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

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Awareness of the Past

From the Sacred India Tarot, the Six of Lotuses (Cups); from the American Pen Oracle, David Ignatow:
          Parvati, daughter of the mountain lord, wanted to marry the god Shiva. But Shiva was content to stay deep within his meditation, even going so far as to burn up the love god Kama when he showed up with his bow and arrow and interrupted him. Parvati finally figured out that her beauty would never impress Shiva, only spiritual practice. She began performing tapas ("to heat") - rigorous ascetic practices designed to burn away past karma. Her intense, inner cleansing did make Shiva take notice, and he accepted Parvati as his wife. This version of the Six of Cups reminds me of the 12 Step "searching and fearless moral inventory" that is required to be able to see patterns of past behavior and realize what part a person played in how his or her life unfolded. Choices and actions based on fear, anger, pride and self-centeredness are examined. The process is not meant to bring shame but awareness and illumination; it allows a new, liberated way of life to begin. In a poem to his daughter, Ignatow writes: When I die choose a star and name it after me, that you may know I have not abandoned or forgotten you. His words make me wonder what others will remember about me when I am gone. Will it be acts of kindness or acts of frustration and resentment that shine from the darkness? Though I can't rewrite the past, I can learn to live more mindfully in the present.

Posted by at
Labels: ,

7 comments:

  1. EllenAugust 25, 2016 at 8:45 AM

    I am sure the intent we live our life with is what counts in the end. we all have made and will make numerous mistakes. But to live mindfully and start each day anew is the wisest choice we can make each morning when we get up

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeAugust 25, 2016 at 9:53 AM

      Intent does imply being mindful; my guess is that most of my mistakes and misdeeds have come from being mindless! :)

      Delete
    2. EllenAugust 25, 2016 at 10:13 AM

      Like we've both discovered yesterday :D

      Delete
  2. Carolyn TindorAugust 25, 2016 at 9:40 AM

    Wow, what a flush of inspiration I just received from Ignatow's quote that you shared. I love looking at the night sky and now I can look at it differently. I never learned names for all the stars but now I can name a few for family members who have left the planet and know that I am never alone. There they are winking at me from above.
    So you think the snake wrapped on Parvati's shoulder is her released kundalini energy?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thesycamoretreeAugust 25, 2016 at 9:55 AM

      So glad that quote was inspirational to you! :)
      I think the snake does represent the energy (kundalini awakening) that was released when the purification process she engaged in removed her blockages.

      Delete
  3. CaroleAugust 26, 2016 at 2:17 AM

    "His words make me wonder what others will remember about me when I am gone"... In my heart and my world, your love, kindness and compassion will echo on. :) xo

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)