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, July 22, 2015

Cup of Calmness

From the Thoth Tarot, the Knight (King) of Cups; from the Vertical Oracle, "Divine Intervention:"
          I love the way Harris painted this Knight; his wings make him appear to be a part of the crest of a wave. He holds the cup (Holy Grail) in front of him, allowing it to be his navigational device. This man represents a tricky balance between fire and water. The peacock in the bottom right corner looks as if it is beginning to fade away. It suggests the fiery will of the Knight is being directed away from power and libido to use for watery acts of compassion and kindness. (However I do notice his stallion gives it a longing glance, as they soar over it.) Yet unlike his Queen, he will retain enough fire to prevent any waves of emotion from overtaking him.
          I groaned when I drew the "Divine Intervention" card; I don't believe in any Santa Claus-like deity who makes changes in the real world because of prayers. But fear not, Alli describes this as a "benevolent interruption" caused by a "formless nameless wisdom." This I can work with. It reminds me of the Buddhist meditative technique called shamatha, or calm abiding, that allows the mind and body to relax and settle by focusing on the breath. Once settled, our boat sails above the ego (our peacock) to an open spaciousness that is pervaded by joy and clarity. I think it is this cup of calmness from which the Knight sips. 

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11 comments:

  1. EllenJuly 22, 2015 at 8:48 AM

    Personally I do believe in prayer. The why's and how's of this practice are still not clear to me but I don"t mind. For me prayer works. It is probable a deep embedded remnant of my Christian beliefs
    "this cup of calmness from which the Knight sips."I would love to have sip too today :)

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    1. thesycamoretreeJuly 22, 2015 at 9:29 AM

      I actually do pray, just not in a religious sense. It is a way for me to remember people and hold them in my heart, particularly those who are suffering. I do believe in Mystery too, just not a defined deity. :)

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    2. EllenJuly 22, 2015 at 10:54 AM

      "Defined Deity" is for me a doorway to Mystery. It doesn't matter how you see Mystery, it only matters that you see and love

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  2. Sharyn Mallow WoerzJuly 22, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    such a beautiful Knight.

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    1. thesycamoretreeJuly 22, 2015 at 11:13 AM

      He is indeed. I like all the motion Harris is able to convey with this painting.

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  3. RoseJuly 22, 2015 at 3:59 PM

    I'll echo the comments on the Knight's Beauty. There is some fire here but it's tempered by all that water.

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    1. thesycamoretreeJuly 22, 2015 at 7:13 PM

      I see his fire in all the energy of movement. :)

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  4. Bridgett MarieJuly 22, 2015 at 5:15 PM

    I do believe that "words" are powerful, so I am always careful what I say out loud. I prefer to use the word incantation instead of prayer, and energy instead of deities. I go back and forth with the idea of Gods. After leaving the Christian church, it is a bitter pill for me.

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    1. thesycamoretreeJuly 22, 2015 at 7:22 PM

      I have no label, whether pagan or Christian, Hindu or Buddhist. At some point, I've tried them all on and found none of them fit me, but I have friends from each of these groups and I try to respect their beliefs. I have gained something from all of them though. I have a spiritual practice as opposed to a spiritual belief system.

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  5. AnonymousJuly 24, 2015 at 1:26 PM

    What, you don't believe Jesus is gonna give you a Cadillac if you pray and watch the 700 Club?

    I think many prefer to leave it more open-ended.

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    1. thesycamoretreeJuly 24, 2015 at 1:50 PM

      I'll believe that if I can get it in writing (and notarized) with an option for a lawsuit. :D Is the 700 Club still on? Heavens...

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