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, April 26, 2015

Accolades and Non-attachment

This week I'll be using the Spiral Tarot, a book and deck set created by Kay Steventon and published by U.S. Games. I'll also be drawing from the Sacred Journey Cards, a set created by Cheryl Thiele and published by Pomegranate. Today's draws are the Six of Wands and "Ground:"
          A jockey and his horse, having beat the other challengers, enjoy the attention of the Winner's Circle. Theirs isn't a victory of pure luck; long hours of training muscles and mind were what gave them the edge. Yet the "Ground" card shows up and makes me think of a hard fall from atop that horse. It suggests enjoying the moment while being aware that life doesn't hand out unending accolades. As Chuang Tzu said, "You forget your feet when the shoes are comfortable. You forget your waist when the belt is comfortable." It is the nature of being human to become attached to these good times, so we suffer when our cycle of  achievement comes to an end. Being grounded implies equanimity, a state of being calm and balanced whether in the midst of difficulty or delight. Rather than indifference, it is the refusal to allow the ego-self to pull us in one direction or the other based on conditions.

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8 comments:

  1. EllenApril 26, 2015 at 10:54 AM

    Lately my feet and waist are clearly present so I am enjoying my belt and shoes whenever I can. Being aware of these cycles of ups and downs make me very appreciative of the good times :)

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    1. thesycamoretreeApril 26, 2015 at 1:35 PM

      I think Chuang Tzu was making the point that when things are good (no discomfort), we sometimes forget to appreciate them while remembering they are impermanent. But it sounds like you are grateful for where you are right now! :)

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    2. EllenApril 26, 2015 at 1:39 PM

      I think my current feelings have clouded my interpretation of this quote :)

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  2. UnknownApril 27, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    This is a great card combination Bev.

    I sure learned it was important to know how to fall. I got the real estate award from covering so much ground!. I could even fall off in slow mo! Humbling, but the higher the horse the harder the fall. Why I keep on horses well under 16 hands! Good to keep that ego in check for sure, to be grateful, and not take things for granted.

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    1. thesycamoretreeApril 27, 2015 at 11:07 AM

      "The real estate award" - too funny! :) Makes me think of the phrase "the bigger they are, the harder they fall."

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    2. UnknownApril 27, 2015 at 1:44 PM

      Holy crap well I was big when I first started at 40 years of age, and fell hard! I lost 50 pounds and the fallin' got a bit easier...but still got that that award! LOL

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    3. thesycamoretreeApril 27, 2015 at 2:00 PM

      I didn't mean YOU being big, I meant the horse! :D
      But hey, 40 lbs. is quite an accomplishment, so congrats for that. :)

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  3. UnknownApril 27, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    No I didn't take it that way Bev. I'm just saying I was 50 pounds over weight, and lost it after all that barn work, chores and riding everyday. Man! That was hard work. I walked a little funny too for a while! LOL

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