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

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

The Practical Side of Practice

From the Touchstone Tarot, the Eight of Pentacles; from the John Waterhouse Oracle, "Narcissus:"
           Surrounded by his tools, this fellow has a book marked at a page he can refer to as he works. Congratulations buddy, you have done what most people don't - apply what they learn. I can't count how many workshops I've been to or books I've bought in an attempt to learn something new. The fun part was accumulating the knowledge and studying something exciting. I was always highly motivated then. But when it came to practicing the skills I often gave up before I mastered anything. Which leads directly to Narcissus at the water's edge. He was so in love with his own beauty, he finally passed away staring at his own reflection. What a waste! I'm sure with his good looks he could have been a great politician, preacher or chariot salesman. These two cards suggest I shouldn't recklessly spend my time, money and energy on learning something if I'm not willing to go through the training phase as well. Even natural talent must be polished.
Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation.
― Ann Voskamp

Posted by at
Labels: ,

6 comments:

  1. Sharyn Mallow WoerzJune 24, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    Ring ring. Truth calling :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeJune 24, 2015 at 10:36 AM

      Answering machine picks up: "Sorry I can't come to the phone right now. I'm busy ordering more books on Amazon." :D

      Delete
  2. EllenJune 24, 2015 at 2:49 PM

    For me it is also very tempting to keep on reading/studying so I won't have to start practicing and applying what I've learned. Often because I am afraid I won't be able to and/or I will fail my own expectations.
    Still the Eight of Pents is a favorite card of me probable because I envy the patience and perseverance depicted in that card

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeJune 24, 2015 at 7:07 PM

      Oh yes, I am very familiar with those kind of expectations! I imagine they keep a lot of people from ever discovering just what they are capable of doing.

      Delete
  3. Bridgett MarieJuly 6, 2015 at 10:20 PM

    Well said! I can relate. My procrastination doesn't help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeJuly 7, 2015 at 6:55 AM

      The thought of doing something is usually a lot more fun than the actual doing in my case, lol.

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)