Before They're Easy

From the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, the Two of Wands; from the Button Oracle, Dragon:

All things are difficult before they are easy. 

—Thomas Fuller

When we decide to move out of our current state of affairs and cross into unknown territory, it can be both an exciting and scary transition. Like the cat keeping his balance on the clothesline, we no longer have what was familiar as a safety net. There are new skills and knowledge to acquire as well as new people to connect with. We must let go of the old methods and put our energy into this new version of life. Eastern dragons are portrayed as good, kind, and intelligent, and so the Dragon button represents preserving our well-being. Learning new ways of doing things can make us feel incompetent and awkward, but we don't need think we're burned-out light bulbs. Instead, we can be kind to ourselves, recognizing that mistakes are natural as we adapt and get the hang of things. 

Take Along Your Wise Mind

This week I'll be using the Granny Jones Australian Tarot, created by Rebecca Jones and published by Kangaroo Press. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Button Oracle, a set I made from a collection of buttons. Today's draws are the Seven of Wands and Cactus:

Never surrender your hopes and dreams to the fateful limitations others have placed on their own lives. Judge not by their words but accept advice based on the evidence of actual results. 

—Anthon St. Maarten

Let others know about a great change in the making or a goal that is strived for, and you can bet a laundry list of likely obstacles and objections will be voiced. In some cases, these critics may feel insecure about their own choices; discouraging us may give their egos a boost. Yet a few may have some genuine concerns and advice that might help rather than hinder us. Rarely do we reach any dream on a linear, level path, so some of these nuggets may be beneficial. The Cactus Button cautions us not to adopt a prickly attitude when everyone is not on board with our plans. We need to be careful that we don't inadvertently antagonize our allies as we huff and puff in frustration. As Karyn Hall encourages, "Wait for your wise mind to be in charge. Your wise mind can take in new information, be flexible in considering alternatives, and be creative in thinking of solutions."

First, Lay a Foundation

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Knight of Koshes (Wands); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Swan:

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. —Saint Augustine

The Knight of Wands is a natural at showmanship. This fellow is always looking to upstage other acts and even one-up himself. He's decided that he wants to be a fire eater, not just a fire juggler. Yet even his horse seems to be giving him a side-eye over this decision. Swans are a symbol of grace and a peaceful heart. These gifts are a result of humility, a product of a mind free from the turbulence of the ego. Humility allows us to learn from others, rather than thinking we're always an expert. The Knight of Wands would do well to embrace and work on this virtue. It might at least keep him out of the ER.

Baiting Hooks

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Three of Koshes (Wands); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, Whirlwind and Storm:

When we have done our best, we should wait the result in peace.

—John Lubbock

When we're ready to extend some creative energy outside our normal bounds, we bait our hook and cast our line in the water. Maybe we're looking for a new job, or perhaps we're seeking a partnership in a new endeavor. Whether it's resumes and interviews or background checks and frank discussions, we put forth the effort and see what bites we get. Patient confidence is a must if we're looking for a beneficial return. The Whirlwind card is a reminder that rarely does life move in a smooth, unbroken line. We can respond on a dust devil level to these obstacles, making a few changes and moving things around, or we can go full-tilt tornado, and likely destroy all the good that we've accomplished so far. Directing and focusing our energy prudently will likely land a fish rather than attempting to get things to shift backwards.

Skip the Rocking Chair

From the Buckland Romani Tarot, the Four of Chivs (Swords); from the Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards, the Sun:

Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. 

—Folk proverb

Racing thoughts can clutter our mind, causing stress about how we are going to manage our life. In such cases, life is now managing us. This fellow seems to have grounded one of his concerns, but he still has some hanging over his head. He's sifting through them, first checking the reality of the thought - if it is an assumption or projection instead of something concrete. If it turns out to be real, he asks himself what steps he can take to alleviate the situation. If he has no influence over any of it, he reminds himself that he just doesn't know how things will turn out in the long run - there are more possibilities than the few he has considered. And then he takes a nap. Sun represents the power that clarity can bring. It clears the clutter, showing us what is actually important, and clarifies what appropriate response we might take rather than wasting our energy. 

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.