Those Dark, Deep Holes

From the Shadowscapes Tarot, the Devil:

In some cases, the Devil represents a need to "let down your hair" and have a bit of fun - but not here. The beast dances on top of a cliff with a heart caught in his cobwebby hands. Beneath him, a woman curls her body in reaction to the desperation and hopelessness she feels. The small cave she hides in reminds me of the "hole in the soul" so many people in recovery talk about. It is a nameless fear that creates a huge emptiness inside. We may try to fill it with food, drugs, promiscuity, or unrestrained shopping, but all we get for our efforts is the weight of shame added to our already heavy load. The mask above the woman hints at a solution: we need to stop trying to pretend we have it altogether and have all the answers. Honesty, open-mindedness and a willingness to change are keys that will open the locks that bind us.

From the Cedar Runes comes "Tiwaz:"

Tiwaz is named for the Norse god Tiw/Tyr who sacrificed a hand to a wolf in order to protect others. As a result, this rune has come to be associated with courage and action in spite of fear. It may demand some self-sacrifice on our part in order to find the success or satisfaction we seek. The sacrifice I see in relation to the card above has to do with my ego. I must admit I don't have all the answers, be open to other ideas and suggestions, and then become willing to put them into practice.