Rewriting History

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Waterhouse Oracle, Cleopatra:

Envy is the tax which all distinction must pay. —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cleopatra VII was the last ruler of Egypt before it was annexed as a province of Rome. She was fluent in a number of languages and was an effective diplomat and administrator. Her involvement with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony came about after she had already successfully steered Egypt through a difficult period. Yet envy and vested interests attempted to steal her intelligence and success through defamation. Roman historians painted her as a sultry seductress who threatened Rome and paid the price. Kind of reminds me of all the insulting names Trump has called female reporters who asked him hard questions.

Be Aware and Be Wise

From the Touchstone Tarot, the World; from the Waterhouse Oracle, Mariamne Leaving the Judgement Seat of Herod:

The most expensive thing you will ever do is spend time with the wrong people. 

— Germany Kent

From a spiritual perspective, the World offers us a 360 degree view. We arrive at a place of understanding that allows us to see more of the whole rather than just our assumptions. People aren't just naturally assholes or saints - everything is in relationship to other things. We are all shaped by the flux of conditions and causes that surround us. Yet awareness allows us to be mindful of these impacts, and wisdom pauses to assess these interconnected pieces. If a situation isn't healthy or kind, we can step back rather than identify with it. Waterhouse's painting of Mariamne shows Herod's wife being led to her execution after Herod's sister and mother made false accusations against her (in a move to protect their own interests). Who we surround ourselves with, the places we go, and what we feed our mind can create causes and conditions that impact us in unintended ways. Be aware and be wise.

Lighten Up

This week I'll be using the Touchstone Tarot, created and self-published by Kat Black. Along with it I'll be using the John Waterhouse Oracle, created and self-published by Elaine Wilkinson. Today's draws are the Happy Squirrel and Windflowers:

You be greater than your feelings. I don't demand this of you - life does. Otherwise, you'll be washed away by feelings. You'll be washed out to sea and never seen again.

― Philip Roth

I had forgotten all about the Happy Squirrel card until it turned up this morning. Originally from an episode of "The Simpsons" many years ago, it is a satirical look at fortune-telling (how rigidly and grimly some folks read the cards). Kat Black describes it this way: "Lighten up. Do not take yourself, or anything, too seriously. There are no simple answers, life is very complicated and the most important thing is to take joy in the journey." Windflowers, sometimes called Windswept, shows a woman and a field of flowers buffeted by gusty winds. It is a caution about letting our emotions sweep us away without questioning the validity or perspective behind them. We don't have to attempt to squash our feelings, but neither do we need to self-identify with them either. This is just a moment in our lifetime, not an era. 

Grow the Good

From the Brady Tarot, the Two of Arrows (Swords); from the Citadel Deck, the Forgotten:

When we let go of our battles and open our hearts to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present moment.  —Jack Kornfield

Two predators (a wolf and a cougar) that compete for food and territory have become bound together. Stress humans out by making them angry or fearful, and there's a good probability the solution they come up with will be destructive rather than constructive (especially to themselves). But this card suggests we pause in our battle; as Kornfield reminds us, "To let go does not mean to get rid of. To let go means to let be." Why is this necessary? For one thing, we are probably wasting energy on things we can't control. But Forgotten reminds us of something else - we have ignored the things and people who are important in our lives. We choose the seeds to cultivate each day, so why not grow the good and nurture the loved?

Self-Preservation

From the Brady Tarot, the Four of Arrows (Swords); from the Citadel Deck, Aspirant:

The key to keeping your balance is knowing when you've lost it.

— Anonymous

The Aspirant advocates reaching for goals, which provides them with a purpose. But it is advisable that any ambition be balanced with self-care if we are to maintain our physical and mental health. There are many who have difficulties noticing imbalance - especially those who work to help those in need, or activists who work for justice and reform - until they keel over with exhaustion and stress. The Four of Arrows (Swords) suggests a time of temporary withdrawal. It is illustrated with a nightjar, a bird with excellent camouflaging skill. As Audre Lorde said, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation..."

Changing Roles

 From the Brady Tarot, the Hierophant; from the Citadel Deck, the Mascareri:

One man in his time plays many parts.

—William Shakespeare

The Hierophant is illustrated with a peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on earth and a symbol of a messenger between earth and the spirit realm. The ancient Greek roots of the word 'hierophant' literally mean "one who shows sacred things." Perennial wisdom has provided us with ethics, meaning and purpose while offering us traditions to find our way on a spiritual path. Unfortunately, humans want to organize and mass produce their particular brand, leading to the Way becoming the Only Right Way. The Mascareri ("mask makers") card suggests that we all assume or are given various roles throughout our lives. But we mustn't think that any role truly defines who we actually are; we can let go of those that no longer fit us. As Bridget Webber cautions us, "No one’s personality only consists of the qualities their roles suggest. They have facets to their persona and abilities that often go untapped because their roles limit them."

No Evading

From the Brady Tarot, the Son of Roots (Knight of Pentacles); from the Citadel, the Runaway:

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. 

—Abraham Lincoln

Brady describes this Knight/Son as someone who loses himself in the task at hand. Like the mole, he is not content with checking the surface of things; he's going to tunnel under and make sure all is well. He knows that it's the simple things we overlook that can turn into big things later if we don't attend to them. The Runaway is an expert at ducking and avoiding needs and responsibilities. But that unpaid bill, toothache, or lack of care for things we own can mushroom into a larger problem. We may think we're getting a pass, but responsibility has a way of finding us. 

Back from Cousin Camp at my mom's where we celebrated her 88th birthday. (Me and mom are the shorties in the middle.)