reading and learning are fun, but to be useful, we need to apply or test the knowledge we've gained. The Anchor suggests that people are a good way to ground ourselves. When we talk ideas over with others, we get different perspectives and hear different experiences. Good friends will gently steer us back to reality when we're about to fall down a bottomless rabbit hole. While books can be a good escape, they should also make us want to enjoy the world too. 

A Little Key

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Nine of Pentacles; from the Marseille Oracle, Secrets:

A very little key will open a very heavy door.

―Charles Dickens

A well-dressed fellow admires an exotic tree and bird in his garden. The key on the Secrets card reminds me of all the questions people ask of those whose lives they envy: "What's the secret to your success?" "What's the key for your longevity?" "What do I need to be happy?" Most just want to fast-track their desires. But that little key Dickens talks about is just the willingness to apply consistent, ongoing effort to achieve what we want. A simple solution, but one many folks don't want to hear.

Lies and Amends

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Marseille Oracle, Amends:

We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter. 

—Denis Diderot

This fellow has been swindled in a game, losing all of his money. Of course, the con man first had to convince the mark how skilled he must be and how he could easily take the swindler's money. The Five of Swords is often viewed as a forceful argument yet lies also work - both often end with the self-congratulatory pride of a winner and the shame and anger of a loser. Amends suggests that the offender realizes his mistakes and wants to apologize. As the 12 & 12 (AA) tells us, "He can make little headway in this new adventure of living until he first backtracks and really makes an accurate and unsparing survey of the human wreckage he has left in his wake." The hurt party would likely prefer a living amends (sustained, honest and positive behavior) rather than a moment of humiliation.

Don't Tell Me What to Do

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Page of Wands; from the Marseille Oracle, Unexpected Changes:

When people feel that their choices are restricted, or that others are telling them what to do, they sometimes rebel and do the opposite.

—Elizabeth D. Hall

The booklet describes this Page as an idealist who feels the need to tell others what they should or shouldn't be doing. Perhaps the second boy didn't break the tree but found it that way. Yet as soon as the Page starts preaching, he creates a massive barrier to any further discussion. "Don't tell me what to do!" is the likely response from anyone who feels judged by another, regardless of who was right or wrong. Unexpected Changes suggests that this Page might mature and realize that asking questions rather than making demands might be a better approach. When people are listened to and feel like they have choices, they are more likely to open their mind. 

Absence of Stability

From the Russian Lubok Tarot, the Moon; from the Marseille Oracle, Well-being:

Intuition cannot be trusted in the absence of stable regularities in the environment.

—Daniel Kahneman

We are a pattern-seeking people - our brains evolved to recognize structure and order to aid learning, decision-making, and survival. But what happens when we find ourselves in continual chaos, when confusion becomes the only constant? Then we're on the path entre chien et loup, between a dog and wolf, when things are too ambiguous to see clearly and accurately. Rather than wander in the fog trying to fix things, Well-being suggests we sit ourselves down and focus within. We practice self-regulation, a method to help keep negative emotions in check and allow us to think before we react. Mindfulness and cognitive behavioral techniques are useful for this, and a much better use of our time than worrying or raging.

Collaboration

This week I'll be using the Russian Lubok Tarot, created and self-published by Eugene Vinitski and Sergey Savchenko. I'll also be drawing from the Marseille Oracle, a deck created and published by Lo Scarabeo with a little booklet written by Isa Donelli. Today's draws are the Three of Pentacles and Hearth:

We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own. —Cesar Chavez

This Three of Pentacles shows three masters in their respective field working together to build a temple. The booklet brings up the term "sobornost" - a term that expresses the need for co-operation between people as an alternative to individualism and socialist collectivism (group goals over individual interests). With each person using the skills and knowledge they have, they work together; what is important is the result that is achieved. Hearth emphasizes that families need the same type of collaboration and solidarity to prosper. Unity with diversity is possible if we aren't consumed with just our own or our group's desires.