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

Friday, May 13, 2016

Confidence vs. Courage

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Wildwitch (Queen of Fire/Wands); from the MentorSpirit Cards, Courage:
          The Wildwitch has a mature confidence born of much experience, rather than the impulsive arrogance of her son. She may not have the looks she did thirty years ago, but she still commands respect and oozes charm. No longer needing praise or approval, there are no social dictates that bind her. She's been following where her fervor leads, but with eyes wide open. This Queen knows herself well and is quite aware of her assets and liabilities. Palin describes her as "the passion for life personified."  It is unusual then that the Courage card was paired with such a confident person. Is there a difference between these two characteristics? I think the Queen has a strong belief in herself and her own powers and abilities. But what if there's no possible way for her to control a situation or its outcome? Courage is being able to act in the face of such uncertainty. Anais Nin wrote, "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." I can't imagine this woman living in a small, confined space; perhaps her owl friend will remind her to spread her wings even if her actions are simply to move with the changes that come.
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6 comments:

  1. Sharyn Mallow WoerzMay 13, 2016 at 9:29 AM

    Beautiful posts. When I first got my computer (1996) I found fractals and used them for my wallpaper for a long time. Endlessly fascinating

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    1. thesycamoretreeMay 13, 2016 at 9:33 AM

      I used to have an oracle by Cheryl Lee Harnish that had beautiful fractals, but the keywords and booklet were so full of New Ageisms that it made me wince so I gave it away.

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  2. EllenMay 13, 2016 at 9:35 AM

    I suppose everyone, even the Queen of Wands has a weak spot. Maybe she is afraid of being alone, without attention of her admirers. Maybe during a sleepless night, alone in the the dark with only her owl, she does need the courage to wait for daybreak when her fear will subside.

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    1. thesycamoretreeMay 13, 2016 at 9:37 AM

      I had never thought about the difference between confidence and courage before; between feeling good about one's own strengths while realizing there is still a lot of uncertainty to deal with.

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  3. Carolyn TindorMay 13, 2016 at 9:41 AM

    What a great post. I too have not really thought about the difference in confidence and courage. Definitely something to think about. I think I have more courage than confidence in the day to day scheme of things.

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    1. thesycamoretreeMay 13, 2016 at 9:52 AM

      I think I'm the same way in many situations, more eager to trust the natural cycles of things than myself in many instances!

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