I use tarot and oracle cards as tools for reflection and contemplation. Rather than divining the future, they are a way for me to look more deeply at the "now."
"The goal isn't to arrive, but to meander, to saunter, to make your life a holy wandering." ~ Rami Shapiro

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Quiet Mind, No Slime

From the Tarot de St. Croix, the Four of Swords:
I had a good chuckle when I drew this card. Today is crunch time, as I make pet schedules, water plants, and pack for my trip tomorrow. "Take a rest from your busy mind," the booklet tells me. Well, as much as I hate to admit it, she has a point. But because I feel that restlessness that often comes before doing something, a sitting meditation is probably not going to do me much good. Lately though, I've been doing a walking meditation where I chant. Now this isn't a "Julie Andrews twirling and singing" kind of thing; I do chant out loud but softly. Lately it's been the chant Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu, Sanskrit for “May all beings everywhere be happy and free from suffering.” I sing to the birds, trees and people in the houses I pass on my walk. But today I will also include myself.

From the Archetype Cards comes "Femme Fatale:"
Choosing this card made me feel like I got slimed. The femme fatale (literally "fatal woman") is simply a master manipulator. And what a perfect way for someone to pull me from my Zen moment in the Four of Swords than to be so needy I can't resist. George Simon lists three behaviors of manipulators: concealing motives, knowing the vulnerabilities of the victim, and having no qualms about being ruthless. Seeing this list might make me a little more wary and reconsider who really needs me and who just wants to use me.

5 comments:

  1. That is a great way to put your mind to rest! it is quite similar to my "cycling meditations" Whenever I am riding my bike I am chanting too.It helps me to keep my mind from planning; worrying. But there is always room to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings
    I hope you will have a great trip.

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  2. Yes, it gets me moving to deal with my restlessness and the chants focus my thoughts on something positive - much like your "cycling meditations." :)

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  3. A reminder that I haven't chanted in a while, amazing how it can slip from my radar sometimes. Baby's asleep right now, but I could chant silently…
    As for the Femme Fatale, makes me think that even master manipulators need to be honoured and loved - they're part of the circle of life, too. I shall try to open my heart to someone I feel is trying to manipulate me today!

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    1. "Opening your heart to all" makes me think of the Buddhist Lojong slogans and the practice of tonglen meditation. :)

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