Cosmic Mixer

From the Margarete Petersen Tarot, Mediatrix (Temperance); from the Elemental Dice, Fire + Earth (Volcano):

          Petersen writes that this "Cosmic Mixer" can change the "seven poisons into the seven wisdoms." My biblical upbringing made me think of the seven deadly sins and their corresponding seven heavenly virtues:

Lust  ~  Purity of Thought

Overindulgence  ~  Self-restraint

Greed  ~  Generosity

Laziness  ~  Diligence

Anger  ~  Patience

 Envy  ~  Kindness

Pride  ~  Humility

Contrary to the Church's teachings, I prefer thinking of the "sins" as natural human desires (though I agree they need to be tempered). As an example, if I see a bare-chested, athletic young man out for a jog, I can appreciate the beauty of his body without wanting to jump his bones. Labeling such desires as "sins" and making them seem unnatural can cause other problems in trying to pursue the other "perfected" extreme. For instance, how patient should I be when there is an injustice that needs to be set right? Sometimes anger is what can motivate action. Moderation - using discernment according to each situation - might be a saner choice.

          The Volcano combination from the dice this morning reminds me of passive-aggressiveness, that simmering anger that lurks beneath a calm exterior. Both card and dice made me think of the story of the prodigal son who spent his inheritance with wild living but was welcomed back by his father. But the other son, the one who had been virtuous, was extremely angry that his brother got "rewarded" even after his sinful ways. Perhaps the middle way might be more virtuous than rigid categories of right and wrong.