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, February 22, 2015

Get Going

This week I'll be using the mini Tarot of Pagan Cats, created by Lola Airaghi (artist) and Barbara Moore (lwb); it was published by Lo Scarabeo. The oracle deck I'll be using is Cat Wisdom with photographs by Jane Burton/Warren Photographic, booklet by Tanya Graham and concept by Toni C. Salerno; it was published by Blue Angel. Today's draws are the Hermit and "Wake Up and Get Started:"
          "The need to retreat from distractions and withdraw from the opinion of others in order to determine your truth and ideas about something," is how Moore describes the Hermit card. The interpretation and the cat's climb up the mountain suggest a solitary pilgrimage of sorts. I've been reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and I couldn't help but see the similarities between this card and his pilgrimage to Mecca. Having been disillusioned by the religious leader he held in the highest regard as well as made a target for death, Malcolm went to the Middle East to find the truth of Islam.  In this foreign place (quite different from the culture he knew), he was overwhelmed by the brotherhood of love and acceptance he encountered. It would radically change his heart.
          The oracle card made me chuckle, not just because it was cute, but because I could relate so well to the message. I can't count how many times I have gotten enthused about something, then spent weeks researching it. I would purchase books or surf the internet for information; I would buy special clothes, tools or other paraphernalia that I "needed" to accomplish my goal. And though I poured time and money into the idea of doing something, I never actually did it. So if I'm going to make my pilgrimage (whether internal or external), I had better get moving.
     

Posted by at
Labels: ,

6 comments:

  1. Sharyn Mallow WoerzFebruary 22, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    I've learned to recognize that behavior, encourage it, because it is exciting and creative...but put a clock on it and a lock on the wallet. My three week rule. If I'm still interested after three weeks, it is probably a keeper idea :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeFebruary 22, 2015 at 9:32 AM

      "put a clock on it and a lock on the wallet" - now that's some sage advice! :)

      Delete
  2. EllenFebruary 22, 2015 at 9:45 AM

    @ Maclom X "Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughnes" What a waist of energy we as white people have started with our arrogance
    I agree with Sharyn. Often the three week rule will help me too. I also belief the internet to be huge enabler for these kinds of "needs"
    Look at the little cat he doesn't need a thing but his inner light. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeFebruary 22, 2015 at 9:54 AM

      His autobiography has definitely poked some prejudices I didn't even know I had; it's been an enlightening read if only for that.
      The internet is a huge enabler - it easily convinces me I need to buy, buy buy! (All the while life is going by, by, by.)

      Delete
  3. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2015 at 4:03 PM

    I'm like this too, I love research and books and such. I generally have things on and off my wish list. I find that with most decks I can take 6 months or more to decide on them.

    Internet groups are terrible for enabling. I noticed a trend a few years ago for "back-up decks" and buying multiple copies. It seems a symptom of desperate insecurity to me, or deeply ingrained shopaholism. Perhaps it was a symptom of greed in that people would turn around and sell a $20 deck for $200? All kind of...needy, desperate, some psychological grip and lack of reason. Whew

    Recently I went to a group on fountain pens and saw that they were like that--buying ten of the same pen, for some unknown reason. I learned how to fix my old vintage pen which was good, but what wasn't good was the feeling that I needed more.

    This has happened to me on lists or forums for fabric, dolls, embroidery, art supplies. In one way the Internet is fabulous for information and you might learn of tools or supplies that will be useful, but the shopping thing becomes like a meme that takes over the senses.

    Sharyn must have more discipline than I, because it takes me months to get that sort of thing under control when something hits my fancy. I really need to sit on the idea for much longer to gain discernment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeFebruary 22, 2015 at 4:29 PM

      Internet groups ARE enablers. I don't get the "backup" deck idea though; I've never worn out a deck yet. I suppose if I did a lot of public readings and had a favorite deck I used, I might have an extra so I wouldn't have to worry about it getting messed up.
      With the other stuff (like books), I'm getting better at just choosing one instead of a box full. I'm much more likely to use it that way - I have more time to devote to one instead of a glance through many.
      Sharyn has WAY more discipline than I do; I use her as a role model. :)

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)