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, March 6, 2016

Flag Planting

This week I'll be using two self-published decks: the RochesTarot created by Jay Lincoln and the Animal Shaman Visions Cards by Carole Beasley. Today's draws are the  Two of Wands and American Bison:
          What is it about most humans that makes us restless and discontent with simply maintaining the status quo? Perhaps it is because deep down we know that change is always happening, and we try to keep up with it. The Two of Wands is astrologically connected with Mars in Aries, meaning a lot of fiery energy is combined with a spirit for adventure. This guy has already been to one mountain top and planted his flags (is that like a dog peeing on a bush, I wonder?). His choice of transportation - a male big horn sheep - suggests that his quest for power and domain has only just begun. He's already got his eye on another mountain to conquer.
          The American bison (commonly known as buffalo) has long been considered a symbol of abundance and the sacredness of life to the Lakota Sioux. The legend of White Buffalo Calf Woman tells of of holy woman who appeared and gave the people a pipe that she used to explain the interconnection of life. She should have also used it to whack the white Europeans over the head with it, as they nearly hunted the bison to extinction in the 1800s. The combination of these cards reminded me of the biblical encouragement in Genesis to “to subdue the earth and exercise dominion over it.” Now doesn't that sound like a good excuse to take whatever you can use without regard to what's left behind? The holy woman's advice is just as relevant today as it was then. Being at the top of the brain chain means we should aspire to be good stewards rather than earth scorchers. The yin-yang symbol the rider holds is a nod not to forget the sacred balance as we plant our flags along the way.

8 comments:

  1. I really like the quote from Genesis, 'to subdue the earth and exercise dominion over it' - is exactly why the our Mother Earth is in such turmoil. Man's dominion over all. Both of your cards have animals with horns to headbutt anyone or thing in their way.

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    1. I wonder what a difference it would make if the verse had been written as "care for the earth and see it not just as a resource but as part of your family."

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  2. I think that the Two of Wands is not only about to keep up with change but also to try to stay in control of it.

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  3. those horns bring to mind the most recent "I can't believe a presidential candidate said that". I also watched Ken Burns The West program this week. And was reminded, Four years, all it took to kill off herds in the millions. White men..pffpft.

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    1. I wish I could see the candidates as stand-up comics; I think I would find them much more entertaining rather than frightening. Whitebreads can be an entitled bunch of folks... ack.

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  4. Oh boy this post is preaching to this choir. God, honestly it's embarrassing to be white. So much Colonial Bull Shit in the world. I agree with you Bev seeing politicians as stand up comics...if only it were true!

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    1. Just looking at what Americans have to choose from for the next potential President.... sigh.

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