Put on Your Life Jacket

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Hag of Fire/Maman Brigitte; from the Tattwa Cards, Earth- Seed of Water:

The person who will make your life better, who will change things, who will bring meaning and purpose when everything feels empty, has always been you. 

—Kristo Béranger

Maman Brigitte is a Haitian loa - a spirit who serves as an intermediary between mortals and the divine. She is a guardian of cemeteries, walking there at night, singing and dancing under the moon. She is a fierce protector, particularly of women, and she can be petitioned in matters relating to justice. Yet she asks us to do all we can on our own behalf first rather than simply waiting for someone to come save us. Earth: Seed of Water suggests boldness in a stagnant situation. Rather than remaining stuck, we move in an effort to change, like a stream flowing over a parched land. We do this even though we are afraid, as Erica Jong describes: "I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back."

You Need It

From the Dark Goddess Tarot, the Siren of Earth; from the Tattva Cards, Air - Seed of Water:

If you ever feel like life is too much to bear, remember this: sometimes you just need to laugh. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. A joke, a smile, a little bit of mischief — it’s a form of resistance against the heaviness of life. It doesn’t erase the pain, but it lets you breathe through it.

—Deanna Riddick

Baubo is the Greek goddess of mirth, joy, and bawdy humor. Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, went into a deep depression when she lost her daughter. Nothing grew and nothing was harvested. Baubo went to visit her and flashed her 'assets.' Demeter was shocked and confused at first, but it broke through her darkness; she laughed and was then able to do what was needed. Air: Seed of Water is given the keyword Stagnation. It brings to mind cloud seeding when water becomes scarce. Tiny particles are released by planes into clouds. These particles help moisture condense and fall as rain or snow. Sometimes it takes the introduction of the ridiculous and unfamiliar to lure us back into the world.

Taking a Risk

This week I'll be using the Dark Goddess Tarot, created by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince and published by Arnell's Art (now available from Schiffer Publishing). The oracle I'll be using is the Tattwa/Tattva Cards, based on the teachings of John Mumford. Today's draws are Aphrodite/Siren of Water and Ether - Seed of Fire:

Your playing small does not serve the world. 

—Marianne Williamson

Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire, represents the Siren of Water. Her message for us today is "Love is a risk you must take." What we choose to love - whether a person or a passion - requires vulnerability and the willingness to face possible rejection or change. Yet if we take the risk, we might find fulfillment and a meaningful purpose that transforms us and others. Ether: Seed of Fire symbolizes incubation; we give our 'fire' the space to burn. Rather than a desperate search for true love or something to passionately inspire us, we simply stay open, listen and observe. That spark will eventually get fanned into a blaze and a way forward. 

When the World is Too Much with Us

From the Ferret Tarot, the Fool; from Nature's Wisdom Oracle, the Lotus:

There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go. —Jean Paul

The Fool asks us to live lightheartedly, bringing a sense of newness to our perspective and unencumbered by conventional thinking. Frankly, this morning I feel stressed and worn out; to use Wordsworth's line, the world is too much with me. Yet I am reminded by the Lotus, that starts in the mud and muck and moves slowly towards the light, I too have tools to use. I can start with my senses; feeling a breeze, listening to the birds. I can notice neutral moments, when I'm at peace. I can dig into my spiritual toolbox of principles and practices. And I can find joy in small, imperfect activities. My latest bit of enjoyment has been creating small watercolors of my cats as literary characters (that matches their personality). And so, I present to you, Tad as Puss in Boots; Fig as John Blacksad, P.I. (graphic novel); and Lia as Graymalkin (witch's cat in MacBeth):

Pineapple on a Post

From the Ferret Tarot, the Hanged Man; from Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Pineapple:

It's very easy to get caught up in everything that's going on... it's hard to hit that reset button and get pulled away from all that and see life from a different perspective. —Tony Stewart

The Hanged Man is life's attempt at offering us a turning point, a chance to pause from trying to control and order the world as we think it should be and instead view all 360 degrees of it. It doesn't always work right away; we often spend a lot of time venting and complaining in an endeavor to ignore our powerlessness. But if we can get past this point, calming our indignation and frustration, we get a new look at what we thought we knew already - a new perspective. Pineapple, folklore explains, became a symbol of hospitality when returning sea captains started placing a pineapple outside their homes on gateposts, signaling they had returned and were ready to welcome visitors. I'm sure those captains weren't thrilled to see every visitor, but still they followed Rumi's advice: "Welcome and entertain them all!" Likewise, we don't have to be delighted by everything. However, acknowledging reality rather than battling or ignoring it gives us a chance to understand it better so that that we can respond in a more appropriate and beneficial way.

Mix and Match

From the Ferret Tarot, the Two of Cups; from Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Scarab Beetle:

In a relationship of respect, your task is to understand the other person as a unique individual and learn how to mesh your needs with his or hers... not to control the other person or try to change him or her.  

—Peter Gray

The Two of Cups combines difference and diversity into a relationship of equality and harmony. Like some jigsaw puzzles, this can seem easier before it's unboxed. The key - no matter what type of relationship - is respect. And it is necessary to respect ourselves, not just the other person; otherwise, we may question the sincerity of their compliments or become a people-pleaser. The Scarab Beetle, known for creating a perfectly round ball of dung to feed its young, reminds us that good relationships are formed by developing honest communication, ways to handle conflict without aggression, and a sense of humor.

Sore Winners

From the Ferret Tarot, the Five of Swords; from Nature's Wisdom Oracle, Praying Mantis:

Who knows himself a braggart, let him fear this, for it will come to pass that every braggart shall be found an ass. —Shakespeare

There are sore losers, but there are sore winners too. Such folks gloat about their wins and delight in making the loser feel inadequate and inferior. Rather than graciously acknowledging victory, they act more like a bully who's incapable of empathy. Unfortunately, they don't realize the high cost of their "win," but the Praying Mantis points this out. Hubris creates animosity rather than connection, burning bridges and friendships. Arrogance can convince us that we know more and have a better understanding than anyone else. When things go to hell, there won't be anyone to help, and the blame will fall on the one holding all the swords.