Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Watch Out for the Undertow
From the Tyldwick Tarot, the Queen of Cups; from the Antiquarian Lenormand, the "Anchor:"
Though she may be represented only by a pool, the head of Poseidon carved into the garden wall arch implies the Queen of Cups' emotions run as deep as the oceans. The magpie - known for its chatter - is another symbol of her emotional depth. These birds are considered among the most intelligent of all animals; they have been observed taking part in elaborate grieving rituals. Now while I might feel the full intensity of emotions, I rarely express them. As a child, stepdad number one suppressed any tears with a slap or words meant to shame. Unfortunately, my habit seems to have been passed unintentionally to the next generation. My daughter and I, along with some of her friends and some of my friends, recently went to see the movie Inside Out. Parts of it were quite heartbreaking, and there were tears shed (but not by me). As we were walking out of the movie, someone asked my daughter if she cried. She replied, "Well, I cried on the inside. I'm like my mom." You never know when you're modeling behavior for someone. Yet along comes the Anchor, a Lenormand card that suggests perseverance, stability and security. It reminds me that expressing my emotions doesn't mean I'll be overwhelmed and drown in them. Instead, they might help wring out that heavy, wet sponge I'm carrying around. After all, it's not the waves that get you, it's the undertow.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
So aptly worded Bev. I can relate to the wet sponge feeling When I do cry it is more that I am running over than that I am actually crying.
ReplyDeleteThe difficulty is how do we change a habit formed over many years? And is crying on the inside less healing than shedding real tears? A therapist once told me in order to be sad or to grief you don't have to cry but you do have to embrace how you feel inside.:)
Hugs
I think the "embracing" part is what I have a hard time with. I tend to want to look at the emotion scientifically then box it up and stick it on a shelf.
DeleteWhat if there is no room left!
DeleteThen you do a Mt. Etna impression!
DeleteLooking at this pairing my first response was a physical one, the yielding body as anchor for the tides of emotion.
ReplyDeleteLovell's approach to the QoC is quite intellectual, isn't it. I do love the presence of the magpie and wasn't aware of their intelligence level.
Using the gardens and estate house for images instead of people does make for a interesting way to look at a tarot! He doesn't have a lwb, so you have to go with what you see and how you interpret it.
DeleteThat last sentence packed a punch! I find this same thing true in my own life. I have one daughter who will express her thoughts and emotions with me openly, and the other who will not show me any of them. I was always taught to keep my emotions off from my face. As you said above, we pass some things on to our children, without the knowledge that we are doing it. The anchor to offers us hope. I would like to hope that this learned behavior will somehow serve them well in their future. That it will keep them safe against a storm.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid stuffing emotions (even just the weepy ones) can come back to bite you in the bum. Like I said to Ellen above, there could be an explosion eventually!
Delete