New Forms

From the Brady Tarot, the Wheel of Fortune; from the Citadel, the Miser:

Energy surges through all things, giving rise to them, sustaining them, and transforming them into something else. What remains beyond the birth and death of all things is the energy that bounds forth into new forms upon the demise of the old. ―Dale S. Wright

Eggs, a caterpillar, a chrysalis and a skipper butterfly represent different stages on the Web of Life. The Wheel of Fortune is about movement - physical, mental and spiritual. Where we find ourselves on it is meant to help us develop and mature using the energy of life we've been given. However, the Miser (who hoards not just material things but is unyielding in all things) demands that everything be frozen in time to his liking. Yet stagnation is not healthy for our well-being or progress. As Eric Fromm stated, "Often we, the individual or the people who make up a society, have the illusion we could stand still and not alter the given situation in the one or the other direction. This is one of the most dangerous illusions. The moment we stand still, we begin to decay."

Stick of Shame

This week I'll be using the Brady Tarot, created and self-published by Emi Brady with a companion booklet by Rachel Pollack. I'll also be using the Citadel, an oracle created by Fez Inkwright and published by Liminal 11/Sterling. Today's draws are the Father of Arrows (King of Swords) and Warrior:

Perfectionism in its true sense implies a crippling rigidity. 

—Dr. Sherry Walling

The Father of Arrows (King of Swords) is illustrated with a black vulture. This bird is smaller than the turkey vulture but doesn't have its keen sense of smell to detect decaying flesh. To find food, they soar high in the sky and keep an eye on the lower-soaring turkey vultures. Since they travel in groups, they can easily overpower the more solitary turkey vultures when a carcass is located. Likewise, the Father of Arrows prefers brain over brawn. He is hyper-intelligent - able to rapidly process information, see patterns, understand complex concepts, and skillfully solve problems. Yet the Warrior warns that his hyper-intelligence can lead to the dangerous trait of perfectionism. Constantly competitive, he may expect himself and others to be flawless. There's no wiggle room for the perfectionist, it's all or nothing. With this oppressive mindset, there is no peace or freedom; it rules with the stick of shame.

Sifting Information

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Two of Swords; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, Sacrifice:

Indecision may come from an instinctive hunch that there's more you need to know - which means it's time to learn everything you can about the pros and cons of each option. You can continue on this track, however, only as long as you're unearthing genuinely new information. ―Martha Beck

The hands crossed on this woman's chest are a symbol of many meanings: a barrier (we many need quiet and solitude), a self-soothing tactic (we may need to let our emotions settle), deep thinking (we look beyond the surface), and humility (recognizing we are an imperfect human). All of these are important stations to pass through when we must make a difficult decision. Sacrifice brings to mind a humorous church sign: "You can't have your Kate and Edith too." As much as we might want to keep everyone happy or not limit our possibilities, choices generally require moving forward and leaving something behind. As hard as it may be at times, it's the way we grow (even if we make a mistake).

With Justice for All?

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, Justice; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, Lucidity:

We've learned that quiet isn't always peace and the norms and notions of what just is, isn't always justice. ―Amanda Gorman

Justice should be fair and impartial; its laws should apply equally to all. Yet in the U.S. today, it has been corrupted by revenge, power plays, and bribes. Following one's conscience (if a person has a working one) isn't reliable either, since we easily twist its insights to fit our preferences and prejudices. That's why a jury of one is not advisable. Lucidity means seeing things clearly and rationally without being intoxicated by personal beliefs, selfish desires, opinions or emotions. Justice requires clarity, recognizing that we live in an interconnected, interdependent world. As Helen Keller stated, "Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained."

Battle of Ideas

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Knight of Swords; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, Forgiveness:

I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity. —Dwight D. Eisenhower

This knight seems more excited about the battle than caring for the poor fairy slung over his horse. Mahony comments that such illustrations often represent legends about fighting for a country (like Britannia personifying Britain). In this case, he's interested in slaying all opposing beliefs with little concern for the lives that are impacted or lost. Sounds a lot like our current Idiot in Chief. Yet as Ezra T. Benson wrote, "Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right." Forgiveness suggests we consider what is right and fair for everyone, rather than battling over personal opinions. Our world is too fragile, Donald, for such big egos as yours.

Ring in the Nose

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Queen of Swords; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, Seduction:

When you know what a man wants, you know who he is, and how to move him.

―George R.R. Martin

The Queen of Swords takes us to the mountain top and asks, "What is it that you deeply desire, that you crave?" She then would tell us that thing (or person) is what may compromise our integrity. Seduction in psychological terms is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage in some sort of behavior. We become willing to bend the truth, omitting or exaggerating details; we may do things that oppose the values we claim to uphold. We sacrifice truth and principles for a brief bit of comfort and convenience that won't last. Like the bull's ring in his nose, we need to be aware of what may be used to control us.

It Tends to Stick

From the Victorian Romantic Tarot, the Ten of Swords; from the Dreaming in Color Deck, Manipulation:

Beached under the spumy blooms, we lie sea-sick and fever-dry.

―Sylvia Plath

It's not just our own rigid beliefs that can beach us; being manipulated by the lies or half-truths of another can do the same. Why do we believe what is false? Prefactuals - information we hear before facts are known is a key. Our expectations can override the evidence we are presented with later (climate change is a hoax, for example). Researchers have also found that misinformation is likely to stick when it conforms to our pre-existing political, religious, or social point of view. In other words, we prefer the bonds of our tribe to the truth. But wouldn't it be better to row alone, away from a sinking ship?