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

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Relax the Fist

From the Daniloff Tarot, the Knight of Coins; from the Kwan Yin sticks, #36:
The shield of this knight shows a wild bear (or cat?) and a woman, indicating his fierce loyalty to those he has promised to protect and serve. Not only only does he defend, he also takes care of their physical needs - food, clothing and shelter. I've always held this knight in high regard, so the monkey poem was a little disconcerting:
The mighty, clever Monkey has been imprisoned.
He throws off his golden chains
and returns to his mountain home,
joyous and free once more.
I am reminded of the teaching tale about the monkey who reaches his hand in a small hole to grab something he wants. But when he holds the object, his fist won't fit back through the hole and he is trapped. The only way to be free is to let go of the object of his desire. I can see a similarity in the stubbornness of the knight as he tries to serve and protect. Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, I can't insulate those I love from pain. But I can be compassionately receptive to them and their suffering as they deal with the hand life has dealt them.

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4 comments:

  1. EllenJune 15, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    You've blended these two cards beautifully. The knight has to be careful not to become too overprotective because otherwise he could get so overwhelmed, he has to retreat.
    Being "compassionately receptive" is a good example of walking the middleways
    Hug

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    1. thesycamoretreeJune 15, 2014 at 9:33 AM

      Definitely a "lightbulb" moment for me this morning.

      Delete
  2. Sharyn Mallow WoerzJune 15, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    Lovely combination this week. I think we've seen the last generation of men who are happy to be breadwinners.

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    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeJune 15, 2014 at 9:46 AM

      Strange how things that seem like they never will change suddenly do. :)

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