Going Off-Script

From the Ellis Tarot, the Ace of Cups; from the Brownies Oracle, Suppression:

Without emotional awareness, we live according to a script that we’ve never taken time to better recognize and understand. ―Bernard Golden

Ellis describes this Ace as symbolizing emotional growth and healing. One thing I've noticed about emotionally mature people is that while they feel their feelings, they don't get intoxicated by them (causing their logical brain to go off-line). Such folks don't automatically look for an outer cause, which can result in rationalization, blame, or excuses. Instead, they look inwardly to consider if old patterns ('scripts') are about to cause a habitual reaction. Suppression is not about toxic positivity - the excessive and unhealthy promotion of positivity that invalidates and suppresses genuine feelings. It asks us to hold our tongues and reactions until the emotional energy passes, feeling it physically without writing a story around it in our mind. 

Thieves of Joy

From the Ellis Deck Tarot, the Seven of Swords; from the Brownies Oracle, Reaping:

Watch out for the joy-stealers: gossip, criticism, complaining, faultfinding, and a negative, judgmental attitude. —Joyce Meyer

Words can steal the joy and peace of mind of others. Unhappy humans often act like autocorrect automatons, marching around judging and finding fault with anything that even hints at cheerfulness. If we're on the receiving end, we need to be careful - their words are like sticky, hot tar that can easily trap us unless we ignore them. However, we can flip the script they're trying to sell us: we spread light instead of having it sucked out of us. Reaping is a reminder to be prudent with our words; those who sow briers will eventually wind up in a bed of thorns. As Jim Rohn stated, "If you don't like what you are reaping, you better change what you have been sowing."

Full of Stars

From the Ellis Tarot, the Eight of Swords; from the Brownies Oracle, Plenty:

If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.

—Albert Einstein

Ellis describes this card as refusing to make new choices. Trying on new ideas and perspectives may seem as icky as walking through a wall of spider webs. But in a constantly changing world, we can't continue to stick with what is obsolete, we must learn to be innovative. Our initial reaction to trying on new approaches may feel ridiculous, but according to Einstein, that just means we're on the right path (stepping out of our old thinking). In Plenty, the Brownies remind us of Maya Angelou's statement: "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Once we stop looking at the sky through a drinking straw, we realize just how many stars there are.

It's a Team Effort

From the Ellis Tarot, the King of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, Connection:

Once we truly know that life is difficult - once we truly understand and accept it - then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.

—M. Scott Peck

This King of Pentacles likes his comforts, but he knows what it is like to do without them. He didn't get to his position through a royal bloodline, but through a hardscrabble life. He enjoys the good life, but he doesn't expect it or even feel entitled to it. He understands the nature of earthly existence. Yet there is one thing he has depended on - the support of others. Connection is a reminder that sometimes we need to be the bolster and other times we are the bolstered. It depends on recognizing the value of others, no matter which role we play, and maintaining our gratitude for them.

Buried in a Coffee Can

From the Ellis Tarot, the Four of Pentacles; from the Brownies Oracle, Manifestation:

That which is used - develops. That which is not used wastes away.

—Hippocrates

In our current economic situation, hoarding our money might seem wise. Yet just as regular physical exercise builds strength and stamina, we must use our money wisely for it and to grow and be sustained. When money is intentionally removed from productive circulation, we risk losing purchasing power due to inflation, and we lose out on interest and potential returns. Manifestation might seem like all we have to do to attract wealth and become financially stable is to say some daily affirmations. If only it were so simple... It is what we do - through effort, knowledge and discernment - that affects what we create and have. While money gives us options, it's helpful to remember the words of George Lorimer as well: "check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy."

Tactile and Tactful

This week the tarot I'll be using is the Ellis Deck, created and self-published by Taylor Ellis. Paired with it will be the Brownies Oracle, created and self-published by Doug Thornsjo. Today's draws are the Page of Pentacles and Discretion:

What the hand does the mind remembers.

—Maria Montessori

The Page of Pentacles is a tactile learner, filled with curiosity. She relishes getting her hands dirty and getting sweaty if it means she can learn how things are put together, how they work and how to use them. Her diligence and focus reflect the traits of her formidable animal companion. However, she cautions that up leveling our skills will demand our patience and effort. Discretion, the quality of behaving with prudence and tact, is encouraged by the Brownies (in this case, they don't want to get eaten). If we are asking for someone to teach us, we need to listen and watch rather than trying to impress them with what we already know. As the Zen story goes, no one's teacup can be filled if there's no room left in it.

From the Prairie Tarot, the Three of Swords; from the Medicine Cards, Moose:

Someone can decide it’s in their best interests to agree to something, but a choice is only really a choice if there’s a genuine alternative. Otherwise, it’s manipulation and it’s taking advantage.

―Jane Harper

As this deck is about the American West, I can't help but see this Three of Swords through this lens. First, in the way Native peoples were forced off their lands by U.S. government expansion, broken treaties, and forced relocations during the 19th and 20th centuries. Secondly, it made me think of the millions of American bison that were slaughtered due to government-sanctioned military strategy, and recreational sport. Moose are associated self-respect, which does not come from power but from connection, wise choices, and contributions to others. Its medicine would suggest we follow Pema Khadro's advice: "Deprive others as little as possible through your presence in the world, do not take what is not given and avoid squandering your resources. Cultivate great acts of generosity."