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

Monday, February 9, 2015

It's Long, But It's Right

From the Druidcraft Tarot, the Three of Wands; from the Druid Plant Oracle, "Vervain:"
          If these three saplings were peach or pecan trees planted by a farmer, he would be very happy to see healthy, green shoots appearing at the tips. But this fellow doesn't seem to be paying much attention to them; he's staring off into the distance at the road. Is he wondering how long this road to success may be? Maybe he's waiting for supplies to help the trees grow, or even more saplings to plant. But things are in such an early stage, I would suggest he pay more attention to those growing trees than what the future holds.
          Vervain (Verbena officinalis) isn't a native plant here in North America, but it has been introduced. The Pawnee have embraced it as an enhancer for entheogens - substances used in a religious, shamanic or spiritual context. That bit of information made me think of an item on a list that David Cain of Raptitude sent out: "Learn the difference between something that makes you feel bad, and something that’s wrong. A thing can feel bad and be right, and it can feel good and be wrong." It is easy to get excited about progress and want to take short-cuts to get there. Buddhism however suggests we should focus on "Right Action," meaning to act with mindfulness and kindness rather than self-centeredness. That road might be longer, but at least it won't be full of regrets later.

4 comments:

  1. There was a time when it was difficult for me to do what felt wrong but I knew it was the right thign to do or vice versa. I had to learn to trust my feelings again and at the same time my own judgement. It felt like having two fighting kids inside me.Luckily they are more mature now :D

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    1. I grew up in the "If it feels good, do it" era; it took some time to figure out that just because it feels good doesn't mean it's the right choice!

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  2. Vervain is used a lot in perfume. I have this deck too but never pulled Vervain yet.

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    1. I think I used to have some vervain essential oil but got rid of it. I was expecting a lemon verbena type smell but was disappointed. I like the flowers much better than the aroma. :)

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