From the
Wild Unknown Tarot, the Chariot; from the Pictish Oracle, the "Stag:"
The rays of the sun shine in all directions, suggesting energy and vitality in this card. In the Chariot, this could be a good thing
if these are channeled in the right direction. It's like taking a kid to Toys R Us and telling them to pick out a toy - without any guidelines or suggestions. The kid has so many choices, he or she usually winds up sobbing hysterically because there is too much to choose from. The horse wears a pentacle around its neck and a crescent moon on its brow; both are touchstones of a sort. The pentacle is a nod to the High Priestess to stay in touch with the inner self and its guidance rather than be led hither and thither by the senses and emotions. The pentacle is also a guide to stay grounded and connected to what is practical and real. It is with such focus that goals will be met and progress made.
The Stag is a symbol of the wildness of the forest. Having drawn this rune with the Chariot suggests that I shouldn't get
too caught up in the guidelines. It would be easy for such restrictions to become a cage, snuffing out my energy and enthusiasm. Diets are good examples - how likely are you to stick to a food plan for an extended period of time that tells you to
never ever eat certain foods (allergies or moral issues aside)? For me, that horse would come up lame before we got a few miles down the road.
Often telling your self NO is only intensifying the desire.:)
ReplyDeleteThis Chariot is magnificent. Just like the whole deck. We are gradually moving forward again; trying to focus on the future while staying grounded and gentle for ourselves. M is looking for a new pup to love and look after and to keep her life structured
Sometimes it is like riding an emotional roller coaster:)
Staying grounded and being gentle with yourself sounds wise to me. Please ask M to post a picture if she does choose a pup.
DeleteLife is indeed a roller coaster ride - hugs to you and yours, Ellen.
We will make one happy post of it with lots of pictures when we have a new addition to our family
DeleteTee hee, can't imagine you throwing a tantrum because you can't make a choice. Haven't had that experience yet with my boys, so I can still laugh about it ;)
ReplyDeleteI definitely see that encouragement to trust your inner self, even if it is a wild part of you. As for the Stag and diets, what that made me think of is the way shaman's put on antlers, and the way we can change our mind set to change ourselves. That's what I think hypnotherapy is doing to help me stop eating sweets - 11 days now!
I read a quote by Rami Shapiro that made me think of you:
Delete"I think all consumption—food, clothing, electronics, cars, etc.—matters and impacts us physically, emotionally, morally, environmentally, and spiritually, and we would be wise to consume in ways that are beneficial in all five dimensions. Without telling you what to eat, I suggest that you ask yourself whether what you consume is of benefit to you in each of these five ways. If it is, consume it. If it isn’t, don’t." Congrats on your 11 days!
Wow, that's quite a tough call. I'd say it's very hard in our current society to consume in a way that is beneficial on all those levels. Plus there's the problem of finding what is most moral, etc. Like the arguments about whether it is better environmentally to eat locally reared, organic meat, or to be vegan. There are so often pros and cons to every option, I get lost in it all if I let myself :(
DeleteI think he meant (or at least I'm interpreting him this way) to pause and consider if my consumption is beneficial on some level or not, and if so how. I may eat something I might not normally eat at a celebration, but I wouldn't eat it at other times. So while it wouldn't benefit me much physically, it would benefit me and the people I'm with on an emotional and spiritual level because we are joyfully sharing a meal. I do get your point too - but I would have to base my choices on my own definition of what is beneficial, not someone else's. A normal person might have a glass of wine to relax (which might be beneficial), but for a recovering alcoholic there would serious consequences.
DeleteYes, that makes a lot more sense to me. Thanks for the clarification, Bev :)
DeleteI love this deck.
ReplyDeleteBeing a horse nut I especially love this card!
Many folks think having numerous options is a good thing, especially for there kids, and define it as having freedom. In fact it acts like a prison of sorts because you are paralyzed by indecision and lose your way. Having a limited choice is a good thing. But dogma, doctrine, who needs it, not me.
When I was a youth care worker for over twenty years, Barbara Colloroso she came to talk to our agency. She said that society was more concerned with controlling kids as opposed to understanding them, lumping everything into a 'rule'. She also said there are rules, that should be followed; anything unsafe, illegal or immoral, the rest were guidelines. Made sense to me.
Wise words in this post!
My appreciation for this deck grows as I use it more. I like Colloroso's ideas about the differences between rules and guidelines. I'm trying to use this with my MIL (early stage dementia). Some battles aren't worth fighting, but others (like nutrition) I tend to stand my ground on. Thanks Catherine!
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